Speculation: Acq./Rost. Bldg./Cap/Lines etc. Part LXX (2016 TDL Pre-Game Pt2)(2/29-Laich traded!!)

[Alexander the Gr8]

I think from the game today, it is obvious to all those with a brain that it would be helpful if they make a move for an upgrade to the team if they hope to compete with the big dogs.

I'm fully expcecting a move as I know this team is serious about winning a cup and they can't be that stupid to think we are able to beat the Hawks/LA in a 7 game series with the current team.

How do you make a move? With what cap space?

The team today looked poor and were trampled on by Chicago. I fully expect the GM of the team to do something that will help us level the playing field and compete. It looked like Men Vs Boys out there today sadly.

Outshot them, out hit them, got one more scoring chance than them but yeah, we got trampled on.
I thought we played better in this loss than the win against Minny. Clearly we're not watching the same team.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

I don't think the issue with the first line is ov and backstrom I think it's with backstrom and oshie, they need to be separated. I'd like to see either of the following top 6. More the first but either would work


Ovechkin backstrom Williams
Bura Kuzy Oshie


Ovechkin Kuzy Oshie
Bura Backstrom Williams

 

[tmljeh19*]

GMs have lost their jobs for making bad signings. The Orpik and Niskanen signings were very controversial at the time, and some people still think the Orpik contract is a huge burden. Imagine, you just got appointed as GM of a talented but underachieving team. Your first move is to give $11.25M to two defensemen, one of whom appeared to be declining sharply. That's bold.

It turned out well in the end, but he took a significant risk by giving huge contracts like that right away. Imagine if Orpik was complete crap. What now? You buy him out and you have $2.5M of dead cap space until 2023, after Ovechkin's contract expires? You don't call that a ballsy move?

Ballsy to massively overpay someone? No. What I consider ballsy would be trading a much loved prospect for someone to aid in a cup run and have it work out. That's ballsy.

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

Is there a legit Johansson for Hanzal rumor?

I do it all day long. Yeah, Johansson is younger and has shown well the lat little while, but Hanzal is one of the best defensive centers in the league. An elite defensive center is the an element common to all the Cup winners since Pittsburgh.

Langway linked to this in the last thread.

http://arizonasports.com/story/569774/should-coyotes-hanzal-be-in-play-at-trade-deadline/

The rest is speculation from us.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Backstrom is a pretty elite defensive C is he not? Trotz thinks so. Most think its a sham he hasn't been considered for a selke.

Hanzal has about a 70% rate of play over the last 4 years. He makes Eric Fehr look like an iron man.

What good is Hanzal if he is on IR which he most likely will be especially in the playoffs?

I just disagree with Trotz. Have we ever seen Backstrom shut down the top center of another team?

And from what we've seen of Johansson in the playoffs he's not worth much more than an IR'ed Hanzal.

For me, it's evident Hanzal's injuries haven't depleted his game at all. If your medical staff clears him and doesn't see any specific concern for re-injury, I don't think it should be a factor. The decreased ice time in DC should reduce chance of future injury as well.

 

[tmljeh19*]

so it was basically: caps outshot hawks 30-23. outhit them 47-27, lose 3-2 on road against the top west team on a 12:30 matinee and we got outclassed? sometimes you just get unlucky

Now it's unlucky? We like to blame everything but the real issue. They simply aren't good enough. It's not the refs, or schedule or away team or luck. It's the team. Plain and simple.

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

What good is Hanzal if he is on IR which he most likely will be especially in the playoffs?

Johansson on the ice for the postseason is pretty much a wash with Hanzal off it.

 

[Ridley Simon]

With MJ playing so well at 3C and the fact that we have 2 other guys who can play 3/4 C (Richards, Beagle) leads me to believe we will be looking at a winger if anything.

We have 8 D and unless they are deceiving us on Carlson's timeline for return I can't see us adding there.

Hanzal just doesn't make sense in terms of fit and the price he'll likely command much less issues like his injury history and potential chemistry issues from shipping someone out/bringing him in.

3RW to bump Wilson down? Meh...if we wanted to bump Wilson down why not just bump Beagle up? He can play RW and would add a FO presence on the 3rd line (Righty vs MJ's lefty)

4LW? Seems the most likely to upgrade on Laich but its not as if Laich has been terrible and that we are likely to find a 4LW demonstrably better in that ROLE.

You sure come out with some doozies Bob, in your never ending defense of this team.

I will just throw out some facts for you.

Jason Chimera has the 2nd worst +/- of any player that's played 50+ games. He's at +4. Wilson and Burakovsky are at +5 and +6. Carlson is +9. Every other regular player is +14 or higher.

Laich is -6.

Every regular player -- except Nate Schmidt-- that has played over 50 games has 19pts or more, and includes defenseman. Schmidt has 14pts.

Laich has 7.

Your standards are up for debate if you think he's been anything other than terrible. If you think the Caps can't improve on Laich, no matter the role, then you are delusional.

Come on, Bob.

