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

[Langway]

Seems like a small category finding a younger player readily available ala Sandin that won't come in and have some growing pains. Kaliyev and Broberg likely don't fit in that category, at least this season IMO. Nick Robertson maybe? Small, though. Liljegren? Chychrun is still just 25. Provorov is 27. Hanifin 27 (too risky to trade for unless there's an extension in place).

There's Mittelstadt and Zegras but they're surely going to require moving I guess Dowd first to have the assets. Even then they may be more of an off-season trade to have more teams in the running. Big picture if they can net a first for Dowd they probably ought to regardless of what else can be lined up immediately.

 

[Holtbyisms]

BMac gonna sellsellsell and half the board will celebrate while the other half moans and groans. lol The norm.

 

[Ridley Simon]

BMac gonna sellsellsell and half the board will celebrate while the other half moans and groans. lol The norm.

He literally JUST stated that he wasn’t going to sell for the sakes of it. Unless he just openly lied about it (which has never been his way), I don’t think they will be in “sell mode”.

 

[hockeykicker]

BMac gonna sellsellsell and half the board will celebrate while the other half moans and groans. lol The norm.

And if he boughtboughtbought, half the board will celebrate, while the other half moans and groans

#mathteacher #fractions

 

[Holtbyisms]

And if he boughtboughtbought, half the board will celebrate, while the other half moans and groans

#mathteacher #fractions

That's a good job there!

 

[Holtbyisms]

He literally JUST stated that he wasn’t going to sell for the sakes of it. Unless he just openly lied about it (which has never been his way), I don’t think they will be in “sell mode”.

He also called the recent run "fun" and said he knows we're probably not making the playoffs based on the math. That doesn't sound like a guy ready to add to the roster for a playoff push. Also, why would he go in front of the media and say he's going to sell and will take bags of pucks for anyone willing to take a player? lol... His job as a general manager is to create value for his assets.

 

[bacchist]

I may be going on a limb here but I think he wants the roster to get younger.

Whatever gave you that idea?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Sounds to me like the plan is to look for trades to build assets to make hockey trades with to try and improve/get younger….I like it.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Sounds to me like the plan is to look for trades to build assets to make hockey trades with to try and improve/get younger….I like it.

This is the way.

 

[hockeykicker]

Capitals leaving it up to Ryan Leonard for when he wants to turn pro: ‘It’ll be in his hands. We’ll accommodate his wishes.’

The Washington Capitals drafted Ryan Leonard with the eighth overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft out of the US National Development…

russianmachineneverbreaks.com

 

[DWGie26]

GMBM mind was made up a long time ago. See things playing out with Backstrom and Kuzy (different paths) is part of that plan. Agree with @Ridley Simon when he said it is kinda sad to see them both go out like this. Still think the club is doing right by them but they are tough situations. He wants to get younger and faster.

With Mantha, he is not old at 29 and gels the McMicahel, Protas line. If you can extend him now (before deadline) because it is part of the plan fine. Otherwise, I think you have to move him based on what GMBM said. Future.

 

[Pigskin]

"If" Kuzy got claimed today/tomorrow ... be interesting what we might do with the cap space in the next 5 days

 

[DWGie26]

"If" Kuzy got claimed today/tomorrow ... be interesting what we might do with the cap space in the next 5 days

He won’t go claimed at 7.8M and GMBM said he would retain. This is just part of the process.

If they get Kuzy off books then a lot of room to take on contracts for assets. Then we can send Miro and Dube back to Hershey. Sgarbosa will stay.

 

[Ridley Simon]

This is a very different TDL for us. It’s following some previous “paths”, but it’s also knee deep in some new “paths”. Convergence of sorts.

Similar to last year, but NOT. As the Who was known to say “The Kids are Alright”. Our youth has made some wonderful strides. We didn’t have this a year ago.

So GMBM is in a new space. He truly doesn’t *HAVE* to do anything. But if anything that says “good” to him — no matter where that leads with youth and salary — he can do it.

He has freedoms he hasn’t had in his entire time on the job.

Let’s GO!!!

 

[Roshi]

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.

Very much a Mantha-thing for us. Disappointing since day 1.

- overpaid in the trade
- he was injured or playing bad when we needed him
- became untradable
- to revive his career and play good hockey when we dont need him anymore, with his own good play pushing us close enoug to playoffs not to trade.

Whats next. He injures himself right after TDL and then we extend with overpayment?

Overally BM always seems really calm and composed with the ”plan”. Some here might not like the plan, but it should give the ease that we have a solid GM who knows what he is doing. And right now the plan is to sort of limbo around the last couple years of Ovies conract to honor one of the greatest players ever on his journey to hunt Gretzkys record. While cautiously preparing for the time after at the same time. Just lets embrace it buddies!

 

[g00n]

This is a very different TDL for us. It’s following some previous “paths”, but it’s also knee deep in some new “paths”. Convergence of sorts.

Similar to last year, but NOT. As the Who was known to say “The Kids are Alright”. Our youth has made some wonderful strides. We didn’t have this a year ago.

So GMBM is in a new space. He truly doesn’t *HAVE* to do anything. But if anything that says “good” to him — no matter where that leads with youth and salary — he can do it.

