Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines/etc) | 2023-24 Regular Season Edition

[Cappy76]

Do we really want kuzy anywhere near what's going on in Hershey?

 

[trick9]

Rather in Hershey than Washington.

Even if (i doubt it) he reports, there is a strong leadership in Hershey and he doesn't have room full of friends there. He needs to win a new coach and his teammates over, which might be tough given they are well aware how toxic he is.

Best-case scenario is he bolts straight away or after few bus trips and we can terminate his contract.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Do we really want kuzy anywhere near what's going on in Hershey?

No, buuuuuut it’s worth seeing if it can either force him to refuse to report and we then terminate his deal, or maybe a week in Hershey gives him a much needed shock to his world and comfort….

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

So - from reading pages and pages of discussion:

"The team is absolute dogshit and has real problems with scoring - but it's nobody's fault"

It's all just bad luck

This bit is old and tired. Anyone with any sense of rationality knew this and next year would be tough with big money tied up to Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Oshie, and Mantha and a prospect pipeline they’re rebuilding after being in win-now mode for 15 years. The next two seasons were always going to be about trying to thread the needle of trying to stay in the fight with one hand tied behind their back. They tried and it didn’t work — that’s sports.

Now that it seems the competitive part of their season is done they pivot, most likely, and do what they can to accelerate the retool. As Washington sports fans, we are the authority on shitty team management and I don’t get the hate on BMac. He’s a straight shooter whose moves almost always have logic behind them. He’s done really well to uncover some gems year after year. He identifies weaknesses and is aggressive in fixing them. He doesn’t panic and make rash decisions. I feel very comfortable with him at the helm of the team and I just kinda shake my head at the hate he gets.

It is not his fault that his best players all got old and now suck. The fact that they’re even remotely competitive with all the cap space tied up into replacement level players is a testament to the depth he’s been able to build.

 

[Ridley Simon]

This bit is old and tired. Anyone with any sense of rationality knew this and next year would be tough with big money tied up to Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Oshie, and Mantha and a prospect pipeline they’re rebuilding after being in win-now mode for 15 years. The next two seasons were always going to be about trying to thread the needle of trying to stay in the fight with one hand tied behind their back. They tried and it didn’t work — that’s sports.

Now that it seems the competitive part of their season is done they pivot, most likely, and do what they can to accelerate the retool. As Washington sports fans, we are the authority on shitty team management and I don’t get the hate on BMac. He’s a straight shooter whose moves almost always have logic behind them. He’s done really well to uncover some gems year after year. He identifies weaknesses and is aggressive in fixing them. He doesn’t panic and make rash decisions. I feel very comfortable with him at the helm of the team and I just kinda shake my head at the hate he gets.

It is not his fault that his best players all got old and now suck. The fact that they’re even remotely competitive with all the cap space tied up into replacement level players is a testament to the depth he’s been able to build.

Or you could’ve just said “oh good grief” like I did, LOL. However your post is far more eloquent than mine.

As I’ve said for a long while now. Some posters just want their pound of flesh “I blame..(scans the room)….YOU, for all that ails us!!”

It’s the entire org that won, and is now dealing with the price it took to do so.

Removing one of the best GM’s in the game would not only be harmful to their franchise….it would be illogical and stupid, at this juncture.

 

[kmwtrucks]

what do you think they would pay to get him off the books at the TDL? the advantage of doing it this year is the MAX P $2mil bonus would be paid this year instead of next beyond moving him off the books for next year. 2nd in 2025 and 3rd in 2024 IE Boston's 2 picks.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Or you could’ve just said “oh good grief” like I did, LOL. However your post is far more eloquent than mine.

As I’ve said for a long while now. Some posters just want their pound of flesh “I blame..(scans the room)….YOU, for all that ails us!!”

It’s the entire org that won, and is now dealing with the price it took to do so.

Removing one of the best GM’s in the game would not only be harmful to their franchise….it would be illogical and stupid, at this juncture.

I also should have added — before anyone starts to blame him about some of the extensions given out — that it’s clear that Ted had a big part in dictating some decisions. He did the same thing with the Wizards when he wanted Wall cut loose and the wagons circled around Beal. Wouldn’t surprise me given what we know now if some of the stadium stuff had a hand in influencing Ted’s decision making over the past few years and wanting to make sure he didn’t have two teams without any big names on the roster as he was trying to negotiate a better deal with DC or a new arena in VA.

