Let's Talk Michael Nylander :)

[PokerPacker]

Originally Posted by HEavyJumbo85

Forsberg played exclusively at wing for Modo and for team Sweden so far this year. I think his Center days are over unless it's an emergency.

Oh, well that changes things, but still difficult to work with. Honestly, I think we just have so much offensive talent that we'd be putting something to waste with Forsberg. Its really difficult to put together lines including him in there. The top two lines should Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, Fleischmann, Morrison, and Knuble.

After that, what do we do? I'd like to see the LBS line reunited when Ovie returns now that Flash is truly back in the mix showing he's top-6 material. With LBS reunited, that means we've gotta put together a 4th line consisting of 3 of the following:
Laing
Gordon
Clark
Fehr
Perreault
Forsberg

I suppose we could have a 3rd scoring line consisting of Clark/Fehr-Perreault-Forsberg, but then we're missing out on PK Specialists Boyd Gordon and Quentin Laing. We could always drop Perreault back down to the AHL and put Gordon in his place, but he's not the playmaker that Perreault is, so it wouldn't be as much of a 'scoring line', I don't think.

[herrmag]

Originally Posted by PokerPacker

Oh, well that changes things, but still difficult to work with. Honestly, I think we just have so much offensive talent that we'd be putting something to waste with Forsberg. Its really difficult to put together lines including him in there. The top two lines should Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, Fleischmann, Morrison, and Knuble.

After that, what do we do? I'd like to see the LBS line reunited when Ovie returns now that Flash is truly back in the mix showing he's top-6 material. With LBS reunited, that means we've gotta put together a 4th line consisting of 3 of the following:
Laing
Gordon
Clark
Fehr
Perreault
Forsberg

I suppose we could have a 3rd scoring line consisting of Clark/Fehr-Perreault-Forsberg, but then we're missing out on PK Specialists Boyd Gordon and Quentin Laing. We could always drop Perreault back down to the AHL and put Gordon in his place, but he's not the playmaker that Perreault is, so it wouldn't be as much of a 'scoring line', I don't think.

Took me almost ten minutes to come up with the LBS line.

I agree with you, there's no need for Forsberg barring any string of injuries or illness. I'd actually like to see Perreault stay up in the big's this year. However, if he isn't capable of playing on the PK, not likely he'll stick around this season. He's a tenacious player though, and his energy will serve the team well in the playoffs. Clark is a given, barring another injury. That leaves Fehr, Laing and Gordon to fight it out for the last 2 spots. I guess it will come down to how important the PK is to BB. Laing and Gordo being 2 of our best, Fehr might unfortunately be the odd man out. He just can't catch a break.

[pjfootballer]

Saw that Knuble will be out 3 to 4 weeks with a broken finger. Ovie might play tomorrow.

[SkinsFanJPD]

Nylander has been pretty classy throughout this whole thing, better than McPhee and Leonsis deserve. I recognize he's making big bucks but that wouldn't stop a lot of guys from becoming a cancer around the team given how he's been treated. Whereever he ends up, I wish him well.

[HEavyJumbo85]

Not that it means anything, and the Caps will probably do this every 30 days, because they can, but...

http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/6502620088

Washington puts Michael Nylander on waivers again...cue the "he's going to Russia" stories...again. Not even going there on this one

[ntotoro]

Ugh... someone pick him up just so we can stop these stories. Please?

[PokerPacker]

per Tarik:
Caps working on deal to move Nylander (Updated)

The Caps have confirmed they are working on a deal to send Michael Nylander to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins on a standard loan. If the deal is completed, Nylander will come off the team's roster and his $4.875 million cap hit will no longer count against Washington's salary cap figure, according to a league source.

The Caps, however, still will be on the hook for his $5.5 million annual salary this season.

Nylander, who has not suited up for Washington since the playoffs and has not practiced with the team for almost two months, cleared waivers for the second time last week. But the veteran still has control over his any transaction because of the 'no move' clause in his contract.

Moving Nylander could give the Caps enough flexibility to call up a player like Karl Alzner.

Update:A Grand Rapids source told me moments ago that a deal is, in fact, in the works and that it could be completed "soon." Both sides, from the sounds of it, are waiting for paperwork to be finalized.

I'll keep you posted on any further developments.

[herrmag]

Originally Posted by PokerPacker

per Tarik:
Caps working on deal to move Nylander (Updated)

The Caps have confirmed they are working on a deal to send Michael Nylander to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins on a standard loan. If the deal is completed, Nylander will come off the team's roster and his $4.875 million cap hit will no longer count against Washington's salary cap figure, according to a league source.

The Caps, however, still will be on the hook for his $5.5 million annual salary this season.

Nylander, who has not suited up for Washington since the playoffs and has not practiced with the team for almost two months, cleared waivers for the second time last week. But the veteran still has control over his any transaction because of the 'no move' clause in his contract.

Moving Nylander could give the Caps enough flexibility to call up a player like Karl Alzner.

Update:A Grand Rapids source told me moments ago that a deal is, in fact, in the works and that it could be completed "soon." Both sides, from the sounds of it, are waiting for paperwork to be finalized.

I'll keep you posted on any further developments.

Fan-****ing-tastic!

[PokerPacker]

It's official: Nylander to Grand Rapids

The Caps and Grand Rapids have confirmed that Michael Nylander has accepted a loan to the Girffins. That means he's off Washington's 23-man roster, and more importantly, his $4.875 million cap hit is off the books.

The team's release may only be four sentences long. But this is a huge development for the salary cap strapped Caps.

[HEavyJumbo85]

glad it's finally over. I won't know what to make of it until GMGM decides what to do with the extra money.

[ntotoro]

Originally Posted by HEavyJumbo85

glad it's finally over. I won't know what to make of it until GMGM decides what to do with the extra money.

Probably work on re-signing Backstrom, then make another effort at Semin.

After that, I honestly don't know what GMGM thinks these days. Maybe a concerted effort to move Alzner up here for good... ?

[pjfootballer]

How does that work with a minor league team? So he is on loan for the rest of the season? Can other teams sign him and bring him to their roster?

[HEavyJumbo85]

Originally Posted by pjfootballer

How does that work with a minor league team? So he is on loan for the rest of the season? Can other teams sign him and bring him to their roster?

It's the exact same as a loan to Europe. Nobody else can sign him, but they can trade for him if they want. Although if someone else trades for him he has to clear re-entry waivers first and if he gets claimed, the team that trades for him will get nothing plus they'd be on the hook for half of Nylander's salary. The Caps would be entirely off the hook at that point. I'm not thinking that anyone is ballsy enough to try to trade for and Sneak a half priced Nylander back through waivers.

[pjfootballer]

Originally Posted by HEavyJumbo85

It's the exact same as a loan to Europe. Nobody else can sign him, but they can trade for him if they want. Although if someone else trades for him he has to clear re-entry waivers first and if he gets claimed, the team that trades for him will get nothing plus they'd be on the hook for half of Nylander's salary. The Caps would be entirely off the hook at that point. I'm not thinking that anyone is ballsy enough to try to trade for and Sneak a half priced Nylander back through waivers.

Ah, that clears it up for me. Thanks. Appreciate it. So now that he is on loan in the minors we're off the hook. That's all that matters. I actually can't wait for the offseason when Theo's salary is gone and we can lock up Backs and Semin and bring Alzner and Carlson up permanently.