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

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Tampa will be a test. They might have the best 4 or 5 players in the game. They have lost alot of depth since their cup years. So we will need to shut down the top players.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Tampa will be a test. They might have the best 4 or 5 players in the game. They have lost alot of depth since their cup years. So we will need to shut down the top players.

The biggest thing is the amount of games in the last week. The injection of youth helps a ton.

 

[HTFN]

I don't really have time to do this before work but I'm still going to: let's talk about Protas for a minute.

First of all, his next point will be a new career high in like half the number of games, so that's a good and interesting thing.

Second, the thing I keep noticing is that he's making some of it look effortless right now. His passing touch is blossoming and he's figuring out how to hit spaces and gaps, he's obviously very naturally difficult to deal with from a possession standpoint, but the big one for me is how often he seems to just emerge into defensive lanes and not just break up plays but very casually catch the puck and turn it up the ice quickly.

To me it says his IQ is on par with his tools. Like, I don't even think we've fully seen all the tools he can unlock, but the fact that he's showing so much potential with his mental game has me cautiously optimistic that more physical growth and offseason training will turn him into a bit of a monster. I could see a prime and confident Protas finding 50 or 60 points in a season if he keeps growing like this and uses this full season and offseason to find another level

 

[zappa4ever]

re: Protas

He's impressed for well over a year now...
Last season for the mature and humble attitude, concentration on defensive responsibility, work ethic, etc...

This season you can tell he's worked hard over the summer to get bigger/stronger and keep progressing

Knew he'd be vsolid on forecheck/defense/steals but happy that his passing twig has been very good too; every aspect of his game (except finishing) is strong and smart

If he can ever release his inner-Mario/Tage Thompson he'll be a complete machine, how we all wish he's got more of that 1 goal this season where he came down the LW and sniped top shelf

Should be great for the Middle-6 for years to come

 

[Holtbyisms]

re: Protas

He's impressed for well over a year now...
Last season for the mature and humble attitude, concentration on defensive responsibility, work ethic, etc...

This season you can tell he's worked hard over the summer to get bigger/stronger and keep progressing

Knew he'd be vsolid on forecheck/defense/steals but happy that his passing twig has been very good too; every aspect of his game (except finishing) is strong and smart

If he can ever release his inner-Mario/Tage Thompson he'll be a complete machine, how we all wish he's got more of that 1 goal this season where he came down the LW and sniped top shelf

Should be great for the Middle-6 for years to come

I think his goal scoring will come around eventually. All the things he's doing correctly right now will allow it to follow. He's got a pretty nice shot, just needs to get it off a little more often. Seems like he's older but he's from the same draft class as CMM and only about a week older. I think Protas is still developing and will only get better. He's on a similar trajectory as Mikey and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Ridley Simon]

The Caps have a lot of “good” players right now. No more “great!” ones, but a lot of good ones.

Opportunity to have as many as 8 40+ pt players. I’m not saying there will be 8, but the pt/gm is there for that many.

That said, no one is on pace for 60pts. Not a soul.

So a lot of good players. And that’s not including Pacioretty or Oshie, but no great ones. And that’s ok.

The goalies are good. Both have their warts, but both have their ability to steal games. So they are solid.

Their D is decent to good. Though I think this is where the trade target should come from. If they can get another top 3 or so D-man, it could really change their dynamic. Send out some surplus and get a cost controlled (or extended) D-man.

Giddyup, Capitals. Big game tonite!

Also re: Protas. I’d sign him to a good long contract now. 7-8 years. Maybe 3.5m to almost 5m a season. They have the space, and I think he’d be a steal — as soon as year 2 or 3.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

It might be Smart to get ahead on some of these young dudes contracts before the price goes up. Smart teams take care of this early. Like those Hughes brothers signed early

 

[CapsSkins]

Agreed. I'd offer $4M x 8 years to McMichael, Protas, and Sandin. Lock them up and those deals will become bargains a few years in.

 

[msimons10]

Agreed. I'd offer $4M x 8 years to McMichael, Protas, and Sandin. Lock them up and those deals will become bargains a few years in.

CMM and Sadin I'd assume decline.

 

[CapsSkins]

CMM and Sadin I'd assume decline.

I think you're right. But regardless of the final numbers, we should probably buy a few UFA years.

 

[alphabetical]

Their D is decent to good. Though I think this is where the trade target should come from. If they can get another top 3 or so D-man, it could really change their dynamic. Send out some surplus and get a cost controlled (or extended) D-man.

A young second pairing RD would be fantastic, but I don't think many of those are available.

 

[Langway]

Too early to think about an Eberle for Oshie+ swap? That's the sort of play they probably need to make (ie. a subtraction that alters/upgrades the mix while increasing flexibility for further restructuring). They could largely sit tight and add a Duclair to the mix or something while not subtracting (aside from waiving the jockey) but any addition probably should involve a subtraction. (Ideally one that shaves some redundant term, either in a swap or parallel move.)

I think that more dynamic offensive defenseman may need to come from the draft this year. If they're more in that mid-range give or take then perhaps they can roll the dice on a Parekh or Yakemchuk if still available. That's the sort of offensive pedigree the blueline probably needs going forward to add more variety/punch. It's the one element the system definitely lacks these days.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Too early to think about an Eberle for Oshie+ swap? That's the sort of play they probably need to make (ie. a subtraction that alters/upgrades the mix while increasing flexibility for further restructuring). They could largely sit tight and add a Duclair to the mix or something while not subtracting (aside from waiving the jockey) but any addition probably should involve a subtraction. (Ideally one that shaves some redundant term, either in a swap or parallel move.)

