GDT: Caps @ Ducks, 10 pm

[amjay13]

Monster win. If they can somehow take 1 of the next 2 on the road, the season will still be alive.

Agree on Wey, he is going to be a solid NHL'er. Someone asked about his ceiling.......I'd say best case a #3 defenseman, most likely will settle in as a defensive responsbile #4 with a little bit of offensive upside.

I also agree with whoever said Wilson's skating looks much better than earlier in the year. In October, I wondered if it would be a career issue for him however now, he is absolutely flying and looks like one of the quickest players on the ice. He's never going to be a 30 goal scorer but he is going to be a huge asset.

I give GMGM credit, he clearly upgraded the goaltending position (therefore giving his team a shot) without giving up anything of real value. It'll be interesting to see how this team plays and responds to having confidence in their goaltender.

 

[stanleycaps18]

Halak made some nice saves, to be sure, but I wasn't getting he had to stand on his head. The team overall was more crisp and confident in their play. Still flaws, but better.

 

[txpd]

I think it is WAY too early to be setting ceilings for Wilson's scoring. Saying NEVER to 30 goals for him while seeing him as a 19 year old, just doesn't make sense. 30 goal scorers don't grow on trees. Kuznetsov might never score 30, but lets not let seeing him play almost entirely 4th line minutes cloud our vision. That he plays a big physical game and fights only makes it easier to just see him in that light.

David Clarkson scored 30 once and Tom Wilson is a lot more hockey player than Clarkson.
Expecting him to be the next Lucic is expecting a lot, but I see no reason whatever that he cant be a step below that

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

I think it is WAY too early to be setting ceilings for Wilson's scoring. Saying NEVER to 30 goals for him while seeing him as a 19 year old, just doesn't make sense. 30 goal scorers don't grow on trees. Kuznetsov might never score 30, but lets not let seeing him play almost entirely 4th line minutes cloud our vision. That he plays a big physical game and fights only makes it easier to just see him in that light.

David Clarkson scored 30 once and Tom Wilson is a lot more hockey player than Clarkson.
Expecting him to be the next Lucic is expecting a lot, but I see no reason whatever that he cant be a step below that

Kuznetzov and Latta have looked significantly better than Wilson in the same 4th line garbage situations. I have strong reservations about Wilson becoming anything more than a 4th line winger, but a season in Hershey could make a big difference for him.

I still don't think he got any benefit out of playing the season in Washington. And the Caps certainly got nothing out of it.

 

[EroCaps]

I like Wilson as a role player. That's all he'll be. There's little skill there. You just don't draft guys like that in the first or even second round.

While the scouting staff seems to be on point, McPhees drafting strategy appears to be either poorly emulating the Red Wings or vulturing whatever Philly plans to do. I don't see a vision.

 

[HockeyTS32]

I am the only one who is not a Halak fan? I think it is a desperation move by George to save his job if Halak is in net down the stretch and they squeak in. I think that is the only reason that Holtby is not getting any starts, he is the future way to destroy his confidence

No. I'm not really a big fan of him either. IMO, he isn't much better than Holtby. Holtby has been getting ragged on way too much this season. Yes, he lets in the occasional softy, but so does every goalie. Halak has let in some softies since joining the caps as well.

Most of the goals against Holtby this year has been because of the lack of defensive depth on this team and the abysmal play in the defensive zone.

 

[RandyHolt]

to be on point, McPhees drafting strategy appears to be either poorly emulating the Red Wings or vulturing whatever Philly plans to do. I don't see a vision.

It sure seems like that is spot on.

 

[HockeyTS32]

No, Latta isn't injured and is getting more playing time in Hersey. At this point he really isn't that much of an upgrade over Beagle anyway.

I agree he isn't much of an upgrade over Beagle. However, he is an upgrade over Welman.

 

[Hivemind]

While I like what Wey brings, I don't see him as a #3 or #4 defenseman at any point. His ceiling probably isn't much higher than where he's at now. A solid 3rd pairing guy and PK specialist. He's already 22 and his offensive game never really translated to the NCAA ranks, let alone pro hockey. He doesn't have the mobility or puck movement to be a full-time top four guy.

