Trading Nylander

Michael Nylander to Vancouver. Michael Nylander to New Jersey. Michael Nylander to New York. Michael Nylander to anywhere. If I had a dollar for every Nylander trade rumor or theory I've read this summer, I could buy a nice house in Potomac.

We've already discussed the topic a bit, and Pepper has a more thorough post on it, as does EMac, but as it's August and things sometimes change over time, let's break down the issue a bit more and have at it.

Why Trading Nylander Makes Sense

• It gives a Sergei Fedorov top six minutes with either of the Alexes, both of whom he meshed very well with in D.C. and at Worlds (you don't think the team shelled out $4 million on a third-liner, do you?);
• It gets the Caps under the salary cap with room to spare (depending on what comes back in return) so holes that become apparent during the season can be addressed via trade/free agency, so no should-be rookies are playing in Hershey for financial reasons, etc.;
• It unloads a player who some feel does not fit well in Bruce Boudreau's system; and
• It provides both Boyd Gordon and David Steckel the opportunity to center checking/grind lines, rather than likely relegating Gordon to the press box.
  

Why Trading Nylander Makes No Sense

• Nylander has a No Movement Clause, so he would have to request a trade, which he would only do, presumably, if he was concerned about his ice time (and, by extension, stats). But even if he was "stuck" on the third-line, he'd be getting plenty of power play time and have decent wingers at even strength, not to mention the possibility of an injury to Fedorov or Nicklas Backstrom. Besides, can he really be worried about his numbers two-plus seasons before he's once again aUFA?;
• Fedorov is a much better fit in a third-line role at this point in his career;
  
• If Nylander is traded and Fedorov gets hurt (he has missed between nine and 15 games in each season since the lockout), the Caps are back where they were last January, scrambling for a second-line center. Remember when they tried Gordon there? Not good times;
• If Nylander is traded, who's the second-line center in 2009-10, when the Caps will ostensibly be Cup contenders? Fedorov, FYI, turns 40 in December, 2009; and
  
• Does this guy (read: his wife) really want to move his family to another city just one year after moving them back to D.C.?

All of the above raises a question: Since the Fedorov and Mike Green signings are the primary reasons Nylander is thought to be expendable (the former due to ice time and role and both due to the financial implications), why hasn't he been traded yet if he's going to be moved? Doesn't the inaction mean he's going to stick around for a while?

Well, no. Think about it - the Caps (and some potential Nylander suitors) would be wise to wait for Mats Sundin to make up his mind, as his decision will obviously greatly impact the market for aging Swedish pivots, right? Further, any potential suitors most likely want proof that Nylander's shoulder is 100% healthy, which means that any potential Nylander deal probably wouldn't happen until at least late-September, bringing us to our final question: If he's going, where's he going?

Obviously, whomever loses out on Sundin is a likely candidate to be interested, but considering that Nylander's wife nixed her husband signing with Edmonton because it was too far West (among other reasons), perhaps we can eliminate Vancouver from the mix (which is a shame, because Kevin Bieksa is a nice player... just sayin'). Which leaves teams like Montreal, the Rangers and Toronto, I suppose.

Look, I think moving Nylander would be a mistake barring a ridiculous offer (read: Jay Bouwmeester) that won't be made for a guy of his age and with his contract. The team's greatest strength that doesn't wear the number eight - it's depth down the middle - would be decimated in an instant (depending on the return, of course). But you can see some of the rationales for a trade, as well as the timing, all come together into a believeable scenario. We should know one way or another within six weeks.

Thursday Roundup

With no game to recap or preview, today we reached out to bloggers from Montreal, C'Bus and Vancouver to get their takes on the three trades the Caps made on Tuesday (and if any Atlanta bloggers want to chime in on the Giroux-for-Motzko deal, feel free to do so in the comments... on another blog).

Here's what the other side thought of the Caps' trio of trades (both pics by KB from yesterday afternoon at Kettler, btw):

Trade #1: Cristobal Huet for a 2009 second round pick

Cristobal Huet is a fine person, a fine netminder and a fine team player. Unloading him for a late 2nd rounder in 2009 on the brink of possibly the team's best run since they won the Cup in 1993 makes no sense to me. Carey Price will one day be a great goaltender, so will Jaroslav Halak. Putting the season, the playoffs and your team's success on the shoulder of two goaltenders that haven't even combined for 50 NHL games let alone 0 playoff games is foolish and risky.

Huet will help a struggling Washington climb to win the division, and I hope Cristo all the best; he was a personal favourite and certainly well liked by the fans, the media and his teammates. The message he left on the locker room whiteboard was heartbreaking.

Only time will tell if Bob Gainey made the right move, but as it stands, he did not.

[But wait, there's more!]

