Viktor Kozlov Interview With Sport-Ekspress

Viktor Kozlov is set to become a free agent on Sunday, and has shared some of his thoughts with Russia's Sport-Ekspress (translation via Google).

According to Kozlov, the NHL clubs who have shown an interest so far in acquiring his services are Florida, Washington, Philadelphia, Carolina and Phoenix. His preference?

Good options, Washington and Florida.

You'll recall, of course, that Kozlov and Alex Ovechkin played on a line together (with Alexei Yashin) back in Turin in the Winter of '06.

And how will Viktor choose amongst his many suitors?

The financial part of the contract when choosing a club, perhaps the most important.

Refreshingly honest, at least.

$34,300,000 to $50,300,000

That's the range (inclusive) in between which every NHL team's salary cap will fall this coming season.

Where does that put the Caps, you ask? Based upon our trusty depth chart from the other day (below; we're only counting the players in blue plus Eric Fehr) and a couple of assumptions (namely that RFA's accept their qualifying offers and that Nicklas Backstrom's base salary of $850,000 is what counts against the cap, as opposed to the $2,200,000 he'll make if he hits all of his incentive benchmarks), the Caps have a 2007-08 payroll of around $27,796,305.60*.

Now, that number is likely low (Milan Jurcina, for example, will likely eventually sign for more than his $550,000 qualifying offer), but it gives you an idea of where the team stands right now, which is important because if they're going to end up somewhere around the middle of the salary cap range, they'll have to add around $14.5 million in salary to the current roster (and that doesn't even factor in the subtractions that will occur when guys like John Erskine and his $632,500 salary are removed from the equation).

So what should we expect? Ted Leonsis says that the Caps are "going to have to add three or four new players through trades and free agency.... [General Manager] George [McPhee] needs to improve the team now[.]"

Happy shopping, GMGM!

* The $3,515,000 are still paying good ol' what's-his-name for this season doesn't count against the salary cap, but may be a factor in the team's internal budgeting.

Save The Date

Mark it down - on September 22, 2007, the Caps will be in Tampa to take on the Bolts in a pre-season game.

Hey, it's the first semi-actual NHL game I've seen scheduled for 2007-08. That counts for something, no?

Friday Open Thread

I'm in and out all day, so feel free to revel in Radiohead's greatness and to discuss whatever it is you want to discuss in the comments.

The Logos That Might Have Been

Judging from the unscientific poll to the right, the overwhelming majority of you either like or love the Caps' new uniforms (due in large part, it would stand to reason, to the new logo). Regardless, all of us no doubt wonder what the losing candidates might have looked like.

Well, a little poking around at the Patent & Trademark Office website (killing time before my softball game - cut me some slack) reveals a couple of logo designs that were, at one time, registered to Lincoln Hockey (but likely not in the running this time around). For example, this mark was first registered back in 2000 and abandoned back in the summer of 2005:

Not horrible.

Then there's this one, also registered back in 2000 and abandoned at the end of 2004:

So while you may not love the new logo, maybe you should just be thankful that some of the previous ideas never made it onto a Caps sweater.

Zubrus Likely To Hit The Free Agent Market

It looks as though Dainius Zubrus won't be back in Buffalo next year and instead will test the free agent waters come Sunday.

The Sabres, of course, are presumably trying to figure out a way to keep one (or both) of their unrestricted free agent captains, Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, and restricted free agent revelation Thomas Vanek, so you'll forgive them for not focusing their attention on resigning a winger-turned-center-turned-winger who scored a mere four goals in 34 games for Buffalo after being sent north from D.C. at the trade deadline.

To save you the keystrokes, yes, Zubie (at the right price and contract length) could be a good fit on the right wing of one of the Caps' top two lines next year. But if he was willing to come down to reasonable terms for the Caps, you'd think he almost certainly would for the Sabres as well, and that he'd already have signed there.

Then again, both Dainius and the Caps have gotten a bit of a reality check since the two parties last negotiated (the Caps by seeing the Scott Hartnell contract, for example, and Zubie by seeing what life is like without having the best left wing on the planet on his line), so who knows?

The bottom line, it would seem, is that barring a "hometown discount," someone out there will pay Zubie too much for too long. Let's hope it's not the Caps.

Hockey's Latest Two-"Sport" Athlete

When I say "hockey player" and "World Series" you say "Chris Drury." Maybe even Tom Glavine. But that may be about to change.

