Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2020 Offseason Pt. 3

[tenken00]

Also, the idea that two 1st and 2nd year players are going to be the team's top 2 centers sounds ridiculous to me. Particularly with Backstrom and Kuznetsov still on the team. Why would that be happening?

Who are the goal scorers on that team?

Lap is probably a year too early in 2022, but he's got the ability to force himself into the conversation if he stays healthy and stands out the next few years. I think CMM can definitely be in the picture in 2022, not sure at C or W though, most likely depending on how Backstrom ages and who the wingers are.

 

[Langway]

I think it's conceivable that all of CMM, Lapierre & Protas are on the roster by then but unlikely that many bottom sixers are developed internally given their history of not being capable or willing to do so. Sprong could perhaps make it but he's largely been developed elsewhere. Perhaps one other cheap forward could hack it, maybe even their '21 pick if all goes extremely right. The likelihood of Oshie, Eller, Panik & Hagelin all not finishing their contracts seems slim. At least one will still be on the team, if not two or three. Oshie may have to go to retain Vrana but Eller should still have a role. Hathaway will also still be under contract. Having that many bottom sixers under contract with term is problematic structurally but, again, not being able to manufacture them internally has led to such decisions.

 

[txpd]

Lap is probably a year too early in 2022, but he's got the ability to force himself into the conversation if he stays healthy and stands out the next few years. I think CMM can definitely be in the picture in 2022, not sure at C or W though, most likely depending on how Backstrom ages and who the wingers are.

I am not poo pooing the idea that both McMichael and Lap could be on the team 3 seasons out. What I am skeptical about is two kids together being the top even strenth minutes centers on the team. Given the defensive load that position carries. One? Sure. Both? No.

Then there is the idea that both of these kids are going to push both Backstrom and Kuznetsov off of their spot to make room for them. That is expecting that both of the kids are going to be home runs and from the start. If one of them is a home run, it will be great. These are both Vrana/Burakovsky level players. If Lap dropped because of injury then as a home run he is a Kuznetsov level player. Backstrom was a legit top 5 pick.

I bought a powerball ticket the other day. I matched 1 number. I was pretty happy with that. 4 numbers would be a real long shot

 

[tenken00]

I am not poo pooing the idea that both McMichael and Lap could be on the team 3 seasons out. What I am skeptical about is two kids together being the top even strenth minutes centers on the team. Given the defensive load that position carries. One? Sure. Both? No.

Then there is the idea that both of these kids are going to push both Backstrom and Kuznetsov off of their spot to make room for them. That is expecting that both of the kids are going to be home runs and from the start. If one of them is a home run, it will be great. These are both Vrana/Burakovsky level players. If Lap dropped because of injury then as a home run he is a Kuznetsov level player. Backstrom was a legit top 5 pick.

I bought a powerball ticket the other day. I matched 1 number. I was pretty happy with that. 4 numbers would be a real long shot

Probably not Kuzy. If Kuzy is still on the team by then, he's going to take one of the top C spots. But definitely Backstrom as he will be 35 on Nov 23, 2022. Age happens to the best of us and it will be entirely up to him if he has the conditioning to stay in the top 6 at that time.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Probably not Kuzy. If Kuzy is still on the team by then, he's going to take one of the top C spots. But definitely Backstrom as he will be 35 on Nov 23, 2022. Age happens to the best of us and it will be entirely up to him if he has the conditioning to stay in the top 6 at that time.

As @Langway said, where is Eller?

I could see Backstrom as 3C in 2022, but Eller is still w the team. His contract is up in July 2023. That’s a lot of Top 9 Centers.

Kuznetsov
Backstrom
Eller
McMichael
Lapierre

Can’t see any of them being 4C either. I don’t think Lapierre is in DC by then. More likely 2023-24

 

[tenken00]

As @Langway said, where is Eller?

I could see Backstrom as 3C in 2022, but Eller is still w the team. His contract is up in July 2023. That’s a lot of Top 9 Centers.

