Speculation: Acq./Rost. Bldg./Cap/Lines etc. Part LXXVIII (It's Working! Let's Fix It.)

[BobRouse]

Because it puts more pressure on ownership to make a deal. I'm sure LeBron was just saying what everyone else on the team already knew; they need more pieces for the team to win a championship. He wasn't pointing fingers and calling players scrubs. He was pointing out that they need more depth to win. I see nothing wrong with that. If he was calling out individual players, then there would definitely be a problem.

And this helps ownership make a deal?? If anything it makes them lose leverage in negotiations.

He was absolutely pointing fingers in the same way Oates was. He is saying other players besides himself were not good enough.

GMGM last straw was calling out his goalies in his last year. Holtby didn't take too kindly to that if you recall.

 

[BackToTheBasics]

And this helps ownership make a deal?? If anything it makes them lose leverage in negotiations.

He was absolutely pointing fingers in the same way Oates was. He is saying other players besides himself were not good enough.

GMGM last straw was calling out his goalies in his last year. Holtby didn't take too kindly to that if you recall.

The difference is that LeBron is a proven winner. He's the most respected player in the league and his opinion is held in high regard. Oates on the other hand...

 

[g00n]

Superstars should absolutely call out pudgy executives and garbage players for wasting their time. At least the ones that want to win something. It's shallow and stupid to take the blame for those not pulling their weight because that's never gonna lead to a championship.

Imagine if the Kevin Lowe decides to have his son play goalie for the Oilers. Connor McDavid puts up 2PPG but they proceed to lose every game because they have a dude off the street playing goalie. I guess the proper response for McDavid would be dramatic internal reflection on how he needs to do better and how he should should pick up his game if he wants to win a cup not that the guys upstairs should get a real ****ing goalie.

LeBron got freaking Cleveland a title, if that doesn't make you the greatest authority on winning I don't know what does. That's like Arizona being dragged to a cup.

Calling out other professional athletes who are among the elites in the world is nothing like this. At all.

But, that said, I don't have a problem with players publicly calling out other players if they're right and they have a plan in doing so. Meaning, they believe it will motivate people and they're not just venting or scapegoating. They also have to have some real or moral authority to do so.

Not everyone responds positively to this kind of thing, though. If it works he's a great leader. If it backfires it blows up in his face. Rightly so.

Anyway. What were we talking about?

 

[SpinningEdge]

Lebron has the power... and he's putting pressure on the gm. No issue with that.

NBA has been a players league for a long time now. It's one of few major team sports where players are more important than coaches, etc... and Lebron is arguable most powerful of all of them.

 

[Revelation]

Calling out other professional athletes who are among the elites in the world is nothing like this. At all.

But, that said, I don't have a problem with players publicly calling out other players if they're right and they have a plan in doing so. Meaning, they believe it will motivate people and they're not just venting or scapegoating. They also have to have some real or moral authority to do so.

Not everyone responds positively to this kind of thing, though. If it works he's a great leader. If it backfires it blows up in his face. Rightly so.

Anyway. What were we talking about?

Compared to LeBron they all might as well be dudes off the street lol

I don't blame him of getting tired from carrying teams harder than anyone else in pro sports year in and year out.

 

[Hivemind]

Maybe, just maybe, there isn't a one size fits all approach to leadership. What works in one situation may not work in another. What one person finds distasteful may actually be highly effective in the right situation.

 

[BobRouse]

I was pipe dreaming of an "all in" scenario...

Chara

Reasoning: he is a LD that has one year left on his contract after this thus easing the loss of Alzner for the future while we brew up some prospects.

As far as this year it's clear Bs need to start rebuilding a bit. Chara would significantly bolster the D As he wouldn't have to carry the mail. He has won a cup and carries respect.

 

[notDkristich]

I was pipe dreaming of an "all in" scenario...

Chara

Reasoning: he is a LD that has one year left on his contract after this thus easing the loss of Alzner for the future while we brew up some prospects.