Old School Caps Videos

For years I've been searching for online versions of the music videos the Caps had included with their season highlight VHS tapes back in the late '80s.

Today my search is over.

Head over to View from the Cheap Seats to check 'em all out, but I had to put up "Out on Top" here:

Simply awesome.

A Tradition Unlike Any Other...

"After choosing Alzner, the Caps handed him their new uniform to wear on the stage. Guess what, folks? After eight million jersey design changes, the Caps have gone back to something that looks remarkably like their jersey from their inaugural season in 1974-75. Isn't it nice to cheer for an Original Six team like the Rangers that actually has a tradition and doesn't have to pretend to invent one?" - Stan "The Maven" Fischler MSG's Ricky Vaughn

Yeah, Stan Ricky, we're all impressed by the great "tradition" that has produced exactly one Stanley Cup winner in the past two-thirds of a century. And find me a major individual award that has been won more times by New York Rangers than Washington Capitals since the latter joined the League and I'll buy you a beer.

If there's a hockey tradition in the Big Apple, it's one of mediocrity and drought. What an honor it must be to root for the Rangers.

More On J-God

Apparently the Caps had been stalking Josh Godfrey for a long time, and the young blueliner likes his chances of making it to D.C. sooner rather than later: "It's not like I'm going to a team like Anaheim, a team that's loaded on defence. There's a good chance I'll be there in two or three years or earlier."

Easy there, Bucko - let's conquer the AHL before etching your name on the Norris Trophy, shall we?

Time To Play GM

So here we are, a few days away from the madness that is NHL free agency. We have a clearer picture of who won't be back next season, and we think we know what the Caps need - a center, a blueliner (or two) and a right wing.

But for each player added, someone's got to be subtracted. If you bring in a top-six right wing, does Tomas Fleischmann go back to Hershey yet again? And what if Eric Fehr is healthy and ready to go come Fall? Which rearguard doesn't make the team when you sign Scott Hannan or Tom Preissing? If I offered to chip in a few bucks, would the team consider buying out Matt Bradley or Ben Clymer?

To help you out, here's (more or less) the team's current depth chart of players that may be in either Washington (in blue) or Hershey (in brown - yes, that would be an awful lot of rookies in Hershey, no I don't think they'll all be there) this upcoming season, with a couple of extra names thrown on in red - have at it:

(Click image to enlarge)

No Qualifying Offer For Novotny

In a move that's a bit surprising to me, the Caps have decided not to extend a qualifying offer to Jiri Novotny, meaning that the Czech pivot will become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday. The decision is surprising in part because it would have been relatively cheap to qualify Novoflop ("only" $495,000), and in part because the former first-rounder is still only 23-years-old (24 in August). Novotny certainly did nothing to impress in his brief stint in D.C., but hopefully letting him go means that the team will be adding some depth at the center position (especially on the top two lines) in the near future. And for those keeping score at home, the Caps end up trading Dainius Zubrus for San Jose's second round pick in 2007 (which they flipped to Philly, I believe) and the Sharks' (likely very late) second round pick in 2008 - not exactly a king's ransom. But kudos to GMGM and the team for not just signing Novotny for the sake of trying to save some face on the Zubrus trade.

Another surprise (to me at least) was that the team didn't qualify goaltender Maxime Daigneault. "Max II" was 23-6 with a .910 save percentage and a 2.64 goals against average in his first season in the AHL. If it was purely a talent-based decision, I can live with it (though as a 23-year-old and a former second-round pick, I'm not sure how that decision can be made at this point). But when Tim Leone (via Tarik) pointed out that Frederic Cassivi was going to be back in Chocolatetown next year and questioned whether there was room in the organization for Daigneault, I asked the following:

Shouldn't the question be whether there's room in the organization for Cassivi? I know they're trying to win games down there, but if the Caps are forced to let go of a goalie with potential upside (there's only one way to find out how much) so that Hershey can keep playing a guy that offers no such long-term benefit to the big club, I'm not sure I see the point of the affiliation.

That question - and the implication that goes along with it - is gnawing at me again today. At the very least, the release of Max II shows the team's confidence in youngsters Simeon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth.

Also not receiving QOs were defenseman Trevor Byrne, and forwards Kris Beech, Jonas Johansson, Louis Robitaille, Matt Stefanishion and Joey Tenute. No huge losses there.

