That Knuble deal still feels good a day later, doesn’t it? All this talk about him playing alongside Ovechkin and Backstrom, freeing up Laich for the second power play unit, going to the net…it’s just music to any Caps’ fans ears and, if possible, makes waiting for training camp that much harder.

If you need a primer on the new guy, anything you could want to know about Knuble you can find here, where JP provides a stellar breakdown (as usual) of what he’ll bring to the table. And from a purely fan-based perspective, I’ve already heard from a couple of friends who have had him on their teams and all had only positive things to say – sounds like another great character guy for a team chock full of them.

And really you can never have too many character guys…especially consistent 20+ goal scorers with leadership ability.

Some other thoughts after a crazy 24 hours and counting into free agent land:

- It’s official - the Habs have been completely demolished, deconstructed and rebuilt with an odd assortment of cast-offs and potential stars. Sure, Cammalleri and Gomez could be good; Spacek isn’t THAT bad and Gill…well, he might make it from one end of the rink to the other in under 60 minutes. You never know. But seeing Komisarek flee to the evil Leafs was heartbreaking; Captain Koivu’s likely departure for Minnesota has the potential to be even more so.

- And yet if like me you have any rooting interest in the Habs at all, there is some silver lining to the craziness going on in Montreal. For one thing, it’s not like the Canadiens were setting the world on fire with the group they were going forward with. A first round sweep at the hands of the Bruins doesn’t scream “Cup Contender” to me. For another, at least Gainey’s doing something, right? Whether he turns out to be an evil genius or unemployed by November remains to be seen.

- Marian Gaborik to the Rangers for 5 years, $7.5 million/year. Always nice to see the Rangers exhibiting self control and thriftiness.

- On that topic, which is the craziest long-term deal of the summer so far – Gaborik’s contract? Hossa’s 12 year deal of insanity? The Lightning signing a 32 year old defenseman to 7 years? So many choices!

- One of the few non-crazy long-term deals – the Panthers locking up Booth for 6. Maybe a slight overpayment based on his talent but the key word is slight, considering what he means to the Panthers and their offense. Or should I say what he means as their offense.

- For all the good Brian Burke has done (and yes, I can admit he’s made some halfway decent moves even with that Orr nonsense), at the end of the day he’s still stuck with Vesa Toskala as his go-to guy and the only goalie the Leafs have period. I guess if anyone tries to score, the big bad Leafs will…what, have them killed?

- I somewhat (read: barely) understand the salary cap situation of a few free-spending teams, but I’m absolutely stymied by how the Flyers keep signing people. At this point they’re sitting $2 million over the cap and practically begging the Coyotes for loans – not to mention the fact that they’re stuck paying Briere first-line money for a third-line center. Oh, and their goaltending tandem is Emery and Boucher.

- Is Brian Gionta worth $5 million a year? Potentially. Is Chris Neil worth $2 million? No. And what’s scary is he took less money than he wanted to stay in Ottawa…which cracks me up that $2 million actually ended up being a “bargain” price for him. Amazing.

- Apparently there’s a rumor flying around that the Caps are after Kovalev. Doubtful, and there’s nothing substantial behind it other than someone started it for funsies, but there it is. My theory? The addition of Antropov to the Thrashers made someone realize the Caps don’t have the most Russians in the division anymore…

- Yes, there are still some decent UFA defensemen floating around. No, I still don’t think the Caps need to go after one. Consider me part of the minority that wants to let our current crop grow and evolve into the group they could potentially be.

And let the “WHAT?? Of course we need a defenseman (or 6)” sniping commence…now. Have at it, folks.

Every so often the Caps pick up someone I actually wanted them to sign. Freaky, I know.

But it happened a few summers back with Tom Poti (and yes, I still stand by that one) and now it’s Mike Knuble – a guy who will add experience, grit and a potential winger for that top line. All good things, and for a fairly decent price, too.

We’ll talk about this more later, for sure; until then, let me know what you think in the comments! Is GMGM one of the winners of the day so far?

…and is there anyone in the world who would play poker with him??

If I had been thinking ahead, I would have taken today off of work - big days like this in hockey are tough to bear when sitting at a desk, that’s for sure. And should anything break…well, let’s just say leaping up out of one’s chair in a meeting and rushing to the computer isn’t exactly the essence of professionalism.

