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

[kicksavedave]

First try got the #2 pick. Third try got #2 again. Sixteenth got the #1.

We're currently still stuck in the 13th spot which, I believe, means we could not get #1 or #2 even if we win the ping pong balls.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

One thing to celebrate: The last 10 games of Forsythe?

Lavi is gone too, but I'm more ecstatic this unidimentional cueball moose twit will be out.

Optimist speculation: New coaches leading to increased performance and therefore, Mantha on the right side will pot 15 PPGs next year and our PP% will be top 5. Yes, I may be day drinking. So what. lol

Will he? He’s lasted through multiple regimes right?

 

[StrikingDistance]

Will he? He’s lasted through multiple regimes right?

I think we're at a break-up point here. Sell-off in players, PP has been mediocre to terrible during the year, Lavi leaving, all this 're-tooling' talk...if I was FF, I'd be networking hard right now and polishing up that resume (instead of his head).

 

[Vilica]

We're currently still stuck in the 13th spot which, I believe, means we could not get #1 or #2 even if we win the ping pong balls.

Conspiracy theory: The 0% percent chance of the #1 pick is not the same as winning the lottery, as we can still win the lottery, but the reward is to move the pick 10 slots up, so that if we finish 14th, by "winning the lottery", we move to the 4th pick. Therefore, we've been told to finish outside the top 10, so when we win the lottery, we move up to 3rd or 4th. With that pick, we take Michkov, and then Ovi uses his Russian influence to get him over immediately. This benefits Bettman/NHL by bringing over the next star early, as opposed to a random team that might have to wait some years. You just have to trust the process.

 

[Corby78]

Rooting for Detroit, Ottawa, Calgary tonight.
Tomorrow a three point Blues game, Calgary, Zona, Vancouver

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

For the people who say tanking doesnt matter just look at our football team. Coach Ron wins a BS game on the last play of the game in a lost season and we go from pick 1 to 2 and the difference is Joe Burrow vs Chase Young. Ouch

 

[kicksavedave]

Conspiracy theory: The 0% percent chance of the #1 pick is not the same as winning the lottery, as we can still win the lottery, but the reward is to move the pick 10 slots up, so that if we finish 14th, by "winning the lottery", we move to the 4th pick. Therefore, we've been told to finish outside the top 10, so when we win the lottery, we move up to 3rd or 4th. With that pick, we take Michkov, and then Ovi uses his Russian influence to get him over immediately. This benefits Bettman/NHL by bringing over the next star early, as opposed to a random team that might have to wait some years. You just have to trust the process.

I want whatever you're smoking

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

For the people who say tanking doesnt matter just look at our football team. Coach Ron wins a BS game on the last play of the game in a lost season and we go from pick 1 to 2 and the difference is Joe Burrow vs Chase Young. Ouch

I was thinking about this earlier…..I was definitely pulling for those idiot Commodes in Ashburn to lose, then people got all spun up here like losing a playoff game with no QB would mean something.

Dan Snyder damaged my relationship with the franchise so much, truth is, it doesn’t pain me to see them lose like it does my Caps.

I guess that’s why I find the quest to lose distasteful/painful right now, although I can rationally see a pitiful chance at a top player is better than none. Can’t win if you don’t play the lotto.

 

[Brian23]

So he may have sat and been traded for the same reason but being sat may not have been the reason he was traded. Follow me? Or perhaps there were other reasons for both. I'm saying we don't know. I agree that all we have is clues and what bugs me is folks making declarative statements based on those as if they have/know the facts. It's one thing to speculate. It's another to decide in your own head that you know something (that you don't actually know) and then bitch about it and criticize the people involved based on your own imagined truth.

I understand to a point, but then beyond that what was the likely scenario? They had a top 6 value player who the coach wouldn't play at top 6, so they traded for someone they thought he would. I guess unless we want to get into maybe Vrana had demons before he was traded.

I think, for the point I think you're trying to make, the McMichael situation is probably a better one to point on. His whole situation this year was just so weird that I don't know if you can accurately state what the reasons for his situation where. I know I pounded the drum for what I thought was going on, and I'll still stand by that, but it doesn't mean there weren't a lot of arguments over it.

One thing to celebrate: The last 10 games of Forsythe?

He's made it this long, I would be terrified he'll find a way to continue on past this.

