Comments on: The Cost of Becoming Competitive

By: On Frozen Blog › We Could Use a Few Signings, Couldn’t We?

On Frozen Blog › We Could Use a Few Signings, Couldn’t We? — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:06:04 +0000

By: JR

JR — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:33:25 +0000

Not to rain on your parade Sov, but the World Championships are like the NIT of hockey. They can be interesting but the best players are rarely playing for most teams. It does not rival something like the Canada Cup or Olympics. Speaking of which, bring back the Canada Cup and leave the Olympics to the juniors or amateurs.

By: SovSport

SovSport — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:22:56 +0000

There will be at least one Washington Capital World Champion.

By: SovSport

SovSport — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:14:53 +0000

Meanwhile, the two top guys on your list may very well enter the preseason camp as World Champions.

By: JKL

JKL — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:11:51 +0000

If GMGM is really good, he may be able to convince guys to sign for less in order to play with the most exciting hockey player in the world.

By: CapitalGuy

CapitalGuy — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:27:34 +0000

Continuing congrats to this blog. I think back to scores, hundreds, thousands of absolutely dim wit message board posts since the Jagr sell-off from folks lacking the grasp of $ and player/prospect details and dynamics not to envision and anticipate the tensions of today, as framed so well here. The number of lugs and slugs they wanted us to sign or pick up on waivers or chase as UFAs — e.g., Mogilny, McGillis, the dinosaur Dmen in Toronto, mediocre goalies, etc., etc. You name it, they wanted us to grab it and howled when we did not. I can remember less than dozen folks who really “got” it, who could see the future. Most of them are writing blogs now. Thank goodness. Meanwhile, one of the dumbest bells I can think of is still a beat writer for a major DC paper. He still has big following among some fans. Figures. Harsh? Yeah. I adore smart and abhor stupid.

By: JR

JR — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:17:11 +0000

And as I think about it, I really hate that the max is 20% of the cap. It strikes me as odd that the NHLPA doesn’t realize that this is detrimental to it’s core membership. Something in the 12-15% range would have been a lot less detrimental to team continuity.

By: JR

JR — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:10:09 +0000

A couple things strike me about that list.
1) Nylander needs to seriously kick some arse next year to justify that salary. Especially considering the team improved without him. I know he was playing hurt, but another sub-par season and this becomes an $11m toilet flush.
2) “Playoffs” Semin needs to be present for 82 games. Nagging injuries and inconsistent performance can’t be included for $4.5 mil + per.
3) Love Mike Green. But I don’t think he has yet earned crazy money. He’s young, had one very nice season, and still has some deficiencies on the defensive end. I would like to see more before giving him a mega-deal. I need more Nicklas Lidstrom and less Sandis Ozolinsh.
4) Plan on Alzner blowing us away at camp and being on this team as a top 4 defenseman.
5) The sooner Pothier is off our books, the better.

By: exwhaler

exwhaler — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:13:24 +0000

Hank, look at “Total Cap Hit” in the bold column at the bottom. The $41 million number is the current cap hit.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:26:14 +0000

What do I win? How about the chance to be a 4th line winger? I come cheap. Actually, I’ll do it for free. I’m 24 and athletic and I haven’t had a cigarette since last night!