Quarter term report cards

HTFN

Registered User
Feb 8, 2009
12,186
10,712
Erat - B+ - Apparently higher than a lot of yours, but I rarely see mistakes from him, his board and puck protection skills are a boon to the top line, and more important than anything else for this team, his motor doesn't stop. Effort means a lot for a team whose fire has gone out, and I see a lot out of him.

Backstrom - A - The aggression has started to come around again, and he's rounding back in to what we remember. What else is there to say, when he's on, he's dangerous.

Ovechkin - B++ - The crazy bull-like aggression doesn't come out as consistently, and maybe he isn't the weapon on the rush that he once was, but he's converting. If we call Ovechkin's best play what it is, an A or above with the moderate deduction for mishaps, this is right on the level. He's producing like a well-oiled machine, but if you expect the standard for his play to be from years ago, well, I don't know about that. That charging, confusing, defense eating monster just got a little sneakier.

Laich - C- - I suppose he's trying, but he doesn't really show up aside from on the PK (pretty good), and in the offensive zone (pretty bad). He kills more ES opportunities than he negates on the PK, so this seems fair.

Johansson - B - There are some things this kid may never be, but there are also ways around some of them. He's shifty, thinks quick, plays instinctively in the center role, and has contributed at both ends of the ice. He is at least physically capable of being someone who is in the way, but I wouldn't say he necessarily shies away from contact to the point of it being a detriment.

Brouwer - D+ - Come on, buddy. I don't know how you come close to leading this team in hits, because I can't remember one.

Chimera, Grabovski, Ward - A - All together, because I'm tired of this now. They work incredibly well together, all three are players who never stop hustling, which I feel is becoming a theme. Ward looks tremendous, Chimera has his legs back, and that bite, and Grabovski is a dual-threat, without a ridiculously slanted tendency when it comes to pass or shoot, and that helps a lot.

Volpatti - B- - For what you expect from a 4th liner, he's performed admirably. Hustles, doesn't get worked too hard defensively, hits pretty consistently, and has obviously dropped the gloves. Works well in tandem with his line.

Latta - B- - Again, for what you expect out of a 4th liner, I like what I see. You can see the scorer he kind of was, his hands are better than expected and his ability to read plays is starting to show up a little more. Preds fans seemed to be excited for his coming, I can kind of see why.

Wilson - B - I feel like anyone willing to admit it can see that there are shades of something a lot better going on. The kid is a missile hauling a truck behind it when he gets going, and while it doesn't always mean something, there's a certain breath of fresh air to have someone on the roster who realizes the value of trying to put somebody down again. Those hits are worth a year alone, but I feel like there are glimmers of some offensive instinct that, with some work (and I think Oates can be a very good developmental coach), can start showing up with regularity. Giving Wilson a season of the real deal, keeping his head on a swivel and recognizing that these aren't all small men he's going up against, may do something for his confidence as well.

Alzner - A - This is a player you can win Cups with. He's been a leader at every level, plays a stout defensive game, is getting (very gradually) more dynamic and physical, and rarely makes mistakes. If the hallmark of a good defenseman is supposed to be that you never notice him, (you're not paying attention), the casual fan hasn't seemed to, but to take a period and just watch him, as constantly as possible, it's impressive.

Carlson - B - Not sure what's up with that +/-, because he looks a lot better than that. Another guy growing more physical and willing, although his instincts have made that a little bit quicker going. I read he's a sleeper/potential pick for an Olympic spot, which seems right, maybe it helps him turn that corner a little faster?

Schmidt - B- - I like him. He's like what GMGM probably thought Jack Hillen would be. There are warts, but there are warts on young defensemen everywhere. He's more productive than not, in my opinion, even though he's been very sheltered.

Green - C - About 2/3rds of the time he's doing his job fine, if dramatically, but his stride has gotten really choppy and ugly, and so does his play sometimes. The glimpses of physical Green are all but gone. I've had marijuana's and played before and put together better (relative) performances, but he's still skilled, and makes decent reads most of the time.

Urbom - B- - Filling the role he should be pretty admirably, for the most part. Uses his size well, is learning, and plays a pretty good defensive game for his role. Occasional points are nice, his reads are good even if he isn't particularly aggressive offensively.

Oleksy - C - Eh. Not as effective as last season, it seems, but he still hustles, and makes the team more difficult to play against in the defensive end physically.

