It took the Caps about half the game to get oriented, what with 3 new defensemen on the ice. Sandin apparently made quite a difference the last 30 minutes.
But Anaheim and San Jose are two of the least competent teams in the league. Los Angeles tomorrow is a few steps up, so we'll see what happens. For that matter, the following two games are against NJ and the NYI. We will know more about the results of the deadline at the end of this week than we do now.
Interestingly, when Carlson returns, all of a sudden the defensive roster looks pretty full:
Carlson
Fehervary
Jensen
Sandin
Alexeyev
TVR
Carlsson (who has had previous NHL experience)
Iorio (only 20; likely needs more seasoning in Hershey, but you never know)
and this is without counting Irvin, who may not be resigned.
I wasn't expecting us to get more competitive at the deadline, but rather to dump FA's. I suspect Mantha with the injury and the salary was just too expensive to move.
We have plenty of D at the moment, but most of these guys need a contract. I think I heard they were talking with TVR?
Van Riemsdyk - FA
McIlrath - FA
Irwin - FA
Alexeyev - RFAFehervary - RFA
G. Carlson - RFA
I expect we are seeing a lot of McIlrath and Alexeyev and G. Carlson to see what they want to do with their contracts in the offseason. (That, and Jensen is hurt)
I fully expect they will keep Fever, and I sure as hell hope they keep Alexeyev. Haven't seen that much of the other two
McIlrath is 30 and has played a total of 72 NHL games so not sure where he will land. Although...he is 6'-5", 230lbs. I didn't realize he was that big.
Irwin I think they like very much as a utility fill in at a bargain price and will sign him to another 1 year deal unless someone else wants to pay him much more. The team seems to like him very much and they all praise his ethic and attitude.