The Washington Capitals

Washington Post staff writer Tarik El-Bashir was online Friday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. ET to examine the team and the rest of the National Hockey League.

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Washington Capitals

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Tarik El-Bashir: Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by for today's chat. I had to move it up by one hour because of the team's 2 p.m. practice here in Tampa. As always, I see lots of great questions so let me get to it.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Tarik, have you spoken to Erskine lately? How much longer does he plan on being out? Could he be back before the end of the month, or will it be longer than that? Thanks.

Tarik El-Bashir: Last time I spoke to Erskine, which was about two days ago, he was still walking with the help of a crutch. He did say that he was experiencing less pain in his broken foot, but I'm very doubtful he'll return before the end of the month. Which is very bad news for the penalty kill unit.

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20008: Matt Pettinger looks like one hurting puppy out there. How bad is his shoulder? He looks like a ghost of his formerly speedy, hitting self.

Tarik El-Bashir: Matt is a very proud player and doesn't like to talk about how hurt he is. He's definitely had some shoulder issues this season. That said, I haven't seen him in or around the training room lately. So I wouldn't be prepared to blame his slow down in goal production on an injury.

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Downtown D.C.: If the Caps are still in the hunt for a playoff spot around Valentine's Day, do you believe that the Caps will aggressively attempt to improve the team through a trade deadline deal? Or will McPhee and Ted's mantra remain patience and frugality and building from within?

Tarik El-Bashir: It's really hard to say with the trade deadline so far off -- Feb. 27 I believe. It's going to depend on where the Caps are in the standings. If they are still in the hunt, it would not surprise me at all if they make an upgrade on the blue line. That said, I don't think they are going to acquire an older player with a huge contract. They'll be in the market for a younger player with some upside and a reasonable deal.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Tarik,

I am a huge sports fan that has only recently gotten into hockey. I enjoy it so much that I just bought season tix to the Caps and am having a great time reading your articles in the WP. However, as a new fan I need your expertise -- I read a lot about how the Caps are short on D and the problems surrounding getting a good player in that position. That said, if you could recommend just one player who it would be plausible for the Caps to acquire for that position, who would it be and why?

Thanks!

Tarik El-Bashir: When I'm looking for players who may be available, I always start with those who play for teams that are already hopelessly out of it. Unfortunately, there aren't many teams in that situation right now, except for Philly, St. Louis, Columbus, L.A.

You are correct about how difficult it is to acquire a young defenseman. If you trade for him, you're going to overpay. If you sign him as a free agent you're going to overpay.

As the standings begin to stabilize (if they do) trade talks are going to heat up. And I'll be all over it.

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Falls Church, Va.: When Backstrom comes over next year, which center is going to be dropped? I'm thinking Beech.

Tarik El-Bashir: Kris Beech is a placeholder for Backstrom, no question about that. I'd be surprised if he's back next season.

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Arlington, Va.: With it being highly unlikely that Zednik comes back to the Caps next year, do you see Fehr or Fleischmann on the team next year?

Tarik El-Bashir: It's looking pretty doubtful that Zednik will be back next season. With him out of the mix, I'd be stunned if Eric Fehr, a right wing, doesn't get a shot.

That said, I still think Tomas Fleischmann, a skilled left wing who is behind Ovechkin and Semin on the depth chart, is an NHL player. I just don't think it's going to be with Washington.

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Ottawa, Canada: Interested in how Pothier is working out at the halfway point in the season? He was a good d-man here with the Sens and I was disappointed to see him leave, although for the money he got I am happy for him. His ice time has jumped this year significantly and I was wondering if it is starting to take a toll.

Tarik El-Bashir: Pothier is leading all Capitals defensemen in ice time this season at 25:22. He's a steadying force on shaky blue line and has played quite well, I think.

But I don't think he'll get those minutes next season. He should be playing about 20 minutes a game, which would be a better fit for him and the team.

A scout I spoke to recently said his play seems to take a slight dip late in the third period.

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Arlington, Va.: Could you please expand on why it is highly unlikely that Zednik will be back next year? Thanks.

Tarik El-Bashir: Zed is the final year of a deal that pays him about $2 million. The Caps hope to have a less expensive, less injury prone and more productive option next season.

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Washington DC: I have a general question. I know each player is different, but when you are interviewing foreign-born hockey players with minimal/modest English skills, do you find that most interviews lack depth, or do you get surprisingly candid comments that a U.S. or Canadian-born player typically would not say?

Tarik El-Bashir: That's a great question. It all depends on the player. But I would say that foreign-born players are more likely to speak their mind and not fear any backlash for their candid comments.

North American players, on the other hand, have been interviewed so much over the years, sometimes the answers are sort of scripted. Not true of all of them, but a lot, I would say.

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Tampa Bay, Fla.: Tarik, I took in the game last night (lots of goals!) and read some stuff afterward about Olie taking all the blame. Was that legit or just a sign of a good leader trying to shoulder the blame on a young team?

Tarik El-Bashir: I would say it was a bit of both. A good leader always takes the blame. But Olie wasn't at his best last night. He's a stand up guy and knew that it was mostly his fault. I wish more players were that honest.

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Nashville, Tenn.: Tarik, what are your thoughts about the starters for the All-Star game?

Tarik El-Bashir: No real surprises there. I can't really say I was surprised about any picks on the Eastern Conference. I was a little shocked about Roberto Luongo starting in goal for the West, though. There are plenty of goalies out West who are having better years.

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Washington, D.C.: Do think Donald Brashear will help the Caps more or hurt the Caps more in the long run? I've never really understood why teams would want to acquire big fighters. Sure, they bring in a crowd, but when it comes down to the game, isn't it better to avoid 5-minute penalties?

