Photo: NHL
The biggest midseason acquisition for the Capitals was trading for Michal Kempny. Like Carlson, Kempny enters the summer as an unrestricted free agent. With their limited cap space, it is likely the Capitals will be able to sign one but won’t be able to sign the other.
Kempny came to a Capitals team that needed more veteran presence on their blueline and he provided it. From being shuffled around the three defensive pairs, his pairing up top with Carlson provided a 1-2 punch. In 22 regular season games, Kempny averaged 16:45 ice time and tallied three points (two goals, one assist). He also finished with 36 blocked shots in those 22 contests and was effective on the penalty kill.
As with anybody entering a new team in the middle of the season, it can be a challenge having to adapt to a new environment on the spot. Kempny gave credit to assistant coach Todd Reirden for instilling confidence in him when he arrived to Washington.
Kempny credited Todd Reirden for getting his confidence back here in Washington because he didn’t have much coming over in the trade. Said he had some bad games in the playoffs but Todd would give him keys to get right back on track.
— Ed Frankovic (@EdFrankovic) June 13, 2018
Kempny was asked if he wanted to come back and responded, “I definitely want to be here.”
Kempny said he’d like to come back because it’s a great group of players, coaches and trainers
— Ed Frankovic (@EdFrankovic) June 13, 2018
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
Love Carlson, but want Kempny back. very good player and a few years younger.
If you look at orlov as a lesser carlson then I’d say kempny is like pre injury alzner with a bit better offense.
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I would love to the D as follows: Orlov-Nisky; MK-JC; 2 young guys such as Djoos and Bowey; BO Orpik…. MK? home much?
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I don’t know why everyone assumes it’s one or the other, bringing back both Kempny and Carlson is not only doable, but crucial. Assuming the Salary Cap bumps up to $80M next season, the Caps have about $16.2M for 6 or 7 slots. Kempny, Carlson, Wilson, Bowey will eat up about $12.9M of that (based off Matt Cane’s Projections) leaving them just under $3.3M to restock the 4th line however they see fit. Boyd + DSP (both RFAs) will cost around 1.55M, leaving GMBM 1.75M in space. *Shrug*
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