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

[Misery74]

Finally some sanity has been restored to the lineup

If you say so.

Phillips is an Oompah Loompah, and belongs in Hershey.

I want Jimi and AA to be staples for the remainder of the year. Right now, we are piddling in the wind.

 

[twabby]

Good news that Dowd's name is still out there generating buzz.

 

[pman25]

That’s right Seravalli, thank you.

 

[usiel]

Good news that Dowd's name is still out there generating buzz.

This seems logical considering the depth of the 1st round doesn't seem to stand out in this year's draft (of course there will be gems).

 

[Misery74]

This seems logical considering the depth of the 1st round doesn't seem to stand out in this year's draft (of course there will be gems).

I simply do not believe anyone will pay a first for Dowd. If our GM paid a first for Dowd at the TDL, he would be run out and f town on a rail.

 

[Misery74]

Also, can anyone point me in the direction as to how to unignore someone I have blocked ignored? I tried setting and account.

Sorry, this doesn’t belong here.

Fixed, thanks

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Kakko is an interesting player for me. I loved him as a prospect and really thought he was gonna be cant miss so I’m still surprised with his struggles.

Is he about to get really expensive and that’s why they’re shopping him?

 

[Roshi]

Feels like BM is going to get angry comments for not weaponising the cap space, but is there really a market for that this season?

The ”capped contenders” dont really look like going for big fishing this time. Mainly because theres not much big fish left after Lindholm and Monahan are out, and many teams have already spent heavily the last couple years.

Just feels like we are once again in a ”right place but wrong time” situation with our gazillion dollars of cap space.

Id expect BM to end up with 3-5 middle round picks. Would be nice to atleast end up with a 2nd for this season, as we dont have ours..

 

[hb13xchamps]

Tampa could be takers for Edmundson. Sergachev’s injury didn’t look great

 

[RedRocking]

I simply do not believe anyone will pay a first for Dowd. If our GM paid a first for Dowd at the TDL, he would be run out and f town on a rail.

As others have said, I think he’s perfect for EDM. Their bottom 6 just holds on for dear life, hoping to not get scored on. Dowd could take on some of their toughest defensive minutes, improve their PK, while also being good at tilting the ice.

They play McDrai way too much as it is. If they had more balance, those guys won’t be so worn out by playoff time. They are “cup or bust”, and would get Dowd for 2 playoff runs. Not bad for a late-ish 1st. Maybe you package TvR or Jensen to get a 1st+.

 

[Langway]

The West ought to be an arms race. It's more defined with a long list of teams that could go on deep runs. VAN & WPG have already added and could still do a bit more. COL, DAL, LAK, EDM & VGK should also be aggressive and each holds their first rounder. Whereas in the East it's fuzzier with only five teams you'd think are confident about making it in: BOS, FLA, TOR, CAR & NYR. TOR still has work to do but with their headliners they ought to find a way. You'd think NJD with some goaltending will also. But that murky middle may not lead to as much aggressive adding in the East, particularly given that BOS & FLA have already essentially moved their firsts in past deals. Of course, teams can move '25 picks and I don't think it's a terrible idea for a team like the Caps. That does seem like the stronger draft.

Teams can only retain on three contracts at a time so I'm not sure there's a fit for them to be a third-party broker per se (esp. since they may want to keep some cap space free so that they don't have any bonus carryover from Pacioretty). They probably should retain on at least Mantha to up the return/market. Maybe also on Dowd to help secure a first. But they may want to keep a slot open for around the draft to either move Kuznetsov vs. a buyout or to simply keep options open until the new league year starts. I'm not sure a third rounder at the deadline is enough value to burn the third slot. They can weaponize cap space in other ways, like taking on salary dumps if the player is good enough or there are sweeteners. You'd think they'd prefer weaponizing their space primarily to quickly add immediate talent rather than stockpiling futures. The later is what sellers do but they're still trying to compete and some of those futures will get flipped probably (ala Sandin).

Other players that should net firsts are Hanifin, Tanev and Guentzel among rentals and then Chychrun & Laughton if moved otherwise. Perhaps also Markstrom or Gibson if there happens to be a fit among goalie-desperate teams like NJD/TOR. Not sure who has the most dire need of a player like Dowd. Laughton or perhaps Jenner or a fallback option like Henrique does cloud the C market a bit. The very top-end rentals, Tanev/Guentzel/Hanifin probably need to move before teams circle back. Unless perhaps there's a workable package deal where the Caps bundle together Dowd and TVR or something.

 

[StrikingDistance]

Yeah, I think that's it for the POs.

It's taken me a while, but I finally realized: This team has no identity.

Love Carberry's coaching and system. He's smart and articulate. Unfortunately, he was dealt with Kuzy, Backy, Keumper, and other old guys who aren't smart enough to learn a new system.

I expect Mantha and Dowd to be gone soon and hope a desperate team picks up Keumper, Eds, etc.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Washington currently drafting 10OA after last night’s results but they’re only three points above 6OA. Unless they try really hard to suck I don’t think they can get into the top five — it feels like Ottawa, Columbus, San Jose, Anaheim, and Chicago have the top suck spots on lock.

