Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2018-19 We Are The Champions Edition - Pt. 3

[txpd]

Do you think he is going to total more than 3 PPGs the entire season?

Expecting PPGs to get a him a hat isn't happening anytime soon.

Yea, he may get 3 ppg's in a season. Its more likely that he scores a ppg than a hat trick. My guess is that if he got one it would include a ppg and a 3 on 3 ot goal.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Sounds like DSP did a little too much partying.

Yep.....out of shape. Disappointing but not surprising.

 

[Raikkonen]

Gersich was weak and not ready from his first game here. Barber didnt show much either. I think Walker showed more.

Sgarbossa, Megna, Dowd - who are these guys? Send them to Hershey. No ragrets.

 

[Raikkonen]

If DSP is not up to task, the better PK player will probably win the spot anyway. Who's that?

Actually, that is a real risk. Kuzy goes to PK out of necessity and gets injured. Then you have your hands full and plenty of losses coming.

 

[txpd]

There is a reason that DSP hasn't been a successful player. This apparently is at least one of them

 

[Langway]

There are still three PS games / ten days until the first game that counts but at this rate I'm not sure they have enough NHL forwards. Or at least not enough above replacement level forwards, particularly if DSP isn't up to speed by then. Megna & O'Brien working into the conversation is bad for the skill level and overall strength of the battle. I was hoping Shumakov would spice it up but not so much. They'll stick with the best of Their Guys, likely Boyd & Dowd, I'm sure but I'd monitor waivers or soft trades (later picks) for younger options. And I'd still consider the possibility Pickard/Sparks would be an upgrade over Copley. I'd also really consider moving Bowey if they can get the right piece back, particularly if they're comfortable with Lewington as the seventh and/or Hobbs as an option should they need a less limited option.

The Caps could use another Stephenson. AJF was my hope for it but that's likely going to require some time. That sort of sense and skating should be their target. Again, they'll likely stick with what's familiar for now but if their funk persists MacLellan may need to get a bit creative.

 

[maacoshark]

This is pretty interesting stuff from Reirden, Izzy doing work today!!



Looks like Burka will get a longer leash than he did with Trotz.

That could hurt us.

 

[maacoshark]

For evaluating the macro state of a prospect system, as well.

You may well be able to draw conclusions about individual players' readiness from some pre-season games, but the win/loss records and game outcomes are of no consequence to the overall state of a farm system. Remember that pre-season games have a blend of both roster players and prospects, and that both are often asked to fill roles they would not otherwise have in regular season play (either on the NHL roster or a minor/junior/euro roster). Remember that many of the younger prospects get a very limited audition in the pre-season, regardless of their ultimate NHL potential (see many of the CHL players already being returned to their teams, including Alexeyev). Remember that coaches will often be trying out systems changes and roster experiments in the pre-season. Remember that players are often still working their way back into game shape and are far from perfect conditioning. Remember that players may be trying out new stick blades or other equipment changes that take time to acclimate to. Remember that rosters may be filled in large part by minor league plugs and organizational depth players that don't figure into an organizations prospect plans.

Take pre-season games with a massive dose of salt. I agree with you that the Capitals have a weak prospect pipeline, but it has nothing to do with these pre-season results.

The wins and losses in preseason dont matter but the outcome still means something. If the team is playing decent and young players are developing that great whether we win or lose. But that isn't what is happening. Our team is getting badly outplayed and none of our young guys look close to being ready for the NHL.

 

[Sam Spade]

There are still three PS games / ten days until the first game that counts but at this rate I'm not sure they have enough NHL forwards. Or at least not enough above replacement level forwards, particularly if DSP isn't up to speed by then. Megna & O'Brien working into the conversation is bad for the skill level and overall strength of the battle. I was hoping Shumakov would spice it up but not so much. They'll stick with the best of Their Guys, likely Boyd & Dowd, I'm sure but I'd monitor waivers or soft trades (later picks) for younger options. And I'd still consider the possibility Pickard/Sparks would be an upgrade over Copley. I'd also really consider moving Bowey if they can get the right piece back, particularly if they're comfortable with Lewington as the seventh and/or Hobbs as an option should they need a less limited option.

