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 Sundin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sundin. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Leafs One Ups The Caps
Capitals 2, Maple Leafs 3
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times
The Caps were victims of bad passing and making it a little too cute at times. The Leafs were able to gum up the neutral zone against the Caps and wait it out. Then in the last 29.2 seconds it was all over on a Mats Sundin rebounder and the Caps see their nice little win streak come to an end.
Alex Ovechkin continued his scoring streak putting some distance in the Rocket Richard award race with 39 goals. Alex Semin also put a wicked move on Vesa Toskala to score late in the third. But the Leafs perseveared even though they were badly outplayed at times. The Caps just weren't themselves this game which was a shame because Olie Kolzig played one of his better games.
The Capitals were 0 for 4 on the powerplay, but was perfect on the penalty kill. John Erskine's hitting picked up with some pretty heavy weight hits. He laid out Darcy Tucker mid way in the first that caught the attention of the fans, then a hit later against Jiri Tlusty in the cornor. Steve Eminger was in the line up again, and looked better even though he took a bad boarding penalty in the first. Tom Poti just couldn't stay out of the box getting a hattrick of penalties, a double minor for cross checking and roughing in the second, and interference call in the third that gave the Leafs some momentum to score with just 30 seconds left.
The second period was horrible for the Caps. They just couldn't pull a comeback this time. That snapped a 4 game winning streak for the Caps. The loss doesn't hurt the Capitals in the standings, they will stay in tenth spot and stay tied with Atlanta. But the Caps will have to play strong against the Leafs again as they round out the home and home before the All Star break. The Caps don't want to leave for vacation with another loss fresh on their minds.
All this and Kris Beech just can't stay away from a Caps uniform. Beech was claimed off waivers for his fourth stint in a Capital's sweater, sorta. I understand we are low on centers, but Beech, really. If we wanted him so bad, why didn't GM George McPhee sign him when he was here? I really don't understand this move, but I am not a NHL General Manager (neither is John Ferguson for that matter). Beech has hardly had time to unpack his bags as he was picked up by the Blue Jackets, then waived and picked up by Vancouver, then is back in the DC area all in this season. Beech won't see much action in the bigs though (unless there is yet another injury), he was sent to Hershey to help bolster the Bears line up. Again, it just doesn't make sense.
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times
The Caps were victims of bad passing and making it a little too cute at times. The Leafs were able to gum up the neutral zone against the Caps and wait it out. Then in the last 29.2 seconds it was all over on a Mats Sundin rebounder and the Caps see their nice little win streak come to an end.
Alex Ovechkin continued his scoring streak putting some distance in the Rocket Richard award race with 39 goals. Alex Semin also put a wicked move on Vesa Toskala to score late in the third. But the Leafs perseveared even though they were badly outplayed at times. The Caps just weren't themselves this game which was a shame because Olie Kolzig played one of his better games.
The Capitals were 0 for 4 on the powerplay, but was perfect on the penalty kill. John Erskine's hitting picked up with some pretty heavy weight hits. He laid out Darcy Tucker mid way in the first that caught the attention of the fans, then a hit later against Jiri Tlusty in the cornor. Steve Eminger was in the line up again, and looked better even though he took a bad boarding penalty in the first. Tom Poti just couldn't stay out of the box getting a hattrick of penalties, a double minor for cross checking and roughing in the second, and interference call in the third that gave the Leafs some momentum to score with just 30 seconds left.
The second period was horrible for the Caps. They just couldn't pull a comeback this time. That snapped a 4 game winning streak for the Caps. The loss doesn't hurt the Capitals in the standings, they will stay in tenth spot and stay tied with Atlanta. But the Caps will have to play strong against the Leafs again as they round out the home and home before the All Star break. The Caps don't want to leave for vacation with another loss fresh on their minds.
All this and Kris Beech just can't stay away from a Caps uniform. Beech was claimed off waivers for his fourth stint in a Capital's sweater, sorta. I understand we are low on centers, but Beech, really. If we wanted him so bad, why didn't GM George McPhee sign him when he was here? I really don't understand this move, but I am not a NHL General Manager (neither is John Ferguson for that matter). Beech has hardly had time to unpack his bags as he was picked up by the Blue Jackets, then waived and picked up by Vancouver, then is back in the DC area all in this season. Beech won't see much action in the bigs though (unless there is yet another injury), he was sent to Hershey to help bolster the Bears line up. Again, it just doesn't make sense.
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