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

[HeyMattyB]

I see that--for those out of the MD/VA/DC area--we're kicking off the Caps' (pre-)season with a game on the worst, most inaccessible hockey channel, NHL Network. f***in' great.

 

[max21]

I can’t get a read on Kuznetsov with all these recent articles. His goal this year is to bounce back and give everything he has, next article he’s bashing the org. I don’t get it

 

[Hivemind]

The interview mentality of only saying the "right" thing is an English-speaking mentality, and especially a North American hockey mentality. Interviews with foreign-language outlets tend to be much more candid and a lot less white bread than North American interviews are. Kuznetsov is very far from the first player in history to speak much more candidly with his native language home news outlets.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Perhaps it's time for Kuzy to get to know his teammates and what might they think of his recent comments.

 

[Hivemind]

Perhaps it's time for Kuzy to get to know his teammates and what might they think of his recent comments.

Have any of his comments thrown fellow players under the bus? Closest that's been reported on is saying Alexeyev is a fool for signing up to be the 4th LHD on the depth chart, and Kuzy said that was something he told Alexeyev directly. It's mostly been directed at (former) coaches and management.

It's also a 70 minute long podcast/interview, and the translators are only reporting on the juiciest parts.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Have any of his comments thrown fellow players under the bus? Closest that's been reported on is saying Alexeyev is a fool for signing up to be the 4th LHD on the depth chart, and Kuzy said that was something he told Alexeyev directly. It's mostly been directed at (former) coaches and management.

It's also a 70 minute long podcast/interview, and the translators are only reporting on the juiciest parts.

And very little personal responsibility acceptance on his part.

 

[Hivemind]

And very little personal responsibility acceptance on his part.

Have you watched the whole 70 minute podcast? I haven't. They're only reporting on the juicy bits, and then letting the fans do what fans do best.

 

[g00n]

The interview mentality of only saying the "right" thing is an English-speaking mentality, and especially a North American hockey mentality. Interviews with foreign-language outlets tend to be much more candid and a lot less white bread than North American interviews are. Kuznetsov is very far from the first player in history to speak much more candidly with his native language home news outlets.

Yeah who knew interviews can cross borders.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Even if he is right you don’t say that in an interview. You keep that sh*t to yourself instead of criticizing management.

Nah, he's just saying what we're all thinking. I appreciate his honesty.

 

[Raikkonen]

@forwardLines

First problem - to form a line that will be able to score and win games. So Ovechkin line! Ovechkin looks primed to score and for all purposes this is what the doctor ordered.

I can see Strome as the most reliable center for Ovi. Backstrom is maybe not that bad if you would imagine him much faster than last season but odds are slim so Strome is the way. Maybe if Kuzy gets healthy and gets fire he can play with Ovi too in a pinch but I wouldnt expect that for most of the games.

Strome has his big contract now but hopefully will be able to handle it. Seems like a guy who is low maintenance and we can expect good things from him.

Their 3rd player is logically Wilson. I can see even Protas there being more effective than Oshie and Mantha. Both can be used there if Wilson can't or there is another plan but I think 8-forgotStromesNumber-43 should work for most cases.

Then you need another line. I see them trying to keep Milano-Kuzy line. RW could be Oshie obviously, and if he's healthy they can play some games that way. Maybe Wilson if they know what to do with Ovi. Maybe Mantha even, we have seen that too. Questions all around that line obviously, but potentially they can do serious damage (and chase opponents in the DZ every time too ofc). That's not ideal top-6 line but they are paid to do that at least. I guess a lot will depend on the scheme. One big question mark and they have to make it work. Surely we will discuss Kuzy's line performance a lot this season. As per usual.

Next is Backstrom. I can see Backstrom and Kuzy being partially not available so I better consider CMM, Protas or Dowd being the 3C for some games. Doesn't look good most probably because healthy and much faster Backstrom sounds like improbable case. If he is good by some miracle that changes many things. Having Mantha in career year and then maybe Pacioretty for portions of the season (he's injury prone anyway, I expect all of Oshie, Mantha and Pacioretty to lose many games to injury) should make 3rd line dangerous. They can defend too so that could be a good line and they can play a lot of minutes too if so (making Kuzy's line 3rd in ES actually). CMM will start the season as 3LW probably and then maybe play as 3C even because injuries will happen 90%. A chance for him. Time to show better results, kid. Nothing to learn in the AHL for him.

If all of top-9 is clicking that is a good forward lineup suddenly. Ofc will be derailed. Too many reasons to fail but they can still win any given game though.

4th line doesn't look that bad. There are options, there are players that can play higher in the lineup if needed. Im absolutely ok with it. Expecting it to be Protas-Dowd-NAK to start the year if Protas isn't higher due to someone's injury or his very good performance.

Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Milano-Kuznetsov-Oshie
McMichael-Backstrom-Mantha
Protas-Dowd-NAK

If everyone gets on top of his performance we can see lots of wins and have fun. I expect some entertainment.

Also I want Ovi to score 40+ and not have injuries. Looks more doable than getting in top-3 of the division.

PS: Now looking at this lineup I think they're defensively suspect in the long run. They can get better if one of the old/lazy/slow guys gets injured.

PPS: Also this season should be big for many forwards, they should be motivated. Not a guarantee for anything but they will try.

 

[Raikkonen]

Have you watched the whole 70 minute podcast? I haven't. They're only reporting on the juicy bits, and then letting the fans do what fans do best.

I didnt bother to watch it... he can say whatever, wont change the problem. He either does his part on the ice or he doesnt. Will be pretty easy to spot.

 

[Ridley Simon]

oh no.

I don’t even know what that all means?

Sounds like everyone is either kicked out, or is “left behind” (so….not invited to….come?)

It’s all so…..nebulous. Sounds like No One is ok being a Cap??

 

[g00n]

I don’t even know what that all means?

Sounds like everyone is either kicked out, or is “left behind” (so….not invited to….come?)

It’s all so…..nebulous. Sounds like No One is ok being a Cap??

I think it's Kuzy blowing one situation out of proportion, like a little kid who says "you always" or "you never" when you tell them they can't do something one time.

It's based on his attitude toward the team and him wanting out for 2yrs vs Orlov wanting to stay a Cap and getting traded away. Maybe one or two of the other guys who they couldn't re-sign.

To him that's just more proof that mgmt is incompetent and hates him, I guess.

 

[Misery74]

I don’t even know what that all means?

Sounds like everyone is either kicked out, or is “left behind” (so….not invited to….come?)

It’s all so…..nebulous. Sounds like No One is ok being a Cap??

In reading all of this, it’s clear many players thought Laviolette was holding the team back.

With Kuzy, I’m excited to see Carberrys influences.

That said, shitcan Mantha, he is useless out there.

 

[Monsterrain]

@forwardLines

First problem - to form a line that will be able to score and win games. So Ovechkin line! Ovechkin looks primed to score and for all purposes this is what the doctor ordered.

I can see Strome as the most reliable center for Ovi. Backstrom is maybe not that bad if you would imagine him much faster than last season but odds are slim so Strome is the way. Maybe if Kuzy gets healthy and gets fire he can play with Ovi too in a pinch but I wouldnt expect that for most of the games.

Strome has his big contract now but hopefully will be able to handle it. Seems like a guy who is low maintenance and we can expect good things from him.

Their 3rd player is logically Wilson. I can see even Protas there being more effective than Oshie and Mantha. Both can be used there if Wilson can't or there is another plan but I think 8-forgotStromesNumber-43 should work for most cases.

Then you need another line. I see them trying to keep Milano-Kuzy line. RW could be Oshie obviously, and if he's healthy they can play some games that way. Maybe Wilson if they know what to do with Ovi. Maybe Mantha even, we have seen that too. Questions all around that line obviously, but potentially they can do serious damage (and chase opponents in the DZ every time too ofc). That's not ideal top-6 line but they are paid to do that at least. I guess a lot will depend on the scheme. One big question mark and they have to make it work. Surely we will discuss Kuzy's line performance a lot this season. As per usual.

Next is Backstrom. I can see Backstrom and Kuzy being partially not available so I better consider CMM, Protas or Dowd being the 3C for some games. Doesn't look good most probably because healthy and much faster Backstrom sounds like improbable case. If he is good by some miracle that changes many things. Having Mantha in career year and then maybe Pacioretty for portions of the season (he's injury prone anyway, I expect all of Oshie, Mantha and Pacioretty to lose many games to injury) should make 3rd line dangerous. They can defend too so that could be a good line and they can play a lot of minutes too if so (making Kuzy's line 3rd in ES actually). CMM will start the season as 3LW probably and then maybe play as 3C even because injuries will happen 90%. A chance for him. Time to show better results, kid. Nothing to learn in the AHL for him.

If all of top-9 is clicking that is a good forward lineup suddenly. Ofc will be derailed. Too many reasons to fail but they can still win any given game though.

4th line doesn't look that bad. There are options, there are players that can play higher in the lineup if needed. Im absolutely ok with it. Expecting it to be Protas-Dowd-NAK to start the year if Protas isn't higher due to someone's injury or his very good performance.

Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Milano-Kuznetsov-Oshie
McMichael-Backstrom-Mantha
Protas-Dowd-NAK

If everyone gets on top of his performance we can see lots of wins and have fun. I expect some entertainment.

