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

[895]

What makes Malkin to the Caps guaranteed is that the Pens don't want him. If he had left to chase glory we would never sign him. Its because he was thrown away that makes him irresistible.

 

[RedRocking]

Assuming the Kuemper deal gets done at 6M+, is there still a chance we could deal for JT Miller and fit in his 5.25M for this year? That’s still a bargain for this season imho. Better value than what Malkin will probably cost, and certainly better than what Kadri will.

If we move Eller, let Shultz walk (and use kids for 6/7D), plus guys on LITR, could we make that work? Obviously what he’ll get for an extension is an issue, but only if NB comes back and is miraculously ready for the 2023-24 season.

If that were to happen, you could move Miller to wing and they’d just have to get creative and shed salary elsewhere.

Not sure if Miller to NYI is essentially a done deal, though.

I hope BMac is ballsy enough to take that kinda risk (if not Miller, than another top 6 guy), and not let NB’s situation hold the team hostage. Otherwise, just checking the goalie box with Kuemper and essentially running it back (with a little more youth) is just a recipe for another mediocre season with little chance for an actual run.

Unfortunately, I feel like that’s what is gonna happen. They’ll make a big show of signing Kuemper and pat themselves on the back for a great offseason.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

My brain can’t even fathom Malkin potentially signing here.

 

[SherVaughn30]

funny to watch all of this chatter on the boards. There are tons of conversations going on that we aren’t privy to. GMBM talking to Samy - may have a deal already agreed upon to bring him back at 1M to 1.5M. Could be Keumper deal is already done because Caps talked to Sakik. There is a lot of shit that is going to happen between now and Wednesday night.

I’m actually pretty encouraged. I think Caps have (had) a plan and they are working it! No idea where we’ll land but i am convinced that the roster is going to look a lot different just as GMBM said at end of season.

What do you mean that the Caps(meaning BMac) have talked to Sakic?

 

[marcel snapshot]

My brain can’t even fathom Malkin potentially signing here.

Then your brain is functioning. Let’s get older, slower, more physically compromised and worse defensively in our top 6. I mean the Pens looked at Malkin and said, nah we’d rather pay $30 million to Richard Rakell.

 

[SherVaughn30]

I think some of you are making more out of the goal chase than Management to be honest.

Do you even know who Ted Leonsis is, because he can be a fricken marketing idiot owner a good deal?!

 

[Corby78]

I would also guess Buffalo and Toronto are pretty safe bets for Samsonov.

Can you imagine the Toronto fans/media after watching a couple games of Sammy spinning like a top?? Yikes

 

[SherVaughn30]

I got a feeling it might be less than everybody is projecting. BMac has only given out two really tenured UFA(non own player retention) contracts his entire career. Nisky(7 years)and Orpik(5 years)...he doesn't really have a track record of doing it.

Common thought is if you want to bring a players AAV down, then you have to offer more length in the contract.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Do you even know who Ted Leonsis is, because he can be a fricken marketing idiot owner a good deal?!

Errrr okaaay….

 

[The Instigator]

Can you imagine the Toronto fans/media after watching a couple games of Sammy spinning like a top?? Yikes

I yearn for it.

Arizona might actually be the best fit.

 

[SherVaughn30]

Errrr okaaay….

By that response I take it you don't really know how the Caps owner operates?

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Do you even know who Ted Leonsis is, because he can be a fricken marketing idiot owner a good deal?!

 

[SherVaughn30]

I yearn for it.

Arizona might actually be the best fit.

Do the Coyotes have a figure skating instructor? Spinning Top sounds like a move a figure skater would make.

 

[The Instigator]

Do the Coyotes have a figure skating instructor? Spinning Top sounds like a move a figure skater would make.

Maybe he should actually go to Toronto. His head will probably spin as fast as the rest of the body, thus curing him.

 

[SherVaughn30]

For Ted, 895 is now more important than winning another Cup!

895=ching, ching for Ted!

 

[g00n]

For Ted, 895 is now more important than winning another Cup!

895=ching, ching for Ted!

Some of you keep saying this but what are you basing it on?

How does not competing for a Cup in any way benefit Ovechkin? What exactly is being done to boost the record chase, but also hinder the chances for a Cup?

How does an owner make more money by having one guy chasing a record (which can only be broken in one game) vs competing every night?

Did we sign Ovechkin to a deal he doesn't deserve and fill the club with nothing but tanky scrubs?

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

For Ted, 895 is now more important than winning another Cup!

895=ching, ching for Ted!

