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Talk about Capitals hockey & more! => Washington Capitals & Other Hockey Discussion => Topic started by: 4 Caps on Friday February 22, 2019, 02:32:14 PM Eastern

Title: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: 4 Caps on Friday February 22, 2019, 02:32:14 PM Eastern
Caps acquire Nick Jensen from the Red Wings for Madison Bowey and 2nd round draft pick in 2020 draft. Jensen will be an UFA after this season.  He is a solid defensive defenseman and another good Minnesota kid.  Can’t have enough of those.  Also he is right handed shot which we need, I look for him to replace Djoos and maybe he will replace Kempy if he doesn’t quit taking stupid penalties. 
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: DC_1908 on Friday February 22, 2019, 03:18:37 PM Eastern
This is actually a grea move!  Jensen has turned into excellent all around Dman despite being known as a puck mover, and can eat a ton of minutes!


I can’t believe the Wings gave him up for that cheap
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: alta on Friday February 22, 2019, 03:48:54 PM Eastern
looks like a good move,

https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/02/22/capitals-acquire-nick-jensen-from-detroit-red-wings-for-madison-bowey/ (https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/02/22/capitals-acquire-nick-jensen-from-detroit-red-wings-for-madison-bowey/)

"The 28-year-old Jensen is an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and in the final year of a two-year contract worth $1.625 million.
“Nick is a reliable modern-day defenseman who we feel can defend well and log valuable minutes for our club,” MacLellan said in a release. “At 28 years of age, we feel he is just entering his prime.”
this is assuming the Caps can sign him for a decent contract....




but part of me is hoping this isn't the only Dman they pick up
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: waynerivers on Friday February 22, 2019, 04:01:56 PM Eastern
We'll see.  Who is sitting, though?  It'll probably be Djoos but I'd sit Orlov myself.  He's been dreadful in our own end for the most part.  Heck, I'd trade Orlov in the right deal.
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: justwincaps on Friday February 22, 2019, 04:15:54 PM Eastern
Like the move.

So we've given up a 2nd, a 3rd, a 5th and a conditional 6th to get Hagelin who's PK skills, experience and speed can help shore up some defensive holes from our forwards, and we picked up what sounds to be a solid RHD - all with almost no cap space to work with and only losing Bowey, who was sitting anyway.
Our window is now - the core isn't getting any younger - and these deals don't mortgage the future but do address some immediate concerns.
Both Hagelin and Jensen are reportedly solid PK'ers.   Our 5v5 has been good this year.  Obviously our PK, in the bottom third of the league, needs attention, largely in part to so many dumbass penalities.
Beats the hell out the Erat-Forsberg trade, no?
Are we done?  What about Bura?  Is he sticking around?
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: 4 Caps on Friday February 22, 2019, 04:21:08 PM Eastern
From what I have been reading about Jensen this could be one of BMac’s best moves yet.  Apparently Toronto was interested in Jensen too so itis good we got him and not Toronto. 
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: justwincaps on Friday February 22, 2019, 04:22:51 PM Eastern
From what I have been reading about Jensen this could be one of BMac’s best moves yet.  Apparently Toronto was interested in Jensen too so itis good we got him and not Toronto.
Just heard on NHL Sirius that Pittsburgh wanted Hagelin back but GMBM beat them to him - that deal just got even better.
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: justwincaps on Friday February 22, 2019, 05:01:17 PM Eastern
Caps just signed Jensen to a 4 year, 10 million dollar extension.
Title: Re: Caps trade for defenseman
Post by: DC_1908 on Friday February 22, 2019, 05:11:16 PM Eastern
We'll see.  Who is sitting, though?  It'll probably be Djoos but I'd sit Orlov myself.  He's been dreadful in our own end for the most part.  Heck, I'd trade Orlov in the right deal.
He’s a righty, so it’ll be interesting, to watch that happening that’s for sure.  Regardless he’s far better defensively than Carlson, and more consistent than Nisky so well see
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: alta on Friday February 22, 2019, 05:12:06 PM Eastern
Yep...


https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/02/22/capitals-re-sign-nick-jensen-to-four-year-10-million-deal/#more-318671 (https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/02/22/capitals-re-sign-nick-jensen-to-four-year-10-million-deal/#more-318671)


I hope he's this good, but this also means this team is serious about improving the D corp
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: alta on Friday February 22, 2019, 05:22:42 PM Eastern
There's this..


