We are on the final backstretch into the Stanley Cup playoffs. The contending teams mortgaged their futures at the trading deadline to put together a team that can survive the grueling grind of a Stanley Cup run. How does your team look? How are the new players fitting in? What are the weaknesses or matchups that worry you.
I have been lucky enough to see the Rangers win one championship in my 25 years as a Rangers fan, starting with Mike Gartner's trade to the Rangers and play with Brian Leetch. Other than 1994 and 1992, this is one of the best Rangers teams I have seen. Even the President's trophy team in 2011 had to squeeze so much effort into the regular season that they were out of gas by the Eastern Conference Finals. The Rangers traded some a top prospect and most of their remaining draft picks for the next two seasons to upgrade their defense (Keith Yandle) and a match up center/wing in Jamie Sheppard. I am still worried about Dan Boyle and the Rangers overall ability to score in grinding games off the cycle. So much of their offense has come off the rush, and that open ice isn't usually there in the playoffs. That being said, they have gone 10-2-2 with their backup goaltender with Henrik Lundqvist injured, and that bodes well.
Here, we, go....
Comments
I am going to guess that Phil Kessel will be available in the offseason.
Such a bum. Guy definitely doesn't have the scoring touch as much as he used to either.
jesus, didn't realize how pudgy he was.... at least in the face
Bruins season ticket-holder here from 2000-2009, 3 rows up from the visitor's bench, on the aisle. Kessel is a self-centered dick, almost universally disliked by his teammates and coaches...past and present. Undeniable offensive skills, but a virtual "clubhouse cancer" who thinks that conditioning and defense is below him. I'm not sure who wants to take on his attitude and contract. The B's did well by trading him when his value was at its peak.
Not sure how defending your teammate is considered reason for removal.
NYR look tough in the Metro right now. Yandle was a great pick up. As a Caps fan im disappointed in the lack of deadline moves but i think this team has enough to advance to at least the second round. It will be really interesting to see if Florida or Philly beat out boston for the last wild card spot in the east. Boston missing out is good news for everyone else.
For years, they have needed a legitimate second line center, and for whatever reason always went with guys who were sort of next tier guys once they moved Tomas Fleischmann. I was surprised that they did not try to get him back, even though he never really was "that guy" either. Instead they snatched up bargain basement guys (Federov at the end, Ribiero,Morrison, Perrault, Arnott (who was DONE) & Laich is still more of a 3rd line guy) and never addressed it.
I've never really understood why they haven't either, but Ribiero was good for us although I'm pretty that's when Backstrom was hurt so he ended up being the top line center instead. McPhee loved the wings but the teams were always weak up the middle...new GM and same issue.
Forsberg for Erat will haunt the Capitals for a long time. Yandle for Duclair may be our version.
And Erat played like 10 games, got hurt and left.
Makes it even worse
I hated that trade the moment I saw it. I hate it even more now. For a while the (pretty salty on the best days) Caps SB Nation blog was retweeting every goal he scored for Nashville until it got too depressing. Fuck that trade. Dammit, now I'm all riled up.
I used to comment a lot on Japers Rink. I almost had an aneurysm when it was announced they dealt Forsberg for Erat.
I had successfully put that out of my mind, so thanks a bunch for reminding me.
George McPhee did a lot that will haunt this team. The Erat - Forsberg trade, Mike Green for 6 mil/yr, Brooks Laich for 4.5 mil/yr, hiring Adam Oates.
I like the deadline moves, but I don't think it does enough to put them over the top. The lack of secondary scoring is going to hurt them in the playoffs and Marcus Johanson has no business on the first line of an NHL team. I was thrilled to see that Laich was sat tonight, it's about time.
Laich hardly ever plays center these days. I know they list him as one but its just not where he plays. Second line center typically falls to Kuznetsov these days. Sometimes rotates with Eric Fehr, depending on the opponent. Part of it with Laich is that in recent years he hasnt been able to stay healthy enough for them to rely on.
It is tough to rely on Kuznetsov. He is a talented kid, but in a playoff series he is an unknown quantity.
I would expect to see Fehr at 2nd line center come the playoffs if nothing changes if for nothing else than his faceoff percentages and ability to deliver the puck.
I've loved what Fehr has done this season, but I think he still fits more as a 3rd line center with Ward and Laich/Chimera/Brouwer. I just don't see him generating as much offense as you'd like on the 2nd line with his game. I wouldn't be surprised to see his line on the ice so much he becomes almost a de facto 2LC though. I do think they'll really give Kuzy a chance to play top 6 in the playoffs though
I agree. The one line they will not fiddle with will be the third line. Ward, Fehr and Chimera or Laich.
I would trade Laich for a bag of pucks.... injured too often and not the same production as a couple years ago.... horrible contract.
I agree however I like what kuzy brings to the table. I think the Caps just have a repetitive bottom six. They have so many guys who do the same thing. Bringing in glencross is just more of the same. I am big into the new analytics (corsi, fenwick, etc) and for as much as trotz has done, his lines don't make sense And he makes it extremely difficult for younger players to get quality playing time.
Caps had a legitimate 2nd line center last year in Grabovski and they let him walk in free agency so they could sign Orpik. Orpik's dollar and term are both pretty atrocious considering his cap hit is $5.5m, he'll be 39 by the end of his contract, and his underlying statistics have been declining for years. That being said, as much as I hate the contract, if the Caps win a Stanley Cup while Orpik is on the roster, I'll pipe down real quick.
I hear you on the money point for Orpik but the salary cap usually goes up every year and nowadays, you HAVE to overpay for players you want/need. Years wise, its sucks but we'll see if he gets traded in his last couple of years, but monetary wise, considering we pay Laich 4.5m/year, I think 5.5m isn't THAT bad. Plus with Green going/taking a pay cut possibly, we will have cap space to make any other necessary moves
The B's are limping and have yet to play up to their potential. But, other than the hated Habs, who have seem to have the their number, I don't think too many teams want to face the B's in the playoffs.
I thought this was going to be Hokie Hockey. Didn't realize there was a professional league
fixed- local to Blacksburg I wish that good investors would bring hockey back to the Roanoke Civic Center. The Express were one of the best drawing teams in the ECHL until infighting with the owners ruined it. Daniel Berthiuame (one of the goalies from the mid 90s) is still in the area working as a fishing guide on Smith Mountain Lake.
With the Admirals jumping back down to ECHL, I'd love to see the return of the VA triangle (Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke)
I miss those games. Brophy and the Admirals, the Renegades. Before the Express became affiliated with the Calgary Flames (and hence couldn't sign grizzled vets and goons), there were a bunch of 7000+ crowds for Saturday night games. Tickets were $15, $12, $10, and $8. They had to be making money, especially since the Hokies can play there and afford it.
Norfolk is going to the west coast for the AHL arent they. Pretty sure they were one of the teams tabbed to move west.
Yep. Supposedly they are being replaced by an ECHL team. Sadly, the ECHL has not been a very stable league. In the mid-90's, it seemed like every city in the south was building an arena and getting minor league hockey. Now, most of the ECHL teams are spread all over the place (even Alaska.) It must be brutal on their travel budgets.
The AHL franchise currently known as the Norfolk Admirals were bought and are being relocated to San Diego. The Edmonton Oilers are moving their AHL franchise to Bakersfield, CA, which is where their ECHL affiliate is currently located. That ECHL franchise will be in Norfolk next season.
I did think it was about a VT hockey team, but was being a punk about Hockey not being that big in the U.S. Now I feel jerky since you changed the title. Could we even have Hokie Hockey? Title IX and all. As long as there was a women's team to go with it we would be sound. How many ACC schools have a Hockey team. ND, Cuse, and BC?
Cuse doesn't have one that I am aware of. Just ND and BC, but there is no ACC Hockey League at the D1 level anyway.
The Rangers have about a 2 year period to win the Cup with the Yandle trade.
