Speculation: Acq./Rost. Bldg./Cap/Lines etc. Part LXXI

[g00n]

The 3C upgrade translates to "Richards didn't work out, and we need someone who can move up if Kuz stinks again, which ain't Beagle or MJ". IMO

 

[hockeykicker]

Hmm... I can come up with one idea only. It's banking cap space.

I mean, 8-19-92-77-14-90-65-43 = 8 players? Winnik, Beagle, Stephenson = 11, and it's pretty cheap. Add Galiev and 1 newcomer - that has to be way lower than the 74M cap.

Then at trade deadline you can strike. There should be some 1-year anti-draft contracts signed this summer too. Pretty good chance somebody will be available.

Banking 2..4M gives you a lot.

I don't like it if Wilson is the one "improving top-9". But I can't come up with better plan according to what was said by GMBM.

Loui or die.

Your gonna throw 6-7 million to Loui? Why not use that money to get multiple players?

 

[RandyHolt]

I am pissed to hear now they want to develop Tom, get him PP time. Was this past season not the perfect time to do so?

Yet there was Willy getting PP time late in game 6. With almost no RS reps; just throwing salt in the wound.

Guys like Wilson and Kuz are our future, yet Barry refused to try them for a few games together this year, even though both had turned cold.

Barry an old war horse should well know that sometimes random guys put together, just click. But not, if you never try.

 

[g00n]

I am pissed to hear now they want to develop Tom, get him PP time. Was this past season not the perfect time to do so?

Yet there was Willy getting PP time late in game 6. With almost no RS reps; just throwing salt in the wound.

Guys like Wilson and Kuz are our future, yet Barry refused to try them for a few games together this year, even though both had turned cold.

Barry an old war horse should well know that sometimes random guys put together, just click. But not, if you never try.

There wasn't nearly the experimentation this year compared to last year. Like I was saying before I think they got it in their heads that they had set lines and roles and they would just give it most of the year for all of that to gel.

Plus, in the 2nd half of the season they were playing from behind almost every game. They weren't going to "waste" those PPs experimenting when they needed PP goals to get back in the damn game. Sadly.

 

[PB12]

So when talking 3rd line forwards we are probably looking at Centers and a wing. Lets look at some PRODUCTIVE players.

Doan
Backes(Doubt it)
Loui(Doubt it)
Hudler
Ladd
Versteeg
McGinn
Nielson

 

[txpd]

Had a very familiar "we like our team" underlying tone....

I have a real hard time looking at the roster and then saying publically something other than we like our team. they do.

Specifically what is delusional? That's a strong word. Is it thinking Orlov should get better and that he has offensive upside? Is it that he expects Kuznetsov to be better next playoffs?

Delusional is expecting Holtby to be a quality playoff goalie after he has proven to be no better than average after 3 or 4 playoff runs.

Delusional is thinking Morrisonn and Schultz make a cup winning top 4 with Green and Poti. Nothing i saw attributed to him in that interview was delusional.

Again, we like our team means we have a pretty strong top 6 and a good top 3 or 4 on defense and a Vezina goalie. we like that. We need to fill in a couple things outside of the top half of the lineup.

 

[SpinningEdge]

Come to think of it, not sure how the Caps plan to make 3rd line quicker.

They want to coach up Wilson to be Ward 2.0, so he's probably staying there. If you swap with Williams, Williams ain't super speedy, either. Can they really put together a "fast" line with Wilson on it? He's ok, but certainly not above-average fast.

3C, well they had MJ there who is pretty fast. If they are gonna add a decent and fast 3C, hard to afford with MJ... or would they ship out MJ?

Yeah, they can get a quicker guy to put in Chimera's place, but that's about it, unless they make a big change somewhere else, no? If Chimera-MJ-Wilson kind of fizzled out after a hot start... can they really make the line significantly more effective by replacing Chimera with some quicker player?

Meh, just lots of questions at this point. Heavy game vs "faster" game. Future positions of Wilson & Mojo. Everything is vague.

Something tells me they'd need a big change to improve the bottom 6 by more than a marginal amount...

That has been the problem w/ this team.

They always want someoen to be someone before they're that someone. Remember when GMGM said Laich is on same level as Backes, etc to be second line center... remember when they put Burro (unproven) to be top 6 guy... rushed him. Remember when they promised Beagle 3C?

How about Caps actually start putting guys that are proven in those spots and let the young guys earn the spots from the vets?

