Season Review:

The start of the season seemed so promising for the Caps. Ovechkin and Semin were tearing up the league. There were even rumors at one point that GM McPhee would trade FOR players in an attempt at a playoff run. However, reality set in and the Caps ended up with a record almost exactly the same as last years (# wins, points, and goals for are remarkably similar). However, the dynamic duo of Ovechkin and Semin is a bright spot and they will anchor this team for years to come.

Offseason Needs:
With the addition of rookie Nicklas Backstrom filling the role of a top 2 centerman, the Caps still need someone to play with Ovechkin on the 1st line. Perhaps a 2nd tier player like Mike Comrie can fill in the role while not being too expensive? Goalie Olaf Kolzig isn't getting any younger, so maybe offering Emery, a RFA, a contract could keep this team competitive for the future. The defense is slowly getting better, but the young guys could use more veteran presence like Pothier did for them last year.

Season Outlook:
Even with Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Semin the Caps will be a lottery team. They don't have the overall deep offense or the consistent goaltending that Pittsburgh had to make the jump from lottery team to playoff team. The Caps are streaky and when they're hot, they'll be very entertaining to watch and very scary to play. Until they can somehow land a defenseman who'll give them a Chris Pronger-type impact or Kolzig suddenly becomes Luongo, then the Caps won't make the playoffs next year.