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

[SherVaughn30]

I like thinking of rosters so here's my preferred and realistic 2024 season opener:

Ovi-Kuzy-Wilson
Milano-Strome-Brown
CMM-Bäckström-Sheary/Oshie
Protas-Dowd-NAK

Fever-Carlson
Jensen-Chychrun
Gus-Mcilrath

Sheary will be gone, trade(it would be the smart way and get a return for him) or free agency. CMM will have to prove in pre-season that he's ready to be an NHL regular. NAK could be traded(would be smart to try to get a small return for him) or gone in free agency too. Brown I agree should be re-signed(maybe a 1 or 2 year deal) with a lower cap hit, bcuz what was traded for him would be a waste of assets. Chychrun will be costly and a h*ll no to McIIrath(a new coach will certainly not keep him on the NHL roster). Protas has better skill than just playing on a 4th line.

 

[Roshi]

Sheary will be gone, trade(it would be the smart way and get a return for him) or free agency. CMM will have to prove in pre-season that he's ready to be an NHL regular. NAK could be traded(would be smart to try to get a small return for him) or gone in free agency too. Brown I agree should be re-signed(maybe a 1 or 2 year deal) with a lower cap hit, bcuz what was traded for him would be a waste of assets. Chychrun will be costly and a h*ll no to McIIrath(a new coach will certainly not keep him on the NHL roster). Protas has better skill than just playing on a 4th line.

I wouldnt be suprised if McIlrath is our "Irwin" for next season. They are playing him up and having a look for a reason (over AA, LuJo etc) and I dont think he is doing notably bad for a 7D + tough guy + locker room sweetheart role. Team looks like they enjoy having him. Did you see Wilsons smile after McIlrath fought with a Rags-player, that was just sincere joy

I too think they want to keep Brown. They seemed very high on what he brings when they traded for him.

Losing to Sabres should be go-ahead sign to move forward with sell.

As for Chychrun, I just dont see it. If they were to all-in, they would done so earlier (pretty soon after they knew JC is going to miss significant time). BM rarely leaves his big moves until the last minute of TDL and Chychrun wont be there after TDL either. Id figure they will just sell some UFA's, maybe bring in some reclamation case or two to showcase for 10+ games for a spot for next season and then go into hibernation to come back when they have a better picture (injuries, whos going to be at the UFA market, what our scouts think of the draft picks we have etc) of what we have and what will be avaivable closer to draft. They havent been known to rush into things.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Disagree. This falls on Lavi and his lack of respect to want to coach young players. BMac is somewhat handcuffed by Ted/Dick Patrick for the marketing reasons. BMac is a no-nonsense straight shooter. When he see's a problem he tries to address it. BMac could transaction young players from Hershey if he wanted to, but then he would create a big rift with Lavi and his own bosses. Remember, Ted doesn't like firing employees as he finds it counterproductive(Ted has been quoted saying something along these lines). The Caps were playing their best with the young players in the lineup in December. Backstrom, Wilson and Oshie out of the lineup forced Lavi's hand. Once the vets were healthy again, the team chemistry got terribly messed up(Lavi got away from the lines that were contributing a good deal to winning games) and also slower. Bottom line, Lavi was the wrong coach for this team to begin with, but a lot of us were blinded by that because how bad Reirden was as our coach!

I’m sorry but the conspiracy theory that Ted is really the one playing general manager to me is nonsense.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I’m sorry but the conspiracy theory that Ted is really the one playing general manager to me is nonsense.

It’s absolutely not nonsense. He’s been vocal in the past about keeping players like Nick, Oshie, and Ovi. He said straight up he won’t let the Wizards tank. The dude has press conferences to discuss anything from his vision for the teams to explaining why he made decisions he made. He was the one who had the press conference about Barry leaving. He was the one who said it was Barry’s agent’s fault they insisted on an automatic extension if they won the Cup and that in his mind, there was no need to negotiate a contract with Trotz because he was already under contract.

He may not be the one making the trades or figuring out numbers on a contract but he certainly dictates the parameters under which his management teams can operate.

