bags2

Very happy with the signing, 3 mil for 1 year is perfect. Really hope he returns to form in D.C.

At this point I'm shocked no one has signed him to a one year deal. I know he had a bad season and he ripped his coach. But the guy is a top 6 forward who plays a solid two way game. If he wanted to go play in the KHL he would have already signed. At this point whoever gets him they'll probably get him for a bargain.

I would have kind of liked to see Barber head to the O, but he had a great freshman year so I can't really complain. But as far as our goalie situation goes I agree. I think Grubauer ends up being the better goalie, and I'd like to see him take the #2 job from Neuvy. But it's never a bad thing to have 3 solid young guys in net. If we can get solid value I wouldn't mind trading Neuvy, but we'd have to get a pretty significant deal.

T.J. Oshie Karl Alzner Jay Beagle David Bolland P.A. Parenteau Ladislav Smid Tomas Fleischmann Ryan Callahan Wayne Simmonds Radim Vrbata

I wouldn't mind seeing Nick Schultz in a Caps jersey. He wouldn't do any worse than the previous Schultz #55.

I didn't know sports psychologists could help you get back to the net faster

I'd be happy if the Caps end up making a move on him, I'm just not getting my hopes up. McPhee has said he likes the roster the way it is, but at this point I can't imagine Grabovski is going to get too much money we might as well try to get him at a low price for a year.

@jammer2 I agree he has definitely improved, and he is a top tier defenseman in the league IMO. But to me he's not the best that's the only reason I put him on this list. But I look forward to see where guys like him, Letang, and Karlsson max out. All very exciting players to watch with a ton of skill.

@jammer2 I like Subban, and I think he's a very good defenseman. But he was given the Norris this year, and I don't think he's the best defenseman in the league. Offensively he's top notch no doubt there, but he's incredibly undisciplined and although I love the huge checks he throws, at times he gets himself out of position. I'd gladly take Subban on my team, but there are other defenseman I'd take over him.

Kunitz-H.Sedin-P.Kane Subban-Kaberle Fleury Outside of MAF I think all these guys are great players, just not as great as many seem to think they are.

I'd love for the Caps to try to give him a one year deal like Joe was saying, but it seems McPhee is pretty set with this roster, and I'm still not sure why. But I guess ya never know.

@Samifan He'd actually already been in the Hurricanes system, he just re-signed with them. And he's the last one.

@yave1964 Schultz is terrible, always has been. Be glad the Wings didn't sign him. If you ask me +/- is the most irrelevant stat in hockey, you can be +30 one year, and play the exact same game and be a -15 the next year, it's a fluky stat. The only thing Schultz has in his favor is his reach, he's incredibly weak and he gets pushed around the ice, he contributed essentially nothing offensively, he doesn't know how to play angles, and he is constantly deked and dangled around. And he is sooooooooooo slow, it's like having a traffic cone play defense.

@jammer2 Yeah, there was actually a little bit of panic with him with the Caps cuz he took a little longer to develop but now many of us look at him as our best defenseman. He's a guy who will always be underpaid because of his offensive numbers, but people who understand hockey see how valuable he really is.

I'd be content with Murray as well, and I think we'll have room for him. Caps also re-signed Alzner today for 4 years, 2.8 mil per year. great deal for the Caps.

@yave1964 I'm honestly not sure about MoJo, but I guess we're gonna find out cuz it looks like we won't be going after a guy to fill that spot. In my personal opinion, I think our biggest need was signing a top 4 defenseman, and I wanted either Scuderi or Ference. And although I think that's our biggest need, I don't think there's anyone left who can fill that role, so I'd rather we try to sign Grabovski at this point, but again I'm almost certain that won't happen.

@yave1964 McPhee insists he likes this team and thinks we're good to go. personally I think he's crazy. We had to address the 2C role and the 2D role and we didn't do either. Down the middle I'm almost certain we'll go Backstrom, Johansson, Perreault, Beagle. MoJo had a good year on the wing, but we drafted him in the first round it's time to find out if he can be our 2nd line center. And I'm fine with Perry and Beagle in those slots. And it's definitely not true that Laich breaks down every year, at one point he played 257 straight games for the Caps and before this season he played 406 of his last 410 games, so I'm not too worried about his durability. And I think as far as his slot on the roster goes, I'm thinking it will be 1st or 2nd line LW. And I'm fine with the Strachan signing, but McPhee needs to sack up and make a move that will make us better. Grabovksi and Brunner are just sitting there, but I'm pretty certain he won't make a move for either of them.