Kuznetsov
Backstrom
Eller
McMichael
Lapierre

Can’t see any of them being 4C either. I don’t think Lapierre is in DC by then. More likely 2023-24

Oh I thought @txpd was talking about the top 2 Center positions. Although Eller is going to be 33 then. If Backstrom slides to the 3rd line center with Kuzy and CMM on the top 2 spots, I'm not sure if Eller is a fit on the 4th line? That's an expensive 4th liner though.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Oh I thought @txpd was talking about the top 2 Center positions. Although Eller is going to be 33 then. If Backstrom slides to the 3rd line center with Kuzy and CMM on the top 2 spots, I'm not sure if Eller is a fit on the 4th line? That's an expensive 4th liner though.

Yeah. I get that. I don’t think you will see much change to the top 3C’s until 2023. If Backstrom really struggles (I doubt it, but nothing is certain), then anything is possible. More likely someone like CMM will play a top 9 winger slot.

 

[tenken00]

Yeah. I get that. I don’t think you will see much change to the top 3C’s until 2023. If Backstrom really struggles (I doubt it, but nothing is certain), then anything is possible. More likely someone like CMM will play a top 9 winger slot.

If Backstrom struggles, there is no one taking that contract or we'll be giving up significant assets to do so. I really do hope that he's revamped his offseason conditioning activities starting right now like Ovie did a few years back.

 

[Raikkonen]

CMM on wing
Kuzy on some other team

Bingo!

PS: In reality, maybe its

Ovi-Kuzy-?
CMM-Backstrom-?
?-Lapierre-?
?-Eller-?

scoring 3rd line and defensive 4th line with Eller, I can see that, but I doubt all these players are playing at once

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Interesting.....Ashburn paper shows Kuzy bought a house in One Loudoun for $820k......bought with some dude named Abraham Hamrah......

20458 Codman Dr, Ashburn, VA 20147 | Zillow


Dude owns this company....interesting.....ok that’s my bored moment today.

Designo Motoring – The Art of Design

 

[txpd]

Oh I thought @txpd was talking about the top 2 Center positions. Although Eller is going to be 33 then. If Backstrom slides to the 3rd line center with Kuzy and CMM on the top 2 spots, I'm not sure if Eller is a fit on the 4th line? That's an expensive 4th liner though.

That would have been another point. Not only would the 2 kid centers have to push both Backstrom and Kuznetsov out of their 1c/2c roles they would have to push Eller off the team. 4c is going to be a cheap player like Dowd.

I think expecting Backstrom to drop off to 3c is not giving that player near enough credit. I'd be pretty surprised to see that happening

 

[txpd]

CMM on wing
Kuzy on some other team

Bingo!

PS: In reality, maybe its

Ovi-Kuzy-?
CMM-Backstrom-?
?-Lapierre-?
?-Eller-?

scoring 3rd line and defensive 4th line with Eller, I can see that, but I doubt all these players are playing at once

Wilson?

 

[Raikkonen]

Wilson?

Somewhere on the right obviously

 

[pman25]

I would factor in Vrana to the long term plans as well. McMichael makes it within the next two seasons, I would say Lapierre is probably more like 4 years out if he goes junior/junior/ahl/ ahl-nhl.

Eller could be an expansion draft loss depending on who gets protected / re-signed. But he's a guy who might get moved if they want McMichael at C long term

 

[Capagonia]

Interesting.....Ashburn paper shows Kuzy bought a house in One Loudoun for $820k......bought with some dude named Abraham Hamrah......

20458 Codman Dr, Ashburn, VA 20147 | Zillow


Dude owns this company....interesting.....ok that’s my bored moment today.

Designo Motoring – The Art of Design

I would assume that it’s an investment property for him at that price and location. Bit of a hike from MCI and COA.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I would assume that it’s an investment property for him at that price and location. Bit of a hike from MCI and COA.

I would assume the same, or he's buying a buddy a house lol...

 

[Hivemind]

topic for discussion.. forwards lines for 2022/23.. here is my view..

