Speculation: Acq/ Rost. Bldg./ Cap Part XXIX
- Thread starter Langway
- Start date
- Status
Skrudland2Lomakin
Registered User
- Jan 1, 2011
- 7,698
- 5,721
Depending on his cost, I just don't really see the point in not resigning a center who has proven he can be productive with the roster we have. Grabo has roughly the same point amount as Koivu and is acclimated to Washington right now. A healthy Grabo is one of the best signings the Caps have made in years.
BrooklynCapsFan
No more choking!
In an ideal world I want something big with + defense. I like Grabo's production and there's no question that he plays bigger than his size, but we are very soft down the middle.
Zoidberg Jesus
Trotzkyist
- Oct 25, 2011
- 3,814
- 0
New Jersey's already got more defensemen than they can play. Minny might fit, but Spurgeon's come on well this season and their top pair's pretty set, plus if they're planning to spend on Vanek this summer they might not have much room.
The teams I'd look at are the ones who are overloaded on the left side, struggle on the PP, and could be playoff teams next year. Detroit's the best option because they literally have no righties on their blueline and with Datsyuk and Zetterberg getting older they'd probably be willing to sacrifice some of their future for a rental. Dallas, Tampa, and Anaheim also fit the bill, and to a lesser extent Toronto (they don't really need PP help).
Guys with size, defense, and the production to play 2C are crazy expensive to acquire. I'd rather save the assets for defense and just sign a guy like Goc or Legwand to be the 3C.
Last edited:
Langway
In den Wolken
- Jul 7, 2006
- 32,949
- 10,107
Agreed. Even with Kuznetsov in the fold, he's a rare talent and shouldn't be deemed any more expendable. I could maybe see it if there was more that could be counted on after him in the system but I don't see it and doubt they'll be in a draft position to net a LW that offers more upside.
BrooklynCapsFan
No more choking!
D is my priority as well but top to bottom Backstrom-Grabovski-Fehr-Beagle is a sad joke. Goc (I doubt Detroit lets Legwand get away) doesn't change that much.
Hivemind
We're Touched
While I wouldn't mind acquiring Goc or Legwand, if they retain Grabo and shift Fehr away from center I don't have a massive issue with the in house center depth. Ideally, I'd like to see Backstrom/Grabovski/Laich/Beagle down the middle, but Johansson and Latta provide additional options for injury replacements or chemistry issues. With Penner floundering, and not likely to be retained, shifting Laich back to center could potentially open a hole in the top six LW spots, but hopefully some combination of Kuznetsov, Johansson, Fehr, or an outside acquisition could fill that. I'd also prefer any line-up to push Fehr into a true depth role, similar to what Perreault used to have. I have no problem with him being a healthy scratch or skating on the 4th line when the team is fully healthy. He can be a useful player, but his production isn't steady enough to really justify him having a full time top six spot.
NobodyBeatsTheWiz
Happy now?
Assuming Grabo is extended, does anyone consider Backstrom for Hanzal and Yandle?
One of the top 3-5 defensive centers in the game and one of the top 3-5 puck moving defensemen would be a pretty good haul.
One of the top 3-5 defensive centers in the game and one of the top 3-5 puck moving defensemen would be a pretty good haul.
Zoidberg Jesus
Trotzkyist
- Oct 25, 2011
- 3,814
- 0
Pre-groin injury Laich is an ideal (if overpaid) 3C, but we've only seen occasional flashes of that player since then, and now he's having another surgery and looks to be done for the year. He can't be counted on to play a major role on this team in the future, not if we're serious about contending.
trick9
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2013
- 12,575
- 5,722
How long will he miss? Does this mean he can't even be bought out in the summer?
Zoidberg Jesus
Trotzkyist
- Oct 25, 2011
- 3,814
- 0
How long will he miss? Does this mean he can't even be bought out in the summer?
The article is pretty unclear, but Oates seems to be saying he might be back for the playoffs. So I guess he'll be nominally healthy by July 1.
BrooklynCapsFan
No more choking!
I read that article earlier and laughed. There's 0 chance he comes back from groin surgery this season.
Zoidberg Jesus
Trotzkyist
- Oct 25, 2011
- 3,814
- 0
From an article about his surgery last year: "Sports hernia surgery, which has historically been viewed as a last resort by the Capitals organization, creates a four- to six-week recovery timeline for one of hockey’s most unpredictable injuries." So, if he actually had the surgery, which isn't totally clear, and barring the Caps making a miracle run into the playoffs and then winning a round or two, he's done for the year. But he should be healthy in time for the Caps to buy him out, which is probably the more important part.
NobodyBeatsTheWiz
Happy now?
Zoidberg Jesus
Trotzkyist
- Oct 25, 2011
- 3,814
- 0
It's been more than a year since he first injured his groin, and from what we have to go on, it looks like he's back where he started. I'm sure McPhee wouldn't buy out one of his guys, but if I'm a new GM coming in and I see a guy struggling with injuries and signed for 4.5M for 3 more years, I'd want to get rid of him.
trick9
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2013
- 12,575
- 5,722
If they can't fix him then they should buy him out. It must be tough for him that he is now right back where he started about a year ago with that groin, because he just looked like a player he used to be in the last few games.
Makes very little sense to keep him if they can't get him back 100% healthy.
amjay13
Registered User
spin the wheel!
Katie Carrera @kcarrera ·13 mins
#Caps lines in practice: Johansson-Beagle-Ovechkin; Kuznetsov-Backstrom-Brouwer; Chimera-Fehr-Ward; Penner-Wellman-Wilson. Volpatti extra.
Katie Carrera @kcarrera ·13 mins
#Caps lines in practice: Johansson-Beagle-Ovechkin; Kuznetsov-Backstrom-Brouwer; Chimera-Fehr-Ward; Penner-Wellman-Wilson. Volpatti extra.
CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
- Feb 27, 2002
- 66,290
- 21,271
That happens when you manage with emotion instead of logic. He might well recover fully at some point, but when you owe someone another $13.5 mil over the next 3 years, you have to be more logical.
BrooklynCapsFan
No more choking!
Ovechkins Wodka
Registered User
doesnt a 1st line of Penner Mojo Ovie work alot better then Mojo Beagle Ovie
do like seeing Kuz with Backstrom
do like seeing Kuz with Backstrom
Zoidberg Jesus
Trotzkyist
- Oct 25, 2011
- 3,814
- 0
Naw man, speed is what's important for playing with Ovie, not skill, size, or making balanced lines. Same goes for being paired with Green.
SimplySensational
Heard of Hough
Ovechkin has no ES points in 3 weeks and the clear solution is Jay Beagle.
Even though pretty much all of Ovechkins ES primary assists are from Wellman goals and on top of that Wellman is clearly more skilled than Beagle.
Even though pretty much all of Ovechkins ES primary assists are from Wellman goals and on top of that Wellman is clearly more skilled than Beagle.
- Status
