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

[HeyMattyB]

Speaking of reasons to stop posting on HF Boards, does this site have a new pop-up page to ask posters to disable their adblocker? In the past, an older pop-up window request would occasionally show up, but not to an annoying degree. Yesterday I cleared my cache/cookies on Chrome, and now I get a "disable your adblocker" page EVERY SINGLE TIME I click a new page on the site (or reload a page I'm currently on). It's absurd. (Meanwhile, on Firefox, I'm still getting the occasional old pop-up window, not the new one.)

And no, HF Boards, I won't disable my adblocker, because this site is a f***ing unreadable mess without it. (And forget ever trying to read the site on a phone/tablet these days.)

EDIT: Switching from the AdBlocker extension to AdBlock Plus fixed it.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

from 32 thoughts

Team I wonder about for Brock Boeser: Washington. This is a personal opinion, but I wonder if a Boeser-Anthony Mantha move makes any sense for both. The Capitals need a jolt and, as GM Brian MacLellan said last weekend, can’t do anything financially lopsided until there’s clarity on Nicklas Backstrom’s availability. Mantha’s cap hit is slightly lower than Boeser’s, and he’s got one fewer year — which would appeal to Vancouver.

Trading Mantha for Boeser would be a big mistake. Do not want.

 

[Peeri]

Speaking of reasons to stop posting on HF Boards, does this site have a new pop-up page to ask posters to disable their adblocker? In the past, an older pop-up window request would occasionally show up, but not to an annoying degree. Yesterday I cleared my cache/cookies on Chrome, and now I get a "disable your adblocker" page EVERY SINGLE TIME I click a new page on the site (or reload a page I'm currently on). It's absurd. (Meanwhile, on Firefox, I'm still getting the occasional old pop-up window, not the new one.)

And no, HF Boards, I won't disable my adblocker, because this site is a f***ing unreadable mess without it. (And forget ever trying to read the site on a phone/tablet these days.)

EDIT: Switching from the AdBlocker extension to AdBlock Plus fixed it.

It's not just Hfboards, in general Internet is a black hole without some sort of blocker. I have been using one for atleast 10 years probably more, by far the most important tool on the browser.

 

[um]

Trading Mantha for Boeser would be a big mistake. Do not want.

Don't see the Canucks much. Is Boeser not an upgrade on Mantha?

 

[g00n]

In an effort to improve board morale, I will now make sure that every time I say something negative, I will be sure to also say something positive.

I think between last year and most of this season so far, people are allowed to be critical. No post season success, several players playing well below expectations, questionable personnel decisions, team getting crushed 5on5, and a lack of prospect development can't all be waved away just because of injuries this season. But to your point, the last 8 games have been much better. Especially with the return of Oshie, they have multiple lines generating offensive possession consistently. I have also liked the more dynamic power play. Having real goalies is also awesome.

Unrelated, I wish they tracked how often players just fall down for no reason. Oshie, Sheary, and Milano regularly crack me up. So much skill, so many falls.

Not attacking you but just want to make it absolutely clear in general, I haven't seen anyone saying we all need to just close our eyes and whistle past the grave yard in the name of positivity, or for the sole sake of avoiding negativity.

Calling out a play bad or noting a player has been shit recently is perfectly normal, imo.

But filling every thread with the same handful of shitposts about being old and slow and the front office and coaches needing to be fired after every loss blah blah blah...that's kid stuff. It doesn't deserve a lot of respect, but that's what we've become.

Just wait until Oshie gets another nick and sits out for a few games. All his great play and leadership of late will be completely forgotten. Again. And the knives will come back out.

 

[Roshi]

saying vrana is a one dimensional 20 goal score is so ridiculous. At the time of the trade, over a 3 season period, Vrana was 3rd in 5v5 goals/60 and 5th in total 5v5 goals IN THE ENTIRE NHL. The only players ahead of him in total goals were: Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, and Leon Draisaitl.

The point isnt that GMBM is moving superstars, its that he has no idea how to manage assets or build a team that fits in the modern NHL. If you look at his body of work post cup win its an absolute disaster.

