The Washington Capitals have one of the better top-four groups in the NHL.
They're not as good as Carolina or Nashville, but they are better than most.
Dimitri Orlov and Matt Niskanen are two very underrated, top pairing, all-round defenseman.
John Carlson had over 60 points, and Micheal Kempny was a solid addition.
Obviously I've written about how I don't like the Orpik signing, but my main concern with it isn't that he's so bad (which is indisputably is) it's that he'll take time from either Madison Bowey or Christian Djoos.
Djoos got into 22 playoff games, so he's pretty clearly the guy who is for sure going to play. He's a great third pairing option with tons of potential. While he only had a single assist in the playoffs, his main partner was Orpik.
Before the Capitals acquired Kempny, Djoos' main partner was John Carlson. Together they a 53% pairing, and Carlson actually got worse without Djoos.
Djoos was a 52% player without Orpik (the best possession Capitals defenseman) last year and a 48% player with him. Orpik without Djoos was a brutal 43%.
So Djoos is in for sure.
As for Madison Bowey, he's all offense and he can't defend, so pairing him with Orpik is a disaster and if Orpik is a regular, then Bowey stands to be the odd man out.
He shouldn't be though. His main partner was Orpik last year, and whenever Bowey got on the ice with someone else, he became nearly a 50% player.
Djoos (left_) and Bowey (Right) make an ideal third pairing. If given the chance, the Capitals blue line could be nearly as good as anyone in the NHL's.
Both players are 23 and if either sits for a 38 year old defenseman who can't defend or score, then that is an absolute joke.
The Capitals are going to look to repeat next season and if both Bowey and Djoos had breakout seasons that could actually be a possibility. These are two excellent young defenders both deserving of a regular shift.
I think if they continue to impress, and if Kempny is as good as some people think he is, then the Capitals would have one of the deepest 1 through 6 blue lines in the NHL.
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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