I know the Caps will not make any huge moves this off-season.  I think they will mainly stick to their development plan.  So far this FA period:

1. Re-signed Brent Johnson to a one-year deal

2. Signed Brian Pothier (D) to a four-year deal

3. And, as mentioned in fjc's thread, bought out Yonks

I think keeping Johnson was a good move.  He looked awful early in the season, but then, so did the defense.  His last half-dozen games, he looked pretty good.  He'll continue to be a decent back-up.

As for Pothier, I know he played with the Sens.  He was originally signed by the Thrash.  Can't really place his play.  However, his plus-minus of +29 was third on the team and fifth in the NHL for defensemen.  He might be a good anchor for the younger guys.  We'll see.

As for Yonks, I'm sorry to see him go now because it seemed that he was finally getting on track last season.

I never know how to take these write-ups.  Here is ESPN dropping a lot of ink (or ether bits, if you'd rather   on all the signings yesterday.  Yet, here is what they say about the Caps deal:

"The Senators, who lost Chara and Brian Pothier (who somehow got a four-year, $10 million contract from the Caps) from their blue line, signed unheralded Joe Corvo to a four-year deal worth $10.5 million."

So, does that mean they don't think much of Pothier?  Or, they don't think much of the Caps deal-making abilities?  Or both?  Since I really haven't kept up with Pothier's play, I'm not really qualified to determine on the worth of the deal, but, it still irks me.  Here is the link if you care to read the whole thing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2507337

Capitals Qualify 11 Players

June 27, 2006

The Washington Capitals on Monday issued qualifying offers to 11 players: forwards Kris Beech, Matt Bradley, Ben Clymer, Rico Fata, Boyd Gordon, Brooks Laich, Matt Pettinger and Brian Sutherby and defensemen Jakub Cutta, Steve Eminger and Shaone Morrisonn. Four players (forwards Jared Aulin, Owen Fussey and Brian Willsie and defenseman Mathieu Biron) were not tendered qualifying offers and are unrestricted free agents. The Capitals are continuing negotiations with Willsie in hopes of keeping him in Washington for the 2006-07 season.

***

Hope we re-sign Willsie. We also need to sign a very good forward to play with Ovechkin, I think, a 30-goal scorer.

If we tried to get Chara, then I believe we'll try to sign another top defenseman.

Not that I'm all that clever, but over on official......

crowesnest	Posted on: Jun 16 2006, 09:01 PM
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,319 Joined: 7-May 04 From: Arlington, Virginia Member No.: 140 Rating: < 0 ( 0 ) 10 >	C- Manny Malhotra (if he can stay healthy enough to play 75+ games) D- Brian Pothier Could maybe pick them both up for less than $1.5 total.

Missed on the money (and I really think GMs around the League are making the same old mistake of overpaying), but got the right name.

edit: Here's a good free agent tracker:

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/06NHL_freeagent_tracker.php

Yeah, I agree with that.  I've been sort of puzzled by the clubs some of those guys chose.  I guess it all comes down to money. 

Chara to Boston -- let's face it, he's not going to make that much of a difference there that will lead them to a successful playoff run.  I give him one season before he gets traded to the Sharks!

Witt to the Islanders.  He said this was one of his top teams.  Really, Brendan?  You have one of the bottom feeders as one of your top teams?  I would have thought that with his house in Florida and his love of surfing, either the Bolts or Panthers might have been a better fit.

Guerin to the Blues.  Well, I suppose he had to go somewhere.  So -- Guerin-Tkatchuk-Weight -- man, you not only will need tons of ice for those aching joints, but, they might as well invest in gallons of Geritol too!

Pronger to Anaheim.  I know his choices were limited since he was traded but...is Anaheim that much better than Edmonton?  I wonder how well his wife will like that area.  Maybe he'll develop another "personal situation" at the end of next season.

Oh yeah, I don't want to forget this blast from the past for Caps fans -- Thrashers signed Glen Metropolit - who played in Sweden all last season, leading his team to the championship.  Metro back in the NHL.  Good for him.

I know a pair of D-men available now -- Majesky and Yonkman -- wonder if the Caps will pick them up.   

But Semin should be back, so Pettinger could play on the RW, I think.

The signings of Mike Weaver (who?) and Ben Ondrus (WHO?) yesterday signifies the  faf(free agent frenzy) is at an end.

Props to Skate on official, who posted "B.ondrus signs with Leafs", thus putting the fear of God into several posters there.....

he reported signed for less money to play in New York (Montreal and Detroit are reported to have offered more).

Musta spent sum time on Zug Island sniffing the fumes