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

[HeyMattyB]

Unless Kuemper (or whatever other goalie they acquire) is going to be quarterbacking the powerplay, I don't see how GMBM spending most of the team's available cap space on a long-term goalie contract supports the whole "tEd oNly CarEs aBouT 895!!!" narrative.

 

[WcRoenick97]

Have you seen what he’s done with the Wizards? He does not care about winning. As long as these two franchises make it to the first round of the playoffs he is in the green. He lucked out in getting a generational talent in Ovechkin. Ted is a loser.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Coach Oprik in the house

 

[twabby]

I didn't realize how low Mason Marchment's projected contract was at EH. They have him at 3 x $2.5M or 4 x $3.0M.

He was the third leading 5v5 point scorer/60 last year! And he did most of his damage away from Barkov/Huberdeau. A lot of secondary assists but still 2.22 primary points/60 at 5v5. A great playdriver too. If that contract projection is anywhere close to accurate that's another target Washington should be looking at. Small sample size but the underlyings and the point production are legit.

I think he plays LW but Mantha can easily move over to RW to make it work.

 

[HeyMattyB]

Didn't Mantha normally play RW in Detroit (despite being a leftie), and it was generally agreed (by DET fans, at least) that he was more comfortable and effective there?

IIRC, he immediately got shuffled over to LW because the Caps already had Wilson and Oshie as top-six RWs, and that might be a contributing factor as to why Mantha has often been underwhelming (when healthy).

 

[Empty Goal Net]

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

Yes. But winning another Cup is harder and less likely than 895. And it's not a simple either/or proposition.
The marketing aspect will certainly be on the push to 895. Milestones like #800 and Gordie (hey, they could happen the same night) will be hyped. A team doesn't go out and say "Come out and watch us win the Cup!" but the Caps will promote "Come to our arena and watch Ovie in his quest to beat Gretzky!"
I don't imagine Ted does not want to win another Cup, but I do believe he's satisfied season-after-season if the team consistently makes the playoffs and his stars do their things and there's no embarrassing limo-type incidents.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

If Sammy departs, so ends the Capitals Goalie factory that's been in existence the past 12 years or so with the likes of"
- Varlamov
- Neuvirth
- Holtby
- Grubauer
- Vanecek
- Samsonov

Regarding Holtby, though Seravalli mentioned on a pod cast that Holtby may not play this coming season and may possibly be at the end of his career due to lower back issues, has there been any confirmations that Seravalli has this story right?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

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

Don't go making sense now...

Yes. But winning another Cup is harder and less likely than 895. And it's not a simple either/or proposition.
The marketing aspect will certainly be on the push to 895. Milestones like #800 and Gordie (hey, they could happen the same night) will be hyped. A team doesn't go out and say "Come out and watch us win the Cup!" but the Caps will promote "Come to our arena and watch Ovie in his quest to beat Gretzky!"
I don't imagine Ted does not want to win another Cup, but I do believe he's satisfied season-after-season if the team consistently makes the playoffs and his stars do their things and there's no embarrassing limo-type incidents.

Making the playoffs is the minimum level of success for Ted IMO. That's the bar. He IS running a business.

 

[Carlzner]

I liked Marchment's game in the playoff series.

Feel like a lot of teams will be after him though

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

The Caps aren’t building a roster for Ovi to get to 895, they’re trying to win playoff games. Trying to win another championship and getting Ovi the record aren’t mutually exclusive.

In fact, it would be easier for Ovi to get there if he was surrounded by a championship level core. Claiming that the Caps management isn’t trying to win and only cares about 895 is utterly ridiculous.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

The Caps aren’t building a roster for Ovi to get to 895, they’re trying to win playoff games. Trying to win another championship and getting Ovi the record aren’t mutually exclusive.

In fact, it would be easier for Ovi to get there if he was surrounded by a championship level core. Claiming that the Caps management isn’t trying to win and only cares about 895 is utterly ridiculous.

I tend to agree even though after losing in the first round four years in a row, I question why they aren’t moving anyone out from the core for new blood. It feels like they are going to try again with largely the same exact roster. Color me shocked if we experience the same results.

 

[Holtbyisms]

The Caps aren’t building a roster for Ovi to get to 895, they’re trying to win playoff games. Trying to win another championship and getting Ovi the record aren’t mutually exclusive.

In fact, it would be easier for Ovi to get there if he was surrounded by a championship level core. Claiming that the Caps management isn’t trying to win and only cares about 895 is utterly ridiculous.

