Washington Capitals: 2010 post-season transactions

[Dirtbag59]

Capitals' will sign a center
12:05
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Washington Capitals Top Email

The Washington Capitals have their top-line center role taken care of, as they signed Nicklas Backstrom to a 10-year extension recently. But they'll likely look to fill the second-line center role this offseason in free agency.

The top centers on the market are Patrick Marleau and Tomas Plekanec, but it's very unlikely the Caps go after those guys. As CSN's Corey Masisak writes, the best fit might be Matthew Lombardi, who "has the wheels to keep up with Laich and Semin."

Another option is New York Rangers' vet Vaclav Prospal, but it's tough to project how much money he'll demands because he made just $1.1 million with the Rangers this season after being bought out by the Lightning while he was on a $3.5 million year. So he'll command more than that $1.1 million, but Masisak writes ,"how much will determine if Washington could become a possible destination."

The last option is retaining either Brendan Morrison or Eric Belanger, but the Caps do want to upgrade from those two. So this may be their last option.

A lot of this will come down to money, because there's buzz that the Caps will sign defenseman Anton Volchenkov on July 1 for about $5 million a year. That would significantly cut down on their center options.

[Dirtbag59]

Will be nice to see a few Caps compete for a cup.

Posted at 4:49 PM ET, 06/ 4/2010
CSN to carry Games 3,4,5 of Calder Cup finals
Hershey Bears fans will be able to watch the Caps' minor league affiliate in the AHL's Calder Cup finals live on Comcast SportsNet, the network announced today. Here's part of the news release:

Comcast SportsNet's live game coverage of the best-of-seven championship series will feature Hershey's three road contests from Cedar Park, Texas, which are scheduled for Monday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. and Friday, June 11 at 8:30 p.m., if necessary. The broadcasts will feature Hershey Bears play-by-play announcer John Walton and Gregg Mace, who will serve as color analyst and sideline reporter.
The Texas Stars took a 1-0 series lead with Thursday night's 2-1 victory in Hershey. Game 2 is Saturday at 7 p.m.

[Dirtbag59]

Fehr may sign soon
7:33
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Eric Fehr | Capitals Top Email

The Washington Capitals are discussing a multi-year deal with Eric Fehr, the Washington Post's Tarik El-Bashir reports. As previously speculated, this seems to indicate Fehr is the top priority for the Caps this offseason.

This could mean Tomas Fleischmann's future is in limbo. The restricted free agent is also waiting for a deal, but some have speculated the Capitals may look to deal him this offseason.

The Caps have three main needs they may look to fill. First off, they could look for a veterans goalie to pair with Semyon Varlamov. Second, there are reports the Capitals are looking to sign a second-line center to play with Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich. Third, the Caps want to bring in a defenseman, but it appears they don't want to break the bank for one. Dealing Fleischmann might allow them to fill one of those needs while not spending a chuck of money to re-sign the 26-year-old.

More hints on Caps' goalie situation
7:20
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Washington Capitals Top Email

The Washington Capitals have not contacted Jose Theodore's agent yet, the Washington Post reports, which probably means the Capitals are prepared to move on without him.

This isn't a huge surprise, as most people have speculated the Caps are ready to go with Semyon Varlamov and perhaps a veteran free agent. Marty Turco has been mentioned as a possible target for the Caps, and Evgeni Nabokov's name has been mentioned here, too. They could also go into next season with Varlmov and fellow 22-year-old Michal Neuvirth, though that may be a risky proposition.

The Caps get rid of Theodore's $4.5 million cap hit, which could be used to bring in another goalie or perhaps a blueliner, although reports say it won't be Anton Volchenkov.

Belanger could look to Montreal
8:08
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Eric Belanger | Capitals Top Email

The Washington Capitals are talking with Eric Belanger about a possible extension. But he is rumored to be demanding a three-year deal, which might be too rich for the Caps, who have other needs to fill.

So if the unrestricted free agent does test the market, he has a good idea of where he wants to go.

Radio-Canada.ca reports that Belanger is looking to go to Montreal because he predicts they will have an opening at center. Perhaps he is expecting Tomas Plekanec to get elsewhere. Either way, Belanger says he expects 12 to 15 teams to be interested in his services so it doesn't look like he's set on staying in Washington.

[InsaneBoost]

Link: Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison - NHL.com - News

Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison

The Washington Capitals will not be renewing the contracts of defenseman Joe Corvo and forwards Brendan Morrison and Scott Walker, a team official confirmed Tuesday. The official would not comment on a report in the Washington Post that the team will also not renew the contract of goalie Jose Theodore, who is a nominee for the 2010 Bill Masterton Trophy.

Morrison, 34, has played 12 NHL seasons with New Jersey, Vancouver, Anaheim, Dallas and Washington and has 187 goals and 360 assists for 547 points in 829 games. The 1997 Hobey Baker Award winner signed a free-agent contract with the Capitals last July 10 and scored 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points in 74 games.

Morrison had 23 points, including 9 goals, through the first 29 games but slowed thereafter. He was a healthy scratch twice in March and missed six of the final eight regular-season games with a leg injury. He had one assist in five Stanley Cup Playoff games and was a healthy scratch twice in the Caps' first-round upset loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

"We talked to Brendan last week," McPhee told the Washington Post. "He's a first-class kid, but we aren't going to renew him."