I try not to get dangled here, but im not sure if this is exactly fair, or realistic view.

Since their cup Caps has made it to the playoffs every year. Too much attention is placed on a playoffs-matchup scenario. Fact is Caps has been a top16 team, in the better half of the league, for eternity. Many here make it sound like thats garbage.

And BM has lost some guys who grew up to be good at hockey, but it wasnt as black and white as many here present. Developement curves dont work like that. Many times young players need to have the change of scenery to mentally understand what it takes to build a career in the NHL. Sometimes it just doesnt work at the place you start from, no matter how well the organization ”developes you”. And by no means im saying Caps org didnt make any mistakes with the ”ones that got lost”, but im saying Caps org developement is also part of the reason these guys grew up to be where they are now. Its not just all bad.

And generally BM has had pretty solid management on finding cheap guys who contribute. Many dont just to seem to like the the mold. Dowd, Sheary, Jensen, TvR, Hathaway, Kuemper, Lindgren, Strome, Sprong etc etc are all lowkey-costnothingtoget-valueplayers.

Caps post cup has been far from disaster in my opinion. But the fact is this team is going to fall down at some point and the clouds have arrived upon us. Earlier it was fine to lose younger talent to get more ready guys in the mix and that was BMs gig prior, but the times they are achanging and im sure BM will adapt aswell.

As for Lavi, i agree with the lynching party that this will be his last year with Caps. His done ok, he has had so many setbacks on injuries and with the Covid-seasons and all, but the train has stopped moving and its time to see if someone else can get it going again. But for Lavi the table was set from day one. He was expected to win games with whatever the cost, so thats what he has been doing. I dont blame for doing what he was asked to do. You can also see that the locker room respects him, even the ones who arent getting the minutes theyd like, and that tells you this guy cant be as bad as some posters here paint him to be.

 

[twabby]

Me right now:

 

[pman25]

Too many similarities between Boeser and Oshie. We already have a right winger who played high school hockey in minnesota and college hockey at UND who mostly just produces on the powerplay. Pass!

 

[SherVaughn30]

No news except that they’ve recalled a goalie from Hershey. Potential good news for Darcy is that he and Fehervary both got hurt on the same night and Fehervary is on IR but Keumper isn’t.

Actually Kuemper's head injury is unpredictable. Basically he's having some type of concussion symptoms, so he could be out longer than Fever.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Don't see the Canucks much. Is Boeser not an upgrade on Mantha?

He’s a totally different player. Mantha is a really good all around player while Boeser is more of a scorer who hasn’t taken that next step that people expected when he scored 29 goals as a 19 year old. He’s never scored 30 goals and hasn’t topped 60 points despite getting plenty of PP time and his rookie year was actually his high water mark for goals. Boeser is also signed for $6.5M for the next two seasons after this and he’s having an awful year this year so there’s a cap risk as well.

I’m not anti-Boeser but I don’t think swapping him for Mantha makes this team better. And if you’re going to get Boeser to play in your top six, just play Mantha there instead. My hesitation around a Boeser trade is we wouldn’t use him the right way if we did get him. He wouldn’t supplant Oshie on the PP and he’d be playing on the third line when Wilson gets back. Feels like a worse fit than Mantha in that case unless Lavi put him in the top six, which again Mantha is one of their two or three best forwards at even strength so maybe just play him there instead.

 

[Rayquaza64]

Isn't Boeser a higher cap hit too? Not sure we can afford him if Wilson/Backstrom return, although I suppose that would be a problem for when they return and not now

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

He’s a totally different player. Mantha is a really good all around player while Boeser is more of a scorer who hasn’t taken that next step that people expected when he scored 29 goals as a 19 year old. He’s never scored 30 goals and hasn’t topped 60 points despite getting plenty of PP time and his rookie year was actually his high water mark for goals. Boeser is also signed for $6.5M for the next two seasons after this and he’s having an awful year this year so there’s a cap risk as well.

