Don't make me google this...Mateiko talk on The Athletic Hockey Show's "Emergency Pod" after last night's lovely result. Worth a listen.
Yea I largely agree -- should've been clearer that I think he's struggled as a #1 defenseman rather than just in general as a rookie. While Cole's certainly on the right path I just don't think we should get out too far ahead of our skis. Cole still has a ways to go to be Lane, and Lane himself (IMO) still has a ways to go before being a legit 1D in the NHL.Hutson has largely been solid from a fancy stats perspective except when he has been strapped to Savard, and he's still very young. He's smart enough to become elite, and I believe his brother has the same mental makeup.
I don’t disagree with you here, in as much that the Caps have a lot of wingers in the system. They do.Yea I largely agree -- should've been clearer that I think he's struggled as a #1 defenseman rather than just in general as a rookie. While Cole's certainly on the right path I just don't think we should get out too far ahead of our skis. Cole still has a ways to go to be Lane, and Lane himself (IMO) still has a ways to go before being a legit 1D in the NHL.
The larger point is I still think the biggest "holes" in the pool is are at offensive defenseman and two-way center. Obviously those are the two hardest slots to fill but all other things equal (BPA, draft position, etc.) those are the two archetypes I'd look to fill rather than another scoring winger or toolsy wing/center combo or complimentary 2-way defenseman.
Totally agree, just think it's an interesting exerciseI don’t disagree with you here, in as much that the Caps have a lot of wingers in the system. They do.
That said — my dude — they have to always go BPA. Tunnel vision on any one (or even two) position leads to forcing things.
Caps have been excellent at filling their holes. All while seemingly going off their own BPA list. And it’s working superfluously at this juncture.
Stay that course. If a W is the BPA at their pick, you take the W (I personally didn’t want another W in Parascak, but he’s doing great so far)
I'm usually an advocate for BPA, but the Caps depth at wing is so insane at this point with guys breaking out and excelling in the minors that I wouldn't want a wing with an early pick next year. Wilson, Protas the elder, and McMichael are already locked in at the NHL level, Leonard and Cristall look like sure things, Paraschek and Protas the younger are looking fantastic, Miro's still only 20, Mateiko looks promising... Aside from Wilson every guy I listed is 23 or younger. Unless a winger is BPA by a mile I don't see why you'd throw another high draft pick into that log jam.I don’t disagree with you here, in as much that the Caps have a lot of wingers in the system. They do.
That said — my dude — they have to always go BPA. Tunnel vision on any one (or even two) position leads to forcing things.
Caps have been excellent at filling their holes. All while seemingly going off their own BPA list. And it’s working superfluously at this juncture.
Stay that course. If a W is the BPA at their pick, you take the W (I personally didn’t want another W in Parascak, but he’s doing great so far)
The takeaway is we DO appear to have a top pair-type talent in the system…Yea I largely agree -- should've been clearer that I think he's struggled as a #1 defenseman rather than just in general as a rookie. While Cole's certainly on the right path I just don't think we should get out too far ahead of our skis. Cole still has a ways to go to be Lane, and Lane himself (IMO) still has a ways to go before being a legit 1D in the NHL.
The larger point is I still think the biggest "holes" in the pool is are at offensive defenseman and two-way center. Obviously those are the two hardest slots to fill but all other things equal (BPA, draft position, etc.) those are the two archetypes I'd look to fill rather than another scoring winger or toolsy wing/center combo or complimentary 2-way defenseman.
Thanks, Marsh. For letting me briefly live in an era where I didn't have to google something myself. Those were the days.
lol at a bunch of guys left off of Team Canada ‘liking’ the IG post announcing the 3-2 loss to Latvia… glad to see Cristall was not among them..
Ehhhhh... I'm coming in later on this but since it started around calling someone a 1D:The takeaway is we DO appear to have a top pair-type talent in the system…