So it seems when Laich is in top-6 his contract is not that bad. Which was proposed by many posters in the beginning.
This leads my to believe GMGM's mistakes are Perreault & Johansson in top-6 over Laich or any other center.
Perreault's salary is almost = Beagle's. And probably Laich = 2C and Beagle-kind guy = 3C is much better (more balanced) way to assign players to the lines.
So McPhee should not force his coach to rely on PRO/MJ next season and get another top-6 player somehow.
OV, healthy Backstrom, Laich, Semin... and then probably Johansson and Kuznetsov as wingers = 6 players in top-6. With 4 centers and only 1 real NHL capable top-6 center.
What's your solution? Drop Laich to 3rd? MJ to 3rd? I would like to get 2C to solidify this core. But if the cap will go to ~70M, McPhee will overpay for 2C for sure. Will have to.
What about OV-Laich-Kuznetsov and Johansson-Backstrom-Semin? This could solve top-6 problems partially... but hfb-proposed lineups never come to real life. Which probably will be the case.
So McPhee getting another capable center is the way to get strong center core for any coach. Which is in question.
So it seems when Laich is in top-6 his contract is not that bad. Which was proposed by many posters in the beginning.
This leads my to believe GMGM's mistakes are Perreault & Johansson in top-6 over Laich or any other center.
Perreault's salary is almost = Beagle's. And probably Laich = 2C and Beagle-kind guy = 3C is much better (more balanced) way to assign players to the lines.
So McPhee should not force his coach to rely on PRO/MJ next season and get another top-6 player somehow.
OV, healthy Backstrom, Laich, Semin... and then probably Johansson and Kuznetsov as wingers = 6 players in top-6. With 4 centers and only 1 real NHL capable top-6 center.
What's your solution? Drop Laich to 3rd? MJ to 3rd? I would like to get 2C to solidify this core. But if the cap will go to ~70M, McPhee will overpay for 2C for sure. Will have to.
What about OV-Laich-Kuznetsov and Johansson-Backstrom-Semin? This could solve top-6 problems partially... but hfb-proposed lineups never come to real life. Which probably will be the case.
So McPhee getting another capable center is the way to get strong center core for any coach. Which is in question.
Perreault should be traded at last. He isn't that bad, but he is getting McPhee visions of "center depth".
Bottom line: we are not that far from much better top-6 play IMHO. Would suggest offseason trade for Ribeiro.
IMO the goal should be to have Mojo develop into the 2C. I think he has the tools to do it and the speed to play both ways. He needs to get stronger to play in front of the net defensively but aside from that he's 'capable' of the rest.
Don't know about the D for next year but IMO having Carlson, Orlov, Wideman and Green is too many offensive D. And if the cap goes up next year Hamrlik is the least of the worries here. Depending on what Wideman wants he either 1. stays and one of Carlson or Green get traded for something nice in return forward wise or 2. Wideman goes and GMGM uses that cap space to sign something nice forward wise. Personally I'd rather Wideman go because everyone else is better than him D wise.
I don't see many roster moves. Hamrlik could be traded or may demand to be traded. I'd bet he's not enamored with his situation even though he's getting some ice time. May depend on what happens with Hunter. So if Wideman goes........
Alzner - Carlson
Schultz - Green
Orlov - A RD Like a Younger Hamrlik
I think that would be perfect because it gets an offensive D on the left in Orlov.
If Hamrlik stays................
Alzner - Carlson
Schultz - Green
Hamrlik - Orlov
Erskine
Frankly........I wouldn't mind seeing the above right now. Wideman is contributing way too much to the opposing team scoring than what he's contributing to the Caps scoring IMO. But that will never happen unless of injury or suspension. IMO Hamrlik hasn't been used properly.
Trade Schultz and Hamrlik, and Erskine if he won't ever be used. Let Wideman walk (or trade his rights if you can get anything).
1LD-Green
Alzner-Carlson
3D-Orlov
Get some vets with snarl via free agency or trade. The defense needs to get faster, better, and meaner. Suter, Stuart, Jackman, Allen, Salo, Aucoin, Zanon, Bouillon, O'Brien, and Garrison are pending UFAs that could fit one of those roles if the price is right. I'm sure there are also options available via trade. The worst thing who GM is could do is stand pat with the current defense.
Trade Schultz and Hamrlik, and Erskine if he won't ever be used. Let Wideman walk (or trade his rights if you can get anything).
1LD-Green
Alzner-Carlson
3D-Orlov
Get some vets with snarl via free agency or trade. The defense needs to get faster, better, and meaner. Suter, Stuart, Jackman, Allen, Salo, Aucoin, Zanon, Bouillon, O'Brien, and Garrison are pending UFAs that could fit one of those roles if the price is right. I'm sure there are also options available via trade. The worst thing who GM is could do is stand pat with the current defense.
Are you so sure you wish to do this?
To me Schultz has REALLY done a 180 and seems to be growing with confidence more and more.
I'm not so sure he can't be the solution. I really don't believe what I am seeing before my eyes with this player. At this point I would not trade him at all and wait to see how much more he can grow.
