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

[koalabear9301]

Its funny, BMacs entire tenure is very nicely encapsulated by the Nathan Walker saga. Invite him to camp, then instead of signing him trade draft picks to move up to draft him. Then a few years later he signs Lundqvist to be a veteran goalie mentor to Samsonov. Lundqvist's heart gives out, they roll with Sammy/Vanecek tandem to underwhelming results while Craig Anderson warms the bench the entire year as a 3rd stringer despite still being an NHL goalie for several years after. Seattle comes along and takes Vanecek, allowing them to keep Jensen and trade off Dillon for 2 2nds, a pretty nice gift from Seattle bungling the expansion draft. Instead of going back to the original strategy of having a cheap veteran with Samsonov they... trade a 2nd round pick from a team that has been burning through picks at the deadline for many years for Vanecek and roll the same tandem that they rolled by accident to underwhelming results the prior season... again. Only to give up Vanecek for effectively nothing just a year later, as well as managing to get nothing for Samsonov and his very palatable RFA rights at 2.2M QO, for him to go on and be a top 10 goalie that same year making 2 million dollars for a different team. Its just constant nonstop dripping inefficiency at every level that they could get away with while carried by the single most reliable year to year star player of the salary cap era and the nice core that was inherited around him but that ultimately adds up in a league where every team is trying to get ahead by any sliver they can. You have the same inefficiency at the draft (bottom of the league results wise since BMac took over while the whole core minus Oshie was drafted with high picks by the preceding GM), attempts at cost efficient signings (other teams find a Panarin, Kuzmenko, Zub or Verhaeghe or Forsling, we can't get a single one of the Russians that come in and dominate the league every other year despite being the Russian mafia of the NHL lol, but there's always a Brett Connolly Conor Sheary or Sonny Milano consolation prize), letting young players go just before they break out while overpaying to sign or trade for mediocre vets who have a "track record" in the NHL. It worked when the team's biggest need is a 3C, supporting defenseman or role player but when you're competing against 32 teams and your always reliable inherited star players start to wane and there's nothing behind them you get... this

Typing this with no line breaks is insane but you spitting so I'll let it slide

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Its funny, BMacs entire tenure is very nicely encapsulated by the Nathan Walker saga. Invite him to camp, then instead of signing him trade draft picks to move up to draft him. Then a few years later he signs Lundqvist to be a veteran goalie mentor to Samsonov. Lundqvist's heart gives out, they roll with Sammy/Vanecek tandem to underwhelming results while Craig Anderson warms the bench the entire year as a 3rd stringer despite still being an NHL goalie for several years after. Seattle comes along and takes Vanecek, allowing them to keep Jensen and trade off Dillon for 2 2nds, a pretty nice gift from Seattle bungling the expansion draft. Instead of going back to the original strategy of having a cheap veteran with Samsonov they... trade a 2nd round pick from a team that has been burning through picks at the deadline for many years for Vanecek and roll the same tandem that they rolled by accident to underwhelming results the prior season... again. Only to give up Vanecek for effectively nothing just a year later, as well as managing to get nothing for Samsonov and his very palatable RFA rights at 2.2M QO, for him to go on and be a top 10 goalie that same year making 2 million dollars for a different team. Its just constant nonstop dripping inefficiency at every level that they could get away with while carried by the single most reliable year to year star player of the salary cap era and the nice core that was inherited around him but that ultimately adds up in a league where every team is trying to get ahead by any sliver they can. You have the same inefficiency at the draft (bottom of the league results wise since BMac took over while the whole core minus Oshie was drafted with high picks by the preceding GM), attempts at cost efficient signings (other teams find a Panarin, Kuzmenko, Zub or Verhaeghe or Forsling, we can't get a single one of the Russians that come in and dominate the league every other year despite being the Russian mafia of the NHL lol, but there's always a Brett Connolly Conor Sheary or Sonny Milano consolation prize), letting young players go just before they break out while overpaying to sign or trade for mediocre vets who have a "track record" in the NHL. It worked when the team's biggest need is a 3C, supporting defenseman or role player but when you're competing against 32 teams and your always reliable inherited star players start to wane and there's nothing behind them you get... this

This is a god damn novel good sir.

 

[HTFN]

Typing this with no line breaks is insane but you spitting so I'll let it slide

Aw man, maybe I should have done this one:

 

[um]

Seems like we're blaming Lavi for playing who the GM expected him to play.

He must really suck. Hasn't won anything. Shitty career.

I'm sure you and the others here who talk endless shit about him could do much better day to day.

Have you submitted your application?

That last line is becoming your catch phrase.

