Malkin and Hagelin out for tomorrow's game

[DC_1908]

     You do know that those stats aren't very accurate. A lot of that has to do with who your linemates are. Those stats also don't tell you what kind if players he is playing against. Burakovsky has always been a bit sheltered. He gets more offensive zone starts and he doesn't play against top lines as much. BTW those stats you are talking about aren't a defensive stat. Did know that Beagle has the worst possession stats on the team? Are you going to tell me Burakovsky is better than Beagle defensively. There is a reason Burakovsky has been in the doghouse throughout his career.

Exactly!


"Possession Stats" are nearly always misinterpreted, mis-analyzed, and are little more than entreatment from a fan/not coach or player point of view.

[alta]

the SOG stat is flawed, which makes other stats based off the SOG number flawed as well

[BlackIce]

Bura hasn't been in the doghouse, or your previous comments about him playing with good teammates wouldn't be valid.  The organization in fact has not sheltered him, but given him every opportunity to play top 6, which means he has been playing against better opposition.  Of course possession stats involve who your ice mates are -- but the possession stats for Bura's ice mates have depended on his being there as well.


Regardless, this entire discussion seems moot, because Bura's injury status is now classified as week-to-week (first time I've heard that), and Walton said that he is not expected to appear in this series.  I think an earlier comment that we may have seen the last of him for the year indeed may be the case.  If the Caps are fortunate enough to keep advancing, Trotz will be more and more loathe to break up the lineup as we get further into the playoffs to get Bura back in, with no assurances as to how he'd play coming off an extended absence.

[4 Caps]

The biggest problem with Burakovsky is that he appears to be injury prone.  This season and last season he missed a significant amount of time because of injuries.  I believe if he could stay healthy he would be a very productive player and I love him on the line with Backstrom and Oshie.  It is a shame he got hurt in the second game against Columbus but it is what it is.  I am not ready to give up on him yet. 

[alta]

On the old board I asked how long an organisation should hold on to a player waiting for him to develop into a good consistent asset. The consensus was two years, three max. We are now at four complete seasons with him and he hasn't gotten that much better. So, how long are the Caps supposed to work with this guy to get his game up to where it should/could be?

[DC_1908]

Bura hasn't been in the doghouse, or your previous comments about him playing with good teammates wouldn't be valid.  The organization in fact has not sheltered him, but given him every opportunity to play top 6, which means he has been playing against better opposition.  Of course possession stats involve who your ice mates are -- but the possession stats for Bura's ice mates have depended on his being there as well.


Regardless, this entire discussion seems moot, because Bura's injury status is now classified as week-to-week (first time I've heard that), and Walton said that he is not expected to appear in this series.  I think an earlier comment that we may have seen the last of him for the year indeed may be the case.  If the Caps are fortunate enough to keep advancing, Trotz will be more and more loathe to break up the lineup as we get further into the playoffs to get Bura back in, with no assurances as to how he'd play coming off an extended absence.

Though Top 6 means way to much on the Caps, and even way more to most fans, than it ever should. . . it still doesn't translate to "our six best players"


Buras almost complete lack of defense makes him a liability and hindrance on defensive situations, groupings or matchups.  So much that the system the line he's on plays either needs to shit to all offense, or carry dead weight on defense.


So by protected, he is not assigned to shut down scorers, but to start in offensive zones and/or play in offensive situations, not "shut down Steve Samkos", or anybody else,  This is why all the data you bring up, is not applicable to your argument.

[Maacoshark]

Bura hasn't been in the doghouse, or your previous comments about him playing with good teammates wouldn't be valid.  The organization in fact has not sheltered him, but given him every opportunity to play top 6, which means he has been playing against better opposition.  Of course possession stats involve who your ice mates are -- but the possession stats for Bura's ice mates have depended on his being there as well.


Regardless, this entire discussion seems moot, because Bura's injury status is now classified as week-to-week (first time I've heard that), and Walton said that he is not expected to appear in this series.  I think an earlier comment that we may have seen the last of him for the year indeed may be the case.  If the Caps are fortunate enough to keep advancing, Trotz will be more and more loathe to break up the lineup as we get further into the playoffs to get Bura back in, with no assurances as to how he'd play coming off an extended absence.

  Bura has been in the doghouse plenty. Every year Trotz has has to scratch him for a few games. Trotz calls it a reset. Whatever you call it, the guy has zero hockey IQ.

[KitFisto]

Malkin out and we still lose. I'm done with this series. We ain't winning it.

[Stealyerfaceoff]

For those of you who missed Malkin's injury, he got it trying to slewfoot Lehtera.  When Malkin slewed him, Lehtera fell backwards onto Malkin's outstretched leg and bent it backwards.  Serves Malkin right.  Hard to feel sorry for a player who hurts himself trying to hurt someone else.

Abso freakin lutly.
Live by the slew foot, die by the slew foot.