Washington Capitals: 5 Questions Headed into Training Camp

Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee had what many considered the best offseason in the National Hockey League.

After being swept by their divisional rivals in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring, McPhee and the Caps front office brass brought in more than a few missing pieces to their elusive Stanley Cup puzzle.

Washington is one of 12 active NHL teams to have never hoisted Lord Stanley’s prize, and one of seven teams that have appeared in the finals but not won them. To say the Caps fan base is getting antsy, would be like saying, Alexander Ovechkin has shown flashes of offense in his career.

Both are seriously understating the obvious, but the point is, time is running out for a few players, and time is certainly not on the side of Head Coach Bruce Boudreau.

Beginning on draft night last June, McPhee orchestrated a three-week time line of trades, re-signings, and free agent signings that have made the Caps serious Stanley Cup favorites. That is of course, based on whom you ask.

The Hockey News picked the Capitals as the last team standing in June, while The Sporting News does not even have them winning the Southeast Division.

While the core players like Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Semin are all still present and accounted for, the Capitals began their quest to change the look of the roster on draft night when they acquired versatile forward, Troy Brouwer, from the Chicago Blackhawks.

One week later, McPhee brought back former Caps Captain Jeff Halpern, signed veteran Montreal defenseman Roman Hamrlik, and then admittedly overpaid for Nashville Predators forward Joel Ward. All of this occurred on the first day of unrestricted free agency in the NHL.

McPhee saved his best move for Day 2, when he then signed goaltender Tomas Vokoun for the yard sale price of $1.5 million per season. This after Vokoun was unable to find a home after the goaltending market dried up due to trades and other odd circumstances.

He also traded Washington's quietly disgruntled young Russian net minder, Semyon Varlamov, to the Colorado Avalanche. McPhee should have been put in GM jail for stealing a first- and a second-round pick in next year's draft from the Avs. The first-round selection has the potential to be a top five pick. Avs GM Greg Sherman should be fired.

The Caps failed to bring back Jason Arnott, Matt Bradley, Marco Sturm, Andrew Gordon and Boyd Gordon, but considering what the Caps have in return, I would say they would take the trade-off in personnel.

The Caps managed to re-sign a few of their own key players as well. With free agency just 72 hours away, the Washington Capitals announced that they re-signed the second best center that was going to be available when the 2011 free agency period began, Brooks Laich.

They also managed to get deals done for Brouwer and young defenseman Karl Alzner.

This year promises to be an exciting at the big phone booth in D.C. Despite what seems to be an upgrade in personnel, the Caps still have a few serious question marks following them into training camp, which begins on Saturday.

As of today, 47 players have been invited to attend the Capitals’ training camp. At the conclusion of the 2011 Caps Rookie Camp, select players will be invited to participate in training camp. The roster must be trimmed to 23 players by Opening Night. Unlike other professional sports, there is no mandatory schedule for making roster cuts.

Washington will play its first preseason game at the Baltimore Hockey Classic on Tuesday vs. Nashville at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, and open the 2011-12 regular season vs. the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Verizon Center.

Here are five questions that I feel must be answered before the Capitals break their 36-year franchise draught of not winning the Stanley Cup.

5. Has Alex Ovechkin Grown Up?

Let's face it, all of the adjectives that described Alexander Ovechkin during the first six years of his NHL career are understandable. Fun loving, carefree, party man (check out DJ OV and Semin), are all nice when your 19, 20, 21 and 22 years of age.

It also never hurt that he has won just about every post-season award there is to give out in the NHL. Ovechkin has won numerous scoring titles and MVP awards.

However, Ovechkin likes to celebrate and is not bashful about letting people know he is a party animal so to speak. In an October 2010 GQ magazine article titled, "Ovechkin with Love,” (which I recommend) author Michael Idov spent time with the Great 8 in his native Russia and playground, as Idov referred to it after spending time with Ovie in his native land.

