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

[AlexModvechkin8]

not all done on one short trade deadline/off-season window…..

Do we draft as well as Tampa? not close…..

Besides shedding 2 guys far apart (June 2013) and (March 2014)……..isn’t what’s being suggested here.

Who has shifted 2-3+ core guys (plus more non core) and rebuilt into a playoff contender the NEXT season.

THIS is the pipe-dream you’re selling….that they can immediately rebuild into a contender again. I can’t think of any team who did it in that short of time. Especially with the potential amount of roster turnover which some of you want……a large if not complete purge of UFAs, and some core players also……Which is why I ask.

Florida just traded Huberdeau and Weegar literally last offseason. Huberdeau played 675ish games over 10 seasons for Florida after being selected 3rd in 2011. Weegar played in 300+ games for them over six seasons and was their top defenseman with Ekblad hurt for a decent chunk of the season. They also lost Mason Marchment who was a top six piece for them. And Anthony Duclair has been on IR all year. And they lost both of their big TDL acquisitions (Giroux and Chiarot) plus other depth players like Robert Hagg and Noel Acciari. They stumbled out of the gate but they're firmly in the playoff mix now, and that's with a boat anchor contract in Bobrovsky.

No one thinks they can waive a wand and get rid of all of Kuznetsov, Backstrom, Oshie, and Mantha but they can certainly attempt to move one or two of them as well as rebuild the team around them. If they had most of the roster under contract next season I'd agree with you that it's a pipe dream to reload in one or two seasons but half their roster are free agents after this season. That's such a unique position to be in and it's one they shouldn't waste. They could get multiple picks in the first three rounds + prospects collectively for guys like Orlov, Jensen, Gustafsson, and Hathaway.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I doubt we are getting better players for what we offer. Especially when they are underperforming which lowers their value. Caps can get mainly picks or prospects. That won't make them better next year and the year after.

Maybe some of you want to trade UFA and core players for picks and sign better UFA this summer, but don't forget, they all are overpriced and you are really in danger to degrade even more next season.

With Backstrom we just stuck, it was a cost of having two great players over two decades.

Why not? If they got multiple first round picks for Orlov and Hathaway why couldn't they use those assets to be better next year? And they have a boatload of cap space next offseason. Why couldn't they make a big trade or two, sign a few key free agents, and take another bite at the apple with a retooled roster?

They are going to have a completely different roster next year regardless with a new coach in all likelihood. The post-Stanley Cup era is over. The question is will they give themselves a better chance to compete sooner by acquiring more assets or will they fight the tide and drift out to sea?

 

[Brian23]

They are going to have a completely different roster next year regardless with a new coach in all likelihood. The post-Stanley Cup era is over. The question is will they give themselves a better chance to compete sooner by acquiring more assets or will they fight the tide and drift out to sea?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

My assumption unless otherwise notified, is that per Ownership directive, 8 and 19 aren’t moving……from there on…..anyone is fair game.

Florida just traded Huberdeau and Weegar literally last offseason. Huberdeau played 675ish games over 10 seasons for Florida after being selected 3rd in 2011. Weegar played in 300+ games for them over six seasons and was their top defenseman with Ekblad hurt for a decent chunk of the season. They also lost Mason Marchment who was a top six piece for them. And Anthony Duclair has been on IR all year. And they lost both of their big TDL acquisitions (Giroux and Chiarot) plus other depth players like Robert Hagg and Noel Acciari. They stumbled out of the gate but they're firmly in the playoff mix now, and that's with a boat anchor contract in Bobrovsky.

No one thinks they can waive a wand and get rid of all of Kuznetsov, Backstrom, Oshie, and Mantha but they can certainly attempt to move one or two of them as well as rebuild the team around them. If they had most of the roster under contract next season I'd agree with you that it's a pipe dream to reload in one or two seasons but half their roster are free agents after this season. That's such a unique position to be in and it's one they shouldn't waste. They could get multiple picks in the first three rounds + prospects collectively for guys like Orlov, Jensen, Gustafsson, and Hathaway.

I think that’s about the best recent example we’ll find, and they were not a playoff team until just recently…..of course they have a young(er) core too…

 

[shtorm2005]

Why not? If they got multiple first round picks for Orlov and Hathaway why couldn't they use those assets to be better next year? And they have a boatload of cap space next offseason. Why couldn't they make a big trade or two, sign a few key free agents, and take another bite at the apple with a retooled roster?

