James Tanner: Backstrom to Sit Again Miss Cleo is calling it: 8-6 Caps tonight.

Backstrom is awesome but "a guaranteed hall of famer" is a bit of a stretch.

I understand his 2 way game and all but I think he would need at least 4-5 more years at similar production to be "guaranteed."

let me ask this

what do you value more, play during regular season or during playoffs?

2013 - Game 7- Jake Gardiner misses man, overtime goal
2018 - Game 7 Gardiner -5

trade him since holds some value please

Backstrom is awesome but "a guaranteed hall of famer" is a bit of a stretch.

I understand his 2 way game and all but I think he would need at least 4-5 more years at similar production to be "guaranteed."
- bluenote31

I dunno, he's a (frank)ing stud.

let me ask this

what do you value more, play during regular season or during playoffs?

2013 - Game 7- Jake Gardiner misses man, overtime goal
2018 - Game 7 Gardiner -5

trade him since holds some value please
- spirovski

I prefer an evaluation of a larger sample size over a 2-game sample size, especially one in which the games within the sample size are 5 years apart.

Backstrom is awesome but "a guaranteed hall of famer" is a bit of a stretch.

I understand his 2 way game and all but I think he would need at least 4-5 more years at similar production to be "guaranteed."
- bluenote31

I think if he retired tomorrow, he's in. He's been one of the best players in the NHL for over ten years, he's almost a point per game during one of the lowest scoring eras of all time and he's assisted on 80% of the best goal scorer of all-times goals.

While also playing solid defense. Not just a possible hall of famer - guaranteed.

I think if he retired tomorrow, he's in. He's been one of the best players in the NHL for over ten years, he's almost a point per game during one of the lowest scoring eras of all time and he's assisted on 80% of the best goal scorer of all-times goals.

While also playing solid defense. Not just a possible hall of famer - guaranteed.
- james_tanner1

Well if Mats Sundin is somehow a first ballot HOFer then Backstrom could be too.

I prefer an evaluation of a larger sample size over a 2-game sample size, especially one in which the games within the sample size are 5 years apart.
- j.boyd919

Gardiner's play in important games has been a (frank)ing joke.

Bye Jake.

Jake is overrated not underrated.

During the regular season they were one of the NHL's weakest defensive teams

Where does this come from?

I think if he retired tomorrow, he's in. He's been one of the best players in the NHL for over ten years, he's almost a point per game during one of the lowest scoring eras of all time and he's assisted on 80% of the best goal scorer of all-times goals.

While also playing solid defense. Not just a possible hall of famer - guaranteed.
- james_tanner1

Caps are firing on all cylinders. Lightning really have to elevate their defense in order to have a chance.

Imagine if the Caps still had Johansson and Schmidt

Caps are firing on all cylinders. Lightning really have to elevate their defense in order to have a chance.

Imagine if the Caps still had Johansson and Schmidt
- buddzy

I quoted a different reply Tanner, where'd it go?

During the regular season they were one of the NHL's weakest defensive teams

Where does this come from?
- Garnie

I quoted a different reply Tanner, where'd it go?
- buddzy

I don't think there was another reply?

- Iggysbff

I seriously hope the Gardiner comment was tongue in cheek because it is ridiculously absurd. Secondly, the Lightning were actually one of the better defensive teams in the league during the regular season. Lastly, I think you're talking out your ass when you state that Cooper has changed the way the team has played in the playoffs after the way they played all season in getting to the Conference finals.

I think if he retired tomorrow, he's in. He's been one of the best players in the NHL for over ten years, he's almost a point per game during one of the lowest scoring eras of all time and he's assisted on 80% of the best goal scorer of all-times goals.

While also playing solid defense. Not just a possible hall of famer - guaranteed.
- james_tanner1

Yeah I guess you are right. Sometimes I get to caught up in the statistics. 200ish career goals and a ton of assists to the greatest goal scorer of all time could be looked at as the counter argument to "if he retires today he's in." That argument would ignore the rest of his game though.

Gardiner's play in important games has been a (frank)ing joke.

Bye Jake.
- buddzy

You can have DeKeyser for him. Thanks.

Henrik Sedin > Nick Backstrom

I seriously hope the Gardiner comment was tongue in cheek because it is ridiculously absurd. Secondly, the Lightning were actually one of the better defensive teams in the league during the regular season. Secondly, I think you're talking out your ass when you state that Cooper has changed the way the team has played in the playoffs after the way they played all season in getting to the Conference finals.
- MJL

That's two "secondly's"

That's two "secondly's"
- LeftCoaster

Thanks.

That's two "secondly's"
- LeftCoaster

Do two secondly’s equal a fourthly?

LOL. The Sedins were a joke. Talented with the puck, but way too wimpy for NHL playoff success. Two of the most over-rated players of my generation.

I've never seen a "superstar" get so few shots on net.

I remember playing fantasy hockey for years, and all of the star forwards would have like 250-300+ SOG for the season, except Henrik.. Henrik would have like 84 SOG in 82 games.

Well if Mats Sundin is somehow a first ballot HOFer then Backstrom could be too.
- Iggysbff

Have to agree with you on that one.

You can have DeKeyser for him. Thanks.
- Feds91Stammer

but he's top 10 in the league...I'm sure you can offer a little more.