Tarik,

Any ideas on when the players are reporting to Kettler for their Exit Interviews??? Is it today or tomorrow??? Would love to get the chance to say thanks and send the boys off.

Thanks again for the excellent coverage!

@828

just in case you missed it in the last thread, I did catch your point up to the cheap seats. Last night was a bummer but this team has nowhere to go but up. I can't wait until October.

Tarik,
Is the team going to do anything to celebrate the Southeast Division win?

after a bunch of beers and hangover, i'm ready to come back.

I'm proud as hell of our team for what we accomplished this year. We made the playoffs when nobody else thought we had a chance. We grew as a team in the playoffs and gained some amazingly valuable experience. We got to watch our young guns not only meet our expectations, but grow right before our eyes into legit stars in this league.

We have so much to be proud of, and most importantly, thankful for. Thanks Caps for an awesome season. Those that won't be back next year, you will be remembered.

Here's to the 2008-2009 CAPS season. Is it too soon to start talking about the CUP!!!!

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

Heres to the playoffs for years to come and a great season.

Tarik -- My Dad worked for the old Atlas Sporting Goods & started doing promotions with the fledgling Capitals in 1974 (before that he owned Olympic Sporting Goods that stood approximately where will-call is in the current Verizon Center). From the onset of the team until this season I have never seen better coverage of the team or hockey in Washington than you have provided this year. In my opinion you deserve some credit for the Caps fever this area experienced this year. I sincerely thank you. (& don't stop -- there are plenty of post- & preseason stories remaining)

Way to go GMGM you did it again

( reference to OLIE)

AO continues to amaze me with his poise and maturity.

His comments have calmed me down and have me looking forward to next season already.

He really is a class act and an amazing attribute to the club and the city.

I saw Fehr on the Metro heading to the game... He was jamming away to his ipod... I gave him the head nod, and I think it surprised him, someone recognizes me?

Jschon,

I saw Fehr and Laing on the street in Ballston last week and waved to them. They kinda just stared as I drove off.

I felt silly.

I saw Flash on the concourse in game 5-- I was in the massive line for the men's room, he walked by, threw his drink out and headed to the stairwell and took a cell call. I was going to say something to him-- but he was a scratch that day (obviously) and wasn't sure what you say to a scratch (although I think he has some solid future potential). Not a soul recognized him either.

I once saw Olie Kolzig in Dinky Donuts.

I know that everyone talks about Ovechkin's leadership and him wearing the C down the line, and rightfully so. But I'll tell you what, I'm always impressed by Brooks Laich and his attitude. It's nice to know that this team will not only have great talent down the line, but solid leadership as well.

The beers on th ice last night was rough.

Looking back we should of handled that better. Philly has a rep as bad fans, and actions like that will land us in the same class.

Now on to my earlier point. Sign Huet or we are in BIG trouble.

@SA-town,

Agreed, we can't let Huet go, otherwise the Caps take a step backwards for two years or so.

I want to thank the Caps for a great season and thank Tarik for his excellent reporting...

See you next year!!

Note to self - check there are no new threads before posting on an old thread.

Repost:

JSchon,
Urrrghhh Black and Tans! Guinness should NOT be tampered with in such an appauling manner. :)

Just realised that the Sharks win last night sets up a Avs vs Wings Conference Semi. That will be worth watching. Lets go Avs! (I still hold a grudge against Detroit for the 1998 Final). Don't like Dallas (as I am also a Redskin fan, anything to do with Dallas brings me out in a rash) so am rooting for the Sharks. Plus Nabokov is always fun to watch.

In the East, I've not got much of a choice on who I want to win.. Hate the Rangers (and all other NY teams), hate the Pens (obvious reasons) and it don't want Philly getting any further so its ALLEZ LES BLEU, BLANC ET ROUGE! Actually, it would be nice for a Canadian team to win. It is their game after all.

So it's a Montreal/Avs final with the Habs in 5.