Yeah what a ridiculous take... If they were just shooting for 895 and not contention they'd have kept Vitek and Sammy and tried to sign offensive stars to play with Ovi. Kuemper? Pfft gimme Johnny Hockey on his off wing!

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I tend to agree even though after losing in the first round four years in a row, I question why they aren’t moving anyone out from the core for new blood. It feels like they are going to try again with largely the same exact roster. Color me shocked if we experience the same results.

Can’t trade:

Ovechkin
Backstrom (injured)
Wilson (injured and an idiotic idea)

Can’t equally replace:

Carlson

Can’t do without:

Oshie - Fantastic leader and mentor, raises his game when it matters

What’s that leave? Mantha? What are we trading him for that isn’t likely a lateral move at best, a downgrade at worst? What’s changing out one tire going to do realistically?


I’m all for great hockey trades, but trades that clearly downgrade you at key positions make no sense. I’d trade ANYONE not Ovechkin in a great trade, but this isn’t a trade for futures, then pray you can fill the gaping roster holes kinda franchise.

 

[racingmoose]

The Caps aren’t building a roster for Ovi to get to 895, they’re trying to win playoff games. Trying to win another championship and getting Ovi the record aren’t mutually exclusive.

In fact, it would be easier for Ovi to get there if he was surrounded by a championship level core. Claiming that the Caps management isn’t trying to win and only cares about 895 is utterly ridiculous.

This. And if Ted only cared about making the playoffs for the money, why would he be willing to spend to the cap every year? It's to try and win.

 

[twabby]

Can’t equally replace:

Carlson

You lose me here because playoff Carlson is actively harmful. It's very easy to replace a harmful player, just get someone who isn't harmful!

Maybe they'd suffer a bit in the regular season if they can't get an equally productive RD in a trade/UFA but if the goal is to win a Cup how do you keep Carlson and expect success in the postseason? His postseason track record speaks for itself.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I tend to agree even though after losing in the first round four years in a row, I question why they aren’t moving anyone out from the core for new blood. It feels like they are going to try again with largely the same exact roster. Color me shocked if we experience the same results.

I think that’s a separate issue. Caps management tends to be conservative and they hold on to guys for too long.

A guy like Carlson should’ve been moved 1 or 2 years ago, but they keep him based on the fact that he was the main pillar on D in 2018 and he is among the top point producers in the league.

Also, they gave a lot of NTCs and NMCs, so these contracts are hard to move now.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Can’t trade:

Ovechkin
Backstrom (injured)
Wilson (injured and an idiotic idea)

Can’t equally replace:

Carlson

Can’t do without:

Oshie - Fantastic leader and mentor, raises his game when it matters

What’s that leave? Mantha? What are we trading him for that isn’t likely a lateral move at best, a downgrade at worst? What’s changing out one tire going to do realistically?


I’m all for great hockey trades, but trades that clearly downgrade you at key positions make no sense. I’d trade ANYONE not Ovechkin in a great trade, but this isn’t a trade for futures, then pray you can fill the gaping roster holes kinda franchise.

Oshie has been fantastic for the Caps but hard to help if you’re injured all of the time.

 

[Holtbyisms]

You lose me here because playoff Carlson is actively harmful. It's very easy to replace a harmful player, just get someone who isn't harmful!

Maybe they'd suffer a bit in the regular season if they can't get an equally productive RD in a trade/UFA but if the goal is to win a Cup how do you keep Carlson and expect success in the postseason? His track record speaks for itself.

Klingberg could replace Carlson's production. Just can't see mgmt dumping a alternate captain to sign a UFA.

 

[twabby]

Klingberg could replace Carlson's production. Just can't see mgmt dumping a alternate captain to sign a UFA.

I can't see it either. But it does lend credence to the idea that winning a Stanley Cup isn't their top priority in that case, but rather that they are just happy keeping the gang together.

Trading Carlson seems like such a no-brainer to me for the following reasons:

1. If I had to pin their recent playoff struggles on a single player, it'd be Carlson.
2. He will almost surely get a substantial return in a trade.
3. The core and the culture probably needs a little shakeup.
4. It's not like the power play is a well oiled machine right now.

I don't know that I'd sign Klingberg but I'd pay up for a guy like Chychrun. Or even get Brent Burns for next to nothing in a trade, perhaps with a little retention if needed. Burns isn't the guy he used to be but he also likely isn't going to be the worst player on the ice come next spring. And he can still run a PP.

