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

[twabby]

It’s a lazy analysis. It’s pretty much, Backstrom is out and therefore they’re worse. Are they worse than Backstrom of old? Yes, but he hasn’t been that player in quite some time. Are they better down the center this year than they were with Nick of last year? Also yes. Nick was a liability last year and even Strome, who is not known for his speed, will improve their mobility down the middle. Kuznetsov-Strome-Eller-Dowd isn’t elite but it’s not bottom fix or six either. I’d like it more with McMichael in place of Eller in terms of team speed and creativity but it’s serviceable.

Side note: could totally see BMac being enamored with acquiring Toews at the deadline if Eller continues his downward trend and they don’t want to stick McMichael in the 3C hole full-time.

Yeah, I actually looked around the league and they really should be closer to middle of the pack with the addition of Strome and some improvement and increased usage of McMichael.

I think it's fair to wonder how Laviolette is going to utilize Strome and McMichael and that this might hurt the team, but the talent is there for these two guys to make the team noticeably better. Not enough to really put them in a contender tier, but enough to move the needle some. Combined with a clear upgrade in net Washington has an opportunity this year to make a run. I wouldn't bet on it, but I like their look much more this year than last.

 

[Hivemind]

The Capitals 2022 center performance will be hinged much more upon Kuznetsov than it will be Strome. If he can continue to provide strong underlying stats and post decent 1C-level boxcars, the Capitals will be at least semi-relevant. If he posts boxcars like two seasons ago with underlying metrics like last season, the Caps will be scrambling to see if they can’t find a 1C.

 

[Raikkonen]

Eller is in contract season. he will give his all. should be net positive. if he's washed up... well, dump him, who cares then

 

[searle]

This roster seems super intriguing on paper, I think a lot of it comes down to whether the HC is willing to play youth over a vet like Eller. If it’s another frustrating season where players are very obviously floundering but we keep seeing the same lineups then the window is closed.

Needs to be a transition year as much as possible, with the limiting factor being how hard the kids work to earn it.

 

[Portable Mink]

I can’t see the Caps not winning the cup this year tbh

 

[DWGie26]

I have messed around with models. I don’t think we’ll see Eller move anytime soon as his cap hit still works. Now people will yell about that hurting the development of CMM, but at 21 he has to earn it and pay his dues. So there will be competition and chemistry battles that will play out. I’m pro winning first and development second. My HOPE is that CMM wins the 3C battle and has Snively and Oshie on his wings which will be a play driving line. Then push Eller to 4LW. When an injury at center happens (which it will), we’ll all be happy Eller is there. If/when someone calls with a good offer for Eller, we’ll be in a stronger position to get value for him because we don’t NEED to move him.

 

[twabby]

I think I take more issue with Washington’s placement on this list than their placement on the centers list. Washington’s D isn’t in Tier 1 but they are definitely in Tier 2 IMO, especially over teams like Pittsburgh, St Louis, and Toronto.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Someone reported Larsson was going to Pittsburgh and it just never officially happened

 

[Langway]

I think I take more issue with Washington’s placement on this list than their placement on the centers list. Washington’s D isn’t in Tier 1 but they are definitely in Tier 2 IMO, especially over teams like Pittsburgh, St Louis, and Toronto.

I guess there's metrics backing TOR but NYI isn't that great either. Some of that was due to Greene/Chara to be sure and they'll be better but it's hard to say how much Romanov improves them. IMO there's a bigger gap between 5/6 than 3/4. That's where the second tier begins and extends to include WSH and probably also TBL/NYR. In effect STL/WPG/FLA seem very overrated. BUF with Power is likely much too low, even if it's not altogether proven yet via a SSS.

I haven't paid too much attention to the methodology involved but I'm not sure what overperform/underperform means in this context. A lot of the winger rankings were also pretty awkward when it comes to left vs. right.

 

[twabby]

I guess there's metrics backing TOR but NYI isn't that great either. Some of that was due to Greene/Chara to be sure and they'll be better but it's hard to say how much Romanov improves them. IMO there's a bigger gap between 5/6 than 3/4. That's where the second tier begins and extends to include WSH and probably also TBL/NYR. In effect STL/WPG/FLA seem very overrated. BUF with Power is likely much too low, even if it's not altogether proven yet via a SSS.

