Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2019-20 Season Pt. 1: Drop. The. Puck.

[traparatus]

That ain't it.

The return of top-6 Hagelin. Everything will be fine now.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

I do not know why, I have a smart feeling that the Vrana-ELLER-Hathaway line will be a disaster.

Meh. A sniper, a playmaker and a physical player with some touch.

It doesn't look that bad. It's no Bossy/Trottier/Gillies but it is the same formula.

 

[AtNightWeFly]

Does Todd think 8-92-43 was a fluke when they murdered everyone in the playoffs? They scored some of the prettiest goals ever at an incredible pace and no one had an answer for them. Why is he so scared to try them? If I'm not mistaken he didn't try them in the series against Carolina either.

 

[maacoshark]

Meh. A sniper, a playmaker and a physical player with some touch.

It doesn't look that bad. It's no Bossy/Trottier/Gillies but it is the same formula.

None of those guys are a play maker.

 

[maacoshark]

Don't care about the lines much, they switch all the time with every team in the NHL. My only thing is taking Dowd out of the lineup for Stephenson, don't like that one bit.

Also, this may be some good news:

Stephenson hasn't been bad. He isn't an offensive powerhouse and he never will be. He and Dowd are interchangeable as the 4th line center depending on what you want. Neither are great offensively. Stephenson is a better skater and a bit better defensively. He is also better at faceoff. Dowd is more physical. Better at puck battles. Still decent defensively.
Why can't we have both of them in the lineup. There is no reason we can't sit Panik or Hagelin. Stephenson can play either wing.

 

[HSHS]

That ain't it.

Terrible (Charles Barkley voice)

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

None of those guys are a play maker.

Eller can function in that role on the third line.

 

[Sam Spade]

Am the only who is bothered by Pell putting the "uh" in her tweet about the line shuffling? She is not a commentator she is a reporter.

I'm trying to think of a time Khurshudyan ever did this.......

 

[peterthegreat12]

That is by far the slowest first line in the league. The old man line. Awful move by Reirden. Ovie needs to be split up from Backstrom and they need to be with faster players.

 

[usiel]

Terrible (Charles Barkley voice)

 

[trick9]

Slowest top-line in the league?

 

[Raikkonen]

Slowest top-line in the league?

The worst top line bound to score only 100 goals between them

 

[Sam Spade]

Slowest top-line in the league?

Even our own fans don't understand that Ovie is still pretty damn fast.

Also who cares about the lines in October? The real intrigue here is who starts in net tonight against the offensive powerhouse Leafs.

 

[trick9]

The worst top line bound to score only 100 goals between them

You are the one who called them the worst, not me. I said slowest. Two entirely different things.

Even our own fans don't understand that Ovie is still pretty damn fast.

Also who cares about the lines in October? The real intrigue here is who starts in net tonight against the offensive powerhouse Leafs.

He is still rather fast but he doesn't play a fast game whanever he's centered by 19 who loves to slow the game down and has been skating in mud lately.

 

[txpd]

Does Todd think 8-92-43 was a fluke when they murdered everyone in the playoffs?.

The last playoffs. Wasn't the best line by far Ov Backstrom Wilson? Werent they highly successful? or am I remembering it wrong?

 

[maacoshark]

Eller can function in that role on the third line.

He is far from a playmaker.

 

[maacoshark]

The last playoffs. Wasn't the best line by far Ov Backstrom Wilson? Werent they highly successful? or am I remembering it wrong?

You aren't remembering wrong.

 

[DCRedhawk21]

Does Todd think 8-92-43 was a fluke when they murdered everyone in the playoffs? They scored some of the prettiest goals ever at an incredible pace and no one had an answer for them. Why is he so scared to try them? If I'm not mistaken he didn't try them in the series against Carolina either.

I would guess this has more to do with Kuznetsov's inconsistent play and defensive issues since that time. IIRC he started last season using that line and gradually went away from it (could be wrong here though?). I think if Kuznetsov puts up sustained periods of strong play like he did in 16-spring 18, he will definitely get some games to center that line and see how it goes. I don't have a problem with 8-19-43 or 8-19-77 as the top line - but I like the mix that 8-92-43 and 13-19-77 brought all of them were at the top of their games.

 

[Raikkonen]

Once anybody finds at least one worse line which scored 100 goals last year I will agree 8-19-77 isnt the worst

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

 

[Langway]

Samsonov is the right call. Controversy schmontroversy.

The rest, though? Kinda clunky.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Is this the equivalent of Reirden trying to shake up the team?

let the goalie controversy begin.....I’d be fine if they did a straight platoon with an “earn more starts with merit” idea in mind.....

 

[txpd]

Does Todd think 8-92-43 was a fluke when they murdered everyone in the playoffs? They scored some of the prettiest goals ever at an incredible pace and no one had an answer for them. Why is he so scared to try them? If I'm not mistaken he didn't try them in the series against Carolina either.

And then last season. What happened? Last season is more recent than the cup season. Right? Backstrom and Kuznetsov are fairly interchangeable parts. They are both 1C's. Kuzy will get his games with 8 and 43.

 

[Sam Spade]

What a stupid take this is. This is exactly why I haven't even glanced at Japers' in over five seasons.

Is this the equivalent of Reirden trying to shake up the team?

let the goalie controversy begin.....I’d be fine if they did a straight platoon with an “earn more starts with merit” idea in mind.....

Reirden squashes this right away.

Personally I think this is good for Holtby, get a reset, get pushed a little. I don't think this is as good for Samsonov, who I had hoped could ease into the NHL with no pressure and see how Holtby goes about his business day in and day out getting 20 starts.