I didn't get into hockey until 1994 when I bought NHL '94 on the Sega Genesis. I used the Wings and became a fan of them and of the great Steve Yzerman. Once he retired, I kinda became much more casual a fan. Because of my extreme distaste for all sports relating to Pittsburgh, it was only natural that I started following the Caps as their rivalry with the Pens grew more heated. I'm still a rather casual hockey fan, but I'm starting to follow a little closer. All this leads to a few questions:
How well did the Caps do in off season acquisitions?
What's the situation like with the minors and the recent drafts?
Are they good enough to finally break through and make it to the finals?
I'm really looking for objectivity folks. No homers allowed 
the caps didnt really need any high end talent going into the offseason. some would say "we need a tough stay at home defenseman" and only three guys in the league would probably fulfill their desires (chara, lidstrom, pronger), none of whom are available. we needed good role players for the third and fourth lines. we got that in ward and halpern. we also added quality power forward brouwer, picked up a solid defenseman with some offensive upside in hamrlik, and for craps and giggles picked up a top five goalie on the cheap.
the caps were good enough to win it all the past two years and have only improved in the offseason. obviously, that doesnt mean they are going to win it all.
the caps have 3 or 4 elite prospects in defenseman Orlov, center Eakin, center Kuznetsov, and throw in goalie Holtby. the first three on that list were three of six players named to the World Junior Championship All Tournament Team last year. Kuznetsov might have been the MVP. So basically the Caps might have had three of the top six 18 or 19 year olds in the world. Orlov and Eakin will probably play in the Minors this year and Kuznetsov will stay in Russia this year. Kuznetsov is even eligible for the Junior tournament again this year
