Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2020 Offseason Pt. 3

[Ridley Simon]

I have zero PK concern.

Wilson, Eller, Dowd, Hathaway, Oshie, Backstrom,. 6 guys on the roster that can kill. The 3rd line provided nothing last year and it was highlighted in the playoffs. Caps need to invest there

So you want all those top 6 players playing PK? 2 of which are old and important on the PP? Bad planning to count on Backs or Osh for the PK unless it’s end of game or playoffs.

remember how bad the PK was in 2019? That was before Hags. You aren’t making a lot of sense to me here.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Backstrom can facilitate the PP from anywhere on the ice.

Why are people on this board so afraid of accumulating maximum talent?

Because it’s not NHL ‘20. Roles need to be filled by players that want to fill them. All offense of an all star game, not a Cup winner.

plus that salary cap thingie

 

[pman25]

I’ve warmed up a lot on Daniel Sprong. Didn’t really think much of him at first, but still think he can be an NHLer if we just give him a shot. The one year he produced in 18/19, he had 14 goals in 47 games, 12 at ES. He’s always produced well at the AHL. Getting a league minimum player for two years that can score 15 goals would be huge. If he produces well enough, you can shuffle the top 9 and maybe try him with Backstrom or something.

I’ll probably look like an idiot later but I’ve really talked myself into this guy!

 

[Ridley Simon]

I really don't think anyone hates Hagelin or bashes him. IMO he'd be perfect on the 4th line allowing for more a finisher on the 3rd.

I’d try reading all these threads again my good man.

Hags is top 3 whipping boy. Easily.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I’ve warmed up a lot on Daniel Sprong. Didn’t really think much of him at first, but still think he can be an NHLer if we just give him a shot. The one year he produced in 18/19, he had 14 goals in 47 games, 12 at ES. He’s always produced well at the AHL. Getting a league minimum player for two years that can score 15 goals would be huge. If he produces well enough, you can shuffle the top 9 and maybe try him with Backstrom or something.

I’ll probably look like an idiot later but I’ve really talked myself into this guy!

I can look like an idiot with you. I’ve been saying for a while now that Sprong could be Connolly 2.0.

Now....I wouldn’t bet my house on it, but I’d maybe bet a pizza.

so it’s worth looking at. IMO.

 

[Todd Lazarchick]

I’d try reading all these threads again my good man.

Hags is top 3 whipping boy. Easily.

Is it hating on his skill set? Or hating on his skill set is being played almost 3 million a year? Because I'm betting on the latter.

 

[Devil Dancer]

Is it hating on his skill set? Or hating on his skill set is being played almost 3 million a year? Because I'm betting on the latter.

Many of us want Hags to play on the 4th line instead of the 3rd, since he has contributed nothing offensively in the last two playoffs. Certain people see that has "hating."

 

[txpd]

So you want all those top 6 players playing PK? 2 of which are old and important on the PP? Bad planning to count on Backs or Osh for the PK unless it’s end of game or playoffs.

remember how bad the PK was in 2019? That was before Hags. You aren’t making a lot of sense to me here.

I think he has said that he is ok with a bad PK. I am not sure he is considering that the Caps were nearly derailed in their cup season when Backstrom broke his hand blocking a shot. That the next season their playoffs were derailed when Oshie was hurt. The Caps are more than willing to use those players when it counts on a penalty kill. Game in and game out to let NHL players shoot pucks at Nicklas Backstro is nuts.

That doesnt take into account that Hagelin has been the Caps best pk forward. Not just a guy on the pk. Carl Hagelin forces opposing pp's to change what they do.

 

[HTFN]

Many of us want Hags to play on the 4th line instead of the 3rd, since he has contributed nothing offensively in the last two playoffs. Certain people see that has "hating."

That's not really hating. Saying he "provides nothing" and hand-waving away the evidence to the contrary is a little different. Like Jensen on defense, Hagelin is in a place with some people where even if he's doing well it's somehow like he owes people more for a bad first impression or something. His quality body of work probably outweighs that impression by now but the goodwill isn't stored, it's just enough for the player to be silently tolerated until the instant he's "not good enough" again.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Read all your comments in this thread.


League News: - 2017-2018 General NHL Fan Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff)

And? I stand by everything I wrote there. Is Hoffman still with her?

 

[txpd]

Many of us want Hags to play on the 4th line instead of the 3rd, since he has contributed nothing offensively in the last two playoffs. Certain people see that has "hating."

In the last couple of playoffs there's a pretty good lineup of players that produced nothing. Hagelin had 1pt in each of the last 2 playoffs. Vrana had 0. Connolly had 2 in the last playoffs. Burt had 2, Eller had 3 evp. Panik 1. Kovalchuk.....enuff said there. Do I remember right that all the Caps v Islanders goals were scored by Ovechkin, Oshie and Kuzy. Or am I wrong?

 

[895]

And? I stand by everything I wrote there. Is Hoffman still with her?

Yes, they are married now.

I don't understand what could have changed your mind the past two years to be vehemently against Hoffman then to be for him now.

 

[txpd]

Is it hating on his skill set? Or hating on his skill set is being played almost 3 million a year? Because I'm betting on the latter.

