re: 2017 NHL Playoff Thread: PENGUINS WIN THE CUP, Crosby robs Malkin of the Conn Smythe

Well, crap balls.

Congrats to the Pens. They came out, weathered an early storm, and then played their best, most complete game of the series. Once they scored a goal, they slammed the door shut and pretty much denied the Caps entry to the zone. They became a 90s trapping team, and it befuddled the Caps. They were the better team last night, and they deserved to win.

Where to go from here? The Caps have ELEVEN free agents. In order to afford their RFA's, they are going to have to let their UFA's walk, by and large. And for the first time, Ovi looked old. He wasn't a big factor in this series, he's 31, and he plays an extremely physical game based upon his burst of speed. His supporting cast finally showed up for a postseason, just in time for him to age out of his peak.

Additionally, Holtby had a save percentage of 877 in the series, which is total arse. He's been great in prior postseasons though, so it's hard to put a ton of blame on him. He sucked this postseason, but he's kept them in a lot of them in the past.

I think you look into trading Ovi not because you blame him, but because you need to afford the next generation of stars on this team. And Ovi still has value, and can bring back serious talent. I wouldn't trade him just to trade him, but with so much of the team likely to change, maybe its best for everyone if he has a change of scenery. He might do better as a complimentary part in his decline years to an already established core (imagine him sniping on the wing in a Habs uniform or giving the Wild an offensive threat). I'd also trade Carlson for the same reason: he has value and he's been here since the beginning.

But the Rock the Red era had 10 years to win a Cup. They've been a playoff fixture since 2008 and yes, they've lost a Game 7 SEVEN times in the Ovi era. This is a team that last night played with the weight of history on its shoulders, and it crumbled. Everybody needs a fresh start.

But I'm not too upset this morning. This team has been a blast to watch, and they've been the best team in hockey for the past two season. I enjoyed watching that. I want a Cup, too, but that wasn't to be. shite happens. But the window for this team as constructed is closed. Time to turn the page to the next chapter.

Grubauer and Connolly are both RFA's as well.

Orpik is the one guy who needs to be traded for addition by subtraction. I think you trade Ovi and Carlson because they are really good and can bring back pieces (and allow you to resign Shattenkirk plus your RFA's).

Williams, Alzner, and Winnick are certainly gone. Oshie is probably gone, and they likely won't resign Connolly. So you have to replace a wing on all of your lines.

amazingly enough, if Oshie doesn't whiff on a wide open net, and ovechkin doesn't hit the stick shaft of Flower , they are heroes and we aren't having this conversation.

Wash had a lot of chances and had quite a few GREAT chances. So its a fine line to balance going forward: retooling an aging Presidents trophy winner who is CLOSE, vs blowing it all up and reloading with prospects .

not an easy job.

If you are going to trade Ovi, do you trade him outside the division to say Edmonton? Try to get RNH and another player or do you keep in conference to say possibly Montreal or Ottawa?

Montreal has a ton of 4th liners and character guys they can trade for Ovi.

I like Ovi for Max, Emelin and Redmond, I believe the numbers are 10 for 10 also.

im curious as to what happens with kuzy.

if WASH tenders him and another team bites with an offer sheet.. do they match or take the draft pick(s)

need to wait for the expansion draft first though before any of these scenarios can realistically be discussed

quote:

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Montreal has a ton of 4th liners and character guys they can trade for Ovi.

I like Ovi for Max, Emelin and Redmond, I believe the numbers are 10 for 10 also.

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No way you trade him within the division, which is a shame: it takes the Panthers and Canes off the table as logical landing spots. The first team I thought of was the Habs, who would kill for a scorer like Ovi.

I'd do Ovi for Max, Emelin, and your 1st rounder this year. But I'd take Redomond if push came to shove. See, and this is exactly why trading Ovi can work: you get good stuff back.

I'd love sending him to Edmonton for RNH, though I'm not sure they want a sniper.

Ovi is a finisher, no longer a creator .

In that trade hypothetical, who sets up Ovi , for Montreal, when he is camped at his spot in the circle

There were a million memes a week ago about how the Vegas Knights got a top line C before Montreal,

I feel like Edmonton trading for Ovi would be a horrible idea.

RNH and Lucic are gone soon IMO.

RNH is what 6 mill toward the cap Lucic is 3.5?


I think Pulliott is safe though.

Eberle too.