Capitals' minor gains aren't about money
After the Washington Capitals kicked off their 2003-04 fire sale by trading Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers and Peter Bondra to the Ottawa Senators, the question wasn't if another player was going to be traded, but rather who.
Question answered.
In trading Robert Lang to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, Washington general manager George McPhee has made it clear that while the Jagr and Bondra deals were done to get out from under the weight of a payroll that had exceeded $50 million, he is no longer just dumping salary. He's now making hockey deals.
There is a difference. Most clubs want to have as few players under contract as possible come season's end in order to maintain financial flexibility under whatever cost-certainty structure the new CBA brings. In moving Jagr and Bondra, McPhee did that.
| IN THE SLOT |
|---|
| Chirpin' |
"You take a performance like that in a game like this and it's a big step in the maturation process. It's going to get a lot of people's attention."-- Vancouver's Brendan Morrison on teammate Daniel Sedin's four-goal game vs. Detroit. "IKEA, maybe." -- Henrik Sedin when asked if twin brother Daniel's scoring exploits might land him a Nike contract like teammate Markus Naslund. While not terribly funny, it's noteworthy in that it is believed to be the first recorded bit of humor between the Swedish-born twins during their time in the NHL. |
| Delayed deal |
The Florida Panthers are expected to trade defenseman Lyle Odelin, likely to Nashville, but only if they fall out of the playoff race. That appeared to be a foregone conclusion, but it's not the case any longer as the Panthers are riding goalie Roberto Luongo and are 6-6-2-2 in their last 10 games heading into the weekend.
|
| The little Latvian's nine lives |
Arturs Irbe went almost 400 days (397 if you must count) between his 213th and 214th NHL wins. The Carolina Hurricanes netminder made it back to the NHL after a near-career ending stint in the minors and won his first start 2-1 at Washington.
And, oh, the irony. First, Irbe had been banished to the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL and "Slap Shot" fame after he went unclaimed in the waiver draft with the idea that he might retire and take the Canes off the hook for the $5.2 million on his contract. That didn't happen. Second, he not only rode the busses, but he underwent wrist surgery and endured major rehabilitation for two months. Third, the Canes hadn't beaten Washington since a year ago Feb. 14, the day after Irbe first cleared waivers and was sent to the minors. The Canes hadn't beaten the Caps in Washington since Nov. 8, 2001. Irbe is back in the NHL mostly because he draws an NHL salary no matter where he plays and the Canes, who late last season made the move to Kevin Weekes as their No. 1, are showcasing him as insurance for a playoff club. He may be a little long in the tooth, but he is a game competitor. FYI: We've long argued that in-season coaching changes rarely have a major impact. Exhibit L is Peter Laviolette. In his first 30 games since he replaced Paul Maurice the Canes have gone 10-15-4-1 for 24 points. Maurice was 8-12-8-2 with 26 points through 30 games when he was fired on Dec. 15. Makes you think that maybe it wasn't the coach. |
True, McPhee didn't get full player-for-player value for Lang and, yes, he unloaded the three years and $15 million left on Lang's contract. But sometimes there is a fine line between a salary dumps and a hockey deals, which aren't just about talent in for talent out any longer.
In trading Jagr, McPhee had to eat a chunk of the winger's salary and had little, if any, leverage with the Rangers. In trading Bondra, he took a player who may or may not make a contribution to the Capitals down the road. But in trading Lang, he not only unloaded salary, but he acquired player who is projected to be a first-line player when he gets to the NHL. Throw in a first-round and fourth-round pick and you have yourself a hockey deal.
It may not be the kind that gets the fans excited right away, but for a team that clearly is starting over, it's a decent acquisition that should pay off down the road.
Expect McPhee to make similar deals for his other desirable commodities -- defenseman Sergei Gonchar, goaltender Olaf Kolzig and perhaps defenseman Brendan Witt.
Most every team in buying mode is looking to upgrade at defense or goal, and now that he's finished with his finances first deals, McPhee can afford to be patient and wait for the absolute best offer.
