I'm interested to see if we see the OV-Backstrom combo or split the two...
I've waffled on the issue myself, but I lean toward the "split them up" tactic because of the stats that show OV and Riberio both thriving on offensive zone starts against weaker competition (link to article below). With Backstrom and Laich centering two other lines, I think they would both be more defensively responsible, with Laich's line being matched against the top line of the other team.
My opinion on all of this could change based on the system that Oates employ's. I didn't watch the Devils enough last year to understand the details.
wow ive never seen so much flaming over the 4th line.
Tom Wilson didnt even make team Canada this year, hes not making the NHL untill he develops his game more.
We have a new head coach in Oates no one knows how he likes to use his bench and the bottom line players. Some coaches dont even use a 4th line and just roll with 3 scoring lines and it wouldnt shock me if thats Oates style.
We should be talking about whats important to they caps returning to a top contender and thats fixing the PP which was awful last season.
PP 1 Ovechkin Backstrom blank
Green/Carlson blank
Do we use Ove on the point or on the halfboards
Do we put Mike Green back on PP1
Do we put backstrom and Ribs on the same line all important questions for Oates
to add to that:
Who is Jay Beagle?
Where does he play, and with whom?
Why do we have him, is he useful?
What does he do well, not well, and why?
Is Beagle use of #83 smart?
Does Beagle stand in the way of the young D's development?
Should we trade Beagle with Mike Green to get more young D-men?
Does Beagle hate Tom Wilson for taking his spot in 2016?
Is Beagle a grown man, or is he still in college?
If Beagle gets top 3 C minutes, will BradD's head explode?
If Oates installs the umbrella PP then it's more likely to be Green/Carlson at the point with Ovechkin at the half-wall/top of the circle.
i wonder why you would say that? ovechkin-green-backstrom left to right across that umbrella makes perfect since. its oates-gonchar-bondra except right shots instead of left handed shooters.
if you go ovechkin carlson green in the umbrella then backstrom is not in the basic puck rotation and makes him a front of the net/corner puck retriever.
its all guess work but i am guessing the 1st pp will be an umbrella pp with ov-green and backstrom up top and laich and brouwer/johansson down low.
a 2nd unit not used evenly would have ovechkin and carlson up top with ribiero. perreault and ward/johansson down low.
wolski will get minutes too and orlov when he can play
RMNB has a interview with Mark French and this what he said about the system:
Quote:
Some of our success as of late… I think it takes time to implement a new system. Like I talked about with Stan, guys are trying to understand this new system, but they’re not reacting to it. We’re getting to the point where guys know it now, they know what they need to do. So I think it takes some time. I think the NHL player can maybe make the jump a little bit quicker. You know, it’s a proven system. New Jersey used it last year and went a long ways. I think there’s some really good parts. I think it’ll play really well into some of the Capitals more skilled players for sure.
Aggressive forechecking! Yay.
Instead of faux forechecking by MoJo or Laich and Ovechkin at the blue line...
Hopefully this team can get off to a hot start. short season, they will need those wins early on to get a nice cushion so that even if they slip at least by the end of it all they can still be hanging on with a playoff spot. Can't get out of playoff contention early and play catch up. Hopefully they can set the tempo early.
I'm excited for the season but since its a short season my optimism is not there. I, for some reason expect tons of flukey stuff to happen.
As for the umbrella PP, would that mean Ovie playing in more of that Stamkos spot on the PP?
Hmm.. if Poti is cleared and can still actually play at a high level I like the potential pairings of:
Alzner - Carlson
Poti/Hammer - Green
Poti/Hammer - Orlov
Erskine/Schultz
better than any of the other possibilities. Poti was probably our best D-man in the playoffs prior to the arrival of Alzner and Carlson (and the overlooked but very good play of Hammer and Green in 2012).
Still prepping myself to see Schultz for 20 minutes a night though.
SWhyno
Tom Poti pain free, "pretty confident" he'll be cleared to take part in #Caps training camp: http://wtim.es/RCF0NQ
If poti does make the team can we afford him? If hes healthy it would be a nice boost for the D
Green Poti/Hamer
Alnzer/Carlson
Orlov/Poti/Hamer/Shultz
That's quite a development. Most likely, though, he'll either be terrible at playing hockey since he hasn't done it in so long or re-injure himself in the first week or two.
its all guess work but i am guessing the 1st pp will be an umbrella pp with ov-green and backstrom up top and laich and brouwer/johansson down low.
That's what I meant. They could use a right shot for down low IMO, though Brouwer probably gets a shot to try to be that guy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strungout
Plenty of space for Poti cap wise.
Yep. There's a separate roster space issue that would come up but they could either stash Orlov in Hershey or maybe trade some of their wretched D depth.
