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

[HTFN]

Depends on what he wants though. He's certainly playing like he's worth more than $3.5, but he'll want a sexy number if we want term, and there's a real chance he never lives up to that number. I like how he's been playing, but he's still a question mark. I'd prefer to bridge him until all the haziness surrounding Backstrom and McMichael starts to clear up.

That's the tricky thing about really trying to compete with Ovi: Having 10m tied up in a declining player makes it that much more crucial to get every possible bit of performance out of the rest of the roster. We can't afford to have a big contract fail (or keep our current big contracts that are either failing or starting to fail). And all that is way harder while Backstrom's $9.2m is also still in flux.

That's why it seems to me like the bridge is almost assured and they'll play hardball if they have to, there are a lot of reasons not to negotiate with Strome on the level and they can entertain a holdout if Backstrom can come back next year and essentially re-occupy his spot.

And of course, if Backstrom can't go then his contract is back on LTIR and they suddenly have a lot of flexibility to work with Strome before the holdout deadline.

edit: it's early and I said that kind of stupid.

 

[theguardianII]

That's an interesting move, coming to another board to inform the folks there about their team. Some of them already took you for a ride, so let's just take your proposal at face value...

The Capitals are capped out. We have our marquee center on IR with real doubts about whether he'll play again or for how long if he tries. Him and our next top center account for $17 million in cap space. Then we have Strome, who is playing very well; Eller, who it seems we're married to and has been performing okay, too; and Dowd, a 4C that we like at a great price. Then we have two C prospects, at least one of whom figures to step in full-time next year.

You propose we trade our 1st plus a guy that makes no money for someone that makes $5.25m. So right off the bat we can't afford it. We also don't have a C spot for him unless we move someone strictly for futures cuz we can't take any salary back.

You're also supposing that Vancouver would trade a really great player for not a whole lot; like a shitload of teams wouldn't outbid that piddly package in a heartbeat.

Your idea doesn't hold up at all, and you're coming at us like WE don't know anything about hockey. Get yourself a mirror, STAT.

Washington has LTIR space now more than enough for a Miller contract.

You must know that Vancouver has sucked for the last 6/7 years and capped out. We have a too patient owner with deep pockets willing to spend. But we had what has turned out to be the worst NHL GM in league history in almost every category and he trade picks for really bad long term contracts which froze the team.

Miller can play center or wing and after an entire year of being the subject of trade speculation for a year was surprisingly signed to another contract.

Vancouver is so cap strapped that the cap space attained with a Miller trade adds to the value.

It is not Miller is a bad player it is the team is such a bad mix they are not winning and need to rebuild. As I stated Miller is a "win now" player.

Miller to Washington is simply MY opinion as far as he would help your team or rather your team could use him more due to Backstrom's injury and the less than promising end results for that surgery for NHL players.

There is going to be many Canuck players available very soon because Vancouver needs to rebuild very fast to keep it's star player, now 24 yr old Elias Pettersson.

Washington just looked to be a very good fit for both the player and the team.

Vancouver has a very bad mix, very poorly constructed, capped out thanks to the last GMs' poison pill contracts, no depth and no prospects. Decent players at different stages of their careers with too much disparity.

 

[YippieKaey]

At this point i honestly feel like Strome is a Backström with a better scoring touch and worse defense. Pretty similar type of players.

And it's unlikely Bäckström will come back and perform better than Strome so extending him seems wise

 

[theguardianII]

You’re more than welcome to post here just as many fans from other teams do but no need for the personal stuff if someone doesn’t understand something or disagrees with you. Leave that stuff out of the discussion or take your commentary elsewhere.

My apology.
I forgot that out here on the wrong coast we see more hockey on TV in prime time and are aware of eastern teams fairly well. We see all the games by 10:30 PM our time.

This does not mean fans are less passionate or intelligent but may not stay up to one in the morning to watch west coast teams.

