I don't think being frightened and contemptuous of Trump makes me a leftist. I think it makes me a human with morals and at least some character.
- James_Tanner

What are the morals of Trumps opponent? You do know that Hillary was directly or partly responsible for 3...Yes 3...wars where 100's of thousands maybe millions of people died. That's 3 geopolitical disasters on her hands.......but clearly she was the much better and "moral" choice.

Imagine the player destination the team would become if tanner was GM? Cody Franson would be locked up to 6x6 and partnered with rundblad. Who would get a one year deal and then signed to am 8x8 extension immediately. This top pairing would become the envy of the NHL. You would be immediately let go upon UFA status and replaced by an obscure junior B player with great shot metrics.

He would never meet with you, the player, personally and would have them up on his roster board according to their CORSI. "We have to trade 49% hes bringing down the 4th line". His coach would be an ipad that uses SIRIs voice to send lines over the boards and every practice would be a statistical FENWICK analysis. Doesnt this scream entertainment?

Not to mention his players would start in the faceoff dot looking the other way so they could skate back real hard to prevent the inevitable shot attempt.
- MarkStoned

This is comedy gold.

There's a lot of factors here that I think you're no looking at. The Caps are still a team that's "good enough" to make the playoffs, so if they miss it's not because they're not good enough. You have to look at what's happening around the rest of the division and conference.

1) The Atlantic should have four playoff teams, not three.

2) Other teams in the Metro should be better this year making the race much closer.

Clearly everything is speculation based on "ifs."

Carolina: A team that was much better than their record implied and had a very good off-season. Adding Justin Williams, Darling and TVR. Subtle, but profound moves for a team that was only missing a few key pieces. This is a complete team.

NYI: Some addition through subtraction, more fire power and didn't miss by all that much considering how bad of a season they had. They should be right in the 3rd/4th place mix.

NYR: Loss on offense, but with a considerably better defense than last year should make Hank's life easier. They should also be right in the 3rd/4th place mix.

Caps went from a 1st place team to middle-rung team which gives them more competition.
- Rinosaur

You make some valid points. Let me alter my view a bit. I'm not saying it's a certainty that Wash will make the playoffs this year, because anything can happen in pro sports, and they have become a weaker team while some competitors have improved.

I still think they are a playoff team despite their poor off season and I'd give them about a 60% (I'm just throwing that made up number out there based off of my intuition) chance of making the playoffs this year.

For your own sake, don't give people advice. Everyone knows that the difference between any random hockey fan and any random GM is about six bucks and a nice suit. It's the easiest job in the world because 30 of the teams are guaranteed to fail every year.
- James_Tanner

Thanks for the great advice James! I'll give it some serious thought, then probably disregard it.

If we could convince the NHL to do some sort of weird publicity stunt where they let a bunch of random fans become GMs for a few years, I think we'd see a lot of exciting and extremely stupid things happen. Some idiot would sign Jagr to an 8 year deal worth like 5m a year despite him being 80 and the Oilers would be doing ridiculous moves like trading McDavid for Crosby because "they're determined to win now". Ok, after some thought, I guess the Oilers' management probably couldn't get much worse than Chiarrelli.

What are the morals of Trumps opponent? You do know that Hillary was directly or partly responsible for 3...Yes 3...wars where 100's of thousands maybe millions of people died. That's 3 geopolitical disasters on her hands.......but clearly she was the much better and "moral" choice.
- madmike71

Ah, yes. Another person who seemingly sees issues with the system, but yet still perpetuates the system. Awesome.

(Hint: Dems. and Repubs. goals are the same; put more money in the hands of the elite. What's the quickest way to make a buck? Start wars.)

I don't think being frightened and contemptuous of Trump makes me a leftist. I think it makes me a human with morals and at least some character.
- James_Tanner

I don't see the need to be frightened or contemptuous of Trump.

I wish he'd kept to his original views about universal health care, and pushed for a single payer system, instead of the one that house Republicans want. I think controlling immigration is essential for the health of any nation, and the wall, and other controls are part of that for the US.

I like the unexpected deal he made with Democrats on keeping government running. He should keep playing Republicans and the Democrats in both houses against one and other in order to get deals made, since they both think only people who do their bidding should be president.

I'm not fond of the endless cycle of character assassination that the mainstream media employs against Republican candidates, heck, they even did it to independent H. Ross Perot for good measure. Dumb, crackpot, ignorant, racist, blah blah blah, they really need a new mantra, as the old one is getting repetitive, and quite predictable.

As for you James, I like your columns, and will continue to read them.

Thank god for that, a blog by the mighty MJL would be horrific to read

I honestly feel sorry you.
- James_Tanner

I feel sorry for him too James, but really he is so annoying that MJL puppy.

Ah, yes. Another person who seemingly sees issues with the system, but yet still perpetuates the system. Awesome.

(Hint: Dems. and Repubs. goals are the same; put more money in the hands of the elite. What's the quickest way to make a buck? Start wars.)
- Blackstrom2

how do you not make one comment about this blog Tanner wrote?

if anyone else even in a simple comment on any of the blogs said the Capitals would miss the playoffs you'd lose your mind.

You have not one comment about this blog?

Imagine the player destination the team would become if tanner was GM? Cody Franson would be locked up to 6x6 and partnered with rundblad. Who would get a one year deal and then signed to am 8x8 extension immediately. This top pairing would become the envy of the NHL. You would be immediately let go upon UFA status and replaced by an obscure junior B player with great shot metrics.

He would never meet with you, the player, personally and would have them up on his roster board according to their CORSI. "We have to trade 49% hes bringing down the 4th line". His coach would be an ipad that uses SIRIs voice to send lines over the boards and every practice would be a statistical FENWICK analysis. Doesnt this scream entertainment?

