Can someone explain the Sheary hate? It's not the greatest contract in the world, but the guy put up middle-6 winger production for middle-6 winger money.
- jmatchett383

The hate largely comes because he disappears in the playoffs.

Everything else you said about him bring worth his contract is true, and if they were thin on wings I'd want to keep him around. But he falls behind Guentzel, Kessel, Hornqvist, Rust, Hagelin for me and I'd like to see Sprong and ZAR get bigger opportunities and even Simon is a depth option.

Just feels that 3M could be spent better elsewhere.

Where do you think the data magically comes from?
- Feds91Stammer

A turnover is a turnover according to the stat geeks but if you watch a game there is context. One day you'll figure it out bud.

A turnover is a turnover according to the stat geeks but if you watch a game there is context. One day you'll figure it out bud.
- ClaudeFather

Turnover stats are almost as bad as plus/minus guy.

I don't know that he has top-four talent, but if he really fixes the weak areas of his game I could see him eventually being a fringe #4 dman who can fill-in when needed.

I think his potential is a high-end a #5 dman and that ain't bad, but I still don't know if I'm sold on him.

I'd personally like them to move out Ruhwedel and Oleksiak's RFA contract and bring in Del Zotto and Trevor Van Reimsdyk to fill in the bottom pair. They have the pieces to make moves like that happen.

I'd try Sheary for MDZ and maybe even Oleksiak straight up for TVR. Maybe CAR will find Oleksiak's style more to their liking.

Feds will like this next one...

I'd move Letang for a winger then sign Green to a two-year contract. I know Green isn't at the level of Letang, but I think he's a level above Schultz.

Dumo/Green
Maatta/Schultz
MDZ/TVR

Not as shiny, but I think the players fit the mold of this system.
- Rinosaur

I really don't see a point in dropping Ruhwedel completely. He's a cheap and capable 7th defenseman.

I'm not so sure Green is ahead of Schultz and I don't think Schultz is a top pairing D either though he's great in his role. That's where your plan falls apart for me.

I'll keep Oleksiak as my 6th D as well. Looking for at least a #5. I'm probably at least trying to sign Cole before trading for Del Zotto or TVR. Might be interested in them as backups though if they're made available.

Your points are almost always terrible and the ones that aren't are still generally bad.
- Feds91Stammer

I love you.

Turnover stats are almost as bad as plus/minus guy.
- Feds91Stammer

anddd that is exactly why the charts this guy posts are lazy.. Are you simple?

I'm against trading Letang and I'll agree Murray also didn't have a great year.

But st some point you have to admit Letang didn't either and that the mistakes were more present then they were before. He's been better and they need him to be better next year.

Blaming the goalie because he isn't bailing you out enoigh is a poor take, one that even Letang and Sully have openly disagreed with.

Trying to dump him after a bad season is a worse idea though.

The hate largely comes because he disappears in the playoffs.

Everything else you said about him bring worth his contract is true, and if they were thin on wings I'd want to keep him around. But he falls behind Guentzel, Kessel, Hornqvist, Rust, Hagelin for me and I'd like to see Sprong and ZAR get bigger opportunities and even Simon is a depth option.

Just feels that 3M could be spent better elsewhere.
- Tojo.

2 goals in his last 34 playoff games. 2 points in this years playoffs.

anddd that is exactly why the charts this guy posts are lazy.. Are you simple?
- ClaudeFather

Yes I am simple.

I'm against trading Letang and I'll agree Murray also didn't have a great year.

But st some point you have to admit Letang didn't either and that the mistakes were more present then they were before. He's been better and they need him to be better next year.

Blaming the goalie because he isn't bailing you out enoigh is a poor take, one that even Letang and Sully have openly disagreed with.

Trying to dump him after a bad season is a worse idea though.
- Tojo.

Ryan's argument is about his play with the puck. Of course you're gonna make more mistakes with it if you have the puck more.

My problem with Letang is his lack of awareness without the puck. The guy makes terrible reads and often forgets/ignores the basics of his position.

2 goals in his last 34 playoff games. 2 points in this years playoffs.
- madmike71

His ppg take a 0.17 dip come playoff time whereas Crosbys only dips 0.14

Wonder what Cole will command on the open market? If we can dump Sheary somehow, I would strongly consider bringing Cole back.

I think that GMJR will emphasize tough-ness in whoever he brings in this season. Right or wrong, teams will see the Capitals as a blue print to beat us. I'm not saying this is the reason why we lost, but we had no answer to a physical game. And when the games got tight and turned to dump and chase, we didnt have much crash and bang in our forechecking.