But lunch breaks are there for a reason, right? Less than an hour in and we’ve already had some activity to pick apart and criticize:

- It wasn’t today, obviously, but that Gomez for Higgins trade still smarts. The reality is Gomez is a better player (when he wants to be, at least) but Higgins was a CC favorite and seeing him in those hideous blueshirts is going to be painful. With him out the door and fellow CC favorites Koivu and Komisarek likely to follow, it’s a rough day for that small part of me swathed in bleu, blanc et rouge. Screw you, Bob Gainey.

- The Sedins are staying in Vancouver. And we’re shocked by this…why? Smart move by the Canucks to lock them both up, although we’ve all seen how those pesky no-movement clauses can bite you in the butt sometimes.

- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says that Mike Knuble’s name is one being tossed around by the Penguins. Bastards. Not for nothing, but the Pens only have about $5 million left under the cap, with just five defenseman signed and no legitimate backup for Fleury…

- Is it me or is Marian Hossa on a quest to piss off every fan of every team he’s ever played for? First he bolts from the Penguins for “a team that can win the Cup”; now he’s talking to every Red Wing fans favorite team, the Blackhawks. Well played, sir. And hey, if that falls through, I hear the Avs could use some help…

- The Isles are apparently one of ten teams talking to Komisarek. Wouldn’t be surprised if he signed there, just to make sure that he and Higgins can remain bestest buddies who are separated only by a short train ride…and a million miles of respectability.

- Hey, look at that! Gainey responds to my words of love by re-signing Kovalev to a 2-year, $8.75 million deal. It’s something, I suppose. (Seriously, guys - appreciate GMGM and his intelligence. It could be much, much worse.)

- Tampa makes the first Southeast Division move of the day, signing Mattias Ohlund to a seven year deal (not at all stupid, considering he’s 32 years old). Adding defense, and a Swede who can mentor Hedman to boot, isn’t a bad idea. Of course their entire NHL-ready defensive corps now consists of…Mattias Ohlund.

I’ll have more thoughts tonight as the dust of Free Agent Shopping Day #1 settles. Feel free to weigh in here in the meantime - who is being insane? Who got a good deal? And wait, you’re saying the Rangers are big players in the free agent pool? That’s unpossible!

So the draft is behind us, complete with all the deep, hard-hitting analysis from yours truly (…um, oops) and as teams finish stockpiling their organizations with young talent for the next 2-5 years, the focus now shifts to the immediate future.

Tomorrow marks the opening of the so-called “silly season”, where GMs plead temporary insanity and free agents commit highway robbery all over the place. Questions abound - will a GM actually pay $6 million+ for one Sedin twin, let alone two (and who is crazier in that scenario, the GM who risks taking just one or the guy who actually signs them both)? Is Saku Koivu done in Montreal? How about Havlat in Chicago?

From where we sit the UFA picture is a little less scary, if only because we already know the situation with most of them. There’s very little of the hurry up and wait that hovered around guys like Huet and Fedorov last year. We know who is heading off to Russia and who will not be back this year; the RFAs expected to be qualified have been qualified. We know there will likely be arbitration cases and we may still see the departure of one or two (or more) roster players as a result.

The questions McPhee and his team will tackle in the coming weeks will focus on finding a center for the second line, some depth on right wing and dealing with what has become a perpetual problem in DC: the potential three-goaltender tandem.

McPhee is notoriously anti-free agent, and you only have to look at some of the long term, overinflated contracts handed out in the last decade (some right here in DC) to know why. Better to build from within or make trades if possible to avoid overspending on someone who will likely be back on the market sooner rather than later. It’s a smart way to approach things, albeit a less flashy, less headline-grabbing one. It’s good hockey sense. CapsChick approves.

However, a general lack of trade partners this year may make it necessary to once again dip into the free agent pool and see what comes up. With that in mind, here are some names the Caps may be sniffing around as July 1st inches closer:

Mike Knuble, RW - ‘08-’09 salary: $2.8 million
If you can block out the memory of his overtime winner from last year’s playoffs, this could be a good option for the Caps. At 36 he’s probably not going to command too much of a raise over the $2.8 mil he’s currently making, and his consistently good numbers and leadership abilities could make him this year’s (*gag*) Bill Guerin. You know, minus the creepy salt and pepper beard.

Radek Dvorak, RW - ‘08-’09 salary: $1.6 million
The talk around Dvorak is that the Panthers would like to bring him back; if they don’t, though, he could provide another big body on the right for a relatively cheap price. He’s been a fairly consistent 10-20 goal scorer on teams that, at least in recent years, didn’t boast nearly the offensive firepower the Caps have. It would be interesting to see what he could do on a line with Ovechkin, especially for about $2 million a year.

