General Managers around the league have been put on alert. What for so long seemed like a gentleman's agreement between teams not to bid on each other's restricted free agents, is no more. The message is clear, draft picks be damned.
So with Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Shaone Morrisonn, and Mike Green among others set to become restricted free agents next season, George McPhee you have been adequately forewarned.
George McPhee confirmed today that the Capitals will not be a player in the restricted free agent market. So anyone out there with hopes that the Capitals would target someone such as Thomas Vanek can forget about it. On the restricted free agent market McPhee said, "It wouldn't be our style because in most cases teams match (the offer). We'd just be waisting time."
I find this interesting because if ever their was a time to go after a restricted free agent, Vanek might just be worthy of the compensation required. The winger recorded 43 goals and 41 assists this past season and is only 23 years old. An offer of up to $3.9 million a year would cost the Caps a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick. I think that just might be worth it. What do you think?