The results and comments from Ovie in that article lend credence to the fact that he may not have been as focused and prepared for last season as he should have been. Ovechkin suffered through the worst offensive season of his career, as the Caps looked tired and uncommitted against Tampa Bay in the Bolts' four-game sweep over them.

Keep in mind, former teammate Matt Bradley, now with the Florida Panthers said in the same interview in which he blasted Alex Semin, that while his Captain was "all in" while he was in D.C, “he has some growing up to do as far as taking care of himself.”

Ovechkin can do what he wants, when he wants on or off the ice. However, he must want to be more driven and focused on, and more importantly, off the ice to help his team win the elusive Cup it craves.

Imagine if Ovechkin spent an offseason watching video and working out with a few teammates here in the States instead of going home to party. Imagine if Ovechkin was 100 percent about winning a Stanley Cup.

If he were more focused off the ice, the Caps would already have one, maybe two Cups under their belts. Many will say I am wrong to question Ovechkin's drive and determination. Many say it is the supporting cast around that fails him and not the other way around.

In sports, the supporting cast tends the follow the example set forth by their leader, and in hockey, that is the player wearing the “C.”

A lack of winning in May and June raises questions like these before the start of a season. Ovie has yet to win when the cherry blossoms bloom in D.C. and until he does, they will persist.

As it stands now, according to the Capitals strength and conditioning Coach Mark Nemish, Ovechkin is in the best shape of his career. "I already know he's in shape," said Nemish in an interview with WTOP, "I can tell. We've worked several times on the ice and without a doubt he's in the best shape I've ever seen him."

I can only hope that the Great 8 is refreshed and ready to go, and so far, it appears he is.

Ovechkin even made an appearance during the rookies’ minicamp last week, joining the workout for the first time since he was a rookie himself seven years ago.

Ovechkin, who turns 26 years of age the day the Caps open training camp, is arguably the best player in the world. This season, Ovechkin needs to shed those party boy like adjectives for more hockey appropriate ones like, leader, winner, and focused individual.

If he can, then you can probably replace it with Stanley Cup Champion.

If a grown up, focused and more mature Ovechkin, is what the Capitals have in their captain this year, then the prayers of many, who "Rock the Red" in the spring only to be sent home disappointed, could finally be answered.

4. What's Next for Alexander the Enigma?

Well, thanks to former Capitals Matt Bradley and Dave Steckel, what many in Washington already knew, became a reality over this past summer. Bradley, now with the Florida Panthers, was speaking to Ottawa’s TEAM 1200 radio during an interview when he was critical of the Capitals dressing room and Alexander Semin in particular.

Bradley said, “We had some guys who didn’t show up in the playoffs, and I’ll leave them unnamed. I think our locker room was maybe a little bit too nonchalant, and guys weren’t disciplined the way they should have been. Those two things,” he added, “are big things.”

Bradley then decided it was OK to name one guy, and that guy was Semin. “I don’t mind saying Alexander Semin’s name, because he’s one guy who has so much talent, he could easily be the best player in the league, and just for whatever reason, just doesn’t care,” Bradley said. “You need him to be your best player, or one of your best players, and when he doesn’t show up, you almost get the sense that he wants to be back in Russia.”

Steckel, who was traded to New Jersey at the deadline last year, threw his support in Bradley’s corner after a few of Semin’s teammates came out to defend him.

In an interview with several reporters at the Caps training complex, Steckel said, “It's not like he went out and told lies,” Bradley “didn't really say anything bad about anybody. He just stated what he felt."

No, he didn't tell any lies, and not only does the public have confirmation about Semin’s' selfish and lackluster play at times, but it also made clearer why he has been signing one-year deals for the past two seasons.

The Capitals are whole-heartedly afraid that one day Semin will change, and they would not want to see him become a role model scoring machine that elevates a locker room two months after dealing him away.

Giving him a long-term deal severely limits their options. A one-year deal protects Washington in the event of a trade, as no team would be willing to gamble on a player like Semin for a substantial period.

Semin has all of the tools. He can shoot, pass and score with the best of the NHL's most talented players. He is also an enigma that needs to become more consistent with his all-around game, or the Caps need to get rid of him, and that decision must come this year.