 

[StrikingDistance]

Ah yes, the part of the season where the general public seeks accountability.

Get Kuzy off the team. Don't care if they make him the next Caps mascot.

Mantha, of course on a contract year, is on pace for ~30Gs. Maybe 1 year deals and goal bonuses are what keep him motivated.

Backy's hip issue was unknown when he was re-signed. Lost on that one.

Oshie plays hard, gets hurt, comes back and makes us look like idiots. Repeat. He's a winner and worth every f'n penny.

Let's see, Lundquist had an unknown heart problem....would of been nice to have him backstop VV and Swimmin Sammy.

Willy: Glad we re-signed him. This team would be butter-soft without him.

Patches: Looks like a smart signing to me.

So I don't get all the disdain for BMAC. Think we've been spoiled and now we're average at best. We'll have plenty of spending money soon and we can over-scrutinize his performance on it.

Rando thought: Think Orlov getting moved helped put Kuzy on the IDGAF trajectory?

 

[g00n]

Rando thought: Think Orlov getting moved helped put Kuzy on the IDGAF trajectory?

Kuzy was already the conductor of that train. He publicly stated how upset he was that the guys who wanted to stay (Hath and Orlov mainly) got shipped out and he had to remain in DC.

f*** him.

Thanks for the memories in 2018, but I repeat, f*** him.

 

[Cappy76]

No, buuuuuut it’s worth seeing if it can either force him to refuse to report and we then terminate his deal, or maybe a week in Hershey gives him a much needed shock to his world and comfort….

That's just it though he calls the bluff and reports then his carefree attitude is seeping into Miro, Irorio, Lappy (who I'm pretty sure he grew up idolizing) and the rest. Not the bluff I'd be willing to make with how that team is just motoring along. They don't need that sideshow.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

That's just it though he calls the bluff and reports then his carefree attitude is seeping into Miro, Irorio, Lappy (who I'm pretty sure he grew up idolizing) and the rest. Not the bluff I'd be willing to make with how that team is just motoring along. They don't need that sideshow.

It’s 100% a bluff I hope he calls. He needs a reset and a week visit might be the humbling process he needs. The young adults we have there won’t be damaged. If anything seeing him humbled might be effective for their development.

And if he doesn’t show, problem eliminated.

 

[Cappy76]

It’s 100% a bluff I hope he calls. He needs a reset and a week visit might be the humbling process he needs. The young adults we have there won’t be damaged. If anything seeing him humbled might be effective for their development.

And if he doesn’t show, problem eliminated.

Kuzy has shown time and time again he just doesn't give AF. He's said it as well years ago when asked about being in the hart discussion. Pretty sure his quote back then was something along the lines of you have to show up every day to be an mvp that's not me. A stint in Hershey won't change that.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

The dude is 31 years old and has been a professional hockey player for almost half his life. He's openly admitted he doesn't want to be great because it takes too much work. He got his wish with Lavi gone and still the same shit ensues. No amount of humbling or stern talks or getting benched or getting waived is going to make a difference -- this is who he is and they just need to cut bait, buy him out, and not talk to him again until they need to ask where to send his invitation for the 2018 10th anniversary party.

“When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.” - Maya Angelou

 

[Ridley Simon]

It’s just so upsetting. Kuznetsov. Was such a stud. He’s now pulling a Semin (in production alone, not discussing anything else…check out the similarities), and that’s going to be that.

Def trade him 50% and get anything you can. That’s 3.9m of another good player.

 

[StrikingDistance]

Kuzy was already the conductor of that train. He publicly stated how upset he was that the guys who wanted to stay (Hath and Orlov mainly) got shipped out and he had to remain in DC.

f*** him.

Thanks for the memories in 2018, but I repeat, f*** him.

I remember now. Poor thing had his video game buddy taken away. Wahhh. So much menial drama with him. If he just spent the same amount of time learning how to win face-offs like he does getting tattoos, maybe he would be useful.

Thinking of dropping off my Kuzy gear at his house...with a nice coating of baby powder on them.

Wouldn't want to waste any more $$$ on the real thing. lol

 

[Langway]

So I don't get all the disdain for BMAC. Think we've been spoiled and now we're average at best. We'll have plenty of spending money soon and we can over-scrutinize his performance on it.