So who was qualified? Blueliners Steve Eminger, John Erskine, Jamie Hunt and Milan Jurcina and forwards Tomas Fleischmann, Jakub Klepis, Brooks Laich, Dave Steckel and Brian Sutherby.

Per the Caps' site:

Players who receive qualifying offers have until July 15 to notify the club as to whether or not they accept the offer. Players with arbitration rights (that list includes Eminger, Erskine, Jurcina, Laich and Sutherby) have until July 5 to notify the club of their desire to exercise those rights.

Players who are tendered qualifying offers can still get offers from other NHL teams, too. Any restricted free agent who is given an offer sheet at $773,442 or below for 2007-08 can sign without his original club receiving any compensation in return. The player’s original club does retain the right to match that offer, however.

...

Negotiations are already ongoing with Washington’s restricted free agents, a process that will play itself out over the next six weeks or so. Players who choose arbitration may never get to arbitration, and just because all nine players were given two-way qualifying offers does not preclude them from signing one-way deals when it’s all said and done.

More Prospect Profiles

Via the Caps' site, here's a little more information on D.C. draftees Brett Leffler, Nick Larson and Andrew Glass.

Caps Surprise DeSimone, Stay On This Side Of The Pond With All Picks

When the Caps selected Phil DeSimone with the 84th pick yesterday, it caught many by surprise, including DeSimone himself.

DeSimone finished second in the USHL last season and was named the League's most valuable player.

Like the other nine players the Caps selected this weekend, DeSimone is North American-born, which wasn't necessarily coincidental. Last night, Tarik's blog had a quote from GMGM about how the Caps had "enough" Europeans and how if you looked at the last few Cup Champs, they were composed predominantly of North American players. Tarik has since pulled the quote as it was being taking out of context (see the comments).

Sixth Round Throw-Down

Here's a clip of a couple of sixth round picks (the Caps' Justin Taylor and the Pens' Dustin Jeffrey) having at it:

What They're Saying: The Caps' 2007 Draft

With ten picks in this weekend's NHL Entry Draft, the Caps were a busy bunch. Below is a recap of who they picked (click on the image to enlarge it), and a collection of comments on the Caps' 2007 Draft generally (and the draftees specifically) from around the hockey world. Check back often, as this post will be updated as needed.

In General

The Good
In Karl Alzner (fifth overall), the Caps got the consensus best defenseman at the draft. They used all three of their picks in the top 46 to snag rearguards, shoring up that position for years to come.

The Bad
Their second-round pick (34th overall), defenseman Josh Godfrey, is very one-dimensional. Every team needs a power-play quarterback, but Godfrey cannot be a defensive liability in the NHL.

Worth Noting
Drafting high-school kids is always a boom-or-bust endeavor, but the Caps did it at the right time. They used their last two picks on them. Center Nick Larson was selected 185th overall and left wing Andrew Glass was chosen 199th. Larson in particular has a ton of offensive potential; it just needs to be seen against stronger competition. - Forecaster

In the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals continued to look towards North American defenders, with some gifted forwards later on. Character and leadership were the common denominators among them. The Capitals also traded down a number of times to gain extra draft picks in what is expected to be a very strong 2008 draft. - Hockey's Future

Karl Alzner, D (1st round, 5th overall):

No question about it, Calgary's Karl Alzner is the consensus top-ranked defenceman this year and if he's not the first defenceman chosen in the draft, it's going to come as a surprise to many. But having said that, the praise for the rangy blueliner is somewhat muted. That's because he's not really a high-end offensive defenceman, nor is he a big, physical bruiser or a defensive presence. "He's one of those guys who does everything pretty well, but nothing is necessarily excellent or over the top," one scout said. Alzner is described by some a true modern-day defenceman, whose ability to play strong positionally and whose stick-on-puck, stick-on-stick game is good. He also gets shots through from the point. While the odd scout has Alzner outside of the top 10, most have him there solidly, if not in the top five, and we know of at least two teams who rate him as the third best player available in this draft. - TSN

A skilled stay-at-home defenseman with good skating ability. Is calm under pressure and composed with the puck. Has good positioning and reads the play well. Has a strong shot from the point. Wins battles along the boards and in his own zone. Needs to improve his acceleration and his ability to change tempo throughout the game. - NHL Central Scouting

