Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2022-23 Season Part 3: Drop the puck!

[CapitalsCupReality]

Lol….this place cracks me up….

It’s not a valid reason to bench the guy who's been our best center this year.

I know right….19 took his spot. I doubt a maintenance day ever hurt anyone over a long NHL season. We’ll see.

 

[um]

Lol….this place cracks me up….


I know right….19 took his spot. I doubt a maintenance day ever hurt anyone over a long NHL season. We’ll see.

at a certain point these decisions will have us back out of the playoffs.

we're the 8th seed right now, Lavy should be trying to win games, not whatever he's doing.

If we lose on Monday to the Isles we'll likely be 9th in points percentage in the east.

 

[g00n]

at a certain point these decisions will have us back out of the playoffs.

we're the 8th seed, Lavy should be trying to win games, not whatever he's doing.

And when we're in the playoffs, and a few guys get hurt, and they look like shit, the same people will be complaining "why didn't Lavi mix it up and get these guys ready for this when they had the buffer in the standings? Terrible coaching."

Or if we get to the TDL and 19 and 43 have been sheltered as some people want, and we aren't prepared to make a move because we haven't worked them enough to know where they stand, they'll blame the GM.

We've all been around long enough to know that's how it goes with some people.

 

[um]

And when we're in the playoffs, and a few guys get hurt, and they look like shit, the same people will be complaining "why didn't Lavi mix it up and get these guys ready for this when they had the buffer in the standings? Terrible coaching."

Or if we get to the TDL and 19 and 43 have been sheltered as some people want, and we aren't prepared to make a move because we haven't worked them enough to know where they stand, they'll blame the GM.

We've all been around long enough to know that's how it goes with some people.

we never had a buffer.

This is all a bunch of baloney. Breaking up our best line was a terrible decision, the rest of the lineup was being shuffled regularly.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Okay, lemme get this straight. You guys are defending the process; that there are good reasons to be doing what he's doing, or at the very least that we just aren't privy to the deciding factors and should trust the coach.

The other side is pointing out that this is three straight games with drastically different lineups, a few choices that are pretty baffling, zero apparent progress, with no end in sight.

Last night we played shitty across the board yet again, giving up 4 points to an inferior team, making it 3 straight that the offense has sputtered mightily (100% of the games affected by these moves), and it's the two of you that are posting with smug "I told ya so" vibes?

It matters that you might have been right about the coach's reasoning? Meanwhile, the other side didn't really give a shit about the reasons. The knock was against the bonkers lineup changes. You know, the ones that have us playing dogshit hockey, regardless of why.

A crap team dragged us out behind the shed and donkey-stomped us. Again. And you've got your gloating shoes on?

I get that Lavi has his reasons. Never doubted it; just hard to suss out what they were given the immediate abandoning of the lineup he chose (twice now with a third on the way) and the terrible results.

"We're winning faceoffs!" Okay, but we're losing and we can't score.

"The PK is working well!" Okay. Against shit teams. Also we're losing and we can't score.

Call me crazy, but I'll take actual victories over meaningless statistical ones, please and thank you.

Not defending anything, just nice to see he had some logic behind his decisions, I didn’t say I supported it, just that he made some valid points.

Why so overly melodramatic? Act like you’ve seen a 2 game losing streak before…..Jesus H…..

 

[g00n]

we never had a buffer.

This is all a bunch of baloney. Breaking up our best line was a terrible decision, the rest of the lineup was being shuffled regularly.

We had a decent buffer vs the last WC spot going into last night. It was not a must-win game.

Relax. There are 82 of these.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

we never had a buffer.

This is all a bunch of baloney. Breaking up our best line was a terrible decision, the rest of the lineup was being shuffled regularly.

Hopefully we’ll see that line back together soon and see if they can still deliver.

 

[um]

We had a decent buffer vs the last WC spot going into last night. It was not a must-win game.

Relax. There are 82 of these.

Of course it wasn't a must win, but if we keep losing these games must wins games will be on the schedule soon.

Just because its a long season doesn't mean you shouldn't try and secure a good spot.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

at a certain point these decisions will have us back out of the playoffs.

we're the 8th seed right now, Lavy should be trying to win games, not whatever he's doing.

