Washington Capitals Fan Forum
Talk about Capitals hockey & more! => Washington Capitals & Other Hockey Discussion => Topic started by: Surreylily on Tuesday February 27, 2018, 10:20:04 PM Eastern
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Your wild speculations and conspiracy theories here please. :wackysmile:
To get you started.......
He's gone blind and his contact lenses no longer work for him.
He's been a dick and upset the rest of the team.
He's carrying an injury.
He has family issues, maybe an illness in his family, so can't concentrate.
Could it be the loss of his buddy Smiffy, who used to practice with him all the time and was always the one who volunteered for when he had goalie practice?
Is he getting pressure from somewhere else/blackmail/Toronto?
Maybe he just reached his peak and is done.
Look, I know I've come out with this as a little flippant - as I do :clown: [size=78%] - but there are some genuine concerns here and if anybody has any information or insight into what is ailing him, I, for one would like to know.[/size]
I love the guy and he has brought me much joy and happiness.
For my part, I just can't understand the extreme comparisons of his previous performances to the ones this year. When I mentioned it before, I got slammed, but he doesn't look happy here anymore.
Your thoughts and input please.
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I am a big Holtby supporter but something isn't right. Not only is he struggling but the team seems to be playing poorly in front of him. He looks completely disgusted after every goal and his team mates dont appear to care. Maybe he had a meltdown in the locker room about the poor defensive play. Just speculation. I dont know what's going on but the team has played better in front of Grubauer. Last night game Holtby face more high scoring chances in one period than Grubauer did in 2 periods.
I just hope Holtby can get his head out of his ass very soon. If we are going to do anything in the playoffs we need Holtby at the top of his game. Probably won't matter. Looks like this team peaked before the Xmas break.
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He's having a slump? lol It happens to the best of em'. Having the weight of the entire D on your shoulders would be enough to break most mortals.
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Also the fact that Korn is no longer around on a daily basis may be a factor. Maybe Murray, the new goalie coach, is having him do different things that aren’t working but whatever it is has got to get squared away pronto. As someone else previously noted, the next five games are going to be tough games and everyone including Holtby will have to be at their best for us to win 3 of the next 5.
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this isn't the first time a change in coaching has screwed up the goaltending, nor will it be the last. The bigger issue is the way the team defends Grubs against any extra stick work or interference when they haven't done that for Holts, and that's not something that started recently with Hokts calling them out in the lockeroom
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There is definitely something going on between Holtby and team this season,because it’s a big difference when Holts in and out.The reasons for this could be a conflict in locker room or Holts psychological problems..
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Oh good grief... ::)
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Oh good grief... ::)
What?
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Combination of things...
- Holtby has been in the league for awhile, and the opposition watches film and knows his weknesses.
- Caps have been lousy exiting their end of the ice, sloppy passing +Holtby not prepared = puck in the back of the net.
- Holtby is not comfortable this year, focus is not there.
My $.02
Box
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Combination of things...
- Holtby has been in the league for awhile, and the opposition watches film and knows his weknesses.
- Caps have been lousy exiting their end of the ice, sloppy passing +Holtby not prepared = puck in the back of the net.
- Holtby is not comfortable this year, focus is not there.
My $.02
Box
Who hoop Box found us!!! Welcome man!!
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What?
Players have ups and downs - the team is playing like ass in front of him. Fix the rest of the team and he is golden. It's not on him. It's on the defense... and overall team defense.
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The comms at tonight's game said that Mitch Korn has been brought back on active service to sort out what is ailing Holts. Please let that be true!
After a slightly shaky start, I thought Holtby played better in this game than for his last few, for sure.
Let the goalie whisperer sprinkle his magic dust again.......... :wackysmile:
Now, correct me if I'm wrong - which I know you will ;) - but Korn was in semi (?) retirement, but was retained as a consultant, yes? My point is, he still had input in Holtby's training, albeit not directly or face to face anymore. Is that right?
So this new fella, who's name I can't recall offhand, trained under Korn, right? So knows his stuff, but just can't quite execute, it seems....., or is maybe trying a few things of his own? Maybe he just doesn't have the chemistry or respect that Korn has? Who knows! :-(
There are still other questions, regarding the team and why they don't protect him so much. Is it something he said in the locker room??? Did he go all Tim Tom on them and lose the plot?
Our D is, well, just disgracefull this year and that new fella hasn't exactly helped. >:( Fact is, our last line of defence needs to be our best defence and he just hasn't been. Not for a while. It's a little more complicated than that though, methinks.
People rarely lose the plot over one or even two things. It tends to be a whole stream of little things. Anybody remember that classic film with Michael Douglas? Starts off in a traffic jam... He tries to order a breakfast at 1 minute past the time, etc.... builds up and up and up....
Or maybe he's just pissed off with the D. (Straight face).
All speculation, obviously.
Glad Mitch is back to sort it out. 8)
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Players have ups and downs - the team is playing like ass in front of him. Fix the rest of the team and he is golden. It's not on him. It's on the defense... and overall team defense.
I respectfully and mostly disagree. His performance is more than just a "down" period, or a slum[.
I DO agree that the D stinks this year. Hardly a shocker. Our O could certainly help out more. "Scoar moar" and all that. But Holts has not been his usual self for a while now. Not for a long while. :( [size=78%] [/size]
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Who is a better goalie now, Holt or Grub?
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Who is a better goalie now, Holt or Grub?
Grubauer is playing better at the moment but I still think Holtby is the better goaltender. I can't explain what is happening to Holtby. He can't stop a beachball right now
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Players have ups and downs - the team is playing like ass in front of him. Fix the rest of the team and he is golden. It's not on him. It's on the defense... and overall team defense.
Yep! This is the core and catalyst of the issue.
For this team to win regularly, Holts has to be the best goalie on the planet , which clearly teams and fans alike are used to being while playing 95% of the games.
All of this Holtbly bashing crap is just using him as a scapegoat aa few will acknowledge that this team is made for video games.
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>:(
Nobody is "bashing" Holtby luv'.
We are acknowledging that there is something wrong with him this season. We are speculating why? No more, no less.
Do you remember when we got our "Holtbeast" dolls at that game? Ha ha! I was jumping around like a three year old! :wackysmile:
I adore the guy. I remember somebody posting his very early on "Holtbyisms" and I kind of fell a little bit in love with him then.
When Mitch Korn came in, he turned Holts in to a superstar, maybe a little before his time....... Goalies are, reputed to improve with age and Holltby is still prettyyoung in comparison.
I think Grubs, Guubauer is doing an amazing job right now, but I don't think anybody disputes that Holtby is our No. 1.
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Looks like Gruby is #1 now Lil.
I love me some Holtbeast but he's too hot and cold right now.
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Looks like Gruby is #1 now Lil.
I love me some Holtbeast but he's too hot and cold right now.
I don't like our goaltending situation right now. Holtby is clearly the better goalie but Grubauer is without a doubt playing better right now. Even though Grubauer is playing well I'm concerned if we start him in the playoffs because he is a but weak technically.
No clue who we should start. If it was my decision I'd go with Holtby but that could be totally out to lunch.
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Either goalie loses 1 game and it'll be a switch to the other.. That's just how it's shaping up. Unless Gruby starts to falter I imagine he'll be the starter in game #1..
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I think at this point the Caps may start Grubauer in the playoffs, but ONLY if he returns in the next week and shows that despite whatever "tweak" he suffered he hasn't skipped a beat.
I'll suggest one benefit that there may be to having Grubauer start. If Holtby starts the playoffs it might be awfully hard to pull him, because he's been The Man for the past 4 years and until last year had shown himself to be an all-time great playoff goalie, team lack of success aside. If you are riding your horse, it's tempting to just "dance with who brung ya." After all, who can fault sticking with your franchise goalie? But if Grubauer starts in the playoffs and begins to show some cracks it's much easier to make the move, because after all, you'd have the franchise goalie as your fallback option.
I really don't buy Mick's argument that the goalies would be treated equivalently -- 1 loss and a switch is made either way. I think pedigree means something, and because of that I think Holtby would get more rope, which I don't necessarily think is a good idea this season.
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If the playoff starter wins 2 in a row, they'll probably get a pass on a game 3 loss.. But lose game 1 or 2 and I think it'll spell a switch.. Place your bets! :wackysmile:
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If the playoff starter wins 2 in a row, they'll probably get a pass on a game 3 loss.. But lose game 1 or 2 and I think it'll spell a switch.. Place your bets! :wackysmile:
If they switch in round one, we’re done (well. . . That’ll be one reason). The dramatic story of the backup of an elite goalie taking a team to a Cup, so rarely works it's basically a forfeit.
