John Gruden, D (FA-Europe); Francois Methot, C (FA-Buf); Scott Pellerin, LW (FA-Phx); Andrei Podkonicky, C (FA-Europe); Mike Pudlick, D (FA-LA); Alexander Riazantsev, D (T-Nas); Darcy Verot, LW (FA-Cgy); Dmitry Yushkevich , D (T-Phi)
Mike Farrell, RW (T-Nas); Chris Ferraro, C (FA-Phx); Peter Ferraro, C (FA-Phx); Josh Green, LW (FA-Cgy); Calle Johansson, D (Retired); Glen Metropolit, LW (FA-Europe); Todd Rohloff, D (FA-CBJ); Andreas Salomonsson, LW (FA-Europe)
The Caps will go wherever Olaf Kolzig takes them. As long as Kolzig is healthy, the Caps are never out of the game. He's developed a habit during his career of stealing some big games and there's no reason to believe this season will be different.
With a 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame, Kolzig is an intimidating presence in the crease and very few forwards take liberties with him. It's possible that back-up Sebastien Charpentier can play a more games and give him the odd break.
The Caps will need their offence to thrive if they're going to challenge for the Southwest crown again. With two scoring lines and the always-dangerous Jaromir Jagr in the lineup, the Caps shouldn't fall into any prolonged slumps.
Jagr hasn't put up the numbers expected of the five-time Art Ross champion since he joined the Caps, but it would be foolish to think he can't challenge for the scoring title again. He's still one of the most talented players in the league and makes everyone around him better on the ice.
Jagr is backed up with some impressive offensive talent that includes Peter Bondra, Robert Lang, Michael Nylander and Kip Miller. The organization is hoping Dainius Zubrus finally steps up and takes his game to a higher level.
While coach Bruce Cassidy has to be confident about his offence, the same can't be said about defence. Sergei Gonchar, who finished second among defencemen in scoring last year, is still here, but Calle Johansson and Ken Klee are gone. This has left the suddenly budget-conscious Caps to use minor-league prospects and junior-aged players to fill the holes in the roster. A young, inexperienced blue line is not a good start for a club that hopes to be in contention.
He has all of the qualifications. See above.
