To a team with a short-term need for goaltending help for a 5th rounder. How could one's stock fall so far, so fast? You don't ever want to see anyone's career crater like this. I hope the change of scenery allows him to rediscover what made him a first rounder in the first place.

___________
Play hard, shake hands, drink beer.

"LA needs two hockey teams like Switzerland needs two navies" -- Norman Chad (from "My 10-Point Plan to Save Gary Bettman from Himself")


If you've read this far, you probably could use a hobby

That's not right.  The team is rebuilding and wants a crop of young guys to grow and develop together.  That should include a goaltender.  That's why they wanted him originally -- a kid with potential who could possibly become the cornerstone after Ollie departed.  Instead, they play him a few games early in the season.  When he gets shellacked by the opposition because the defense was essentially non-existent, they ship him to Hershey and bring in Johnson.  They don't play Ouellet much in Hershey.  Meanwhile, the only area where Johnson proves himself consistent is in his inconsistence. They should have shipped his sorry ass out of here and let Ouellet develop with the team and gradually regain his confidence.  I lay the blame squarely on management on this one.  I wish him the best and hope he regains his game because he wasn't given the chance to do so over here. 

And, according to Dave Fay in this morning's Washington Times, Klepis has been sent down to Hershey (presumably so he gets more ice time), and a replacement will be called up today- rumors over the last couple of days indicate it's Mink (and the official site has an interview with Mink, that was posted in Hershey in early November, up on the main news page).

http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20051202-114829-8863r.htm

Changes are in the wind.....

I've thought, over the last couple of weeks, that the bloom is gradually falling off the rose of the "new" NHL season, and that it was time for teams to begin making minor adjustments; trades throughout the League the last several days have strengthened this feeling for me. The reason doesn't always seem to be salary cap issues, either- we often see what seems to be disinterested, disspirited hockey from around Thanksgiving until the last 25-30 games of the season, as teams settle into the pace of the game and finally have to make a run at positioning for the playoffs. This year has been no different, and I really think the last three Caps' games have proved the point to my satisfaction (Rangers- a snoozer, from both teams; Buffalo- a team that had all the rest and practice they needed, and could barely beat the Caps; Florida- another two-way nap, although the Caps had several days to prepare).

That's not to say I'm happy, with that kind of play, but to say that teams can now try to work guys into the lineup for a few games here and there, without disturbing any early basic chemistry created, and discover who can (or cannot) add a little more to the mix. It isn't just the Caps doing this, either- check the transactions page at NHL.com, and there's something going on every day, now.

December 2, 2005	OUELLET TO VANCOUVER
	The Vancouver Canucks acquired goaltender Maxime Ouellet from the Washington Capitals for a fifth-round draft pick in 2006.		Maxime Ouellet
	What does it give the Vancouver Canucks? The Canucks needed goaltending depth, so adding Ouellet makes sense. Not too long ago, Ouellet was considered a top goalkeeping prospect. However, he fell on hard times in the Washington organization and could use a change of scenery.
	What does it give the Washington Capitals? The Capitals will now seek out their next goaltender of the future, since Ouellet wasn't the answer. Then again, veteran Olaf Kolzig is in the process of reviving his career--which was another reason why Ouellet became expendable this season. The fifth rounder was the best GM George McPhee could do for a young, struggling goalie.

 

I thought we would get rid of him soon, but I didn't think it would be for so little in return, although the guys at forecaster.ca seem to think it was a good deal. We now need to find Olie's successor, but we can wait until the trade deadline... if we're not close to a playoff berth by then, I guess we'll trade guys like Cassels, Friesen, Witt and perhaps Kolzig (not sure), and get something in return. I would totally try to get Huet from the Canadiens, as far as I'm concerned, but I'm biased.