The message Huet left? Nobody knows word for word, but Chris Higgins and Saku Koivu were both sad when interviewed about it, Higgins said he wished them the best of luck and that he was honoured to have been their teammates, something along those lines.

Price said he lost a big brother, and Koivu said he lost a friend.

This move was a headscratcher and I am growing tired of Gainey as a GM. He never made any great moves, in fact, what he's probably done more than anything is disappoint us. This year he didn't disappoint, he let us down...he's lucky we have Trever Timmins doing a fantastic job as a head scout, otherwise, he'd be out of a job by now.

I don't hate Gainey for yesterday, but I am not the first to pop up and defend his bonehead moves (such as the Ribeiro trade, and even worse now, the Huet trade).

George McPhee flat out stole Huet and now I'm confident you guys will have a menacing team heading into the playoffs. - Bleu, Blanc et Rouge via The Faceoff Circle

If Bob Gainey was in a high stakes poker game, then he certainly likes to take risks!! Gainey's trade of Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a 2009 second round pick on trade deadline day wasn't a complete shock but I must admit that getting a 2009 2nd rounder (Anaheim's pick to boot!!) was a disappointment. Needless to say, Gainey is taking a huge risk by trading his veteran goaltender and appointing Carey Price as the #1 netminder with the Eastern Conference wide open for a Stanley Cup berth.

I believe Price has shown he can handle pressure situations with a WJC and Calder Cup championships on his CV. He has accomplished more at the tender age of 20 years old than Huet has in his 10 year hockey career. Can Price handle the pressure cooker of Montreal and win a playoff series or dare I say the Stanley Cup? I certainly think he has the pedigree to do well but time will tell. Gainey will take the heat if Price or Halak (another very good goalie in the Habs system) can't carry the load down the stretch.

Cristobal Huet has struggled in his last four games and the stats don't lie (1-3, 4.50 GAA, Sv% of.859 in last 4 GP) with Gainey stating that the organization would not re-sign him at the end of the season.

I believe Gainey had no choice but to trade Cristobal Huet to get something in return and allow Carey Price to start his promising career with the Montreal Canadiens........Gambler Bob is certainly hoping to cash in his poker chips with Price's success and a long playoffs run!!!! - All Habs

Trade #2: Sergei Fedorov for Theo Ruth:

I believe the Jackets were a better team with Fedorov in the lineup, but it was more an intangible thing than anything else. Perhaps he survived more on his legacy than his current actions. However you slice it, though, paying that much money for a marginally interested guy who’d missed 15 games due to injury this year, and has produced 28 only points in 49 games was a cement block of a contract. Now… it’s gone.... Good move for the Jackets to get something (however unproven at this point) for what would have been nothing in less than two months. - End of the Bench

I think it was a good move for both of the teams, the Caps gained a veteran center who can make plays. The man has three Stanley Cup rings, he may be aging but, I think he has what it takes to help the Caps make the push; whether it's his veteran experience and voice in the locker room or if it's him winning some faceoffs for ya. The Blue Jackets gained a stay at home blue liner prospect, whom I'm sure will be good in the future. (He's close to home at Notre Dame so I plan on going to see the kid play). - Bethany's Hockey Rants

Trade #3: Matt Cooke for Matt Pettinger:

I don't think the trade is particularly important for either team. The Canucks got rid of a player they did not intend to re-sign and picked up a player with some upside on a reasonable contract for next year.

Cooke had been with the Canucks for a decade so most fans are a little sad to see him go. He's an "energy" player which means that now he plays for somebody else he's a dirty cheapshot artist. He first came to the Canucks during a particularly dark time. This made him a fan favourite from the start. Watching Cooke run around trying to decapitate people was a guilty pleasure during the Messier era.

On the other hand, I have an emotional connection to Matt Pettinger, too. Matt moved to Victoria as a young teenager and because he is close in age to one of my sons I watched him play minor hockey on Vancouver Island. I've been following his career ever since, so I'm delighted to see him get a chance in Vancouver. I love his speed and I look forward to seeing how well he does.

I don't expect either Matt will make a huge difference on their new team but if Cooke had to go, I'm glad Pettinger came back. - Tom Benjamin's NHL Weblog

From an on-ice perspective, it was hard to react too much as I don't know too much about Pettinger. From what I've read so far, this is probably a lateral move for us.

You guys will love Cooke. Other teams will hate you, but I think you'll love the style he brings. He's a pest and he hits everything in sight.

