Now we just need Mike Comrie!

So the Caps signed Jose Theodore. I can only say...that's hot.

Photo from thesuperficial.com

Capitals sign two more

Via Kukla's Korner:

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- The Washington Capitals signed free agent defenseman Jame Pollock and center Kyle Wilson on Thursday.

Pollock, 28, has spent the past three seasons in Europe, where he led the Sunipret Ice Tigers of the German Elite League with 22 goals and 32 assists in 46 games in 2006-07. He tied the league record for goals by a defenseman.

He played nine games for the St. Louis Blues in 2003-04.

Wilson recently finished his first season with the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears, where he was the team's rookie of the year. He scored 24 goals and 54 points in 54 games.

Wilson was drafted by the Minnesota Wild 272 overall, in the 9th round of the 2004 Draft. Pollock has played 9 games in the NHL, all for the Blues during the 03-04 season.

What will we see this season?

For the most part, the free agent frenzy is over. Now its time to throw that bottle of champagne in the recycle bin, pick the streamers off the floor, and stop kissing that picture of GMGM (think of him this way instead).

Rage, who is a full time commentator here and part time muse, started debating line combos with me this morning. So, in a completely pre-mature, who the hell knows whats gonna happen, waaay too early post, here are my thoughts on the Caps lines combos for next season.

Ovie - Nylander - Fleischmann
Semin - Backstrom - Kozlov
Pettinger - Gordon - Clark
Brashear - Sutherby - Laich/Bradley/Steckel

Line one: Ovie and Nyls are locks. The question mark is Flash. When he plays with confidence, I see him as a future #1 or #2 winger but he is largely unproven. He has been terrific in Hershey, and at times brilliant with the Caps. But Flash hasnt spent enough time with the big club for us to know if he can get through the grind of a full NHL season and still play well every night. Plus, he needs to gain some weight. "New NHL" or not, from the neck down he looks like Nicole Richie.

I do think its a possibility for Clark and Flash to flip places, but I dont know if we will be using Flash's skills to the best of his ability if we dont pair him with a solid center. Kinda like this past season with Ovie after we traded Zubrus. And Clark is a great player, but not a natural goal scorer. Being on a line with Alex Ovechkin has helped his numbers quite a bit. But I'm not hatin' on our Captain, cause I think he is great.

Second line: I cant imagine a second line that isnt Semin, Backstrom, and Kozlov. Koz will add a veteran presence to what is otherwise a very young line.

Third line: Pettinger and Gordon proved to be very solid on the checking line for the Caps. Brooks Laich played with them often this season, but I am just not sure that he stays on the third line with our current depth. I think that if the Caps are serious about giving Flash a chance, that they move Clark to the third line. He will add some more offensive upside to a line that already does pretty well with offense. Based on the above, we already have two solid lines. Wouldnt it be terrific if we had a third line that could pitch in some goals? Every playoff contender that went deep into the playoffs has had depth from lines 1-3.

Fourth line: I think Brash is an anchor on this line. Otherwise, its up for grabs. Part time enforcers Brian Sutherby and Matt Bradley might have a role here. Who really knows? Watch for Sutherby, Bradley, Erskine, and Ben Clymer to be fighting for a spot here.

Where does Dave Steckel fit into this though? We offered him a QO (perhaps just as trade bait?), so he is in the mix for now. If Steckel plays the way he did during his call up from Hershey, then I think he deserves to be on the third line. But how would the Caps juggle that? Add Steckel to the list of those who may be traded.

Some others to consider are Jakub Klepis and Chris Bourque. Bourque is ready to at least have a stint with the Caps, whether or not its a steady gig is a seperate question. He and Steckel might be on the trading block, along with Bradley, Clymer (sorry Caps Chick!), Laich and Erskine.

Defense combos:

Poti - Jurcina
Pothier - Morrisonn
Eminger - Schultz
Boumedienne - Green

These are a little trickier. I thought that Morrisonn and Jurcina were a perfect combination last season. But, there is no doubt that both (particularly Morrisonn and his penalties) could benefit from being paired with a vet. Based on development, I think Jurcina goes on the first line with Poti.

Pothier plays best when he isnt over exerted, and with minute-eating monsters Poti and Jurcina out there, I think he will do well as the #3 D-man. And he can bring Morrisonn along.

After these top four, the next D combos are up for grabs. I hope we keep Schultz, and I have faith in Green and Eminger, but I think everyone could be on the chopping block. It would be cruel, but I wonder if the Caps try to bring Clymer back to defense? He could pair up with a young'un. On the other hand, Clymer never looked very comfortable on D, and might just prefer a trade.

Possible trade bait:
D Mike Green
D Jeff Schultz (less likely unless the deal is sweet)
D Steve Eminger
F Ben Clymer
F Matt Bradley
F Brooks Laich (offered a QO)
F Brian Sutherby (offered a QO)
F Tomas Fleischmann (offered a QO)
F Dave Steckel (offered a QO)
F Jakub Klepis (offered a QO)
F Chris Bourque
D Josef Boumedienne (he might just return to Sweden)

The one thing I do know for certain? There are gonna be some long faces in the press box this season.

Poti, Kozlov to the Caps

Some great free agent news for the Caps today:

The Caps signed forward Viktor Kozlov and D-man Tom Poti July 1st, the first day that potential free agents could be signed. Tarik has the news:

Poti signed a four-year contract that will pay him $3.5 million per season, and Kozlov agreed to a two-year deal worth $2.5 million per season.

[...]

Poti, a powerful skater who possesses a hard, accurate slap shot, is expected to add punch to the Capitals' anemic power play, which ranked 24th last season. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound native of Massachusetts directed the Islanders' 12th-ranked power play, racking up six goals and 26 assists with the man advantage. He also played significant minutes on the penalty kill unit and was 14th in the league with 170 blocked shots.

"Our scouting staff thought that [Poti] had the best year of his career last year and that he's really coming into his own," McPhee said. "We needed a left-handed shot for the power play, he's excellent on the penalty kill and moves the puck, very, very well. We've felt we've got some young defensemen who are good at shutting the other team down, but we needed a little more skill to help us out with special teams."

[....]

The 32-year-old Kozlov is 6-5, 230 pounds but plays a finesse game. He's a gifted puck handler and accurate passer and is effective in the shootout, converting 5 of 13 attempts last season. The Capitals were 1-10 in games decided on penalty shots.

Kozlov also has some chemistry with Ovechkin, having skated with him for Russia during last year's Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. Yashin was also on that line.

The most interesting part of Tarik's take was this:

Assuming Poti is the only addition on defense this summer, the Capitals' top four next season likely will include Shaone Morrisonn, Brian Pothier and Milan Jurcina. That would leave Steve Eminger, John Erskine, Josef Boumedienne and prospects Jeff Schultz and Mike Green to battle for the remaining spots.

I have to assume that Jurcina, Morrisonn and Pothier arent going anywhere. I was surprised to see Erskine offered a QO last week. He has limited hockey skills and Donald Brashear (and to some extent Matt Bradley, Brian Sutherby and others) fill the enforcer role. Seems like the Caps have a bit of a surplus on the D side, not that I am complaining. And I would like to see the prospects kept around (yes, even Eminger). Whats the point of drafting and developing players if you are not going to keep some of them to rebuild around? And they will surely benefit from having one more vet on the team.

Check out where all the "big" free agents went.

more Swedish meatballs

says the vegetarian.

News from Tarik:

The Washington Capitals have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with defenseman Josef Boumedienne, General Manager George McPhee confirmed yesterday.

[...]

Boumedienne's addition also means the Capitals will cut ties with journeyman defenseman Bryan Muir, who played in only 26 games last season because of a broken foot. Boumedienne, like Muir, is a puck-moving defenseman capable of occasionally chipping in on the power play.

"The hope is that [Boumedienne] can help us," McPhee said. "But if not, it doesn't hurt us too much."

Boumedienne, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound native of Stockholm, appeared in 37 games for the Capitals during the 2003-04 season but spent the past three seasons in Europe because of a contract dispute. In August 2005, he rejected the Capitals' offer of a "two-way" contract, which would have allowed the club to send him to the minor leagues without penalty.

I see the point of signing him, so young Backstrom can a have a confidante. Hopefully Boumedienne ends up being a bit of a diamond in the rough. If not, its as GMGM said: "... it doesn't hurt us too much."