Not to mention his players would start in the faceoff dot looking the other way so they could skate back real hard to prevent the inevitable shot attempt.
- MarkStoned

-hilarious.

Truthfully I like your blogs on here for the most part - think people get all worked up when obviously at times you are just trying to have a bit of fun. Thanks James.

Now - Regarding Washington...

I think they obviously made some mistakes this summer, but I think the biggest mistake was the Trotz hiring. You have/had a team that was built to play run and gun hockey, and truly dominated doing it. Sure they got bounced in the playoffs, but the cup is such a hard thing to win to begin with. I think they should have stuck with that they were built to do, in a sense what Pittsburgh did.

Every team/organization rises and falls, windows open and close. The Capitals, will be joined by teams like Chicago and Pittsburgh soon enough. Clubs like LA, and San Jose know all too well about this as well.
- flyer_nutter

The thing about teams like Chicago and Pittsburgh is they won (atleast) 3 cups in their window. When they decline, oh well, mission accomplished. Washington cannot say the same.

Back on track, curious when the Capitals decide to call it and start a rebuild. One would probably venture to say its too soon - they still have Holtby and some good pieces, but that lineup smells of mediocrity unless something changes.
- flyer_nutter

They have two fantastic goalie prospects, so I think it wouldn't be unrealistic to see Holtby moved in two/three years.

When your "captain" threatens to leave his club to play for his country... ya, they will never win under that leadership.

What are the morals of Trumps opponent? You do know that Hillary was directly or partly responsible for 3...Yes 3...wars where 100's of thousands maybe millions of people died. That's 3 geopolitical disasters on her hands.......but clearly she was the much better and "moral" choice.
- madmike71

No political talk!

But since we are already there...

Hilary hates Bill. Business marriage. Chelsea was born to prove they were a family like everyone else. Clintons had Kennedy killed in the plane crash so an outsider can take that NY senate seat to start a 20 yr plan for her to rule. She had Americans killed to protect her own dirty lies. She's an arrogant c*nt. I can go on an on. Bill and Obama both said we have a huge immigration problem, with so much money going to illegals, Obama deported MILLIONS of illegals but Trump is the bad guy? HA.

But back to hockey!

I like the idea of your post, but as usual my complaint is the lack of depth (no offense). It seems like this year more than any other year, lots of teams still have a lot of work to do but they're waiting to see how training camp goes first (think Pens 3C, Montreal and their cap space, Philly and all their young kids, PHX and their cap space). WSH is kind of in the same spot. Vrana might take a spot, they've got some PTO's. I think they could easily package Eller and a 2nd to Vegas for a guy like Garrison. Does that not completely change their roster for the better and completely change their outlook on what else they need? I think that it does. We can all agree that they had a terrible offseason, but I think there's time to stop at least some of the bleeding where they'll be competing for a playoff spot.
One thing I really like are predictions: who you project to jump ahead of them to the point where they miss the playoffs (Carolina, Philly, TBL) and why those teams jump ahead

how do you not make one comment about this blog Tanner wrote?

if anyone else even in a simple comment on any of the blogs said the Capitals would miss the playoffs you'd lose your mind.

You have not one comment about this blog?
- jimbro83

Uh, what's that based on? You think I give a poop whether some random person think the Caps are going to make the playoffs or not? I don't even give a poop if they make the playoffs or not. It's a sports team bro.

Good assessment James. The Caps will become a bubble team, this year.

Good assessment James. The Caps will become a bubble team, this year.
- PrinceLH

A bubble team in the Metro could still be a pretty good team.

James Tanner: Capitals Are Going to Miss the Playoffs
- james_tanner1

This prediction is BOLD

I'm genuinely curious to know how many teams who have won the President's Trophy in the previous season missed the playoffs in the subsequent season. Does anyone have a list? Would it be unprecedented?

I'm genuinely curious to know how many teams who have won the President's Trophy in the previous season missed the playoffs in the subsequent season. Does anyone have a list? Would it be unprecedented?
- mjones242

Boston Bruins, 1st in the league with 117 points in 2013-14, then just missed the playoffs in 2014-15 with 96 points.

I don’t think being frighten and contemptuous of Trump makes me a leftist. I think it makes me a human with morals and at least some character.

So, you not only have no respect for the POTUS but you are also frighten of him… so strongly frightened that you feel the need to include it along with you middle-aged type music love into a hockey blog.

As to character… A friend of mine said his dog crapped on his rug and squirted on his wall but it was okay with him because it adds character.

As to Justin Trudeau… the truth is he isn’t Canada’s answer to Donald Trump… he’s Canada’s answer to Barack Obama. Canada’s habit isn’t to reject America… it’s to imitate it… just a few years later and a lot milder. Nervous Canadians who know their place want a smooth relationship with the USA, whatever the circumstances… even those frightened Character’s with character.

Again, good input on how sad sack the CAPS organEYEzation is and it isn’t talked about enough… the other stuff is pretty much dog FLUFF.

So, you not only have no respect for the POTUS but you are also frighten of him… so strongly frightened that you feel the need to include it along with you middle-aged type music love into a hockey blog.

As to character… A friend of mine said his dog crapped on his rug and squirted on his wall but it was okay with him because it adds character.

As to Justin Trudeau… the truth is he isn’t Canada’s answer to Donald Trump… he’s Canada’s answer to Barack Obama. Canada’s habit isn’t to reject America… it’s to imitate it… just a few years later and a lot milder. Nervous Canadians who know their place want a smooth relationship with the USA, whatever the circumstances… even those frightened Character’s with character.

Again, good input on how sad sack the CAPS organEYEzation is and it isn’t talked about enough… the other stuff is pretty much dog FLUFF.
- sufi-judge

I have less than no respect for him. He disgusts me.