bags2 Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Instead of making a new thread for each move made by the Caps I figured I'd just create an off-season thread.And earlier today the Caps locked up RFA Tom Kundratek for 2 years worth 1.1 million dollars. Kundratek is my #4 prospect for the Caps and I really like what I've seen from him so far in his young career. And for 550K a year for the next two years I think we got him for a very good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Two way deal for Kundratek, no risk decent player.I just don't know what to think of your boys. I still think it is a big mistake letting Ribiero go, I uess his wife is throwing a hissy fit over it, lol. Point a game players don't grow on trees.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Two way deal for Kundratek, no risk decent player.I just don't know what to think of your boys. I still think it is a big mistake letting Ribiero go, I uess his wife is throwing a hissy fit over it, lol. Point a game players don't grow on trees....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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Ribiero will probably find it from somebody because the free agent crop is so weak this year. Would love Ribiero with the Wings but like you I think his asking price is ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 @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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 @bags2 I think Ribero might get 6 mill a year for 4-5 years.....which is way to much cash and to long of a term. It will hurt the Caps offense short term, but long term, they are avoiding cap hell here. Smart move. This is a big season coming up for the Caps. They only have one d-man signed into the 14-15 season....so a lot of questions will have to be resolved this coming season. Who to keep, who to let go etc. Is there any word on Kuznetsov coming over for this year? I can see waiting to develop his game for a few years, but this is starting to look bad, if he does not come this year, I question whether he ever will. Is his goal to play in the NHL and win a Cup, or is he happy in the KHL, this year will be tell the tale IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 @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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 (edited) @bags2 Ahhh, thanks for the update. Did not know that he was leaving the KHL for sure after this year. That obvioulsly makes my previous post a mute point. It's good for the league as a whole to have Kuz come over. A nice injection of talent for the Caps no doubt.I have a question for you as a Caps fan...I know a Ovechkin trade would never happen, but in a hypothetical situation, would you move him for a boatload of young prospects or picks? I guess it all depends on how close you deem them to be to a championship roster. On the surface, it appears like they need a bit more depth on defense, some stronger secondary scoring....what most teams need. The one big factor in the Caps favour is Holtby. I believe he's one of the best young goalies in the league. I remember the first time I saw him, a few years ago in a road start against Toronto. He impressed me so much, I picked him up in fantasy hockey the next day. He literally made some jaw dropping saves. It might be a bit early for this, but I believe he will be a top 5 goalie in this league next year, if he's not already. He's quicker than 90% of his goaltending piers....just love his tenacity and compete level also, he never gives up on a stop. Quite the exciting skill set. They got their guy, now they need to build around him. Edited July 4, 2013 by jammer2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 @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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Starting to wonder about the Capitals game plan for this off season. Losing Ribeiro hurts, watching one center after another go off the board hurts. Grabovski is still available but the Capitals are in trouble with the cap and likely cannot afford him even though they would kill to have him. That leaves Backstrom, a great number one, Laich a solid number three stretching as a number two and then God only knows from there. Perreault? Beagle? Nobody in the pipeline looks ready to step in and fill the role so someone has to be added. Laich breaks down every year, if he and/or Backstrom were to go down this team would be in huge trouble. On another note, Strachan was a nice under the radar signing. Not going to light the lamp regularly but he is a very responsible in his own zone player with a great first pass. I always hated him with the blues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 @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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 @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. Yeah, Laich has been healthier than I gave him credit for, sorry. So you think Johansson is ready to step in as a number two center? That would make a big difference if the cap keeps you from getting one. What do you feel your teams biggest need is if you only have money to fill one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 @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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 @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.Douglas Murray is still out there and should be cheap. Stay at home guy with a nasty streak. Hal Gill, smart player but slowing down, pain him yellow and pretend he is a massive pylon, lol. As far as centers if you don't get Grabovski the pickings get really thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 @yave1964 Douglas Murray would be a cheap veteran addition for any team, as long as the term is short, I see him signing for one year at 1.6 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 @yave1964 Douglas Murray would be a cheap veteran addition for any team, as long as the term is short, I see him signing for one year at 1.6 or so.He is the blue liner I am hoping the Wings go after, a Swede with no offensive skill but a nasty streak and young enough. I just don't think the Wings have enough Swedes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 @jammer2@yave1964Last I heard he wanted in the 3.5 - 4 million range. I dunno if that changes until the season is on the verge of starting. I think a lot of UFA's are going to have to swallow a tough pill to play this year thanks to the mistake that is the lower salary cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 @bags2 Really nice deal for the Caps. Alzner is a nice all round d-man. Because he does not put up the big numbers, he gets lost in the shuffle a bit, but he deserves to be mentioned more than he does. I actually was rooting for the Flyers to select Alzner in his draft year. He would have never have made it in Philly, took a few years to develop....lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 @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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Still confused by the Capitals decision to release Schultz. He was plus 50 (!) a few years ago. I don't watch a ton of Cap games, has he lost that much of his game? He is among the options I hear the Wings are looking at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bags2 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 @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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Caps prospect Kuznetsov injured his shoulder again. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/08/caps-prospect-kuznetsov-heads-to-germany-to-check-shoulder/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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