Off the ice, I think Washington fans will quickly warm up to him. Simply, he's a community guy. He's very well-know outside the rink and spends a lot of time at Canucks Place and various other charities. - Canucks Hockey Blog

[Cooke]'ll make an equal amount of big hits and borderline legal hits.
He'll raise his elbows quicker before he'll drop the gloves.
He'll get clutch goals at key times and no goals in twenty games.
Once upon a time he filled in for Bertuzzi, but this year he was fighting for ice time with Isbister.
If someone touches Ovechkin, you'll see Cooke be Cooke.
If you see a poor hooking call with time winding down in the third, you'll see Cooke being Cooke.
You'll love him and you'll hate him, but the bottom line is he gives it his all on the ice and can change a game with his style of play.
And Vancouver will miss him because, good or bad, you'd rather have a guy like Cooke on your side then play against him. Any day.

...and I can only hope this Pettinger guy can help fill that hole now.
I'm not holding my breath :) - The Yankee Canuck

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Did somebody say Ice Girls?!... Another take on the Huet deal.... Here's a tidy run-down of all of Tuesday's deals.... Even an Edmonton journo has to admit that the Caps were winners on Tuesday.... When 22nd is an upgrade.... Memo to Ted Montgomery: You're kind of a dick.... A goal and three helpers for JGod.... Finally, one year ago today was the day after Deadline Day and we recapped another Caps loss and two years ago today we welcomed back the NHL and looked into the ugly world of Laybergerism, err, "borrowing" from bloggers.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Steve Bernier (2G, A, +3, 4 SOG in first game as a Sabre)
  
• Ross: Toni Lydman (4 points)
  
• Norris: Toni Lydman (4A, +3, 2 SOG)
  
• Vezina: Patrick Lalime (32-save 1-0 shutout win)
  
• Richard: Steve Bernier, Mats Sundin, Jason Arnott, David Vyborny (2G each)
  
• Calder: Mason Raymond (G)
  
• Aiken: Chris Mason (L, 5 goals allowed on 19 shots against in 34:50 of work)
  

Tuesday Night Open Thread

While you were busy hitting your browser's "refresh" button every three seconds since this morning and "working," you might have forgotten that the Caps have a game tonight.

And while none of the new guys will be in the lineup, neither will Viktor Kozlov (flu). Chris Bourque has been called up from Hershey, but with just 19 games remaining on the schedule and every single point absolutely critical, tonight's game will be a challenge for the Caps who will be without now three top-six forwards (Kozlov, Nylander and Fedorov), a pair of top checkers (Clark and Cooke) and their number one goalie (Huet). On the plus side, only the loss of Kozlov is a change from Sunday. On the minus side, the Caps lost Sunday. And Saturday. And last Wednesday.

Help is on the way... hopefully it's not too little, too late.

Trade Deadline Open Thread

Make sure to check the comments for the latest updates

Breaking: Caps Get Huet
Breaking: Caps Get Fedorov
Breaking: Caps Get Cooke for Pettinger

Like last year, I wanted to throw open a thread for you guys to discuss any and everything trade deadline-related, so here it is.

For all the latest news, I recommend Kukla's Korner, Spector's Hockey and TSN.ca (and if you've got other go-to's, let us know in the comments).

Is that graphic rehashed? You bet it is!

And while we all expect the Caps to stand pat (despite a history of doing otherwise), here are the Caps' picks, by round, in the 2008 Entry Draft, FYI:

1st – WSH
2nd – WSH
2nd – FROM SJ
2nd – FROM PHI
3rd – WSH*
4th – FROM LA
5th – WSH
6th – WSH
7th – WSH

* The Caps will owe either a third or a fourth round pick to Boston as compensation for last year's Milan Jurcina trade, depending on Jurcina's games played and total ice time, and since Juice ain't going to average 20 minutes per game (one of the triggers), it's going to be a fourth round pick that the Caps lose (but I assume they can't trade their third, as it is possible, technically, that it will be Boston's).

So enjoy Deadline Day, and here's hoping the Thrashers, Bolts, Cats and 'Canes all get ripped off.

Note: I will be adding a Tuesday morning post, but this will stay at the top of the page, so be sure to check out the morning Roundup after 6:30 AM or so.

Caps Get Cooke For Pettinger

Per TSN, the Caps have sent Matt Pettinger home to Vancouver for winger Matt Cooke.

Cooke has seven goals, nine assists on the season. Per his scouting report, Cooke "can easily get opponents off their game," is "a fairly quick skater [who] defends his own end effectively and is an oustanding penalty-killer," but "despite his dedication, he doesn't have the size or skill to be a major scorer," "can ill-afford to take any shifts off," and "is somewhat injury-prone."

For all of his defensive responsibility, however, Cooke had Vancouver's fourth-worst plus/minus at minus-four before being traded.

