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

[HecticGlow]

Depending on how the year goes, I’d give some serious thought to whether we want to keep Anthony Mantha - a UFA after next season, and whose production (and effort) so far hasn’t justified his cap hit.

One reason I can see for Eller to stay in the lineup is the penalty kill - we’re rather short of primary penalty killers with Backstrom, Wilson and Hagelin all out, to the point that Kuzy and Sheary are the first on the ice some kills. It would be great if a guy like Protas could get some reps and establish himself on that unit.

I’m also really hopeful GMBM is working on extensions for Sheary and Hathaway, who are two of the few guys who have consistently performed over the last few years and are both UFAs after this season.

 

[tycoonheart]

Depending on how the year goes, I’d give some serious thought to whether we want to keep Anthony Mantha - a UFA after next season, and whose production (and effort) so far hasn’t justified his cap hit.

As it stands, that was a terrible trade. Not Erat bad of course, but up there.

 

[Rayquaza64]

It was a bad trade at the time and doesnt look much better now. The only silver lining is we got someone that Laviolette is willing to give more than 10 minutes to vs Vrana who was benched every other game.

 

[Capsman]

As it stands, that was a terrible trade. Not Erat bad of course, but up there.

So Mantha has 1 goal in 2 games and we've determined it's a bad trade?

 

[Hivemind]

So Mantha has 1 goal in 2 games and we've determined it's a bad trade?

(Spoiler - he's been here for a lot longer than these 2 games)

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

So Mantha has 1 goal in 2 games and we've determined it's a bad trade?

Some can’t get over the loss of a Vrana…..what can you do?

 

[twabby]

I’d still like to see Mantha on the top line. Kind of crazy that since Mantha arrived the 8-92-39 trio has only seen 6 minutes of 5v5 time together. Seems like something they should try for a more extended period of time. Mantha is likely never going to be “the guy” on a line but that doesn’t mean he can’t be an excellent facilitator and someone who can create extended possessions rather than one-and-done that 8 and 92 seem to be plagued by.

I guess they should give Connor Brown a bit more time alongside 8-92 to gel but he’s a limited offensive player and doesn’t drive play to nearly the extent Mantha does.

 

[twabby]

Two game sample, but Ovechkin and Carlson are rocking an 11% xGF together at 5v5.

It’s a statistically unreliable sample of course, but the trend isn’t new. Over the past 3 seasons they are at 45% together, while Carlson is at 53% apart and Ovechkin is at 50% apart.

(And yes, the actual goals for % are also improved while apart.)

 

[RedRocking]

I’d also like to see Mantha and Brown swapped. Strome and Brown showed some chemistry in the preseason, so try it. Mantha can open up the ice (a la Wilson) and help extend o-zone time for 8-92.

I was one to give Eller some benefit of the doubt - but he needs to sit. Just awful. Put CMM at 3C (or Protas, whatever). But, just find a spot for CMM and/or Snively.

We need more slippery play driving, and young legs that can get to their spots. And Snively gives you speed and someone that can actually pick a corner and score.

On the PP, let Strome run the half-wall - Kuzy’s decision making is too frantic and unreliable.

 

[zappa4ever]

2 games in:
Pros:
Sheary - Dowd - Hathaway
Fehervary
Lindgren

Cons:
plenty, but mostly Team D

way too early to come to drastic conclusions, we played up and down, didn't look great, but hung close to 2 Playoff Teams

Let's hope they stop the bleeding and TCOBiz Saturday and get the W

 

[SherVaughn30]

I’d also like to see Mantha and Brown swapped. Strome and Brown showed some chemistry in the preseason, so try it. Mantha can open up the ice (a la Wilson) and help extend o-zone time for 8-92.

I was one to give Eller some benefit of the doubt - but he needs to sit. Just awful. Put CMM at 3C (or Protas, whatever). But, just find a spot for CMM and/or Snively.