Gonchar, who has been ticketed for seemingly half the teams in the playoff race, just happens to be the most productive offensive defenseman in the NHL this season (a position-leading 49 points). The fact that he was scratched because of the "flu" Friday night indicates a trade is on the horizon.
Covet a more defensive defenseman (and I defy you to name a team that doesn't)? Well, McPhee could entertain bids for Witt, a rugged stay-at-home type who is young, tough and attractively priced and under $2 million.
The demand for goaltending isn't big, but it is competitive, as many Stanley Cup contenders have issues between the pipes. Problem is, many of those teams are set at the No. 1 position and Kolzig, who has two years and $12.75 million left on his contract, is too expensive to be a backup for some teams.
Three of the top teams in the East -- Philadelphia, Ottawa and Toronto -- could all use a player of Kolzig's caliber. The Flyers appear to have addressed their No. 1 issue with the acquisition of Sean Burke from the Phoenix Coyotes, but backup and goalie-of-the-future Robert Esche is still battling injury problems and some depth in the form of a former Vezina Trophy winner is not out of the range of GM Bob Clarke's thinking.
The Senators appear poised to finally break through to the Stanley Cup finals, providing goalie Patrick Lalime is at the top of his game. If not, a veteran presence would be helpful, as backup Martin Prusek has no NHL playoff experience.
Toronto, it would appear, has the most need of all in the East. While the Leafs closely monitor Ed Belfour's cranky back, they also watch backups Trevor Kidd and Mikael Tellqvist lose on a semi-regular basis. Tellqvist appears to have moved ahead of Kidd in the pecking order, but it's likely neither would play a minute in the playoffs if Belfour is fully healthy. Problem is he hasn't been healthy for a long while now. If that continues, the Leafs will need someone who can carry the load.
The Colorado Avalanche, whose two goalies haven't a full game of playoff experience between them, aren't denying interest in acquiring a goalie as loudly as they were last month. One source close to the Capitals told ESPN.com that Kolzig would welcome a trade to Colorado above all Cup contenders. St. Louis, struggling to even make the playoffs with Chris Osgood in net, but has precious little to give up on defense, an area where the Caps are said to be entertaining most serious offers.
The Leafs have been considered as front-runners for Gonchar, but the latest reports from the Washington Post have the Avalanche in the fray as well, which makes a Gonchar-Kolzig acquisition an intriguing possibility.
But the Northeast and Northwest Division leaders are at the front of a long line that reportedly includes Boston and New Jersey, which has a greater need for a player like Witt. Dallas, Vancouver, Nashville, Buffalo and a host of other teams have been scouting Capitals games regularly, and it should be noted that Nashville GM David Poile drafted both Gonchar and Witt while he was the GM in Washington. The Los Angeles Kings are said to have an interest in Witt but that could wane if they fall out of the playoff race.
It's a similar scenario out West, where Dominik Hasek's departure due to a groin injury and Curtis Joseph's sprained ankle have left the Red Wings without a No. 1 goalie. Manny Legace has done an excellent job shouldering the load until Joseph's return, but with the fading contributions of players like Brendan Shanahan (one goal in 22 games), Steve Yzerman (five goals in last 31) and even Brett Hull (four goals in 14 games since snapping a 21-game drought), and a seriously banged up defense, goaltending is going to have to play a big role again in the postseason.
The Flyers are said to be looking at New York Rangers defensemen Brian Leetch or Tom Poti as possible injury replacements. They expect defenseman Eric Desjardins to return from a broken arm in roughly three weeks, but they aren't certain how well he'll be able to perform. They are also looking to add another forward, likely a center, due to Keith Primeau's and Jeremy Roenick's concussion injuries.
Messier on the move?
 | |
| Messier |
Winger Matthew Barnaby, a pest who can also play a regular shift on the second or third line, is of interest to several teams, but the forward that intrigues even more is aging captain Mark Messier.