Of course Lavi is a better coach than random hockey fans, talk about contributing nothing to the discussion.

We can’t talk about Kuznetsov anymore, he’s better at hockey than us.

 

[Kalopsia]

(other teams find a Panarin, Kuzmenko, Zub or Verhaeghe or Forsling, we can't get a single one of the Russians that come in and dominate the league every other year despite being the Russian mafia of the NHL lol, but there's always a Brett Connolly Conor Sheary or Sonny Milano consolation prize)

Yeah, that's always been weird to me. They've had no qualms about drafting from the KHL ever since they got Ovie and you'd think the Russian contingent here would make the Caps one of the most appealing destinations for a Russian who wants to make the jump, but I can't remember ever even hearing that the Caps were interested in one of them.

 

[HTFN]

Yeah, that's always been weird to me. They've had no qualms about drafting from the KHL ever since they got Ovie and you'd think the Russian contingent here would make the Caps one of the most appealing destinations for a Russian who wants to make the jump, but I can't remember ever even hearing that the Caps were interested in one of them.

All speculation but it could be that those guys want to be the Ovechkin rather than sit shotgun to him

 

[g00n]

That last line is becoming your catch phrase.

Of course Lavi is a better coach than random hockey fans, talk about contributing nothing to the discussion.

We can’t talk about Kuznetsov anymore, he’s better at hockey than us.

You're not a child, are you? Do you need permission to speak?

You can say whatever you want but there will be consequences. If someone is constantly criticizing the job someone is doing and second guessing their every move they're saying "I can do that job better".

This is basic human communication, not a personal catch phrase.

Go up to some construction worker and start looking over their shoulder and telling them every little thing they're doing wrong. If they don't knock your block off after 5 min they'll ask you the same thing: "let's see you do it better".

Hater shitposting is now so pervasive it's becoming a sacred entitlement.

 

[Raikkonen]

Yeah, that's always been weird to me. They've had no qualms about drafting from the KHL ever since they got Ovie and you'd think the Russian contingent here would make the Caps one of the most appealing destinations for a Russian who wants to make the jump, but I can't remember ever even hearing that the Caps were interested in one of them.

I think many thought Caps is to deep to get in.

Some tried though.

 

[YippieKaey]

You're not a child, are you? Do you need permission to speak?

You can say whatever you want but there will be consequences. If someone is constantly criticizing the job someone is doing and second guessing their every move they're saying "I can do that job better".

This is basic human communication, not a personal catch phrase.

Go up to some construction worker and start looking over their shoulder and telling them every little thing they're doing wrong. If they don't knock your block off after 5 min they'll ask you the same thing: "let's see you do it better".

Hater shitposting is now so pervasive it's becoming a sacred entitlement.

I believe you are taking the internet and its denizens a bit too seriously.

 

[g00n]

I believe you are taking the internet and its denizens a bit too seriously.

Schrodinger's Hockey Fan, eh?

The same can be said for anyone who doesn't like hearing what I have to say.

 

[twabby]

The NHL draft lottery is in one week!

For the occasion I’m going to crack open my first mead I ever brewed: an orange blossom traditional. Figured it might be good luck.

Everyone else better do whatever they think will bring good luck. No slackers.

 

[RedRocking]

This is a god damn novel good sir.

Doom! by way of “Infinite Jest”

 

[g00n]

 

[HeyMattyB]

Well this is interesting: Capitals draft pick Ivan Miroshnichenko eligible to sign with Washington after termination of KHL contract

Assuming Miroshnichenko signs with the Caps in the near future, it’s likely his next stop will be this summer’s development camp in Arlington, Va. (He attended the camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex last year but did not participate in on-ice drills.)

After development camp, it’s expected that Miroshnichenko would attend Washington’s training camp in September. At that point, the Caps’ decision-makers would make a determination on whether he’ll start the season in D.C. or AHL Hershey.

After missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years, the Capitals are expected to make substantive roster changes under general manager Brian MacLellan, with a priority on adding high-end offensive talent and getting younger. Given Miroshnichenko’s relative inexperience, though, it would not be a surprise to see him start the season with the minor-league Bears. In Hershey, he’d be able to adapt his game to the North American style of play and, just as important, acclimate himself to American culture and learn English away from the glare of the NHL spotlight.

 

[Roshi]

Theres no point to bad mouth about Laviolette. His gone and next man up.

Lavi was well liked in the room and he was hired for a certain task. It didnt work out for us but it doesnt mean he is a bad coach. Things just didnt click. Its also not just about him, but its a collaborative effect of whole coaching staff piecing it together, which certainly did not happen.

