anyway....to rewrite my post (and I'm sure the lost one was much better....and probably shorter)
Boys looked really good so far. I know it is preseason, but something looks different/better. Maybe they look hungrier, or maybe it's just early, but I like what I see so far.
It's like they are not waiting for something to happen, but moving to make something happen. A little more aggressive. I'm cool with that. Gonna get a few mistakes from it, but at least it's proactive. I hate when they are passive and just keep backing up, backing up, etc.
Lots of youngins looking good. Not sure what good it will do them. We got room for what...one guy, plus one for three games.
As far as the D goes: You have Carlson, Kempney, Gudas, Jensen, Orlov, Djoos for six spots
I like Ziggy for the 7th D man, so not sure where you have room for anyone else...unless Kempney isn't ready...or Djoos is ailing (and I won't rag on Djoos AGAIN...I ASSUME he has a spot since the Caps seem to love him).
Ziggy is big and plays physical. I saw him get exposed at one point, but also saw him step up and hit a guy and plant him on his but and take the puck away. I like his size and physical play and he is very young, so needs some games to grow.
Williams has looked good, as has Johansen, and Fever has looked better than expected, but Fever is not even 20 so I think this is what it is...just a tryout. Lewington is solid yet never seems to get real consideration (from staff), but to me, none of these guys would be better than Ziggy.
For the O side:
Sluzy/Ovie/Willie
Nicky/Oshie/Jake
Eller/Panik/Hagelin
Dowd/Hathaway/Boyd/Leipsic/Stephenson/Obrien/Pinho/Gersich/Sgarbossa
You have 9 guys competing for 3 spots....mostly 1 spot. I realize you have a 23 man roster, but you dress 20 for a game (2 Goalies), so....7 D and 11 forwards or 6d/12F?
For the 23 man roster, how many D? 7 or 8? Leaves 13 forwards, 14 if you only have 7 D. I don't know what teams normally carry.
I'm not sure who I'd go with. I know you have room for one extra guy for 3 games, but then what. Lots of guys have looked pretty good. Sadly, Stepho isn't really standing out. He may be a casualty of both the Cap and lots of young talent. If they don't really like him, why'd they sign him. If he gets sent down, can't another team just grab him for nothing?
Willy looks flippin fantastic. He certainly looks ready to play. He has got to be terrifying opponents. Can't wait to see what he does this year. I hope he becomes one of the leagues top most dominate players this year and the NHL will just have to take it and embrace him (rather than dogging him like in the past)
Fun so far....glad to have some hockey back.
GO CAPS
GO NATS