Pick 'Em: Quintin Laing or Tyler Sloan?
by David Getz on Oct 23, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
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Despite the four day long respite the Capitals enjoyed earlier this week, the team appears to still be pretty banged up. Boyd Gordon's back is still "balky" (or "wonky", depending who you ask), as is Jose Theodore's, John Erskine's out of the lineup with a hand injury, and to top it all off Alexander Semin is day-to-day with a cold or flu bug. The good news is that help should be arriving shortly in the form of winger Tomas Fleischmann, who was cleared for contact on Tuesday and is eligible to return on Tuesday against the Flyers. The bad news, for at least one guy currently on the roster, is that unless something happens between now and Tuesday the team's going to have move someone in order to open up a roster spot for Fleischmann.
For the sake of argument, let's put aside the possibility of another Cap making a trip to IR or a last-minute trade going down and assume the team deals with this roster problem by moving one of their current players to Hershey. Odds are the guy who get's the short end of the stick on this one is either going to be Quintin Laing or Tyler Sloan. But which one will it be? And, perhaps more interestingly, which one should it be?
To kick the discussion off, let's take a look at each player's numbers with the Caps:
In short, the numbers say these guys are who we think they are: solid AHL players who can fill in adequately at the NHL level but probably aren't good enough to play a significant role on a good NHL team. Neither is particularly likely to be lost on waivers and neither is an integral enough part of the Capitals that the team is going to suffer greatly if they're lost, either to waivers or to the AHL.
That, however, is not to say that the two players are interchangeable. Sloan skates well, plays a position where depth is paramount, and can fill in on the wing. Laing brings something the Capitals lack (grit from a forward), can help in an area where the team could use some improvement (the penalty kill), and plays a position where the team isn't quite as deep. In addition, Laing's cap is $500,000, while Sloan's is $640,000 - a difference that's small, but not negligible. The choice on who to keep might not be clear, but it's no coin flip either.
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[Threadjack]
They really gonna feed Flash into the Flyers buzzsaw for his first game back? Yikes.
[/Threadjack]
IS PAЯTY NOW
Can Flash really be ready that quickly?
by mechanicsville on Oct 23, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Totally separate threadjack — the Hockey Diaries folks are recording Sloan (along with Knuble) for a new documentary. Certainly would be a different vibe if he gets lost on waivers.
Laing
Laing… Sloan is terrific and would skate a regular shift as the 5th or 6th defenseman on 25 teams in the league, but Laing seems to have a nose for blocking shots, and really is a top notch PKer…
Let's go Caps!
Sloan is terrific and would skate a regular shift as the 5th or 6th defenseman on 25 teams in the league,
Whoa, now. That’s a massive overestimation of Sloan’s ability in my mind; I think at best he’d be skating a regular shift on five teams and have little interest from 25 rather than the other way around.
I think Q has been a disappointment so far this season on the PK (did you see the first goal last night?) I also think with the emergence of Semin and Baxter on the PK he’s much lower on the PK depth chart, and thus not as necessary.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
I also think with the emergence of Semin and Baxter on the PK he’s much lower on the PK depth chart, and thus not as necessary.
This is pretty much what I came in here to say. Well this plus the fact that both offseason additions can play the PK and IMO Laing getting through waivers is less worrisome than Sloan.
/I’m not losing sleep over losing either of them to waivers and can’t imagine a Bourque-esque thread if one or both are lost.
can’t imagine a Bourque-esque thread if one or both are lost
We are Caps fans, therefore we angst. Won’t be the same, but undoubtedly there will be one.
The only reason we gave a shit about Bourque getting claimed was because he got lost to Pittsburgh. If he was putting on a Dallas Stars jersey, I don’t think any of us would give a damn.
I suppose it would be the same with Sloan or Laing. “That sucks, but at least they’re in the NHL and I can still root for them.”
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I disagree. I, personally, gave a shit about Bourque getting claimed because it demonstated poor asset management by the Caps’ front office and crystalized just how cap-screwed the team is. I couldn’t have cared less about who claimed him.
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by J.P. on Oct 23, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think it depends on who you’re talking about. A lot of the frustration about it vented here was of that nature, but the way it blew up in other places….I have to think a lot of that had to do with the Pens.
