So Long Olie!
Thanks for the memories.
According to the Washington Post, Kolzig said that he has played his last game as a Capital and has decided to move on. He wants to continue playing if there are any suitors out there. I wish him the best and if the Caps can’t win the Stanley Cup next year, I hope the team Olie lands on wins it.
No Capital has played and acted with more class than Kolzig since he made his debut in 1989. I remember his first game. I was listening to it on the radio at a Gaithersburg Burger King. Yes, I was working at BK. Anyway, he gave up 6 goals and was soon sent back to the minors, but he would end up being the best goalie this franchise has ever had.
I’ll always have great memories of Olie leading the Caps to their first Cup final in 1998. His performance in the second round against Ottawa was amazing. He singlehandedly got them past the Sens and on to the conference finals against Buffalo. He outdueled Dominik Hasek and brought the Caps further than they ever gone. Kolzig should have had more playoff runs, but the team could not get over that hump called the Penguins and, or course, the horrible Jagr era.
It would have been great for Olie to be here for the team’s resurgence, but his play early this season just wasn’t up to the level he had played for nearly his entire career. The team had no choice but to acquire Cristobal Huet when he became available for a 2nd round draft pick. Either goalie had a chance to be the guy in the closing weeks, but Huet was just unbelieveable in the final weeks of the regular season. The team had no choice.
It’s unfortunate how things have ended and I respect Olie for how he handled the situation late in the season and in the playoffs. He is the model professional athlete and any franchise should be thrilled to have him.
I will miss Olie and his fiery determination. I will miss the guy who has been the face of this franchise from 1st round failures to Cup finals to the bottom of the league and back again. It will be a great night one of these years when Olie returns to Verizon Center to see his number raised to the rafters. It will be up there with the 2007-08 Southeast Division title he helped win and perhaps with some other banners as well! It will be a big night and a sad one as well. I wish he could have seen this one through, but that’s the nature of professional sports today. We should be thrilled he was able to spend nearly 20 years on our team. That doesn’t happen very often.
Anyway, best of luck Olie and thanks for everything!
Olie! Olie! Olie!
Grading The Caps
Before I get to the grades, I’d like to ask everyone to check out the Caps home page for a heck of a musical slideshow from this past season showing not only the Caps players, but the fans. This was a magical season. It did not end the way we wished, but the future is bright and we will always remember the run this team made. They showed the heart of a champion and they will have their moment. Now onto the grades.
Forwards:
Alex Ovechkin – A+
There isn’t much more you could have expected from this 3rd year wonder. He is set to become the first player to win the 4 major NHL awards this June. He has already clinched the Art Ross and Rocket Richard trophies. He should win the Hart and Pearson awards as well. He scored 65 goals, most in over a decade. He led his team from last in the league to a division title. His enthusiasm for the game rubbed off on the entire team and made them all better. He signed a 13 year contract to stay with the Caps for most of his career and he scored 4 goals and 9 points in his first playoff series, more than Gretzky and a long list of other hall of famers. What more can you say?
Nicklas Backstrom – A
If you would have told me a rookie would end up being our second most valuable player on this team, I would have been shocked. After Michael Nylander went down, Backstrom took over and proved he could be a number one center. He struggled early on to get used to the NHL, but really came into his own and he, I think, learned a lot from this playoff experience. After struggling for 3 games, Backstrom was our best forward the last 4 playoff games. For everything he was able to do and for what responsibility was placed upon him, I think Backstrom should be the Calder Trophy winner. We’ll see, though, the Chicago boys are great players too. Whether or not we have a rookie of the year, we have ourselves a fantastic player who will win his share of awards
Viktor Kozlov – B
The knock on Kozlov from all the teams he’d been on in the past was his lack of consistency and that certainly was true here in his first year as a Cap. Kozlov, though, wasn’t brought in to be a high scoring forward. When he was on, he was able to give the Caps a much needed second option when it comes to scoring. He developed a nice relationship with Ovechkin and finished with a club tying plus/minus of +28. For that reason alone, he was not a bust.
Alexander Semin – B
I really hope Semin has turned the corner and is ready to take that next step to becoming a superstar goal scorer. After a slow start due to injury, Semin looked more like the player we saw last season, but even better, you could see him grow and change throughout the year. The guy was introverted for most of his early years with the club, but the excitement Ovechkin showed clearly rubbed off on him and before you knew it, Semin was the one jumping into the glass after a goal. His -18 is a concern, but I think the best is yet to come after his strong playoff.
Sergei Fedorov – A
The hope when the Caps traded for Fedorov was that he had one more run left in him. What he may have found out is he has about 2 or 3 more years left in him. The trade to the Caps reinvigorated the former Hart Trophy winner and he clearly taught this young team a lot. If Fedorov leaves the Caps as a free agent, the good things he showed this group will not follow. The lessons learned from this future Hall of Famer will resonate in this lockeroom for years to come. I hope they are able to convince him to return as their 3rd line center, but that remains to be seen. You could not have asked more from that veteran.
