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

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Patty Kane is running out of dance partners now that the rangers blew their cap space.

Sounds like the Hawks wanted way more than the 1st and other pieces the blues got. I’m not sure the hawks get more then that and get Kane to waive his NTC

Sounds alot like how they handles MAF last season. Maybe Vegas does something desperate with Stone out. Maybe the Sabers Devils or Canes buy in for a push.

 

[hb13xchamps]

The Caps haven’t come up in the Kane discussions recently. That’s probably a good thing because it was reported his injury is a hip injury and he’s had it for a few seasons now.

I’ve seen Washington linked to Toews and I just don’t buy it. Why add yet another center and one that would be super pricey even with 50% retention.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Karlsson is the only true difference maker for them. More so than Meier. I’d love both, but special K is where they need help. Imagine him on that blue line with big John healthy too?

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Karlsson is the only true difference maker for them. More so than Meier. I’d love both, but special K is where they need help. Imagine him on that blue line with big John healthy too?

I’ve been thinking about the same for Carlson and Karlsson. For Ek I think we need to look more at his stats when burns was in the lineup and he wasn’t getting all the prime minutes.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Karlsson is the guy that can carry a team. He did it in Ottawa a time or 2…

Sell for him. With retention — or don’t.

But he’s the guy. For the Ovy years.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Wilson out again in practice. Did he break his foot/ankle blocking that shot. Or is this from his off-season surgery? No one is telling us what’s up and why he can’t skate.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Meier would be a great addition. Would they be able to sign him to an extension in the offseason without screwing up the salary cap? A Kuznetsov trade in the offseason could clear up enough salary to help get him signed long term.

Short term you’d be looking at Mantha + McMichael/Lapierre and maybe a draft pick to get him?

 

[twabby]

Meier would be a great addition. Would they be able to sign him to an extension in the offseason without screwing up the salary cap? A Kuznetsov trade in the offseason could clear up enough salary to help get him signed long term.

Short term you’d be looking at Mantha + McMichael/Lapierre and maybe a draft pick to get him?

I think he can fit if they are aggressive about retooling and letting some vets go.

Mantha should be off the books, as will Eller. Together they are $9.2 million. Meier at say $9 million AAV and Protas are a total of $9.789M as their direct replacements.

However I really do think that if they are serious about retooling going into next season that Oshie's contract is going to have to be shed. Their #2 thru #4 defensemen are all UFAs (Orlov, Jensen, Gustafsson). Even if they decide to let some of these guys walk it's hard to envision a scenario where their #2 thru #4 defensemen are collectively cheaper next year. Same deal with Kuznetsov. Even if they move on from him as they should, his replacement isn't likely to be cheaper. It's just hard for me to envision a scenario where Washington seriously improves their roster with Oshie still a part of the team (unless Backstrom's injury forces him to retire I guess).

If Meier can't fit then I don't see a reason to acquire him. IMO Meier's main value to DC isn't this year but the next few seasons given they need to address other roster pieces, namely another top 6 C.

 

[Brian23]

I love Oshie, but I'm not as big on the lifetime contracts as everyone else (like, I'd have probably been fine letting Backstrom walk instead of paying him).

But do people really think the team has the cahones to trade Oshie? I feel like he's been synonomous with Capitals hockey since he showed up, without a doubt the 3rd Musketeer during his time. I can't see Ted okaying the, what amounts to, ruthless business decision to unload him.

 

[g00n]

I love Oshie, but I'm not as big on the lifetime contracts as everyone else (like, I'd have probably been fine letting Backstrom walk instead of paying him).

But do people really think the team has the cahones to trade Oshie? I feel like he's been synonomous with Capitals hockey since he showed up, without a doubt the 3rd Musketeer during his time. I can't see Ted okaying the, what amounts to, ruthless business decision to unload him.

I think the firesale was a painful lesson learned. The Caps legends jettisoned and the fans were all miffed.

He likely won't ever do that again and a guy like Oshie isn't going to be one-off traded as a cap dump, imo. It would have to be some kind of "both sides benefit" farewell tour kind of thing, like maybe going to his hometown club or some other destination of that sort. Kind of like when Hunter moved on, iirc.

Not impossible but not likely, imo

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Ovechkin and Backstrom are the only untouchables and really you’d have no argument from me if they traded Backstrom. He’ll still go to the rafters and he’ll forever be a Caps legend. Bondra was traded after 14 seasons, 480+ goals, and 800+ points. I don’t think him being traded dimmed the shine on his status as a Caps legend. Holtby was every bit a part of the locker room just like Oshie and they let him walk.

The question they need to ask is: if Oshie was a UFA this year would they re-sign him? The answer should be no, so he shouldn’t be viewed as untouchable just because he’s under contract. They’ve paid him tens of millions of dollars for his services and gave him a great home for eight seasons, they don’t owe him anything else.