Not a doubt in my mind that these guys are a class act. Unlike the unbridled chest pounding Phillie Phlyers Phan clubbers, who seem to think that they just whitewashed our troops 4 - zip. Last time I looked, it went 4 games and two into OT.

One comment was particularly telling "they were kids at the start of the playoffs, and are now men - you're welcome" says alot of the character of the Philly crowd.
And hearing that some of our fans were greeted with a beer bath at Wachovia center doesn't surprise anyone either. Hearing reports from the game 6 post game radio talk show calling for John Stevens resignation is as rediculous as the image their local fan base exudes.

Different crowd, and different mindset for sure. The Montreal series should perhaps send a different message: "From bullies to boys . . . ."

We are proud of our team and can't wait to resume the journey we have embarked on!

A few comments:

Thanks Olie - You deserve to have your number retired asap, but I dont blame Bruce for going with Huet. Your all class and an asset to DC and the community.

Must resign Huet. Someone said they dont think he will sign here, but with Olie gone, its priority #1.

would love to resign Federov and Cooke as well....especially Federov. Havent heard any comments from him or Tarik on this.

Hopefully season tix sales will increase and this buzz in the town doesnt go away.

Sign a big time defenseman. Easier said than done, but we need a guy who isnt afraid to knock the hell out of someone standing in front of the net.

Is it October yet?

nhcaps,
I agree. On the ice, especially in the last few months, he's been giving 110%. Off the ice, he's always professional and represents the team well in interviews. I'm sure the media likes him as well, for all the good quotes they can get out of him.
leetee1995, I'm a new fan that hasn't been here long, so I will join you in your praise of the awesome folks on here. It has taken my 21 years to find a team I can really get behind, and these Capitals are really and truly remarkable. My future kids' first word is going to be "Ovechkin!"

I'd love to see Huet here for another year or two, but if his wife really hates it here (how could she?!), then GMGM has no chance of signing him. Maybe we all ought to find a nice French speaking lady to be her friend in DC so she'll want to stay, if the language is the problem. Anybody know anyone? :)
As far as folks running into the players, I think thats the cool thing and one of the draws about DC as a hockey town. We're not Montreal or Toronto, but the guys can walk the streets and live their lives(for now) without being mobbed. It also shows how great our players are that they're not demanding special treatment and will ride the metro or go to Dinky Donuts. I'm so excited about next year!!
Let's go Caps!!

Can anyone explain to me the free agent situation for next season? I know Huet is unsigned, but how about the rest of the team? How much of this core nucleus that came together so well is at risk of leaving the team either next season or the one after?

Here's a good link,

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=WAS

jmu_capsgirl, I'm working on my French :) I'll be Mrs. Huet's French-speaking buddy if that's what it takes!

incidently, the reason why this is my first post is because rather than study for my French comps at night, I've been, what else, at the games! I couldn't justify then spending my days, when I should be studying, posting here. But now, alas, my nights are free for French, and I can post away with all you lovely people who have kept me entertained and educated during study breaks!

Olie, I cry!

Hey, rough as that loss was, heads high, boys. One of the all-time great season--by any team. Learn from it, and next year, put 'em down like dogs. Congratulations all around on a fine year. Слава, слава, слава!

It was good to see that Caps fans are as passionate about their team as we are in Philly about our Flyers. Yeah, we can be brutal, but hey we have a rep to keep up and a team that feeds off of us.

When your team loses, it stings. Believe me we Philadelphia team fans know this sting all too well: last season Phillies came up short vs Colorado and the Eagles..well we won't go there. Time heals all wounds - just be there to support your team again just as passionately next October as you did this April and you'll forget the hurt and instead feel the rush and exhilaration once again.

GO FLYERS!! Woo Hoo!!! Next stop Montreal!!
Oops. Again, brutal. Sorry.