I agree that it being the Pens made is worse, and I believe that would be the case no matter who the player was. As to the issue of cap management, sure, there’s plenty of that, but I think part of the issue is that we’re a heavily waiver-subject team. Too many guys with enough experience that the team didn’t want to lose. Something had to give.
I don’t bother reading Caps-related opinions expressed in comments elsewhere. Why would I?
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It especially hurt since flash went on long term IR retroactive to the time when we could have kept borque
I don’t really think that’s the case. Bourque was lost this season because he had to go through waivers at some point, there was nothing around it. And I don’t think he’d have made it through a week ago, I don’t think he’d make it through now. It’s just a crap situation because of how close to the cap the team is.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
No, it’s not. It’s a crap situation because somehow no one saw it coming and got some return for an asset they weren’t going to be able to keep. And if they’d kept him around for another couple of weeks, who knows whether or not he could’ve produced, drawn interest, etc. To lose an asset for nothing is simply poor asset management and there’s no way around that.
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by J.P. on Oct 23, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Especially when the team’s carrying eight defensemen for no obvious reason.
by David Getz on Oct 23, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
for no obvious reason
The reason’s pretty obvious. Sloan outplayed several of the other 7 in preseason, but losing one of those other 7 without getting some asset in return would be worse asset management than losing Bourque because they’re more valuable.
Sloan hasn’t been the worst defenseman since the season started, despite getting a pretty raw deal in terms of playing time and opportunities.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 23, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Kind of hard to make that judgment as he’s barely played. But I don’t think Sloan on a consistent basis will be in our top 6.
He’d better not be. But right now, I think he is, just barely. I think Sloan is better than Juice. But you have to play Juice to trade Juice.
It’d be nice to get a sixth solid NHL quality D to play every night with our current top 5 — Green, Schultz, Poti, Pothier and ShaMo (and I’m not really sold on ShaMo yet — it’ll take another few months of solid play to make me forget about his last year). Perhaps that man’s name is “Alzner” or “Carlson.” But it ain’t Jurcina, Sloan, or Erskine — not for every night duty.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 23, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
100% with you. My hockey eye probably isn’t good enough to really differentiate b/t those bottom 3 as god willing none will be a #6 in the end. But Erskine brings some grit, Jurcina will hit, Sloan to me doesn’t really bring anything “above avg”.
Oh, I think Sloan brings “keep the puck out of the net” better than Juice or Erskine. And that’s the only thing I really care about from a #6 (I have different qualifications for the #7).
But the bottom line is I don’t think any of the three are good enough at “keep the puck out of the net.” I want better than is currently on the team.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 23, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Sloan a better skater and puck-handler than those guys, and I have to think he’d take fewer penalties to boot.
don’t disagree with any of this, I just think the upgrade in “keeping the puck out of the net”, “fewer penalties” etc. from Sloan over the other guys isn’t huge, but the other guys bring something to the table that I personally like to have on my team. But I think we all agree, we need to have better than any of them.
I know it’s a new season but last year Jurcina took penalties twice as often as Sloan and Erskine took them 1.75 times as often. That’s a pretty significant difference.
Keep polishing that turd.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
They showed on MythBusters that it can be done!
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 23, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
So you’re saying, that just because Flash wasn’t put on LTIR at the start of the year with the thought he might be back before that expired, that’s the issue? Frankly, yes, they should have found a way to get him traded. But if no one is biting on a trade because they know he’s going through waivers, that’s our fault?
Considering what he’s done in Pittsburgh (he’s played two games, has a shot and three hits)…do you think he’d have done more here? He might have played in two more games, but I don’t think he’d have produced as much.
I more meant I personally wasn’t that upset at losing Bourque…I was upset that we lost him the Penguins, and while I was upset we didn’t get anything for him, I don’t think GMGM could have gotten much even if he tried, and I don’t even know that he didn’t.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
That’s an issue, for sure.
I’m not saying he would’ve done more here than he has in Pitt.
And it’s not as if GMGM woke up on Oct. 1 and said, “Oh shit, we can’t keep Bourque.” Rather, if he did, it was a pretty big gaffe on his part. They either were hoping for an injury or a trade, and “hope” isn’t much of a plan (insert Obama joke here).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I see. Yeah, that’s fair. It may boil down to the team thought Nylander was going to be moved in time. Unfortunately, not yet the case. We can second guess it all we want, but I’m not too torn up about it, with the exception of the “….Pittsburgh? Damn it.” factor.
