...Matt Tkatchuk.


Heh. I'd rather draft Chych or Olli.
- TheSabresTaco

Is that with or without Stamkos?
- buffalofan19

With.

Sign Stamkos.

Make Massive trade to get Hall involving
Pysyk, 8th overall, 3rd rd pick and Girgensons/Foligno

To do that you have to move Ennis and his contract.
Probably Gorges and Franson as well.

Top 6 Forwards
Stamkos
Hall
ROR
Kane
Eichel
Reinhart

Defensive would be a tough sell though in this scenario.

- TheSabresTaco

Seems to never get old .

so why make it sound as if he's one of the main reasons the caps lost the series?...

fact is, the caps had the second best goals-against in the entire league and scored the second-most goals during the regular season...how much should they have changed? not to mention that they had minimal capspace to work with...

they ran into two things this post season--a history with ovechkin of playoff underachievement and a buzz-saw in the Pittsburgh penguins, the hottest team in the league

and neither had anything to do with mike weber
- Michael Pachla

Like I said, it's not just that they went out and acquired Mike Weber. It's that they went out and acquired Mike Weber and did nothing else. Great teams figure out a way to make it work.

I never said he was the reason they lost the series. I said that the fact that they identified him as a guy that could help them get over the hump is what lost them that series. It's poor personnel evaluation.

And as far as "who else was available", it's not like they made that trade at 3pm on deadline day. They made that trade days before, which means they identified him as someone they wanted. They said "yep, that's the guy that's going to help us for a playoff run".

Seems to never get old .
- cabin

Seems to happen to the Caps every year

"WE MADE THE PLAYOFFS!!!"

"Oh poop its getting nice out again...lets hang out and have some beers!"

"...Wait we have a hockey game tonight?...shiiiittt...well lets just give the puck to Ovi!"

"Well Ovi didn't carry the entire team...sooo lets just hope he does tomorrow night...for now...more hanging out and beers!"

EDIT: Flashforward to opening night 2016-2017 season - "Ladies and Gentlement YOUR WASHINGTON OVECHKINS!"

And given Washington's record at the TDL how much do you want to give away for a 7th D? What kind of marginal upgrade are you really gonna make with the bottom 50% of the league?

We're quibbling over loose change here. It's a stupid hypothesis, without any causal relationship whatsoever.

The Caps lost the series because - over the course of 6 games - their forwards were unable to score against a pistol hot 22 year old goalie and the Pens were able to score against the rightful Vezina winner. The outcome was not driven by Mike Weber's 10 minutes. The Caps just got beat.
- Der Kaiser

Oh I certainly enjoy the joke about Weber losing the series... but in all seriousness, the Caps flopped because that's just what they do in the playoffs. Flop. Good, bad, mediocre. The result is always the same.

Every time I try to build a lineup I can never place, Moulson, Gionta or Ennis.

I just cant fit them anywhere.
- ImThatGuy

Not sure that you touch Giontas line at all...they were really clicking the last month or 2

Seems to never get old .
- cabin

It's an incredible visual-- zero f$&!s given about breaking up that play. He is an insane goal scorer but will only play defense if he's in the mood. I laugh every time I see this.

Every time I try to build a lineup I can never place, Moulson, Gionta or Ennis.

I just cant fit them anywhere.
- ImThatGuy

Hawks need someone to play with Toews (or even with Kane and put Panarin with Toews) - Ennis, 1 or 2M retained for Teravainen?

Not saying Ennis is a 1st liner on a cup winning team, but with the scrubs that played with Toews this season, it could be something they'd be interested in.

Hawks need someone to play with Toews (or even with Kane and put Panarin with Toews) - Ennis, 1 or 2M retained for Teravainen?

Not saying Ennis is a 1st liner on a cup winning team, but with the scrubs that played with Toews this season, it could be something they'd be interested in.
- stashu

This has some real promise. Might have to take on Bickell and throw them a pick to give them the cap relief theyre looking for.

Like I said, it's not just that they went out and acquired Mike Weber. It's that they went out and acquired Mike Weber and did nothing else. Great teams figure out a way to make it work.

I never said he was the reason they lost the series. I said that the fact that they identified him as a guy that could help them get over the hump is what lost them that series. It's poor personnel evaluation.

