Washington Capitals

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

Caps Finally Bring Cup Home

After more then 3 decades without a Cup to thier name the Caps have finally done it.

"It was incredible. The home crowd exploded when the final seconds ticked off the clock and the dream that everyone had, finally came true." Ovi

Clitching the final series on outstanding play from Ovi and Varlamov, through out the playoffs, the Caps beat the Western Juggernault Flames 4 games to 1. But the series was not an easy one, as 3 of the games were either won in the dieing minutes of the 3rd or in overtime.

Game 1: Caps beat Flames 3 to 2; Ovi's GWG happened in the last minute of the game.
Game 2: Caps beat Flames 4 to 2; Scored early and won some key tussels
Game 3: Flames beat Caps 3 to 2; Gave up big goal in the 3rd by Iginla who then went on to get the GWG in OT.
Game 4: Caps beat Flames 3 to 2; Stajan tied it up in the 3rd, but an unfortunately Flames penalty (It was a pretty bad tripping call, ow well) in OT allowed me to score the winner.
Game 5: Caps beat Flames 4 to 1; It was like they didn`t even show up, to bad, I was hoping for a close one.

What a way to finish a picture perfect season. Thanks for following.

Playoff Stats:

Ovi: 20-10-30
Schultz: 6-17-23
Backstrom: 5-17-22
Laich: 5-11-16
Semin: 6-10-16

Varlamov: 16-3, 1.66 GAA (Saved my ***)
Neuvirth: 0-3, 3.58 (I am totally shocked, he posted a 37-7 record during the season with a 2.17 GAA and won the Jennings Trophy then crapped out - what da?)

Hardware:


After a phenominal season and a matching Stanley Cup run the Caps took home 7 player trophies out of 12 with Ovi leading the way.

Art Ross: Ovi, 133 pts (2nd)
Conn Smyth: Ovi, 30 pts (Could easily have been Varlamov)
Ted Lindsey: Ovi (4th)
Maurice Richard: Ovi, 77 goals (3rd, Broke most goals for a LW)
James Norris: Carlson, +50
Lady Bing: Backstrom, 99 pts but only 22 pims
William Jennings: Neuvirth, 196 GA

Hart: Mason (ATL)
Vezina: Miller (BUF)
Calder: Bickell (CHI)
Bill Masterton: Byfuglien (ATL)
Frank Selke: Ethan (CMB)

Offseason Strategy:

To start I have 6 picks in the top 90 players for the upcoming draft - wow. Whats my strategy this year, well I think I will be looking at a center-defensemen-goalie and then BPA for the rest.

Center - a two-way forward with size and good defensive ability. I already have PLY centers Backstrom (1st line), Perreault (2nd line), and Johnsson (extra, will most likely play another year in the AHL) so finding a good guy to play on my 3rd/4th line and PK (Hopefully keep Steckle around for a few more years) eventually is a must. I know I could trade for or sign a FA (Will most likely due option 2 until my pick is ready) but I like home growth options.

Defensemen - plain and simple, shut down d-man.

Goalie - To be honest I am not impressed with who I have down the line so finding a big goalie with greta upside is a must. Lucky for me there are a lot of top rated goalies in the draft.

I was going to write out a big strategy map for the resiging and FA stage but to be honest it would be to long. I have over 30 players in my system to consider, its going to be tough and a major cash squeze situation. Wish me luck.

Well thanks guys for following, I really do appreciate it. I look forward to your comments and wish me luck in the offseason.

[hoxltc]

Re: Washington Capitals

Was wondering where you went. Congrats on the season. Looking forward to more recaps.

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

Was wondering where you went. Congrats on the season. Looking forward to more recaps.

Thanks buddy - my offseason is going to be an interesting one. I have to resign Semin, Knuble, Azlner, Carlson, Varlamov, Nuevirth and a handful of others. Yikes.

[Dynasty]

Re: Washington Capitals

Grats man! I just got cought up reading this.

Grats to ovi for winning the Conn Smyth, with how the NHL game is its a steal for a goalie to not win this.

Very nice season, awesome numbers from all your key guys.

As for your signing issues, you coule possibly trade Neuvirth if your worried about cap. Sign Varly for 3-4 years and give your prospects time to flourish, sign a 80 rated or so back up from the free agent pool for free basically.

but hey, ill be watching! good work so far man

[devo22]

Re: Washington Capitals

congrats on the cup, even though you beat my Flames (no surprise, really ). Looking forward to how you do in offseason.

[goosedennis]

Re: Washington Capitals

DRAFT BENJAMIN CONZ FOURTH OVERALL

NHL 11 flawed logic FTW

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

Grats man! I just got cought up reading this.

Grats to ovi for winning the Conn Smyth, with how the NHL game is its a steal for a goalie to not win this.

Very nice season, awesome numbers from all your key guys.

As for your signing issues, you coule possibly trade Neuvirth if your worried about cap. Sign Varly for 3-4 years and give your prospects time to flourish, sign a 80 rated or so back up from the free agent pool for free basically.

but hey, ill be watching! good work so far man

Thanks Dynasty, some very good ideas there. Not sure what I`m going to do with Varly and Neuvirth, I like them both and they both have their pros. Down on the farm in the goalie department I definately have to do something so maybe I will take your idea of a 80 rated goalie and sign him, I guess time will tell.

congrats on the cup, even though you beat my Flames (no surprise, really ). Looking forward to how you do in offseason.

Thanks devo for your support. I will assure you they didn`t go down without a fight, every game except the last one was a nail bitter.