And for what it’s worth, not really looking at contract status, I’d rather lose Bourque to P-burgh than Osala, Bouchard, or Beagle.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Compare Cbo with Sami Lepisto.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
In all seriousness, how hard is it really to compare apples to oranges? I’ve never understood that one.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 23, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess it depends on what you think my argument is. GMGM saw that Lepisto didn’t really have a spot on the team in the future, and got value from him while he could. He gambled that he could keep CBo even though he should have realized how low he was on the depth chart and lost him for nothing.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
I guess my point re: apples vs. oranges is that to me a puck moving defenseman (even one that needs work like Lepisto) will always out value an at best bottom 6 winger. Even if GMGM had planned better I don’t know that Bourque would have brought anything back. Granted package him with a defenseman and that’d change.
Something back is better than nothing back.
I agree about the relative value of a D vs. a bottom line F; I’m pretty sure I laid that out in the MVC series.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
This is the Chris Bourque lobby (out of retirement for five seconds) and we heartily endorse this message.
’Kay, back to the sidelines.
When Hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there, too.
by Steck It Out on Oct 23, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
One bad deal has put the Caps in this position with respect to the cap, and they may be out from under it soon…just not soon enough to retain Bourque.
And if the other party might have been more amenable to a compromise sooner, well…
That the Caps were able to carry that “bad deal” for the entirity of last season, and the opening 3 weeks of this speaks well of how the team has been managed. Just looking at it from a different angle.
by shotfromthepoint on Oct 23, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe i’m the only one, but it’s not really clear to me whether I voted to keep Laing in the NHL, or send him to Hershey.
I voted for Sloan but I think Laing should stay with the Caps — I also just woke up, so I have an excuse for misreading it.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Oct 23, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Laing
I actually really like Tyler, but he’s a borderline NHL’er who is a 5/6 guy which we already have plenty of when guys are healthy.
Laing brings energy, work ethic which are nice but the main reason he stays is his play on the PK. It’s how he got to the league and what defines his ability to stay.
Laing was pretty horrid last night. His failing to tie up his man off a face-off last night (a pretty simple play), enabled the first ATL goal. He’s looked like NHL speed/size have worn him down.
I don’t remember all the details of the play but generally the defensemen is responsible for tying up the offensive winger, and the defensive winger is supposed to get to the top of the box. It was clearly a terrible play but seems like it was more of a communication issue than a execution problem.
At least 3 people blew that play. The C, Q, and at least one D. Lots of blame to go around, but for a guy that is here basically solely because of his PK acumen it hurts a little more.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
Not quite along the same lines as Aucoin isn’t here for his defense, but I was far more disgusted with Aucoin’s "pass’ to Kovalchuk in the slot. There’s a reason these guys are predominantly AHL players, Laing included in my mind.
Only guy I trust to clear the puck up the middle like that is Poti because the motherfucker works on long-bomb, jumbo tron-tickling overhead clears in practice.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Well that’s just silly.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
a little harsh yes, but I swear he misses more than his fair share of clearing attempts (no stats to back it up). maybe it’s b/c he has more PK ice time that it sticks out to me but that’s the way i see it.
If anything would give it credence, it would be PK time. I don’t think he’s as bad as Erskine or Juice in this regard, however.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
I agree with Fehrskine. Poti blows way too many clearing attempts to be the “steady veteran presence.”
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
And I’ve re-voted! (same choice—that’s what I assumed you meant the first time).
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 23, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Laing is my gut response.
So, either one of these guys WILL have to clear waivers correct? So that isn’t so much a factor to consider…
What is the cap hit for each of these guys? I hate to say, but ultimately could be the determining factor here.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 23, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions
Sigh…OK, so the cap hit difference is only $140, so that may only figure into it if they are all the way up against the wall (which they seem to be this year anyway).
