2014-2015 Capitals Preview: New Leader Trotz Out To D.C.

After missing the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, the frustration in D.C. came to a boil after the 2013-2014 NHL season. As a result of an internal audit, ownership decided to relieve George McPhee, Vice President and General Manager for 17 seasons, of his duties. McPhee left a mixed legacy. He helped resurrect the franchise by drafting notable players such as Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green, but generally failed to assemble a roster and coaching staff with the cohesion and competency to strongly contend for a championship. The team also parted ways with Adam Oates after two seasons. Oates was unable to translate a Hall of Fame playing career into a successful venture as a head coach, and routinely looked out of his depth at the NHL level. Time will tell if he is granted a second chance in the NHL ranks, but his lack of success beyond reviving a stale power play certainly stands in the way.

Taking the torch from McPhee is rookie GM Brian MacLellan. A surprise pick given his close ties to an organization in desperate need of an overhaul, MacLellan impressed ownership with his insights. Owner Ted Leonsis is pinning his hopes, and perhaps those of the fanbase, on the belief that MacLellan is a "diamond in the rough." His first task was to hire a head coach, and in this regard, he certainly alleviated concerns about his suitability for the job. Enter Barry Trotz, who was let go after more than 15 seasons at the helm of the Nashville Predators. Trotz's highly-structured, defense-oriented Nashville teams helped turn a struggling franchise deep in the South into a perennial playoff team, despite a glaring lack of offensive capability. With the Capitals, Trotz inherited a roster that is quite the opposite: top-heavy on offensive talent, but lacking the defensive depth he had become accustomed to in the Music City.

With a renewed effort to get the team back on track, the organization set out to repair glaring deficiencies on their blueline. While known for being cautious in free agency under McPhee, the Capitals made a huge splash in the free agent market by signing ex-Penguin Brooks Orpik to a five-year, $27.5 million deal, although some questioned the merit of handing out a large contract to an older defenseman on the downside of his career. The Capitals followed the deal by signing another Penguin in Matt Niskanen to a seven-year, $42.5 million contract following a career year. The two blueliners should help stabilize the Capitals' defense, although there is valid concern over the length of the deals given to the newcomers. To fill the void in net, Justin Peters was brought in on a two-year, $1.9 deal to back up Braden Holtby.

Armed with a deeper defense and their most experienced coach in many years, the Capitals appear poised to reclaim their place as a playoff team. However, some significant issues remain. With the departure of Mikhail Grabovski, the Capitals lack a bonafide second-line center behind Nicklas Backstrom. Trotz figures to turn to younger players like Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson to fill the void, though it remains to be seen if the two will be up to the task. One of the more common but perhaps unjustified concerns is whether captain Alex Ovechkin, well known for his lack of polish in the defensive zone, will warm to Trotz's emphasis on accountability and two-way play. While Ovechkin's offense is expected to take a slight dip, the four-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner is still in his prime, and should be able to carry a significant amount of the team's offensive load. With a disappointing season behind them, the Capitals will look to get back on track in 2014-2015, and certainly have all the components to be a playoff team once again. With several core players now in their prime along with an infusion of both veteran and young talent and a primetime date with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2015 Winter Classic, the hockey world awaits to see what the "refreshed" Capitals will be able to accomplish.

The Big Guns

Alex Ovechkin, RW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #2): Usually, a player winning his fourth Rocket Richard Trophy would signify a successful season, but Ovechkin would be the first to admit the 2013-2014 campaign didn't go according to plan. The 28-year-old is as elite of a goal scorer as you are likely to find in the NHL, but the Capitals captain was a lightning rod for criticism last year. From being skewered for his minus-35 rating to bearing the responsibility for Team Russia's collapse at Sochi to the Capitals missing the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, there is likely no one on the Capitals roster more looking forward to 2014-2015 season than Ovechkin. Debate swirls in D.C. over how Ovechkin will be used under new coach Barry Trotz, whose reputation as a defense-first coach has raised concerns the two may clash. However, at this point, there is no evidence to support such a rift, as both Ovechkin and Trotz have stated they are committed to getting the team back on track. Given Ovechkin's talents, it is unlikely that his offensive production will drop significantly under Trotz, although fantasy owners would be wise to expect a slight decline -- at least in the early going -- as the transition takes place. Even with the team renewing focus on structure, Ovechkin should be dependable for 40-plus goals and point-per-game production, making him a safe bet to be the first or second winger off the board in most formats.

