Quarter season report cards
- Thread starter Barry Amsterdam
- Start date
CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
- Feb 27, 2002
- 64,632
- 19,461
shtorm2005
Registered User
Aren't we loyal to our winners already? Why exclude Bura from that list. Bura is a clear scapegoat of this team. Team was weak without Wilson, and many players didn't have a good look, but somehow, Bura was even worst. Are we sure we're not biased? Last two games he was okay and created some good chances. He's a player of confidence, you have seen him when team is weak, let's watch him when team is rolling.
you want to give him a chance fair enough, but I'd be worried about going into the playoffs hoping he's gonna get hot. I'd prefer his spot got filled before the playoffs and before we probably let him go this offseason
Hivemind
We're Touched
Ovechkin- A
O captain, my captain
Kuznetsov- B+
Even with his powerplay reliance, it's hard to complain about his production levels. Having Kuznetsov gunning from the right wall gave PP1 a dimension it had lacked for a long while
Wilson- N/A
A for the past 4 games. F for the first bunch. So I'm calling it incomplete for now. He has to be on the ice to help the team
Vrana- B
Skates fast and produces well, but seems destined to be a future whipping boy by a segment of the fans here once Burakovsky is gone.
Backstrom- A
O alternate captain, my alternate captain
Oshie- A
Rediscovered that goal scoring touch that eluded him last year. A so far, but anxious about how he's gonna look after he returns from injury
Burakovsky- D
No question he's struggling right now. Needs to be better in the offensive zone without the puck. Use his frame to establish around the net more. Stop trying to Eurostep (to steal a basketball term) every defender while carrying the puck. When he's on, the flashes of brilliance are great. Right now he's not on.
Eller- C+
Struggled to start the year, but is rounding into form. We could do far far worse at 3C.
Connolly- C
Bundles of points early on, but often as a passenger on his lines. His offense has dried up lately. Needs to do more when not scoring. Also needs to put the puck in the net more. Guess I shouldn't complain too much, as he's the best cost/point standard contract on the Capitals.
Stephenson- D
He's skating hard, but everything seems out of sync with him now. Time will tell if last spring was a flash in the pan or something he can sustain over a career
Boyd- C+
Not a prototypical checking line center. Can do a lot with limited space in the offensive zone, but may need to be deployed differently to show those skills off. Has taken some lumps on his half of the ice.
Dowd- C
He is not Jay Beagle. But he is also better at keeping the puck out of his own net than some of our alternatives.
DSP- D-
Caps off-season contract shenanigans with DSP looking precient currently. Wouldn't be shocked to see him out of the line-up once Kuzy and Oshie are back.
Jaskin- B-
Solid waiver claim. Didn't produce when given a 1st line opportunity, but that shouldn't be his expectation. Is handling his checking duties very well. Still might find himself on the line-up bubble due to a lack of PK ability.
Carlson- B-
Lots of offense, but still making some brainfart mistakes that are harder to justify when he's the second highest paid defenseman in the NHL.
Niskanen- C
He hasn't been himself yet this season, but not much of the defense has. Still handles brutal minutes.
Orlov- C-
Might have turned the corner recently after a brutal start to the season. Let's hope so.
Kempney- D
Rough start to the season, but was hurt for a while. Needs to be better, regardless.
Djoos- B
Makes good things happen when he's on the ice, but does so in a sheltered role. An occassional positioning error or brainfart don't help, either.
Bowey- C+
Greatly improved compared to last year, but still makes some egregious turnovers and gets caught flat footed too often for my liking.
Orpik- B-
Does what he's supposed to do, but definitely needs a sheltered role at this point.
Holtby- C
Another slow start, but when he's on he's incredible.
Copley- B-
Holding his own as a back-up. Probably never going to be a full-time starter in this league, but playing well enough to prove he belongs.
Reirden- B
The Capitals are still the Capitals, so he's no magician. In-zone defense definitely needs to improve. PK is a hot mess currently. But I've seen a lot more consistency in their neutral zone game than I did under Trotz, and I particularly like one of the zone entry plays he's implemented.
