The only way to sign Williams would be if he was willing to accept a $1M or less deal. Not going to happen. No cap space.
Yep. Williams is gone unless there's a cap-clearing trade.
The only way to sign Williams would be if he was willing to accept a $1M or less deal. Not going to happen. No cap space.
Let Connolly go...
Honestly I don't get this. The guy potted 15 goals in 66 games playing nothing minutes. If there is one thing most cry about around here it is the need for the team to have young players who outplay their contracts and he did that in spades. Sure his playoffs were a bit of a letdown but considering these were his first playoffs is that really so surprising?
Connolly was a badly needed find for this team and ditching him out of playoff spite would just be ridiculously shortsighted IMO.
Honestly I don't get this. The guy potted 15 goals in 66 games playing nothing minutes. If there is one thing most cry about around here it is the need for the team to have young players who outplay their contracts and he did that in spades. Sure his playoffs were a bit of a letdown but considering these were his first playoffs is that really so surprising?
Connolly was a badly needed find for this team and ditching him out of playoff spite would just be ridiculously shortsighted IMO.
I don't see him as part of the long term solution....and I'm assuming he will cost 1.5m or so. I'd rather they spend that money towards bringing Williams back, or a bottom 3 D-man.
Say no and try to sign Justin Williams for 2 years. Similar overall production and better 5v5 production, and it's not like Mr. Game 7 is lacking the intangibles Oshie is given credit for either.
This saves money against the cap for this season to either lock up the RFAs long term or to be able to actually upgrade the top 4 on D.
Instead it's going to be tough to lock in Orlov and Kuznetsov long term while also having anything left over for a top 4 D upgrade. Oshie's a fine player but he also had the highest shooting percentage of any player over the past 8 seasons IIRC. I highly doubt he'd be considered this valuable if he only shot 13% like he did the season before.
This deal screams desperation and leads them trying to hold on at all cost instead of any kind of rebuild. This group will never be good enough and now they are even farther from real change.
Definitely time to get a 77 sweater and stop whining about the deal. Embrace the slide people! This might be your Captain in 5 years.
I think I've finally openly accepted the idea that this team won't ever win a Cup with Ovy. Doesn't mean I won't cheer as hard as ever, but those expectations have officially sailed for this Capitals fan. Back to being a team with just a 50/50 chance at winning a playoff round.
Anyone else watch Barry at the draft, talking up what a great captain S1d is?
I thought it was rather telling. I wonder if he would like to see Oshie as a captain but doesn't want to rock the boat. Perhaps the timing of Osh being signed and the interview were just a coincidence.
Saw him interviewed on the NHL Network on Day 2 of the draft and the two players he indicated that they were going to expect more of in the coming season were Burakovsky (he indicated that he liked how he had played alongside of Backstrom) and Taylor Chorney. His referencing Burakovsky with Backstrom would suggest that Ovie will either be paired with Kuzy or as in the playoffs with Eller.
So you are advocating a rebuild? Right Now? Is that what I'm to understand?
I am not there yet. I'm hollow and bitter following GM 7, but I'm far from saying "it's over". Too many good young pieces. The prospect cupboard is a little bare, but so was the Pens 3 years ago. We know how that ended.
Ovi isn't Sid. I've accepted that. But I think they have enough pieces to do some damage. Looks what the Sharks and Preds did the last 2 playoffs.
Caps need some things to break their way. That's the rub, right?
Yep, and that is a better summary than I could remember.
I know most think Ovi on 3 for the playoffs wasn't a demotion but anytime a guy making 9M is on 3.... excuses ring a bit hollow.
I don't think Barry will rock the boat THAT much to start the year. Barry may have his lines all but set after getting Oshie inked. Regardless, Ovi on 3 and then Bura + Nick speak is breaking the ice for next years lineup that will not be founded all year long on Ovi + Nick as its foundation.
Kessel is on the third line....
What will **** me off even more is if OV comes back in shape and has a good season. All that does is show how ****** of a leader he is. And how his give a s*** level may have ruined the best years.
He's over 30 and plays a relatively physical game. Really glad he's back for the next couple seasons, love having him on the team, but this contract will look reeeaaaaally ugly at some point...
As we now know, Ovie was pretty nicked up when he was placed on that third line during the playoffs. A healthy Ovie on that third line paired with Eller and Wilson will be a pretty heavy line to play against that will definitely wear down the opponents.
The first line with Bura, Backstrom and Oshie will be a much faster line.
....
As we now know, Ovie was pretty nicked up when he was placed on that third line during the playoffs. A healthy Ovie on that third line paired with Eller and Wilson will be a pretty heavy line to play against that will definitely wear down the opponents.
The first line with Bura, Backstrom and Oshie will be a much faster line.
That leaves the second line with Kuznetsov as the center. The wings are unknown at this time. If Vrana is the LW, you'll need a "stabilizer" at the RW such as Justin Williams. If MAJO (Marcus, Johansson that's for Brian) the LW, then I can't see Vrana on the 4th line, as it's more of a checking line, hence why MAJO might be the trade chip. I have nothing to base it on, but I just see Kuzy having better chemistry with Vrana then with MAJO.
True, but Kessel is also clearly 3rd fiddle on that team. I will concede when we see S1d on 3.
But just watching Ovi all year at ES, I could see why Barry did it. Yes his injuries but we clobbered the pens physically, knocking guys out of their lineup, and they won the cup. Again.
In the pens series, Ovi on the boards was close to the worst I have ever seen. They took the puck from him with ease. It wasn't just injuries - so I think we may have seen Barry waving the white flag and expect more experimenting at 1LW. Back on topic, I see the Oshie signing as a bit of a passing of the torch.
Concede.
S1d won't play on the 3rd line until he's 40. Sheer determination.
My point was their 3rd fiddle Kessel is getting paid $10 million!
Perhaps Ovi can do more on a 3rd line than he is on a first.
On topic. Congrats to Oshie. Backstrom is likely relieved too.