D.C. Power Grab: How the Capitals Can Make the Playoffs

The Washington Capitals have been in rebuilding mode the past few seasons.

Even with the blossoming Alex Ovechkin, the Caps have floundered near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings since the lockout. The organization has attempted to regroup with a slew of young players and high draft picks, but nothing has panned out to date.

For all their young talent, the Caps lack veteran experience. Some would argue that that's the reason the Caps' top prospects haven't developed as quickly as the team might have hoped.

As it stands, the Capitals' roster has a combined 243 games of playoff experience between 26 players. Team management has been trying to build a team around Ovechkin (as the Pittsburgh Penguins have with secure Sidney Crosby)—but Ovechkin remains the Caps' lone star.

None of Washington's youngsters have established themselves as potential leaders. Guys like Steve Eminger, Matt Pettinger, and Mike Green have yet to display the consistency the team needs to climb back into the playoff hunt.

On the bright side, offseason pickups Michael Nylander, Viktor Kozlov, and Tom Poti have provided a spark for the Caps in the early going—but a spark can't help you when your offense relies on three players and your defense constantly hangs your goaltender out to dry.

Forget the numbers from the past three or four seasons—Olie Kolzig is the main reason the Washington Capitals have a chance to win every game they play. Kolzig sees more work more than almost any goaltender in the league, and still he comes ready to play night-in and night-out.

As I see it, the Caps can only be contenders in the coming seasons if they trade a prospect or a draft pick for a reliable veteran presence. A defenseman along the lines of Greg de Vries or Sean O'Donnell would be ideal—the better to help the Caps' fledgling defensemen elevate their play and grow into their roles.

Young players like Karl Alzner need to be mentored to achieve their full potential. A prospect or a draft pick would be a small price to pay for a team looking to establish itself among the Eastern Conference elite.

All told, the Caps seem to be an organization on the rise. They're a quick team with a solid one-two punch in Ovechkin and injured winger Alexander Semin. To get to the next level, Washington management should target experienced players around the league who can help the club now—rather than betting on a draft pick to develop five years down the line.

If they play their cards right, the Caps can become a very balanced team in the very near future.