Washington Capitals 2014-15 Season Preview
Sep 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center
Nicklas Backstrom(19) skates on the ice against the Boston Bruins at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
2013-14 RECAP
For a team with so many dynamic offensive talents, the Capitals were rather non-descript and didn’t really forge much of an identity under Adam Oates. As a result, a change in direction is ahead with a new bench boss that will have the team looking to improve on its 5th place finish in the Metropolitan Division.
Oct 2, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) talks with Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) during a stoppage in play against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
CHANGES
IN – Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik, Justin Peters
OUT- Mikhail Grabovski
Obviously the big news over the summer was the contracts they offered to a pair of former Penguins’ blueliners. Orpik’s contract is pointed at as what is wrong with NHL general managers, but he is a veteran presence who should help in his own end.
Sep 28, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
3 BIG QUESTIONS
1. Trotz Effect? – Capitals’ new head coach Barry Trotz has never had the type of offensive tools at his disposal that he will have in Washington with the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green. How will he handle them, and their previous aversion to playing all ends of the ice, will go a long way to determining whether or not he can have success.
2. Star Power? – Assuming Trotz is demanding a 200 foot game from all players, how the stars buy into the system will determine how long he is around. If Ovie and co. don’t, Trotz’ tenure in Washington won’t last as long as it did in Nashville.
3. Can Holtby Be The Man? – Washington has allowed Semyon Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth and Jaroslav Halak all leave town in the past 3 years, handing the starting job to Braden Holtby. Holtby has had ups and downs, and it remains to be seen if he can provide the consistency the Caps will need to make up ground and catch a playoff spot.
Sep 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck against the Boston Bruins at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
PREDICTION
Trotz is either going to get command of the locker room, or it will be a gong show. The Caps could be a playoff team or they could be in McDavid-Eichel territory. I’m guessing they are somewhere in between, but won’t see the playoffs.
6th METROPOLITAN DIVISION