But, yes The Kool Aiders will be wanting to bench Holtby after he gives up a goal on a 4 -0 rush
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Like Quarterback and the Closer in baseball, fans tend to want to replace the starter when the backup does the good in the least, because to makes "a great story". . .not because its rational. They want this story so much, they begin to turn on the starter.
Like the soccer-mom (and)/or 12yo wearing their #92 jersey who wants to pull Holtby after a goal, while ignoring, or more than likely oblivious to the fact that what lead to it was a dangling no look pass by Kuzy that went right to the other team that took it for a 3-0 as the D where behind the net. . . At some point I wouldn't blame, and actually loved it if Holtby just moved aside and gave them an empty net.
The ONLY way this makes sense, is if Holtby has given up on this team, and wants out. If thats the case, well need more than to hope Grubby can start.
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A few thoughts..
First, isn't he a bit of an overachiever to begin with? I'm not saying this would mean he is unable to continue to be but maybe his best days are almost behind him? Could it be that even he realizes this?
Maybe he is tired of all his underachieving teammates? As someone who plays most nights and gives his all, he has to be somewhat frustrated at times by his teams inability to get to the next level - which he has been able to do.
Maybe the Emery beatdown years ago where none of his teammates came to his defense is still in his head? Why continue to put yourself on the line for guys who don't do the same?
Consistency has been a problem for him. He has a REAL good year and then a bad year, seemingly. And as pointed out by someone else, players have ups and downs and the team has played very poorly in front of him at times. But still, the team needs to have confidence in him when he is in net and I wonder if the team has more confidence with Gruby behind them right now.
With Samsonov probably a year or two away from being nhl ready, maybe the team is nearing a window of opportunity where it makes sense to explore Holtby's trade value.
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A few thoughts..
First, isn't he a bit of an overachiever to begin with? I'm not saying this would mean he is unable to continue to be but maybe his best days are almost behind him? Could it be that even he realizes this?
Maybe he is tired of all his underachieving teammates? As someone who plays most nights and gives his all, he has to be somewhat frustrated at times by his teams inability to get to the next level - which he has been able to do.
Maybe the Emery beatdown years ago where none of his teammates came to his defense is still in his head? Why continue to put yourself on the line for guys who don't do the same?
Consistency has been a problem for him. He has a REAL good year and then a bad year, seemingly. And as pointed out by someone else, players have ups and downs and the team has played very poorly in front of him at times. But still, the team needs to have confidence in him when he is in net and I wonder if the team has more confidence with Gruby behind them right now.
With Samsonov probably a year or two away from being nhl ready, maybe the team is nearing a window of opportunity where it makes sense to explore Holtby's trade value.
You make it sound like he has had an up and down career. This is his only poor season. He has played very well until last seasons playoffs.
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::)
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A few thoughts..
First, isn't he a bit of an overachiever to begin with? I'm not saying this would mean he is unable to continue to be but maybe his best days are almost behind him? Could it be that even he realizes this?
Maybe he is tired of all his underachieving teammates? As someone who plays most nights and gives his all, he has to be somewhat frustrated at times by his teams inability to get to the next level - which he has been able to do.
Maybe the Emery beatdown years ago where none of his teammates came to his defense is still in his head? Why continue to put yourself on the line for guys who don't do the same?
Consistency has been a problem for him. He has a REAL good year and then a bad year, seemingly. And as pointed out by someone else, players have ups and downs and the team has played very poorly in front of him at times. But still, the team needs to have confidence in him when he is in net and I wonder if the team has more confidence with Gruby behind them right now.
With Samsonov probably a year or two away from being nhl ready, maybe the team is nearing a window of opportunity where it makes sense to explore Holtby's trade value.
Which provided Holtby all but refuses to play here, is exactly the stupid and naive decision that Dickless and BetaMale would make.
The issue is not Holtby, it’s the clown show videogame that the fools in the front office put in front them. This system is a nightnare for a goalie, and given enough video and scouting a non-elite goal will be crucified (Heh funny word to use on Easter)
Now you’re idea is sound, but goalies are different. Particularly when you have an elite top three goalie and two rookies or non starters.
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So this is where everyone went! Anyway, regarding Holtby, someone in the old NG posted a trade idea of Holtby to Buffalo for Ristolainen, assuming Buffalo would make the trade. I was thinking along similar lines. I don't know if Buffalo is the spot but a sharp GM would pull the trigger on this deal this offseason. Holtby's skills have mildly diminished and we already know he can't do it in the playoffs when it really matters. Plus, Grubie is ready to be a full time starter as his performance over the last few months has shown. It makes no sense to wait because every year that passes Holtby's trade value will fall as his skills erode. With the dire need for defensemen on this team, this is a perfect opportunity to get one or maybe two good ones. Other teams, especially goalie starved ones, place a high value on recent Vezina winning goalies so the Caps should take advantage of that now, not in 2-3 years when the return is much less.
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So this is where everyone went! Anyway, regarding Holtby, someone in the old NG posted a trade idea of Holtby to Buffalo for Ristolainen, assuming Buffalo would make the trade. I was thinking along similar lines. I don't know if Buffalo is the spot but a sharp GM would pull the trigger on this deal this offseason. Holtby's skills have mildly diminished and we already know he can't do it in the playoffs when it really matters. Plus, Grubie is ready to be a full time starter as his performance over the last few months has shown. It makes no sense to wait because every year that passes Holtby's trade value will fall as his skills erode. With the dire need for defensemen on this team, this is a perfect opportunity to get one or maybe two good ones. Other teams, especially goalie starved ones, place a high value on recent Vezina winning goalies so the Caps should take advantage of that now, not in 2-3 years when the return is much less.
I highly doubt we will get many teams to agree to a “fair market” or a benefit trade for Holts. The reason is people know he a) wants out, or b) we want him gone, so we won’t be seeing much in return.
Besides, I think people are jumping on the “hot backup goalie” drama way to much, and not taking in all factors Mainly, when the forwards and D get tired of playing a style where they don’t have to protect the goalie, and when teams start to get more video on him will assuredly not be pretty.
Bottom line is this probably a hot-streak and not reality
As (I think$ we have Gubby for another year, I’d trade him instead while his value is high.
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I highly doubt we will get many teams to agree to a “fair market” or a benefit trade for Holts. The reason is people know he a) wants out, or b) we want him gone, so we won’t be seeing much in return.
Besides, I think people are jumping on the “hot backup goalie” drama way to much, and not taking in all factors Mainly, when the forwards and D get tired of playing a style where they don’t have to protect the goalie, and when teams start to get more video on him will assuredly not be pretty.
Bottom line is this probably a hot-streak and not reality
As (I think$ we have Gubby for another year, I’d trade him instead while his value is high.
Any player who is being offered in a trade is presumably someone you're willing to part with, for whatever reason. All other teams care about is whether they think the guy can help their team and I'm sure there are a number of teams, possibly quite a few, who would see Holtby as a good acquisition. As far as the style we play, both goalies have to play behind it so blaming that for Holtby's regression doesn't seem like the answer. Grubie plays under the same conditions and he's doing the job. Also, why would you trade the younger guy who's coming into his own and keep the older one who is slipping, especially when you can probably still get good value for him? That seems like a recipe for treading water, not improving.
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I highly doubt we will get many teams to agree to a “fair market” or a benefit trade for Holts. The reason is people know he a) wants out, or b) we want him gone, so we won’t be seeing much in return.
Besides, I think people are jumping on the “hot backup goalie” drama way to much, and not taking in all factors Mainly, when the forwards and D get tired of playing a style where they don’t have to protect the goalie, and when teams start to get more video on him will assuredly not be pretty.
Bottom line is this probably a hot-streak and not reality
As (I think$ we have Gubby for another year, I’d trade him instead while his value is high.
I agree about the backup goalie being on a hot streak. The Pens were in a similar situation and I think they let the better goalie go to Vegas. I don't want us to make the same mistake.
I have conceded that Grubauer should probably start the playoffs because he is on a hot streak.
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Reading these threads, the Caps D aren't the only ones who have given up on Holtby.
I agree that Trotz will probably ride the "hot goalie" into round 1 and will probably have a short leash on Gruby.
As for who to trade, if either, I guess it all depends on how much faith you have in Samsonov and when you think he'll be NHL ready. If you truly think that there's no difference between Holts and Gruby, then you sign Gruby, presumably for less than whatb you're paying Holtby, and use the extra cash and trade of Holtby to get a real defensman back - [Dear God please don't use that money to sign Carlson].
I don't know why, but for the last couple of months this team does look different playing in front of Grubauer - except for the dumbass clearing attempt from #28 last night where Grubauer had to stop Crosby point blank. Grubauer's saves last night looked like the Holtby we are used to and one I fully expect to see again.
