Staying or going: The Big One

Mull this one over: what if the Caps sign Mike Green for 6 years at $6.5 million?

It could happen. Heck, some will say it's probable.

There has been much made of a recent interview on XM Radio in which Caps' General Manager George McPhee does make it sound like Green and his agent, Don Meehan, will not sign with the club, instead planning on waiting for a team to present Green with an Offer Sheet. I've heard the interview (no link, sorry), and I can see where people get the impression they do. McPhee mentions offer sheets while in conversation regarding the Green negotiations, and while he is more than a little known for not being the most forthcoming fellow in the NHL, it did seem a bit odd.

While odd, it's not concrete. What is clear is that Mike Green had a fantastic offensive season, leading the league in goals. He was a one-man breakout, often getting the puck out of his own zone, and then gaining the opponent's zone in less than 10 seconds. He is an integral part of a power play unit that is beginning to dispel the difficulties of man-up playing the past few years. He's all of 22.

There are some things to work on, however. The decision-making during of his breath-taking end-to-end rushes needs to improve, especially when the opposition takes away his first option. His defensive play can best be described as inconsistent; it's an area for improvement.

The biggest point in all of this, however, is the possible cost for the services of the youngster. Believed to be seeking a Phaneuf-type deal (The Dion is signed fthrough the 13-14 season at $6.5 mil/season), it's not too far fetched to see him get it, either through negotiations with Washington, or Washington matching and offer sheet.

DH's WAG: We're going to say that Green isn't going anywhere, but it will be at a premium cost - the 6 year, $6+ million figure seems likely.

Staying or going: Boyd Gordon

He's quiet. He's unassuming. He won 55.8% of his faceoffs. He doesn't bring a lot of offense, but he's rock-solid defensively. He's Gordo, and he's an RFA.

Gordon's kind of a straight-forward player: not much offense, a lot of defense. Is there a place on this club for that? That's the question that seems to be on people's minds, and Gordon is considered by some to be a guy on the bubble. Dave Steckel, in his brief time in the NHL, has shown he can be an effective checking-line/energy-line center and does the team have room for two of those?

Well, a lot depends on if Fedorov comes back. If so, then you probably pencil Feds in at third line center. That leaves Gordon and Steckel to contend for the 4th line center spot, though you could possibly move one out on the wing.

Managing assets is a key component of the front office's job, and part of that is not losing assets without getting anything in return. As young, defensively-strong and relatively cheap players, guys like Gordon or Steckel would likely get picked up by another team if placed on waivers. As young players who still have some developing to do, it's also a worry about putting them in the press box night after night, which is a role probably better suited for a veteran.

DH's WAG: We're not sure how, but we see Gordon on the roster and on the ice next season. His PK ability, his faceoff ability, his relative affordability as well as his membership in the Hershey Mafia all factor in keeping him in Washington.

Staying or going: Eric Fehr

RFA Eric Fehr typically has a history of excelling in his second full season of play entering a new level of hockey, but plans for that hoped-for proficiency were derailed by a lingering and unresponsive hip/back issue that put the big winger on the shelf for nearly a year. Gifted with soft hands for a big man, Fehr's play picked up in the playoffs, showing that if his offensive potential isn't fully realized he may find work as a checker.

DH's WAG: Not much to discuss with Fehr. It's expected he will stick with the club, and the hope is that with a full, healthy season in the NHL, his considerable gifts will all come together. We're guessing a 2 year deal worth a total of $1.80 mil or so.

Staying or going: Have you seen this man?

Restricted Free Agent Steve Eminger. Goodness. What to say? Buried as the 8th defenseman for reasons beyond mortal knowledge., taking a back seat to John Erskine and Milan Jurcina, many wondered what Eminger had done to earn the ire of the Caps' coaching staff. No one seems to know.

Eminger's play at the end of the season and the playoffs was solid, if unspectacular, and he's the kind of player you get the nagging feeling that if he just got 18 minutes a game in all situations, after a full season you'd have a pretty darn good hockey player.

Sadly, it seems obvious that Eminger won't get that chance in Washington. Again, for reasons unknown. The Caps can retain Eminger's rights by giving him a qualifying offer (I think around a million), though Eminger is not obliged to sign it.

DH's WAG: It just doesn't seem like Eminger will get a fair shake in the D.C. area, so look for him to leave the club one way or another in the offseason. And then play well for a long time.

In with the Finn?

It appears that big Finnish winger (and SM-liiga rookie of the year) Oskar Osala has signed an entry-level deal with Washington. (Link is in Finnish. Rock over to Google translator if your Finnish is rusty. Like mine.)

This article is at the other end of the spectrum of one that came out a day or so earlier, indicating that Osala was not going to sign with the Caps, citing a problem with signing a two-way contract. Of course, Osala is only eligible for a two-way, entry-level contract from the Caps, so that did/does raise an eyebrow.

Osala certainly was an eye-catcher at Rookie Camp, throwing the body with zeal and showing good speed for a guy his size (listed at 6'4"). You can even catch a fight or two of his on Youtube when he played in the CHL.

