07 draft review

Hockey's Future has a good take on how the Caps fared in this year's draft. This quote about Karl Alzner really stood out:

What separates Alzner from the pack is his approachable, light personality. Clearly someone who likes to talk, Alzner is a team-first player who will do whatever his coach and the team asks of him. When asked about his limited ice time with Team Canada at the 2007 World Juniors, Alzner responded, "I play whatever role I’m thrown into. I used that time on the bench to watch some of the best Canadian players in the CHL and in the college ranks, it was such a good learning experience for me... I'm just as good of a cheerleader as I am a player."

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.

Kevin Lowe speaks (some more)

A few highlights from the disgruntled Edmonton GM's recent interview with the Edmonton Sun. The whole article is worth reading and keep in the mind the "other" wife they are referring to is Lauren Pronger. The free agent/trade situation is bad enough that Lowe is considering going after restricted free agents and paying the penalty in draft picks.

Inviting a pair of reporters to his house to tell his version of what happened in the Michael Nylander fiasco, Lowe painted a picture of another wife who didn't want to live here.

[Lowe] says he's going to hire a concierge for the players and wives to try to make this the happiest place to play on earth

"Facts are facts and the truth is the truth," he said of deciding to speak. Lowe said it was early afternoon July 1 when agent Gillis told him 'I think he'll take the deal. He wants to come, but his wife is uncertain.' "

[...]

Then, [Lowe] pointed out, this columnist (Edmonton Sun's Terry Jones) called to inquire about the Washington Capitals announcement that they'd just signed Nylander.

Lowe finally reached Nylander.

"In a sombre voice, he told me 'I just couldn't do it.' It was like his wife freaked out, like she was being shipped to Siberia or something."

So what did GMGM have to say when Lowe called him?

"He told me he got a call from the player and cited the Mike Vernon judgment that a player is not signed until he's signed.

Lowe on attracting free agents:

"We spent a lot of time at this. Our inability to attract guys. What is it? The city? Me? What's the statement?"

He said none of the so called 'Big Three' - Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez - were even open to discussion.

Its hard to read this article and not feel some sympathy for Kevin Lowe. But, this is the same man who traded away Ryan Smyth at the deadline for some prospects. The prospects might be ready in a couple years but Lowe knows that the Oilers need help now. And more importantly, he knew that at the trade deadline when he did a crap job of shopping around Smyth.

And jeez, stop blaming the wife. If a family feels like its not the best decision to move somewhere, thats a valid point.

Ooops

Kevin Lowe and the Edomonton Oilers are fighting mad about not signing Mchael Nylander. Keep in mind that they have yet to sign any solid players and that the fan base is still ticked over the Smyth deal. Plus, Lowe had a good deal fall through on draft day.

EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers complained to the NHL on Tuesday that they had an agreement with free agent center Michael Nylander before he signed with the Washington Capitals.

The Oilers said in a statement Nylander had reached an agreement with them Sunday, only to then sign a $19.5-million, four-year contract with the Capitals the next day. The Oilers say they held off going after other potential free agents because they thought they had Nylander.

[...]

"On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers general manager, and Mr. Mike Gillis, certified agent for Michael Nylander, negotiated and agreed to a multiyear NHL Standard Players Contract, starting in 2007-08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in writing," the Oilers statement said. "However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned signed agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr. Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with the Capitals," the statement said.

And from Tarik:

Because Nylander and Gillis did not return a signed standard player's contract to the Oilers after negotiating the terms of an agreement, sources said it's unlikely that any remedy would jeopardize Nylander's pact with the Capitals, signed and approved by the NHL.

"To our knowledge, there has been only one Standard Player's Contract executed and filed with the League, and under our CBA, that contract should be enforceable," Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly said in a written statement. "But if, after reviewing all of the relevant facts here, there has been a breach of a contractual commitment, we will certainly assist the Oilers in any way we can in seeking an appropriate remedy."

Note: Dainius Zubrus has signed a deal with the NJ Devils. I havent heard terms yet but I will update when I can.

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.

Nylander signs four year deal with Caps

Why is that the two days that I really need to be by a computer (first and second day of NHL free agency) are naturally the two days that I cannot seem to get near one?

Some more terrific news from the Caps:

After nearly two full days of negotiations -- and a premature report out of Edmonton -- Michael Nylander, who was the Caps' top free agent choice, is headed back to Washington. It's a four year deal. I don't know the money yet, but will get that to you as soon as I find out.

This is a critical signing for the Caps and especially for Alex Ovechkin, who finally will have a top-flight set up man to feed him passes. Nylander, 34, posted a career high 26 goals and 83 points last season while skating on the Rangers' first line with Jaromir Jagr.

The Rangers, of course, signed Chris Drury and Scott Gomez yesterday, which kind of squeezed Nylander out of the picture. Jagr, according a quote I read this morning, wasn't too happy about Nylander's departure

This is great news and nets the Caps a true first line center, not to mention a Swedish speaking mentor for Backstrom. Expensive? Yes. But based on Nylander's numbers the past few seasons and what other free agents have been signing for, it was the right price.

I'll have more on this later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Update: Nylander will be paid 5.5 mil the first three years and 3 mil for the fourth and final year.

Update 2: Nylander's numbers from the Caps:

Nylander, 34, is a 6’1”, 195-pound native of Stockholm, Sweden, who posted career highs in goals (26), assists (57) and points (83) in 79 games for the New York Rangers last season. His 15-year NHL career has spanned seven teams, including 74 games with the Capitals in 2002-03 and ’03-04. He has posted 189 goals and 420 assists (609 points) in 808 career games, with his two best offensive seasons coming in the past two years (162 points in 160 games).

Nylander ranked second on the Rangers in assists and points in 2006-07, while leading the team in goals (six) and points (13) in 10 playoff games. He ranked tied for 12th in the NHL in regular-season assists and tied for 21st in scoring, while his 14 power-play goals shared the Ranger team lead and ranked tied for 14th in the league. His 37 power-play points ranked tied for 16th in the league. Nylander’s 1.3 points per game in the playoffs led all players whose team reached at least the second round.

A third-round choice of the Hartford Whalers in 1991, Nylander has enjoyed seven 50-point seasons in the NHL, with at least 60 points in each of his last five full seasons in the league. He has scored 23 or more goals four times, including totals of 23 and 26 goals each of the last two seasons. He is a combined +43 in the last two years and has had a positive plus/minus rating in each of his last seven NHL seasons. In 2005-06 Nylander ranked third in the league with 62 even-strength points.

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.