Ovechkin - McMichael - Wilson
Vrana - Lapierre - Kuznetsov
Malenstyn - Backstrom - Riat
Jonsson-Fjallby - Protas - Leason

So every forward prospect we have is going to hit their full potential in 2 years?

 

[txpd]

I would assume the same, or he's buying a buddy a house lol...

Leesburg to Arlington is a pretty good haul or do I remember wrong?

 

[txpd]

I would factor in Vrana to the long term plans as well. McMichael makes it within the next two seasons, I would say Lapierre is probably more like 4 years out if he goes junior/junior/ahl/ ahl-nhl.

Eller could be an expansion draft loss depending on who gets protected / re-signed. But he's a guy who might get moved if they want McMichael at C long term

I could see Eller getting moved if McMichael has earned a center spot. That makes more sense to me than running Kuzy and Backstrom off the spots.

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

Does anyone else see our higher-end center prospects potentially being fast-tracked initially at wing, rather than being pushed to find room at center (with more responsibilities, as well), which is clearly our deepest position? When they are ready, I could imagine CMM - especially - starting out as a winger and progressively moving to center over time, depending on how long we keep a hold of all of our centers. It's definitely nice to have two potentially elite C prospects in CMM and HL. I would also state that AP is no slouch and absolutely has top-six potential - and top-nine potential at C, for sure.

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

Leesburg to Arlington is a pretty good haul or do I remember wrong?

Definitely. Add in traffic and it's a potentially terrible commute, especially for an athlete. That area of LC is growing rapidly, so, I imagine it's definitely an investment property for Kuz, especially at that price.

 

[Rayquaza64]

Does anyone else see our higher-end center prospects potentially being fast-tracked initially at wing, rather than being pushed to find room at center (with more responsibilities, as well), which is clearly our deepest position? When they are ready, I could imagine CMM - especially - starting out as a winger and progressively moving to center over time, depending on how long we keep a hold of all of our centers. It's definitely nice to have two potentially elite C prospects in CMM and HL. I would also state that AP is no slouch and absolutely has top-six potential - and top-nine potential at C, for sure.

ive been wanting to see mcmichael play 3RW all offseason

 

[OV Rocks]

Does anyone else see our higher-end center prospects potentially being fast-tracked initially at wing, rather than being pushed to find room at center (with more responsibilities, as well), which is clearly our deepest position? When they are ready, I could imagine CMM - especially - starting out as a winger and progressively moving to center over time, depending on how long we keep a hold of all of our centers. It's definitely nice to have two potentially elite C prospects in CMM and HL. I would also state that AP is no slouch and absolutely has top-six potential - and top-nine potential at C, for sure.

I could see it. I can't think of another Caps center recently besides Backstrom that was drafted as a center and then ended up playing his career there. Remember the years of struggling to find a 2C? Drafting and developing centers doesn't seem to be a strength

 

[txpd]

Does anyone else see our higher-end center prospects potentially being fast-tracked initially at wing, rather than being pushed to find room at center (with more responsibilities, as well), which is clearly our deepest position? When they are ready, I could imagine CMM - especially - starting out as a winger and progressively moving to center over time, depending on how long we keep a hold of all of our centers. It's definitely nice to have two potentially elite C prospects in CMM and HL. I would also state that AP is no slouch and absolutely has top-six potential - and top-nine potential at C, for sure.

I dont see the Caps fast tracking any of them. They are ready when they are ready. Right now the Caps dont need offensive wingers. They use the 3rd and 4th line wingers for specific roles. 3RW has been a back up offensive forward. 1 of them there after Sprong flames out is possible.

Its also important to account for how much their wings are part of their team identity.

 

[txpd]

I could see it. I can't think of another Caps center recently besides Backstrom that was drafted as a center and then ended up playing his career there. Remember the years of struggling to find a 2C? Drafting and developing centers doesn't seem to be a strength

If I am remembering right they had issues finding a 2c. Not a 1c or a 3 or 4c. A chunk of that 2c mess was going stop gap to stop gap waiting for Kuznetsov to decide he wanted to play in the NHL.