*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*

Nicklas Backstrom, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #20): Although he struggled at even strength like many of his teammates, Backstrom's work on the power play helped him to turn in a solid campaign. With 38 power-play assists and 44 points on the man advantage, Backstrom led all NHLers in both categories. One of the better two-way players in the game, Backstrom's minus-20 rating should be considered an anomaly, as the talented playmaker should thrive as an all-around player under the new regime, and even merit Selke Trophy consideration this season. Though underwhelming as a goal scorer, Backstrom should still be one of the first centers off the board. He has point-per-game upside heading into 2014-2015, as he'll once again play next to one of the game's elite goal scorers in Alex Ovechkin.

Matt Niskanen, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #15): The top defenseman on the free agent market, Niskanen capped off Washington's offseason spending spree when he signed a seven-year, $40.25 million contract with the Caps in July. Niskanen performed admirably for the Penguins last season when the injury bug ravaged their blue line, and the 27-year-old Minnesotan was able to to take advantage of increased playing time with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to generate a banner year, tallying 10 goals and 46 points and averaging over 21 minutes of ice time. Many believe that the stars aligned for Niskanen last season, and as such, his point totals might regress due to the competition he faces for ice time on such a deep defense. Still, the disparity in talent between Crosby/Malkin and Alex Ovechkin/Nicklas Backstrom isn't significant, and Niskanen should get plenty of opportunities to be a productive fantasy blueliner.

Braden Holtby, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #20): While there is great debate about what the arrival of Barry Trotz means for many Caps players, Holtby is one player for whom the new regime will do wonders. For a supposed franchise goaltender, Holtby has been looking over his shoulder a great deal over the past couple of seasons. He looked to have been displaced by youngster Philipp Grubauer and trade deadline acquisition Jaroslav Halak at different points last season, but he'll once again enter 2014-15 with a hold on the No. 1 job. With the arrival of Trotz and goalie guru Mitch Korn, the organization has firmly committed to Holtby. Trotz and Korn have worked wonders for goalies in the past, and although the Caps have a way to go to provide Holtby with the kind of structure Predators goalies could count on, the Saskatchewan native has all the tools to emerge as an elite fantasy goaltender. With a deeper defense in front of him and no one challenging his job from the bench, Holtby may be primed to have a breakout campaign.

On the Rise

Troy Brouwer, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #30): Displaced in his role as the top right wing for the Caps due to Ovechkin's move to the right side, Brouwer remains a solid contributor on the team's second-line. The burly winger had tremendous difficulty producing at even strength, but made up for it with 12 goals and 21 points on the man advantage. Brouwer may continue to struggle at even strength until a solid center can be established on the Caps' second line, but given his opportunity on the power play and his strong contributions to peripheral stats such as hits and PIM, Brouwer still has the makings of a fine fantasy performer.

Tom Wilson, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: NR): The last time a burly 19-year-old kid became a fan favorite for the Capitals, his name was Alex Ovechkin. This time around, it could be Wilson. An offensively-gifted power forward in the junior ranks, it is safe to say that Wilson's transition wasn't as effortless as Ovechkin's from an offensive production standpoint. Relegated to the role of enforcer, Wilson compiled an impressive 151 penalty minutes in his first season, finishing seventh in the NHL. However, his offensive numbers were far less impressive, and if he wants to do better than last season's three goals and 10 points, he'll likely need to find a way to stay out of the penalty box. Suffering a broken ankle in the offseason, Wilson's place in the lineup to start the season is questionable. New coach Barry Trotz has made it clear he has high hopes for Wilson and the team will ensure his development is approached carefully, so it is possible he spends significant time at AHL Hershey honing his offensive skills. Latta possesses Milan Lucic-like upside in keeper leagues, but given the debate about his development track and his ankle injury, it's difficult to justify drafting him in single-season leagues this season.

