In a surprising move Washington Capitals GM Lawrence J. Linke came out and slammed writers Devon Cordell, the beat writer for the Anaheim Ducks and Tyler Rumpel, the beat writer for the Los Angeles Kings after they knocked the Capitals expansion process. He was particulary upset with Cordell's remark "that Linke was killed" in the process.

Linke made sure to express that none of the remarks were addressed at Ryan "Rex" Shuck, GM of the Seattle franchise with whom he had a very public feud with. Linke said that prior to the process a plan was developed to systematically build the franchise both ability wise and financially for years to come. Linke stated he is confident that the team will improve each and every year and it wont be long before the Caps are leap frogging the perennial cellar dwellers in the league. Linke also mentioned that a homeless guy has as much in his savings account as the "other franchise" at this moment. 

As for the difference in draft picks which both writers seemeed to focus on, Linke defended their process stated that Ryan drafted players such as  Ben Harpur and Brian Gibbons obtaining 4th, 6th and 7th round picks for them. Linke stated instead of obtaining  picks he chose to draft and retain such young players as Luc Snuggerud, Jack Dougherty, Andreas Englund, Jayce Hawrylik, Adam Helewka, Josh Jacobs and Joe Hicketts. Linke also stated that while Ryan received later picks for skipping players he obtained Adin Hill and Tyler Lewington.

Seattle Forwards

Jeff Carter    Everyone is impressed that Seattle signed Jeff Carter. My reaction, why. Why would you sign a 33 year old who played 27 games last year to a two year $11 M contract with an $11 M signing bonus. What sane GM is going to touch that contract with that durability rating. Along with Subban there are restrictions to how much money can be retained. 

Connor "I carried Sidney's and Evgeni's sticks to the rink" Sheary. I am anxious to see what the 508 smurf does if he is not on Eichel's line this year.

Martin Frk               11 goals last year with 5 on the PP. By the end of the year he was pretty much a power play specialists. Has a 53 def rating.

Evan Rodriguez        Only signed by Buffalo because he was Eichels' line mate in college. Poor mans Connor Sheary.

Sven Andrighetto     8 goals last year

Jordan Martinook     6 goals last year

Johan Larsson         4 goals last year

Nail Yakubov           in a far away land called Russia

Anton Slepyshev      see Yakubov

Darren Archibald     after getting limited action in thre NHL in the 2013 - 14 seaason, spent all of 14-15, 15 - 16, and  16 - 17 in the AHL. In 27 NHL games scored 4 goals.

MINOR LEAGUERS

Like the upside of Valentin Zykov, and Nick Baptiste

Adam Erne      getting passed on the depth chart in Tampa Bay by younger prospects. 3 goals in 23 NHL games.

Morgan Klimchuk   Rumpel could see him having a decent NHL career. What is  he looking with. A 1st round pick has 183 AHL games and 1 NHL game. 

Washington Forwards

Alex Tuch             15 goals as a 21 year old last year, raised the bar with a good playoff performance. 222 pounder

Nick Cousins         12 goals last year as a 24 year old. Had a career year, trending upward

Scott Laughton      10 goals as a 23 year old, trending upward

Tim Schaller          12 goals as a 26 year old

Nick Deslauriers     10 goals in 58 games in a career year

Tommy Wingels       9 goals last year

Tomas Nosek          7 goals

Remi Elie                6 goals as a 22 year old, trending upward

Antoine Roussel      After scoring double digit goals in the last 4 seasons dropped to 5 last year

Johnny Brodzinzki    4 goals in 35 games last year

William Carrier        tough year for the 22 year old scoring 1 goal in 35 games. 

Giovanni Fiore          best young free agent forward available in the 2018 class. After placing my initial bid it took prospect guru Bryce Shuck 4 minutes to top it.

MINOR LEAGUERS

Vinnie Letteri      Highly regarded Rangers prospect. In his first professional season in the AHL scored 23 goals in 55 games. Did not look out of place in a brief trial with the Rangers.

Dominic Simon     4 goals in 33 NHL games, could be the next Connor Sheary in Pittsburgh.

Tyler Motte         undersized, scored 5 NHL goals in 33 games.

CONCLUSION  

The disparity between the two expansion teams currently and looking three years into the future is so wide that if it was a boxing match it would be stopped.