Capitals sign Sergei Shumakov out of the KHL to a one-year, TWO-WAY deal at an annual value of $925,000 for any time he spends in the NHL.
Sounds like they're taking a flyer on a guy who's 25, and showed pretty well in the KHL last season. I expect they'll start him in Hershey, see what he's got, and maybe call him up at some point (though as, say, an injury replacement, his not-minimal salary may work against his being called up.)
On the surface, this looks like a shot-in-the-dark signing. But I wonder if this might not be a veiled shot across the bow to Burakovsky. If Shumakov shows something and Bura spends another year doodling around and not reaching what most people seem to agree is top-6 offensive potential, since his salary is already based at $3 million AAV now, maybe if the Caps can unload him for some sort of asset they would, thinking that they can replace mediocre performance with a guy like Shumakov for a lot less money.
Hey Ice!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe we were just starting to share a few posts, right before I took a little break from the board earlier this year. If so, then I’m lookin forward to it again!
Anyway, interesting observation on the Bura thing. Hadn’t thought about that angle. This year will have a few more variables to toss in the mix of all things Burakovsky, IMHO! Your Shumakov point may very well be another one.
I’ve made no secret, here, of my distasteful general opinion of Bura. My patience level with him “finally turning it around”, has dropped proportionally, with each of Trotz’s “resets”, over the last few seasons!
I believe he is one, of a multitude of many younger NHLers, who have had mental maturity issues, dealing with over imposed, self-pressure, when they start underperforming. NHL coaches comment all the time about these youngsters, who start in the league, with an over confident, inflated opinion of their own talents, thusly, experiencing the MOTHER of all reality checks, i.e., the overwhelming speed and physicality of an NHL game! Coaches from around the league have commented on this isssue as one of the “make or break” points in an NHL rookies career. Some overcome quickly, moving on to an NHL career of some length. Others must endure a few resets, and some AHL/NHL bouncing around, on their way to potential NHL status, and of course, the majority don’t make it.
For Bura, frankly, this process has gone on way too long! Trotz and the Caps have afforded him EVERY opportunity, and then some, to show, that he can have CONSISTENT performance, and he has NOT! Injuries, resets, or otherwise, as excuses. Short Flashes YES. A few of them, actually, But at some point, you simply have to produce!
I also think he has always struggled with the fluid chemistry of teamwork and TEAM play, on any line he plays on.
Maybe, just maybe, we got a possible short glimpse of him beginning to squash the Individual emphasis, in the last few playoff rounds! But he does not merit hope, in my book, with his history. But of course as a caps fan, and with his obviously natural skillset, I’d like nothing better than to see him have a career year this year.......Ain’t holding my breath, though, Ice! LOL
Rush
