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

[Calicaps]

Watching him against Edmonton, Ovie looks:

Physically tired / low energy

Every now and again you see him show some fight and I think he put a pretty big hit on Connor Brown

He does not look mentally engaged or fired up - at all. I wonder if CaliCaps is right and the death of his father has had a huge impact on him and his motivation / love for the game.

He is the highest points scorer on our team but I can't remember the last time we were so far down the points list - this is just brutal and yes we have the lowest individual points total in the league. Even San Jose (Hertl) has 14 points)

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I said that last year. I don't think it's exactly his dad's passing right now, although with Xmas and the anniversary coming, it could be haunting him. I think its more about frustration with pucks not finding the net, adjusting to the new system, and losing Backy. And now Oshie too. Let's face it, his team is largely gone. All these new kids, while fun, aren't his peers or his friends. He's probably a bit lonely right now.

I also think there maybe a nagging injury, earlier in the season he was passing like a beast but all year he's been oddly reluctant to shoot. To me, that suggests a wrist issue or something. And at his age, playing through it is harder and healing is slower.

But ultimately, I think he's largely just in his head this year. Kinda hoping that this road trip will be good for him. Get away from the microscope in DC. Spend time with the guys on the team and build some relationships. Hopefully score some goals and win some games and get a positive personal vibe going.

 

[g00n]

IMO it's a combination of something physical and probably stepping back a bit to let the team breathe and grow within the new system under a new coach.

As noted previously he's taken about 25-30 games to get rolling when there's been this kind of change.

Whether it's adjustment for him or just the new coach trying to avoid falling into the "give the puck to Ovie and let him shoot" trap that's been there since the beginning, I don't know.

 

[YippieKaey]

Since we complained about Forsythes 20% pp and got what we have now, im choosing to praise our current 6% pp in order to not make things worse. I love this pp setup. It's exciting and pointless passes followed by a zone clearance is good hockey.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I said that last year. I don't think it's exactly his dad's passing right now, although with Xmas and the anniversary coming, it could be haunting him. I think its more about frustration with pucks not finding the net, adjusting to the new system, and losing Backy. And now Oshie too. Let's face it, his team is largely gone. All these new kids, while fun, aren't his peers or his friends. He's probably a bit lonely right now.

I also think there maybe a nagging injury, earlier in the season he was passing like a beast but all year he's been oddly reluctant to shoot. To me, that suggests a wrist issue or something. And at his age, playing through it is harder and healing is slower.

But ultimately, I think he's largely just in his head this year. Kinda hoping that this road trip will be good for him. Get away from the microscope in DC. Spend time with the guys on the team and build some relationships. Hopefully score some goals and win some games and get a positive personal vibe going.

I don’t get the impression that he’s depressed or has lost his love for the game. You watch him in the tunnel before the game, and he’s having just as much fun as he used to.

To me, he needs two things.

1. A big game where everything goes in (2-3 goals).
2. A PP system that functions without his shot from the left circle.

Try him in the bumper position and let’s see what happens. I’m thinking it could cause PK units to collapse far more, opening room for a shot from the circle or the point from Carlson.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

I don’t get the impression that he’s depressed or has lost his love for the game. You watch him in the tunnel before the game, and he’s having just as much fun as he used to.

To me, he needs two things.

1. A big game where everything goes in (2-3 goals).
2. A PP system that functions without his shot from the left circle.

Try him in the bumper position and let’s see what happens. I’m thinking it could cause PK units to collapse far more, opening room for a shot from the circle or the point from Carlson.

Regardless of whatever effect his father's death may have had, afterwards Ovie saw one of his countrymen depart when Orlov was moved. Now Nicky has stepped back. I'm not sure how much Kuzy was one of his close buds. Wondering whether getting another Russian or two into the lineup would make a difference. They'd have to fill a team need, but somebody who Ovie could relate to might help. Part of the problem is generational, as Cali at least indirectly pointed out, but the Russian angle might be worth exploring. Miro might not be ready. Who could help?

 

[marcel snapshot]

I don’t know man, I see this as a function of aging and physical deterioration, not something mental or emotional. I think he’s still motivated, but there’s a lot of mileage on him

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I don’t know man, I see this as a function of aging and physical deterioration, not something mental or emotional. I think he’s still motivated, but there’s a lot of mileage on him

Agreed. The man has been through it and has played a ton of hard hockey against the best players his entire career. Father time comes for all of us.

 

[Cappy76]

Are the wife and kids in town? I know they spend 50/50 in Russia wonder if them not being around is nagging at him some potentially? He usually perks up when the kiddo's are in attendance.

 

[Roshi]

Since we complained about Forsythes 20% pp and got what we have now, im choosing to praise our current 6% pp in order to not make things worse. I love this pp setup. It's exciting and pointless passes followed by a zone clearance is good hockey.

Hell yeah, we havent been letting too many SH goals lately either.

 

[twabby]

Agree with the tweet. This is a good one-timer setup vs. what the Capitals do, which is stagnation across the board. Mike Green used to skate downhill before dishing to Ovechkin and those were much higher danger chances than what Ovie gets now even when the pass is on target.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

We have very limited playmaking at the C position…(and most others lol)….

 

[twabby]

We have very limited playmaking at the C position…(and most others lol)….

Agreed, which is why I think Ovechkin might benefit from going into the bumper spot. A lot more options to receive the puck and in a much more dangerous area of the ice.

 

[g00n]

Moving Ovie closer to the net later in his career has been discussed for the last 10yrs or so.

