The ‘23-‘24 boredom thread.. no square poop allowed

[waynerivers]

Oshie has 1 assist in 14 games and is a -5.  How much longer can they keep this guy on the ice?  That he's still on the PP is simply ludicrous. 

[Beaglefan2]

Carbery was working with Protas after practice on checking and digging pucks out ohe corner.


https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1724634578118115687

Good to know on Protas.  I have been really impressed with his skating this year.  I don't think he has the hands to be a high goal scorer, but he could be good for 10 to 15 a year and if they could get him checking (with his big body) and really hustling, we could have another Jay Beagle!

[Beaglefan2]

Oshie has 1 assist in 14 games and is a -5.  How much longer can they keep this guy on the ice?  That he's still on the PP is simply ludicrous.

First of all, I love Oshie for his hustle and heart in the past.  On the other hand, he is not a homegrown guy that we have had forever and therefore, I don't think he should be in the untouchable class.  Honestly, he went way downhill last year and had a hard time staying upright.  With him, it's not lack of desire or hustle, it has just been injuries and I'm afraid they have taken their toll, as has Father Time.


If Carbury wants to establish himself as a viable coach in this league, he is going to have to make some tough decisions, and Oshie may be one of them. Maybe he already did with Backstrom.

[Mickstix]

Yea, Im not buying Osh is just snake bit. He looks bad at most everything hockey related. Poor passes, falls down, slow, no aim.. 


Protas is just a big lump of clay! Carbs can mold him into a machine, hopefully!!

[richkrt99]

Phillips is working really hard, he is always hustling and has a nose for the net.  He was right there on the post for a tap in when Stromer scored.  Goalie left him way to much net to shoot at otherwise that was a pass for a Phillips tap in goal.  Guy is in the play.  He's just not big enough.  It is easy for him to get knocked of the puck and out muscled on the boards, but the guy does have heart and he's in the play and driving the net.  Hes got decent speed too.  I feel bad for him cause its his size that limits him.  I don't think hes great on the D side, but he does hustle.
I mean at this point....who has a better shot at scoring...Phillips or Oshie?  I mean you put Phillips on line with Strome and Milano and he could at least keep up.  Put Oshie on checking line and let him in on the PP if you still want.
Of course...if the team were healthy, Phillips is one of the first to get scratched if it were me.  Malenstyn and Protas got more to offer...even NAK
Problem is Phillips aint a 4th line guy or a checking line kind of skills and thats where he's playing
As soon as Patches is ready...Id say he gets L2 and move Oshie to L3 and Phillips gets scratched.

[richkrt99]

I agree on Protas - he could be a very serviceable bottom 6 guy who contributes.  Love that coaches are working with him on hitting.
I heard Carberry talking earlier in the year....the "new" mantra taught to young guys is "stick on puck"..meaning guys are/should stick check the guy with the puck to take it way.  Coach said..that's fine for a guy like Strome, who's not going to bowl you over with a hit, but take Protas (he used specifically as example)...I'm fine with him taking the body out of the play and ignore the stick on puck.  Same result...the play has been halted, but you have also taken the player out of the play as well as the puck.  AND...its not fun to get hit all night so it affects the mental part of the opponents game.
I'm 100% behind that philosophy.  Hitting pays dividends more than just the one hit, but teams have moved away from that.  Im not saying go headhunting, but hitting/checking SHOULD be part of your game...especially at Protas size.  (you too Antman)..not to mention Mr JohnDylan Norris Carlson)
Not guys like McIlrath though  ...absolutely loved that hit.  Resulting "fight" was a bonus.  I actually thought he kind of caught the guy early and then let up on him, then the guy gave him the push smush with his tied up hand to Macs face, and Mac was like... "Okay MFr...you getting the big right club now"  Also love that Carbery calls this out in aftergame.
Im surprised with a ruptured eardrum that Mantha is full contact already.  I've had a ruptured eardrum and its very painful initially, but then you hardly notice it at all.  But then...I wasn't playing hockey with it either.  Mine they fixed with a skin graft from skin off my ear.  I can't imagine you would want that getting banged around.

and yes...I'm bored

[waynerivers]

Phillips is working really hard, he is always hustling and has a nose for the net.  He was right there on the post for a tap in when Stromer scored.  Goalie left him way to much net to shoot at otherwise that was a pass for a Phillips tap in goal.  Guy is in the play.  He's just not big enough.  It is easy for him to get knocked of the puck and out muscled on the boards, but the guy does have heart and he's in the play and driving the net.  Hes got decent speed too.  I feel bad for him cause its his size that limits him.  I don't think hes great on the D side, but he does hustle.
I mean at this point....who has a better shot at scoring...Phillips or Oshie?  I mean you put Phillips on line with Strome and Milano and he could at least keep up.  Put Oshie on checking line and let him in on the PP if you still want.
Of course...if the team were healthy, Phillips is one of the first to get scratched if it were me.  Malenstyn and Protas got more to offer...even NAK
Problem is Phillips aint a 4th line guy or a checking line kind of skills and thats where he's playing


As soon as Patches is ready...Id say he gets L2 and move Oshie to L3 and Phillips gets scratched.

