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

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g00n said:
Ovie struggling affects the gameplan, imo.

If he's scoring at his usual clip then not much changes from previous years other than injury fill-ins. They probably still look to their veterans to make a playoff push.

Ovechkin's production falling off a cliff means there's no reason to even consider plugging veterans into these spots and opens the door to transition the younger players for the next generation of Caps core.

If he's nearing the end you don't need to keep Kuzy, Mantha, or maybe even Carlson around "just in case". Same with Oshie as much as I love him as a legendary Capital.

When all of that happens, if Ovie's still giving it a go, he's going to look even older and slower compared to the kids flying all over the ice. That might help him make the decision.

But I don't think he's done yet. He's going to find a way to get 30+g this season somehow, but the front office should still consider phasing in the new blood and respectfully moving on from the old.
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I haven't written off 30, either. I expect 25, though. It's starting to become a little more difficult to play against us, and that should keep goalies honest and give him more net to look at.
 
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It’s really hard not to be excited with what we are seeing. Yes, they have lapses, like the third period last night. But they are putting themselves in position to win these games.

We wanted coaching and youth, and that’s what we got. If Ovechkin ever comes around, we will be a handful.
AlexBrovechkin8 said:
Ovi I think has looked a lot better the last 6-8 games but I think his luck could not be worse. For all the doom and gloom around The 8 Car, here are some numbers for him thus far this season...

At even strength:
- Individual Expected Goals: 6 (1st on team)​
- Individual Corsi For: 118 (1st on team)​
- Individual High Danger Chances: 22 (3rd on team behind Wilson and Strome)​
- Individual Scoring Chances For: 59 (1st on team)​
- Rebounds Created: 17 (1st on team)​
- Rush attempts: 4 (1st on team)​
- Shooting percentage: 1.64% (last on team, excluding players with no goals)​
​
He is not the player he once was (no shit, who at 38 would be?) but he's not the washed-up beer leaguer others claim him to be. I don't think he's forgotten how to shoot or that he's lost his fastball either. I do think he needs to keep plugging away and shooting I think the gameplan should call for him to carry the puck as little as possible while letting him get to the front of the net and find other pockets of open ice to receive passes in.
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He’s been getting chances, they just aren’t going in.

He’ll end the season with 30.

29
 
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My official front office appreciation post:

1. Great drafting in recent years with an emphasis on upside and good patience in development has maximized late first round picks and is turning the roster around on the fly. Also smart low-cost, high-reward FA acquisitions, from goalies to guys like Milano, Strome, and even Edmundson and dare I say... Mantha. And no stupid panic moves pretending the old core has more to give. (Hi Pittsburgh!)
2. THE PLAN...to transition from the Ovi generation to a new younger core without a full tank is on pace and delivering, maybe even ahead of of schedule, but maybe just as anticipated.
3. Get the right coach to oversee that transition and let him do his thing. (I was skeptical about going with a rookie coach again, but I'm impressed.) The Mantha turnaround alone is insane. And 74 looks better than he has in years too.
4. Respect for the vets even as their time winds down. Giving 19 every chance to play and the opportunity to make his own call. No more fan faves leaving disgruntled. It's a really good look for an organization...to the fans and other players...that they don't just kick their heroes to the curb. In retrospect, it's clear BMac knew it wasn't going to go the way Nicky wanted but gave him the chance. Oshie's story will likely go the same way eventually.
5. Managing the weak links (92... no longer 39!). No panic. Don't give up important assets just to get rid of him. Just manage his impact and limit the harm until he's gone.

The defining features of all of this are patience and planning. Don't panic and rush it. Stick to the strategy. Profit.
 
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Calicaps said:
My official front office appreciation post:

1. Great drafting in recent years with an emphasis on upside and good patience in development has maximized late first round picks and is turning the roster around in the fly. Also smart low-cost, high-reward FA acquisitions, from goalies to guys like Milano, Strome, and even Edmundson and dare I say... Mantha. And no stupid panic moves pretending the old core has more to give. (Hi Pittsburgh!)
2. THE PLAN...to transition from the Ovi generation to a new younger core without a full tank is on pace and delivering, maybe even ahead of of schedule, but maybe just as anticipated.
3. Get the right coach to oversee that transition and let him do his thing. (I was skeptical about going with a rookie coach again, but I'm impressed.) The Mantha turnaround alone is insane. And 74 looks better than he has in years too.
4. Respect for the vets even as their time winds down. Giving 19 every chance to play and the opportunity to make his own call. No more fan faves leaving disgruntled. It's a really good look for an organization...to the fans and other players...that they don't just kick their heroes to the curb. In retrospect, it's clear BMac knew it wasn't going to go the way Nicky wanted but gave him the chance. Oshie's story will likely go the same way eventually.
5. Managing the weak links (92... no longer 39!). No panic. Don't give up important assets just to get rid of him. Just manage his impact and limit the harm until he's gone.

The defining features of all of this are patience and planning. Don't panic and rush it. Stick to the strategy. Profit.
Click to expand...


There is no plan!

I was not cc'd on the plan!!
 
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g00n said:
Ovie struggling affects the gameplan, imo.

If he's scoring at his usual clip then not much changes from previous years other than injury fill-ins. They probably still look to their veterans to make a playoff push.

Ovechkin's production falling off a cliff means there's no reason to even consider plugging veterans into these spots and opens the door to transition the younger players for the next generation of Caps core.

If he's nearing the end you don't need to keep Kuzy, Mantha, or maybe even Carlson around "just in case". Same with Oshie as much as I love him as a legendary Capital.

