Speculation: Acq/ Rost. Bldg./ Cap Part XXIX

[BobRouse]

Adding Stastny to Backstrom and Grabo is a good idea I think.

If we can stand Laich's 4,5 we will surely survive with 3 good centers in the roster instead of some redundant players.

Grabovski would not fit well as a 3C. Toronto tried that. Stastny certainly wouldn't either. That would be 11-12 mil tied up in a 2 and 3C. Too much.

It has to be Grabovski or external acquisiton (Kesler, Stastny) PLUS 3C acquisition (Ott) or give MJ the reigns (which I don't see them doing).

 

[Langway]

That's 10 I'd take over Backstrom for this season and beyond. I don't think it's a stretch to say that the ones not out-producing him right now would be if they were able to feed #8 in this PP set up.

Jumbo Joe certainly fits in that group and I'd probably take the other two San Jose centers over Backstrom as well as far as all-around players. Also: a healthy Datsyuk/Zetterberg as well as Bergeron.

If they really think the PP generates chances itself then would Backstrom really be that irreplaceable? Not saying it will or should necessarily happen but Backstrom certainly has his flaws as a player (and leader). He's still a 1C but he really hasn't been playing like it for a while.

 

[Carlzner]

If we get a new coach do you still take all of those centers over Backstrom?

 

[Calicaps]

Grabovski would not fit well as a 3C. Toronto tried that. Stastny certainly wouldn't either. That would be 11-12 mil tied up in a 2 and 3C. Too much.

It has to be Grabovski or external acquisiton (Kesler, Stastny) PLUS 3C acquisition (Ott) or give MJ the reigns (which I don't see them doing).

I hate to say anything nice about Oates, but the Fehr at C has been working recently. Whether that's just the 25-42 effect or he's getting the hang of it, I don't know, but if it could work... that resolves both a missing C and an excess RW problem.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Jumbo Joe certainly fits in that group and I'd probably take the other two San Jose centers over Backstrom as well as far as all-around players. Also: a healthy Datsyuk/Zetterberg as well as Bergeron.

If they really think the PP generates chances itself then would Backstrom really be that irreplaceable? Not saying it will or should necessarily happen but Backstrom certainly has his flaws as a player (and leader). He's still a 1C but he really hasn't been playing like it for a while.

I don't think the PP takes any step back with Kuznetsov/Grabovski taking the Backstrom minutes, let alone another replacement center.

 

[g00n]

I hate to say anything nice about Oates, but the Fehr at C has been working recently. Whether that's just the 25-42 effect or he's getting the hang of it, I don't know, but if it could work... that resolves both a missing C and an excess RW problem.

It's chemistry and style/effort. Put him at C on another line and I doubt it works.

 

[artilector]

Backstrom should not be at the top of "to-trade" list, but IMO he shouldn't be untouchable, either. He's regressed, and his lack of speed/jam is worrying. If there's no combination of players on the Caps that he can be effective with, something is seriously wrong.. Probably makes sense to wait until next season -- to see if he can snap out of it, train hard in the offseason, etc, but after that...

MJ -- a player I'd easily part with in a trade. At this point he looks like generic top-9 filler with good speed. Mostly he has no impact in a game. Not saying dump him for picks, but definitely he's a candidate to be included in any package for a player that the Caps might really need.

Green -- nothing can convince me to trust this player again. Fragile, and prone to terrible defensive breakdowns that result not just in "chances & shots", but in direct goals-against. For 6m. No thanks. I'd take any solid top-4 guy instead.

Laich/Brouwer. ES black holes. Not fast enough or physical enough or skilled enough to put any pressure on the opposition. Everything they do, guys like Chimera and Ward do better at like 60% of the cost. Pure filler material.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

We also need a C that can win face-offs. Backstrom loses damn near every draw if he doesn't kick it. I think our poor face-off % is an under rated reason for our possession struggles -- something you think a former pivot like Oates could teach.

 

[EroCaps]

Stastny, Matt Greene, Nikitin would be my FA targets this offseason.

 

[discobob]

Grabovski would not fit well as a 3C. Toronto tried that. Stastny certainly wouldn't either. That would be 11-12 mil tied up in a 2 and 3C. Too much.

It has to be Grabovski or external acquisiton (Kesler, Stastny) PLUS 3C acquisition (Ott) or give MJ the reigns (which I don't see them doing).

They tried him as a #3C on a checking line. We could put him with some decent 3rd liners...

 

[Calicaps]

They tried him as a #3C on a checking line. We could put him with some decent 3rd liners...

