Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2022-23 Season Part 2: Regular Season

[zappa4ever]

Anyone trying to predict Caps this season, especially outsiders, is very LOL

I don't think there's a single fan here who knows how it's going to play out


- will OV/Kuz have strong seasons again
- will Timothy Jimothy miss 1/2 the season again
- which Strome will we get, the one we get warned about, or the one who takes advantage of a fresh start
- will big Willy come back healthy and strong like bull or a gimpy facsimile of his former self
- will Kuemper give a Top 5/Top 10 or fall to the middle
- will McMic's shot start to find the broad side of the barn finally

The only guarantee is HFCaps fans will whine Every.Step.Of.The.Way

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Lavi continues to hate CMM.

And that third line...woof. That third line could be called the "spare parts" line.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Why do people think Lars will have a bounce back year? He wasn’t injured last year, his shooting percentage was right in line with his career average, and he’s 33. Genuinely curious.

 

[Langway]

IINM those projections suggest they're well below typical conference finalists and that's likely the case given their history. Jensen & TVR look to provide the most distinguished surplus value in terms of contracts and also relative structural quality. It's where their strength mainly lies. Ideally another LD that could credibly challenge Fehervary would be in place on the third pair to further cement that identity. It's why Gustafsson remains baffling since there's little chance he can be that and only looks to be a weak link physically. Much better to invest in Johansen or keep TVR on the left and give Iorio time.

Known mediocrity should be bypassed to more actively raise their ceiling when it matters most by investing in development. It can't be forced but if they're very close and game experience figures to pay off more significantly it isn't sensible to stick with lower ceilings largely because they're currently more experienced. There is only one way for options to become experienced and that's to have faith that investing in them will be highly beneficial. It requires a degree of patience that perhaps MacLellan must force upon Laviolette but then history also shows he's more likely to defer. That could court danger should they hit a lull and lack the depth pop to work out of it. They can always shake things up as needed but you wonder if the leashes for vets will be short enough. Not to say they must trade Eller & Johansson or something and veer toward not having enough known depth quantities but they must be open to growth investment.

Up front their depth is I think only marginally above average. It's why giving CMM, Snively & Protas time as developing contributors makes sense. Snively & Protas look to have a slight edge in versatility and work rate. I think the model underrates Brown to the point where if fully healthy he'll be more valuable than Hathaway. Strome could be a very key driver. Mantha really needs to stand out on a consistent basis or else it may not be a workable mix or enough of a quality fit at that AAV. He is I think THE player that must come through and earn his keep as a core player or else it's the first place I'd be looking for a shake-up if need be.

 

[Calicaps]

Why do people think Lars will have a bounce back year? He wasn’t injured last year, his shooting percentage was right in line with his career average, and he’s 33. Genuinely curious.

I'm not one who's been necessarily anticipating a bounce back year, but one thing I think people are factoring is that he had Covid twice last season and it obviously took a toll. So not an injury but a draining illness and extended isolation.

 

[zappa4ever]

Why do people think Lars will have a bounce back year? He wasn’t injured last year, his shooting percentage was right in line with his career average, and he’s 33. Genuinely curious.

while the Covid x2 like CaliCaps mentioned is one big reason,
another is that Eller was forced to deal with all the scraps all year long...

Lines 1/2/4 were all fairly set/defined,
so Lars had to play with just about every possible scrapped together line combo, never having a set line, plus his health issues for the majority of the year

 

[RedRocking]

Lavi continues to hate CMM.

And that third line...woof. That third line could be called the "spare parts" line.

It’s just the preseason ffs. They’re trying all kinds of different combos day to day. CMM has been scratched before, at least he’s in this lineup.

I really don’t get this mentality of - play CMM or this season will be a bust! Be excited about what Strome (an actual candidate for 2C), and Brown did yesterday, and how good Protas and Snively have looked.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I'm not one who's been necessarily anticipating a bounce back year, but one thing I think people are factoring is that he had Covid twice last season and it obviously took a toll. So not an injury but a draining illness and extended isolation.

It’s a good point, and maybe the only one I’ll buy as a reason for hoping he plays better this year. He’s never been a 2C though, he’s always been a terrific 3C who can fill in as a 2C in a pinch. Thinking at this stage in his career that he can be our 2C really isn’t based on any type of logic or data, it’s wishful thinking.

