Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2018-19 We Are The Champions Edition - Pt. 5

[TRASHCAT]

Keep in mind those two goals were insurance as ovi scored the gwg

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Do you think it's likely to happen again?

$3m is a big chunk of cap space, that's too big of a bet for me - I think the chances of him turning up like that again are slim to none... I'd rather give that ice time to someone like Barber or Gersich - even Walker or O'Brien.

Using past performance to determine how a player will perform in the future is all good and well, but choosing 1 game and ignoring the rest is dangerous IMO

Sorry you lost me at “(I’d rather rely on unproven minor leaguers for our repeat Cup run)”.

 

[searle]

Sorry you lost me at “(I’d rather rely on unproven minor leaguers for our repeat Cup run)”.

I think Bura has shown where his ceiling is - if we're desperately looking for lightning in a bottle I'd rather look elsewhere, and give his jersey to someone else in the meantime.

If we're relying on Bura in the playoffs then let's face it, we're in trouble...

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Agree to disagree.

 

[Sam Spade]

Now that Burka knows what's up why not give him a few games on line three with Connolly and Eller?

The only player performing worse on the Caps right now is DSP, and the PK is stinkville so that won't be any great loss.

 

[shtorm2005]

Bura usually scores when you less expect it. Our dark pony!

 

[Calicaps]

Now that Burka knows what's up why not give him a few games on line three with Connolly and Eller?

The only player performing worse on the Caps right now is DSP, and the PK is stinkville so that won't be any great loss.

No one should care about DSP’s regular season performance. It’s right in line with his career. His value is all about postseason clutchness.

 

[Portable Mink]

Dunno why people are saying DSP is playing badly.

Last two games he is hitting like a truck, some crunching hits, skating damn hard and working to make things happen including an assist in a shootout winning game.

 

[HTFN]

I think Bura has shown where his ceiling is - if we're desperately looking for lightning in a bottle I'd rather look elsewhere, and give his jersey to someone else in the meantime.

If we're relying on Bura in the playoffs then let's face it, we're in trouble...

Reliance is a funny word to use. Team relies on much better players than Burakovsky, it's more like waiting for your payout.

 

[g00n]

Just like last year, of course what matters most is the playoffs.

The concern is that Bura was scratched last year in the postseason, and missed the entire turnaround portion of the Columbus series, as well as all of Rd 2 vs Pittsburgh. He was awful on return and was scratched for G5 vs the Lightning, before eventually scoring 2 goals in G7.

But he has 49 playoff games in his career, believe it or not, and most of them are more like the dud games than that G7 vs TB. He did not have a point prior to that G6, and overall he has 5 or 6 pointless streaks of 6 games or more. In his career he never had a point in a series-ending game, up until the ECF and SCF last year.

Can you afford to carry a guy who disappears for basically an entire series so often, because he might come up with a goal or two before going back in his shell? Or can you upgrade from that?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Dunno why people are saying DSP is playing badly.

Last two games he is hitting like a truck, some crunching hits, skating damn hard and working to make things happen including an assist in a shootout winning game.

Badly? Pretty much as expected I’d say. Has his good and bad nights.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Just like last year, of course what matters most is the playoffs.

The concern is that Bura was scratched last year in the postseason, and missed the entire turnaround portion of the Columbus series, as well as all of Rd 2 vs Pittsburgh. He was awful on return and was scratched for G5 vs the Lightning, before eventually scoring 2 goals in G7.

But he has 49 playoff games in his career, believe it or not, and most of them are more like the dud games than that G7 vs TB. He did not have a point prior to that G6, and overall he has 5 or 6 pointless streaks of 6 games or more. In his career he never had a point in a series-ending game, up until the ECF and SCF last year.

Can you afford to carry a guy who disappears for basically an entire series so often, because he might come up with a goal or two before going back in his shell? Or can you upgrade from that?

I believe the answers are yes, and yes, but at what cost and real need for the roster?

If he’s not even dressing, who are you trying to upgrade that’s actually playing where casting him off makes sense?

 

[g00n]

I believe the answers are yes, and yes, but at what cost and real need for the roster?

If he’s not even dressing, who are you trying to upgrade that’s actually playing where casting him off makes sense?

In that case you're upgrading your depth, probably while also gaining some picks. Unless we think Bura is the kind of player who can sit for long periods and then step in and deliver per a role and expectations under pressure...

