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

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Kuzy is out of the program. Waiting to see details if he’s actually going to be on the team.

 

[Acallabeth]

Sell!

 

[EYEuhFRAYtee]

Boys the tank is back on!

 

[Ridley Simon]

Meh I guess so, but it basically admits the Sandin acquisition wasn’t worth the 1st, I’d rather just stick with Fehervary/Sandin has top 4 LD. Bridge Sandin and continue to give him the minutes. Find a solid bottom pair LD

Yeah but you are still short a top 4D, if we assume BOTH Sandin and Fehervary are top 4D’s. That’s those 2, and Carlson. Who else?

Don’t say Jensen or TVR. They are tweeners too, like Fever is, IMO. They need a legit top 2-3 type player. Hanifan IS one.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[trick9]

No need to coddle him anymore. You can just tell him that sorry, team is on a great stretch without you. You are going to have to earn your way back in.

I see absolutely no reason to bring Kuznetsov back to our line-up for anything other than a farewell game.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

No need to coddle him anymore. You can just tell him that sorry, team is on a great stretch without you. You are going to have to earn your way back in.

I see absolutely no reason to bring Kuznetsov back to our line-up for anything other than a farewell game.

It’s hard to see a scenario where him being inserted into the lineup will be good, but it’s also a delicate situation. I think the room has the loudest voice in that decision. I know I’d rather see him gone…banished.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Meh I guess so, but it basically admits the Sandin acquisition wasn’t worth the 1st, I’d rather just stick with Fehervary/Sandin has top 4 LD. Bridge Sandin and continue to give him the minutes. Find a solid bottom pair LD

I remember towards the end of last season, Alan May in one of his post game analysis referred to Sandin as a 5/6 defenseman.

 

[trick9]

It’s hard to see a scenario where him being inserted into the lineup will be good, but it’s also a delicate situation. I think the room has the loudest voice in that decision. I know I’d rather see him gone…banished.

It won't be without a time machine.

I know but... room isn't going to be any happier about his buy-out either, but it's happening. So might aswell cut to that right now since they have perfect reason for it right now. He's been shit all season. Team is what, 5-1-1 without him? Earn your spot. Sgarbossa did. Lapierre did.

I'd worry about the message it sends to this room if we sit a player that has earned his spot just because Kuznetsov has friends in the room. He needs to earn his spot, like everyone else should.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[SherVaughn30]

And watch the Russian monkey wrench get thrown into the Caps engine again! Kuzy is just a locker room cancer this team doesn't need!

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[um]

Meh I guess so, but it basically admits the Sandin acquisition wasn’t worth the 1st, I’d rather just stick with Fehervary/Sandin has top 4 LD. Bridge Sandin and continue to give him the minutes. Find a solid bottom pair LD

Late 1st are not guarantee impact NHLers. Sandin is already better than most late 1st, but he isn’t a top pairing guy… yet.

 

[HecticGlow]

Late 1st are not guarantee impact NHLers. Sandin is already better than most late 1st, but he isn’t a top pairing guy… yet.

Case in point: he’s a lot better than both Alexeyev and Johansen, both late first round picks.

 

[DWGie26]

Sandin is a good 2nd pair guy. My issue with Hanifan is that he will be 8-9M per and I’m not convinced he is a clear top pairing guy. For that money (and what we give up) I want a clear number 1.

 

[g00n]

The first 4min or so is about Kuzy. Then starts talking about the TDL and plans.

Not looking for a rental, want to get younger, have a week to see where they'll be in the standings, would like high picks if they do move anyone. Stay competitive while getting younger but keep respecting the veterans at the end of their career.

 

[bacchist]

Sandin is a good 2nd pair guy. My issue with Hanifan is that he will be 8-9M per and I’m not convinced he is a clear top pairing guy. For that money (and what we give up) I want a clear number 1.

If he makes it to free agency maybe, but I wouldn't want to trade away assets.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[DWGie26]

If he makes it to free agency maybe, but I wouldn't want to trade away assets.

Looks like FLA making a push for Hanifin. Good. Could expose Forsling in offseason and he is 27. He probably isn’t a top pair guy either. More second pair guy. Either we will need to spend on a top pair guy or in Fever we trust which i am fine with for now.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Watched the presser and BMac sounds very reasonable, as usual. No idea why people don't feel good with him at the helm but that's a different topic. He said the recent stretch of play since the break has been "fun" in terms of watching the young guys come in and compete but he also "knows the math" and knows the playoffs aren't likely. Other highlights:

- Categorically stated that they will not be in the market for rentals or for veteran players.
- Wants to continue adding young players and said if they can repeat their strategy of trading guys and then flipping those assets for younger players, "that would be ideal."
- Hasn't had any conversations with the pending UFAs about extensions and won't until this summer because they want to go into the off-season with flexibility.
- Won't just dump guys for picks, even if they're pending UFAs. Has to be good value for the team to make a move. Will also listen on guys who have term if it's a good deal.
- Tarik asked him if he feels compelled to get Ovi a center to help him catch Gretzky and BMac's response was, "Yeah, I mean, we called on McDavid... but they said no."
- He said the organization's goal is to get younger at least 3-4 times when asked about potential deadline or off-season moves. I may be going on a limb here but I think he wants the roster to get younger. It sounds like he would be accelerating the retool if it weren't for two or three guys (Ovi, Carlson, Oshie); he was very clear that he wants to be respectful of "a few" guys that will be ending their careers soon.
- Would be open to "anything" in terms of Kuznetsov including retaining on a trade or having him come back to the Caps. Said he wants Kuznetsov to find himself personally and then work at getting back to being at the level he's accustomed to, be that in DC or somewhere else. Will look at a buyout as well if nothing comes to fruition.
- Saw Oshie working out yesterday and was "surprised" at how well he looked in the weight room and would expect him back soonish.
- Very effusive in his praise for Carberry. Gives him a ton of credit for evolving the roster as the season has gone on and creating a culture that's beneficial for young guys and veterans alike.
- Status quo with Nicky. Says they see him around from time to time and he travels occasionally but doesn't sound at all like he's coming back.
- He got a big smile on his face when someone asked about Leonard. Said they're very excited about him but they haven't talked to him about his plans and they don't want to interfere with his season. Mentioned that the decision will be in his hands and the Caps won't force a decision either way. When Tarik asked if Leonard looked the part of a guy who could play in the National at the end of his first college season, BMac laughed and said, "He looked like he could play in this league during Rookie Camp."
- Haven't decided if they're going to "down and up" Sgarbossa before the deadline so he can rejoin Hershey for their run but they've "really liked" how he's played at this level and won't make a decision until things settle down at the TDL.

It doesn't sound to me like the recent surge has changed his approach to the deadline. He's pretty clearly set on wanting to focus on the future while trying to be respectful of some of the core guys.

 

[Kalopsia]

Sandin is a good 2nd pair guy. My issue with Hanifan is that he will be 8-9M per and I’m not convinced he is a clear top pairing guy. For that money (and what we give up) I want a clear number 1.

I think Hanifin gets overlooked a lot because he debuted so early and then was kind of a late bloomer. Playing in Calgary also helps him fly under the radar. Here's a blind comparison between him and Alex Pietrangelo over the last 3 seasons.

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]

[TD]GP[/TD]
[TD]P/G[/TD]
[TD]xGF%[/TD]
[TD]OZ Start%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Player A[/TD]
[TD]208[/TD]
[TD]0.61[/TD]
[TD]51.8[/TD]
[TD]53.7[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Player B[/TD]
[TD]221[/TD]
[TD]0.54[/TD]
[TD]54.4[/TD]
[TD]47.6[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Hanifin is Player B. That P/G puts him 41st amongst defensemen (min 100 GP) and the xGF% puts him 23rd (min 2000 minutes). This year he's a +17 and on pace for 47 points while playing 23:44 a night on a team that's below the Caps in the standings. He's pretty clearly a top pairing guy, and guys his caliber don't hit free agency at age 27 very often. I wouldn't want to Caps to trade for him, but I think he could be a great signing.