Jensen was not necessarily excited to leave Detroit when talking to reporters earlier in the week.
“This is the organization that drafted me, the team’s amazing, the staff is amazing, the fans are amazing,” Jensen said to The Detroit News after practice Thursda (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2019/02/21/nhl-trade-target-nick-jensen-hopes-remain-detroit-red-wings/2938895002/)y. “So, obviously, I love it here.”
He added, “They’re going to do what they need to do. At the same time, I have to do what I need to do, too.”


I guess doubling the paycheck wasn't all that upsetting
:snicker:
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: KitFisto on Friday February 22, 2019, 06:12:05 PM Eastern
This I like.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: Beaglefan2 on Friday February 22, 2019, 07:27:13 PM Eastern

OK - I was ready to trash the trade. Just another GMBM rental dman that would disappoint and we gave up Bowey, who I like and think he will develop into a top four guy in a couple years.  Then I heard how other teams wanted Jensen - remember how other teams wanted Shattypants and GMBM panicked into overpaying?


However, since they signed him to a 4 year deal that changes everything.  It went from being an expensive rental to a relatively cheap longer term deal.  Now he just needs to play well.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: richkrt99 on Friday February 22, 2019, 07:41:40 PM Eastern
Sounds like a decent play for the Caps.  $2.5 mil seams cheap for a guy in his "prime".  Surprised they got him to four year deal at that dollar figure.  Kind of puts him in a bad spot at age 32 with no contract....usually why guys at his age want longer deals.
AND if he is a bust or just doesn't fit....that contract could be moved pretty easily I think.
What did we give up besides Bowey?  (nevermind - 2nd round pick is a bit much, but okay)  We desperately need the D NOW.


Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: zerofox on Friday February 22, 2019, 08:34:35 PM Eastern
Honestly, really solid move. This plus the Hagelin move make me pretty excited to see how things go from here. Overall I've been pretty damn pleased with GMBM's work dating back to a few years ago. Say what you will about the players' performances/contracts, but I feel like Niskanen, Orpik, Oshie, Williams, Kempny, Eller were solid moves made by him. Even the Shattenkirk deal, even if it ended up sucking, I liked the fact that he had the balls to grab the most sought after trade deadline guy. BMac has also done some addition by subtraction, dumping guys like Laich and Brouwer, and also his move of getting Orpik, realizing the contract wasn't right, trading him to COL, and then picking him back up again at a much cheaper price. I give his overall management of the team's roster an A- so far, perhaps dropping down to a B+ if he keeps that loser Burakovsky for too long.

That said, I still have SERIOUS doubts about Reirden and still think he should have been fired a while ago. Reirden's been given a solid roster to work with, improved with the past couple of moves. It's his job to make the roster perform to the best of its ability, and he's utterly failed there. I mean, you see what is being accomplished with Trotz in Long Island this year, and last year in Vegas, and you wonder why we can't take a more talented roster and perform better than those teams. I mean yes I felt like our roster had some weaknesses here and there, but primarily my rage at the Capitals this season were due primarily to coaching. Even if certain players were being complete retards over and over again, I still blamed coaching for not addressing those issues. I still don't have any faith in TR.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: 4 Caps on Friday February 22, 2019, 08:51:54 PM Eastern
Zerofox, you do realize that after 61 games this season we have the identical number of points and record as we did last year.  I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Rierden, IMO he has done a good job so far this season.  That is not to say I agree with all his decisions, sometimes his line matchups have me scratching my head but I am not convinced that our record would be any better if Trotz was the coach. 
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: Surreylily on Friday February 22, 2019, 09:28:44 PM Eastern
 :clap:
Sounds like he's not oo happy to be here though....... :-|
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: BlackIce on Friday February 22, 2019, 09:30:22 PM Eastern
OK - I was ready to trash the trade. Just another GMBM rental dman that would disappoint and we gave up Bowey, who I like and think he will develop into a top four guy in a couple years.  Then I heard how other teams wanted Jensen - remember how other teams wanted Shattypants and GMBM panicked into overpaying?


