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

[twabby]

View attachment 770693

 

[HeyMattyB]

So what you're saying is, if these trends continue.... eeeeyyyy!

 

[OV Rocks]

I am all for adding Laine but not at the expense of losing Kuzy in the deal - not like he would agree to go there anyways. Not sure the cost - Mantha +picks and prospects?

Don't get me wrong here 70% of Kuzy's problems are his own doing, effort, attitude, etc. however I do think the other 30% is related to his playing situation. Obviously he hated playing for Lavi and now things seem to be better under the new coaches. Beyond that though Kuzy plays best when he is with Ovi, he is a play maker he needs someone who he can make those plays for. A player like Laine would be a tremendous compliment to Kuzy's skillset.

Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Milano-Kuznetsov-Laine
Pacioretty-McMichael-Oshie
Malenstyn-Dowd-Protas

That has the potential to be a very strong and competitive Top 9.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

so many off days early in the season it’s probably good for a new coach for getting more practice and teaching systems

But we don’t play again till Wednesday. Come on this end of the season is going to be tough when we’re playing back to back nights every game. .

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I am all for adding Laine but not at the expense of losing Kuzy in the deal - not like he would agree to go there anyways. Not sure the cost - Mantha +picks and prospects?

Don't get me wrong here 70% of Kuzy's problems are his own doing, effort, attitude, etc. however I do think the other 30% is related to his playing situation. Obviously he hated playing for Lavi and now things seem to be better under the new coaches. Beyond that though Kuzy plays best when he is with Ovi, he is a play maker he needs someone who he can make those plays for. A player like Laine would be a tremendous compliment to Kuzy's skillset.

Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Milano-Kuznetsov-Laine
Pacioretty-McMichael-Oshie
Malenstyn-Dowd-Protas

That has the potential to be a very strong and competitive Top 9.

I would take a few guys on the blue jackets if they become sellers . Laine and Johnny would be nice scoring upgrades

If we have a real chance at Johnny. I would swing. He wanted to be in Philadelphia ended up in Columbus. He might not be happy. He might be very cheap and a cap dump.

Would be gross if the Flyers do it

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Isn't Patrik Laine like exhibit 1A of "uber talented player that's too lazy to produce like he should"?

I thought we were over those types?

Pass.

 

[OV Rocks]

Isn't Patrik Laine like exhibit 1A of "uber talented player that's too lazy to produce like he should"?

I thought we were over those types?

Pass.

We need a highly skilled 25 year old top 6 winger, BMac has come out multiple times saying that. Those guys don't really come available all that often and when they do they have some warts, doesn't mean they can't be fixed. I will take uber talented and pray that things work out.

Last 2 seasons Laine is close to a point per game playing on crappy teams and injured. 2022/23 he played 55 games and had 22 goals (33 goal pace), that would've been 3rd on the Caps. In 2021/22 he had 26 goals (38 goal pace) in 56 games, that would have been 2nd on the Caps.

I like a lot of young guys - under 25 - in the system but how many of them are realistically capable of 35-40 goals consistently and how many of them can do it over the next 3-4 years?

 

[Misery74]

We need a highly skilled 25 year old top 6 winger, BMac has come out multiple times saying that. Those guys don't really come available all that often and when they do they have some warts, doesn't mean they can't be fixed. I will take uber talented and pray that things work out.

Last 2 seasons Laine is close to a point per game playing on crappy teams and injured. 2022/23 he played 55 games and had 22 goals (33 goal pace), that would've been 3rd on the Caps. In 2021/22 he had 26 goals (38 goal pace) in 56 games, that would have been 2nd on the Caps.

I like a lot of young guys - under 25 - in the system but how many of them are realistically capable of 35-40 goals consistently and how many of them can do it over the next 3-4 years?

No we don’t. We need to stay the course, shed some of our own vets for more youth.

 

[crazy8888]

Isn't Patrik Laine like exhibit 1A of "uber talented player that's too lazy to produce like he should"?

I thought we were over those types?

Pass.

Not arguing with you because i do see your point and kind of agree with you. But on the other hand this seems exciting to me for the following reasons:

- He is still young and has tremendous skills and size
- GMBM keeps mentioning that they are on a hunt for a player of Laine's age
- He should not cost that much in a trade. Columbus would be negotiating from position of weakness given how the last few seasons went for him
- Columbus is not a very exciting destination, certainly not where most players prefer to sign. There were few big names in not so distant past and they all decided to leave once they had an opportunity. Obviously Johnny hockey is the one exception. But maybe he is just not that excited about playing there. Not like this would be the first time a change in scenery helps a player get their career back on track.
- He was an Ovi fan growing up. I assume he would be happy to play with one of the players he idolized growing up.
- His salary is high but its only for 3 years, and Caps can ask Jackets to retain some of it.
- He is Finnish. Perhaps its time for Caps to end the Finland embargo and turn a new page.