They are going to have a completely different roster next year regardless with a new coach in all likelihood. The post-Stanley Cup era is over. The question is will they give themselves a better chance to compete sooner by acquiring more assets or will they fight the tide and drift out to sea?

Well, there is a possibility to make things right. Eller, Mantha, TVR, can be traded without significant impact on the team. In case of Orlov, they will overpay for similar or better 2D on a free-agent market. Caps will pay if they want to get rid of Oshie, while he can be very useful when team plays well. Jensen and Hathaway will ask a rise, and rightfully. If you're advocating for trading (Eller, Mantha, TVR), that's I call a retool and don't have any problem with it. Anything else, I think Caps will pay more.

P.S. Forgot Hagelin, he can be traded too.

 

[crazy8888]

The whole year healthy Caps are easily Playoffs team. They shouldn't scrap everything because of fluke season.

Yes thank you. The panic here is getting a bit ridiculous. I see posters saying Det game is make it or break it and now we definitely got to sell. Wtf are people smoking. Right now Caps still have their own faith in their hands. This is not beer league, you cant just say f*** it lets start over next time. Time is precious and there is absolutely no guarantee that next few season will be better. How does anyone know that next year there will be no injuries? Goaltending wont go completely south? Its like some of you guys have this secret magic formula and all we have to do is trade away everybody and regardless of the return or anything else this team will automatically be better next season.

This team is still in the mix in spite of having more injuries to star players than anyone else and players not performing up to their contracts. In spite of (sometimes) questionable coaching. In spite of the division getting better. Ovi having to miss time. Hell, even a 5 game pointless streak didn't take us out of the playoffs more than few points.

I understand that the team needs to get younger. But i am against blowing it all up especially while they are still very much in the playoff race.

 

[Raikkonen]

They need to have less of those butter soft slow guys who are easy to play against.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Why not? If they got multiple first round picks for Orlov and Hathaway why couldn't they use those assets to be better next year? And they have a boatload of cap space next offseason. Why couldn't they make a big trade or two, sign a few key free agents, and take another bite at the apple with a retooled roster?

They are going to have a completely different roster next year regardless with a new coach in all likelihood. The post-Stanley Cup era is over. The question is will they give themselves a better chance to compete sooner by acquiring more assets or will they fight the tide and drift out to sea?

Could being the key word here…..all these moves take others to complete. They need good younger players who teams will just up and trade for mostly magic beans…..so start looking at bottom-level teams and scouring those rosters….probably where the search starts and ends unless GMBM can pull off some elite trades. Then add in overpriced, aged UFAs….who you can definitely hit a home run on, but a risky road.

Certainly not impossible, just probably improbable….

 

[Raikkonen]

This team is still in the mix in spite of having more injuries to star players than anyone else and players not performing up to their contracts. In spite of (sometimes) questionable coaching. In spite of the division getting better. Ovi having to miss time. Hell, even a 5 game pointless streak didn't take us out of the playoffs more than few points.

I understand that the team needs to get younger. But i am against blowing it all up especially while they are still very much in the playoff race.

I think you're delusional, sorry. If Caps were some carnivore sleeping beast they would show their stripes at least in some games. But they are flat every time. Not dangerous. They won't be different in playoffs, just will pick much lower in the draft.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Well, there is a possibility to make things right. Eller, Mantha, TVR, can be traded without significant impact on the team. In case of Orlov, they will overpay for similar or better 2D on a free-agent market. Caps will pay if they want to get rid of Oshie, while he can be very useful when team plays well. Jensen and Hathaway will ask a rise, and rightfully. If you're advocating for trading (Eller, Mantha, TVR), that's I call a retool and don't have any problem with it. Anything else, I think Caps will pay more.

They might, or they might not have to. If they trade Orlov for a ransom maybe they throw a pick and a prospect to Nashville for a player like Mattias Ekholm who is under contract for three more seasons. Not saying he’s the ideal target but he’s a target. Maybe Nashville goes nuclear and trades Roman Josi as part of a full rebuild.

That’s my entire point though. If they make the moves to acquire assets they give themselves more options at improving the roster sooner rather than later.

