Posse81
February-26th-2004, 03:34 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6955-2004Feb25.html
Caps Ponder More Trades
Meantime, Goalie Charpentier Sharp in Return to Action: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 26, 2004; Page D01
Sergei Gonchar, Brendan Witt and Olaf Kolzig have spent their entire careers with the Washington Capitals, but they could not help but wonder last night if this would be their last time playing before a home crowd at MCI Center. When the Capitals next play here on Tuesday, those players could be elsewhere.
If so, this 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes would mark a nondescript end to their stints here, as Washington took only five shots through the first 38 minutes and had little to offer save for the heroic return of injured backup goalie Sebastien Charpentier. Meantime, it is becoming increasingly clear that more trades are imminent before the March 9 deadline.
League sources indicated the Capitals and Maple Leafs are nearing a trade that would send multiple players to Washington in exchange for Gonchar. Many teams covet Gonchar, leading the Capitals to hike the asking price in recent days, sources said, and of that group of interested clubs Toronto has been most willing to improve its offers.
The Boston Bruins are also making a push for Gonchar -- with General Manager Mike O'Connell confirming as much to the Boston Globe -- and New Jersey remains in the hunt, but Toronto's ability to deal top defensive prospects makes it the most enticing option. Many of the teams pursuing Gonchar are also watching Witt closely.
Guy Carbonneau, the Dallas Stars' special assistant to the general manager, attended his third straight game at MCI Center last night -- a highly unusual occurrence -- and sources said the Stars and McPhee have held numerous trade talks recently. Vancouver, also in the hunt for Witt, had a scout present for the second straight game and Nashville, desperate to make the playoffs for the first time and in need of steady defensemen, had two representatives in the press box last night and its scouts have been around frequently; Nashville General Manager David Poile drafted Witt (1993) and Gonchar (1992) when he was with Washington.
Los Angeles made a strong pitch for Witt over the weekend, according to league sources, and had a pro scout watching him again last night. New Jersey is also believed to be interested.
Gonchar has long since resigned himself to being traded. He approached McPhee in early December to inform management he was not interested in being part of a rebuilding process here and would not sign a long-term contract extension under those circumstances. Witt has also grappled with how it would feel to leave Washington, and would prefer to be dealt to a top team located relatively close to Washington if he has to leave.
"If the team decides to go in a younger direction and I'm not wanted here," Witt said, "then I'd be more than happy to go to a team like Dallas or New Jersey."
The Kings and Stars also continue to bid for winger Mike Grier, several sources said, and McPhee has rebuffed requests for centers Dainius Zubrus and Jeff Halpern, but some scouts believe Grier, who makes $1.63 million, could yield a return too tempting to pass up.
"I know they won't trade the centers," one Western Conference scout said. "But if you look at Grier, he has seven goals and makes [near the league average salary]. I could still see him going."
Sources said Kolzig, who did not play last night after spending much of the last few days in the hospital for the birth of his third child, would embrace a deal to Colorado, a possibility that has become more likely in recent weeks. However, Kolzig sat on the bench with an Avalanche scout in attendance, while Charpentier made his first start since Oct. 14.
Charpentier's arthritic hip condition threatened to end his career, and he endured surgery, rehabilitation and medication to make it back to this point. He performed quite admirably under duress in his return last night, making 31 saves.
"I was thinking I was done for at least a year, maybe more," Charpentier said. "So getting a start was definitely a bonus, and I think I made the most of it and maybe proved I could be a decent backup. For four months off between games, that wasn't bad."
Veteran goalie Arturs Irbe was also back in the NHL after a lengthy layoff, as he made his first appearance of the season for Carolina after being banished to the lowest rung of the minors. Irbe had much less to do than Charpentier, however, not facing any challenges until the final minute of the second period, with the Hurricanes ahead 2-0.
Washington's Robert Lang, another trade candidate, netted his 29th goal of the season with 37 seconds left in the second period, extending his point streak to 13 games. That is the second-longest streak in the league this season -- he also amassed a 16-game run -- but there was no other offense to speak of.
Capitals Note: Defenseman Rick Berry was suspended by the league for one game after a spearing incident Monday. Kip Miller, who had been scratched for six straight games, took Berry's spot in the lineup.
