I expect the Caps will take a step back from last year, not have as much regular season success. Simply in the fact that SO many guys had career years last year, I can't believe they would all do it again. I don't expect Ovi will be as productive, but you just never know with that guy. I figure if all the guys who had career years, scores 5 less goals each this year that is quite a few goals, and will make a difference in the number of wins. However...will it really matter? All we need is to get to the playoffs. Who cares if they win the division or are the best or second best or division best in the regular season? Protas, Willy, McMike, Strome, Dubouis are 5/6 of our top 6 and they are in prime years or not yet to point of decline. Ovi will drop off, but Carbs will manage his playing time to best utilize him. When they say "a big step backward" do they mean Caps don't make the playoffs? or do they mean well...they won't be best in East?
I'm okay with not best in the east. Not okay with not making the playoffs - that definitely would be a failure.
I think our problem is we are a little weak on D. I mean we have plenty of D, and we got Fever back and if he is healthy, that's a huge lift defensively. I continue to say TVR is 1/4 step from being worthless, but honestly if he falls short, bring in Chisolm, Iorio, Mac, etc. Carlson is getting older as well, but I heard Carbs already say he intends to manage his minutes better to relieve some of his work load with intent to make him more successful. I think our D is as good as it was last year, with maybe better options for guys to step up if someone goes down.
We have virtually the same team offensively as last year; swap in Leonard and Lappy for Mangipanne and Eller. Eller was ineffective 6G, 9A, Mangipanne had 14G, 14A. Vranna/Miro/Frank totaled 12g, 10 combined. Not sure what Lenny will get, but maybe the combo of Lenny, Lappy, Beuvy will produce at least as much as our 3rd line last year. I expect Carbs will manage their minutes up or down depending on situations and how effective and responsible they are. I think the worry there is not so much goal production, but rather how responsible they are as a 3rd line.
Goaltending should be solid. BOth guys played maybe a little better than expected, so maybe there is some drop off there, but not enough to tank the season.
If the Caps have a less successful record, but end up say 2nd place in division or even a WC spot, and say win 1st round ... Is that taking a big step backward? I'd say that's ultimately pretty much same level of success...winning only 1 round in playoffs.
Caps are essentially the same team they were last year. A team with lots of varied talent with lots of guys sharing the scoring, One aging (okay...AGED) super superstar, reasonable D, good goaltending, and most important - a very good coach who i think will manage the players based on how well they are performing.
man this season can't get started soon enough.
Go Caps