He has freedoms he hasn’t had in his entire time on the job.

Let’s GO!!!

It seems like the only real limitation or pressure on him is coming from Ovechkin (and maybe Ted)*.

Gmbm mentioned in yesterday's interview that they're trying to stay competitive and (to paraphrase) that Ovie is in his ear a lot about it, and is very clear on it.

So our speculations here regarding Ovie "guiding" the process in that regard seem somewhat accurate. They're never going to just tank and rebuild and accept losing while Ovie is on the team.

Which means repairing the plane at 40,000 feet.

That's how I view Gmbm's comments on the matter. They're making "hockey moves" when they fit the "competitive rebuild" model.

Most of the time that will be moving expiring or bad contracts for serviceable prospects with a chance to play and contribute in a winning culture, or for the best available draft picks. No more old guy rentals or pure cap dumps.

And definitely no red tank.


*(any pressure from Ted right now is probably related to making sure there's a competitive, marketable team in place by the time they move to VA, but that might be more in the realm of obvious business factors rather than real under-the-gun type of applied boss/employee pressure.)

 

[hb13xchamps]

Hanifin seems like a huge distraction. I know the Canadian media blows stories way out of proportion but this kid has had so many requests and demands over the last few seasons. Now he’s trying to tell Calgary who they need to send him to, per the latest Friedman reports. He seems like a headache. How long after he signs a big deal will he be asking to be dealt somewhere else?

 

[zappa4ever]

Hanifin seems like a huge distraction. I know the Canadian media blows stories way out of proportion but this kid has had so many requests and demands over the last few seasons. Now he’s trying to tell Calgary who they need to send him to, per the latest Friedman reports. He seems like a headache. How long after he signs a big deal will he be asking to be dealt somewhere else?

I don't have a problem w/Hanifin making req's when you have a solid resume...
8 seasons in, has been a solid Top-4 for years, plays like 99% of gms every season, low PIMs, decent production, increased mins every year
He's only been on CAR+CGY not like he's jumpin teams all the time looking for paydays

 

[Ridley Simon]

My absolute “Ideal” TDL has the Caps somehow managing to land Hanifan and Mittelstadt.

I’d wager Dowd, Jensen/TVR, Mantha, etc plus some picks and perhaps prospects would have to go to achieve that.

But that would be my ideal TDL. Another anchor D-man, and a young C that could emerge into a true top 6 stalwart.

 

[Marshall]

Nick Schmaltz is the guy I'd be after.

 

[Random schmoe]

My absolute “Ideal” TDL has the Caps somehow managing to land Hanifan and Mittelstadt.

I’d wager Dowd, Jensen/TVR, Mantha, etc plus some picks and perhaps prospects would have to go to achieve that.

But that would be my ideal TDL. Another anchor D-man, and a young C that could emerge into a true top 6 stalwart.

Hanifin is a great player (this season) but I'd only want them to acquire players with controllable years left. Given rumors, I don't see Hanifin re-signing in DC without overpayment, and I'd be leery of doing that.

 

[trick9]

Hanifin seems obvious that GMBM is laying the groundwork to make an offer in the summer should he be on the FA market then.

Seems unlikely but we aren't going to part with the necessary assets to land him now.

 

[MW6]

Necas/Zegras and Byram/Chychrun are my preferred targets, with the former C and D the prime candidates.

Avs need a 2C and some one to somewhat replace Byram.

Carolina should value future assets and cheap depth for this run (and possibly replacements for all their UFA’s in need of new contracts.

Strome + Fever, 2nd for Byram, Johansen (1 more year at 4M), 1st

Jensen, Lindgren, Milano, Alexeyev, Avs 1st, Caps 1st (or rather someone else’s added in another trade for a package of Dowd/Mantha/Patch/Edmundson) for Necas, Raanta (Pending UFA), DeAngelo (pending UFA).

Edit: I wouldn’t do one trade without the other one.

 

[um]

Hanifin seems like a huge distraction. I know the Canadian media blows stories way out of proportion but this kid has had so many requests and demands over the last few seasons. Now he’s trying to tell Calgary who they need to send him to, per the latest Friedman reports. He seems like a headache. How long after he signs a big deal will he be asking to be dealt somewhere else?

Calgary wants to get extra value by getting Hanifin to agree to an extension. Hanifin making this a possibility is helping the Flames.

Or do you prefer the liars that leave the team with no assets?

 

[hb13xchamps]

I don't have a problem w/Hanifin making req's when you have a solid resume...
8 seasons in, has been a solid Top-4 for years, plays like 99% of gms every season, low PIMs, decent production, increased mins every year
He's only been on CAR+CGY not like he's jumpin teams all the time looking for paydays

My issue is that it seems like his camp is manipulating the media to force Calgary to deal him to one of the Florida teams. Tampa is his “top choice” and we all know Tampa’s prospect pool and draft picks are as bare as any other team in the league. Florida’s isn’t that great either. Plus, he wanted out of Calgary and told them he wouldn’t sign an extension last summer. I think he’s a fine player, just not one I’d throw a boat load of assets to acquire then sign to a huge payday