However, since they signed him to a 4 year deal that changes everything.  It went from being an expensive rental to a relatively cheap longer term deal.  Now he just needs to play well.




I suspect that a major reason for acquiring Jensen specifically is to take some of the burden off Carlson.  It gives the Caps a third legitimate NHL RHD (which apparently they didn't feel they had with Bowey at this point), and apparently a good PK defenseman to boot, so it would seem that his minutes are specifically designed to eat into some of Carlson's minutes.


For all the talk about sitting Burakovsky out and him being in the doghouse, Bowey was given the really dismissive treatment.  I don't know why it was that he was benched never to return (yeah he made mistakes; so have a lot of guys), but he got salted away and they didn't even attempt to showcase him in recent weeks.


The thing we still haven't tried to address is the face-off situation.   
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: Surreylily on Friday February 22, 2019, 09:40:15 PM Eastern
His name is Jensen.  What's not to like.    :wackysmile:
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: Surreylily on Friday February 22, 2019, 09:44:35 PM Eastern



I

The thing we still haven't tried to address is the face-off situation.
 

 :(
There is that.............
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: zerofox on Friday February 22, 2019, 10:27:52 PM Eastern
Zerofox, you do realize that after 61 games this season we have the identical number of points and record as we did last year.  I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Rierden, IMO he has done a good job so far this season.  That is not to say I agree with all his decisions, sometimes his line matchups have me scratching my head but I am not convinced that our record would be any better if Trotz was the coach.


I get what you're saying, but I can't help but have higher expectations for this group. We went back to back with seasons in the 120-point range, winning the Presidents Trophy both times. Yes I know I know, they amounted to nothing because last season when our record was down we ended up winning the Cup, and playoffs > season. But...


1) I felt we underperformed last year during the season. There were times I felt like Trotz had finally "lost the team." There were probably times where I felt like Trotz wasn't the right coach for us anymore, and probably other times where I gave him benefit of the doubt because of his prior successful seasons (not playoffs) with the Caps. After setting the bar so high the prior couple of seasons, it was frustrating to see the team struggle. I wouldn't consider staying at that relatively low bar to be TR "doing a good job." And TR doesn't have the benefit of a couple of good seasons for me to cut the guy some slack.


2) I still have to bring up this year's Islanders team and last year's Golden Knights team. I believe we have a better roster than both of those teams, and yet both of those teams had slightly better records than us. As such, I do believe that a good coach can get a team to perform better than advertised. Our team, I think, is doing worse than we should be doing.


Perhaps I've been too harsh on TR, probably because there's still that sting of the shitty stretch of hockey we played before the All Star break. Maybe's it is seeing players make the same mistakes over and over again and TR seeming to not address them. But then again, I'm just a stupid armchair coach. On the plus side, things seem to be turning around, and we're still in playoff position with a winning record. I personally think we should only be 2nd to Tampa Bay, but that's just me. I guess at the end of the day, I wanted a coach who could squeeze a bit more juice from this team, with a winning track record to boot. I didn't really want a newbie coach who gave off the impression that he was in over his head, whether that impression was fair or not.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: PUCKNRUSH on Saturday February 23, 2019, 01:14:23 AM Eastern



I suspect that a major reason for acquiring Jensen specifically is to take some of the burden off Carlson.  It gives the Caps a third legitimate NHL RHD (which apparently they didn't feel they had with Bowey at this point), and apparently a good PK defenseman to boot, so it would seem that his minutes are specifically designed to eat into some of Carlson's minutes.