 

[pman25]

Getting Bedard would be astounding and likely isn't going to happen, so if that's the benchmark then fine, it's hopeless. But I think that's absurd. It's possible to retool (not rebuild) through strategic trades, etc. The objective here it seems to me, barring something unexpected like winning the lottery, isn't to become a top tier team in a year or so. It's to become a playoff team again, be good enough to get in and to get Ovie his goals, and to keep improving through trades and the draft over the next few years. That does not sound impossible at all to me.

Yes, a fine objective. I think what most of us are saying though is that said picture is not likely given our anchor retirement contracts, lack of NHL ready prospects, and slim pickings on the free agent and trade market. It's just more than likely they run it back again next year

I am very down for strategic trades. Bos 1st for Sandin was smart. But Chychrun, Meier were likely that last available impact players that we could have traded for. The only ones left are Boeser, Miller and they aren't appealing at all. I just see a lot of scraps out there so I fail to see where this retool will come in to play when there aren't many tools to choose from and we can't unload the old tools we have!

 

[twabby]

I wonder if Mike Sullivan is going to be fired if Pittsburgh misses the playoffs. It would certainly be awkward because Sullivan recently got an extension that starts after the 23-24 season, but nothing about Hextall’s tenure in Pittsburgh has been conventional so I could see it happening.

Sullivan would certainly be an attractive hire for Washington, even if he has kind of done a bad job this year. I hope they stay far away from Darryl Sutter if/when he’s fired.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I wonder if Mike Sullivan is going to be fired if Pittsburgh misses the playoffs. It would certainly be awkward because Sullivan recently got an extension that starts after the 23-24 season, but nothing about Hextall’s tenure in Pittsburgh has been conventional so I could see it happening.

Sullivan would certainly be an attractive hire for Washington, even if he has kind of done a bad job this year. I hope they stay far away from Darryl Sutter if/when he’s fired.

At first I thought they would go with someone less experienced but with the short window left for Ovi I now believe it will be someone established and experienced. Sullivan would be a great hire.

 

[Calicaps]

Yes, a fine objective. I think what most of us are saying though is that said picture is not likely given our anchor retirement contracts, lack of NHL ready prospects, and slim pickings on the free agent and trade market. It's just more than likely they run it back again next year

I am very down for strategic trades. Bos 1st for Sandin was smart. But Chychrun, Meier were likely that last available impact players that we could have traded for. The only ones left are Boeser, Miller and they aren't appealing at all. I just see a lot of scraps out there so I fail to see where this retool will come in to play when there aren't many tools to choose from and we can't unload the old tools we have!

Well then I guess I'm just glad "most of us" aren't running the team. Hopefully Mac and his staff aren't just sitting around saying "oh well! we can't do this and we can't do that so we'll just run it back again next year!"

 

[YippieKaey]

One thing to celebrate: The last 10 games of Forsythe?

Lavi is gone too, but I'm more ecstatic this unidimentional cueball moose twit will be out.

Optimist speculation: New coaches leading to increased performance and therefore, Mantha on the right side will pot 15 PPGs next year and our PP% will be top 5. Yes, I may be day drinking. So what. lol

How many days? Im worried about you friend

 

[YippieKaey]

Yes, a fine objective. I think what most of us are saying though is that said picture is not likely given our anchor retirement contracts, lack of NHL ready prospects, and slim pickings on the free agent and trade market. It's just more than likely they run it back again next year

I am very down for strategic trades. Bos 1st for Sandin was smart. But Chychrun, Meier were likely that last available impact players that we could have traded for. The only ones left are Boeser, Miller and they aren't appealing at all. I just see a lot of scraps out there so I fail to see where this retool will come in to play when there aren't many tools to choose from and we can't unload the old tools we have!

I'd do Kuzy+Mantha for Boeser anytime.

 

[StrikingDistance]

How many days? Im worried about you friend

What's today? haha

Seriously...give Mantha another coach, another chance (he's got a year left and not worth much atm) and a dynamic PP with more than 1 real threat besides Ovi standing around waiting to slam pucks, and Mantha will score. IMO, the way Lavi has treated him and bounced him around, he's probably unmotivated. Look on the brightside, he starts producing, value goes up and he's trade bait. It'll be a 'prove it' year for him.

 

[pman25]

I'd do Kuzy+Mantha for Boeser anytime.

Boeser doesn’t do much for me, another complimentary winger who doesn’t really drive play and his best asset seems to be a decent shot on the powerplay. We already have TJ Oshie.

