Whats more likely is that we did not address the biggest issue that we had - center/s, and now we are stuck playing the system that we don't have personal or know how to do it properly.
System or lack of C's has nothing to do with the lockerroom issues, the lack of having each others backs, the lip service with no on ice backing it up...
That all reeks of poor team cohesiveness, not lacking a center.
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George McPhee....The Teflon GM. 15 years of failure and counting....
6 - Number of playoff series the Capitals have won since George McPhee took over as General Manager in 1997 (which makes him the third-longest-tenured GM in the League), three of which came in McPhee's first season on the job.
System or lack of C's has nothing to do with the lockerroom issues, the lack of having each others backs, the lip service with no on ice backing it up...
That all reeks of poor team cohesiveness, not lacking a center.
**** it then, in the off season strip OV of the captaincy DO NOT ADDRESS pressing issue in the center position and see how much better we'll do.
Hoping for the best, expecting mediocre to poor play. My fear is the Caps win and think they won the Winter Classic or SC Finals and slack the rest of the way. Not that they aren't slacking anyway. At this point, I wish the NHL season was over.
I can't believe the Jets lost that game last night. Thank God they did. I really wish Brouwer hadn't put Wheeler on his butt during our game against them, triggering the scrum which triggered the 4-on-4. We could have really used the loser point that night. Seems like Florida, Buffalo and Winnipeg are all playing for the loser-point wherever possible. (Though WIN failed at it last night.)
As for the Caps' chances tonight, at least they are facing a weakened and slumping Red Wings team. Not that it ensures victory, not by a long shot. But it improves the chances anyway.
As for Hunter v. Boudreau, I will say this. Hunter has clearly not been a miracle worker, and there are plenty of particular decisions or attributes I find fault with. On the other hand, overall, I do believe the team improved at least marginally.
Several areas come to mind.
1. He is considerably more composed behind the bench than BB. Yes, it borders on 'catatonic,' rather than composed. But I still think it's better than the near-constant exasperation & rage which BB was displaying by the end. It sends a message of discipline and strength which, in theory, rubs off on the players.
2. Fewer embarrassing blowout losses. The wheels don't seem to come off as completely or as often, under Hunter. There are even occasional comeback wins, particularly during the last month.
The team looked extremely emotionally fragile under BB. Under Hunter, it's true that they are boring, and afraid of making mistakes, and they dole out SOG as if they were last gulps of air in a collapsed coal mine. But still, team remains in contention deeper into games, and even completes the occasional comeback.
I don't know whether Hunter will, or should, be invited back for next season. I am even more curious whether he wants to. By all accounts, he loved the London gig. By some accounts, he is frustrated here that 8/28 operate in their own universe, and seem immune to his coaching. On the other hand, as an intense competitor, Hunter may have caught the old NHL bug again during his partial tour of duty this year.
Just like last night. I expect another 5-2 bludgeoning.
Good work, GMGM
Not his fault our D gets beat, turns the puck over. Not his fault they aren't getting shots on net. Not his fault our goalies can let in some easy goals
We want to emulate Detroit that's fine, but copy more than the winning template for america's team - via draft picks. We go sans a heavy, and turn the cheek at every chance. Rah. It's failed.
Copy the whole damn model dammit. Stop f'in around down there.
Lidstrom, Helm, Franzen out is a good thing for us.
Lidstrom is the last remaining smart dman on their team. I literally watched against the Sharks, they were letting some crazy stuff happen and Howard bailed them out.
Helm is a good pker, would victimize Wideman, beating him to retrieve a puck on the PK and scoring a wrap around.
Datsyuk without Franzen doesn't look great, Babcock won't know what to do, so he'll put Holmstrom with Datsyuk even though he should put Miller with Datsyuk.
Trust me, people may say good things about the Red Wings, but the Red Wings fan base is mad, they think Babcock is an idiot with the way he is doing thing, almost feels like they are at the point of our 8 game losing streak last year. They are starting to promote the idea they aren't skilled enough to play Red Wings hockey.
Can someone clarify what the priority of the team is?
Is it to cover their man where ever that "man" goes?
It appears to me that they get assigned someone and are responsible to chase him around. If that is the #1 priority I think they are achieving their assignment. I see players all over the ice beside or close to their check.
When the defense do get a hold of the puck where are they supposed to pass it to? The forwards are checking their assignment which means a pass to the foward has a fifty fifty chance to go to a Cap or get picked off by an opposing player .
Not his fault our D gets beat, turns the puck over. Not his fault they aren't getting shots on net. Not his fault our goalies can let in some easy goals
You're right, its probably the fault of the guy that brought in said D, that brought in said players that turn the puck over, that brought in said players who arent getting shots on net, who brought in said goalies that let in some easy goals.
oh wait-- who was the guy that brought in all these players with all of these problems?
When the defense do get a hold of the puck where are they supposed to pass it to? The forwards are checking their assignment which means a pass to the foward has a fifty fifty chance to go to a Cap or get picked off by an opposing player .
Pass it? Clearly when the defense gets the puck their job is to blindly dump it in the opposite corner and then hope their team wins the chase and then the battle for the puck and by that time the other team will be so tired they will go for a change and thus a free out.
Some might laugh but that blind dump into the other corner happens so much that it has to be by design...
You're right, its probably the fault of the guy that brought in said D, that brought in said players that turn the puck over, that brought in said players who arent getting shots on net, who brought in said goalies that let in some easy goals.
oh wait-- who was the guy that brought in all these players with all of these problems?
Care to think about that again, LesPaul?
You agree that all these players have talent correct? That they, on other teams played well? You agree?
But now all the sudden, they get here and suck? Wonder why that is
You agree that all these players have talent correct? That they, on other teams played well? You agree?
But now all the sudden, they get here and suck? Wonder why that is
cant say. Erskine, Green, Semin, Etc etc etc havent played on other teams in years, if ever. The salaries GMGM gave to Hamrlik, Ward, etc etc hamstrung his ability to do anything as well.
And if you are *implying* its the coaches..well then tell me genius, who selected the coaches?
I really dont see how you can focus the issues of this team on anyone but the architect?
cant say. Erskine, Green, Semin, Etc etc etc havent played on other teams in years, if ever. The salaries GMGM gave to Hamrlik, Ward, etc etc hamstrung his ability to do anything as well.
And if you are *implying* its the coaches..well then tell me genius, who selected the coaches?
I really dont see how you can focus the issues of this team on anyone but the architect?
It is not the coaches fault they are doing the same things I mentioned. Its 90% the players
**** it then, in the off season strip OV of the captaincy DO NOT ADDRESS pressing issue in the center position and see how much better we'll do.
I'm not saying strip Ovy. I never would because I think it would cause permanent damage. BUT, something has to be done to change the core of this team.
I would address the C issue with the outbound Green/Semin combo some are suggesting. And I would address it by getting a strong Captain-type leader at C.
It is George's fault if he hords young D as he has to play them. And thin C depth is on his shoulders, adding Ws Ds and G's instead. Ovi screwed up the detroit model and made us contenders long before George's plan of mega puck mover mobile D hording came to fruition.
That said, our team cannot even receive or hold onto pucks. Led by Ovi who seems to have added Semin grade falls into his arsenal.
I dont think drill work can fix what I see. It would be easier to add players that can do hockey basics eyes closed, than teach the troops hockey 101. Amazingly Aucoin has increased our skill level, so has Beagle, yet I think some wonder why they are getting so much TOI.
Care to think about that again, LesPaul?