I’m not anti-Boeser but I don’t think swapping him for Mantha makes this team better. And if you’re going to get Boeser to play in your top six, just play Mantha there instead. My hesitation around a Boeser trade is we wouldn’t use him the right way if we did get him. He wouldn’t supplant Oshie on the PP and he’d be playing on the third line when Wilson gets back. Feels like a worse fit than Mantha in that case unless Lavi put him in the top six, which again Mantha is one of their two or three best forwards at even strength so maybe just play him there instead.

You sir are being far too negative. You are only allowed to say nice things about Caps players and anyone associated with the franchise at ALL times.

Am I doing this right?

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Isn't Boeser a higher cap hit too? Not sure we can afford him if Wilson/Backstrom return, although I suppose that would be a problem for when they return and not now

Boeser has a $6.65M cap hit for two more full seasons after this and is a UFA after the 2024-25 season. He has a 10-team NTC that goes into effect in 2024. Mantha has a $5.7M cap hit for one more season after this and will be a UFA after the 2023-24 season. He has no no-trade/movement clauses in his contract. Boeser will be 28 when he’s a UFA again, Mantha 29.

 

[g00n]

You sir are being far too negative. You are only allowed to say nice things about Caps players and anyone associated with the franchise at ALL times.

Am I doing this right?

No.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Don't see the Canucks much. Is Boeser not an upgrade on Mantha?

Not really. Both players could use a change of scenery though.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Meanwhile the Caps are 5-2-1 in the last 8 with a depleted lineup (and including a 6gm road trip)
giving up 2 goals or less in 5 of those games

Odd how no one mentions the positive here isn't it?

I like their recent trend. They just need to work on scoring more and continue to gel. The road trip was a crucial test and wasn't bad except for the Calgary game and the rofl OT in Seattle. They really needed to get road points and did so. These numerous back to back games aren't going to be kind to the Caps, but they're still holding on.

 

[Calicaps]

Joe B listed off the names of the injured and its quite a team.

Backie, Wilson, Brown, Orlov, Fever, Hags, Beck... Oshie missed a bunch.

plus kuemper. who by the way has the same bday as me, save the almost 2 decades between us.

 

[trick9]

Don't see the Canucks much. Is Boeser not an upgrade on Mantha?

No.

Mantha's value is dipping quickly but Boeser should have negative value already with that contract. He's a rich man's Daniel Sprong.

 

[Brian23]

Switching from the AdBlocker extension to AdBlock Plus fixed it.

If you want an actual ad blocker, use uBlock origin. Those other addons just take money to let adds by.

And as for Boeser, and really in general, what does he bring that this team really needs? I feel like they desperately need some center help long term. Horvat I could understand, but Boeser? As others have said, they already traded Sprong and he seems like just a better version of that. Can't imagine Lavi loving him.

 

[Cappy76]

If you want an actual ad blocker, use uBlock origin. Those other addons just take money to let adds by.

And as for Boeser, and really in general, what does he bring that this team really needs? I feel like they desperately need some center help long term. Horvat I could understand, but Boeser? As others have said, they already traded Sprong and he seems like just a better version of that. Can't imagine Lavi loving him.

Do we need center help? With Lapi and CMM in Hershey developing and Kuzy, Strome, Backstrom? Not to mention Eller and Dowd

 

[Brian23]

Do we need center help? With Lapi and CMM in Hershey developing and Kuzy, Strome, Backstrom? Not to mention Eller and Dowd

Lapi is probably still 2 years away from being a true NHL center, if he even is. And that's assuming he graduates next year and gets time. CMM is probably the same, though I'm a believer and think he could be fine next year.

I think Strome should be re-signed, and Dowd is probably good enough to be a low end 3C if we need him. So I'm fine with those two.

Kuzy, Backstrom, and Eller are my big issues. If we get a coach that can't engage Kuznetsov, you've got to think about moving him for value. I think he still has more value here then elsewhere but it's not a massive difference, but that 8 million could probably be used better if he's not gonna be engaged. I also think by the time that teams "rebuilt", which I think will need to happen if Backstrom is gone, he'll 32 or 33 and on the down swing.

