Washington Capitals: Replacing The Departed

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Capitals Must Replace Green

We’ll start with probably the hardest player on this list to replace, Mike Green. Green was rightfully a fan favorite, and had been with the team since being drafted by them at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. This past season was different in many ways for Green, namely that he was not the featured defenseman under Barry Trotz. John Carlson was given #1 duties and continued his development to validate the belief put in him by the Capitals organization. 

Mike Green was put on the third defensive pairing, although we all know that does not mean he is actually a third pairing defenseman. In fact, he pretty clearly is still a capable top-pairing defenseman, and will probably be utilized that way in Detroit. Despite his reduced minutes on all fronts, he still managed to post 45 points, which is by no means a small feat.

Previously here on Stars and Sticks, we looked at how Dmitry Orlov could be, and will probably have to be, the x-factor for the Capitals to somewhat replace Mike Green. Orlov, with his likely defensive line mate Nate Schmidt, will be tasked with collectively filling that big hole left on the defensive side by Green’s departure. It is worth noting that neither of these two will get anywhere near the amount of power play ice time that Green got, even between the two of them. Green’s 45 points will probably be very close to impossible to replace by the new third-pairing, regardless of who is on it.

That does not mean that they can’t soften the blow, however. Orlov and Schmidt have both been corsi-positive players over their short careers, so the advanced stats are on their side individually. The question will be whether or not they can translate this to playing with each other. Ironically, each of Schmidt and Orlov played much of their time paired with Green over the past couple years.

Now is an appropriate time to look again at Carlson. He took over quarterback duties on the first power play unit this year on several occasions, probably because they wanted to groom him for the role with Green’s looming free agency status. When Carlson struggled feeding the puck to Ovechkin, Green was able to come in and restore order. Carlson is going to have to be more consistent and show continued development, because Green won’t be able to take over anymore. Matt Niskanen is probably more than capable, but the difference will absolutely be felt during down times on the power play. It does not help that Carlson is playing with an advanced stats black hole, so to speak, in Brooks Orpik.

Overall, I do think that the Capitals still have a good shot at being the top power play team again, even without Green. But over the course of a full season, his presence will be missed at some point. Madison Bowey is the most likely of the Capitals’ current defensive prospects to at least come close to replacing Green, but that time will not be this year.

Next: Who fills in for Brouwer?