Corvo, 32, has played seven NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Ottawa, Carolina and Washington. He has 68 goals and 150 assists for 218 points in 486 games. The Capitals traded Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a second-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft to Carolina on March 3 to add Corvo's power-play and overall offensive skills. He had 2 goals and 4 assists and was minus-4 in 18 regular-season games for Washington. Corvo had 1 goal and 1 assist and was minus-2 in the seven-game, first-round playoff loss to Montreal.

Walker, 36, also joined the Capitals at the trade deadline when Washington gave the Hurricanes their seventh-round pick in this year's draft. Walker has played 15 NHL seasons with 151 goals and 246 assists for 397 points in 829 games. He achieved his career highlight a year ago when he scored in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal, eliminating the Boston Bruins.

Walker had shoulder surgery in January and injured his knee in March. He had been a healthy scratch in four of the 11 Capitals games before the knee injury. Walker had 2 goals and 1 assist in nine regular-season games for the Capitals and did not dress for the first six games against Montreal. He was held without a point in the finale.

Theodore, the 2002 Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, signed as a free agent with the Capitals in 2008 after playing 11 seasons with Montreal and Colorado. In 13 NHL seasons, Theodore, 33, is 245-221-30-22 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was bothered by back spasms early in the season but went on to play 47 games with a 30-7-7 record and a 2.81 GAA and .911 save percentage.

Theodore was the goaltender in the Caps' 3-2 loss to Montreal in Game 1, then was lifted after seven minutes in Game 2 when he gave up two goals. He did not return in the series.

The team official said McPhee has not yet had a chance to talk with Theodore about the decision.

McPhee told the Post that he has had "some discussion" with the agent for free-agent center Eric Belanger, 32, who had 15 goals and 41 points in 77 games this season. Belanger, acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trading deadline for this year's second-round draft pick, had 2 goals and 6 points in 17 regular-season games and added an assist in seven playoff games.

[skinsfan_nn]

Yep. I saw the interview with McPhee yesterday. I do not see Belanger coming back he wants several years and thinks a little to much of himself, money wise. Theo is gone as well.

The CAPS need to solidify the blue line with a couple solid blue liners. A center, two wingers, and a solid veteran pipe tender (they can count on all season and most importantly at playoff time, when it's money time). Theo need not apply.

Originally Posted by InsaneBoost

Link: Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison - NHL.com - News

Caps not renewing Corvo, Walker and Morrison

The Washington Capitals will not be renewing the contracts of defenseman Joe Corvo and forwards Brendan Morrison and Scott Walker, a team official confirmed Tuesday. The official would not comment on a report in the Washington Post that the team will also not renew the contract of goalie Jose Theodore, who is a nominee for the 2010 Bill Masterton Trophy.

Morrison, 34, has played 12 NHL seasons with New Jersey, Vancouver, Anaheim, Dallas and Washington and has 187 goals and 360 assists for 547 points in 829 games. The 1997 Hobey Baker Award winner signed a free-agent contract with the Capitals last July 10 and scored 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points in 74 games.

Morrison had 23 points, including 9 goals, through the first 29 games but slowed thereafter. He was a healthy scratch twice in March and missed six of the final eight regular-season games with a leg injury. He had one assist in five Stanley Cup Playoff games and was a healthy scratch twice in the Caps' first-round upset loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

"We talked to Brendan last week," McPhee told the Washington Post. "He's a first-class kid, but we aren't going to renew him."

Corvo, 32, has played seven NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Ottawa, Carolina and Washington. He has 68 goals and 150 assists for 218 points in 486 games. The Capitals traded Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a second-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft to Carolina on March 3 to add Corvo's power-play and overall offensive skills. He had 2 goals and 4 assists and was minus-4 in 18 regular-season games for Washington. Corvo had 1 goal and 1 assist and was minus-2 in the seven-game, first-round playoff loss to Montreal.

Walker, 36, also joined the Capitals at the trade deadline when Washington gave the Hurricanes their seventh-round pick in this year's draft. Walker has played 15 NHL seasons with 151 goals and 246 assists for 397 points in 829 games. He achieved his career highlight a year ago when he scored in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal, eliminating the Boston Bruins.

Walker had shoulder surgery in January and injured his knee in March. He had been a healthy scratch in four of the 11 Capitals games before the knee injury. Walker had 2 goals and 1 assist in nine regular-season games for the Capitals and did not dress for the first six games against Montreal. He was held without a point in the finale.

Theodore, the 2002 Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, signed as a free agent with the Capitals in 2008 after playing 11 seasons with Montreal and Colorado. In 13 NHL seasons, Theodore, 33, is 245-221-30-22 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was bothered by back spasms early in the season but went on to play 47 games with a 30-7-7 record and a 2.81 GAA and .911 save percentage.

Theodore was the goaltender in the Caps' 3-2 loss to Montreal in Game 1, then was lifted after seven minutes in Game 2 when he gave up two goals. He did not return in the series.

The team official said McPhee has not yet had a chance to talk with Theodore about the decision.

McPhee told the Post that he has had "some discussion" with the agent for free-agent center Eric Belanger, 32, who had 15 goals and 41 points in 77 games this season. Belanger, acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trading deadline for this year's second-round draft pick, had 2 goals and 6 points in 17 regular-season games and added an assist in seven playoff games.