Brooks Laich and the Caps kick off Salary Arbitration

by Dirk Hoag on Jul 23, 2007 10:52 AM EDT

Oh, to be a fly on the wall during Salary Arbitration. Today we have Brooks Laich of the Washington Capitals leading off, with Ray Emery's hearing coming tomorrow.

What the Capitals might say: Eight goals? You're taking us to arbitration after scoring eight goals on 119 shots? That's one of the worst

shooting percentages in the league for a centerman, and it's not like you just had a down year, as 2005-6 looked pretty much the same. Using Behind the Net's On/Off-Ice Plus-Minus figures, it looks like the Caps fare only marginally better when Laich is on the ice. We can't see raising last year's salary of $606,000 by a significant amount.

What Brooks Laich might say: I'm developing into the defensive-minded center that can help hold down a late lead (where the Caps need help) by preventing opposing shots after faceoffs in our own zone. That is an area I've improved in since last year, and I've emerged as one of the league's best in that regard. Along with that, I was 15th among NHL centers in terms of Blocked Shots, trailing a number of players who received significantly more ice time. You've got other guys to shoot the puck - the Caps need someone who can help turn some of those Ovechkin highlights into points in the standings.

What the arbitrator might say: Boy, talk about starting the Arbitration Season off with an exhibition match. Those defensive aspects are somewhat noteworthy, so let's give him $700,000 and call it a day. Next time, kid, score some goals before you roll the dice like this again. If a center can't hit double-digits in goals, chances are he'll never get a seven-figure salary.

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by preventing opposing shots after faceoffs in our own zone. That is an area I've improved in since last year, and I've emerged as one of the league's best in that regard.

I know I'm just a naysayer on this stat, but seriously, if Brooks Laich is one of the best in this regard, all it makes me say is "so what?" to the statistic itself.

by Earl Sleek on Jul 23, 2007 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

I don't disagree, Earl - hence my bet that the award will be pretty low for Laich. I think what we'll see, however, is players portraying themselves more and more as specialists, noting the few areas where they fare well, and pitching that as providing special value.

As noted over at Off Wing, there are quite a few options available to the Caps if they wanted to replace Laich. If he had those defensive credentials to along with even middling offensive production, that might be something, but he can't even boast that. I'm not sure why a guy like this even goes to arbitration in the first place.

by The Forechecker on Jul 23, 2007 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

Pretty strange decision for Laich to opt for arbitration in the first place. What's his agent thinking?

by Kent W. on Jul 24, 2007 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

His last contract was a two-way contract and by going to arbitration, he can get a one-way deal that will keep him in Washington all season.

Also, with Nylander and Kozlov now in Washington (both had terrible face-off percentages last year), someone is going to have to take the draws. Laich is quite good at that and should be pretty important for the Caps this year. He's not out there to score, although 3 of his 8 goals last year were shorthanded.

by Jeff on Jul 24, 2007 7:19 PM EDT reply actions