Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2022-23 Season Part 1: Free Agent Edition

[McVechkin]

This team is wayyyy farther away than just signing keumper from even being a 2nd tier competitor. I would rather they use that cap space and shore up the top 6/middle 6 with players that can generate consistent offense.

Not that I trust samsonov at all.. but he showed some promise in the playoffs.. I think this teams best bet is to infuse some better skaters into the lineup, sign a quality vet backup, and hope samsonov can take a step forward and start to consistently play to his pedigree.. he is still young and has a lot of talent...

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a lot of faith in that working out.. I just think it’s a better bet than overpaying keumper and not having the flexibility to improve all the other glaring holes on the team.

 

[Jags]

I'd still go cheap. If I could pick any realistic option, I'd trade Sammy and shoot for a Talbot/Comrie tandem. Should end up at under $6m for both for next season, and I like both of them. I don't see any reason to go 6x6 on Kuemper with our realistic chances at a Cup pretty slim regardless.

Fucale isn't realistic. I'm not sure he's an NHL talent, but I will say that I'll forever remember Hagelin's ridiculous own-goal with no one in net that cost the guy the shot to be the only player ever to open a career with two shutouts. Maddening.

Also add me to the list of people that'll be pretty pissed if we leave all of Nick's money on the table, especially if we also keep Eller. Squandering this ridiculously rare opportunity to seriously reshape the roster would be a huge mistake. I'm not convinced that BMac really hinted at this though. He's pretty cagey with the press on the rare occasion that he speaks to them at all.

The comments on Nick are the same company line we've heard before with past LTIRetirees. He may have meant it, or it may just have been respectful public optimism for Nick when it's clearly what's called for. If MacLellan has other intentions, there's no way he'd say so publicly at all, let alone right after a surgery that Nick seemingly hopes will prolong his career. Best to actually make the move(s) that suggest the team may be moving on from Nick and justify it afterwards. Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and all that.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Do we have the room to sign Kuemper, Samsonov and Kadri if we use all of NB's money?

Yes

 

[Langway]

You don't sacrifice a season out of respect for making someone feel like they can come back and play.

I think that's probably more of an ownership call. You also don't push them out the door in a hurry, give them the hook and put them out to pasture prematurely. You don't bury them. Not after he elected to get what's probably the last ditch effort anyway. They're letting him go out on his terms more or less. We'll see if he can truly work his way back but they're not going to stymy that effort. Worst-case maybe that pushes the stakes for a more substantial upgrade to the trade deadline should his efforts fail. They could maybe finesse it and suggest a patient approach with the playoffs the main goal. But I don't know how realistic that is in practice. Contact in practice is one thing and playoff pace another. Same with touches under pressure. Getting timing back in short order is a tough task, even for a smarter player. And they're not going to hold the player back should he put in the work and be ready at some point before then. They'll play it by ear. It's not impossible to work around ~11% of the cap...but it isn't easy either. They have to really be selective in how the rest is pieced together.

Heinen not getting a QO from PIT. Moderately productive player last year, albeit somewhat limited and with a decent arb. case. I can see Evan Rodrigues being a Caps target. He can play center or RW as a versatile fill-in. He probably doesn't demand a huge contract. He even got a Selke vote last year. He really faded in the second half but he's still a tricky middle six player.

 

[Kalopsia]

Kubalik not getting a QO (rumour from main boards, not sure if substantiated yet) - they’re burning it to the ground, wtf?

Yeah, I really don't get the logic behind not qualifying Strome and Kubalik. Those seem like moves you only make if you're a legit contender who's gonna need every dollar to max out your roster, or if ownership's only mandate is to ice the cheapest roster possible. If you're tearing it down, what does it matter if they end up a little overpaid? Just ride out the contracts and hope for a bounce-back so you can get something for them in a trade. I don't understand what they're doing at all.

 

[kicksavedave]

You don't sacrifice a season out of respect for making someone feel like they can come back and play.

You might not, but I suspect Ted and GMBM very well might.

