Speculation: Caps Hockey General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2017-18 Regular Season Edition

[maacoshark]

We could still have Schmidt today if we had protected him instead of Johansson/Burakovsky/Wilson. I wouldn't like it if they had picked Wilson but Schmidt was super important to our blue line in the playoffs last year.

GMBM wrongly assumed that they would pick Grubauer.

You think we should have protected 4 dmen? I do as well good dmen are hard to find.

 

[Roshi]

Haven’t had a Finn for a long time. Last one I recall was some 6’4” supposed power forward in the making who never panned out and ended up getting traded to Carolina, IIRC.

Before that was Tikkanen.

I like Finns. Hard working lot who play good defensively, as a rule.

As a finnish caps-fan, ive been missing us some Finns

After Tiki missing the one we should never talk about, we have had two Finns.

Oskar Osala played few games, never panned out. Has had a decent career in KHL. Sort of power forward, or maybe more of a fore-checker. Some sort of Eric Fehr comparison could be made i guess. Sami Lepisto, smooth skating skill-first dman, also ended up to be a good KHL-veteran and a regular in Team Finland. They played total of 16 games combined for Caps. Both still active.

EDIT. Almost forgot Boumedienne. Dman. Is marked under Swedish flag in NHL, but he has double nationality and has represented Finland in nationals. He has ended his career by this day. Played 43 games for us. Won couple FEL championships, rounded here and there. And i guess you have to count Miika Elomo too, bust, 2 games up. We did have few Finns in the late 70s, mid 80s, but Throughout history, Caps is there quite close to having one of the least-Finnish franchises

We had Jokipakka on a tryout at the camp last year but he didnt do it.

Ikonen was small but promising youngster. Good skater, good hands. But his small, and at this day i think somewhat a ”jack of all trades, master of none” when comparing to NHL level. Havent been able to track the guy for few years and dont really have an idea how good he is today, but someone on the Finnish forum compares him to Torontos Miro Aaltonen, which sounds somewhat right. Will most likely provide some AHL depth, we will see if he has something to offer for the big league but i dont have high hopes there. Fighting for same spots over Gersich and Fjallby, i wouldnt bet on the Finnish horse here.

 

[HunterSThompson]

Haven’t had a Finn for a long time. Last one I recall was some 6’4” supposed power forward in the making who never panned out and ended up getting traded to Carolina, IIRC.

Before that was Tikkanen.

I like Finns. Hard working lot who play good defensively, as a rule.

Loved Oskar and Lepisto. Never really panned out for them stateside, both made nice careers in the KHL.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

Loved Oskar and Lepisto. Never really panned out for them stateside, both made nice careers in the KHL.

Ahhh...Lepisto. Forgot about him.

Also, thanks Roshi for the run down on Finnish Caps. There haven’t been many, it would seem.

 

[strungout]

Samsonov is signed

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[g00n]

Bring over Axel the Fjallguy.

As for Finns, they just haven't had a big presence in the league, especially since the KHL started. If you look at the numbers in the last decade or so it's not just the Caps. There weren't a lot of Finns drafted league-wide, even going back before the KHL.

NHL Draft Selections by Birthplace, 1991-2014 | 2015 NHL Draft

That only goes through 2014 but I would guess the last few years there's been more of a surge of Finland's hockey program and it's resulted in a few top stars along with some chance-taking by teams. In 2017 there were 23 Fins drafted which is about the same as the peak in '02 and '03.

 

[hockeykicker]

Bring over Axel the Fjallguy.

As for Finns, they just haven't had a big presence in the league, especially since the KHL started. If you look at the numbers in the last decade or so it's not just the Caps. There weren't a lot of Finns drafted league-wide, even going back before the KHL.

NHL Draft Selections by Birthplace, 1991-2014 | 2015 NHL Draft

That only goes through 2014 but I would guess the last few years there's been more of a surge of Finland's hockey program and it's resulted in a few top stars along with some chance-taking by teams. In 2017 there were 23 Fins drafted which is about the same as the peak in '02 and '03.

Didnt he sign a few days ago?

 

[g00n]

Didnt he sign a few days ago?

Yeah, bring him over. Suit up. lol

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

Chew on this:

We lost Williams, Winnik, Alzner, Shattenkirk, Johansson, and Schmitt... and we're literally sitting in the same spot that all of those guys got us to.


The youth movement continues to fill the gaps nicely and the "core" continues to burden their load. I would continue to move on from any piece that is not an essential core piece. I'd let Connolly, Beagle, Orpik, Chiasson, and DSP walk when their respective contracts end. Given the teams performance this season would anyone be surprised if the team performed the same sans those four guys? Hardly the same fire power as the last departures. I wouldn't resign anymore veterans or bring anyone else in that isn't a no brain stud, let the vet contracts run out and let these young guys take their spots. We're looking at some pretty interesting bottom 9 players in the next two years.