I also don't share the same rosy outlook on Halak. He was good last night, and good in one of the Pittsburgh games, but otherwise he's been pretty much the same as what we've seen from the goaltending all season. He's let in softies, just the same as Holtby and Neuvirth. I don't think he has Holtby's athleticism or upside, especially not in the system that Oates' runs. Plus he gives me a heart attack every time he touches the puck, and that's without the ability to make plays with the puck like Holtby does.

 

[terranraida]

No. I'm not really a big fan of him either. IMO, he isn't much better than Holtby. Holtby has been getting ragged on way too much this season. Yes, he lets in the occasional softy, but so does every goalie. Halak has let in some softies since joining the caps as well.

Most of the goals against Holtby this year has been because of the lack of defensive depth on this team and the abysmal play in the defensive zone.

I think Halak is a stop gap for Holtby for when he was having that awful slump just in case it happens again Grubauer was that stop gap for the longest time, then for some strange reason couldn't hang. However, I do think Halak has been doing quite well as of late.

 

[g00n]

Holtby should be picking Halak's brain about getting stronger as the game goes on.

 

[troyerlaw]

I thought Halak was spectacular. Made some of those saves look easy, but they were actually good chances. Like Purutu's shot, on the ice, from high slot, toward right post, w/ 7 sec left. Or the skate save on Purutu's wraparound during previous sequence. I have watched most of the Caps games this year. Just using the eyeball test, i don't remember any of our goalies playing a better game than last night. Maybe Grubauer during his initial hot streak, but i can't recall a specific game. Right now i think halak is just much stronger mentally than holtby. To me, holtby has looked lost this year. I give oates credit for riding halak. No sense sparing anyone's feelings or 'managing' the tandem. We need to squeeze out every last single possible point from here on out.

 

[troyerlaw]

On the other hand, i didn't think much of the line combos last night. Not sure any of them made sense, other than 3L. People here don't seem to like Wellman, but at least he has hands. He and ovie have clicked before. He would have done a damn sight better than 83 on the grade-A chance ovie gave him approaching goal from right. Beagle made a quick deke and then shoveled the puck about two feet wide of the net. 'Stone hands' doesn't even begin to describe that effort.

 

[troyerlaw]

Plus beagle was in the box all night. Granted, one was a horrendous call, but the other two were legit, and the last one was from fatigue/positioning. There has to be a better option than beagle at 1C

 

[troyerlaw]

Ducks had a dude whose only job appeared to be standing right in front of halak. (See purutu goal.) Can't pancakes be that guy for us?

 

[BobRouse]

I like Wilson as a role player. That's all he'll be. There's little skill there. You just don't draft guys like that in the first or even second round.

.

Well based on 6 minutes a game for a 1st year 19 year old on 4th line duty I think we can all safely conclude beyond reasonable doubt that Wilson is nothing and never will be anything but a role player....

 

[HockeyTS32]

On the other hand, i didn't think much of the line combos last night. Not sure any of them made sense, other than 3L. People here don't seem to like Wellman, but at least he has hands. He and ovie have clicked before. He would have done a damn sight better than 83 on the grade-A chance ovie gave him approaching goal from right. Beagle made a quick deke and then shoveled the puck about two feet wide of the net. 'Stone hands' doesn't even begin to describe that effort.

I'm pretty sure Ovie and Wellman were only on the ice together for like 15-30 seconds when Ovie dished it off to Wellman. They have never really played a whole period together, so therefore can't really say they have clicked before, IMO, based on one play/goal.

I disagree with you. I don't think Wellman would have done even the slightest bit better than Beagle. I'm not saying Beagle should be centering Ovie, but for the most part, I don't think he did that bad. He played pretty well, given that his role is more of a defensive player. He had a couple of nice plays. I do think they need to find someone else or put Backstrom back with Ovie.

 

[SDBondra]

@SDBondra - were you sitting on the aisle seat, wife holding a baby to your left? They showed a few fans of the game so we most all saw you. You are now a superstar.

