The pairings were changed because Orlov and Niskanen struggled so much together. For some reason our left dmen have all played better when paired with Carlson. Orlov, Kempny and Djoos all have played their best with Carlson.
I think Kempny has been our worst dman recently but I doubt he gets scratched. I hope they dont scratch Bowey since his game has progressed so much the past few games. The guy that seems to be the most expendable is Djoos. I havent seen any progress in his game. In fact I think Bowey has passed him. The biggest problem with Djoos is he gets pushed around too easily. He can't win a puck battle. He isnt very good defensively because he has no strength. The only thing he does in the defensive zone is try to poke check. I really dont see Djoos as a long term player here. Especially with all the left side prospects we have. Even after Orpik is gone I only rank Djoos 6th as a left dman in the future. Behind Orlov, Kempny, Seigenthaler, Johansen and Alexeyev. That's assuming we keep all of those guys.
Hey Maaco.
I do agree with part of your assessment. Orlov and Nisky, for whatever reasons, were not a good combo, and needed to be separated.
Orlov has been looking confused, STILL, (and has been since game one of this year), as to his D assignments, especially when opponents start cycling in our zone!
As far as Carly goes, any FAIR or serious discussion about his overall play, IMO, should be definitively partioned into two separate, and distinct, yet simple analyses! One on his offensive production, and the other for defensive skill. WHY? Because they are as far apart, as east is from west!!
I gave #74 some decent credit , early on, as I witnessed some faster skating, quicker reaction, and even some elevation in his physical game. As another positive he does give up the body sometimes to block shots! All fair and good!
So, his O side, speaks for itself. Just a slight drop recently, but no problem. I believe he will continue to produce, with the O, on a great level for the Caps this year!
As far as D is concerned, (lets remind ourselves that his title is a DEFENSEMAN), I now see him eroding back to his old style, as of late! His speed, and reaction time have regressed back to the customary and usual “Carly tempo”, that has been his SIGNATURE, to be sure!
There has NEVER been consistent, stellar, D talent from this guy, enough to earn him a respectable reputation, amongst serious minded, honest debate about a DEFENSIVE SKILL SET, period!! Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of well deserved, positive talk about him, but the lead in, setup statements, will almost always begin their tone with offensive production.
There were two games recently, in which, near the end of the game, the opponent shot the game tieing, or game winning goals! In both cases, Copley and Holtz could and should have made the save!!
However, also to blame was another COMMON THREAD. John Carlson was the lone defender, in proper position, attempting to challenge his opponent. Being in absolute, shoulders-square, defensive position, and picking his man up, shortly after crossing the blue line! Both opponents were able to get off a rocket-type wrister, or slapper, as if Carlson was INVISIBLE!!! These are the very few times that you get such TELLING ISOLATION, on a player!! Otherwise, there is always blame that can be cast around the line on the ice!
I see no merit in your assertion that other D men become better when on ice with Carly! If anything, they inherently have more opportunity to play more D, due to the LACK of defensive assistance from #74! Hence, with Carly, his D linemate is almost FORCED into an atmosphere, where he HAS TO be more attentive on D. More like, “whoa shit”, versus, having his D game ENHANCED by Carlson.
Lastly, Carly’s positive press, is all too dependent on a good blurring of the line, between offense and defense! The last thing the Carly camp would welcome, would be a binary, overall look, at his play, separating his O, from his D, in honest discussion!!
If the debate is that Carlson is a GREAT total asset to the team, then, Yes, we are at the same party!!!
If the debate is that Carlson is GREAT, (or even good), in his defensive prowess, well, my boy, we are in different solar systems, then!
1) Good O production, decent PK skills, and decent shot blocking!!
2) Bad puck bring up, bad board battle skills, NON-CHALLENGING, low physicality, one trick pony, poke-checker, and slow as molasses!
All packaged in a 6’3”, 215, body! Jeez!
Rush