Two to Watch

John Carlson, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #13): Despite bringing in a couple of high-profile defensemen in free agency, Carlson still could be the driving force on the blue line for the Caps. Years of inconsistency and injury to Mike Green opened the door for Carlson last season, and he emerged as a solid fantasy performer. He supplanted Green on the team's top power-play unit and ended up leading the team's blue line with 24:30 of ice time per game. The U.S. Olympian could occupy more of a shutdown role in 2014-15 with the arrival of new coach Barry Trotz, but it shouldn't result in too dramatic off a dip in his offense. Given the competition for minutes, there's more bust than boom potential for Carlson from a fantasy perspective, but he should still be drafted rather highly among the league's defensemen.

Mike Green, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #20): Heading into the final year of his contract, 2014-2015 marks a pivotal campaign for Green. Over the past several seasons, injuries and inconsistency have stripped Green of his once-elite stature. With the emergence of John Carlson, the arrival of Matt Niskanen, and the development of Dmitry Orlov, Green's stranglehold as the offensive catalyst for the Caps' blue line is a distant memory. Despite his woes, Green still led all Caps defensemen with nine goals and 38 points in 70 games, along with kicking in 15 power-play points despite losing his job on the top unit to Carlson. Although he may not reclaim his spot atop the power play, the new arrivals on defense should ease the minutes load on Green. Furthermore, he should benefit from playing against weaker opposition once projected partner Dmitry Orlov returns. Heading into a contract year, Green has all the incentive he needs to have a monster campaign. If he can stay healthy, he should be a solid contributor for the Caps in 2014-2015, even if he falls short of reclaiming his reputation as a Norris-worthy defenseman.

Don't Overrate

Jason Chimera, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #55): Along with his usual success on the power play, Chimera's 2013-2014 season as a whole was a bright spot for the Capitals. A late bloomer, Chimera had a career year at age 34, tallying 15 goals and 42 points in 82 games. What makes Chimera's campaign more remarkable was that he was doing all this playing on the team's third line with Joel Ward and Eric Fehr, operating as a center early in the season despite being a winger by trade. While Chimera was a feel-good story for the Caps last year, given his age and the fact that his production was well above his career norms, it's likely he won't be able to repeat that offensive production moving forward. However, his dynamic chemistry with his linemates should at least keep speedy winger useful for the Caps in a supporting role this season.

Joel Ward, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #41): Alongside linemate Jason Chimera, Ward's 2013-2014 was a pleasant surprise for a Capitals team that missed the mark in general. Night in and night out, Ward was one of the most reliable players in a Caps uniform, posting career-highs of 24 goals and 49 points while playing just over 16 minutes per game. Reunited with former coach Barry Trotz, Ward will likely be given every opportunity to repeat last season's performance, and entering the final year of his contract, he'll have every incentive to do just that. However, the late-career breakout is always something that should raise red flags for fantasy players, so it's probably unwise to expect a repeat performance from Ward. Still, even with some likely regression, Ward will be a valuable contributor for the Caps, and certainly worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues.

Top Prospects

Evgeny Kuznetsov, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #2): The toast of the town upon his arrival late in the season, Kuznetsov wasted no time in reinvigorating a fanbase in desperate need of hope. Despite playing mostly fourth-line minutes, the highly skilled winger from Russia managed nine points in his first 17 games. Having bulked up and honed his offensive skills in the KHL, the 22-year-old is poised for a greater role with the Capitals this season. Hoping he can fill the void left by Mikhail Grabovski's departure in free agency, Kuznetsov will likely get a crack as the team's second-line center, a position he has some familiarity with. With the size, speed, and offensive skills fans drool over, Kuznetsov has excellent sleeper potential and is an early favorite to challenge for the Calder Trophy in 2014-2015.

