Sportsnet Says Arnott to WASH

[pixburgher66]

more like 60 to me. as they stand right now, they're no where near what they were last year.

I think the D being so much better makes up for it. The forward group may be a little weaker (the Geno subtraction being the focal point), but Poni, Feds, Guerin were all horrible last season, so the addition of Kovy, Neal, a healthy Kunitz (*fingers crossed*) and Staal makes up for it. Obviously Sid is the big sticking point here.

 

[HonusWagner66]

We'll find out which team is better. But to say they're basically the same is laughable.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

how come the Caps didn't pursue a vet goalie with playoff experience?

I think that they kicked the tires on Vokoun a little but were not going to be able to bring him in without moving an integral prospect (Johnasson, Gustaffson Orlov, Kuznetzov) and dump some salary so it just wasn't feasible.

Also, for the record, the inital off from Jersey was for Alzner, straight up, but GMGM said he was not available, hence the 2nd round pick not being put in to the meida outlets until after a bit of a delay.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

eloco is Kevin Kaminski, just so everybody knows

 

[ritari330]

I think Eloco kinda forgot about the recent trades....Because earlier in the season the Pens really didn't look that different from last season...just sayin

Also, I want to play the Pens, but I don't think it'll be as easy as Eloco thinks. Also something to think about is if Crosby does come back, he won't be the same Crosby he was earlier in the season....

 

[Jared]

I think Eloco kinda forgot about the recent trades....Because earlier in the season the Pens really didn't look that different from last season...just sayin

Also, I want to play the Pens, but I don't think it'll be as easy as Eloco thinks. Also something to think about is if Crosby does come back, he won't be the same Crosby he was earlier in the season....

100% agree. I really doubt Sid comes back this year. Its looking bleaker and bleaker (if your a Pens fan) or brighter and brighter (if your a Caps fan) every day.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Anyways, back to the trade. Devils got Arnott for a playoff push this season, that's not happening, so I'm glad they got a quality player and pick instead of losing him for nothing at the end of the year. Even if the Devils did make the playoffs, without a healthy Parise, and Brodeur not being 100% healthy, I'm not sure we could've made a deep playoff run.

Arnott's stats don't say it all, and aside from the leadership qualities, the guy is a force along the boards and in front of the net, things that are very important in a long playoff series. Looking forward to seeing Steckel in our system.

 

[SLY]

It'll be nice to see an early exit for the Pens

 

[JustAsking]

You know, the more and more I think about it... even minus Sid, I still think the Pens are one of the stronger teams in the East... well, as long as everyone else comes back.... Fleury playing well and the the defense will obviously be key... but I think the forward lines can hang as well.

Neal-Letestu-Kovy
Kunitz-Staal-TK
Cooke-Talbot-Dupuis
Rupp-Jeffery-Adams

 

[SLY]

I guess we will all know where our teams stand very soon

 

[ritari330]

Not soon enough Jeff, not soon enough

 

[pixburgher66]

You know, the more and more I think about it... even minus Sid, I still think the Pens are one of the stronger teams in the East... well, as long as everyone else comes back.... Fleury playing well and the the defense will obviously be key... but I think the forward lines can hang as well.

Neal-Letestu-Kovy
Kunitz-Staal-TK
Cooke-Talbot-Dupuis
Rupp-Jeffery-Adams

It's not bad...but it's all grinders, and like one sniper.

 

[ritari330]

Dirty goals in the playoffs are a good thing

 

[elocomotive]

We'll find out which team is better. But to say they're basically the same is laughable.

9 of the 12 forwards were the same in the example you showed and half of the D-men were the same before the Gogo trade. I don't call that "laughable." That's 66% the same and most of that two-thirds are the core/premier guys on the team, especially on the offensive end. Both teams have improved their defensive player and player core. But yes, overall, the teams are largely the same except for injuries, which are going to happen in any given season.

Even if not the same, you're argument is the Pens are more dangerous to the Caps b/c they are not as good as they used to be b/c of those injuries? That doesn't make sense.

 

[elocomotive]

Anyways, back to the trade. Devils got Arnott for a playoff push this season, that's not happening, so I'm glad they got a quality player and pick instead of losing him for nothing at the end of the year. Even if the Devils did make the playoffs, without a healthy Parise, and Brodeur not being 100% healthy, I'm not sure we could've made a deep playoff run.

Arnott's stats don't say it all, and aside from the leadership qualities, the guy is a force along the boards and in front of the net, things that are very important in a long playoff series. Looking forward to seeing Steckel in our system.

Reported.

 

[pixburgher66]

Dirty goals in the playoffs are a good thing

Yeah, no doubt...but when you get a great opportunity (2 on 1 for example) and the guy carrying the puck is Craig Adams and the guy coming down the opposite wing is Chris Conner...you worry.

 

[elocomotive]

eloco is Kevin Kaminski, just so everybody knows

Who? I only started watching hockey in 2006.

 

[ritari330]

Yeah, no doubt...but when you get a great opportunity (2 on 1 for example) and the guy carrying the puck is Craig Adams and the guy coming down the opposite wing is Chris Conner...you worry.

What's a 2 on 1? I haven't seen one of those all season...

 

[pixburgher66]

What's a 2 on 1? I haven't seen one of those all season...

Hahahahhahaha Well, I certainly hope that trend continues to the postseason then!

 

[elocomotive]

What's a 2 on 1? I haven't seen one of those all season...

What do you mean? There was a 3 on 1 just last game... but Hannan broke it up by himself.

(Btw, best individual Caps' defensive play of the year.)