Like Fedorov and Huet, Cooke is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

What They're Saying:

"Cooke is a gritty winger whose bang and crash style made him popular with Canucks fans, but with younger and affordable Canucks now stepping up and filling that role he wasn’t expected to be re-signed by Vancouver." - Spector

"The Capitals are determined to make the playoffs. Cooke is an agitator in the mold of Sean Avery or Jarkko Ruutu. He should bring an edge to Washington's game. - Empty Netters

Fedorov To The Caps For Ruth

The Caps have acquired center Sergei Fedorov from Columbus (a move we sorta foresaw back in June) for prospect Teddy Ruth (ranked as the Caps' 14th-best prospect by Hockey's Future).

Fedorov - no stranger Caps fans (or players) - has nine goals and 19 assists in 50 games so far this season and hasn't topped 44 points in any season since the lockout, but is an upgrade at second-line center over a converted right wing or a pair of fourth line pivots.

I'm not thrilled with moving Ruth in this deal, but when you've got a surplus of prospects, guys like this become somewhat expendable, I suppose.

What They're Saying:

"His versatility could make him useful in a defensive role for the Capitals and some might expect him to center fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin's line, but it’s expected he’ll be plugged into Washington’s second line.

Fedorov might also be able to fill a leadership role for the relatively young Capitals as they battle down the stretch for a playoff berth." - Spector

"Even though he doesn't quite have the wheels he used to, Fedorov brings three Cup rings to Washington. And he can mentor Alexander Ovechkin. Fifteen years ago, Fedorov was what Ovechkin is now." - Empty Netters

Caps Get Huet For A Second Round Pick

The Caps have acquired Cristobal Huet from Montreal for a 2nd round pick in the 2008 2009 draft (which pick? Not sure) (and the pick is the one the Caps got from Anaheim for Brian Sutherby earlier in the year - so the Caps turned Suts into Huet).

The 32-year-old Huet has never had a save percentage below .907 or a GAA above 2.81 in any full NHL season and is 21-12-6 with a 2.55 GAA and .916 save percentage this season. While he may not be "the answer," he is if the question is "can you name a French goalie who's better than either Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson?" And hell, Huet may not even have to change his pads.

From his scouting report, Huet "Has a wealth of International (including Olympic) experience, so he rarely gets rattled by pressure situations," and "is an extremely sound positional 'keeper," but "is physically limited in terms of lateral mobility and overall agility," and "must make better in-game adjustments."

Huet is an unrestricted free agent after this season and, interestingly, played for Bruce Boudreau in Manchester of the AHL back in 2002-03.

What They're Saying:

"I'm shocked. I don't think they got enough for Huet... The Montreal Canadiens have had succeess going with rookie goaltender in the past... But I'm surprised the market was so small for Huet." - Keith Jones, TSN.ca"

"For Washington, Huet's a major upgrade. If Kolzig had a .916 save percentage at this point, the Capitals would have allowed 35 fewer goals with their starter between the pipes, which would improve the team to a 2.49 goals against average (10th best in the league)." - Mirtle

"For giving up so little for an established starting goaltender, the Capitals appear the big winners in this one." - Spector

"[I]t shows Washington hasn't given up on the division -- but has given up on Olaf Kolzig, who apparently can't play in consecutive games anymore. I'd jump at the chance to get Huet for a second-round pick. The guy can play. I would have thought Montreal could have gotten more." - Lord Stanley's Blog

"In Washington, Huet will provide more stability in goal, where Olaf Kolzig is in his third-straight season posting a goals against average over 3.00, and his .888 save percentage is his lowest mark since 1995-1996.

That being the case, Huet will most likely improve Washington's goaltending, giving them a chance to reach the playoffs and the cost of a draft pick isn't that significant for that kind of acquisition." - Scott Cullen, TSN.ca

Tuesday Roundup/Gamenight: Wild @ Caps

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

The Caps and tonight's opponents, the Minnesota Wild, really aren't all that different. Both teams are in second place in their Division. Each team has a Ni(c)klas Backstrom, a blueliner named Schultz and one of the League's most talented goal scorers. Um... both teams play in the NHL.... neither has won a Cup...

The fact of the matter is that the Caps and Wild actually are about as different as two teams can be in today's NHL. The Caps are an up tempo, run-and-gun squad while Jacques Lemaire's Wild play a trapping style and wait for their opponents to make mistakes. And unlike the Caps, who have lost four of the last five games in which they had a lead at any point, the Wild take a lead and go and hide with it - Minny has the League's best winning percentage when scoring first and is 25-0-1 when leading after two periods.

Think that first goal is going to be big tonight?

Minnesota comes into tonight's game having lost three straight and scoring only three times along the way, but with dynamic offensive players like Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, Brian Rolston and Pierre-Marc Bouchard (assuming they don't trade him for an even more dynamic - and familiar - offensive player during the day) and a good power play, they can drop four or five in a hurry on an unsuspecting team that isn't prepared.

