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

[Hivemind]

One of the absolute worst defensive players in the league last year. I sure hope you’re right. I feel at this point the league knows what he is and what he isn’t and they aren’t buying.

That didn't stop Vladimir Tarasenko from fetching a decent haul via trade (and Tarasenko was abysmal defensively for St Louis).

 

[marcel snapshot]

You can coach around the holes made by a high-scoring winger who's bad defensively (we've been doing it for years!). Really hard to cover for mood-swinging top 6 center who's bad defensively.

 

[trick9]

I wonder if there are teams out there that soon are in need of players...

 

[John Price]

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Generational and cant miss (out on nacho duty)

 

[usiel]

Generational and cant miss (out on nacho duty)

This is like bait chum.

 

[HTFN]

Generational and cant miss (out on nacho duty)

KHL's so weird about this shit you can't guarantee it's not just about entering the NHL draft and being friendly with a team or two in the process. It's a weird time to be alive, won't say this means anything about how he plays.

 

[trick9]

Great prospect for sure but i'm happy that isn't our headache.

 

[PlushMinus]

I wasn't watching hockey when Langway played but I know some of you were. I enjoyed this video but seems like it barely scratches the surface of his career

 

[usiel]

I wasn't watching hockey when Langway played but I know some of you were. I enjoyed this video but seems like it barely scratches the surface of his career

Only caught Langway on the tail end of his career starting 1989. Other than the no having to wear a helmet my main recognition was the physical game along the boards. Obviously the rep and the accomplishments from the 80s seeped through.

 

[Capitals40]

Great prospect for sure but i'm happy that isn't our headache.

I feel the same. I'm in the minority, but I was relieved the Flyers drafted him. He could very well be a great player in this league, but too many variables.

 

[twabby]

The more I think about it the more I feel like Carbery is going to be put into an incredibly difficult situation.

Obviously the talent level isn't really great but also I feel like he's going to be under quite a bit of pressure to do more than just put in good systems. He's going to have to try to turn around Kuznetsov's game, he's going to be under pressure to play some of the older guys despite recent underperformance, and he's also going to have to consider Ovechkin's chase at the same time, all while trying to win games.

If there's no takers for Kuznetsov then can they really just healthy scratch him indefinitely if he stinks again? If Backstrom doesn't return to form is there any way he's a healthy scratch? Same with Oshie. And I love Ovechkin and don't anticipate him dropping off to the point of being a scratch or anything, but is he going to be a top line ES player next year? I feel like there will be pressure for him to be the 1LW no matter what, and in an ideal scenario that role shouldn't be guaranteed especially with him getting dinged with injuries a bit more of late.

There are a lot of pressures that he'll have to consider outside of just winning and I don't envy his position. I imagine it was difficult sledding this offseason but being unable to really alter the roster this offseason was quite disappointing. I hope Carbery has more freedom than I think he's going to have.

 

[g00n]

The more I think about it the more I feel like Carbery is going to be put into an incredibly difficult situation.

Obviously the talent level isn't really great but also I feel like he's going to be under quite a bit of pressure to do more than just put in good systems. He's going to have to try to turn around Kuznetsov's game, he's going to be under pressure to play some of the older guys despite recent underperformance, and he's also going to have to consider Ovechkin's chase at the same time, all while trying to win games.

If there's no takers for Kuznetsov then can they really just healthy scratch him indefinitely if he stinks again? If Backstrom doesn't return to form is there any way he's a healthy scratch? Same with Oshie. And I love Ovechkin and don't anticipate him dropping off to the point of being a scratch or anything, but is he going to be a top line ES player next year? I feel like there will be pressure for him to be the 1LW no matter what, and in an ideal scenario that role shouldn't be guaranteed especially with him getting dinged with injuries a bit more of late.

There are a lot of pressures that he'll have to consider outside of just winning and I don't envy his position. I imagine it was difficult sledding this offseason but being unable to really alter the roster this offseason was quite disappointing. I hope Carbery has more freedom than I think he's going to have.

IOW same as last year.

