re: NHL Free Agency Thread

quote:

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While I'm not happy with how much the Caps spent on getting two defenseman, I'm pleased they committed to making themselves better on defense.

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I'm not thrilled either, but I see the logic behind it. this team has lacked a commitment to defense, and the new guys are coming in and saying that defense is now a priority. Even if we pay $5.5 million for a third pair defenseman.

And while I think people overrate grit and leadership, stat heads tend to undervalue it. It's worth having some greybeards in the locker room if nothing else to show the young guys the ropes. The Caps will go into next season with precisely three players over the age of 30: Chimera, Ward, and Orpik.

This was a deal for "veteran leadership". I still hate the deal and it is a massive, massive overpay that will be a drag on the cap (one of GMGM's virtues was his lack of bad longterm deals), but I think it shows the front office and coaching staff has a plan. People have talked about "culture change" for a long time in DC... well, here it is. I wouldn't be shocked to see Orpik wearing an A.

Which will make me spit blood.