Claude Lemieux, RW - ‘08-’09 salary: $500,000
Hey, he just became an American citizen! And he’s won a Cup before and…okay, no. I’m only teasing. Trust me when I say I don’t see ol’ Claude pulling on the red, white and blue anytime soon.

Mike Cammalleri, C - ‘08-’09 salary: $3.6 million
He’ll definitely get a raise over that $3.6 mil, particularly if the bidding war gets heated - and it might price him out of the Caps. And sure, he’d bring the average height on the team down a bit. But his speed and scoring ability would make him an interesting addition and he’s got some feistiness to him as well. If the price stays low enough (think $4-4.5 million), there could be interest.

Sami Pahlsson, C - ‘08-’09 salary: $1.4 million
When he’s healthy, Pahlsson is a relatively inexpensive center with great faceoff ability and an edge to his game that’s missing down the middle of the Caps’ current roster. He showed a renewed jump to his game after being traded to the ‘Hawks, a team that plays a similar attack style to Washington. A potentially great addition. When he’s healthy.

John Madden, C - ‘08-’09 salary: $2.939 million
Again, demand for someone with his experience could push his asking price past where the Caps are looking to spend, but he’s another one who could add grit as well as a penalty killing boost should his salary stay in a relatively reasonable range. And you never know, he might be interested in a slight discount to play on a team that actually plays an interesting brand of hockey for once. Just a thought.

And while I’m not convinced the Caps will get or need to get a defenseman of any kind - I’m more than happy to wait for this current crop to mature, unlike some of the more impatient among us - here are a few cheap options that could be available on D:

Andrew Alberts, D - ‘08-’09 salary: $1.4 million
He’s never going to blow you away with his offensive numbers. He’s not a fighter, doesn’t take too many penalties and is never going to be confused with Nick Lidstrom (but really, who is?). But if Caps fans want a steady, stay-at-home defenseman while waiting for the youngsters to finish baking, Alberts could add a little more depth to the blue line. Injuries could be an issue, though.

Rob Scuderi, D - ‘08-’09 salary: $725,000
Call me crazy, but if Scuderi leaves the almighty cult of Pittsburgh (and there’s talk that he’s not in their plans) he could be a nice fit here. He’s got experience. He’s cheap. He’s got a…*sigh* Cup ring. And yes, he was fairly effective at shutting down Ovechkin when asked to during the playoffs - that’s the mark of a potentially underappreciated defenseman right there.

Mike Komisarek, D - ‘08-’09 salary: $1.9 million
Yes, this is a personal choice. Yes, it has everything to do with being one of CC’s favorites. And no, it has nothing to do with whether he’d fit in here (or whether we can afford him, if the Habs let him go and a bidding war ensues). Come on, it’s Mikey K!

…or we could always go with some Caps’ castoffs. Ken Klee, Steve Eminger, Alex Henry, Nolan Baumgartner or Jamie Heward, anyone? No? No takers?

There are plenty of other legitimate options floating around should the Caps go the free agent route - McPhee and his scouts know way more than I would ever pretend to know about potential fits for this team. It’ll be interesting to see who, if anyone, joins the club.

Still, with all the work to be done and all the holes remaining in the lineup, there remains this sense that the Caps are but one or two good moves away from being a genuine contender set to snatch that Cup right out of the ‘Burgh. A lot of the pieces are all there; what needs to happen now is an attitude adjustment, a dedication to working hard every game and taking the next step.

So that’s it. With the awards show last night the book is officially closed on the 2008-09 season; the only hockey-related events remaining this summer are all looking ahead to ‘09-’10 and beyond. Considering the way the season ended…that’s not such a bad thing.

A few assorted thoughts in the aftermath of last night’s Las Vegas extravaganza(ish):

- Ovechkin walked away with the trio of awards we expected and one of the few prolonged laughs of the evening with his good-natured jab at Datsyuk’s English skills. And it was great that he got up there three times - because if anyone is built for this type of event, it’s Ovie. He was sweet and sentimental when accepting the Pearson, funny when receiving the Richard, and appreciative (of everyone, from fans to trainers to his teammates) when getting the Hart.

Still, through all three you could tell, more now than ever, that the shiny objects in front of him and the individual accolades don’t hold a candle to the Cup that slipped away this year.

