Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Williams Brings Much Needed Experience To Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals fans should be excited because the Caps have had very few players who dominate possession the way that Justin Williams does. Since the beginning of the 2009-2010 season, Williams has the second best FenClose% relative of any forward with at least 1500 minutes at even-strength. The Washington Capitals closest player to Williams? Center Nicklas Backstrom who is 39th.
Last year, the Capitals had a rather unexciting second line from roughly late November until Evgeny Kuznetsov start dominating in the month of March. Williams immediately makes the second line much deadlier and more exciting. Paired with Kuznetsov and (most likely) Marcus Johansson, the second line could be very dangerous in 2015. Brouwer never drove possession or made his teammates better. Williams has done both of those things for virtually his entire career.
Along with his extremely good possession numbers, Justin Williams gives the Washington Capitals a proven winner. He has won three Stanley Cups in his career (one with Carolina and two with the Kings). More importantly, the Capitals are getting a guy who earns his reputation of “Mr. Game Seven” every time he plays in a game seven. For a franchise who has struggled to win game sevens, Williams could be the difference for the Caps.
Another thing that Williams brings to the Washington Capitals is a team-first mentality that should help the Caps overcome adversity during the season.
"My game seven record is a product of the teams I’ve played on. I’ve played on some great teams, guys are able to get that little goal, or get that little extra that it takes in a game seven because everyone knows how important every single play is. It’s just a product of the great teams I’ve played on, the great guys I’ve played with and that’s why I kind of have that, I guess, mantra hanging over me. But this is a great team as well that I’m coming to. I hope I can help us get to the next level… [the Capitals] battle hard and I like what I’ve seen and I’m just going to try and be me. Come in here and try and be me and hope that’s enough to earn the respect of my teammates and help us get over a little hump."
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