Last season, the Washington Capitals sported the sixth-highest payroll in the league and missed the playoffs. They would have been the laughing stock of the league had it not been for the New York Rangers (third-highest payroll), the Dallas Stars (fourth) and a rash of injuries. The Capitals, who were without Calle Johansson, Steve Konowalchuk and Jeff Halpern, for lengthy periods last season, made only one significant signing this offseason. With a healthy lineup and Robert Lang be enough to get them to the top of the Eastern Conference?

ESPN.com wondered what you thought of the Capitals' chances for next season. Here is an edited sampling of your responses:

Like the stock market, the Capitals have been up and then down and then up again. After a down season, the smart money is that they rebound again. When we last left the Capitals they were playing excellent hockey and would have snuck into the playoffs if not for the surprising Canadians. In fact, they almost snuck in past the eventual Stanley Cup runners up. With a talented team and new energy in the form of a coach, they should rebound and make the playoffs... who knows with a little luck they can be swept by Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals!

David Dosa
Pittsburgh

Exactly. The Caps are rebuilding. But the last time I thought they were rebuilding we went to the finals. Let's hope they drop Cote to waivers. He was the worst player on the team last year (besides Simon). Leadership of Kono and Calle was sorely missed and the teams plus minus suffered MAJORLY because of it. I'm looking forward to seeing what Fortin and Yonkman can do from the start of the season. Expect great things from them and the team this year!!!

Kevin McWilliams
W. Lafayette, Ind.

This past season, the Washington Capitals were horrible, and I'm sure many fans would agree. They were the second most disappointing team in the NHL next to Dallas, and that's only because Dallas has more character as team than Washington does. On paper, they were one of my favorites, but it just didn't work out. If they want to improve for the 2002-2003 season they need Jaromir Jagr to stop crying and step it up. Bondra, Kolzig, and Gonchar held their own last year like they have done in the past, but they all need help, especially Gonchar. Bondra has Jagr and Kolzig has Gonchar, but Gonchar has no one. The Capitals have decent defensemen, but come on, there not in the same class as Colorado, Dallas, St.Louis, Detroit, and New Jersey. Still, they need Jagr to step it up. He has to play at the level of the Sakics and the Forsbergs and the Modanos and the Roenicks. He just can't keep complaining about every little thing. You see it all the time: Adam Foote roughs him up a bit, and he becomes a non-factor the rest of the game. I was really impressed with Peter Bondra last season, especially in the big games. If Jagr looks across the lockeroom and during the games, and then plays with the same determination, the Capitals will go where they are supposed to be ... with the elite of the NHL.

Tou Lee
St. Paul, Minn.

The Capitals have appeared to impliment a new strategy: If you can't beat them, buy them. Even with the blockbuster players on the first and second line, they lack depth. As long as the first and second liners stay healthy I see a deep run in the playoffs, but Washington is NOT Hockeytown, USA.

Phil Davis
Baltimore, Md.

It always seems to be the same story with the Capitals: grind it out in the regular season and fall apart in the playoffs. A rookie coach and several key players coming back from injuries? Looks like another early exit from the third seed position.

Jarvis Steward
Annapolis, Md.

Well, they got rid of Adam Oates and now they added Rob Lang to the team. So basically, nothing much has changed. I think the chemistry between Jagr and Lang should be very good considering they played together in Pittsburgh. The Caps haven't changed much except their coach by replacing a veteran with a rookie. We saw the Islanders and the Habs qualify with rookie oaches this season, let's see if the Caps will do the same.

Rick Santos
Montreal

Injuries were very costly to the Caps last year. Breaking up my beloved checking line (by losing Konowalchuk) and losing Calle on defense were devastating to the team, especially in the beginning of the year. I thought by the time the team was starting to come around, it was just a bit too late. Anyway, I am optimistic for this year. I like the fact that we hired someone young and fresh at coach, it will be fun to watch.

Eric Kascic
Frederick, Md.

I sure hope Calle Johansson is healthy enough to play 40 minutes a night, because if the Caps have to rely on the likes of Cote, Klee, Zettler and Kucera again it'll be another April on the links. Attention George McPhee: Helllooooooo! You have four NHL-caliber defensemen. Other than the six weeks it took to find a first-time coach, what did you do this summer?

Jeff Kraus
Sterling, Va.