hockeykicker
Moderator
- Dec 3, 2014
- 35,182
- 12,785
Because they practically have a week before their next game, so the practices between now and then are ideal to experiment with different combos.I like Wilson on the 2nd line
I don't like Oshie on the first line
But why we change the lines after 2 games scoring 5 goals/game?
I'm not sure Bura is really that good even as a finesse player. I guess lack of confidence can make anyone's play look bad, but I'm not seeing any particular skill in him that excites me. I guess you could say his shot but it's woefully inaccurate. He's not a speed burner, not a very good possession player, vision is meh.Good ol' Ovi. He's been covering for faulty defenses, suspect coaching and soft fellow forwards his entire career. Not perfect but, c'mon, get this man a Cup and not Ray Bourque style.
I'd think about dealing Burakovsky here at some point for a more consistent, well-rounded player. They have enough finesse types as it is.
We were never 7-10-1, we were 10-7-1 at one point.Never would have predicted 53 pts halfway through the season before the season started. After starting 7-10-1(?) would think this to be impossible. Lots of defensive problems but goaltending and opportunistic goal scoring has obviously been key. Trotz better ease up on Holtby or he will get worn out.
So you expect us to wait until 20 games until they take action regarding a struggling Oshie? Is 7 games not enough? How much leash do you give him?You send examples of players that were either small cogs or past their prime (or had had prolonged slumps that were not coming off significant injuries...you are using examples to fit your narrative. Doesn’t mean it’s a good narrative).
I'm not missing the message. I fully understand your argument. You argument is just not resounding with me at all. The team isn't dumb. The other players know that Oshie is struggling. Oshie knows he's struggling, and admitted as much in his comments regarding the new line combinations. The messages this sends is that playing healthy matters, and that the ice time will be correlated with how well you are playing, regardless of stature. There's nothing to take as a dig at Oshie or a devaluation of a "warrior," especially given that the frequent consensus is that he's not yet 100% (which is even more reason to give Oshie a night or two off).Team played well while Oshie was hurt? WTH does that have to do with the message it send to the team in benching one of their warriors who is doing all he can to help? You keep missing the message man. Not sure why, but whatever.
It would be a lot easier to agree to disagree if you stopped including jabs like the "bad idea" line and "missing the message" in your post.Look, as I stated above. We can simply agree to disagree. Your idea, in my opinion, is a huge mistake. You think it’s a tremendous idea. Fair enough. Why don’t you put a poll on the board and see what others think. Assuming you value other Caps fans opinion. I’m pretty sure it won’t be even close to 50/50.
Oshie is a proven veteran with leadership qualities, Bura is not. Defer to experience and, in this case, the likelihood that we don't have the full story. Bura has repeatedly said he struggles with confidence. He needs to work through that somehow. At some point benching will stop working, I suspect.
It's more or less his hockey IQ and lack of confidence that makes everything look like crap right now. He can do some fancy stuff, stick handle, skates pretty well, finish and that but without confidence and he lacks the foundation and natural savvy to be an effective all-around player. He's another guy that doesn't really do the little things well enough. It's what makes him a particularly tough fit on the third line unless he's on his game. He's already been passed by Vrana. If Stephenson can earn more trust and maybe add some finishing ability I wouldn't doubt he gets passed once again. These are the elements that lead to a player getting traded. He's had plenty of time to find a groove and identity over the past few seasons. Time off hurts but he needs to be more focused on what makes him effective and play his game.I'm not sure Bura is really that good even as a finesse player. I guess lack of confidence can make anyone's play look bad, but I'm not seeing any particular skill in him that excites me. I guess you could say his shot but it's woefully inaccurate. He's not a speed burner, not a very good possession player, vision is meh.
Probably to get the 2nd line going. Every time one of the top 3 lines is struggling Trotz throws Wilson on that line. It seems to be working.I like Wilson on the 2nd line
I don't like Oshie on the first line
But why we change the lines after 2 games scoring 5 goals/game?
We have the 3rd most points in the league right now. The metro is tight, but I don't think we'll be that late clinching a spot, unfortunately.it doesn't work, imo. Last year they tried to save Ovi fresh cutting his ice time for another 2nd round exit. I'm glad this team isn't a regular season powerhouse anymore. I hope they get a PO spot on 3rd of April, not earlier.
But I'd be open to a W swap like Rieder+(?) from Arizona...a player that doesn't have the same skill level but is fast, defensively responsible, can PK and play a decent energy game in a depth role. Either that or maybe someone younger that has C/W ability in the off chance they want to guard against overpaying Eller.
I quite like Rieder, and would be on board with acquiring him, but not at the expense of Burakovsky. There's a pretty big gap in quality and upside between those two players, and Rieder is also struggling this season.
Just because Bowey is struggling doesn't mean we should get rid of him. He is a rookie. Give him a chance to prove himself. You have to remember dmen take a bit longer to developed because of the defensive responsibilities. Its a lot tougher than being a winger.Rieder/Duclair + Hjalmarsson (1.0-1.5 retained) for Burakovsky + Bowey
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Djoos-Hjalmarsson
Rieder/Duclair + Hjalmarsson (1.0-1.5 retained) for Burakovsky + Bowey
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Djoos-Hjalmarsson
Their actual boxcars the past few seasons are awfully similar, though, and that's with Rieder on some bad teams and providing PK ability. Rieder is two years older and has played about four more minutes per game but he's also put up some pretty decent shot totals along the way. He's struggled this season and has had some contract issues with ARI but he's real close to what I'd consider the jversatile energy winger they could use to round them out up front.I quite like Rieder, and would be on board with acquiring him, but not at the expense of Burakovsky. There's a pretty big gap in quality and upside between those two players, and Rieder is also struggling this season.
Rieder/Duclair + Hjalmarsson (1.0-1.5 retained) for Burakovsky + Bowey
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Djoos-Hjalmarsson