Its gotten to the point that I am very confident when he is on the ice. His physical game is growing by leaps and bounds. If Hunter and JJ can nurture is growing "anger" then watch out
To me Schultz has REALLY done a 180 and seems to be growing with confidence more and more.
I'm not so sure he can't be the solution. I really don't believe what I am seeing before my eyes with this player. At this point I would not trade him at all and wait to see how much more he can grow.
Its gotten to the point that I am very confident when he is on the ice. His physical game is growing by leaps and bounds. If Hunter and JJ can nurture is growing "anger" then watch out
I'm quite sure. I think this stretch by Schultz is fool's gold. He's still incredibly vulnerable to the dump and chase to his corner, chases the play way too often, and provides nothing offensively. And for all of his improvement in the physicality department, he's not even remotely close to a punishing physical presence. He makes too much to be a third pairing guy considering the team's needs up front, and he'll never be good enough to be a true top pairing guy.
I also think he's part of the team toughness problem. How often do you see him starting a scrum, facewashing a guy, standing up for his teammates, or punishing a guy for spraying the goalie?
And another observation for next year's roster--Beagle needs to be in the top-12 over Hendricks, and needs to PK a lot more. He brings a size/strength/speed combination like no one else in the bottom six outside of Chimera. He's also one of the few players on the team I'd consider 'tenacious' at this point. His aggressive play on the PK is a breath of fresh air.
I'm quite sure. I think this stretch by Schultz is fool's gold. He's still incredibly vulnerable to the dump and chase to his corner, chases the play way too often, and provides nothing offensively. And for all of his improvement in the physicality department, he's not even remotely close to a punishing physical presence. He makes too much to be a third pairing guy considering the team's needs up front, and he'll never be good enough to be a true top pairing guy.
I also think he's part of the team toughness problem. How often do you see him starting a scrum, facewashing a guy, standing up for his teammates, or punishing a guy for spraying the goalie?
I'm seeing more evolution of his game than you are clearly. I believe he is making strong strides. I am not so sure this is a fluke. I think there is a chance that Hunter and JJ mold him into a mean SOB. Its worth the risk IMO
I'm seeing more evolution of his game than you are clearly. I believe he is making strong strides. I am not so sure this is a fluke. I think there is a chance that Hunter and JJ mold him into a mean SOB. Its worth the risk IMO
My thought is -- can you think of anyone that was as paper soft as Schultz for as long as he was that actually turned into a mean SOB? I can't. I think you either have it, or you don't.
I'm seeing more evolution of his game than you are clearly. I believe he is making strong strides. I am not so sure this is a fluke. I think there is a chance that Hunter and JJ mold him into a mean SOB. Its worth the risk IMO
I would hope that there's a GM out there who is as gullible as you, and trade him to that guy immediately.
Schultz has nothing short of sucked for six years. The idea that he is changing his game -or even improving all of a sudden after that time is preposterous.
And it's not worth the risk at his salary and the degree to which he can negatively impact the team. Rebuilding time is over.
And another observation for next year's roster--Beagle needs to be in the top-12 over Hendricks, and needs to PK a lot more. He brings a size/strength/speed combination like no one else in the bottom six outside of Chimera. He's also one of the few players on the team I'd consider 'tenacious' at this point. His aggressive play on the PK is a breath of fresh air.
If they can get a 2C without sacrificing MJ or Carlznerov, they should do it, like Plekanec for 1st+Galiev/Laich/etc.
But if they can't, it's tough. Trading MJ for a guy like Plekanec would be a toss-up, IMO. Short-term gain but could seriously bite the Caps in the a$$ later. I guess I wouldn't do it but wouldn't really be mad if they did..
Assuming they keep Green, I don't see how Wideman fits in. Way too much money for a 3rd pairing guy. So unfortunately, I guess he walks for nothing.
There are a lot of unknowns for next year -- Semin, Kuznetsov -- that might play a big role or not be here at all. Ward & Hamrlik should be dumped if possible (well, esp. if Hammer is in perma-doghouse). Perreault, Schultz, Laich are all expendable, IMO -- if the right trade comes up, or Caps upgrade a position, etc. With Laich -- somebody can do what he does cheaper..
I'm guessing the Caps won't do much (big surprise). I guess, if Backstrom is back, MJ improves, Kuz comes over, and a bunch of players bounce back from bad seasons, the Caps are likely to be much better even if they don't do much.
My thought is -- can you think of anyone that was as paper soft as Schultz for as long as he was that actually turned into a mean SOB? I can't. I think you either have it, or you don't.
Adam Creighton. Keenan turned him into a nasty player.
Adam Creighton. Keenan turned him into a nasty player.
87 PIMs in 36 games the year before Keenan got him. For those keeping score at home, that's 32 fewer PIMs than Jeff Schultz has in his entire 364 game career.
Trade Schultz and Hamrlik, and Erskine if he won't ever be used. Let Wideman walk (or trade his rights if you can get anything).
