CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
- Feb 27, 2002
- 64,673
- 19,513
I think last year's miracle run has skewed the perception of this Caps' team true strength and the real odds of winning even for a good team. The current core had perennial 2nd round exits until it went on a crazy run (esp. against Tampa) and won the Cup. I think the next core can quite realistically reach the level of (at least) perennial 1st/2nd round exits until it goes on a miracle run and reaches the finals, let's say. And that wouldn't be a huge drop-off.
Already with guys like Samsonov, Alexeyev, there's good potential for young guys performing well on cheap contracts. It would probably be a lesser miracle than what Vrana and especially Wilson provided last year.
I think at best immediately after 8, 19, 70 are gone, they at best will be a team that struggles to make the playoffs, at worst they’ll miss. Time will tell. They’ll need to find some all star level talent to plug huge gaping roster holes. Lots can happen to prospects between now and then.