Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2021 Regular Season Part 2

[tycoonheart]

I have liked what I saw out of Protas. Excited to see more of him.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

How many games did he play if we need to call him back up?

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I want to see Zach Fucale start some games. All goalies are the same anyways.

He might with the back to back’s

 

[TJHKY]

 

[txpd]

How many games did he play if we need to call him back up?

Can't call him back except for an emergency call

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

The writing was on the wall for Jimi and I think it's the right move. He has a bright future but he was overmatched and it wouldn't be worth burning a year on his ELC.

The Fucale move seems like a hedge for the upcoming road trip in case Vitek isn't 100% and they don't want Sammy to start back to backs. The fact that Vitek is on the ice makes me think the injury is not a serious one.

Dowd news sucks, but the good news is Lavi is going to be forced into playing the kids more.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

This looks like a preseason lineup. Save us, Ovi!

 

[pman25]

alas the Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway line is broken. Shattered to a million pieces

 

[Misery74]

This looks like a preseason lineup. Save us, Ovi!

At least it looks like a legit demotion for Hagelin.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

At least it looks like a legit demotion for Hagelin.

true, or they want a responsible Hags riding shotgun to Protas…

will be interesting to see who gets the minutes…

 

[twabby]

There's no way AJF stays on the third line for more than like 2 shifts.

I think Brett Leason has earned more playing time. He's been creating some good opportunities as evidenced by his shot rate being the best on the team at 5v5, and his ixG rate 2nd on the team (behind only Coney McIsland). Very small sample sizes, but the only way to find out if it's a fluke is to play him more.

 

[pman25]

Ovechkin will double shift for AJF, Eller/Kuzy double shift for Protas, Wilson/Hathaway double shift for Leason. Something like that

 

[txpd]

alas the Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway line is broken. Shattered to a million pieces

Nah. You will be throwing stuff at your tv by the 2nd period.

 

[Langway]

With back-to-backs starting they've absolutely got to roll with what they've got. How can a young player prove themselves with little opportunity? I can buy that mentality if they struggle mightily but not as a matter of routine and not with supposedly reliable veterans moving the needle so little.

 

[txpd]

Ovechkin will double shift for AJF, Eller/Kuzy double shift for Protas, Wilson/Hathaway double shift for Leason. Something like that

They will skate that way til Lavy needs to use a defensive line and then Hagelin Eller and Hathaway will start skating and AJF Protas and Leason will sit. Thats my guess.

 

[txpd]

With back-to-backs starting they've absolutely got to roll with what they've got. How can a young player prove themselves with little opportunity? I can buy that mentality if they struggle mightily but not as a matter of routine and not with supposedly reliable veterans moving the needle so little.

Seems to me that they are going about the young player proving himself one at a time. Fehervary first. Then they moved to McMichael and Lappy. McMichael proved himself to a level. Thats where they are now. Thats my read.

 

[Langway]

Seems to me that they are going about the young player proving himself one at a time. Fehervary first. Then they moved to McMichael and Lappy. McMichael proved himself to a level. Thats where they are now. Thats my read.

McMichael has only averaged 11:30. That process is still ongoing. Fehervary they didn't really have to do anything. He's made it extremely easy for them. Leason deserves more than eight minutes a game. Sheary deserves less than almost 15. Sprong often doesn't play all that much either. They need to let mistakes happen if they're going to happen and not just reward players perceived to be safer where nothing really happens on the ice, esp. up front. With the way the blueline is playing most nights they need to reward forwards that are doing their jobs offensively rather than merely rewarding hustle.

They're running the risk of overloading the top line and they were doing that even when Oshie & Mantha were in the lineup. They've got to be a lot more judicious and strategic in those decisions. If nothing else it would be a worthwhile statement to make re: unproductive veterans that need to do more.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