For all the talk about sitting Burakovsky out and him being in the doghouse, Bowey was given the really dismissive treatment.  I don't know why it was that he was benched never to return (yeah he made mistakes; so have a lot of guys), but he got salted away and they didn't even attempt to showcase him in recent weeks.


The thing we still haven't tried to address is the face-off situation.


I agree Black, about Jensen relieving TOI for Carly!
I’ll add that with Orpiks age, and Nisky, certainly not a spring chicken, the surprise of the longer term, “non rental”, contact for Jensen, says a lot, and makes more sense, now!


I haven’t seen much of him, only what I’ve been able to search around with, today.
However, one of the PLAGUES, this team has, is their famous inability to bring the puck up, out of our D zone.
My guess, if this guy is a puck handling, defensive type, defenseman, as his pedigree suggests, then GMBM, is possibly addressing this issue, head on!.....GREAT!!


I like it, on its surface, to be sure.
I will disagree, though, with some in this thread, about Djoos, being replaced! I really doubt it.
Djoos has been solid, since returning, bringing some BADLY needed SMARTS, and fairly reliable puck handling, that has looked even BETTER, when backdropped against the general, sub par, defensive play  prior to his return!!


I think, if Jensen pans out, AND, considering GMBM, mentioning some big TOI, for the guy, that Orpiks minutes will get reduced, and maybe Orlov and Niskys minutes as well, at least on PK, as Jensen will have to be paired with someone, in a small time window, to get ready for the playoffs!


Good post, Black!


Rush

Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: ArJunaZ on Saturday February 23, 2019, 03:12:28 AM Eastern
It will be interesting to see how they juggle the D to fit Jensen in.

On the topic of the Caps record at this point in the season I have been following along comparing their record compared to the past two years every time I post a GDT. We have been strangely following last years record very closely.  That said, last year I was not worried and I had great confidence in the team and was strangely optimistic about our chances to go all the way. This year not so much. 

I have reservations about Hagelin fitting in well, but I do like this last deal for Jensen. 
I guess the Capitals have thrown affirmative action out the window with these two moves this week.  :wackysmile:
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: BlackIce on Saturday February 23, 2019, 08:45:50 AM Eastern
It will be interesting to see how they juggle the D to fit Jensen in.

On the topic of the Caps record at this point in the season I have been following along comparing their record compared to the past two years every time I post a GDT. We have been strangely following last years record very closely.  That said, last year I was not worried and I had great confidence in the team and was strangely optimistic about our chances to go all the way. This year not so much. 

I have reservations about Hagelin fitting in well, but I do like this last deal for Jensen. 
I guess the Capitals have thrown affirmative action out the window with these two moves this week.  :wackysmile:




I think


(1)  There will be no "juggling" to get Jensen into the lineup.  He will be in there every game as the 3rd RHD.  I think the juggling will occur on the left side to see who plays with who.  Jensen will take a few minutes from Carlson and maybe a few from Niskanen as well (remember, the right side defenseman on the 3rd pair has been getting about 12 minutes per game.  Jensen is likely to get 18-20 minutes per game.)


(2)  The acquisitions of Hagelin and Jensen are IMO for one overriding purpose (besides general defensive stability), and that is to upgrade the PK, especially for the playoffs.  If you look at NHL team stats, if the Caps finish in the top 4 in the Metro, their road to the Stanley Cup would likely have to go through either Tampa or Boston, and the top 3 teams in the West are Winnipeg, Calgary, and San Jose.  The Caps are reasonably likely to have to face one of those teams if they can make it back to the Stanley Cup finals.  ALL of these teams are in the top 8 in PP efficiency.  And as a side note, another team in the top 8 is Pittsburgh.  The Caps absolutely HAD to upgrade the PK if they are going to have any reasonable shot at a repeat.


