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

[Misery74]

Thank goodness we managed to get Strome. Big test for CMM now, but with NB gone and Dowd on IR (and not looking great post-return), it wouldn’t shock me if GMBM looked for a new 3C to bolster their depth there.

I really like seeing CMM and Jimi in there.

As a lifer, Backstrom is an all timer.

 

[HecticGlow]

 

[g00n]

He can come back for one more if he wants, I think we’ll all eat that

Thought about that, but correct me if I'm wrong, I think they'd have to clear a lot of cap space for him to return for one game, assume they spend what they'd save on LTIR.

Maybe the window for something like that is some kind of TB style playoff loophole.

 

[HecticGlow]

 

[Misery74]

So I wonder how that works for retirement. Can he just leave and not play with his contract? I also feel like he won't just give up the 9+ million for next year.

I'm kinda surprised. He wasn't old Nick, but he seemed at least like an okay bottom 6 NHLer to some extent. Wonder if the hip kept giving him issues.

He can retire and walk away, but it’s 10 million dollars. I’m with you, I don’t think he leaves that much on the table.

Could this be similar to Shea Weber? Isn’t he not technically retired?

 

[HecticGlow]

Maybe the window for something like that is some kind of TB style playoff loophole.

easier to do when you make the playoffs! Alternatively maybe by that day the caps will be sellers and have already sold off enough players that cap room won’t be an issue…

 

[Langway]

Sad news, even if somewhat expected.

With the cap presumably soon to be no longer a concern Miro should be an option if Phillips falls off. Sutter should be a 4C option if they need it. I thought it was a bit surprising Lapierre was called up for 4C, even if he was the most deserving as it's not quite the role he's cut out for. I guess it makes sense to keep Lapierre around nonetheless given their need at the position but if Dowd isn't close Sutter likely deserves at least one game to state a case. Limited role player but the sort of checker/PKer they may need if Protas isn't up for it.

 

[HecticGlow]

Of note:



How much of that is simply to allow him to collect his LTIR pay cheque, and how much is because it really isn’t a final decision, remains to be seen. But it’s hard to imagine what more he can do at this point to get back in game shape.

 

[Marshall]

38-26-29
27-31-37
29-23-25
25-21-23

And suddenly, there are only 3 guys over 30 among the forwards...

Wishing Backstrom all the best. He will always be a true Caps legend.

Great observation.

 

[Devil Dancer]

I'd love to know how this decision was made, but I'd like to think Nick made it himself.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Of note:



How much of that is simply to allow him to collect his LTIR pay cheque, and how much is because it really isn’t a final decision, remains to be seen. But it’s hard to imagine what more he can do at this point to get back in game shape.

Yeah, he's not going to walk away from $18M when there's the LTIR mechanism to relieve the team of his cap hit.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

lots of news to process but thank you Backy

 

[HeyMattyB]

I'm sure later on I'll have more appreciation for whatever cap flexibility this provides.

For right now, though, being a Caps fan hasn't hurt like this since Bondra was traded.

 

[Nice]

Seriously going to miss watching him play if this is the end. Thanks 19

 

[Cappy76]

I'm sure later on I'll have more appreciation for whatever cap flexibility this provides.

For right now, though, being a Caps fan hasn't hurt like this since Bondra was traded.

I was just thinking the same thing....this one stings if he is in fact done. I'm not ready.

 

[zappa4ever]

Even though it's not shocking news this is *SHOCKING NEWS*

Was giving him the benefit of all the doubts that he was slowly getting better and the new system was a factor (tho' likely very small) to him "getting up to speed"

I do admire that he's taking this step to re-evaluate things, must be tough as hell (and imagine how hard that talk was in the room)

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Also posted in the player chat, but:





Sounds like this might be it for Nick, which might well be the right decision but still awful news.

Wooooooooow……..

 

[itsjustsurvival]

While definitely not surprising, this makes me legitimately sad. I've been watching his highlights since the news broke. We were so lucky to have him. Will throw a reverse hit (illegal) and a sauce pass (poorly) in my next beer league game as a tribute.

 

[Nice]

Seeing the vets speak on the news is really making this hit hard. Wish Nick could've gotten back to full health.

 

[Roshi]

Very sad day for Caps franchise. This is it for Nicky. Second best player for the franchise alltime, amazing career. Hope he can have one more game at some point this or next season to let the fans show their appreciation. Allthough that might just get too tricky with the cap hit if we would use that ltir-space somehow, so its very possible his last game was his last. Or just ice him for a shift next game or whatever, i want a real moment for Backs.

It didnt work out after the surgeries but anyone whos saying he didnt deserve the chance were just wrong. We did owe it to him.

As for roster wise, can we just LTIR someone for ”not feeling great”. I guess they do have a doctors statement he is unfit to play.? And for that 9,2 mills of cap space, what the hell are we supposed to do with it now lol. Take cap dumps for picks? Go all in for, who the hell? Tbh id maybe rather just see Backy fighting it till the end of this season, but obviously its the right decision and have nothing but respect for him.

 

[trick9]

Between McMichael, Protas, and Lapierre - I don't see any need to add a center in the short or mid-term. Let the kids rise to the role. If Dowd continues to look poopy and Protas struggles at C, I could see adding a 4C much later in the year. But let the kids handle it first.

I hope we give the kids a legit shot there now. They've deserved it after the Calder Cup run.

I hope that cap is saved to replace certain other center long-term. Spoonfed Kuz his minutes so he can rebuild his value before the deadline so you aren't stuck with him for next season too.

 

[Peeri]

Great news for the team, Nicky got paid so he will be fine. Great career, but just not worth the insane contract he was gifted by the team.

 

[traparatus]

Curious to see how/if BMac utilizes the newly found cap space. What's the over/under on Elias Lindholm joining the Caps on a shiny new 7 year, $8m per contract?

 

[Misery74]

Curious to see how/if BMac utilizes the newly found cap space. What's the over/under on Elias Lindholm joining the Caps on a shiny new 7 year, $8m per contract?

The cap space at the deadline is a game changer. Especially if we are sellers.

No need to rush anything.

 

[Brian23]

Curious to see how/if BMac utilizes the newly found cap space. What's the over/under on Elias Lindholm joining the Caps on a shiny new 7 year, $8m per contract?

Still under. They have nothing to trade him for, and it's not like they can sign him. To the best of my knowledge LTIR is an inseason thing, so you can't really just sign free agents to take taht cap space up.