Possible Moves by the Caps May Provide Spark

After a 2-2-2 start for the Washington Capitals, rumors are already flying about possible moves as ESPN.com reports. This is not surprising considering the high expectations for the Caps heading into this season. In the 2008-2009 season, the Caps finished with a franchise record 108 points and won their second straight Southeast Division title. After watching the rival Pittsburgh Penguins hoist the Stanley Cup, this Caps team was very motivated heading into this season. The organization demanded results as well. In the home opener, the Caps celebrated their 2008-2009 division championship with an intentionally abbreviated ceremony. A short video was followed by the unfurling of the banner from the rafters rather than the slow ceremonial raising seen the season before. The message was clear, a division championship is no longer good enough. The season, however, has not gone according to plan thus far. After winning their first two games, the Caps have lost their last four. Last season the Caps did not lose a game at home in regulation until December. This season it took only two games.

Why the drop in play? While they did lose Sergei Federov and Viktor Kozlov, they were able to acquire Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison which are suitable replacements. The Caps did little else in the off season expecting their young players to develop. At this point in the season, however, it seems that they did not develop quit as much as the team hoped. Goalie Simeon Varlamov has shown that while he has potential to be an all-star player, he is not yet ready to take over the team. Jose Theodore has performed well thus far as the number one. The real concerns come from the young players on the third and fourth lines and on the blue line. The Caps have gotten very little secondary scoring this year from their bottom two lines, who have contributed one goal and four assists. Defensively, the Caps have allowed 3.33 goals per game. Not exactly the performance they were looking for.

While there may be some talk about possible moves for the Caps, rumors are still...well, rumors until something happens. The Caps have shown repeatedly that they are very reluctant to give up any of their young prospects for any type of trade. Trading Theodore seems unlikely given that Varlamov has struggled so far this season. If they are considering a trade at the moment, then Michael Nylander is most likely the guy on the table. It will be interesting to see what the Caps can get for him at this point in the season since he comes with a huge price tag. Then again, a change for the Caps may not mean a trade. AHL affiliate Hershey is full of prospects. Coach Bruce Boudreau might be thinking of bringing up players like Karl Alzner. He may just be thinking of shaking up the lines. Alex Semin played on the second line in the last game against New Jersey after being a top liner to begin the season.

Whatever is being discussed in DC, it is a step in the right direction. It shows a real desire to win the Cup and a recognition that the window of opportunity will not be open forever. The last time the Caps made a move early in the season, the Caps fired coach Glen Hanlon on Thanksgiving Day and promoted Boudreau, then the coach of the Hershey Bears. As a result, the league's worst team went on the win the Southeast division. While I'm not saying a coaching change is needed, I certainly believe that some sort of change is needed that can provide the same kind of spark. This will let the team and the fans know that the Caps are playing to win. Let's hope they think of something quick, or a season filled with a lot of potential may be wasted.