A summary of Vancouver, the last 8 years have been very bad, the last 6 they are the worst in the league for wins and losses. The GM spent over one billion dollars on team operations and went over the cap all years. He blew two top 6 draft picks and traded away three 1rst round draft picks as well as many 2nd round draft picks. He left the team with no prospects, no cap space and no draft picks. He left the team with several over paid aging FAs' with clause contracts difficult to move. He made the team a "win now" team that couldn't win. The mix is bad creating a bad room.

The new management group came here without any experience of running a team from the west coast, meaning only that even most eastern NHL GMs don't watch western teams too much.

I looked over most teams to see where Miller could go and which team could use his talents and have the cap space available with the probability of Backstrom not returning, it isn't a sure thing he doesn't but no NHL hockey player has come back from his surgery and heavy contact is not recommended.

Because of the Canucks mess, cap space is paramount to a quicker retool, rebuild or corrections.
Miller for a pick, prospect and player is a standard equation. If he went to your team you are getting a veteran player that recently scored 99 points and is current at a point per game pace. Vancouver is so bad his stats are not helping the team win.
The cap is not going up more than million right now. This makes getting a player like him very valuable. Washington just looks like the best fit for both the player and the team.

 

[Corby78]

If he gets the record then all bets are off.

I have a feeling that by that time we won’t have any other options

 

[um]

At this point i honestly feel like Strome is a Backström with a better scoring touch and worse defense. Pretty similar type of players.

And it's unlikely Bäckström will come back and perform better than Strome so extending him seems wise

nobody does a perfect crispy bacon pass like Backstrom.

 

[Corby78]

If we could get a 90% version of old 19, not only would it be a Christmas miracle, it would drastically help the lines. Especially after throwing in Tommy Gun. I just don’t see how that happens though.

 

[Devil Dancer]

If we could get a 90% version of old 19, not only would it be a Christmas miracle, it would drastically help the lines. Especially after throwing in Tommy Gun. I just don’t see how that happens though.

I wonder where Eller and Strome would land in that scenario.

 

[kicksavedave]

If we could get a 90% version of old 19, not only would it be a Christmas miracle, it would drastically help the lines. Especially after throwing in Tommy Gun. I just don’t see how that happens though.

If Backie is back at 90% of his real former self, its not only a Christmas miracle, its a genuine medical miracle as well.

No player has ever come back in any meaningful way from the procedure he had. He would be the first to make it back to being a legit NHL contributor, even if he's no longer an all star caliber guy worth his $9M contract.

 

[Brian23]

Washington just looks like the best fit for both the player and the team.

He doesn't though, as was explained to you.

 

[Ridley Simon]

A newly-minted seven year extension is the absolute opposite of an impulse buy. They'll see what they can get out of Backstrom and if that winds up nixing much of any deadline moves they're probably fine with that. Between him and Wilson that's likely their needed shot in the arm. As long as they're on track to make the playoffs I'm not sure they'll add much of anything. Maybe a more experienced, versatile depth forward over Snively but that may be it (and even that could be filled by Malenstyn eventually).

Depth Dman. Someone to start over Gustafson. That makes sense.

Unless it’s a “home run” offense add like Kane/Couture/Meier/Karlsson etc, then forwards aren’t a need.

 

[HeyMattyB]

My apology (blah blah blah blah)

You're not telling anyone here anything they don't know already. And nobody's interested in buying what you're doing a real shit job of trying to sell.

Take it to the Trade Forum.

 

[kicksavedave]

I wonder where Eller and Strome would land in that scenario.

LOL at the prospects of us having too many NHL centers at one time, given where we had been earlier.

 

[Cappy76]

What would the lines look like when we’re healthy? Assuming Backs comes back and is not a complete shell of his former self.

8-17-43
15-92-39
90-19-77
73-26-21

Mojo and Sheary could flip but no idea where Eller fits in. Snively as an extra and Protas back to Hershey even though he’s maybe earned a spot to stick around?

That’s a very deep vet team I’d be comfortable rolling those lines for the most part maybe shelter the kuzy line a bit. But overall you could pretty much roll them all about evenly nightly.