Who isn't a free agent is more of the question. I hope guys like Feds know what a great team this is and will take a smaller salary to keep the team in tact. Otherwise there will be plenty of guys leaving in the off season. Green, Huet, Cooke, Morrisson, Eminger, bradley. These guys are must re-signs but it's gonna be tough.

Yeah Tarik, thanks for blogging this year. You played a big role in sustaining Caps Fever.

Ok - on to next year.

As I see it, we have 15 forward options and 10 defense. Let's look at the easy parts first:

SIGN HUET!

Huet starts and BJ is the backup. I think it is pretty clear what Olie's plan is.

Defense:

Morrison-solid
Green-solid
Poti-solid
Pothier-healthy?
Eminger-played well lately
Jurcina-weak link?
Schultz-big, smart but gets pushed around
Erskine-slow but our only crease clearer
Lepisto-ready?
Alzner-ready?

I think next year's D depends on Pothier. Is he done? Can he stay healthy? Green, Mo and Poti are the only sure things in my book, but I don't see Emmy going anywhere either. IMO, Pothier and Jurcina are vulnerable to being replaced, Erskine if we sign someone who can fit his role of a kabonger. Schultz, Emmy, Lepisto and Alzner are all young and will be really good some day soon.

But how young do we want the D core to be next year?

Forwards:

Ovechkin-what can I say?
Nylander-health and age questions
Kozlov-how much does he have left?
Semin-showed growth as of late
Backstrom-solid
Laich-coming out party this year
Fedorov-can't do more than third line time during the season
Cooke-good speed, good spark
Steckle-breakout year next year?
Clark-healthy next year?
Fehr-could be a monster
Flash-needs to be much tougher
Gordon-the best at what he does
Bradley-do we have room for him?
Brashear-see Erskine above

With this list, I don't see how we can sign the FA's or bring in new ones without stifling the growth of the young guys. But I also don't see a need to use anymore young guys either.

LINES

Ovechkin-Nylander-Kozlov

Nylander is the best setup man in the NHL and should play with the best goal scorer in the league. Kozlov does some dirty work and shows flashes of brilliance. Keep him for one more year here until one of the young guys can fill this role (Fehr?).

Semin-Backstrom-Laich

Don't mess with this line!

Cooke-Steckel-Clark

I'm starting to grasp at straws now. So many great parts to choose from.

Fehr-Gordon-Brash

This allows us to keep some young guys going. Gordon is so important to this team and noone does what Brash does for us.

This leaves Fedorov, Flash, and Bradley on the outside looking in. As much as I like fedorov's influence on the young guys, I don't see him taking 3rd or 4th line money to stay here. Besides, who do we give up on or stifle the growth of? If you like Fed's interaction with the young guys, sign him to the front office. Keep Bradley and Fleischman as extras.

Final point - There has been no discussion of the coaching staff. Leach and Evason are not Gabby's guys. Gabby seems the type that he could coach with anyone. My guess is that the staff stays intact.

Just My Humble Opinion.

Boudreau did a remarkable job.

Funny seeing AZAMAT about to cry at the end

Not sure why Emminger would come back if he has a choice? He was left to ride the bench far too long and I'm sure he was hurt by that. His late play just makes him more valuable to someone else.

I am a long-time Flyers fan. I felt compelled to write to you Caps fans after a great series. I think you have a lot to look forward to in the near future. Your team grew during this series and it will show next year.
I am inpressed with your coach as he seems not only a good person (as evidenced by his interviews here)but a great coach. I also want to congratulate Donald Brashear as I thought he really played a great series. I wish he was still here.

Hey everyone,just throwing some names out there, what do you all think of trying to sign one of the following Defensemen

Orpik, Brooks
Vandermeer, Jim
Campbell, Brian
Montador, Steve
Stuart, Mark
Conboy, Tim

Just some names to get the ball rolling

@capies

Actually Capies... We are in great shape, in both talent and money to pay the talent... Our problem is you can only dress 12 forwards and 6 defensemen per game.

