When you look at their roster, who they lost, who they replaced them with, you have to ask how it's possible that this team beat out Pittsburgh, Detroit, and New Jersey?
The leading scorers on the Caps are
Dylan Strome 27-40-67
Alex Ovechkin 31-34-65
John Carlson 10-42-52
After that the dropoff is stark. Nobody else on the team has more than 35 points.
They lost their 2 best centers in Backstrom & Kuznetsov and they still made the show.
Those teams they beat out also have significantly better scoring depth.
So how did they do it? They did it the same way the Habs did it for years: Team defense & Goaltending. That's what wins championships. Big scoring numbers is fun. Superstars with name recognition are fun. But making the playoffs with a low scoring group IS possible, if that group gets above average goaltending and good defense.
Common knowledge at the start of the year from every analyst was that Washington were done and would miss the playoffs. Every fan knew it too. And yet... Here we are. They made it, and they embarrassed a whole bunch of know it all pundits along the way. As they say ... That's why they play the games!
I think the Habs need to look at this and take heart. They are going to have a hard time improving their offense in the offseason. There are not enough UFAs and RFAs for them to target where they can realistically win some bids. But they can target 2-way forwards who improve defense as well as providing secondary scoring.
Chandler Stephenson should be our number one target. He'll be number 5-6 on most team's shopping lists, so if we overpay we can use our cap space to get him. He's the best, bar none, 2-way forward available this offseason. He's like Danault. Remember how under-rated Danault was in Montreal? Both by the pundits and the Habs management. Stephenson is the same. His light doesn't shine that brightly, but he's so important to the success Vegas has enjoyed.
I would also target another 2nd line forward, but I am unsure if that's a UFA like Monahan, or an RFA like Lundell. I am open to whatever.
The point is: If you are a Habs fan and you desperately want the Habs to do what New Jersey, Ottawa, Buffalo, Anaheim has been doing to rebuild, consider the lowly Caps and how they did it this year. We don't have to do the same thing everyone does. We can be contrarians and leapfrog a few teams by trusting good vets to bring great all around 2-way play.
Notes: Anderson gets the Armia treatment. If he doesn't come to camp ready... We do what we have to.
We have interacted on this site for me to know you're more optimistic than I am but this is exactly what I don't want.
I get the troubles with the teams you listed examples but those are the teams with far brighter futures than Washington. If the Habs can add a veteran for a reasonable price this off season, like Marchy under 7 million, then do it. I'd still rather this team go super young next year, see what the kids really are and then add once you know what you have to add
They are not ready to make those moove right now.
This summer i wanna see hugues find a top 6 RW under 25 to grow and play with Dach and also a Stud RW with experience to play top pairing with Matheson or Ghule, that will help the young defensemen developpement
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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