I haven't paid too much attention to the methodology involved but I'm not sure what overperform/underperform means in this context. A lot of the winger rankings were also pretty awkward when it comes to left vs. right.

I don’t recall there really being a methodology but I haven’t really looked for it either.

I actually forgot Toronto had Giordiano, so their tier actually seems fair now that I look at their D corps. It’ll probably depend on health and how much they lean on Sandin and Liljegren.

But Pittsburgh and NYI seem a little high still. And St. Louis seems particularly overrated.

 

[pman25]

I saw a long debate on twitter about best right side D in NHL with New Jersey (Hamilton, Severson, Marino), NYR (Fox, Trouba, Schneider) and I feel that Washington is up there and matches that with Carlson, Jensen, TVR. Hamilton and Fox certainly above any Right side D that Washington has but I'd take Jensen/TVR over Trouba/Schenider. I think NYI with Pulock and Dobson is also quite good

Washington gets dinged in that debate because we have value guys like Jensen and TVR who have low cap hits. If they got paid more, they'd probably get more recognition

 

[twabby]

I saw a long debate on twitter about best right side D in NHL with New Jersey (Hamilton, Severson, Marino), NYR (Fox, Trouba, Schneider) and I feel that Washington is up there and matches that with Carlson, Jensen, TVR. Hamilton and Fox certainly above any Right side D that Washington has but I'd take Jensen/TVR over Trouba/Schenider. I think NYI with Pulock and Dobson is also quite good

Washington gets dinged in that debate because we have value guys like Jensen and TVR who have low cap hits. If they got paid more, they'd probably get more recognition

I think it's more points than anything that ding defensemen like TVR and Jensen.

GAR puts Washington's right-side D pretty high, especially now that Schultz is gone and TVR is presumably going back to the right side.

I'd easily rate Washington's RD over New Jersey's. I'm not high on John Marino, who is yet another example of a defenseman who hasn't improved since his rookie year (and has actually gotten worse). And Severson is...fine, but not really someone who dominates.

Adam Fox is one of the best in the league so he alone might be enough to rate NYR's over Washington, but similarly I would take Jensen/TVR over Trouba/Schneider. It's a closer comparison at least.

Colorado is interesting because Makar on his own is so impactful that he alone might make Colorado's RD the best in the league. But if we're talking solid 1-2-3 RD in the league it might have to be Calgary. Chris Tanev, MacKenzie Weegar (if he goes back to RD), and Rasmus Andersson might be the deepest RD in the league.

 

[hockeykicker]

7th round pick Oskar Magnusson

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

7th round pick Oskar Magnusson

We‘re long overdue to hit on someone late in a draft…

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

7th round pick Oskar Magnusson

Pavel Bure vibes watching that

 

[Langway]

Juha Lehtola the new developmental goalie coach.

 

[EroCaps]

7th round pick Oskar Magnusson

Swede with Speed. Believe.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Juha Lehtola the new developmental goalie coach.

A Finn?? In this economy??

 

[hb13xchamps]

Doesn’t bode well for the Scott Murray haters

From 2011-13, Lehtola worked alongside Washington Capitals goalie coach Scott Murray with the Ontario Hockey League's Sudbury Wolves. He served as Murray's assistant goaltending coach and also held the video coach title during the 2012-13 campaign.

 

[Hivemind]

Doesn’t bode well for the Scott Murray haters

As the certified leader of the Scott Murray Sucks brigade, we knew he wasn't getting fired by this point already. Fingers crossed that he doesn't screw up Kuemper.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Doesn’t bode well for the Scott Murray haters

 

[VaCaps Fan]

I would sign Kessel.

 

[um]

I would sign Kessel.

Our RW is stacked already

 

[Hivemind]

I would sign Kessel.

Might as well bring back Kovalchuk while you're at it

 

[VaCaps Fan]

I am Stuck in 2013….