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

[AlexModvechkin8]

Feel a bit bad for NAK. I don’t think he was looking for the headshot but he deserves to sit a few games for that hit. I highly doubt his thought process was, “I don’t know how many more chances I have to stick in the NHL… I should headshot a guy and get a match penalty plus a suspension — that’ll really help my chances to stick with Washington.”

 

[twabby]

Feel a bit bad for NAK. I don’t think he was looking for the headshot but he deserves to sit a few games for that hit. I highly doubt his thought process was, “I don’t know how many more chances I have to stick in the NHL… I should headshot a guy and get a match penalty plus a suspension — that’ll really help my chances to stick with Washington.”

I don't think he necessarily went out there looking to hurt Foote, but I do think he has displayed poor decision-making throughout his pro hockey career. While this is his first suspension in the NHL he's been suspended multiple times in the AHL including 3 times in 2018, two of which were illegal checks to the head. And he was fined last season for a pretty egregious kneeing penalty on Mason Marchment. Add to this he's got one of the worst overall penalty differentials among forwards in the NHL.

There's no reason this guy should see a Capitals jersey again. You can almost look past putting your team shorthanded so often if your contributions outweigh the penalties, but they don't in Aube-Kubel's case. He's a plug.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I don't think he necessarily went out there looking to hurt Foote, but I do think he has displayed poor decision-making throughout his pro hockey career. While this is his first suspension in the NHL he's been suspended multiple times in the AHL including 3 times in 2018, two of which were illegal checks to the head. And he was fined last season for a pretty egregious kneeing penalty on Mason Marchment. Add to this he's got one of the worst overall penalty differentials among forwards in the NHL.

There's no reason this guy should see a Capitals jersey again. You can almost look past putting your team shorthanded so often if your contributions outweigh the penalties, but they don't in Aube-Kubel's case. He's a plug.

Holy overreaction Batman…I mean I get that your ulterior motive is to drive only prospects into the lineup but come on…simple misjudgment.

 

[trick9]

Looks like AK was hired to be Tom Wilson 1.0 and throw the fear of god into opponents with sketchy hits.

Looks like a physical player trying to make an impact for his new team made a bad call.

 

[DWGie26]

With NAK out there are several things we can do with lineups.

Many don’t think McMike is built for the 4th line. But that spot is open for another 6+ weeks. Protas has that locked down, but with NAK out, we can put Mantha back with Eller and Mantha and I liked that line. Then you put McMike at 4LW and give him several games. Even though it is a shut down line, that line has shown the ability to drive play and I think if he has the right mindset, he could do himself well there.

The alternative is to play Snively at 3LW and Protas on 4th. That may be more pragmatic but I’d like to see McMike get some games while NAK (and Oshie) are out.

 

[g00n]

Looks like a physical player trying to make an impact for his new team made a bad call.

Maybe the Caps FO knew what they were buying when they bought it?

 

[traparatus]

Feel a bit bad for NAK. I don’t think he was looking for the headshot but he deserves to sit a few games for that hit. I highly doubt his thought process was, “I don’t know how many more chances I have to stick in the NHL… I should headshot a guy and get a match penalty plus a suspension — that’ll really help my chances to stick with Washington.”

Here I was, feeling kind of bad for Foote.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Here I was, feeling kind of bad for Foote.

I mean, that goes without saying but if it makes you feel better typing it out that’s fine too.

 

[DWGie26]

Nothing wrong with feeling bad for Foote. Unfortunate for sure. Also he was not on the ice this morning so he is going to miss some time.

On NAK... Agree his intent likely wasn’t to injure. But it was a bad hit and outcome. Players like him (And Wilson) will often let their emotions get the better of them. Take the bad along with the good. Caps knew exactly what they were getting.

I still think it was the right decision to claim him as we need a right stick and we like physical. As bodies come back or we go with Snively, McMike, or even Pilon he may get squeezed right back out. But it won’t be because of this one play.

 

[DWGie26]

McMike in as 3LW. Really hope he can get going tonight! Come on Mike… just do it!

 

[twabby]

Holy overreaction Batman…I mean I get that your ulterior motive is to drive only prospects into the lineup but come on…simple misjudgment.

I don’t think he should be out of the lineup because of this hit. I think he should be out of the lineup because he’s not a good player who also consistently takes the normal variety of minor penalties.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I don’t think he should be out of the lineup because of this hit. I think he should be out of the lineup because he’s not a good player who also consistently takes the normal variety of minor penalties.

to your earlier point, his AHL suspensions factor exactly nothing into this…..when fully healthy he’s an extra body and I’m fine with that. For now, he’s just an option.

Let’s see if CMM can seize an opportunity finally and make NAK an afterthought.

 

[AZ Caps Fan]

McMike in as 3LW. Really hope he can get going tonight! Come on Mike… just do it!

Out of Johansen, Alexeyev, Carlsson and whoever else there is in Hershey, none of them are better than Irwin??

 

[twabby]

His AHL suspensions factor exactly nothing into this…..when fully healthy he’s an extra body and I’m fine with that. For now, he’s just an option.

Let’s see if CMM can seize an opportunity finally and make NAK an afterthought.

I’m not so sure he’s going to just be an extra body when everyone’s healthy. To me he seems like a Laviolette Guy: he appears to give a lot of effort and he hits and jams. He’s a Hathaway-lite-lite.

I’m not so sure Protas and Milano are going to keep getting a sweater over NAK if either of them go through an inevitable slump, and that’s my big fear. It may not come to pass but I’ve seen time and again effort being rewarded over impact under Laviolette.

