How is your D looking?

Just looking through some of the Eastern teams and noticed that there is a shortage of D-men on the Caps with NHL experience.

What would you offer up for Denis Gauthier?

Sutter would be looking for a Western Canadian born player who would be known for size and speed.

Yonkman - I know!
Fussey
Gordon
Would all fit the bill as far as prospects go, however they are also going to be good players once they get the chance.

I'd like to get your thoughts.

Gauthier is really only a hyped up #5 guy. We need players who can log serious minutes. Now if you're willing to part with Regehr (which you aren't) that's a different question...

It is true that Denis is not the best puck mover. However, there are more then a few players in the west that would be happy to see him move to an Eastern team. I was thinking he would be a good fit with the Caps as they are short on D and Denis would not be reilied upon to provide offense but mearly clear the net, draw penalties and provide the momentum changing BIG hits which is all what he does best.

As a Flames fan, I would really hate to see the guy go but it's been 7 years.....

We need to do something.

It is true that Denis is not the best puck mover. However, there are more then a few players in the west that would be happy to see him move to an Eastern team. I was thinking he would be a good fit with the Caps as they are short on D and Denis would not be reilied upon to provide offense but mearly clear the net, draw penalties and provide the momentum changing BIG hits which is all what he does best.

As a Flames fan, I would really hate to see the guy go but it's been 7 years.....

We need to do something.

I am not familiar with Denis or his contract. I looked at his numbers.
he plays almost 20:00 a game and is a plus player in Calgary. He can't be too bad. On the other side of that the Caps have Brendan Witt on the 2nd pair and Jason Doig on the 3rd pair that can provide the momentum changing BIG hits. What the Capitals really need are quality partners for those two guys and a steady defensive defenseman that is mobil enough to partner with a big ice player like Gonchar on the first pair.
McPhee has been very upfront about his plan for the defense this season. Berry, Boumedienne, Eminger, Kwiatkowski and Yonkman, all of whom skate well to very well will get a chance to take those 3 open slots. After 20 games, McPhee will evaluate the young guys and if necessary make a trade for one of the host of good defensemen that are playing out the end of a one year contract. IMO if the Caps are not buried by that time, McPhee will likely be able to find a vastly superior player in December than Denis and give up less in the process.

I am not familiar with Denis or his contract. I looked at his numbers.
he plays almost 20:00 a game and is a plus player in Calgary. He can't be too bad. On the other side of that the Caps have Brendan Witt on the 2nd pair and Jason Doig on the 3rd pair that can provide the momentum changing BIG hits. What the Capitals really need are quality partners for those two guys and a steady defensive defenseman that is mobil enough to partner with a big ice player like Gonchar on the first pair.
McPhee has been very upfront about his plan for the defense this season. Berry, Boumedienne, Eminger, Kwiatkowski and Yonkman, all of whom skate well to very well will get a chance to take those 3 open slots. After 20 games, McPhee will evaluate the young guys and if necessary make a trade for one of the host of good defensemen that are playing out the end of a one year contract. IMO if the Caps are not buried by that time, McPhee will likely be able to find a vastly superior player in December than Denis and give up less in the process.

Gauthier will make $1.3 mil this season and he's signed through the end of this season.