Washington Capitals: 2010 post-season transactions

[Dirtbag59]

Will be nice to see a few Caps compete for a cup.

Posted at 4:49 PM ET, 06/ 4/2010
CSN to carry Games 3,4,5 of Calder Cup finals
Hershey Bears fans will be able to watch the Caps' minor league affiliate in the AHL's Calder Cup finals live on Comcast SportsNet, the network announced today. Here's part of the news release:

Comcast SportsNet's live game coverage of the best-of-seven championship series will feature Hershey's three road contests from Cedar Park, Texas, which are scheduled for Monday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. and Friday, June 11 at 8:30 p.m., if necessary. The broadcasts will feature Hershey Bears play-by-play announcer John Walton and Gregg Mace, who will serve as color analyst and sideline reporter.
The Texas Stars took a 1-0 series lead with Thursday night's 2-1 victory in Hershey. Game 2 is Saturday at 7 p.m.

[Dirtbag59]

Fehr may sign soon
7:33
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Eric Fehr | Capitals Top Email

The Washington Capitals are discussing a multi-year deal with Eric Fehr, the Washington Post's Tarik El-Bashir reports. As previously speculated, this seems to indicate Fehr is the top priority for the Caps this offseason.

This could mean Tomas Fleischmann's future is in limbo. The restricted free agent is also waiting for a deal, but some have speculated the Capitals may look to deal him this offseason.

The Caps have three main needs they may look to fill. First off, they could look for a veterans goalie to pair with Semyon Varlamov. Second, there are reports the Capitals are looking to sign a second-line center to play with Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich. Third, the Caps want to bring in a defenseman, but it appears they don't want to break the bank for one. Dealing Fleischmann might allow them to fill one of those needs while not spending a chuck of money to re-sign the 26-year-old.

More hints on Caps' goalie situation
7:20
AM ET
Washington Capitals Top Email

The Washington Capitals have not contacted Jose Theodore's agent yet, the Washington Post reports, which probably means the Capitals are prepared to move on without him.

This isn't a huge surprise, as most people have speculated the Caps are ready to go with Semyon Varlamov and perhaps a veteran free agent. Marty Turco has been mentioned as a possible target for the Caps, and Evgeni Nabokov's name has been mentioned here, too. They could also go into next season with Varlmov and fellow 22-year-old Michal Neuvirth, though that may be a risky proposition.

The Caps get rid of Theodore's $4.5 million cap hit, which could be used to bring in another goalie or perhaps a blueliner, although reports say it won't be Anton Volchenkov.

Belanger could look to Montreal
8:08
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Eric Belanger | Capitals Top Email

The Washington Capitals are talking with Eric Belanger about a possible extension. But he is rumored to be demanding a three-year deal, which might be too rich for the Caps, who have other needs to fill.

So if the unrestricted free agent does test the market, he has a good idea of where he wants to go.

Radio-Canada.ca reports that Belanger is looking to go to Montreal because he predicts they will have an opening at center. Perhaps he is expecting Tomas Plekanec to get elsewhere. Either way, Belanger says he expects 12 to 15 teams to be interested in his services so it doesn't look like he's set on staying in Washington.

[InsaneBoost]

Link: Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison - NHL.com - News

Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison

The Washington Capitals will not be renewing the contracts of defenseman Joe Corvo and forwards Brendan Morrison and Scott Walker, a team official confirmed Tuesday. The official would not comment on a report in the Washington Post that the team will also not renew the contract of goalie Jose Theodore, who is a nominee for the 2010 Bill Masterton Trophy.

Morrison, 34, has played 12 NHL seasons with New Jersey, Vancouver, Anaheim, Dallas and Washington and has 187 goals and 360 assists for 547 points in 829 games. The 1997 Hobey Baker Award winner signed a free-agent contract with the Capitals last July 10 and scored 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points in 74 games.

Morrison had 23 points, including 9 goals, through the first 29 games but slowed thereafter. He was a healthy scratch twice in March and missed six of the final eight regular-season games with a leg injury. He had one assist in five Stanley Cup Playoff games and was a healthy scratch twice in the Caps' first-round upset loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

"We talked to Brendan last week," McPhee told the Washington Post. "He's a first-class kid, but we aren't going to renew him."

Corvo, 32, has played seven NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Ottawa, Carolina and Washington. He has 68 goals and 150 assists for 218 points in 486 games. The Capitals traded Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a second-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft to Carolina on March 3 to add Corvo's power-play and overall offensive skills. He had 2 goals and 4 assists and was minus-4 in 18 regular-season games for Washington. Corvo had 1 goal and 1 assist and was minus-2 in the seven-game, first-round playoff loss to Montreal.

Walker, 36, also joined the Capitals at the trade deadline when Washington gave the Hurricanes their seventh-round pick in this year's draft. Walker has played 15 NHL seasons with 151 goals and 246 assists for 397 points in 829 games. He achieved his career highlight a year ago when he scored in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal, eliminating the Boston Bruins.

