Eklund: Capitals Backstrom “Stepping away from team and game.” Buzz@3

Eklund: Capitals Backstrom “Stepping away from team and game.” Buzz@3
- Eklund

Kind of like the Canucks blogger.

Kind of like the Canucks blogger.
- Marwood

I'd gladly trade our sabres blogger for your blogger

Built to win now ?

Backstrom's play has really diminished because of the injury, surgery, and time away the last two years. He is an icon in DC sports - BUT his $9M the next two years is a huge deterrent for this team even competing for the Metro.

Backstrom's play has really diminished because of the injury, surgery, and time away the last two years. He is an icon in DC sports - BUT his $9M the next two years is a huge deterrent for this team even competing for the Metro.
- EricMellin

Cash-wise, yes. But they could easily place him on LTIR to get quite a bit of cap relief

Capitals were built to win half a decade ago. They should be in rebuild mode and are in denial like many other teams.

Capitals were built to win half a decade ago. They should be in rebuild mode and are in denial like many other teams.
- jfkst1

should the pens be in rebuild mode or tweaking the bottom half of the roster?

Capitals were built to win half a decade ago. They should be in rebuild mode and are in denial like many other teams.
- jfkst1

Agreed, the Pens as well

As others have said, they are not built to win anything. They are just clinging to the current roster waiting for Ovechkin to catch Gretzky. That's the only thing selling tickets. At that stage, the entire roster needs to turn over.

Ovechkin is 38 and is struggling. I'm on record saying he fails to catch Gretzky and soon becomes an embarassment to watch.
Backstrom is 35 and finished.
Kuznetsov is only 31, but appears finished.
Oshie is 36 and finished.
Pacioretty is 34 and on LTIR

The supporting cast of Mantha, Strome, Wilson, Sonny Milano is pretty weak. The defense is basically 33 year John Carlson and a bunch of bottom pair guys. The prospect pool is ugly.

Built to win...
- Cooleus

what is sad about Ovechkin, is that the record could of been broken last year if not for the lockouts (I guess he would of played in 04-05) and the pandemic shortened season...

As others have said, they are not built to win anything. They are just clinging to the current roster waiting for Ovechkin to catch Gretzky. That's the only thing selling tickets. At that stage, the entire roster needs to turn over.

Ovechkin is 38 and is struggling. I'm on record saying he fails to catch Gretzky and soon becomes an embarassment to watch.
Backstrom is 35 and finished.
Kuznetsov is only 31, but appears finished.
Oshie is 36 and finished.
Pacioretty is 34 and on LTIR

The supporting cast of Mantha, Strome, Wilson, Sonny Milano is pretty weak. The defense is basically 33 year John Carlson and a bunch of bottom pair guys. The prospect pool is ugly.

Built to win...
- Cooleus

I mean...a 38 year old PPG player is "struggling." Wow, what a terrible "struggle" to be burdened with.

Sad news on Backstrom. Hate to see it happen.

What is the criteria for a team built to win now? By this logic, the (frank)ing Thrashers are a lock for the cup.

Sad news on Backstrom. Hate to see it happen.

What is the criteria for a team built to win now? By this logic, the (frank)ing Thrashers are a lock for the cup.
- glove_was_stuck

Thrashers could make a run if they bring back Danny Heatley. He’s well rested and only 42. Probably a lot left in the tank.

remind me again why this team is not rebuilding?

Capitals were built to win half a decade ago. They should be in rebuild mode and are in denial like many other teams.
- jfkst1

glass houses, eh...

I'd gladly trade our sabres blogger for your blogger
- homiedclown

Can we get the wings blogger involved and make it a 3 way deal?

glass houses, eh...
- 26912 PP1

"like many teams." Illiteracy, eh?

"like many teams." Illiteracy, eh?
- jfkst1

nice edit lol

nice edit lol
- Feds91Stammer

They deleted my first post. Cant use that word I guess.

They deleted my first post. Cant use that word I guess.
- jfkst1

Usually it is ban worthy. You got lucky.

I mean...a 38 year old PPG player is "struggling." Wow, what a terrible "struggle" to be burdened with.
- AdamFrench

In 8 games, Ovechkin has 1 powerplay goal, and 1 empty net goal. So he's on pace for 20 goals after scoring 42 last year. Seems to be struggling to create any scoring chances on his own as well.

In 8 games, Ovechkin has 1 powerplay goal, and 1 empty net goal. So he's on pace for 20 goals after scoring 42 last year. Seems to be struggling to create any scoring chances on his own as well.
- Cooleus

I'm sure you also cancelled his career when he scored 32 goals. It's 8 games. He can have two hattricks all empty netters and suddenly look like he's able to keep up with the truly elite goal scorers in the world like Frankie Vatrano.

Ottawa, lol. Can someone just put a bullet in this franchise already?

Quebec could use another team, so could Kansas City

"like many teams." Illiteracy, eh?
- jfkst1

Don't worry he'll adapt to reading.

Can we get the wings blogger involved and make it a 3 way deal?
- Feds91Stammer

Sounds hot. Should I shower first or are you into eu natural?