Hi Bryan, Do you think the Caps overpaid to keep T.J. Oshie in Washington?- Apprehensive in Alexandria
Thanks for the question, Apprehensive. It's no secret that with all the departures (Williams, Alzner, Shattenkirk, MoJo), there is real pressure on Oshie this season. Sure, the team allegedly has two of the best players in the game (Ovi and Backstrom) and has two players that need to blossom further (Kuzy and Burky), but Oshie is the one that scored a big contract based on posting a career high in goals. He is energetic, a talented grinder, and, by all accounts, a good guy for the locker room and the city. Did the team overpay? Probably. Did they need to in order to stave off full blown hysteria given all the other departures? Probably. However, when assessing contracts and deals of this nature I always defer to the D.C. resident known for making great deals, the best deals. Rumor has it, while ignoring the real workings of the federal government, the big guy, in addition to pounding Big Macs and digesting Fox News, dabbles in fantasy hockey. I sent a quick message over to @hailtothecovfefe to see if he liked the Oshie signing. I think his one word answer accompanying this picture message says it all: "Swish!"
Good morning Bryan, How mad do you think GMBM was when George McPhee selected Nate Schmidt in the expansion draft?-Worried in Warrenton
Good morning, Worried. Who can tell? I mean, GMBM's brow may have been slightly more furrowed and eyebrows more craggy, but again, who can tell? These two photos show him on the happiest days of his career: when he was hired and when he found a Sidney Crosby voodoo doll in his Cracker Jack. I defy you to identify his emotions at any given time.
I think Schmidt's departure will hurt, though. Is he the second coming of Bobby Orr? Of course, not. But Nate was a serviceable defenseman on a great contract. He had come into his own defensively, pushed the offense with his speed, and has that super smile. Honestly, I think the Caps would have been better served to have kept their blue line intact last season, keeping Schmidtty in the lineup instead of acquiring Kevin "Putting the Shat In" Shattenkirk. After watching the preseason, I think GMBM would take four Nate Schmidts for his blueline.
Dear Mr. Moon, I think a slimmed down Barry Trotz, a lighter Alex Ovechkin, and lowered expectations are the recipe for success this season. I don't think the team's dropoff will be nearly as catastrophic as some doomsayers predict.-Optimistic in Odenton
No need to be so formal, Optimistic. We're all just fans slurping from the same Gatorade water bottle here. I think Barry Trotz is slimmer from all his time spent sweating on the hot seat this summer. We can point to a dozenexcuses reasons, but the fact remains this team, built for a Cup or Bust, has underachieved the last two seasons. Maybe Trotz's only flaw is having the hubris to think he could outrun this franchise's springtime curse. Nonetheless, the pressure is on for Trotz to succeed. I wish I shared your optimism in regards to potential dropoff. If your definition of success is not becoming the Winnipeg Jets East, then maybe I agree. I think the team is looking at a serious step backwards. The division is tougher and other Eastern Conference teams like Ottawa and Toronto are on the rise. I don't think the Caps can take for granted making the playoffs. While they would make a dangerous low seed in the playoffs, I think they are going to have to grind it out just to get to April. I hope I'm wrong.
Who wins more games this season, Vegas or Washington?- Genuinely Curious in Georgetown
DON'T. EVEN. WANT. TO. THINK. ABOUT. IT.
Hello Bryan, When do you think Tom Wilson will get his head out of his ass?-Frustrated in Frederick
Great question, Frustrated. I'm split on how to answer this question. On one hand, I feel legitimate hitting and physicality is being drained from the game. Clean hits are being penalized more frequently. It seems every time a hard, clean check is delivered guys want to fight about it. Sometimes you just lick your wounds, put your bucket back on, and keep skating. I don't want Wilson to have his aggressiveness disciplined out of him by the league office. Scott Stevens must puke when he sees the ways checking is penalized these days. Or maybe that's the post-concussion syndrome. Because that's really the other side of this, right? As we learn much more about the lasting dangers of even minor head injuries, the NHL should be protecting players. Bigger, faster players are damn near lethal weapons on skates. Dirty infractions should be penalized harshly. Unfortunately, I think the league is wildly erratic in how they mete out justice. Despite video explanation from the league office, I often find myself confused as to how punishment is imposed. I no more know what is suspension-worthy in the NHL than I know what qualifies as a reception in the NFL these days. That said, Wilson's hit for which he received his four game suspension was dirty and worthy of suspension. Four games worthy, I don't know. But Wilson has put himself in the unenviable spotlight known as Repeat Offender. He needs to figure out a middle ground. His penalty killing and potential offensive growth are to important to Washington for him to spend half the season in the press box.