I think it's mainly the dip in draft performance that's been concerning. 2023 was better but they need to nail it consistently to replenish. He's struggled either via the draft or by other means to rejuvenate the lineup. The Carbery hire was an attempt at it but it's clear the roster needs to be radically restructured if they're to even be an average offensive team any time soon. The sudden decline of Jensen/TVR also should lead to them being pretty well blown up. They don't even have decent defensive reliability so why bother sticking on more band-aids? Why hold on to declining defensive defenders when they're also another offensive drag? This mix is...not close to good. Charitably this may be an evaluation period but their list of needs doesn't seem to be getting any shorter.

While Kuznetsov is a problematic doofus this is an offense only better than two garbage tanking teams. Center ice is fundamentally key but they're not close to being good offensively. I'd certainly hazard against signing a few post-prime shooting wingers and thinking their job here is done. They have a lot of needs.

Cap space patiently and strategically deployed can do wonders but I'm skeptical they'll have the discipline and the detail to restructure with enough upside in mind. Or that it'll necessarily be sculpted more in line with how Carbery wants to play. It's not a great UFA class and there's not a high likelihood of significant cap casualties with the cap rising. There will be some but this is a team with severe needs and they're rarely conveniently addressed.

They have such an athleticism and IQ disadvantage much of the time that it's hard to imagine a quick reload doing the trick. So many pieces need to be added that effectively improve pace all over the ice. They need more goal-scorers but they need a lot of new pieces better able to play at a skilled high tempo. Even if they were to improve the supporting cast 5v5 you'd still have to expect the same slumbering PP1 group given a core group unlikely to be broken up. So, yeah, they'll have the financial flexibility to do some things. It would be hard to imagine next year's team being any worse offensively. But it's still going to be a tall order turning this around in a hurry and expecting the same core group being anything but mid-at-best.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Kuzy has shown time and time again he just doesn't give AF. He's said it as well years ago when asked about being in the hart discussion. Pretty sure his quote back then was something along the lines of you have to show up every day to be an mvp that's not me. A stint in Hershey won't change that.

Let’s see…

 

[PlushMinus]

This bit is old and tired. Anyone with any sense of rationality knew this and next year would be tough with big money tied up to Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Oshie, and Mantha and a prospect pipeline they’re rebuilding after being in win-now mode for 15 years. The next two seasons were always going to be about trying to thread the needle of trying to stay in the fight with one hand tied behind their back. They tried and it didn’t work — that’s sports.

Now that it seems the competitive part of their season is done they pivot, most likely, and do what they can to accelerate the retool. As Washington sports fans, we are the authority on shitty team management and I don’t get the hate on BMac. He’s a straight shooter whose moves almost always have logic behind them. He’s done really well to uncover some gems year after year. He identifies weaknesses and is aggressive in fixing them. He doesn’t panic and make rash decisions. I feel very comfortable with him at the helm of the team and I just kinda shake my head at the hate he gets.

It is not his fault that his best players all got old and now suck. The fact that they’re even remotely competitive with all the cap space tied up into replacement level players is a testament to the depth he’s been able to build.

It's not about hate for Bmac. Most of my disdain is towards Leonsis, who I think has had too much influence over what Bmac can and cannot do. Bmac's job is to build a Cup winning hockey team. As an owner of course Leonsis is going to be involved in decision making, but I think it has been to the detriment of the team and is a large reason why the team is now old, slow, and struggling to put up offense (I'll avoid using the term dogshit again, let's revisit that at the end of the season). There has been a mandate to "keep the boys together" and it was only a matter of time before that ended horribly.

I don't attribute them being competitive to the depth of the roster. It's mostly because of Lindgren, who is playing at a level nobody expected, and having had among the easiest schedules in the league up until the end of last year. The cracks have been appearing since just after Xmas, and now they have the hardest schedule for the remainder of the season.

Edit: to clarify on competitive:

17-9-4 up to Dec 21st. Pretty damn good record. 38 of 60 possible points
Since then: 5-9-3 - among the worst in the league. 13 of possible 34 points.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Thinking of dropping off my Kuzy gear at his house...with a nice coating of baby powder on them.

He’ll think you have him some other type of substance and get excited lol

If Jake Guentzel hits UFA next year would you throw money at him? I’m guessing he gets $10 million or more on the open market.