MoneyPuck has the Caps with the 5th worst playoff odds at 0.9%.

 

[trick9]

Washington currently drafting 10OA after last night’s results but they’re only three points above 6OA. Unless they try really hard to suck I don’t think they can get into the top five — it feels like Ottawa, Columbus, San Jose, Anaheim, and Chicago have the top suck spots on lock.

MoneyPuck has the Caps with the 5th worst playoff odds at 0.9%.

If they lose next game in regulation (@ Bruins): 0.75%. First overall pick odds rising though... up to 7.1% now.

Next massive game for the red tank comes in a week @ Habs.

That said... i'd still hope for some (personal) success for certain players on the team. Ovechkin goals... production from Wilson and the kids. Perhaps some trade value rising goals from Mantha and Pacioretty.

Main thing for me regarding this draft is to secure a top-10 pick. That ensures you get either one of the top D's, top C's or if you are lucky, either of the (possibly) falling wingers in Eiserman / Demidov. I don't know if there is a clear dip straight after 10 but for me there is definitely one after the top-12.

Main thing for me regarding the rest of the season though is to find a direction... figure out once in for all what you are trying to accomplish and build some kind of plan how you are going to get there. I have no idea right now what our direction is going forward.

 

[Misery74]

If they lose next game in regulation (@ Bruins): 0.75%. First overall pick odds rising though... up to 7.1% now.

Next massive game for the red tank comes in a week @ Habs.

That said... i'd still hope for some (personal) success for certain players on the team. Ovechkin goals... production from Wilson and the kids. Perhaps some trade value rising goals from Mantha and Pacioretty.

Main thing for me regarding this draft is to secure a top-10 pick. That ensures you get either one of the top D's, top C's or if you are lucky, either of the (possibly) falling wingers in Eiserman / Demidov. I don't know if there is a clear dip straight after 10 but for me there is definitely one after the top-12.

Main thing for me regarding the rest of the season though is to find a direction... figure out once in for all what you are trying to accomplish and build some kind of plan how you are going to get there. I have no idea right now what our direction is going forward.

We have the hardest schedule in the NHL. Top 5 is calling us.

What we do with this team between now and the TDL might actually make us better.

 

[Langway]

Washington currently drafting 10OA after last night’s results but they’re only three points above 6OA. Unless they try really hard to suck I don’t think they can get into the top five — it feels like Ottawa, Columbus, San Jose, Anaheim, and Chicago have the top suck spots on lock.

MoneyPuck has the Caps with the 5th worst playoff odds at 0.9%.

Ottawa after the coaching change has some burn left in them. They're 6-2-2 in their last ten and have a young squad that can score goals at least. The fifth pick is likely the absolute best the Caps can do, though. The bottom four spots certainly are on lock.

 

[Ovie's Neighbor]

Bear, Pacioretty, Edmundson. Three more bad/no impact additions from GMBM. At some point his track record becomes impossible to defend.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Bear, Pacioretty, Edmundson. Three more bad/no impact additions from GMBM. At some point his track record becomes impossible to defend.

Right as if he never makes any good additions…


Maybe the bigger problem is people feeling the need to lay blame, when this rebuild was inevitable.

Stuck between the cap and a hard place and you can only add reclamations and budget players.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Bear, Pacioretty, Edmundson. Three more bad/no impact additions from GMBM. At some point his track record becomes impossible to defend.

Adding Bear to that list is a little unfair. He’s played 13 games coming off a major shoulder surgery.

I think they’ll flip Edmundson by the TDL. Especially with injuries and teams wanting a guy with cup pedigree

 

[Cappy76]

Bear and Patches have played like 14 total games little early to say bust, Edmundson was fine earlier in the season but has fallen off as of late.

 

[Misery74]

Bear, Pacioretty, Edmundson. Three more bad/no impact additions from GMBM. At some point his track record becomes impossible to defend.

None of these acquisitions were necessary. Just like extending Milano, and Jensen, and TvR.

Yes, BMac has had a few winners. But right now, he seems like a is flailing.

 

[trick9]

Bear? It's free depth. It became possible during the season with Backstrom news. How is this a bad move?

MaxPac? Too early to say really, given his NMC. We didn't have the cap space to make major acquisation. I think MaxPac turns into a free pick if he stays healthy. That wouldn’t be bad.

Edmundson? This is bad. It may yet break even if we get back what we paid for, though.

 

[hb13xchamps]

None of these acquisitions were necessary. Just like extending Milano, and Jensen, and TvR.

Yes, BMac has had a few winners. But right now, he seems like a is flailing.

Jensen and TvR were both pretty necessary considering the only RHD in the pipeline is Iorio and he is not NHL ready. And IIRC the RD market was pretty ass last offseason

 

[EroCaps]

It would be nice if the hockey Gods rewarded them with a lottery win this year to make up for last years close call.

The Hawks and Sharks and Ducks and Blue Jackers can eat it.

 

[Cappy76]

It would be nice if the hockey Gods rewarded them with a lottery win this year to make up for last years close call.

The Hawks and Sharks and Ducks and Blue Jackers can eat it.

The blue jackets have ate it their entire existence if anyone deserves lottery luck its them haha.