 

[Brian23]

It’s absolutely not nonsense. He’s been vocal in the past about keeping players like Nick, Oshie, and Ovi. He said straight up he won’t let the Wizards tank. The dude has press conferences to discuss anything from his vision for the teams to explaining why he made decisions he made. He was the one who had the press conference about Barry leaving. He was the one who said it was Barry’s agent’s fault they insisted on an automatic extension if they won the Cup and that in his mind, there was no need to negotiate a contract with Trotz because he was already under contract.

He may not be the one making the trades or figuring out numbers on a contract but he certainly dictates the parameters under which his management teams can operate.

Once again.

I'd argue a GMBM is basically a super scout who is probably more co-worker with Lavi then he is his boss. He crosses the Ts and dots the Is, but Ted is setting over-arching policy on basically anything with consequence.

 

[g00n]

It’s absolutely not nonsense. He’s been vocal in the past about keeping players like Nick, Oshie, and Ovi. He said straight up he won’t let the Wizards tank. The dude has press conferences to discuss anything from his vision for the teams to explaining why he made decisions he made. He was the one who had the press conference about Barry leaving. He was the one who said it was Barry’s agent’s fault they insisted on an automatic extension if they won the Cup and that in his mind, there was no need to negotiate a contract with Trotz because he was already under contract.

He may not be the one making the trades or figuring out numbers on a contract but he certainly dictates the parameters under which his management teams can operate.

Just. Like. Any. Other. Business.

 

[Lou Sassole]

It’s absolutely not nonsense. He’s been vocal in the past about keeping players like Nick, Oshie, and Ovi. He said straight up he won’t let the Wizards tank. The dude has press conferences to discuss anything from his vision for the teams to explaining why he made decisions he made. He was the one who had the press conference about Barry leaving. He was the one who said it was Barry’s agent’s fault they insisted on an automatic extension if they won the Cup and that in his mind, there was no need to negotiate a contract with Trotz because he was already under contract.

He may not be the one making the trades or figuring out numbers on a contract but he certainly dictates the parameters under which his management teams can operate.

His anti-tanking stance is bizarre. If we didn't sell off and tank for Ovie, no Rock the Red era, no cup, etc...

 

[Brian23]

 

[Brian23]

Which players are most likely to go next as Capitals begin trade sell-off?

I doubt I can just post the whole report, but if this plays out there's no retooling. It's just the same boat with new deck chairs.

 

[um]

View attachment 658302
Which players are most likely to go next as Capitals begin trade sell-off?

I doubt I can just post the whole report, but if this plays out there's no retooling. It's just the same boat with new deck chairs.

Theres no point in trading the Bruins first before the season is over. That's an offseason move.

 

[Cappy76]

Theres no point in trading the Bruins first before the season is over. That's an offseason move.

Yep this…

Could absolutely see them packaging the 2 first on the draft floor to move up if someone starts slipping as well.

 

[philip]

Behind the loop here big time, but I just realised Hathaway and Orlov got traded, not happy about either of those leaving, especially Hath. what's the feeling around here

 

[um]

Behind the loop here big time, but I just realised Hathaway and Orlov got traded, not happy about either of those leaving, especially Hath. what's the feeling around here

Orlov wanted a 6 year deal, I'm glad we moved him.

Hathaway I would have liked to keep, but who knows what he wanted.

All in all I'm glad the Caps are accepting that they are not a playoff team and are beginning the retool/rebuild.

 

[philip]

Orlov wanted a 6 year deal, I'm glad we moved him.

Hathaway I would have liked to keep, but who knows what he wanted.

All in all I'm glad the Caps are accepting that they are not a playoff team and are beginning the retool/rebuild.

Did he really, I bet he wanted 6x6m or something as well right. it feels like we're gonna struggle to make the playoffs now are we, so not against getting what we can to be honest, but I'd still have preferred to keep effort and heart and soul guys like Hathaway. he's pretty much the ideal bottom line guy

 

[Brian23]

Orlov wanted a 6 year deal, I'm glad we moved him.

Hathaway I would have liked to keep, but who knows what he wanted.

All in all I'm glad the Caps are accepting that they are not a playoff team and are beginning the retool/rebuild.