Also I want Ovi to score 40+ and not have injuries. Looks more doable than getting in top-3 of the division.

PS: Now looking at this lineup I think they're defensively suspect in the long run. They can get better if one of the old/lazy/slow guys gets injured.

PPS: Also this season should be big for many forwards, they should be motivated. Not a guarantee for anything but they will try.

I like those lines. I think carbs will do alot of line shuffling early on.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

In reading all of this, it’s clear many players thought Laviolette was holding the team back.

With Kuzy, I’m excited to see Carberrys influences.

That said, shitcan Mantha, he is useless out there.

“Many players”……any that we actually value their opinions, or only disgruntled underperforming guys?

 

[Calicaps]

Kuzy is 100% full of shit. They resigned Wilson/Strome/Milano/others-I-can't-remember this offseason. Is he saying they didn't want to be here but were kept anyway? Orly played the game and lost. He and Kuzy both keep saying he really wanted to a be a Cap for life. But he held the line on big money and term and that wasn't in this organization's--or evidently any other's--plan or best interest. I don't begrudge him trying, but it's not that the Caps didn't value him. And telling a young kid not to be patient and earn his spot is right in line with Kuzy's sense of entitlement. And it's more evidence to me that he led Sammy astray. GTFO with this stuff.

 

[g00n]

Kuzy is 100% full of shit. They resigned Wilson/Strome/Milano/others-I-can't-remember this offseason. Is he saying they didn't want to be here but were kept anyway? Orly played the game and lost. He and Kuzy both keep saying he really wanted to a be a Cap for life. But he held the line on big money and term and that wasn't in this organization's--or evidently any other's--plan or best interest. I don't begrudge him trying, but it's not that the Caps didn't value him. And telling a young kid not to be patient and earn his spot, is right in line with Kuzy's sense of entitlement. And it's more evidence to me that he led Sammy astray. GTFO with this stuff.

Good point on the Sammy thing. Of course we don't have a smoking gun but throw this evidence on the pile.

 

[JayBeagleFanAccount]

It’s nice that Kuznetsov is calling out how big of a joke this organization has become; even the players know it’s unserious. Hilarious to see everyone mad at him for speaking the truth.

 

[marcel snapshot]

The 2 aren't mutually exclusive. Even though a case can be made that the Caps front office mismanaged the transition out of the 2018 Cup win and the Ovi/Backie/Carlson era (a view I largely share, while giving GMBM a bit of a pass cuz I think Ted tied his hands), it's even more apparent that Kuzy has sucked since the COVID playoff bubble, half-assing it up and down the ice night after night while doing bullshit off the ice, rarely taking responsibility for his poor play, and seemingly having the blame-thrower always at the ready.

 

[Calicaps]

It’s nice that Kuznetsov is calling out how big of a joke this organization has become; even the players know it’s unserious. Hilarious to see everyone mad at him for speaking the truth.

oh go away. the season is about to start and your trolling is unwelcome.

 

[HTFN]

“Many players”……any that we actually value their opinions, or only disgruntled underperforming guys?

So your argument is that for this to be true you'd need overperforming players that would also say the team was being held back? That makes sense to you?

Do you know of any overperforming Capitals this year who spoke super highly of Laviolette and the system, or credited him for their success? Hell, Orlov had a good year and left with some questions, and this is just stacking on top of what we all already saw this year with our own eyes. Mantha sounds like he's basically saying the safe, North American version of what Kuznetsov said but he's underperforming so we don't listen.

Why you'll still go to war for the guy is beyond me when it becomes clearer and clearer that this lame duck year had them playing basic, uninspired hockey and the team was awful. Like... what did he even do here to earn your goodwill?

 

[Calicaps]

Who gives a crap about Laviolette anymore? The team's best players were physically broken almost from jump last season. They played well for a while but couldn't sustain it. Ovie's dad died. Dozens of factors contributed to their missing the playoffs. But they got a few terrific prospects, a long offseason to get healthy, and a new coach for their trouble.

It's a new day. Let it go.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Who gives a crap about Laviolette anymore? The team's best players were physically broken almost from jump last season. They played well for a while but couldn't sustain it. Ovie's dad died. Dozens of factors that contributed to their missing the playoffs. But they got a few terrific prospects, a long offseason to get healthy, and a new coach for their trouble.

It's a new day. Let it go.

This…..you know who cares? The people who hated him. Next.

 

[g00n]

Are other players coming out and trashing Lavi, or just Kuzy by implication?

IDGAF about revisiting the Lavi thing if it's just one guy who's established himself as a problem child and a malcontent, and can't seem to stop talking about this shit.