It is no secret that the Capitals as currently constructed are not equipped to necessarily make the playoffs, let alone compete for the Stanley Cup. With the trade deadline set for Monday Feb 27, the rumor mill has been ablaze and the Capitals are supposedly right in the middle. One report had McPhee as the GM “burning up the most phonelines to improve his squad”.
So, what can or should the Capitals do? The next 6 games and the health of Green and Backstrom will drive what McPhee does so its difficult to speculate how big a move will be made. But speculating is fun, so lets give it a try.
1. What do we need?
Again, this is entirely predicated on Backstrom and Green. If both are healthy, the Capitals could make minor, low risk moves to improve depth, toughness, and leadership, like all teams look to do in March. But, if the two former “Young Guns” are still shelved, the Capitals desperately need depth at center and another reliable defenseman.
2. Who should go?
First, we need to break the team down into four categories: Unavaliable/Get Them Out/Blue Chip Prospects/ Can Be Moved.
Unavailable: Just what it sounds like. Short of an offer of the Sedins, Stamkos, or Toews/Kane, no way these Capitals leave town:
- Alex Ovechkin- The calls to trade him are insane.
- Nick Backstrom- Hopefully there is no arguing his value now.
- Karl Alzner- Soon to be shut down star.
- John Carlson- Tough sophomore season, but is the most well rounded defender in the system
- Marcus Johansson- Look out next year.
- Brooks Laich- Heart and soul.
- Dmitry Orlov- Will develop into offensive star.
- Jason Chimera- Speed, heart, strength.
- Troy Brouwer- This one is arguable, but I really like his game. Young Knuble.
Get Them Out: Would love to move them out and would take just about anything offered within reason.
- Jeff Schultz- Enough said.
- Roman Hamrlik- Looks old and is becoming a liability
- Joel Ward- I know he is suppose to show up in May, but we need help now!
Blue Chips: Most deadline deals involve prospects. These are the ones that if asked for, McPhee should hang up right away.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov- World class talent who will make immediate impact next year. Would love to have him now.
- Braden Holtby- Think he was always the best of the three (Neuvy and Varly). Technically sound and plays older than his age.
Can be moved: When the dust settles, here are the players that can contractually and team need wise be move.
- Mike Knuble: His age has finally caught up to him. He can be a nice addition to a team like Boston, Vancouver, New York, or Detroit looking for veteran leadership for a cup run. But the Caps need help now!
- Jeff Schultz: Someone will be intrigued by his size and we can fool them into thinking his +50 in 2009-2010 was not a fluke.
- Mike Green: If the Capitals make a run at a big player, Green could be the key piece to get it done. He is young and his skills are without question. A team looking to rebuild would love to have him run the PP and since he is an RFA next year, he is not completely a rental. With the emergence of the Caps new trio of defenders and the injuries, I think Green might be done in DC regardless. It would for sure be a risk, but if he is still doubtful to return to full strength this year, McPhee should not say no.
- Matheiu Perreault: This can only happen if it nets a center or Backstrom returns. Perreault has been hot, making him more valuable than ever right now. When the team is healthy, I do not think Matty P gets a jersey on a regular basis.
- Cody Eakin: Like his game and think he could help in the future, but any big deal will likely include him given the two players off the table in the prospect category.
And now the fun one…..
- Alex Semin: The most mentioned name in any Capitals trade for the last 5 years. Semin is a world talent when he wants to be. The problem is, he never wants to be. This is an incredibly risky move given the Capitals scoring woes and his relationship with the core players. But, I doubt he returns next season (and might even bolt to the KHL), so if it nets a goal scorer, pull the trigger.
3. Ideas- Here are some possible trades. Some are for fun, but others could work....
Pipe Dreams
Semin, Green, & Picks for RICK NASH
Nash is the biggest name in the rumor mill right now and no doubt he would look great next to Ovechkin and Backstrom. This package could get it done and without Semin the Caps could support the contract, but this is a true long shot.
Semin, Eakin, and Schultz for RYAN SUTER
This one is not as crazy as it looks. Suter would easily be the Capitals best defender and could pair with Alzner to shut down anyone in the league. Nashville cannot afford to resign Suter and Weber and have always needed goal scoring. They are in the mix and Semin could help this year for sure. Not likely, but I think it could work.
Semin, Eakin, Prospects for MIKE RICHARDS
The Kings have always been linked to Semin and are in desperate need of offense. Mike Richards is exactly the type of player the Caps need. He has not fit in as planned in LA, so another deal that is unlikely but not crazy. The length of the contract would also be a reason for the Caps to hesitate.
Big But Reasonable Additions
Perreault and Picks for DEREK ROY
Roy, who finally is healthy, has been mentioned in many deals and this one could actually work. Buffalo put a lot of money into the team this year and failed miserable. This gives them some cap relief while giving the Capitals a very credible playmaker to help make up for or complement Backstrom. Plus, Buffalo very well could be getting Roy’s replacement in the deal. Paul Gaustad is another option, but it would need to be straight up.
Schultz for HAL GILL
This one I could actually see happening. Hal Gill is well known for being the Ovechkin Killer in DC as he and current Cap Hamrlik were a key part in the 2009 playoff disappointment. He is a shutdown defender with size and could very well bring the best out of Hamrlik. Montreal would be getting size and youth back, so straight up should do. Most would have preferred Tim Gleason, but Carolina locked him up.
Schultz and Prospect for WAYNE SIMMONDS
This one is almost a pipe dream, but the parameters are not insane. Flyers need a defenseman and the Capitals need offense.
Minor but Effective
Knuble for BENOIT POULIOT
Boston is the type of team that could use Knuble for a Cup run. Pouliot has shown an ability to score, particularily in Minnesota, but has been inconsistent in Boston. He brings more to the table than Knuble does at this point and would be an upgrade in all areas but leadership.
Pick or Prospect for DOMINIC MOORE
Moore is the definition of a depth center that could give Halpern a rest at times but is also capable of playing up in the line up.
Schultz for CAM BARKER
Depth defender with an expiring contract and gets Schultz off the books. This deal could really apply to numerous defenders around the NHL.
Will update this post as more names appear in the rumor mill.
Side Note: VS telecast just said the Ducks have the best record since Jan 6. Brice Effect.
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