1LD-Green
Alzner-Carlson
3D-Orlov
Get some vets with snarl via free agency or trade. The defense needs to get faster, better, and meaner. Suter, Stuart, Jackman, Allen, Salo, Aucoin, Zanon, Bouillon, O'Brien, and Garrison are pending UFAs that could fit one of those roles if the price is right. I'm sure there are also options available via trade. The worst thing who GM is could do is stand pat with the current defense.
That would be good.. although I've given up on the notion that the Caps are going to get a 1D.
I wouldn't mind Schultz getting traded for a need.. but at his current salary, I think he's fine on the 3rd pairing and being able to step up in a pinch. We need a rock on the top pair.. short of that, I don't think getting a gritty bottom pairing vet is gonna do much for us.
87 PIMs in 36 games the year before Keenan got him. For those keeping score at home, that's 32 fewer PIMs than Jeff Schultz has in his entire 364 game career.
In other words, Creighton had it in him.
Back then the NHL was a much more penalty filled game. Things have changed.
No one believed Creighton was anything but soft then despite his immense size advantage over most players then.
When referees are telling the coaching staff that Schultz should lay off then to me it shows he just may have it in him.
For sure its RARE that a player can change his game mentality in terms of being nasty ..but not impossible.
Back then the NHL was a much more penalty filled game. Things have changed.
No one believed Creighton was anything but soft then despite his immense size advantage over most players then.
When referees are telling the coaching staff that Schultz should lay off then to me it shows he just may have it in him.
For sure its RARE that a player can change his game mentality in terms of being nasty ..but not impossible.
I dunno, 87 PIMs in 36 games is on pace for 193 over 80 games. That's just not more penalties being called, that's a load of majors and/or misconducts. A far cry from anything Schultz has shown.
I dunno, 87 PIMs in 36 games is on pace for 193 over 80 games. That's just not more penalties being called, that's a load of majors and/or misconducts. A far cry from anything Schultz has shown.
Well I am beginning to believe in Schultz and want to see how he progresses the rest of this season at least before I come to a firm conclusion.
I can see departing with Wideman and Hamrlik. But I think if he continues to progress we hang onto Schultz.
I'm fine with having one of Hamrlik or Schultz on the roster next year, just not both. Provided they're slotted as a top 6 guy, not #7/8 depth. Right now I'm leaning towards keeping Schultz, but I also think he'd be easier to move (or get a somewhat useful return).
1LD - Green
Alzner - Carlson
Schultz/Hamrlik - Orlov
I'd also entertain offers for Erskine, and move him if we get something halfway decent. Then get a UFA like Clayton Stoner, Matt Carkner, or Aaron Rome who can provide the same physical presence for cheaper. Shouldn't be paying our #7/8 guy $1.5M against the cap.
So it seems when Laich is in top-6 his contract is not that bad. Which was proposed by many posters in the beginning.
Laich is very good in that he can play all 12 forward position slots in a pinch, the point on the PP, even D if we are desperate. You can ask him to play in a defensive role or to go to the front of the net on the PP.
Sure he could hit a bit more but this guy gives 100% every shift. His stats are down this year b/c he has been playing in a defensive capacity the majority of it. With the emergence of Beagle he can now be used offensively.
Well I am beginning to believe in Schultz and want to see how he progresses the rest of this season at least before I come to a firm conclusion.
I can see departing with Wideman and Hamrlik. But I think if he continues to progress we hang onto Schultz.
Agreed
Sarge finally took the first step needed to expand on his game! This could be huge, he could end up our 1LD. Hell, he has even been nailing full slappers lately. My feeling, there is not a snowballs chance in hell that Sarge gets moved. George must be beside himself seeing Sarge's progression since Dale was hired. I am very optimistic he can get sorted out, finally.
It's pointless to compare PIMs from previous era's. There is little to no emotion in the current games, and emotions lead to astronomical PIM numbers. I would be stunned if we end up with 5 misconducts for the entire season. 5 in one game wasn't rare during Creighton's era. And players can and do turn on the mean button, its in our all DNA. And you see that mean gene (oakerland) flipped on every year in the playoffs. Byng candidate Oatsie often became a mean SOB when the playoffs started.
Sarge finally took the first step needed to expand on his game! This could be huge, he could end up our 1LD. Hell, he has even been nailing full slappers lately. My feeling, there is not a snowballs chance in hell that Sarge gets moved. George must be beside himself seeing Sarge's progression since DaleJim Johnson was hired. I am very optimistic he can get sorted out, finally.
It's pointless to compare PIMs from previous era's. There is little to no emotion in the current games, and emotions lead to astronomical PIM numbers. I would be stunned if we end up with 5 misconducts for the entire season. 5 in one game wasn't rare during Creighton's era. And players can and do turn on the mean button, its in our all DNA. And you see that mean gene (oakerland) flipped on every year in the playoffs. Byng candidate Oatsie often became a mean SOB when the playoffs started.
I'd wager that Johnson has played a bigger role in 55's turnaround that DD has. It's not like the rest of the team has all of a sudden developed a mean streak. Kudos to Jeff for starting to round the corner though. I had always given him the benefit of the doubt up until the beginning of this year. It's nice to see him growing his game.
