If the cap is not going up, and other teams are trying to keep their own guys, why worry about losing UFAs? Wouldn't that require some other team having cap space to make a fair offer? I think guys mostly prefer not having to move, and they all played pretty well, winning the division. A new coach could get more out of this club. Keep the same personnel. Training camp is about trying to audition two or three young guys to move up through the system. Hypothetically, here's one way it could land.
Holtby is presumed the starter, especially because Samsonov finished this year injured. He gets a 15 team NTC for the year, that he sets a month before the deadline. Until then he can only be traded to his list of eight preferred teams (but he won't be).
You don't seriously want Protas as the top line center. You can't be serious. You've got to be a troll. @Banks
I've been posting here for years. Are you serious?
Yes. A 6'6" Russian-speaking kid coming off better than a point a game season in North American juniors? I absolutely want him playing with Ovechkin and Kuznetsov as soon as possible. And I think Kuznetsov could score more goals at wing. We've discussed that part before.
edit: that said, do I see your point that Protas won't step in and be good enough to cover Crosby on day one? Yes. I see that. Lineups can change with matchups. Against average opponents and below, playing with guys who speak his language and can finish any pass he can give them seems like the most sheltered spot for him. Does that make the Ovechkin line into line two? No. It's got an all time great goal scorer on it, so it's still the first line. Thank you for asking.
I've been posting here for years. Are you serious?
Yes. A 6'6" Russian-speaking kid coming off better than a point a game season in North American juniors? I absolutely want him playing with Ovechkin and Kuznetsov as soon as possible. And I think Kuznetsov could score more goals at wing. We've discussed that part before.
edit: that said, do I see your point that Protas won't step in and be good enough to cover Crosby on day one? Yes. I see that. Lineups can change with matchups. Against average opponents and below, playing with guys who speak his language and can finish any pass he can give them seems like the most sheltered spot for him. Does that make the Ovechkin line into line two? No. It's got an all time great goal scorer on it, so it's still the first line. Thank you for asking.
Over a point per game in a draft +1 is not uncommon at all. It is very uncommon for someone to come straight out of juniors right to line one on a Cup contender. Get a grip dude
Over a point per game in a draft +1 is not uncommon at all. It is very uncommon for someone to come straight out of juniors right to line one on a Cup contender. Get a grip dude
Lucky he's playing in the KHL, then. Thanks for the perspective. Agree it's unlikely.
I guess some of us only post what we think the team absolutely needs to do and some of us like to post a few different angles for discussion.