(3)  For those who would say that this organization operates to put people in the seats and money in the till rather than to chase championship glory, these acquisitions fly in the face of that.  Hagelin and Jensen together won't put one extra fanny in the seats, but the organization sees them as absolutely critical to its Stanley Cup chances.  Watch the amount of PK time these two get once they get acclimated to the team.


(4)  The face-off issue is still a huge deal, especially during the PK, when face-off wins can translate to clears, or if not, ability to fight for possession along the boards with a decent chance of winning the battle, all the while killing off time.  There are too many times when, even if the goalie gets stops on the PK, the Caps lose face-off after face-off and never get a chance to relieve the pressure.  That won't cut it consistently against the top PP teams.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: DC_1908 on Saturday February 23, 2019, 09:03:33 AM Eastern



I suspect that a major reason for acquiring Jensen specifically is to take some of the burden off Carlson.  It gives the Caps a third legitimate NHL RHD (which apparently they didn't feel they had with Bowey at this point), and apparently a good PK defenseman to boot, so it would seem that his minutes are specifically designed to eat into some of Carlson's minutes.


Forget use this yuyykutttyx all the talk about sitting Burakovsky out and him being in the doghouse, Bowey was given the really dismissive treatment.  I don't know why it was that he was benched never to return (yeah he made mistakes; so have a lot of guys), but he got salted away and they didn't even attempt to showcase him in recent weeks.


The thing we still haven't tried to address is the face-off situation.
Agreed. . . almost any D we would require would have needed to contribute by reducing wear and tear to Carlson.  We’d been lucky that he hasn’t been injured yet, because if he did, we be screwed.


It’s qlso interesting as to why Bowery had been scratched, yet was part of the reason we got Jensen, as what looks to us as cheap (a bottom 16 second round and a healthy scratch).  With some of the Bad asses they’ve picked in the past two or 3 drafts, sports on D are gonna get pretty slim for the Wings, they could very well just needed a cheap place holder right handed Dmen develop.


I doing faceoffs will be addressed unfortunately, but I sure as hell the faceoffs being a main factor in us a losing a series to a team that does address them.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: ArJunaZ on Saturday February 23, 2019, 12:16:31 PM Eastern
By juggling I meant the following: Who will be scratched to make room for Jensen. My guess is Djoos obviously, but with Orpik getting older and Orlov sometimes seemingly dipping into Carson's old Quaalude stash I can see some juggling in the near future.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: DC_1908 on Sunday February 24, 2019, 07:17:29 AM Eastern
By juggling I meant the following: Who will be scratched to make room for Jensen. My guess is Djoos obviously, but with Orpik getting older and Orlov sometimes seemingly dipping into Carson's old Quaalude stash I can see some juggling in the near future.
Agreed, Carlson has played long minutes in every game, and Nisky has played all but one. resting them in the near future wouldn’t be a bad idea.


I know Jensen bounced around the D pairings for the Wings, but I’m not sure if he both plays right and left D or not, if so he could push one of the others to keep their spot
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: Surreylily on Sunday February 24, 2019, 04:58:31 PM Eastern



I think


(1)  There will be no "juggling" to get Jensen into the lineup.  He will be in there every game as the 3rd RHD.  I think the juggling will occur on the left side to see who plays with who.  Jensen will take a few minutes from Carlson and maybe a few from Niskanen as well (remember, the right side defenseman on the 3rd pair has been getting about 12 minutes per game.  Jensen is likely to get 18-20 minutes per game.)



(2)  The acquisitions of Hagelin and Jensen are IMO for one overriding purpose (besides general defensive stability), and that is to upgrade the PK, especially for the playoffs.  If you look at NHL team stats, if the Caps finish in the top 4 in the Metro, their road to the Stanley Cup would likely have to go through either Tampa or Boston, and the top 3 teams in the West are Winnipeg, Calgary, and San Jose.  The Caps are reasonably likely to have to face one of those teams if they can make it back to the Stanley Cup finals.  ALL of these teams are in the top 8 in PP efficiency.  And as a side note, another team in the top 8 is Pittsburgh.  The Caps absolutely HAD to upgrade the PK if they are going to have any reasonable shot at a repeat.


