Pros & Cons: Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will interact.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Northeast, Playoff Coverage, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Andrei Kostitsyn, Benoit Pouliot, Brian Gionta, Bruce Boudreau, Carey Price, Hal Gill, Jaroslav Halak, Jose Theodore, Michael Cammellari, Nicklas Backstrom, Tomas Plekanec, Travis Moen, Scott Gomez
Friday NHL Morning Papers (Eastern Conference)
(hat tip to the boys of Illegal Curve. Thanks to their amazing class and their blessing to take over this feature here at NHL Hot Stove. We hope you enjoy the latest daily series.)
Categories: Eastern Conference, Morning Papers Tags: Brian Gionta, Brian Rolston, Bruce Boudreau, Cory Stillman, Derek Morris, Derek Roy, Ilya Kovalchuk, Marc Andre Fleury, Michael Leighton, Michal Neuvirth, Mike Brodeur, Rostislav Olesz, Tyler Bozak
Monday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference)
(hat tip to the boys of Illegal Curve. Thanks to their amazing class and their blessing to take over this feature here at NHL Hot Stove. We hope you enjoy the latest daily series.)
Categories: Eastern Conference, Morning Papers, NHLHS Features Tags: Anssi Salmela, Bruce Boudreau, Clarke MacArthur, Dennis Wideman, Eric Staal, Garth Snow, Jaroslav Halak, Mark Stuart, Matt Gilroy, Phil Kessel, Rick DiPietro, Rostislav Olesz, Ruslan Fedotenko, Steven Stamkos, Travis Zajac
What Will Washington Do…
…with all that cap room?
With the loan of Michael Nylander to Grand Rapids of the NHL, the Capitals gained financial flexibility which should allow them to acquire some help in areas they deem necessary. As of this writing, the Caps 24 wins lead the League making the average fan ask: How can they possibly get better?
Corey Masisak of The Washington Times lists five speculative picks that would bolster this team as they prepare for a lengthy playoff campaign. As the team stands there is little need for improvement but one could make a case for another top defender.
As we know from our history watching the playoffs, depth is key. The team’s current construction has featured numerous players shifting up and down the teams forward lines as coach Bruce Boudreau dealt with injuries and juggling in order to find the proper mix. Still Masisak believes the most glaring need is this top defenseman. His solution: Scott Niedermayer.
Niedermayer currently captains the Anaheim Ducks and has lead them, as well as his former team the New Jersey Devils, to the Stanley Cup. In addition, this may be the last year in the NHL for the 36-year-old. Although he only has three goals on the season, he would become a powerful weapon on the Washington powerplay, something dreams are made of. He along with Mike Green would give them two elite puck-moving defensemen which would be incredibly dangerous for this already powerful offense.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, By Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, Central, Eastern Conference, Nashville Predators, Pacific, Southeast, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Sulzer, Anaheim Ducks, Bob Murray, Bruce Boudreau, Cody Franson, Corey Masisak, David Backes, David Perron, Ducks Blog, Eric Stephens, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jordon Leopold, Michael Nylander, OC Register, Patri, Ryan Suter, Scott Niedermayer, Shea Weber, The Washington Times, Tomas Fleischmann
