Courtesy: Washington Post
NHL Draft Day 2014 is coming up very soon for the Washington Capitals and new GM Brian MacLellan, and although there aren’t any hints as to what he may or may not do with the current Capitals line up, the need for a few tweaks is definitely in order.
The Capitals had an up and down season under Adam Oates last year – mostly down – and the only highlight was Alex Ovechkin having another 50 goal season. While that is quite an accomplishment considering the decrease in scoring around the league the last few years, the idea that Washington missed the playoffs in what should have been a turn-around season is something that has become very tough for Caps fans to swallow.
I’ve been a fan of the Capitals since I was a toddler in the early 80’s. I knew who Mike Gartner and Rod Langway and Al Jensen were before I knew who Wayne Gretzky was, so, for me, seeing the Caps run through head coaches the last few years and fail to advance passed the second round of the playoffs has been frustrating to say the least (all the new bandwagon fans are probably just mad because someone told them to be). We had a short lived ‘Golden Era’ here when Boudreau was brought on to take over for team that had so much un-tapped potential that it was oozing out of the ears of former coach Glen Hanlon. We thought we had a proven winner. We thought we had the best Caps team ever assembled. We thought we had a Cup.
Then Montreal happened and everything went to sh*t.
The confidence in this team was rattled and it never recovered. Coach after coach after coach tried to figure out what this teams identity was supposed to be and who was to blame. Was it Ovechkin’s fault? It had to be! Was it the coach? It had to be! Was it the goaltending? It had to be! Was it Green’s defense? Most likely.
Pundits and analysts picked Washington apart. ‘This team will never win a Cup’ they said. And you know, they were right. This current team never will until the holes are filled.
So what does GMBM (as we’ll call him) do with a team that has lost hope in itself, save for a few key players? Come June 27th, he will have to make a move to prove to Washington fans that he was the right choice for the job, but don’t look for any drastic moves.
In my humble opinion, and I’m pretty sure I am the only one who feels this way, the Caps should hold on to Mike Green, at least for a little while longer. Last year, when Oates’ Caps began their first full season, I had high hopes for Green to come out of his shell, but he struggled mightily, and I blame Oates for that. Green was paired with players who did not create the support that Green needed to play his game, and he and the team suffered. When Green was with Tom Poti a few years ago, Green was at his best. He had the calm of a veteran defenseman to help sustain the defensive and neutral zones, so Green could play his offensive game and help lead the rush. That is what Trotz is going to have to try and figure out – Who will play with Mike Green to bring him back to his game?
GMBM will have to figure that out as well. The need for that elusive veteran defenseman has eluded the Capitals for far too long and if GMBM wants to make a name for himself (and not just be Little McPhee) he will have to make a big splash. Whether it’s via free agency or a trade, the defense must be strengthened before we move into next season. We have a good pipeline of young defenseman, but they need to develop, and that is something the Caps have failed at the last few seasons.
As for the offense, Trotz has a lot to work with for the first time in his career. Ovechkin and Backstrom will benefit with a strong winger to help on the forecheck. Grabovski, who must be re-signed, will be a player that Trotz will love to coach. Tim Wilson will break out this year, and Joel Ward, in his second stint with Trotz, and Troy Brouwer should prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. The Caps just need better two-way players. Stronger 3rd and 4th line depth will be crucial. With Trotz at the helm, it may help draw the attention of free agents this year. David Legwand?
As for Brooks Laich, he cannot be bought out unless he passes a physical, but do we really want to get rid of him? He’s part of the glue that has held this team together, and while he has battled injury and very inconsistent play, Laich can find his game under Trotz and you could see a re-junvinated player.
Whether or not the Capitals are heading in the right direction remains to be seen. There is some work to be done, but I hope that nothing drastic happens just yet. Give Trotz some time to work with what he has first, and then figure out what drastic steps need to be taken. GMBM needs to fill in the holes though and re-create the locker room chemistry that has been severely absent the last few years.
Baby steps.
Being patient is what true Caps fans do best, but patience is wearing thin.
More to come…