Tarik El-Bashir: No. Brashear plays a huge role for the Caps. Opposing teams treat the Caps, Ovechkin and Semin specifically, completely different when Brashear is not on the ice.

Do you think the Rangers' Colton Orr would have double-handed Ovechkin to the face if Brashear had not already been kicked out of the game? I don't think so.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Tarik, are there any updates regarding Zubrus's contract situation? Has the team started any negotiations with him? Do you think that he will be back next year? If so, do you see him moving back to wing or staying at center?

Tarik El-Bashir: Zubrus is certainly a player the Caps want to keep in the fold. I'd be shocked if he doesn't re-sign here. I'm told that talks haven't started yet, but that could just be because he represents himself. And he's kind of busy at the moment.

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Fan since '74: If the Caps stay in hunt like they are presently, how active are they at the trade deadline?

They clearly need a veteran defenseman to settle the team in tight games. I would venture the perfect candidate is available now but he probably wants to much money...Brian Leetch. He does not have to play here 25 minutes a game, just on the power play and occasionally in stretches to calm everyone down. The team just needs a veteran presence -- think Andrychuk in Tampa when they won the cup.

Tarik El-Bashir: You are right. The Caps really need a veteran presence back there in tight games. But I don't see the Caps going after Brian Leetch. He's not the answer.

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Caps in Canada: I am wondering how many people around North America have been tuning into Caps games. Did you notice the recent addition of the Pizza Pizza logo on the boards? The closest Pizza Pizza location is Niagra Falls, Ontario. That has to tell you something about Canadians watching the Caps on Center Ice.

Tarik El-Bashir: Man, you have good eyes. I've noticed that, too. I'm told that the Caps have "excess inventory" (a.k.a. empty spaces on the boards). So they sell those Pizza Pizza ads for Canadian telecasts.

Now can I ask you a question? I've been driving by those joints in Canada for years. Never stopped. Am I missing something?

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Mclean, Va.: Tarik, any idea why Ted Leonsis doesn't bother to come to most of the home games this year? He seems to show up less and less each season. Is he still waiting for his chance to gain control of the Wizards?

Tarik El-Bashir: I would have to argue with that. I've seen him at "most" home games this season. I wouldn't read too much into that. I know he took a vacation during the holidays.

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The District: How is Ovie doing after that nasty collision last night?

Tarik El-Bashir: He wasn't up for a postgame chat after the game. He had some swelling, a cut on his cheek and a headache. But I'm told he is okay now.

Sutherby also had a cut on his forehead. He was a bit shaken up too from the collision. He was still sitting in his gear about 10 minutes after the game. But he's okay too.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Tarik, give us your prediction as of right now: will the 06/07 Washington Capitals make the playoffs?

Tarik El-Bashir: I think they are going to come up just short. Tenth or 11th place. I don't think they have the depth (as we just learned) or enough players who have been through a playoff push in the NHL.

After the all star break, the level of play is going to get tougher and tougher. That's when teams with more depth and inexperience pull away.

The last three months will be more interesting than last year, though. Which I'm very much looking forward to.

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Washington, D.C.: Tarik -- When the heck will our forwards learn how to back check? We got owned by TB last night because of extremely poor passing (which happened in the Flyers game as well), and horrible back checking. Our D is not good enough to get by on its own.

Tarik El-Bashir: Great observation. A lot of people are quick to blame the defense for every breakdown. It's much more complicated than that. In Hanlon's system, the forwards are just as important to defense as the defensemen are.

Take for example Tampa Bay's game-winner last night. That play began with winger Ben Clymer's bad pass around the boards. Went right to Prospal.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Hello Tarik. In yesterday's Post story you stated that the Caps would not risk sending Nycholat back down to Hershey because he would surely be claimed off of waivers. So, when Erskine and Muir return from their injuries, what is going to happen? Will the Caps keep eight defensmen? Thanks.

Tarik El-Bashir: The Caps are probably going to keep all eight. I'd be shocked if anyone is sent to Hershey.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Tarik, thanks for the chat. Glad to see you back again so quickly.

With the emergence of Nycholat as a pretty effective puck-handling defenseman to complement the style of Pothier, do you think that blue-line need is as glaring? What about a second-line center to work with Semin? I just feel like this team is one player short of what it takes to make the playoffs, but with the improvement of the D lately (number of shots on goal down, number of goals allowed down), I am less swayed by the conventional wisdom that the problem is all located at the blue line. Thoughts?

Tarik El-Bashir: Nycholat's emergence has certainly helped on D. But the Caps still need to go out and get an elite-level player at that position. He is not on the team currently, and he's not in the system. He'll have to come from the outside.

The second line center will be Backstrom next season. But if the Caps are still in the playoff hunt in February, second line center is a position I think they may upgrade. I'm willing to bet McPhee would be inclined to rent a center for the playoff push.

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Falls Church, Va.: Who do you think is the better shooter, Semin or Ovie? I see Semin as a Ray Allen sniper type player and Ovie like an Allen Iverson type scorer.

Tarik El-Bashir: Semin's got a better shot. Here's a little evidence: when he misses the net, the sound of the puck hitting the glass is ear-shattering loud. Without looking, you know who shot it.

The only player with a shot like that is Kovalchuk.

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Semin: So when are you finally going to interview him? Yes, I know, he allegedly doesn't know English, but translating isn't THAT difficult. It would be interesting to find out what a Russian from so far outside Moscow that even his own countrymen haven't heard much about him would have to say about his success, the lawsuit, etc.

Tarik El-Bashir: I'm going to write a small story on Semin for tomorrow's paper, but I hope to have a really big one in the next few weeks. I'll need a sit down interview with a professional translator for that.

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Tarik El-Bashir: Thanks again for joining me today. Sorry I couldn't get to all of your questions, but I've got to get to practice and then hop on a plane. Talk to you again next week.

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