If you want to press on one thing that doesnt maybe survive from the criticism is, id say the ”accountability” wasnt introduced the right way and there was different standards for vets than there was for young guys. But thats sort of natural thing too and happens everywhere.

Good luck for Lavi in the future. Lets hope our next coaching crew finds the right buttons. Looking at Kraken beating the Avs, Panthers coming back from 1-3 against powerhouse Bruins, Leafs finally beating the first round.. gives me some hope that if you just make it to the playoffs anything can, and will, go down.

 

[marcel snapshot]

If you want to press on one thing that doesnt maybe survive from the criticism is, id say the ”accountability” wasnt introduced the right way and there was different standards for vets than there was for young guys. But thats sort of natural thing too and happens everywhere.

This has been a recurring problem for this group. I agree that it happens a lot, but I think the way Ted runs the organization encourages a caste system mentality and there may be no way around making allowances for Ovi, I think that kind of culture can breed complacency and nurture the growth of invasive weeds like Kuzy's IDGAF attitude.

What would be great is for McMike, Protas, Snively, Frank, Malenstyn and the rest of the guys in Hershey who should compete for spots on the Caps to have a really good playoff run, learn a bit more about how hard it is to win in May, and then come to camp psyched to push out some of the older guys - and have the organization be open to older guys being pushed out.

 

[Rayquaza64]

I had my (well vocalized) qualms with lavi, but he’s gone, now we need to find the next coach (that i will hate instantly, always blame and never the players yadda yadda yadda)

 

[Marshall]

How many more times will I have to change my pants today?

 

[g00n]

This has been a recurring problem for this group. I agree that it happens a lot, but I think the way Ted runs the organization encourages a caste system mentality and there may be no way around making allowances for Ovi, I think that kind of culture can breed complacency and nurture the growth of invasive weeds like Kuzy's IDGAF attitude.

What would be great is for McMike, Protas, Snively, Frank, Malenstyn and the rest of the guys in Hershey who should compete for spots on the Caps to have a really good playoff run, learn a bit more about how hard it is to win in May, and then come to camp psyched to push out some of the older guys - and have the organization be open to older guys being pushed out.

I think this is more due to respect for the core players involved in the Cup win than anything to do with Ted.

When he had a bumper crop of young, undeniable talent in the Young Guns he pulled the trigger on a coaching change to suit those players' needs and style.

Since then few drafted players have stood out as league-wide talents. Kuzy and Wilson are about the only ones who are at that level since the peak days of Ovie, Semin, Backstrom, Green and Carlson.

Green spent the most time in the AHL out of that group across parts of 2 years but was splitting time with the Caps. NB and Ovie went straight to the NHL. Semin played a handful of games in Portland but wasn't interested at all in AHL time, rightly so. Carlson spent 2 playoffs and 2/3 of a single regular season in Hershey.

Are the current draftees hot prospects like that? Were the young guns only brought up that quickly because of the post-firesale talent drought, and the new guys now have a lot of veterans in front of them?

Snively has been tooling around the AHL for 5yrs. For Protas it's 3yrs with NHL stints the last 2. Beck has done something similar but with a 4th year tacked on. CMM has a weird mix of NHL and AHL experience the last 3 years.

I don't know, but I tend to think if any of the guys in the pipeline were the next Semin or next Backstrom then Ted and Co. would find a way to work them in.

 

[Jags]

If you want to press on one thing that doesnt maybe survive from the criticism is, id say the ”accountability” wasnt introduced the right way and there was different standards for vets than there was for young guys. But thats sort of natural thing too and happens everywhere.

This was my one thing with him, the arbitrarily-enforced standards. It's one thing to say that so-and-so needs to earn Eller's spot. But it's something else to say that when Eller is currently playing like utter dogshit, which he was for stretches this year. Same with Mantha and Kuzy.

They're certainly not earning their spot right now, and the second you make the argument that "Well, they earned it last year," you've lost the plot. A couple of those kids played very well last year and in limited looks this year. But they got zero leeway. They'd get a start, but one bad play and they were doghoused for the rest of the game. No continuity for the players that need it most.

Always the stick, never the carrot with the kids. The exact opposite for the vets, unless they were in Lavi's doghouse. We lost some real talent to Lavi's doghouse.

Bygones though. I hope he lands somewhere he likes. He never seemed to lose the room here, and if the guys respect him I figure I should, too. These issues are pretty easily correctable if he's got the humility for it, and it'd be nice to see him bounce back.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Just say no Caps.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

Let’s f***ing go! Absolutely love that. Bridge deal for our new top-six defenseman.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Will be interesting to see if AA’s deal is one way. I would guess it would be.