The Caps could use another Stephenson. AJF was my hope for it but that's likely going to require some time. That sort of sense and skating should be their target. Again, they'll likely stick with what's familiar for now but if their funk persists MacLellan may need to get a bit creative.

What funk? The kids in the pre season games playing with each other and not other NHL players? Shumakov has been here a week, AJF has looked good, and if they need a 4th line PK'er, he is my first choice for sure.

You also said not enough above replacement level players, but they really only need to find or rotate in what, one or two to play 6 or 7 minutes a game?

Ovechkin/Kuzy/Wilson/Backstrom/Oshie/Vrana/Burka/Eller/Connelly/Stephenson. I'm assuming DSP gets it together in the next few weeks, and back to his 4th line/PK spot, but even if he doesn't that means they need to fill two spots with kids and that can only be a good thing if you ask me.

The only thing that will really stink is an immediate injury to a top 9 guy.

 

[maacoshark]

But I would say that their meekness 5-on-5 thus far is very much in line with the reality that they have a very weak system up front. People reference Gersich as perhaps a future scoring-line player but he first needs to show some signs of skill in transition. Thus far they've had one cut to the net on an entry by Pilon and some short-handed chances by AJF. But it's very striking to me how little the younger and supposedly faster group hasn't managed to create much at all in transition, even against some fairly weak and similarly young bluelines.

I agree our prospects are pretty weak upfront. We have a couple decent defensemen. None of our forward prospects are highly touted. Most were drafted in the later rounds and some were never even drafted. We dont have any forward prospects that were drafted in the 1st round. The only 2nd round forward I can think of is Kody Clarke and he is a long way from playing in the NHL.
The 2 guys that people here think are our future are Gersich and Fajllby and they are both 5th round picks. I dont think either will be major contributors. Fajllby could end up being a decent bottom 6. I dont see Gersisch making much of an impact.
Our defense prospects are a bit better. We have 3 or 4 guys that could possibly make the NHL but I dont think any will be a top pair dman. This the weakest our system has looked in awhile.

 

[strungout]

It’s ridiculous how little I care about these preseason results.

It’s so different now. I’m sure that will change someday, go back to normal, but now? Still on cloud 9.

 

[Ridley Simon]

In fairness, people didn’t much believe in Stephenson at this time last year. Look how that worked out.

I’m not worried. If Dowd and Boyd can’t round out the forward groups (or Walker and Gersich) to start the season, they can add someone cheap for next to nothing. There are still some forwards on PTO’s and unsigned.

It will all be ok. It just will.

 

[Silky mitts]

What funk? The kids in the pre season games playing with each other and not other NHL players? Shumakov has been here a week, AJF has looked good, and if they need a 4th line PK'er, he is my first choice for sure.

You also said not enough above replacement level players, but they really only need to find or rotate in what, one or two to play 6 or 7 minutes a game?

Ovechkin/Kuzy/Wilson/Backstrom/Oshie/Vrana/Burka/Eller/Connelly/Stephenson. I'm assuming DSP gets it together in the next few weeks, and back to his 4th line/PK spot, but even if he doesn't that means they need to fill two spots with kids and that can only be a good thing if you ask me.

The only thing that will really stink is an immediate injury to a top 9 guy.

AJF over Barber?

 

[Langway]

In fairness, people didn’t much believe in Stephenson at this time last year. Look how that worked out.

Stephenson had the skating and sense, though. It was more about the intensity and consistency putting it all together. Not sure anyone outside of AJF has those tools (and even he I'm not sure matches 18's positional sense or playmaking, though he may be a much more willing shooter). I've liked some of the grind from Malenstyn & O'Brien but it's nothing special all-around. Their hits at least seem to leave a mark.

They need much more than just some six or seven minute survival type fourth-liner. They need actual depth that can play and add positives. They're apparently invested in Boyd and Dowd checks off a lot of specialist type boxes I guess. But it's fringe and what should have been a much stronger competition has really underwhelmed IMO, even if on paper it wasn't that great of a competition. Their collective timing is very off and that doesn't help but there haven't been much in the way of impressive individual performances. There's still time left and more of a full roster will help some of the candidates but time is running out to cycle through what's been a fairly lackluster field.