 

[Calicaps]

It’s a good point, and maybe the only one I’ll buy as a reason for hoping he plays better this year. He’s never been a 2C though, he’s always been a terrific 3C who can fill in as a 2C in a pinch. Thinking at this stage in his career that he can be our 2C really isn’t based on any type of logic or data, it’s wishful thinking.

I don't think anyone is thinking he's the 2C. That's almost certainly gonna be Strome. And after his performance yesterday, all the more so. The question will be who does Lavi put with him to support the D-side of the puck and the retrieval. TJ is the obvious choice, but it's unclear if his body can handle 2nd line minutes anymore. But IF Lars stays at 3C, that covers a lot of the possession needs for that line.

EDIT: And @zappa4ever 's point about last year's rolling linemates also is legit.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Why do people think Lars will have a bounce back year? He wasn’t injured last year, his shooting percentage was right in line with his career average, and he’s 33. Genuinely curious.

contract year (and a few doses of the Rona last season) …13g 31 pts last season is right there in his career wheelhouse….but yeah mostly because he’s playing for his next supper I expect to see him play better.

also I noticed his shot totals were down last year…year before also a dropoff….

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

It’s just the preseason ffs. They’re trying all kinds of different combos day to day. CMM has been scratched before, at least he’s in this lineup.

I really don’t get this mentality of - play CMM or this season will be a bust! Be excited about what Strome (an actual candidate for 2C), and Brown did yesterday, and how good Protas and Snively have looked.

I don’t get the mentality of not talking about anything and everything.

Nobody said it would be a bust. It’s just a waste of a good asset. He should be developing in Hershey this year if he isn’t going to get meaningful minutes which is yet to be determined if he will.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

contract year (and a few doses of the Rona last season) …13g 31 pts last season is right there in his career wheelhouse….but yeah mostly because he’s playing for his next supper I expect to see him play better.

also I noticed his shot totals were down last year…year before also a dropoff….

Yep. He also had a number of lower body injuries the last two years which makes me think there may be some reoccurring issue.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

while the Covid x2 like CaliCaps mentioned is one big reason,
another is that Eller was forced to deal with all the scraps all year long...

Lines 1/2/4 were all fairly set/defined,
so Lars had to play with just about every possible scrapped together line combo, never having a set line, plus his health issues for the majority of the year

I don't think anyone is thinking he's the 2C. That's almost certainly gonna be Strome. And after his performance yesterday, all the more so. The question will be who does Lavi put with him to support the D-side of the puck and the retrieval. TJ is the obvious choice, but it's unclear if his body can handle 2nd line minutes anymore. But IF Lars stays at 3C, that covers a lot of the possession needs for that line.

EDIT: And @zappa4ever 's point about last year's rolling linemates also is legit.

His two most common line mates last year were Connor Sheary and Connor McMichael. Do you think it’d be any different this year?

 

[Calicaps]

His two most common line mates last year were Connor Sheary and Connor McMichael. Do you think it’d be any different this year?

I mean, maybe. We have 80 billion forwards at camp. But also, would make a difference if he just had the same linemates for multiple games in succession. There was literally zero opportunity to build chemistry last season... because of the rotating wingers but also his own extended outages.

 

[Langway]

Ovechkin - Kuznetsov - Brown
Sheary - Strome - Mantha
Protas - Eller - Oshie
Johansson - Dowd - Hathaway

That's about what I expect. Snively sits, McMichael develops in Hershey at center. Flip the three LWs as needed with Snively getting a shot if/when Protas struggles.

Eller provides a contrast to Kuz/Strome that McMichael doesn't. Johansson getting PP2 time indicates he's likely safe. It's going to take MacLellan trading Eller to open up room for McMichael and that's tough to expect short of it being forced by CMM. They've talked about dressing five centers to have more options but that could also mean Protas. With AP's size there are battle/heavy elements I'm sure the staff may be more intrigued by. His ability to work down low and put pucks into danger areas is a low-key valuable asset on a team that doesn't routinely create super dangerous chances.

There are still four pre-season games to go and on the surface I guess it would be a bit shocking if McMichael didn't make the team. But I think Todd Nelson could be great for a lot of their options on the cusp. Longer-term it may be better for him to play 18-20 minutes a night with Hershey in all situations and focusing on becoming a dominant, scrappy two-way player. It's a process they can afford to be patient with given the alternatives...at least for now. It's really up to CMM to force the issue. That's got to be the biggest storyline now for the remaining games.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Ovechkin - Kuznetsov - Brown
Sheary - Strome - Mantha
Protas - Eller - Oshie
Johansson - Dowd - Hathaway

That's about what I expect. Snively sits, McMichael develops in Hershey at center. Flip the three LWs as needed with Snively getting a shot if/when Protas struggles.

