Trading Deadline

GM George McPhee has repeatedly stated that the team is good enough to take a run. I've not doubted that he meant it so other than the volume of activity none of the moves was a surprise. In all cases he was adding depth and attitude as opposed to filling holes - the addition of much-needed centerman in the form of Belanger being the exception.

These moves were much more in the vein of preparing for a long haul - rather than finding a new vehicle they stocked up on spare parts. All of the players will be UFA's at season end and their cost had minimal effect on the organization's talent stream or its ability to manage contracts going forward. This year and next offer the best chance for a cup run and the Caps have served notice to the rest of the league that they are prepared to go the distance this year without limiting their ability to try again next year.

Belanger - This move filled what I thought was the biggest hole on the roster. Brendan Morrison has scored one goal since Christmas and while moving Flash to center has not slowed down production it has proven to be a defensive liability as he has struggled at faceoffs and is on the ice for a lot of goals against. Belanger will help to fill the gaps at second/third line center, win faceoffs (57%), and kill penalties - an area where the Caps are woefully underperforming.

Joe Corvo - Corvo has (already) been criticized as being "Mike Green lite" and a turnover machine. Many in Caps Nation are disappointed that there was a defensive acquisition that is not large and ornery. But the fact is that Mike Green entered the playoffs last year as a mere shell of his regular season self. Despite being beat up and worn down, Boudreau had to keep going to that well. The addition of Corvo along with the Olympic break should help ensure that Green is in high gear for the playoff run and provides an able backup - particularly on the power play should Green become unavailable.

Scott Walker - Strictly a depth addition. This a case where management has a familiarity with a player and sees the opportunity to add what could be a key role player. His willingness to mix it up and put his nose into a scrum will be an asset for a team that has no designated enforcer.

Milan Jurcina - Adding back a known quantity as defensive depth. Currently injured, he may not be ready to play until the playoffs - and he may not get much time then.

What they did not get:

Goaltender. I would have been shocked to see McPhee go after a "proven" goaltender. There would have been a steep price for anyone in that category and it makes no sense to mortgage the future for a goalie when your own organization is deep in that category.

A shut down stud d-man. I don't how many true studs were available - Hamhuis might have been a nice addition - but again, the strategy seemed to be to add depth without sacrificing talent. Look at the Pronger experiment in Philly and decide if that was worth losing Knuble over.

The McPhee vision seems to be this: It's not 1995 anymore. In a post-lockout salary cap league you don't necessarily need a hall of fame goaltender (Fleury, Osgood, Giguerre, Ward - which of these guys gets in without buying a ticket?) or the league's best defense to go all the way. Instead of the pre-lockout hook-and-grab, build from the goal out, win with two goals mindset, it is now possible to win with speed, full ice pressure, and scoring. That's how McPhee has built this edition of the Capitals and its proven to be a successful regular season formula.

Boudreau will now be challenged with squeezing in the new guys with minimal disruption to what is already THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. This is probably the end of the road for Quintin Laing and Tyler Sloan. Boyd Gordon and David Steckel may find themselves on the outside looking in more than they would like and Alzner and Carlson probably won't get many playoff minutes, if any. Time to buckle up - and down.