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... You seem like a boring pick.

Bylsma and Hunter Get er done Kenny!!

No.

Well Bylsma has been an assistant to Blash the past two worlds and he’s a local guy with a Stanley Cup as a head coach. I would be surprised if he wasn’t in the running.

Why would the only potential defensemen drafted over the next two seasons that will be ready by 2020 be the number 6 overall this year? Sure, that could be the case, but there's no reason to think whoever we take with any of those picks mentioned (2018 - 30, 33, 36 (we could also move up) / 2019 potential top 10 pick), could be ready by then. Hronek was drafted 53rd overall in 2016, and he is expected to compete for a spot in training camp. I don't expect him to make it out of camp, but wouldn't be at all surprised if he is up at some point this season. We will likely be picking a defenseman 20 picks higher in what is projected to be a much deeper draft. I think it's a very strong possibility that whoever we draft there could be ready in two years time. Of course I'm not suggesting a lateral move. I'd only replace Ericsson if we can find a quality replacement. Here's where I think we disagree... I think finding an upgrade over a 36 year old Ericsson will be very easy. There's also no guarantee that E would even want to continue to play beyond this contract. I'd say there's a high probability that he'd retire at 36. He will have made over $38M over his career with the Wings. Liv will be 7 years old, so he might want to spend more time with his wife and daughter, rather than playing another season (or however many you think he might play) as a 6th / 7th defenseman. If we must keep a player or two around for "veteran leadership", my personal choice would be the two younger guys. I think a 30 year old DeKeyser and 29 year old Jensen would provide the same leadership qualities Ericsson would, while providing better play on the ice. I don't think Jensen would receive a significant raise, nor do I think Ericsson would take a significant pay-cut. Let's just say for argument's sake, we meet in the middle and we could sign either for $2.5M. I'd personally prefer a 29 year old Jensen over a 36 year old Ericsson at that cap hit, and like I said, I don't think Jensen would command that much, nor do I think Ericsson would sign for that little. I really hope our biggest problem with the defense in two years time is who should be our 6th / 7th defenseman...

No deal then!

If teams (GM's) learned anything from this past expansion draft, it should have been "Don't make any f***ing side deals!" Let them take their player and move on. Besides, I just don't think it's worth losing a pick to get rid of any of those players. Helm will only have a year or two left on his contract, and is a very solid bottom six forward. There's no way Holland is going to trade an alternate captain. And I believe Nielsen has enough value that you'd be able to trade him in a year or two for a decent return, nevermind giving up any assets to get rid of him.

The national focus of this event is precisely what makes it appropriate to make a stand. I couldn’t respect myself for participating in a nonsense ceremonial event with someone so detestable. If I had an opportunity to have meaningful discourse with said person I’d be there with bells on. Smtih-Pelley can certainly do more for his cause, and whether he will remains to be seen, but this has already been an effective start. We absolutely should speed up progress to suit our needs! We are talking about the alleviation of suffering, we study cancer and aids with as much focus as possible for the same reason we address issues of race relations. What we can’t do is stifle progress to suit the needs of tradition or superstition!!

People did care when Thomas didn't want to meet Obama. I remember people calling him a bigot, racist, etc. Your stance here seems to rest on two beliefs: 1) any member of the Caps should be free to attend or not attend as he sees fit, and 2) f*** Trump. I agree with #1. If a player wants to attend? Great. If a player doesn't want to attend? I think that's dumb, but ok, it's a free country. A player can attend or not attend for whatever reasons. As for #2, well, we agree that not attending, for any reasons, is ok ("ok"). But, if I may get decidedly political here, I think "I hate Trump" is a dumb reason. "Yeah, well, Trump says and does stupid s***. He doesn't deserve anyone's respect." Maybe, maybe not. Thing is, I could've said the same thing about Obama -- because, contrary to popular belief, Obama rubbed a hell of a lot of people the wrong way, and not just because "He's black and everyone's racist." I could write a book on the numerous reasons I loathe Obama and why I feel he was, objectively, an absolutely terrible POTUS. Yet, if I were Tim Thomas, I would've shown up at the White House. Because, to me, "I disapprove of this president, so I'm not showing up and I'm not shaking his freaking hand" is petty. C'mon, Devante. Don't be Smith-Petty.

Kinda my point. Stop making it about you and your political/social beliefs. Don't make it personal. Can you just put the politics aside and just enjoy the experience with your teammates? You have 364 other days out of the year to hate on the President.. Put aside your differences for one day for the benefit of your team. Is that too much to ask? And disagreeing with what Smith-Pelly is doing doesn't make someone a Trump apologist either. I didn't like when Tim Thomas did it either for the same reason. You can still respect the tradition and your teammates by showing up, that doesn't mean you support Trump or even agree with him if you do. In fact, it makes you look like a grown up who understands the difference between respecting the office and respecting the man, instead of looking like a petulant child who has to throw a public tantrum in order to draw attention to themselves. When will people learn that this kind of behavior does more harm than good?

It's not a high moral standard. It's "Hey, Guy Who Hates Trump, maybe don't be a dingus and make this special occasion about you and your personal political beliefs. Your intended political statement won't change anyone's mind and won't do a blessed thing to truly advance any social causes. tl;dr Get over yourself." I'm not saying Trump isn't guilty of countless acts of dingusry. I'm not saying Smith-Pelly has to like or respect him. I'm not even saying Smith-Pelly has to attend the thing. I'm just saying that by not attending, he's kind of being a dingus. A principled dingus? I mean, sure, I guess. You rock those principles, Smith-Pelly. You fight that good fight. Or something.

Pick one.

congrats caps congrats ovie man i miss the playoffs

Congratulations Washington Capitals 2018 Stanley Cup Champions https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1004922698294652928/photo/1