I really like having a guy like Laing in the lineup, so assuming Semin is just out with a flu (meaning he’ll be back anyday, fully recovered), and assuming Flash is ready to go that would mean that Giroux and Aucoin will most likely go back down…but could leave some room for a guy like Laing. Of course with Erskine out it doesn’t seem that irrational to carry 7 D either…
I have a feeling Laing will get the ticket back to Hershey and Sloan will remain with the club until Erskine is ready to play again (assuming, of course, that there are no other side-lining injuries between now and then….)
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 23, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I voted for Sloan. It looks to me that he’s fully capable of “keeping up” as a 5/6 d-man. Don’t want to jinx anything, but the team seems to be showing more grit than I recall from last year, at least in the form of more traffic in front. The forecheck could use some improvement. Grit being less of a concern for the time being makes 53 more expendable.
So this question assumes Nylander will still be on the active roster, Erskine and Gordon are healthy and off IR, Semin does not end up on IR, and Fleischmann comes off LTIR?
If the Caps think there is a solution re. Nylander in the near future, IMO they will not place either on waivers but use 1 IR slot creatively, if necessary, instead. And while I hope it is not the case, it’s also very likely at least 1 player will be on IR without creativity required.
For those that don’t have the info. – The updated current Caps roster status – 26 players including the 2 call-ups:
1F on LTIR: Fleischmann
2 on IR – 1D/1F: Erskine, Gordon
23 Active roster players:
2G: Theodore and Varlamov
7D: Green, Jurcina, Morrisonn, Pothier, Poti, Schultz, Sloan
12F: Backstrom, Bradley, Clark, Fehr, Knuble, Laich, Laing, Morrison, Ovechkin, Semin, Steckel and Nylander
2F call-ups: Aucoin and Giroux
To the question: I’d say Laing on waivers if I had to choose at this time based on position, upside, likelihood to clear waivers, etc.
Ah…I forgot to consider Gordon when I went through everything in my head!
Yeah, if I got a vote for who I’d like to keep, it’s Laing…but I have a feeling he’s the odd man out here regardless of what I think.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 23, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, chances are pretty good that these decisions will be made regardless of what any of us think. God help us if GMGM is looking for help on the messsage boards (no matter how informed and elite we may be).
by mechanicsville on Oct 23, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d be much higher on Laing (borrowing DMG’s rhetorical trick from the recap, that was good writing) if he had slightly better hands. If he was just a step faster. If he brought anything aside from some sandpaper and the willingness to stop shots with his spleen. If he had any kind of offensive upside at all. If. If. If.
But he doesn’t. I’d rather have the marginal defenseman that can skate than the marginal 4th line grinder who can’t.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 23, 2009 1:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
A couple days ago, I argued to send down Sloan, but I’ve changed my mind. Laing’s role is a shot blocker and a PKer, but so far there are many players filling that role better than him. His 5 blocked shots are nothing to write home about and his TOI on the PK is low and seems to be decreasing. His adjusted +/- on the PK is also in the red.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 23, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions
It took me a while (and more than a couple reads through the comments) to reach my decision and I settled on Laing, primarily because I’m thinking more long term. Keeping Sloan lets the team move a defenseman (or even two if they want) to open up some roster and cap space to make a move later. Meanwhile Laing, as much as I love him, probably wouldn’t be that hard to replace at the deadline.
Are you saying you picked Q to get rid of or to keep? Did you write this before or after the poll clarification?
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
It’s hard to choose. Neither player has had any mind-blowing gaffes that I can remember. I guess with the amount of D behind Sloan, I could part with him easier, though.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
The first goal the thrashers had last night looked like a misplay by Laing. Other than that he’s looked fairly solid this season.
Might have been, but it could have also been that he was just tied up with his team mate (haven’t watched the replay, so don’t kill me if I’m wrong there). I like both of the guys, so I’ll be a little bummed out if we lose either.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Yeah, pretty bad gaffe there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Sloan. Easy choice. Gives them more options down the road, less likely to clear waivers, more valuable NHL player. There are other Laings out there if you want them, and some of them even score occasionally or win faceoffs or fight, etc.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 23, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Ironically I voted Laing for most of the reasons you cited (I read the cap # after the fact), but subject to trades of course.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 23, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think 13th forward or 7th defenseman takes a special mental makeup, just like backup goalie.
