Im not negative on Chara at all but I think 15-17 mins a night is a lofty expectation. I knew that before we signed him. He was skating in cement with Washington last year that’s why I was pretty shocked to see some of the posters expectations on here. Unrealistic.
- Cptmjl

I am.. didn't like the sign and from what I have seen so far it hasn't changed my mind. If he was that great still the Caps would have kept him.. He's just too slow at this point.

The Rangers seem like they're going to be so fvcked cap-wise in the next few years.
- Isleshockeyman

They have some high talent, high priced veterans and some budding talent. That equals buku cashish. They’re not going to be able to hold onto everyone.

I am.. didn't like the sign and from what I have seen so far it hasn't changed my mind. If he was that great still the Caps would have kept him.. He's just too slow at this point.
- niteislander

He’s a HOF player that’s lost a step. I get it but he can still play better positionally. Like I said he can’t be out there for 17+ mins a night.

We always try to be the Hoosiers of hockey on the PP. when they just throw it at the net with a crowd in front to jam or tip it in they have success... instead we do this 5 or 6 passes accross the middle looking for that wide open guy. It really drives me nuts watching it... 3 low percentage passes through 3 sticks and wonder why it's not working.
- niteislander

I agree.

I am.. didn't like the sign and from what I have seen so far it hasn't changed my mind. If he was that great still the Caps would have kept him.. He's just too slow at this point.
- niteislander

Well then, you do you. I hope you're wrong because if you are, he'll be successful.

They have some high talent, high priced veterans and some budding talent. That equals buku cashish. They’re not going to be able to hold onto everyone.
- Cptmjl

Yup, that was my point.

I know it was only the first game but the PP looked brutal. You can't go without even registering a shot. Carolina looked really good on the PK and seemed like they threw the Isles off of their plan. They just didn't make any adjustment.
- Isleshockeyman

I think the power play will work itself out...with the guys they've brought in, they have too many people who have been successful throughout their careers on it to fail for too long now. It may take a while to see who mixes well and who doesn't, but I'm betting it turns around.

My concern has been seeing how the D adapts to losing two good, mobile d-men in back-to-back years. It's not that they don't have good players on D now, but it's a bit of a different look. There's also a little less room for error when you don't have a guy like Leddy who can get back in a hurry to cover up a mistake. That'll probably take time, too, for the pairs to develop chemistry.

Well then, you do you. I hope you're wrong because if you are, he'll be successful.
- Isleshockeyman

I hope I am wrong too... just was hoping for a young guy who could fly instead of an old guy who is a decade past him prime... or is it 2 decades.

If I was an NHL GM I would be moving heaven and earth to get a few first round picks in the 2023 draft. if you can get a few that end up in lottery u have a shot at Bedard. That kid is going to be McDavid good...

If I was an NHL GM I would be moving heaven and earth to get a few first round picks in the 2023 draft. if you can get a few that end up in lottery u have a shot at Bedard. That kid is going to be McDavid good...
- niteislander

Been saying it for a couple years now. Should be stockpiling every 2023 pick you can get close to. Best top tier talent since McDavid/Eichel.

I think the power play will work itself out...with the guys they've brought in, they have too many people who have been successful throughout their careers on it to fail for too long now. It may take a while to see who mixes well and who doesn't, but I'm betting it turns around.

My concern has been seeing how the D adapts to losing two good, mobile d-men in back-to-back years. It's not that they don't have good players on D now, but it's a bit of a different look. There's also a little less room for error when you don't have a guy like Leddy who can get back in a hurry to cover up a mistake. That'll probably take time, too, for the pairs to develop chemistry.
- UIF

Unfortunately I think that’s been their game plan for the last four years

I hope I am wrong too... just was hoping for a young guy who could fly instead of an old guy who is a decade past him prime... or is it 2 decades.
- niteislander

Lou signing Chara was low risk, moderate reward. $750K for one season. If he sucks, he likely won't earn his performance bonuses. If he adapts to Barry's defensive schemes despite his lack of speed, teaches Dobson a few tricks of the trade, and keeps guys from taking liberties on young Dobson, then he'll be more than worth it.

I do agree with Cpt and others saying that his minutes and games need to be limited. As I have said previously, I think he may be too slow to play on the PK.

Unfortunately I think that’s been their game plan for the last four years
- Cptmjl

That's true!

But previously it's been rearranging the same deck chairs. Now, with Chara, Parise, and Palmieri, you have different talent that's had a ton of power play success between it. It should be enough, when mixed with the current players, to find at least some success.

Been saying it for a couple years now. Should be stockpiling every 2023 pick you can get close to. Best top tier talent since McDavid/Eichel.
- BINGO!

You mean like the Coyotes did this off-season?
They have like 105 first & second round picks over the next 2 drafts. If they aren't at least a threat to make consistent deep playoff runs in the next 5 years then they need to be relocated. Maybe to Mexico City.

That's true!

But previously it's been rearranging the same deck chairs. Now, with Chara, Parise, and Palmieri, you have different talent that's had a ton of power play success between it. It should be enough, when mixed with the current players, to find at least some success.
- UIF

True, but if they keep running the same PP scheme without adjusting, it still isn't going to work. Again, first game this season, but Carolina was aggressive on the PK and there was no adjustment to break it. We'll see how it goes over the next few games, but if the PP is still not effective then it HAS to be changed. And I'm sure that Trotz will make the necessary tweaks, adjustments and/or personnel changes to get it on track.

True, but if they keep running the same PP scheme without adjusting, it still isn't going to work. Again, first game this season, but Carolina was aggressive on the PK and there was no adjustment to break it. We'll see how it goes over the next few games, but if the PP is still not effective then it HAS to be changed. And I'm sure that Trotz will make the necessary tweaks, adjustments and/or personnel changes to get it on track.
- Isleshockeyman

The problem being on the road from the start of the season for this long is playing super enthusiastic teams having their home opener. The teams starting on the road will in some instances still be playing us in their home opener. Haha. This will be a tough road trip.

The problem being on the road from the start of the season for this long is playing super enthusiastic teams having their home opener. The teams starting on the road will in some instances still be playing us in their home opener. Haha. This will be a tough road trip.
- Cptmjl

No doubt.

True, but if they keep running the same PP scheme without adjusting, it still isn't going to work. Again, first game this season, but Carolina was aggressive on the PK and there was no adjustment to break it. We'll see how it goes over the next few games, but if the PP is still not effective then it HAS to be changed. And I'm sure that Trotz will make the necessary tweaks, adjustments and/or personnel changes to get it on track.
- Isleshockeyman

It's frustrating because it's been a problem for so long.