Semin is one of those players I mentioned in the opening, who could be gone if this season ends as the past few have for Washington. 

Semin may not have the luxury of waiting to see if that happens if his type of play continues. My hope is that he stays and plays. The Caps have a better shot to win the cup with a committed Semin than they do with any other player they get through a trade.

3. Will the Caps Find Their Power Play?

When you wake up tomorrow morning, and are sitting at the table enjoying your favorite bowl of cereal, glance at your milk carton to see if the Washington Capitals have a picture of their power play plastered on the side. The man-advantage unit has been missing since the spring of 2010, and anyone one who finds it deserves a reward.

Since the 2010 playoffs, when the Caps were 1-for-33 against the Montreal Canadiens, the Caps power play has been more than missing, many would consider it K.I.A. (killed in action) on most nights.

Last season, the Caps scored just 46 goals after 79 and 85 the previous two seasons. During the 2009-10 season, the Caps led the NHL, converting at 25.2 percent. They were almost five percent better than the second place team with the man advantage, which made the disappearing act against Montreal even more puzzling.

Washington finished 16th in the NHL (17.5) last season, and at one point, dropped to 25th in the league. GM George McPhee addressed the need during last year's trade deadline when he acquired power play specialist and defenseman Dennis Wideman from the Florida Panthers.

The Caps saw a slight boost in PP production, as Wideman had points on three of the six power-play goals the team scored during his 14 games before a leg injury sidelined him for the season.

The unit as a whole seemed over focused on getting the puck to Alex Ovechkin in the high slot most of the time, even turning down scoring chances in the process to force-feed Ovie the puck. Ovechkin failed to produce as teams keyed on him, shutting down his shot with the extra man. Ovechkin had just seven power play goals after averaging 18 over the previous five seasons.

He wasn’t the only forward that struggled with the extra man. Nicklas Backstrom, who averaged 12.5 power-play tallies over the previous two seasons, had just four last season. Brooks Laich matched Backstrom’s PP output last year, but only after averaging 10 the previous three seasons.

The blue liners must also do a much better job of putting the puck in the net while skating with the extra man. Last season, the entire Capitals defense managed just seven power-play goals. Despite missing 33 games with a head injury, Mike Green led the way with five of them.

The Caps will enter training camp with fixing the power play as priority No. 1. There are several schools of thought on how to fix the power play and stats provided by the Washington Post suggest personnel upgrades alone, should allow the Caps a fighting chance to get back to the levels of previous successful seasons.

Departed players Eric Fehr, Jason Arnott, Boyd Gordon, Matt Bradley, and Scott Hannan all took more penalties than they drew. In contrast, Troy Brouwer, who was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on draft night, drew 19 minor penalties but got called for just nine. He also had seven power-play goals last year, more than any Washington skater except for Ovechkin and Mike Knuble.

New additions Joel Ward and veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik combined for 20 power-play points. With Wideman, Hamrlik, and Green operating the blue line on the power play, the defense should double their output from a season ago. That alone would give the Caps a top 10 power play.

Ward could be a bigger than anticipated boost, and not just in size. If you watched the Nashville Predators during the 2011 playoffs then you know Head Coach Bruce Boudreau should have his new forward in front of every opposing goalie while on the PP.

However, if the Caps cannot improve their power play during training camp and then into the fall and winter, then once again, there will be no late spring in Washington.

2. Can the Defense and Penalty Kill Repeat?

The Washington Capitals change in philosophy following an eight game losing streak last December saved their season. They went from a west coast, run-'n'-gun offensive team, to a shut down defensive squad that choked opponents in the corners and trapped them all throughout the neutral zone.

In terms of goals against per game, the Capitals produced the best finish by any Washington team in the franchise’s history. Washington finished fourth in the NHL, with a 2.33 G.A.A, and was 26-9-11 in one-goal games, which was also tops in the league.

