James Tanner: Capitals Biggest Problem

jimmy how you doing today?

They traded Orlov?

That Kuznetsov contract is looking extremely smart and savvy right now. The Capitals' value up the middle is among the best in the league with Kuz, Backstrom, and Eller making about 18 mill combined.

If you're looking at last year's roster, I guess they only have one ELC, but there's not reason to think that a couple of prospects can't crack the lineup this year to keep the cycle going a bit. Especially if the bottom part of the lineup is as bad as you say.

I think the Caps have a couple years of being competitive with essentially the current lineup before having to talk about rebuilding or getting younger. They have a decent succession plan in place with Kuznetsov and Burakovsky being in the mid 20s range and Samsonov in place as Holtby's replacement. Everything else can be dealt with as it comes, as with any team that has a lot of success for a long time there probably will be a period where they will drop down again.

Why is it you're always looking at things from the extreme negative point of view? Why don't you write something with the headline "Caps Greatest Strengths"? Be positive.

Their ability to draft well from poor draft positions under McPhee kept them as one of the better teams for a decade. From 2008 to 2014 they picked some great players from some of the less desirable draft positions...Carlson 27th OV, Holtby 4th rnd, Kuznetsov 26th OV, Burakovsky 23rd OV, Vrana 13th OV, Orlov 2nd rnd, etc.

I don't recall the Pens blogger complaining about the Penguins not having any ELC's for their past two Cups?

They won the Cup and that makes everything just fine realistically. There is no need to panic about the process. Wilson will come in around 4 mil and that will leave a couple of million for a vet on defense and a couple of million for down the road money.

They have drafted low for many years now and have given up a few high draft picks to compete. So they have the same dilemma as if they had won multiple cups. It just doesn't change the issue.

GMBM stated he wasn't happy with the development of prospects in Hershey and that's why Mann was canned. They have a lot of players (maybe 7 or so) making the jump to Hershey this season including Samsonov.

It may take then another year or so but the Caps should see some youth on both defense and offense get a look with the big club.

James, I could write these blogs for a living

Why is it you're always looking at things from the extreme negative point of view? Why don't you write something with the headline "Caps Greatest Strengths"? Be positive.

Their ability to draft well from poor draft positions under McPhee kept them as one of the better teams for a decade. From 2008 to 2014 they picked some great players from some of the less desirable draft positions...Carlson 27th OV, Holtby 4th rnd, Kuznetsov 26th OV, Burakovsky 23rd OV, Vrana 13th OV, Orlov 2nd rnd, etc.

I don't recall the Pens blogger complaining about the Penguins not having any ELC's for their past two Cups?
- LeftCoaster

Yep, they won it all. There is nothing to complain about from a Caps fan perspective.

Yep, they won it all. There is nothing to complain about from a Caps fan perspective.
- Capsnut

I totally agree. Better to win once and that's it then be competitive for years like the Canucks were and never get it done. But, do they have the pieces to get back next year? It isn't looking like it.

James Tanner...??? Dont listen to this clown he literally put out an article of similar take a week or 2 ago saying Caps are top heavy and they should look at trading HOF caliber players like niklas Backstrom. Its like he just just it for HOT TAKES! Because anybody with a NHL IQ knows how deep the caps are and they have multiple HOF Lock or caliber players and young players on the rise.
See OV,Backy HOF Locks, kuzy HOF Ceiling and when his 8 contract is up putting up 80points a yr.. lock hofr. Defense has 2 shutdown pairs with Niskanen/Orlov, Kempny/Carlson, a hof caliber goalie in Holtby.. most wins last 4-5 years and vezina, plus SC Now.
Now young core Wilson,kuzy,Vrana.. Stephenson,Gersich coming up, and loads of defense to replace Niskanen and others when time comes. Get a clue

Tanner's just upset the Caps have 0 corsi cups to go with their Stanley cup this year. Life is full of surprises.

13Sundin13 I agree with your comments pretty much. I do think I would have tried to trade Holtby for good prospects and extended Grubauer to be number one and have Samsonov back him up. I realize this could back fire but Holtby is a ufa at year end and likely want even more money. However standing pat is okay too because they can still win it all for the next couple years.

