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

[895]

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?

Two way contracts have nothing to do with waivers. Just AHL salary.

Bowey is not waiver exempt. He'll be in DC or another team.

 

[hb13xchamps]

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.

I don't know how others feel, but if Orpik isn't brought back I could see Lewington be given a shot as being the one true "stay at home" type 7th D on the Caps. He's basically an Orpik-lite.

Ness only signed a 1-year extension so he's most likely gone. If Williams/Lewington play in the AHL for the entire year and they feel that either don't show a significant improvement they're probably gone next year as well.

 

[Ridley Simon]

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.

I get that. I’d rather see the development of someone younger in that slot. LuJo in particular

 

[Hivemind]

I get that. I’d rather see the development of someone younger in that slot. LuJo in particular

If LuJo can’t outplay Aaron Ness for a top pairing spot in Hershey, then we have other problems with LuJo.

Don’t particularly care that Ness would be getting PP time, as Hobbs should still be able to get plenty and both of Djoos and Bowey will be in he NHL. None of the other D in Hershey really project as PP options in the NHL.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[Midnight Judges]

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?

Bring back Beagle and Orpik and be glad you have two 4C's?

 

[hockeykicker]

Bring back Beagle and Orpik and be glad you have two 4C's?

isnt boyd also a center?

 

[hb13xchamps]

I'd say he was told he wasn't going to be brought back after his comments saying he'd wait until after July 1st

 

[stanleycaps18]

I would think he knew he wasn't going to get a multi year deal here. Vancouver is a great landing spot.

 

[hockeykicker]

bye beags

 

[Langway]

AJF - Stephenson - DSP fourth line? I'd be fine with that. Let AJF & Gersich battle it out but AJF's PK ability is AOK IMO. FWIW.

 

[Midnight Judges]

Yeah bummer. Beagle is the best face-off guy and had a lot of versatility. I like the young guys but they don't fit that role Beags played.

 

[hockeykicker]

so whats that gonna leave about 4 mil ish now after wilson and another couple rookies? enough to go to the market july 1st?

 

[hb13xchamps]

I'm not convinced that they pencil in Boyd as 4C. He just doesn't fit that role and has never played a defensive role since joining the organization. It's either Stephenson or they go and sign a cheapish vet

 

[hockeykicker]

I'm not convinced that they pencil in Boyd as 4C. He just doesn't fit that role and has never played a defensive role since joining the organization. It's either Stephenson or they go and sign a cheapish vet

What about boyd-stephenson-dsp?

Would boyd work as the winger?

 

[artilector]

So after signing Wilson and filling the cheap spots the Caps should have what, about 4-4.5M left for Beagle/Orpik -- or whoever replaces them?

Will be interesting to see what they do with that.

My feeling is they really only need another vet D for the playoffs -- but maybe they need to look for a right-handed one, given the depth on the other side? And/or maybe wait until the deadline to give the young guys a good look and have clearer/better choices? Or sign a vet D that would be more of a 6/7 guy (guessing Orpik wouldn't want that)?

As for the forwards, I'm not sure where they are on Beagle. If they don't bring him back, would be interesting to see if they can find another interesting "reclamation" project... I mean they've had great success with Connolly & DSP...

 

[Dr John Carlson]

I don't like the fit with Boyd at 4C and I don't think Reirden would either. But I also think Stephenson is a better winger than centre. Lots of decisions.

 

[stanleycaps18]

I actually think Orpik as a 6/7, knowing he will get like 55-60 games during the regular season (while being an additional coach/mentor) and make a deep playoff run could be attractive.

 

[Calicaps]

Bummer. But good on Beagle for getting paid. He deserves it. The 'Nucks are my second team too, so that's nice.

 

[hb13xchamps]

What about boyd-stephenson-dsp?

Would boyd work as the winger?

I personally don't believe so but who knows. Boyd pretty much played a top 6 scoring role in the AHL, whether if was at center or on the wing. He never PKed and was strictly viewed as a playmaker. I'd guess he'd make the roster as the extra forward but not get a ton of games barring any injuries.

 

[Lindemann]

Losing Beagle is going to suck. He did A LOT of dirty, underrated work for us.

But I understand why

 

[895]

All this cap space... especially if Orpik doesn't come back.


Burakovsky+Bowie+1st for the breadman

 

[Jags]

I don't like the fit with Boyd at 4C and I don't think Reirden would either. But I also think Stephenson is a better winger than centre. Lots of decisions.

There are a few options in free agency, too, and we've gotta be looking pretty sexy to UFAs this year between winning the Cup and managing to keep the team together. I think we'd be a frontrunner for every 4C out there, so I'm not worried.

 

[RandyHolt]

Patrick O'Sullivan on XM NHL was saying the days of having to overcook prospects is largely a thing of the past. The only reason Detroit did that, was because they were so stacked. A pipe dream for pretty much all teams to try to replicate because of cap issues. But that the prospects would still largely do fine even if they didn't overcook them, if they were forced into duty. Perhaps he was overcooked. As a former player, one can see why he would think that.

It must be a little demoralizing for the young kids to see a UFA inked at their position. Heart sinks, sigh. Back to Hershey, and secretly hoping for you know what.

Internet Outage Guy

 

[Hivemind]

I don't like the fit with Boyd at 4C and I don't think Reirden would either. But I also think Stephenson is a better winger than centre. Lots of decisions.

This is similar to my take.

Boyd might have a bit of an edge at the 4C competition due to him being a right handed draw (and all of Backstrom, Kuzy, Eller, and Stephenson being left handed draws). But Boyd isn't a PKer and definitely isn't someone I would trust with frequent defensive zone starts. I think Boyd slots in better as a "5C" type that can hop anywhere into the lineup when someone is hurt than an everyday 4C.

On the other hand, I like Stephenson better on the wing than I do at center, although maybe that shifts sligthly if he's tasked primarily with defensive responsibilities.

I wouldn't be totally surprised if the Caps go out and try to nab a cheap 4C in free agency. Or possibly even waiver wire/camp invite. Torrey Mitchell might make sense if he's willing to take a one year deal. His faceoff% and draws taken dropped a bit in 2017-18, but he had over 50% and over 700 draws taken in both of the years before that. Plus he was still at 53.8% against righties last year and 51.3% in the defensive zone.