Anyway, somebody tell GMBM in board, lets make this happen.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Honestly, Laine would be reminiscent of a few reclamation projects they've made before. I think like Connoly specifically.

Ignoring that he costs more then Kuzy, I could see him finding some success here. We also desperately need goal scorers, plenty of facilitators. His only real issue is he'd get zero PP time here.

Replace Carlson go with 5 forwards. He's worthless out there now. Can't hit the net, blows the Ovi pass constantly. About the only thing he does well on the PP is make some miraculous zone keeps.

 

[Caps8112]

think laine is a terrible idea. Is the idea to grab him and try to squeeze a miracle run out of this roster? Its exciting, the idea of a player as talented as him but this would be a 2nd team that has had enough of this guy. Teams dont get rid of players that had the beginning he had. Not sure what all happened but he is likely a behind the scenes problem guy that we wont ever know about. Serioulsy doubt they take Mantha back either. Here you go, a much worse player who doesnt give a shit and puts out minimal effort.

 

[Brian23]

So yeah, Lappi sitting for Kuznetsov it seems.

Oshie has 1 point in 15 games, I don't get what we're doing here.

 

[Capitals40]

I think half of the posters on this forum believe in unicorns.

 

[Capitals40]

So yeah, Lappi sitting for Kuznetsov it seems.

Oshie has 1 point in 15 games, I don't get what we're doing here.

I expect Oshie to be scratched soon..don't think Carbery will put up with his lack of production much longer.

 

[Misery74]

So yeah, Lappi sitting for Kuznetsov it seems.

Oshie has 1 point in 15 games, I don't get what we're doing here.

At least it looks like Phillips is done.

 

[Kalopsia]

Was playing around in excel and came across something interesting about the Caps' true 1C, Nic Dowd. This is the Caps' record from the 20-21 season to now when Dowd plays more than 14 minutes vs all other games:

Dowd >=14 TOI: 97 GP, 64-19-14 (120 point pace)
Dowd <14 TOI: 138 GP, 60-63-15 (80 point pace)

In all seriousness, this is probably similar to the stats that associate how often an NFL team runs to ball to how often they win, where Dowd gets more playing time when the team's up early and protecting a lead and less playing time when they're down early and trying to catch up. There's virtually no difference in their pace when Dowd plays at all vs when he's out. Still, it was such a stark difference I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[lakai17]

I'd like to see Hendrix play a bit more

 

[Calicaps]

So yeah, Lappi sitting for Kuznetsov it seems.

Oshie has 1 point in 15 games, I don't get what we're doing here.

winning 8 of the past 10, mostly with roughly that lineup?

I expect Oshie to be scratched soon..don't think Carbery will put up with his lack of production much longer.

because nothing says "on the hot seat" like playing the same spot you've been in for your whole tenure with the club.


I think it's pretty clear that Carbery and Mac are doing everything they can to get 92 abs and 77 going... because they don't have another option. Those two are under contract through next year, like it or not, and the coaching staff isn't going to sit $13M is salary for 2 years. That's a pipe dream. Not sure why folks are puzzled by this.

 

[Capitals40]

winning 8 of the past 10, mostly with roughly that lineup?


because nothing says "on the hot seat" like playing the same spot you've been in for your whole tenure with the club.


I think it's pretty clear that Carbery and Mac are doing everything they can to get 92 abs and 77 going... because they don't have another option. Those two are under contract through next year, like it or not, and the coaching staff isn't going to sit $13M is salary for 2 years. That's a pipe dream. Not sure why folks are puzzled by this.

Time will tell..for Oshie. No way they are sitting Kuzy

 

[Langway]

Hilariously bad. One of the more intriguing possibilities post-Ovechkin if they play their cards right is at least upgrading defensively as a team. No offense to #8....but between him, Kuznetsov and Oshie there's a definite top six drag currently that extends into the PP.

While I'm hopeful they'll find better finishing form they also need to quickly bump up McMichael's role and relegate Kuznetsov to more of a softer minute depth role. Maybe that loses him. I don't know but his underlying play 5v5 warrants it. He's way closer to that role being suited for him than, uh, fifth among all forwards in TOI/game.

 

[Roshi]

Jarmo might be in for a hail mary as his rope starts to tighten up, in a way as McPhee went out of his mind with the infamous Forsberg for Erat trade. But im not sure if this is the best partner for us. Unless they want to throw us in full GMGM mode someone like Kent Johnson or Ceulemans for Mantha or Kuzy, lol.