Walker had shoulder surgery in January and injured his knee in March. He had been a healthy scratch in four of the 11 Capitals games before the knee injury. Walker had 2 goals and 1 assist in nine regular-season games for the Capitals and did not dress for the first six games against Montreal. He was held without a point in the finale.

Theodore, the 2002 Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, signed as a free agent with the Capitals in 2008 after playing 11 seasons with Montreal and Colorado. In 13 NHL seasons, Theodore, 33, is 245-221-30-22 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was bothered by back spasms early in the season but went on to play 47 games with a 30-7-7 record and a 2.81 GAA and .911 save percentage.

Theodore was the goaltender in the Caps' 3-2 loss to Montreal in Game 1, then was lifted after seven minutes in Game 2 when he gave up two goals. He did not return in the series.

The team official said McPhee has not yet had a chance to talk with Theodore about the decision.

McPhee told the Post that he has had "some discussion" with the agent for free-agent center Eric Belanger, 32, who had 15 goals and 41 points in 77 games this season. Belanger, acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trading deadline for this year's second-round draft pick, had 2 goals and 6 points in 17 regular-season games and added an assist in seven playoff games.

[skinsfan_nn]

Yep. I saw the interview with McPhee yesterday. I do not see Belanger coming back he wants several years and thinks a little to much of himself, money wise. Theo is gone as well.

The CAPS need to solidify the blue line with a couple solid blue liners. A center, two wingers, and a solid veteran pipe tender (they can count on all season and most importantly at playoff time, when it's money time). Theo need not apply.

Originally Posted by InsaneBoost

Link: Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison - NHL.com - News

Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison

The Washington Capitals will not be renewing the contracts of defenseman Joe Corvo and forwards Brendan Morrison and Scott Walker, a team official confirmed Tuesday. The official would not comment on a report in the Washington Post that the team will also not renew the contract of goalie Jose Theodore, who is a nominee for the 2010 Bill Masterton Trophy.

Morrison, 34, has played 12 NHL seasons with New Jersey, Vancouver, Anaheim, Dallas and Washington and has 187 goals and 360 assists for 547 points in 829 games. The 1997 Hobey Baker Award winner signed a free-agent contract with the Capitals last July 10 and scored 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points in 74 games.

Morrison had 23 points, including 9 goals, through the first 29 games but slowed thereafter. He was a healthy scratch twice in March and missed six of the final eight regular-season games with a leg injury. He had one assist in five Stanley Cup Playoff games and was a healthy scratch twice in the Caps' first-round upset loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

"We talked to Brendan last week," McPhee told the Washington Post. "He's a first-class kid, but we aren't going to renew him."

Corvo, 32, has played seven NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Ottawa, Carolina and Washington. He has 68 goals and 150 assists for 218 points in 486 games. The Capitals traded Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a second-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft to Carolina on March 3 to add Corvo's power-play and overall offensive skills. He had 2 goals and 4 assists and was minus-4 in 18 regular-season games for Washington. Corvo had 1 goal and 1 assist and was minus-2 in the seven-game, first-round playoff loss to Montreal.

Walker, 36, also joined the Capitals at the trade deadline when Washington gave the Hurricanes their seventh-round pick in this year's draft. Walker has played 15 NHL seasons with 151 goals and 246 assists for 397 points in 829 games. He achieved his career highlight a year ago when he scored in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal, eliminating the Boston Bruins.

Walker had shoulder surgery in January and injured his knee in March. He had been a healthy scratch in four of the 11 Capitals games before the knee injury. Walker had 2 goals and 1 assist in nine regular-season games for the Capitals and did not dress for the first six games against Montreal. He was held without a point in the finale.

Theodore, the 2002 Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, signed as a free agent with the Capitals in 2008 after playing 11 seasons with Montreal and Colorado. In 13 NHL seasons, Theodore, 33, is 245-221-30-22 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was bothered by back spasms early in the season but went on to play 47 games with a 30-7-7 record and a 2.81 GAA and .911 save percentage.

Theodore was the goaltender in the Caps' 3-2 loss to Montreal in Game 1, then was lifted after seven minutes in Game 2 when he gave up two goals. He did not return in the series.

The team official said McPhee has not yet had a chance to talk with Theodore about the decision.

McPhee told the Post that he has had "some discussion" with the agent for free-agent center Eric Belanger, 32, who had 15 goals and 41 points in 77 games this season. Belanger, acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trading deadline for this year's second-round draft pick, had 2 goals and 6 points in 17 regular-season games and added an assist in seven playoff games.

[tryfuhl]

gj bears

[SmootSmack]

It's not the Caps, but the Canadiens have traded Halak

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=324934

[skinsfan_nn]

Theo is gone.

