Washington Capitals

[noodle3872 40]

I think their 9-9-2 record on the road is their biggest problem. Even with Ovi, Backstrom and Semin having off years, their record away from home should be much better than it is.

[GoBucky 0]

i think they'll go farther in the playoffs this year than they have in the past.

I say again: if they arent able to beat teams in the regular season, I dont see how anyone would expect them to beat those teams in the playoffs.

[IniNew 53]

I say again: if they arent able to beat teams in the regular season, I dont see how anyone would expect them to beat those teams in the playoffs.

2009-10 Montreal Canadiens.

Playoffs are an entirely different beast.

[Chadd 916]

2009-10 Montreal Canadiens.

Playoffs are an entirely different beast.

They weren't healthy until the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.

[RadioGaGa 162]

So, Ovy can't score anymore! I recall in the HBO show they mentioned his new contract with Gilette (or whatever razor company it was). He's been clean shaven all year, not his scruffy goatee or bad teenager-looking beard.

Just throwing it out there...maybe he lost some of his mojo/ability (a la Samson) when he had to "cut his hair"

Meh...I got nothin'

[GoBucky 0]

2009-10 Montreal Canadiens.

Playoffs are an entirely different beast.

Apples and oranges.

So, Ovy can't score anymore! I recall in the HBO show they mentioned his new contract with Gilette (or whatever razor company it was). He's been clean shaven all year, not his scruffy goatee or bad teenager-looking beard.

Just throwing it out there...maybe he lost some of his mojo/ability (a la Samson) when he had to "cut his hair"

Meh...I got nothin'

At this point, Id say just about anything (no matter how silly) is in play.

[Chadd 916]

Semin signed for one more year at $6M, does not get a no trade.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Semin signed for one more year at $6M, does not get a no trade.

its 6.7M and GMGM was trying to get a multi-year deal going but Semin wanted the one. And as for the number, GMGM won't go higher than Nicky's salary.

[Chadd 916]

I was wondering how long it would take someone to add in the .7, we got a winner in one.

[n3ss 0]

hopefully he'll start scoring goals again when he's healthy.

[GoBucky 0]

Hopefully, Semin comes back soon and goes on another scoring spree. The biggest problem the Caps have this season is an apparent inability to score a lot of goals.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

I was wondering how long it would take someone to add in the .7, we got a winner in one.

hahah well with a salary cap being oh-so important the .7 is more important than ever.

[halfmoonyote 0]

Living out here on the East Coast, I'm sort of in the middle of Caps and Flyers territory, so I've been following both pretty well. In addition, I'm pretty close to the Caps AHL affiliate in Hershey, so it's a lot of fun.

Question for you hardcore Caps fans...what is the likelihood you guys re-up Brooks Laich? I just posted in the underrated/overrated thread, I think Laich is one of the most underrated players in the league. He can play anywhere in the lineup, in any situation. Just a no frills, blue collar ethic and approach to his game, and I love the guy. And then reading about him stopping alongside I95 to help a family fix a flat the night the Caps were knocked out of the playoffs only solidified his standing in my mind.

If he is re-signed, what does his deal look like?

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Laich is having a down year in terms of straight numbers this season, but I'd be very surprised if he doesn't get reupped. He turned down a letter because he is the teams NHLPA rep, and didn't want to be able to take on something he couldn't give 100% to.

He can play center or wing, PP or PK, scoring line or checking unit. I don't think he is under rated by caps fans, perhaps by the league in general because there is Ovechkin, Green, Backstrom, Carlson etc to talk about. But he is loved by caps fans, and you only need to read the story about him stopping to help change a tire on his way home from being eliminated by the Canadiens after the playoffs to see what kind of great guy he is.

I'd say they give him a slight bump, his hit is $2.067 mil, I'd see him getting maybe 4 years at $2.5ish

[GoBucky 0]

Id be surprised if Laich doesnt get reupped. He's having a down year but he's still a solid player.

[n3ss 0]

i would be very sad to see liach go. imo, more valuable than semin. he can also play D (has in the past)

[Chadd 916]

Anyone going to be at the game tomorrow (Sunday?)

[t6lock 24]

some interesting pics on ovi's twitter