 

[DWGie26]

Watched the presser and BMac sounds very reasonable, as usual. No idea why people don't feel good with him at the helm but that's a different topic. He said the recent stretch of play since the break has been "fun" in terms of watching the young guys come in and compete but he also "knows the math" and knows the playoffs aren't likely. Other highlights:

- Categorically stated that they will not be in the market for rentals or for veteran players.
- Wants to continue adding young players and said if they can repeat their strategy of trading guys and then flipping those assets for younger players, "that would be ideal."
- Hasn't had any conversations with the pending UFAs about extensions and won't until this summer because they want to go into the off-season with flexibility.
- Won't just dump guys for picks, even if they're pending UFAs. Has to be good value for the team to make a move. Will also listen on guys who have term if it's a good deal.
- Tarik asked him if he feels compelled to get Ovi a center to help him catch Gretzky and BMac's response was, "Yeah, I mean, we called on McDavid... but they said no."
- He said the organization's goal is to get younger at least 3-4 times when asked about potential deadline or off-season moves. I may be going on a limb here but I think he wants the roster to get younger. It sounds like he would be accelerating the retool if it weren't for two or three guys (Ovi, Carlson, Oshie); he was very clear that he wants to be respectful of "a few" guys that will be ending their careers soon.
- Would be open to "anything" in terms of Kuznetsov including retaining on a trade or having him come back to the Caps. Said he wants Kuznetsov to find himself personally and then work at getting back to being at the level he's accustomed to, be that in DC or somewhere else. Will look at a buyout as well if nothing comes to fruition.
- Saw Oshie working out yesterday and was "surprised" at how well he looked in the weight room and would expect him back soonish.
- Very effusive in his praise for Carberry. Gives him a ton of credit for evolving the roster as the season has gone on and creating a culture that's beneficial for young guys and veterans alike.
- Status quo with Nicky. Says they see him around from time to time and he travels occasionally but doesn't sound at all like he's coming back.
- He got a big smile on his face when someone asked about Leonard. Said they're very excited about him but they haven't talked to him about his plans and they don't want to interfere with his season. Mentioned that the decision will be in his hands and the Caps won't force a decision either way. When Tarik asked if Leonard looked the part of a guy who could play in the National at the end of his first college season, BMac laughed and said, "He looked like he could play in this league during Rookie Camp."
- Haven't decided if they're going to "down and up" Sgarbossa before the deadline so he can rejoin Hershey for their run but they've "really liked" how he's played at this level and won't make a decision until things settle down at the TDL.

It doesn't sound to me like the recent surge has changed his approach to the deadline. He's pretty clearly set on wanting to focus on the future while trying to be respectful of some of the core guys.

I watched it as well. Good breakdown here. As always BMAC was pretty direct and clear which i like about him, even though you know there is a lot he isn’t saying about details.

Leonard was interesting. He gave a short answer, and then came back saying it is in Leonards hands. But GMBM definitely wants him here.

He was kinda stumped for words on Sgarbosa which is i suspect because he doesn’t want to tip his hand. But i don’t see a world where they can send him through waivers safely. I think that is what GMBM was affirming. He wasn’t asked about Lapierre but i suspect they will paper move him to Hershey so they have another Center.

Also agree overall, that his mind hasn’t really changed about what he wants to do at deadline. Just maybe where the value is. There is going to need to be value to trade though.

 

[Brian23]

To me, sounds like Dowd and Mantha won't be getting moved but Pacs and Edmundson might be? Basically feels like a flat no on either Goalie getting moved too.

Would be kinda disappointing to keep Mantha at least, but I can kinda understand with Dowd. Need at least one true veteran Center on the team.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

Not looking for a rental, want to get younger, have a week to see where they'll be in the standings, would like high picks if they do move anyone. Stay competitive while getting younger but keep respecting the veterans at the end of their career.

Continually improving the Capitals' attractiveness as a potential free agent destination in direct contrast to GMGM's approach.