We need more slippery play driving, and young legs that can get to their spots. And Snively gives you speed and someone that can actually pick a corner and score.

On the PP, let Strome run the half-wall - Kuzy’s decision making is too frantic and unreliable.

Mantha does not work on the 1st line with OV/Kuzy because I think they tried that before. The 2 Russians need a hard worker who can skate. Brown fits that mold as Wilson did before him. The 3 of them just have to be patient and learn each others tendencies. The other option for the 1st line would be Sheary.

Mantha should stay with Strome, but maybe have Brown moved on that 2nd line(Brown/Strome showed some really good chemistry in preseason).

3rd line I would have MarJo, CMM and Snively or Protas.

4th line either Snively or Protas can be with Dowd and Hathaway.

There are a few changes you can go with, but the bottom line Eller/Oshie need to be scratches. Both have shown to be ineffective, while scratching 2 capable players that would make the team faster.

 

[Langway]

LeBrun's tweet sounds more like an opinion then something factual that a new contract for Lavi is imminent. I think BMac will approach Lavi's contract like Trotz. Trotz got lucky ending his contract with a Cup win. I don't see the same thing happening with Lavi and he'll be gone if they don't even make the playoffs, let alone have another 1st round exit.

LeBrun: Alex Ovechkin's goals chase, an aging Capitals core and a balancing act for GM Brian MacLellan

MacLellan wants the Capitals to be competitive as Ovechkin chases history but sees this season as "a turning point in the organization."

theathletic.com

Another pending UFA is head coach Peter Laviolette. I would bet on an extension there before the end of the season.

“He’s done a good job for us,” MacLellan said. “We had a discussion at the end of last season. I think we’re both on the same page. I don’t see any problems going forward.”

Maybe not immanent per se but on track. That it hasn't happened yet suggests there's either a gap to bridge or something left to prove before giving it the green light. But if they're on track as a playoff team again it may be all that's needed. I don't know how many more years would be wise even if they get on track. But in part that's an ownership decision, much like anything else involving the team more substantially.

 

[tycoonheart]

So Mantha has 1 goal in 2 games and we've determined it's a bad trade?

It's year 3 of Mantha with the Caps. Has he met your expectations? He has kind of sort of just been another guy in the line up. He hasn't done anything of worth in the playoffs, or hell even in the regular season.

 

[tycoonheart]

Some can’t get over the loss of a Vrana…..what can you do?

Has nothing to do with Vrana. You can look at Mantha in a vacuum if you want. He has been worthless in this lineup.

 

[SherVaughn30]

2 games in:
Pros:
Sheary - Dowd - Hathaway
Fehervary
Lindgren

Cons:
plenty, but mostly Team D

way too early to come to drastic conclusions, we played up and down, didn't look great, but hung close to 2 Playoff Teams

Let's hope they stop the bleeding and TCOBiz Saturday and get the W

Sheary can be plugged in all 4 lines if needed. He's a potential 20 goal, 45 pts scorer(he had 19 and 43 last season). You don't place that type of scoring potential on a 4th line. Snively would be better fit in my opinion. Sheary scored his goal on a 2-on-1 rush play, so I wouldn't exactly say he was a perfect fit on the 4th line.

On D I had enough with Carlson. Irwin or LuJo would be more effective in the lineup. Orlov could be more effective on PP1 unit despite him being a left-handed shot(Orlov's mobility and touch passing is a lot better than what Carlson shows these days). I'm not in entire agreement with the point men being sure handed to the boards. If OV's shot lane is blocked from his circle, he can pass it back to Orlov who can one-time it from his circle. OV/Orlov can also interchange sides as OV can shoot from either side, as can Orlov because of his mobility. The lack of creativity from Fraudsythe is very frustrating to watch(in preseason, Strome/Mantha both scored goals from the right circle).

 

[IafrateOvie34]

It's year 3 of Mantha with the Caps. Has he met your expectations? He has kind of sort of just been another guy in the line up. He hasn't done anything of worth in the playoffs, or hell even in the regular season.

