Is there a narrative that the Capitals are sacrificing everything to get Ovechkin the Goal Record? Is there a double standard with regards to Crosby?

[SkinsFan09]

Their roster moves continuing to be okish and not really improving their team much in order to compete. They could easily strip the roster, still get Ovi his goals, and stock up pick/prospects targeting his retirement. Instead theyre in no mans land.

Through 8 games last year they were 4-3-1 with 19 GF and 26 GA and a roster age averaging over 30

This year they are 6-2 with 31 GF and 21 GA and a roster age average correctly trending downward under 28

Yes, the sample size is small but based on the data that is available to us, that looks like a lot more than "not much of an improvement"

Here is a list of players who give up more high-danger chances against in the NHL than Sidney Crosby:

Share the data please!

 

[Stealth1616]

Some people are trying so hard to trash Ovi it’s getting kinda funny. Guy is 39 and still making these people look silly.

Probably the same people who make the “Ovi sucks” thread year over year

 

[NVious]

With or without the record this caps team isn't great. Really makes no diff either way and this you could argue is the greatest record in sports, so yeah there's that.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Basically the question is in the title.

Do you believe (a) there is a narrative that Washington has sacrificed all team building for the sake of Ovechkin's legacy/pursuit of goal scoring record, (b) that this narrative has any merit, (c) that Pittsburgh has somehow escaped the same level of scrutiny with regards to the late stages of Crosby's career, (d) if there is a double standard, that this is somewhat warranted?

I believe the narrative and i believe there's merit. With or without the record being in play, Washington is staring a long rebuild in the face regardless and i would argue a lot of their moves don't really impact that long term outlook anyway so screw it, may as well get one last feather for the cap before it all goes to shit.

I don't believe Pittsburgh is escaping it though. Maybe last year they did since Karlsson still having new car smell kinda distracted everyone from the fact that team was a ticking timebomb. Fast forward to now and people are realizing that team is screwwwwwwwwwed

 

[Block]

With or without the record being in play, Washington is staring a long rebuild in the face regardless

Probably not. They need to figure out how to get an elite top line player and another top 4 D, but they have a solid lines 2-4 and a decent D.

 

[GordonGraham]

While helping Ovie Caps made the playoffs last year and are looking very good for this year only thing the Pens are sacrificing is a playoff spot

 

[EpochLink]

What

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Both teams could use some youth, Washington looks like they are getting it. The narrative on the capitals sacrificing everything wouldn't exist if Ovi didn't have a realistic chance at the goals record. The same isn't there with Sid

 

[benfranklin]

Through 8 games last year they were 4-3-1 with 19 GF and 26 GA and a roster age averaging over 30

This year they are 6-2 with 31 GF and 21 GA and a roster age average correctly trending downward under 28

Yes, the sample size is small but based on the data that is available to us, that looks like a lot more than "not much of an improvement"

They made the playoffs last year with a negative goal differential. Im not saying theyre garbage, but seems like theyre not trying to really go for it and are ok treading water until the Ovi record is done and he goes to Russia, then it complete rebuild time.

 

[SkinsFan09]

They made the playoffs last year with a negative goal differential. Im not saying theyre garbage, but seems like theyre not trying to really go for it and are ok treading water until the Ovi record is done and he goes to Russia, then it complete rebuild time.

Tearing everything down to suck for years doesn't guarantee you'll be a Cup contender at the end of it. Requires hitting on a ton of draft picks. There's a notion that this is the only way to compete for a championship in a sport where 8-seeds have won the Cup.

Just because they aren't selling the farm doesn't mean they aren't getting better. There's really only one "bad" contract on the team right now and they acquired it by getting out of another one so it wasn't a net addition. They're younger, developing that youthful talent, and have contract flexibility outside of PLD.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

They made the playoffs last year with a negative goal differential. Im not saying theyre garbage, but seems like theyre not trying to really go for it and are ok treading water until the Ovi record is done and he goes to Russia, then it complete rebuild time.

How do you explain that the most improved and reliable part of the roster is the defense?

How many teams in the East have a better set of 6 D than the Caps lineup of Carlson, Chychrun, Roy, Fehervary, Sandin and TVR?

They win most of their games through solid defense and goaltending. If the Caps were really only trying to go for the record, why would they have invested in improving the blue line instead of front loading the team with playmakers for Ovi?