Draft news from the CI:

Posted at 10:32 PM ET, 06/25/2010
Caps draft Kuznetsov

With the 26th pick, the Caps drafted Russian center Evgeny Kuznetsov. I'll have more on the pick later. I have to crank out a newspaper story first.

Capitals Insider - The Washington Post’s Tarik El-Bashir on the Capitals and NHL

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

Theo is gone.

Draft news from the CI:

Posted at 10:32 PM ET, 06/25/2010
Caps draft Kuznetsov

With the 26th pick, the Caps drafted Russian center Evgeny Kuznetsov. I'll have more on the pick later. I have to crank out a newspaper story first.

Capitals Insider - The Washington Post’s Tarik El-Bashir on the Capitals and NHL

I agree Theo is gone but it's not because we drafted a center

[skinsfan_nn]

It appears to be another solid draft by McPhee and the CAPS.

Closing thoughts from*the NHL draft - Allan Muir - SI.com

Crop We May Be Talking About Most In Five Years: Washington Capitals
If George McPhee's rep for mining gems from the deep substrata of the first isn't already set, it could be soon. The Caps' GM, who already hit it big with Mike Green (29th overall, 2004) and John Carlson (27th, 2008), looks like he could have added another jewel to his system with Evgeny Kuznetsov at 26. The 18-year-old winger isn't big (6-0, 172), but he possesses an offensive explosiveness similar to current Cap Alexander Semin. If not for the Russian passport, his skill level likely would have led someone to call his name sooner. "That could be a real value pick," a Western Conference scout told SI.com. "They've got the people in place there [Alex Ovechkin, Semin and others] that should help with [his] transition and a system that he should be comfortable with. [McPhee's scouting staff] have done a good job loading up that system." The Caps also may have found value in third-rounder Stanislav Galiev (86th), a skilled right winger from the Saint John Sea Dogs who some experts predicted could go in the first round, and Phil Grubauer (112th), the German-born goaltender who led the Windsor Spitfires to the Memorial Cup last month. A scout noted that neither player projects as a sure thing, but both have elements that make you think "there might be something special there." "These are both talented kids," he said. "There's no rush on either of them. They've got time and that may be all they need."

[GMScud]

I wonder what kind of "transactions" Ovi had going on during this party. Nice bathing suit. Ha! He's on a boat!

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-con...rty-boat-4.jpg

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I wonder what kind of "transactions" Ovi had going on during this party. Nice bathing suit. Ha! He's on a boat!

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-con...rty-boat-4.jpg

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

I agree Theo is gone but it's not because we drafted a center

I'm getting tired of ESPN talking about how the Caps going to go after a veteran goaltender when it's clear that both Varly and Neuvy are ready to be full timers at the NHL level. I know ESPN was right about Haynesworth being unhappy but I feel they're dead wrong on this one.

[Dirtbag59]

Caps could chase top-six center
7:22
AM ET
Washington Capitals TopEmail

The Washington Capitals may look for a second-line center in free agency, but there's also a possibility GM George McPhee fills this hole in-house.

He tells the Washington Post that there are youngsters who are ready to take on big NHL roles: "We think we have centers that are ready to go. There's Mathieu Perreault who's fairly close, if not ready to go. We like what we've seen from [Marcus] Johansson. A year from now [first-round draft pick Evgeny] Kuznetsov might be ready to play. Cody Eakin might be ready to go in a year. So we want to be really careful not get drawn into any long-term deals at that position."

But none of those guys may be able to step into the pivot role alongside Alexander Semin, so the Post's Tarik El-Bashir thinks the Caps will try to bring in a veteran center who is willing to sign a short-term deal -- maybe Saku Koivu or Matt Cullen. But they don't have too much money to spend, and they're also looking at blueliners, so it's possible McPhee truly is prepared to go with an inexperienced player next to Semin.


Gare Joyce
Kutznetsov's ETA: 2011
"George McPhee is pretty emphatic that he can get Kuznetsov and that the Russian pivot needs only another season (almost certainly in the KHL) in development before skating into the Capitals' lineup."

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

I'm getting tired of ESPN talking about how the Caps going to go after a veteran goaltender when it's clear that both Varly and Neuvy are ready to be full timers at the NHL level. I know ESPN was right about Haynesworth being unhappy but I feel they're dead wrong on this one.

Horray ESPN was right. The Caps wanted to sign a veteran netminder.....for Hershey! Bwahahahaha!!!

Posted at 9:03 AM ET, 07/ 2/2010
Caps sign goalie Dany Sabourin
The Caps didn't make a big move on Day 1 of free agency, but they did make a move late yesterday, signing veteran goalie Dany Sabourin.

Continue reading this post »

[InsaneBoost]

Haha dirt read that earlier. I'm also happy with the draft as well. Can't believe we have 9 of our 10 first round draft picks currently playing on the team, pretty awesome.