Jan Levine: Caps Sign Carlson, McDonagh not MDZ Needs to Be Main Focus Time to lock up the Mac Truck long-term

100% agree Jan, great job.

Agree as well Jan - good article. Thanks.

I'm a big McDonagh fan too, but it doesn't seem to me like he has the same offensive upside as most of the guys you've compared him to. I'm basing that on his stats before playing the NHL and what I saw of him in the playoffs, but don't get to see him with the regularity you do.

If I were MDZ, I'd be really disgruntled at the condescending comments issued by Sather during negotiation. Something along the lines of, "..he'll come to his sense.." That type of behaviour might instil a measure of resentment in MDZ. I like the middle ground between Carlson's contract and Subban's estimated 4 miil/yr contract as a comparison, and think it's Sather who ought to smarten up. McDonagh is undoubtedly a cornerstone franchise player, but MDZ is the offensive complement they need on the backend.

I'm a big McDonagh fan too, but it doesn't seem to me like he has the same offensive upside as most of the guys you've compared him to. I'm basing that on his stats before playing the NHL and what I saw of him in the playoffs, but don't get to see him with the regularity you do.

If I were MDZ, I'd be really disgruntled at the condescending comments issued by Sather during negotiation. Something along the lines of, "..he'll come to his sense.." That type of behaviour might instil a measure of resentment in MDZ. I like the middle ground between Carlson's contract and Subban's estimated 4 miil/yr contract as a comparison, and think it's Sather who ought to smarten up. McDonagh is undoubtedly a cornerstone franchise player, but MDZ is the offensive complement they need on the backend.
- Def_of_a_Joke

MDZ is fine but McDonagh is the bigger focus. If we can get him signed by the author's recommended contract, that will be a huge win.

I'm a big McDonagh fan too, but it doesn't seem to me like he has the same offensive upside as most of the guys you've compared him to. I'm basing that on his stats before playing the NHL and what I saw of him in the playoffs, but don't get to see him with the regularity you do.

If I were MDZ, I'd be really disgruntled at the condescending comments issued by Sather during negotiation. Something along the lines of, "..he'll come to his sense.." That type of behaviour might instil a measure of resentment in MDZ. I like the middle ground between Carlson's contract and Subban's estimated 4 miil/yr contract as a comparison, and think it's Sather who ought to smarten up. McDonagh is undoubtedly a cornerstone franchise player, but MDZ is the offensive complement they need on the backend.
- Def_of_a_Joke

I think McDonagh will be the best overall defenseman in the entire NHL within 2 years.

I think McDonagh will be the best overall defenseman in the entire NHL within 2 years.
- jimbro83

I like the kid a lot. But hard to say that he will be best overall in NHL when you are not the best offensive or defensive player on your own team. I think Jan has split the difference pretty well. The Myers comparison looks good, I would pick Myers in a direct comparison, but it is close.

I like the kid a lot. But hard to say that he will be best overall in NHL when you are not the best offensive or defensive player on your own team. I think Jan has split the difference pretty well. The Myers comparison looks good, I would pick Myers in a direct comparison, but it is close.
- spatso

oh he is definitely the best defensive player on his own team. It's not even a debate.

oh he is definitely the best defensive player on his own team. It's not even a debate.
- jimbro83

still cant believe gainey traded him for gomez...

oh he is definitely the best defensive player on his own team. It's not even a debate.
- jimbro83

Agreed.

Lets not forget the 53mins he played against the caps in that tripple OT game. Also hve to remember hes only what.. 22?

Agreed.

Lets not forget the 53mins he played against the caps in that tripple OT game. Also hve to remember hes only what.. 22?
- TrueBlue9182

I hope it's still a secret to the rest of the league how good he is once play finally starts up again.

But, getting him locked up now long term before he starts adding big offensive numbers to his resume would be a freaking great idea. Very un-Slats like though unfortunately.

Agreed.

The current Hockey News has the top 20 at each position in the NHL and they currently list McDonagh at #7 overall on the blueline.

So my dream of him still being under the radar is very much alive for a little longer.

This is going to be a very expensive blueline.

This is going to be a very expensive blueline.
- GStone

True dat.

I think the deal you suggested for DZ is good, maybe they could give him a little bit of a raise every year to get it closer to whatever he is asking for. I'm not sure if Sather will sign McD to a new contract before his expires, but we should give him whatever he's asking for, unless it's ridiculous. Just make sure we lock him up long term.

