actually listening to DC sports radio and callers calling in scared about the trade

seems a lot of them are still spooked by Erat for Forsberg and don't want Sanford to turn into another Forsberg

actually listening to DC sports radio and callers calling in scared about the trade

seems a lot of them are still spooked by Erat for Forsberg and don't want Sanford to turn into another Forsberg
- jimbro83

Caps need to win the cup this year

Caps need to win the cup this year
- TPC

they are pretty much like us in 1994, almost as desperate

they are pretty much like us in 1994, almost as desperate
- jimbro83

Caps still lack bottom 6 scoring, so like always, they NEED Ovi to be a beast all playoffs.

Don't know why, but I have a feeling Shane Doan will be a Ranger by tomorrow.

Also, think that there is a lot of smoke around Brendan Smith, so think he may be as well.

Don't know why, but I have a feeling Shane Doan will be a Ranger by tomorrow.

Also, think that there is a lot of smoke around Brendan Smith, so think he may be as well.
- Pete V

Hope not does nothing to help chances vs Wash or Pitt as well as to improve mediocre pp

Hope not does nothing to help chances vs Wash or Pitt as well as to improve mediocre pp
- dman78

I think we may need to keep our expectations in check, as I am not sure how many realistic options are out there to do the above things. Not saying those trades would make an earth shattering difference, but Doan could provide some toughness and leadership on the fourth line, and Smith gives them some defensive depth (and maybe a better option than Klein depending on how the season closes out).

Again, these aren't earth shattering trades, but I am not sure if there is one of those type trades that is out there right now. There maybe something cooking that we have no idea about, but I am betting against it this time.

Did we get Barrie yet?!

I think we may need to keep our expectations in check, as I am not sure how many realistic options are out there to do the above things. Not saying those trades would make an earth shattering difference, but Doan could provide some toughness and leadership on the fourth line, and Smith gives them some defensive depth (and maybe a better option than Klein depending on how the season closes out).

Again, these aren't earth shattering trades, but I am not sure if there is one of those type trades that is out there right now. There maybe something cooking that we have no idea about, but I am betting against it this time.
- Pete V

we've won enough playoff series the last 10 years to know that playoff series aren't won on paper, they are won in the trenches, they could use a guy or two who can battle it out that's for sure

Honest question: Is Shatty that good defensively? I know he has the offense, but what about in his own zone? Anything I find online says he's not the strongest in his own zone.
So, would that have been the thing we needed? Our offense has been fine, but we're giving up more goals than we're used to. Shouldn't we want a strong, top 4 RH defensive defenseman? Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have him on the PP, but I don't see him as being the piece that would have pushed us into the realm of the true contenders. (And I don't think he adds that much for the Caps either; their PP is pretty deadly without him).

Honest question: Is Shatty that good defensively? I know he has the offense, but what about in his own zone? Anything I find online says he's not the strongest in his own zone.
So, would that have been the thing we needed? Our offense has been fine, but we're giving up more goals than we're used to. Shouldn't we want a strong, top 4 RH defensive defenseman? Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have him on the PP, but I don't see him as being the piece that would have pushed us into the realm of the true contenders. (And I don't think he adds that much for the Caps either; their PP is pretty deadly without him).
- gravey914

this trade from Caps perspective may have been as much about keeping Shatty away from Penguins and Rangers as it was to add something to their team

Did we get Barrie yet?!
- mdw7413

No, because we're getting Odouya.

this trade from Caps perspective may have been as much about keeping Shatty away from Penguins and Rangers as it was to add something to their team
- jimbro83

That could be entirely true. I just feel like we've put Shatty on a pedestal. I haven't seen him play enough to form an educated opinion on him. I know he's good, but is he that good?

Honest question: Is Shatty that good defensively? I know he has the offense, but what about in his own zone? Anything I find online says he's not the strongest in his own zone.
So, would that have been the thing we needed? Our offense has been fine, but we're giving up more goals than we're used to. Shouldn't we want a strong, top 4 RH defensive defenseman? Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have him on the PP, but I don't see him as being the piece that would have pushed us into the realm of the true contenders. (And I don't think he adds that much for the Caps either; their PP is pretty deadly without him).
- gravey914

I don't think you can look at it like that. Have to look at what he would have meant for the Rangers, and he would have been head and shoulders above anyone on that right side. Also would have been yuge on the PP. It sucks they missed out, I just hope Gorton doesn't do a panic move and give up something for someone who would be not much different than what they already have on the right side.