 

[twabby]

IOW same as last year.

Yeah, but I think management needs to have a shorter leash with Kuznetsov and Backstrom in particular this year. There's no real alternative with Backstrom with his hip at this point: if he struggles this season there can't be any expectation of him ever returning to being a quality player. And if Kuzy does his defense-optional act again then theres no salvaging him.

If 15-20 games in either is underperforming management needs to pull the plug so Carbery can actually play the players he wants. I think it's important that management be a big part of the decision publicly because Backstrom and Kuznetsov are fan favorites and them getting benched will certainly be a story both locally and nationally. Same deal with Mantha too, though that'll certainly be less controversial.

 

[DWGie26]

I feel the same. I'm in the minority, but I was relieved the Flyers drafted him. He could very well be a great player in this league, but too many variables.

Same. It was getting exciting that he might drop to me but i was actually relieved when Flyers took him. Rather have Leonard!

 

[Holtbyisms]

Michkov will turn into a star in the NHL when he gets there. His talent is undeniable...this glad we missed on him talk is wishful thinking. I'm perfectly happy with Leonard, I think he's another Oshie in the making but he'll never produce at the same level as Michkov. SKA is a good team, with lots of vets and they want to teach him that he has to earn his time. He was on loan to another KHL team last season and proved he can produce at that level already. This isn't his first 4 games in the KHL. In fact for his age he had the most productive KHL season ever last year. Stop wishing bad on the kid because he may or may not have had some rough interviews.

 

[DWGie26]

For Carbery it is going to be about getting everyone to buy into his system. Both young and old.

It will also be important the roles he puts people into, particularly on the PP (McMichael, Mantha could impact there). Can protas get middle 6 minutes.

There will probably be some surprises as to who steps up. I feel like Wilson and TJ will embrace the new coach and help implement Carbery mentality and systems. Optimistic some could work out. Plenty of crapshoots.

 

[trick9]

Michkov will turn into a star in the NHL when he gets there. His talent is undeniable...this glad we missed on him talk is wishful thinking. I'm perfectly happy with Leonard, I think he's another Oshie in the making but he'll never produce at the same level as Michkov. SKA is a good team, with lots of vets and they want to teach him that he has to earn his time. He was on loan to another KHL team last season and proved he can produce at that level already. This isn't his first 4 games in the KHL. In fact for his age he had the most productive KHL season ever last year. Stop wishing bad on the kid because he may or may not have had some rough interviews.

He lost his line-up spot to 17-year old Ivan Demidov, not some vet that's played 10+ years already.

 

[g00n]

Stop wishing bad on the kid because he may or may not have had some rough interviews.

He's a Flyers prospect, not a Capital.

Why shouldn't I hope he ends up sucking?

 

[Capitals40]

Michkov will turn into a star in the NHL when he gets there. His talent is undeniable...this glad we missed on him talk is wishful thinking. I'm perfectly happy with Leonard, I think he's another Oshie in the making but he'll never produce at the same level as Michkov. SKA is a good team, with lots of vets and they want to teach him that he has to earn his time. He was on loan to another KHL team last season and proved he can produce at that level already. This isn't his first 4 games in the KHL. In fact for his age he had the most productive KHL season ever last year. Stop wishing bad on the kid because he may or may not have had some rough interviews.

I didn't see anyone wish bad on the kid. Just because we don't agree with you doesnt mean we hope he fails (except goon hehe)

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Yeah, but I think management needs to have a shorter leash with Kuznetsov and Backstrom in particular this year. There's no real alternative with Backstrom with his hip at this point: if he struggles this season there can't be any expectation of him ever returning to being a quality player. And if Kuzy does his defense-optional act again then theres no salvaging him.

If 15-20 games in either is underperforming management needs to pull the plug so Carbery can actually play the players he wants. I think it's important that management be a big part of the decision publicly because Backstrom and Kuznetsov are fan favorites and them getting benched will certainly be a story both locally and nationally. Same deal with Mantha too, though that'll certainly be less controversial.

