The Capitals Busy at the NHL Trade Deadline

Amid all the transactions that included the Washington Capitals as the NHL Trading Deadline approached, it's interesting to interpret the Capitals plan for the season and in the long term. If the Caps season holds course and they're not able to make the playoffs by winning the Southeast Division, the Caps could conceivably have the sixth pick in the draft. By making the playoffs as the Southeast Division winner and potentially losing in the first round the Caps could then see themselves drafting in what's regarded as a deep draft year on talent by falling back to somewhere near the 22nd Pick.

No one is saying that the Caps shouldn't try to move forward or put their best foot forward to make the playoffs, but having a successful and long term strategy is imperative. Stan Kasden and the Washington Nationals seem to understand and implement a sound strategy better than any local sports team. The Caps have essentially added some players as rentals that aren't brought in to help contend for the Cup but to merely make the playoffs.

Although making the playoffs is a nice first step it's a huge set back to not make the playoffs the following year and building off of any progress made. When the very players brought in disappear the following season what's one to expect. The Southeast Division is a disaster when looking at total points. Players that are brought into the fold during the season and offseason should have the same goal in mind which is does bringing in a particular player improve the team in the long term and help the team gain contender status. Players such as Federov and his current age are usually acquired by teams looking for a specific role the player can provide that should cement their ascent to the Finals. The Caps aren't in such a position so how does giving up picks and or prospects for such players that won't help bring home a trophy in the current season or be in the long term plans help the team other than as a feel good transaction to show that the team is willing to move forward as a sign to players and season ticket holders. This seems to be in conflict to a more of a standard strategy for teams moving forward.

Federov is 38 years old and recovering from a concussion and a charlie horse. His skills are still evident even at his current age, but the very low price also illustrates Federov's worth and his current skill level in the market at this point in his career. Sergei's contract expires at the end of the season. How much help can Federov possibly provide for a team just desperate to make the playoffs only to unload and most likely not re-sign him and similar older players would only set the team back in the development process.

It's nice to have quality goaltending, but how much is too much? No one goalie appears ready to claim the mantle of stopper. Kolzig at 37 has shown stretches and Huet is a steady goalie but neither at this point in their career leads anyone to believe that they are a stopper. The era of platooning goaltenders during the playoffs and moreover the regular season ironically coincided with rise of Olie as the Caps starting goaltender. Gone are the times of the backup goaltender spelling the regular goalie for a game or two in a playoff series. The acquisition of Huet only sets up a murky situation and difficult decision for a team with a proven goaltender that can dominate games during stretches with a track record of showing strong performances in the post season. It's no surprise that Kolzig isn't the same player as ten years ago but his skills are still sharp enough for a winning team much like Hasek. Decisions by the Caps will have to be made going forward regarding the long term direction behind the net for Kolzig, Huet (turning 33 in the final year of a contract), Brent Johnson, and the two top goaltending prospects.

The Caps appeared to have made a decision to no longer wait for Pettinger to jump to the next level as they traded for a more proven role player in Matt Cooke. The Caps also re-acquired Alex Giroux for Motzko.

For a team looking to bolster its Stanley Cup Trophy prospects today's trades would be heralded, but for a team scrapping to make the playoffs among a weak field within the division the trades really showcase the organization's decision making process.

Plenty of players were moved as the trade deadline approached and yet no players that would have an immediate and long term impact were brought to Washington. The Penguins acquired Hossa for talented prospects and draft picks. To acquire such talented players in their prime you have to give up something to get something. At the end of the day the Caps gave up very little...enough said.