O captain, my captain
Kuznetsov- B+
Even with his powerplay reliance, it's hard to complain about his production levels. Having Kuznetsov gunning from the right wall gave PP1 a dimension it had lacked for a long while
Wilson- N/A
A for the past 4 games. F for the first bunch. So I'm calling it incomplete for now. He has to be on the ice to help the team
Vrana- B
Skates fast and produces well, but seems destined to be a future whipping boy by a segment of the fans here once Burakovsky is gone.
Backstrom- A
O alternate captain, my alternate captain
Oshie- A
Rediscovered that goal scoring touch that eluded him last year. A so far, but anxious about how he's gonna look after he returns from injury
Burakovsky- D
No question he's struggling right now. Needs to be better in the offensive zone without the puck. Use his frame to establish around the net more. Stop trying to Eurostep (to steal a basketball term) every defender while carrying the puck. When he's on, the flashes of brilliance are great. Right now he's not on.
Eller- C+
Struggled to start the year, but is rounding into form. We could do far far worse at 3C.
Connolly- C
Bundles of points early on, but often as a passenger on his lines. His offense has dried up lately. Needs to do more when not scoring. Also needs to put the puck in the net more. Guess I shouldn't complain too much, as he's the best cost/point standard contract on the Capitals.
Stephenson- D
He's skating hard, but everything seems out of sync with him now. Time will tell if last spring was a flash in the pan or something he can sustain over a career
Boyd- C+
Not a prototypical checking line center. Can do a lot with limited space in the offensive zone, but may need to be deployed differently to show those skills off. Has taken some lumps on his half of the ice.
Dowd- C
He is not Jay Beagle. But he is also better at keeping the puck out of his own net than some of our alternatives.
DSP- D-
Caps off-season contract shenanigans with DSP looking precient currently. Wouldn't be shocked to see him out of the line-up once Kuzy and Oshie are back.
Jaskin- B-
Solid waiver claim. Didn't produce when given a 1st line opportunity, but that shouldn't be his expectation. Is handling his checking duties very well. Still might find himself on the line-up bubble due to a lack of PK ability.
Carlson- B-
Lots of offense, but still making some brainfart mistakes that are harder to justify when he's the second highest paid defenseman in the NHL.
Niskanen- C
He hasn't been himself yet this season, but not much of the defense has. Still handles brutal minutes.
Orlov- C-
Might have turned the corner recently after a brutal start to the season. Let's hope so.
Kempney- D
Rough start to the season, but was hurt for a while. Needs to be better, regardless.
Djoos- B
Makes good things happen when he's on the ice, but does so in a sheltered role. An occassional positioning error or brainfart don't help, either.
Bowey- C+
Greatly improved compared to last year, but still makes some egregious turnovers and gets caught flat footed too often for my liking.
Orpik- B-
Does what he's supposed to do, but definitely needs a sheltered role at this point.
Holtby- C
Another slow start, but when he's on he's incredible.
Copley- B-
Holding his own as a back-up. Probably never going to be a full-time starter in this league, but playing well enough to prove he belongs.
Reirden- B
The Capitals are still the Capitals, so he's no magician. In-zone defense definitely needs to improve. PK is a hot mess currently. But I've seen a lot more consistency in their neutral zone game than I did under Trotz, and I particularly like one of the zone entry plays he's implemented.
SDBondra
Registered User
- Jul 24, 2005
- 1,201
- 489
Some of you guys aren’t watching the same games. Connolly has been great - and not only when he’s scoring. His backchecking has saved a handful of odd man rushes. He makes turnovers. He creates chances.
And while I agree Burakovsky has been bad, I’d like to see him try a different shot. Every single time he cuts to the middle and shoots back across his body high. Works in NHL 19 maybe but you need to mix it up in the real world. Goalies do their research now. All they have to do is prop their glove on their shoulder and wait for the puck to hit it. He gets chances. And if he finishes two or three of those I think we are all singing a different song.
And while I agree Burakovsky has been bad, I’d like to see him try a different shot. Every single time he cuts to the middle and shoots back across his body high. Works in NHL 19 maybe but you need to mix it up in the real world. Goalies do their research now. All they have to do is prop their glove on their shoulder and wait for the puck to hit it. He gets chances. And if he finishes two or three of those I think we are all singing a different song.
shtorm2005
Registered User
Only one thing I don't like from Connolly, he seems often forget to give high five to teammates.