They should still be trying to win the Cup. If they’re not then that’s a disservice to their fans and their players. This is a professional sports team and every single decision should be focused on how to win the Cup. Being good also helps Ovechkin catch Gretzky. Talking about 2018 at this point is best left to alumni events and beers at the bar. It should have no bearing whatsoever on their decisions moving forward. Hopefully this year is the impetus they need to make meaningful changes at a foundational level.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Beyond the forwards that are UFAs, there's only two other forwards that I would like to see moved, Mantha and Kuznetsov. Oshie plays the right way, he's good on the ice and in the locker room, he's the type of player that you want around your young players, a positive influence. The opposite of Mantha and Kuzy.

 

[Hivemind]

I love Oshie, but having $5.75M tied up in a player who can't stay on the ice is not a recipe for success. He was excellent at finishing in the playoffs last year, but as we're seeing right now, the playoffs aren't guaranteed.

 

[HTFN]

Lindgren looking like a viper here. That was fast

 

[hb13xchamps]

The Strome resigning makes a Kuznetsov deal a little easier to stomach if they choose to go that route. Only real question mark will be Backstrom. Is he really “pain free” as he says he is? Will his hip hold up for the rest of the season? If they don’t feel confident in him playing next season, I wouldn’t move on from Kuznetsov unless there’s another top 6 center lined up.

 

[Hivemind]

The Strome resigning makes a Kuznetsov deal a little easier to stomach if they choose to go that route. Only real question mark will be Backstrom. Is he really “pain free” as he says he is? Will his hip hold up for the rest of the season? If they don’t feel confident in him playing next season, I wouldn’t move on from Kuznetsov unless there’s another top 6 center lined up.

This is basically how I feel. Kuzy is drastically underperforming right now, but he's also someone more likely to rebound than a lot of their other veterans. We need to know what kind of performances we can expect from Backstrom before they can commit to a Strome/Backstrom top six. Even this "pain free" Backstrom is basically treading water right now.

 

[SherVaughn30]

This is basically how I feel. Kuzy is drastically underperforming right now, but he's also someone more likely to rebound than a lot of their other veterans. We need to know what kind of performances we can expect from Backstrom before they can commit to a Strome/Backstrom top six. Even this "pain free" Backstrom is basically treading water right now.

I'd be more worried about Carlson than Backy right now.

 

[Hivemind]

I'd be more worried about Carlson than Backy right now.

I also have plenty of concerns regarding Carlson (and particularly his four dud playoff performances in a row), but decisions around Carlson have less impact on the center position that was being discussed.

 

[Jags]

This is basically how I feel. Kuzy is drastically underperforming right now, but he's also someone more likely to rebound than a lot of their other veterans. We need to know what kind of performances we can expect from Backstrom before they can commit to a Strome/Backstrom top six. Even this "pain free" Backstrom is basically treading water right now.

Yeah, and despite being perfectly willing to move Kuznetsov and/or Oshie, it's hard to imagine how much interest there'd be in an $8m low-effort enigma and a Six Million Dollar man whose bionics are failing him on the regular.

I'm cool trading them, but paying to trade them is another thing entirely. Starting to feel like really making this team better might require a hitman or a time machine. Or both, then it's a Terminator movie. Ovi in the Arnold role... At least we could sell tickets to that if the hockey thing starts to sputter.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Beyond the forwards that are UFAs, there's only two other forwards that I would like to see moved, Mantha and Kuznetsov. Oshie plays the right way, he's good on the ice and in the locker room, he's the type of player that you want around your young players, a positive influence. The opposite of Mantha and Kuzy.

Except Oshie is often injured.

 

[g00n]

Ovechkin and Backstrom are the only untouchables and really you’d have no argument from me if they traded Backstrom. He’ll still go to the rafters and he’ll forever be a Caps legend. Bondra was traded after 14 seasons, 480+ goals, and 800+ points. I don’t think him being traded dimmed the shine on his status as a Caps legend. Holtby was every bit a part of the locker room just like Oshie and they let him walk.

The question they need to ask is: if Oshie was a UFA this year would they re-sign him? The answer should be no, so he shouldn’t be viewed as untouchable just because he’s under contract. They’ve paid him tens of millions of dollars for his services and gave him a great home for eight seasons, they don’t owe him anything else.

They should still be trying to win the Cup. If they’re not then that’s a disservice to their fans and their players. This is a professional sports team and every single decision should be focused on how to win the Cup. Being good also helps Ovechkin catch Gretzky. Talking about 2018 at this point is best left to alumni events and beers at the bar. It should have no bearing whatsoever on their decisions moving forward. Hopefully this year is the impetus they need to make meaningful changes at a foundational level.

The thing is they have to figure out their shit RIGHT NOW. Which team are they...Nov and Jan Caps, or Dec Caps?

