Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2022-23 Season Part 3: Drop the puck!

[DWGie26]

I know there will likely be more injuries which would allow him to get back into the lineup, but I have to think Mantha has a decent likelihood of being traded by the TDL. It seems like he’s completely fallen out of favor with the staff, and it’s hard to see them keeping $5.7M in the press box when they’re a cap team who will surely be looking to upgrade in some way.

The problem is I wonder if Mantha is even a positive asset at this point. It’d be one thing if he was a UFA at the end of this year, but having another year really makes it difficult to see teams paying anything to take him. Maybe a token late round pick if they’re lucky.

We see him with a local critical eye. his metrics are pretty good. Can play PP1 and be a good top 6 for many teams. We don’t play him that way but someone could. And the fact that he has a year left could also be a GOOD thing because it’s not a pure rental. Maybe we get a RD in exchange who has fallen out of favor with their team. Just don’t know who that would be.

 

[Langway]

Mantha for Dumba I guess.

 

[YippieKaey]

Mantha for Dumba I guess.

Yes please

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Mantha is reaching Richard Panik levels, ironically.

 

[Langway]

Man, f*** it. Mantha+Eller+CMM+whatever for Karlsson with retention. Remarkable turnaround.

 

[Hivemind]

It doesn't help that they're doing everything they can to tank Mantha's value. Zero powerplay time, spent much of the first 25ish games on the 3rd line, and now recently bumped to the 4th line. His boxcars are fine for a Top 6 forward with no powerplay time, and his metrics are among the better on the team across the board.

I'm not saying this to wash over his slump periods (one of which he is certainly in now). He's a player with very pronounced peaks and valleys over the course of a season, and when he struggles he definitely struggles. But the Capitals simply aren't doing themselves many favors when it comes to getting the most value out of Mantha, and it's not likely to become easier to do so with Wilson back in the line-up.

It is worth remembering that Mantha is 3rd on the team in 5v5 goals (8) behind only Ovechkin (12) and Dowd (10) of all people. He's also tied-3rd on the team in 5v5 points (18) behind Ovechkin (23), Sheary (19), and tied with Kuzy (18).

 

[bacchist]

OV-Backstrom-Wilson

I would like to see them put this line out there to start even if they don't plan on keeping them together. It would be a great moment.

 

[bacchist]

It doesn't help that they're doing everything they can to tank Mantha's value. Zero powerplay time, spent much of the first 25ish games on the 3rd line, and now recently bumped to the 4th line.

Not sure it makes sense to weaken the powerplay or top 6 just to feature somebody that you are trying to trade. They're trying to win games, not marginally improve the return on a depth player who isn't carrying his weight.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Things about to get interesting?

 

[Marshall]

Things about to get interesting?

I saw that and started scrolling back through TEB's tweets - thought I had missed something.

 

[Monsterrain]

Better be mantha leaving

 

[twabby]

Looks like he’s back tomorrow!

I’m going to let my emotional side get really excited, even if I’m not sure how his hip is going to hold up.

 

[Langway]

Back-strom's Back Alright!

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Looks like he’s back tomorrow!

I’m going to let my emotional side get really excited, even if I’m not sure how his hip is going to hold up.

Damn, I honestly doubted we’d ever get to see him play again. Crazy he’s coming back this soon. I suspect you’re right, it will be a bit emotional seeing him out there again.

 

[DWGie26]

Well the moves that are certainly going to be made is Backstrom is activated an JC74 goes to LTIR.

Players moving… we’ll see. Has to be a corresponding move to make the 23 man roster complainant. I suspect that is Protas back to AHL but we will see.

 

[twabby]

Willy is back tomorrow too.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Voltron activate!

 

[67 others]

Looks like he’s back tomorrow!

I’m going to let my emotional side get really excited, even if I’m not sure how his hip is going to hold up.

He's looked so smooth and comfortable in some of the tweets released that I am hopeful

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Willy is back tomorrow too.

 

[Brian23]

So I'm sure Protas is going down, which is ridiculous but whatever. Part of me assumes it'll either be Snively or AA. Then the next question is who's going to the pressbox for them? Gonna be annoyed if Milano has to take a seat.

 

[twabby]

Voltron activate!

 

[Rayquaza64]

power rangers, assemble!

 

[Jags]

 

[ClevelandCapsfan]

Damn, I honestly doubted we’d ever get to see him play again. Crazy he’s coming back this soon. I suspect you’re right, it will be a bit emotional seeing him out there again.

 

[4thTierSport]

Whoa. Both back at the same game is crazy on a couple different levels.