2013 Southeast Division Champions Caps Vs. Rangers

[skinsfan_1215]

...and Semin wasn't worth what he wanted. No use crying over someone we've all wished were gone at one point or another.

Nobody is saying we should have re-signed Semin. Everybody is saying we didn't sign someone to replace him that could adequately replace his offense. We're 2 weeks into the season- points don't matter much yet. Looking more at historic production to project the rest of the season.

[BuddyLeeGhostHunter]

Nobody is saying we should have re-signed Semin. Everybody is saying we didn't sign someone to replace him that could adequately replace his offense. We're 2 weeks into the season- points don't matter much yet. Looking more at historic production to project the rest of the season.

I think the team added Ribby to cover Semin's production, however consistent or inconsistent Semin's production was at any given time. So far so good. Sure, having a decent option at every possible position is great but there are salary ramifications to consider. You can't keep everyone and buy a championship at the same time. That's the chess match GMGM and other GM's around the league must play.

Anyways, I don't think our problems lie in the loss (if you can say that) of Semin or the addition of a Wolski/Krabb. As others have mentioned, its consistency. Three different coaches with three different philosophies. Losing some gritty players over the years hurt I believe as well. It also doesn't help when your two best players in pay roll aren't playing well and your treasured young defenders appear lost.

The good news is they'll get better. Hell, you can only go up from here.

[skinsfan_1215]

we went over the Ribeiro angle already!

[SpringfieldSkins]

What I am saying is that Ribiero instead of Semin is a lateral move at best.

What many of us were saying (aside from get that bum off the team) is get the man a Center so he isn't the only player on his line. We got him a center, but now we have nobody for that center to pass it to.

[BuddyLeeGhostHunter]

we went over the Ribeiro angle already!

Production is production to me.

[skinsfan_1215]

Production is production to me.

It is, but we had a need for MORE production last year, specifically from 2C. We got that, but took a step backwards with replacing Semin with Wolski. Result is we still need more production, just from a different position.

[BuddyLeeGhostHunter]

We got him a center, but now we have nobody for that center to pass it to.

Isn't that the problem with most teams in professional sports though?

We have the WR's and RB's but no QB. We have the QB but no defense. We have the Center but not the RW.

Unless we're the Tampa Bay of the NHL and have all this cap room I haven't heard of, what better replacement could we have had at RW? Would we have been able to acquire a decent C as well then?

[DCsportsfan53]

Production is production to me.

It's real simple. We have not had a legitimate 2C on this roster for years. Finally getting him while losing your (hopefully, sometimes, when he felt like it) #2 scorer, the guy who needed that 2C to help him do his job is status quo at best. You had sufficient top line talent at wing but not at center, now you have it at center but not at wing. We had two needs. A legit 2C, long needed and someone to play Semin's role. Look, I'm still glad Semin is gone, I don't think he was right for us but still, this roster needed upgrades not moving our weaknesses laterally. McPhee addressed one (finally) and used band aids on the other, they were both very important. McPhee is definitely a problem but more concerning to me is this. We had a core of young, up and coming stars tearing the NHL up....every single one of them has turned into an underperforming combination of either A) oft injured or B) just not getting it done or C) not maturing as players. Can we really be that unlucky or is our player development really that bad?

[BuddyLeeGhostHunter]

It's real simple. We have not had a legitimate 2C on this roster for years. Finally getting him while losing your (hopefully, sometimes, when he felt like it) #2 scorer, the guy who needed that 2C to help him do his job is status quo at best. You had sufficient top line talent at wing but not at center, now you have it at center but not at wing. We had two needs. A legit 2C, long needed and someone to play Semin's role. Look, I'm still glad Semin is gone, I don't think he was right for us but still, this roster needed upgrades not moving our weaknesses laterally. McPhee addressed one (finally) and used band aids on the other, they were both very important. McPhee is definitely a problem but more concerning to me is this. We had a core of young, up and coming stars tearing the NHL up....every single one of them has turned into an underperforming combination of either A) oft injured or B) just not getting it done or C) not maturing as players. Can we really be that unlucky or is our player development really that bad?

Isn't a 2nd Center tougher to find than a 2nd RW?

I agree about the under performing. We can only go up from here. Hopefully we'll master this system and be in contention with the addition of another piece or two (more gritty crease players) sooner than later.

[SpringfieldSkins]

Isn't that the problem with most teams in professional sports though?

We have the WR's and RB's but no QB. We have the QB but no defense. We have the Center but not the RW.

Unless we're the Tampa Bay of the NHL and have all this cap room I haven't heard of, what better replacement could we have had at RW? Would we have been able to acquire a decent C as well then?

I'm sure, if GMGM wanted to, he could have kept Semin here. He would have paid more than he wanted but I don't think that the cap strictly prohibited him from resigning Semin.

The problem with GMGM is that he constantly overvalues our young talent and has repeatedly shown that he is afraid to make the big trade.

[Heisenberg]

Isn't that the problem with most teams in professional sports though?

We have the WR's and RB's but no QB. We have the QB but no defense. We have the Center but not the RW.

Unless we're the Tampa Bay of the NHL and have all this cap room I haven't heard of, what better replacement could we have had at RW? Would we have been able to acquire a decent C as well then?

I think the Caps have $7 mil or more in cap space at the moment.

[BuddyLeeGhostHunter]

I'm sure, if GMGM wanted to, he could have kept Semin here. He would have paid more than he wanted but I don't think that the cap strictly prohibited him from resigning Semin.

My only concern with re-signing Semin was that he was a big question mark. Plus, if you were to sign him you'd likely not be able to sign the likes of Ribby.

[DC9]

We want to make chocolate chip cookies.

Last year we had eggs, milk, and chocolate chips... but no flour...

This year we have flour, eggs, and milk... but no chocolate chips...

I'm actually a damn good cook, and I know that this isn't even a recipe, but I think it's illustrating the overall point.

[KDawg]

I realize I'm not a Caps fan, but...

Ribiero has won just 35.4% of his draw attempts at the dot.

I love Cody Hodgson on Buffalo, and I thought he was bad when he was sitting at 39%. (He's now MUCH better... 42% /end tongue in cheek)

Beagle has done a nice job for you guys, he's sitting at 55%. Impressive.

[Capt'n Obvious]

Neuvy back in net tonight. Hoping Phil Kessel doesn't end his goal drought tonight.