If the caps had seen it my way… And looked to trade mike green after his ONE “good” season where he scored a bunch of goals(not exactly what you look for in a defenseman)… They’d have gotten insane return for a very overrated player.

With better defending… The puck is out of their zone a lot more often and the goal-scores can focus more on doing what they do.

Nicklaus Backstrom has been a no-show on offense this year because he’s been so busy killing penalties like the two-way player he is.

But hey, I agree… Eventually you have to blow it up. Can’t keep changing coaches thinking that’s going to change much.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, only with a slight adjustment this time. You deal Ovechkin to Vancouver in exchange for Luongo “and” Kesler … straight up, no questions asked, thank you very much and have a nice day! The bottom line is that assuming the Caps are aspiring to win it all, then obviously the Ovechkin angle wasn’t the answer if it hasn’t happened by now. Here in Vancouver he’d likely thrive with the Sedin brothers and there’s absolutely no question that he’d be embraced with an almost “Beatles-like” mania! As for Luongo, he could be that one part which the Caps have always lacked … consistent year/year “stellar” goal tending. And he’d personally be very happy there as well, as his main concern for a new home is that it be in the same time zone as Florida (ie: so as not to upset his controller when he makes his nightly “check-in” calls). As for Kesler, this could be like a complete “fresh” re-boot for a career that has unfortunately stalled here in recent times for various reasons. The salaries involved would essentially cancel themselves, thus negating any cap concerns. But the best part of all would be that “overnight” both teams become legitimate Stanley Cup Contenders!

ps: Don’t ever say that we LA Kings aren’t always looking out for you guys, eh ?

It’s in their heads and they’re playing like ‘effort’ will not even help.

Sorry for veering off on that tangent in a Caps article. I agree, the team needs some big changes. If I was GMGM I’d be prepared to move just about anyone – the busts and the no-shows obviously, but even the high-potential guys like Carlson and Backstrom shouldn’t be off-limits. Nothing on this team is working. Any option should at least be listened to. That’s the point they’re at.

Seriously, this team doesn’t need a line change, it needs blown up. Avoiding the Ovechkin question- because it’s been rehashed too often anyway- where the hell has Nicklas Backstrom been all season? That’s a lot of money going to someone who doesn’t play. Mike Green’s groin is pulled more than Ron Jeremy’s. Marcus Johannsen? Face should be on milk cartons. Matthieu Perrault got that nasty knee on knee a few nights ago in Philly, and until that point I had forgotten he was on the roster. (Brooks Laich gets a pass since he’s still out hurt, and has traditionally been the go-to guy for actually caring on that team)

Some of these guys would be a nightmare to move at the deadline, McPhee might have to take a bath on some of it, but… they’re sure not getting it done here, so whatever draft picks you can get to start over, do it. This team is worse than just bad- Columbus is bad, but they play their asses off (like last night against Chicago). This is a team that in theory has talent, and in games just obviously doesn’t care.

/end rant