(3)  For those who would say that this organization operates to put people in the seats and money in the till rather than to chase championship glory, these acquisitions fly in the face of that.  Hagelin and Jensen together won't put one extra fanny in the seats, but the organization sees them as absolutely critical to its Stanley Cup chances.  Watch the amount of PK time these two get once they get acclimated to the team.


(4)  The face-off issue is still a huge deal, especially during the PK, when face-off wins can translate to clears, or if not, ability to fight for possession along the boards with a decent chance of winning the battle, all the while killing off time.  There are too many times when, even if the goalie gets stops on the PK, the Caps lose face-off after face-off and never get a chance to relieve the pressure.  That won't cut it consistently against the top PP teams.


Good post
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: richkrt99 on Monday February 25, 2019, 10:35:19 AM Eastern
Jensen looks good.  Not that you can judge anything by one game, but I really had no idea about him.  Looks to be a really good fit.  If he IS a/the guy that can START a decent breakout and actually consistently move the puck up and get it out of the D zone (as is reported as his skill set), then ALL HAIL GM BM because that is one of the Caps biggest issue.  How many goals yesterday were the result of not being able to get the puck out of the D zone?  This is something the Caps desperately need to fix before the playoffs.



2.5 mill is a low budget price tag for an adequate D IMHO.  Definitely needed a guy to share some of the load.


Now....WTF are you going to do with Burka, and Orlov?  Sure as hell hope Burka is gone and Orlov wakes the F up.  I can't see any way the Caps could unload that shitty Orlov deal.  Orlov has been a real disappointment this year.  His game needed to improve to get close to earning that contract, not take a nose dive.


Hoping that Jensen turns out to be solid and it relieves some burden from Nisky, Orlov, and Carlson.  They need some help.


Also, what are we calling him?  Need something better than Jensen.  Not Jenny (unless he starts to play like Burky)


I saw somewhere someone posted Jensen and Djoos playing together would be.....Jen and Djoos  (Gin and Juice)  8)




Go Caps.


Let's see some more please.....Like SOMETHING for BURKA.







Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: alta on Monday February 25, 2019, 11:34:41 AM Eastern
When a players last name can't be hockeyfied, it's done with the first name. But the Caps already have a Nicky. Jensen is easy enough to type..
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: PUCKNRUSH on Monday February 25, 2019, 11:06:34 PM Eastern
Jensen looks good.  Not that you can judge anything by one game, but I really had no idea about him.  Looks to be a really good fit.  If he IS a/the guy that can START a decent breakout and actually consistently move the puck up and get it out of the D zone (as is reported as his skill set), then ALL HAIL GM BM because that is one of the Caps biggest issue.  How many goals yesterday were the result of not being able to get the puck out of the D zone?  This is something the Caps desperately need to fix before the playoffs.



2.5 mill is a low budget price tag for an adequate D IMHO.  Definitely needed a guy to share some of the load.


Now....WTF are you going to do with Burka, and Orlov?  Sure as hell hope Burka is gone and Orlov wakes the F up.  I can't see any way the Caps could unload that shitty Orlov deal.  Orlov has been a real disappointment this year.  His game needed to improve to get close to earning that contract, not take a nose dive.


Hoping that Jensen turns out to be solid and it relieves some burden from Nisky, Orlov, and Carlson.  They need some help.


Also, what are we calling him?  Need something better than Jensen.  Not Jenny (unless he starts to play like Burky)


I saw somewhere someone posted Jensen and Djoos playing together would be.....Jen and Djoos  (Gin and Juice)  8)




Go Caps.


Let's see some more please.....Like SOMETHING for BURKA.


Hey Rich!
You hit the nail on the head with the bringing the puck up issue!! It is such a HUGE issue, that has so many negative tentacles attached to it!