They were led by their youth on defense as John Carlson (21) and Karl Alzner (22), played every game for Washington on the blue line. Despite missing 33 games last season, Mike Green (25) finished with 24 points, which was second best on the unit.

Green’s defense looked noticeably better in the games he did play last season, and he helped lead the Caps to a five-game, first-round defeat over the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Caps also have the NHL’s plus/minus leader from two seasons ago in 25-year-old Jeff Schultz. Although Schultz struggled at times last season, he should bounce back to play more consistently in the corners this year. He ranked fourth on the unit with almost 20 minutes of ice time per contest.

Add veterans Dennis Wideman and Roman Hamrlik to the mix, and the Capitals could be the league's best on the blue line. Hamrlik, who will turn 38 in April, logged 22 minutes per game last season for the Montreal Canadians.

A big key to the success of the defense was their ability to kill penalties. Washington ranked second behind the Penguins last season, killing off 85.6 percent of their opponents' power plays.

Even some of the most offensive-minded forwards played a better two-way game last season, as everyone bought into Boudreau's more defensive strategy.

Arguably, the Caps could have the best defense in the NHL this season. Especially when you add  world-class net minder, Tomas Vokoun.

Along with Michael Neuvirth, who won 27 games last season as the starter in Washington, the Caps could have this year's William M. Jennings Trophy winners as the best one-two goalie duo in the league.

The Caps blue liners, and not the Great 8-powered offense, could be the driving force behind Washington's first-ever Stanley Cup Championship.  

1. Is Bruce Boudreau the Man for the Job?

It is hard to believe that a head coach with a 189-79-39 record after four seasons would be considered on the hot seat. However, a 17-20 record in the playoffs with the Great 8 and company tends to turn up the heat a bit.

Boudreau has led Washington to four consecutive Southeast division titles, but a .459 winning percentage in the playoffs and being humiliated while being eliminated is maddening to Caps fans.

Under the guidance of Boudreau, Washington has lost three-game sevens on home ice, and in 2009, became the first No.1 seed to blow a 3-games-to-1 series lead to a No. 8 seed, and lose a playoff series. Last postseason, the Caps became the first No.1 seed to be swept in the second round.

Just when you did not think it could get worse, it always seems to in the spring, and this spring, things must be different.

Head Coach Bruce Boudreau must lead his team with more structure and less drama than he has over the past four seasons.

His act grew tiresome while watching HBO's 24/7 Capitals-Penguins last season, and one can only imagine how the players feel. In the same interview in which he blasted Semin, and offered some friendly advice to Ovechkin, former Cap Matt Bradley chimed in on Boudreau’s locker room as well.

When asked to detail the Capitals’ discipline problems, Bradley told Ottawa’s TEAM 1200 radio: “It wasn’t like guys were going out the night before a game. It was not being ready to practice or missing practice with questionable injuries. Not being focused.”

Bradley also chipped in with, “I think our locker room was maybe a little bit too nonchalant, and guys weren’t disciplined the way they should have been. Those two things are big things.”

This all falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach, and Boudreau must figure out how to make it stop without the high-school ranting act we saw on pay TV last year.

Last season, Boudreau assured everyone that the Caps were learning to deal with adversity while they struggled to score and, during one stretch in December, win games.

Washington lost eight in a row, prompting Boudreau to change his on-ice philosophy, and thank goodness for him, it worked, or we may be talking about how a new head coach is going to fare with all of this talent.

This is it, and despite what Ted Leonsis and GM George McPhee say, we all know this is it for Boudreau. Nothing less than a Conference finals appearance, that extends to six games or beyond, will secure Boudreau's job for the start of the 2012-13 season.

It is possible that if the Caps experience another mid-December slump, Boudreau could be gone then.

Many speculated that only George McPhee himself saved his job following the four-game sweep, as owner Ted Leonsis did not immediately pledge support for the embattled playoff coach on his blog, Ted's Take.

If I had to make a prediction, I would say Boudreau will be back in 2012. A big part of me believes the Capitals will finally win the Stanley Cup.