Michael Nylander – Incomplete
He has a nice start to the season, scoring 37 points in 40 games while battling an injured shoulder that was worse than anyone believed. Through the amazing run, we forget what a talented player he is and he will be welcomed back big time next year. I think he might be put on the 1st line with Ovechkin and Kozlov after the chemistry Backstrom and Semin developed in the playoffs.
Brooks Laich – A+
For a guy who barely even made the squad in training camp, Laich surely had a breakout season. He did everything for the team. He could play center or wing, he killed penalties and played on the PP. He set career highs with goals (21) and points (37). He will be a restricted free agent this offseason, so surely he will cash in. This is a character guy who is essential to the growth of this team and he needs to be kept. He quickly became one of my favorite players just watching the way this guy works.
Tomas Fleischmann – C
Flash lived up to his nickname for most of the season. He showed ‘flashes’ of being a top player, but could not find the consistency needed to take that next step. He scored some big goals, but disappeared for long periods of time. I think he is guy who has a good chance of being traded in the offseason as he did not show enough to me to see him as one of the team’s top 12 forwards as they move ahead.
Matt Cooke – B
After falling out of favor in Vancouver, Cooke really played well in D.C.. He brought the toughness and grit that a power forward needs. He has some offensive skills, but did not take advantage of some of his good scoring opportunities in the playoffs. Cooke is a fan favorite type of guy and I would love to see him re-sign with the team. Every team needs a guy like Matt Cooke.
Matt Bradley – A
Another player who was close to not making the team but proved himself. Bradley played nearly the entire season on the 4th line and busted his butt game after game. He set an example that the rest of the team could not have ignored. Bradley scored some big goals, including the shootout win over Edmonton where he jumped on the ice without being instructed and went on to end the long shootout. Bradley, if re-signed, has a place on this team as long as he wants, as far as I’m concerned.
Boyd Gordon – C+
I wanted to see a little more from Gordon, but some of his teammates passed by him a bit in development. He is a tough player and a good checking line guy. You wanted more than 7 goals from him though and I fear Gordon might end up being edged out as the team gets better.
David Steckel – B
Steckel, a favorite of Bruce Boudreau’s, came up early in the season and stuck. He is a great faceoff guy (though nobody seemed to win a faceoff against the Flyers), and proved to be a great penalty killer as well. His size and reach made him able to take on any opponent and I think he’ll get even better. Steckel has a future on this team.
Chris Clark – Incomplete
The Caps really needed their captain as the playoff began. Clark is a guy who could have been a pain in the rear in front of the net and he is a great penalty killer as well. Hopefully his groin injury can heal during the offseason because with Clark in the lineup along with Brooks Laich, the Caps can have two guys who can bang with the best of them.
Donald Brashear – B+
Take away his meltdown against Boston late in the season and you could say Brash was one of the Caps better players as far as doing his ‘job’. Brashear showed he is not just a goon who can drop the gloves with the best of them. He showed a checking forward’s skills and chipped in with 6 goals. Having Brashear on the ice keeps the other team from running Ovechkin as well, although we’ve seen that AO can protect himself pretty good.
Eric Fehr – C+
It took Fehr a while to get going this season after an injury put him on the shelf for nearly a year. His game elevated in the playoffs, but if he is going to be on this team in the future, he is going to need to score. Fehr is not necessarily a checking forward, but there may not be room for him on the first 2 lines. Therefore, he’s going to have to pitch in on the 3rd or 4th.
Quintin Laing – B
What a story from this kid, who was brought up as an emergency fill-in, then never left. Laing’s ability to block shots and give up his body set a good example for the rest of the team when it comes to doing everything it takes to get the job done. I’m not sure Laing has a future as a regular contributor on this team, but having him as depth is far from a bad thing.
DEFENSE
Mike Green - A
You could tell this kid had talent in the past few years, but I had no idea he would have such a breakout season. Green has become the next ‘Paul Coffey’ in many experts eyes with his end to end skating skills and accurate shot. Green could use some more work in the defensive zone, but the kid is only 22 years old. He’ll get better and better. If the Caps are smart, they’ll lock him up with a long term contract before July 1st so we don’t get screwed by the Oilers or anyone else looking to make it difficult to match an offer sheet. As good as Green was this past season, he’s just getting started!
Tom Poti - B-
Poti was brought to Washington to be a QB on the power play and score goals from the blue line. He did not do that. He scored just 2 goals all season, so that was a disappointment. Poti was a big up and down this season, but when you look at the season as a whole, he did a pretty good job. Poti played a ton of minutes and ended up with a +9 rating. He was decent, but I think they’ll need him to take another step forward next season.