 

[Brian23]

I don't see a world they sit down Eller with Backstrom back, he's one of Lavi's favorites. I'd bet Mojo or Milano get sat down and Strome or Kuznetsov to wing. With his handling of both Carlson and Orlov, I expect Backstroms first game back he'll be in the top six for 20 minutes.

 

[twabby]

I’d see Eller to wing before I’d see him healthy scratched over Milano and Protas.

8-17-73
39-92-43
90-19-77
20-26-21

Something like that. Maybe swap 73 and 43 depending on the night. If Backstrom shows well he’ll probably get a lot of minutes but I suspect he’ll be on a pitch count to start.

 

[pman25]

I don't see a world they sit down Eller with Backstrom back, he's one of Lavi's favorites. I'd bet Mojo or Milano get sat down and Strome or Kuznetsov to wing. With his handling of both Carlson and Orlov, I expect Backstroms first game back he'll be in the top six for 20 minutes.

I wouldn't count out Eller to wing either. Or does Backstrom start off at wing? That would be something

 

[Brian23]

I wouldn't count out Eller to wing either. Or does Backstrom start off at wing? That would be something

Like I said, based off how he used Carlson and Orlov off injury, I think he (Backstrom) will be slotting right back into his original spot.

 

[RedRocking]

Like I said, based off how he used Carlson and Orlov off injury, I think he (Backstrom) will be slotting right back into his original spot.

Come on now, being on IR for a week or two is far different from friggin hip resurfacing surgery. They’ll shelter him and have him on a mins count.

What’s going to complicate matters further is that Nick might not be back until after or very close to the TDL. Maybe we just stand pat, so it doesn’t matter. Still a lot to figure out re this season’s trajectory between now and then.

I like the idea of moving Eller to wing with Dowd. I’d be interested in seeing Milano in over Mojo. But Mojo has played well and they love him. Wish there was a spot for Protas, but finishing the year in Hershey isn’t terrible, and he can be a black ace come playoffs (if we make it).

 

[Langway]

Depth Dman. Someone to start over Gustafson. That makes sense.

Unless it’s a “home run” offense add like Kane/Couture/Meier/Karlsson etc, then forwards aren’t a need.

Gustafsson has averaged 19 a night so far. It's been boosted due to the LD out but they seem to like him. Maybe in the right scenario they'd think about swapping Mantha for a more dynamic top sixer 5v5. I still think Mantha+CMM would be the package for that sort of thing but they may just let it ride unless they perfect deal comes along.

Kuznetsov to the wing seems like a more likely idea given defensive tendencies so...

Ovechkin - Strome - Wilson
Kuznetsov - Backstrom - Mantha
Sheary - Eller - Oshie
Protas/Johansson - Dowd - Hathaway

Snively/NAK to waivers eventually and maybe they set themselves up to get a mid/late pick for Milano if he gets lost in the shuffle a bit.

 

[g00n]

This line talk got me thinking.

I'm not a capologist, but going by Spotrac active contracts, if they keep the current roster and add Kuemper, Wilson, Fever, and Nick they're at $85.05M vs an $82,500,000 cap but also 4 contracts over the 23 man limit, assuming regular season rules.

Who are the 4 to go? Protas is on a 2-way but wouldn't be waiver exempt afaik and wouldn't clear. Is he exempt?

LuJo would be sent down clearly, freeing up $532K from the $85M.
Shepherd presumably as DK returns removing $520K.


No other 2-way contracts. So 2 guys would have to be moved to clear an additional $1,500,684 or so. This assumes Hagelin and Brown are done for the year, and doesn't account for other IRs Alexeyev and Malenstyn (~$698K total) though I think they may be exempt due to experience level.

Highlighted column is adjusted cap hit.

IMO some guys have to go, and you'd then probably see CMM called up for the playoffs, among maybe some others.

NAK seems as good as gone at $1M. Then I fear they may take aim at Milano to avoid losing any more D-men.