As far as this year it's clear Bs need to start rebuilding a bit. Chara would significantly bolster the D As he wouldn't have to carry the mail. He has won a cup and carries respect.

It's crazy enough to work. He's probably best suited to play 2D at his current age. Who or what do you give the B's for Chara?

 

[Revelation]

He's a #3 at this point. 7 million this year and next year.

Just get Seidenberg. Cheaper, no cap headache and he's playing better this season.

 

[notDkristich]

He's a #3 at this point. 7 million this year and next year.

Just get Seidenberg. Cheaper, no cap headache and he's playing better this season.

I could see a scenario with Orlov going for Chara.

 

[BobRouse]

He makes $4 mil in real dollars but his cap hit would be the higher average which Boston would have to pick up some of the tab. This would drive up the price which will probably be prohibitive anyhow but if you can stomach the cost this is the kind of deal you do.

 

[BobRouse]

I could see a scenario with Orlov going for Chara.

No from both sides. Caps want depth not swapping a roster player. Bs will want much more.

Top prospect + 1st rounder

 

[RandyHolt]

Make no mistake. We are getting an RD. Like we do pretty much every year. Carlsons injury only further solidifies that. As does Orlov settling in more at LD vs right.

 

[Hivemind]

Chara is not what he once was. He's like a better Orpik, but we already have Orpik.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

That's certainly an all-in type of move. I have to admit even though his better days are past him, would be kind of exciting. Likelihood meter says 2/10.

 

[Revelation]

Lets get Chara, Jagr, Iginla and Doan

If the team doesn't die from veteran leadership explosion the 2006 Stanley Cup will be as good as ours

 

[BobRouse]

That's certainly an all-in type of move. I have to admit even though his better days are past him, would be kind of exciting. Likelihood meter says 2/10.

I think its the respect and vet leadership he'd bring while still being able to play a bit.

A dman can play longer and more effectively as they get older whereas an older forward really seems to run out of gas faster especially during playoffs.

The price tag for this kind of move would be prohibitive and it would relegate Orlov and Schmidt to fight it out for the 3rd RD spot (which Orlov is simply better at LD)

In the CSN Mid Atlantic piece Tarik put out yesterday it was clear to me that BMac (you really don't have to read between the lines too much with him) was satisfied with his forward depth and brought up the guys in Hershey like Sanford and Vrana.

It reinforced my belief of grabbing a dman. I'm with RH...a depth RD is probably what we will go with.

An "all in move" would suggest a vet top 4 LEFT defensive dman so we can "protect" the combo of Orlov/Schmidt and relegate them to the 3rd pair.

This way we can have two shut down pairings to deal with Malkin/Crosby

 

[OV Rocks]

I think its the respect and vet leadership he'd bring while still being able to play a bit.

A dman can play longer and more effectively as they get older whereas an older forward really seems to run out of gas faster especially during playoffs.

The price tag for this kind of move would be prohibitive and it would relegate Orlov and Schmidt to fight it out for the 3rd RD spot (which Orlov is simply better at LD)

In the CSN Mid Atlantic piece Tarik put out yesterday it was clear to me that BMac (you really don't have to read between the lines too much with him) was satisfied with his forward depth and brought up the guys in Hershey like Sanford and Vrana.

It reinforced my belief of grabbing a dman. I'm with RH...a depth RD is probably what we will go with.

An "all in move" would suggest a vet top 4 LEFT defensive dman so we can "protect" the combo of Orlov/Schmidt and relegate them to the 3rd pair.

This way we can have two shut down pairings to deal with Malkin/Crosby

What has Orlov done to deserve being "relegated" to the third pair. Its pretty obvious that he and Niskanen are the number 1 pairing especially with Carlson out. Orlov is probably our best defenseman RIGHT NOW with how he is playing. He is a slightly less productive version of PK Subban and has gotten better in his own D-Zone recently. Schmidt has been playing great as well to the point that I would say he deserves to get some significant ice time with Alzner as Carlson is out.