Alzner has emerged as a legitimate top 5 candidate for the 2007 NHL Entry draft. A tremendous World Junior camp got him named to the team. He was the seventh d-man. The quiet type who continues to make the difficult plays look easy. He is noted for his outstanding poise and ability to make plays in each zone. He is very skilled and handles the puck with confidence. Would like to see him take more risks offensively and carry the puck but rarely chooses to do so. Is capable of playing physical but needs to demonstrate this on a more regular basis. Overall, an outstanding, well-rounded player who is a definite leader for Calgary. - ISS

He’s quite capable of generating offence as his statistics will testify. Eight goals and 39 assists in 63 games this season easily surpassed his total from his sophomore season. He just doesn’t like to gamble, a trait that is sure to endear him to any of his future coaches. - ISS

He comes with a lot less fanfare than [last year's #1 pick overall, defenseman Erik] Johnson, but Alzner has the makings of a quality top-four defenseman at the NHL level.... Alzner's poise with and without the puck is an attribute that stands out above the crowd.... He has been compared to the likes of Ottawa Senators defenseman Wade Redden for his smooth ability from the back end, though Alzner projects as a more physical, less productive version. He's going to be a good one. - The Hockey News

This year's blue line brigade boasts one high-end talent in Karl Alzner... He brings size, intelligence and a calm presence on the blue line. He ranks right up with Mark Katic as the best passing defensemen in the draft — Alzner's crisp outlets are always right on the tape and he sees the ice very well. He's the type of guy you can safely pencil in as a first pairing d-man for the next 10-12 years.- Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

He’s a big, mobile, two-way defenseman and rock solid on both ends of the ice. - Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren

He’s a big defenseman who is a good skater and has a good head on his shoulders. He thinks the game through very well. He can move the puck, and is a good, solid two-way defenseman. He has some offense in his game and is going to be a big solid blueliner. The only question is, what is his top end and how high is he going to get? He’s going to play because he’s smart, mobile and has a good stick. He’s a very solid prospect. - Philadelphia Flyers Director of Hockey Operations Chris Pryor

Alzner is a very polished skater, and he plays a very solid, sound game. There's not a lot of risk with the game he plays. You'd like to see him work that out more in the junior ranks -- to take a few chances, push his envelope a little bit -- but he's just not that kind of player. - Anonymous NHL Scout

I don't know if he's going to be a star in the NHL. But I'd bet a lot of money that he's going to have a long career in the NHL. - Anonymous NHL Scout

[C]learly the top defender in this year's class because of the completeness of his game and the general assurance he will become a very good NHL defenseman without much "bust" potential. He understands the game and does all things very well, thus should be a very high pick. - ESPN

In Alzner, the Capitals have not just a potential No. 1 defender of the future, but someone who could easily become a fan favorite in the years to come. - Hockey's Future

Josh Godfrey, D (2nd round, 34th overall)

[T]he best PP triggerman in the OHL this season with an absolute cannon shot. - Red Line Report

[T]he best in the OHL when it comes to accurately slapping a rubber saucer. - Osprey News Network

Ted Ruth, D (2nd round, 46th overall)

Any team interested in drafting him in June knows they will be getting a character player that has a good chance of developing into a vital asset for the franchise. - NHL.com

[Q]uick skating, finesse puck mover - Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

A stay-at-home defenseman with good mobility. Has a good wrist shot from the point that gets through to the net. Plays the body hard and hits with authority. Quick to get to the puck in the corner and strong one-on-one. - NHL Central Scouting

Ruth's character is off the charts. Ruth possesses all of the necessary skills to become an NHL defenseman, but we believe his work ethic and leadership are what will guarantee his success in the NHL. - ESPN

Brett Bruneteau, C (4th round, 108th overall)

[A]n underrated scorer - Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

Dan Dunn, G (6th round, 154th overall)

Dunn is already 19 years old and still playing Tier II in the OPJHL, but has plenty of athleticism and good reflexes. - Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

Nick Larson, C (7th round, 185th overall)

He's raw, but has a lot of great tools that he's just learning how to harness. Could make a very rapid ascension up the charts if he accelerates the learning curve. - Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

Get To Know: Brett Bruneteau

Here's a little on the Caps' fifth pick (4th round, 108th overall), Brett Bruneteau:

Omaha • USHL
5'10.5", 183 lbs. Center, shoots left
Born: January 5, 1989 in San Francisco
Final Ranking: 122 • Mid-Term Ranking: 88 • North American Skater