I totally agree. Better to win once and that's it then be competitive for years like the Canucks were and never get it done. But, do they have the pieces to get back next year? It isn't looking like it.
- james_tanner1

No reason why they can not repeat James, essentially the same team a year older. I also think they might even be a little better as Orlov has really come into his own and Vrana could have a breakout year. Not a Cap fan at all but I think they are still one of the teams to beat.

13Sundin13 I agree with your comments pretty much. I do think I would have tried to trade Holtby for good prospects and extended Grubauer to be number one and have Samsonov back him up. I realize this could back fire but Holtby is a ufa at year end and likely want even more money. However standing pat is okay too because they can still win it all for the next couple years.
- joegreif17

Yeah I think Holtby has 2 more years on his deal so at the very least they have this year to try again with the same core before having to make some big decisions. Trading Holtby and keeping Grubauer would have been a decent move but not totally necessary, especially after winning the cup.

I totally agree. Better to win once and that's it then be competitive for years like the Canucks were and never get it done. But, do they have the pieces to get back next year? It isn't looking like it.
- james_tanner1

And the NYR

Stick to the Yotes

It's a ll part of the cycle in a salary cap league. The Caps won the Cup! Life is good. It's much worse to be in the same situation without having won it all.

I totally agree. Better to win once and that's it then be competitive for years like the Canucks were and never get it done. But, do they have the pieces to get back next year? It isn't looking like it.
- james_tanner1

isn't that what you said last year?

No reason why they can not repeat James, essentially the same team a year older. I also think they might even be a little better as Orlov has really come into his own and Vrana could have a breakout year. Not a Cap fan at all but I think they are still one of the teams to beat.
- joegreif17

Burakovsky, Djoos, Stephenson and Bowey are likely also better. Holtby had a bad regular season which most likely won't repeat. Caps will not be the favorites but they will be fine and finish top 3 in the Metro easily.

Why is it you're always looking at things from the extreme negative point of view? Why don't you write something with the headline "Caps Greatest Strengths"? Be positive.

Their ability to draft well from poor draft positions under McPhee kept them as one of the better teams for a decade. From 2008 to 2014 they picked some great players from some of the less desirable draft positions...Carlson 27th OV, Holtby 4th rnd, Kuznetsov 26th OV, Burakovsky 23rd OV, Vrana 13th OV, Orlov 2nd rnd, etc.

I don't recall the Pens blogger complaining about the Penguins not having any ELC's for their past two Cups?
- LeftCoaster

Because they did have ELCs or at least what were basically ELC level. Sheary, Rust, Guentzel, etc.

I totally agree. Better to win once and that's it then be competitive for years like the Canucks were and never get it done. But, do they have the pieces to get back next year? It isn't looking like it.
- james_tanner1

Do they have the pieces to get back next year? Eh, it's going to be tough. Bowey was awful last year. If they hadn't picked up Kempny they never would have won it all. Things really only came together in the playoffs-good timing I would add.

Let's also not forget they were down 2-0 to Columbus and 3-2 to the Lightning. (As I recall they were down in every series). They will need to tighten up the d again and hope players like Bura can get going.

I still find it a bit surreal they won. I've been watching this team since the early 80's and it has been one collapse after another.

The Caps will now be forever remembered as Stanley Cup Champions !!

you're going to get beat up by the other team's worst players,


While this can be true...the caps 4th line was -5 over a whole season ( which is nothing really ), they play 3 shifts/period for the most part (5v5) and most are good PK guys who will block a shot with their face just to stay in the league. In games if they're getting owned the coach can just double shift the Great 8 to compensate if needed...the 4th line in the NHL just isn't as important as some make it out to be.

James Tanner: Capitals Biggest Problem
- james_tanner1

Their blogger.

It's a ll part of the cycle in a salary cap league. The Caps won the Cup! Life is good. It's much worse to be in the same situation without having won it all.
- MJL

Yup I would settle for last place for the next 20 years if it meant winning one cup.

(ok maybe not 20 years cause I am old, but definitely 10)

Their blogger.
- glove_was_stuck