bulldog
October-10th-2003, 11:02 AM
The Caps dominated the game vs. NY, hard to believe that this Islander team was predicted by some to be a contender in 2003-2004. But then again the Caps have dominated NY like the Eagles and Giants seem to dominate the Redskins :(
After last season's quick start at home when the Caps blasted their first few opponents, it is wise not to get too excited until we see what this team does over the first 20 games or so.
The Caps have gotten a lot younger in just a single offseason and given the RELATIVE disappointment of the team in 2001 and 2002 with a large payroll the team made the right decision in transitioning to the future.
This was made easier by the fact the team had a boatload of draft picks and younger acquisitions the past couple of years that have progressed faster than anticipated.
Perhaps the mix of 19 and 20 year olds in with the Jagrs and Bondras is what the team needs to have April and May legs :)
The Caps are a team in a market that WILL support a winner in hockey, but it has to be assembled the right way. Washington's attendance and TV revenue is not enough to support a team of Jagrs and Langs across the board.
The team has made a decision to build with draft picks and younger veterans acquired in trades, and that is indeed the way to go.
Especially if the league moves to a salary cap in the future. The last thing the Caps want to do is have to pay a luxury tax to have players like Jagr, Lang and Nylander on the club.
You look back at this team and the most consistent players have in fact been draft picks.
Kolzig was a draft pick. So was Bondra. So was Witt. So was Gonchar.
They along with Jagr are the 5 best players on the team right now :)
The rest?
Of the free agents and veteran trades, Berezin was a flop last season and was let go. Lang has been productive but not at a clip to justify his $5 million salary. Jagr has been a point a game man the past two years, but his decline from 121 points in Pittsburgh to the 70's in Washington has been noticeable, as has been his lack of clutch scoring.
Where was Jagr the last 3 games of that series vs. Tampa?
As that series progressed what came more into focus was how important Kolzig and Bondra still are to this team.
And how important everyone hopes Eminger, Gordon and Semin will be to the future.
After last season's quick start at home when the Caps blasted their first few opponents, it is wise not to get too excited until we see what this team does over the first 20 games or so.
The Caps have gotten a lot younger in just a single offseason and given the RELATIVE disappointment of the team in 2001 and 2002 with a large payroll the team made the right decision in transitioning to the future.
This was made easier by the fact the team had a boatload of draft picks and younger acquisitions the past couple of years that have progressed faster than anticipated.
Perhaps the mix of 19 and 20 year olds in with the Jagrs and Bondras is what the team needs to have April and May legs :)
The Caps are a team in a market that WILL support a winner in hockey, but it has to be assembled the right way. Washington's attendance and TV revenue is not enough to support a team of Jagrs and Langs across the board.
The team has made a decision to build with draft picks and younger veterans acquired in trades, and that is indeed the way to go.
Especially if the league moves to a salary cap in the future. The last thing the Caps want to do is have to pay a luxury tax to have players like Jagr, Lang and Nylander on the club.
You look back at this team and the most consistent players have in fact been draft picks.
Kolzig was a draft pick. So was Bondra. So was Witt. So was Gonchar.
They along with Jagr are the 5 best players on the team right now :)
The rest?
Of the free agents and veteran trades, Berezin was a flop last season and was let go. Lang has been productive but not at a clip to justify his $5 million salary. Jagr has been a point a game man the past two years, but his decline from 121 points in Pittsburgh to the 70's in Washington has been noticeable, as has been his lack of clutch scoring.
Where was Jagr the last 3 games of that series vs. Tampa?
As that series progressed what came more into focus was how important Kolzig and Bondra still are to this team.
And how important everyone hopes Eminger, Gordon and Semin will be to the future.