 

[max21]

What about the Rangers? They sorta did a mini rebuild while keeping their best scorer in Kreider. Once they traded Zucc and Mcdonagh and got Panarin with the emergence of Fox and Shesterkin they’re right back in it.

 

[Brian23]

Yes thank you. The panic here is getting a bit ridiculous.

Would you say the Senators are close to a playoff team? Or the Flyers?

That's who this team is closet comparable too. Acting like anything else is just going full head in the sand.

 

[shtorm2005]

They might, or they might not have to. If they trade Orlov for a ransom maybe they throw a pick and a prospect to Nashville for a player like Mattias Ekholm who is under contract for three more seasons. Not saying he’s the ideal target but he’s a target. Maybe Nashville goes nuclear and trades Roman Josi as part of a full rebuild.

That’s my entire point though. If they make the moves to acquire assets they give themselves more options at improving the roster sooner rather than later.

I feel like nobody giving him good options. Since many of them are dead weights, Caps asked to add picks instead of getting them.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Yes thank you. The panic here is getting a bit ridiculous. I see posters saying Det game is make it or break it and now we definitely got to sell. Wtf are people smoking. Right now Caps still have their own faith in their hands. This is not beer league, you cant just say f*** it lets start over next time. Time is precious and there is absolutely no guarantee that next few season will be better. How does anyone know that next year there will be no injuries? Goaltending wont go completely south? Its like some of you guys have this secret magic formula and all we have to do is trade away everybody and regardless of the return or anything else this team will automatically be better next season.

This team is still in the mix in spite of having more injuries to star players than anyone else and players not performing up to their contracts. In spite of (sometimes) questionable coaching. In spite of the division getting better. Ovi having to miss time. Hell, even a 5 game pointless streak didn't take us out of the playoffs more than few points.

I understand that the team needs to get younger. But i am against blowing it all up especially while they are still very much in the playoff race.

So when IS ”make or break“? I don’t like quitting before we’re eliminated either…..goes against my core values to quit early, but there is also a time where you have to accept your current path is not a successful one.

 

[crazy8888]

I think you're delusional, sorry. If Caps were some carnivore sleeping beast they would show their stripes at least in some games. But they are flat every time. Not dangerous. They won't be different in playoffs, just will pick much lower in the draft.

So i state my personal opinion based on facts of how things went so far this season.
And you state things like they won't be different in the playoffs. Your are the one acting like you can see into the future but im delusional? Very fitting response for these boards!

 

[Drakon]

Does anyone on these boards really believe the Capitals are, or have recently been, contenders? Nostalgia is great, but will not win any games. Caps need to shed salary and move guys they do not expect or want to re-sign - whether or not they are "core" (whatever that is) - if they expect to compete in Ovie's remaining contracted seasons.

Nope. Their window closed the day they won the cup. Hell, even they thought they were due for a retool after that year, but then just didn't do it. Hard to fault them I suppose, but I think they could've extended it by making some different moves.

 

[Peeri]

Way too many unknowns to make a solid plan as a fan IMO. But….lemme think on it and I’ll post something. Ovechkin is not buying into a big rebuild while he’s here IMO.

I'm sure Ovechkin is much rather is part of a competitive team and build for a future than play for a bottom feeder for the next years.

He's straight said he's not interested in a rebuild. So ya, it's Ovie or the tank. Folks can't have both.

"To me, a rebuild is when you look the players, the coaches, the fans in the eye and say we're gonna be really, really bad. And if we we're really, really bad, I don't think Alex would break the record." Quote by Leonsis

Ovechkin doesn't want to be part of the rebuild not because he doesn't want his "friends" to go but he doesn't want a bad team that will hurt his chances of the record. And he also wants a run for a second Stanley Cup run and this team is not even close to that.

Looking at the team today, we are definitely reaching for the really bad grade, and it certainly hurts Ovechkin chances of breaking the record. As close as he is today, he needs quality players around him to make sure he gets there.

 

[Drakon]

He's straight said he's not interested in a rebuild. So ya, it's Ovie or the tank. Folks can't have both.

I mean, good for him, but this team isn't going to be competitive if they hang on to his buddies.

 

[Calicaps]

Ovechkin doesn't want to be part of the rebuild not because he doesn't want his "friends" to go but he doesn't want a bad team that will hurt his chances of the record. And he also wants a run for a second Stanley Cup run and this team is not even close to that.

