Capital Ups and Downs: Week 2

Hard to give an up arrow to a guy with 0 goals, 1 assist, a -1 rating and 4 SOG in 4 games, imo, but he’s done some good things, to be sure.

I think I’d rather see Laich, which doesn’t leave room for Knuble

I’d rather see Knubke replace #28 on the top line for the whole game. I mean, isn’t that why he was picked up?

Until Backstrom starts picking up his offensive zone face off percentage, you have to keep Laich out there to take the draws on the first unit. I suppose you could put Semin on the second unit and both Laich and Knuble of the first, but that doesn’t make much sense, although it might promote shorter shifts to get Semin on the ice.

They’re only meant to be snapshots of the past week (in this case, a little more than a week), and I don’t think there’s much “absolute judgment” anywhere on the list. I don’t think it’s inappropriate to ask whether David Steckel is a good fit at 3C right now (whether or not there are better options is another question).

I wonder how much of the Steckel, Gordon, and Clark problem is that they’re spending all their freaking time killing penalties?

I see your point, but I think the major difference here is that Arenas has to be the guy for the Wizards for them to succeed, whereas Semin’s a complimentary player for the Caps. Semin might be more Clinton Portis – when he’s at his best, he opens up some space for the top guy (Campbell) to do his thing, and vice versa. The fit’s not perfect there, though, eight.

In some respects this is a decision not entirely unlike Boston’s with Phil Kessel. A game-breaking talent to be sure…but is this a player worth investing prime resources in long-term? It may come down to whether or not Semin will accept a bit of a hometown discount. If he’s not willing to do so then I think they either need to consider arbitration next summer as a temporary solution or explore their trade options.

The Caps don’t have the same sort of depth compared to the Bruins—or as many key players soon in need of extensions—but nonetheless it’s a question worth pondering. Doubly so when they’re already shelling out so many dollars on a franchise winger as it is.

What point are you trying to make on Juice’s PK? He’s third on the team in PK TOI/60, has a high QualComp and a low QualTeam while managing to maintain a pretty high relative +/- (Link). That tells me he’s more than pulling his own weight on the PK.

I do think that reputation can come into play in these situations. On the other end of the spectrum, a Nicklas Lidstrom can do something and not get called because, well, Lidstrom wouldn’t commit a penalty there, would he? It reminds me of anecdotes about Ted Williams where umps would call anything he didn’t swing at a ball because, well, if The Splendid Splinter laid off it, it had to be because it was a bad pitch.

As to how to break the circle here, I think those players with a reputation have to be even more careful than others not to put themselves in a situation where the ref can make a questionable call.

Somewhat related, my concern about the quote is this part:

He also said after watching the tape the infactions were either iffy calls or not lazy penalties.

Accountability out the window? Sticking up for your guys after throwing them under the bus? Curious back-pedaling.

I think GMGM’s going to do everything in his power to pay both Backs and Semin, and, if not, Semin will get traded. i don’t see him making the C.Bo mistake with Semin, if that’s how it has to be (not through waivers, though, obviously).

Our goaltending is adequate to challenge for the Cup, no doubt there

I’m not sure I agree with that.

same for D (not named Green)

I’d settle for some production out of Green right now. The other D can follow suit, but the team definitely needs 52 to step up.

Shaggy, you had me nodding my head until you busted out with the crazy…

Our goaltending is adequate to challenge for the Cup, no doubt there. As much as we love Lainger, I think it’s time to give Giroux/Perrault a chance. At least they’ll bloddy shoot.
I think a semi-big name D signing is in the offing by the deadline. Maybe Edmonton will take Nyls for Tom Gilbert.

Giroux has shown he’s no NHLer after many opportunities. Perreault has shown he ain’t ready yet. Needs to firm up his two-way game. If you think Flash or Fehr have been infuriating the last couple of years, Perreault would be much worse right now. If you want someone from Hershey, take Aucoin, Beagle or Wilson.

Edmonton wouldn’t take Nyls for Tom Arnold.

Caps have given up 2 goals in 10 minutes of penalty kill time with Lainger on the ice. That’s definitely too small a sample size to judge him by.

Gordo’s good enough at the dot to warrant some leeway… Q on the other hand…

I think Knubs just hasnt had the opportunity to shine. I think he is obviously waiting to get up on the first line and work his magic.
I also think that Ovie/Green need less time on the PP – talking about forcing the issue. The longer Ovie’s out, the more he feels pressure to make it happen. Shorten those shifts up.

Knuble on the 2nd line with Laich is not going to be where he’s at his most useful. Picking up AO’s trash, on the other hand, is exactly what he should be doing.

Also assists, sigh.

I don’t think there is necessarily a turn on Varly. He’s off to a lousy start and that can’t be disputed.

1. goalies do NOT win Vezina/Hart trophies EVER

I don’t know if anyone’s ‘turned’ on Varlamov. But he’s in more danger of being passed by (healthy) Neuvirth than of passing Theo on the chart. That’s what I see.

28’s talented and frustrating in equal measure. If you’re not tearing your hair out about him, you’re probably not loving him right.

Haven’t seen enough of Schultz to share your opinion. He definitely is not Caps biggest blueline problem thus far, but if he’s who you like to harp on well have at it.

We’re five games into an 82 game season. We’ll see what happens in time.

Schultz has only been in, what, 2 games? He hasn’t even had a chance to be awful, let alone good.

And, actually, excepting the one penalty I can recall, he has been good.

No overreactions, friend – it’s a look at the past week, nothing more, nothing less.

1) Sin-dee Crysby has ONE assist in 5 games (I’m sure it was secondary assist credited on one of his own goals ;) ) He is taking the Yzerman way back to the Cup, or, he will be sent down to the Baby Pens in a week.
2) Caps are ONE LINE TEAM!!!!! For real, though, Ovie’s ice time has to come down – pushing 23 minutes a game. Lidstrom only plays 24, for G.O.D.‘s sake. Ovie’s no Ilya Kovalchuk!!! (Ilya is playing over 23 minutes – unreal.)
3) Boudreau SUCKS! Still fighting discipline problems (Ovie’s shifts, bad penalties, ).

Here comes the “make him top 6” brigade.

You’ve shipped 23 to? Hershey?

Baxter belongs on the first line. Other than that, I agree.

Looks like what JP wanted pre-season.

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Morrison-Fehr
Laich-Steckel-Clark
Flash Gordon-Bradley

Lorne Worsley knows what to do with all those third pair D. I do Not.

Killing me across several fantasy leagues.

4-3 spanking on hold still

You can’t really take 1 game out of the 1st five. He’s going to have craptacular games like that throughout the season. It’s what makes him non-elite.

Very fair points. Theo was a struggle, actually. On the one hand, what you said. On the other, he had a big role in giving away two points against the Rags. On the other (I’m three-handed), his numbers overall. So I decided to give him a “-” so far. But I dig what you’re saying.

Can we skip the part about being “thrown in unprepared”? We’re talking about a 10 year veteran professional goaltender. Otherwise, I do think that he’s been above decent. Problem is he’ll never be trustworthy, ever.

Swing and a miss.

And coming in mid-period and getting a warm-up is different from coming in after an intermission, and both are different from coming in and not getting a warm up.