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

[traparatus]

Well, I think we have our answer on Mantha. I know it's only one preseason game, but my god he was awful. All the talk of sports psychologist, conditioning, and trying to live up to the player they traded for is meaningless. I wasn't expecting much, but still a little part of me was hoping that we would see something different. He still looks listless, unengaged, and hesitant. He won't do any work on the boards, no battle, no hustle to create a play. It's like he just waits around until the puck accidentally finds him and then he promptly turns it over. The fight at the end of the game was just the cherry on top. Normally I give a player credit for dropping the gloves, but this was a selfish and unnecessary fight that put the team shorthanded.

Such a frustrating player to watch! He has all the talent in the world. Strength, skating, stick handling, and a good shot, but no motivation, compete, and very little hockey sense. I don't believe he can think the game at an NHL level. On top of that, he plays hockey like his heart isn't in it. I'm actually starting to believe that he doesn't really enjoy playing the game anymore and that is why he looks so disinterested all of the time.

I think we've reached the point where we need to just bite the bullet, accept our losses, and move on. Addition by subtraction. There's plenty of other players who can take his spot that will contribute in a positive way (even if they aren't as skilled). I would rather cheer for someone who wants to be there and puts their heart into playing.

What do you mean when you say 'move on'? Healthy scratch? I think that's about the only option. I'm sure that Caps have tried to offload Mantha and price for getting it done was simply too high. There might also be the matter of personal pride for BMac.

For me, the biggest frustration when it comes to Mantha isn't even his play. He has ALWAYS played like this. The player that he is now is exactly the player that he was with Detroit. Streaky and inconsistent production, no particular physicality to his game, despite his size. Good in transition and fairly dependable defensively. He's always needed a ton of power play time in a setup that focuses on him being the primary shooter. BMac acquired Mantha expecting him to become a player that he has never been. That's frustrating.

 

[Leksand]

What do you mean when you say 'move on'? Healthy scratch? I think that's about the only option. I'm sure that Caps have tried to offload Mantha and price for getting it done was simply too high. There might also be the matter of personal pride for BMac.

And his contract is backloaded money wise, $6.5M in actual salary this season making it unappealing to teams below the cap and stingy owners. Don't know what it would take to move him and the salary. Possibly later in the season when the actual cost is lower in a scenario where the Caps look good and there's potential for doing some damage in the playoffs (I'm not prepared to use "contending" at this point).

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Why can’t we just pay him to go away?

 

[Calicaps]

Mantha sucks. So disappointing.

You know what also sucks? NHL's digital services. The Apple TV NHL app is dead. The website is worse than ever with no more account menu--what am I even logging in for. iOS app is shit. Their online presence has gotten worse and worse. How can they be so bad at this?

 

[g00n]

Mantha sucks. So disappointing.

You know what also sucks? NHL's digital services. The Apple TV NHL app is dead. The website is worse than ever with no more account menu--what am I even logging in for. iOS app is shit. Their online presence has gotten worse and worse. How can they be so bad at this?

Their executives are technologically stunted because they're living in the 90s? How else do we explain the persistence of Fallout Boy and Third Eye Blind type bands as the soundtrack to sell their product.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

I remember when half this board was freaking out about Ethen Frank last year.

Honestly, we needed something to hope for.

 

[Kevinsane]

Hi, folks! I drafted CMM in my fantasy league three years ago. Where do you guys see his game? He was so highly touted I’m hesitant to give up on him, but is a breakout year ever coming?
Thanks for your time, and best of luck this season.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Hi, folks! I drafted CMM in my fantasy league three years ago. Where do you guys see his game? He was so highly touted I’m hesitant to give up on him, but is a breakout year ever coming?
Thanks for your time, and best of luck this season.

For fantasy value I would not count on him for much 20g/30a ceiling. My hope is he takes a step into being a top 6 NHL center and can hold the job all season.

 

[Kevinsane]

For fantasy value I would not count on him for much 20g/30a ceiling. My hope is he takes a step into being a top 6 NHL center and can hold the job all season.

Thank you.

 

[DWGie26]

Mantha sucks. So disappointing.

You know what also sucks? NHL's digital services. The Apple TV NHL app is dead. The website is worse than ever with no more account menu--what am I even logging in for. iOS app is shit. Their online presence has gotten worse and worse. How can they be so bad at this?

The new NHL app blows. The adds are annoying and the UI is bad. Fonts suck. No longer a favorite team button at bottom so have to click drop down every time. Dont even get me started on the Monumental App. It is even worse. Unusable.