The Caps and Wild have played six times since Minny's latest NHL club entered the League in 2000, and the Wild have won five times, including a 3-2 shootout win last season. But only once has a game between the two teams been decided by more than a single goal, and only twice have more than three goals been scored in any one game in the series. To top it off, Minnesota is one of just four teams in the NHL against whom Alex Ovechkin does not yet have a goal (one assist in one game) and the Caps are one of only two teams against whom Gaborik has never lit the lamp (one single assist in six career games). How 'bout that? Oh, and in case you're wondering, Donald Brashear and Wild uberthug Derek Boogaard have fought once in the past, but with the Boogie Man on the IR, the two won't be renewing acquaintances tonight.

So expect another low-scoring affair and let's hope that the Caps' have the better of the Backstroms and the better of the bounces tonight - they'll probably need both in order to win.

Why The Wild Will Win:

"The Minnesota Wild will defeat the Washington Capitals because they have greater scoring depth and play a defensive system that is perfect to counter attack an offensively aggressive Capitals squad. Not to mention, the Wild currently have much more to lose and know they cannot afford to drop non-Conference games in another ultra-tight Western Conference." - The State of Hockey News

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Time change for the March 9 Pens game.... Insert Sidney Crosby joke here.... One year ago today it was Trade Deadline Day Eve, but the Caps got into the act early, trading Richard Zednik and Lawrence Nycholat, which we discussed, as well as the previous day's Caps/Devils game, and two years ago today we had the opportunity to gloat and use one of our favorite pictures. Good times.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Darcy Tucker (2G, A, +1, 4 SOG, 3 hits, 5 BkS)
  
• Ross: Matt Stajan, Darcy Tucker (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Jaroslav Spacek (2A, +3)
  
• Vezina: Vesa Toskala (31-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Darcy Tucker (2G)
  
• Calder: Clarke MacArthur (G, 3 SOG, +3)
  
• Aiken: Ray Emery (L, 5 goals allowed on 21 shots against in two periods of work)

The Best Trade In Capitals History, By Far

Ted Montgomery over at USA Today is getting ready for the trade deadline by listing eight of the worst trades in NHL history (which, as he implies, can also be viewed as eight of the best trades in NHL history, but what fun is complimenting when you can insult?).

Anyway, a Caps trade made Monty's list:

Trade: The New York Rangers traded Kelly Miller, Mike Ridley and Bob Crawford to the Washington Capitals for Bob Carpenter and a second-round draft choice [Ed. note: The pick was in the 1989 Entry Draft and was used on some guy named Jason Prosofsky who only made it as high as the AHL for four games].

Date: Jan. 1, 1987.

Outcome: Carpenter's first five years in Washington were pretty good, but he only had one really outstanding season for the Caps (1984-85). He was also a bit of a problem child; he just needed time to mature. After the trade was made, Carpenter played in just 28 games for the Rangers before they flipped him to Los Angeles. He then played several more years with the Bruins and Devils, with one year back in Washington, but he was never the big scorer for those teams that he had been in his early 20s with the Caps. Miller and Ridley went on to personify the hard-working Caps of the late 1980s and 1990s. Miller played nearly 13 seasons for the Caps, and was incredibly durable and steady. Ridley was the better scorer of the two, and averaged 75 points per season on a team that largely depended on Peter Bondra and Michal Pivonka for the bulk of its scoring. While at the time of the trade Carpenter was considered a budding superstar, subsequent events showed that steadiness and hard work always win out over promise and flash. Carpenter played 28 games for the Rangers; Miller and Ridley played a combined 1,586 games for the Caps. It was the best trade in Capitals history, by far.

Awesome deal. Granted, not once in the four years they all played together was Ridley outscored by both Bondra and Pivonka and only once did either Eastern European score more goals than Number 17 (Bonzai in 1992-93). And, by my count, Rids and Miller combined for 1,528 - not 1,586 - games in Caps sweaters. But those facts are neither here nor there. The bottom line is that in that trade the Caps got the guys who still sit third on the all-time franchise list in games played (Miller) and goals (Ridley), and, most importantly, it was 11 years after the deal when the team next missed the playoffs.

Carpenter, on the other hand, scored more goals (177) in the 422 games before the trade than in the 756 games he played for the rest of his career (in which he scored 143 times). Ironically, the "Can't Miss Kid" had to adjust his game once his scoring touch deserted him, and he became something of a poor man's Kelly Miller. Still, he - and Miller - comfortably made my list of Top American-Born Caps of All-Time.

So yeah, great trade.

But "the best trade in Capitals history"? "By far"? Not a chance. On either point.

I'll let Vogs take it from here, as his absolute must-read is the best post I've ever read on this subject. By far.

