This isn't to celebrate the official end (a.k.a. reign of terror) to Jaromir Jagr's time in Washington, or at least on the Caps payroll. Instead, its a tribute to a good and, everyone assumes, up and coming team that went on quite a remarkable run to end the season.
However, it won't be an up and coming team if they don't have a goalie, and right now they don't have a goalie. Cristobal Huet, who's play backstopped the Caps to the Southeast Division crown and just about took them past the Flyers, is a free agent. If the Caps are serious about competing next season they'll need a goalie, and as there aren't any other good goalies on the market and the Caps don't have anyone ready to step in and play, they'll need Huet.
The Caps (for some reason) haven't begun negotiating with Huet's agent yet, but apparently plan to when Huet returns from playing for France in the World Championships. Huet's agent, Stephen Bartlett, spoke to the Washington Post about a potential return to DC for his client and made a couple somewhat-promising-but-then-again-maybe-not statements.
Such as, "Washington will get strong consideration as a place that makes sense for him." Yay! Then he followed it up with, "I can't sit here and tell you that Washington is his first choice or second choice, but he felt he was treated well there, he liked his teammates, the coaching staff." Boo!
As usual, it'll probably come down to Show Me The Money. Which is fine. Huet looks to be the premiere goalie on the market, so he should get paid. And the Caps should find a way to work something out with him if at all possible. If they can't, they'll have to find a goalie somewhere else, and I don't have the slightest clue where that would be.
In the meantime, Happy Capitals Day to you and yours.
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"The Council of the District of Columbia salutes the Washington Capitals for its spirit and countless achievements in advancing sporting excellence in Washington, DC and recognizes its role in elevating our city to prominence in the National Hockey League," the resolution read in part.
No offense, but it sure was easy to get the city council to have Capitals Day (Capitals Week??!!). They lost in the first round of the playoffs. It was an exciting run to get in to the playoffs, and it's very encouraging to see how enthused the D.C. fans are for their team, but doesn't the council have any "real" issues to deal with?
What "countless achievements"?
Also, the Wizards have been exciting and made the playoffs the past three years and even won a series - have they had "Wizards Day" yet? Hmmmm....
Real issues? Like what? Theres no crime problem, no poverty problem, public transportation and schools both run like clockwork, and now that DC is a zero-emission city, I don't see what you're complaining about, snizza.
"countless achievements": winning the southeast division... uh... not losing the southeast division...
Got me there.
I'm just waiting for Texas Rangers Day - which will come after they win 3 series in a row.
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