Steven Hindle: Captastrophe - Captastrophe

How many more opportunities to catch the Leafs/Panthers are the Caps going to pass up?

To many injuries every year to key players. Its being to consistant now, maybe time to change the culture of the team.
Since the NHL implamented steriod testing, hate to say, but Ovie has not been the same player, just wondering..................................................

How many more opportunities to catch the Leafs/Panthers are the Caps going to pass up?
- mlindsay

The rest of the season..

The rest of the season..
- onecapitalsfan

Hopefully

To many injuries every year to key players. Its being to consistant now, maybe time to change the culture of the team.
Since the NHL implamented steriod testing, hate to say, but Ovie has not been the same player, just wondering..................................................


- Ur Not Me

Yea he's a shadow of his former self. It doesn't help that he's playing with sub-par talent. All the coaching and system changes have really destroyed this teams chemistry and confidence. They have no identity. Last night's game was evidence that the team won't even compete for themselves, let alone each other. Dramatic changes need to be made. The team looks lost, with no end in sight.

Komi for AO....

Hopefully
- Conquest

The leafs have played well overall. I would not be surprised at all if they finally made it to the playoffs. Plus, I believe Burke will make positive adjustments for the stretch run unlike GMGM.

Fail for Nail...

Yea he's a shadow of his former self. It doesn't help that he's playing with sub-par talent. All the coaching and system changes have really destroyed this teams chemistry and confidence. They have no identity. Last night's game was evidence that the team won't even compete for themselves, let alone each other. Dramatic changes need to be made. The team looks lost, with no end in sight.
- onecapitalsfan

Does he not have Semin and Back on his line for 38 games this year. OV is having a tough stretch, people are starting to wonder why the sudden fall from grace.

Fail for Nail...
- Ben37

As nice as that sounds, Yakupov would probably pick up the bad habits displayed by his future Russian teammates (OV and Semin).

Does he not have Semin and Back on his line for 38 games this year. OV is having a tough stretch, people are starting to wonder why the sudden fall from grace.
- bixll

Yea he's played well with Backstrom throughout his career. When the "Big Three" play together, they get too cute and blow opportunities. Pretty much sums up the last two seasons in Washington. Whats funny is Semin has surprisingly played better than OV over the last month. Go figure.

So how have you guys liked Wardo? Looking at his numbers I've been trying to figure out the $3m figure, and whether that's good or bad for the Caps.

So how have you guys liked Wardo? Looking at his numbers I've been trying to figure out the $3m figure, and whether that's good or bad for the Caps.
- iamageek

I think a lot of caps fans focus too much on his price tag. It's not his fault he got $3 mil, its GMGM's for giving it to him.

He has had his ups and downs (more downs though). When he played alongside Chimera and Laich for the first part of the season he played well imho. I've noticed he has begun picking up bad habits displayed by his teammates at times (i.e. playing nonchalant and lazy). Ward seems to be at his best when he is forchecking hard and creating turnovers. He has not consistently done this so far.

Yea he's a shadow of his former self. It doesn't help that he's playing with sub-par talent. All the coaching and system changes have really destroyed this teams chemistry and confidence. They have no identity. Last night's game was evidence that the team won't even compete for themselves, let alone each other. Dramatic changes need to be made. The team looks lost, with no end in sight.
- onecapitalsfan

Yea i watched the game last nite, an couldnt believe the lack-luster game.
I really thought that the Caps would have a good year, especially with Vokoun in goal. Had the Caps as a top 4 or 5 team in the eastern conference with all the additions in the off-season that were made. I dont know if it was the coaching change that maybe should HAVE NOT happened, or its time to change most of the players.

No mention of a disappearing Ovi in this article

Still plenty of games left, but if they miss the playoffs, find a way to get a franchise goalie and make no one untouchable except Backstrom, Carlson and Ovie

The reality is that they are going nowhere without Backstrom (I know it's bad to rely on one guy, but when you have ZERO depth at center, you cannot lose that one guy for a long period -- couple this with Green's absence the bulk of the season and you are left relying on Ovechkin, who has come up small). If they knew that Backstrom was going to be back for the stretch run, then making a splash at the deadline would be understandable, but of course we have no idea as to when (or if) Backstrom is coming back. The biggest dilemma is that McPhee has to believe he is fighting for his job, so he is bound to try to pull off a trade or two to salvage the season. In doing so, he might sacrifice assets which might set the team up better for the long term.

A complete rebuild never works...you end up cycling thru another rebuild a few years down the road.

They just need to go back to run and gun hockey...they were only stopped once like this...albeit in the playoffs...

And at that time I said there was no need for such a huge defensive shift in priorities...(I believe Boudreau was forced to do this)...and the slide continues...

What about dealing Ovechkin? Not sure you guys will ever win with him. Maybe in a deal to get Nash.

A complete rebuild never works...you end up cycling thru another rebuild a few years down the road.

They just need to go back to run and gun hockey...they were only stopped once like this...albeit in the playoffs...

And at that time I said there was no need for such a huge defensive shift in priorities...(I believe Boudreau was forced to do this)...and the slide continues...
- PrairieFire

Boudreau has said as much (i.e. that he reluctantly changed his system). They might not have ever won a Cup playing the way they did, but it sure made for an entertaining style, one in which you felt you were mssing out if you missed a regular season game. The last two years have offered little in the way of excitement/entertainment, and the results haven't been as good.

The reality is that they are going nowhere without Backstrom (I know it's bad to rely on one guy, but when you have ZERO depth at center, you cannot lose that one guy for a long period -- couple this with Green's absence the bulk of the season and you are left relying on Ovechkin, who has come up small). If they knew that Backstrom was going to be back for the stretch run, then making a splash at the deadline would be understandable, but of course we have no idea as to when (or if) Backstrom is coming back. The biggest dilemma is that McPhee has to believe he is fighting for his job, so he is bound to try to pull off a trade or two to salvage the season. In doing so, he might sacrifice assets which might set the team up better for the long term.
- MadCap2008

I would put Backs on LTIR and use the cap space to get a quality center. They need the help now rather than waiting to see if Backs will be able to play. If Backs can return, he can hop on for a playoff run provided they make the playoffs.

The quick spark of a coaching change has worn off and the players lack confidence. New blood added to the mix or other player changes seem to be the only option left to try and wake up a team that is playing significantly below their abilities.

What about dealing Ovechkin? Not sure you guys will ever win with him. Maybe in a deal to get Nash.
- maaddmike

I don't believe it has come to that point yet -- though the Caps haven't won a Cup with him (and might never), he has made a ton of money for this organization. Hopefully he will recapture something approaching the level of play that we saw prior to last season.

Boudreau has said as much (i.e. that he reluctantly changed his system). They might not have ever won a Cup playing the way they did, but it sure made for an entertaining style, one in which you felt you were mssing out if you missed a regular season game. The last two years have offered little in the way of excitement/entertainment, and the results haven't been as good.
- MadCap2008

I think the defense would have come along on its own since the D did have holes filled by younger players that needed some development/experience. I think if you took today's D and placed them on the offense-driven teams of the past, then they would probably have been more competive in the playoffs. System was fine, they just need the right mix of players.

I don't believe it has come to that point yet -- though the Caps haven't won a Cup with him (and might never), he has made a ton of money for this organization. Hopefully he will recapture something approaching the level of play that we saw prior to last season.
- MadCap2008

I would keep OV also and focus on getting a strong second line. If the Caps can't get at least two dangerous scoring lines working on a consistant basis, then teams will focus on Ovie's line and shut him down. Thier best offensive days happened with a hot 1 & 2 lines, combined with a decent PP.