It's already work. Chim-Grabo-Ward kicked ass earlier this season.

 

[chrjosric]

This team hasn't been the same since the departure of DJ King. I hope GMGM trades everybody away to be able to offer him the largest contract of all time. We can only pray to get to see this dream team of a lineup

D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King
D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King
D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King
D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King

Jeff Schultz/ Tyler Sloan
Jeff Schultz/ Tyler Sloan
Jeff Schultz/ Tyler Sloan

 

[KevinM]

They tried him as a #3C on a checking line. We could put him with some decent 3rd liners...

Yeah, he was nearly a point per game on that line for a good chunk of games early on in the season. He was unhappy in Toronto because he had his minutes reduced and was put in a shut-down role for apparently no reason when that isn't his game and then dogged repeatedly for not thriving in that role. He still may not be happy playing as a 3C since he is a top 6 caliber player but I don't think he'd be asking out if we tossed him back on the third line.

This team hasn't been the same since the departure of DJ King. I hope GMGM trades everybody away to be able to offer him the largest contract of all time. We can only pray to get to see this dream team of a lineup

D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King
D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King
D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King
D.J. King/ D.J. King/ D.J. King

Jeff Schultz/ Tyler Sloan
Jeff Schultz/ Tyler Sloan
Jeff Schultz/ Tyler Sloan

Not a bad looking lineup but I hope he finds space to slot Rechlicz in if he starts tearing it up in the AHL.

 

[Zoidberg Jesus]

If you miss a day of this thread you get pretty far behind...

Im not asking what his +/- was..Im asking what 55's corsi stats were during his big +/- season...seeing how the corsi stats are the end all be all. Im assuming that the fancy stats indicate that 55 wasnt really that good of a player...otherwise the stats would be flawed, because in fact Schultz isnt a good player.

Advanced stats said he was mildly positive in terms of corsi and the luckiest ******* in the history of advanced stats. Literally. No one's posted a higher PDO in a 50+ game season since they started recording it.

1) I doubt Green/Brouwer/MJ lands 2 top4D without adding #1s or good prospects like Barber. Still I would think about it, not the end of the world.

Green to Detroit for futures, said futures + Johansson to Vancouver for Edler, Brouwer to Edmonton for Petry. Ta da! To the right teams, those three are very valuable assets.

I forgot to quote the post, but someone was mentioning Edler sucking this year. Turns out he's the anti-Schultz - lowest PDO over 50+ games ever. Makes it a good opportunity to buy low.

Niskanen is having a career year in a contract year. Has he improved that much this season due to development or just coincidence that he's playing this well in a contract year?

Speaking of high PDOs, Niskanen ranks 2nd amongst defensemen this year. He seems like he's improved, but a PDO that high means he's been on ice for about an extra 20 goals above you'd expect from his corsi numbers. He probably won't live up to the contract he gets in free agency.

Stastny, Matt Greene, Nikitin would be my FA targets this offseason.

Those two would make a nice 3rd pairing. I hope you weren't expecting them to play above that.

 

[Brian23]

Grabovski would not fit well as a 3C. Toronto tried that. Stastny certainly wouldn't either. That would be 11-12 mil tied up in a 2 and 3C. Too much.

It has to be Grabovski or external acquisiton (Kesler, Stastny) PLUS 3C acquisition (Ott) or give MJ the reigns (which I don't see them doing).

He'd fit fine between Ward and Chimera. His issues in Toronto I thought was playing time, PP time, and his coach not having any faith in him. Our 3rd line gets big minutes, rivaling our 2nd line, and I think he'd get solid PP time unless Kuznetsov steals his spot. They also aren't asked to just play in the d-zone.

I think him as a 3rd liner on our team is a monster.

 

[BobRouse]

He'd fit fine between Ward and Chimera. His issues in Toronto I thought was playing time, PP time, and his coach not having any faith in him. Our 3rd line gets big minutes, rivaling our 2nd line, and I think he'd get solid PP time unless Kuznetsov steals his spot. They also aren't asked to just play in the d-zone.

I think him as a 3rd liner on our team is a monster.

Here's the problem...lets say we acquire a big time 2C (Kesler) and resign Grabovski too.

That leaves us with 3 centers who all want big ice time and PP time. They would all be paid in the 5-6 mil range lets assume. I feel its an inefficient use of resources at this point as there is simply not enough quality ice time for all of them. I thought about it but it just doesn't make sense.

