The Future in the Net is Closer

GM George McPhee said today that the option of trading for a veteran netminder to replace backup Brent Johnson, would not be an option the caps would pursue.  To me, that is great news!

Brent Johnson will be electing to have surgery on his hip that has aggravated him for much of the season.  It’s a good decision.  Johnson has stated that the hip limits his movement particularly in various shifting in the net, and for the Caps, who are charging toward their second consecutive Southeast Division championship and Stanley Cup Playoff appearance, it is critical the goalies are healthy and not limited in anyway, particularly with a 18 Southeast division games on the horizon.  

We all knew in June of 2006 that the Washington Capitals had just take a momentous step toward the future, selecting Russian youngster Simeon Varlamov in the first round of the NHL entry draft, and followed that up in the second round taking another top goalie prospect in Michal Neuvirth.  Varlamov played junior Russia last season while Neuvirth played in the juniors in Europe.  This season however, both are playing North American hockey, with Varlamov starting out in Hershey (AHL) and Nuevirth in South Carolina (ECHL).  Both have been impressive.

Simeon Varlamov (age 19)  In 21 games at Hershey, Varlamov has posted a record of 16-5 with an impressive GAA of 2.43.  He has a save percentage of .913.  Earlier this season, at a point where Johnson’s hip was aggravated, Varlamov was called up to Washington and made his NHL debut on the road in Montreal and at the Verizon Center against St. Louis.  The results — Varlamov is 2-0 with a GAA of 1.50 and a save percentage of .953. Specifically, the game in Montreal was a masterpiece, playing in one of the loudest and most hostile environments in hockey, Varlamov stopped 33 of 34 shots for his first game and first NHL win.  He showed his flexibility, dexterity and poise that made him a must have prospect.  

Michal Nuevirth (age 19) started the season in South Carolina of the ECHL, minor league affiliate of the Caps below the AHL Hershey Bears. Like Varlamov, Neuvirth posted impressive numbers in his first season in North American hockey. As the Rays struggled to score at times, Neuvirth posted a 6-7 record, but put up a GAA of 2.28 with a healthy save percentage of .918.  Neuvirth got the call to Hershey after Daren Machesney left for World Juniors and injuries in the system compounded.  Neuvirth was 4-2 with a GAA of 3.03 and a svae percentage of .890. 

With the season ending injury to Johnson, Varlamov and Neuvirth will be charged with backing up starter Jose Theodore.  Until Varlamov is healthy, which GMGM describes the injury as a minor leg injury, Neuvirth will backup Johnson.  If Varlamov is not ready by next weekend, Neuvirth will likely make his NHL debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  If Varlamov gets healthy, the assumption is, Neuvirth will rejoin Hershey and Varlamov will stay in Washington.

McPhee is committed to the kids in the Net, a move we here at DCPSR fully back. One of these two kids, if not both, are going to play a supe rprominent role in the franchis eover the next decade.  The little we have seen of Varlamov in DC and the impressiveness of his performance in Hershey foreshadows a bit that he may be close to as ready as it gets.  Regardless, McPhee and the Capitals are ready to put the stake in a healthy Jose Theodore and the kids on the wing.

“We’re
pretty high on these young goalies and when Jose needs a break we’ll
play them,” McPhee said. “We’re comfortable going with Neuvirth and
Varlamov in a game. Neuvirth is going to get a game.”

Varlamov, McPhee said, is scheduled to see a doctor today and could be back on the ice soon.

“It’s a minor weak of the knee,” McPhee said. “But it’s never a
minor thing when you’re a goalie. As far we know, it’s nothing serious.”

The way I see it, if it was possible for this season of Washington Capitals hockey to get anymore exciting, well, it just did.  Caps could become pretty familiar with one of these kids who may very well hold the net future in their hands in DC.