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

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I think us rolling out the same team and being bottom of the league is looking at us in the face.

 

[WanderingCapsFan]

I think us rolling out the same team and being bottom of the league is looking at us in the face.

Don't see any other way. Old guys getting older and worse. Not many roster spots open. Tinker at the margins. The fall of Rome.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Don't see any other way. Old guys getting older and worse. Not many roster spots open. Tinker at the margins. The fall of Rome.

And it feels like there is the mentality that they think fans rather suck than trade fan favorites like Oshie, Backstrom (not that you could get anyone to take him) but this is nonsense. I would rather compete. I get there is something to be said for loyalty but this is professional sports and Ovi has precious time left in the NHL. They need to maximize that time and sadly that means making some tough decisions.

 

[trick9]

It’s good. Shut them all down. Everyone but Ovechkin and Backstrom. Let’s them play (for different reasons)

Playing Backstrom seems wise at this point given the hope for a better pick.

In the last 80 games without him the Capitals actually have 43-23-14 record.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Gibson backing up today lol they should just start him instead of keumper. F it.

 

[Misery74]

I think us rolling out the same team and being bottom of the league is looking at us in the face.

I don’t think so. Mantha has to be gone. Same with Smith and Sheary. Add to that, Laviolette will be long gone.

Not huge changes, I’ll give you that. At least we won’t have to watch a dogshit brand of hockey, and will see some youth.

 

[Langway]

I don’t think so. Mantha has to be gone. Same with Smith and Sheary. Add to that, Laviolette will be long gone.

Not huge changes, I’ll give you that. At least we won’t have to watch a dogshit brand of hockey, and will see some youth.

Will we? It could just be Protas & Alexeyev and maybe not even Alexeyev if they prefer more experience. Doubtful we see CMM/Lapierre at center for sure and probably not even at wing. Frank could surprise in camp but he's only a year younger than Strome. Maybe their early pick is in camp and earns a few games but they could take a college or European player.

I expect a pretty similarly conventional and impatient approach to getting back into the playoffs again. It's hard to see them leaving a middle six wing spot open for a younger player. At the very least they'd bring in a cheap Milano type (or probably bring Sheary back). I don't doubt CMM/Lapierre end up on the block for more of a sure thing top sixer. Maybe the brand of hockey improves but given some of their athletic limitations I wouldn't expect a substantially altered look. They're still likely to be a group that presents tactical limitations in what they realistically are able to do well. More of a developer would be welcome but given what's probably pressure to maintain relevancy I wouldn't be surprised if that takes a back seat once again.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Will we? It could just be Protas & Alexeyev and maybe not even Alexeyev if they prefer more experience. Doubtful we see CMM/Lapierre at center for sure and probably not even at wing. Frank could surprise in camp but he's only a year younger than Strome. Maybe their early pick is in camp and earns a few games but they could take a college or European player.

I expect a pretty similarly conventional and impatient approach to getting back into the playoffs again. It's hard to see them leaving a middle six wing spot open for a younger player. At the very least they'd bring in a cheap Milano type (or probably bring Sheary back). I don't doubt CMM/Lapierre end up on the block for more of a sure thing top sixer. Maybe the brand of hockey improves but given some of their athletic limitations I wouldn't expect a substantially altered look. They're still likely to be a group that presents tactical limitations in what they realistically are able to do well. More of a developer would be welcome but given what's probably pressure to maintain relevancy I wouldn't be surprised if that takes a back seat once again.

Doom!

 

[Langway]

The upside of doom is more high picks and only one team wins the Cup anyway. It is what it is. I don't think youth is the automatic solution anyway. When in doubt, developing upside is preferred but they just need better players. I'm not sure their youth is yet an upgrade by and large.

Maybe they're able to trade for someone of a similar age as Strome or a year or two younger. But I don't expect a sea change re: youth just because there may be a new staff behind the bench. There should be an opportunity for a conceptual refresh across the board and hopefully improving 5v5 offensive execution. But I'm not exactly expecting miracles.

 

[trick9]

Youth isn't the automatic solution but honest competition is. This team isn't good enough as is so players on the roster should have to fight for their spots rather than having everyone under 22 automatically penciled to AHL before the season begins. That's what i'm hoping to see. I wouldn’t automatically pencil any of the youth to the NHL line-up either.

 

[um]

Youth isn't the automatic solution but honest competition is. This team isn't good enough as is so players on the roster should have to fight for their spots rather than having everyone under 22 automatically penciled to AHL before the season begins. That's what i'm hoping to see. I wouldn’t automatically pencil any of the youth to the NHL line-up either.

Yep, we had competition earlier in the season, than Backstrom and Wilson came back and we went with the penciled lineup.

 

[YippieKaey]

If CMM isn't a regular in the lineup next season they should just trade him for someone who could be.