There are options out there. They just seem intent on keeping Carlson to the detriment of any playoff success.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

I think that’s a separate issue. Caps management tends to be conservative and they hold on to guys for too long.

A guy like Carlson should’ve been moved 1 or 2 years ago, but they keep him based on the fact that he was the main pillar on D in 2018 and he is among the top point producers in the league.

Also, they gave a lot of NTCs and NMCs, so these contracts are hard to move now.

I proposed a deal last summer where the Capitals send Carlson to the Devils for Subban +. Folks were pooh pooing the trade based upon Subban coming back. They missed the whole point that yes we were taking on an inferior dman at a more expensive salary for one year which would no longer be on our books as of today. Long term caps would have now been free of Carlson and his remaining four years at 8.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

You lose me here because playoff Carlson is actively harmful. It's very easy to replace a harmful player, just get someone who isn't harmful!

Maybe they'd suffer a bit in the regular season if they can't get an equally productive RD in a trade/UFA but if the goal is to win a Cup how do you keep Carlson and expect success in the postseason? His track record speaks for itself.

It doesn’t matter to the extent that you’re making out of it. Nobody denies his struggles, (and the struggles of pretty much the entire roster in the postseason since the Cup).

BUT, until they can replace him without creating a massive gap on the top pair, the PP, etc…..trading him can easily be detrimental to even qualifying for the postseason.

 

[Holtbyisms]

I can't see it either. But it does lend credence to the idea that winning a Stanley Cup isn't their top priority in that case, but rather that they are just happy keeping the gang together.

I'm picking up what you're putting down but part of going after the cup is having a good team atmosphere and great chemistry. You dump Carlson and all the sudden you might have some unhappy stars on the team who want out. You also no longer look like a destination of choice for other potential impact players cause you don't follow through with your contracts. Just a lot more going on there than black and white NHL23 GM mode.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I proposed a deal last summer where the Capitals send Carlson to the Devils for Subban +. Folks were pooh pooing the trade based upon Subban coming back. They missed the whole point that yes we were taking on an inferior dman at a more expensive salary for one year which would no longer be on our books as of today. Long term caps would have now been free of Carlson and his remaining four years at 8.

To sign what top pair guy who is equally capable?

Klingberg is close‘ish, but still a CLEAR offensive downgrade, and it also wasn’t a guarantee he would hit UFA this summer back then, and who knows if he wants anything to do with DC today even. But a Carlson trade and signing him is tolerable for me, depending on the other moves. In this case, adding a great LD would then be even more important.

This is exactly the short-sighted problem with these ideas….so you tank the top pair in Fever’s rookie year, maybe miss the playoffs even, in the hopes that some equally capable (top-5/10 Offensive scoring) D replacement will take our $ in free IF he’s even there?!

If I’m Ted, I want my hockey guys to have better plans than winging it.

 

[twabby]

I'm picking up what you're putting down but part of going after the cup is having a good team atmosphere and great chemistry. You dump Carlson and all the sudden you might have some unhappy stars on the team who want out. You also no longer look like a destination of choice for other potential impact players cause you don't follow through with your contracts. Just a lot more going on there than black and white NHL23 GM mode.

But is Ovechkin happy with their recent playoff performance? Surely he wants to win another Cup, or at the very least make another deep run right?

Ovechkin is a professional. Oshie and Backstrom are professionals. They've all been treated well, this isn't a Vegas situation where players are traded out left and right. These guys have been given ample opportunity to build on 2018 and they have failed. Carlson in particular. I highly doubt the rest of the team is going to want out if they pursue a Carlson trade as long as the vision is solid.

To sign what top pair guy who is equally capable?

This is exactly the short-sighted problem with these ideas….so you tank the top pair in Fever’s rookie year, maybe miss the playoffs even, in the hopes that some equally capable (top-5/10 Offensive scoring) D replacement will take our $ in free IF he’s even there?!

Brent Burns is available for trade, according to Mike Grier. He probably wouldn't cost much given San Jose's cap situation and them wanting him gone. They might be able to swing a little retention too if needed.

Burns isn't quite the player Carlson is now, but he's close enough and he's almost assuredly going to be a better postseason performer.

 

[g00n]

Oshie has been fantastic for the Caps but hard to help if you’re injured all of the time.

How many playoff games has he missed as a Cap? A handful, I think, due to a shitty hit iirc.

He's been money in the playoffs almost every year in DC.

Oshie can play 50% of the regular season and I won't care as long as he's a beast in the playoffs.