SecretaryofDefense5
Registered User
I don’t think Kuzy is untouchable in Ovi’s eyes. The dude wants to win again. He has eyes and can see the inconsistencies.
Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2022-23 Season Part 3: Drop the puck!
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RedRocking
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I seem to recall something like that - benched him at some point in his development. He used to talk about needing to get Kuzy to use that chip on his shoulder to reach another gear, etc… It seemed like Kuzy viewed Trotz as a father figure, and Trotz knew how to push his buttons.
I have to imagine if Trotz saw Kuzy turning the puck over on a blind pass to no one in particular, on a key PP, down 1 late in the 3rd - he’d tell him to cut that sh** out, keep his head up, and concentrate on possession given the time/situation. And he’d probably listen.
You definitely gotta let Kuzy be Kuzy, and try his impossible plays, to some extent. But, you also have to know how and when to rein that in. And sometimes he just needs a kick in the ass to focus and get in the game mentally. So, in that respect, I’m disappointed in Lavi and his staff for not being able to do so.
At some point, it has to fall on the coaches if players are loafing and making the same terrible decisions repeatedly with no consequences.
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Ovechkins Wodka
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Where have you heard that Ovechkin demands that Backstrom and Kuzy stay with the team? I understand that this is the assuption a lot of fans make but where is the proof? If anything through out the time Ovi was closest to Semin and still are very close friends today. Yet Ovechkin didint put up a fuss when they let Semin go.
Him and Backstrom are not really known to be close off the ice. They didint even attend each others weddings even though both were in the off season. That does not scream best buddies to me.
In my humble opinion i think Ovechkin would be happy no matter what as long as the team is competitive. I think with Backstrom its the ownership that labled him as a Caps lifer. With Kuzy i think its matter of them knowing his potential but at the same time not being able to get a fair return for him at times when he sucks. I imagine it cant be easy letting go of a guy for peanuts that you know has the potential to be a game changer in the playoffs. Though i think with Kuzy tim is quickly running out.
Jacoby4HOF66
Pull my finger
- Mar 13, 2009
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Calicaps
NFA
Backstrom yes. Ted said it. Ovi didn't say it, but their bond is so strong, you have to think he'd be pretty outraged if 19 was traded. Ovi breaking the record on a Backy pass is the ideal scenario.
Kuz... I don't think he's untouchable for anyone. He's frustrating, and I bet especially so for the guys on the ice with him.
g00n
Retired Global Mod
- Nov 22, 2007
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Can anyone that watched on Saturday give some insight on how Iorio was? How did he look with the big club, as well as in relation to his ETA to becoming a full-timer?
twabby
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- Mar 9, 2010
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Interesting that he is narrowing it down to a top 6 winger vs. mentioning a center.
Certainly easier to get a winger.
Kuzy is due for an on year, and when he's on he's difficult to replace. His trade value is also lower than what he generally brings on the ice and any comparable replacement would cost much more to obtain
He's the classic you don't know what you're missing til he's gone player and you realize just what you have left with Strome, Backstrom and whoever else they're likely to trot out at C. Even BMac seems to realize that since he kept Kuzy after the Covid year
He's the classic you don't know what you're missing til he's gone player and you realize just what you have left with Strome, Backstrom and whoever else they're likely to trot out at C. Even BMac seems to realize that since he kept Kuzy after the Covid year
Could have just used the Russian factor and signed Kuzmenko last year and kept him instead of the Johansson/Milano dumpster dives but that's not how we roll
Roughing
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At least he's saying what we're all saying about adding a scorer. As for Center depth, we can likely only cross our fingers that a coaching change might get Kuzy going.
Devil Dancer
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- Jan 21, 2006
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I'd rather see how Kuzy and Mantha play under the next coach than buy anyone out. Assuming Lavi is gone.
Ovechkin Kuznetsov Wilson
Milano Strome Oshie
X-Backstrom-X
X-Dowd-Kubel
Other than Kuznetsov all those players are pretty much set in stone for one reason or another and I doubt Kuznetsov is leaving as replacing him with McMichael is a huge downgrade at this point and won't help the 99 chase or playoff contention. And who else is there? Domi? Broken down Backstrom version of ROR? Even more broken down version of Toews? Those Xs could easily be Mantha, Protas and Lapierre/McMichael /Snively/Malentsyn to start the season and they probably wouldn't sink.
Would be cool if they somehow swung a trade for Karlsson and ran all the offense with him without him falling off. Only situation I'd be fine with replacing Kuznetsov since with Karlsson the dynamic would be Karlsson>Ovechkin>3 plugs to screen the goalie, tip pucks and cover on defense.
Milano Strome Oshie
X-Backstrom-X
X-Dowd-Kubel
Other than Kuznetsov all those players are pretty much set in stone for one reason or another and I doubt Kuznetsov is leaving as replacing him with McMichael is a huge downgrade at this point and won't help the 99 chase or playoff contention. And who else is there? Domi? Broken down Backstrom version of ROR? Even more broken down version of Toews? Those Xs could easily be Mantha, Protas and Lapierre/McMichael /Snively/Malentsyn to start the season and they probably wouldn't sink.
Would be cool if they somehow swung a trade for Karlsson and ran all the offense with him without him falling off. Only situation I'd be fine with replacing Kuznetsov since with Karlsson the dynamic would be Karlsson>Ovechkin>3 plugs to screen the goalie, tip pucks and cover on defense.
SecretaryofDefense5
Registered User
I like Sonny but he isn’t a top six winger on a competitive team.
Kuzy has had plenty of chances. For someone at his cap hit he isn’t nearly consistent enough.
RandyHolt
Keep truckin'
- Nov 3, 2006
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It must sting for the guys in Hershey to see a walk on grab a spot like that. And then see him go scoreless after inking his contract.
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At only 1.9M (and understanding his skill set), yes, he is a 3LW. And that is good value for a guy who is middle 6.
And love that they are looking for top 6 winger. We don’t need a center. We have 4 good ones in a proper order (NB and Strome can flip as well). Protas can play center and then McMichael.
Lastly, speaking of McMike… he is waivers exempt again next year which is good for us.
RandyHolt
Keep truckin'
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I just can't shake the notion that GMBM should have been drafting/graduating players of his ilk yet he just keeps bringing in forwards from other teams for 4 years now and its not working. Less than 2M isn't going to break the bank sure its almost just another admission of failure on his part.
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CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
- Feb 27, 2002
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That’s certainly the glass half empty view…me I think it’s pretty impressive to bring in castoffs, and have them succeed so well, they earn extensions.
Draft better, graduate more….they haven’t been drafting well enough and that’s on the village not just GMBM.
RandyHolt
Keep truckin'
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4 years of first round exits coupled with a sell off has the glass almost empty. The glass half full folks want us to lose out and basically seem fine with Ovi never in the playoffs ever again.
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