When all of that happens, if Ovie's still giving it a go, he's going to look even older and slower compared to the kids flying all over the ice. That might help him make the decision.

But I don't think he's done yet. He's going to find a way to get 30+g this season somehow, but the front office should still consider phasing in the new blood and respectfully moving on from the old.
Click to expand...

Coming back to this after that GWG last night.

We saw a different Ovie. When an older guy shaves the grey facial hair down he's sick of being an old fart.

Ovie looked and played 10yrs younger last night minus maybe some hitting.

And the adaptations are in full swing. The entire PP was re-routed to slap-passes in the slot, which carried over to even strength as a bonus. That makes the entire line even more dangerous. Tom Wilson could've had a hatty on redirections alone if not for some great play by Elvis (who was clearly sick of him being so close to the goal all night long lol).

What's more, Ovie scored a PP goal...on a wrister. He or his coaches are smart enough to realize the one-timer wasn't hitting the mark and they adjusted the strategy while Ovie shifted to a new tactic.

If accuracy has been the problem then it makes sense to focus on that, right? Makes perfect sense. Defenders and goalies sliding over to block a one-timer are going to expose some corner in doing so. Why not wait another beat, get set, and hit it with a wrister instead of trying to blast the puck through pads/netting/bone.

Could get very interesting from here on out.
 
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Seems like, Patches, Oshie and Milano all might be ready after the break?

8-17-43
21-29-39
67-24-92
15-26-77

No way Jimi goes anywhere. Sorry to Beck and NAK, but they get nachos.

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theathletic.com

LeBrun rumblings: Latest on Lindholm, Pettersson, Kuznetsov, the Olympics and a Devils game-changer

Also: The Ducks modify their "Leo Plan" and Jake Allen trade talks come into focus for teams in need of a goaltender.
theathletic.com theathletic.com
The Capitals almost moved [Kuznetsov] last offseason, from my understanding. They were engaged with the Predators on a deal that would have entailed taking a player back, but for whatever reason, that fell through. I don’t know what player that was for sure, but we know that the Predators ended up buying out Matt Duchene and trading Ryan Johansen to Colorado while eating half of his remaining contract. Of course, Predators GM Barry Trotz was Kuznetsov’s coach in Washington, when he arguably played the best hockey of his career. But the Preds are full up at center now, so that ship has probably sailed.

Whether it’s taking another contract back or eating some of his remaining $7.8 million next season, though, I do believe Kuznetsov has a chance to be on the move this upcoming summer.
Click to expand...
 
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from hockeykicker in the gdt:

These are some impressive stats, did 2015-16 > 2017-18 have numbers like this...

With their 3-2 overtime win over Columbus the Capitals improve to:
6-0-0 in the second game of back-to-backs this season (all Road gms)
9-2-1 vs. Metro teams
9-0-2 when scoring the first goal
16-0-4 when scoring two or more goals
10-1-4 in one-goal games
9-0-0 when leading after the first period

Gee whiz, look who's 3rd in the East rn

NHL.EasternConfStandings.Dec22.2023.jpg
 
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Langway said:
theathletic.com

LeBrun rumblings: Latest on Lindholm, Pettersson, Kuznetsov, the Olympics and a Devils game-changer

Also: The Ducks modify their "Leo Plan" and Jake Allen trade talks come into focus for teams in need of a goaltender.
theathletic.com theathletic.com
Click to expand...

"Almost moved" is off base. It wasn't really that close. They discussed Kuznetsov and Duchene before his buy-out but that was never realistic trade option given that the Predators wanted to do it straight up and Capitals weren't willing to do it because of Duchene's extra year left.
 
AlexBrovechkin8 said:
I know the answers are likely Jimi, Miro, Phillips, and NAK but there will be some tough decisions on who to sit if they’re ever at full strength again and need to make space for McMike, Pacioretty, Milano, and Oshie.
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Personally — I’d like to see Miro stick for a while, unless he looks overwhelmed somewhere here along the line.

Sit Beck. And then *very* grudgingly, Lappy. The Hockey Jockey and NAK are easy sits.

I’d even debate Lappy over Milano.

Ovechkin - Strome - Wilson
Mantha - McMichael - Protas
Pacioretty - Kuznetsov - Miroschnichenko
Lapierre/Milano - Dowd - Oshie
Lapierre/Milano - Malenstyn/NAK

I think in the end, I’d play Lappy. If not, send him back down to get his minutes
 
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Marshall said:
Patch and Bear are in interesting situations - they're rehabbing/getting up to speed with a team they haven't played a game for yet.

Wonder how that will affect their integration, if at all.
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It's also interesting to see how they integrate into a team that's playing well. What if it doesn't go well right away? Will the coaching staff pivot or will they shoehorn them in there regardless. Last season really went off the rails when we started bringing LTIR guys back into the fold and removing guys who had been playing well.
 
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Holtbyisms said:
It's also interesting to see how they integrate into a team that's playing well. What if it doesn't go well right away? Will the coaching staff pivot or will they shoehorn them in there regardless. Last season really went off the rails when we started bringing LTIR guys back into the fold and removing guys who had been playing well.
Click to expand...

Hoping this isn't another Backstrom and Wilson situation from last year.
 
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Wilson arguably needed to be in the lineup gaining confidence in the knee, even if he wasn't effective at the time. He's firing on all cylinders now, so it worked out. I'm not sure we can be so patient for these guys, though.
 
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