Capitals Hit the Lottery, Draft Lottery that is

Washington Post - (4/19/07):

Its a great time maybe to be a capitals fan again. They will be recieving the first overall pick in the 2007 nhl entry draft. Is that good or bad. "Well, this is great." Said Gm Sviland. "We need to start progressing forward and gain some ground. We feel that the team at the last 6 weeks of the season, once healthy, was as strong as any team out there. Kids were coming up and coming around. Some were completing the fight for there roster spots while others made solid progress to look forward to next year." When asked what GM Sviland will do this upcomming draft, he said: " We will counter over our possabilities and see where we need to make a move and see what needs to be done. We already know what two players we will be looking at to pick, but more then likely we are already tipping our hat at one certain player, who will remain unsaid of for now." .. More then likely, the Capitals are looking at one on OHL Scoring sensation Pat Kane, who had a amazing year as a rookie. Along with Kane, another dominating CHL forward Jabuk Voracek could be looked upon in Washington. Now, theres only to question who else could Washington be targeting..? Could it be Alexei Cherepanov, a scoring sensation who will razzle and dazzle you, yet the question still remain unknown about the IIHF agreement with Russia, or could it be the upside to Kyle Turris who is turning a bunch of heads.. only time will tell.

The thing is, Washington is in a great situation right now. Returners will make a strong forward crop upfront. There has been a ton of praise for kids at the end of the year such as Marc-Aontoine Pouliot and Valterri Filppula. "This kid will be one of the best Finnish players in the league, if not the best, in less then a few years" Said Former NHL sensation Jari Kurri. "He will be one of the top picks to be asked to play on Team Finland in the next Olympics." Said Temmu Selanne. So there isnt a ton of problems there with Washingtons cuture top 6. Maybe people are going to wonder who could make it, who needs time, who could be a call up, well, heres the expert analysis from GM Sviland on what he prodicts will happen this coming season:

Returning players:
Brown - Sundin - Williams
Richards - Hudler - Filppula
Bulis - Pouliot - Eriksson

Now the question is, who fights for that 3rd line spot?

Mikael Samuelsson: Likely trade bait
Joel Lundqvist: Could be back, reserve spot more then likely if everything works out
Tomas Fleischmann: Should be a regular next season
Alexandre Picard: Should be a regular next season
Mikhal Grabovski: Should be a regular by end of next season
Nils Ekman: More then likely start the year upfront, could be dealt
Konstantin Pushkarev: Call up.. If not regular by end of season, could be dealt
Kris Chucko: Needs work in AHL, could be few game call up
Michael Frolik: Outside chance to make opening roster
Marek Zagrapan: Outside chance to make opening roster
Igor Grigorenko: Should be regular next season
T.J. Hensick: Should see AHL time, could be regular by end of year or following
Daniel Ryder: Outside chance to make opening roster
Roman Voloshenko: AHL for the year, could be call up
Sean Bergenheim: Should be regular next season or more then likely dealt
First overall pick: Outside chance to make opening roster

others not named are overseas or in college..

Defense will reamin intact of the most part, it will see a emergence of Kris Letang into the fold, pushing Anton Babchuk to reserves for a while to sit incase of injuries *knock on wood*... Then again, a emergence of Kyle Quincey into a full timer, could deal out Anton by early season.

Goaltending should consist of Howard and stellar goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury. The wait continues, Howard should be starting by following season or atleast backing up..

Enforcer will contain Scott Thornton again next year, inless Tyson Nash is still around.


Worst Case line up:

Sundin - Brown - Richards
Williams - Hudler - Filppula
Bulis - Samuelsson - Ekman
Eriksson - Pouliot - Lundqvist

Liles - Seabrook
Hamhuis - Kronwall
Beauchemin - Babchuk

Grabovski
Thornton

Fleury
Howard

Best Case:

Sundin - Brown - Richards
Williams - Hudler - Filppula
Pouliot - Grigorenko - Bergenheim
Frolik - Grabovski - Fleischmann

Liles - Seabrook
Hamhuis - Kronwall
Letang - Beauchemin

Thornton
First Overall draftee

Fleury
Howard

If this happens, howard makes 100 pts atleast, the defense is completely healthy and continues to emerge, all forwards are regulars seeing top 9 forward minutes and not bottom minutes, then this could be a playoff team by years end.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS, PLAYOFF BIRTH IN 2008!!