NHL Southeast Division: Offseason Grades

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for NHL)

Washington Capitals

Departures: Brent Johnson, G; Donald Brashear, RW; Sergei Fedorov, C;

Acquisitions: Mike Knuble, RW; Brendan Morrison, C; Boyd Gordon, RW;

Upcoming draftees: Karl Alzner, D; John Carlson, D; Simeon Varlamov, G;

The good, the bad, and the ugly

Good: The team is basically the same coming into this season. Plus, they have Simeon Varlamov, who is looking to pull a Ken Dryden (kind of) as far as having his first success in the playoffs, then having a good rookie season.

Bad: Losing Sergei Fedorov is a big blow to the leadership aspect of the organization, especially since he was a good mentor for the various Russians on the Caps’ roster. He didn’t contribute as much as he used to offensively, and Ovechkin surely no longer needs a mentor, but he was a good veteran presence in the locker room.

Ugly: The team has not upgraded its defense at all. They signed no defenders to fill out the back end. Karl Alzner and John Carlson are both ready for an NHL call-up—Alzner is already a sophomore—but neither will be able to contribute on a nightly basis on the level the Capitals need.

You’re way too young to be an NHLer

Karl Alzner started the 2008-09 season with Hershey, but after putting up 20 points in 48 games on the future Calder Cup champs, he was called up to the big league.

He played all right—like a rookie defenseman does. He has a lot to learn, but he will eventually be a big-time NHL defenseman.

He said what?

"[The Capitals] are a legitimate contender. Playing in the Southeast Division has always been seen as the lower-type teams, and I don't think that's the case now."—Mike Knuble, on the Capitals’ chances.

Grade: B-

I like the signing of Mike Knuble, as the grit and physical aspect of the game is what the Capitals are missing. However, other than bringing him in, the Capitals made very few moves to improve their team.

With other rising contenders in the Eastern Conference, do not expect the Capitals to jump any higher on the charts.

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