Ryan Wilson: Too much Rust for the Capitals Too much Rust for the Capitals

"rust" in this context is a noun in both instances.

From the last blog: let me preface this by saying I think Lafferty absolutely sucks and Jankowski is probably more talented. This might be due to statistical variance resulting from very small sample sizes and center men just having more responsibility than wingers making Jankowski’s poor play more detrimental to the team, but Jankowski’s relative stats are a good deal worse than Lafferty’s. So again, this isn’t just Jankowski having bad wingers, because the numbers say he’s been the weakest link on that line. Not arguing that he’s bringing down Lafferty and Sceviour since there’s nothing there to bring down, but his pooptiness is his to own. Also, the center is the most important part of the line so even if Lafferty were statistically worse than Jankowski, I still think it’d be a lot more important to upgrade Jankowski. It’s simply easier to get by with pluggy wingers than it is to get by with pluggy centers.

It’s pretty clear to me that Sceviour is the best one there by the numbers and eye test. He’s the only one of the three I’m fine with continuing to get a sweater.

From the last blog: let me preface this by saying I think Lafferty absolutely sucks and Jankowski is probably more talented. This might be due to statistical variance resulting from very small sample sizes and center men just having more responsibility than wingers making Jankowski’s poor play more detrimental to the team, but Jankowski’s relative stats are a good deal worse than Lafferty’s. So again, this isn’t just Jankowski having bad wingers, because the numbers say he’s been the weakest link on that line. Not arguing that he’s bringing down Lafferty and Sceviour since there’s nothing there to bring down, but his pooptiness is his to own. Also, the center is the most important part of the line so even if Lafferty were statistically worse than Jankowski, I still think it’d be a lot more important to upgrade Jankowski. It’s simply easier to get by with pluggy wingers than it is to get by with pluggy centers.

It’s pretty clear to me that Sceviour is the best one there by the numbers and eye test. He’s the only one of the three I’m fine with continuing to get a sweater.
- Victoro311

I ask you this. Should we make McCann the center on that line and build from there or trade McCann? I think we should try and trade a LD to play with McCann on our other bottom 6 line. Seems like ZAR-Blue-Tanev will stay.

McCann has been a pretty poor center throughout his career but I guess you may as well try it. I prefer not to trade McCann because I don’t think we can afford to send out like the one guy in the bottom 6 with a shot, and think we need to build scoring depth, but he’s been really bad so it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

When Cody Ceci and Matheson each have 2 apples and each are a +3 for the night, you're going to be competitive...

I don't feel that Jary looked all that good, he drops to the ice at the oddest times...

I ask you this. Should we make McCann the center on that line and build from there or trade McCann? I think we should try and trade a LD to play with McCann on our other bottom 6 line. Seems like ZAR-Blue-Tanev will stay.
- 668710

I believe McCann is more effective at 3C in the bottom six and as LW in the top six.

He’s better than Jank, so if they want to stay in house I think it’s easier to pick up wingers than a center, but ideally the Pens would pick up a proven 3C.

It's punny because it's true!

I believe McCann is more effective at 3C in the bottom six and as LW in the top six.

He’s better than Jank, so if they want to stay in house I think it’s easier to pick up wingers than a center, but ideally the Pens would pick up a proven 3C.
- Rinosaur

Getting a legit 3C would definitely be huge for us, I just don’t think we have the horses or cap space to pull off such a trade.

@victoro jank’s numbers are bad but malkins were pretty good... As far as the eye test he’s the only one out there trying to do anything. I think with 3 lines set in stone now that can be pretty good (dependent on geno) having to fix a 4th line should, hopefully, be an easy task, starting with McCann placed somewhere.

As long as the D can keep trending the right way as well this team can be alright. MM looked exceptionally good with sids line (no surprise) Sid with 67% corso keeps MM in the end of the ice where he excels and I think his confidence was really boosted after that first assist. Ceci has really been getting better every game. Offensively and defensively. Once MP is cleared I think that will really help stabilize the D. Maybe put him with Letang?

Getting a legit 3C would definitely be huge for us, I just don’t think we have the horses or cap space to pull off such a trade.
- Victoro311

That’s why I think the move is to put McCann back to 3C. Upgrading wing is a more realistic task. Not saying it’s easy, but it’s easier.

That’s why I think the move is to put McCann back to 3C. Upgrading wing is a more realistic task. Not saying it’s easy, but it’s easier.
- Rinosaur

Well, maybe hextall is better at it lol

McCann has been a pretty poor center throughout his career but I guess you may as well try it. I prefer not to trade McCann because I don’t think we can afford to send out like the one guy in the bottom 6 with a shot, and think we need to build scoring depth, but he’s been really bad so it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
- Victoro311

We could also trade one of our LD for a center as well. Basically I'm with you on keeping him.

@victoro jank’s numbers are bad but malkins were pretty good... As far as the eye test he’s the only one out there trying to do anything. I think with 3 lines set in stone now that can be pretty good (dependent on geno) having to fix a 4th line should, hopefully, be an easy task, starting with McCann placed somewhere.