That gets them under the cap for the 4 starters returning, again assuming AA and Beck can safely be sent to the AHL until the playoffs.

Am I missing something or does that seem close?

Bottom line, I don't know if you can slot Milano in any line combos once everyone is healthy. If Nick doesn't return then they can maybe still trade NAK, keep Milano, and add someone.

 

[Holtbyisms]

This line talk got me thinking.

I'm not a capologist, but going by Spotrac active contracts, if they keep the current roster and add Kuemper, Wilson, Fever, and Nick they're at $85.05M vs an $82,500,000 cap but also 4 contracts over the 23 man limit, assuming regular season rules.

Who are the 4 to go? Protas is on a 2-way but wouldn't be waiver exempt afaik and wouldn't clear. Is he exempt?

LuJo would be sent down clearly, freeing up $532K from the $85M.
Shepherd presumably as DK returns removing $520K.


No other 2-way contracts. So 2 guys would have to be moved to clear an additional $1,500,684 or so. This assumes Hagelin and Brown are done for the year, and doesn't account for other IRs Alexeyev and Malenstyn (~$698K total) though I think they may be exempt due to experience level.

Highlighted column is adjusted cap hit.

View attachment 620970


IMO some guys have to go, and you'd then probably see CMM called up for the playoffs, among maybe some others.

NAK seems as good as gone at $1M. Then I fear they may take aim at Milano to avoid losing any more D-men.

That gets them under the cap for the 4 starters returning, again assuming AA and Beck can safely be sent to the AHL until the playoffs.

Am I missing something or does that seem close?

Bottom line, I don't know if you can slot Milano in any line combos once everyone is healthy. If Nick doesn't return then they can maybe still trade NAK, keep Milano, and add someone.

Carlson for a 3rd rounder and everything is solved.

 

[Ridley Simon]

What would the lines look like when we’re healthy? Assuming Backs comes back and is not a complete shell of his former self.

8-17-43
15-92-39
90-19-77
73-26-21

Mojo and Sheary could flip but no idea where Eller fits in. Snively as an extra and Protas back to Hershey even though he’s maybe earned a spot to stick around?

That’s a very deep vet team I’d be comfortable rolling those lines for the most part maybe shelter the kuzy line a bit. But overall you could pretty much roll them all about evenly nightly.

They’d play Eller over Milano. Just “because”

That said, they should trade a C for a D. Assuming Backstrom is actually ok.

 

[g00n]

Carlson for a 3rd rounder and everything is solved.

I would trade Carlson before the playoffs in a heartbeat, but I'm trying to think like the Caps FO.

Personally I'd move on from him and Eller as I said in the offseason. But I know that's not in their plans this season, unless maybe they're out of the hunt by the TDL.

But as a prediction based on past behavior those guys ain't moving. It's the "non-core" rental journeyman types who came in for a cup of coffee that will draw short straws.

They’d play Eller over Milano. Just “becuase”

That said, they should trade a C for a D. Assuming Backstrom is actually ok.

Trading Eller for a stout stay-at-home crease mauling D-man (and keeping Milano who has DSP vibes) would be my dream TDL move.

ain't gonna happen, tho

 

[Holtbyisms]

I would trade Carlson before the playoffs in a heartbeat, but I'm trying to think like the Caps FO.

Personally I'd move on from him and Eller as I said in the offseason. But I know that's not in their plans this season, unless maybe they're out of the hunt by the TDL.

But as a prediction based on past behavior those guys ain't moving. It's the "non-core" rental journeyman types who came in for a cup of coffee that will draw short straws.




Trading Eller for a stout stay-at-home crease mauling D-man (and keeping Milano who has DSP vibes) would be my dream TDL move.

ain't gonna happen, tho

Agreed, I begged for it too in the off-season but knew there was slim to no chance. Too bad John doesn't like the desert retirement life. Would love some sort of play for Chychrun. Even if it meant giving an asset with Carlson up to do it.