DRAFT BENJAMIN CONZ FOURTH OVERALL

NHL 11 flawed logic FTW

Really, can anyone else testify to this?

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

Upcoming Draft, Semin

Washington Post:


June 2011: With the rookie game coming up shortly, GM Thompson held a brief press conference.

"Its always an exciting game to watch before the NHL draft, as 40 or so rookies mash it out and try to push up thier scouting rating. As you know the Caps have 6 picks in the first 3 rounds with one of those picks being the number one pick (An early season trade that saw Green go to Edmonton for a couple first rounders) so paying attention to this game is key for my associates and myself. We have a strategy in place but if a player excels during this game they might just wind up on our board. Luckily for me, not only will I be bring my scouting staff but Ovi has spoken up and wants to join our team as well. So to say the least that I`m excited would be an understatement."

When asked about his plans for the offseason, the Caps have over 30 players up for renewal with Semin-Knuble-Alzner-Carlson-Varlamov-Neuvirth all in contract talks, GM Thompson had this to say.

"I don`t like getting ahead of myself. Yes we have started initial talks with a few guys but the key thing here before August is the draft. So thats what we are focusing on, The Draft."

Having been officially added to the Caps draft team, Ovi had this to say.

"As leader of this team I believe it should be a priority of ever captian to volunteer to help out with reviewing the upcoming draft class. I mean hell eventually I will be playing with them so I should have a say, shouldn't I?"

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June 2011: With one of the hottest scoring wingers on the Caps on an expiring contract, Semin is expected to be the biggest name on the FA board after one hell of a season (47 goals and 42 assists for 89 points).

"I want to keep playing here in Washington. The team and myself had one hell of a year and I would love an opportunity to do it again."

Eventhough GM Thompson refused to comment about his August plans you can bet that Semin and his explosive 47 goal production will be one of his key players to sign. And no one and I mean no one will be surprised if the winger is signed to a multi-year multi-million dollar contract.

[devo22]

Re: Washington Capitals

DRAFT BENJAMIN CONZ FOURTH OVERALL

NHL 11 flawed logic FTW

haha the thing with Conz is so weird. Not sure if he will even get picked in real life, but NHL 11 seems to think he'll be a star I actually thought that EA would fix it with their roster updates, but still Conz is among the top 5 picks every time. Weird. I guess one of EA's programmers must be a huge fan

[onlybygrace]

Re: Washington Capitals

Awesome season Bthomp...great job. 77 goals...whew. You did this on my sliders???

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

haha the thing with Conz is so weird. Not sure if he will even get picked in real life, but NHL 11 seems to think he'll be a star I actually thought that EA would fix it with their roster updates, but still Conz is among the top 5 picks every time. Weird. I guess one of EA's programmers must be a huge fan

Cool, to bad he's a goalie and not a center. As my strategy is to find a big TWF Center for my first pick - looking for someone to eventually lead my 3rd line and either 1st/2nd PK.

Awesome season Bthomp...great job. 77 goals...whew. You did this on my sliders???

Thanks OBG. This season my goal is to break 80. Yep, well least your old ones back in Oct/Nov...

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

Hey I just noticed someone voted on my thread, who ever it was thank you. If its all possible could others vote as well, with over 2500 views someone has to vote for me.

Thanks ahead of time.

[hoxltc]

Re: Washington Capitals

Your welcome. I like your thread, so I thought I'd vote.

I'm sure this season will be tough, it always is when trying to repeat. Good luck and looking forward to season two.

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

Your welcome. I like your thread, so I thought I'd vote.

I'm sure this season will be tough, it always is when trying to repeat. Good luck and looking forward to season two.

Thanks hoxltc, I really appreciate it.

Season 2 should be fun. :-)

[bthomp05]

Re: Washington Capitals

Rookie Game, Scout Speaks

Washington Post:


20/June 2011: With the rookie game played and out of the way, GMs/Scouts/etc got a great glimpse at this years draft class, well least the top ranked picks.

"It was an excellent experience. Usually we play against these guys during the season, well maybe. But this game gave us the opportunity to play with eachother and show off what we can do. It was alot of fun." Quoted LW Tyler Brown who picked up a goal and an assist in last nights affair, was the 2nd star while Tyler Maxwell (2 assists) picked up the 3rd.

Team Red and Team White played a pretty even game until the third where TY Rattie went on a 2 goal explosion lifting the Reds to a 4 to 2 victory over the Whites.

"I was pretty vacant the first two periods but after alittle encouragement from the coach during intermission, I knew what I had to do." Commented Rattie at the end of the game, collecting 2 goals and the 1st star.

After 60 minutes of well defined play the ISS re-evaluated the board and new projections were listed. Now its up to the Caps on who will be the 1st round pick.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

22/June/2011: With draft preparations almost complete in St. Paul, we were able to get a quick comment from Pro Scout Jason Fitzsimmons from the Capitals.

"It was a great game to watch and there were a few surprises. But as Thompson said we do have an agenda, which we plan on sticking to, well maybe..... But at this point I would not be doing my job if I didn`t atleast list a few guys I think would strength our club. Those guys being LW David Broll (1pt) - LW Tyler Brown (2pts) - D Landon Oslanski (27 minutes) - D Corbin Baldwin (1pt) - LW Matt Puempel (1pt). I can`t say if those guys will ulimately meet Thompsons goals, but in my book they would be a good fit."

With one day to go and no clear superstar picks in this years draft, its anyones guess who the Capitals will pick. Now remember the Caps have 2 first round picks (1st and 30th) so it should be an interesting day.