Washington Capitals: Five Reasons They’ll Win It All In 2015

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

#5: The Washington Capitals Front Office Does What’s Needed

Brian MacLellan has made huge splashes in each of his first two off-seasons as the Washington Capitals general manager. In 2014, he did what George McPhee could never do: fix the blue line. It came at a hefty price, as the Caps signed former Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik to expensive long-term contracts. However, one year into their respective deals, they have done precisely what was asked of them. They have helped make a perennial weakness for the Caps into a strength. 

This off-season, MacLellan said that he wanted to focus on the top six forwards. Many Caps fans questioned how he was going to do that. He answered by signing Williams and trading for Oshie within a 24 hour period. MacLellan also said that he wanted to focus on the restricted free agents, as he had six to worry about. He signed each of them. He was willing to go to arbitration for Holtby and Johansson, and was able to talk Holtby into a team-friendly five year extension that could prove to be a bargain by the end of it.

When MacLellan sees a problem, he fixes it. That’s extremely encouraging to see. However, he will have to make better deadline deals than the two he made last season (Tim Gleason and Curtis Glencross) if the Caps want to win the Stanley Cup. Hopefully, he has learned from that experience.

MacLellan won’t have much to work with as far as the farm system, but he still has some valuable trade chips. Even if he doesn’t trade from the farm system, guys like Riley Barber, Madison Bowey and Jakub Vrana could contribute down the stretch for the Capitals.

Next: Superior Head Coaching

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

#4: Barry Trotz

Since being hired last May, former Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz has made himself at home in the nation’s capital. His style of hockey has worked wonders with the Washington Capitals, who were desperately seeking an identity after lacking one under Adam Oates.

The always-meticulous and detail-oriented Trotz brought to Washington a wealth of playoff experience, having been to the post-season seven times in the 15 years he was the head coach of the Nashville Predators. His career record as a coach currently sits at 602-505-60-111 place him fourth all-time among active NHL coaches. “Last year, obviously, was a big change for me,” Trotz said this summer at the National Press Club, “being in one place (Nashville) for so long. I basically said, when I was asked, I know your problem, I can fix it and this is how I would go about it.” Trotz’ “heavy play” style of hockey is well-suited to the postseason. And while the game doesn’t change when the playoffs start, adapting to the nuances can have a far-reaching ripple effect that will allow the team to stay on an even-keel. He’s not afraid to send a message and sit a veteran player when their performance wavers. – Today’s Slapshot

To win the Stanley Cup, the Capitals must play responsible hockey while still being a high scoring team. They must wear out their opponents over each series. They must be relentless when going after the puck. They must make their opponents pay for their mistakes. That’s the style of hockey that the Capitals play under Barry Trotz.

MORE FROM STARS AND STICKS: Barry Trotz Is Changing The Culture

Trotz will have to adjust his system a little bit to accommodate his team, as players like Kuznetsov, Johansson and Burakovsky are not best suited for “heavy hockey”. Trotz did an excellent job adjusting his system to fit the Caps last season. He’ll have to do the same again this season, albeit with a much more talented team.

Next: Riding The Blue Line

Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

#3: The Washington Capitals Have A Battle-Tested Blue Line

Until last season, the Washington Capitals usually had a questionable blue line that would more often than not fold under pressure. However, last season, Washington Capitals fans got to witness arguably the best blue line group that the Capitals have ever had. John Carlson had a breakout season and was one of the best defenseman in the NHL, as he led all blue liners in even strength points with 33. Free agent signee Brooks Orpik provided the Washington Capitals with a veteran presence that was sorely needed.

Free agent signee Matt Niskanen did a very solid job on the Washington Capitals second pairing, adding 31 points and playing over two minutes a game on the penalty kill. He also played over a minute a game on the power play as he averaged over 21 minutes of ice time per game. Karl Alzner had a career revival while being paired with Niskanen, setting career highs in goals (five) and points (21) while playing two minutes a game on the penalty kill.

While the Washington Capitals did lose productive third pairing defenseman Mike Green, they have two potential replacements for him in Dmitry Orlov and Nate Schmidt. People tend to forget that Orlov is actually pretty experienced and that before his wrist injury that cost him the entire 2014-2015 season, he had a lot of promise. His wrist might be a question, but he is still an extremely talented defenseman.

SEE ALSO: Dmitry Orlov Could Be Caps X-Factor

Schmidt, like Orlov, isn’t proven. However, like Orlov, Schmidt has done quite well in a limited sample size. He drove possession better than any other Washington Capitals defenseman last season. His production, though, did not match up to his possession numbers.

While Orlov and Schmidt aren’t proven, they both have the potential to be something special. They won’t be relied on to do that much. Thanks to a strong top four, they’ll be facing very weak competition and favorable zone starts. That might just be a recipe for success.

Next: Forward Depth

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

#2: The Washington Capitals Have Forward Depth

The Washington Capitals have failed to win a Stanley Cup despite having Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. The biggest reason for that? While both are elite talents and Ovechkin is primed for the Hockey Hall Of Fame whenever he retires, the Washington Capitals have not always surrounded the duo with the best talent.

In the past, they have been guilty of relying too much on them to provide most of the scoring for the Washington Capitals. Perhaps watching the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning helped the Washington Capitals realize that they desperately needed to increase their forward depth in order to win a Stanley Cup, because that’s precisely what the Washington Capitals have done so far this off-season.

For the first time since the 2009-2010 season, the Capitals could have three legitimate scoring lines if everything goes right for them. Oshie should make Backstorm and Ovechkin even better. Barry Trotz hasn’t shied away from sending out his first forward line against his opponent’s top lines. Oshie has experience in playing that role with the Blues. He should make that line even more balanced and even more deadly.

RELATED: Top Six Forward Options

The second line will have a variety of options to go with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams. They could go with Marcus Johansson or Andre Burakovsky. While Johansson will most likely get the job as second line left wing, the Caps have a very capable top six forward to center their third line, which will most likely be sheltered. They’ll also have Tom Wilson on their third line. Their third line left wing spot is currently up for grabs, but someone like Stanislav Galiev, Riley Barber or perhaps even Jakub Vrana could grab it. Their fourth line of Brooks Laich, Jay Beagle, and either Jason Chimera or Michael Latta could stand to be improved, but those are three guys used to playing a shut down role and handling tough defensive zone starts.

It isn’t a stretch of the imagination to say that the Washington Capitals might have the best forward group that they’ve ever had.

Next: Unleash The Holtbeast

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

#1: Holtby

The Washington Capitals have a franchise goaltender in Braden Holtby. Last season, it was his job to prove that he deserved his next contract. Now, he’s out to prove that he deserved every penny of his new one.

I don’t know, I try not to compare myself,” [Holtby] said. “My goal has always been to just win as many games as possible and work toward that goal of the Stanley Cup and obviously we fell short, so we need to get better, myself and as a group. And I think we’re doing the right things in order to do that. As far as comparing myself to where the league is at with goaltenders, I try not to do that. I just try to focus on my job to win games and accomplish the main goal.” – CSN Washington

As great as Holtby was in the regular season for the Washington Capitals, he was even better in the post-season. Holtby is the type of goaltender that could carry the Caps to the Stanley Cup. With an improved offense, that just might be enough to push them over the top!

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