The Metro is a very interesting division. I see a little bit of chaos in the future of the division. The clock on the Rangers is currently ticking, and they are absolutely in 'win now' mode, because things don't look overly rosy after this deadline (reminds me a bit of the 2010 Phillies in that regard). The Penguins and Caps aren't getting any younger, and with the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Ovi, etc all creeping up toward the age where their bodies can't handle a full 82 game schedule anymore, its relatively soon before that wall is reached, and with at least the Penguins being led by the guy who collapsed the Carolina Hurricanes, even while spending to the cap, the future might not be as bright as the past out there. The Flyers collapse seems to be starting to level off, and with Hextall in charge after the work he did in LA, they could be on the rise in the near future. The Islanders seem to be a team that has all the momentum in the world and are poised to remain at the top for the long haul. The big wild cards right now are Carolina and Columbus. Should one of them luck out and win the lottery, adding the likes of McDavid or Eichel to their roster could really put them on the fast track to success.
Ranger have really good top-end young talent in Brassard, Stepan, Kreider, Hayes, Miller, and Hagelin up front and McDonagh on D. Skejci is an outstanding D prospect, and Pavel Buchnevich had a great season lighting up the KHL league as a 19 year old. But, beyond that they don't have much, and it is going to be expensive to keep that young core together. Kreider is on the verge of becoming a superstar and I'd take McDonagh over any D in the league not named Shea Weber (although Doughtey is pretty damn good.)
Red Wings are looking like a real cup contender this year and not just a playoff first rounder. If injuries don't get too bad they have a good shot but I'm not liking their potential matchup against the Lightning. They haven't played well against them all season.
The Lightening scare me too. The goaltending for the lightening is their bugaboo, but they destroyed the Rangers this season.
Who does everyone have in the playoffs from the east? My eight are (in no particular order):
PIT, WSH, NYR, NYI, TB, DET, MTL, BOS
Not really going out on a limb so to speak, but whatever.
Unfortunately studying has gotten in the way of my Penguins watching time. After a mid-season lull, they seem to be taking care of business again.
The PP has been pathetic over the last month and Letang seems hell bent on giving me an aneurysm. Crosby isn't anywhere near his usual point total either but I'm cautiously optimistic about their chances through the first round, depending on the draw.
As far as a first season under the new coach and GM, I can't be too upset with the results. Then again, I don't know what the trades have done to enhance the team and I haven't been able to watch much live action.
I just hope the Penguins have more heart this year. What do you think of the Despres for Lovejoy trade?
From the French AMA:
At least on the power play, the shot becomes almost impossible to stop. The goalie can't be waiting for an Ovechkin one timer, or this can happen:
If the D sags off Ovechkin and Backstrom (or whoever) gets a good pass through to a closing #8, the goalie has a bear of a time getting over to the opposite post in time. You're right that there are less rebounds, but it's generally a perfect sniping opportunity no matter who's in net.
There are times when rebounds or deflections would be more reliable than shooting for the corners, especially against top-tier goalies as you say. There's a quote somewhere about a Brooks Laich game winning deflection that he wasn't supposed to touch because Ovie said he was shooting to score.
But, in the playoffs, an aggressive PK doesn't give Backstrom the time to make the play. He would have to dump the puck down the right wall. If he does work down the boards, then Brouwer has to work back to the high slot to give Backstrom the opportunity to shoot at a bad angle, pass across the crease to Ovechkin sneaking in the back side, or feed it to Brouwer in the high slot.
A aggressive close out on Backstrom is just as risky as a one on a top point guard or Mike Vick. If you don't get it, the puck, ball, or player is past you and in a more dangerous position than before. My favorite Caps PP set is actually when they play it to the man below the goal line (generally Johansson) and let him pass to the slot man or against the grain to Ovechkin. It isn't as good of a shooting position, but it makes the defense adjust more than holding on the half wall
As for the two trades the Capitals made, I am still in wait and see mode. Not really sure what I think of either one at the moment. I wasnt attached to Hillen and giving up a fourth round pick to upgrade the D isnt a bad thing but honestly Tim Gleason has never stuck out to me so not sure what we are really getting there.
As for Glencross for a second and third round pick, it worries me that its likely another rental move especially for someone that had basically fallen to his teams third/fourth lines depending on the night, so giving up two picks in return seems a waste unless he fits in and they can lock him up for a two to three year deal. At 32, he is likely on the tipping point of effectiveness, so any longer a deal would be a waste especially since this is a down year statistically for him already and he has had injury issues the previous two seasons that made him miss more than half of each season.