 

[traparatus]

True. All players are equally talented when it comes to the art of sitting in the press box. Too many players, not enough spots.

Jaskin has really screwed the whole thing up by play way to well.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I believe the answers are yes, and yes, but at what cost and real need for the roster?

If he’s not even dressing, who are you trying to upgrade that’s actually playing where casting him off makes sense?

The 3 million dollar cap space. Team is obv Cup Worthy. So?

Need a better ROI for the 3m. Period, End.

So get what you can for him....over the next 30 days or so....in futures. And bank space for another month and then..........

SPEND!!

 

[maacoshark]

Now that Burka knows what's up why not give him a few games on line three with Connolly and Eller?

The only player performing worse on the Caps right now is DSP, and the PK is stinkville so that won't be any great loss.

You are basing performance solely on offensive production. Eller is our worst forward right now. He is struggling in all 3 zones and even though he may have more points than DSP his production recently has been worse. He has been pointless for 7 straight games. Last game his 2 linemates got on the board but Eller wasnt involved in the play. Its been quite awhile since Eller has had an impressive showing.

 

[Raikkonen]

The sooner Bura goes the better chances are to accommodate JDub's caphit.

 

[Sam Spade]

You are basing performance solely on offensive production. Eller is our worst forward right now. He is struggling in all 3 zones and even though he may have more points than DSP his production recently has been worse. He has been pointless for 7 straight games. Last game his 2 linemates got on the board but Eller wasnt involved in the play. Its been quite awhile since Eller has had an impressive showing.

You may be right but Eller is a core piece and it is always harder to sit those guys.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

No one should care about DSP’s regular season performance. It’s right in line with his career. His value is all about postseason clutchness.

Druce Smith Pelly is Mr. Clutch in the playoffs.

 

[maacoshark]

You may be right but Eller is a core piece and it is always harder to sit those guys.

What makes him more of a core piece than a player like Burakovsky?

 

[SpinningEdge]

What makes him more of a core piece than a player like Burakovsky?

The fact gmbm traded two second rd picks for him and also signed him long-term to a 5-year extension. It’s obvious gmbm loves Eller.

 

[SDBondra]

Has anyone ever done analysis on why Bura struggles to produce offensively? It seems to me like he has all the tools but skates into too many high danger situations with the puck and just turns it over. His shot is also probably the most predictable one in the league (cut to his forehand and shoot high back across his body). Those both seem like things that can be coached to me. From your perspectives is there more?

 

[g00n]

Has anyone ever done analysis on why Bura struggles to produce offensively? It seems to me like he has all the tools but skates into too many high danger situations with the puck and just turns it over. His shot is also probably the most predictable one in the league (cut to his forehand and shoot high back across his body). Those both seem like things that can be coached to me. From your perspectives is there more?

Speculation: - Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2018-19 We Are The Champions Edition - Pt. 5

 

[txpd]

Isabelle mentioned something in passing that I hadn't considered concerning Burt. That he's had 2 severe hand injuries. It might just be as simple as he is damaged goods

 

[g00n]

Isabelle mentioned something in passing that I hadn't considered concerning Burt. That he's had 2 severe hand injuries. It might just be as simple as he is damaged goods

If it were physical it would show in practice, wouldn't it? Why is he seeing a performance coach (shrink) instead of a physical therapist or a hand specialist?

Every player out there has had injuries. We're pretty sure Oshie and Ovechkin have had hand injuries recently. Tom Wilson has better hands than Bura now, and he's spent years pounding them against peoples' faces and helmets. He's come off of several severe injuries himself. Yet he doesn't turn over the puck or make bad decisions at the same rate as Bura.

The consensus inside Burakovsky's circle seems to be that it's mental. Well, no amount of confidence boosting is going to help if the problem is poor basic hockey IQ. If he really does know what to do out there, and is a split second off because of jitters rather than lack of knowledge/familiarity, then I think we'd see more flashes of pure playmaking and positioning brilliance when he's tired and not thinking, or otherwise falls into the zone for prolonged stretches. Instead he's limited to taking advantage of wide open breakaways (pure speed and rehearsed dekes), rebounds (going to the net and luck), and uncontested shots (repetition). All of those are basic stick skills that don't require much hockey IQ.