 

[Holtbyisms]

If CMM isn't a regular in the lineup next season they should just trade him for someone who could be.

Assuming they don't dump anyone you're looking at 2 regular spots with 10 already locked up. You'd have to imagine one of those will be a grinder like Malenstyn to play with NAK and Dowd or they sign a cheap 4th liner to take that role on. That leaves one spot now open and it's probably a 3rd line winger role where he'll again battle Protas and probably lose out.

Ovi
Backstrom
Wilson
Oshie
Strome
Kuzy
Mantha
Milano
Aube-Kubel
Dowd

Now let's assume they dump mantha and/or kuzy for picks. Do you think their "retool" has them slotting CMM into the top 6 as the big fix? Not a chance. They'd look to use the cap space to sign UFAs I'd imagine and hope that whatever big splash they make is a better mix of character than this current group. Still see no clear path for CMM into the lineup. He might not get a legitimate chance in the top 6 until the gr8 chase is over. Sad but true.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Assuming they don't dump anyone you're looking at 2 regular spots with 10 already locked up. You'd have to imagine one of those will be a grinder like Malenstyn to play with NAK and Dowd or they sign a cheap 4th liner to take that role on. That leaves one spot now open and it's probably a 3rd line winger role where he'll again battle Protas and probably lose out.

Ovi
Backstrom
Wilson
Oshie
Strome
Kuzy
Mantha
Milano
Aube-Kubel
Dowd

Now let's assume they dump mantha and/or kuzy for picks. Do you think their "retool" has them slotting CMM into the top 6 as the big fix? Not a chance. They'd look to use the cap space to sign UFAs I'd imagine and hope that whatever big splash they make is a better mix of character than this current group. Still see no clear path for CMM into the lineup. He might not get a legitimate chance in the top 6 until the gr8 chase is over. Sad but true.

IF that is the line up they bring back they will be just as bad next year or possibly worse.

 

[Brian23]

Assuming they don't dump anyone you're looking at 2 regular spots with 10 already locked up. You'd have to imagine one of those will be a grinder like Malenstyn to play with NAK and Dowd or they sign a cheap 4th liner to take that role on. That leaves one spot now open and it's probably a 3rd line winger role where he'll again battle Protas and probably lose out.

Ovi
Backstrom
Wilson
Oshie
Strome
Kuzy
Mantha
Milano
Aube-Kubel
Dowd

Now let's assume they dump mantha and/or kuzy for picks. Do you think their "retool" has them slotting CMM into the top 6 as the big fix? Not a chance. They'd look to use the cap space to sign UFAs I'd imagine and hope that whatever big splash they make is a better mix of character than this current group. Still see no clear path for CMM into the lineup. He might not get a legitimate chance in the top 6 until the gr8 chase is over. Sad but true.

It comes down to two things. The first is they need to move Kuznetsov, and I almost 95% expect that to happen, with 5% of another "core" forward being moved. There's no way they go into next year with the same core players and I think they'll both get more for him, and have an easier time moving him, then they will someone like Mantha. The second is I honestly think he has a much better shot at it if they bring in someone like Carbery, and I 1000% believe that's who'll they will be signing if he doesn't get a better offer somewhere else.

Ovi - Strome - ??
Mantha - ?? - Wilson
Milano - Backstrom - Oshie
NAK - Dowd - Protas

Depending on the return for Kuznetsov, which I see is more likely a winger with what they've reproted, he has a shot at the 2C or 3C (depending on where they slot in Backstrom). I'd also expect Mantha to get shipped out relatively early in the season, but I do think they'll give him time to rebuild his game some before he's moved. But I assume that marriage is also done.

So even ignoring injuries (and there will be injuries), there's plenty of spots that McMichael should be able to graduate into. It'll only be the Org giving up on him if he doesn't play games for us next year.

 

[ClevelandCapsfan]

If CMM isn't a regular in the lineup next season they should just trade him for someone who could be.

Saw him today pot a nice goal against Hershey. No hesitation, quick release snipe. Even the non-stop barking corgi in attendance approved at the Paws and Pucks promotion game. Too bad I had to watch McIlrith on defense. Oh and Fucale with the shutout although the Cleveland farm team for Columbus is pretty weak.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

This team will suck next year if Backstrom is counted on to be more then a mascot. I just cant see them being a winning team with him playing this poor. Backy is the red tank

 

[caps4cup]

Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Mantha-xxx-xxx
Milano-CMM-Oshie
Protas-Dowd-NAK

xxx-Carlson
Sandin-Jensen
Fever-TVR


I think this team with a center as good or better than Strome and a legitimate first line winger on that second line could be a playoff team. Also assuming a new coach can get Mantha back on track. It’s very hard to see them being able to be better than they were this year if they keep both Kuznetsov and Backstrom, considering how awful they are and how much money they make.