Besides, as GDub noted, you should know better than to trust anything purporting to count the eight worst trades of all-time "without a single mention of Mike Milbury or the Toronto Maple Leafs."

A (Not So) Brief History Of Caps Deadline Deals

History time!

With the NHL's trade deadline rapidly approaching, below is a quick look at the team's deadline dealings (trades made within a few days of the deadline) since 1980.

• March 9, 1982: Todd Bidner traded from Washington to Edmonton for Doug Hicks.
• March 6, 1984: The rights to Risto Jalo traded from Washington to Edmonton for a 4th round pick in the 1985 Entry Draft (Larry Shaw).
• March 12, 1985: Dean Evason and Peter Sidorkiewicz traded from Washington to Hartford for David Jensen.
• March 12, 1985: Jim McGeough traded from Washington to Pittsburgh for Mark Taylor.
• March 10, 1986: Peter Andersson traded from Washington to Quebec for Quebec's 3rd round choice in 1986 Entry Draft (Shawn Simpson).
• March 10, 1986: Darren Veitch traded from Washington to Detroit for John Barrett and Greg Smith.
• March 7, 1989: Clint Malarchuk, Grant Ledyard and Washington's 6th round pick in 1991 Entry Draft (Brian Hozinger) traded from Washington to Buffalo for Calle Johansson and Buffalo's 2nd round pick in 1989 Entry Draft (Byron Dafoe).
• March 7, 1989: Mike Gartner and Larry Murphy traded from Washington to Minnesota for Dino Ciccarelli and Bob Rouse.
• March 5, 1991: Bobby Reynolds traded from Toronto to Washington for Robert Mendel.
• March 10, 1992: Bobby Reynolds traded from Washington to Minnesota for future considerations.
• March 22, 1993: Jim Hrivnak and future considerations traded from Washington to Winnipeg for Rick Tabaracci.
• March 21, 1994: Joe Juneau traded from Boston to Washington for Al Iafrate.
• March 21, 1994: Jim Johnson traded from Dallas to Washington for Alan May and Washington's 7th round pick in 1995 Entry Draft (Jeff Dewar).
• March 21, 1994: Joe Reekie traded from Tampa Bay to Washington for Enrico Ciccone and Washington's 3rd round pick in 1994 Entry Draft (later traded to Anaheim, Craig Reichart) and future considerations.
• April 7, 1995: Rick Tabaracci traded from Washington to Calgary for a conditional 5th round draft pick (Joel Cort).
• April 7, 1995: Igor Ulanov and Mike Eagles traded from Winnipeg to Washington for Washington's 3rd (later traded to Dallas, Sergei Gusev) and 5th (Brian Elder) round draft picks in 1995 Entry Draft.
• March 24, 1998: Jeff Brown traded from Toronto to Washington for Sylvain Cote.
• March 23, 1999: Washington traded Dale Hunter and a 3rd-round pick in the 2000 Entry Draft (Sergei Klyazmin) to Colorado for a 2nd-round pick in the 1999 or 2000 Entry Draft (1999, Charlie Stephens).
• March 23, 1999: Washington traded Craig Berube to Philadelphia for future considerations.
• March 13, 2001: Anaheim traded Jason Marshall to Washington for Alexei Tezikov and Edmonton's 4th-round pick in the 2001 Entry Draft (previously acquired by Washington, Brandon Rogers).
• March 13, 2001: Montreal traded Trevor Linden, Dainius Zubrus and New Jersey's 2nd-round pick in the 2001 Draft (previously acquired by Montreal, Andreas Holmqvist) to Washington for Richard Zednik, Jan Bulis and Washington's 1st-round pick in the 2001 Draft (Alexander Perezhogin).
• March 13, 2001: Philadelphia traded Dean Melanson to Washington for Matthew Herr.
• March 19, 2002: Washington traded Adam Oates to Philadelphia for Maxime Ouellet and Philadelphia's 1st (later traded with other picks to Dallas for Dallas's first round pick in 2002, used to select Alexander Semin), 2nd (Maxime Daigneault) and 3rd-round (Derek Krestanovich) picks in the 2002 Entry Draft.
• March 11, 2003: Chicago traded Sergei Berezin to Washington for Washington's 4th-round pick in the 2004 Entry Draft (Michael Anderson).
• March 9, 2004: Washington traded Mike Grier to Buffalo for Jakub Klepis.
• March 9, 2006: Washington traded Jeff Friesen to Anaheim for Anaheim's 2nd-round pick in the 2006 Entry Draft (Keith Seabrook).
• March 9, 2006: Washington traded Brendan Witt to Nashville for Kris Beech and Nashville's 1st-round pick in the 2006 Entry Draft (Simeon Varlamov).
• Feb. 26, 2007: Washington traded Lawrence Nycholat to Ottawa for Andy Hedlund and a 6th round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft (Justin Taylor).
• Feb. 26, 2007: Washington traded Richard Zednik to the New York Islanders for a 2nd round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft (Ted Ruth).
• Feb. 27, 2007: Buffalo traded Jiri Novotny and its 1st-round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft (which eventually became Phil Desimone and two 2008 2nd round picks) to Washington for Dainius Zubrus and Timo Helbling.
• Feb. 27, 2007: Washington traded D Jamie Heward to Los Angeles for a conditional pick in the 2008 Entry Draft.
  