Grabovski is a #2C in terms of ice time and PP time. I think its him OR a 2C acquisition..not both. Either way, as well as Fehr has played with Ward and Chimera, I'd look to get a true #3C if we re-up Grabovski (or bring in a replacement for him)

I'd rather not have Kuznetsov at C b/c of inexperience and his supposed lack of faceoff skills which has been a thorn in our side the past few years and has hurt our possession. Besides we are thin on scoring LW too and he fills that void nicely.

Does this make sense?

 

[RandyHolt]

If 3Cs are too many, trade one. Have the 3rd be a youngun being groomed.

I am starting to entertain the thought of trading Backstrom. Lets see how we finish out the year. If we can acquire a proper 1C it would seem a lateral move, at worst.

Nick should fetch a hefty return to anyone appalled at the notion of moving him.

Sure he is not a flashy player but I may want a 1C that I can see directly win games for us. Something different, someone more dynamic. He is more cerebral, but I expect cerebral players to be better defensively. I am not seeing the effort needed for good defense.

Being cerebral is minimized when the effort lacks utilizing it.

 

[strungout]

This trading Backstrom talk is ********.

 

[Marshall]

This trading Backstrom talk is ********.

Co-sign.

 

[BobRouse]

This trading Backstrom talk is ********.

Yeah for real.

Its like "player X, who was deemed untouchable, has rough stretch of weeks and now must be traded"

This kind of talk hovered around Carlson last year or the year before where he was struggling a bit.


We have gaping holes at C and D. The OBVIOUS solution is to trade our best players at those positions. BAM! Lineup problems solved!

Its easy to acquire top 4 dmen and high scoring #1Cs on great contracts.

Signed,
#1 Interweb GM

 

[BobRouse]

Here's a story:

At the begining of the 87 season the Caps were doing their usual "come out of the gates sluggish" type start. They had just recently lost a home game vs Quebec where Haworth and Duchesne (who were fan favorites that were traded for Hunter) got on the board.

A few games later I recall the Caps being shut out at home vs the Red Wings and Greg Stefan. Caps fans were booing loudly as the Caps just couldn't score that year.

There was a rumor floating around...Joey Mullen+Al MacInnis for Mike Gartner+Scott Stevens.

One dude called into the post game show with Ken Beatrice and demanded that Poile pull the trigger on this.

Ken Beatrice laid down some righteous flaming on him. "How the heck is that going to solve anything??" essentially you do nothing to address needs that way. He laid into this guy for a while and it was hilarious.

It reminds me of now. Caps are struggling and have specific needs. Internet GMs decide the players who currently are IN THOSE positions of need are the problem..most notebly the BEST ones we have in those positions.

The idea is to add a top 4 dman without removing one. The idea is to bolster the strength up the middle without removing a top 10 C in the league who is currently on your roster.

Very short sighted thinking here.

 

[strungout]

They will have plenty of cap space to do the right things this off season.

Trading Backstrom is not doing one of those right things.

- Acquire a legit top 4 d-man either through free agency or trade.
- Re-Sign Grabo.
- Im leaning re-sign Halak...but we'll see.
- Launch Oates and coaching staff into space.

But trading Backstrom...on that contact?? Ridiculous.

 

[txpd]

This trading Backstrom talk is ********.

I think the worm has turned on 19. He's the next Mike Green. Whipping boys don't often return to fan favorites. I personally I don't get it, but I am not sure Ov isn't far behind.

Sitting on 46 goals there are numerous here that think he has sucked this season.

 

[BobRouse]

I think the worm has turned on 19. He's the next Mike Green. Whipping boys don't often return to fan favorites. I personally I don't get it, but I am not sure Ov isn't far behind.

Sitting on 46 goals there are numerous here that think he has sucked this season.

Well since we detached ourselves from Flash, Schultz, Semin and BB there has to be new whipping boys to take their spots. Green was obviously waiting in the wings along with whatever new coach (all coaches are hated by fans and need to be fired).

Ovechkin buyout talk wasn't that long ago and Carlson trade talk when he was slumping was there too.

I think Alzner is the only player safe right now but its only a matter of time.

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

They will have plenty of cap space to do the right things this off season.

Trading Backstrom is not doing one of those right things.

- Acquire a legit top 4 d-man either through free agency or trade.
- Re-Sign Grabo.
- Im leaning re-sign Halak...but we'll see.
- Launch Oates and coaching staff into space.

But trading Backstrom...on that contact?? Ridiculous.

Eh. How many times are you willing to let this group fail before trying something new? This will be year 6.