Washington Capitals (2017-18)

[UMDNats]

Definitely our year.

Past threads:

2008-09 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=9243.0
2009-10 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=14546.0
2010-11 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=19305.0
2011-12 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=24868.0
2012-13 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=27016.0
2013-14 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=29495.0
2014-15 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=31582.0
2015-16 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=32783.0
2016-17 - http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=34328.0

[JCA-CrystalCity]

by the way, pick a post from the old thread where the focus forward is just on 2017-18 and I'll break it off the old thread and merge. 

[UMDNats]

This post by Slate - #4025 I think - seems fine. This was like the only Caps FA signing anyways.

http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=34328.4025;msg=1860371

[Slateman]

This is our year, right?

[Natsinpwc]

This is our year, right?

Maybe it's just easier to skip this year and focus on 2018-19?

[Slateman]

Maybe it's just easier to skip this year and focus on 2018-19?

Why? Ovechkin going to revert back to his pre-2014 level of play?

[mitlen]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/08/12/bryan-murray-the-first-coach-to-lead-the-caps-to-the-playoffs-dies-at-74/?utm_term=.ed722f15c3a3

[varoadking]

"Our goal is to get a playoff spot," center Nicklas Backstrom said. "I just think we should go one step at a time, get ourselves in the playoffs and then we'll go from there. As you know, everything can happen in the playoffs."

So...it's a crapshoot...

https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-playoff-disappointments-in-the-past/c-290655356

[UMDNats]

"Our goal is to get a playoff spot," center Nicklas Backstrom said. "I just think we should go one step at a time, get ourselves in the playoffs and then we'll go from there. As you know, everything can happen in the playoffs."

So...it's a crapshoot...

https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-playoff-disappointments-in-the-past/c-290655356

The Preds were Cup favorites in September last year and sucked for 80% of the regular season, and even didn't look that great before Game 1 against the Hawks. Backstrom is right.

[varoadking]

The Preds were Cup favorites in September last year and sucked for 80% of the regular season, and even didn't look that great before Game 1 against the Hawks. Backstrom is right.

Not with this team he's not...

[Slateman]

"Our goal is to get a playoff spot," center Nicklas Backstrom said. "I just think we should go one step at a time, get ourselves in the playoffs and then we'll go from there. As you know, everything can happen in the playoffs."

So...it's a crapshoot...

https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-playoff-disappointments-in-the-past/c-290655356

Everything can happen .... Except the Caps getting past the second round

[OldChelsea]

Appropriate that this should be launched amid the passing of Bryan Murray...how many people in this area became Caps supporters after he took over...I remember so well those days in the mid- and late 80's when (especially after NFL season was done - the Redskins were winning Super Bowls in those days) CapCentre would sell out for opponents like the Minnesota North Stars and the Winnipeg Jest and there was a level of excitement for those home matches that has never been equalled since by any local team.

Meanwhile niowadays we have the Caps as Ted Leonsis' toffs' club...the spirit of those days is gone.

[Natsinpwc]

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-capitals/nationals-slugger-daniel-murphy-son-attend-caps-practice

[varoadking]

Yeah, it's preseason, but down 4-0 in the first to the Devils ain't great...

[spidernat]

Yeah, it's preseason, but down 4-0 in the first to the Devils ain't great...

bad habits are tough to break

[mitlen]

Yeah, it's preseason, but down 4-0 in the first to the Devils ain't great...

You at the game?

[varoadking]

You at the game?

No...getting the score on my phone.  I can't even bear to watch...

Only bought a 5 game package this year...1 game so we can see Schmidty and the VGK's on Super Bowl Sunday...

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I had something or another come up for all three home PS games.  Can't say I'm sad about it.  Will be there for the REAL home opener against les Habs though.

[varoadking]

I had something or another come up for all three home PS games.  Can't say I'm sad about it.  Will be there for the REAL home opener against les Habs though.

I'll be more surprised if the Sabres don't make the the playoffs than I will if the Caps don't...

[varoadking]

Classic 1st Round draft pick BUST Tom Wilson suspended for 4 regular season games following predatory boarding penalty in St. Louis...

The Caps are gonna be dreadful this year...

[Natsinpwc]

Classic 1st Round draft pick BUST Tom Wilson suspended for 4 regular season games following predatory boarding penalty in St. Louis...

The Caps are gonna be dreadful this year...

That should help them the first four games.

I am not seeing that much of a slip off this year.

[varoadking]

That should help them the first four games.

I am not seeing that much of a slip off this year.

Williams, Alzner, Schmidty, and MoJo...all gone...with nothing of any value stepping in...and their top 6 looking like most other team's bottom 6 in the preseason.

...dreadful, I tell ya...

[Natsinpwc]

Williams, Alzner, Schmidty, and MoJo...all gone...with nothing of any value stepping in...and their top 6 looking like most other team's bottom 6 in the preseason.

...dreadful, I tell ya...

We will see.

[OldChelsea]

Capitals radio broadcasts to continue on FM-106.7: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/10/04/capitals-radio-broadcasts-will-return-to-106-7-the-fan-this-season/?hpid=hp_hp-cards_hp-card-sports%3Ahomepage%2Fcard&utm_term=.050032e6e4de#comments

[UMDNats]

Preseason is 100% meaningless in hockey, but I have pretty low expectations for the Caps. They're, of course, choosing retread veterans over young guys to start the year, so can't wait to see the turds out there rather than at least see what we got in prospects.

We have enough talent to make the playoffs but that's all I can expect.