And most of that all hinges on Backstrom. I was encouraged by the little gifs we've seen of him coming back, but I think moving forward assuming he'll return as an NHLer, let a lone a Top 6 center, is just foolish. You need to assume he isn't coming back and build around it, and if he does come back you've got one hell of boost.

Eller just needs to be traded.

 

[itsjustsurvival]

Not attacking you but just want to make it absolutely clear in general, I haven't seen anyone saying we all need to just close our eyes and whistle past the grave yard in the name of positivity, or for the sole sake of avoiding negativity.

Calling out a play bad or noting a player has been shit recently is perfectly normal, imo.

But filling every thread with the same handful of shitposts about being old and slow and the front office and coaches needing to be fired after every loss blah blah blah...that's kid stuff. It doesn't deserve a lot of respect, but that's what we've become.

Just wait until Oshie gets another nick and sits out for a few games. All his great play and leadership of late will be completely forgotten. Again. And the knives will come back out.

Yeah, I get that and agree. Speaking for myself, balancing criticism, praise, and being prone to gallows humor can be challenging. It genuinely sucks coming on here and seeing the same stuff over and over. You made a really good point in another post about the GDT post count. Dating back to lurking and then first joining here when the team was terrible, I feel like this stuff has always happened, but it's amplified because it seems there less and less unique posters chiming in.

I think a lot of us foresaw the fanbase struggling with the transition out of being a regular contender. I also think sports fans in this general tier (People who post on message boards, seek out podcasts, look at advanced stats, closely follow prospects, etc.) have a really hard time with teams being caught in the middle. It's either be a top contender or burn it down. So none of what's happening is particularly surprising, but it does suck.

To your point about Oshie, I 100% agree that will happen, people will forget and it's a shame. His impact on the team's morale is legitimately incredible. It's night and day when he's in the lineup. The team's body language and enthusiasm changed the moment he got back in.

 

[Cappy76]

Lapi is probably still 2 years away from being a true NHL center, if he even is. And that's assuming he graduates next year and gets time. CMM is probably the same, though I'm a believer and think he could be fine next year.

I think Strome should be re-signed, and Dowd is probably good enough to be a low end 3C if we need him. So I'm fine with those two.

Kuzy, Backstrom, and Eller are my big issues. If we get a coach that can't engage Kuznetsov, you've got to think about moving him for value. I think he still has more value here then elsewhere but it's not a massive difference, but that 8 million could probably be used better if he's not gonna be engaged. I also think by the time that teams "rebuilt", which I think will need to happen if Backstrom is gone, he'll 32 or 33 and on the down swing.

And most of that all hinges on Backstrom. I was encouraged by the little gifs we've seen of him coming back, but I think moving forward assuming he'll return as an NHLer, let a lone a Top 6 center, is just foolish. You need to assume he isn't coming back and build around it, and if he does come back you've got one hell of boost.

Eller just needs to be traded.

I agree strome needs to be signed if he continues his level of play this season. Kuzy is what he is and IMO he will not be traded unless Ovie says it needs to happen. While maybe he’s not 18 playoffs dominate maybe we as a fan base need to accept maybe that was just a peak for him that he won’t reach again.

Eller will be gone after this season I don’t see them resigning him. Backstrom will be here as long as he wants to which if he comes back and plays better than what he was last season but still not normal Backstrom he could be our 3C.

A team of Kuzy/Strome as 1a/1b is ok. Backstrom as PP specialist and 3C with say an oshie/Sheary wing combo is a responsible 3rd line that could put up points. Dowd back as the 4th line center and still allows Lapi to cook and CMM comes up and potentially a filler for Backstrom if he’s not 100% or still on IR.

 

[Brian23]

Backstrom as PP specialist and 3C

I agree with most of what you say, but this is where you lose me. I think that should still be seen as a monumental ask of Nicky right now and thus not something I'd plan for.

 

[Cappy76]

I agree with most of what you say, but this is where you lose me. I think that should still be seen as a monumental ask of Nicky right now and thus not something I'd plan for.

That’s why you put him with Oshie and Sheary 2 very responsible wingers that the ask isn’t all on him for that line.