Based on season points % and remaining games they'd finish in the last WC spot BARELY ahead of Buffalo.

But going by the convenient measure of last 10 games, the points % (40%) is strongly against them. Buffalo, FLA, PIT, NYI, and OTT would all finish ahead of WAS based on recent trends.

Even if the Caps boost their p% to 60% they still fall behind FLA and BUF.

If everyone else stays the same based on the last 10 (not likely...will fluctuate...Canes not going 95% the rest of the way etc) the Caps need to increase their points production to around 65%, or ~38 points in the final 29 games.

That means winning about 2 out of every 3, or 1 win and 2 ties.

Can they get 4 points out of 6 available in every 3 game stretch?

If not they should be selling, and maybe getting the coaching candidate list ready.

 

[Langway]

MacLellan is on record as planning on waiting until the last minute...but is it even feasible to pivot to last minute seller? The market may evolve before then, as we've seen already with Horvat/Tarasenko. If Gavrikov, Edmundson and perhaps Chychrun move earlier would there still be a robust market for Orlov/Jensen if only available late? They would IMO be the top two D rentals but may not necessarily garner a top return if the market takes an early turn. I'm skeptical that plan will come into effect but as a consideration it may not be viable if they wait until the last minute.

Hard to believe then that there will be a purge at the deadline barring the next couple weeks being a complete disaster. It's only three weeks away. They have ten games in the meantime. They could go 3-7-0 and still remain within range enough where it's conceivable they could still make it. They'd need a shake-up trade probably. Arguably they need to make one either way involving Kuznetsov and/or Mantha. But I doubt all options are truly on the table. It would require a very bold sales job by MacLellan to persuade ownership to pack it in and could be the sort of thing that puts his neck on the line a year or two from now if results haven't improved. It seems far more likely they'll seek to essentially tread water, do just enough to remain on the good side of the bubble and again punt much of any critical decisions to the off-season (if then). Even if they make it this season they've got to know the status quo won't remain viable given development and increased flexibility from some of their younger competition. They need to shift gears to a wider perspective, something more forward-thinking and realistic in its assessment of what they have...a perspective not so sentimental and tied up in the past.

Timo Meier stays atop new NHL trade deadline Trade Bait board - but for how long? | TSN

Precisely three weeks before the deadline, there is talk that Timo Meier, San Jose’s 30-goal-scoring power forward who is No. 1 on today's new TSN Trade Bait Board, could be traded sooner rather than later.

www.tsn.ca

Andrew Peeke joins TSN's trade board. That's probably a better deadline fit than Boqvist and he could perhaps be a younger, cheaper Jensen replacement. Not as good as Jensen...maybe not even as good as TVR either. But younger and with some cost control/value as a stopgap type. CBJ shouldn't be in any hurry to move him so you'd figure the ask should be high. A Stecher type seems more likely, with ammo much better spent loading up for impact talent.

 

[twabby]

Oshie recently made mention of his back injury stemming from his foot injury last year. He also mentioned how there will be weeks where he can't walk and "that's the way she goes." He's also recently had core surgery. It's hard to imagine him turning things around from a health-standpoint. The on-ice results reflect the injuries piling up.

I don't know that there will be a trade partner that will take on 2 more years a $5.75 million without a sweetener attached. Most teams will probably stay away from him. He also has a 10 team no trade list.

But I think the Capitals have to attach a sweetener if that's what it takes. Or see if they can LTIR him. It's hard to envision the trend above reversing given the injuries, and Washington can't keep having that level of performance from a $5.75M guy.

 

[um]

I love Oshie, but I'm not as big on the lifetime contracts as everyone else (like, I'd have probably been fine letting Backstrom walk instead of paying him).

But do people really think the team has the cahones to trade Oshie? I feel like he's been synonomous with Capitals hockey since he showed up, without a doubt the 3rd Musketeer during his time. I can't see Ted okaying the, what amounts to, ruthless business decision to unload him.

to do it right now would be ruthless.

In the offseason after the Caps miss or get embarrassed in the playoffs would be more reasonable.

 

[twabby]

I mentioned it last offseason but as a team with limited prospects to use as trade chips I would highly consider using Martin Fehervary as a trade chip.

He hasn’t really made any strides this year. He’s safer this year defensively but is among the league’s worst offensive playdrivers as measured by RAPM. It’s hard for me to see much improvement in the coming years given he’s already 23. I think a decent #5 guy is probably his likeliest outcome at this point, and that’s hardly someone who should be untouchable.

But he plays 19+ minutes a night, is a good skater, and is physical. I think that carries value around the league.

He’s due a raise next year coming off his ELC. I suspect it’ll come in the $2 million to $3 million range if they bridge him (and they absolutely should bridge him instead of giving him a long-term deal). I think there will be cheaper options available in free agency this offseason to replace what Fehervary brings as well.