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Pro coaches and GM's, hockey included, are always inclined to make the "safe," by-the-book" choice, even when confronted with evidence to the contrary. They feel safer going with the big-contract name player because they feel they can't be faulted, even if the name player screws up royally, whereas if the upstart doesn't get it done, then they have to answer why they took "risk." Everybody wants risk-free, easy choices. Life doesn't work that way, of course.
In fact, that's one of the explanations for why Las Vegas is so "surprisingly" good this year. Most GM's stayed with the tried and true. the name players, and, therefore, sacrificed very talented young players (ahem, Schmidt), as well as other talented, but less "marquee" veterans. The result was that the youngsters got an immediate chance to make an impact, and the more seasoned guys had high incentive to show their former GM's that they made a mistake.
I'm near certain that Trotz, in the deep recesses of his mind, would somehow wish that Grubie screwed up, so he could just pick Holtby and not have to explain himself, or get sweaty palms by starting Grubie in the playoffs. It makes little sense, when one looks at Grubie's sterling stats, as well as the unavoidable truth that Holtby has shown conclusively that he gets deer-in-the-headlights syndrome when it's time for the crucial save in the playoffs. Playing Grubie is the better choice, and not just because he's hot now; he's been hot for months.
I guess there is life without taking risk. It's just that it's played on the golf course, not the hockey rink.
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Reading these threads, the Caps D aren't the only ones who have given up on Holtby.
I agree that Trotz will probably ride the "hot goalie" into round 1 and will probably have a short leash on Gruby.
As for who to trade, if either, I guess it all depends on how much faith you have in Samsonov and when you think he'll be NHL ready. If you truly think that there's no difference between Holts and Gruby, then you sign Gruby, presumably for less than whatb you're paying Holtby, and use the extra cash and trade of Holtby to get a real defensman back - [Dear God please don't use that money to sign Carlson].
I don't know why, but for the last couple of months this team does look different playing in front of Grubauer - except for the dumbass clearing attempt from #28 last night where Grubauer had to stop Crosby point blank. Grubauer's saves last night looked like the Holtby we are used to and one I fully expect to see again.
I think the Caps will try to find away to sign Carlson because of the lack of FA dmen that will be available. But if we could make a trade for a dman that would change things. Someone mentioned earlier about trading for Ristolainen. He would be a nice addition.
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Gruby's won a couple games since Jan!! He's the next Patrick Roy! :wackysmile: Some of you have lost your minds.. :rofl: Anyone remember when Neuvirth got "hot" for a series?? I do.. :-\
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Gruby's won a couple games since Jan!! He's the next Patrick Roy! :wackysmile: Some of you have lost your minds.. :rofl: Anyone remember when Neuvirth got "hot" for a series?? I do.. :-\
Not fair, Mick. Look at Gruby's performance last year. Look at the year before. He's been the better goalie for the team for the last 4 months of this year. Sooner or later you have to look at the progression and say there might be more there than a blind squirrel rooting up an acorn. This isn't just "a couple of games since January."
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I don't think anyone thinks Grubby is better than Holtby, but he's certainly been playing better. They both play behind the same lousy defense and frankly Holy was flat out awful for a while. I go with the hot hand in the first few games see how it goes. Either way there will be those screaming "I told you so" when it's all said and done.
Caps are done in 1 or 2 rounds no matter who starts anyway.
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Anything Gruby did before he was "the starter" is not really valid, imo, since he always played the lesser opponents. I'm grateful he's looked good lately, but I'm not looking forward to the results when the team goes back to turning the puck over constantly and giving up multiple odd man rush' per game..
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I don't think anyone thinks Grubby is better than Holtby, but he's certainly been playing better. They both play behind the same lousy defense and frankly Holy was flat out awful for a while. I go with the hot hand in the first few games see how it goes. Either way there will be those screaming "I told you so" when it's all said and done.
Caps are done in 1 or 2 rounds no matter who starts anyway.
I agree they are not going to the conference finals. This is all the more reason to move Holtby and shore up the defense. Who else on the team is going to command the types of players we need and be someone we want to part with? I feel that trading Grubauer would be a big mistake. Holtby may return to his previous form and he may not but that's the chance you take. Nothing comes without some risk but you have to take risks in order to get better. It's no different than changing coaches or GM's. The end goal is the same.
