He was playing on the top pairing pretty much the whole year. He's not a top pairing defenseman, but he's a much better skater than Schultz, has more offense to his game, a good outlet pass and when healthy is close to Hamrlik. The mid pairing upgrade is pretty substantial, and with it the entire team.
If by top pairing you mean not the top pairing then I agree with you...
He was 4th in even strength ice time on their blueline, played no PK time, and was on the second PP unit. So yeah not the top pairing...
He did see some time on the top pairing with Pietrangelo, but that was more of St. Louis trying everyone with Petro and seeing who stuck. Shattenkirk and Jackman also saw substantial time on the top pairing. Carlo is not a top pairing defenseman, nor did he spend "pretty much the whole year" there.
Pretty sure St. Louis ended up going with Cola-Petro, Jackman-Shattenkirk and Russel-Polak. And his defensive play is better than Schultz's even if he's not a DFD. Having another guy who can skate wouldn't hurt either. Blues let him go since Cole should be comparable now and better soon but Cole is no slouch himself.
Colaiacovo with Green or Carlson on the 2nd pairing, or even as Hamrlik insurance on the 3rd would have been an improvement even if not a world beating move. Honestly, he's better than Carle even if the numbers don't show it.
He was last in even strength and total ice time amongst their blueliners in the playoffs so there is no way that is what they ended up going with...
I think that was due to Pietrangelo getting murderized in the 2nd round.
I remember Jackman-Shattenkirk being their de facto top pairing after the fact and getting abused horribly. I don't recall Russel or Polak separating. My guess is after Pietrangelo went down Colaiacovo went to the 3rd pairing because he wasn't better than anyone left except Russel and Cole, and Russel-Polak already had chemistry that wasn't worth breaking up for it.
I was thinking a swap of Orlov + Galiev for Bjugstad + Petrovic would be benefitial for both the Capitals and the Panthers.
Orlov is a puckmoving D that the Panthers need and he is stuck behind Green and Carlson on the Caps depthchart. Galiev have had great chemistry with Huberdeau in St. John and left wing is one of the weaker positions of all their prospects.
Bjugstad has all the attributes for 2C, but isn't really there yet. Caps lacks a top prospect down the middle and with Johansson more and more looking like a winger, Bjugstad might be exactly what they need. Florida does have Weiss and Huberdeau to fill the centerpositions and might benefit from strengthening other positions.
Petrovic is a mean defensive D-man, also something lacking (sans Rissling) in the Caps system.
I was thinking a swap of Orlov + Galiev for Bjugstad + Petrovic would be benefitial for both the Capitals and the Panthers.
Orlov is a puckmoving D that the Panthers need and he is stuck behind Green and Carlson on the Caps depthchart. Galiev have had great chemistry with Huberdeau in St. John and left wing is one of the weaker positions of all their prospects.
Bjugstad has all the attributes for 2C, but isn't really there yet. Caps lacks a top prospect down the middle and with Johansson more and more looking like a winger, Bjugstad might be exactly what they need. Florida does have Weiss and Huberdeau to fill the centerpositions and might benefit from strengthening other positions.
Petrovic is a mean defensive D-man, also something lacking (sans Rissling) in the Caps system.
Fair for both sides?
Kulikov and Brian Campbell are pretty decent at moving the puck...while Gudbranson is green around the ears as well...
e; I will amend this to say that I do think Wilson is "ready" to play in the NHL if all we wanted him to be was a 4th line banger. He would see little to no offensive development in that role, though.
Yes, trade him when his value is at an all time low and the only replacements we have ready in the system are marginal at best. Flawless plan!
It was more of a joke then anything else. Its what I have I have been saying over and over for 4+ years now. We held on to him way to long and now we just have to hope he can be even close to player he was. I don't think there is any need for me to say how I feel that will play out.
