After spending the past three seasons in the cellar of the Southeast Division, the Washington Capitals are finally poised to make a run at the postseason.
Since making the playoffs in the 2002-2003 season, the Caps' performance can be best described as dismal. But despite their recent record, the team's future looks bright, due to smart moves by the front office, a capable coaching staff and plenty of young talent from the farm system.
General Manager George McPhee's regime has done an excellent job scouting and drafting young talent. The franchise has committed to building from the ground up, starting with the draft, and has been willing to sacrifice current team performance for the sake of player development.
Washington's lack of success in recent years has given McPhee top selections in the recent NHL Entry Draft, with the Capitals coming away with a host of excellent picks. Recent drafts have netted potential Rookie of the Year Nicklas Backstrom, a point-per-game center from the Swedish Elite League; sniper Eric Fehr, who scored 22 goals in 40 games in the American Hockey league last season; future No. 1 netminder Semem Varlamov; and two-way defenseman Karl Alzner. Fehr and Backstrom are expected to contribute this season, with the latter centering the second line.
Earlier drafts have been just as fruitful for the Caps. Alexander Semin was chosen in the first round of the 2002 entry draft. His rookie year came in 2003-2004, where he scored 10 goals and 12 assists in 52 games after being called up from AHL Portland, but Semin had a breakout campaign last season.
The 23-year-old left wing scored 73 points in 77 games and stepped up his aggressiveness, netting 90 minutes in the box. Semin ranked second on the Caps in goals, assists and points, trailing only phenom Alexander Ovechkin.
Ovechkin has been the biggest story for the young Capitals team. Behind Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins' young star, he is the most talented young player in the NHL. Some argue that with a better supporting cast, Ovechkin would be equal to Crosby if not better. He scored 92 points in his sophomore season last year.
All the emphasis on the Caps' goal-scoring Alexanders shortchanges their young blue line corps. The signing of free agent power-play quarterback Tom Poti drew all the attention, but it is in depth and flexibility that the Caps' defense shines.
Shaone Morrisonn is a tough, versatile defenseman who eats 21 minutes per game, throws hits, blocks shots and spent plenty of time sitting in the box with 102 penalty minutes last season. Brian Pothier and Steve Eminger are two-way players with great speed, positioning and passing to accompany their defensive skills.
Poti is a defensive liability, however, and was signed mainly for his powerful left-handed shot and ability to manufacture points off the power play. The Caps' young talent will more than compensate for his defensive shortcomings, as he will likely be paired with a responsible partner.
Behind the tough defensive corps sits the only South African in the NHL, Olie Kolzig. He has been the number one in the Verizon Center for the last 10 seasons and led the Caps to their last playoff success in 1997-98.
Kolzig's goals-against average climbed to a slightly-below-average 3.00 last season, and his physical condition is even more troubling. Knee injuries limited the 34-year-old to just 54 games last season, and his backup Brent Johnson has a résumé that consists of a couple poor playoff performances and little else. Johnson has been solid as a backup, but both goalies represent the biggest uncertainty for this talented team.
Owner Ted Leonsis declared the rebuilding phase of the Caps to be over at the start of camp. He then put his money where his mouth was, signing top free agent Michael Nylander away from the New York Rangers. Poti and strong center Viktor Kozlov were then snatched from the New York Islanders.
Nylander has expressed his desire to win, and he tendered offers from both the Rangers and Islanders, both playoff teams last season. The fact that he chose to sign with the Capitals means Nylander expects this team to win. He and Kozlov add veteran experience and scoring ability to the already dangerous Capitals front line.
Poti is an offensively minded defenseman whose main strength is his hard left-handed shot. The Caps expect him to improve their power-play unit, which had only a 17.6 percent power-play conversion rate, 24th in the league.
The Capitals' young talent should continue to improve this season. They are off to a fast start at 3-0, most recently defeating a tough Islanders team. Key goals for the Caps are Johnson and Kolzig performing up to expectations and staying healthy, improvement from the power-play unit and general improvement from the youngsters, which has not been a problem for the Caps in the past.
If those goals are met, the depth and talent of this Capitals team should take them deep into the playoffs. 2007-08 may be the year that the punch bowl finally comes to Washington.