And as far as "who else was available", it's not like they made that trade at 3pm on deadline day. They made that trade days before, which means they identified him as someone they wanted. They said "yep, that's the guy that's going to help us for a playoff run".
- buffalofan19

They piled up 120 points ................. I'm sure they figured they had a pretty good team already. They acquired Weber as depth only.

Oh and by the way ...... if the Caps are playing anyone else besides the Pens ........ they probably win the Cup.

With.

Sign Stamkos.

Make Massive trade to get Hall involving
Pysyk, 8th overall, 3rd rd pick and Girgensons/Foligno

To do that you have to move Ennis and his contract.
Probably Gorges and Franson as well.

Top 6 Forwards
Stamkos
Hall
ROR
Kane
Eichel
Reinhart

Defensive would be a tough sell though in this scenario.
- ImThatGuy

That might get Eberle but certainly not Hall. Edmonton doesn't move Hall without a premier (top 5 in the league) D coming back.

Honestly at this point I feel its better we cut ties with Ennis. We have pretty much gotten rid of the old core and even when he was healthy he didn't fit very well in the system. I'd rather see them trade him so both the team and player get a fresh start.

I could see someone like OTT willing to take him for Hoffman. Both sides have questions with both players, GM's know each other, and value is close to equal.

I typically don't include him in next seasons plans. Not including Stamkos because it just feels to unrealistic right now lol I could see something like this:

Kane-Eichel-Reinhart
Hoffman-ROR-Fasching (Hoffman get from trading Ennis, you could replace Hoffman here with Ladd or Okoposo but they will add someone here for Top 6)
Foligno-Girgs-Brouwer (UFA STL) (I think they add one more Top 9 guy Brouwer is a good vet)
Moulson-Larsson-Gionta

Depth- Deslauriers

Risto- Goligoski (UFA DAL)
Bogo-Pysk
Franson-Gorges

Depth-McCabe

I think Murray knows he has to get an established scorer in along with a vet or two. You can change the names above but I generally believe it would look something like this and Ennis will be the Sabre on the move.

I understand that trade talks with Girgensons, but I believe the org is willing to give him another year to try and step in as a quality #2-3 type center that is solid all the way around. He has shown that at points in the past and you cannot overstate the importance of having centers especially home grown.

Time for Ennis to move on.

That might get Eberle but certainly not Hall. Edmonton doesn't move Hall without a premier (top 5 in the league) D coming back.
- Slump Buster

Thats the issue, its way to much for Eberle, not enough for Hall. but I offer and see what they say.

Honestly at this point I feel its better we cut ties with Ennis. We have pretty much gotten rid of the old core and even when he was healthy he didn't fit very well in the system. I'd rather see them trade him so both the team and player get a fresh start.

I could see someone like OTT willing to take him for Hoffman. Both sides have questions with both players, GM's know each other, and value is close to equal.

I typically don't include him in next seasons plans. Not including Stamkos because it just feels to unrealistic right now lol I could see something like this:

Kane-Eichel-Reinhart
Hoffman-ROR-Fasching (Hoffman get from trading Ennis, you could replace Hoffman here with Ladd or Okoposo but they will add someone here for Top 6)
Foligno-Girgs-Brouwer (UFA STL) (I think they add one more Top 9 guy Brouwer is a good vet)
Moulson-Larsson-Gionta

Depth- Deslauriers

Risto- Goligoski (UFA DAL)
Bogo-Pysk
Franson-Gorges

Depth-McCabe

I think Murray knows he has to get an established scorer in along with a vet or two. You can change the names above but I generally believe it would look something like this and Ennis will be the Sabre on the move.

I understand that trade talks with Girgensons, but I believe the org is willing to give him another year to try and step in as a quality #2-3 type center that is solid all the way around. He has shown that at points in the past and you cannot overstate the importance of having centers especially home grown.
- cmsabres48

YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND. You think Franson, Gorges, Pysyk, all start over our 2nd best defenseman????? WTF????????

