James Tanner: Washington Capitals and the Expansion Draft

If the Coyotes wanted to get fancy, they could protect four D, keep Schmidt and protect only Ovechkin, Burakovsky, Backstrom and Kuznetsov.

what would you offer vegas to take orpik?

you really dont see them protecting Wilson? I imagine he has a decent amount of trade value.

why would it be nuts if they protected Tom Wilson?

you cant play one game against Washington without fearing him, he's relatively cheap and he has the ability to contribute offensively

why would it be nuts if they protected Tom Wilson?

you cant play one game against Washington without fearing him, he's relatively cheap and he has the ability to contribute offensively
- jimbro83

Also think they keep Wilson over Connolly

Also think they keep Wilson over Connolly
- DutchSenators

Without question.

why would it be nuts if they protected Tom Wilson?

you cant play one game against Washington without fearing him, he's relatively cheap and he has the ability to contribute offensively
- jimbro83

Because Connelly and Eller are better. He's alright, and certainly he's a helpful player, but if all you lose is Tom Wilson that's not too bad.

Without question.
- Capsnut

They did healthy scratch Connelly, so there is definintely reason to think you're right. But a) that was a bad coaching decision and b) Connolley is a way better player who is younger, cheaper and helps you win more.

So "without question" if the Capitals protected Wilson over Connelly they'd be incompetent.

They did healthy scratch Connelly, so there is definintely reason to think you're right. But a) that was a bad coaching decision and b) Connolley is a way better player who is younger, cheaper and helps you win more.

So "without question" if the Capitals protected Wilson over Connelly they'd be incompetent.
- james_tanner1

they dressed Connolly in only 7 playoff games and he didn't get a point

Wilson played in every playoff game, was a factor in every game, scored 3 playoff goals including an overtime winner

Just a few comments.
1. Orpik has to be protected bc of his nmc. I'm betting they buy him out and should bc it will allow them to protect Orlov. Schmidt has to be held onto. Hopefully Vegas goes after Grab in net.
2. Wilson is and should be protected. Crazy talk to think he won't. Winnik is a Ufa


In a perfect world we trade Orpik. Trade Lars. Keep Schmidt.

They did healthy scratch Connelly, so there is definintely reason to think you're right. But a) that was a bad coaching decision and b) Connolley is a way better player who is younger, cheaper and helps you win more.

So "without question" if the Capitals protected Wilson over Connelly they'd be incompetent.
- james_tanner1

1. how is he a way better player? please elaborate.
2. he isnt younger.
3. how does he help you win more?
4. How will he be cheaper if he is the way better player?

Leafs in 9

This expansion draft isn't fair to the Washington Capitals. They deserve to keep all their players!

This expansion draft isn't fair to the Washington Capitals. They deserve to keep all their players!
- Kineada

Have some compassion man! We're breaking up a dynasty here!

they dressed Connolly in only 7 playoff games and he didn't get a point

Wilson played in every playoff game, was a factor in every game, scored 3 playoff goals including an overtime winner
- jimbro83

This I know. I think you have to take the offensive player who played the whole year on the third line, which was very good and where he was very effective vs the fourth line player.

Wilson scored 3 goals in the playoffs, but that is an anomaly: he scored 7 goals in 82 games before that. And 7 goals in the 82 games before that. And 4 goals in the 67 games before that.

Connelly is a much better player.

Just a few comments.
1. Orpik has to be protected bc of his nmc. I'm betting they buy him out and should bc it will allow them to protect Orlov. Schmidt has to be held onto. Hopefully Vegas goes after Grab in net.
2. Wilson is and should be protected. Crazy talk to think he won't. Winnik is a Ufa


In a perfect world we trade Orpik. Trade Lars. Keep Schmidt.
- shuperman24

Orpik does not have a no movement clause and does not need to be protected. I double checked.

Hey James, just because you keep saying Connolly is a better player doesn't make it true. They are different role players and I promise there's more than one reason he's bounced around since being the 6th OA pick in the draft

Hey James, just because you keep saying Connolly is a better player doesn't make it true. They are different role players and I promise there's more than one reason he's bounced around since being the 6th OA pick in the draft
- Max.Betts

And FFS, spell his name right

1. how is he a way better player? please elaborate.
2. he isnt younger.
3. how does he help you win more?
4. How will he be cheaper if he is the way better player?
- rinaldo

I mistakenly thought Connelly was younger than Wilson you are correct.

Wilson 54% CF relative CF + 2.7% 14 5v5 goals
Connelly 50% CF relative CF - 1.92% 6 5v5 goals

I was probably wrong about him being cheaper, or now. Wilson makes 2 million, and you could probably sign Connelly to about the same, but you could get it for two or three years, wheres next year you'll need to give Wilson a raise.

I realize people like players like Wilson, so I don't really expect too many to agree, but I think the stats clearly show that Connelly is a much better player.

This I know. I think you have to take the offensive player who played the whole year on the third line, which was very good and where he was very effective vs the fourth line player.

Wilson scored 3 goals in the playoffs, but that is an anomaly: he scored 7 goals in 82 games before that. And 7 goals in the 82 games before that. And 4 goals in the 67 games before that.

Connelly is a much better player.
- james_tanner1

Not always about the raw number stats james is it?

This expansion draft isn't fair to the Washington Capitals. They deserve to keep all their players!
- Kineada

Exactly.

Besides there was a rule that the President's Trophy winner got to keep all players. Cuz we ALL KNOW the RS champion is far more important and far better than the Stanley Cup Champion.

what would you offer vegas to take orpik?

you really dont see them protecting Wilson? I imagine he has a decent amount of trade value.
- rinaldo

What would you have to trade Washington that would not only male them take Orpik, but also pass on a choice of Grubaur or Schmitt, possibly Johansson if they protect 4D? Maybe they can pawn that contract off on someone for a decent asset, but if I'm Vegas I'm not giving up the right to draft from Washington where they might actually get a good young player.

I thought orpik and nisk both had nmc. I'd protect Schmidt orlov and Carlson. I like nisk but the worst case scenario is nisk contract is taken. That money could go into attempting to resign a few of our ufa's.

Tanner, with all due respect not one gm takes Connolly over Wilson. There is a reason Connolly bounced around and likely is going to sign a 1.5 m deal.
Wilson on the other hand was probably our heart and soul in these playoffs and is a leader who's role keeps growing. Pts is only one aspect of the game. Wilson is a tank who hits everything. He also has turned into a great penalty killer.
If wilson is exposed to the expansion draft he will be gone in a minute. Wilson is a natural born leader that you need. Connolly had a nice year on a great team.
It's not even close

I thought orpik and nisk both had nmc. I'd protect Schmidt orlov and Carlson. I like nisk but the worst case scenario is nisk contract is taken. That money could go into attempting to resign a few of our ufa's.
- shuperman24

You have to protect Niskanen, he's one of the top 30 or so D in the NHL, certainly it's possible Schmidt could one day be as good as Niskanen, but it's not really likely.