That could be entirely true. I just feel like we've put Shatty on a pedestal. I haven't seen him play enough to form an educated opinion on him. I know he's good, but is he that good?
- gravey914

He would fill this teams major holes like Cinderella's shoe

But we said the same about Yandle, Dan Boyle and Brad Richards

That could be entirely true. I just feel like we've put Shatty on a pedestal. I haven't seen him play enough to form an educated opinion on him. I know he's good, but is he that good?
- gravey914

he certainly would have filled a need for the Rangers. Right handed shot from the point, he has more powerplay goals than any player on the Rangers this year

who knows? maybe the Rangers have seen the light on Clendening and they see what a lot of fans were clamoring for all year

I don't think you can look at it like that. Have to look at what he would have meant for the Rangers, and he would have been head and shoulders above anyone on that right side. Also would have been yuge on the PP. It sucks they missed out, I just hope Gorton doesn't do a panic move and give up something for someone who would be not much different than what they already have on the right side.
- mdw7413

You know you want an Eric Staal trade part II

No, because we're getting Odouya.
- Fenrir

Trying to ruin my morning?

You know you want an Eric Staal trade part II
- TPC

I hate you

I don't think you can look at it like that. Have to look at what he would have meant for the Rangers, and he would have been head and shoulders above anyone on that right side. Also would have been yuge on the PP. It sucks they missed out, I just hope Gorton doesn't do a panic move and give up something for someone who would be not much different than what they already have on the right side.
- mdw7413

I don't disagree, I just think fans put too much expectation on a lot of these players. We've been looking for that PP QB since Leetch, and every time someone is available, he's the one that's going to put us over the edge.
I know it's not as simple as scoring more than you give up, but we're 5th in the league in GF/GP and 10th in GA/GP. If we need to fix something, it's our defense, not our offense. Sure, it's never a bad idea to try to get even better. But I think the focus should be elsewhere.
Edit: We've taken Hank for granted a bit over the years. Imagine what this team could do with an 'in the zone" Hank and a D-corps that could limit high quality scoring chances!

he certainly would have filled a need for the Rangers. Right handed shot from the point, he has more powerplay goals than any player on the Rangers this year

who knows? maybe the Rangers have seen the light on Clendening and they see what a lot of fans were clamoring for all year
- jimbro83

I miss our early season PP. Zib on the left side and Pirri on the right both capable of hard one-timers. Then a big body like Nash or Kreids in front. Then Zib got hurt and Pirri showed why he's bounced around.

I miss our early season PP. Zib on the left side and Pirri on the right both capable of hard one-timers. Then a big body like Nash or Kreids in front. Then Zib got hurt and Pirri showed why he's bounced around.
- gravey914

Zib and Pirri are both infuriating at shooting the puck wide

I don't disagree, I just think fans put too much expectation on a lot of these players. We've been looking for that PP QB since Leetch, and every time someone is available, he's the one that's going to put us over the edge.
I know it's not as simple as scoring more than you give up, but we're 5th in the league in GF/GP and 10th in GA/GP. If we need to fix something, it's our defense, not our offense. Sure, it's never a bad idea to try to get even better. But I think the focus should be elsewhere.
- gravey914

Yeah, I hear you. I just don't know if there is anyone out there available that would be much better defensively than what we already have.

Zib and Pirri are both infuriating at shooting the puck wide
- jimbro83

That and Zucc refusing to shoot the puck, Stepan forgetting how to do much of anything, and Nash not getting the lucky bounces (because his effort can't be questioned, especially recently).

That and Zucc refusing to shoot the puck, Stepan forgetting how to do much of anything, and Nash not getting the lucky bounces (because his effort can't be questioned, especially recently).
- gravey914

Stepan hasn't scored since Obama was president #(frank)Trump