Capitals versus Penguins - What's the difference?

I thought it would be interesting to compare these two franchises over the past few seasons. There is no better comparison for the Capitals from the 2003/2004 season to the present. Both franchises were essentially in the same situation in terms of talent, payroll and overall standings heading into the lockout. I might also add that the Pens had a tenuous ownership situation hanging over them that was still in flux heading into this season. The Caps finished that season with a record of 23-46-10 for a total of 59 points. The Penguins finished the season with a record of 23-47-8 for a total of 58 points.

In the 2004 entry draft, the Caps had three picks in the first round as a result of their poor performance during the season and the fire sale prior to the trade deadline. The three picks were Alex Ovechkin, Jeff Schultz and Mike Green. The Pens only had one pick in the first round and selected Evgeni Malkin. We could certainly examine the rest of the draft but these four players represent the only players that have had any meaningful impact with their respective teams. It's worth mentioning that the Pens did not hold a fire sale leading up to the lockout as the Caps did. In the Caps fire sale, they obtained Jakub Klepis, Jared Aulin, Shaone Morrisonn, Tomas Fleischmann, Brooks Laich and a handful of picks. In essence, the Caps had more picks and young "talent" coming into the organization. Obviously, the 2004-2005 season was wiped out due to the lockout.

In the 2005 entry draft, the Caps had two picks in the first round and selected Sasha Pokulok and Joe Finley (remember my comment in an earlier post about big, slow defensemen). The Pens had one pick and selected Sidney Crosby. During the offseason, the Caps signed the following free agents - Mathieu Biron, Ivan Majesky, Andrew Cassels, and Ben Clymer. They also acquired Chris Clark and Jeff Friesen via trades. The Penguins signed the following free agents - Lyle Odelein, Sergei Gonchar (who was traded to the Bruins by the Caps in the 2004 fire sale), Steve Poapst, John LeClair, Zigmund Palffy, and Andre Roy. They also acquired Jocelyn Thibault via trade.

When the boys finally got back to playing hockey in the 2005/2006 season, the Caps finished the season with a record of 29-41-12 for a total of 70 points. The Pens finished the season with a record of 22-46-14 for a total of 58 points. Alex Ovechkin beat out Sidney Crosby for the Calder Trophy that year. Things were certainly looking like the Caps were making the step forward while the Pens were essentially treading water.

During the 2005/2006 season, the Caps traded Brendan Witt for Kris Beech and a 1st round pick in the 2006 draft. They also traded Jeff Friesen for a 2006 3rd round pick. In the 2006 entry draft, the Pens took Jordan Staal with the 2nd overall pick and the Caps selected Niklas Backstrom with the 4th overall pick and Semen Varlamov with the 23rd pick. During the offseason, the Caps signed or traded for Brian Pothier, John Erksine, Donald Brashear and Richard Zednik. The Pens signed or traded for Mark Eaton, Jarkko Ruutu, Dominic Moore, Nils Ekman, Robert Petrovicky and Mark Recchi.

In the 2006/2007 season, the Caps finished with a record of 28-40-14 for a total of 70 points and the Pens finished with a record of 47-24-11 for a total of 105 points. During the year the Caps traded away Danius Zubrus and Jamie Heward and acquired Milan Jurcina, Jiri Novotny and a 2007 first round pick. For the playoff run, the Pens acquired Gary Roberts, George Laraque and Wade Brookbank. Obviously, the Pens made a huge jump forward while the Caps made no progress at all. The Pens made the playoffs and were bounced in the first round in five games by the Ottawa Senators who eventually fell to Anaheim in the finals. However, the Pens made it to the dance which is something the Caps have not done since 2003.

During the 2007 offseason, the Caps signed Michael Nylander, Viktor Kozlov and Tom Poti while the Pens signed Petr Sykora, Darryl Sydor and Dany Sabourin. I think it's fair to say expectations were high for both teams going into the current season. The Pens added a few pieces and kept some other ones and looked to build on a great year. The Caps signed another defensemen and two forwards that they thought would be big parts of a large step forward this year. As of now, the Caps are the worst team in the league with 20 points in 27 games. The Pens currently hold the 8th seed in the playoff standings but are only two points out of first in their division. While it is still very early in the season, I think the writing is clearly on the wall at this point. The Pens will make the playoffs for the second year in a row while the Caps seem destined to be a bottom dweller.

So, what's the difference? Is it ownership? Is it management? Is it the coaching? Is it the scouting system? Is it the players? Just like any organization, it all starts at the top. No matter what your opinion might be there is no doubt that the Caps organization is failing the litmus test in comparison to the Pens. The teams ended the season prior to the lockout essentially in the same state but only the Pens have crossed that hurdle to the next plateau. The Pens have not reached the holy land yet but they sure seem a lot closer to it than the Caps. I look forward to your thoughts and opinions.