As you may know, Kris Beech was claimed off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks. This was done to "bolster" the Hershey Bears lineup (uh, okay). And being a center, if anything should happen to the already fragile position, he will most likely see some action in a Capitals' jersey. Beech was set to make $585,000 in the two year deal he signed with Columbus Blue Jackets. But the Caps are just looking to keep Beech in the minors for half price.
The best part of trade deadlines and off season moves is always the speculation and rumors that go on with fans. So I am taking this opportunity to speculate a little myself. Alex Ovechkin's contract will not hit the salary cap until next season which still gives the Capitals some room to play with for the rest of this season. Since the Caps may be looking for a Micheal Nylander replacement, here are a couple interesting names to throw out there.
Peter Forsberg still wants to play in the NHL. While still recovering from injuries, Forsberg could start his recovery in a Caps sweater. He would cost around $5.75 million (what he made when he left the league) and his Swedish countrymen on the Caps could help convince him to make a return to "bolster" the Capitals' line up. Just how recovered the playmaker is from his injuries remains to be seen, but the Caps could sign the dynamic center to a one year contract to fill an empty slot.
If the Captials are looking for temporary help, why not trade? Mats Sundin's future in Toronto seems to be on the rocks as new management takes over there. It would cost the Caps a few first rounders and maybe some prospect talent (Fehr, Beech?) but the Caps could take Sundin's $5.5 million contract then he is a unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Sundin would be a grinder of a center with the skills to both be a playmaker and the ability to score.
Those are just two of the possibilities the Caps could take. I am not saying that they would, but the Caps can afford it since they are still $14 million shy of the Cap ceiling. If the Capitals do want to make a playoff push it might be wise to get some proven talent like Sundin or Forsberg to help out for the rest of the season. Then next year, Micheal Nylander will be able to return and both Forsberg and Sundin are free to sign with who they want in the off season.
Showing posts with label Forsberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forsberg. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday, February 16, 2007
Caps Lose SO Again, Forsberg Traded
Capitals 2, Lightning 3 OT/SO (0-1)
Scoresheet – Wash Post
The Caps fought hard in this one, but Vincent Lacavalier and Martin St. Louis were just too much for the Caps to pull out the win in Tampa. Caps had the 1-0 lead, but it only took less than five minutes for Lacavalier to unravel the Olie Kolzig-less Capitals in the second period.
When a team like this is looking for points to make a run for the playoffs, even the third and fourth lines need to pick it up. There was no goal support for Alex Semin or Alex Ovechkin in this one. Only a last minute goal by Dainius Zubrus let the Caps capture at least a point.
Back in the line up are Brian Potheir and John Erskine. You could feel a sense of relief come over DC (or rather the suburbs) to see those guys’ images on their television screens. The Caps did play a good game, just not enough to get two. Having Potheir and Erskine back was a large improvement.
Caps continue to struggle in shootouts too. If Ovie couldn’t buy a goal in the shootout lately, and while the hair cut looked good, it just didn’t help. The Caps are 1 for 6 in the shootout this season (scoring only 3 times while letting in 10).
It’s one of those games that had the possibility of being a great steal for the Caps to win one against a divisional rival, but instead it’s another loss among many for a team that is given no chance to succeed. A game that significance is buried amongst bigger news around the league.
That bigger news maybe that Peter Forsberg is now a Predator. The Flyers’ superstar was shipped to Nashville for two players and two draft picks. There goes holding out hope that maybe the Caps were interested. David (I take the S and the D out of spoiled) Poile, the mastermind of the trade, called it only fair to send Forsberg to a new team after the Flyers experience one of there worst seasons in memory.
Or even Joe Sakic scoring his 600th goal in Calgary. Not only did Sakic reach the landmark with two goals but did it in the Flames' front yard which has been a difficult place for teams to play lately.
Caps face the Penguins on NBC Sunday at 3:30 pm. Don’t hold your breath though, doesn’t look like the Caps have much of a chance on this one. The Caps face a hot Pittsburgh team without Kolzig, or a hot Ovechkin, or much goal support, etc., etc., etc.
Scoresheet – Wash Post
The Caps fought hard in this one, but Vincent Lacavalier and Martin St. Louis were just too much for the Caps to pull out the win in Tampa. Caps had the 1-0 lead, but it only took less than five minutes for Lacavalier to unravel the Olie Kolzig-less Capitals in the second period.
When a team like this is looking for points to make a run for the playoffs, even the third and fourth lines need to pick it up. There was no goal support for Alex Semin or Alex Ovechkin in this one. Only a last minute goal by Dainius Zubrus let the Caps capture at least a point.
