Some Caps stuff in the new 30 thoughts.
This post flew under the radar in all the other roster talk....
22. Capitals fans are down on their team, but I remember something Mark Messier said during one of his studio appearances: “In the cap world, every team has a fatal flaw. Can you overcome it?” Washington is still a threat.
“Maybe that’s what this group needs,” Orpik said. “Less expectation. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves, and it worked against us. It might be good for this group, a little different path. I’ve been here three years … others have been here a lot longer than I have, (the loss) affected everyone differently. Barry really had to right the ship. Last year stung a lot more. Who we lost to, and when you know as a group it was your best or most realistic shot at winning. We were making mistakes we hadn’t made all season long, it was out of character.”
Orpik was not concerned with the results in exhibition play. “No one took it easy. We had a hard camp, with the amount of skating we did. I think we’re ready.”
23. Orpik did not want to go into it, but word is the Capitals may de-emphasize the importance of the Presidents’ Trophy in favour of more process-oriented goals. He did say he thinks new blood will help. Last year’s team was basically set the date everyone showed up. This one has pushing for spots. “I was skating with Evgeny Kuznetsov, talking about Pittsburgh. How they’ve found two young guys you’ve never heard of who play great and win. Maybe that’s what we need. Young guys who give you energy. We’re excited about what we have coming.” Jakub Vrana, come on down.
The Orpik quotes confirm what we've observed and said about choking, pressure, and psychological weakness in the organization. What's disturbing today however is the stated notion that less pressure is the solution. That is the WRONG answer.
What happens the first time they face an elimination game at home? Pressure.
What about the first time they're a higher seed, provided they don't slip in at #8? Pressure.
What about late in the game when they really need a goal? Pressure.
Or up late in a game and protecting a lead against a hungry opponent? Pressure.
If you want to win you will face pressure and expectations! Do they expect to sneak in at #8 and then glide to a Cup while nobody notices? How often does the last seed win a championship with no expectations or pressure? The answer for a winning team is not to seek out situations that minimize the outside expectations, but to learn to handle those expectations by NOT INTERNALIZING THEM. Simply tune them out and replace them with other thoughts, usually process-oriented ones. Which brings us to #23 above...
The 23rd item above sounds like another way of saying "playoff hockey/heavy game". Is that what's happening? Are they going back to Trotz's first season where they were lauded for "playing the right way all year" instead of chasing wins? If we read between the lines it sounds like it. Otherwise, the "new blood" mantra may just be code for "guys who are not as jaded and will give more effort", especially since effort is the currency that buys tickets OUT of Trotz's doghouse.
If this team tries to play a "heavy game" all year then Tom Wilson will be out of the league by Xmas. lol