Nicknames are Bruno and Bretsky… wears number 15 because his grandfather used to wear the number – his grandfather Eddy played for the Omaha Knights and the Detroit Red Wings and was the brother of Red Wing star Mud Bruneteau… says that his grandfather has had the most influence on his career – “he was a role model for me”…patterns his game after Calgary’s Jarome Iginla… his pre-game superstitions always include a simple prayer before he hits the ice… most memorable hockey game played: coming back from a five goal deficit in a 2006-07 regular season game… most memorable hockey game watched: seeing Mario Lemieux play in Tampa Bay and have two goals plus two assists… admires Lance Armstrong – “he has triumphed over adversity and had success through determination”… if he could invite any three people to dinner he would choose: Wayne Gretzky – “to know how he dealt with skeptics growing up”, Sidney Crosby – “to see what the NHL is like and how it is different from Juniors” and Gary Bettman – “to learn the direction and business side of the game”… favorites include: Detroit Red Wings (NHL team), Pavel Datsyuk (NHL player), “fake shot, deke backhand to forehand and shoot five hole” (shootout move), NHL 2007 (video game), Scrubs (TV show), Boondock Saints (movie), John Travolta (actor) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (group).

Godfrey And Ruth

Here are a couple of (very artsy) pictures of the Caps second and third picks, Josh Godfrey and Ted Ruth.

It's In The Game (Already)

Thanks to Kukla for the pointer to this (and other images) from EA Sports' NHL 08:

Caps Select Godfrey, Ruth With Early Second Round Picks

The Caps have been busy this morning, selecting defensemen Josh Godfrey and Ted Ruth and sending the 41st pick to Philly for the 84th pick this year and the Flyers' second-round pick next year. With guys like Oscar Moller, Maxim Mayorov and Akim Aliu still on the board, these picks are a bit surprising to me.

A bit on Ruth (Godfrey was not profiled in the Entry Draft Media Guide):

TED RUTH
U.S National U-18 • USDP
6'1", 199 lbs. Defense, shoots right
Born: February 14, 1989 in Naperville, Illinois
Final Ranking: 32 • Mid-Term Ranking: 34 • North American Skater

Central Scouting Report: A stay-at-home defenseman with good mobility…has a good wrist shot from the point that gets through to the net… plays the body hard and hits with authority… quick to get to the puck in the corner and strong one-on-one.

Hockey Profile: Completed his second season with the U.S. National Training Development Program in 2006-07… won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2006 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge… played for Team Illinois Midget Major of the Midwest Elite League posting 33 points (16-17-33) prior to attending the U.S. Under-17 Team… will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.

Personal Profile: Nickname is Babe after Babe Ruth… most memorable hockey game played: Under-17 World Challenge – “we lost and it was a good lesson learned”… most memorable hockey game watched: 1999 Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and the Buffalo Sabres… says his parents have had the most influence on his career because they push him and always support him…patterns his game after former New Jersey Devils’ great Scott Stevens – “he was an overall solid defenseman and a leader”… his pre-game rituals always include a nap and some quiet time to clear his head… if he could invite any three people to dinner they would be: the first President, George Washington, Alexander the Great and hockey great Bobby Orr... best hockey gift he ever received: “first pair of skates that my dad bought me. I think I was about six and it started me off in hockey”… favorites include: “the Datsyuk” (shootout move), Dallas Stars (NHL team), Scott Stevens (player), O.A.R. (group), Tony Hawk Underground (video games), Boondock Saints (movie), Entourage (TV show) and Denzel Washington (actor).

Das Kapital, Karl Alzner

Want to know more about the Caps' first pick, defenseman Karl Alzner? Here's his profile from the Media Guide (and here's the profile of him I did over at The FanHouse):

KARL ALZNER
Calgary • WHL
6'2", 206 lbs. Defense, shoots left
Born: September 24, 1988 in Burnaby, British Columbia
Final Ranking: 5 • Mid-Term Ranking: 8 • North American Skater

Central Scouting Report: A skilled stay-at-home defenseman with good skating ability… is calm under pressure and composed with the puck… has good positioning and reads the play well… has a strong shot from the point… wins battles along the boards and in his own zone… needs to improve his acceleration and his ability to change tempo throughout the game.