 

[maacoshark]

In fairness, people didn’t much believe in Stephenson at this time last year. Look how that worked out.

I’m not worried. If Dowd and Boyd can’t round out the forward groups (or Walker and Gersich) to start the season, they can add someone cheap for next to nothing. There are still some forwards on PTO’s and unsigned.

It will all be ok. It just will.

I had plenty of faith in Stephenson. I watched him play junior hockey. I knew what kind of player he was. I was pissed when they cut Stephenson and kept Walker at the beginning of last season.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

DSP had to play his way into shape last season as well, I remember last training camp Alan May said he didn't even look like an NHL player.

 

[um]

I wouldn’t mind giving DSP games off to get back in shape... also should teach him to show up to camp in shape (DUH!).

Now we can experiment more on the 4th line and figure out our 12th and 13th forward situation a lot faster.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

That could hurt us.

I disagree. The reason we were successful last season as opposed to the prior seasons with stacked rosters is last season we leaned at times on "unproven" talent (Stephenson, Djoos, Vrana, even Kempny to an extent, etc.) This was a departure from seasons prior where we literally only buttered our bread with guys who had "proven" there worth (see the Schmidt debacle of 2016-17). Our "core" is aging, for us to be successful in the long run we need to give younger guys room to grow and make mistakes.

There were stretches in the past where a guy like Vrana was benched for even farting wrong meanwhile veterans had an unlimited leash. I think Reirden is looking at developing young talent, he knows you get nothing from benching a guy like Vrana, he needs to learn his lessons on the ice.

 

[AtNightWeFly]

I wouldn’t mind giving DSP games off to get back in shape... also should teach him to show up to camp in shape (DUH!).

Now we can experiment more on the 4th line and figure out our 12th and 13th forward situation a lot faster.

I think he's one of those guys that blow up the minute they stop working out. I almost feel bad for him but he should know his own body by now!

 

[AtNightWeFly]

Its really hard to tell who'll make the team since everyone looks so discombobulated. Holtby passed the puck straight to a Cane the other night.

I hope both AJF and Shumakov play vs Blues. And please no more Ness.

 

[maacoshark]

I disagree. The reason we were successful last season as opposed to the prior seasons with stacked rosters is last season we leaned at times on "unproven" talent (Stephenson, Djoos, Vrana, even Kempny to an extent, etc.) This was a departure from seasons prior where we literally only buttered our bread with guys who had "proven" there worth (see the Schmidt debacle of 2016-17). Our "core" is aging, for us to be successful in the long run we need to give younger guys room to grow and make mistakes.

There were stretches in the past where a guy like Vrana was benched for even farting wrong meanwhile veterans had an unlimited leash. I think Reirden is looking at developing young talent, he knows you get nothing from benching a guy like Vrana, he needs to learn his lessons on the ice.

I was referring to Burakovsky. Not any of the other guys you mentioned.
And just because a coach is trying to develope the young players doesnt mean that player cannot be a healthy scratch from time to time. Does a young player have to play all 82 games? A day off gives another young player a chance to step up.

 

[Sam Spade]

AJF over Barber?

I guess Barber works but he is 24 years old so it is time to shit or get off the pot.

I like Barber, but he definitely doesn't have that "wow" factor AJF does.

 

[Silky mitts]

I guess Barber works but he is 24 years old so it is time to **** or get off the pot.

I like Barber, but he definitely doesn't have that "wow" factor AJF does.

Speed is impressive but I think Barber is a better player right now.

I think Boyd is 4C opening night, Barber makes the team, then Walker or Dowd if they carry 23. I am assuming Hobbs has options.

 

[Sam Spade]

Speed is impressive but I think Barber is a better player right now.

I think Boyd is 4C opening night, Barber makes the team, then Walker or Dowd if they carry 23. I am assuming Hobbs has options.

I think the 4th line is gonna play 6 minutes a night (less if the Caps are losing) and PK, so honestly I don't think much about it. The PK was bad last year so if AJF makes it better than I am all for him being here, if Barber or Boyd make it better than I'm fine with them as well.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Unless the 4th line is a total anchor 6min a night is like 2-3 shifts a period. The wear and tear that would put on our 30+ players over 82 games is crazy to do. We need to find a line that can give the big guns rest