The Tampa Bay Lightning dispatched of the Capitals in four
games last night, ending yet another season prematurely for Washington. Must have been because the Rangers wore the Caps out. Since the loss, it’s been frequently
mentioned that the Blueshirts are the only team Washington has beaten in the playoffs in the
last four years. I’m not sure if that’s
worse for the Capitals or for the Rangers.
Many are suggesting that Washington needs to seriously consider
changing its nucleus because this one doesn’t seem to be getting the job
done. GM George McPhee said today that
he expects Coach Bruce Boudreau to be back next year, but it still seems like
Boudreau may be on the way out. Outside
of that, Washington
may have to give serious thought to moving one of Alex Semin, Mike Green, or
Nicklas Backstrom.
Andrew Gross discusses the possibility that the Rangers
could be interested in trading for one of the three here. I don’t see it. Backstrom has a cap hit of $6.7 million
through 2020 and has already proven that he wilts under the pressure of the
playoffs. I can’t imagine that he’d
thrive under the bright lights of Broadway without Alex Ovechkin’s shadow to
hide behind. Green has had too many
injury concerns for my liking, and the Rangers appear to be set on defense with
their own homegrown players. Semin may
make the most sense because he’s a proven goal scorer and has just one year
remaining on his contract. Still, he’s
been very enigmatic throughout his career, and it doesn’t make too much sense
for the Rangers to trade for him when he has just one year left on his
deal. Who knows what Semin plans to do
after that? Trading for any of the three would also mean the Rangers would have to give up top prospects and likely Brandon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan. If Ovechkin becomes
available, that’s another story.
Other notes:
- Gross also notes that the Stanley Cup will be in Hackensack, New
Jersey on Saturday from 3:30-6:00. It’ll be on display at Ice House hockey rink
and fans will have the opportunity to get their picture taken with the Cup for
free. Click here for more details.
- Too the chagrin joy of Rangers’ fans, the
Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie woes continued last night and they now trail three
games to none to the Boston Bruins. It’s
mind boggling to me that the Flyers haven’t found a goalie yet.