 

[Kuz]

Hopefully Mantha gets some goals and can be traded for something at the deadline. Mantha at 50 % with 2,85 million might be something a team with weak winger depth that could need some scoring would take a chance on.

 

[Langway]

Just might be the team minus one cut. Somewhat intrigued by Phillips but more questioning the productivity of their depth wingers. You'd hope McMichael & Protas run with an opportunity but who knows really.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Just might be the team minus one cut. Somewhat intrigued by Phillips but more questioning the productivity of their depth wingers. You'd hope McMichael & Protas run with an opportunity but who knows really.

Be nice to dump Mantha and send Lujo back to Hershey. Unfortunately dumping Mantha ain't happening. I feel like NAK would be my cut. He's redundant with Beck in the lineup but he's played decent this preseason and I feel like that'll force his way in. That leaves Protas or Phillips as the cut.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

The new NHL app blows. The adds are annoying and the UI is bad. Fonts suck. No longer a favorite team button at bottom so have to click drop down every time. Dont even get me started on the Monumental App. It is even worse. Unusable.

It annoys the piss out of me that I can’t keep the Caps selected in app….that I have to interact with the pull down every time….

Just might be the team minus one cut. Somewhat intrigued by Phillips but more questioning the productivity of their depth wingers. You'd hope McMichael & Protas run with an opportunity but who knows really.

Looks like battle for that last D and forward spots (along with positional jockeying)…

 

[Langway]

Be nice to dump Mantha and send Lujo back to Hershey. Unfortunately dumping Mantha ain't happening. I feel like NAK would be my cut. He's redundant with Beck in the lineup but he's played decent this preseason and I feel like that'll force his way in. That leaves Protas or Phillips as the cut.

I think it's likely Johansen, mostly because they don't really need another extra while Edmundson is out. It could be Protas due to being waiver-exempt if he's slated to be an extra. Maybe they wait to waive Johansen until after rosters are finalized to further minimize chances of a claim.

I'd still like to see Miro get another game at least. Maybe in more of a bottom six role to see how he'd fare. These groupings are probably worst for Snively, who certainly looks to have lost out.

 

[tycoonheart]

Was hoping Miro would be in the lineup. He looked really good with Ovi and Nicky. Though I thought Phillips had a really good game last game, so looking forward to seeing what he can do tonight.

 

[Corby78]

Mantha sucks. So disappointing.

You know what also sucks? NHL's digital services. The Apple TV NHL app is dead. The website is worse than ever with no more account menu--what am I even logging in for. iOS app is shit. Their online presence has gotten worse and worse. How can they be so bad at this?

Yeah the new app is almost unusable, its almost like they pulled a family guy joke style thing and just randomly threw stuff around.

 

[Calicaps]

The new NHL app blows. The adds are annoying and the UI is bad. Fonts suck. No longer a favorite team button at bottom so have to click drop down every time. Dont even get me started on the Monumental App. It is even worse. Unusable.

It annoys the piss out of me that I can’t keep the Caps selected in app….that I have to interact with the pull down every time….

On iPhone I am still able to set the Caps as my favorite/start page and even show them as the app icon. It's like the only good thing. More>Settings>Followed Teams

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I feel like NAK is the fully baked version of BeckM....I thought NAK looked great in the action I've seen so far, but Beck is ready.

On iPhone I am still able to set the Caps as my favorite/start page and even show them as the app icon. It's like the only good thing. More>Settings>Followed Teams

i did that, but if I want to see the schedule….must do the pull down.

 

[Calicaps]

I feel like NAK is the fully baked version of BeckM....I thought NAK looked great in the action I've seen so far, but Beck is ready.

i did that, but if I want to see the schedule….must do the pull down.

weird. not my experience. did you set Caps as default tab?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

weird. not my experience. did you set Caps as default tab?

Boom found it….thank you! Default tab was it.

 

[Brian23]

Looking like the probably opening night roster.

 

[crab]

Looking like the probably opening night roster.

That’s not a good sign if you’re Mantha. I haven’t watched the pre-season games but based on the reports here he has been bad and Milano has been decent. Looks like he could be starting the season as a healthy scratch.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Phillips wasn’t even on my radar to make the team pretty surprised to see he is on 1st line tonight.

Matthew Phillips - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Matthew Phillips, 1998-04-06 Calgary, AB, CAN Canada. Most recently in the AHL with Colorado Eagles. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

He seems like a total jobber and fringe NHL player and hes so small. Idk what coach is doing here