 

[txpd]

Which youth players are really filling gaps? Successfully. Wilson is the only difference maker. Stephenson taking a spot. None of Burt, V, Djoos or Bowey are really establishing as nhl players yet.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Which youth players are really filling gaps? Successfully. Wilson is the only difference maker. Stephenson taking a spot. None of Burt, V, Djoos or Bowey are really establishing as nhl players yet.

Couldn't be that the coach did a decent job that's for sure...

 

[Calicaps]

Which youth players are really filling gaps? Successfully. Wilson is the only difference maker. Stephenson taking a spot. None of Burt, V, Djoos or Bowey are really establishing as nhl players yet.

I’d say Stephenson has proven to be a strong defensive forward. His O game is still lacking, but he makes a difference. Djoos isn’t a difference-maker but he’s established at least. Vrana hasn’t gotten a real chance. I get why and that maybe reasonable, but it’s hard to condemn his offensive contribution based on such limited TOI. Bowey’s not at issue right now. Burt has been the big disappointment IMO.

 

[Langway]

Which youth players are really filling gaps? Successfully. Wilson is the only difference maker. Stephenson taking a spot. None of Burt, V, Djoos or Bowey are really establishing as nhl players yet.

They're NHLers. They're just not the quality type of second wave support players that put a team over the top. Maybe Burakovsky can be at his absolute best as we've seen some glimpses of. I think the bigger issue is the utter lack of forward competition internally and how that forced them to sign players like Connolly, DSP and Chiasson. All NHL forwards but there's still something missing up front in terms of quality depth and cohesion. Gersich & AJF will help some but there's some danger in overrating them given the lack of options behind them. Stephenson has been a real solid success story this season. Maybe Pilon or Pinho can help further but they'll need time. I wouldn't mind letting all of the older UFAs walk but there's enough of a gap to target younger UFA depth forwards...just ones that are actually fast and ideally don't have to be signed at the league minimum.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

18 is really the only rookie doing well. Djoos and Vrana are basically holding on for dear life right now under playoff duress. You can see aspects of each’s game that is ready and those that are clearly not. It is what it is....young and developing. Burt is a flat out a disappointment right now.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Djoos looks like a player to me. His patience, poise, and vision are off the charts. I think there's something potentially really good there.

 

[RandyHolt]

I was a Djoubter but in large part because I thought the playoffs would crunch him. Now that hitting is all but gone in the playoffs (thanks Willy Ovi Orpik Oshie and a few other hOOligans), he is exceeding expectations thus far. Again, thought it was wise to feel out the series vs Bus before playing him. I had nightmares with Reaves in this inevitable series.

I really wish Shane would of scored. He probably still cannot believe he had a break in what was almost his first playoff shift. I bet he was on Murray real quick and tried the trusty 5 hole in semi panic mode. I think Murray baited him 5. High glove side all.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Djoos looks like a player to me. His patience, poise, and vision are off the charts. I think there's something potentially really good there.

Totally agree...with two more years of experience and physical development, he should turn into a nice top-4 mainstay at the NHL level.

 

[twabby]

Djoos is playing in his first NHL season and is more than holding his own even in the postseason. He’s not being asked to do much but in his limited minutes he has acclimated himself nicely. I certainly don’t see him hanging on for dear life, even if I’d rather not see him in the top 4 over Orlov or Kempny.

Same with Vrana: he’s a rookie and put up decent numbers despite not really being given a legit shot. I don’t see him being a superstar but every indication is he is going to be a solid NHLer.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Nah sorry...there are glaring holes. They’re definitely doing an admirable job given their deficiencies as young players, but I don’t think those types of contributors unseat the Champs. Obviously I’d love to be wrong.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

18-19-13
8-92-43
65-20-77
gersich-83-Fjallby

9-2
6-74
44-29

Holtby
Samsonov

With our young guys improving, we should have a better roster and be better next year. Windows not closed!

 

[RandyHolt]

The league seems neutered - we took first without much more than Ovi trying this year. Window more open than we thought.

 

[Raikkonen]

Djoos is fine. The problem is that Kempny, Djoos and Orlov are all similar players. Right side is much more balanced.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Djoos is fine. The problem is that Kempny, Djoos and Orlov are all similar players. Right side is much more balanced.

“Fine” performances rarely win Championships. Just sayin.

 

[Brian23]

To set aside the revelry for a second, do we think this is enough for Trotz to get an extension? I still think he doesn't get one unless he get's past Tampa.