Ah....Its his contract then. There is more to winning in hockey than offense. I realize that what Hagelin does for the team is not on your radar or important to you, but he is one of the best in the league at what he does. The Caps take full advantage of what he does and what they paid him was market or better for the team. Lets try this a different way. Last season Corey Perry played 57 games. He had 5g 16a and 7 pp points. He was 7th in pp/toi/g with over 2 mins of pp toi. Perry got 13:45 toi/g. Hagelin played 14:19 on average. He was 2nd on the team in SH/TOI and played no pp time. He played 58 games. Had 8g and 17a w/no pp points, but 3 short handed points. On a team that had the 6th best pk and doesnt need pp players, I would say Hagelin was better. Certainly a better fit

 

[Ridley Simon]

Re Hagelin—

2.75m for arguably one of the best PK’ers and defensive players in the league, a top speed guy, great in the room, win multiple Cups and OH YEAH — has scored close to .5pt/game as a Capital.

what should that guy get paid?? As of last year, mind you. Pre-COVID. Can’t look at it with same lens (and regardless, all of the above is well worth 2.75m)

 

[Ridley Simon]

Yes, they are married now.

I don't understand what could have changed your mind the past two years to be vehemently against Hoffman then to be for him now.

thought police in effect!!!

 

[Ridley Simon]

Ah....Its his contract then. There is more to winning in hockey than offense. I realize that what Hagelin does for the team is not on your radar or important to you, but he is one of the best in the league at what he does. The Caps take full advantage of what he does and what they paid him was market or better for the team. Lets try this a different way. Last season Corey Perry played 57 games. He had 5g 16a and 7 pp points. He was 7th in pp/toi/g with over 2 mins of pp toi. Perry got 13:45 toi/g. Hagelin played 14:19 on average. He was 2nd on the team in SH/TOI and played no pp time. He played 58 games. Had 8g and 17a w/no pp points, but 3 short handed points. On a team that had the 6th best pk and doesnt need pp players, I would say Hagelin was better. Certainly a better fit

aaaannnnnddddd,, that’s a wrap.

 

[Langway]

aaaannnnnddddd,, that’s a wrap.

Well, except for the playoffs. You bring in Corey Perry for the playoffs and ditch Panik rather than Hagelin IMO. Zero chance Panik finishes that contract in DC so might as well usher in a better short-term fit if it's out there.

 

[ChaosLord]

Because it’s not NHL ‘20. Roles need to be filled by players that want to fill them. All offense of an all star game, not a Cup winner.

plus that salary cap thingie

Absolutely the difference between the 2017 and 2018 Caps. The former an all star team, the latter an actual team that worked perfectly together.

 

[caps4cup]

The main problems with the team last year were the top 6’s brutal defense and Holtby, IMO. Goaltending should be better next year with Samsonov taking over the reigns and Lundqvist being added. As for the top 6 defense, I’m not a TR fan at all so maybe this is biased, but I think that is almost completely on him.

The top 6 forwards all saw a substantial increase in their GA/60 under TR as compared to when Trotz was coach (while their GF/60 also increased but not as drastically) which pretty clearly points to a change in style of play, which could also be seen while watching the games. The Caps don’t need to cheat for offense, they have talented shooters throughout their lineup that can finish chances without the level of quantity that other teams need. They need a coach that preaches playing from the defensive end, out, like Trotz or Laviolette. The single biggest difference next year will be Laviolette and that would’ve been true regardless of what happened/what will happen this offseason.

 

[Todd Lazarchick]

Well, except for the playoffs. You bring in Corey Perry for the playoffs and ditch Panik rather than Hagelin IMO. Zero chance Panik finishes that contract in DC so might as well usher in a better short-term fit if it's out there.

I would move either. And fill those spots with two players. Doesn't matter if its Panik or Hagelin in my book.

 

[Rayquaza64]

This season basically is going to depend on how the core guys play under Laviolette. If the core guys dont work, it wont matter if we have Richard Panik or Corey Perry or who the f*** ever. Hopefully it all works out and we grab the core a 2nd cup to finish off the legacy of the ovi/backy era

 

[txpd]

Well, except for the playoffs. You bring in Corey Perry for the playoffs and ditch Panik rather than Hagelin IMO. Zero chance Panik finishes that contract in DC so might as well usher in a better short-term fit if it's out there.

Perry had 5 evp in 27 games post season. In the first round Perry in 7 games had 0g 2a and 1 even strenth point. We can talk about the rest of the playoffs if you want to, but in the first round, did Perry do more with 1 even strenth assist and 2 points overall in 7 games than Hagelin with 1 in 5 games? The Capitals gave up 2 ppg's against in 30 times short. Hagelin was 0:01 short of the team lead in SHTOI/G(Carlson)

Food for thought

 

[racingmoose]

Hard pass on Hoffman and his baggage.

panik can go back to 3rd line under new coach and system.

I’d like Malenstyn on the 4th line.

Will be interesting to see how D shakes out past the top 4

Would also like to see Malenstyn get a real opportunity. He's a top notch penalty killer, shot blocker, has good speed, and is a great body checker. He's one of the best to come through Hershey with all those attributes in a long time.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Agreed...I thought this coming season Beck was going to be ready for his shot honestly.....

 

[RVACapsFan]

We really rolling into 2020-21 with some combo of Ovi, Backstrom, Wilson, Oshie, Kuzy, and Vrana in the top six, followed by:

Panik/Eller/Sprong and
Hagelin/Dowd/Hathaway?

I don’t hate it, but I think $4M would’ve been better spent upgrading that third line and rolling with Jensen and TVR as your 2nd and 3rd pair RHD instead of gambling on Schultz to bounce back.