Mike Green

'07-08 Stats                      Age (on October 1): 22                  Contract: RFA

'07-08 Season Report

Now this is what you call a "breakout year." Green led all NHL defensemen with 18 goals and finished 7th with 56 points. And just about all of it came after Bruce Boudreau arrived. His first 21 games found him scoring just 3 goals and 4 assists. If he played at the same pace under Glen Hanlon as he did for Boudreau, Green would have ended up with 20 goals and 46 assists. Those 66 points would be good for second in the league and one point shy of Sergei Gonchar's career high which he accomplished as a 29 year old. Green is just 22.

"Game Over Green" didn't let up once the postseason started. His 3 goals and 4 assists in the first round were matched only by Calgary's Dion Phaneuf. And his 26:58 playoff ice time was good for 5th among all skaters in the playoffs.

His defensive play has proven to be adequate and he is becoming a solid hitter. He is still prone to defensive lapses, which is not uncommon for young, offensive-minded blueliners. Once his play in his own end solidifies, he will likely be mentioned as a Norris candidate for many years to come.

Intangibles

Green has developed into a prototypical rushing defenseman, the type innovated by the great Bobby Orr. Though I'm not comparing Green to Orr, there are certainly some similarities. He's got what it takes to be a star in this league for many years to come, and his selction near the end of the 1st round in '04 is making George McPhee look like a genius.

Future Fit

Green's RFA status is arguably the Capitals' most pressing matter this offseason. He's due for a massive raise in the $5 million a year range. Any outside offer over $5 million would deliver four 1st-round draft picks if the Capitals decide not to match.

A nearly identical scenario unfolded back in 1990 when the Capitals accepted five 1st-round picks from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the services of future Hall of Famer Scott Stevens. The Capitals used the picks to select Gonchar and Brendan Witt. But the other three picks ended up as Trevor Halverson, Miika Elomo, and Eric Fichaud. I think the Caps would like to have that one back.

Expect Green to be in Washington come next season. After all, the Capitals are becoming vaguely reminiscent of that Edmonton Oilers dynasty in the early to mid '80s. And what would it have been without Paul Coffey.