Opponents get more O zone time, more SOG, better quality shots, because there is now more confusion and chaos for our D, trying to get back into a defensive posture, when they were expecting to turn up ice!!


On OUR side, it decreases our O zone time, less SOG, disrupts some shift changes for us, which causes the line on the ice to have to remain, losing some legs, speed, and reaction time, which then requires even MORE effort to get the puck back, before it lands in the net!!


Seems that our opponents have figured out that when they cross blue line, and enter our D zone with the puck, if we takeaway the puck, along the boards, or below the goal line, all the opponent has to do, is pressure our guys, a little a bit, and our opponent stands a damn good chance of getting possession back AGAIN, while still in our D zone!  THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW!! Yes, under Trotz also!!


The reason it was not as much of an issue, the years before, is because we were VERY EFFECTIVE at disrupting opponents in the neutral zone, or just AFTER they crossed the blue line, trying to enter our D zone!
Therefore there weren’t as many opportunities for this weakness to be as EXPOSED!  It wasn’t so much of an issue, in prior seasons, because generally, we pre-defended having to even deal with that issue, way, way, less than we have to NOW. This was our basic D strategy, and was successful!! One of the NHLs best at it, IMO!!
Teams beat us when they found a way around US, controlling neutral zone, and blue line entry!!


This year, that’s all changed, as teams enter our zone, fairly easy, compared to our previous years D. The end result of course, is a worse goals against, and bad numbers for Holtz. The goalies are assaulted with better quality shots this year!


Thanks Rich! Next rant for me will be the fact that we’re freakin’ STUCK with Bura this year!! UGGHH!!


Rush
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: PUCKNRUSH on Monday February 25, 2019, 11:13:30 PM Eastern
Cont’d..... So GMBM adding Jensen is attempting to address this issue!
Also don’t think Djoos will be the main fall guy, as Rierden said he just wanted to put Jensen, by design, with Orpik, because of age and experience.
Orlov, has been playing stupidly for way too long now, all season! I believe it’s no longer a temporary lapse, on his part! He’s aggressive, but with low hockey IQ!
Hopefully, Rierden has the balls to scratch him, or even Nisky, sometimes, if Jensen pans out! Liked what I saw from him!!


Rush

Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: alta on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 09:03:14 AM Eastern
With the immediate 4 year "extension" given to Jensen, someone else has to go. I was hoping GMBM would've moved a couple more guys to bring in someone that can consistently win faceoffs. But as I think about it, I think this is Orpiks last year. I had thought that at the beginning of the year with Orpiks $1M for 1 deal, but that was also dependent on these younger Dmen stepping up more than they have. So the D corp gets juggled for maybe 3 months then someone is the odd man out, and that's the guy with no contract. Which still leaves juggling the D corp next season to get Seigs up to speed. The D is still a mess in the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: Mickstix on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 09:05:09 AM Eastern

Hopefully, Rierden has the balls to scratch him (Orlov), or even Nisky, sometimes, if Jensen pans out!!


Rush


 :huh: Dayum Rush, I didn't know you smoked?  :snicker:  If any "name" gets scratched from the D core, it'll be Orpik.. Those big contracts burn a hole in their scratch pad..  :-\
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: BlackIce on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 10:09:49 AM Eastern

 :huh: Dayum Rush, I didn't know you smoked?  :snicker:  If any "name" gets scratched from the D core, it'll be Orpik.. Those big contracts burn a hole in their scratch pad..  :-\




Now my take on the defensive rotation is that Orpik and Djoos will rotate as the #6 defenseman, with Orpik playing against the slower/tougher teams and Djoos against the quicker/more finesse teams, at least through the rest of the regular season.  This will have the added bonus of giving Orpik some rest going into the playoff season (assuming they make it); then they can figure out what to do if/when they get there.