February 26, 2008: Caps stand pat?

Tuesday Roundup

With nary a game to recap nor preview and the trade deadline a mere two weeks away, we'll use this opportunity to let you play fantasy GM. Despite the fact that reality GMGM has stated that he expects to stand pat rather than seek reinforcements from outside the organization, it's time for you to chime in and let us know what you'd do if you were in his shoes. What are the team's needs? What assets would you be willing to part with (keep in mind that the Caps have a first round pick, three seconds, a third, fifth, sixth and seventh in the upcoming draft)? And, of course, who is/are your target acquisition(s)?

To help, here's a list of guys who will be free agents this coming summer - and if yesterday's Carolina/Ottawa trade showed us anything, it's that anyone can be a buyer or a seller (or both) in this market.

Of course, the Caps could conceivably get a 30-goal scorer and/or a top four defenseman around the deadline at no additional cost at all, but that seems increasingly less likely, perhaps making a small splash in the market all the more probable.

So have at it, armchair GMs. These are your Caps - make 'em better or stand pat.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Bruce Boudreau's Adams candidacy is gaining steam.... Nice trend.... Check out Hockey Underground for another source for Caps coverage.... Happy 28th Birthday to former Cap suckfest and number six overall pick (!) Rico Fata.... Finally, a year ago today we saw insult added to injury, noted a contract extension for a big winger and got word of a tough injury.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Mike Modano (Game-winning goal, A, +1, 5 SOG)
  
• Ross: Jere Lehtinen, Mike Modano (2 points each)
  
• Norris: Stephane Robidas (+1, 5 SOG, 4 hits)
  
• Vezina: Ilja Bryzgalov (L, 42 saves on 44 shots against)
  
• Richard: Niko Kapanen, Steve Ott, Mike Modano (1G each)
  
• Calder: Matt Niskanen (+1, 3 SOG)
  
• Aiken: Radim Vrbata (0 points, 0% faceoffs won, 3 GvA, 0 TkA)
  

Non-Rumor Rumor Of The Day

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.

A Trade Rumor That Doesn't Involve Ovechkin (Or A Trade Rumor, Really)

Thanks to a recent hot streak, Caps blueliner Brian Pothier is now on the trade rumor radar in a League starved for two-way defensemen. But with another two years and $5 million left on his current contract, even if the Caps were to fall out of contention, I'd be surprised if they would move the 30-year-old rearguard, who seems to finally be settling into his role on this team as a solid second-/third-pairing defenseman who can play in all situations. Of course, perhaps a trade is part of the bigger plan, so what do I know (I'm still waiting on an explanation of how he went from week-to-week with a broken thumb to missing one game)?

Incidentally, Potsy is the third Caps defenseman this season to go on a three-goals-in-five-games streak (Mike Green and Jeff Schultz being the others) as we all still anxiously await Tom Poti's first one-goal-in-one-game streak of the year.

Caps Trade Sutherby

As you've no doubt heard by now, the Caps have sent center Brian Sutherby westward, trading him to the Ducks for a second round pick in 2009.

You'll recall that the Caps resigned Suts, a former first-round pick, to a 1-year, $800,000 deal this past summer, meaning that, in essence, they bought a second round pick in '09 for just under $200,000.

Klepis On Klepis

Per Jakub Klepis, "I think the plan is I'll be traded, hopefully to some other NHL team. Right now, a trade isn't in progress and I just have to wait and I need to play some games, so I come [to Hershey].... For now, the goal is to get traded and try to play NHL this year."

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

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?

Quote Of The Day

"I want to break free of these chains that are around me[.]" - Manny Fernandez, Minnesota Wild goaltender on his desire to be traded this summer.

Poor Manny and those gold-plated, diamond-encrusted $4.33 million chains (though maybe the complaining is just Manny being Manny). By the way, Minnesota, good luck trading a mediocre goalie who will make $9.25 million over the next two years [insert Jose Theodore joke here].

Are The Caps Going To Shop Their First Round Pick?