Holtby - B+ - Continuing to get out from under all those early stats would help ease some people's pains, but he seems to be settling in to his season well at this point. He was another surprise possibility for Canada, as far as camp invites go (as was Alzner), but he looks good. Save percentage rebounding.

Neuvirth - C - Without a rhythm to establish he just looks adequate, mostly. Doesn't do nearly enough to make this a battle.



I've been a little generous, but I still see a team breaking in, so to speak. As a work in progress, this is how I see them in regards to what I'd expect based on the roster come, say, the deadline. If we do another thread, if progress stalls, that would probably be indicated. Also, what can I say, I'm an optimist.
 

RandyHolt

Keep truckin'
Nov 3, 2006
34,639
6,800
  • Erat - B- Great setup guy and hustles. Nick and Ovi should pass him the puck on the rush; use him to his strengths, integrate him more. Nick and Ovi are thinking, who is that guy keeping up with us on the rush?
  • Backstrom - B+ I expect more production and puck control at ES.
  • Ovechkin - B+ I expect more production and puck control at ES. Getting into old habits of thinking his best move is through the Dman. He has tons of options at RW. It's on Oates to show him.

  • Laich - C- It's not his fault George gave him that fat contract. Good over all support utility player likely still a little rusty / wonky.
  • Mojo - B+ Trending quickly towards A-. Finally at center, needs complimentary wingers.
  • Brouwer - C- Leads the team in.... longevity at the same position. May need a demotion to be in a more optimal slot. Could use a scratch to get Fehr a game. He is a grinder in a scorers slot. Its not his fault you got duped by the PP goals.

  • Chimera - A Fast Foot soldier. Seems to mesh with any C he gets.
  • Grabo - A great overall skill set, works hard and is scrappy
  • Ward - A Leader of ES goal scoring. Promote the guy.

  • Volpatti / Latta / Wilson - B Holding their own at ES, having fun, not taking dumb penalties. Our 4th line has an identity and they are playing better because of it.

  • Fehr - B+ Ironic he dominated at RW in preseason and has no spot on the team.
  • Beagle - C Passed by Latta.

  • Green - C- Looks really stiff in his skating. Holding his own on the PP.
  • Alzner - B I still want to see him add to his game and hit a bit more. Mentors Green and Carlson.
  • Carlson - B Seems rejuvenated with Alzner. You can literally see him more confident offensively.
  • Schmidt - B Exceeding expectations, lets see how he does when the adrenaline wears off.
  • Oleksy - C Head always on a swivel, brings as much offense along the blue as anyone. On the rush can try a bit too much but it may be asked of him to try.
  • Erskine - D- Clearly still injured / same issues that popped up in the playoffs.
  • Urbom - B Exceeding expectations


  • Holtby - B+ May be getting a little more consistent; fewer puck handle fails.
  • Neuvirth - No Grade - have missed his games. Not our 1B though. He is the backup.

  • Oates B- Finally shook up his lines / made changes! Fehr at C screwed up his whole lineup. Needs to work with Ovi more, and must get our top line to do better at ES. Try Chimera up top if he needs to. We need a top line, not PP specialists. He has been rotating new players on the PP, which is wise. Got MJ at center, Erat tried up top (although the jury is out). Must really hate Orlov, recalls him to never play him. OCD seems to limit him. Hopefully George got a mirror installed opposite his desk to maintain balance. Still not sold that his systems are best for our personnel.

  • George C- Meh. Is now limited by all the contracts he gave out. Urbom was a good pickup, but now can't get games for Orlov, who I contend is George's best option at LD behind Alzner. Lost MP for nothing. Did not get Oates the balance in his lineup he should have. If he cannot parlay a RW into a LD our lineup will be listing to the starboard/bow all year long.
 
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foundhockey

Registered User
Apr 29, 2012
2,574
125
Georgia, USA
Fine. I suggest using a scale of up to five marijuana's for how casual each player is when they're handling the puck in high-pressure situations. AKA the "Green" scale:

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I think I love you. :heart:
 

Midnight Judges

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Feb 10, 2010
13,491
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Ovechkin: A leads league in goals. This is what he does. Could add a plus with a better +/-
Backstrom: A among league leaders in points and assists. Could add a + by shooting the damn puck a little more.
Erat: C+ I am not seeing the production like I expected when he came here. He's on a line with Ovie and Backstrom, has opportunities. Needs to capitalize.

