Game 6: Edmonton Oilers @ Washington Capitals

Even though they were out shot 30 - 20, they were 3 - 3 on the PK and went 2 - 3 on the power play.

It was a fun night.

Capitals 4 - Oilers 2.   2 points out of a playoff spot.

And now that the losing streak is over, this is how I feel. . . 

Game 5: Colorado Avalanche @ Washington Capitals

I have to admit, I was hoping to see Patrick Roy go off the deep end and do this:


And before I start to rip into the Caps, I will admit I like the Fehr - Ward - Chimera line.  They are starting to mesh well.

So, Alex Tanguay scores twice for the the Avs and all I can think is "Wait, he is still in the league?"

So you out shoot the Avalanche 41 - 28 and commit 3 penalties and somehow, we make trading Varlamov and keeping Neuvirth look bad. 

Avalanche 5 - Capitals 1.  

Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes @ Washington Capitals

So you see that you will be going up against Anton Khudobin.  You think that you have a decent chance.


Then you go 0 - 5 on the power play (and you even have an a 5 - 3 during the last 0:36 of the game) and make him look like Cam Ward.

Oh, and Alexander Semin finally scores against us.  

Carolina 3 - Capitals 2  (1 - 3.  Just like the Redskins. Yay.)

Game 3: Washington Capitals @ Dallas Stars

You would think they did.  The stats were in our favor.

You go 2 - 2 on the PK, you only have 2 penalties, you out shoot them, and yet, you only score 1 goal.

Stars 2 Capitals 1.  And it's the start of Cowboy week too.  Come on guys!

Game 2: Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals

Down 3 - 0 after the first?  No problem, we will just force a shootout and win 5 - 4.  Besides, who does not like a little drama in hockey.

Game 1: Washington Capitals @ Chicago Blackhawks

I know I am late but let the fun begin!
 

 

Questions about Jeff Schultz's trade request.

If you have not heard by now, Jeff Schultz has asked to be traded.  I know for many of you, this is you feel.

Of course with his request to be traded, GM George McPhee said that he would work on a trade.  

With that being said, there are some questions about this trade.

Why would Jeff Schultz want to be traded?

When Steve Olesky proved he could compete at the NHL level after getting called up and Jack Hillen got health, playing time for Jeff Schultz got very limited.

It's obvious, he is not playing.  Schultz only played over 20 minutes twice this season (and both of those were games where the Capitals were getting blown out).  Add the fact that the upcoming season is a contract year, he wants a chance to play for a contract.

Why would anyone want to trade for him?

As hard it is to belief, some teams might be willing to take a chance by adding Jeff Schultz.  

He is 27 years old.  For defensemen, he till have years left in him (well, it was a NHL player that people have confidence in.)

He also has one year left on his contract.  He is going to be playing for a new contract.  People love to make fun of him, he can produce numbers.

This was three seasons ago and let's be honest, we was on the ice with the first line forwards often.  But if a GM might think if you put him with some offensive players, something positive could happen.

Another number to keep in mind is:

There are some teams with cap room that might be willing to take him as a rental.

Anaheim has 24 players under contract on the main squad with $4.8 million in cap room.  Colorado has 22 on their main roster and nice $11 million in cap room.  Hell, Ottawa has 19 on their roster with $22 million.  Someone might be willing to take him as a rental.

And yes, Jeff Schultz is scheduled to make $2,750,000 next season.  I think this is reaction when people make fun of him.

What should we expect in return for Jeff Schultz?

I highly doubt any team would act like this for him

Everyone knows we want to move Jeff Schultz, so the other teams are not going to make an amazing offer for him.  

My biggest fear regarding the trade is we take on someone else's headache.  But it all the offers we get are players with bad contracts or are known viruses, do you want to take a bad contact or just sit Schultz and tell him to stay home and collect paychecks?

What I would want is draft pick.  Most likely it would be a late round pick but I would still be happy with this.  Why?  It takes Schultz's $2,750,000 contract off the books and we are not taking back a bad contract.  This frees up cap space to bring someone else back or shop the free agent market.

But no matter what happens, I am sure this is how Schultz feels.