The 2014-15 season was a return to relevance in the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Washington Capitals after finishing tied for 2nd in the Metro Division after failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in six seasons during the 2013-14 season. The Caps also won their 1st round playoff series against the Islanders, only to be eliminated from further advancement in the Stanley Cup playoffs after experiencing a devastating Game 7 overtime loss to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
For an organization that has struggled in their quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup, obtaining the less than flattering moniker ‘The Choking Dogs’ during seasons in which they dominated the former Southeastern Division of the NHL and also winning the President’s Trophy (best regular season record in the NHL) during the 2009-10 regular season, their return to prominence and an encouraging performance during the Stanley Cup playoffs offered optimism for future Stanley Cup playoff runs.
The reason for the optimism is based upon the organizational changes the Capitals have made from the top of the organization, down. Caps owner, Ted Leonsis decided to part ways with long-time General Manager (GM) George McPhee who manned the helm for 17 years. Leonsis then promoted former Assistant GM Brian MacLellan and hired former Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz, long-regarded as one of the NHL’s best bench bosses to change their on-ice fortunes and the organizational dynamic. Trotz brought in Mitch Korn, a highly-regarded goaltending guru, to work with dynamic, young goaltender Braden Holtby to develop him into one of the NHL’s elite netminders.
As for on-ice player personnel, the Capitals reshaped their blueline, last season in acquiring via Free Agency Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen from the Penguins, the latter move of which was met with much skepticism given Orpik’s recent struggles with injuries. However, both defensemen were solid and solidified the Caps’ overall blueline play as well as fitting Trotz’s defensive philosophy.
As for this season, the only major loss was Mike Green to free agency. Although Green rebounded from a spiraling performance trend, last season, his price tag was something that didn’t seem to be economically feasible given the improved blueline performance.
This off-season, the Capitals focused their efforts on bolstering the right side of their forward lines by acquiring T.J. Oshie from the St. Louis Blues and Justin Williams from the Los Angeles Kings in separate trades. Oshie brings grit and scoring acuity as well as arguably being the NHL’s top shootout threat, although with the NHL’s change to a 3 on 3 overtime, this factor may be somewhat mitigated in value. Williams brings invaluable, 3-time Stanley Cup championship experience to the Caps, something this team who has experienced disappointing Stanley Cup runs can desperately use in April-June.
Such additions foster the Capitals ability to improve both their regular and post-season fortunes as they have added to a solid foundation of an organization. But in analyzing the Capitals prospects for this and any season, it all starts with Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin, who recently turned 30, remains the NHL’s most feared goal-scoring threat, particularly after winning his 5th Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader. Ovechkin will be paired up with his longtime line-mate, Niklas Backstrom who remains one of the premier play-making pivots in the NHL but is coming off of hip surgery and missed the first few games, recovering but has returned to his old form, thus far.
The remaining forward lines are solid with Caps stalwarts Evgeny Kuznetsov, Marcus Johansson, Jay Beagle and Brooks Laich, amongst others.
Trotz provided the Capitals with much-needed stability behind the bench during his first season and led them back to that return to the playoffs. MacLellan has been aggressive during his past two off-seasons, demonstrating his acumen for executive decision-making.
With a solid remaining defensive corps, improved forward lines, the ever-prolific Ovechkin, an effective and stable front office and coaching staff, the Capitals should ascend to become the team to beat in the Metropolitan Division and hopefully, to exorcise the demons of post-season’s past to finally hoist the Stanley Cup.