The current Hockey News has the top 20 at each position in the NHL and they currently list McDonagh at #7 overall on the blueline.

So my dream of him still being under the radar is very much alive for a little longer.
- jimbro83

Your emphatic assertions of McDonagh's near godhood is scary...

Your emphatic assertions of McDonagh's near godhood is scary...
- Def_of_a_Joke

What's funny here is that you try to play yourself as smart but come off as rather idiotic, IMO. Where in Jimbro's post did he even come close to calling McD "godlike"? He was only quoting THN for God's sake.

What's funny here is that you try to play yourself as smart but come off as rather idiotic, IMO. Where in Jimbo's post did he even come close to calling McD "godlike"? He was only quoting THN for God's sake.
- GStone[/quote

You're being too defensive and insulting here. I'm just trying to draw attention to the strongly one-sided posts made by someone who's avatar is identified with the individual being lauded. A couple of comments in this post by seemed very forceful of the player's superiority, stating "...it's not even a debate."

As I'd mentioned above, I'm McDonagh fan too, and this was intended to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, if anything. I'm just not a big emoticon user.

I'm not trying to "play myself" as anything, and your comments are uncalled for. I'm just trying to articulate why I believe what I believe. If you disagree, don't call me an idiot, present a counterpoint. If you want to hurl insults, find another forum.

What's funny here is that you try to play yourself as smart but come off as rather idiotic, IMO. Where in Jimbro's post did he even come close to calling McD "godlike"? He was only quoting THN for God's sake.
- GStone

Calling someone an idiot is taking it a bit too far.

We all should show each other at least a modicum of respect.

Calling someone an idiot is taking it a bit too far.

We all should show each other at least a modicum of respect.
- Daman

I agree with you about showing respect and unfortunately that can be missing in general on this site. However, I may be parsing words here but techically he didn't call him anything; he simply described his comment as "idiotic." Not necessarily the same thing as calling him an idiot.

At the end of the day Ryan McDonagh is an excellent defenseman with what I believe to be some untapped offensive ability which if developed could easily propel him into Norris discussions in years to come. We may disagree slightly on how high he might rank overall in a few years but I'm sure we can all agree that he is destined to beone of the best in the game.

I agree with you about showing respect and unfortunately that can be missing in general on this site. However, I may be parsing words here but techically he didn't call him anything; he simply described his comment as "idiotic." Not necessarily the same thing as calling him an idiot.

At the end of the day Ryan McDonagh is an excellent defenseman with what I believe to be some untapped offensive ability which if developed could easily propel him into Norris discussions in years to come. We may disagree slightly on how high he might rank overall in a few years but I'm sure we can all agree that he is destined to beone of the best in the game.
- gkmkiller

Well, he does say "you come off as idiotic". I think we can raise the bar a little.
You may be right in terms of semantics, but the COC is clear.



6. Respect your fellow HockeyBuzzers
No name calling. And you’re not being clever if you say “any moron knows” or “only an idiot doesn’t understand.” You’re being disrespectful. Talk more about hockey and less about each other. Although playful banter is allowed, that does not mean anything goes, if the banter breaks any part of the code of conduct, it isn’t playful and it is not acceptable. When “Player X stinks" turns into "You stink" you've crossed the line. And yes, the Moderators decide where the line is.

It is tough to win these arguments - I think it is fair to say that Mickey D's is top 10 and projects to be top 5.

Well, he does say "you come off as idiotic". I think we can raise the bar a little.
You may be right in terms of semantics, but the COC is clear.



6. Respect your fellow HockeyBuzzers
No name calling. And you’re not being clever if you say “any moron knows” or “only an idiot doesn’t understand.” You’re being disrespectful. Talk more about hockey and less about each other. Although playful banter is allowed, that does not mean anything goes, if the banter breaks any part of the code of conduct, it isn’t playful and it is not acceptable. When “Player X stinks" turns into "You stink" you've crossed the line. And yes, the Moderators decide where the line is.

It is tough to win these arguments - I think it is fair to say that Mickey D's is top 10 and projects to be top 5.
- Daman

Why dont we just drop it and let the Mods worry about it? Its got nothing to do with you, stay out of it.

UPDATE: Doan has decided to remain in Phoenix, signing a 4-year, $21.2 million contract, according to John Gambadoro.

Why dont we just drop it and let the Mods worry about it? Its got nothing to do with you, stay out of it.


- TrueBlue9182

Ok