Here's the problem with adding a "strong defenseman." The Caps currently have 7 defensemen on the roster on one-way contracts, and I guarantee they don't want to expose any of them to waivers. So if another serious defenseman comes into that mix, there are too many bodies to play everybody. That means one of the current defensemen probably needs to go in a trade for it to really work, which gets us into blockbuster territory. Making a big move like that with only a month and a half until the playoffs start is always a dicey proposition chemistry-wise. We've seen big moves at the deadline blow up in our faces before. It really would be a roll-the-dice move.
Hey Black.
The Shattenkirk trade, using hindsight from the 2nd round playoff exit, when he was here, was a perfect example of how team chemistry can go off kilter, when trading at the deadline. ESPECIALLY a big name guy!
There are some team factors that, if in place at the time of a deadline trade, seem to potentially increase the negative affect to team chemistry!
First, you have to have some GOOD chemistry, that’s already present, and established during the regular season.
Second, and most likely hand in hand, with established good chemistry, is that you are a team that appears likely to make the playoffs, at the time of the deadline! (In other words, having a common team goal to strive for).
Third, you are trading for a top 6/4, O or D player, who will displace one of the regular starters!
Caps had ALL these factors happening when we got Shatty. Caps were already cementing well for the playoffs, and locker room rapport was good!
This year is different, IMO, in one big way!
In agreement with Rich, I think we have very little risk, concerning an upset to the defensive chemistry of the Capitals.
Bob Dylan sang the lyrics “If you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose”!
One of the most notable issues, of the many, for this years team, is our blaring, random, inconsistent, defense! Probably the most reliably predictable fault, that we can all agree on!
This is what a “NO chemistry” defense looks like in the NHL!
Whereas the only potential direction, the team chemistry, with Shatty, could have gone would’ve been, to be unaffected, or to be disrupted, the chemistry, or lack of it, with this years defense, can’t drop much lower, so the risk to chemistry is quite small.
Just my two cents.
One possible angle to today’s Haglin trade, may be to directly replace Bura, then Bura is used to help get a Dman! We’ll see by Monday!
Rush
