Caps Free Agency Facts & Figures

Well here goes the first of my forward looking posts on the Caps for the 2008 -2009 season. Taking stock of what the current team status is. Here's a list of current Washington Capitals that are eligible for free agency (first the Unrestricted Free Agents and then the Restricted Free Agents) as well as their salary against the Cap for the 2007-2008 season and then my estimate of their likely resigning amount.


Caps Rostered Unrestricted Free Agents:

1. Sergei Federov; Center; 2007-08 Salary: 6, 080,000; Estimated 2008-2009 Salary Range: 2, 500,000 - 4, 250, 000 if he chooses not to retire, he is 39 years old.

2. Olaf Kolzig; Goalie; 2007-08 Salary: 5, 450,000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary Range:1, 500, 000 - 2, 000, 000 if he chooses not to retire, he is 38 years old. Probably won't be back based on how he cleaned his locker out today.

3. Christobel Huet; Goalie; 2007-08 Salary: 2, 750,000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary Range: 3, 250, 000 - 4, 250, 000

4. Matt Cooke; Left Wing; 2007-08 Salary: 1, 525, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 1, 250, 000 - 1, 750, 000. With Clark back and healthy is Cooke a luxury the Caps don't need or is Matt Bradley the redundant guy in this mix? Your guess is likely as good as any at this time, but you can't argue that Cooke didn't earn his pay since joining the Caps.

5. Matt Bradley; Right Wing; 2007-08 Salary: 700, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 700,000 - 800, 000. Cooke or Bradley? Is a choice really necessary?



Caps Rostered Restricted Free Agents:



1. Mike Green; Defense; 2007-2008 Salary: 850, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 4, 500, 000 - 5, 750, 000. No doubt that along with Poti the foundation of the Caps defence - he'll be resigned unless something truly bizzare occurs in the interim.

2. Steve Emminger; Defense; 2007-08 Salary: 1, 000, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 1, 000, 000 - 2, 000, 000. This is a toss up but Emminger's play against the Flyers means one way or the other he's on a NHL rooster at the start of next season.

3. Shoane Morrisonn; Defense; 2007-08 Salary: 900, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 1, 500, 000 - 2, 500, 000. No doubt will be resigned, again unless something crazy happens.

4. Eric Fehr; Right Wing; 2007-08 Salary: 800, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 850, 000 - 1, 300, 000. Will he be back? Probably but you never really know until you know.

5. Brooks Laich; Center; 2007-08 Salary: 725, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 1, 500, 000 - 2, 750, 000. After his breakout season this past year, Brooks Laich will be back next season.

6. Boyd Gordon; Right Wing; 2007-08 Salary: 650, 000; Estimated 2008 - 09 Salary: 1, 000, 000 - 1, 650, 000. Gordon will again be back as an accomplished grinder.



Hershey Bears who become UFA in July:



1. Josef Boumedienne; Defense; 2007-08 Salary: 500,000; Forecast for 2008- Will be resigned by Capitals and compete for roster slot in camp.

2. Fredric Cassivi; Goalie; 2007-08 Salary: 500, 000; Forecast for 2008 - Will Not be resigned by Capitals but will likely get picked up by somebody and may even become an NHL backup next season somewhere - 32 years old.

3. Jason Morgan; Center; 2007 - 08 Salary: 500, 000; Forecast for 2008 - Possible resigning but just as possibly not - 31 years old.

4. Dean Arsene; Defense; 2007 - 08 Salary: 475, 000; Forecast for 2008 - Possible resigning but possibly not - 27 years old.



Hersey Bears who become RFA in July:



1. Stephen Warner; Right Wing; 2007-08 Salary: 615, 000; Forecast for 2008 -

2. Jamie Hunt, Defense; 2007-08 Salary: 605, 000; Forecast for 2008 - will be resigned.