According to The Score, "There are whispers that the Washington Capitals, who own the No. 5 overall selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, will try to peddle the pick in order to acquire immediate help. There is also talk out of D.C. that defenseman Steve Eminger will be packaged with the first rounder in order to seal the deal."

Nothing too surprising there - just some more speculation on that which has already been speculated upon.

On a mostly-unrelated note (though his name is mentioned in that Score link), would Aleksey Morozov be a good fit as a first-line right wing in D.C.?

H/t to Spector on the link.

Friday Roundup/Lightning 5, Caps 4 (SO)

[SeSo Open Thread]

Since you'd probably rather hear about my root canal than the Caps 5-4 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, here's the low-down: it couldn't have been easier. The nurse asked me what DVD I wanted to watch, the endodontist gave me a shot of novocaine, and three episodes of Scrubs (Season 3) later, I was out the door. No pain during, no pain after (except for the forementioned Caps game).

As for the game, some observations:

• New guy Jiri Novoty had a bad turnover in the first period, whiffed on a lay-up in the second, but also assisted on the Alex Ovechkin goal. For the most part, though, he was invisible, ending the night at -1.
• Neither Boyd Gordon nor Matt Pettinger played a shift after around the mid-point of the third period. They'll be re-examined today.
• Kris Beech centered the two Alexes and didn't look awful doing so. Winning 15 of 21 faceoffs (71%) will help to keep him up there.
• The officiating was awful, though largely in the Caps' favor. John Tortorella should be having a canary about how the third period ended.
• I'm not sure what happened on the Bolts' second goal (the Ruslan Fedotenko tally at the end of the second), other than to say that Fedotenko was allowed an unimpeded path down Route 4 (John Erskine Boulevard... step up for cryin' out loud!).
• Milan Jurcina can flat-out hit. If it comes down to re-signing him or Erskine, I know who gets my vote.
• The Donald wore an "A" last night and got an attempt in the shootout. Hopefully those things won't mellow his mood too much.
• If Johan Holmqvist was half as good in regulation as he is in shootouts, the Bolts would stand a decent chance of winning more than maybe one round in the playoffs. As it is, though, they have three skaters, one defenseman and numbers 2 and 2A goalies - not enough to contend in the East.
• Speaking of the shootout, once it got five deep, and without Princess and Muffins able to take a turn (though I doubt the latter would have had much to add), it's obvious the Caps don't have too many of what you'd call "skill" guys. As Glen Hanlon alluded to post-game, headed to the shootout the Caps had a 38-goal scorer, a 33-goal scorer... and then Brooks Laich next in line with 8. Yikes.
• Former Cap great Bengt Gustafsson was in attendance and, speaking to Comcast Sportsnet's Smokin' Al Koken, apparently had great things to say about a Cap prospect, but not the one you're thinking of. Gus believes that defenseman Oscar Hedman (5th round, 2004) could be an NHL powerplay quarterback in the making. Obviously his comments are to be taken with a grain of salt, but if he pans out - and if Mike Green and Jeff Schultz continue to progress - the Caps may have gone a long way towards solving their long-standing blueline woes in one draft (and, oh yeah, they addressed another dozen or so needs with their first pick in that draft).
• Two points would have been nice, but given the choice between the Bolts and the Thrashers winning the Southeast Division, give me Tampa. Is that a silver lining?

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

• Here's an open letter to the fans from GMGM on this week's wheeling and dealing, and Vogs has a must read on the day, the deals and the players involved.
• I meant to post this a couple of days ago - an alternative take on the trade deadline (thanks for the pointer, JT).
• Since we're talking about next year, Mirtle has a list of the top unrestricted free agents. Who's on your wishlist?
• Jamie Heward (not on that wishlist) had an assist and was +2 in 17:20 of ice time in his Kings debut.
• RDS.ca (TSN.ca's French-Canadian sister) has an interview with Dainius Zubrus up that is worth reading if for nothing more than Google's French-to-English translation. Zubie says, translated, that he is "very enthusiastic with the idea to finish the season with Buffalo. Who wouldn't be happy to pass from a team of bottom of classification to a formation of head in the one day space?" Most of the translated quotes are absolutely a riot. (H/t to Spector).

And speaking of ex-Caps, next up for the current squad is the Long Island chapter of the Caps' Alumni Association (Richard Zednik, Chris Simon and Brendan Witt), Saturday at The VC.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Josh Harding (30-save shutout win in Edmonton)
• Ross: Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis (3 points each)
• Norris: Jeff Finger (G, A, +4, 2 SOG)
• Vezina: Josh Harding (see above)
• Richard: Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik, Mark Mowers, Daniel Sedin, Bill Thomas (2G each)
• Calder: Josh Harding (see above)
• Aiken: Jussi Markkanen (2 goals allowed on 8 shots against in 20 minutes of relief work)