2018-19 NHL thread

Lightning are on pace to finish with 129 points.

 

Fifth team in seven years. Usually a red flag. But not in this case. Just about everybody likes him.

 

Two areas where the Caps have a desperate need.

I don't think they're done. Will probably look to add defensive depth as well, a la Kempny from last year. If that guy is out there ...

I despised Hagelin because he was a Caps killer for both the Rags and Pens. I suppose I like him now though.

 

I think the Capitals should go for Kovalchuk.

 

I don't. I'm guessing Hagelin will slot on the third line with Eller and Burakovsky/Connolly, with the other joining Dowd and Stephenson on the fourth line. If the Caps have a glaring need left on offense, it's for a faceoff specialist. There's plenty of scoring up and down the lines.

 

Red Wings trade D Nick Jensen and No. 5 pick to Capitals for D Madison Bowey and No. 2 pick in 2020
Jensen signs four-year, $10M deal

 

To make it less confusing. It's a fifth round pick and second round pick.

 

So what can you Caps fans tell me about Bowey?

 

Matt Duchene to Columbus.

 

I missed this because I was in a class all day and avoiding Twitter so I didn't see the result of the Watford match. LOL.

Bowey is still young but plenty mistake prone. He had a couple of real opportunities to crack the top six in DC, but I'm not sure being a plug-and-play on a Cup-level team is the right thing for him right now. He was clearly below Djoos and Siegenthaler in terms of development. I think he'll have a chance to blossom if he plays every night with a young team that will let him play through mistakes. Washington couldn't afford to do that.

Looking at Caps' D pairs ... Carlson/Kempny; Niskanen/Orlov; Djoos/Jensen. Orpik will have to be the scratch. He has been the suck this year. Great dressing room guy, but predictably slow due to age. If Reirden benches Djoos instead, I'll scream.