The Hockey News: Jason Kay's blog: THN.com Blog: Caps roll dice with Jose Theodore

THN.com Blog: Caps roll dice with Jose Theodore

Jose Theodore has been up and down since his Hart and Vezina trophy season in 2001-02. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Jason Kay
2008-07-05 13:10:36

The Washington Capitals were eliminated in the first round of the 2008 playoffs, but their post-season still ended on something of a high.

Their highly entertaining confrontation with the Philadelphia Flyers could just as easily have gone in their favor and they could have been the Cinderella team in the East that went deep into the spring.

Nonetheless, a feeling persisted they could/would be the next version of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a sickly talented group that emerged from the depths of the NHL to find elite status.

And that may still transpire. But much of that hope now rests on the enigmatic shoulders of new netminder Jose Theodore.

The Caps lost a major stabilizing force when incumbent Cristobal Huet decided to test free agency and bolted to Chicago July 1. In Huet, you know what you’re getting: a top 10 goalie who may not steal as many games as a Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo, but one who won’t lose you many, either. He was a very good fit for a team on the rise.

GM George McPhee deserves credit for acting swiftly in securing Plan B, but, if I’m a Caps fan, it’s going to be a while before I find a comfort level with the team’s new No. 1 man.

We all know Theodore, still young at 31, has the physical composition to be one of the league’s best stoppers. His Hart and Vezina trophies in 2002 are testaments to his skill.

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It’s the ensuing years that would have me nervous. His plunge in Colorado, and accompanying off-ice distractions, had some thinking he was playing himself out of the league.

His resurrection of sorts last season made for a feel-good story, but it’s one that is awaiting an ending. Apparently he has his game back, and he did look fantastic at times in 2007-08, particularly in the first round of the playoffs against Minnesota. Avs goalie coach Jeff Hackett worked wonders with him and Theodore says he has regained the confidence he needs to be one of the best.

I hope that’s true for his sake and his team’s. I think it would be good for the league if the Capitals emerged as a dominant club. I’m just less sure about that outcome now than I was before July 1.

Jason Kay is the editor in chief of The Hockey News and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog normally appears every weekend.

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COMMENTS (22)

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Brian Kemp Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:09)

Good pickup by the Caps. 4 years for Huet would have been too much. The Hawks overpaid him, just like they did with Khabibulin. 2 years for less money fits the new NHL landscape much better. Adam, I would definitely put Price, Giguere and Fluery ahead of Huet. Not sure about Thomas, but I'd put Osgood ahead of him, too. And Kramer, Theodores playoff SP was dropped a bit by playing Detroit and having his idiot coach leave him in, despite the fact that Budaj is a good goalie and Theodore had the Flu. Huet has never won a playoff series, and while he might do it someday, Theodore has won a few, and looks to be close to getting both his head and his game straight. I'd take him over Huet, especially with their current contracts.

neilw Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:06)

With Clark and Nylander back, and if they sign Fedorov, they could have Raycroft in net and still make the playoffs.

Bill H Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:04)

The Capitals took a big and unexpected leap forward last year once Bruce B. arrived on the scene and used the Huet deadline day trade to fuel an incredible stretch run. It revealed what everyone knew but did not want to say - Olie days as a Capital were over. The end of the season success made for new expectations for success, and the team has most of its key ingredients growing up together - OV, Green & Semin as well as the other key young players. However, the young hot shot goalies are just joining the organization and playing their first year in the AHL this coming season. For the Caps to realize their dream of a Stanley Cup, they need their "Fleury" ...Theodore or Huet were to be placeholders and in my mind, a 2 year commitment made much more sense than 4. What if Valmarov is NHL ready by mid-season? With backup Johnson only signed through 2008-09, it is clear the Caps figure one of the young guys will be ready to take his place. I hope Theodore delivers, but in the Caps master plan, a 2 year deal fits much, much better.

Steve Cullen Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:02)

Kramer - you have to be kidding me. You converted a non absolute .010 save percentage difference into an absolute 16 point loss in points in the standings for the Caps in the season to come. You put too much emphasis on the goaltender position - there are so many variables like power plays and penalty killing, rookie defense, etc. to consider. As for the Caps if Huet was an unrestricted free agent he was completely free to sign anywhere - the Caps did not have a right to match. From what I understand he wanted 4 years and I dont think many teams were lining up to give that to a 32 year old goalie. If your theory were true and Huet were worth 16 points in the standings for most teams (or more if we use your math) he would have got more than Vancouver offered Sundin.

David Kramer Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:01)

Since the lockout, among goalies playing at least 80 regular season games, Huet has the 2nd best save percentage (.921) in the NHL, while Theodore has the 40th best SP (.895). Even if both goalies replicate their performance in the 2007-08 season, the difference between .910 (Theodore) and .920 (Huet) is significant. Over 55 games, Theodore will let in about 16 more goals than Huet would have, costing the Capitals about 8 wins and 16 points in the standings Since the lockout, Huet’s playoff save percentage (.919) is also much better than Theodore’s (.904). The Caps should have matched Chicago's offer.

Tom Lynch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:01)

By "Hockeytown", you mean DC, right? Rock the Red!

Patrick M Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:00)

For the record the Caps gave up one more shot against than Colorado every 5 games. An average of 27.5 shots against per game while Detroit the supreme comparison gave up 23.5 per game. The Caps are more able to score and give goal support to their goaltender than Colorado. However with 3 more shots a game on average at the opponents goal I would not class them as a "run and gun" offense. Theodore should have an easier time playing in Washington. I suppose if you take away the 3 long rebounds that Huet gives up each game the team should win more games because the Capitals had one of the higher faceoff win percentages in hockey. That is assuming a shot taken without a rebound turns into a defensive faceoff instead of a better shot on goal. I would be stunned if the Capitals did not make the playoffs again in 2008-09.

joey Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:58)

too bad for the caps as they will not make the playoffs next year with theodore as the main man....he is used to facing 20-25 shots a game...wait and see how fast his head spins when he faces 30-40 a game with the run and gun caps...it will be a new red light district in DC.

keng Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:58)

Joey, do you even watch hockey? The playoffs? What a pointless comment to be made. Theo will do just fine in Washington - just as Huet would have. Perhaps better with Theo. Rebecca's comment were spot on for anyone who doesn't pay attention to the Capitals on a day-to-day basis. This season the team broke out with a change in coaching. Under a full season with Boudreau, there is no doubt the Capitals will be playoff bound.

fleetwood94 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:54)

Finally Jose gets the opportunity to show that he's not just a flash in the pan after his lights-out '01-02 when he took the Hart...if he can stay focused and not let his personal life get in the way, the Caps may be the team to watch in the East!