Caps Ponder More Trades
Meantime, Goalie Charpentier Sharp in Return to Action: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 26, 2004; Page D01
Sergei Gonchar, Brendan Witt and Olaf Kolzig have spent their entire careers with the Washington Capitals, but they could not help but wonder last night if this would be their last time playing before a home crowd at MCI Center. When the Capitals next play here on Tuesday, those players could be elsewhere.
If so, this 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes would mark a nondescript end to their stints here, as Washington took only five shots through the first 38 minutes and had little to offer save for the heroic return of injured backup goalie Sebastien Charpentier. Meantime, it is becoming increasingly clear that more trades are imminent before the March 9 deadline.
League sources indicated the Capitals and Maple Leafs are nearing a trade that would send multiple players to Washington in exchange for Gonchar. Many teams covet Gonchar, leading the Capitals to hike the asking price in recent days, sources said, and of that group of interested clubs Toronto has been most willing to improve its offers.
The Boston Bruins are also making a push for Gonchar -- with General Manager Mike O'Connell confirming as much to the Boston Globe -- and New Jersey remains in the hunt, but Toronto's ability to deal top defensive prospects makes it the most enticing option. Many of the teams pursuing Gonchar are also watching Witt closely.
Guy Carbonneau, the Dallas Stars' special assistant to the general manager, attended his third straight game at MCI Center last night -- a highly unusual occurrence -- and sources said the Stars and McPhee have held numerous trade talks recently. Vancouver, also in the hunt for Witt, had a scout present for the second straight game and Nashville, desperate to make the playoffs for the first time and in need of steady defensemen, had two representatives in the press box last night and its scouts have been around frequently; Nashville General Manager David Poile drafted Witt (1993) and Gonchar (1992) when he was with Washington.
Los Angeles made a strong pitch for Witt over the weekend, according to league sources, and had a pro scout watching him again last night. New Jersey is also believed to be interested.
Gonchar has long since resigned himself to being traded. He approached McPhee in early December to inform management he was not interested in being part of a rebuilding process here and would not sign a long-term contract extension under those circumstances. Witt has also grappled with how it would feel to leave Washington, and would prefer to be dealt to a top team located relatively close to Washington if he has to leave.
"If the team decides to go in a younger direction and I'm not wanted here," Witt said, "then I'd be more than happy to go to a team like Dallas or New Jersey."
The Kings and Stars also continue to bid for winger Mike Grier, several sources said, and McPhee has rebuffed requests for centers Dainius Zubrus and Jeff Halpern, but some scouts believe Grier, who makes $1.63 million, could yield a return too tempting to pass up.
"I know they won't trade the centers," one Western Conference scout said. "But if you look at Grier, he has seven goals and makes [near the league average salary]. I could still see him going."
Sources said Kolzig, who did not play last night after spending much of the last few days in the hospital for the birth of his third child, would embrace a deal to Colorado, a possibility that has become more likely in recent weeks. However, Kolzig sat on the bench with an Avalanche scout in attendance, while Charpentier made his first start since Oct. 14.
Charpentier's arthritic hip condition threatened to end his career, and he endured surgery, rehabilitation and medication to make it back to this point. He performed quite admirably under duress in his return last night, making 31 saves.
"I was thinking I was done for at least a year, maybe more," Charpentier said. "So getting a start was definitely a bonus, and I think I made the most of it and maybe proved I could be a decent backup. For four months off between games, that wasn't bad."
Veteran goalie Arturs Irbe was also back in the NHL after a lengthy layoff, as he made his first appearance of the season for Carolina after being banished to the lowest rung of the minors. Irbe had much less to do than Charpentier, however, not facing any challenges until the final minute of the second period, with the Hurricanes ahead 2-0.
Washington's Robert Lang, another trade candidate, netted his 29th goal of the season with 37 seconds left in the second period, extending his point streak to 13 games. That is the second-longest streak in the league this season -- he also amassed a 16-game run -- but there was no other offense to speak of.
Capitals Note: Defenseman Rick Berry was suspended by the league for one game after a spearing incident Monday. Kip Miller, who had been scratched for six straight games, took Berry's spot in the lineup.