NHL

TSJ 31 in 31: Washington Capitals Make No Changes to Core

by
Former Writers
September 28, 2018

NHL

The Washington Capitals Are Ready For a Run at Back-to-Back Cups

The Washington Capitals were the Eastern Conference’s chokers every year until 2017-18. Last season, Alexander Ovechkin put the team on his back and won the Stanley Cup. Many thought that Head Coach Barry Trotz was going to come back for another Cup run, but he decided to leave.

Barry Trotz joined the New York Islanders with former Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello. Trotz and Lamoriello are ready to rebuild the team that lost their centerpiece.

Have the Capitals Gotten Better?

No, but if it is not broke, then don’t fix it. There were a few questionable signings done by Washington and one involves Tom Wilson. The Capitals signed Wilson to a six-year, $5.167 million per year deal. John Carlson was also resigned to an eight-year deal with an annual value of $8 million. This was a huge signing for Washington. Many people thought that Carlson was not going to resign, but I am sure the Cup changed his mind.

The Capitals are going to come back with nearly the same roster. Let’s take a look at the moves made.

Additions

Nic Dowd was signed to a one year deal worth $650,000. Dowd is a strong fourth liner who played 56 games last year and totaled just 4 points (3 goals, 1 assist).

Subtractions

Philipp Grubauer was traded to Colorado. Last season Grubauer played in 35 games and had 15 wins with a Save Percentage of .923 and Goals Against Average of 2.35. Grubauer finished the season starting a majority of the games for Washington before losing the starting spot to Braden Holtby by the third game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jay Beagle signed a deal in Vancouver and will likely get more ice time than he received last year with Washington. Beagle played 79 games and scored seven goals in 22 points. Alex Chiasson is unsigned but a member of the Edmonton Oilers team. In 61 games last year Chiasson had nine goals and nine assists.

Brooks Orpik and Jakub Jerabek were two other skaters who were let go this summer. Combined, the two had 18 points. Orpik had 10 assists and Jerabek had two goals and six assists.

Where the Washington Capitals Stand

Washington stands with a Net Gain of -54. While this does not look good, the Capitals still have the big guns to go for another Cup. Many people including myself, do not think Washington can go back-to-back. I do not want to hate on the team, I just do not feel that the depth is there. But I also didn’t think the depth was there last year and look how wrong I was.

With a new Head Coach in Todd Reirden, the Capitals may have the right pieces again but the chances have to be in their favor. It will take another huge year from Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Oshie. The Capitals also need a huge year from Braden Holtby. This season Holtby can not lose his starting job because the back up looks like it is going to be Phoenix Copley who has not really had a chance in the NHL.

This year should be another year that the Capitals win the Metropolitan Division.