I'd like to see someone on the other side of the PP become a scoring threat before making that change. That would open Ovie up more, since PKers wouldn't cheat his way as much, and could be made to even overplay the other side sometimes.

We thought that might be Mantha but for some reason, nope.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Agreed, which is why I think Ovechkin might benefit from going into the bumper spot. A lot more options to receive the puck and in a much more dangerous area of the ice.

Worth trying anything….

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Moving Ovie closer to the net later in his career has been discussed for the last 10yrs or so.

I'd like to see someone on the other side of the PP become a scoring threat before making that change. That would open Ovie up more, since PKers wouldn't cheat his way as much, and could be made to even overplay the other side sometimes.

We thought that might be Mantha but for some reason, nope.

No doubt….a sniper on the opposite side has been sorely needed for so long, even more apparent now. To me though….it looks like this year a lot of the time, he’s made up his mind before receiving the pass, he’s going back to Carlson or whomever….seemingly resistant to let the shot go.

Start cranking shots into defenders….bring the pain and lanes will open….

 

[twabby]

The top line has a 31% xG share over the past 2 seasons.

I have to say the actions of Carbery aren't matching the thoughtful words. How many more chances do that top line and Kuznetsov get?

At least the Jockey is back in. And Lapierre.

 

[Calicaps]

No doubt….a sniper on the opposite side has been sorely needed for so long, even more apparent now. To me though….it looks like this year a lot of the time, he’s made up his mind before receiving the pass, he’s going back to Carlson or whomever….seemingly resistant to let the shot go.

Start cranking shots into defenders….bring the pain and lanes will open….

I've noticed this as well. I wonder if he's worried that he can't outskate the defender if the puck ricochets back toward the Caps goal. That happened a few times last year, IIRC, with poor results.

 

[Calicaps]

The top line has a 31% xG share over the past 2 seasons.

I have to say the actions of Carbery aren't matching the words. How many more chances do that top line and Kuznetsov get?

At least the Jockey is back in. And Lapierre.

I would love to jettison Kuz into the sun. But he's here. Scratching him gets you nothing. He lacks give-a-shit. Shame doesn't work with a guy like that. So you play him because you don't have enough horses to fill the gap. And you keep looking for a trigger or a trade.

What I find curious is that Mantha's not in. Even with Oshie out. That's gotta sting. Unless he's finally gonna be moved.

 

[twabby]

I would love to jettison Kuz into the sun. But he's here. Scratching a guy like that get you nothing. He lacks give a shit. Shame doesn't work with a guy like that. So you play him. And you keep looking for a trigger or a trade.

What I find curious is that Mantha's not in. Even with Oshie out. That's gotta sting. Unless he's finally gonna be moved.

Kuznetsov is the worst player in the NHL according to GAR this year. He was the 10th worst last year. No one is trading for him. They tried this summer and no one wanted him. There's no rebuilding his trade value.

In what universe does he deserve a sweater, let alone a first line assignment, let alone the 6th most minutes in the NHL among forwards? Scratching him gets you 21 minutes of ice time per night not allocated to the worst player in the NHL and instead allocated to a perfectly reasonable player in Mantha. It also gets you McMichael playing center instead of wing.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

If my cap math is correct, if we buy out Kuznetsov after this summer — because he has a $6M base salary — the dead cap would be $4M spread out over two seasons, so $2M next season and $2M the season after. Easiest decision ever if that math is accurate — buy out Kuzy this summer. I can’t stand watching him play any more and he’s a huge liability.

 

[twabby]

If my cap math is correct, if we buy out Kuznetsov after this summer — because he has a $6M base salary — the dead cap would be $4M spread out over two seasons, so $2M next season and $2M the season after. Easiest decision ever if that math is accurate — buy out Kuzy this summer. I can’t stand watching him play any more and he’s a huge liability.

CapFriendly has it at $3.8 million next season then $2 million the next year. Even still that's a buyout you have to do.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

If my cap math is correct, if we buy out Kuznetsov after this summer — because he has a $6M base salary — the dead cap would be $4M spread out over two seasons, so $2M next season and $2M the season after. Easiest decision ever if that math is accurate — buy out Kuzy this summer. I can’t stand watching him play any more and he’s a huge liability.

I was thinking this last night. Pay him to F off elsewhere.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

CapFriendly has it at $3.8 million next season then $2 million the next year. Even still that's a buyout you have to do.

Weird. CapFriendly has different math for me. I’m on my phone and it has $2M + $2M for me since his base salary is $6M.

 

[Calicaps]

Kuznetsov is the worst player in the NHL according to GAR this year. He was the 10th worst last year. No one is trading for him. They tried this summer and no one wanted him. There's no rebuilding his trade value.

In what universe does he deserve a sweater, let alone a first line assignment, let alone the 6th most minutes in the NHL among forwards? Scratching him gets you 21 minutes of ice time per night not allocated to the worst player in the NHL and instead allocated to a perfectly reasonable player in Mantha. It also gets you McMichael playing center instead of wing.

Where did I say he deserves a sweater? He gets one because he's paid a zillion dollars and because Carbery is trying to find a way to make him play well. It's only November. Carbery is less than 2 months into his job. He's not gonna give up on himself yet. Soon enough, he'll throw his hands up, but not yet.

 

[twabby]

Weird. CapFriendly has different math for me. I’m on my phone and it has $2M + $2M for me since his base salary is $6M.

This is what I'm getting: