Wow! More good news!

Whoot! Good news!

Looks like Gordo might be the odd man out.

Feds = signed
Laich = signed

Comeoonnnnn Mo!

When need money, don't go to the bank, go to the arbitration

That will make Laich's Q&A session with fans on saturday much less awkward!

Get Morrisonn done and we've got a team next year!

AWESOME NEWS!!!

Nice, how much is left over?

Can we start the season today? lol LETS GO CAPS!

Laich's deal looks to me like good value for the Caps and fair to Brooks. Interesting that it will take him until year three to earn what his buddy Green will take home this year alone.

@828

I think right around 2 million, 4 million if you include no Pothier.

Tarik, Welcome home... with all the good news!!!

You just made my day! Some friends and I went to Development Camp yesterday and while eating lunch we were discussing next year's roster and we all were hoping that Brooks would sign sooner rather than later.

And as for the rookies, Alzner looked very good. Was also impressed with Carlson, the kid that was just drafted this year. Neuwirth looked shaky in goal but he can be forgiven considering the injuries he has had that kept him from practicing the last few months. And I thought Braden Holtby, the goalie they took in the draft this year looked promising. Another year or two of juniors and he might be good. Good to know we have depth in the goalie department for years to come.

mauree - you have no problems with that? Mr. Cheapskate!

Before this AM, depending on who you believe, we have anywhere from 6.3 - 7.3 left.

We just spent 6 this AM.

Getting Mo signed is going to be a challenge. The only way I see us keeping him is if Pothier can't return and we can get LTIR for him. Shouldn't be hard since he can't even chase his kids around.

Weird... why Caps site is silent about Fedorov? really really weird...

@ TJ2

Not really interesting... a 2nd/3rd line winger vs. a #1 (on this team) D... both had about the same goals, but green ate up the most TOI on the team... he def earned it.

Until the Caps list it on their site, I'm not going to assume Fedorov is signed...especially not at the 4 mil that has been mentioned.

Great news on Laich tho...like the rest of you have said, now get Mo signed and we're ready to go.

Teams are allowed to go 10% over the cap during the offseason, so long as they have it at or under the cap by training camp - if I'm not mistaken.

Fehr will most likely accept his qualifying offer, so he shouldn't take up too much space. Morrisonn needs to stay. I really think Gordon is going to be let go and I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one more warm body leave town via a trade for draft picks or minor prospects (my vote is for Flash, or Erskine to make room for Alzner). It's also possible that Pothier could be placed on the long-term IR, which would take his salary ($2.5m) out of the cap equation.

It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

@ Tarik,
if in fact the Fedorov signing is true, do you know how much cap space is left? some of the sites list different numbers.

@Scofield

I don't disagree that Green (and Laich) earned their new contracts. I was merely pointing out the financial difference given they are such good friends. Green can buy the rounds when OV isn't with them!

I hope Laich keeps up and improves his production. That's a lot of money if he doesn't. I am REALLY excited about Fedorov, too. I know he's old and all that, but he performed at a .72 point per game clip in his limited time here. And I think it is hard to place a price on the leadership and experience he brings, especially to a club like ours.

I think it was a LITTLE spendy for Laich, but at least he's here. Though if we DID sign Feds, it makes me wonder if Pothier is not going to return. Which I think at this point, is a pretty safe assumption. With as many concussions as he's had and given the severity of this last one. I think it's time to hang up the skates for his own health!

@828

hahaha :D ... hell yeah I have no problems with that. Money well spent.

I agree we need to keep Mo - I'd hate to lose Gordon, though. His penalty-killing and faceoff potential are hard to lose. Of course, with Steckel and Fedorov, I suppose Gordon becomes less necessary, but still...Please, for the love of God, trade Flash!!! Although that only frees up $750k in space.

sweet Laich signed, that is great newz!

Laich had to sign before the FanFest - we all KNEW that was coming up this weekend.

Fedorov!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone needs to lay off flash. He will turn into a good player.

I think our team is as good as it has EVER been. I believe we are a clear cut stanley cup contender. We are extremely deep up the middle and our depth is one of the best in the league. GMGM has made this team where it is today. We should all congratulate him when/if we ever see him.

I WANT to see Flash develop as a player. I think he's got the potential, he just has to use it.

@TJ2

ah yes... but Brooks can afford a few rounds at 1.7mil himself :-)

they can buy us beers!

Fleishmann had 5 pts in 7 games at the Worlds, also had the teams highest +/- with +6, closest to him was Kuba and Zidlicky with +4. He'll be solid soon enough.

4 million for a 38 year old center is too much. And I thought Morrison had accepted going to arbitration? If that's the case, doesn't that mean he's coming back?

The Fedorov signing was reported yesterday by AOL and OFB.

Did you see Islanders gave Witt 2 yrs at 3 million each? Hmmm...

My assumption is that Pothier will not play this season, which leaves us just enough room under the cap to sign Fehr and Morrisonn.

For those who think Laich got overpaid, David Backes signed for 3 years, 7.5 million. Brooks signed for 3 years 6.2 million.

Re: Fed deal

The team has yet to confirm/acknowledge the fact that they overpaid.

/fixed

Finn,

That was a SovetskySport rumor that Feds was close to signing, not that he had signed, which is the news this morning.

I dont want Pothier back. Yes he would help, but he HAS to think about his health/family etc. If he can't even chase his kids around without being f'd up for a few days, there's no WAY he should be on the ice. Hockey is just a game- family is not.

seems laich...er...like a lot of money for a guy who was more or less a grinder for about 90% of his career. here's hoping he's the player he looked like the last 30 games or so of the season, rather than the one he looked like the first 200.

Yes, I am very happy. Signing Laich was super important, and definitely provides us with insurance if Clark cannot return at full speed. It gives us amazing options if he can. Also like the graduated nature of the contract. Smart.

Think we will have Mo and if Pothier cannot return hopefully have room for Fehr and Gordon. Gordon not opting for arbitration does seem a bit odd to me though.

Sombrero Guy,

Hehe, true, but that was a revenge move by the Canucks on the Blues for St Louis poaching one of their RFAs.

@HolyOlie

The way I see it it wasn't a rumor. They quoted the president of their new Russian league. How is it a rumor if you have a quote from a high ranking official?

Good, Laich was taken care of. I'll hold my breath on Fed.
Pothier isn't coming back so Mo will be signed.

First, there is no way in H-E-double hockey sticks Pothier is gonna play. He says he spent 6 days in the bed after taking a run, much less a 200 lb forward slamming his head in the glass... He's done.

Second, I think that Flash experiment should be over. I think at times in last years playoff games, beside Semin, Fehr was one of the best players on the ice. I said a while ago he was gonna be a star. Just wait til this year. Bourque and Bouchard have more upside than Flash and they are 6 years younger and all three make twice as less. Cut him and see if anyone picks him up. Doubt it.

Lastly, I think this is going to be an eye openning year for a lot of Caps fans (old school and newbie). Look for OV to have another amazing year, maybe even more so than last year. I think Semin has finally figured it out. Green is the next Bobby Orr. Yeah I said it. Did you see the Bobby Orr trip of the goalie Greenie did...Just wait... Backstrom has found another gear and look for 80-90 points. Nylander, Fehr and hopefully Clarkie are healthy. I could go on and on but this year is going to be very exciting from start to finish in Washington.

See everyone out at the scrimmage today and for $1 beers with Super afterward. I will try to give updates if no one else is.

Finn,

Who cares? Enjoy today's good news.

Aleksandr Medvedev is Russian Kontinental Hockey League's Gary Bettman, he said Feds would sign him yesterday and Russian media just quoted him. I wonder who is the source for TSN.

correction: 'Feds would be signed yesterday'

@Finn

A quote from a high-ranking Russian official is the equivalent of a news report from TSN? I don't think so. That said, it is odd that the Laich signing has been announced by team and the Fedorov signing has not. I hope that GMGM and Feds didn't have a misunderstanding on how many 0's came after the 4.

Finn,

Yesterday's news: Feds is reportedly close to signing.

Today's news: Feds has signed.

Not the same thing. I say it's a rumor because that guy does not represent either Feds or the Caps. He was also wrong - he said that Feds was going to sign yesterday :P And like Leigh said, who cares?

That 4 million number could be what he would make with incentives. With those 1 year deals, they have all those incentives that load in that could kick it up to 4, wouldn't think that was a base salary this season.

finn, i would consider it a rumour unless i heard a quote directly from the team or the player/agent. surprisingly enough, some high ranking officials of opposing leagues might have other agenda's when disclosing such info. not saying that was the case here, just saying that just because he's a high ranking official doesnt mean he know for sure.

$4M is a lot, but only for 1 year. i'm guessing the caps were looking for an incentive deal and feds said nyet. probably works out to the same money in the end.

I concur that it is unlikely that Pothier will be back. The story where he said playing with his kids put him in bed was a big red flag. Ultimately, when the career is over the guys want to go home and be with their families (or strippers, if you're Jagr). If that opportunity is called into question, then I doubt we'll see him again.

I concur that it is unlikely that Pothier will be back. The story where he said playing with his kids put him in bed was a big red flag. Ultimately, when the career is over the guys want to go home and be with their families (or strippers, if you're Jagr). If that opportunity is called into question, then I doubt we'll see him again.

When will the team confirm the Feds news?

Look, Hossa got 7.4 mil/year. If Feds will have more points than Hossa, do we have a bargain? I think we have it no matter what.

Feds is definitely better than Sundin, that jerk got 2 year 20 mil offer.

I'll just throw in my feeling that Pothier isn't coming back. And since I've been forced out of my chosen sport by an injury, I really feel for him. Its a sucky situation.

Still waiting to celebrate the Fedorov signing.....although my husband said "What, you don't believe that Candians? They feel this sort of stuff in their bones. Its like a sixth sense. Fedorov signs and they just know! They don't need confirmation"

The cynic in me says that Caps haven't announced yet so that fans will keep clicking on website and see the splash page on Dev. Camp festivities - trying to generate higher attendance to Ketler this week and weekend...every dollar counts, those beers that JShcon drinks add up!

Feds for 4 million is a fair price. I was hoping to get him for 3 million but that's because I am cheap when it comes to speculating players salaries.

To say feds is better than Sundin might be a bit of a stretch. Sundin is still averaging darn close to a point per game and scoring 30 goals per season. That being said, he is nowhere near a 10 million dollar player. I'd take Feds at 4 over Sundin at 10 in a heartbeat.

I know a lot of people want Flash gone, and a lot of people are happy the Laich is coming back. Here is a comparison of Laich and Flash in there first full NHL seasons:

Flash- 2007-08 - 75 Games, 10 goals, 20 assists, 30 points

Laich- 2006-07 - 73 Games, 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points

I'm not saying Flash is a superstar; it is just a comparison that I found interesting.

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=WAS&season=0809

Here is the latest cap chart. Federov is included at $4M so it must be official. Cap space available is $1.18M, but with Alzner added (he's not on) at $1.65M with bonus you are $500K over. Add Mo at $1.3M (guess) and Gordon and Fehr around $1M each and you are $3.8M over. Now subtract Pothier $2.5M and you are $1.3M over. Now subtract Jurcina since I think you trade him if Alzner makes the team and you are like $400K over, which is very close. Alzner could also be assigned to Hershey, theoretically, and they keep Jurcina and I think it then works.

It's very, very close but you must get cap relief on Pothier. Also with Flash and Gordo included you have 14 forwards. Someone is odd man out and likely to be traded. Most likely Gordon I think because Flash is only $725K and signed for two years.

They could also move Kozlov to keep Gordon, since Kozzie is only one more year, but I know most of think I'm misguided to even go there. It IS AN OPTION though to make the cap.

Laich got 6+ million dollars for 37 points.

37 points.

Here's why the team hasn't announced Fedorov's contract:

Ted decided to make a new offer to Fedorov for 13 years, they work out the details right now. The original offer, as reported by TSN, was $4mil, one year.

Sorry for the bad analogy -- but in hockey is there some sort of 'Physically unable to Play' list like in the NFL, this way the player does not count towards the cap?

So does it go against the caps for paying Pothier?

Im just glad Federov can now feed his family.

I am at a loss of words as to why everyone is so high on Mo. I mean he is at best a decent D-Man who has plateud, how about someone in the organization like Lepisto, Alzner, Boumeddine, etc. Those guys are already signed and have had better junior/AHL career numbers than Mo had. Just a little querry.

Also I think Pothier is done. You don't mess with concussions.

I think with Laich its way more than just the raw numbers. He's the guy willing to throw himself in front of the net to create scoring chances for the team. He also, for reason I can't fully explain, exudes the calm confidence that just screams "I'm going to be a captian some day." (Something I personally think you should lock up when you find a player with that, but GMGM isn't calling me and asking my opinion on all of this....) So, sometimes, I think you go out and you pay for certain unquantifiable characteristics because even though you might not be able to look at a stats sheet and say "oh yeah, we see how you help the team here, here,a nd here!" they are still qualities you want on your team.

Wow, does that make any sense?

Laich stays on his feet in the corners and is willing to stand in front of the net. Flash can't do either of these two things.

Looks to me that GMGM and BB have decided that Laich has more potential

You can probably remove Laing from the roster. Fehr will probably start the season in Hershey. I'm guessing either Gordon or Steckel also end up in Hershey. If Clark's not 100% he may start on the IR and the Caps can delay dealing with his cap number for a while.

pstylee:

Mo played all last year as a second pairing defenseman. He played well even when he was playing hurt. His offensive numbers could be better, but he didn't hurt the team defensively and avoided dumb penalties. He was clearly better than Lepisto, IMHO.

@Simon says

That's funny!

Birdie

Makes perfsct sense and I agree. All I'm saying is that I don't buy all the "Flash sucks" talk becuase he didn't have great number in his first NHL season. Maybe he will develope into a solid NHLer, maybe he will be a lifetime AHLer. His numbers really were not any worse than most other first year guys.

Now that is some beautiful poetry.

the best reason to resign mo is that green really struggled last year when he was hurt. they work well together and i think it makes sense to keep that going. plus, the guy is obviously tough knowing what we now know about his injuries during the playoffs.

"Laich stays on his feet in the corners and is willing to stand in front of the net. Flash can't do either of these two things."

Neither can Semin!

I laugh when I hear any comparison between Laich and Flash. There is no comparison. Laich is stronger on his skates, he does all the dirty work on the boards and in the crease and he makes his line better. Flash loses every one on one battle for the puck and he only shows upto play about once every 5 games. G'Bye Flash, G'Bye Gordo, you both won't be missed!

Yeah, http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/team.php?team=WAS
has their numbers updated too.

267,788 Left over - Pothier - 2,500,000

That leave us with 2.8 mil to sign Morrison, Fehr, and Gordon.

But, then again, that site has Schultz down below and Giroux up above. As well as Alzner.

Can we get a correct number Tarik? How much money is left?

And for the record - Feds is a bargin if you look at how much Nylander is making.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but neither Gordon nor Fehr can be assigned to Hershey without clearing waivers, as both players have completed their entry-level contracts. Either player would be snapped up in a heartbeat. If you assigned them and they somehow cleared waivers they would not, while playing for Hershey, count against the cap.

Teams over the cap sometimes assign veterans to the minors hoping they get claimed or just to get cap relief. NJ did this with Mogilny I think. You still pay them, but no hit on cap.

I had mentioned earlier (another thread on Caps insider) that Sergei was looking for $4million. Initial reports was that the Caps offered him $2million (hence the deal wasn't done earlier b/cuz Sergei scoffed at that low amount). I believe its his brother who is the one playing in the Russian league - there was some mix up in the translation & inadvertently reported it was Sergei when it was really about his brother- Fedor. Glad to see Sergei in a place where he can play with good players and help them learn about the game & provide veteran presence. He seemed to fit in very well w/ Semin & AO. His career ultimately went downhill after leaving Detroit, hopefully he can go out with a bang (& people just forget his years in Anaheim & Columbus).

@pstylee

People are high on Mo because he is a solid stay at home D. He's the security blanket that gives Mike Green the freedom to be Mike Green. Not all D-men need to be puck moving offensive guys. Mo is the guy who might not be too flashy, but gets the job done.

@Go Skins Go

The NHL equivalent of the NFL's PUP list is the Long Term Injury Roster. As we've been speculating with Pothier, he'll still count against the cap, but the Caps can exceed the cap for the amount that Pothier would put them over. It's a bit more complicated than simply saying Pothier doesn't count, but that's the jist of it.

Flash is young - he will be alright. They say forwards don't mature until they are 26. He will be just fine.

Flash is young - he will be alright. They say forwards don't mature until they are 26. He will be just fine.

2 goals & 11 assists with the Caps last year, 7 points in the playoffs gives a player a $4million/year contract? (that's Jeff Finger money)! WOW, these GMS have totally inflated contracts and only have themselves to blame about out of control player contracts. Campbell so does not deserve the money in Chicago - I guess they didn't watch the playoffs & see him give up the puck & take stupid penalties that ultimately led to the Sharks being bounced from the post season. See ya in a few years for another lockout due to the GM's. That hard salary cap of $40mil w/ a luxury tax sure seems like a good idea now!

I still do not know what to think about Flash. Will be real curious to see how he comes into camp.

I think that the reason most of us want Mo is that Mo and Mike Green worked well together last year. There is so much to be said for the whole comfort and chemistry thing this team has going. It just seems to me that we have a multitude of line options. Could be a real advantage at home games, especially, where we have last change (or whatever it is called).

My question is who do we pair Alzner with?

LTIR players do not count against the cap.

We can go over the cap if needed. There are ways around it. If your over the salary cap , you can option a player to the minors, and if he clears waivers, he would be in the minor league system. If is a little risky, but I have seen the Flyers use this tatic before.

In regaurds to Flash, he was only 7 points behind Brooks last season...(correct me if I am wrong).....the kid is young, give him a chance to develop before you bail on him.

bargainshopping,

What are you looking at points for? Does that make a player? What about Feds ability to win face-offs (lead the playoffs at one point), play on the PK, play on the PP, and not mention, mentor our young Russians. How do you price all of that. Feds just took at 1.5 mil dollar paycut. Am I forgetting anything else that Feds does?

Do I think that 4 mil is high... sure, but only because we need to sign some other players. If we had all the cap space in the world, heck no I don't think the price is high.

Live from Kettler... Its JSchon...

Man... nothing at Kettler is as exciting as signing 2 players who scored 78 points to $6M...

Yee-haw

Just kidding... Fedorov is a bit expensive... but I can live with it.

The almost seals the fate for a few players. Look for the Caps to trade a few current roster players for low-end drafts picks and future considerations or undisclosed sums of money or bags of pucks or secret decoder rings or a 4 pack of zima...

Q. Why Fedorov's signing hasn't been announced yet?

Ted:

Welcome big time team tennis to downtown DC. Way to go Anna Kournikova, way to go!

Any event that helps bring downtown DC alive is a good thing and team tennis is fun and fast-paced action with mega-stars. Team tennis is a welcome addition to the DC sports scene.

Posted on July 9th, 2008

Yeah, you are forgetting his experience, leadership in the dressing room and that he knows what it takes to win the cup!

JSchon,

will be up there shortly...

2 goals & 11 assists with the Caps last year, 7 points in the playoffs gives a player a $4million/year contract?

13 points in 18 regular season games, 5 points in 7 playoff games, his name's on the Stanley Cup a few times, he's won a truckload or trophies, he's got a great work-ethic, he commands tremendous respect in the locker room, he has an endless supply of advice to impart upon our young team, he's a huge name, and he wants to be here.

I'll take that at $4 mil for one year.

Roger...

We can argue about Flash tonight... Flash experiment isnt over.

My guess is that a combination of these players are out the door Gordon/Erskine/Jurcina/Laing/Kozlov are gone by training camp.

The Zamboni is out and the ice is really cold... this is how it should be at the VC.

HolyOlie

Amen

Tarik was on WPL yesterday and said the caps had about $8m to work with under the cap. Feds gets $4m and BL gets $1.7m. That leaves $2.3m to work with. What I don't know is if Fehr's qualifying offer was included or do we have to take that in to account. If everybody is included, then $2.3 MIGHT be enough to get this done.

As much as I like Gordon (hard working, team player, etc.) being my favorite since Halpern left, I just don't where there is room for him. We are out of money. Plus who do you take minutes away from to give them to him. Stecks, Fehr, Flash or Brads or Brash? I think the first three have more up side than Gordo and the last two are our serious grit (fighters). It's not like we can sit any of them. We have too many forwards and somebody has to go. I hate to say it, but it looks like Gordo is the best option for getting under the cap AND sharing ice time between developing players and needed vets.

Reasons why Gordon will likely be gone:

1) Fedorov takes his place on the PK and faceoffs with little to no drop in skill - Gordon's key contributions to the team.

2) Aucoin, a player with some NHL experience, is on a two-way in Hershey and can fill the reserve Center slot without a cap impact. (compared to Gordon, who can't be sent down and will impact the cap as a healthy scratch).

3) Gordon might have room for progress, but he likely will not have a substantial improvement in play from here on out.

4) Flash is already an extra forward and Laich can shift to center if needed. Gordon might be a 2nd option for injury fill-in on this year's team.

5) who knows what prospect might play himself onto the team further crowding the field. There is even another "Gordon" in Hersey already.

What about putting Poti with Alzner?

Jschon,

How is top level parking today? I am pumped for the scrimmage tonight... it's been too long without the game.

Look at the impact that Fedorov had on our young players leading up to, and during, the playoffs.

I saw marked changes in Backstrom and Semin. Ovie talked about his leadership a lot too (as did many of the guys).

I really think that the intangible things he has to offer are critical. Was surprised at the 4 mil figure thrown around, but am excited that it definitely looks like he will be back.

Sometimes I think that the intangible edge is what wins teams championships. Sorry, that may be the female in me. I just think that you have to look beyond just pure numbers when determining anyone's value to a team.

Be happy to see Feds back, still waiting for the official word.

I'm thinking of a game towards the end of the regular season or in the playoffs where the Caps were on the PK. At one point Feds got control of the puck in our zone, skated the length of the ice with it and back before dumping it back down to the other teams end, nearly killing 40 seconds on PK by himself.

I will be happy to see him back.

the signings are definately needed but our gmgm still sucks...we have not upgraded where we needed to be..Look what Tampa has done..they want to win..when will our GMGM learn to compete..is he somehow taking a Peter Angelos class of running a team?!? no now that I think about it Ted gives him permission to spend money he just doen't know what to do with it

Sweet!! Nice timing of your return, Tarik. You get to bring us all the juicy scoop.

Looks like I'll be making an appearance at Fan Fest on Saturday!

Im on the Kettler Ice Rink level... up top...

Posted by: | July 9, 2008 11:12 AM

???

What tampa has done is laughable... I can't wait till we play them.

I am really mad at TSN for premature announcement on Fedorov.

Come on, they posted it at 5:56AM?

What kind of source they had?

Phoning them at 5:56am about Feds signing?

Bad journalism.

Since there still seems to be some confusion, Long term Injury Players DO count against the cap, but teams can exceed the Cap by the LTIR player's cap number for as long as they are out.

Gordon is likely the odd man out, but he is still pretty cheap.

Also, Laich's cap number will be 2.06667 for the next 3 years, as the cap number is the average per year amount of the life of the contract.

Look at heir singing tracker:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11353

9:18PM Washington Capitals sign RFA forward Brooks Laich to a three-year contract.

5:56AM Washington Captials re-sign UFA forward Sergei Fedorov to a one-year contract.

Stating GMGM is a bad GM because he isn't doing what Tampa is doing this offseason? Now THAT is amusing.

@Jschon

Besides the Scrimmage at 3:30, what else is going on at Kettler?

Hey I applaud GMGM for being up at all hours signing players. It wasn't 5:56am in Russia!

Thanks for the clarification Sombrero Guy. With that as the cap number for Brooks, we have even less money to sign Mo. This means Gordon is gone and probably one d man (Jurcina was wasted space at the end of last year). They may even move a higher salary like Kozlov to create a little more space. Is it possible they don't think Clark will be coming back? Clark and Pothier could create some serious room under the cap.

Federov WAS a huge name in his peak with the Red Wings in the 90s when he won not only the Stanley Cup but the league MVP & Selke trophy. His career went downhill after leaving Detroit for more money. Do I think its great that Feds has found a place to play where he WANTS to play with great players that can learn from him? - YES! Do I hope people forget about his off-years with Anaheim & Columbus? - HECK YES!!! If you look at his numbers/production solely, does he deserve $4million? - Heck no! But at the same time, does Campbell deserve $8million - HECK NO (esp not when he cost San Jose in the playoffs). My point was - the salaries in this league have been inflated by the GM's - & they really have no rhyme or reason for the $$$ amounts they are throwing out at players - Jeff Finger deserves as much as Federov? - HECK NO. You can't put a $$ on experience or awards won 10 years ago, so instead its Usually based on production. The comment was more so aimed at the absurdity of contracts in the NHL & how GM's are spending outrageous #'s on players and seem to have no real basis for determining the 'worth' of the player. $10 million for Mats Sundin? (how many Cups has he won?). I'm glad Federov has found a new home in Washington & that he did resign instead of going to Russia. $4million is expensive (then again, he should be making more than Jeff Finger). Caps would have liked to pay him $2million, he wouldn't take that amount, so they gave him what he wanted to keep him (still overpriced), but he is needed & wanted in Washington. I hope he has a good year & his production goes back up to the player who once scored 5 goals in one game for Detroit. He's been a good ambassador but has been invisible the previous few seasons, let's hope he can regain his top form once again.

SERGEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

JERSEY, HERE I COME!

@ bargainshopping.

We don't know yet that that is the number for Feds. We are just guessing, as is TSN.

If Clark is gone, I'm going to be FURIOUS; for the sole reason I bought his jersey.

no, I'm saying clark could be gone due to injury

Actually I'm asking if that could be a possibility.

Tarik, Katie and Steinberg are here signing autographs and handing out sandwiches for blog fans... I got a meatball, no cheese... on a diet...

Now, the Globe and Mail and sportsnet.ca also have Federov as signing the extension

I'm with Bargainshopping for the most part. MOST of the contracts signed in this offseasons eem overpriced to me. I think many GM's are assuming the cap is going to keep going up and up and up. If it stagnates a bit, those long term contracts for above average players will create some major problems

Fedorov was in Florida just few days ago on vacation with his younger bro Fedor. I guess GMGM went there and after the long night party he signed Feds at 5:56am there. Good job, George!

here's how nogitiations worked:

GMGM: Cheers! $2 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.1 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.2 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.3 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.4 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.5 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.6 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.7 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.8 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $2.9 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! $3 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

GMGM: Cheers! I want to go to bed now and I still have to call TSN. ok! $4 mil
Feds: Cheers! $4 mil

Tampa is a league-wide joke. They'll be lucky to win 20 games this year.

Oneal

Jordan - be careful before you order that Sergei jersey too early! He broke our hearts in Detroit leaving us for Anaheim! We still boo him (but secretly hope he does well, just not against the Wings). I agree good veteran presence & a lot of intangibles that you can't put a dollar amount on, slightly overpriced if he does get $4million at this stage of his career. I hope he ends his career in Washington playing w/ Semin & Ovechkin. Memories of the Russian 5 in Detroit are PRICELESS!!!

The Canadian Press has picked it up...

I wonder if the situation is that Feds and the Caps have signed the deal and sent it to New York, but the NHL is reviewing it and hasn't approved it yet. It's possible that GMGM added conditions or incentives to the contract, which generally isn't allowed for 1yr deals, though exceptions are sometimes made for older guys like Fedorov.

That's about the only thing I can think of that makes any sense...

@Sombrero & BargainShopping -- I totally agree, one huge factor in the Cap rising the past few years, is the state of the Canadian$ vs the US $. Right now its pretty even. Historically, the Canadian $ is weaker.

If and when the value of the US $ rises, this will cause a great bit of deal with the salary cap. It should not have jumped 10% this year.

So whenever the US $ increases, expect the cap to barely rise. And a lot of these inflated contracts that are signed now will be HURTING teams.

In our case as Caps fans, we're ok cause we're not overpaying in longterm contracts.

Just my 2 cents, but the NHL needs to plan accordingly when both the US and Canadian $ will not be equal.

His career went downhill after leaving Detroit for more money.

He left to Anaheim FOR LESS money.

Please get the facts straight before posting.

I just discovered that Michael Nylander will be eligible for social security by the time his contract is up with the Caps - all at the tune of at least 3 million per. And NOW Ted starts to think that other owners are spending too much money?

Simon - LOL - That's probably how his negotiations went w/ the Caps! Sergei is hard to negotiate with - hence he left Detroit when they wouldn't pay him more in his prime AND without a Salary Cap back then!!

(& my bad - Jeff Finger is getting 4 years at $14 million (thought it was $16mil) - so that's $3.5 million/year - Sergei SHOULD get more than Jeff Finger).

Sec 117,

i'm also sitting in that section, row w seats 7-8 stop by and say hi this year. I think jurcina/erskine are both gone
alzner/lepisto make the jump to the big club

Right on Jordan, I'm shopping for one too.

If the Caps put Nylander on waivers, does anyone here think he would clear? Even at 5m, he'd probably be scooped up...right?

@Sarah,

Well I gotta wait for my every-other-weekly trip to the pay winda, but other than that..

JSchon: Your "bubble" list

Gordon/Erskine/Jurcina/Laing/Kozlov

is dead on.

Stormblue: Excellent reasons for Gordon on the bubble, esp with Steckel making less. What might keep Erskine around is he is a $500K player.

Sergei left detroit for a NUMBER of reasons - Money was one of them. That & he'd always be in the shadows of Yzerman, and Bowman was especially tough on him.... at least that's what the media reported, why he really left - only he knows, we can all guess, but it really doesn't matter any more.....he's a Cap now & going to retire there!

Jordan - well you should be fine then to get your jersey, probably have the contract officially signed and no speculation as to whether or not he's really a Cap. I hope he puts up great numbers playing with Ovechkin. We wanted to see him back in Detroit, but rumors were that him & Babcock didn't really get along in Anaheim (that was my speculation as to why we didn't get him at the trade deadline...but ya know then we got Brad Stuart en route to the Stanley Cup - so it all works out) :-)

p.s. I lived in DC for awhile - & the Caps are my 'east coast' team - very upset over the lockout cuz I could've seen Ovechkin in his first official year in the NHL if not for the lockout. But I DID get to see the Caps play Detroit live at the Joe this past season & got to see first hand how AMAZING Ovechkin is - Detroit shootout win - WOW that was a great game! (dreaming of seeing Ovechkin & Datsyuk on the same team gives me chills).

One thing people are forgetting when they claim "The GMs are overpaying!" is some language in the CBA.

If I recall, 12% of the player's salaries are withheld during the season. At the end of the season, when they get the exact revenue amount, the players are allocated a percentage. So, no matter what they sign these guys to, the players are going to get a fixed amount in the end. The only thing that the individual salaries determine is what percent goes to Ovechkin, what percent to Federov, what percent to Crosby, whatever. So, when a player signs for more, he is essentially giving those below him less.

Does anyone else remember this and can confirm?

@ capsfan98:

Just picked them up again full-time. Think I'm in Row 3 seats 3&4 IIRC. Will definitely make a point so say hi.

Word to the JSchon list, with the exception of two; Jurcina may bring some value but will get resigned, Kozlov will play the second year out and be a UFA.

Sarah,

When we get to the finals this year, can we borrow Zetterberg?

Sergei left detroit for a NUMBER of reasons

I think he wanted the change of scenery after divorce with Anna.

Repeat: he got less money from Anaheim than what Detroit offered him

Seems like its official:

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=368069&page=NewsPage&service=page

GO CAPS!

More on CBA, as I recall:

The players are guaranteed a percentage of the revenue, and there's about a four percent swing, like between 50 and 54%. The salary cap for the coming year is based on expected revenue. At the end of the year say you had $10B in revenue and $5B in salary. That's 50%. If that's over the player percentage allotment, the players have to do a "giveback," which explains why 12% was held back. If the player percentage is under the minimum, they get the 12% hold back plus they get even more, on a percentage based on what each player made, up to the revenue min.

I believe this means Federov would end up somewhere between $3.6 and $4.4 depending on how much revenue is generated. The players and owners are partners, a very smart thing since it encourages the players to give interviews and so forth.

JSchon

How's Katie look? Her WaPo picture isn't all that great :)

Seems like its official:

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=368069&page=NewsPage&service=page

Whew. 5 hours later... I bet GMGM has paycheck from TSN as informant

@ Jordan - NO WAY!!!! Z is a lifer in Detroit!!! He's getting around $2.7mill/year (post-lockout/RFA contract) & set for a BIG pay raise after this year. The speculation is, he'll be our next Captain. And, I'd gladly play the Caps again in the Finals (even though they're my eastern conference team (inadvertently called 'em my east coast team in last post). Fond memories of playing the Caps in the finals :-) Although, I think AO would be a tougher guy to play against than Crosby (AO doesn't throw temper tantrums on the bench like Crosby did after the huge hit on him by Stuart in Game 6; AO gets even on the Scoreboard).

Besides, Detroit's secret plan is to steal Ovechkin away from the Caps too, we already lured Hossa away from Pittsburgh.... ;-) You know - if the All-Star game went back to North American vs. the World - we could see Datsyuk, Z & Ovechkin all playing on a line together... that would be awesome to see.

Come on, its detroit for gods sake. After the Wings, what else is there? I'm sure everyone in Detroit would like a fresh start and would like to live ina less than miserable place, rich or not. First LA, and then he ended up in Ohio. DC is like Paris right now.

JSchon,

Do they have any good beer there or is it all "American style light lager"?

How are the goalies playing?

Katie looked sexy as hell in her ultra sheer halter top... oh, wait, that was Steinberg...

I would buy Katie multiple drinks... 2 even...

Beer selection is slim... Corona or Heiniken... I chose popcorn this morning...

Seems like its official:

wait a minute, they refer to Canadian Press, Caps site is still silent.
http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=368054

Ted wrote like 10 posts today already, still nothing about Feds.

The Caps site is part of the NHL's website as per league rules (see MSG & the Rangers for more sad details), so it is a bit odd. Someone posted that the details may be awaiting approval or maybe the Caps wanted to make a big splash on Saturday??? It seems legit if the NHL itself is announcing the deal

JSchon

Glad to see you blogging from the Kett. Abnormally busy day at my office today or I would have replied earlier.

I have to disacree on your feeling that we'll dump some roster for considerations. Minus Morrisonn signing, I think we're done, and the roster is pretty much set.

Only questions we have are, where does Fehr start the year? If he's in Hershey (where he should be) does Laing get that spot? Bradley on the 3rd line?

On D. I will still be very surprised if Alzner opens the season in Red/White/Blue. He has a very expensive contract (1.6per) and Juice/Erskine combined make up less $ than Alzner.

Injury call-ups, sure, I see Lepisto and Alzner being tops on that list. Bourque/Fehr tops for injury callup for the FWDs. But I really think we're gonna run with what got us there last year and see where that rabbit hole goes.

And at the pace we played last year, I'm 100% OK with that. There will be injuries. We will have to figure out how to get around them with what we have.

Woah Woah Woah...That is a trap Jschon... How Katie looks in person has nothing to do with anything...Trick question.

Jschon, how is the beer flowing down there? You might want to grab one because once me and Super get there, its game time. I still owe you one from yesterday.

And about Flash, I am not 100% over him, I am calling him extremely expendable at 750K per year when Boyd will play for free and Fehr just wants a chance.

what time is the scrimmage today? Can I check back for updates? JSchon?

@FFS Enough

I disagree on Fehr, I think he should be given a chance. I see a lot of potential, he's a big, young guy and not afraid to shoot the puck.

Here are the salary cap hits as I have them:

RW / ALEXANDER OVECHKIN / $9,538,462
D / MIKE GREEN / $5,250,000
C / MICHAEL NYLANDER / $4,875,000
LW / ALEXANDER SEMIN / $4,600,000
G / JOSE THEODORE / $4,500,000
C / SERGEI FEDOROV / $4,000,000
D / TOM POTI / $3,500,000
RW / CHRIS CLARK / $2,633,333
RW / VIKTOR KOZLOV / $2,500,000
C / NICKLAS BACKSTROM / $2,400,000
LW / BROOKS LAICH / $2,066,667
LW / DONALD BRASHEAR / $1,200,000
RW / MATT BRADLEY / $1,000,000
D / MILAN JURCINA / $881,250
G / BRENT JOHNSON / $812,500
D / JEFF SCHULTZ / $763,917
RW / TOMAS FLEISCHMANN / $725,000
D / JOHN ERSKINE / $525,000
C / DAVE STECKEL / $512,500
RW / BEN CLYMER (BO) / $250,000

19 / TOTAL / $52,533,629
4 / LEFT / $4,166,371

This does not include Brian Pothier, who is on long-term injury reserve (so his salary doesn't count against the cap). And we still need to re-sign Morrisonn and Fehr.

+ MORRISONN / $2,500,000? / $55,033,629
+ FEHR / $984,426 / $56,018,055
+ LAING? / $487,500 / $56,505,555

LEFT = $194,445

Clearly, there is no room for Gordon. Nor does it leave room for Alzner to make the team. If he makes it, we might have to move a guy like Kozlov since Alzner's cap hit is $1,675,000.

Bed,

3:30pm today and tomorrow. 10:30am on Saturday.

So, Tarik, where is the official word, big bird?

Anyone know how long the scrimmages are?

As well as how long the actual practice is? Trying to plan my next few days at 'work'

@FFS

OV
Backstrom
Kozlov
Semin
Nylander
Clark
Laich
Fedorv
Flash
Steckel
Brashear
Bradley
Fehr
Gordon
Laing
Aucoin

16 players, only 12 spots... somethings gotta give...

Plus we also signed Mink and Sloan, there isnt a lot of room in Hershey...

Something else is happening, not sure what... but there are going to be 3 or 4 very unhappy players...

and Fehr doesnt belong in Hershey... He was very good in the playoffs... after only 23 games played in 2 years... Fehr will be good given a fair chance...

So it looks like Fehr or Flash? Fehr can't sign a two way deal can he?

Caps vs. Red Wings - Stanley Cup Finals '09 - I dig it. East looks pretty weak this year. Does Tampa really think they will win games with no Defense? Biggest hurdles - Pittsburgh, Montreal & Philly. Its possible guys!! Stanley Cup Finals '09 here we come!!! Ovechkin got his first taste of the playoffs & did pretty good his first time. That experience will serve him very well for this year!! Is it October yet??

Signing Feds was a waste of money, guy is old and has been a non factor for years.

This team is no better than the team that finished last season, actually worse by settling for a goalie that's "finding his game".

Everyone can cheer that money was spent, yet team is worse than last season, get ready for a miserable season, poor BB.

Fehr has more upside than Flash, imho.

Add Alzner. Subtract Laing (two-way deal) and Jurcina (traded). Then you are like $300K over. However, you can play the year over if the over is bonuses, which there are two: Backstrom $1.6M and Alzner I think around $800K. If you don't pay all the bonuses, you are under. And if you go over due to bonuses, that is simply subtracted from your cap for the next year. I read that on the nhlnumbers website by clicking on "Legend" down in the lower left.

"What about putting Poti with Alzner"

Grreeat! Two guys who don't play the body. Even Lidstrom needed Brad Stuart this yr in the playoffs to clean house.

dig it.

Something else is happening, not sure what...

That's for sure :-)

Is it going to be like with Huet? All of a sudden he is in Chicago, Theodore is in?

Huet=Fedorov :-(

The scrimmage is at 3:30 today... at the Kettler, aka JSchon's pseudo office...

Check the Capitals Website for schedules for the rest of the week...

I think its 10am and 11am for practice and 3:30 for scrimmages through Friday.

@Roger #94.... fyi about the below salaries...

Flash makes $725,000 for 08/09 and 09/10, cap hit is $725,000
Bouchard makes $850,000 for 08/09 through 10/11, cap hit is $850,000
Bourque makes $525,000 for 08/09 (RFA), cap hit is $633,333...

I'd still take Flash over Bourque or Bouchard based on his ability to play at the NHL level right now. If he doesn't have a markedly improved year this year then I say cut bait and open a roster spot...

Damn we are loaded.........

Sign Gordon for peanuts, trade him, Flash and (Kozlov or Nylander) for a 2nd or 3rd line center or right wing that makes around 2 mil and a decent pick.. Free up some cash and sign Mo..

Easy pesy Japanesy...Lets start our run

@Chief,

If you were to get a Caps jersey, what number (aside from 91) would be on it?

Mirtle's blog is silent, Ted's blog is silent, Caps site is silent...

Until Caps site reports it, Fedorov is NOT signed, as far as I am concerned...

What's the URL of the Lightning message board the WaPo bloggers are frequenting?

I could use a good laugh. :)

Roger: Fehr has a "qualifying offer" from the club. The rules I believe say this offer must be ten percent above his previous salary, due to his salary group (below $1M). Being he has played out the entry-level deal, any qualifying offer I think is a one-way deal.

There were some players not extended qualifying offers. Steffansson or something like that was one of them. His entry-level deal expired, the Caps let him go, and he is an UFA. Any club extended him an offer can make it two-way if they want, and the player can agree or not sign. In Fehr's case, I don't think he can go back to Hershey without waivers.

Maybe they are ready to ship Feds somewhere already?

Roger; I think I read Nylander has "no trade" clause. True, not true? If so, he can only be moved by putting him on waivers. I doubt they would do that and risk paying him $5M to be in Hershey.

Trade Gordon, Kozlov and Flash to Buffalo for Jason Pommenville...

Buffalo isnt going to pony up the cash to keep him.

Sign Pommenville next season to a 4 x 5 contract and have a OV/Backstrom/Pommenville 1st line... it might be the best in the league...

Does Jagr still need a center?

Does Jagr still need a center?

Wow.... Flash a 26 yr old never done anything in the NHL over Bouchard, a 20 year old with all the talent in the world.

I don't know what you are drinking on but I want some as soon as I get there.

I agree with you on Bourque, this might ruffle some Bourque loving feathers but hes too damn small. I don't see him making the NHL and definitely not on this team now that Bouchard and Fehr are probably gonna be in Hershey.

OV-Backs-Kovy
Semin-Nyls-Laich
Fehr-Fed-Clark
Brash-Stecks-Brads

Where does Flash fit in on this? If there are injuries, I will take Bourque or Bouchard on the first two lines and the other Gordon if 3 or 4. I think we are just as good.

Maybe the Caps are waiting to have a big press conference. There Ted will come out and say that reports of the Caps signing Feds for 1 year $4Mil is not true. In fact they've locked him up for 10 years $50Million!!!!

Or not.....

What is the fascination with Laing?? Look at Jschon's fwd list take off the last three. Two are not under contract and one is an insurance policy. Take them off and you have 12 fwds and one in the press box. The fwds are set unless there is a big move coming up and I doubt that.

The D is pretty much set as well.

Mo
Green
Poti
Schultz
Alzner (he'll make it)
Jurcina
Erskine

If they think Lepisto is ready then we trade jurcina/erskine

Sounds pretty well set to me. The only thing that changes this is if we can' fit it under the cap.

Finn,

What sort of idiot GM would trade for a player that he could have just signed to an offer sheet as a UFA? Fedorov isn't going anywhere. The paperwork is probably hung up in New York on a technicality or some nonsense like that.

"Everyone can cheer that money was spent, yet team is worse than last season, get ready for a miserable season, poor BB."

What an absolute d-bag you are. You have no business being here. Your sole purpose is to get reactions.

I hope you drive into a tree at high speeds

By the way, that looks like a team that can run deep in the playoffs.

"Everyone can cheer that money was spent, yet team is worse than last season, get ready for a miserable season, poor BB."

What an absolute d-bag you are. You have no business being here. Your sole purpose is to get reactions.

I hope you drive into a tree at high speeds

Posted by: | July 9, 2008 12:49 PM

Hey I don't know if you have a name yet but it should be IAMAWESOME...

HolyOlie,

Toronto Make Beliefs?

4 million dollar handcuffs! What a joke!

@jschon.

JP is good but not that good.

Finn,

Ok, that was pretty funny.

I wouldn't put it past that genius brigade in Tampa either, come to think of it.

@everybody

60% of what I say here is non-sense 100% of the time...

4 million dollar handcuffs! What a joke!

Posted by: ( . ) | July 9, 2008 12:53 PM

Chief, the thing about having a distinctive posting style is that we all know when it's you.

I'm with Roger 94 on Flash.

Truth hurts.
All the Caps have done is spend more money for the same people, while down grading in goaltending.

Defense is no better, goaltending is worse, yet they spent more money.

@ CapfaninTN
Here is the link....gotta laugh at their predictions and gotta laugh at all the Caps fans comments
http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/07/after-busy-day.html

The Bog reports what we all know to be true, The Post covers the Caps least of all sports...

(Nothing personal Tarik, you rule!)

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/07/nats_fans_vs_the_posts_coverag.html

So, younger players gaining more experience and getting more skilled is not improving a team. Team unity is not a good thing.

Think before you write.

Chief,
you talk a lot of ignorant BS for an educated observer of the caps. What about continuity? Is that worth anything? How about when the Marlins won the world series with a tiny payroll? Im gonna go out on a limb and say they developed that talent themselves rather than bringing in free agents. Maybe their team work and camraderie were the factors made them champions, but what do I know.

Is easier to be negative all the time and look a little clever, since more things go wrong than right (there are more ways for anything to not work than to work , you know). I challenge you, Chief, to pick something that will work (take three chances if you want). You can not prove yourself by whining.

Rumor mill has Nylander going to Ottawa!

I'm very happy about Fed's contract.

However, big surprises from Alzner aside, I'm not completely happy on the current roster.

I found it incredible that we are basically OVER the salary cap but with basically the same team (minus Cooke, who we'll miss), and w/o the thing we needed the most, a solid D-man.

I really hope I'm wrong but I found improbable a SC final this year. Which is a waste, since we have incredible talent on the team.

Sorry for the negativity - just my opinion.

Chief has been blackballed from this blogasphere, this blogasphere, this blogasphere.

I cant believe you have a brain, in that head of yours, that head of yours, that brain of yours.

The Insiders will drink from the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup, The STANLEY CUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!

Theodore won a vezina and hart a few years back he is just as good and is proven for more than 50 games a year unlike Huet. Huet was an equally big gamble and left us no room to sign any one else if we had kept him so. I think we got the best of whats out there.

any word on when Pothier will be declared done so we can free up that xtra 2.5 million. Nylander to any other team we better get a good defenseman out of the deal. Keep him around 3-3.5 mill a season too please

Caps may not be better than they were last year, but look at the rest of the east - seems like only teams in the west actually improved. Does anyone really think Tampa is in a better position? But, Chief has a good point. Thank your lucky stars the Caps are in the East & not the Western conference! I will laugh though when Theodore falls flat on his face with the Caps. Whatever confidence he may have gotten agains the Wild, it was completely shattered by Detroit in the 2nd round of this past playoff run. He has nightmares of Johan Franzen scoring Hat Tricks against him. Caps took a big gamble, should've thrown that Federov money at Huet or Kolzig instead of Federov.

4 Million To a 38 yr OLD declining player takes money away from the budget for the younger 'up and coming players", that is 2mill too much. Jason Smith, steady tough defenseman @ $2.6 per yr for 2 years is a good signing. Good job George,... joke!

@ Mauree

I know a lot of people are saying that we have the same team but come on. Lets start at the top. OV plus one year experience and the taste of a 7 game playoff. Is he even 23 yet? Mike Green and his bad@ss fauxhawk. Great series and lots of confidence. They didn't give him 5 mil a year to see 50 to 60 points, they expect more and frankly I think we are gonna see it easy. Semin, figured it out during the playoffs. Backstrom after one year is a legitimate first line center.

IF YOU THINK THIS IS THE SAME TEAM AS LAST YEAR YOU ARE CRAZYYYYY. This team has more experience and the taste of a first round, 7 game OT defeat. They have the understand that you can start 9 and whatever and still make a good run in the playoffs although they almost pulled it out.

LETS HAVE SOME POSITIVE THINKING BOYS AND GIRLS. THIS TEAM LOOKS FANTASTIC!!

wouldnt that be nice if that was we got out of ott for nyls

I agree chemistry in hockey is crucial.

I also think the team in the post season (thanks to Carolina losing) can't be compared to the team this coming season, because Nylander will distrupt that chemistry.
I believe he will distrupt that chemistry for the worse.
I also believe that a Theo SUCKS.
Now that a few guys have been "paid", it also sets up a possibility for an "off year".

BB winning Coach of Year was very nice, however it may have doomed him.

I wonder if OV said anything to Ted or GMGM about Fedorov?

You know like.. "I want my Russian buddy in DC, please"

imho a "please" from OV goes a long way.

Posted by: ( o ) | July 9, 2008 1:10 PM

Good job trying to change your style up a little, but we still know it's you, Chief.

Chief... isnt there a blackjack table you need to deal at?

Boomer: first of all lets think about what Federov did for us. Boosted the penalty killing unit. Scored a huge goal down the stretch for us to get us into the playoffs. Played D for us a few times when men were hurt. Come on any money on Olie would have been a waste. We all love Olie but come on his time was done. I can't count how many saves Huet made down the stretch that I thought wow Olie doesnt get that one. As far as huet goes the length of the contract got to long for the Caps. He gave them a # that they had to be at and they matched it. But in the end he still left so he screwed us. If you wanna blame any one blame him , but how can you do that he got more $$$ elsewhere. So that left Theodore. He will be fine. Go Caps!

Hate to break the news to Caps Fans, Detroit isn't giving up the Stanley Cup anytime soon. You guys can have it in a few years, maybe, once Z & Pav retire. (Chelios will probably still be playing at that time). :-)

all this talk of Theo sucking we better hope not come on guys lets have some faith. After all when was the last decision that George made really bad? Jagr thats the last one.

It wasn't that trading for Jagr was a bad decision (who did we trade for him?) it was signing him to that extension after we did it. You would have thought the Redskins would have learned from the Caps when it came to trading for players whgo are already under contract.

Chief...

We only had Huet last year for 20 games including the playoffs...

We now have Theodore for 55 games this year and most importantly, no Kolzig.

BIG difference...

And of course you think Theo stinks...
and of course you think Nylander is going to ruin the chemistry...
and anything that is unknown is a negative...

They make medicine for people like you...

Yah that Huet thing was odd with the Caps. But, you guys are going to quickly learn that Theodore is washed up and not anywhere near his Vezina years, that's like saying b/cuz Federov won the Hart Trophy 10+ years ago, he's at that same form today. Theodore is streaky & you never know what you're going to get. Colorado had a much better defensive team than the Caps do & he still stunk it up. Perhaps you missed the 2nd round of the playoffs - I believe Theodore got yanked in every game (or just about every game). Cap fans better hope for Ovechkin's sake that Jose plays like the former Vezina winner he was & not the stinker he has been for Colorado.

@ Chief

Great points..Im putting my season tickets up for sale.

Go grope a goat

"After all when was the last decision that George made really bad?"

Are you kidding ?
Please tell me you are kidding ?

That was hillarious.

Chief = Glum "it'll never work" "we're doomed"

thats all we can hope for on Theo. Who else were we going to get though?
Don't say Huet or Kolzig

Not to be the pessimist, but the Fed contract has NOT shown up on the NHL site.

I would be VERY suprised if GMGM offered more than $ 2.5- $3million MAX. Sorry, I just can't see $4 million, too tight to the salary cap

Hey Chief! Here's a suggestion:

Yep, I am giving up completely on this losing team that played at a 100+ point pace after Thanksgiving last year. Thank you Chief for helping me see the light with your intelligence and well thought out responses.

I AM HEALED!!!

go to tsn.ca and you canread all about Federov's deal in black and white. It is true!

Without naming names (Chief), think about a full season under BB. He will be a better coach his year. OV is better, Semin, Backs, Green, Mo, Schultz will all be better. The only ones there is a possibility of getting worse are the older guys. Nyls, Koz, Fed, Brash. Nyls we didn't have last year, Koz will be same underacheiver, Feds is Feds and Brash is there for protection.

How can we not be better?

Chief...

We only had Huet last year for 20 games including the playoffs...

We now have Theodore for 55 games this year and most importantly, no Kolzig.

BIG difference...

Posted by: JSchon | July 9, 2008 1:23 PM

LOL - that is the funniest thing I have heard all day! HAHAHA - Jose only playing 55 games? Do you guys even have a backup goalie that's reliable or has even played in the NHL?

Yes Boomer... we do...

@boomer.

Who are you? If you don't even know who the backup goaltender is, you are not qualified to speak about the Caps.

I'm Chief, Look at me!!!!!
I make "shocking" posts to try to get attention!!!! And when they don't get everyone riled up, I'll post the exact same thing time and time again until I get a response! AHHHHHHH attention, I crave it! Please, look at me!!!! Give me the attention I am sooooo desperate for!!!! Everyone on this earth is big dumb, stupid moron, but I am smart! I know all, so look at me please!!!!!!!! Hello? Anyone there? Are you all looking at me? Hey! What are you people looking at?!

Actually I'm happy about Theo. He is a proven goalie, and should be re-energized by the Caps.

@Roger

You are right, let me clarify: except Laich, who I think is overpaid (but I hope he'll prove me wrong), the experience accumulated by our youngsters during last year justifies alone the increase price tag. Semin, Backstrom, OV, Fehr especially. And I don't complain about Feds 4M.

What I'm not 100% happy about is the rest of the D. Poti, not exactly a force of nature, is the only veteran. Except maybe Green, no one on our current D would even make the bench on Detroit.

What I'm saying is, we won't probably win the SC this year. But I'm ok with that, it's not that I stop cheering for the Caps :D. The team is growing, we'll get there eventually.

Boomer, go away. you don't belong here.

@ Boomer. What are you, a Redwings fan? If so, who are your goalies this year? Osgood and Jimmy Howard. Who? Osgood had a good year, but he is streaky too. Does Howard have any NHL experience for when Osgood goes down with an injury that costs at least 25 games?

"I also think the team in the post season (thanks to Carolina losing)..." true, the caps didnt go on a winning streak at the end of the year and didnt win their last game to get into the playoffs. and detroit went undefeated this year and therefore didn't benefit from other teams losing...

"can't be compared to the team this coming season, because Nylander will distrupt that chemistry." a proven fact. he is a loudmouth, puck hog who only cares about scoring goals and personal accomlishments. the fact that he has twice as many assists as goals is an abberation.

"Now that a few guys have been "paid", it also sets up a possibility for an "off year." spot on. we should not have paid these guys. they would have played for free

"BB winning Coach of Year was very nice, however it may have doomed him." again, who needs a good coach who wins stupid awards. it was working so well with the other guy.

These siginings are great for the team. I will reserve judgement on Nyls until we see him playing with 2 good shoulders instead of just one. I believe he will be better than he was last year. I believe letting Cooke go was a mistake, but I'm not a GM. I believe we gave or got nothing in the goalie exchange, but it would be nice if Theo becomes the goalie he was 5 years ago. Finally, I believe the team is so moving in the right direction. It's fun thinking about this team's offense with the developing youngsters on defense we have!

Roger: It is the same team as last year.

It's the same team that led the NHL since Boudreau took over.

Theodore is a drop from Huet, but he's a step up from Kolzig and the Caps had a very nice record from Boudreau hiring to Huet trade. Even with Olie and Johnny in goal.

The Tampa site is funny. I didn't post. They have good talent at forward but the worst D/goaltending possible. And I will take our "old" guy (Feds) over their old guys Roberts and Recchi.

Actually I'm happy about Theo. He is a proven goalie...

He has to prove that he is proven again with Caps :-)

Not that I am saying he won't be able to...

Jest look at used to be Osbad...

I have heard many players called many things but Nylander being called a loudmouth is hilarious. He is one of the most soft spoken people I have ever met nd it seems his wife wears the pants (edmonton).

Guys, the lack of knowledge from a couple of recent posters (boomer and cheif is right) tells me we have been infiltrated by the enemy. At least chief has knowledge, even if his opinions stink.

If you root for another team and are just trying to dig at us, have the balls to identify yourselves like we do on other sites.

Have at least two balls... cause I laugh every time I see John Kruk...

I am Chief.
I should be GM.
I would sign the best players in the world.
They would play on my team for free because I am smart and they are dumb.
I would trick them into signing becuase they are all so dumb.
You are all dumb too.
I would sell out every game because I am so smart and brave.
My team would win the cup every year.
I am very smart and wholesome.
My players would win all awards beacuse of my great superior smartness.
I am smart and shiny.
My goalies would shut every team out every game.
I am the smartest and most handsome.
I would be the best GM ever!!!
I am so smart and svelt.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed centre Michael Peca to a one-year, $1.315 million contract.

This is awesome!

I guess we can say goodbye to flash for good.
Do you think we're going to be looking for another veteran D-Man or will we be relying on those young guys to keep improving - which they were at warp speed last year.

This is going to be a heck of a team next season.

Wow, Ted's site went down. Maybe he just announced that he signed Feds for 13 year contract?

http://www.tedstake.com/

@Mauree,

Couldn't agree more but I think Laich actually will do better than what is expected. In the last 22 games, Laich had 21 of his 37 points, including 12 goals. If you do the math on that, that is a 70 to 80 point season. I dont think he will get that many point but I am hoping for 50, 25 and 25 this season.

maybe Ted forget to pay his AOL bill so they cut his Internet service.

Pretty sure the Chief is RIGHT comments were meant to be sarcastic

"Smart and wholsome" lmao.

@ Boomer:

a.) The Caps have a vastly superior team defense than the Avs. Vastly. It isn't even close.

b.) Theodore had the flu in the 2nd round. He carried the Avs in the first. Without him, they were one and done.

c.) No one claims Theodore is better than Huet. Theodore has a few things Huet doesn't though: Vezina and MVP upside, one year less in age, proven durability, and a reasonable contract.

@kenwood,
---
Without naming names (Chief), think about a full season under BB. He will be a better coach his year. OV is better, Semin, Backs, Green, Mo, Schultz will all be better. The only ones there is a possibility of getting worse are the older guys. Nyls, Koz, Fed, Brash. Nyls we didn't have last year, Koz will be same underacheiver, Feds is Feds and Brash is there for protection.

How can we not be better?
----

great points... but injuries almost killed us last year... imagine if Ovie, Theodore, Green, or Backstrom go down to as season ending injury...

be thankful it was Pothier, Clark and Nylander!

wholsome=wholesome

Perhaps Chief is swaying people and drawing them over to the dark side. He is so clever and persuasive. He just has this way about him with his negativity and hatred of GMGM and Ted that draws people to him like moths to streetlamps. Not!

@Roger

I hope so too. One encouraging thing is that he wasn't shy to place himself in front of the net. That's good. There's a difference between "not being shy" and "being good at it" - let's hope it's not that big :D

FrankM73?
Bite your tongue (and your fingers)! What are you, crazy, writing something like that? Or are you a Pens fan? Seriously, stifle yourself.

kenwood gets it!

Still no announcement from CAPS on Fedorov signing. Should we be concerned?

Alrighty ladies and gentlemen,

I am making the hike to Kettler to meet up with Jschon and Super. If you are up there come find us and join us for some $1 beers afterward.

@FrankM73... just adding...

I agree, Pothier was a top pair defensemen, Clark was our 1st line RW and Nylander was top line C going into the season...

Backstrom didnt show us anything until Nov 27th... Hanlon mistake...

We had no idea really what to expect from Green....

injuries allowed other guys to shine...

Why not let Feds be the Neidermyer or Salane of this year. Have him show up in January or February and pay him at a rate of 4 Mill a year, but only a 3 mill or so cap hit. Not really sure he needs the whole seaon long grind to get ready for when he is needed in April and May.

Roger/Mauree,

I think everyone realizes you are the same person. Nobody else would agree with your stupidity.

JSchon

Hope you have a good memory for all this "Past" I'm bringing up.

Your list of dudes up there. Take a look at WHO could go where. The only guys we can send to Hershey are:
Laing
Fehr
Aucoin

Makes the decision easy. Also gives us a LOT of depth. While I would agree, Fehr belongs on the roster, if you really want to give Flash a chance, this is it. We also have Bourque down there who played with more grit and determination in 2 games than flash did all year. To whoever said Bourque was too small, I pity the fool who said that about a #26 who Olie now plays with.

Until I hear otherwise, as I said 3 months ago, Gordo is out of a spot on this team. It's sad, but as predicted his presence has been replaced with veteran leadership (Feds). I wish him well wherever he lands. His abilities in the faceoff circle were good, but I don't think with our current lineup Backs is going to be our only sub-50% faceoff guy. If he can improve that number, we're dangerous as hell.

The real question is, who gets paired with who.. Do we put Ovie and Backs back together? I'd think so. Who C's the 2nd line? Feds or Nyls? Where's Kozzie land? Where do you put Laich and Clark?

My opening day lineup right now is:
Ovie/Backs/Koz
Semin/Feds/Laich
Flash/Nyls/Fehr
B/S/B

Green/Mo
Poti/Schultz
Skine/Juice

I don't think Clark will be ready by the start of the season. If he's not, he might not play all year. If he is, I'd put Clark on top line, and all the RWs move down, with Fehr to Choco-town (because he can). As for Alzner. Again, it's about WHO can go Where. He CAN go to Hershey, something none of the other Dmen can do. Keep in mind, Alzner+Lepisto = More expensive than our 2 weakest D, Skine/Juice. If you make that change, you have to find ~1M somewhere.

@Kenwood
you realize that Nylander was the cancer of the locker room last year which ruined our 1st half of the season..he thought he was the captain and it created issues---don't you remember after Hanlon got the boot Olie said there was still a problem in the locker room but he never named the name -- then Nylander went out with h