I don’t think it would be worth trading for him at this point because Pittsburgh wants a f*** ton for him and it doesn’t make sense to burn assets

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

He’ll think you have him some other type of substance and get excited lol

If Jake Guentzel hits UFA next year would you throw money at him? I’m guessing he gets $10 million or more on the open market.

I don’t think it would be worth trading for him at this point because Pittsburgh wants a f*** ton for him and it doesn’t make sense to burn assets

Most players who make it to UFA do not live up to contracts and become very hard to trade. I would use to extra cap space to get more draft picks

 

[hb13xchamps]

Most players who make it to UFA do not live up to contracts and become very hard to trade. I would use to extra cap space to get more draft picks

He’s already 29. I thought he was a little younger than that. With his injury history I’d be a little reluctant to sign him to a big long term deal

 

[HandsomeTom43]

A lot of grounded well thought out takes here. Our team sucks but it’s hard to argue with most of GMBMs moves. The drafting has definitely been C tier, but the dumpster diving has been A and the contracts to non legacy players have also been good.

The fake outrage about the cap situation and Oshie, Backstrom, Carlson, Ovi contracts is a joke. We knew what we were in for and accepted it and thankfully we did win a Cup in a historical playoff run.

The deadline deals last year were solid. They’ll be solid this year. We will have enormous cap space in a year and a half all by design. We appear to have a great coach who is making lemonade out of lemons. No athleticism, no offensive touch, and few players with a motor.

I love Tom Wilson, but I agreed with twabby last season, it would have been a benefit to trade him for a package of players. We were both high on Byfield and he’s turned the corner this year. That being said I’m fine with his contract even if he doesn’t live up to it. He’s a leader and we will need it.

We all agree the team would be better off with Kuzy gone, I’m sure those discussions have happened internally ad naseum.

Those who want Bmac gone, I’d be interested in a list of 5 guys who would be better ?

 

[Holtbyisms]

A lot of grounded well thought out takes here. Our team sucks but it’s hard to argue with most of GMBMs moves. The drafting has definitely been C tier, but the dumpster diving has been A and the contracts to non legacy players have also been good.

The fake outrage about the cap situation and Oshie, Backstrom, Carlson, Ovi contracts is a joke. We knew what we were in for and accepted it and thankfully we did win a Cup in a historical playoff run.

The deadline deals last year were solid. They’ll be solid this year. We will have enormous cap space in a year and a half all by design. We appear to have a great coach who is making lemonade out of lemons. No athleticism, no offensive touch, and few players with a motor.

I love Tom Wilson, but I agreed with twabby last season, it would have been a benefit to trade him for a package of players. We were both high on Byfield and he’s turned the corner this year. That being said I’m fine with his contract even if he doesn’t live up to it. He’s a leader and we will need it.

We all agree the team would be better off with Kuzy gone, I’m sure those discussions have happened internally ad naseum.

Those who want Bmac gone, I’d be interested in a list of 5 guys who would be better ?

I don't want him gone, I just wish he (or if you believe what everyone else here seems to) puppet master Teddy would have been more honest with a rebuild and started it sooner. The team was cooked under Lavi, it was obvious, they held on for too long thinking they could fix an aging roster with minor tweaks. Instead of becoming mildly competitive again for the final year or two of 8s career like they claim they want to be...we're going the opposite direction because we didn't start the process when we should have.

 

[pman25]

Bmac has always been good at finding value and depth moves for cheap. Dowd, Sheary, TvR, Hathaway, Lindgren. He can do that every year. I’d even lump Strome in that in terms of value. Those are very good moves.

I don’t agree that he’s been aggressive about filling team needs. Aggressive would have been moving picks in 2019/2020/2022 for an elite/star player

People will say we were cap constrained but part of that is Bmac’s own doing. Giving out contracts to Panik, Hagelin, Schultz, etc.

And then pretty much dumping any player who could actually score (Burakovsky, Vrana, Sprong) and dumping prospects too early like Stephenson and Siegs. I know some of those guys had other reasons for moving and we couldn’t hang on to them forever.

He’s been alright, and he hasn’t made any outright baffling moves like Bergevin or Hextall or Fletcher would do but even with the mandate to keep the core around, he could have done better

 

[Hivemind]

Do we really want kuzy anywhere near what's going on in Hershey?

They can waive him and then loan him to a different franchise's AHL affiliate (like they did with Michael Nylander, or when Sheldon Souray was loaned from Edmonton to Hershey).