I never want a player hurt or has contributed to the team's success to sit, but this is the time for a real view of the future. This team has looked old the past few years since winning the Cup and now they look enthusiastic and much faster. People will say it's Ovy's drive for the record, but he's one player. The team is coming together early on and unlike years past, most of these guys have done time in Hershey rather than rushed to the NHL. Fever is everything folks said he would be and getting better. I don't think I've yelled at him during games on my TV yet. McMichael is looking like the player advertised during his draft year and exactly a player we need. Lapierre is young and showed he'll be a star and still needs to develop more. He's too much talent to be rushed. AJF has always been my hope to become something special. Watching his highlight reels over the years showed me he has the tools to be a gem. My only question mark is the young goalie situation which is going to be frustrating with two young goalies. Even with all the injuries and call ups, I wouldn't make a move right now and play it out. It's too early in the season and the Cap's are playing well, so let them play. Immediate help right now would be for faceoffs and maybe blueline grit. I rather go with youth than bring in washed out players like in the past. Watching Hamrlik as a Cap after watching him in Edmonton was disappointing. Bringing in someone like Fleury tells me the Caps are done and I don't believe they are. I don't want to be that team full of washed up veterans brought in for a first round chance and exit. Ask me in February or March how I feel about the team, but right I'm pretty high on them. If the goalie situation doesn't play out, then you get a goalie at the TDL.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

McMichael has only averaged 11:30. That process is still ongoing. Fehervary they didn't really have to do anything. He's made it extremely easy for them. Leason deserves more than eight minutes a game. Sheary deserves less than almost 15. Sprong often doesn't play all that much either. They need to let mistakes happen if they're going to happen and not just reward players perceived to be safer where nothing really happens on the ice, esp. up front. With the way the blueline is playing most nights they need to reward forwards that are doing their jobs offensively rather than merely rewarding hustle.

They're running the risk of overloading the top line and they were doing that even when Oshie & Mantha were in the lineup. They've got to be a lot more judicious and strategic in those decisions. If nothing else it would be a worthwhile statement to make re: unproductive veterans that need to do more.

Yep, it's too early in the season to worry about mistakes. Let them play and iron it out in practice and video replays.

 

[tenken00]

McMichael has only averaged 11:30. That process is still ongoing. Fehervary they didn't really have to do anything. He's made it extremely easy for them. Leason deserves more than eight minutes a game. Sheary deserves less than almost 15. Sprong often doesn't play all that much either. They need to let mistakes happen if they're going to happen and not just reward players perceived to be safer where nothing really happens on the ice, esp. up front. With the way the blueline is playing most nights they need to reward forwards that are doing their jobs offensively rather than merely rewarding hustle.

They're running the risk of overloading the top line and they were doing that even when Oshie & Mantha were in the lineup. They've got to be a lot more judicious and strategic in those decisions. If nothing else it would be a worthwhile statement to make re: unproductive veterans that need to do more.

It's almost like they are going to run the vets into the ground so that by the end of the year, everyone is either banged up, injured, or dogged tired and then wave their fists in the air saying if only all the guys weren't banged up, injured or dogged tired we would have won the first round!

 

[IafrateOvie34]

They will skate that way til Lavy needs to use a defensive line and then Hagelin Eller and Hathaway will start skating and AJF Protas and Leason will sit. Thats my guess.

Will lose games we shouldn't lose with that strategy too.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

It's almost like they are going to run the vets into the ground so that by the end of the year, everyone is either banged up, injured, or dogged tired and then wave their fists in the air saying if only all the guys weren't banged up, injured or dogged tired we would have won the first round!

That is what will happen too.

 

[txpd]

Will lose games we shouldn't lose with that strategy too.

Explain? This is what Laviolette has been doing consistently since last season

 

[txpd]

McMichael has only averaged 11:30. That process is still ongoing. Fehervary they didn't really have to do anything. He's made it extremely easy for them. Leason deserves more than eight minutes a game. Sheary deserves less than almost 15. Sprong often doesn't play all that much either. They need to let mistakes happen if they're going to happen and not just reward players perceived to be safer where nothing really happens on the ice, esp. up front. With the way the blueline is playing most nights they need to reward forwards that are doing their jobs offensively rather than merely rewarding hustle.

They're running the risk of overloading the top line and they were doing that even when Oshie & Mantha were in the lineup. They've got to be a lot more judicious and strategic in those decisions. If nothing else it would be a worthwhile statement to make re: unproductive veterans that need to do more.

Sounds like we need a new coach

 

[txpd]

Yep, it's too early in the season to worry about mistakes. Let them play and iron it out in practice and video replays.

Listening to Laviolette talk it sounds like he doesn't think they have game to give away for development. That they need every point they can get to make the playoffs. He has said several times that a good team is going to miss the playoffs.