tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6311322768897042390.post390191379567377284..comments2014-06-10T18:00:51.076-04:00Comments on Caps Circle: GMGM vs. Adam Oates: Who Should Go (First)?RYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898456425867864005noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6311322768897042390.post-63347409756566312362014-04-18T12:54:02.900-04:002014-04-18T12:54:02.900-04:00The thing about the Gretzky trade, though, is the ...The thing about the Gretzky trade, though, is the Oilers were still a contending team without him. They had Kurri, Messier, Tikkanen, Grant Fuhr in goal, and other greats. The Caps without OV is down to Backstrom and maybe Grabovski. And I highly doubt trading OV will bring in future hall of famers. <br />Also, calling OV a chump is going too far; you probably remember the Hunter year, when his production was absolutely pathetic. That's because he was played D-first. And although nobody cared about his defensive play, they called him out for his 'pathetic' 38-goal season. I agree he's not the best fit for captain, however.<br />I agree with most of what you said, namely Leonsis has not been smart, Green should be traded along with, say, Laich, maybe Brouwer, and some other high-priced players. But trading OV really won't help the team.RYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05898456425867864005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6311322768897042390.post-3989038781504380602014-04-18T12:25:52.306-04:002014-04-18T12:25:52.306-04:00I agree with your conclusions, but I think your an...I agree with your conclusions, but I think your analysis is seriously lacking. I can give you many examples.<br /><br />Neuvirth was odd-man out in a goaltending jam. While talented, he was the worst of the guys we had at that time. All the goalies were called out by GMGM halfway through the season anyway. When there's a logjam at a position, that means you have assets and trading said assets for something positive in return is good. Trading for Halak was a morale improvement, nothing more. He alone was never going to fix what ailed the Caps all season.<br /><br />Another example is that the Caps are a offense with 2 elite players, a bunch of 3rd line guys and a highly touted prospect. They are missing so much offensively that any coach, would have had difficulty.<br /><br />But the problems facing this team go much deeper and farther than just bad line combinations or a trade or two. Yes, both GMGM and HCAO should go. However, Leonsis is to blame as well. He has never fired a GM. GMGM has 17 years to mold a team. I will give him and his staff credit for drafting well. Beyond that and bringing in Brian Bellows from Germany in 1998, what he has done is questionable. He created this team based off of a core of 4 players. They are talented, but they are spoiled brats who are missing the point. By the way, I am also in favor of trading Ovechkin and Green. I would keep Backstrom. Anyway, the core players were flawed. And GMGM double-downed every year with them. When the wheels came off the bus in 2010, the signs were all there. Green is a head case and cannot handle the literal pressure he was facing in his own end. Ovechkin this week states that his job is to score goals and nothing else. Those two are not leaders. They are chumps who may win the Cup someday - on another team playing bit parts. GMGM stayed with them and hung by them and it's caused issues time and again.<br /><br />And this is why Leonsis is to blame as well. Ovechkin is the face of the franchise and he puts people in the seats. However, if what he stated in 2008 is true and he wants to win championships, then he's gonna have to take a possible hit in the bank account and do what is needed for this team - clear house of problems.<br /><br />So, GMGM and HCAO should be fired. Ovi and Green should be traded. Hey, if Gretzky can be traded, so can Ovi. Then I would really evaluate what the team has and what it needs. As I said earlier, the team is chock full of 3rd liners - at best. Trade some. Get draft picks. Clear salary. Make room for young players, Wilson and Kuznetsov and give them playing time.<br /><br />But the biggest thing of all, is the belief that the window of opportunity with Ovi and pals is still open. It closed right after the defeat against the Canadiens in 2010. What happens next will be interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6311322768897042390.post-62916660084061560992014-04-17T23:23:50.122-04:002014-04-17T23:23:50.122-04:00While I agree that Oates should go, I also think G...While I agree that Oates should go, I also think GMGM must go. Sometimes, 17 years is a long time for anyone and it has become stale at this point. Time to get some fresh blood with out of the box thinking. You cannot solve todays problems with yesterdays solutions!Reksragshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03918910821908924725noreply@blogger.com