Hockey Profile: Named a 2006-07 Eastern Conference Second Team All-Star after finishing the season with 47 points (8-39-47) and a plus-16 rating… was a member of Team Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2007 World Junior Championships in Sweden – helped Canada win their third straight gold medal with six consecutive wins and only seven goals against in the tournament… selected as one of 40 draft-eligible players to play in the 2007 CHL Top Prospects
Game… in the 2006 Canada-Russia Challenge, competed for Team WHL in the two game All-Star series against Team Russia… had a plus-14 rating along with 24 points (4-20-24) in 70 games during the 2005-06 season with the Calgary Hitmen... was Calgary’s Scholastic Player-of-the-Year in 2005 and 2006 – award is based on a combination of academic and hockey achievement …won a gold medal with Canada at the 2005 Under-18 Junior World Cup… played his minor hockey for the Burnaby Winter Club and was named the B.C. Minor Hockey Player of the Year in 2002.

Personal Profile: Nickname is Al … patterns his game after Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom and Anaheim’s Chris Pronger because they have “lots of poise”… wears jersey #27 because of his favorite player, Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Ducks… names his parents as the most influential people in his career – “they signed me up and carted me everywhere I needed to go”… has too many pregame rituals to mention… playing in the 2007 World Junior Championships with Team Canada is the most memorable moment in his hockey career because there is “so much hype and it’s a big tournament”… most memorable hockey game watched: 2005 World Junior Championship gold-medal game – Canada beat Russia 6-1; “it was awesome and made me want to play [in the tournament]”… favorites include: Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL teams), “slap shot low glove” (shootout move), Laguna Beach (TV show), Hook (movie), Owen Wilson (actor), Taylor Swift (country singer) and Pac-man (video game)… if he could have dinner with any three people he would invite: Scott Niedermayer, country singer Taylor Swift and actor Owen Wilson.

Meet The Pick: Karl Alzner

Be sure to check out the video EMac shot of Karl Alzner, meeting the media for the first time as a Washington Capital draftee. He certainly handles himself well off the ice.

Change Is Here... Some Of It Permanent

Draft Day Open Thread

We'll have more later, but I figured I'd put this up for y'all to discuss any and everything that happens today and tonight.

By the way, I love today. It's like Trade Deadline day, except everyone can be a buyer.

Something's Cookin'

Vogs sat down with GMGM last night and got some good info, including the following:

Do you have anything really concrete in the works, something that you’d like to do that you’re maybe just waiting for the other team to nod their head on?

“We have one proposal that may make sense for our club. We’ll take another discussion or two with the other club, and we’ll see. But it might work.”

Is this something you could see going down before 7 or 8 o’clock Friday night?

“Yes.”

Do you see even more trade discussions happening after Saturday but before July 1 on the trade front?

“Yes. We had one discussion with a club that was interested in doing something with [our] players. But they said, ‘We’d like to focus on the draft this week and we’ll talk about that next week.’”

And It's Official

Per Tarik, these are, in fact, the new threads in all their (home - unless the League flips whites and darks again) glory (the whites can be seen here, lower right):

UPDATE: UniWatch has some thoughts on the uni's, and DK also points out that the shoulder patch is reminiscent of an American icon - the Pontiac Firebird logo:

Maybe the team's slogan for 2007-08 should be "We Build Excitement."

Thursday Lunch-Time Chuckle

Bruce Garrioch is funny.

Today he talks about the possibility that the Lightning could move Brad Richards for one of the top picks in the Draft. While I don't see it happening (though he's my dream first-line Caps center), part of Garrioch's reasoning made me "LOL," as the kids might say:

The 27-year-old Richards is one of Tampa's top forwards ... [b]ut he could be expendable after the Bolts acquired centre Chris Gratton from the Florida Panthers last week[.]

Heh.

Don Cherry's Influence?

See if you can spot the tinge of xenophobia in this poll:

Programming Note

I just wanted to let everyone know that I will not be in Columbus tomorrow night for the draft. Rather, Ken and I will be out at Kettler for the unveiling and other festivities. We'll be updating the site throughout the evening, so be sure to check back often, and if you see us there, be sure to stop us and say hey.

Quote Of The Night

"I was about to take my pre-game nap and he phoned and said it was Wayne Gretzky. I just about crapped my pants." - Prospect Kyle Turris, who could be taken first overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft on Friday.

Red Line Report's Mock Draft

Red Line Report has posted a mock draft that I would love to see come to fruition. Jakub Voracek and Colton Gillies? Yes, please.

Humpday Morning Funny

As you know, we've been running our UFA Pool contest for a week or two now. Last week, I got the following email and thought little of it:

Giving away a free Nintendo Wii? Cool. Threats and name calling? Less so. Whatever.

