So TSN is predicting we finish 14th this year... they can't be serious.
To be far tsn had us predicted to be top 3 in west when we traded for Jbo and we never made it. As much as they talk about being experts their predicted finishes are often much less accurate then many posters on HF.
Also I think Irving won the back up job today he wasn't amazing but he was able to fight off pucks that simply beat Karlsson.
As a side note, I have been pleasantly surprised with SN's season preview special in comparison with TSN's. Much more in depth and feels much longer, lots of different opinions. Usually can't stand SN.
top 2 lines seem pretty set with the way camp has gone. Of course that can change when Hudler and Cervenka come, but here's my hopeful lineup!
Glencross Tanguay Iggy
Sven Backlund Cammy
Hudler Stajan Cervenka
Comeau Jones Stempniak
Jackman
Glencross had chemistry with Iggy last year. Tanguay in the middle passing to 2 trigger-happy shooters sounds ideal. Sven and Backs had chemistry already last year at camp. Putting an energetic and fast Cammy will surely help the 2 kids. This line will surprise people. The 2b line is perfect for Stajan. Stick him 2 offensively capable players and he will produce A LOT better than he has the last 2 years. Helps that he's defensively sound as well. The energy line is not a typical 4th line. All 3 players can play and will be counted on for momentum with their energy. Jackman will slot in with tougher opponents. Though I think one of Comeau and Stemps will be traded, it all depends on how Hartley uses his lines
on D Hartley seems to like Gio and JBo together, which makes sense since they are the 2 best on the team. Wideman with another mobile player in Butler makes our top 4 very active, which is exactly the way Hartley likes to play. Hopefully Butler improved since he looked overwhelmed at times playing top 4 last year. Brodie and Sarich was a good pairing last year. A one-year-older Brodie will even be better in Hartley's system.
I doubt you will see Butler and Wideman together
Neither are known for their solid D or impressive skating skills
To much liability on one pairing in my opinion
To start I think you will the following like others have mentioned
JBow - Wideman
Butler - Gio
Brodie - Sarich
I think they put the two high paid supposed higher offensive guys together
JBows skilled skating should help to protect Wideman on D and hopefully Widemans solid vision will lead to some points from the back end and perhaps even help open things up for JBow to regain his offensive form. If things don't work out early - I suspect we will see Wideman moved to a pair with Gio. Butler gets paired on the second d pairing with Gio just because he played so many minutes last year in the top 4 etc. If Brodie starts off solid and Butler continues with his average play - I could see Brodie moving up to play with Gio on the 2nd pairing. That would leave Butler and Sarich to do a lot of penalty killing and hopefully help reduce JBows minutes in order to help him be more effective hopefully.
I doubt you will see Butler and Wideman together
Neither are known for their solid D or impressive skating skills
To much liability on one pairing in my opinion
To start I think you will the following like others have mentioned
JBow - Wideman
Butler - Gio
Brodie - Sarich
I think they put the two high paid supposed higher offensive guys together
JBows skilled skating should help to protect Wideman on D and hopefully Widemans solid vision will lead to some points from the back end and perhaps even help open things up for JBow to regain his offensive form. If things don't work out early - I suspect we will see Wideman moved to a pair with Gio. Butler gets paired on the second d pairing with Gio just because he played so many minutes last year in the top 4 etc. If Brodie starts off solid and Butler continues with his average play - I could see Brodie moving up to play with Gio on the 2nd pairing. That would leave Butler and Sarich to do a lot of penalty killing and hopefully help reduce JBows minutes in order to help him be more effective hopefully.
They have played together every day of camp I think it is a sure thing they start the season together.
Yea its a head scratchier but I am going to give Hartley the benefit of the doubt and see what happens.
Obviously the Jbow - Gio pairing is amazing
I think any team in the NHL would love to have that as a D pairing
But the lack of D on the second pairing scares me
I'm not as concerned with the Butler / Wideman pairing. Butler will play a ton better with reduced ice time and will be fairly solid defensively as a result. Wideman may not be as good as his contract suggests, but he's not as bad as many Capitals fans claim either. 2nd pairing seems about right.
I am actually more concerned if Giordano is expected to play big time minutes. His play noticeably drops off after 24 minutes / night - he starts doing stupid / lazy things with more frequency. Maybe with a shorter season this will be less of an issue.
I'm not as concerned with the Butler / Wideman pairing. Butler will play a ton better with reduced ice time and will be fairly solid defensively as a result. Wideman may not be as good as his contract suggests, but he's not as bad as many Capitals fans claim either. 2nd pairing seems about right.
I am actually more concerned if Giordano is expected to play big time minutes. His play noticeably drops off after 24 minutes / night - he starts doing stupid / lazy things with more frequency. Maybe with a shorter season this will be less of an issue.
If Gio is really getting tired, I wouldn't mind seeing Wideman being put up with Boumeester.