Mojo: B and rising. Needs to improve face offs. Fantastic skating. Improving strength. Great on PP.
Brouwer: C needs to fight someone and get angry. I like him as a player, just needs a jump start.
Laich: D Just needs more time to get timing back. He's moving his feet. I expect the goals will come soon.

Grabovski: A- lol @ the Leafs. Dumbasses.
Ward: A- love his play against the boards. Accuracy.
Chimmer: A- finally found his soul mates. Not taking stupid penalties these days.

Wilson: C- people love him because he is young and fights, but he isn't productive. He'd have zero goals right now if Ovie hadn't gifted him one on the PP. Should be in Hershey playing 22 minutes a night.
Volpatti: C isn't productive either, but he does battle and he does fight.
Latta: C+ good 4th line C. Good role player.

Green: D+ offensive-minded defenseman who doesn't score and sucks at defense and gets manhandled while taking penalties in the process and has a large cap hit. Constantly hangs his partner and goalie out to dry, but isn't able to bail them out when given the opportunity. Moves the puck well on the PP. Used to be a one man break out, what happened? The goals will come and this grade will improve. Terrible start IMO.
Alzner: A- too reluctant to shoot the puck. Best defensive D-man on the team. Solid solid solid.
Carlson: A- Awesome on PK. Occasional defensive lapse. Having a great season. Bomb of a slap shot with decent accuracy. Good puck mover.
Hillen: F- buh bye.
Erskine: F+ needless penalties. Pylon. Hard to be tough when you are injured. Without toughness what does he bring?
Schmidt: B Playing well. Decent puck mover. Good keep-ins.
Urbom: C+ not bad defensively. Should stick around a while. Nice player.
Oleksy: C+ love the enthusiasm and never lacks for effort. Wears concrete skates. Is super slow. Every once in a while suprises you with stick handling ability.

Holtby: B- makes great save then lets in softy. Overreacts at times and leaves himself out of position. Bails out defense frequently.
Neuvirth: C+ Decent player. Should be show-cased and traded. Holtby needs to be the work horse.

Oates: B System not producing at ES. Going to be tough to win in post season unless he can figure this out. The Avs solved him and he was unable to counterpunch. Love the line adjustments. Great at handling players.
 
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BrooklynCapsFan

No more choking!
Oct 23, 2002
17,872
60
Brooklyn, New York
The Good:

Ovechkin - Plenty of production. I really don't care about anything else. He's back to the point where teams have to gameplan for him and he still beats them.
Backstrom - Shades of 2009 Backstrom. Still not as physically consistent as I'd like.
MoJo - Still have no idea what to think here because he's either playing with two world class players or two bums. Can't argue with the production and increased compete level though.
Grabovski - Extend this player.
Ward - fits like a glove with Grabovski
Chimera - fits like a glove with Grabovski
Volpatti - He broke Downie
Alzner - poor man's Suter. Hopefully people continue to not notice and he plays out the rest of his career here.
Carlson - big bounce back year. Facing the double adversity of losing his Hadeed Carpet sponsorship and having to replace 52, and he's responded very well.
Latta - If this is Latta fully formed, I'm totally fine with that. He can center the 4th line for the next 10 years.
Urbom - Decent bottom pair option
Schmidt - he's adapting well but his partner is holding back his development.

The meh:

Holtby - Consistency please. He can play better than this. Ironically it seems like his teammates lack of focus is affecting his own focus.
Oleksy - He'd make a nice 7.
Wilson - If the goal is to be more than a heavyweight, then he's not making much progress toward it.

The Ugly:
Laich/Brouwer/Erat - $13 million dollars worth of forwards for zero production.
Green - goal scoring offenseman with 0 goals through 20 games. Defensive game has regressed to 2008 levels.
Erskine - He's a nice #7 dman. He's a turrible #4.
Neuvirth - the only thing he does better than all the cheaper backups in the league is let pucks into the net.
Oates - Left handed center Matthieu Perreault was traded for a 4th round pick so that right handed right wing Eric Fehr could play center.
George McPhee - $19 million worth of players on this team are contributing nothing. It doesn't look like those players will earn their salaries this year. All are scheduled to return next year.
The Caps - Propped up in the standings by shootout points, this team ranks 22nd in the NHL in ROW.
 

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