Then, the other day I was surfing around and came upon a site that had this splashed across the top:


I'd rather not promote the site, so I won't tell you whose it is, but nearly as funny as putting together the above was one of the lead quotes in a prominent post on the site:

I am told that "most" of this may be very wrong

And yet he still gets traffic...

Well, Gagner Is French For "To Win"

Both TSN and SI have their mock drafts up and each has the Caps taking Sam Gagner.

While Gagner (who I profiled over at The FanHouse here) is considered by many to be one of the top-playmakers in the draft and in possession of "the highest hockey IQ of anybody in the draft," both TSN and SI have the Caps passing on Jakub Voracek to select Dave Gagner's son.

Crazy? Considering the emphasis GMGM placed on the value of hockey sense (and his mention of familial ties contributing to that end) at last week's chat and the connection the Caps have to the youngster given that Gagner's coach this past year in London was Dale Hunter, it makes sense that the Caps would consider Gagner despite his final rankings according to conventional wisdom (and it's not as if the CW has him slotted around 15 - he's a top 10 prospect in everyone's book and the #5 forward in The Hockey News's).

As with seemingly everything else these days, time will tell.

UPDATE: Add another vote for Gagner, this from Hockey's Future.

New Capitals Uniforms Leaked?

By now you've probably seen these making the rounds, so I might as well post a pic and let you discuss the design.


The story is that they were found in the flash file that was on the Caps front page (right-click and select "back" after following the link). I still say they're decoys - these guys are too web-savvy to screw it up like this. Then again, there are other signs pointing to these being legit. I guess we'll all know soon enough.

Thanks to CapsNut for the pic.

UPDATE: Here's the "cleaned up" version referred to in the comments, with likely-truer colors.

UPDATE: There are hats, too. Convinced yet? Or does the appearance of the hat - a second , independent leak, make the hoax theory seem more likely? Where's Oliver Stone when you need him?

Could The Caps Wade Into The Trade Market?

Word out of Ottawa is that blueliner Wade Redden might want out (and with a no-trade clause, it would be largely up to him). The two-time All-Star has one more year left on his current contract (which pays him $6.5 million per year), and at 30-years-old still has plenty of good hockey left, despite what he showed in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Sportsnet's Ian Mendes lists Edmonton as "the most logical destination for Redden," but each of the reasons he lists makes the Washington nearly as logical a destination. Let's take them in turn:

1. They have only $28 million committed in salary for next season - giving them the most flexibility amongst the potential suitors.
   I'm not sure where the $28 million figure comes from, but it's pretty clear that neither Edmonton nor the Caps is going to run into salary cap issues in the foreseeable future.



2. They have an asset in Joffrey Lupul who had a disappointing season and might be of interest to the Senators. Lupul is scheduled to make $5.4 million over the next two seasons before he becomes a restricted free agent. And don't forget that Murray was the one who drafted Lupul when he was the GM in Anaheim.
   Good points, but after Lupul's disastrous year, how much more attractive is he to a contender than some of the Caps' more tradeable assets? We know how much more expensive he is...



3. The Oilers have three first round picks in this weekend's Entry Draft, which could be used as part of a package to land Redden.
   The Caps have a pair of first round picks.



4. Kevin Lowe might be desperate to lure a big-name player back to Edmonton to erase the stigma that his city is not a popular place to play. Redden has an off-season home in Edmonton and his family connection to the area is well-documented.
   I wouldn't call the situtation in D.C. "desperate," but it's certainly close. And while Redden has no connection to Washington, I'm sure his ATM card will work here as well as it does in Edmonton.

I'm not convinced that Redden wants to leave Ottawa - why would he? But if he does want to leave, would the Caps be interested? What would they offer?

Personally, I don't love Redden, but wouldn't be upset to see Tomas Fleischmann and the 28th pick head from one capital city to another for the rearguard (assuming that he could be signed long-term at a reasonable price). Admittedly, that's not likely enough to entice the Sens to make a deal, but if the Caps start to think about giving up much more, why not just break the bank and sign Brian Rafalski as an unrestricted free agent and keep your assets instead?

What would you be willing to move for Redden?

Thanks to Tyler for the link

And With The 199th Pick In The 2007 Entry Draft, The Washington Capitals Select...