Also, lots of cap going to Vancouver there, they couldn’t make that work. Kuzy might be an ideal 2C target for someone like Colorado or Columbus. Maybe Montreal. I can see a number of fits for him around the league, just don’t know what the value is but I’d have to think it’s not terrible considering he does have decent enough production and is a centerman

 

[Misery74]

Anthony Mantha makes $5.7m. This year and next.

Any chance Anthony Mantha has the highest salary for a guy that’s regularly scratched?

I wonder if BMac and Laviolette are even in speaking terms?

Won’t be shocked when we lose at home to Columbus tomorrow night.

 

[DWGie26]

I don’t think you can pull a bunch of prospects up from Hershey to get NHL experience for last 11 games. They won’t get that much and frankly, more valuable to keep Hershey on a run for Calder Cup.

That said, I think you could bring up Snively in favor of Sheary and/or Smith. Assuming everyone is healthy (which is a big if):

OV-Kuzy-Mantha
Milano-Strome-Wilson
Snively-Backstrom-Oshie
Protas-Dowd-NAK
Smith-Sheary

Sandin-JC74
Fever-Jensen
Alexyev-TVR
Irwin (Carlsson to Hershey)

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I'd do Kuzy+Mantha for Boeser anytime.

Ugh hard no. That would be a terrible trade. Boeser can kinda score but he’s pretty much a liability if he’s not putting the puck in the net and he’s not even really good at that having never scored 30.

For context, he and Mantha had almost identical production while Mantha was in Detroit but Mantha is a way better two-way player. Boeser would be a whipping boy real quick here. Boeser gives you Marcus Johansson production with none of the defensive game. Hard pass.

Also this begs the question, how did Lavi ruin Mantha? He was a 25 goals 50 point guy for multiple seasons and had 38 points in 43 games during the Covid year, and he was a beast defensively while playing in Detroit. He gets to DC and his game goes to shit. It’s honestly wild and I don’t think people understand how good Mantha was before he got here. I’d fire Lavi if for no other reason than a new coach being able to get Mantha on track gives us another top six winger for free.

Here’s Boeser’s isolates by the way, they stink.

 

[Calicaps]

Ugh hard no. That would be a terrible trade. Boeser can kinda score but he’s pretty much a liability if he’s not putting the puck in the net and he’s not even really good at that having never scored 30.

For context, he and Mantha had almost identical production while Mantha was in Detroit but Mantha is a way better two-way player. Boeser would be a whipping boy real quick here. Boeser gives you Marcus Johansson production with none of the defensive game. Hard pass.

Also this begs the question, how did Lavi ruin Mantha? He was a 25 goals 50 point guy for multiple seasons and had 38 points in 43 games during the Covid year, and he was a beast defensively while playing in Detroit. He gets to DC and his game goes to shit. It’s honestly wild and I don’t think people understand how good Mantha was before he got here. I’d fire Lavi if for no other reason than a new coach being able to get Mantha on track gives us another top six winger for free.

Here’s Boeser’s isolates by the way, they stink.

View attachment 673166

I appreciate this post for confirming that Mantha was in fact solid in Detroit and that I wasn't crazy to have been happy about the trade when it happened.

 

[trick9]

According to Moneypuck, our Playoff chances went down to 0.9 %. Our chances of getting Connor Bedard are 1.8 % right now.

We are 70% favourites to beat the Blue Jackets though!

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I appreciate this post for confirming that Mantha was in fact solid in Detroit and that I wasn't crazy to have been happy about the trade when it happened.

He was in fact solid. Very solid. He was a different player than the one we see today. I don’t know if it was coaching or injuries or a reduced role or all of the above but he was a very good player in Detroit and he’s struggling here. Very much hoping a new coach comes in and gives him confidence and puts him in a position to succeed.

 

[Kuz]

We are 70% favourites to beat the Blue Jackets though!

With a win over Blue Jackets and Blackhawks they might suddenly believe they have a shot again.

 

[Brian23]

He was in fact solid. Very solid. He was a different player than the one we see today. I don’t know if it was coaching or injuries or a reduced role or all of the above but he was a very good player in Detroit and he’s struggling here. Very much hoping a new coach comes in and gives him confidence and puts him in a position to succeed.

I mean, he was a different player last year. I don't know how anyone can look at Mantha and not see how the coach has absolutely destroyed the player's confidence. I'd argue Lavi's done it to a couple of players during his tenure, and it's ridiculous it's not raved about in the media more.