Not really 3. He was injured for a lengthy amount last year and a TDL acquisition when the Caps traded for him. He still has the time to make an impact on this team. Imho, the 2nd line has been fine. I don't expect Mantha to score Ovy style, however if he can score 30 to 40 goals then he's within his expectation range. What most of us don't like is he can tend to just do minimum effort than maximum or coast. The same could be said about a number of Cap's players though.

I’d also like to see Mantha and Brown swapped. Strome and Brown showed some chemistry in the preseason, so try it. Mantha can open up the ice (a la Wilson) and help extend o-zone time for 8-92.

I was one to give Eller some benefit of the doubt - but he needs to sit. Just awful. Put CMM at 3C (or Protas, whatever). But, just find a spot for CMM and/or Snively.

We need more slippery play driving, and young legs that can get to their spots. And Snively gives you speed and someone that can actually pick a corner and score.

On the PP, let Strome run the half-wall - Kuzy’s decision making is too frantic and unreliable.

Agreed.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

I'm just going to point out I do not want any roster changes until we get some new assistant coaches. I still can't believe we have some of them.

As I said in the offseason Eller and Carlson should've been unloaded by the draft. We're stuck with them now, probably until the TDL and even then I don't see them moving Carlson unless we're completely tanking and rebuilding. Eller going out is still a possibility in some other kind of cap space move to deal with the LTIR situation.

Agreed and you can forget Ted allowing them to be traded unless a total debacle happens.

 

[zappa4ever]

on a Positive note:
MTL's in DET tonight, so at least we'll catch them on the 2nd of a b2b, plus some travel

 

[Hivemind]

on a Positive note:
MTL's in DET tonight, so at least we'll catch them on the 2nd of a b2b, plus some travel

If we need a conditioning advantage to beat Montreal, the team is in more trouble than we thought

 

[traparatus]

Not really 3. He was injured for a lengthy amount last year and a TDL acquisition when the Caps traded for him. He still has the time to make an impact on this team. Imho, the 2nd line has been fine. I don't expect Mantha to score Ovy style, however if he can score 30 to 40 goals then he's within his expectation range. What most of us don't like is he can tend to just do minimum effort than maximum or coast. The same could be said about a number of Cap's players though.


Agreed.

30 or 40 goals???? He has scored 14 in Caps uniform and his career high is 25.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Has nothing to do with Vrana. You can look at Mantha in a vacuum if you want. He has been worthless in this lineup.

Well let’s look a little deeper…..1st season 14 games….next season….37 games + major injury.

you lob out BS like “3rd year”…….dude hasn’t even played a full season! Patience might be required. I’d like to see what a full season looks like first before declaring anything.

If he stays healthy and doesn’t have a pretty good season, I’ll be surprised.

 

[twabby]

For what it’s worth Mantha does lead all Capitals in GAR/60 since he came to DC. Including leading in EVO/60 and second behind McMichael in EVD/60.

And he’s also second in 5v5 points per 60.

I’d like him to score in the playoffs too. But that goes for a lot of Capitals. Note that Alex Ovechkin has zero 5v5 goals the past two postseasons as well.

They should give him an opportunity on the power play. There's no reason to stick with the current formula.

 

[ScruggsCO]

I'd imagine we're going to see another game, at least, of OV, Kuz and Brownie.

If there's a third game of no production, then I'm all for swapping Brownie to Strome (we already know that has legs from Erie and preseason)

Can't get any worse as it is.

 

[Hivemind]

I want to see Brown and Strome re-united, to see if their pre-season chemistry can carry over.
I don't like Mantha on a line with Ovie, as I think they both play too deferential a style.

So I'd like to see Brown and Protas swapped.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

30 or 40 goals???? He has scored 14 in Caps uniform and his career high is 25.

30 to 40 is the potential ceiling, not what he has accomplished.