It's hard enough to guess who the Caps will take with the 5th pick overall, but here's a name I'll throw out as a prediction for their second seventh round pick, 199th overall:

Patrick Cullen

Cullen, who will attend RPI in the Fall, is a local kid from Ashburn, VA who attended Gonzaga and led the Washington Junior Nationals in goals (38) and points (70) this past season. He was drafted fourth overall in the USHL draft last month and, like Jeff Halpern and Stephen Werner before him, is an alum of the Little Caps.

Not surprisingly, Cullen wants to be a Washington Capital. Asked by whom he would prefer to be drafted (that is, if he is drafted), he answered:

Getting drafted by anyone is an honor and I would be ecstatic. But if I had to make a choice I would say the Washington Capitals. I think it would be really cool to play in front of all my family and friends' night in and night out.

Now, Cullen isn't ranked among Central Scouting's Top 210 North American Skaters, but playing in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League, it's hard to get noticed. One thing you can bet on, however, is that the Caps know who Cullen is. After all, they play most of their games at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, and was coached by former Cap Mark Tinordi.

Red Line Report's Kyle Woodlief also knows who Cullen is:

The Atlantic Junior A League is not heavily scouted, but one prospect there really caught our eye this year: Washington Jr. Caps left winger Patrick Cullen.

Cullen was the only '89 birthdate in the loop's top 10 scorers with 38-32-70 totals, putting up good numbers in a league filled with overagers. He's got great speed and acceleration, a laser shot, and is very patient with the puck. Virtually unknown heading into the season, Cullen is coached by former NHL tough guy Mark Tinordi, who believes he has "tremendous upside and pro potential and is just starting to mature as a player." Cullen had been flying way under the radar, but lots of NHL chief scouts saw him at the recent Beantown Classic, and Red Line feels he'll get drafted off that showing.

Maybe he's not such a well-kept secret after all.

Akim The Dream

Following up on an earlier report that the Caps used prospect Akim Aliu as an interpreter at the draft combine a few weeks back, the Toronto Sun profiles the prospect and adds that "[t]he Capitals had a positive impression of Aliu."

He's definitely someone to keep an eye on, and if he's still on the board when the 34th pick rolls around (certainly if he's still there at 46th), don't be surprised if he's a Cap.

Will Dale Hunter Be Ottawa's Next Head Coach?

According to the Ottawa Citizen, "[i]f the call hasn't already been placed, expect new Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray to begin his search for his own successor by dialing the 519 area code to find former NHLer Dale Hunter."

The Sens certainly could have used a more Hunter-like effort in the Finals, but is Dale ready for the show? There's only one way to find out, right?

As an aside, I found this quote particularly interesting:

Hunter, considered one of the top NHL coaching prospects not already coaching in professional hockey, has repeatedly turned down opportunities to join former teammate George McPhee, who is the Capitals' current general manager.

Since the "former teammate" part is (as far as I know) dead wrong, I'll chalk the rest of it up to being inaccurate as well, but if anyone has any pertinent information on the "turned down opportunities" portion, speak now or forever hold your peace.

TSN's Top 60 Prospects

TSN.ca has finally posted their Top 60 Prospects (fear not, Tyler, the mock draft is coming tomorrow), and Bob McKenzie has his thoughts on some of 'em here.

My thoughts? Kevin Shattenkirk (#12) looks like he's trying to focus on covering the right and left wings at the same time.

Flyers Get Aggressive

The Flyers today traded a first-round pick (23rd overall) to Nashville for the rights to free-agents-to-be Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen, then promptly signed the two to $10.5 million per year of contracts (trivial asides: Timonen is Nashville's all-time leading scorer, and his younger brother, Jussi, was drafted by the Flyers in '01 and is still in the organization).

The pick - which Nashville had previously sent to Philly in the Peter Forsberg deal back in February - gives the Preds a first round pick for two guys who were going to walk in two weeks anyway, so it's a bit of a win-win... until you consider that Nashville got two months of Forsberg and gave up a third-round pick, Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent and the chance to re-sign Hartnell and Timonen. Ouch.

As for this deal itself, the Flyers have just shelled out $10.5 million in salary per year and a first round pick for a second-liner and a #2 blueliner. I'm glad we lost a year so we could have cost certainty, aren't you?

Russian Center Rumor du Jour

I joked about it the other day, but with the Edmonton Journal reporting that "there's a possibility the Jackets might buy out centre Sergei Fedorov's last year," it really is just a matter of time before you see the "Fedorov to Washington" rumors in full-swing.

Hey, anyone but Yashin, right?