Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2023 Off-season

[Langway]

This.

There's also the issue with how several other Caps "legends" have been treated in their last days (Bondra, Kolzig, Hunter, etc).

Most eventually reconciled with the organization in some way but there were several untidy breakups that seemed to cause some resentment for long periods of time.

We need to do this one right.

Okay, now do this for Backstrom. He deserves one off-season to get himself right, yes? I get skepticism as a motivational tactic to be sure but MacLellan could have finessed it and supported the player even if he has reservations. Do we think Backstrom liked hearing that at this point, even if already voiced privately? That's the relationship that would seem much more problematic at the moment. They're just going to have to work around him also and possibly it costs them Oshie to get younger/faster. So be it. Even if they largely run it back with most of the core this team will look drastically different in two years at most. They knew these days would come.

We know they'll be aggressive trying to compete next season but this is likely an unavoidable transitional stage given lingering unresolved issues. No one is suggesting a drawn out rebuild and/or teardown. But they do need to resist being captive to the moment and market, keeping their powder dry if what's available doesn't move the needle. How much term should they add for non-impact talent just to upgrade next season? That in part hinges on an initial need to make subtractions first and it's hard to say how easy or costly some of those moves will be. As much as they do need a shake-up swapping parts in itself probably won't get them entirely back on track. Patience and pivoting toward development to ease several tricky issues will be needed. They realistically do need to view where they're at as a transition that likely can't be solved in one off-season. It all depends on what's available and lines up, which is hard to handicap from afar. But a pretty weak UFA class makes it more challenging than it otherwise could be. They're going to have to rely a lot on trade fits materializing.



Caps are promoting internally.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

This.

There's also the issue with how several other Caps "legends" have been treated in their last days (Bondra, Kolzig, Hunter, etc).

Most eventually reconciled with the organization in some way but there were several untidy breakups that seemed to cause some resentment for long periods of time.

We need to do this one right.

Speaking of Dale, I wasn't aware of bad/disrespectful treatment (but hey, coulda been that way). I thought that by trading him to the Avs in his final season they were doing him a solid, giving him a chance to play for a team contending for the Cup (which the Avs won two years later with Ray Bourque).

 

[g00n]

Speaking of Dale, I wasn't aware of bad/disrespectful treatment (but hey, coulda been that way). I thought that by trading him to the Avs in his final season they were doing him a solid, giving him a chance to play for a team contending for the Cup (which the Avs won two years later with Ray Bourque).

There was something hinky about it. Seemed to be bad blood. I remember he wouldn't come back for a while. He came in to coach as a personal favor for a brief spell or something.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I’ve never heard anything negative on the Hunter trade. I always understood it was to give him one last chance (and it was with his original franchise after they moved/rebranded).

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Surprised 12 and 37 still not retired. 8 and 19 might happen before them

 

[g00n]

I’ve never heard anything negative on the Hunter trade. I always understood it was to give him one last chance (and it was with his original franchise after they moved/rebranded).

It may not have been the trade itself but something that happened with the org afterwards, or something in the background.

I think Kono was the one that didn't want to be traded. Hunter had some other thing going on after the trade, iirc.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Speaking of Dale, I wasn't aware of bad/disrespectful treatment (but hey, coulda been that way). I thought that by trading him to the Avs in his final season they were doing him a solid, giving him a chance to play for a team contending for the Cup (which the Avs won two years later with Ray Bourque).

That was my impression of that trade. Is there someone saying differently?

 

[g00n]

That was my impression of that trade. Is there someone saying differently?

It's ghosts.

My source is not the media. That's all I can say.

Ted was willing to keep him on as coach but he didn't want it. There are a few reasons for that. My understanding was he took the gig as a temp thing and as a favor, but there was something sour between DH and the Capitals org leading up to it.

 

[usiel]

Okay, now do this for Backstrom. He deserves one off-season to get himself right, yes? I get skepticism as a motivational tactic to be sure but MacLellan could have finessed it and supported the player even if he has reservations. Do we think Backstrom liked hearing that at this point, even if already voiced privately? That's the relationship that would seem much more problematic at the moment. They're just going to have to work around him also and possibly it costs them Oshie to get younger/faster. So be it. Even if they largely run it back with most of the core this team will look drastically different in two years at most. They knew these days would come.

We know they'll be aggressive trying to compete next season but this is likely an unavoidable transitional stage given lingering unresolved issues. No one is suggesting a drawn out rebuild and/or teardown. But they do need to resist being captive to the moment and market, keeping their powder dry if what's available doesn't move the needle. How much term should they add for non-impact talent just to upgrade next season? That in part hinges on an initial need to make subtractions first and it's hard to say how easy or costly some of those moves will be. As much as they do need a shake-up swapping parts in itself probably won't get them entirely back on track. Patience and pivoting toward development to ease several tricky issues will be needed. They realistically do need to view where they're at as a transition that likely can't be solved in one off-season. It all depends on what's available and lines up, which is hard to handicap from afar. But a pretty weak UFA class makes it more challenging than it otherwise could be. They're going to have to rely a lot on trade fits materializing.



Caps are promoting internally.

Bolded yes.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

It's ghosts.

My source is not the media. That's all I can say.

Ted was willing to keep him on as coach but he didn't want it. There are a few reasons for that. My understanding was he took the gig as a temp thing and as a favor, but there was something sour between DH and the Capitals org leading up to it.

Yes, he didn’t want to be an NHL coach and there was a “favor” of sorts when he took over. I recall that sentiment being discussed. He was always known to love living in “small(er)” town Canada wasn’t he?