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Anything Gruby did before he was "the starter" is not really valid, imo, since he always played the lesser opponents. I'm grateful he's looked good lately, but I'm not looking forward to the results when the team goes back to turning the puck over constantly and giving up multiple odd man rush' per game..
Where do you get this idea, Mick? Grubauer in past years tended to play the 2nd half of back-to-backs, or if the back to backs were home and away he'd get the away game (the star plays at home more often.) He tended to get who he got, not necessarily the weaker team. Besides, everybody around here complains that the Caps tend to play down to lesser opponents, so even if it were true that he had games against lesser teams, they might still have been as much of a challenge if the Caps weren't playing at the top of their game.
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Please understand, I'm not trying to say that Grubauer is the better goaltender. But to those people who state that Holtby is unequivocally better as if it is an unquestioned fact, there is an accumulating body of information, and it's beginning to become significant (Grubauer just appeared in his 100th game) that casts more and more doubt on that "fact."
That being said, I wouldn't necessarily think about trading Holtby right now. His contract is a "fair" one so that he won't be in demand as a really cost-effective asset (which Grubauer might be), and given Holtby's recent performance it may be that teams would try to buy low on him and discount what they offer.
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That being said, I wouldn't necessarily think about trading Holtby right now.
I can't see why "anyone" would think about trading Holtby, unless Holtby asked for it.. Certainly not because he had a bad stretch of games or because Grubi had some good ones.. And surely not because we need better defensive players.. It'd be like trading an allstar QB with a good contract, so you could look for better Wide receivers.. People think Vezina caliber goalies (and allstar caliber QB's) just grow on trees or something. :clown:
Note: I like both of em'.. I'd be trying to move Burt or one of the other Ice dancing Euro's for better D, if it was me.
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I can't see why "anyone" would think about trading Holtby, unless Holtby asked for it.. Certainly not because he had a bad stretch of games or because Grubi had some good ones.. And surely not because we need better defensive players.. It'd be like trading an allstar QB with a good contract, so you could look for better Wide receivers.. People think Vezina caliber goalies (and allstar caliber QB's) just grow on trees or something. :clown:
Note: I like both of em'.. I'd be trying to move Burt or one of the other Ice dancing Euro's for better D, if it was me.
Which may end up being be the case, They a give a weak D (both Dman and skaters), run a vide-game system that’s lead to the nickname “Odd Man Rush”, up the point of being worn down and out, only to have the fans stab him in the back while the team and system protcect the backup far more. . .
I wouldn’t blame him a bit for wanting out.
But hey, I’d love to keep, hell play both too. But this team and city wouldn’t know what to do with out a “starter”.
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Which may end up being be the case, They a give a weak D (both Dman and skaters), run a vide-game system that’s lead to the nickname “Odd Man Rush”, up the point of being worn down and out, only to have the fans stab him in the back while the team and system protcect the backup far more. . .
I wouldn’t blame him a bit for wanting out.
But hey, I’d love to keep, hell play both too. But this team and city wouldn’t know what to do with out a “starter”.
Yea, I can't wait for the Odd Man Rush concert coming up.. They've not set a date yet, but everyone knows they're due back in town! :rofl:
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Yea, I can't wait for the Odd Man Rush concert coming up.. They've not set a date yet, but everyone knows they're due back in town! :rofl:
Thurs 4/5, The Press will be doing their pop-country version ;D
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Thurs 4/5, The Press will be doing their pop-country version ;D
:rofl: :rofl:
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Any talk of a trade of Holtby is a waste of time. This is the Caps we are talking about. They will do what they always do, overvalue their core players and hold onto them and keep getting the same results.
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Any talk of a trade of Holtby is a waste of time. This is the Caps we are talking about. They will do what they always do, overvalue their core players and hold onto them and keep getting the same results.
Doesn't make any sense to trade Holtby now, anyway. We'd be selling low. Of course, Holtby can regain value during the playoffs if he returns to his pre-2017 playoff form.
I suspect if Holtby comes up with a good performance tomorrow he will start the playoffs in goal.
We'll see where Pittsburg stands after tonight. They now cannot finish lower than 4th in the Division (in which case they'd play the Caps 1st round), but if they avoid losing in regulation tonight, as I understand it they will finish runner-up in the Division no matter what Columbus and Philly do.
Though the Caps won the Division, you can basically throw a handkerchief over the top 5 teams. Any Metro playoff series is probably a pick 'em going in.