CNNSI.com's
Allan Muir has thrown together
a list of deadline "deals that make sense" (i.e. won't happen), and the last of these trades involves the Caps and their need to shore up the blueline with a stay-at-home defenseman:
Columbus sends Adam Foote to Washington for Chris Bourque, Josh Godfrey, 2008 second-rounder
What the Capitals really need is a solid No.1 goalie to replace Olaf Kolzig, the respected veteran whose play suggests he's well past his best-by date. But since there are no viable options to fill that role, an upgrade on defense would help minimize his exposure. Foote's a bit long in the tooth himself, but he's a great leader and remains solid if unspectacular in his own end. Neither Bourque nor Godfrey is a high-end prospect, but both could become contributing NHLers for Columbus given the proper tutelage. Bourque, a short, stocky center, has elite hockey sense and could mature into a useful checker. Godfrey has tremendous offensive upside, but has a lot of work to do to become a reliable option in his own end.
To me, that's far too much to give up for a rental - perhaps just the 2nd in a deep 2008 draft could get it done - but as Muir notes, "[I]f it seems like your team is taking it in the shorts in one of these deals...well, that probably means it's fair." Somehow, though, I don't think Jackets fans would be opposed to such a deal... which probably means it isn't all that fair after all.
CNNSI.com's Allan Muir has thrown together a list of deadline "deals that make sense" (i.e. won't happen), and the last of these trades involves the Caps and their need to shore up the blueline with a stay-at-home defenseman:
15 comments:
I agree with you JP, I don't like that deal. The only reason to give up guys like Bourque and Godfrey, who both seem that they will be solid if not spectacular NHL players, if if you think you're just one missing piece away from being a Stanley Cup contender. You could make a case that the Capitals just need a better goalie and they'll be one, but if there is a missing piece I don't think it's a player like Foote.
Besides, when Pothier is healthy the Capitals are already carrying eight defensemen.
"Neither Bourque nor Godfrey is a high-end prospect"
I suppose that's true is some sense, but both are likely to be NHL regulars within 3 years.
I just don't see something like this.
I think that all of Muir's deals involve too much going to the team trading a rental player. But, in the spirit of the thing:
How about this trade: Columbus sends Adam Foote to Washington for Joe Finley, a mascot outfit, a 2008 third-rounder and Tarik El-Bashir (who announced today: "A few folks out there are concerned about the Caps' collective lack of experience as they enter the stretch run with a playoff berth on the line. I'm concerned about me. I've covered hockey on and off for a while now, including some dark years on the Island, but I've never covered a meaningful stretch run. Can I handle the pressure? I guess we're about to find out.")
Oh, and "taking it in the shorts"? Really?
And, FWIW, from what I've seen/read, Godfrey has substantial upside. He's a D with nearly a PPG and he's a +19 after being a minus-player last year...
crap deal. and we have a good stay at home D man coming up in the ranks next season (replacing Shultz me thinks)...his name is Alzner.
Joe Finally smashes men dressed as furry animals...love it. Him and Slapshot should go on rampages on the ice.
The Caps should not make any deal involving giving away anything more than a 2nd round draft choice. Let the team grow. We aren't winning the Stanley Cup this year no matter what, and it would be crazy to give up on any promising youngsters right now. And I include Flash and Eminger (and definitely Godfrey and Bourque) in the category of promising youngsters. Stick with the plan and make deals when you are on the cusp of winning the whole thing.
To consider Flash and Eminger promising youngsters requires time travel back to 2003.
I agree with Paul. The only thing we should offer in a trade is one of those 2nd round picks. That's all.
Tyler-
I hear you. They haven't produced yet. But Flash is 23 and Eminger is 24. Still too early to give up on them, especially Eminger. Lots of D-men don't develop until they are 25, 26, 27. And not that many have the natural gifts he has. He may yet turn out to be a bust, but we have no good reason to abandon hope now. And if you really want to give up on Flash, take a look at Jason Pominville's career stats first. He's leading the Sabres in points and is plus nine. Two years ago, when he was Flash's age, he scored 30 points in 57 games and was minus 4. Right now Flash has 21 points in 51 games and is minus 4. It could still happen.
Paul: Your points are well-taken. However in the new CBA environment, both Flash and Emmy are RFAs and would require another $1.7 million-ish in organIzational investment. And I'd be surprised if the Caps thought they were worth that outlay.
In other words, the 'new' CBA doesn't consider them promising, it considers them arrived.
And, FWIW, from what I've seen/read, Godfrey has substantial upside. He's a D with nearly a PPG and he's a +19 after being a minus-player last year...
And a 99.7 MPH slap shot...
NS,
I don't know who Alzner might replace in the lineup, but I'd rather it be Erskine than Schultz. I think Schultz will be a very solid defender; in fact I think he already does quite well given his age and size.
I guess we're still waiting to see how the whole RFA deal plays out. Teams are worried because of what happened with Vanek last year, but we don't know how deep the RFA sweepstakes will go. Will teams make offers to guys like Eminger? Maybe they will, and we'll have to let him go. It will be interesting to see what happens with RFAs this summer.
Godfrey better be some kind of prospect. We reached to take him at 34th overall.
I guess he didn't do his research saying that Godfrey needs work in his own end. It's pretty obvious he has posting a +19 & also +2 in the WJHC. I like how there has been a 360 degree turn around about the comments on Godfrey. I remember when the Caps drafted this kid 34th overall their were a lot of negative comments on the Caps picking him. Good on you Godfrey!! Best of luck to where ever you play in the NHL.
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