- It wasn’t as close as the Datsyuk/Richards Selke race (three points??) but the margin for the Norris Trophy was actually pretty tight. While every other race was more like a rout, only 52 points separated Chara and Green - which is basically 5 first place votes and 2 fifth place. Chara garnered 18 more first place votes than Green; Green picked up 36 more first place votes than future HOFer Lidstrom. In other words? Another year or two of experience, a bit of improvement in his own end and Greenie’s walking away with the Norris sooner rather than later.

- Steve Mason’s girlfriend was wearing far too much eye makeup. And Steve Sullivan’s wife was wearing far too little clothing. And Evgeni Malkin’s “friend”? Well, we’ll just leave that alone. If you can’t say something nice… /girly moment

- There’s been a lot of chatter today about the lack of a host and how horrible that decision was; funny how before the show so many people saw that as a bold and exciting choice only to flip-flop wildly after having to see Roenick more than once. Amazing what reminders of a Ron MacLean-filled 90 minutes will do to your outlook, isn’t it?

- That’s not to say it’s a bad criticism, of course. For what it’s worth, I think a single host would have been nice as well - my vote goes to Michael Buble.

- I know that Las Vegas is a city that tends toward the sparkly, flashy, glittery things in life - but did Jeremy Roenick really need to blend that into his attire? No hockey player should…wait, strike that, no straight man should…no, hold on. NO one should wear glitter ever. Period. Sorry, JR.

- Congratulations to Ovechkin and Green, who both made it onto the First Team All-Stars for the year. That marks Ovechkin’s fourth appearance, Green’s first (of what should be many), and the first time the Caps have ever had two make the cut in franchise history. Kind of makes that All Star Game snub of Mike Green seem even more bizarre, doesn’t it?

- Had Crosby or Chara taken home the Mark Messier Leadership “Award” I would have been using this space to mock it incessantly as a pointless, made-up, self-promoting award created by a guy who hates not having the spotlight on himself. Since Iginla won it, though, I offer my full-throated congratulations at winning such a prestigious title (and looking damn good doing it).

- There were a lot of things the NHL did wrong last night; the selection of presenters for the Pearson and Hart, however, were spot-on. Choosing Konstantinov and Larionov for one and Ovechkin’s teammate (and the first Russian to win the Hart) Fedorov for the other gave a nod to the fact that all three finalists were future Russian legends. The league needs to find a way to do more of this - embracing and celebrating the history, appreciating the future and finding a balance between the two.

Two posts in one day? Jump back. CapsChick must be pissed about something…

If you’re flitting around the internet today, you’ll find a hearty group of awards predictions scattered throughout the blogospher and mainstream media world alike. Most of them pick Ovechkin to win the Hart, and rightly so - but this kind of statement? This drives me nuts:

Who will win: Ovechkin. He by far means the most to his team. Without him, the Capitals are not a playoff team. If you take Datsyuk and Malkin away from their teams, Detroit is still a Stanley Cup contender and the Penguins are still a Stanley Cup contender.

[CC: Emphasis added to point out the snark...]

See, it’s what is known as a backhanded compliment. We Caps fans are familiar with the ways of the ‘bhc’s, having heard them for years - this one, however, is more than a little bit of crap.

One of the great things about this team this year is that they ARE more than just Ovechkin. When you have a team full of guys like Green and Semin and Backstrom and prospects like Varlamov, Alzner and Neuvirth, it gets easier for us to say and for analysts and “experts” to agree that, yes, this team is talented beyond #8. It’s been a surprisingly common refrain throughout the hockey world and it’s the reason so many thought of the Caps as a contender in the first place.

One guy just can’t do it alone. That is, unless I’m miscounting all those Cups the Pens won with Sid before actually building a semi-talented roster around him…um, nope, don’t think I am.

Now are the Caps a Cup contender without Ovechkin? Probably not. But a playoff team, absolutely; and don’t for a minute let anyone tell you that the Penguins without Malkin, aka Mr. Conn Smythe, would have hoisted the Cup this year let alone made the Finals. And I’ll even give them the fact that without Malkin the Pens are a marginally more talented team than an Ovechkin-less Caps team because of their Captain. Cup contenders, though, I don’t think so.

Look, Ovechkin gets tons of credit for what he does, and it’s all deserved. You won’t get an argument here. And there’s no question that of the three candidates, he’s the most valuable to his team. But let’s not go throwing this Caps team - a team that took the Champs to 7 games, thank you - away as a talentless group behind an ubertalented leader.

Credit where credit is due, and the rest of the Caps deserve a lot of credit.