If Caps think Wilson on 3rd line at RW will be fine and Beagle is going to C 3rd line as well.... we're going to have a bottom 6 most likely producing NOTHING once again. Those two should not be on a line together. Wilson has not proven to be any good at offense while being on the third line most of the year - and Beagle does nothing offensively as well. Both should start the year on the 4th line - but I'm sure Caps managmeent will spin it as those guys are ready to "step up and give more next year"....

 

[SpinningEdge]

So when talking 3rd line forwards we are probably looking at Centers and a wing. Lets look at some PRODUCTIVE players.

Doan
Backes(Doubt it)
Loui(Doubt it)
Hudler
Ladd
Versteeg
McGinn
Nielson

I like Andrew Shaw personally....

 

[hb12xchamps]

I guess I'll kind of make a wish list for this offseason. It's by position and obviously only one or two of these players would be able to be acquired due to salary cap limitations, but I think these would be some of the smartest acquisitions:

Center: Frans Nielsen - probably just as good as Backes and will likely not command nearly the salary. Perfect fit as a 3C who can fill in top 6 as needed if there are injuries.

Left wing: James van Riemsdyk - excellent net front presence and already on a very friendly contract. Would easily slot in as a 2LW and would force Burakovsky or Williams down the lineup unless they really impress. Would likely cost a lot in a trade, but for a team in win-now mode it may be worth it.

Right wing: Loui Eriksson - would likely cost a lot as a UFA, but he could slot in as the 2RW or 1RW and push Williams down to the third line where he could be most effective. He has consistently produced though he is getting older and I would expect 20-25 goals rather than the 30 he put up this season.

Left Defense: Brian Campbell - getting up there in years but he had an outstanding season in Florida and has been great throughout his 30s. His age might limit the amount he can get in free agency which would be a great thing if the Capitals offered him, say, 2-3 years at $5M per year. Would immediately be a top 4 LD on this team and could form an extremely effective pairing with Carlson. Would also have the extra benefit of allowing Orlov to stay on the third pairing for now.

Right defense: Tyson Barrie - Colorado has already said he's available on the trade market. It might be possible (though unlikely) to swing a trade to bring Barrie in and get rid of Orpik in one fell swoop because Colorado was also very interested in Brooks Orpik 2 years ago. Good young defenseman with upside who could immediately slot onto the third pairing.

If Colorado is stupid enough to trade Barrie for Oprik and a small sweetener count me in. Not a huge fan of JVR but I like the rest of your list. Sign Campbell to a one year deal if you have to.

 

[hb12xchamps]

The Province's Jason Botchford says the Canucks may prefer signing UFA Kris Russell in the off-season instead of Dan Hamhuis. Botchford doesn't necessarily think this would be the best option for the Canucks, as you saw Russell play on the Dallas blueline through the playoffs, and as a group, they weren't very good. Botchford feels the Canucks will most likely bring in a young defenceman via a trade instead of free agency.

Maybe a Hamhuis/Trotz reunion if he can come on a short, cheapish deal. And if he still has anything left in the tank.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I have a real hard time looking at the roster and then saying publically something other than we like our team. they do.

Specifically what is delusional? That's a strong word. Is it thinking Orlov should get better and that he has offensive upside? Is it that he expects Kuznetsov to be better next playoffs?

Delusional is expecting Holtby to be a quality playoff goalie after he has proven to be no better than average after 3 or 4 playoff runs.

Delusional is thinking Morrisonn and Schultz make a cup winning top 4 with Green and Poti. Nothing i saw attributed to him in that interview was delusional.

Again, we like our team means we have a pretty strong top 6 and a good top 3 or 4 on defense and a Vezina goalie. we like that. We need to fill in a couple things outside of the top half of the lineup.

Delusional TODAY is believing Orlov and Schmidt/Chorney can successfully run the 3rd pair on a Cup winner. It'll be back to grinding Alzner and company to dust.

We'll see how things go with the 3rd line changes. I don't as smugly believe like you that he's not going to make an impactful move or two.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Perusing the top faceoff guys....two names stick out to me.....Bryan Little and Hanzal.

Little intrigues me. Contract isn't bad for only 2 more years.

Hanzal scares me injury-wise...

Jordan Staal would be a killer upgrade but that contract is a commitment.

Neilsen makes some sense too..

 

[MW6]

I know Tyler Bozak is hated on HF boards, but I can't really understand why? His stats are pretty good, and if he came at a reduced cost would IMO be pretty good as a 3C in the top-9.