The Ottawa Senators need both a third-line center and a dose of experienced leadership, and Messier fits both. His productivity has faded during the second half of the season, but the Senators could afford to rest him down the stretch and have him ready for the playoffs.
Messier and Senators GM John Muckler won five Cups together in Edmonton, the last in 1990 when Messier was the Oilers' captain and Muckler was their head coach. The two remain close, so close that Muckler has a portrait of Messier and that Cup team hanging in his home. Muckler and Rangers GM Glen Sather, who was GM and coach for the Oilers' first four Cups and GM for the fifth, have had their differences in the past, but they remain friends.
It remains to be seen whether or not Sather would send Messier packing -- it certainly wouldn't happen without Messier wanting it -- but it's an intriguing deal nonetheless. Muckler also has attempted on several occasions to acquire Barnaby, but oddly enough Barnaby commands more in return as Messier is at the end of his career and Barnaby still has many useful years left. Messier would only go to a team with a chance to win the Stanley Cup, which is why Ottawa and perhaps Detroit are in the mix.
Sather is also said to be listening to offers for franchise defenseman Brian Leetch, a scenario that could diminish Gonchar's value. Unlike Gonchar, who is in the final year of his deal, Leetch is due another $6.4 million after this season. However, Leetch is a Cup winner, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner and a perennial all-star. Players like that aren't available often.
Though it's a long shot, Sather might actually drum up some interest in Eric Lindros. Detroit was thought to have an interest for the short term. Toronto has long been rumored as a destination should Lindros be able to return from concussion problems again this season. Lindros too is heading for unrestricted status, which makes him a rental and drives the cost down for anyone willing to take the chance.
Sather may also shop Alexei Kovalev, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and therefore won't be a payroll issue for any team that might be interested. Petr Nedved is also said to be available, but he would command more than many teams would be willing to pay.
A GM on the market, too?
Rare do you see a general manger on the market, but that appears to be the case with Vancouver Canucks GM Brian Burke.
Burke, in the last year of his contract, was expected to receive a contract extension soon after coach Marc Crawford received a three-year extension in December. It never materialized and now some very dirty laundry has been aired publicly, which leads many to think Burke has placed ownership in a must-fire position.
Burke used his weekly radio show in Vancouver to state he was basically a lame-duck general manager and placed this issue square on ownership's lap, saying: "This was just thrust into the media by ownership, not me."
By way of history, ownership, represented by Stan McCammon, right-hand man to team owner John McCaw, said the long-awaited Burke deal wasn't going to happen this month and that it wouldn't be addressed until the offseason so as "not to be a distraction to the team."
Burke, who is seeking a pay raise, took that as a slap in the face considering Crawford and star winger Todd Bertuzzi were re-signed during the season without distraction. However, it should be noted that Burke rankled ownership by pointing to them as the reason why the Bertuzzi deal took so long.
There's a possibility that this could be fixed behind closed doors, but one has to wonder how. To bring back Burke after he called out ownership would make ownership look weak; frankly, calling out one's boss isn't done unless one is looking to get fired.
If Burke were let go, he'd have plenty of places to land. He built a very good team in Vancouver on a very tight budget. He's an experienced GM, served a stint in the league's front office as executive vice president and director of hockey operations, and he knows both sides of the negotiating table having once been a player agent.
Experience like that is hard to find in the NHL, which is why there already are rumors of a Burke-to-Boston movement. If Burke does leave or is forced out of Vancouver, he'll be out of work only as long as he wants to be.
Timeout for Quenneville
The early line has deposed St. Louis Blues coach Joel Quenneville taking some time off and sitting out the remainder of this season and through a lockout, if necessary. Quenneville, a former Whaler, still keeps a house near Hartford, Conn., which has added to the rumors about him stepping behind the Rangers' bench. However, the 45-year-old former defenseman has been at the grind nonstop for a long time, having jumped into coaching immediately after his playing days ended.
Jim Kelley is the NHL writer for ESPN.com. Submit questions or comments to his mail bag.