Andre Burakovsky, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #11): Little more than a year after being selected 23rd overall by the Capitals in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Burakovsky appears to be the latest evidence that the Caps' scouting staff has earned their paychecks. The Swedish winger had a fantastic rookie season in the OHL, finishing with 41 goals and 46 assists in 47 regular season games with Erie. Burakovsky also helped the Otters' cause in the postseason with 10 goals in just 14 games. The injury to Tom Wilson opens the door for Burakovsky to make the Caps out of training camp, as he certainly proved his mettle during the team's rookie development camp in early July. Still, the Caps are inclined not to fast-track his development, and the safer bet is that the talented forward will spend 2014-2015 season honing his skills in Hershey of the AHL. That may change with an impressive camp, so keep an eye on Burakovsky in the short-term, as his NHL career may begin sooner than expected.

Jakub Vrana, RW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: NR): A bit of a surprise selection for the Capitals in June's draft, Vrana adds more top-flight offensive talent to an organization swimming with potential blue-chip point producers. A potential top-five selection heading into last season, Vrana was inconsistent during his regular season with Linkoping of the Swedish Elite League. However, Vrana turned heads at the IIHF Under-18 Championships, and his dominant performance was enough for the Capitals to take him with the 13th overall pick. Recently signed to a three-year extension by Linkoping, the Capitals appear content to let Vrana develop overseas in 2014-15, with the aim of getting him to North America in the next year or so. Possessing an NHL-caliber shot and Marian Gaborik-like upside, Vrana has all the tools to be an outstanding fantasy player once he's further along in the development process.

Riley Barber, RW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: NR): A sixth-round pick by the Capitals, Barber is emerging as a potential steal in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Since being selected, the Michigan native has had a terrific NCAA career at the Miami University in Ohio, tallying 34 goals and 83 points in 78 games for the RedHawks. Barber further impressed scouts with his solid all-around game at the 2014 IIHF Under-20 World Championships in Sweden, producing four goals and six points in five games for the United States. Though smaller in stature, Barber possesses a two-way game that should allow him to make the NHL ranks one day, although it remains to be seen whether his offense will translate to the professional level. At the very least, he has the makings of a top-nine NHL forward.

Madison Bowey, D (RotoWire Prospects Rank: NR): A former second-round selection by the Capitals in 2013, Bowey could be the next great NHL defenseman to come from the WHL's Kelowna Rockets. With 21 goals and 60 points in 70 games last season, Bowey certainly showed he has the kind of offensive upside from the blue line that scouts drool over. While he may not have the Norris Trophy potential of fellow Kelowna alumni Shea Weber or Duncan Keith, Bowey's skill set is tremendous, and he has the right coach at the NHL level in Barry Trotz to make the most of his talent. With a crowded blue line ahead of him on the NHL depth chart, the Capitals seem content to let Bowey develop his game at the lower ranks for 2014-2015, but the Manitoban has all the tools to be a top-pairing defenseman at the NHL level.

Philipp Grubauer, G (RotoWire Prospects Rank: NR): Although Braden Holtby's subpar campaign certainly was a significant factor in the Capitals' goaltending controversy during the 2013-2014 season, a better-than-expected showing by Grubauer at the NHL level was also a contributing factor. A fourth-round pick of the Capitals in 2010, Grubauer certainly displayed his abilities as a starting goaltender, sporting a 2.38 GAA and .925 save percentage in 17 outings for the Capitals last season. With the signing of Justin Peters, the Capitals appear to be taking it slow with Grubauer, as they are firmly committed to Holtby as the lead goaltender for the time being. Still, Grubauer's natural skills and the reputation the new coaching staff has for shepherding goalies means the 22-year-old should have a bright future in the NHL at some point, although not likely until after the 2014-2015 season.