If we lose on Monday to the Isles we'll likely be 9th in points percentage in the east.

kinda like his earlier decisions brought us from way back from out of the playoffs, but yeah, let’s hope some lines click soon. The players need to step it up.

Maybe he benches Kuzy next to get Strome back on his spot?

 

[g00n]

Of course it wasn't a must win, but if we keep losing these games must wins games will be on the schedule soon.

Just because its a long season doesn't mean you shouldn't try and secure a good spot.

You think they weren't trying to win?

Hart was phenomenal all night. He made saves he had no business making. We put 40 shots on him and held the other side to 25. We outshot them 19-9 in the 3rd period.

If not for that bullshit penalty on Eller we might not give up that PP goal. And if Ovie hadn't been floating on the JVR goal maybe that one doesn't go in.

Were we 0-3 on the PP because of Eller? Do you think Strome in for Eller wins that game? Eller played about 13 minutes and was 75% from the dot. He was T-2 in shots and T-3rd on the team in hits.

I'm not a huge fan of the guy but he's clearly the whipping boy this year.

We didn't lose because of Lavi's roster moves or his lines. And they certainly weren't TRYING to lose. They were playing to win and the other team had better luck, officiating, and goaltending.

On to the next game.

 

[um]

kinda like his earlier decisions brought us from way back from out of the playoffs, but yeah, let’s hope some lines click soon. The players need to step it up.

Maybe he benches Kuzy next to get Strome back on his spot?

I think Kuzy is his guy for whatever reason so I doubt it. Someone else said they'd like to see Kuzy tried at wing, that may be an idea worth trying.

I do agree that the players need to step it up... but Lavi favouring the players that are struggling over the guys that have gotten it done this year is very frustrating.

The preferential treatment that Kuzy, Eller, Oshie, Wilson, and Backstrom receive is a little much. Especially when Mantha and Strome have been scratched for much less.

Hart was phenomenal all night. He made saves he had no business making. We put 40 shots on him and held the other side to 25. We outshot them 19-9 in the 3rd period.

If not for that bullshit penalty on Eller we might not give up that PP goal. And if Ovie hadn't been floating on the JVR goal maybe that one doesn't go in.

Were we 0-3 on the PP because of Eller? Do you think Strome in for Eller wins that game? Eller played about 13 minutes and was 75% from the dot. He was T-2 in shots and T-3rd on the team in hits.

I'm not a huge fan of the guy but he's clearly the whipping boy this year.

We didn't lose because of Lavi's roster moves or his lines. And they certainly weren't TRYING to lose. They were playing to win and the other team had better luck, officiating, and goaltending.

On to the next game.

I don't think Lavy put together the best lineup he could yesterday. He wasn't even close.

If Strome still had his spot on the PP, yes maybe we do get a goal. Kuzy and Backstrom have done nothing with their PP opportunities this year.

 

[g00n]

kinda like his earlier decisions brought us from way back from out of the playoffs, but yeah, let’s hope some lines click soon. The players need to step it up.

Maybe he benches Kuzy next to get Strome back on his spot?

A month's worth of coaching a decimated team to become maybe the hottest team in the league are immediately forgotten because of some complaint about a relatively meaningless roster move.

And now, just like last year, we have the narrative again that they're losing because injured players came back, when the skid started BEFORE 19 and 43 returned (they lost 2 of the 3 previous games in this case).

It's a thing. Blame Lavi First.

I think Kuzy is his guy for whatever reason so I doubt it. Someone else said they'd like to see Kuzy tried at wing, that may be an idea worth trying.

I do agree that the players need to step it up... but Lavi favouring the players that are struggling over the guys that have gotten it done this year is very frustrating.

The preferential treatment that Kuzy, Eller, Oshie, Wilson, and Backstrom receive is a little much. Especially when Mantha and Strome have been scratched for much less.




I don't think Lavy put together the best lineup he could yesterday. He wasn't even close.

Yes that's obviously your feeling on this. So again, do you think Strome in for Eller wins that game?

It's easy to sit here and say "he did that wrong" and there's no way to disprove it, right?

edit: You added your comment about Strome on the PP after I replied. There is NO way to prove or disprove that. Kuzy has almost identical PP stats to Strome this year and the whole point of the roster moves was to get Backstrom back into the swing of things. NB "hasn't done anything" with his PP opportunities this year because this was his 3rd game....they've had just 6PP chances in that span.