 

[ClevelandCapsfan]

 

[Holtbyisms]

It comes down to two things. The first is they need to move Kuznetsov, and I almost 95% expect that to happen, with 5% of another "core" forward being moved. There's no way they go into next year with the same core players and I think they'll both get more for him, and have an easier time moving him, then they will someone like Mantha. The second is I honestly think he has a much better shot at it if they bring in someone like Carbery, and I 1000% believe that's who'll they will be signing if he doesn't get a better offer somewhere else.

Ovi - Strome - ??
Mantha - ?? - Wilson
Milano - Backstrom - Oshie
NAK - Dowd - Protas

Depending on the return for Kuznetsov, which I see is more likely a winger with what they've reproted, he has a shot at the 2C or 3C (depending on where they slot in Backstrom). I'd also expect Mantha to get shipped out relatively early in the season, but I do think they'll give him time to rebuild his game some before he's moved. But I assume that marriage is also done.

So even ignoring injuries (and there will be injuries), there's plenty of spots that McMichael should be able to graduate into. It'll only be the Org giving up on him if he doesn't play games for us next year.

Lots of pretty high percentages there bud. You're pretty optimistic. Good luck returning a top line winger for kuznetsov. Love the guy but realistically nobody is giving up a young top line winger for a 30+ center coming off his worst season with a massive contract. This isn't NHL23. I'm not saying he's a cap dump but at best if it's a warm body and not picks/prospect, your taking back another bad contract and getting a change of scenery player in return. And there's no way BMac is thinking CMM is the top line winger he's missing for his "retool". lol His best chance is to carve out an every night spot in the third line wing for a year and get ready for the season after next. He's basically going to be in the same exact position he was this past off-season. Come into camp and compete against protas and lappy for the 12th forward who plays 3rd/4th line depending on coaching preference of line mix. If he manages to stick, plays every night and shows out then maybe he moves up and down the lineup next season but he's not a every night top 6 player on a team retooling for a last hurrah.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Lots of pretty high percentages there bud. You're pretty optimistic. Good luck returning a top line winger for kuznetsov. Love the guy but realistically nobody is giving up a young top line winger for a 30+ center coming off his worst season with a massive contract. This isn't NHL23. I'm not saying he's a cap dump but at best if it's a warm body and not picks/prospect, your taking back another bad contract and getting a change of scenery player in return. And there's no way BMac is thinking CMM is the top line winger he's missing for his "retool". lol His best chance is to carve out an every night spot in the third line wing for a year and get ready for the season after next. He's basically going to be in the same exact position he was this past off-season. Come into camp and compete against protas and lappy for the 12th forward who plays 3rd/4th line depending on coaching preference of line mix. If he manages to stick, plays every night and shows out then maybe he moves up and down the lineup next season but he's not a every night top 6 player on a team retooling for a last hurrah.

We should have a new coach and maybe he will give young players a fair chance. I think we are all over Lavi and having to play Vets

 

[EroCaps]

Whoever steals Gavin Brindley in the 25-40 range of the draft is going to get a stud. Watching Fantilli film and this kid is a beast.

 

[Caps8112]

And it feels like there is the mentality that they think fans rather suck than trade fan favorites like Oshie, Backstrom (not that you could get anyone to take him) but this is nonsense. I would rather compete. I get there is something to be said for loyalty but this is professional sports and Ovi has precious time left in the NHL. They need to maximize that time and sadly that means making some tough decisions.

They chose no mans land when they played 2 seasons without a real goaltender on the team. GM should have been fired for rolling with Vanny and Sammy. Looking at todays playoff matchup (know its not set) both NJ and Tor go out in the first round. Tor probably would have, no matter who was in net.

 

[Caps8112]

Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Mantha-xxx-xxx
Milano-CMM-Oshie
Protas-Dowd-NAK

xxx-Carlson
Sandin-Jensen
Fever-TVR


I think this team with a center as good or better than Strome and a legitimate first line winger on that second line could be a playoff team. Also assuming a new coach can get Mantha back on track. It’s very hard to see them being able to be better than they were this year if they keep both Kuznetsov and Backstrom, considering how awful they are and how much money they make.

since they started the unofficial rebuild that they said they arent doing, id rather them jettison as much as possible. All of the young guys are "maybe" NHL players. The current caps prospect pool is a product of a good team drafting late first round for 15 years so how much can they really expect out of any of it. Id rather them lose every game for 2-3 years and get started the right way then watch them be 1st round playoff fodder at best.

 

[hockeykicker]

Fwiw, caps currently would pick 9th at 77 points. They could arguably end of picking 8th as Vancouver has 75 points but that's about as low as they can go. Or they could jump up to 11th as few teams ahead of them also have 77 points.



Below is the odds of getting first and second overall pick by where you finish in standings fwiw