Season predictions??

Caps 3rd in East, SE Champs, 98 points

Jagr 45 goals, 65 assists, +28 MVP

Zubrus 32 goals, 35 assists

Bondra 35 goals, 20 assists

Lang 29 goals, 48 assists

Gonchar 26 goals, 50 assists

Sounds like fun!!!

Doig 22 goals 39 assists and a +40

I kid I kid...

Zubrus is going to be huge catalyst for the caps and in my opinion more then what jagr is going to be

Caps 3rd in East, SE Champs, 98 points

Jagr 45 goals, 65 assists, +28 MVP

Zubrus 32 goals, 35 assists

Bondra 35 goals, 20 assists

Lang 29 goals, 48 assists

Gonchar 26 goals, 50 assists

Do you really see Jagr with 110pts?

Zubrus is going to be huge catalyst for the caps and in my opinion more then what jagr is going to be

A lot of things are lining up for this to happen. It will be interesting to see what happens.

9th in the east...2nd in the se division.
1. Zubrus---30g 51a-81pts
2. Jagr------35g 35a-70pts
3. Lang-----24g 45a-69pts
4. Bondra---35g 30a-65pts
5. Halpern---22g 32a-54pts
6. Semin----16g 30a-46pts
7. Gonchar--18g 45a-63pts
8. Kolzig----2.60gaa .923sv%

In the end...no defense. Gonchar and Witt will have great seasons.
Eminger will have a good rookie season, but that won't be enough.
The Caps were 24th in shots on goal against last year with Johansson and Klee. This year will only get worse in that regard. I can't imagine the Caps goals against staying where it is. Kwiatkowski, Boumedienne and Gruden are just not NHL defensemen. Eminger while ready to play in the NHL with managed minutes, he is not ready to be a 20:00 player. Doig is a solid role player that can deliver a big hit, but he is not a top 4 defenseman either.
That leaves the Caps with a terrible hole at #3 and #4 defenseman.
Gonchar will be held back, because he is partnered with a minor league quality defensemen. Opposing teams top lines will consistanly work Eminger's side of the ice and steer clear of Witt.
I think its possible that the Caps have a new coach by December.

I think its possible that the Caps have a new coach by December.


I don't think by November is out of the question. Only 3-4 wins in October is entirely possible.

I don't think by November is out of the question. Only 3-4 wins in October is entirely possible.

I really meant my personal predictions in jest. I know they are extremely, extremely unlikely. But, that's what I'm hoping for.

Zubrus is really the only HUGE reach.

Hmmmm.

Optomistically, 8th in the East, 2nd in the SE, to Carolina.

Jagr - 35g, 45a - 80 pts
Lang - 19g, 50a - 69 pts
Zubrus - 22g, 42a - 64 pts
Bondra - 32g, 23a - 55 pts
Nylander - 18g, 35a - 53 pts

I don't see Cassidy being fired that early, as I don't think Ted will want to pay his salary as well as an interim coach's, though if they just bumped up Hanlon or Carlyle, they probably wouldn't have to.

I'm not a fan of the defense right now, but, hopefully, the reports of the Caps trying to make a move for a dman are true. Kwiatkowski is the biggest hole, IMO. While offensive, Boumedienne at least plays chippy. Doig is Doig. Gruden's in the press-box.

Need a #3 or #4 dman, agreed.

The caps are one defensive injury away from disaster...its interesting seeing zubrus's project goal totals when he has never scored over 20

The Hockey News predicted 93 points for Jagr and 77 points for Lang. I'd take both of those.

Hmmmm.

Optomistically, 8th in the East, 2nd in the SE, to Carolina.

Jagr - 35g, 45a - 80 pts
Lang - 19g, 50a - 69 pts
Zubrus - 22g, 42a - 64 pts
Bondra - 32g, 23a - 55 pts
Nylander - 18g, 35a - 53 pts

I don't see Cassidy being fired that early, as I don't think Ted will want to pay his salary as well as an interim coach's, though if they just bumped up Hanlon or Carlyle, they probably wouldn't have to.

I'm not a fan of the defense right now, but, hopefully, the reports of the Caps trying to make a move for a dman are true. Kwiatkowski is the biggest hole, IMO. While offensive, Boumedienne at least plays chippy. Doig is Doig. Gruden's in the press-box.

Need a #3 or #4 dman, agreed.

1. 2nd in the east to Carolina. I am a little surprised by how little respect that Tampa Bay is getting. They have something that Caps don't have. A full compliment of actual NHL defensemen. I think Carolina could return to a competitive level particularly if Staal is for real.
But I think Tampa Bay is not to be dismissed so easily.
2. I could be mistaken, but Coach is an annually paid position, not seasonal. So Cassidy has been getting his check all off season. So paying two coaches won't be as painful as it might seem and this is Cassidy's last year on his deal. The Caps play their 13 games against
above .500 teams except for 2 with Atlanta and only Montreal missed the playoffs of the other teams. With a 6 game road conisting of Dallas, St. Louis, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto twice, the Caps will have to step up right away. They could lose all 6 of those games without blinking. I think if that happens Cassidy is in a lot of trouble. I think that the Caps will only make a coaching change, though, if they can get a veteran coach that can get all of their top players hitting on all cylinders at the same time. Hockey is one of the few sports that a coaching change can have instant and dramatic effect on a team.
Its my feeling that Larry Robinson would jump at a chance to coach a team an former league MVP, a two time goal scoring champion, a Norris Trophy candidate and a Vezina trophy winner. He has turned down lesser teams, but I think would be the perfect coach for the Capitals, if
Cassidy can't make it work. On the other hand if Cassidy can nurse the Caps thru that opening stretch with a .500 record, it will mean that Eminger is up to the task and that the primary players from Jagr to Kolzig are on their games and that he should be fine.
3.

The Hockey News predicted 93 points for Jagr and 77 points for Lang. I'd take both of those.

No question. 93 pts for Jagr means the Caps have a top 5 power play again. the 77 pts from Lang would have an even greater impact because as of now Lang is not on the same line or same power play unit as Jagr. I think it also says that the Caps are scoring the first goal more often and playing ahead. Playing from behind allows the other team to tighten their trap.