 

[DWGie26]

Out of Johansen, Alexeyev, Carlsson and whoever else there is in Hershey, none of them are better than Irwin??

I was thinking about that too, but for THIS game, I think you want a veteran in there and not Alexeyv who looks super shakey to me. Orlov is on this roadtrip but if he misses another game (FL) then maybe we see him but i doubt it. I think AA should be in Hershey too. I’d take LuJo over him at this point.

 

[um]

Holy overreaction Batman…I mean I get that your ulterior motive is to drive only prospects into the lineup but come on…simple misjudgment.

It’s not the biggest stretch. Both Colorado and Toronto chose to let him go.

 

[traparatus]

I mean, that goes without saying but if it makes you feel better typing it out that’s fine too.

Fair enough. I really dislike this type of player, that's all. The guy plays the game like the puck doesn't even exist. Don't want him on the team, don't want him in the league. If he wants to play in the best league in the world, maybe he should hire a skills coach and get better at playing hockey.

The league can't even punish Washington for this shitty play. Suspending the player makes not one bit of difference to the Caps. Probably makes the team better, if anything.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

It’s not the biggest stretch. Both Colorado and Toronto chose to let him go.

And when we’re full strength we could certainly do the same.

I’m not so sure he’s going to just be an extra body when everyone’s healthy. To me he seems like a Laviolette Guy: he appears to give a lot of effort and he hits and jams. He’s a Hathaway-lite-lite.

I’m not so sure Protas and Milano are going to keep getting a sweater over NAK if either of them go through an inevitable slump, and that’s my big fear. It may not come to pass but I’ve seen time and again effort being rewarded over impact under Laviolette.

Based off of what we’ve seen so far, when healthy, he’s an extra at best. More Lavi fear mongering.

I’d focus more on hoping for a strong CMM performance to take a tossup decision out of the coach’s hands.

 

[RedRocking]

And when we’re full strength we could certainly do the same.


Based off of what we’ve seen so far, when healthy, he’s an extra at best. More Lavi fear mongering.

I’d focus more on hoping for a strong CMM performance to take a tossup decision out of the coach’s hands.

Yea, I can’t imagine Protas being pulled for NAK. Besides being an organizational success story, he is really showing out, and provides a much needed presence around the net with his size and long reach, leading to dirty goals. Plus he battles every game, something Lavi obviously likes.

I’d join the Lavi hate crew, if he takes him out (barring weeks of really poor play), and agree that he must have contempt for all young players.

NAK is a JAG imho. We just need the bodies, and more righty’s at this point.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Fair enough. I really dislike this type of player, that's all. The guy plays the game like the puck doesn't even exist. Don't want him on the team, don't want him in the league. If he wants to play in the best league in the world, maybe he should hire a skills coach and get better at playing hockey.

The league can't even punish Washington for this shitty play. Suspending the player makes not one bit of difference to the Caps. Probably makes the team better, if anything.

I think that’s a bit harsh regarding your description of his game but I agree, I don’t think for what he brings that he merits a spot over some other guys.

 

[twabby]

Based off of what we’ve seen so far, when healthy, he’s an extra at best. More Lavi fear mongering.

I’d focus more on hoping for a strong CMM performance to take a tossup decision out of the coach’s hands.

I hope it’s just fear mongering, but I’ve seen enough questionable personnel decisions over the past 2+ years where I think it’s a legitimate fear.

I’m hoping I’m the CMM-whisperer by being in attendance tonight. I think I’m going to sneak behind the Caps bench tonight and whisper some positive things to him. He needs some confidence in the worst way.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I hope it’s just fear mongering, but I’ve seen enough questionable personnel decisions over the past 2+ years where I think it’s a legitimate fear.

I’m hoping I’m the CMM-whisperer by being in attendance tonight. I think I’m going to sneak behind the Caps bench tonight and whisper some positive things to him. He needs some confidence in the worst way.

You don’t think every fan base has these same complaints?

I‘ll be pulling for the CMM 3 pt game!

 

[twabby]

You don’t think every fan base has these same complaints?

I‘ll be pulling for the CMM 3 pt game!

I’m sure they do. That doesn’t make the fears unfounded.

The fact is Washington needs to push every edge they can in order to be competitive. They aren’t the Oilers or the Avalanche where they can afford to make mistakes with their secondary and depth players and still be competitive because their core is so dominant. Washington needs their depth players to perform well and beat the depth players of better teams, so every seemingly small decision matters because Kuznetsov and Ovechkin simply can’t match up with the McDavids and MacKinnons of the league.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I’m sure they do. That doesn’t make the fears unfounded.

The fact is Washington needs to push every edge they can in order to be competitive. They aren’t the Oilers or the Avalanche where they can afford to make mistakes with their secondary and depth players and still be competitive because their core is so dominant. Washington needs their depth players to perform well and beat the depth players of better teams, so every seemingly small decision matters because Kuznetsov and Ovechkin simply can’t match up with the McDavids and MacKinnons of the league.

It means, it comes with the territory. Doesn’t mean you’re right or wrong.

You can only make the choices in your own mind, with the limited information you have without actually being there daily with the team, knowing all the important data. You only see results and judge from that.

 

[DWGie26]

That is called unintentional bias, but i digress.

Sure some moves/decisions I didn’t agree with (based on what i know), and some decisions that didn’t turn out as intended, but overall, I don’t think his talent management has been bad.

Decisions also have to be made within context (win now for OV, commitment to older players by front office, bargain adds, protect top picks, etc). His job is to win games. He wasn’t hired to have an emphasis on developing players… he was hired to get wins now.