Not sure the Capitals could make a trade work, but Colorado is a desperate, poorly managed team right now and someone could get a steal.
Maybe they're still interested in Orpik? Orpik+ for Duchene?
Yes, I'm sure they're dying to trade Duchene for a package centered around Brooks Orpik because if there's anything they need it's defensive defensemen with a high cap hit on the wrong side of 35. I can see it going down right after they trade MacKinnon for Chimera & a 3rd to clear cap space and add speed and veteran leadership.
Columbus is much better than expected, but probably not nearly as good as their record indicates. Honestly I'd consider them similar to the Capitals of last year.
if that's the case then they are the best team in the league this year.
I still have trouble putting them ahead of Pittsburgh even after the curb-stomping last night.
It is becoming apparent how important Kris Letang is for the Penguins and it makes me even more upset that Trotz willingly put in Mike Weber for Game 4 when Letang was out, pretty much negating the advantage given to the Capitals with Letang's suspension.
I still have trouble putting them ahead of Pittsburgh even after the curb-stomping last night.
It is becoming apparent how important Kris Letang is for the Penguins and it makes me even more upset that Trotz willingly put in Mike Weber for Game 4 when Letang was out, pretty much negating the advantage given to the Capitals with Letang's suspension.
IIRC, the whole team came out flat for that game, THAT was the damning thing.
It screamed "the coaches have no faith in the other options".
Its pretty astonishing to see the Capitals only 6 points out of the league lead... They have been so bad.
they are winning their games in hand away from 2nd in the conference. Yup. bad. so bad.
meanwhile, Bruce Boudreau. Another 10 game winning streak. Another team totally turned around.
Yes he was being a reasonable seasoned head coach....the horror.
they are winning their games in hand away from 2nd in the conference. Yup. bad. so bad.
meanwhile, Bruce Boudreau. Another 10 game winning streak. Another team totally turned around.
And reasonably lost in 6 games in the 2nd round to a rookie coach while fielding the best team in the league. Just like having Nashville fall apart in the playoffs twice when they were icing Finals caliber teams.
Mike Sullivan was not a rookie coach. He coached the Bruins for two years.
Yes, they lost in the 2nd round with the best record in the league to the 2nd best record in the east and he best record in the league for the second half of the season.
Lets make it sound like they lost to some 5 seed with the 8th best record in the league coached by an actual rookie.