the schedule is up

Thoughts on this shortened season schedule.

Looking at the schedule here’s what I think the season should look like

January should be a good month for 7 games to break out of the gate. The toughest matchup is probably New Jersey. I feel it should be easy for the caps to come out of January 4-2 or 6-1

February things start to ramp up starting the month off with Philly and then Pittsburgh on super bowl Sunday. 6-6 I feel will be respectable but would rather see something like 8-4

March seems to be the toughest month for caps hockey. With key matchups against Rangers, Canes Bruins and flyers and then there’s those pesky march matchups with buffalo that tend to give us issues…I’m going to predict an optimistic 10-6

And that brings us to April, The final month of the regular season. Trade deadline is April 3^rd but I don’t see there being much trade deadline action this year I think too many teams will still be in the hunt for playoff spots. Out of 13 games I feel the caps can come away with at least 5-6 and will make the playoffs. I would hope as second or third seed but I’ll take another 7^th seed finish again this year. All that really matters are we make it to the dance. Then it’s anyone’s game.

If you would like to take a look for your self the schedule can be found at Washington Capitals Schedule 2013

Fly into the danger zone...

First order of business for the Capitals apparently to sign another scoring winger. So they brought back MR F-16. That's right Eric Fehr will be rejoining the caps this season under a 600k 1yr contract.
Welcome back F-16.

And we wait..

The other day the NHL board of governors voted unanimously to ratify the new CBA. Now it's the players turn. The vote started Thursday night and was set to end Saturday morning at 8am. It's now almost 10 and were still waiting.

another note

The other thing that the lockout brings is finally the debut of our new head coach ADAM OATES. cant wait to see if he will take the cuffs off of Ovi. like i think he will.!!

NEW CBA!!!!!!!

Here are some of the key details that are in the new CBA. it honestly looks alot like the Dec 6 NHLPA proposal but that is splitting hairs at this point.

• 10-year agreement (either side can opt out after eight years).

• 50-50 split in revenues.

• $70.2 million prorated salary cap this season; $64.3 million ceiling in 2013-14 with $44 million floor.

• Maximum contract lengths of seven years (eight years for teams re-signing own players).

• Year-to-year variance of salaries is a maximum 35 percent; the lowest season cannot be less than 50 percent of the highest.

• $200 million in revenue sharing.

• Defined player pension plan with owners accepting liability.

• Two compliance buyouts per team for 2013-14 that wouldn't count vs. the salary cap.

• Minimum salary starts at $525,000, increases to $750,000 by Year 9.

• Suspensions longer than six games go to a third party for appeal.

• All 14 non-playoff teams will have a shot at the No. 1 overall draft pick.

• Olympics and realignment will be agreed upon at a later date between the NHL and NHLPA.

To be honest I am still stoked as hell that the NHL is back. Part of me also wont believe it till i hear the first goal horn of the season

look actual hockey talk!!!

in case you were wondering here are the players who are still left as RFA since the lockout started.

Player	Pos	Team	Age	Cap Hit	Expiry
Kulikov, Dmitry »	D	FLA	22	$1,325,000	2012 (RFA)
Petrecki, Nick »	D	SAN	23	$1,125,000	2012 (RFA)
Del Zotto, Michael »	D	NYR	22	$1,087,500	2012 (RFA)
O'Reilly, Ryan »	C	COL	21	$900,000	2012 (RFA)
Subban, P.K. »	D	MTL	23	$875,000	2012 (RFA)
Benn, Jamie »	C	DAL	23	$821,667	2012 (RFA)
Palmieri, Nick »	R	MIN	23	$801,667	2012 (RFA)
Franson, Cody »	D	TOR	25	$800,000	2012 (RFA)
MacLean, Brett »	L	PHO	24	$735,000	2012 (RFA)
Sheppard, James »	C	SAN	24	$725,000	2012 (RFA)

HOCKEY IS BACK!!!

Been waiting all year for this post. Well ladies and gentleman we are going to have a season!!!. last night after a marathon session the NHL and NHLPA both reaches a tentative agreement to get the season started. Expecting #Caps and other #NHL training camps to begin before next weekend. Not sure yet 48 or 50 game season.