NHL Playoffs 2011: What Will Become of the Capitals' Young Guns?

As the Washington Capitals descended upon their practice facility in Arlington, Virginia last week to clean out their lockers and conduct exit interviews with the coaching staff, there was a level of uncertainty that is unprecedented in the Bruce Boudreau era.  

Since Boudreau took over in November of 2007, the Capitals have captured four straight Southeast Division championships but have won just 14 postseason games over the course of four playoff appearances.  The time has come for this team to undergo at least some sort of a makeover, and since Boudreau's job appears to be safe for the time being, it will likely come in the player personnel department.  

The Capitals' success has been guided by superstar captain Alex Ovechkin, but he's been aided by three all-world talents in Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin.  Dubbed the "Young Guns" by the fans and media in Washington, the foursome helped Washington become the league's most exciting team in the regular season.  

However, this past season was a tumultuous one for all four of the young stars, as they each saw their offensive production drop off drastically.  On top of that, outside of Ovechkin, they've all been wildly inconsistent in the playoffs, each bearing at least part of the blame in one of the team's postseason exits over the last four seasons.  

If a change is to be made, it cannot be one involving Ovechkin or his linemate Backstrom.  Both have long-term deals with no-movement clauses, and they're two of the most skilled forwards in the league, so one would have to assume they'd be kept either way. 

However, Alexander Semin is a different story.  

He's obviously among the most talented players in the game, but can never seem to put it all together for long periods of time.  He scores goals in bunches and at times can be the team's best player.  By that same token, he endures lengthy slumps and costs the team on a somewhat regular basis with turnovers and untimely penalties.  If one of the young guns are going to be dealt, there's a strong possibility that it would be Semin, especially with just one year left on his deal.  

Then there's Mike Green, who, at least on paper, has been one of the best defensemen in hockey for the past three seasons.  

In 2009 and 2010, Green finished second in voting for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman, and earned a berth on the NHL's First All-Star Team both years.  However, he was left off of Team Canada's roster for the Vancouver Olympics and played poorly against Montreal in the playoffs. 

This season, Green played reasonably well, when he was healthy.  Injuries plagues the talented young blueliner all season, and though he silenced some of his critics with a gutsy performance in the first round against the Rangers, he couldn't stay healthy against Tampa Bay. 

The issue with dealing Green is, frankly, he's a once-in-a-generation type of offensive talent on the back end.  Washington has to believe at some point he'll become stronger in his own end, but at what cost?  Green's value to the Capitals is not what it was a year ago because of the emergence of John Carlson as the team's top defenseman.  

That being said, the Capitals will probably hang onto Green at least for this season and hope his health holds up.  A Capitals blueline boasting Carlson, Green, Dennis Wideman and Karl Alzner as the top four is one to be reckoned with, at least on paper.  

Which brings me back to Semin.  Sasha has been one of the most electrifying talents in the NHL, but it's unlikely the Capitals will even be able to afford him after this season.  Trading him would free up valuable cap space, which may be needed to re-sign Brooks Laich and Alzner.  

While it may be Semin's price tag that forces the Capitals to part ways with him, ultimately, it may be in the best interest of both parties.