I think you may be sorely disappointed if you think they’re healthy scratching $17+ mil a night….Hope it won’t get to that to test that theory….

 

[twabby]

I think you may be sorely disappointed if you think they’re healthy scratching $17+ mil a night….Hope it won’t get to that to test that theory….

I don't think it'll happen either. But I hope that the team at least realizes that having the Kuznetsov and Backstrom of last season just isn't a tenable position for a team that isn't rebuilding. Hopefully one or both return to at least an acceptable if not great form so the conversation is moot.

 

[HTFN]

I don't think it'll happen either. But I hope that the team at least realizes that having the Kuznetsov and Backstrom of last season just isn't a tenable position for a team that isn't rebuilding. Hopefully one or both return to at least an acceptable if not great form so the conversation is moot.

If you're at all capable of reading between the PR lines on GMBM's comments about Backstrom (and honestly both) it's very clear how aware of that he is. The problem is they're not going to be a team that trades somebody like Backstrom at a visible loss on a retirement contract. It wasn't what they offered, and they're not going to bend there. I don't think Kuznetsov has the same legacy protection but I do think GMBM doesn't see the point in paying to dump assets much, and won't usually engage in talks that have him dealing at a perceivable loss.

If Kuznetsov doesn't get better fast, I don't think GMBM would be barking up Carbery's tree much if Kuznetsov got scratched, except to point out that it limits trade value a lot.

 

[twabby]

If you're at all capable of reading between the PR lines on GMBM's comments about Backstrom (and honestly both) it's very clear how aware of that he is. The problem is they're not going to be a team that trades somebody like Backstrom at a visible loss on a retirement contract. It wasn't what they offered, and they're not going to bend there. I don't think Kuznetsov has the same legacy protection but I do think GMBM doesn't see the point in paying to dump assets much, and won't usually engage in talks that have him dealing at a perceivable loss.

If Kuznetsov doesn't get better fast, I don't think GMBM would be barking up Carbery's tree much if Kuznetsov got scratched, except to point out that it limits trade value a lot.

Regardless of trade options they can't have those guys on the ice if they are as ineffective as they were last year. I realize MacLellan said what he said about Backstrom but will he be willing to reach the logical endpoint and scratch him if it comes to it? That is a decision that pretty much ends Backstrom's career even if he's pain-free. It's not an easy decision but it might be one that needs to be made for the team to move forward.

The decision on Kuznetsov should be easier because it'll come down to his level of commitment rather than his pure ability level. If he shows he cares then he plays.

Either way that's a lot of responsibility for a rookie HC and he'll need the public backing of management to make these calls.

 

[HTFN]

Regardless of trade options they can't have those guys on the ice if they are as ineffective as they were last year. I realize MacLellan said what he said about Backstrom but will he be willing to reach the logical endpoint and scratch him if it comes to it? That is a decision that pretty much ends Backstrom's career even if he's pain-free. It's not an easy decision but it might be one that needs to be made for the team to move forward.

The decision on Kuznetsov should be easier because it'll come down to his level of commitment rather than his pure ability level. If he shows he cares then he plays.

Either way that's a lot of responsibility for a rookie HC and he'll need the public backing of management to make these calls.

I think you misunderstand what I'm saying. GMBM sounds frustrated that Backstrom isn't eyeballing retirement right now and still thinks he just needs time to get back to it. That will happen or it won't, but if the coaching doesn't want to play a liability you're not going to hear GMBM complain because he knows it's true too. There's no disconnect there, far as I can tell. The team is built to punt dead weight in contract's time and I think they've honestly got recourse to LTIR Backstrom if they're scratching him anyway.

GMBM doesn't need to trade them, he probably doesn't even want to trade both, he just wants Backstrom to recognize he can't play at the right level anymore and LTIRetire and let Kuznetsov expire. That's the window he's built into their contract situation. He can afford to wait, because a lot of other parts of the team aren't ready anyway. There's one big swing coming, or at least the potential for it, but it comes a little later than this so he's not going to deal from a disadvantage to get rid of contracts he's kind of already planned for by now.