According to NHL.com the Rangers acquired former Capital Steve Eminger this afternoon.  Could this be a sign that the Rangers are not going to resign Marc Staal, or this simply a depth move?  If the case is they are not going to be able to resign him, should the Caps make an attempt to acquire Staal’s rights?  In addition to Eminger being acquired, the Rangers also resigned Dan Girardi today giving them six defensemen signed.

I joked at the beginning of free agency that the Caps should trade Nylander for Staal’s rights as a win-win situation, but seriously, how much do you think the Caps would have to give up for Staal’s rights?  I’m not sure what Staal is asking for in terms of money and contract length, but I think he would be an asset on our blue line.  He’s big (6-4), has not had injury problems (lowest games played was 80), and already has 200 games under his belt.  He is a bit light on playoff experience though (17 games).

Staal also possesses some offensive abilities.  He had 8 goals and 19 assists for 27 points last season.  That is similar point production to what Brian Pothier put up his first season with the Caps (3-25-28 in 2006-2007).  None of Staal’s goals were on the power play so he likely wouldn’t take any pressure off of Green if he was signed.

I think Staal would be a decent option.  A major downside would be all the other free agent defensemen whom have already been signed.  If the Rangers haven’t been able to resign Staal because he’s holding out for a contract similar to the ones signed by Gonchar, Michalek, or Volchenvov, then the Caps should look elsewhere. 

There are still several other defensemen available.  While not all of them would be ideal fits for the Caps, aka Marc-Andre Bergeron, some I feel would be worth looking at:

Willie Mitchell:  Health is a concern here since he is recovering from a concussion.  I remember how hard it was for Pothier to recover.  Mitchell would have to prove he’s recovered.

Andy Sutton: Another health risk but would instantly become the Caps’ crease-clearing guy and shot blocker.  He was sought after at the trade deadline by several  teams so I’m surprised he’s still unsigned.

Ian White: He’s not as big as Staal but can help with the power play and has put up some plus seasons while playing in Toronto.  He’s also a restricted free agent so like Staal the Caps would have to give up something.

Aaron Ward: Has playoff experience and has won a couple of cups, but is 37.  I don’t know if he’d be the right guy to mentor Alzner and Carlson.

Shaone Morrisonn: His games played have dropped each season for the past 5 years.  If the Caps wanted him back they likely would have already signed him.  I still think he would be an upgrade over Sloan or Erskine.

Who Do The Caps Aim For?

By Tim Kambach

 I would like to point out that this is my first article, so please don't be too brutal with the comments.

It is not a question of what the caps need.  We know they need a second line center, a big defensive defensemen, and to a lesser extent a veteran backup goalie.  I like Varlamov and Neuvirth, but I don't want to see the situation Montreal had with Price and Halak.  I'm just comparing the situation, not the skills of the players. 

Who should the Caps try to sign to fill those roles?  I do not have the current salary cap numbers for next season and I know that Backstrom as well as others need to be resigned, but here are my suggestions.

Notable Free Agent Centers:

                Joe Pavelski (San Jose)

                Olli Jokinen (New York Rangers)

                Matt Cullen (Ottawa)

                Patrick Marleau (San Jose)

                Tomas Plekanec (Montreal)

Notable Free Agent Defensemen:

                Johnny Boychuk (Boston)

                Andy Sutton (Ottawa)

                Anton Volchenkov (Ottawa)

                Dan Hamhuis (Nashville)              

                Marc Staal (New York Rangers/Restricted Free Agent)

                Rob Blake (San Jose)

Notable Free Agent Goalies:

                Marty Turco (Dallas)

                Dan Ellis (Nashville)

                Vesa Toskala (Calgary)

                Michael Leighton (Philadelphia)

I personally would like to see Pavelski become our second line center and either Hamhuis or Staal for defense.  Pavelski may be too expensive though.  Jokinen has been on the decline the last couple of years.  He may continue, or he may be due for a bounce-back year.  If he's willing to sign for less than his last contract he may be worth a shot.  However,  I wouldn't put too much faith in this considering he had the opportunity to center both Iginla and Gaborik but did not put up the points expected (57 and 50 respectively).  Cullen is possible, but he may decide to return to Carolina since his family did not move with him to Ottawa.  Marleau will likely be out of the Caps' price range and Plekanec had a career year so he will likely look to cash in on that and ask for more money than the Caps can offer.

 I know a lot of people want Volchenkov and I can completely understand why.  I would love to see him on the Caps' blueline.  He is definitely a crease-clearing, defensive defenseman, but he is looking for a large contract.  His style of play also takes a toll on his body.  In the last three seasons he's played 67, 68, and 64 games.  Sutton has played even less.  2009-2010 was the first season he played more than 70 games since 2005-2006.  Hamhuis on the other hand has been more durable, his career low in games played was 2009-2010 at 78 games played.  Staal is still young and who knows how well he'd get along with Semin after the "bongo drum incident."  Boychuk does not have as much NHL experience as the rest of the players on my list so he is more of an unknown in my opinion and it is unknown if Blake will retire after the season.

I'm not too impressed with the free agent goalies this year.  The best would likely be Turco, but he's in his mid 30's.  Ellis wants the chance to be a number 1 goalie and Toskala has been injury prone.  Leighton is good, but we already have 2 young goalies.

If a free agent signing is not possible, should the Caps make a trade?  If I were in their position, the players I would try to trade for would be:

                Robyn Regehr (Calgary)

                Jordan Staal (Pittsburg)

                Patrick Sharp (Chicago)

                Tomas Vokoun (Florida)

Regehr and Sharp would be my picks for trade targets.  Calgary appears to be in a rebuild mode so they may be willing to part with him.  Regehr is a big defensive defenseman who is durable and can kill penalties.  Chicago is in salary cap trouble so Sharp may be available for less than he's worth.  I would like to see Vokoun on the Caps, but only if Florida is pays part of his contract like Ottawa is with Heatly or like the Caps did with Jagr's contract when he was traded to the Rangers.

We'll have to wait for summer to find out what McPhee decides to do.