Reason 9: The Caps Are Regular Joes
Five reasons to embrace our hottest team
These guys are fun. ESPN magazine writer Sarah Turcotte spent a few weeks with the Caps and fell in love. They’re a rarity in pro sports, she says—guys who have a good time together and work hard for the team, not for individual glory. “There’s not a sense of hierarchy,” Turcotte says. “It’s really refreshing and fun.”
The Washington Capitals spent this entire season very close to the ceiling of the NHL's $56.7 million salary cap. There is no official word on what that number is going to be for next season, but it is safe to say there isn't likely to be another huge jump like the previous three offseasons.
Given that the Caps were one win from the NHL's final four, it does make some sense that players on the team were lobbying for GM George McPhee to bring everyone back for another go round. But that's just not likely to be financially possible, and if McPhee wants to make any out-of-house improvements, he's going to have to shed some high-priced guys.
If anyone didn't think the Caps need to unload a player or two (i.e. Jose Theodore or Michael Nylander), here's what the Caps' roster looks like right now (cap figures are for next season, or last season if said player is UFA/RFA):
Even though the Capitals are out of rebuilding mode, they still own a plethora of young talent. While only a few rookies played more than a cup of coffee, there were nine Capitals players who fit the NHL’s rookie criteria this season.
Out of all the possible headlines following Game 7, “Varlamov yanked after allowing 4 Goals” was probably not very high on that list. Yet Simeon Varlamov– the star rookie who saved the Capitals’ season in Round 1 and played brilliant in Round 2– lasted just 22:13, and was replaced by former starter, Jose Theodore.
The Capitals have a bit of everything in their organization: a couple of second-generation players, a couple of potentially elite goaltenders, a couple of NHL-ready players (including one who is already keying a playoff run), and -- most importantly -- a whole lot of talent.
While the prospects may be heavy on the defensive side, there's a school of thought that you can never have too much defense -- especially when used as bargaining chips. The greatest problems that the Caps are going to have is finding a place to put all these players next season.
Top 20 at a glance
1. Karl Alzner, D
2. Simeon Varlamov, G
3. John Carlson, D
4. Anton Gustafsson, C
5. Oskar Osala, LW
6. Michal Neuvirth, G
7. Chris Bourque, C
8. Francois Bouchard, RW
9. Mathieu Perreault, C
10. Dmitri Kugryshev, RW
11. Joe Finley, D
12. Keith Seabrook, D
13. Sami Lepisto, D
14. Joel Broda, C
15. Andrew Gordon, RW
16. Stefan Della Rovere, LW
17. Justin Taylor, C
18. Eric Mestery, D
19. Braden Holtby, G
20. Josh Godfrey, D
While out on the ice, Forward David Steckel knows his role: forecheck, take win face-offs, and play solid defense. But this is the playoffs and his role of being a third line center has expanded with every game he’s played.