JFC

 

[um]

A month's worth of coaching a decimated team to become maybe the hottest team in the league are immediately forgotten because of some complaint about a relatively meaningless roster move.

And now, just like last year, we have the narrative again that they're losing because injured players came back, when the skid started BEFORE 19 and 43 returned (they lost 2 of the 3 previous games in this case).

It's a thing. Blame Lavi First.




Yes that's obviously your feeling on this. So again, do you think Strome in for Eller wins that game?

It's easy to sit here and say "he did that wrong" and there's no way to disprove it, right?

I never said Strome for Eller. You're saying that. I don't understand your fixation on Eller, you must be thinking of another poster.

And yes, I think if Strome was still the 1C and on the 1st PP unit we'd have more points this month, easily.

Kuzy has been dreadful this year and has destroyed the 1st line whenever paired with Ovie.

 

[g00n]

I never said Strome for Eller. You're saying that. I don't understand your fixation on Eller, you must be thinking of another poster.

And yes, I think if Strome was still the 1C and on the 1st PP unit we'd have more points this month, easily.

Kuzy has been dreadful this year and has destroyed the 1st line whenever paired with Ovie.

So you would've healthy scratched Kuzy and kept Strome in there, along with Eller?

This seems like a different angle than most of what we've been talking about here.

Again, Kuzy and Strome have nearly identical PP stats this season.

Another thing people aren't considering is Lavi looking specifically at the matchup vs PHI. In the first game we lost the faceoff battle, badly. We lost the PP battle, badly. He was clearly very concerned about that, which is why he kept Eller in over Strome. You may not be arguing that issue but everyone else is.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

For those ok with the bingo card method of juggling lines right now because we have time to figure it out and it’s a necessary evil as the team gets back to full strength, when do you say enough is enough? When they’re out of a playoff spot? After a 10-game streak where they only win three games?

 

[um]

So you would've healthy scratched Kuzy and kept Strome in there, along with Eller?

This seems like a different angle than most of what we've been talking about here.

Again, Kuzy and Strome have nearly identical PP stats this season.

Another thing people aren't considering is Lavi looking specifically at the matchup vs PHI. In the first game we lost the faceoff battle, badly. We lost the PP battle, badly. He was clearly very concerned about that, which is why he kept Eller in over Strome. You may not be arguing that issue but everyone else is.

haha. You're unbelievable.

 

[g00n]

haha. You're unbelievable.

And you're just throwing out complaints without solutions. Do you have a real expectation here, or are you just going with a gut feeling?

Did you know Strome had 2 PPA and 1 PPG in the 13 game hot streak? And you're saying putting him in last night (for whom?) would've changed the outcome of the game.

Unbelievable, indeed.

 

[g00n]

For those ok with the bingo card method of juggling lines right now because we have time to figure it out and it’s a necessary evil as the team gets back to full strength, when do you say enough is enough? When they’re out of a playoff spot? After a 10-game streak where they only win three games?

I assume you're talking to me and maybe CCR and a few others?

It's not "bingo card" there's clearly a rationale behind the decisions. We may not like them but it's not random.

Lavi said he's seeing NB and TW starting to improve over the last few games. He said they missed all of camp and are dropping into the middle of the season after major surgeries and you have to allow time for that. The faster those guys get back up to speed the faster we'll see improvements.

Nobody is saying do this indefinitely and I'm pretty sure I said something yesterday about buckling down once they get close to falling out of a playoff spot. Maybe that's the trigger maybe it's something else.

Whatever Lavi's calculus, no sense in getting bent out of shape over one Philly-specific adjustment that isn't likely to cost the entire season...there have been enough bad performances and gaffes to blame.

 

[Roshi]

Yeah ill agree with the table who thinks theres way too much focus on complaining every single roster move, when the whole dinner is about the process. Sure, id like to see Eller benched before Strome in G44, but thats just a little tiny thing in the process of 82 games.