Hopefully the confusion is cleared up and he joins the Caps. More than likely it's a stretch to think he'll make the big club, but Hershey may have just gotten itself a forward with size.

Update: For a discussion on the (possible) signing, heard to this thread on HF. It includes several helpful posters translating some of Osala's quotes.

Staying or going: Sergei Fedorov

Certainly a player that looked rejuvenated in his brief stint in Washington, Sergei Fedorov presents an interesting case as for Staying or going.

In the pro column, Fedorov looked younger, more energized and active once he put on a Caps' sweater, and it seems safe to say that he was a positive influence in the locker room. He's still an excellent skater, and he's solid defensively. The Caps would also have something they haven't had in a long time: top-tier depth at the center position.

In the con column, Fedorov is 38 years old, has openly discussed possible retirement, and may not come in at a price that the Caps find reasonable. Where will he slot on the roster with a healthy Michael Nylander? Would Fedorov accept third-line ice-time coupled with 1st unit power play time? How much does he have left in the tank?

Personally, we wouldn't give Fedorov more than $2 million in salary, and absolutely would not give Fedorov more than one year in term. Too much risk, no matter how classy a player Fedorov is.

DH's WAG: It's been said that Fedorov has interest in returning to the Caps, which is a nice change, as Mike Vogel points out. This one is tough to figure, as Fedorov shouldn't even be on the Caps' minds until Mike Green is resigned and the goalie situation is resolved. The guess here is that Fedorov isn't in a Caps' uniform (system) next season.

Staying or going: Cristobal Huet

Many insisted that goaltending wasn't an issue for the Washington Capitals in the playoff stretch. General Manager George McPhee issued the sternest of rebuttals to that thought on Trade Deadline Day, acquiring Montreal netminder Cristobal Huet for a 2nd round draft pick in 2009.

Huet put up mind-boggling numbers in his 13 regular season games as a Capital: 11 wins against 2 losses, a 1.63 goal against average, and a .936 save percentage. It's important to note that the Caps' team defense came together solidly in the last quarter of the season, but Huet's numbers still stand out.

In the playoffs, Huet's play started off solid, not spectacular, and his improvement as the series went on also might be a product of the team in front of him learning about the playoffs on the fly.

Huet is an UFA-to-be. He seems to be the simple and obvious answer to the Caps' goaltending needs, and here at DH we are big fans of Occam's Razor. McPhee has already publicly stated that he expects to sign Huet, which is fairly out of character for the secretive general manager.

DH's WAG: We aren't arguing with GMGM here. Huet gets signed. Let's say 4 years for $22 million, though we wouldn't mind a year less and would pony up a little more cash in return.

TSN's Combine Blog

Go read it. Here.

Notice that a certain general manager is mentioned by name as observing the proceedings. McPhee said last year that the team doesn't really concentrate on the workouts, but the interviews. I wonder if there's any prepping of deals for draft weekend?

Staying or going: Matt Cooke

In our look at the Caps' UFAs and RFAs, let's start with agitator and forechecker extraordinaire, Matt Cooke.

Cooke's speed, ability to hit, and get under the other team's skin played okay in the Caps' system, not setting the world on fire, but wasn't as big a force as some had thought. On paper, his style fits into Coach Bruce Boudreau's aggressive forechecking system, but on the ice it was a mild, not a major, success.

Stay or go, the Pettinger-for-Cooke deal was a good one for Washington, as they got out of the final year of struggling Pettinger's contract, and Cooke is a UFA.

What really makes this decision, it seems, is the Caps' 3 year commitment to Matt Bradley. There probably isn't room on the team or the payroll for two similar players at a similar price, though I wouldn't be surprised if Cooke will get more than a million on the open market.

DH's WAG: Cooke moves on.

Melrose back behind the bench?

According to TSN, there's a report out there that Melrose may replace Tortorella as the Lightning's coach.

My first reaction: Surprise. Then, as a Caps fan, I kinda like it. Melrose may not have been that good a coach to begin with, and he hasn't been behind an NHL bench in more than twelve years. Moreover, this move is reportedly being pushed by the prospective new owner of the Lightning, and history reports mixed results at best for coaches being directly hired by an owner.

Melrose would join a team with a few top-flight players, and not much else. As the worst team in the league last year, they'll be able to add top prospect Steven Stamkos to the stable, but there is a lot of work to be done in Tampa.

If it's true and it comes to pass, it will certainly be an interesting experiment. Whether or not it's a successful one is another matter. My guess is probably not.

Initial Post

First off, go read DumpnChase, OnFrozenBlog, Japer's Rink, The Peerless, Offwing, Kukla's Korner, Spector's, all those real sites.

Now that you're done with those, a quick word about what may or may not go on here: Just some random thoughts, mostly about the Caps and hockey. This site is founded on a complete lack of ambition, and a dedicated apathy to things like graphics, professionalism, and any sort of technical competence. Keeping it simple.

This may last a post, or it may last 100. It's kind of a test run to see if blogging is something I'm still interested in, in an ad hoc, no-script environment. Thanks for bearing with me.