If this was Tim Gleason of 4 years ago, I'd say good deal. But this isn't Tim Gleason of 4 years ago. This is pylons for skates Tim Gleason who a team like the Hurricanes, who are as desperate as it gets for good defensemen have been willing to part with twice in 2 or 3 years.
To me, 2015 Tim Gleason is an upgrade over possession-anchor Jack Hillen every day of the week. Gleason also brings much more experience and a body that's built for playoff hockey. While I don't think Gleason is a top-4 guy on any team, he's a much more serviceable 6D than Hillen and I'm happy to have him for a playoff run.
My thoughts exactly daddio
Any of the teams in the east can make a run, there really isn't a dominant team or I should say cup favorite. All it takes is for a goalie to stand on their head and you can go far in the playoffs. And all those top teams in the East have a capable goalie that can do that. Will they all? no, of course not......
GO CAPS!
Game tonight is fun. Plenty of rough stuff. Hopefully Latta is ok.
Islanders made some good depth trades to get a good backup goaltender for the rest of the regular season to give Halak some more rest. Kennedy is a good possession player and ranks pretty highly in terms of Corsi. Also Okposo will be coming back soon as well as Cizikas. This keeps the Isles in a good position for the postseason, with the bug glaring weakness being the PK. Scariest team in the metro right now has to be the Pens in my opinion, they seem to be hitting there stride lately. I think the rangers have a really good team but they have a rediculously high PDO which means there could be regression on top of the fact that they are average in possession metrics as well. Yandle adds his offensive prowess but he is not very good in the D-zone as well as having the Corsi black hole known as Girardi, so I'm not buying the Rangers are the best team in the metro (mostly because of PDO). But then again they are the Rangers and have one of the best net minders in Lundqvist when he is healthy again. I don't know what to think of the Caps. They have an obviously lethal PP with Backstrom and Ovi but they are average in Corsi. Is Holtby for real or no? He has been on fire lately so I don't know how to choose.
If I had to pick how the Stanley Cup Finals would go if they started today I think it would go (in the East, I don't see many West games):
M1 Islanders v. W1 Caps
M2 Rangers v. M3 Pens (although I can see the isles and rangers switching places, After the three games against the caps the standings will normalize).
A1 Montreal (not a believer, Price has carried them all year) v. W1 Boston
A2 Tampa Bay (very dangerous team) v. A3 Detroit
Conference Semifinals
Isles v. Rangers Tampa Bay v. Boston
Conference Finals
Isles v. Tampa Bay
Stanley Cup
Tampa Bay v. Anaheim
Winner: Tampa Bay
Holtby on fire 'lately'? He's been on fire all year.... Racks up near the top of almost every goalie category. He would probably be even better if he could get more rest but Peters sucks ass
He has for sure this year. I do think he has turned the corner from last year.
Trotz and Korn are letting him play his game and its paying off for them. He looks good.
You ended up with Peters? Oh dear lord my condolences... He sucked something special down here in Raleigh.
Peters is really not good.
The Caps have started calling up Grubauer from the AHL for back to backs to avoid playing him (peters)
Ovi on fire on the other end. Two more tonight. Scary how he finds the net when everyone knows he is the one to stop.
To be fair, the Caps did that only one time.
Every journey begins with a single step ;) (but yes, you are correct)
unfortunately yes, but fortunately he hasn't had to play man games. only when we sometimes have back to back games. I think Grubauer needs to be brought up, and send Peters' ass packing.
If Holtby couldn't play so many games I'm sure they would. They value Grubauer's development though, so it's important he plays a lot of games. If one of the three is going to just ride the pine, I'd rather it be Peters
3-5 more games (this year) for grubby won't hurt his development, but more importantly, Im more worried about Hotlby's endurance going into the playoffs. I know he's young but a couple extra days offs to give you a little more rest will do wonders for a goalie.
If we settle into a seed for the playoffs, I wouldn't mind him getting some extra rest. Not sure Trotz feels the same way though, I seem to remember him riding Rinne/Vokoun pretty hard back in Nashville
I highly doubt Boston makes it past the first round. The lightning winning it all wouldn't surprise me. Steve Yzerman certainly knows how to GM a team.