Jeff Schultz - B
For a young kid, Schultz made huge strides from the start of the season to the end. Early on, he would be pushed around by the opposing team’s forwards and give up the puck in the corners. By the end of the season, that rarely happened. He was hurt late, so I don’t blame him for the late struggles. Schultz finished the season with a +12 rating and remember he’s only had one full season in the NHL. He’ll continue to improve as well.
Brian Pothier - Incomplete
Pothier’s career may be in jeopardy after another concussion that he suffered months ago. He never really was close to returning and it’s a major concern within the front office. Pothier was one of our best puck moving defensemen and he was missed for most of the season. The Caps need him, but they may have to go on without him. I hope, for Pothier’s sake, that he’s able to return, but from late season reports, that’s not looking too promising.
Shaone Morrisonn - B-
This grade may be a bit harsh, but I think Morrisonn regressed just a tad this season. Maybe it was injuries (and he was a warrior in the playoffs after hurting his shoulder), but the defensive play didn’t seem to be as good as last year. He was Mike Green’s regular partner, so he had to be very careful when Green decided to take chances in the offensive zone. Morrisonn should end up being our best defensive defenseman in the future and I have no doubts he’ll start taking steps forward starting next year. The experience gained this entire season will make him better.
John Erskine - C+
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Erskine during the past couple of years. One minute, he is using the body and knocking forwards off the puck and the next he’s taking a dumb penalty and allowing an opposing player to blow by him. He was a valuable part of the team, especially in the playoffs against the Flyers, but I’m not sure he should be in the lineup every day. Erskine is what he is, and sometimes that’s good, and sometimes that’s bad.
Milan Jurcina - C
Much like Erskine, though they are different players. Jurcina was okay this year. I don’t think he’s in our top 6 once some of our recent draft picks come up like Alzner and Godfrey. Also, I would expect the team to go out and get another defenseman if Pothier can’t come back. Jurcina is okay, but is prone to lose concentration at times. His minutes have gone up and down all season due to inconsistency. We’ll see if he can step up next season.
Steve Eminger - B
I’m not alone in thinking Eminger got a raw deal most of the season. I know it was tough to put him in the lineup, but once they had to in the playoffs, I think Eminger proved that he can play. He was inconsistent often in the past and I think that the coaching staff lost some faith in him. When he played, I think he was good. Just check out the record that Caps had with him in the lineup. It was great. So I’m glad they are holding onto his rights and hopefully there will be a spot for him next season.
GOALIES
Cristobal Huet - B+
Huet was unbelieveable in the regular season stretch run. The guy brought a calmness to the position that the Caps have not seen in decades. He seemed to relax the entire defense corps when he was in there. That being said, he was not able to steal us a game in the playoffs. I am in no way blaming him for our loss, as he was strong in 5 of the 7 games, but he needed to be just a little bit better in order to get us to the next level. Now I think it’s imperative that the Caps attempt to re-sign him this offseason. He would be a perfect bridge to the duo of youngsters coming up in the system.
Olie Kolzig - B-
Even Kolzig would tell you, if he’s talking to anyone, that this was not his strongest season. He struggled in the first half of the season, but improved as the team did. He was not able to steal any games for the team though which is what made George McPhee take a look at Huet. I know Olie is upset and he has a right to be, but the Huet move was the right one. Congrats to Olie on his 300th win and I wish he was able to see the rebuild through, but it does not look like that’s the case. Kolzig will talk about this season soon and I’m interested in what he has to say. He’s been the best goalie this franchise has ever had and will eventually have his #37 raised to the rafters.
Brent Johnson - C+
Oh yeah, he was on the team too! The forgotten man is also the only one who is under contract for next season. You would expect he’ll be the backup to whoever ends up the number one guy. Johnson was good this year, not great. He is a great lockeroom guy and a good backup goalie.
COACHING - A+
What more can you say about what Bruce Boudreau brought to this team. This was no ‘change the coach, play well for a bit, then tune him out’ type of guy. Boudreau owned that lockeroom from the start and pushed all the right buttons. He seems to be a perfect blend of a players coach and a disciplinarian. If things weren’t working, he changed it up. There is no evidence of stubborness that gets in the way sometimes with coaches. He deserved the long-term extension he got and should also be the Jack Adams trophy winner.
FRONT OFFICE/OWNERSHIP - A
Talking about pushing all the right buttons. Perhaps waiting a week or two too late to fire Glen Hanlon, but everything George McPhee did this season was gold. From building the team to the trade deadline deals, GMGM was the main reason the Caps were able to make that magical run. And Ted Leonsis, not only letting him do everything he wanted, but to show the committment to Alex Ovechkin by signing him to the 13 year deal and what he’s surely going to do this offseason to keep our talent does not go unnoticed. The front office has got it right and they deserve credit for the amazing turnaround and the sea of red in Verizon Center during the late season run and playoffs.