Laine reminds me a lot of Mantha when we traded for him. Mantha was 26, ”close to a ppg in a bad team and injured”, often on 30+ goal pace. A lot of tools to be excited about. Always on the verge of really breaking out, but never just not quite getting there.

Laine is more talented though, and one guy not working out doesnt mean all wont work out. But he wont be cheap. Whats the right price for us?

Id expect the price be around the same we paid for Mantha. 1st + Vrana. Who’s the Vrana here? Fehervary? Protas? Would they take Mantha and a 1st… anyways, im not sure i want to give away 1sts at this point. Not sure Laine puts us that much closer and has ”only” 2 years in term. We should play both games at this point, the short and the long game and its hard to say how well Laine fits to neither one of those.

Gaudreau is 30 and buyers beware, which Johnny Hockey are you trading for? The 100 point guy or the 50-60 point guy? Is his current decline because of the environment, or because he aged over his prime? Hows that 9,75 millions working out 3 years from now, when he is 33 and still has another 3 to go? Would be a risky move to trade for a 30 year old guy with a big contract on downslide. If Laine reminds me of Mantha, Gaudreau kind of has Tyler Seguin vibes, whos not a bad player but kind of a problematic to fit to a second line role with that paycheck. And at the same time i dont see any reason for Blue Jackets to trade him as a cap dump.

Im imagining, if he gets moved its something like Gaudreau for Huberdeau kind of a thing. Laine+Gaudreau for Huberdeau+Lindholm could actually be quite a good fit for the two teams in rumblings..

And why i went on forever with this post that has very little to do with anything, i have no idea. Sorry guys.

 

[bacchist]

I am all for adding Laine but not at the expense of losing Kuzy in the deal - not like he would agree to go there anyways. Not sure the cost - Mantha +picks and prospects?

Don't get me wrong here 70% of Kuzy's problems are his own doing, effort, attitude, etc. however I do think the other 30% is related to his playing situation. Obviously he hated playing for Lavi and now things seem to be better under the new coaches. Beyond that though Kuzy plays best when he is with Ovi, he is a play maker he needs someone who he can make those plays for. A player like Laine would be a tremendous compliment to Kuzy's skillset.

Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Milano-Kuznetsov-Laine
Pacioretty-McMichael-Oshie
Malenstyn-Dowd-Protas

That has the potential to be a very strong and competitive Top 9.

I'd let them keep Laine if they take Kuzy.

 

[CapsSkins]

Is it confirmed Kuzy has Columbus on his No-Trade list or are people speculating? I don't disagree, just curious... he has a 10-team list and I'd guess those are: the 7 Canadian teams for tax purposes, Arizona, Columbus, Buffalo. Maybe Chicago bumps out one of the American teams, so there's a chance Columbus is spared (but probably not).

As far as "change of scenery" guys go, we got stung with Mantha but made out with guys like Milano, Connolly, DSP, etc. With some salary retention on Laine, swapping him for Kuzy would make sense to me. Especially since we'll be getting rid of Mantha after this year.

 

[bacchist]

winning 8 of the past 10, mostly with roughly that lineup?


because nothing says "on the hot seat" like playing the same spot you've been in for your whole tenure with the club.


I think it's pretty clear that Carbery and Mac are doing everything they can to get 92 abs and 77 going... because they don't have another option. Those two are under contract through next year, like it or not, and the coaching staff isn't going to sit $13M is salary for 2 years. That's a pipe dream. Not sure why folks are puzzled by this.

Not puzzled. It is to be expected. They've got value beyond their on ice abilities, as long time fan favorites. There are only a handful left from the cup run, and they aren't just going to be unceremoniously discarded.

That being said, Carbery needs to find a way to ease them into supporting roles. There is a lot of space between 22 minutes a night and outright benching.

 

[traparatus]

Hilariously bad. One of the more intriguing possibilities post-Ovechkin if they play their cards right is at least upgrading defensively as a team. No offense to #8....but between him, Kuznetsov and Oshie there's a definite top six drag currently that extends into the PP.

While I'm hopeful they'll find better finishing form they also need to quickly bump up McMichael's role and relegate Kuznetsov to more of a softer minute depth role. Maybe that loses him. I don't know but his underlying play 5v5 warrants it. He's way closer to that role being suited for him than, uh, fifth among all forwards in TOI/game.

The Ovechkin/Kuznetsov combo must not be. It's hard to deny that.

As far as relegating players to hide defensive deficiencies, it's a bit difficult. We got us a top-6 in time on ice that includes Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Wilson and Oshie. In terms of xGA per 60 minutes, we got Ovechkin at 3.43, Kuznetsov at 3.28, Wilson at 3.32 and Oshie at 3.29.

You'll need a few hectares of dense forest to hide this lot.