My feeling is that, other than sitting Orlov for a couple of games to try to send a message, the top 4 D are going to be there, barring injury.  Sure, the contract commitment means something, but let's face it:  If those guys aren't ready to play come playoff time we ain't going much of anywhere anyway.  This is a "you committed to these guys as the core of the defense, now let them run with it or not" situation.


I'm wondering if Kuzy and Orlov aren't two sides of the same coin here.  Kuzy is a much more open personality and because of his sense of humor and willingness to say what he thinks is becoming an interview favorite.  He has said openly that for him it is harder to concentrate during the regular season, because mistakes individual games DON'T mean life or death as they do in the win-or-go-home playoff atmosphere. So he does coast some, and tries some things that he wouldn't in the playoffs for the sake of playing safer.  I wonder if Orlov, who we hear from very little, feels somewhat the same way.  This may be one downside, or at least reality, of having won the Stanley Cup -- now knowing what it takes to get though the playoff thicket (and the Caps had as difficult a road to get through last year as anyone in recent playoff history), the natural reaction for some players is to conserve ammunition for the playoff season.  Yes, then you have to find a way to "flip the switch" when the playoffs start, and maybe it doesn't happen.  But that is the way some players will approach things, like it or not.  Heck, we've seen a bit of recent commentary on this board about Ovie coasting a bit more recently, and I have seen some of it in recent games that I have attended.  He's still scoring, but the commitment on defense may not be quite the same.  As a 33-year-old, high mileage and high TOI player, this may be his way of conserving ammunition for the playoffs.


To my mind, the biggest impediment to doing well in the playoffs this year isn't players not quite giving the overall max effort needed.  I think the biggest problem is achilles heels that have made themselves known and that may not be correctable even WITH more effort and attention to detail.  The PK may still not be good enough to hold off the best PP teams, even with the Hagelin/Jensen additions.  And the Caps have NO answer for their face-off woes that I can see, which simply exacerbates the PK issue. 


All this assumes, of course, that the Caps make the playoffs, which is no sure thing, though even as tight as the standings are they still have an excellent shot, because time is starting to run short for the teams behind them.  4 or 5 standings points mean more and more as the number of games remaining dwindles.
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: DC_1908 on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 10:26:34 AM Eastern
With the immediate 4 year "extension" given to Jensen, someone else has to go. I was hoping GMBM would've moved a couple more guys to bring in someone that can consistently win faceoffs. But as I think about it, I think this is Orpiks last year. I had thought that at the beginning of the year with Orpiks $1M for 1 deal, but that was also dependent on these younger Dmen stepping up more than they have. So the D corp gets juggled for maybe 3 months then someone is the odd man out, and that's the guy with no contract. Which still leaves juggling the D corp next season to get Seigs up to speed. The D is still a mess in the foreseeable future.
Reirdom is unlikely to adjust his pairings that are giving up over 4 goals on a routine basis.  Particularly since he now has three right handed D man.


More than likely that it will be Hook and Jensen, with Jensen getting more special teams/3 on 3 time.


I’m also gonna guess they resign Hooks, if not it will be Siegs, or hopefully Lexington to take Hooks role.  But, if Jeff Shultz or Sergei Gonchar are available GMBetaMale May sign then to take that spot because of their great +/- stats . . .
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: alta on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 10:37:01 AM Eastern
Caps never should've gotten rid of Gonch
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: DC_1908 on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 11:47:48 AM Eastern
Caps never should've gotten rid of Gonch
Hell they should’ve never gotten of Stevens, Iafrate, or Hatcher.  If they’d of kept those three we’d of had a Cup 20some years ago
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: alta on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 12:02:56 PM Eastern
Hell they should’ve never gotten of Stevens, Iafrate, or Hatcher.  If they’d of kept those three we’d of had a Cup 20some years ago


Kono, Bonsai, Dino
Title: Re: Caps trade for Nick Jensen
Post by: alta on Tuesday February 26, 2019, 12:11:58 PM Eastern
After watching that last game against the Rags, I think Willy needs to take the team to the gym he's now a part owner of and teach them some skills.