twabby
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I'm with you. His 2018-19 was awful. Terrible. He was borderline unplayable at times, even when you discount his cap hit.
But man did he score some points.
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I'm with you. His 2018-19 was awful. Terrible. He was borderline unplayable at times, even when you discount his cap hit.
But man did he score some points.
It follows the framework of the Stone/Pacioretty deals. If they get Kuznetsov while keeping Glass, Stephenson, Roy and Karlsson while being able to unload Fleury they may make the calculation that it could put them over the top. Given that he torched them on a Conn Smythe worthy playoff run not so long ago and their roster perfectly compliments his weaknesses.
Fleury getting the Vezina might make trading him for any reasonable (borderline cap dump) haul bad optics though for them though
CapitalsCupReality
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In terms of production, 25g/75pts (20/80) should have been his bare minimums since the extension.
Coming off his arguable Conn Smythe performance, like I said….I expected more, and not JUST scoring, but that’s a big part of why he’s paid.
txpd
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Twabs has said previous that Kuzy was playing over his head in the cup run and that he couldnt be counted on to perform at the level or better going forward.
CapitalsCupReality
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yeah maybe, feels like an easy way to relieve a little perceived pressure.
his 1.33 PPG in that run……well nobody is realistically expecting a 110pt pace from him in a regular season.
twabby
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Yes that's correct. Much like DSP was never going to be a 20+ goal player or Lars Eller was never going to be a 50+ point player in the regular season, it was never really reasonable to expect Kuznetsov to continue his SC level of play. Sometimes the stars just align for 24 games and a bunch of players play above their heads for a bit.
I think Kuznetsov's 2020-21 season is about what should be expected of him on the ice: good ES scoring (best center on the team in that regard on a per 60 basis), able to elevate his teammates like he did with Ovechkin compared to how he fared with other centers on the team, and not being Swiss cheese defensively. But certainly not a bonafide top-tier 1C, which again is why I think Plan A should be making Kuznetsov part of a trade or a series of trades that brings in that true #1C this offseason since neither he nor Backstrom are really good 1C material at this point. I don't see a feasible way to bring in that #1C with Kuznetsov still on the roster since Backstrom for all he has done for the franchise deserves to stay (and indeed probably must stay, given his NMC).
txpd
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I think its clear that MacLellan expects elite 1c play from Kuznetsov. 1b or 2a level play seems to be what twabs is happy with. Here's the thing. In the cup run Kuzy produced 20 even strenth points in 24 games. Since he has played 18 playoff games with 4 even strenth points. I am sure his analytics say he was excellent but 4 evp in 18 games from a 1c skating with Alex Ovechkin sucks. By comparison Wilson and Oshie had more and Eller had the same number. I think MacLellan is looking at that and wondering what the hell?
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CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
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CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
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AussieCapsFan
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Might be quiet because it is such a mismatch? At least the Isles matched the Bolts right down to a single goal in game 7. And (to me anyway) the Isles / Bolts was a fairly exciting series to watch as a hockey fan.
So far the finals have been pretty crappy to watch. Habs supposedly "outplayed" the Bolts for much of game 2 but shots on goal don't tell the story. Their PP was pathetic and they just don't have the firepower to outscore the Bolts.
I'm not surprised with how the series has gone. Habs might pull off a win at home but are just as likely to lose both of those games and get swept. They're just not in the same stratosphere as the Bolts (unfortunately).
So far the finals have been pretty crappy to watch. Habs supposedly "outplayed" the Bolts for much of game 2 but shots on goal don't tell the story. Their PP was pathetic and they just don't have the firepower to outscore the Bolts.
I'm not surprised with how the series has gone. Habs might pull off a win at home but are just as likely to lose both of those games and get swept. They're just not in the same stratosphere as the Bolts (unfortunately).
CapitalsCupReality
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Yeah, playing with house money. And to me it seems that Vegas met them halfway and were their own worst enemy in losing to the Habs - which gave the impression that Habs are a much better team than they really are?
Just sucks to see the Bolts go back to back. I really can't stand that team.
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txpd
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