Camp Questions In Need of Answers

With the 2009-2010 season just 4 weeks away, there are some questions facing this Caps team as camp is just about ready to begin. In my opinion there are two big question marks. Here they are:

--The goaltending situation. Is Theodore the number 1? Varlamov or Neuvirth?
--How will the defense improve? Who are the sixth and seventh defensemen?


First things first. This team goes nowhere without solid goaltending, as is the case with most teams. But this isn't just any team, this is a team with Stanley Cup aspirations and we all know that unless you have solid goaltending no team comes close to sipping champagne from Lord Stanley's Cup. Saying Theodore has had a tumuluous 5 months is an understatement. First he loses his starting job to Varlamov during last year's playoffs, then he loses his 2 month old son who was born prematurely. Gabby has publically stated that Theo is the starting goalie entering camp, but will Theo be ready to undertake this challenge considering all he's had to endure since the tragedy 1 month ago? Should we even expect him to be ready? I have absolute confidence that he will be ready to when camp starts next week.
I think being pulled from last year's playoffs was a wake-up call for Theo. Just because your the highest paid goalie on the team does not mean your invicible. If you aren't making the saves, somebody else is going to be given the opportunity to make the saves, and Varly took full advantage. I expect Varly to make a run at the number job but but ultimately Theo starts the season as the number one goaltender, but his leash will not be very long. Especially if Varly has a good camp. Ultimately, Neuvirth will be the odd man out, but he's only 20 years old. His time will come.

I don't take much comfort is the fact that the two biggest questions facing the Caps this year are the two must-have's if hoping to win the Cup. I've discussed the goaltending. What about the defense?
Last year's playoffs was a wake up call to the Caps blueline. It proved rather pourous and the Penguins exploited it with relative ease. Still unable to land the piece this team needs most this offseason, a big bruising defenseman. There is still nobody to cause opposing players to think twice about crashing the net. Nobody to clear the crease. I expect this to plague the Caps all year unless a trade can be made. Unfortunately the salary cap situation negated our efforts in landing a big time defenseman. A plethora of defenseman hit the free agent market this offseason; Komisarek, Exelby, Beauchemin, just to name a few. But with money tied up in the long-term contracts of Theodore and Nylander, our ability to make offers for these players was heavily restricted.
So the responsibility lands on the remaining defensemen from last season. Here are my top six D-men for the season opener.

Green--Morrisonn
Poti--Jurcina
Erskine--Pothier

The Caps will most likely carry a seventh defenseman. This should really be an interesting battle during camp. In my opinion it comes down to three players; Schultz, Alzner, and Carlson. Schultz has the most to prove because of his benching during last year's playoffs. Report was he was injured but seriously, come on. Schultz was routinely undressed by opposing forwards, out battled in the corners, and out muscled in the crease. Schultz, who only has one more year on his contract really has to impress during camp.

The answer is Alzner. In 30 games with the Caps last year, Alzner recorded 5 points and was a only a -1. Pretty good for a 21 year old rookie. More importantly though, he was physical and seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. He won the physical battles along the boards. He has a great hockey sense and now has valuable experience gained in the Calder Cup winning campaign last year. With a solid camp, I see no reason why he won't be the seventh man.

Recap: No team wins the Stanley Cup without with solid goaltending and team defense. In my opinion these are the two biggest question marks for the Caps. That leaves me very worried. Nobody can stay with this team offensively but offense never wins championships. I believe the pieces are already in place to drastically improve in these areas. I would gladly trade 5 or 6 of Mike Green's goals for him improve his defense just that much. Yes, he was injured during the playoffs, but his play in his own must improve. Green will be playing for a spot on Team Canada so motivation in his own zone shouldn't be an issue.
We know Theo can make the big saves. But how often? Consistency is the issue with Theo. Will he be consistent? Varly has proven he can make the big saves when called upon. He's proven that on the biggest stage in professional hockey; the NHL playoffs.

Let's go Caps!