We have the 4th most money in the NHL to spend.

Green is due for a big raise, my guess is around 5M per year.

Laich, has proven his worth and should get about $2M a year.

We lose Kolzig's salary Godzilla sized salary, -$4.5.

If Fedorov and Cooke leave, its not the end of the world. We have a healthy Nylander and Clark coming back.

Morrisonn and Eminger... both $1.5M guys...

Bradley and Gordon should not be kept to make room for our youth.

Fehr is $1M dollar guy.

I'd also try to move Poti to free up $3.5, but it isnt a dyer need to do so...

Just my opinion...
I think we have an embarrassment of riches...

I'm glad to see some of the kind words from Flyers fans here. After the experience I had at game 3 in Philly I know it will take a long time to really get over what I went through. It helps knowing there are REAL hockey fans there. I think allot of younger sports fans do not understand the word pride and think fans should all be violent hoodlums like european soccer gangs. Same goes for the bottle throwing in D.C. I wish these young fans knew the sport better and had more respect for the whole hockey community.

I ran into Morrisonn after the game and amidst the talk of how rough the outcome was, he said something to me that I keep thinking about: "You guys are some awesome fans, man!"

I'm glad the boys notice our passion and I'll be there cheering them on from 414 again next season. It was a great run, and I'm proud of them for what they have accomplished this season. I have every confidence in the Caps organization that they'll do what it takes to keep the right players so we'll be right back in it next year.

@Kenwood

There are hundreds of Gordons in the NHL, thousands even... C.Bourque is ready for his spot.

Fehr on the 4th line is a bad idea, he is a goal scorer, you dont put him on the 4th line.

We are good enough and have enough talent to have 3 scoring lines.

Savard, Thorton, Crosby and probably 10 other players are better set-up men than Nylander. I like Nylander a lot, but its a bit far fetched to call him the best set-up man in the league.

OV/Backstrom/Kozlov
Semin/Nylander/Clark
Flash/Laich/Fehr
Brashear/Steckel/Bourque

Fehr, Clark and Kozlov are all interchangeable. This line up is assuming we do not re-sign Cooke and Fedorov. I think signing Fed's is unlikely. With Cooke, he would take Flash's spot on the 3rd line.

I would never break up Semin and Backstrom now. they were unreal or as Ovie said, "Sick"

>>"Bradley and Gordon should not be kept to make room for our youth."

Gordo's not going anywhere. He's part of the youth, and he's an important part of the core.

The Caps will either keep Bradley or Cooke, but not both.

OV and Backstrom were kinda sick too... but I think if OV could get 50 goals with Zubrus, then Backstrom or Nylander doesnt matter.

Considering the salary they will demand, I don't mind if Fed or Cooke leave. I rather have Bradley's grit take Cooke's minutes anyway.

That fourth line of Bradley-Gordon-Brash works for me.

Fehr (or Flash) should play on the third line next year with Clark and Steckel. Right?

Loved Laich's improvement this year. I thought he was going to get the OT winner last night.

When's Game 8? :I

I like Gordon... its nothing personal with me... He isnt going to hurt you but he isnt going to hurt the other team either... He did nothing in the play-offs, NOTHING.

Why not put someone in his place that does the things he does with a little scoring pop?

Backstrom has gotten better at his face-offs... Backstrom, Laich and Steckel can be your faceoff guys.

I agree with Jschon. Gordo does the little things but there are plenty of similr players in the league. Steckel can play the same role as Gordo but might have more offensive upside.

I personally would like to keep Bradley. And who knows with Fedorov. Maybe he signs for bargain money to keep having fun?

I'm surprised nothing has been said about the fact that the Caps should be facing the Canadiens right now instead of the Flyers. After all, the Flyers goal that tied game 7 was scored on obvious goalie interference. It was the final insult to Huet after continually pushing him around throughout the series.