 

[twabby]

Yeah, I really don't get the logic behind not qualifying Strome and Kubalik. Those seem like moves you only make if you're a legit contender who's gonna need every dollar to max out your roster, or if ownership's only mandate is to ice the cheapest roster possible. If you're tearing it down, what does it matter if they end up a little overpaid? Just ride out the contracts and hope for a bounce-back so you can get something for them in a trade. I don't understand what they're doing at all.

I think they are doing a full tank for Bedard. It’s the only thing that makes sense. They probably want Kane and Toews gone too but with their NMCs they have control. Gutting the team will force their hands if either of them want to compete for a Cup again.

 

[Roshi]

You might not, but I suspect Ted and GMBM very well might.

I suspect they just want to give it some time before making final decisions. Lots of stuff can happen between now and Santa.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Chicago is the least deserving franchise of Bedard or Michov. Hopefully karma comes through and the lottery gods smite them.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I suspect they just want to give it some time before making final decisions. Lots of stuff can happen between now and Santa.

True. Like the team could free fall in the standings and not make the playoffs because of a crappy start because they have zero depth.

 

[kicksavedave]

True. Like the team could free fall in the standings and not make the playoffs because of a crappy start because they have zero depth.

I'd be OK with a lottery pick next year. Maybe we get lucky?

Still I don't think this team misses the playoffs.

 

[usiel]

Would like a vet goalie but want no part of Kuemper. I didn't think he was that good in the run and felt like the Avs overwhelming offense carried them to the cup.

 

[pman25]

 

[pman25]

I did forget we were in on Kane until he went to Edmonton. Keep him away from National Harbor!

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Would like a vet goalie but want no part of Kuemper. I didn't think he was that good in the run and felt like the Avs overwhelming offense carried them to the cup.

Do you feel Sammy would have successfully backstopped that team to a Cup? I don't.

I'm not sold on Kuemper either, but options are limited and he's an upgrade.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I think you all should prepare yourselves accordingly because this is what’s going to happen:

- Kuemper signed for 6x6
- Depth top 9 forward with minimal offensive upside but strong shot suppression metrics signed for < $2.5M
- 6/7D signed for competition in camp

No big moves up front. Maybe Eller out and someone with a similar profile signed. If you are expecting a big change to the roster outside of goaltending, prepare to be disappointed.

 

[Roshi]

True. Like the team could free fall in the standings and not make the playoffs because of a crappy start because they have zero depth.

Thats one thing of the many that could happen, yeah.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I think you all should prepare yourselves accordingly because this is what’s going to happen:

- Kuemper signed for 6x6
- Depth top 9 forward with minimal offensive upside but strong shot suppression metrics signed for < $2.5M
- 6/7D signed for competition in camp

No big moves up front. Maybe Eller out and someone with a similar profile signed. If you are expecting a big change to the roster outside of goaltending, prepare to be disappointed.

Which is insane but another reason why I have no faith in this management or ownership group to give Ovi one last chance.

 

[twabby]

There has to be some pressure to get out of the first round right?

It’d be one thing if they had a recent run or two but the fans are going to get a bit restless with continued mediocrity right?

895 is big but it’s not everything and is still a few years away. Are they really going to stick with the status quo for 3-4 more years?

 

[SherVaughn30]

Weekes just STFU! He's becoming a total tool with his tweets since the draft.

 

[SherVaughn30]

So the talk is looking more and more like Kuemper signs with us, Campbell signs with the Oilers and the Leafs trade for Matt Murray with some of his salary retained. If so, the question becomes at what costs?

Just something that I have thought of just now, if Kuemper gets $6 million per, are the Caps gonna give Sammy $3 million? What if the Murray trade doesn't happen with the Leafs and the Caps were to trade Sammy to the Leafs instead?

 

[pman25]

Feel like theres a team out there that would take Samsonov in a trade similar to VV.

For instance, i see 1B / Backup spots open in Buffalo, Ottawa, Arizona, Seattle, Montreal (Price inj), Nashville, Chicago

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

why do they look so bad at skating. wow

 

[SherVaughn30]

I did forget we were in on Kane until he went to Edmonton. Keep him away from National Harbor!

Yup, Kane is still a real douche bag! With the past of the League suspending OV, Wilson and Hathaway, if Kane were to play for us he would be easily suspended long term. Kane is very bad for locker room morale.

 

[hockeykicker]