That is not GMBM "literally" saying Laviolette wanted Schultz. He said he believed Laviolette liked to have players with the type of skillset Schultz has.hockeykicker said:Despite the team being very close against the cap ceiling, MacLellen elected to gamble most of the team's remaining cap space on Schultz, a puck-moving defenseman who he believes will fit nicely into new head coach Peter Laviolette's system.
"We really like his offensive potential, his ability to join the rush, ability to quarterback a power play," MacLellan said. "I think [Peter Laviolette's] teams activate defense aggressively, so we were trying to find a guy that fit that bill for him.
The Capitals see Justin Schultz in a top-four role
laviollete told bmac what his system entails and what type of player he needs and bmac went out and got him. i firmly believe that if laviollete asked for a defensive defender then they would have signed someone else
I agree with the bold completely. If kuzy can actually looks like he gives a damn and vrana takes that step up then we have a chance, if not, i see us as a wild card teamIf Schultz fails we are back to Orlov-Jensen and then TVR is 3RD. Pretty normal end result Id say.
2y contract is not much. Salary is not that big. There is a risk he cant perform to the level they want, sure.
But why would we talk about it so much before even watching him play for Caps?
Defense is better on paper and there is more depth (should be around playoffs). Also there is deadline. Let Lavi coach some at least.
For forwards the key factor will be performance of 92 and 13 anyway.
Hags and Panik are suspect, but I dont think we will see big addition to the 3rd line. I dont see free space for that. Maybe Panik+ f0r solid RW?
Same feeling I have. :/Vegas choked the chicken here. Big time.
and how did no one else beat a 3rd in 2yrs?? That’s equivalent to a 4th, now?
hell, Caps could’ve sent out Panik and added Schmidt, not Schultz. Ah well.
They’re in cap trouble themselves. Only about $2m in cap space with RFAs to sign and still need to add some D. Probably begging someone to take Eriksson off their handsSchmidt trade is an absolute steal for VAN. No matter the cap situation of Vegas, the Canucks grabbed the second best defender this offseason for a third in two years. Incredible.
Perhaps. I see them definitely moving something to get a bit of breathing room to fill out the roster but not sure they sign anyone else IMO.Yeah I think its too early to make any judgements on the offseason right now. The Caps are probably not done yet. Once the dust settles down on the big name free agents, probably will see some movement again.
Perhaps. I see them definitely moving something to get a bit of breathing room to fill out the roster but not sure they sign anyone else IMO.
Schultz isn't some rookie. He's laced up his skates before. And plenty of us watch hockey beyond just the Capitals.Why don’t we wait until Schultz laces his skates before we write his obituary.
Schultz isn't some rookie. He's laced up his skates before. And plenty of us watch hockey beyond just the Capitals.
A couple brief samples from this past playoffs (Schultz on the ice for the GWG against @ 3:45, one of 4 Pens just milling around puck watching in the crease when they get beat)
Schultz fails to challenge Byron on entry, let's Kotkaniemi slip behind him leads to goal against (starting at 0:17), caught flat footed at the opposite blueline, three Canadiens beat him back to the zone - not great for a D who's strength used to be his skating (starting at 4:13), also on the ice for Petry's OT GWG
That's fine, but what's the point of having a discussion forum if all people are going to do is defer to the club's scouts?Respectfully, I trust BMac and our Pro scouts over your evaluation.
I am not trying to say people shouldn't debate and express their own opinions. I'm just saying given the Capitals track record, I trust their Pro Scouting staff.That's fine, but what's the point of having a discussion forum if all people are going to do is defer to the club's scouts?