Looking at the team today, we are definitely reaching for the really bad grade, and it certainly hurts Ovechkin chances of breaking the record. As close as he is today, he needs quality players around him to make sure he gets there.

I mean, good for him, but this team isn't going to be competitive if they hang on to his buddies.

See Peeri's comment. It's not about his friends. It's about winning and breaking the record.

 

[Drakon]

See Peeri's comment. It's not about his friends. It's about winning and breaking the record.

But if they're going to win, they need to shed a lot of players who aren't very good anymore and are playing two lines higher than they would on a contender. Just because Ted's definition of rebuild is extremist because he's a moron doesn't mean the team doesn't need to be rebuilt if they're going to compete.

 

[Cappy76]

He's straight said he's not interested in a rebuild. So ya, it's Ovie or the tank. Folks can't have both.

You could have a retooling though and I think that’s what most have been pitching. Sure you have the occasional poster saying fire everyone into the sun but overall I think we all want them to admit this isn’t the year and move pieces they don’t plan on bringing back for futures. Those futures could be part of a package in the off-season or even at the deadline that bring in impact players for next season.

Moving Orlov for pieces that can be added to say CMM for Meier or Chychrun would be a win especially if Orlov is becoming less likely to sign as is being reported. Same for the likes of Jenson, Hathaway, Eller, Mojo, or other UFAs on the roster.

We need to have meaningful roster turnover this off-season and that starts with admitting as a team we don’t have a punchers chance this year and taking a step back to fix it.

 

[trick9]

Could being the key word here…..all these moves take others to complete. They need good younger players who teams will just up and trade for mostly magic beans…..so start looking at bottom-level teams and scouring those rosters….probably where the search starts and ends unless GMBM can pull off some elite trades. Then add in overpriced, aged UFAs….who you can definitely hit a home run on, but a risky road.

Certainly not impossible, just probably improbable….

These players were traded last summer:

Alex DeBrincat - 1st + 2nd + 3rd round picks
Nils Lundqvist - 1st + 4th round picks
Oliver Bjorkstrand - 3rd + 4th round picks
Kirby Dach - 1st + 3rd round picks
Alexander Romanov - 1st round pick
Connor Brown - Future 2nd round pick
John Marino - Ty Smith + 3rd round pick

There are good players available every summer, for all sorts of different reasons. Is it going to be easy? No. But the alternative isn't going to be easy either.

 

[Calicaps]

You could have a retooling though and I think that’s what most have been pitching. Sure you have the occasional poster saying fire everyone into the sun but overall I think we all want them to admit this isn’t the year and move pieces they don’t plan on bringing back for futures. Those futures could be part of a package in the off-season or even at the deadline that bring in impact players for next season.

Moving Orlov for pieces that can be added to say CMM for Meier or Chychrun would be a win especially if Orlov is becoming less likely to sign as is being reported. Same for the likes of Jenson, Hathaway, Eller, Mojo, or other UFAs on the roster.

We need to have meaningful roster turnover this off-season and that starts with admitting as a team we don’t have a punchers chance this year and taking a step back to fix it.

Oh I agree. Retooling is one thing. But there's a lot of folks here who believe that's impossible and that they need to tear it all down. and my point is only that you can't do that and have Ovie.

 

[crazy8888]

So when IS ”make or break“? I don’t like quitting before we’re eliminated either…..goes against my core values to quit early, but there is also a time where you have to accept your current path is not a successful one.

I'm not sure. Frankly its impossible for me to say as i do not know current status of Carlson or if/when he is expected back. I reckon management has more knowledge on this. However if Carlson is expected to be back soon than it is my humble opinion (without claiming to be able to see the future) that they should not give up on the season and instead try to get rid of dead weight (mostly Mantha) and at the same time try to add a useful piece (preferably on defense). Fully healthy i believe this team still has a fighting chance.

If Carlson if not expected to be back than i would be more open to retooling for next season. So thats where i will leave it i guess. If Carlson is due back soon than try to salvage the season. If not than retool for next season.

But regardless of what happens this season, next season they really have to get younger.

 

[twabby]

I just hope they aren’t afraid to sell to divisional rivals. For example if the Penguins want Garnet Hathaway to solidify their bottom 6 and they’re willing to pay a premium then do it!