The Clock Hit Midnight
First let me just say congrats to the Flyers. They played a great series. They are a very good team and their power play proved to be the difference maker.
Now, I’ll say that it’s hard being a fan of a snake-bit franchise. We will have better days and those days are not far off, but to have a Game 7 stolen from you on an official’s error makes this a tough pill to swallow. I’ll go over all the good things we can take from this season and this series in a few days after I’ve had time to try and get over this. If the Flyers had come in and won it, then I would have accepted it, but it’s hard to take when one of their players pushed our defenseman into our goalie and completely out of the play and they scored. It should have been a 2-1 Caps final.
All the Flyers fans who will come out and gloat and say it was a subjective call and all that, that’s fine. I would not expect any less. You got the break, so enjoy it. Go on to the next round and give the Habs hell.
But if you were on our side, you would be just as upset about it.
The Caps had their chances and you can look at it that way. This series could have ended in a 4-0 Flyers sweep and it could have ended in a 4-2 Caps win. It was two evenly matched teams that battled their butts off for nearly two weeks. Everybody deserves credit for playing their hearts out and giving it everything they had. Both teams should be proud.
I just wish it could have been decided on the ice without controversy. That’s what this great series deserved.
AND WE’LL SEE YA TOMORROW NIGHT!
That line, made famous in 1991 when Kirby Puckett’s HR forced a game 7 for the Minnesota Twins, is a perfect feeling for what the resilient Washington Capitals did on Monday night.
Just about halfway through the game, they were down 2-0 in front of a raucous crowd in an elimination game. Common sense tells you it was just about over. Everyone may have thought that except the guys in white. They rallied once again. We should have expected it. They have done it all season long. And it was a complete team effort that got it done:
- Cristobal Huet. He kept the Caps in it early with some huge saves when the Capitals defensemen were giving the puck away left and right. He saved their bacon and if it wasn’t for Huet’s strong game, it could have been 4-0 at the end of the 1st and it would have been over for sure. Huet has turned his game around since the first few games and deserves as much credit as anyone for the comeback.
- Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Semin. These guys were completely overwhelmed in the first few games. What a difference a week makes. Backstrom and Semin got physical, got confident and have come through in a huge way the past 3 games. Backstrom is shooting (finally) and Semin may have turned the corner to being an all star. They have come together on a 2nd line to complement the first line and the Caps now have a solid one-two punch.
- Eminger and Erskine. Wow. I always had faith in Eminger, but Erskine has been pretty damn impressive these past two games. As long as he keeps his cool, I’ve got all the confidence in the world in his play.
- Ovechkin breaks through. It was only a matter of time, but as everyone in the Caps lockeroom said, big players come through in big games, and the Caps needed him in this one. In Games 2 or 3, he doesn’t score on the breakaway, but when they needed it, the star came through. Just fantastic.
- Brooks Laich. What a coming of age this guy has had. He is turning into the heart and soul of this team. He does it all. What a great pass to Ovie on that PP goal. Most players would have shot the puck, but he looked for Ovechkin and set him up beautifully.
But the most important thing they did to win Game 6 was killing the two man advantage midway through the 3rd period. I think they end up giving Philly too much room on the PP, but to kill a 4-on-3 and then a 5-on-3 was what won this game. They had the Flyers worn out in the final minutes and were able to control the puck deep in the zone to run out the clock.
Now onto Game 7. This series is not over. I think the Caps have the momentum, but that can end pretty quickly if the Flyers get the first goal and silence the crowd. Philly has also been resilient this season and they will have nothing to lose. They will come out with their best game of the series, a series that they have dominated for long periods of time.
The one advantage the Caps have is their youth. With a back to back game, the young legs could be the difference. It remains to be seen how Philly defensemen like Derian Hatcher can bounce back in less than 24 hours. But then again, this will one of these team’s final game of the season, so you know every player on that ice will be giving it their all. It would not surprise me if the Flyers get it done, and it’s just like Game 6 in a way. I was thinking that if the Caps could withstand the first period with a lead, tied or only down by one goal, they would be in good shape. I did not forsee them coming back from two down, but if the Caps come out flying tomorrow night and do not have a substantial lead, you know the Flyers will have that confidence and it will be a tight game.
Every game in this series has been tight, so I don’t expect Game 7 to be any different.
Alright Caps fans, let’s fill that building with red and make some noise. Let’s get the job done.
RECENT ARTICLES BY DIVISION RIVALS
ARCHIVE
SPONSORS