I like the trades, but I don’t see ARZ needing Carlson. However, the value is right about there. I also wish there was a better right defenseman than Franson that you would’ve gone for, but this team definitely does not look worse than it does before these trades.

I realize that Az doesn't "need" Carlson, but they're going to turn the roster over anyway and could afford to sign him very long term (7 years)

I love Mike Green's accomplishments but he's running on fumes. At even strength he is less productive (fewer points per minute on the ice, fewer assists total, even in 50% more ice time) and not significantly more effective on defense (same zone starts, 2% better corsi, but playing with Detroit's best players) than Madison (just barely in the top ten of rookie defensemen in points) Bowey. Green is still a good power play threat, but Carlson plays two more minutes a night than him, starts a majority of shifts in the defensive zone, and has over a handful more points. I think you've paid more than you would have to if you just added OEL and kept Carlson.

OEL also isn't going to slot above Dimitry Orlov this year. Sure, they each play 23 minutes a night, but Orlov starts 4.9% more shifts behind the red line and has a plus minus that is 45 better (+6).

Also, check out the year Pheonix Copley is having in Hershey: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=129834

3.15 gaa 8-12-3 0.888spct But hey, 21 penalty minutes? He might be moving at the trade deadline, but certainly not upwards. Maybe South Carolina, just until his contract expires?

That first pairing belongs in a museum. I like Orpik and Carlson better.

If you're going to join me in posting nightmare scenarios where the Caps overpay to downgrade from Carlson to Green, fine. Welcome to my lonely little depression club. Have a seat. Drink something warm. Happy Valentine's day in this cold world. At least you didn't give up a first round pick along the way.

But maybe try to add some massive forward depth? Don't just overpay for overpaid defensemen who used to score goals at will but, fifty games into this season, have six, and eight, respectively. Take one on as a last resort if you must. For heaven's sake please don't let the Capitals actively try to get both, giving up depth at every position along the way.

I thought it was ridiculous a few weeks ago when we had a rule that anyone trading Burakovsky for someone who won't be as good as Burakovsky got one star.

I'm making a more specific rule, because I'veseen this five times now, reacted the same way each time, and not everybody's on the same page: if you trade Madison Bowey, who is better than Mike Green at even strength this year, and scored more goals in juniors than Mike Green did in juniors, for a thirty-two year old Mike Green who hasn't had a twenty goal season since he was twenty-three, you get one star.

I gave you a second star because maybe you didn't know, and I don't want to be mean.

It's just fantasy stuff man...being a Caps fan for 35 years and all doesn't matter...be as nice or as mean as you wish, it's just for fun.

Except on defense. And at goalie. And forward. Totally.

I think you have the equal value for everything. Issue is ARI doesn't do it without a Carlson resign and I don't see him signing there. Would be sweet though.

If you can get OEL and Mike Green from five and ten years ago, I'd throw in two first round picks.

Thanks for the conversation. As a Caps fan for only about thirty years, now stuck out in the midwest for my wife's career.... this stuff keeps me going.

As a hawks fan, I'd be glad to give you franson for a 5.

Who is S. Wedgewood and why are the Flyers giving a 2nd and 5th round picks for him?

Me too man...former Caps season ticket holder for a very long time, living in LA now...so yeah, this keeps me going. Let's go Caps, and god save us.

a crummy backup goalie they don't need, even though their starter, Brian Elliott, did just go out for surgery for six weeks. He isn't better than Michal Neuvirth, and for those picks, this year, as their fans are pointing out on here, they could get Howard or Mrazek.

Yeah. I miss DC the way we all miss Mike Green. A few years ago.

So, yeah, good pickup on Philly's emerging need in goal, but I think they've got easier solutions: https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/114533&post_id=367741

Wedgewood's numbers with Phoenix are about as bad as Copley's in Hershey: 3.45, stopping 89% of the shots, 5-9-0: https://www.nhl.com/player/scott-wedgewood-8475809 I'm not honestly sure which of them is better from that comparison, but neither of them is Grubauer.

Hey, at least it's not Indianapolis.

True...but St. Elmo's has amazing steak (and shrimp cocktails). It could be worse, you could live in Nebraska.

Dude. How did you guess??? We go there for vacations

I even missed Five Guys. And then I found out they have them here. And I went. And it was decorated the same, but the hamburgers weren't as good.

If the Flyers wanted to have a terrible backup, they would roll with Alex Lyon and keep those draft selections.