As long as the D can keep trending the right way as well this team can be alright. MM looked exceptionally good with sids line (no surprise) Sid with 67% corso keeps MM in the end of the ice where he excels and I think his confidence was really boosted after that first assist. Ceci has really been getting better every game. Offensively and defensively. Once MP is cleared I think that will really help stabilize the D. Maybe put him with Letang?
- 10inchTerror

Definitely agree that nothing matters if Malkin and Letang keep having a disaster season. Only reason why I drew attention to the 4th line is because as you say, it should be an easy fix. 4th liners are dime a dozen and are cheap to acquire. But yeah the 4th line is down the list of current problems, but hey if you can improve it why not?

Dumo’s been bad when healthy this season so I don’t think trying Pettersson with Letang is a bad idea at all. But really I think with the emergence of POJ I’ll be surprised if Petts lasts the season here.

Well, maybe hextall is better at it lol
- 10inchTerror

It's not about being better at it. He can't manifest better assets to move.

Definitely agree that nothing matters if Malkin and Letang keep having a disaster season. Only reason why I drew attention to the 4th line is because as you say, it should be an easy fix. 4th liners are dime a dozen and are cheap to acquire. But yeah the 4th line is down the list of current problems, but hey if you can improve it why not?

Dumo’s been bad when healthy this season so I don’t think trying Pettersson with Letang is a bad idea at all. But really I think with the emergence of POJ I’ll be surprised if Petts lasts the season here.
- Victoro311

I agree on the 4th line but we could also end up with 3 more of the same. Or 2 more depending on McCann. If mccann was traded it would be a lateral and might be alright if it addressed another need such as net front. One D has to go and I would hope it would be Dumo but Petts will prob be it. If he can get the equivalent of another Kap or zucker I would do it and bounce one down with McCann. I think that would be 2/3’s of a pretty solid 4th line.

It’s been one game so we will have to see how MM keeps doing. Petts replacing Ruwh will be a boost though

I imagine Burke and hextall are watching fervently coming up with a game plan!

"rust" in this context is a noun in both instances.
- gregman98

EYE ROLL!

It's not about being better at it. He can't manifest better assets to move.
- Rinosaur

You yourself has mentioned several times there is assets to move. Picks/prospects/Ld/McCann. I think the first two will be a no go based on hextalls time in philly and draft mentality so we are def limited. Where there’s a will there’s a way though. Might not be splashy but I’m sure it will be an upgrade.

I ask you this. Should we make McCann the center on that line and build from there or trade McCann? I think we should try and trade a LD to play with McCann on our other bottom 6 line. Seems like ZAR-Blue-Tanev will stay.
- 668710

In the short term, they just need to add talent and shouldn't be picky about where. McCann looked great the first half of last year as a center...and he looked bad the 2nd half of last year at center.

Long-term, depending on if Poulin can play RW or not, LW is crowded and you'd think that's the type of guy Burke would want to take a look at. So at least try McCann at C though I don't expect much with out a wing upgrade.

RW is so pathetic he doesn't even know what "Long Pants Hockey" means

It means you don't play Conor Sheary and Brian Gibbons when you can find bigger/tougher players that can give you the same thing

I still don’t see anyone saying why jank is so terrible. He’s not making mistakes. He’s actually putting in effort. He’s soft and it doesn’t amount to anything but with his 2 wingers what would be expected. I don’t think jank isn’t replaceable by any means but he isn’t doing anything wrong out there.
- 10inchTerror

He's actually below replacement level. He is god awful and provides nothing positive.

You yourself has mentioned several times there is assets to move. Picks/prospects/Ld/McCann. I think the first two will be a no go based on hextalls time in philly and draft mentality so we are def limited. Where there’s a will there’s a way though. Might not be splashy but I’m sure it will be an upgrade.
- 10inchTerror

I didn't say these assets couldn't be used to get what they need. I simply said being "better at it" doesn't make better assets appear. I don't know that he could get any better deals, but hopefully he targets more appropriate players.

Definitely agree that nothing matters if Malkin and Letang keep having a disaster season. Only reason why I drew attention to the 4th line is because as you say, it should be an easy fix. 4th liners are dime a dozen and are cheap to acquire. But yeah the 4th line is down the list of current problems, but hey if you can improve it why not?

Dumo’s been bad when healthy this season so I don’t think trying Pettersson with Letang is a bad idea at all. But really I think with the emergence of POJ I’ll be surprised if Petts lasts the season here.
- Victoro311

I'd rather try to acquire a new winger for Geno, one that can finish preferably.

I'm glad Matheson had a good game, so I don't say this with any expectations based on this game, it's simply what I would imagine is in their minds...

If Matheson continues on this trajectory, it makes Dumo or Petts a huge trade piece to upgrade the forward group.

That said, I'm not putting the cart before the horse. I'd like to see MM put together a string of games like this before getting excited here.

With NHL scouts now finally getting more clearances to start watching live the ducks and pens are sounding connected right now... just something to watch