Who adds what?
Joined: Jul. 2017
Posts: 13,677
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Okay. Sorry. Just checked the standings again, and Ottawa has nothing to lose. This is a superstar-studded lineup, practically an all star team.
While I don't believe it could happen, and I dislike giving up Niskannen, Djoos, Bowey, and Johansson, I admit this lineup doubles the Caps' chances at winning a Cup this year.
Since there's a chance John Tavares is available in free agency this year, and a slight chance he decides to join whoever wins the Cup, if you could do half of this, then, of course, go for it.
But I'd rather have Grubauer and Bowey than Lack and Green. Grubauer's numbers the last couple years have been, in limited action, pretty close to Holtby's. He's going to be a starting goalie for years, and Lack isn't. Bowey is already as solid defensively as Green, and neither would see an ofensive zone start behind Karlsson and Carlson.
I think for a third pair behind two superstar puck movers, you look for tougness and defense, so your ideal third pairing is Orpik and Niskannen. Can't get better than them for defensive situations. But that explodes the salary cap, so if you can really get salary retained on Phaneuf, maybe him and Schenn could work in a pinch? Or Phaneuf and Wideman?