Im not sure what the problem with the defense is. It's not one particular player but I do think alot of the problem in the dzone is that quite often our forwards are getting caught puck watching.
We play alot of man to man defense. Not sure I care for it too much. When an opposing player like Panarin decides to go for a skate around the offensive zone I don't really want Carlson or Chara chasing him around.
As for the forecheck. I agree we are having some problems there. The Dowd line for checks well but like you said zero touch. Oshie is a decent forecheck but he is playing the center position right now. He is definitely better as a winger.
Wilson is hands down our best on the forecheck. Alot of defenseman bail out when Wilson is coming. He creates alot of chaos out there. Wish we had a couple more guys like him.
Much needs to be attributed to back-to-back fucked up seasons/preseasons, new coaching staff/system changes, injuries/Covid protocol, etc, the lack of intensity, familiarity etc.,
is glaring not only with the Caps, but league wide. (Hell im surprised there weren't the normal amount of in game rule changes).
That being said, GMBetaMale proved me wrong with a near overhaul of The D,(including no puckmovers thank Christ), if you look at the forwards be brought in/up, . . . same ol Beta Male.
Carr, Pinho, Sargb, Sproong. . . there isnt a forchecking, physical, defensivive one amongst them. At best maybe an adequate two-way forward.
Its pretty unlikely that theyll be much improvement going forward.
I maybe the biggest GMBetaMale here, but Im giving a mulligan for this year due to the lunacy.
That sure as shit will go away if theres the course correction doesnt continue.
But I agree on Wilson. Right now I say hes best (most complete) player in the league. He does everything, dominates the other team physically, having to plan for him on offense, he can shut down anyone, plays PK,PP, 3-3, the only thing he doesnt dominate on is shoot-outs (
who the fuck cares about shootouts).
The only thing that could make him even better is for him to develop and be as effective playing LW and C too, but theres time