Not saying he will be looking for a Reaves type but I could see him making a run at Kane or depth players that play physical. ZAR will help with that if he can take a forward step next season.

The point is no one will trade for Letang...his cap hit, total inconsistent play, health, age..all non trade starters..plus he has a no trade clause. Hes not going anywhere...we got him on the blue line for the next 4 years pinching in at the wrong time, heading up the 2nd power play unit and missing the net on most of his shots from the point...

The point is no one will trade for Letang...his cap hit, total inconsistent play, health, age..all non trade starters..plus he has a no trade clause. Hes not going anywhere...we got him on the blue line for the next 4 years pinching in at the wrong time, heading up the 2nd power play unit and missing the net on most of his shots from the point...
- Corntoast

No.

No.
- Feds91Stammer

No what?

Wonder what Cole will command on the open market? If we can dump Sheary somehow, I would strongly consider bringing Cole back.

I think that GMJR will emphasize tough-ness in whoever he brings in this season. Right or wrong, teams will see the Capitals as a blue print to beat us. I'm not saying this is the reason why we lost, but we had no answer to a physical game. And when the games got tight and turned to dump and chase, we didnt have much crash and bang in our forechecking.

Not saying he will be looking for a Reaves type but I could see him making a run at Kane or depth players that play physical. ZAR will help with that if he can take a forward step next season.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

WSH led by big physical forwards Kuznetsov, Backstrom, Eller, and Vrana...

No what?
- Corntoast

Letang could easily be traded...

Letang could easily be traded...
- Feds91Stammer

For what return though? Not nearly what some think his so called value is

WSH led by big physical forwards Kuznetsov, Backstrom, Eller, and Vrana...
- Feds91Stammer

Vrana and Backstrom are big physical forwards?[/img]

Vrana and Backstrom are big physical forwards?
- Corntoast[/img]

Your sarcasm detection meter needs a major tune-up.

The point is no one will trade for Letang...his cap hit, total inconsistent play, health, age..all non trade starters..plus he has a no trade clause. Hes not going anywhere...we got him on the blue line for the next 4 years pinching in at the wrong time, heading up the 2nd power play unit and missing the net on most of his shots from the point...
- Corntoast

Hmm... you venture into Ambridge or Aliquippa to get your crack?

Wonder what Cole will command on the open market? If we can dump Sheary somehow, I would strongly consider bringing Cole back.

I think that GMJR will emphasize tough-ness in whoever he brings in this season. Right or wrong, teams will see the Capitals as a blue print to beat us. I'm not saying this is the reason why we lost, but we had no answer to a physical game. And when the games got tight and turned to dump and chase, we didnt have much crash and bang in our forechecking.

Not saying he will be looking for a Reaves type but I could see him making a run at Kane or depth players that play physical. ZAR will help with that if he can take a forward step next season.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

what physical game? They lost because the Caps trapped up the neutral zone. It had nothing to do with hitting. It was all positioning and taking away the Pens space/time on rushes.

A portion of that depth recently arrived at the trade deadline.

Brassard, Sheahan, and Oleksiak were brought in during the past season. Sid and Geno are past their prime. Letang is hobbled. The goaltending tandem of Fleury-Murray was better than what they have now. Kunitz is gone. Rust and Guentzel have only recently fully blossomed.

So, maybe my analysis has holes in it, but I don't think it's "terrible". My point is still valid (IMO) - part of Letang's success was the team.
- GalacticStone

Sid, winner of back to back Conn Smythe's prior to this year, Geno 4th in scoring in the NHL this year, Kessel 8th in scoring this year... You're right, as Brassard was brought in at the deadline, but Sheahan was brought it in like.. November/December. Again.. they scored the 3rd most goals as a team since Letang has been in the league. Yeah, they aren't as deep. Get real.

what physical game? They lost because the Caps trapped up the neutral zone. It had nothing to do with hitting. It was all positioning and taking away the Pens space/time on rushes.
- j.boyd919

Caps played like the Devils under Lemaire or 2013 Bruins and the Pens couldn't score. End of story.

Ryan's argument is about his play with the puck. Of course you're gonna make more mistakes with it if you have the puck more.

My problem with Letang is his lack of awareness without the puck. The guy makes terrible reads and often forgets/ignores the basics of his position.
- Thorny87

This. If a player picks your pass from time to time but you are a generally good puck mover, then fine. But his positional awareness (or lack thereof) is his biggest shortcoming. He was always able to rely on his natural physical gifts, namely speed and strength, to compensate. That is no longer the case.

Now, he's still head and shoulders better than everyone else on the Pen's defense, and should be a revered part of the team history. However, he's gone from elite defenseman as he was 3-4 years ago and is now a generally very good defenseman.