Off Season Reviews Part V

With players reporting to training camp tomorrow, ESPN once again chimes in, this time the contestant is E.J. Hradek and to add insult to injury, you have to pay to read this (which of course, I have ways around...)

It is kind of sad because it provides a slightly better analysis of what the Caps DID do during this past off season instead of what the Caps DID NOT do during this past off season.

He says that the Caps would be crazy to NOT build around A.O. (DUH!), that Brian Pothier should help the Power Play, that Richard Zednik might enjoy a change of scenery (meet the new boss, same as the old boss), that Alexander Semin should thrive in the "new NHL", and that Donald Brashear can protect A.O. provided that Brashear can avoid the stupid penalties. Hradek also praises the Caps for selecting Nicklas Backstrom and Simeon Varlamov.

Hradek wraps up with this:

I don't think the Caps are ready to compete for a playoff spot, but with Ovechkin in the lineup, they'll again be fun to watch.

Which I can't find much to argue with. This was actually a decent and sober look at the Caps. No wonder ESPN makes you pay for it...