literally the only reason the Pens got past the Caps last year was a hot goalie. More than likely not going to happen this year. They have a good team but the caps are the clear favorites.
- Maverick1818

The caps are stacked this could be their year for sure. No teams deeper, however no team has 4 x #1 d

Caps can only win if Kuznetsov shows up this year

You not thinking so and having the gall to comment on a hockey board hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahah
- james_tanner1

So the Leafs, Caps and Yotes have about 1/4 of the #1Ds in the league combined then, based on your historical comments.

Yeah, I don't buy into that.

I am just doing math here, but arent there really only 30 number 1 d men in the league? Ive seen you say that the Wild or maybe it was the Blues had multiple number 1s, same with the Caps, Kings, maybe others. What about the Preds? I am just curious who your list of 30 would be if you think so many of these teams have multiple number 1 guys.

I think everyone would like to see your list of 30
just curious on your perspective

literally the only reason the Pens got past the Caps last year was a hot goalie. More than likely not going to happen this year. They have a good team but the caps are the clear favorites.
- Maverick1818

I would say Murray stole 1 game... like he won the game for them and the HBK line was massive for them in that series.

*Conditions: If Capitals re-sign Shattenkirk or advance to 2016/17 Eastern Conference Finals and if Shattenkirk plays in 50% of the first two rounds, Blues receive 2019 2nd round draft pick. If Capitals trade Shattenkirk on or before July 1, 2017; Blues receive a 7th round draft pick. However, should the return in a trade be a 4th round pick or earlier; instead of the 7th round pick, Blues receive next available pick two rounds later than the earliest pick received by the Capitals.

So the Leafs, Caps and Yotes have about 1/4 of the #1Ds in the league combined then, based on your historical comments.

Yeah, I don't buy into that.
- Mashadar

I refuse to believe that nobody out there was offering more for Shattenkirk, and if they weren't then don't trade him.

Maybe a St. Louis fan can help me out here, but I have no clue why the Blues would do this. I mean, this trade is fantastic from Washington's point of view but I have no idea how St. Louis comes out ahead here.

That said, Washington was already the best team in the League and now I just don't know how they lose. What a steal.

Come on now, man...

Orlov and Niksy are awesome dmen, but they ARE NOT #1 dmen.

Doughty, Subban, Burns, Weber, Karlsson, Letang, Vatanen and Hedman; these are #1 dmen.

Orlov and Nisky should not be mentioned in the same breath of any of those guys. Very good, yes, they are high-end 2nd pairing dmen, not #1 dmen.

Orlov is better than Weber at this point in their careers. He's better than Keith right now too. And Suter. And Peiterangelo.


Here's the thing about me: I try not to rate a player based on his reputation. Obviously Orlov isn't going to hit the heights of those guys I mentioned (excepting Pieterangelo who's crazy overrated) at their peaks, but they are all in decline by several years.
- james_tanner1

Put your rain coat on Jimmy because the blowback from this comment is gonna feel like s huricane. Yeah the Penguins tried to trade Letang for Orlov, they were going to retain half his salary and everything but the Caps said no way.

How do those 4 compare to Jake Gardiner? That's what I want to know.

Doughty, weber, keith, hedman, eckman larrson, burns, karleson, subban, sutter, peiterangelo, giordono, these are #1 defenseman. to put orlov and niskenen in this group is absurd
- Upstate_isles

these are not just number 1s. those are the leagues best number 1s.

I'm not sure I'd call either niskanen or orlov a number 1. if not though they're not far off. both of them. and this season I'd say they definitely have played like number 1s (again not elite number 1s, but lower end 1s).

I doubt you find more than 5 teams that have 2 better dmen. and probably no more than 15 that have 1.

Was this the "depth piece" you alluded to?

You not thinking so and having the gall to comment on a hockey board hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahah
- james_tanner1

Good add caps fans.
Im pulling for you to win the cup.

But of you play the leafs between now and the playoffs..please lose....cause well...we need the points.

I would like an explanation of your parameters for #1 defensemen as well, James. I'm curious what makes either Niskanen or Orlov a #1 in your opinion.
- BetterCallSaul

Obviously the same thing which makes Jake Gardiner an elite #1 defenceman.

Which is he is not.

Shattenkirk will cough the puck up behind the net in OT of game 7 to Crosby who sends the Caps home for the summer..................

Shattenkirk ain't that great. Great offensively, but was a liability last year for the Blues in ploffs...

Obviously the same thing which makes Jake Gardiner an elite #1 defenceman.

Which is he is not.
- poopstash

They're on pace for something like 40 and 45 points respectively, with both playing above average (but not spectacular) defense, on a team that is downright stingy defensively.

Even if you disagree they're both number 1s, I can't understand why anyone would think the suggestion is laughable. I think it's you that's being the idiot, this time, not Tanner.

Obviously the same thing which makes Jake Gardiner an elite #1 defenceman.

Which is he is not.
- poopstash

Yeah because who cares what guys actually do on the ice, right? It's all about reputation!

Orlov is better than Weber at this point in their careers. He's better than Keith right now too. And Suter. And Peiterangelo.


Here's the thing about me: I try not to rate a player based on his reputation. Obviously Orlov isn't going to hit the heights of those guys I mentioned (excepting Pieterangelo who's crazy overrated) at their peaks, but they are all in decline by several years.
- james_tanner1

Here is James being smarter than everyone else again.

James thinks he's great cause his stats are great cause he plays on a great team, not from watching him play.

Was this the "depth piece" you alluded to?
- jmatchett383

yes for sure

Here is James being smarter than everyone else again.

James thinks he's great cause his stats are great cause he plays on a great team, not from watching him play.
- NugentHallberle

While some posters and bloggers need to pay more attention to the effect on certain stats that the team one plays on can have, you can't just dismiss every good stat "because he plays on a great team".

Great teams are generally collections of.... wait for it..... a lot of great players.

Here is James being smarter than everyone else again.

James thinks he's great cause his stats are great cause he plays on a great team, not from watching him play.
- NugentHallberle

Well it's not not true.