 

[twabby]

Re: Backstrom.

He deserves to not be forced out of town via something like a fake LTIR if he feels like he can continue playing. He doesn’t really deserve much else than that. He should be given an opportunity to compete for a roster spot, but if he continues to have results like he’s had the past two seasons then he should realistically be treated as a fringe NHLer eating healthy scratches for large portions of the year.

His contract prevents much else from happening, but if someone is willing to take on his contract for an acceptable sweetener that should be on the table as well. After all the team is trying to compete and Backstrom’s level of play and contract is a hindrance to achieving their stated goal.

 

[g00n]

Yes, he didn’t want to be an NHL coach and there was a “favor” of sorts when he took over. I recall that sentiment being discussed. He was always known to love living in “small(er)” town Canada wasn’t he?

Yes that was part of it. I think there was some other shit that just kept him away from the org for a while but time has made it less clear.

 

[Cappy76]

I can’t remember when everything lines up but wasn’t there a lot of friction around Cassidy and Jagr with the vet players that had been here?

 

[usiel]

Yes that was part of it. I think there was some other shit that just kept him away from the org for a while but time has made it less clear.

I do ponder how many empty net goals Ovie would have in DH's tenure if he had not stapled him to the bench in the last couple of minutes protecting the lead.

Cassidy I really have no recollection of an idea why he bombed other than maybe pissing off the veterans just can't remember. I remember when he started coming back into the NHL after so many years being completely surprised. Congrats to him for becoming an NHL coach.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

There was something hinky about it. Seemed to be bad blood. I remember he wouldn't come back for a while. He came in to coach as a personal favor for a brief spell or something.

I thought it had to do more as respect for Caps and the commentators often said that year he watched every Caps game. My guess is he was focused on London. I can't see those the organization and Hunter having bad blood. Just my opinion though.

Yes, he didn’t want to be an NHL coach and there was a “favor” of sorts when he took over. I recall that sentiment being discussed. He was always known to love living in “small(er)” town Canada wasn’t he?

I totally understand his point of view as a country boy myself.

 

[Raikkonen]

If Backstrom stays I'd agree to have Mojo-NB-Brown line as a 3rd (or similarly constructed). He has to be able to not make it worse than any line Eller was on last season.

If he can't, scratch him into retirement.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Sooo…..trade AA or Fever?

 

[kicksavedave]

It's what, 2-3 extra years to be part of something only a handful of teams ever get near?

Was trying to think of any similar accomplishments, a massive career achievement all earned with one team? Can't think of any in hockey, maybe Brodeur and goalie wins all with the Devs? Hard to recall any in the other sports either, maybe just Cal Ripken with the Orioles. I was at his record tying game and it was epic AF when he took that tour around the field. It was on my birthday too, which was nice.

Not much in our lifetimes will compare to Ovi breaking this record. I'm here for it all.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Was trying to think of any similar accomplishments, a massive career achievement all earned with one team? Can't think of any in hockey, maybe Brodeur and goalie wins all with the Devs? Hard to recall any in the other sports either, maybe just Cal Ripken with the Orioles. I was at his record tying game and it was epic AF when he took that tour around the field. It was on my birthday too, which was nice.

Not much in our lifetimes will compare to Ovi breaking this record. I'm here for it all.

Will those tickets cost more then the Cup run or WS tickets? Might be a good year to get season tickets lol

 

[kicksavedave]

Will those tickets cost more then the Cup run or WS tickets? Might be a good year to get season tickets lol

Well I knew well in advance that Cal would tie the record on my birthday. Crazy thing was my GF at the time got 4 tickets for $5 each from Univ MD Baltimore as she was on faculty there. Huge score.

With the goal record, its really hard to predict so I would not be buying expensive tickets to that... just gotta get lucky. Hope its at home though.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Sooo…..trade AA or Fever?

That's interesting. I'd imagine he's not signing anywhere that he isn't being told he'll get NHL action. Maybe scouting didn't like what they saw of AA...or maybe they did and they plan on using Fever as a trade chip. Guess we'll see how it all shakes out in the coming months.

 

[twabby]

That's interesting. I'd imagine he's not signing anywhere that he isn't being told he'll get NHL action. Maybe scouting didn't like what they saw of AA...or maybe they did and they plan on using Fever as a trade chip. Guess we'll see how it all shakes out in the coming months.

Is this guy really projected to be any more than AHL depth?

 

[YippieKaey]

Is this guy really projected to be any more than AHL depth?

Just scored 36 pts in 51 games in the SHL which is good for a lower scoring league. He's also 6'4 and like 220 so there's at least good potential there.

 

[Jags]

Is this guy really projected to be any more than AHL depth?

Not likely at first. It's hard to predict how an SHL standout might transition to North America. He plays a complete and tenacious game, which definitely works in his favor if Alexeyev is the guy to beat. Works hard in both ends, pretty good in transition, passes well, good shot.

He's solid on both special teams units where he is now. Don't let his height get you too excited. He has a narrow frame that won't add bulk well, so he's likely to stay in the 210lb range. He does play physical though and uses his body well, just don't expect him to be a hitting machine in North America.

HAH is definitely an interesting prospect with NHL potential. He wouldn't make the jump if he thought the AHL was his ceiling. He's been the size he is now for several years and the SHL is no joke, so at 24 he's pretty much fully cooked. I would expect him to immediately be in the LHD mix for an NHL spot, but that has as much to do with our not-so-explosive LHD prospect pool than his likelihood of being NHL caliber right away.