There were no real moves to contemplate- the phones weren’t ringing; there were a lot of buyers and not many sellers. Parity in the NHL means most teams believe they can compete for a playoff spot.
This is a new phenomenon in the league – there were very few deals done at the deadline this year – the least amount in 7 years. The salary cap contributes to it – and the amount of teams – including us – that are on the bubble hoping to qualify for the playoffs. And the amount of injuries to key players around the league, too. Many teams have holes to fill; there weren’t players moved to fill the holes.
I think this lack of movement will have a ripple affect around the league; it will be interesting to see if the off season- around the trade deadline – is busy for trades.
We now head into the last 20 games of the season with our team intact; we didn’t add to the lineup; we didn’t take anything out of the lineup. We have finally regained Mike Green back into the lineup; and he is contributing. We await progress on Nick Backstrom.
We have a good run of games at home now. We are one point out of a playoff spot; we have 3 games in hand on the team right in front of us. There are several teams close to us in the standings right behind us.
It is time now for the final push. We can’t have distractions; we must be productive and garner points. Wish us well; see you all tonight. Go Caps!
I am terribly disappointed that there were not any trades made but I am even more disappointed in the comment by the Mr. McPhee where he stated that, “the team as currently constructed can make the playoffs and if Nicky comes back we can contend for the Cup.” Sadly there appears to be little chance of Backstrom coming back which means that the expectation for the team now is to simply be good enough to make the playoffs. If that is where the bar is now set then it is time to admit that the young guns era is over and let’s make the changes necessary, both in personnel and attitude, to raise the expectation back to being a Cup contending team.
I am afraid our window to the cup has closed. In hind sight we should have stayed run and gun and added better defenseman and a top goalie.
I think vokuun could be the goalie, but alas our defense is far too soft for the regular season not to mention playoffs.
I think GMGM has had long enough and Dale just doesn’t coach like he played.
Time for a new proven GM and cup wining coach.
Mr. Leonsis,
Have to agree with Robert there… this team as constructed is not capable of winning the Cup, and therefore the right thing to do would have been to make sure the Caps get back value for players that are not expected to be with the team next year.
I understand the desire to get into playoffs, but I think I speak for the majority of fans in saying that the Cup is all that matters at this point. Even from a business perspective, getting a bit of extra revenue now (IF the team makes the playoffs) does not seem to compare to getting back picks and prospects that might result in a number of extra playoff rounds in the future.
As it stands now, the Caps are incredibly thin at center. With Backstrom a huge question mark and two inexperienced young centermen behind him, I don’t know how far back into history you’d have to go to find a Cup winner with a similar lack of depth/experience at center. It is understandable that there were no good deals for a center at the deadline, but if indeed this was a seller’s market, then it would have been best to recognize that the team has major flaws, and that this is the right time to be a seller.
The result of the deadline has been that the Caps have forgone pretty much a full draft’s worth of picks they could have had for players that are not likely to return/play a major role next year — all for an insignificant chance of winning the Cup this year. And this is not a matter of not having faith in the team. There have injuries, new coach/new system, several players performing below expectations, lack of options at the deadline.. sometimes you have to be a realist — when inaction means mortgaging some of the future for a wild bet on short term success.
I know a lot of fans feel this way.. we are not children that need a playoff fix every year to feel good about the team. We want the Cup, and are willing to accept any short term sacrifice that is a part of a clear strategy to get there. This year, unfortunately, we have not seen that from the Caps’ management team.
Respectfully,
Go Caps!
Ted,
We missed a HUGE opportunity to get something back for players that we aren’t using, most of whom will be gone on July 1 as it is. The Caps can certainly make the post season, but I think betting a Stanley Cup run with no assets on a return to health of Nicky Backstrom and Mike Green, and the return of interest in hockey to Alex Ovechkin is a little much. At best, I don’t see us making it out of the 2nd round as currently constructed, even at our best. If we could have traded guys like Dennis Wideman (who is unlikely to stay due to contract demands), Mike Knuble (unlikely to stay due to disuse), or Roman Hamrlik (likely to stay because of a 2 year contract, but be a dour locker room presence because of disuse), then it’s a must, by the terms of your very own 10 point rules. Assets are assets, and the fact that your 5 year plan failed to materialize doesn’t change the fact that this team violates the biggest rule. It CANNOT win the cup as currently constructed, and needs work.
Rob
Let’s Go Caps! Every year is different and there is no script. As of today we are still alive, so just as Ted says, “it is time now for the final push.” And if that push isn’t enough, is another “push” of sorts considered to introduce new blood and energy into Kettler more than the Verizon Center?
Where’s our jump, Ted? Or at least how about clearing out a few contracts that are spending a lot of time in the press box? I’d hoped we could make use of some extra draft picks or something for next year, since it doesn’t look like we are going far this year.