GDT: Capt America @ Ratless Bruins 7pm EST

[CapitalsCupReality]

Where is all this manufactured “heat” on CMM? He’s been pretty good overall since his earlier slump.

Are his biggest fans around here feeling snubbed because of the Leonard discussion and him being inserted into the top-6? Talk about a nothing burger if so.

Not seeing anything out of the ordinary from posters on this subject.

 

[Jags]

A significant number of people here had him as a trade piece at the TDL looking for greener pastures, people were down on him during his slump like it's not a common thing... I didn't say people were down on McMichael yesterday, I was referring to the year overall. His performance jump has been comparable to Protas with way less acclaim and a lot more criticism.

I don't think there are McMichael haters here, but yeah, the criticism (and lack of faith in the idea that his performance this year isn't a fluke) has been heavy-handed at times.

I don't mind him getting bumped to the 3rd while they break Leonard in. What I find unfortunate about it is that he was heading toward a 60-point year that might be derailed now on Eller's wing. Not a big deal, that line's role is important and McMike will hold up his end. It's just a bummer for him if the lines stick this way, is all.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

He was one of the logical major trade pieces IF the Caps were to move someone significant for a true top-6 star-type acquisition. The conversation made sense in that aspect. Caps agreed to bridge him in a prove it move, and so far he’s winning that bet on himself at least financially.

I’d like to see him elevate his linemates’ play instead of automagically assuming Eller is going to derail his season, and I would not assume he’s stuck there.

He doesn’t deserve near the acclaim Protas is getting. His surge is meteoric, he’s playing a beastly 2-way game with offense seemingly out of nowhere. CMM is putting it together at this level as an undersized guy changing positions.

I’m very curious to see how CMM performs in the postseason. A core player-type contract extension is the prize for him personally if he performs well. A trade might be if he doesn’t.

I’m pulling for the guy to take another step or two in his game development. Big part of that is going to be getting physically MUCH stronger IMO.

 

[qcal1427]

He was one of the logical major trade pieces IF the Caps were to move someone significant for a true top-6 star-type acquisition. The conversation made sense in that aspect. Caps agreed to bridge him in a prove it move, and so far he’s winning that bet on himself at least financially.

I’d like to see him elevate his linemates’ play instead of automagically assuming Eller is going to derail his season, and I would not assume he’s stuck there.

He doesn’t deserve near the acclaim Protas is getting. His surge is meteoric, he’s playing a beastly 2-way game with offense seemingly out of nowhere. CMM is putting it together at this level as an undersized guy changing positions.

I’m very curious to see how CMM performs in the postseason. A core player-type contract extension is the prize for him personally if he performs well. A trade might be if he doesn’t.

I’m pulling for the guy to take another step or two in his game development. Big part of that is going to be getting physicality MUCH stronger IMO.

Yep I feel for him but look around and who else are you demoting instead of him? That's what happens when you're on a really good, really deep team.

Also, if he can produce offense while playing mostly with the two best forwards on the team in PLD and Protas but cannot when he's away from them ... maybe that says just as much if not more about McMichael than it does about Eller

 

[JohnCarlsaurus]

I'm not eager to trade CMC but his demotion is no one's fault but his own. If he balls out in the postseason they'll find a spot for him in the top 6 again. If not, maybe this is who he is. A streaky, top 9 fwd

 

[Jags]

I'm not eager to trade CMC but his demotion is no one's fault but his own.

I don't disagree with most of what you guys are saying, but it's this type of statement that perplexes me. "No one's fault but his own" is a weird-ass way to look at this situation. You've got 6 guys playing great in your top 6. He's the odd man out because they're grooming a prospect. McMichael didn't do anything wrong. He's been playing very well.

There's no fault in it to speak of. We just added a guy that (we hope) is better than a few starters. It's an embarrassment of riches. His "demotion" was circumstantial, not a punishment.

 

[tycoonheart]

Yeah, that wasn't a demotion for CMC. It's more about having enough people for the top 6 and adding a little more fire power to the bottom 6.

 

[Calicaps]

Not demoted. They probably see an opportunity to improve the top 6 AND the Eller line with Lenny's arrival. That's all good.

 

[DWGie26]

Having to push McMichael to third line is such a great luxury. Same with Raddysh coming out of the lineup and there will be others. We are 13 strong deep and then Frank. Lots of depth. I would rather see McMichael as 3LW. Both because it puts him on left side and because I think he can help generate offense on that line certainly more than Mangi.