That was us. Once the baby woke up he was the real superstar. He was as popular as the game in our section. I'll be giving virtual autographs later in the thread.

 

[terranraida]

Ducks had a dude whose only job appeared to be standing right in front of halak. (See purutu goal.) Can't pancakes be that guy for us?

It's actually, as a ducks fan, nice to finally see. All that "we're gonna try a bunch of passing then then pray to the hockey gods that someone can land a wrist shot that is faster than the goalie"

As far as pancakes, lately he hasn't been doing much of anything so expect much of the same..

 

[hb12xchamps]

The problem with Wellman is that he's not a 4th line player. He doesn't hit or check and isn't strong. The strong points in his game are his speed and elusiveness combined with a decent shot. IMO Wellman should have been on the Ovechkin line or the 2 or 3C. The guy isn't a grinder

 

[troyerlaw]

I disagree with you. I don't think Wellman would have done even the slightest bit better than Beagle. I'm not saying Beagle should be centering Ovie, but for the most part, I don't think he did that bad. He played pretty well, given that his role is more of a defensive player. He had a couple of nice plays.

That's true. And it was the first time in recent memory i have seen an Ovie line cycle the puck. And it happened twice. I attribute it completely to 83's speed and hustle.

Plus ovie himself described Beagle as one of hardest working guys on team, so it sounds like 8 appreciates that anyway.

How about Mojo at center and fehr or kuz or penner at wing?

When the hell is grabo coming back??

 

[ryan519*]

No. I'm not really a big fan of him either. IMO, he isn't much better than Holtby. Holtby has been getting ragged on way too much this season. Yes, he lets in the occasional softy, but so does every goalie. Halak has let in some softies since joining the caps as well.

Most of the goals against Holtby this year has been because of the lack of defensive depth on this team and the abysmal play in the defensive zone.

What i like about Halak is that he doesnt have the petty confidence issues that holtby has suffered from all season. if holtby let in a goal so early right after we scored like halak did last night, it could very well have shook him up badly enough to let in much more than only 2 total, and we lose the game. it seems to me that halak is able to stay focused and keep his head in the game, especially in that crucial 5 on 3 penalty kill and last 5 minutes of the game. halak is also good about swallowing up and not allowing many rebounds

 

[Hivemind]

The problem with Wellman is that he's not a 4th line player. He doesn't hit or check and isn't strong. The strong points in his game are his speed and elusiveness combined with a decent shot. IMO Wellman should have been on the Ovechkin line or the 2 or 3C. The guy isn't a grinder

What part of that couldn't be said for Marcus Kruger, the Hawks 4C when they won the cup last year? Not that I'm saying Wellman is as good as Kruger, but limiting yourself to conventional hockey lines is an outdating way of thinking.

 

[hb12xchamps]

What part of that couldn't be said for Marcus Kruger, the Hawks 4C when they won the cup last year? Not that I'm saying Wellman is as good as Kruger, but limiting yourself to conventional hockey lines is an outdating way of thinking.

The Blackhawks also had the depth to roll 4 lines and didn't have a true 4th line IMO. Kruger from my memory and what I can find was on a line with Bollig and Frolik. While Bollig is considered a 4th liner I wouldn't have said that Frolik is. Plus, the Blackhawks already had Toews, Handzus, and Bolland down the middle compared to having Backstrom, Fehr, Beagle, and Wellman.

 

[foundhockey]

No. I'm not really a big fan of him either. IMO, he isn't much better than Holtby. Holtby has been getting ragged on way too much this season. Yes, he lets in the occasional softy, but so does every goalie. Halak has let in some softies since joining the caps as well.

Most of the goals against Holtby this year has been because of the lack of defensive depth on this team and the abysmal play in the defensive zone.

I agree. Holtby is the future goaltender of the Caps. I truly believe he'll find his way back to the brilliant goaltender he was in the playoffs when the Caps beat the Bruins. This season was his sophomore slump--a slump that was aided by Oates's strange goalie rotation and goalie coaching that doesn't mesh with the Holtby's style of play. It was a matter of "fixing" what wasn't broken.