Wouldn't winning another Cup be more of a money play?

 

[twabby]

So doing some work on CapFriendly, it looks like if Washington signs Kuemper with $6.5M and a cheap backup for like $1.5M they really don’t have room to do much if they reserve all of Backstrom’s $9.2 million (and Wilson’s $5.2 million). With no other changes to the roster they’d have about $4 million left to make any upgrades, and this doesn’t even include 3LD. Including a league minimum 3LD (e.g. Johansen) and a healthy scratch on D they have only about $2.5 million to upgrade anywhere else.

They could make JT Miller work in this scenario if they trade Eller. But not much else can really be done aside from cheap value plays. I still think they need a top 4 LD to push Fehervary to 3LD. I still think they need a playdriving top 6 RW. Both of these could be done with Backstrom’s cap hit available. But without it they really are going to be limited.

I do hope that MacLellan was fibbing about needing to keep Backstrom’s money available for his return. He’s a straight shooter but he did outright lie about qualifying both goalies, so I don’t think we can say anything is set on stone regarding their Backstrom decision.

 

[RedRocking]

Wouldn't winning another Cup be more of a money play?

Nah I think the regular season money from the 895 chase is probably the better bet for revenue.

I don’t think there are many things they’ve done that necessarily shows that all they care about is 895 - BUT sometimes I think it’s more about things they aren’t willing to do.

Like trading Carlson, because they need him on PP1. Or in general, delaying the rebuild and keeping veterans on bloated contracts.

 

[GoCaps2004]

NHL free agency buzz: Latest intel as the market gets set to open

Will Johnny Gaudreau stay in Calgary? Where will Cup champ Darcy Kuemper land? What changes are ahead for the Blackhawks? Here's what we know.

www.espn.com

“And in the meantime, Washington zeroed in on a new No. 1 starter who can give them veteran assurance: Darcy Kuemper coming off a Stanley Cup in Denver. The 32-year-old Kuemper was squeezed out of Colorado -- Avs GM Joe Sakic said it was a tough call to make. As of Monday afternoon, Kuemper was still in contact with other teams -- Toronto, Edmonton -- but the belief around the league is that Kuemper is going to land in Washington.”

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Ted always spends to the cap. What makes you think he doesnt want to win?

 

[twabby]

Yeah I’d say Kuemper is a done deal.

 

[RedRocking]

So doing some work on CapFriendly, it looks like if Washington signs Kuemper with $6.5M and a cheap backup for like $1.5M they really don’t have room to do much if they reserve all of Backstrom’s $9.2 million (and Wilson’s $5.2 million). With no other changes to the roster they’d have about $4 million left to make any upgrades, and this doesn’t even include 3LD. Including a league minimum 3LD (e.g. Johansen) and a healthy scratch on D they have only about $2.5 million to upgrade anywhere else.

They could make JT Miller work in this scenario if they trade Eller. But not much else can really be done aside from cheap value plays. I still think they need a top 4 LD to push Fehervary to 3LD. I still think they need a playdriving winger. Both of these could be done with Backstrom’s cap hit available. But without it they really are going to be limited.

I do hope that MacLellan was fibbing about needing to keep Backstrom’s money available for his return. He’s a straight shooter but he did outright lie about qualifying both goalies, so I don’t think we can say anything is set on stone regarding their Backstrom decision.

Thanks.

What would you guys think of Protas, Iorio + 2023 1st for Miller?

They like Protas and are looking for a young D. If it doesn’t have to be RHD, maybe they’d prefer Fever? I’d be fine shipping out Fever.

My head will explode if the Pens make the Miller deal (chatter about Marino, Kapanen + 1st) and we somehow sign Malkin.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Thanks.

What would you guys think of Protas, Iorio + 2023 1st for Miller?

They like Protas and are looking for a young D. If it doesn’t have to be RHD, maybe they’d prefer Fever? I’d be fine shipping out Fever.

My head will explode if the Pens make the Miller deal (chatter about Marino, Kapanen + 1st) and we somehow sign Malkin.

The 1st would have to be protected. No chance im trading a top 10 pick for a rental.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Common thought is if you want to bring a players AAV down, then you have to offer more length in the contract.

I guess, not always the case though. Maybe BMac overpays and gets him at 4 years. Knowing that's the end of the Ovi era. Everyone claiming he's getting 6-7 years is purely speculating because they're tying him to the Grubauer contract. I mean what if Kuemper wants to retire at 36? Nobody knows what he's thinking or what his body is telling him or what he's asked his agent for. It's all a guess until it's announced.