As we approach tomorrow's 3:00pm NHL trade deadline, we can't help but wonder what moves George Mcphee will make to improve the team.
I have 3 things in mind that need to happen if the Caps are going to make a playoff push and build for the future. It will take buying and...giving to make it happen. I'll break them down in "my" order of importance.
#1 - "Give" away Erat:
George Mcphee made a horrible mistake when he acquired Martin Erat....or let's say Martin Erat's contract at last years deadline. He's signed through the 2014-15 season and has a cap hit of about $4.5 million annually. Erat has demanded trades publically multiple times since the beginning of the season and his play has been quite awful. He has been lazy on the ice, taking game changing penalties and just has no will to play for this team. His 1 goal (an empty netter) will make it difficult to move him but that's why Mcphee has to "give" him away. Even if it's a 5th round pick or he's added into a package deal for free, his money in the cap and spot on the ice needs filled by someone who wants to be there.
#2 - Stay at Home Defenseman:
Everyone knows the Caps lack one or two shutdown defenders. Andrew MacDonald could be the perfect partner for Mike Green. He is (by far) the leagues leading shot blocker and his smart positioning and decisions with the puck along with his crisp passing out of the zone, is EXACTLY what Green and the Caps need. This would give the Caps two defensive pairings they can count on to clock major ice-time in the playoffs. He is a very low cap hit (around $550,000) but will demand a big payday at the end of the season. He's worth handing over a 1st round pick and maybe a little more.
#3 - Scoring Left Winger to Play With 8 and 19:
One name comes to mind and he is actually married to George McPhee's God-daughter. That name is Matt Moulson. The three time 30+ goal scorer is big and incredibly good at using his size to screen the goalie and punch in rebounds in the crease. Seems like he'd be a nice compliment to the Great 8. He's affordable to re-sign and with Buffalo on the complete rebuild path, McPhee could package up a current roster player, a prospect and a pick for Moulson and another Buffalo player. Maybe like Neuvirth, Shmidt and a 2nd round pick for Moulson and veteran goaltender Jaroslav Halak...? Just an idea.
The Caps also have a promising prospect in Kuznetsov who will more then likely join the squad in the next few days. McPhee will have to have around $900,000 in cap space to sign him. This deadline will be all about crunching the numbers and giving what they have to to win a cup in the next few seasons. The Caps core guys can't keep waiting for prospects to develop. They need the pieces now!
**Oh wait..just recieved news yhat the Caps pickrd up Dustin Penner! Nvm on the Moulson deal.
Go Caps!
Zach Hart
Shades of Red
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