Comments on: On Microwave Rebuilds and Managing with Monopoly Money

By: TG

TG — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:00:27 +0000

OK, we can all agree that doing something stupid like picking up Nedved off of waivers or trading lots of stuff for Federov or Foote would be counterproductive. But it just seems like this team is so close to actually making the playoffs, that it’s frustrating to see them pull a Patriots/Eagles and not make a move, even though they’ve got the cap space. Yeah, both of them made the playoffs this season, but how much better would the Patriots be with a real wide receiver? Or the Eagles with another good defensive lineman or linebacker? Given that Buffalo has done the same thing the Caps did (break it down, start all over, etc.) and did really well, but is now near the cap limit and will have to let players go next season, it shows just how small a window most teams have. And wouldn’t even a first round sweep of the Caps give just tremendous experience to all the players, build up tremendous hope/excitement in the city at large?
(Eh, easy for me to say. It’s not my money I’m telling them to go spend.)

By: Drake1588

Drake1588 — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:03:11 +0000

There’s no sense in tossing money around this year, or even next year, as the Caps are not going to compete in that window. Yet down the line, a steady rise in payroll as the drafted prospects improve, if only to reward them for success, is something to hope to see from Capitals ownership.
Increased spending IS going to be required (beyond the cap floor range) once the team reaches the higher echelons.
That said, you certainly don’t spend wildly in mid-season to staunch the flow early in a rebuild. Investment is almost exclusively an offseason effort, best done gradually, and modestly until a team achieves competitiveness. That’s at least a couple of years off, still.
Spending wildly now would be pointless, and arguably counterproductive. The best thing the Caps can do is draft another top-five player in June, short-term pain notwithstanding.

By: OrderedChaos

OrderedChaos — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:58:26 +0000

Here are some teams currently NOT making the playoffs with above-league-average salaries:
PHI 41.7M
BOS 43.7M (highest in the league)
NYI 42.2M
TB 43.2M
EDM 40.1M
PHO 39.6M
It’s fun playing with numbers to support one’s beliefs as Tarik did. But an honest assessment would be to say while smart spending can help teams, simply throwing around money does not work in the NHL. If one looks at the big picture rather than the narrow slice Tarik provided, this conclusion should be obvious.
Sure, the Caps need a better defense, and the recent injuries have made that even clearer. But what team would part with a #1 defenseman for a few prospects/picks? Honestly, name one and I’m sure McPhee would love to hear about it.
Saying “the Caps need an #1 D-man” is as obvious as it is useless. This isn’t fantasy hockey. The Caps were serious bidders for Chara but Boston overpaid for him. Let the team develop its prospects while they keep an eye out for free agents (like Pothier, and excellent pick-up many seem to forget). The team will spend wisely when the time comes, rather than throwing around crazy money for has-been or overrated players like the Redskins.

By: CapsChick

CapsChick — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 05:01:58 +0000

Wow…couldn’t have said it better myself.
I love the path this team is on and have reminded others (and myself) many times over this season that this process is not going to happen overnight.
Good for GMGM and Ted for not straying from the plan at the first sign of success or failure, and good for you guys for outlining how important that is for the long-term success and eventual respectability of this club.

By: pepper

pepper — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:54:23 +0000

The bottom line is not total salary but player development.
In many cases, the players that command high salaries do so based on past great performance. But championship teams are, almost invariably, those whose most important players are ones who enjoyed their break-out seasons with that team who developed them. Then, as those cornerstones are reaching their potential, the extra pieces are added to form a complete team.
Those “most important players” for the Caps are Ovie, Semin, Olie, Morissonn, Green, Backstrom, Eminger (we hope), and probably others in Hershey like Schultz, Bourque, and Fehr. Its too early to give up on that core group just yet.
Or am I too optimistic? I know, I know, that’s no way to be a Caps fan.

By: usiel

usiel — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:18:56 +0000

Hahah awesome blog and spot on.
Caps fandom have to realize that this season is a still part of the rebuild process.