http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20060706-115744-6863r.htm

Not that I think it'll really happen, but I wouldn't disagree. I know some fans hate him with a passion for the hit he put on Gonchar years ago; I'm over that, and Gonchar's gone from the team.

#1. Leader or no leader, this hockey team ain't making the playoffs this season pal (Cue Jim Mora, PLAYOFFS? YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS?). We're still too young and have too many vets coming off of career years. This isn't a recipie for success. The fearless leader can wait.

#2. Do we really want to mess with chemistry? About the only constant now left from the "poisoned locker room days" is 5-Holezig. So before adding a leader and pinning the "C" on his chest, shouldn't we check to see just how the unofficial captain of the team feels? I'm not blaming 5-Holezig for the poisoned atmosphere that previously existed, but considering that for the longest time that Caps were considered to have serious leadership issues while 5-Holezig was first being considered by all accounts the unofficial captain seems to speak volumes. Sorry, but considering the history of the Caps with Peca, I can't see 5-Holezig welcoming him with open arms.

#3. About Peca specifically, I happen to believe that he is one of the most overrated hockey players in the NHL today. Roenick used to hold that title but now everybody is seriously down on him and he could very well be done (remember Brett Hull in Phoenix?). For being such a great leader, he has precious little to show for it. Just two trips to the Cup Finals and no wins. That's only one more Cup Finals trip than the unofficial captian has.

#4. We weren't willing, for good reason, to make Halpern the highest paid forward on the Caps in terms of base salary. While since this tome was written, the Caps have gone ahead and made Richard Zednik that forward, does it really stand to reason that the Caps would pass on Halpern at $2 million per but take Peca for that amount? I don't think it does. Because the other reason we were willing to let Halpern go is because we already have younger and cheaper players to fill Halpern's role. Peca would only set back the development of Sutherby.

We we are serious about this, I think the fearless leader type should be added to the blueline. I don't know just who that should be, but it would also have to come with a diminshed role of 5-Holezig on the team. But there is also the A.O. factor as well. It is clear that he is the front runner for the "C". While he may not get it, the longer the Caps wait to bring in the fearless leader, the more that guy will have to take the team from A.O..

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Everybody Wang Chung......

Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™