Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2018-19 We Are The Champions Edition - Pt. 1

[895]

At this point I'm expecting GMBM to continue his roll and get Wilson on the Eller contract.

 

[Bieronymus Trotz]

Let's say Wilson comes in at $4 million or under and they're letting Beagle go and penciling in Stephenson at 4C. What, if anything, would people like to see them do with the extra cap space?

 

[Silky mitts]

Doesn't mention Beagle

 

[johnsic]

Let's say Wilson comes in at $4 million or under and they're letting Beagle go and penciling in Stephenson at 4C. What, if anything, would people like to see them do with the extra cap space?

I would like to see us look if we can get Robin Lehner and Dan Hamhuis on a cheap 1 year x 1 million deals. Dan Hamhuis is a veteran and we are a contender. He might do it for the change to get the cup. Robin Lehner might do it to get a solid season like Grubauer and then cash it as a UFA. After that just save it for the trade deadline.

 

[Raikkonen]

Cheap #7D will get Caps some additional cap space at deadline opposing to future-stud-on-ELC. Young guys need to play, Ness doesn't. If there is Jerabek - he can fight for TOI with Djoos and be more expensive. Is that good?

I should think about some Russian to propose as #7D candidate. Emelin? 1M x 1Y?

 

[Raikkonen]

Yeah, having better backup G could be a way to go. I dont believe in Copley much. Forcing Samsonov to the NHL could be bad also.

 

[The Instigator]

I don’t know how much I believe in Copley but maybe we keep some cash handy and see how the backup spot plays out. I think he deserves a chance at least.

 

[Portable Mink]

Bit of a trend of guys taking less to stay together... hi Tom

 

[Hivemind]

I'm fine letting our current goaltender situation play out. If the Caps add a veteran back-up, they will have three goaltenders (Copley, Vanecek, Samsonov) competing for starts in Hersehey. I'd let Copley and Vanecek compete for the back-up job in Washington and see how they fair in that role. If Holtby gets hurt, the Caps have the option to call up Samsonov to be the starter until Holtby comes up. Alternatively, if the back-up is struggling they can make an in-season trade to attempt to fix the issue.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[Langway]

Let's say Wilson comes in at $4 million or under and they're letting Beagle go and penciling in Stephenson at 4C. What, if anything, would people like to see them do with the extra cap space?

I'd like Hutchinson or maybe Lack on the cheap to up the competition level for the back-up spot. But that won't cost much. They could also just let it play out and perhaps snag someone off waivers at the end of camp. Toronto has a glut with Sparks & Pickard.

Whether it's actually Orpik or Beagle or approximate replacements, that's likely your more typical way of spending much of the rest (maybe with some cap space left to bank). The problem with spending it on more of a scoring-line player is the lack of top nine opportunity unless they're comfortable shifting Burakovsky or Connolly down. Even then, said player probably needs to be able to PK also and would they want maybe only the 13th forward spot up for grabs? I think players like Calvert, Roussel, Rieder & Grabner but it's also hard to gauge whether limited supply, high demand and teams needing to spend might inflate what they get. Of those I'd guess that Calvert might be the best value target. He was among CBJ's better forwards in the first round series (certainly one of their more effective depth forwards). But it's hard to say what their plan might be if Beagle goes. Just go internal? At the very least I'd look to stock Hershey with fringe NHLers, esp. since it seems like they're going to let all of their vet forwards walk.

 

[TheFountainhead]

Gotta believe that given how much space they have Burakovsky will stay unless someone blows their socks off with a deal.

I specifically asked Izzy Khursh today if the plan beyond this year is to re-sign both Vrana and Burakovsy to new deals, and she flatly said that it was. It’s clear to me that they’re really high on both young wingers and expect to have them in the fold long term.

 

[Ridley Simon]

This is a fair point, but he is signed.

I'd trade him...we dont really need him clogging the Hershey pipeline.

Assuming we dont sign Orpik...Bowey is the 6thD?

Bring back Jerabek as 7th?

So that leaves....who, for Hershey?
Hobbs
Lewington
Siegenthaler
Johansen

As top 4? Plus they have Tobias Geisser, Colby Williams, Kris Bindilus, all under contract?

So Ness....is an 8th d-man for Hershey?

 

[Ridley Simon]

I'm fine letting our current goaltender situation play out. If the Caps add a veteran back-up, they will have three goaltenders (Copley, Vanecek, Samsonov) competing for starts in Hersehey. I'd let Copley and Vanecek compete for the back-up job in Washington and see how they fair in that role. If Holtby gets hurt, the Caps have the option to call up Samsonov to be the starter until Holtby comes up. Alternatively, if the back-up is struggling they can make an in-season trade to attempt to fix the issue.

Bingo. No need to spend any more $$$ on a back up. Let it ride

 

[Hivemind]

Ness will likely be top 4 and PP1 for Hershey.

 

[hb13xchamps]

I'd trade him...we dont really need him clogging the Hershey pipeline.

Assuming we dont sign Orpik...Bowey is the 6thD?

Bring back Jerabek as 7th?

So that leaves....who, for Hershey?
Hobbs
Lewington
Siegenthaler
Johansen

As top 4? Plus they have Tobias Geisser, Colby Williams, Kris Bindilus, all under contract?

So Ness....is an 8th d-man for Hershey?

Probably something like this assuming all of the below D are in Hershey:

Ness-Lewington
Johansen-Williams
Siegenthaler-Hobbs
Bindulis

That seemed to be the pairings toward the end of the season if I remember correctly. Geisser probably stays in Europe for one more season

 

[BiPolar Caps]

I would like to see us look if we can get Robin Lehner and Dan Hamhuis on a cheap 1 year x 1 million deals. Dan Hamhuis is a veteran and we are a contender. He might do it for the change to get the cup. Robin Lehner might do it to get a solid season like Grubauer and then cash it as a UFA. After that just save it for the trade deadline.

If no Beagle or Orpik, no need for imports and other team's yesterday's news. Roll with what's currently in the Capitals system to fill in the spots that need to be filled in, i.e. backup goalie, 6 and 7th dmen, 4th line forwards and 13th forward. A line up of four rookies for most of last season did just fine. I don't envision the team rolling with that many rookies, however 2 maybe 3 is acceptable.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Doesn't mention Beagle

No mention of Beagle....hmmm....

 

[hockeykicker]

No mention of Beagle....hmmm....

 

[Ridley Simon]

Probably something like this assuming all of the below D are in Hershey:

Ness-Lewington
Johansen-Williams
Siegenthaler-Hobbs
Bindulis

That seemed to be the pairings toward the end of the season if I remember correctly. Geisser probably stays in Europe for one more season

I’d move on from Ness. I know he’s a decent player and can help Hershey win some games.... but he’s got no NHL future. Seems silly to use him in this big minute moments, when it could be someone else.

In a perfect world, Bowey would be down there in Ness’ spot. And we’d have Orpik and Jerabek resigned (2.5m total ... 1.5m for 44, 1.0m for 28) to compete w Djoose for bottom 3 d slots.

Edit — @Langway — can they sign Bowey to a 2-way contract so he can shuttle back and forth? Or is that option gone?

 

[Hivemind]

You need some vets in Hershey, and Hershey is a proud franchise that wants to contends for Calder Cups. I’m fine with keeping Ness around, especially as I’m a big believer that winning environments in the minors are great for development.

 

[hb13xchamps]

I’d move on from Ness. I know he’s a decent player and can help Hershey win some games.... but he’s got no NHL future. Seems silly to use him in this big minute moments, when it could be someone else.

In a perfect world, Bowey would be down there in Ness’ spot. And we’d have Orpik and Jerabek resigned (2.5m total ... 1.5m for 44, 1.0m for 28) to compete w Djoose for bottom 3 d slots.

Trust me, I'm not a huge Ness fan and wasn't too thrilled to see him come back from Washington and be given top minutes when he is a D zone liability. But, the organization values him and he's respected in the room down in Hershey and they gave him a one year extension this offseason. Definitely need someone down there who's able to help mentor the young guns. It's been like that for years now. Lawrence Nycholat, Dean Arsene, Bryan Helmer, Josef Boumedienne, etc. are all examples of AHL level players taking time from prospects

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I specifically asked Izzy Khursh today if the plan beyond this year is to re-sign both Vrana and Burakovsy to new deals, and she flatly said that it was. It’s clear to me that they’re really high on both young wingers and expect to have them in the fold long term.

As much as a lot of fans would like Bura traded.....they earned the luxury of time with the Cup. They can afford to see out another year....

 

[hb13xchamps]

Official

 

[Langway]

Edit — @Langway — can they sign Bowey to a 2-way contract so he can shuttle back and forth? Or is that option gone?

He'd have to clear waivers so no. It's either NHL or trade with him now you'd think. Bindulis is the one most impacted by Ness but we'll see. Lewington also will need to clear waivers (along with Boyd, Barber and O'Brien potentially).

The real glut could begin in '19-20 when both Alexeyev & Fehervary are at least eligible to turn pro. Priskie will also graduate. Ness & Williams could be candidates to shuffle out. Walfridsson & Geisser will stay in Europe for a bit but even with that it's going to be crowded for a while. A good problem to have but tougher on those that have to play in the ECHL for lack of room.