Back in the line up are Brian Potheir and John Erskine. You could feel a sense of relief come over DC (or rather the suburbs) to see those guys’ images on their television screens. The Caps did play a good game, just not enough to get two. Having Potheir and Erskine back was a large improvement.
Caps continue to struggle in shootouts too. If Ovie couldn’t buy a goal in the shootout lately, and while the hair cut looked good, it just didn’t help. The Caps are 1 for 6 in the shootout this season (scoring only 3 times while letting in 10).
It’s one of those games that had the possibility of being a great steal for the Caps to win one against a divisional rival, but instead it’s another loss among many for a team that is given no chance to succeed. A game that significance is buried amongst bigger news around the league.
That bigger news maybe that Peter Forsberg is now a Predator. The Flyers’ superstar was shipped to Nashville for two players and two draft picks. There goes holding out hope that maybe the Caps were interested. David (I take the S and the D out of spoiled) Poile, the mastermind of the trade, called it only fair to send Forsberg to a new team after the Flyers experience one of there worst seasons in memory.
Or even Joe Sakic scoring his 600th goal in Calgary. Not only did Sakic reach the landmark with two goals but did it in the Flames' front yard which has been a difficult place for teams to play lately.
Caps face the Penguins on NBC Sunday at 3:30 pm. Don’t hold your breath though, doesn’t look like the Caps have much of a chance on this one. The Caps face a hot Pittsburgh team without Kolzig, or a hot Ovechkin, or much goal support, etc., etc., etc.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Caps Take Advantage
Capitals 4, Flyers 1
Scoresheet – Wash Post – Philly Inq.
The Flyers were in this game until Peter Forsberg took a hard hit from Alex Ovechkin. With Forsberg out of the line up, the Flyers wilted. The Caps bloomed, lead by 2 pretty goals by Alex Semin and a wicked shot by Ovie. The Caps have won two in a row and stay a step ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes for second in the Southeast.
As much as I want to say that Forsberg had nothing to do with the Caps win, the Flyers team just didn’t look the same after he left. The Caps caught them flat footed, and for the first time in some time, the Caps have won their regular season series against the big bad Philly Flyers.
Capitals seemed a little more together in this game, at least to me. It looked as if they were sharing the puck a little more. Semin scored a great wrap around that deked Antero Niittymaki out of his goal pads and left the opposite side of the net wide open. Ovechkin just skated east west on the goaltender and ripped one off the opposite side pipe to score on a wicked slap shot for his 22nd goal of the season.
Overall Grade: B
The Caps special teams are coming along nicely and the Caps just put a word on every fans mouth that we haven’t had there in quite some time: playoffs. I have to remind you though it’s a marathon, not a sprint and we haven’t reached the halfway point to the season just yet. The Caps are doing a great job of positioning themselves early in the season however, and that could set up a viable playoff run late in the season.
Caps face division rivals Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, and must continue to win games against their division foes. The Caps need to keep teams from taking points from them if they wish to get anywhere close to the post season. The best way to do that is to beat the teams they have to play 8 times a year.
Scoresheet – Wash Post – Philly Inq.
The Flyers were in this game until Peter Forsberg took a hard hit from Alex Ovechkin. With Forsberg out of the line up, the Flyers wilted. The Caps bloomed, lead by 2 pretty goals by Alex Semin and a wicked shot by Ovie. The Caps have won two in a row and stay a step ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes for second in the Southeast.
As much as I want to say that Forsberg had nothing to do with the Caps win, the Flyers team just didn’t look the same after he left. The Caps caught them flat footed, and for the first time in some time, the Caps have won their regular season series against the big bad Philly Flyers.
Capitals seemed a little more together in this game, at least to me. It looked as if they were sharing the puck a little more. Semin scored a great wrap around that deked Antero Niittymaki out of his goal pads and left the opposite side of the net wide open. Ovechkin just skated east west on the goaltender and ripped one off the opposite side pipe to score on a wicked slap shot for his 22nd goal of the season.
Overall Grade: B
The Caps special teams are coming along nicely and the Caps just put a word on every fans mouth that we haven’t had there in quite some time: playoffs. I have to remind you though it’s a marathon, not a sprint and we haven’t reached the halfway point to the season just yet. The Caps are doing a great job of positioning themselves early in the season however, and that could set up a viable playoff run late in the season.
Caps face division rivals Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, and must continue to win games against their division foes. The Caps need to keep teams from taking points from them if they wish to get anywhere close to the post season. The best way to do that is to beat the teams they have to play 8 times a year.
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