Maybe... but he absolutely got bent over on that Coburn trade.
The only reason I think Boston can advance past the first round in a series when they play the Habs is that they still have Rask. Rask has been known to steal a series and I think that the Habs have a great goaltender in Price (probably the best in the league right now) but I don't think they play the "physical game" that boston plays so well in the playoffs, kind of like the Kings. For the Habs, I think the run they make in the playoffs us all based on how well there offense can play. Price has been practically unbeatable all year so if the Habs can score goals then they will be tough to beat.
I hope you're right. I hate the effing Habs. I was a B's season ticket-holder for several years (2001-2008). To Bruins fans, the Canadians are akin to how the Red Sox feel about the Yankees. Or how Hokies feel about UVA. Actually, much worse. The Montreal fans, which I must admit traveled well to Boston, are obnoxious as hell.
As good as Carey Price has been, and he's having a Dominik Hasek kind of year, I am pretty damn confident he will falter in the playoffs like he has many times before... but thats just me
To be fair, he got hurt last year. The Rangers beat Tokarski.
Make no mistake, the Habs don't have a reputation for being physical but guys like Gallagher, Prust, Weise, and Subban are a nightmare to play against.
I hate the Flyers, but they had a great deadline. Traded away Coburn for a 1st, 3rd, and a cheap young (I didn't say good) defenseman in Radko Gudas. Also moved Kimmo Timonen for a 2nd and a 2016 4th that can jump up to a 2 or 3 if he plays a part in a deep playoff run.
Also - if you get a chance to watch football or hockey with French, you should do that. Had a blast watching the Caps and Rangers with him in January (even though the Caps shit the bed against Edmonton).
My genius knows no bounds.
How about Cam Talbot with a 1-0 shutout of the Blackhawks tonight?
Though I hated to see my Hawks drop an extra point, the Rangers are playing really well at the moment. For once, it's good to see the Hawks put in a pretty solid defensive effort, and whenever they get TVR and Oduya back, that should give them 6 defensemen that can actually play. David Rundblad is still a year or two away from being an every night contributor, and Michal Roszival is a couple steps too slow and a turnover machine.
I'm still waiting on them to get out of their offensive slump. I think they're 0-28 on the PP recently, and aren't putting up much more when even strength. With all the firepower they have, their guns won't stay dormant forever. It was good to see Teravainen have some success, though it was either him or Toews that had the defensive breakdown that led to that goal in OT. They need to get more traffic to the net instead of looking to light the lamp with pure finesse. That's hard to do against a quick team like the Rangers. "Also, why is Carcillo still in the league?
Rangers fans loathed Roszival. He would have been a good 2nd pairing D in his prime but had to play first pair/pp minutes because of their lack of depth after the lockout
Man this is a Ranger-heavy thread.
My team is St. Louis. Things are looking really good honestly. We lost Shattenkirk but he is expected to be back by the end of the month. We solidified our defensive depth for relatively little value at the deadline. The team as a whole hasn't really brought their A-game to play since around late January, yet we still are one of the best teams in the league and have a chance now of catching Nashville in the central. Chicago also lost Kane. Seeing as the only teams to have beaten us in the playoffs in the last 4 years have been Chicago and LA, things are looking good, especially with LA not being in a spot.
STL is a fun team to watch. I think you guys have it in you to make a run this year.
I can't figure out why St. Louis has not made a longer run. Any team that has a guy who plays like David Backes is easy to root for. He is one heck of a player.
Last ever Rangers-Islanders regular season game on the Islander and the Rangers win 2-1. Love it.
Yeah they had us tonight and I'm not making any excuses, if this ends up being a playoff series it will go to at least 6 games.
Big game tonight for Caps against the Rags.... I think this will be a telling tale how good the Caps are/can be in the playoffs. But another part of me wants the Caps just to send in the goon squad and beat the living shit out of the Rangers.
If you can't beat 'em, beat 'em
Nick Backstrom apparently has some kind of bug and may not go tonight, although I think he will. Latta skated in his place this morning. Orpik and Green are banged up too, but Green skates this morning.
Rangers got in late last night. If the Caps get on them early, it could be a long night. The Rangers have been good in back to backs though.
They just announced Green as a no-go