 

[Langway]

They simply aren't good enough. It's not the refs, or schedule or away team or luck. It's the team. Plain and simple.

Then will one piece change that fundamentally? Are they really one bold piece away?

It seems to me if you truly don't think this team has "it" then it's not going to matter what they add before the deadline. Just the opposite, it could easily dig the hole deeper long-term.

 

[Calicaps]

Johansson on the ice for the postseason is pretty much a wash with Hanzal off it.

Meh I would have said the same for the regular season if you asked me last offseason. Not saying I wouldn't do that trade... I would. But I don't really know what this Mojo will bring to the postseason.

 

[PucksInDeep]

Now it's unlucky? We like to blame everything but the real issue. They simply aren't good enough. It's not the refs, or schedule or away team or luck. It's the team. Plain and simple.

Sometimes it is luck.

You can have the best team in the world and still get unlucky. **** happens.

We were unlucky to lose to the Rangers last year in playoffs. This team is better than last season... but we still need to get lucky to win.

 

[peterthegreat12]

Then will one piece change that fundamentally? Are they really one bold piece away?

It seems to me if you truly don't think this team has "it" then it's not going to matter what they add before the deadline. Just the opposite, it could easily dig the hole deeper long-term.

This.

You make a good point. I think this team is a few pieces away still but that's just me. One bold trade will not change their fate this postseason.

 

[tmljeh19*]

Then will one piece change that fundamentally? Are they really one bold piece away?

It seems to me if you truly don't think this team has "it" then it's not going to matter what they add before the deadline. Just the opposite, it could easily dig the hole deeper long-term.

I think they are a combo of two things away. One is a piece. The other is current players playing to potential and getting back to that play.

The thing I don't think the team is, is unlucky. Or snake bit. Or bad calls. Or away game excuses.

 

[strungout]

How can a 94 point team by February not having something close to resembling "it"?

This is the best Caps team we've ever seen. Any additions they make just help the cause.

Good enough to win it all as is? Yes.

Grab your sacks and get it.

 

[EroCaps]

This.

You make a good point. I think this team is a few pieces away still but that's just me. One bold trade will not change their fate this postseason.

You and no one else. This is the best Caps team ever.

A significant trade to bolster their depth over a grueling playoff season just makes sense.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

How can a 94 point team by February not having something close to resembling "it"?

This is the best Caps team we've ever seen. Any additions they make just help the cause.

Good enough to win it all as is? Yes.

Grab your sacks and get it.

But they lost a one goal game on the road without their best defenseman.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Ballsy to massively overpay someone? No. What I consider ballsy would be trading a much loved prospect for someone to aid in a cup run and have it work out. That's ballsy.

Remember these guys?

I'm not going down that route again. Not touching Vrana/Bowey/Samsonov unless it's a crazy offer we can't refuse.

Now it's unlucky? We like to blame everything but the real issue. They simply aren't good enough. It's not the refs, or schedule or away team or luck. It's the team. Plain and simple.

It's the Hawks first win against the Caps since 2014 I believe. We beat them clean when they came to DC in October.

 

[g00n]

I think they are a combo of two things away. One is a piece. The other is current players playing to potential and getting back to that play.

The thing I don't think the team is, is unlucky. Or snake bit. Or bad calls. Or away game excuses.

20-some roster and depth guys playing up to their potential when it actually matters >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> one new guy

 

[bur and 666 others]

I just don't get it. If the Caps are after a 4LW, then why we are waiting so long to add this 4LW? Shouldn't it be easier to add like Weber?

 

[EroCaps]

20-some guys playing up to their potential when it actually matters >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> one new guy

Why not both?

 

[Sam Spade]

If Johansson keeps up his current level of play he should absolutely take precedence over Alzner.

Are you nuts?

Alzner needs to get locked up long term. He is a solid number two dman on any team in this league. Marge is easily replaced. Vrana or Barber can get started next season.

The team today looked poor and were trampled on by Chicago. I fully expect the GM of the team to do something that will help us level the playing field and compete. It looked like Men Vs Boys out there today sadly.

Do you mean the game they played today?

Dang I think we watched two different games if you do.

 

[hockeykicker]

I just don't get it. If the Caps are after a 4LW, then why we are waiting so long to add this 4LW? Shouldn't it be easier to add like Weber?

because the price goes down when there are no more buyers

 

[tmljeh19*]

Remember these guys?

I'm not going down that route again. Not touching Vrana/Bowey/Samsonov unless it's a crazy offer we can't refuse.



It's the Hawks first win against the Caps since 2014 I believe. We beat them clean when they came to DC in October.

So you're not willing to part with a goalie who won't sniff the NHL for at least 5 years to improve our best cup chance ever? Good to know. Hope you love never winning a cup bro.

 

[tmljeh19*]

because the price goes down when there are no more buyers

And there are scraps leftover that no one wants

 

[g00n]

Why not both?

If the new guy means less chemistry and therefore a team NOT playing up to potential, or the price is too high, then it's not worth it. If the coach and players can do the job without complicated moves for one minor piece, the risk/reward in a move makes no sense.