Orlov-Niskanen
Alzner-Schmidt
Orpik-Carlson(Chorney)

Who is going to come out of the lineup for a new right d-man? Not Niskanen or a healthy Carlson and Schmidt has shown everyone he is more than deserving of a sweater every night. Unless its d-man 7/8 I am not moving anything of value for him and absolutely not putting him in over anybody unless he is a 1/2 d-man

I am more concerned about Brett Connolly as our 3rd line RW. Yes he is having a great season but I would much rather have someone who is a proven goal scorer at that position come playoff time.

 

[BobRouse]

What has Orlov done to deserve being "relegated" to the third pair. Its pretty obvious that he and Niskanen are the number 1 pairing especially with Carlson out. Orlov is probably our best defenseman RIGHT NOW with how he is playing. He is a slightly less productive version of PK Subban and has gotten better in his own D-Zone recently. Schmidt has been playing great as well to the point that I would say he deserves to get some significant ice time with Alzner as Carlson is out.

Orlov-Niskanen
Alzner-Schmidt
Orpik-Carlson(Chorney)

Who is going to come out of the lineup for a new right d-man? Not Niskanen or a healthy Carlson and Schmidt has shown everyone he is more than deserving of a sweater every night. Unless its d-man 7/8 I am not moving anything of value for him and absolutely not putting him in over anybody unless he is a 1/2 d-man

I am more concerned about Brett Connolly as our 3rd line RW. Yes he is having a great season but I would much rather have someone who is a proven goal scorer at that position come playoff time.

BMac, based on his quotes, and how I see his thinking is fine with our forward depth. Vrana could fill in for Connolly if not Sanford (altho I don't see Connolly sucking)

Orlov has done nothing wrong. I'm on record as being fine with our top 6 D.

However IF we are going "all in" I see us getting a top 4 dman thus Orlov is the one to be bumped down.

The fact that Trotz doesn't fully trust him in a defensive role leads me to believe he will have a quick trigger finger with him and Schmidt like last offseason.

Unless there is an injury I see no way no how that we use our limited resources on a forward. I don't see anything that leads me to believe the Caps and BMac will do this. His latest comments seem to back that up.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-capitals/caps-gm-brian-maclellan-gives-early-thoughts-trade-deadline

“I'm not sure yet,†MacLellan said, asked by Koken if he's inclined to make any moves. “It’s going to depend on our health going into the deadline.â€

MacLellan added: “We’ve had a chance to see [prospects Jakub] Vrana and [Zach] Sanford, so we know we have some depth there. And there are a couple of other guys that have played well in Hershey that we could possibly use.â€

RELATED: Senators snap Capitals point streak

Vrana and Sanford have played 12 and 20 games for the Caps this season. Both rookies are currently in Hershey.

Other Bears forwards who have seen ice time in Washington this season include Liam O’Brien, Paul Carey and Chandler Stephenson. Stephenson made his season debut with the Caps during Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat in Ottawa, the team’s first loss by more than a goal in 54 days (dating to a 3-0 loss to the Islanders on Dec. 1).
This year, though, MacLellan hinted that he’s happier with his group.

“Fairly similar,†he said, asked to compare this year’s roster to last year’s. “Maybe we’re a little deeper this year. I like what our third line has done this year. I like what our fourth line has done. Maybe our penalty killing is a little bit better. Our power play hasn’t produced at the rate it did last year, but I think we’re generating chances. And we havenâ™t relied on it, which is a positive sign.â€

 

[Stewie G]

Bumping Orlov down and likely undermining his confidence is about the worst thing they could do. He's played great when paired with Niskanen. Bumping him to the 3rd pairing would just be repeating the mistakes of playoffs past where they let the other team dictate play and try to eek out a 1 goal win, which puts them at the mercy of one bad play or bad bounce. No thanks. It's like people never watched any of the other playoff series.

 

[OV Rocks]

Bumping Orlov down and likely undermining his confidence is about the worst thing they could do. He's played great when paired with Niskanen. Bumping him to the 3rd pairing would just be repeating the mistakes of playoffs past where they let the other team dictate play and try to eek out a 1 goal win, which puts them at the mercy of one bad play or bad bounce. No thanks. It's like people never watched any of the other playoff series.