Mini slump was expected to go down at some point, this team doesnt have the stamina or hunger to go through the whole reg season like they did december. And this is pretty natural time to have the minislump aswell as even though 19&43 coming back is good for the process in long run, that puts a little movement and anxiety in the locker room for short run. Adding to that JC being out taxes other guys who are ”forced” to take bigger roles and bunch of other things (like Dowd having a baby), all going down ar the same time. It swings the momentum a bit and now they just need to go out there and get the momentum back.

Strome will be back in the lineup shortly. Someone else will sit. Lars will propably play though as every coach will have their blind spot

In general Lavi has been finding the way to get the results and that should be enough for now. Its not like every decision he makes is going to be picture perfect in the paper, as we dont see inside the room like they do. As long as the process keeps bringing the results in the long run, we will have our chance to get hot at the right time aswell.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

For those ok with the bingo card method of juggling lines right now because we have time to figure it out and it’s a necessary evil as the team gets back to full strength, when do you say enough is enough? When they’re out of a playoff spot? After a 10-game streak where they only win three games?

Hart played like a Hart candidate last night and I'm not going to speculate on players, but these guys played like crap the last two games in games against the Flyers. Yes, I know the Flyers have recently been hot, however this is the time of the season to hunker down and feed on first overall candidate teams. Additionally, this team has a tradition of losing to the Islander and Pens in games that matter over the years, with exception to Game 7 with Kuzy's Winner with a healthy lineup. If they lose to the Islanders, I would say that is enough.

 

[g00n]

Hart played like a Hart candidate last night and I'm not going to speculate on players, but these guys played like crap the last two games in games against the Flyers. Yes, I know the Flyers have recently been hot, however this is the time of the season to hunker down and feed on first overall candidate teams. Additionally, this team has a tradition of losing to the Islander and Pens in games that matter over the years, with exception to Game 7 with Kuzy's Winner with a healthy lineup. If they lose to the Islanders, I would say that is enough.

I would prefer they go with "best lines possible" vs NYI in the next game because they're right on our heels and keeping pace the last 10 games.

Depending on how that goes they might experiment more vs some of the Western teams in the 4 games following. Or maybe not.

Definitely should be trying to fire on all cylinders by the Pens game that follows.

IMO

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

For those ok with the bingo card method of juggling lines right now because we have time to figure it out and it’s a necessary evil as the team gets back to full strength, when do you say enough is enough? When they’re out of a playoff spot? After a 10-game streak where they only win three games?

And do what after this trigger point/amount of games?

You have to give the injured guys time to get their feet back IMO. That process has no deadline unless they say they can’t go.

 

[ClevelandCapsfan]

A month's worth of coaching a decimated team to become maybe the hottest team in the league are immediately forgotten because of some complaint about a relatively meaningless roster move.

And now, just like last year, we have the narrative again that they're losing because injured players came back, when the skid started BEFORE 19 and 43 returned (they lost 2 of the 3 previous games in this case).

It's a thing. Blame Lavi First.




Yes that's obviously your feeling on this. So again, do you think Strome in for Eller wins that game?

It's easy to sit here and say "he did that wrong" and there's no way to disprove it, right?

edit: You added your comment about Strome on the PP after I replied. There is NO way to prove or disprove that. Kuzy has almost identical PP stats to Strome this year and the whole point of the roster moves was to get Backstrom back into the swing of things. NB "hasn't done anything" with his PP opportunities this year because this was his 3rd game....they've had just 6PP chances in that span.

JFC

I would prefer they go with "best lines possible" vs NYI in the next game because they're right on our heels and keeping pace the last 10 games.

Depending on how that goes they might experiment more vs some of the Western teams in the 4 games following. Or maybe not.

Definitely should be trying to fire on all cylinders by the Pens game that follows.

IMO

Right now, Wilson and Backy cannot be considered as part of the Caps top 6 until they can get into game shape and prove they have overcome their respective serious injuries.

 

[YippieKaey]

Yes those are percentile ranks from a scale of 1-100.

I’m not sure he’s suited to being a winger. I don’t watch the games so I’m not really confident in saying one way or another. But it might be worth a shot. Again, the status quo is completely untenable w/r/t Kuznetsov so whatever it takes to get him playing at his peak or close to it needs to be priority #1. Otherwise he’s pretty much unplayable right now.

Wow. So he's in the 10th percentile in both offense and defense in the entire league?

 

[Marshall]

Can we start a survivor pool where we guess which player is scratched next?