The big issue I had with giving Filppula money was due to his lack luster performance last year, and Weiss coming off an injury worried me a bit. I'm not shocked they got paid more than what I would have given them. But Ference was just a little over, and Scuderi actually got paid less by Pittsburgh. And I hear ya, if I was a UFA right now I'm not sure Washington is the place I'd want to land. Especially with McPhee as the GM pursuing you. I don't feel he makes players wanted. And Ovi and Yzerman are completely different players. Different styles, positions, sizes. For people who don't watch the Caps religiously, and only see Ovi every now and then or just hear what analysts have to say about him doesn't do him justice. He has changed his game. He won't be winning any Selke's but he's become a better two way player, but he does still need to become more defensively responsible. The fact of the matter is, Ovi, Backstrom, Green those guys are least of our concerns to win a cup. Mcphee overpays players that have already done some time in D.C. and won't give guys any money in the free agent market. the only player he's given money to that was a UFA from another team is Ward. To win a cup we need to get deeper. The Ovechkin's, Backstrom's, and Green's are not the problem.

McPhee has always been a little too passive in free agency for my taste. He's never willing to make a big splash, he always just goes for the low risk high reward options which rarely seem to pan out. I'd love to see us sign Grabovski, he'd fill that 2nd center role nicely. But I'm not getting my hopes up.

After another up and down Caps season, there was a familiar smell of defeat in the playoffs, and another game 7 where a team filled with talent forgot to show up. You'll hear many take the easy route and bash the MVP Ovechkin, some may go in other directions and say the team lacked grit, or inexperience in net. Regardless of what people think the Caps like the other 29 teams that feel short of Lord Stanley had a lack of something. And this is the time of the year to fix those gaps. Free Agency starts July 5th and the Caps have a few holes they need to fill. Whether they can do it by inking a player in free agency or by making a trade, the Caps are in need of another defenseman, and another top six forward (preferably a center). These are some free agents I would be interested in if I were the GM in the capital. Damien Brunner- The 27 year old Swiss winger played his first NHL season last year with the Detroit Red Wings after playing his first eight professional seasons in the Swiss national league. In his first season Brunner put up solid numbers in the regular season (26 points in 44 games) as well as a solid performance in the post season (9 points in 14 games). Brunner is a very skilled offensive forward, and has very good playmaking ability as well as being a solid shooter. he's a bit undersized, but makes up with it in his fast hands and skating ability. Brunner also always seems like he knows what he wants to do with the puck. He certainly isn't going to win any Selke trophies for his defensive play, but the Caps need top 6 scoring forwards and Brunner is a guy I wouldn't mind taking a shot at. What's he worth? I'd be willing to give Brunner 3 years for 7.5 million (Cap hit of 2.5 million per year). Andrew Ference- This rugged 34 year old defenseman won't wow you with his size, but Ference is a reliable and physical defender that has been on some very successful Boston Bruins teams, including one that won a Stanley Cup. Like stated earlier at only 5'10 Ference may not intimidate with his size, but he plays a physical game and can break down his opponents. He also doesn't have a very long reach, but he always seems to play forwards very well whether it be on the rush, in the corners, or in settled situations. Ference's game isn't limited to his defensive prowess either. he is a good skater and is a solid passer from the blue line as well. He won't put up huge offensive numbers but he makes smart plays and gets the puck to open men. Ference is someone the Caps could really use on their blue line. What's he worth? I'd be willing to give Ference 3 years for 9 million (Cap hit of 3 million per year). Valtteri Filppula- Another Red Wing on the list, the 29 year old center has had a solid career thus far in Detroit, already winning a Stanley Cup. Filppula seemed to really be coming on after a huge season before the lockout, but then after his lack luster season this year some people are wondering what will come in the next few years for Filppula. Filppula is a solid two way center with a very high hockey IQ. He is also an excellent skater and a very good passer. Filppula is very good in the faceoff circle and can be used on both the power play and penalty kill. The incredibly skilled forward has already shown he can put up big numbers, but can he do it consistently? What's he worth? I'd be willing to give Filppula 2 years for 7 million (Cap hit of 3.5 million per year). Rob Scuderi- This nose to the grindstone 34 year old defenseman has already won two Stanley Cups with two different teams (Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles). He led the L.A. Kings in blocked shots this year and is a solid sized defenseman who is all about hard work and winning games. Scuderi is a prototypical defensive defenseman and really won't do much offensively. He'll block shots and get himself in the right position to make key plays on defense. But as of now with guys like Green, Carlson, and Orlov the Caps have some puck movers. They need guys who can be shutdown defensemen in their own end which outside of Alzner no one really is. Scuderi would greatly help the Caps on defense if signed. It wouldn't surprise me if Scuderi wins another cup in the next few years, hopefully he'll be with the Caps for his 3rd. What's he worth? I'd be willing to give Scuderi 3 years for 11.25 million (Cap hit of 3.75 million per year). Stephen Weiss- This 30 year old center from Florida has had some great years with less than top talent around him and doesn't get as much recognition as deserved playing in Florida. He was steadily putting together some great seasons with the Panthers, but didn't have a great year this year due to injury. Weiss plays a solid two way game and is a solid skater who gets himself into high scoring areas. A former 4th overall pick Weiss really is the complete package. He's a very skilled player, plays excellent defense, and plays with a ton of grit by blocking shots and finishing off checks. He's a player any coach would love to have. and a player I know Adam Oates would love to coach. What's he worth? I'd be willing to give Weiss 2 years for 8 million (Cap hit of 4 million per year.