I think that more dynamic offensive defenseman may need to come from the draft this year. If they're more in that mid-range give or take then perhaps they can roll the dice on a Parekh or Yakemchuk if still available. That's the sort of offensive pedigree the blueline probably needs going forward to add more variety/punch. It's the one element the system definitely lacks these days.

Tend to agree on the draft. There's really no next Green or Carlson in the organization right now. Couple young high talent guys on the up and up in Iorio and Chelsey but neither are PP QB style defenders. Given the fact our pick doesn't appear it's going to be a lottery selection (unless we crumble) the best bang for your buck in that range is going after that high offense with some holes in your defensive game style blueliner who can run a PP.

 

[DWGie26]

A young second pairing RD would be fantastic, but I don't think many of those are available.

That could be Ethan Bear. Only 26 with some offensive game (more so than Jensen and TVR).

Iorio had another bomb last night. He just isn’t getting there as quickly as i hoped but his recent play is really encouraging. I’m not ready to give him a cup of coffee yet, but I hope he does get a couple in Feb/March to see how he gets the NHL game.

Tend to agree on the draft. There's really no next Green or Carlson in the organization right now. Couple young high talent guys on the up and up in Iorio and Chelsey but neither are PP QB style defenders. Given the fact our pick doesn't appear it's going to be a lottery selection (unless we crumble) the best bang for your buck in that range is going after that high offense with some holes in your defensive game style blueliner who can run a PP.

Could also be something we solve in FA at the right point. For now Iorio and Chesley should develop into NHLers.

 

[Raikkonen]

I think Fever is progressing after a period of uneven play. He is still young.

So Iorio is many many NHL games behind the moment he will be good RD with strong offensive capabilities. As it should be. Dont force him imho.

The same Id apply to Jimi. He's a work in progress, and he should be probably Kuzy's successor. Wish he was stronger/thicker.

On that same basis Miro is well behind and should play in AHL peacefully. He's got plenty of things to do there. Language, NA adaptation, lots of TOI, good winger habits by NHL standards. He will come back as better player one day.

 

[DWGie26]

I think Fever is progressing after a period of uneven play. He is still young.

So Iorio is many many NHL games behind the moment he will be good RD with strong offensive capabilities. As it should be. Dont force him imho.

The same Id apply to Jimi. He's a work in progress, and he should be probably Kuzy's successor. Wish he was stronger/thicker.

On that same basis Miro is well behind and should play in AHL peacefully. He's got plenty of things to do there. Language, NA adaptation, lots of TOI, good winger habits by NHL standards. He will come back as better player one day.

Agree. We have time with a lot of young guys in now. We need to bake some others. And parallel that with expiring contracts.

Miro, Lapierre, Iorio, in additional to a bunch of youngsters (including Leonard and Chelsey if they turn pro) will be waivers exempt next year. So maybe one or two is a full timer next year. Others will be callups. I’d like to see Sutter take the 4RW role and move on from NAK.

 

[alphabetical]

Tend to agree on the draft. There's really no next Green or Carlson in the organization right now. Couple young high talent guys on the up and up in Iorio and Chelsey but neither are PP QB style defenders. Given the fact our pick doesn't appear it's going to be a lottery selection (unless we crumble) the best bang for your buck in that range is going after that high offense with some holes in your defensive game style blueliner who can run a PP.

There seem to be a couple of RHD in the later first round this year with offensive upside. You're right about taking a chance on someone with holes in their game - we need to find PPQB potential, even if it's not from a stud #1D.

 

[Holtbyisms]

There seem to be a couple of RHD in the later first round this year with offensive upside. You're right about taking a chance on someone with holes in their game - we need to find PPQB potential, even if it's not from a stud #1D.

Yup, couple guys I like there in the draft. I'd like to stay away from trying to fill the PPQB via free agency...always seems to be a waaaay overpriced FA acquisition. Guys like Parekh and Yakemchuk will probably be long gone by the time we pick assuming we're around the early 20s...BUT I still REALLY like Henry Mews and he could be a faller because he's struggled in his own zone a bit this year. He reminds me of Green, like having a 4th forward in the ice. I'd also be happy with Anthony Cristoforo but he's probably less dynamic offensively than Mews is but still a really capable PPQB at the next level I'd imagine.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

 

[YippieKaey]

Ovechkin is still in the 90-99th percentile in shot speed stats, 97th percentile in shots on goal but surprisingly below the 50th percentile in OZ starts. So pretty good performance when looking at NHL Edge. Should get more goals with those numbers.

 

[StrikingDistance]

What the Ethan Bear contract might look like:

Ethan Bear contract: How much is forward's reported deal with Washington Capitals worth?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

What the Ethan Bear contract might look like:

Ethan Bear contract: How much is forward's reported deal with Washington Capitals worth?

Interesting…and Vancouver passed on qualifying him at 2.2….

two-year deal, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $2.0625 million

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Lappy and Miro Back. Darcy starting.

I kind of wish we would play Lindy in these big games. Hes been better

 

[zappa4ever]

Saw Sammi's thn article on today's updates:

Max Power/Bear/Oshie all practiced in regular jerseys
Milano - she doesn't clearly say any update (pre Xmas he was in non-contact jersey)
(Bear still unsigned)

Looks like they're all close, how close I guess remains to be seen

Edit to add:
Just heard Carbs presser from today and said
Milano wasn't skating today
and
Patches is just around the corner and hinted it could even be as early as this wknd

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I really don’t get it. Lindy beat them 4-0 last game and is on full rest and we go DK in net.