Phillips strikes me as another Hagelin; lots of skating and hustle and not much in the way of results.  In today's NHL it's not worth going with smallish guys unless they have top talent.  Otherwise, it's just another jersey filled without enough return.

[Beaglefan2]

Agree on Phillips. It is easy for the majority of fans fall in love with the smurf of the moment and we have had our share - and Snively is another one.  Unless the guy is a superstar, move on to the bigger bodies!!  I'd much rather have NAK in the lineup, or even Lapierre or a couple other Hershey guys.


Speaking of NAK - I think he has played really well and I don't get why they waived him. He skates well, he aggressively takes shots and is physical.  Maybe his defense was the problem, but he looks good to me.

[richkrt99]

When did they waive NAG?  Like recently?  I agree...he has looked good.  He hits people, etc.  Good 4th line guy.  I'd play him before Phillips.
Although...I would play Malenstyn before NAK - he has looked good this year.  Getting PK time, etc.  I don't remember him being this noticeable before now.
I thought Oshie actually looked better last game.  I mean nothing to show for it, but I watched the entire game and I don't remember cringing when Oshie was on the ice or seeing him look like he was ailing to keep up.

[Beaglefan2]

Yes - I noticed the same thing about Oshie last game - although he still wasn't great - just less bad.


They waived NAK at the roster cutdown and he cleared waivers and went to Hershey. I was surprised they waived him and surprised he cleared. Not sure if they can send him back and forth now, or if he has to clear every time.  I kind of equate him to Sprong for some reason as he is a guy that has played well and seems to stand out pretty well, but he gets shuffled from team to team. I didn't like it when the let Sprong go and I think I was right. I feel the same way about NAK.

[Mickstix]

I think the Sprong move comes in just under the Ziggy and Mantha/Jake debacles. He had two things going against him (here) though. He was fast and wasn't afraid to score.

[alta]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/ken-squier-a-longtime-nascar-announcer-and-broadcaster-dies-at-88/ar-AA1k2tUY

[Mickstix]

Another legend of the sport gone. 

[alta]

I’ve not seen anything official yet, but, Hershey sent one of their goalies down to South Carolina which tells me Shepard is going, or has gone, back to Hershey.

[richkrt99]

I think the Sprong move comes in just under the Ziggy and Mantha/Jake debacles. He had two things going against him (here) though. He was fast and wasn't afraid to score.

Well Sprong...they were (at least Lavi was) unhappy with him for some reason, but I think also he was about to be a FA, so they moved him to get at least something cause no way could they afford him in FA the next year.
Mantha/Jake...well I'm not sure it was a debacle...well more like I guess a debacle for both teams.  That trade didn't help anyone except to get Mantha a contract he didn't live up to.  I actually liked the trade at the time. (other than I think we spend some other assets too)
I hated seeing them let Ziggy walk, but same deal...they were not going to be able to afford him due to the cap trouble.  I thought he was a perfect and rare (these days) defensemen we really needed.  So dumb to let him go.
I think his loss hurt less than it should have only because TVR and Jensen played....prolly better or above their normal/previous level for the next few seasons.

Geez who the F created the Caps schedule this year.  This is dumb.  3 games in four days with a back to back then 2 days off, then 1 game, then 3 days off, then 1 game, 1 day off, 1 game, 2 days off, then 3 games in 4 nights with another back to back

[Mickstix]

Kuzy been sick for what seems like 2 weeks now.

https://twitter.com/Tarik_ElBashir/status/1725560407673172365

[richkrt99]

Kuzy got the covid again?  too much nose candy lowering his immune system.
I surprised Mantha playing with a recently ruptured ear drum.  I don't know shit, but seem like thats the kind of thing you wouldn't want to bang around.
Looking forward to Edmundson playing...like to see what he can do.

[Mickstix]

Wonder who TVR will replace? I didn't mind McIlrath's game. 6'5" 220. 

[richkrt99]

Wonder who TVR will replace? I didn't mind McIlrath's game. 6'5" 220.

Yeah I didnt mind it either...something we DONT have in our D is some grit.
Im sure it will be Mac though
They sent Haman Aktell back to Hershey yesterday.  (im cool with that)

[richkrt99]

I think the clock is slow...
Isn't there a game today?  Not like you haven't days to prep for it.