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

[pman25]

They’ve never tried Mantha with Ovi/Kuz so don’t understand this idea that it won’t work when 1. We don’t know that and 2. The line sucks right now.

At some point maybe we conclude that Ovi-Kuz just doesn’t work but until then, try some other guys there.

 

[Langway]

They should probably try Protas at center since he has a pulse and seems to care.

 

[SherVaughn30]

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

Wings shutout the Habs 3-0 with 2 empty netters and Vrana only played 12 min and had 3 shots.

 

[SherVaughn30]

Both AJF and Leason were healthy scratches in their new teams 1st game.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Both AJF and Leason were healthy scratches in their new teams 1st game.

They are both coming back.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Both AJF and Leason were healthy scratches in their new teams 1st game.

I have to say its a dick move to claim a player and not play them. Make the kids move and change teams just to be stashed in the press box.

 

[Capsman]

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

In his time here the last 2 seasons, his numbers extrapolate to 20G, 30A per season. He’s +4. He’s by far a better defensive forward than Vrana. I don’t see it as a “terrible trade”. Maybe you feel we lost the trade and that’s fine; there’s usually someone who comes out ahead in most. But “terrible”, I just don’t see it.

 

[usiel]

I figure they are checking them out in practice and see how they weigh with their current prospect depth.

 

[DWGie26]

I think you have to mix it up at least a bit. While Sheary can add a spark, I wouldn’t touch the fourth line As it will again have to be our most important line so keep it consistent.

As much as Eller sucks, I doubt he gets sat. At best he gets moved to 3LW and CMM at center. Likely means Protas out because Mojo is playing well.

And I would switch Mantha to 1RW and Brown to 2RW to play with Strome. That would put Mojo at 2LW.

The dee pairs won’t get changed.

 

[Jags]

I have to say its a dick move to claim a player and not play them. Make the kids move and change teams just to be stashed in the press box.

When you're a bubble NHL player that isn't waiver exempt, this is how it goes. Given how common it is to be waived in that situation (and also common to be waived again afterward), those guys are either already living portably, ready to "move" as the situation demands, not unlike going up and down from the AHL, or prepared to live in a hotel just like they do on the road. No big deal.

Since the dream is to make it in the NHL and getting claimed typically means going to a team that thinks a lot of you and has more of a spot for you than the team you're leaving, these situations can be golden opportunities. Plugging right in and playing isn't super common without some practice time, and sometimes the claiming team is just upgrading their press box and it's understood that you left a team where you were the 15th forward and a waiver casualty for a team that has you 13th and competing for a spot. That's not a sexy upgrade, but it's an upgrade nonetheless.

Not a dick move.

 

[Devil Dancer]

This is from the dreaded eye test, but I haven't seen anything from Mantha since he got here to suggest he has the ability to be much better than he has played. He doesn't have elite physical skills that have gone underutilized, he's been given plenty of ice time and he's played with decent linemates.

He's fine, but that's all. He's not the guy who's going to carry a line successfully in the late Ovie era.

I think the Caps lost that trade based on value alone, but it's long enough ago that I don't care anymore, except as a minor loss on GMBM's ledger.

 

[Roughing]

Mantha isn't the problem, he's a fine mid6F. The problem is half the salary cap contributing exactly nothing and a terrible PP coach.

 

[Carlzner]

Oh! It’s the zone entries that have been the problem with the PP, duh.

 

[pman25]

Oh! It’s the zone entries that have been the problem with the PP, duh.

Maybe somewhat but Kuznetsov is also bad on the PP. No one can read what he’s trying to do and his decision making is questionable. Hasn’t led to anything good on PP1.

Moving Strome up the half wall and Johansson low is a fine move

 

[twabby]

What does Eller have to do to get a scratch? Also what did Protas do to earn a demotion?

Imagine how quickly CMM would be in the press box if he had two games like Eller just had. Almost like they aren’t competing on an even playing field, as I and others feared.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Eller is going back to Montreal tonite. Players usually “play” in those situations. He will probably score.

But I get it. Would be nice to see CMM

 

[twabby]

Eller is going back to Montreal tonite. Players usually “play” in those situations. He will probably score.

But I get it. Would be nice to see CMM

It’s in DC.

 

[zappa4ever]

///

Interesting shuffles to the Top-9, might as well not be afraid to try diff combos esp w/Strome and Brown (and Protas) new to the mix
Hope there's some defensive responsibility in those lines somewhere better than gms 1+2

 

[g00n]

What does Eller have to do to get a scratch? Also what did Protas do to earn a demotion?

Imagine how quickly CMM would be in the press box if he had two games like Eller just had. Almost like they aren’t competing on an even playing field, as I and others feared.

I doubt Protas was "demoted" so much as Lavi always wanted Oshie in the 2nd line and probably eased him back into that. Maybe.

There will probably be a lot of this shuffling for the first few months until they can figure out who looks best with whom.

 

[Ridley Simon]

It’s in DC.

Oh. Thought it was in Canada. The game thread title had Montreal last. Guess I should look it up next time.

regardless, it’s an old team. Guys usually have chips for those games (I know you don’t spend much time on the emotional side of sports/players/team chemistry), so he’s still in.

while it annoys me that CMM isn’t playing in Hershey (he should be playing, period), 2 games isn’t going to get a veteran professional player “benched”, @twabby — maybe it should, but it won’t. It never has, unless injury or a minimal vet…..which Eller isn’t. Least, not to the franchise he isn’t.

 

[Roughing]

I know Eller scored "the" goal and everything but it's been almost 5 years. Sit his ass down.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Quite a shakeup….but still no CMM…..

 

[Peeri]

Wow, Pittsburgh and Capitals are the 2 oldest teams in NHL, and they are about to hit the average age of 30, that is just high.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I doubt Protas was "demoted" so much as Lavi always wanted Oshie in the 2nd line and probably eased him back into that. Maybe.

There will probably be a lot of this shuffling for the first few months until they can figure out who looks best with whom.

Yup…..wrong mindset if you’re looking at that one as a demotion. They’re trying to jumpstart a bunch of guys with these changes…..

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Quite a shakeup….but still no CMM…..


View attachment 594334

That's the next shakeup!

Wow, Pittsburgh and Capitals are the 2 oldest teams in NHL, and they are about to hit the average age of 30, that is just high.

True, but doesn't mean they can't produce. If there is no drive and the body can't handle it, just retire. They will thank their body for it later.