Righthanded
0.61 pts/game (basically the same as 90,77,14 on a much worse team)
56.4 % face offs

 

[txpd]

Delusional TODAY is believing Orlov and Schmidt/Chorney can successfully run the 3rd pair on a Cup winner. It'll be back to grinding Alzner and company to dust.

We'll see how things go with the 3rd line changes. I don't as smugly believe like you that he's not going to make an impactful move or two.

Smug? I just listen to what the man says. Orlov and Schmidt both proved to be able to handle top 4 duty for extended periods this past regular season. Now with playoff experience and another year of play and coaching, I see no reason why either or both can't grow into a solid playoff 3rd pair. It might not work, but its not delusional

Its certainly not anymore delusional than saying he can find a quality top 4 veteran that will be content playing on a 3rd pair while also fitting into the salary cap just fine.

Are you saying that Orlov and Schmidt have maxxed out their ability?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

You listen to what is said, then run with your spin on it, somehow deduced from a 5 min interview or soundbite. Maybe stick to your medical diagnosis Schtick?

I'm saying the Caps will NOT win a Cup next season relying on their current bottom 5-7. You wanna take that bet?

 

[marcel snapshot]

The 3C upgrade translates to "Richards didn't work out, and we need someone who can move up if Kuz stinks again, which ain't Beagle or MJ". IMO

Yep - Richards was chasing the game all year, especially in the playoffs, and his scoring touch was non-existent. Caps need more than just savvy from 3C/4C. BMac talking up Stephenson, who's motor rate is Beagle-esque, but no evidence of scoring touch

 

[g00n]

You listen to what is said, then run with your spin on it, somehow deduced from a 5 min interview or soundbite. Maybe stick to your medical diagnosis Schtick?

I'm saying the Caps will NOT win a Cup next season relying on their current bottom 5-7. You wanna take that bet?

Maybe we should start a bet tracking thread.

 

[RandyHolt]

Did you say, bet? This is a trash can era tube



We are all expecting Chimera gone yet hear speed needs to be added to our lineup... I will take the vegas dog and predict he is here another year on a discount. He went ice cold, sure, but think he was probably injured, and was dragging around Richards all playoffs. The cheetah is no plow horse. It seems he does good one year, not the next. So he is due to breakout. The whole PP specialist thing needs to end though. Backes can take his PPTOI.

BMac has to be eyeballing upgrading 3C over 3LW. Sorry but, Chimera > Richards. Beagle will likely end up our 3C of course, and instead bank and try to add one at the dead. This team will need a proper spring jolt if this past season is any indication. #LethargicCoasters

 

[Tweedsuitcase]

I wonder if there are 26 team forums right now, all debating how to create a 3rd line with speed so they can win the Cup next year.

 

[Dobe*]

Orlov went from 0 minutes played to 1000+ and looked damn good for most of it. A smart bet would be on him exploding next year the way Voynov had with the Kings. Schmidt improved massively this year too and could be expected to improve next year as well, much like Orpik can be expected to regress or at best stay at this level. Either way they have no reason not to roll with the same defense unless there's a great opportunity there, then add a BONA FIDE TOP 3 at the deadline not some mike ****ing weber.

Give him a 1-2 year prove-it contract with lower $$ in exchange for earlier UFA freedom.

 

[txpd]

You listen to what is said, then run with your spin on it, somehow deduced from a 5 min interview or soundbite. Maybe stick to your medical diagnosis Schtick?

I'm saying the Caps will NOT win a Cup next season relying on their current bottom 5-7. You wanna take that bet?

Ah...getting personal now. Sweet. Who in their right mind would take any better requiring the Caps to win a Cup? I think the interview on the Caps website was 20 or 25 minutes long, but ok. I heard him say he wanted to upgrade the top 9 which counts also as the bottom 5-7.

Edit: It was 32:46 in lenth.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Maybe we should start a bet tracking thread.

Lol exactly.....sucker bets here, get your sucker bets!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Ya'll keep this up in here and one of you will have an aneurysm rupture before next year starts. Interested to see what happens on/after July 1st.

 

[MW6]

So, no input on Bozak if he came at a reduced rate (say @ 2.1M)?

.61 p/gp
56% FO
51.5 SAT%

 

[Brian23]

So, no input on Bozak if he came at a reduced rate (say @ 2.1M)?

.61 p/gp
56% FO
51.5 SAT%

A guy who's played a full season twice in 7 seasons. Who's only had arguably two good years via advanced stats (09-10 and last year).

Yeah, no. He may be okay at putting some points up but I need someone who can be solid at points but won't let in more then they give.