NHL analysis

Major Additions: Michael Nylander, Tom Poti, Viktor Kozlov

Major Subtractions: Kris Beech, Alexandre Giroux

Analysis

The future of Washington’s franchise is obviously in the capable hands of Alexander Ovechkin, but the Capitals also took some steps to securing success both now and in the future.

For a star like Ovechkin to become the centerpiece of a championship caliber team, several things must happen. First, the star central piece needs to be surrounded by other players of talent. Alexander Semin and the highly heralded young Nicklas Backstrom are the primary pieces of this group.

Another factor is also neccessary, however. Young players like Ovechkin and Semin need to learn how to win at the NHL level - particularly in the playoffs. Bringing in key veterans such as Nylander and Kozlov doesn’t just give stars like Ovechkin someone to play with; it also brings experience and poise to the dressing room.

Enough improvements to make the playoffs? Not likely. Few teams in the Eastern Conference got substantially worse and many got considerably better. However, teams such as Boston and Florida will need to look behind themselves in the standings as well as ahead. Washington will be much more competitive this year. Look for players in their final contract year such as Donald Brashear or Olaf Kolzig to become the topic of trade rumours as we approach the deadlin.

Additions: Brian Pothier, Richard Zednik, Donald Brashear, Trevor Byrns, Alexandre Giroux, Petr Taticek, Peter Vandemeer, Chad Wiseman

Subtractions: Jeff Halpern, Brian Wilsie, Mathieu Biron, Boyd Kane, Nolan Yonkman

Washington sure is lucky they have Ovenchkin locked up at under a million dollars for the next two years. They’re also lucky that once those two years are over, they can finally stop paying $3.8 million dollars of Jaromir Jagr’s salary. For most teams, paying nearly 10% of your salary cap to a player not even on your team anymore would really hurt. As it is, Washington is at least those two years away from truly competing in the East anyways.

The team truly is built around Ovenchkin (not that I blame the Caps for this). Last year only one player (Zubrus) had more points than Ovenchkin had goals. Ovenchkin had 52 of his teams 237 goals (over 1/5th). This kid truly is amazing. Washington has committed to his development and will spend the next few years adding youg players to compliment him. At that point, they should be a force to reckon with.

Next year, however, not much will change. The offence is still far too dependent on one man to be successful, and the defence, though boosted by the arrival of free agent Pothier, is still young, inexperienced and not particularly impressive. Olaf Kolzig is a solid goaltender, and should remain so for the foreseeable future.

Washington certainly didn’t make much noise this summer, but they continued on the long road to rebuilding. Re-acquiring Richard Zednik should pay off, and only cost a third round pick. Donald Brashear is a goon and a fringe player, but he will certainly be able to keep other teams from manhandling Ovenchkin (though Ovenchkin showed last year he can stick up for himself rather well).

Unfortunately, the teams above Washington in the standings mostly made more aggressive moves to improve themselves. Boston acquired Chara and Savard. The Islanders got Poti, Witt and Sillinger. The Caps could swap spots with the Florida Panthers, who gambled on Bertuzzi and may very well lose ground. The other Southeast teams, much like a playoff spot, seem well out of reach.