Heading into last season's Stanley Cup playoffs, the Washington Capitals were fueled by the momentum of a Southeast Division title, the scoring attack of captain Adam Oates and left winger Peter Bondra, and the goaltending force of Olaf Kolzig. But beginning with a first-round loss to Pittsburgh, the Caps' luck has plumetted. A disgruntled Oates now wants to be traded, and Washington lost out on an attempt to sign All-Star center Jeremy Roenick. With the 2001-02 season approaching fast, do the Capitals need to dip into the trade market, or will a solid returning core be enough for them to repeat as division champs?
Here are your thoughts on what the Capitals need for next season:
Splitting Oates-Bondra duo would cripple Caps
If only the Caps could avoid playing the Penguins in the playoffs! Well, on to next season. Having a happy Adam Oates back in the fold is crucial for the Capitals. He is one of the most gifted (and underrated) centers in the league. You can bet that Peter Bondra would miss Oates dishing perfect setups to him both at even-strength and on the power play. You just don't go out and replace a player who tied for the league lead in assists. The blue line is solid, if unspectacular, but with one of the top five goaltenders in hockey in Olaf Kolzig backing them up, the defense is relatively sound. All in all, Washington is poised to have another solid season, but just how well the Capitals fare will largely hinge on the return of Oates, or how coach Ron Wilson will replace his scoring should he leave D.C.
Scott
San Diego
Out with Wilson, in with free agents
I think the Capitals tried to put all their eggs in one one basket through the FA market (e.g. Jeremy Roenick, Pierre Turgeon), and losing out on them hurt. If the team is interested in getting another big name star, they'll have to suffer by giving up several players and/or prospects. I think the Capitals should have spent more time in the offseason looking for a new coach to replace Ron Wilson. This should have been completed before the July 1 deadline so free agents would not have been turned off by possible confrontations with coach Wilson (e.g. Bondra, and now Oates).
Seth
Glen Burnie, Md.
|
“ |
It's the same old song and dance. Another free agent fest has come and gone without so much as a whimper from Washington. ” |
|
|
— Bill, Alexandria, Va. |
Offensive commitment needed
I think the Capitals had a terrific regular season (as usual) and a disappointing playoffs (as usual). So not much has changed in Washington. Other than the 1998 Stanley Cup run (caused by early playoff exits by the high seeds), Washington has maintained a status quo of mediocrity. The Caps' formula: Solid goaltending, workmanlike defense, uninspired offense. Despite their bogus claims to the contrary, Ted Leonsis and George McPhee have done nothing to improve the team in the offseason. Nearly a dozen marquee players changed teams last week, and the Caps made only a halfhearted attempt to land one -- Pierre Turgeon. So the 2001-02 season looks like more of the same -- YAWN. Until the Washington organization makes an actual commitment to upgrading the team offensively, they will continue to struggle.
Kevin
Olney, Md.
Division foes surpassing Caps in market
Although the Caps had a pretty good season last year, they won't this year because their division rivals have been building themselves up. Had the Caps not spent so much time whining about the Flyers agreeing to terms with Jeremy Roenick, they might have had a better chance to improve their team with other free agents. Since neither Roenick nor Pierre Turgeon wanted to play in Washington and the Caps decided against going after other free agents, the team must now try to improve through a trade. They need a top center, a few better wingers and one more top defenseman if they want to be in contention for the Cup at the end of the season. We here in Philly wouldn't mind the Caps taking Eric Lindros off of our shoulders because we certainly don't have any use for him anymore.
Mike
Philadelphia
|
“ |
Management promised to bolster the offense, but all the free agents who could have helped have signed with other teams. It looks like another season of trying to win every game 1-0. ” |
|
|
— Jim, Ventura, Calif. |
Caps won't succeed in D.C.
The Washington Capitals were surprisingly entertaining this past season. But no matter how well they do, they just don't have the fan base or league interest. I think the best thing for them to do is move to another market where there aren't so many teams around them. Major cities such as Houston, Seattle and San Francisco would be great new homes for the Capitals. I think the talent is there, just not the fan loyalty. In order to succeed in the D.C. area, the Caps absolutely need Jaromir Jagr or Eric Lindros -- it's pretty much do or die right now.
Chad
Woonsocket, R.I.
Hesitancy in market continues Caps' curse
It's the same old song and dance. Another free agent fest has come and gone without so much as a whimper from Washington. The ghost of stingy ownership past (Abe Pollin) still haunts Ted Leonsis and George McPhee -- nobody wants to play here! Pierre Turgeon signed with Dallas for $1 million less per year! Until that perception changes, the Caps are doomed to mediocrity. And if that isn't enough, their captain has demanded a trade and has vowed never to play for Ron Wilson's team again.
Bill
Alexandria, Va.
Formula for success: Instant offense
The Caps haven't done anything to improve this offseason. Management promised to bolster the offense, but all the free agents who could have helped have signed with other teams. It looks like another season of trying to win every game 1-0. The Caps and the Carolina Hurricanes will vie for the division title, and if the Caps do make playoffs, the same old problem will do them in -- no offensive production.
Jim
Ventura, Calif.
|
“ |
Until the Washington organization makes an actual commitment to upgrading the team offensively, they will continue to struggle. ” |
|
|
— Kevin, Olney, Md. |
Same-look Caps will not improve
The Capitals aren't that much different now than they were at the end of last season. They haven't made any real trades or signed any free agents. Ulf Dahlen isn't signed at this point, which is bad for the Caps. He played well with Jeff Halpern and Steve Konowalchuk, and is an integral part to the kind of team the Capitals are. Adam Oates wants out, and it might be best to give him his wish if a sniper can be obtained in return. Eric Lindros and Jaromir Jagr have been brought up, and there is no question that they could contribute. But both Jagr and Lindros have reputations for being difficult to accommodate, and the Capitals are a team that succeeds by focusing on the team more than any individual player. You saw how Bondra performed after settling his differences with Ron Wilson and buying in to the Capitals' system. I'm curious to see how some of the Capitals' recent prospects fit into the team's plan for the upcoming year.
Phil
Blacksburg, Va.
McPhee should put money where mouth is
Since George McPhee claims that we actually have money to throw around, why are we one of the only teams that hasn't made a significant offseason acquisition? It's about time the Caps took a chance at a big money player. I would like to see us make a bid for Jason Allison. The Caps are always strong defensively, but it's no secret what we lack and what has possibly kept us from playoff success: a big-time goal scorer to compliment Peter Bondra.
Shaun
Bethesda, Md.
