…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.

Eric Stephens of The OC Register’s Ducks Blog writes GM Bob Murray is in no rush to deal.  In fact, if Murray deems the Ducks still in contention he will not move a defenseman, but move to solidify his current core. Gutting the blue line of its most solid defender as well as leader certainly would not bolster the teams chances. Combine that with a hefty 6.750 million cap hit and the chances of seeing Niedermayer in a Capitals uniform certainly appears slim.

The next item on Masisak’s list would be Keith Tkachuk a staple of the Blues organization.  As of this writing the Blues forced the fewest goals leaguewide and are actively seeking help.  Inconsistent efforts from David Perron, Patrik Berglund, David Backes and T.J.Oshie leaves this team in desperate need for a scorer.  Unless the Capitals can offer the Blues a player who puts the puck in the net, the Blues would be reluctant to part with Tkachuk.  However, if the team falls out of the race completely I can see the veteran either parting for one last playoffs or retiring quickly after the season.  So with this one it is more of a wait and see.

Possibly the most intriguing option discussed would be defenseman Dan Hamhuis.  As we recently mentioned, the Predators are winning so sellers they are not.  An unrestricted free agent after this season, Hamhuis may test the free agency waters which could be enough to scare David Poile.  The smart move would be to trade Hamhuis for a young top six forward.

Such a move fits this particular general managers modus operandi, as Poille constantly looks to get better while getting younger.  With Ryan Suter and Shea Weber already signed and callups Cody Franson and Alexander Sulzer able to take regular NHL shifts, Hamhuis is expendable and could be moved.  However, would the Capitals have the capitol to land Hamhuis or would they have to part with someone like Tomas Fleischmann.

As for the last two (three technically) players listed, I see slim to little chance of the Capitals acquiring Joe Corvo, Jordan Leopold or Ilya Kovalchuk.  As mentioned crazier things have happened but none of these teams have incentive to trade within their division.  Personally I see the Caps making a move for another depth forward and a top four defenseman.  Who exactly they will make a move for is uncertain but we should see clear buyers and sellers emerge shortly after the New Year.  Definitely will be a hot topic from now up until the trade deadline as arguably the most powerful team in the league boasts some hefty cap room.

Hope you enjoyed our latest trade rumors feature. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

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-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com

Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team.  Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.

1. Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team.  This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
2. I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).

Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season.  All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending.  After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order.  This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.

The lineup for the Anaheim Ducks is as follows.

Forwards:

The forward core for the Ducks is extremely deep. Their top 9 combines skill, speed and toughness making a combination that few other teams have rivaled.  In addition to the Ducks great drafting, they successfully signed and implemented undrafted free agents into their roster.

Bobby Ryan - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry

Paul Kariya - Andy MacDonald - Dustin Penner

Chris Kunitz - Matt Cullen - Joffrey Lupul

Drew Miller - Ryan Shannon - Trent Hunter

Ex.  Ryan Carter, Matt Belesky, Andrew Ebbett, PA Parenteau

The top line, which ironically is the Ducks’ current first line, produces one of the most effective lines in hockey.  In addition, the second line of Kariya – MacDonald – Penner features a speed/skill element with a tough power forward able to bang home the garbage goals.  The bottom six consists of several defensively responsible players, most of which could play on any third line in hockey.  Trent Hunter could be a future Selke winner and he is relegated to the fourth line.

Grade: A

Defense:

Despite the abundance of NHL forward developed by the Ducks system, the scouts make up for it by barely developing six NHL defenders.

Ladislav Smid – Ruslan Salei

Shane O’Brien – Jordon Leopold

Brendan Mikkelson – Mark Popovic

The group produced hardly could fill out an NHL D-corps.  Brendan Mikkelson and Mark Popovic are currently bottom pairing players on bottom feeding teams, raising the question of whether or not they would cut it on a more competitive team.  Shane O’Brien could handle top 4 duty, however he is also better suited on the last pairing due to mental gaffes.  Both Leopold and Salei are adequate defenders although likely past their primes, meanwhile Smid has first pairing potential but is unproven.  Niclas Havelid returned overseas before this season, he would slightly improve this weakness.

Grade: D

Goaltenders:

Like their forward group, the Ducks developed high-end talent in this area.

Ilya Bryzgalov

Jonas Hiller

Bryzgalov is among the league leaders in GAA this year, while Hiller proved himself last year fully capable of backstopping a playoff team.  Although neither tender is elite, they both are consistent and adequate starters which should see a ton of goal support.

Grade: B+

I hope you enjoyed reading this, I will attempt to get all 30 articles done as soon as possible.  Feel free to leave some feedback!

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com