Actually, it was 7 apparently.

https://www.washingtonhockeynow.com/2023/02/27/washington-capitals-dmitry-orlov-extension-impossible

I also can't imagine he wanted a pay cut either, so that was at least a 7 year 35 million dollar deal. Probably closer to 42 million. I would have cut bait too.

 

[itsjustsurvival]

Did he really, I bet he wanted 6x6m or something as well right. it feels like we're gonna struggle to make the playoffs now are we, so not against getting what we can to be honest, but I'd still have preferred to keep effort and heart and soul guys like Hathaway. he's pretty much the ideal bottom line guy

I liked both players, but you really shouldn't be overpaying for depth wingers in the current Salary Cap era. I think they did well to move on. Especially if you have both Mantha and Oshie making over $5m already on your cap.

 

[tycoonheart]

I don't think moving Orlov signifies that management is willing to sell. Looks like it was done purely because there was no way the two parties would agree on an extension.

GMBM is gonna stay out. Maybe add some cheap players at the deadline.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Hah I knew Orlov was asking for 7 years! I mean at least first ask…..then settle on 6 if he’s lucky.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

I don't think moving Orlov signifies that management is willing to sell. Looks like it was done purely because there was no way the two parties would agree on an extension.

GMBM is gonna stay out. Maybe add some cheap players at the deadline.

None of the other pending UFAs/RFAs is in Orlov's salary range, so the negotiation with him was definitely an outlier. However, Jensen and Gus on the D side (and Fever as an RFA) and to a lesser degree Sheary in the forward group should be looking at significant raises imo. So I could see the team deciding to move on/sell high on the UFAs at least if their $$ +/or term asks are too high. But given Orlov's outlier status, I would agree that the team moving him isn't a clear indication of a widescale sell-off.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

This. The retool will do damn near nothing and this team will have a hard time making the loffs again next year when a huge chunk of their payroll is still often injured.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

This. The retool will do damn near nothing and this team will have a hard time making the loffs again next year when a huge chunk of their payroll is still often injured.

So we‘re accepting what, that they’re all washed, no chance of bounce back seasons for any of the core?

I have a hard time accepting that.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

So we‘re accepting what, that they’re all washed, no chance of bounce back seasons for any of the core?

I have a hard time accepting that.

Not washed. Often injured and aged. They are still decent players when they are in the line-up but given their age and injury history it seems unlikely their health will somehow improve moving forward on a consistent basis. I would love to be wrong though and I hope I am and that Caps mgmt knows some secret info we don’t.

 

[Langway]

The task is not just the core bouncing back but also replacing all of the various high ROI depth players (likely again on the cheap). Without much coming through the system providing high ROI it's hard to keep banking on UFA or very targeted trades. I think Wilson can bounce back. But who knows what Carlson's game will be like and Backstrom essentially seems cooked. Given the potential for further D turnover and at least the possibility younger teams like OTT/BUF/DET only improve further it's hard to like their projected chances.

Doesn't mean they can't thread that needle but it's going to be difficult.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

The task is not just the core bouncing back but also replacing all of the various high ROI depth players (likely again on the cheap). Without much coming through the system providing high ROI it's hard to keep banking on UFA or very targeted trades. I think Wilson can bounce back. But who knows what Carlson's game will be like and Backstrom essentially seems cooked. Given the potential for further D turnover and at least the possibility younger teams like OTT/BUF/DET only improve further it's hard to like their projected chances.

Doesn't mean they can't thread that needle but it's going to be difficult.

This.

You can’t come back next season again and ask a 38 year old to literally carry the team and play 20+ minutes a night. It’s not realistic, nor fair.

 

[Langway]

The other thing is that given league-wide trends toward more offense it will be increasingly difficult to ride more of a checking style to the playoffs. It can happen but they will need the horses to execute it at a higher level. Even if they were to return mostly the same blueline and then even upgrade a bit with Chychrun I don't think you can get there with these centers. Their centers aren't suited for much of anything at this stage at a high level. Aside from maybe lucking out and being able to pick a good one top ten I don't know how that issue gets solved any time soon.