15

YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND. You think Franson, Gorges, Pysyk, all start over our 2nd best defenseman????? WTF????????
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Not using capital letters here yes. I wouldn't be surprised if McCabe by mid season is in the Top 4 regularly. However they need another D added whether it is Goligoski, Yandle, etc.. So that immediately makes the Top 4 have one less spot with Risto UFA/Trade Bogo. From there I wouldn't be surprised to see the season open with a veteran heavy lineup in the bottom 3 D. Gorges played nicely last year, Pysyk is expected to become a solid Top 4 puck moving Dman, and Franson they will at least give another shot to start with Powerplay time. Remember Murray knows this team has to be near the playoffs if not in. Young defenseman like McCabe and Pysyk still can make mistakes at times and a vet at least is a known quantity. It's the same reason you will see Moulson out there at points and we all smash our heads into our screens.

I still expect McCabe to play 70 something games, but defenseman take time to grow and if they add a guy as expected then McCabe gets bumped back a bit.

Not using capital letters here yes. I wouldn't be surprised if McCabe by mid season is in the Top 4 regularly. However they need another D added whether it is Goligoski, Yandle, etc.. So that immediately makes the Top 4 have one less spot with Risto UFA/Trade Bogo. From there I wouldn't be surprised to see the season open with a veteran heavy lineup in the bottom 3 D. Gorges played nicely last year, Pysyk is expected to become a solid Top 4 puck moving Dman, and Franson they will at least give another shot to start with Powerplay time. Remember Murray knows this team has to be near the playoffs if not in. Young defenseman like McCabe and Pysyk still can make mistakes at times and a vet at least is a known quantity. It's the same reason you will see Moulson out there at points and we all smash our heads into our screens.

I still expect McCabe to play 70 something games, but defenseman take time to grow and if they add a guy as expected then McCabe gets bumped back a bit.
- cmsabres48

I understand the Vets, but Pysyk? He is not good. 6/7 man at best. No where near top 4. McCabe has surpassed him by a country mile. I don't even believe Pysyk will be on the roster next year honestly.

Michael Pachla: Impressions of, and questions concerning--F, Tyler Ennis
- Michael Pachla

ennis, girgens, moulson, pysyk

the 4 sabres that need to get their sh!t together

Every time I try to build a lineup I can never place, Moulson, Gionta or Ennis.

I just cant fit them anywhere.
- ImThatGuy

ror-stamkos-reinhart
kane-eichel-ennis
foligno-larsson-gionta
moulson-girgenson-deslaurers

I understand the Vets, but Pysyk? He is not good. 6/7 man at best. No where near top 4. McCabe has surpassed him by a country mile. I don't even believe Pysyk will be on the roster next year honestly.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

murray clearly likes mccabe more

Not using capital letters here yes. I wouldn't be surprised if McCabe by mid season is in the Top 4 regularly. However they need another D added whether it is Goligoski, Yandle, etc.. So that immediately makes the Top 4 have one less spot with Risto UFA/Trade Bogo. From there I wouldn't be surprised to see the season open with a veteran heavy lineup in the bottom 3 D. Gorges played nicely last year, Pysyk is expected to become a solid Top 4 puck moving Dman, and Franson they will at least give another shot to start with Powerplay time. Remember Murray knows this team has to be near the playoffs if not in. Young defenseman like McCabe and Pysyk still can make mistakes at times and a vet at least is a known quantity. It's the same reason you will see Moulson out there at points and we all smash our heads into our screens.

I still expect McCabe to play 70 something games, but defenseman take time to grow and if they add a guy as expected then McCabe gets bumped back a bit.
- cmsabres48

*** eyes water ***

So did anyone else watching the game last night get the sense that the Caps didn't give a poop about the fact that it was an elimination game until about 1/2 way through the second period??

This team just didn't seem to adjust...i mean how man games did it take before Trotz put Kuznetzov on the top line. Atleast that was a change.

And for god sakes Ovi if u draw 3 out of the 4 PKers to you when you have the puck just pass to one of the other ultra talented skaters on the ice...they are gonna be open (see Carlson's goal to tie it up)...I know I had a similar post last night but i'm still blown away how lackadaisically this Caps team approached the playoffs
- feetontheair22

So basically what you're saying is the Presidents cup trophy team was the same as ours

ror-stamkos-reinhart
kane-eichel-ennis
foligno-larsson-gionta
moulson-girgenson-deslaurers
- homiedclown

Hello homie.