Eller provides a contrast to Kuz/Strome that McMichael doesn't. Johansson getting PP2 time indicates he's likely safe. It's going to take MacLellan trading Eller to open up room for McMichael and that's a tough to expect short of it being forced by CMM. They've talked about dressing five centers to have more options but that could also mean Protas. With AP's size there are battle/heavy elements I'm sure the staff may be more intrigued by. His ability to work down low and put pucks into danger areas is a low-key valuable asset on a team that doesn't routinely create super dangerous chances.

There are still four pre-season games to go and on the surface I guess it would be a bit shocking if McMichael didn't make the team. But I think Todd Nelson could be great for a lot of their options on the cusp. Longer-term it may be better for him to play 18-20 minutes a night with Hershey in all situations and focusing on becoming a dominant, scrappy two-way player. It's a process they can afford to be patient with given the alternatives...at least for now. It's really up to CMM to force the issue. That's got to be the biggest storyline now for the remaining games.

Agreed on all fronts.

Sheary in the top six is….something though. Gross.

 

[Calicaps]

There are still four pre-season games to go and on the surface I guess it would be a bit shocking if McMichael didn't make the team. But I think Todd Nelson could be great for a lot of their options on the cusp. Longer-term it may be better for him to play 18-20 minutes a night with Hershey in all situations and focusing on becoming a dominant, scrappy two-way player. It's a process they can afford to be patient with given the alternatives...at least for now. It's really up to CMM to force the issue. That's got to be the biggest storyline now for the remaining games.

This is basically the whole story. Protas has looked like he belongs which puts even more pressure on McMike. But he has to distinguish himself, regardless of what other guys do.

(Also, and in the name of all that is holy, please deliver us from the dancing baby avatar. Your namesake deserves better. )

 

[Langway]

Ooga-Chaka Ooga-Ooga
Ooga-Chaka Ooga-Ooga
Ooga-Chaka Ooga-Ooga
Ooga-Chaka Ooga-Ooga

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Reading a few CMM to Hershey posts. I dont know if I would be OK with this. He played a full NHL season and going back to the minors would be a huge step back. Who to say he would have a good mood if he gets demoted and sent down. Would we be OK if he was 4th line left wing and or in the press box untill injuries happen?
For real he needs to start playing better and win his roster spot we all want him to have. Go out there and score some goals like Strome did and win a job

 

[Carlzner]

Lavi needs to stop watching them in practice and pre-season and just refer to the spreadsheets from last season to make these roster decisions, it's just getting ridiculous at this point.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Agreed on all fronts.

Sheary in the top six is….something though. Gross.

I’m fantasizing about Protas surpassing him before he even makes the team lol….

 

[twabby]

Lavi needs to stop watching them in practice and pre-season and just refer to the spreadsheets from last season to make these roster decisions, it's just getting ridiculous at this point.

Unironically this

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Anyone trying to predict Caps this season, especially outsiders, is very LOL

I don't think there's a single fan here who knows how it's going to play out


- will OV/Kuz have strong seasons again
- will Timothy Jimothy miss 1/2 the season again
- which Strome will we get, the one we get warned about, or the one who takes advantage of a fresh start
- will big Willy come back healthy and strong like bull or a gimpy facsimile of his former self
- will Kuemper give a Top 5/Top 10 or fall to the middle
- will McMic's shot start to find the broad side of the barn finally

The only guarantee is HFCaps fans will whine Every.Step.Of.The.Way

I'm optimistic about this year and nothing to complain about except the coverage by the NHL. So far 0-2 due to NHL network coverage and opening night is TNT. Other than that, I'm not impressed by any other NHL team so the Caps are just as in it as anyone else in my book.

 

[tycoonheart]

Strome over Nicky alone might be a big upgrade from last year.

 

[twabby]

I don’t really get the argument that Eller’s performance was due to a rotating cast of teammates. Unless you’re also going to make that same argument with McMichael, who probably saw even more inconsistent linemates and definitely more inconsistent ice time.

Of course the difference is McMichael was still able to drive play despite no consistency and no trust, while Eller didn’t really.

I’d put Eller at 4 LW, and make Johansson the healthy scratch. Eller will still get a bunch of ice time at 4LW.