Couldn't agree more. Adding a depth d-man (Weber) has not worked for BMAC in the past so why do the same thing again? Adding a depth forward has not worked either (Glencross) either. In fact both were the causes of the Caps getting eliminated. How about either stand pat and trust the players you got or go get a stud and hope that helps

 

[BobRouse]

Bumping Orlov down and likely undermining his confidence is about the worst thing they could do. He's played great when paired with Niskanen. Bumping him to the 3rd pairing would just be repeating the mistakes of playoffs past where they let the other team dictate play and try to eek out a 1 goal win, which puts them at the mercy of one bad play or bad bounce. No thanks. It's like people never watched any of the other playoff series.

I agree. All the more reason to only add a depth D.

But IF we are going to make a "big splash" this is what I feel we will do or something like it.

We all know Trotz (and many other coaches) prefer their vets and "less risky" players come playoff time. His biggest mistake last year was to bench Schmidt and Orlov (despite both struggling) for Chorney/Weber (each of whom which struggled MORE than who they replaced)

 

[txpd]

Bumping Orlov down and likely undermining his confidence is about the worst thing they could do. He's played great when paired with Niskanen. Bumping him to the 3rd pairing would just be repeating the mistakes of playoffs past where they let the other team dictate play and try to eek out a 1 goal win, which puts them at the mercy of one bad play or bad bounce. No thanks. It's like people never watched any of the other playoff series.

My view was that last TDL MacLellan made the right move by letting Orlov and Schmidt carry their roles that they had earned with quality play up the lineup during injury fill in. Many others thought that is where MacLellan messed up. Getting a depth D rather than a real player and push one of 9 or 88 out of the lineup.

First time in the Stanley Cup playoffs is often overwhelming particularly for defensemen and both of those guys got used up a little bit. They were not why they lost and its clear to me that experience has boosted both of those players forward this season.

If they could find another Chorney level player as a backup, I would be plenty satisfied. Orlov and Schmidt are either good enough or they are not.

I think the Caps are already a good step ahead of last year considering the condition and play of Orpik vs last season.

 

[Stewie G]

My view was that last TDL MacLellan made the right move by letting Orlov and Schmidt carry their roles that they had earned with quality play up the lineup during injury fill in. Many others thought that is where MacLellan messed up. Getting a depth D rather than a real player and push one of 9 or 88 out of the lineup.

First time in the Stanley Cup playoffs is often overwhelming particularly for defensemen and both of those guys got used up a little bit. They were not why they lost and its clear to me that experience has boosted both of those players forward this season.

If they could find another Chorney level player as a backup, I would be plenty satisfied. Orlov and Schmidt are either good enough or they are not.

I think the Caps are already a good step ahead of last year considering the condition and play of Orpik vs last season.

The mistake wasn't adding depth D. It was calling out the "pizzas" and subsequently plugging those lesser players into the lineup. Instead of allowing the young guys to learn from their mistakes, he called them out publicly and benched them. When the replacements were even worse, he was stuck with using the guys he just undermined or the depth guys that stunk it up.

 

[BobRouse]

The mistake wasn't adding depth D. It was calling out the "pizzas" and subsequently plugging those lesser players into the lineup. Instead of allowing the young guys to learn from their mistakes, he called them out publicly and benched them. When the replacements were even worse, he was stuck with using the guys he just undermined or the depth guys that stunk it up.

Yes and I'm sure they realized that after the fact. That's, IMO, why after the season ended BMac came out and said he wants Orpik in a top 4 role. I'm sure he and Trotz discussed it.

That was a mistake in retrospect. Perhaps they wouldn't have won anyhow as Orlov and Schmidt were struggling badly but at least they would have gotten a chance to work through their struggles.

Having Chorney and Weber would have been good were there injuries but they should have never replaced the younger better players in the first place.