Yo Beezer, what is the maximum number of games I can watch and still claim to "not care" about the Caps?-Kevin in Indiana.
*sigh*
Hey B, I drove by your house and saw the new Caps flag hanging from the porch. When do you think the mighty Red Rockers get to hoist a real banner of their own?-Spying on you in Salisbury
Well, I'm sure there will be the President's Trophy banner raised before Saturday's home opener. And Uncle Ted probably already had a championship banner on order last Spring, so maybe they could just convert that into a First Round Champ banner for the rafters. Or they could pick up the same flag I picked up for one dollar on clearance last June. As for a real, genuine, Grade A, Stanley Cup winner banner? Good luck predicting that. I now simply assume it will never happen. That doesn't mean we can't enjoy the journey, though. Let's not forget, we aren't quite reliving the days of Doig and Heward. Of Nycholat and Clymer. Of Hanlon and the Screaming Eagle in Cornflower Blue. I'll take Kuzy, Holtbeast, the Great 8, and hope that springs eternal.
Rock the Red. Let's Go Caps!
I think Schmidt's departure will hurt, though. Is he the second coming of Bobby Orr? Of course, not. But Nate was a serviceable defenseman on a great contract. He had come into his own defensively, pushed the offense with his speed, and has that super smile. Honestly, I think the Caps would have been better served to have kept their blue line intact last season, keeping Schmidtty in the lineup instead of acquiring Kevin "Putting the Shat In" Shattenkirk. After watching the preseason, I think GMBM would take four Nate Schmidts for his blueline.
Dear Mr. Moon, I think a slimmed down Barry Trotz, a lighter Alex Ovechkin, and lowered expectations are the recipe for success this season. I don't think the team's dropoff will be nearly as catastrophic as some doomsayers predict.-Optimistic in Odenton
No need to be so formal, Optimistic. We're all just fans slurping from the same Gatorade water bottle here. I think Barry Trotz is slimmer from all his time spent sweating on the hot seat this summer. We can point to a dozen
Who wins more games this season, Vegas or Washington?- Genuinely Curious in Georgetown
DON'T. EVEN. WANT. TO. THINK. ABOUT. IT.
Hello Bryan, When do you think Tom Wilson will get his head out of his ass?-Frustrated in Frederick
Great question, Frustrated. I'm split on how to answer this question. On one hand, I feel legitimate hitting and physicality is being drained from the game. Clean hits are being penalized more frequently. It seems every time a hard, clean check is delivered guys want to fight about it. Sometimes you just lick your wounds, put your bucket back on, and keep skating. I don't want Wilson to have his aggressiveness disciplined out of him by the league office. Scott Stevens must puke when he sees the ways checking is penalized these days. Or maybe that's the post-concussion syndrome. Because that's really the other side of this, right? As we learn much more about the lasting dangers of even minor head injuries, the NHL should be protecting players. Bigger, faster players are damn near lethal weapons on skates. Dirty infractions should be penalized harshly. Unfortunately, I think the league is wildly erratic in how they mete out justice. Despite video explanation from the league office, I often find myself confused as to how punishment is imposed. I no more know what is suspension-worthy in the NHL than I know what qualifies as a reception in the NFL these days. That said, Wilson's hit for which he received his four game suspension was dirty and worthy of suspension. Four games worthy, I don't know. But Wilson has put himself in the unenviable spotlight known as Repeat Offender. He needs to figure out a middle ground. His penalty killing and potential offensive growth are to important to Washington for him to spend half the season in the press box.
Yo Beezer, what is the maximum number of games I can watch and still claim to "not care" about the Caps?-Kevin in Indiana.
*sigh*
Hey B, I drove by your house and saw the new Caps flag hanging from the porch. When do you think the mighty Red Rockers get to hoist a real banner of their own?-Spying on you in Salisbury
Well, I'm sure there will be the President's Trophy banner raised before Saturday's home opener. And Uncle Ted probably already had a championship banner on order last Spring, so maybe they could just convert that into a First Round Champ banner for the rafters. Or they could pick up the same flag I picked up for one dollar on clearance last June. As for a real, genuine, Grade A, Stanley Cup winner banner? Good luck predicting that. I now simply assume it will never happen. That doesn't mean we can't enjoy the journey, though. Let's not forget, we aren't quite reliving the days of Doig and Heward. Of Nycholat and Clymer. Of Hanlon and the Screaming Eagle in Cornflower Blue. I'll take Kuzy, Holtbeast, the Great 8, and hope that springs eternal.
Rock the Red. Let's Go Caps!
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