@jammer2 For me there are four untouchables on the Caps that I wouldn't trade for anything. Ovechkin, Backstrom, Holtby, and Alzner. Those four guys to me are guys that we absolutely need to win a cup. And although getting deeper would be great, and I'm sure we'd get a bunch of great pieces for Ovi I wouldn't do it. I think we need to get better through the draft and free agency and I think it's also doable. But I also think McPhee needs to stop being so careful in free agency and take some risks, but also be smart and don't sacrifice big parts of the future (Forsberg). And I love Holts, the guy is an animal. I actually saw him in Rochester when he was still with Hershey for the first time ever, then again later in the year in a game against Buffalo. I've always loved what I've seen from him. He makes some risky plays here and there, but he seems to grow from his mistakes. I'm really hoping he ends up being our rock in net.

@jammer2 I agree, I'm sure Ribeiro will get the money he desires, but I'm glad the Caps won't be giving it to him. And Kuznetsov is playing out the last year in his KHL contract this year, he said he'll come over as soon as his season in Traktor is over. In his words, "No money can keep me in the KHL." So I have no doubt he is coming over to the Caps, he also has said plenty of times he wants to play for a cup and he turns 22 in May so I'm really not too concerned he decided to stay in the KHL a couple years longer. I'm not one to rush a guys development.

I know you're a Sabres fan, but they are in a rebuild right now. I'm not saying the Islanders are going to make the playoffs and the Sabres aren't, but right now the Isles are the better team. They have a young superstar and some other very good young players as well. Obviously they need to build on the blue line and sign a goalie, but they have a solid core. And I don't know about Miller as much, but I know Vanek does not want to be a part of this rebuild. It won't surprise me if one of them, or if they both end up going. And after those two, this is a pretty weak team at the moment. Now the future of the Sabres looks to be very bright, but as of now the Islanders are the better choice (geographically and success) for Briere.

@yave1964 I wish nothing but the best for Ribeiro and I'd be very happy if he decided to come back for a shorter term deal, but like you said this is a weak free agent crop and someone will probably give him the money he wants.

Lol yes she is, she was not happy. Comes with the lifestyle though, I don't really know why she's freaking out. And if Ribeiro was willing to sign a 2 or 3 year deal for 4.5 to 5 million per I'm sure we'd be able to get something done. But I don't blame McPhee for not re-signing him. 5 years is too long and 5.5 mil per is a little rich for my blood.