Depends on money, but Ward is a playoff player so I wouldn't hate it. Added a bunch of 3rd line type guys with a little grit and/or size. Guess that is the plan to make up for not having another top 6 winger. At least he is a R shot. 2013–14 Washington Capitals NHL 82 24 25 49 — — — — — 2014–15 Washington Capitals NHL 82 19 15 34 14 3 6 9 Maybe an 18-20 goal 35 or so point guy. Not awful.
For UFAs that are affordable he would be by 2nd choice to Justin Williams. They are both good playoff guys even though they are not huge point producers regular season. I am not worried about regular season.
He's not bad, but I see a huge hole in the top 6 and I dont really see him being the guy to fill it. He'll also cost 2 or 3 years. Maybe thats why we were scared off of Williams, we only want a 1 year guy. The more I think about it, the more I think we need to go after Semin for 1 year, red flags aside.
I hope we get Ward now, he doesn't solve the top 6 issue, but maybe the plan is kill it with good solid depth of top 9 players and go from there. Certainly we'd have more size and grit, and hopefully that would mean more playoff scoring. We'd have to move Glass though, just send him to HRT and save 700 K I believe it is, and I wonder how Lindberg fits in. On D I also wonder where Mac fits in if we don't make a deal.
And Ward is gone...signed with the Sharks. 3 years 3.275 cap hit...so just about 3.3 per. Makes that Williams deal look even better. 2 years at 3.25 per for Williams is the better deal.
I guess the forward for the Rangers will be added via trade. Klein still seems likely to be the guy dealt IMO.