Heading into the playoffs, the team had better have six regular defensemen not named “Erskine” or “Sloan” who are playing well. I think Sloan’s a good 7th defenseman, but I think Erskine’s better in that role because he’s more physical. (I think Sloan is a better full-time #6 than Erskine, but if either of them is a full time #6, the team’s in serious trouble). So assuming Erskine’s around, I hope that Sloan is off the roster by the playoffs.
I don’t see anyone on the roster other than Laing who naturally slots in as 13th forward. Maybe Gordon or Clark. But I think Laing is great for that role. He’s like Erskine to me that way. So heading into the playoffs, I want Laing on the team. This says as much about what the top 12 forwards and 6 D should look like than it does about the two players in the poll.
I like having Laing around because he works so damned hard. The players have got to think in practice, if you’re not working as hard as that guy, maybe he deserves your spot more than you do. And I like having him in the press box during the games because it means the team really does have 12 better forwards.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
I have zippy problem with Sloan being a 6th d-man if it means we’ve traded some d not named Green, Poti, or Schutlz to acquire a 1-2 pairing guy.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
But I’d rather have Alzner there.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 23, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone besides most of us and EA Sports think that Alzner is NHL ready?
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Probably GMGM and almost every other NHL scout. I don’t think anyone is saying Alzner is in the AHL because he’s not good enough yet.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
As far as a 13th forward, I think Beagle, Pinizotto, and A. Gordon could all satisfy the 13F role as well as Q. All 3 are better skaters than him, and none of them has shown any indication that they don’t work hard enough. You could say that they are all young and need to continue to play to develop, but realistically none of them have top 9 potential, much less top 6. If they ever make the NHL it’s going to be as a crash and bang player, and their skating ability makes them more valuable than Q in that role.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
well said. And I think there are probably 3 more forwards at Hershey that I would add, not to mention other guys not even in the league. Someone a few days ago made the point that Blair Betts went all summer without a gig and then signed for peanuts. Great point. I’d rather have Betts than Q.
Mike Peca?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
i still hate that flippin guy from his Buffalo days. smug little jerk.
by Fehrskine on Oct 23, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pretty good defensive guy, though.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
I fucking hate Mike Ribiero.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 23, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn’t touch Ribiero.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Me neither, for fear of VD.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Me neither, for fear of trumped up assault charges.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 23, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
he’s got a Matt Cookeliness to him that makes opponents hate him but there’s no denying the guy is a solid center
from the house that Red Jesus built
It’s not even Matt Cookeliness. I can deal with Matt Cookeliness. Ribiero just thinks his shit doesn’t stink. I hate that kind of attitude in anybody, especially guys that are supposed to be team players.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Also the incident where he pretended to be hurt. No thanks.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Beagle I buy. Pinner is just to me not an NHL player in any way. He’s like Laing without the shot blocking. I’m not sold on A. Gordon yet, but I could definitely see that working. I guess it comes down to whether you want a center or a wing.
Blair Betts in a heartbeat. Michael Peca’s done – forget him.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 23, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
No, Brendan Shanahan.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
As a fourth liner? No thanks. Ovi, Semin, Knuble, Fehr, Flash, and Laich are all better scoring wings than Shanahan. If the team’s going to acqure another wing, make it a grinder.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 23, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
In the end when it comes playoff time, what position is more important to solidify if someone goes down with injury? A 5/6 D-man or a 4th liner who might get 5:00 of ice time? I’m starting to lean towards keeping 89 now.
Quality opinions all around here at the rink – good reading for a boring Friday!!
if we’re relying on Sloan, Jurcina or Erskine as a 5/6 D come playoff time, I’ll break down in tears
What? Why? I’d rather them there at 5/6 than 3/4.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 23, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Third Option?
How about a third option: Neither?
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
Keep Laing
8 defenders is a nuisance; Sloan will never be a guy that you want in your Top 6; while Laing is not a below-average NHL player, he brings a compete and effort level that is good to have in the room.
Get Nylander to the NHL, trade Juice (why, oh why did I stray from him in SPG??), call up Alzner and hoard the balance of the cap room against the trade deadline.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
I don’t disagree that Laing has a great compete and effort level; but I do think that Sloan is more “NHL-level” than Laing is, although its a bit hard to make a lot of comparisons because they play different positions in very different ways, and Laing has gotten more games.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 3:26 AM EST)
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