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Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2020 Offseason Pt. 4

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What's struck me about the use of the D in the two opening games is how much closer the ice time is between all six D – Carlson led with 22:19 and Schultz had the lowest ice time of 17:19. A year or two ago it wasn't unusual to see the third highest TOI for a D be Kempny in the 17-19 minute mark, and Carlson and Orlov were consistently overtaxed. With two very capable NHLers as our #7 and #8, plus Fehervary on the taxi squad, that puts us in a very strong position across a condensed season. Chara and Jensen just come across as experienced when paired together – eating up some pretty big minutes without you really noticing them all that much. In comparison Orlov-Carlson is a pairing that still needs to gel a bit more.

And talk about depth... when was the last time you could take both Orlov and Carlson out of the lineup and still have NHLers as your top-6, with nobody in the top-4 overreaching, and have qualified people on the backend of the PP and PK? Chara and Dillon both seem like they're glue guys or natural leaders in the locker room and on the bench, too.

Panik might not be hitting the scoresheet, but he's playing a pretty good game and in my mind, he's the reason you could move Oshie to Eller's line without causing a defensive weakness in the top-six. If he can compliment Vrana and Kuzy (and certainly has the wheels to keep up with them) and that line not get buried, we have the first opportunity since two seasons ago to run three genuinely offensive lines, and a fourth that can really handle itself. Having Ovi, Oshie and Vrana consistently across three lines would be huge for our 5v5 play.

Ovi-Backstrom-Wilson
Panik-Kuzy-Vrana
Sprong-Eller-Oshie

Ovi-Kuzy-Panik
Vrana-Backstrom-Wilson
Hagelin-Eller-Oshie

Ovi-Backstrom-Oshie
Panik-Kuzy-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Sheary
​
I find it hard to believe having two of Panik, Sprong, Hagelin and Sheary will turn Eller's line into a consistent scoring third-line, but if Panik or Sheary could step up and be a complimentary player that could be huge for creating a balanced top-9.
 
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Re: goalies, carrying over from post-game thread:

The attempts to read the tea leaves after the Caps young goalies played one game each are hilarious.

I like Samsonov, but clearly the #1 position is and should be up for grabs. And I think at this stage, it's good for both goalies, even more so because they seem to be on genuinely good terms and so this should be a healthy, positive kind of competition.
 
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HecticGlow said:
I find it hard to believe having two of Panik, Sprong, Hagelin and Sheary will turn Eller's line into a consistent scoring third-line, but if Panik or Sheary could step up and be a complimentary player that could be huge for creating a balanced top-9.
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Eller line will NEVER be a consistent scoring third line. No one in NHL can make a 5v5 ECHL C into a third line center.
 
francaisvolantsparis said:
Eller line will NEVER be a consistent scoring third line. No one in NHL can make a 5v5 ECHL C into a third line center.
Click to expand...
upload_2021-1-17_9-26-1.png


Wrong again.
 
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francaisvolantsparis said:
Eller line will NEVER be a consistent scoring third line. No one in NHL can make a 5v5 ECHL C into a third line center.
Click to expand...
One question that's always interesting to ask people - what would it take to make your change your mind?

What data/stat/evidence would it take for you to change your opinion on Eller?
 
searle said:
One question that's always interesting to ask people - what would it take to make your change your mind?

What data/stat/evidence would it take for you to change your opinion on Eller?
Click to expand...
One day in the game if I see Eller make two consecutive successeful passes to his linemates w/o making a suicide rush, shooting the puck from an idiot angle or making a selfish turnover, I will change my mind.
 
francaisvolantsparis said:
One day in the game if I see Eller make two consecutive successeful passes to his linemates w/o making a suicide rush, shooting the puck from an idiot angle or making a selfish turnover, I will change my mind.
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That's already happened, though, so it's like you're admitting here and now that you're not interested in playing in good faith.
 
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francaisvolantsparis said:
Eller line will NEVER be a consistent scoring third line. No one in NHL can make a 5v5 ECHL C into a third line center.
Click to expand...

LMAO.

Literally, this was the third post I've read in my return to the boards. God, I've missed these hot takes. It must bother you that he has a Stanley Cup winning goal.

So far, happy with the results, something tells me with Lavi, and the shortened regular season, we will make it out of the first round this year.
 
searle said:
One question that's always interesting to ask people - what would it take to make your change your mind?

What data/stat/evidence would it take for you to change your opinion on Eller?
Click to expand...

Please don't encourage him. Nobody gives a crap about his opinion around here....
 
Coaching take so far? Player usage. Looks to me like the defense TOI is situational with the mins overall pretty even. Lavy thinks Chara Jensen has been the best pair. He doesnt like either Sheary nor Sprong based on mins. Vrana played 11mins in an OT game? Apparantly even with the goals he is not impressing. Backstrom plays 23, Eller plays 17 and Kuzy plays 16.
92.
Looks like Laviolette likes 8-10-77. He likes 43 but not much for 13 and 92. He likes Panik too. Apparantly.
 
One thing that I have noticed from Laviolette is he is great about getting the top two lines out for offensive zone faceoffs. It is such a simple thing that makes so much sense but Reirden would put the 3rd/4th lines there as more of a shelter for them.

Lavi also seems to like the 4th line and trusts them, they played great against the Malkin line yesterday. Another great example of good coaching, find a line matchup that works and stick with it. It didn't work out in the end for a win but it gets a matchup for one of the top9 lines to win, which on the road is huge.

I think examples like these are why Lavi has been in the league as a head coach for so long and Reirden fizzled out quick. Put your best players in the best position to succeed.


Very impressed with Lavi so far
 
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txpd said:
Coaching take so far? Player usage. Looks to me like the defense TOI is situational with the mins overall pretty even. Lavy thinks Chara Jensen has been the best pair. He doesnt like either Sheary nor Sprong based on mins. Vrana played 11mins in an OT game? Apparantly even with the goals he is not impressing. Backstrom plays 23, Eller plays 17 and Kuzy plays 16.
92.
Looks like Laviolette likes 8-10-77. He likes 43 but not much for 13 and 92. He likes Panik too. Apparantly.
Click to expand...
He specifically said he liked Sprong. But that he really wanted to double shift Wilson. Unless you think he was lying?
 
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