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

[Rayquaza64]

i hope you’re not basing an opinion on a player’s future off of four games…

 

[Portable Mink]

If I am honest - I was a little disappointed when I saw both Ovi and Nicky's contracts. More so Nicky's.
Not saying they didnt deserve it, but they werent team friendly deals.

Andy Murray took a fair while after his surgery to get back to a nice level. Backstrom can do it but the issue is that we have Backstrom, Mantha, Oshie, Ovi @ 35 or whatever million dollars and they all have no speed left.

 

[Calicaps]

Tarik mentioned in his mailbag this week that he never thinks players should take "team-friendly deals," that they should be paid what the market says they're worth, and that it's the organizations' job to make it work.

And I couldn't agree more. To hell with this idea that players owe it to the team or the fans or whomever to accept less than the value of their work.

COVID and the resultant flat cap plus Backstrom's hip issues have made his deal worse than it should have been at this stage. But when he signed it, it was pretty close to market value for a guy who'd just helped lead his team to its first-ever championship and was still widely considered one of the top 5 playmakers in the game.

 

[bacchist]

i hope you’re not basing an opinion on a player’s future off of four games…

I'm always glad to be proven wrong, but if he was going to be an impact player at the next level I would expect him to be noticeable in the playoffs. Not saying I need to see points pile up, but I do need to see something.

 

[Misery74]

Tarik mentioned in his mailbag this week that he never thinks players should take "team-friendly deals," that they should be paid what the market says they're worth, and that it's the organizations' job to make it work.

And I couldn't agree more. To hell with this idea that players owe it to the team or the fans or whomever to accept less than the value of their work.

COVID and the resultant flat cap plus Backstrom's hip issues have made his deal worse than it should have been at this stage. But when he signed it, it was pretty close to market value for a guy who'd just helped lead his team to its first-ever championship and was still widely considered one of the top 5 playmakers in the game.

I think it’s fine to maximize what you can get. But, you then should have less say in the direction of the organization. It’s not a knock against these players, it’s math.

 

[tycoonheart]

If I am honest - I was a little disappointed when I saw both Ovi and Nicky's contracts. More so Nicky's.
Not saying they didnt deserve it, but they werent team friendly deals.

Andy Murray took a fair while after his surgery to get back to a nice level. Backstrom can do it but the issue is that we have Backstrom, Mantha, Oshie, Ovi @ 35 or whatever million dollars and they all have no speed left.

Andy Murray isn't close to what he used to be. Honestly he needs to retire. But the guy loves tennis and he keeps getting handed wildcard so he will keep competing. But that's an individual sport. Nicky is hurting this team.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

If he’s healthy enough to be cleared, he’s healthy enough to play. Certainly not the only underperformer in the NHL who is “hurting his team”……hell not even on his own team…

Time for us fans to suck it up and stop whining about it. Let’s see how the summer goes and if he makes it to camp.

 

[Raikkonen]

Cant fix Backstrom. Need to concentrate on players GMBM can and should solve.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I’m not sure people are “whining” about Backstrom. However his 9m salary is easily the clearest path to improvement for the team, IMO.

So of course it makes sense to muse on him. ESPECIALLY with GMBM’s recent comments on it. It sure seems like BMac is opening the door to a “Backstrom less Capitals” to start next year.

But yeah, who’s to know. Like I’m sure almost all of “us fans” feel, I’d like to see 2020 Nick back with the team.

However if that Nick is gone forever? Then find a smart way to LTIR him.

 

[Holtbyisms]

i hope you’re not basing an opinion on a player’s future off of four games…

Yeah I'm not sold that his career is over haha but he's definitely been off from the start of the playoffs. Could be bad luck, could be he's wearing down. Lot of games played for a guy who hasn't played 50+ games in a season in quite awhile. Then again maybe the injury has been nagging him and it wasn't something new. Hard to say but hopefully he bounces back soon. We're going to need him to be on his game if we want to make a deep run.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I’m not sure people are “whining” about Backstrom. However his 9m salary is easily the clearest path to improvement for the team, IMO.

So of course it makes sense to muse on him. ESPECIALLY with GMBM’s recent comments on it. It sure seems like BMac is opening the door to a “Backstrom less Capitals” to start next year.

But yeah, who’s to know. Like I’m sure almost all of “us fans” feel, I’d like to see 2020 Nick back with the team.

However if that Nick is gone forever? Then find a smart way to LTIR him.

“He’s hurting this team”, “losing respect for him”….

Not whining, then it’s just what, pathetic? A $9 mil blank check is not necessarily the clearest way to improvement IMO.

If he’s medically cleared and doesn’t want to quit….feels like we have to ride it out.

 

[Jags]

And I couldn't agree more. To hell with this idea that players owe it to the team or the fans or whomever to accept less than the value of their work.

I don't think very many people believe that players absolutely should give hometeam discounts, but there's no question that teams benefit greatly when they do. Crosby left a shitload of money on the table to help keep his team competitive, and other marquee players there followed suit, a big reason they were a better team and for longer. Not a popular thing to say here, but true nonetheless.

I have no qualms with Nick and Ovi cashing in, but the likelihood of them winning another Cup during those new contracts was miniscule. Everything else would have to go right -- Kuznetsov improving instead of declining, Oshie getting and staying healthy, prospects quickly becoming impact players, Vrana not going mental (or Mantha blossoming instead of cratering), finding Doc Brown's DeLorean to avoid losing a couple gems to trades, etc.

But let's not overstate it either. 8 and 19 on hometown discounts wouldn't have been that huge. Maybe $3 million, tops. But those extensions came so late in their careers that each dollar hurt just a bit more than the last. And Nick's hip would've crippled us either way. Even if he'd stayed at $6.7m, that's still a big hit for any team to absorb without IR.

Anyone that begrudges Nick his payday is basking in the benefit of hindsight. I personally thought he'd come in a bit cheaper, but was happy for him regardless. What happened next was a real bummer for us, but has to be soul-crushing for him.

 

[kicksavedave]

Brunette would also be interesting because he has helped develop modern offenses in Florida and NJ. I’d be interested to know how much of Florida’s success last year was due to Brunette vs. Quennville. Was Brunette simply running Quennville’s system, or did Brunette develop it and Quennville was just the overseer and manager of the team?

I think Carbery is my #1 option. Brunette #2. Then Halpern. I’m sure other guys I’m not thinking of could be interesting fits too.

I think it would be awesome to bring in Brunette to build a fast, attacking, swarming system, implemented from a guy who may have been the slowest, worst skater in the NHL during his career, whose longest goal was still from inside the crease Sign me up!

 

[Langway]

You can't force a guy to LTIR if he's healthy. It's not like 19's failing physicals. Maybe they no longer think he's a capable 2C regardless and if he's to continue it needs to be elsewhere. Maybe they want to come to an understanding it's not workable and he can agree to cash checks if he wants to. But it may be that he still loves the game, maybe more than ever now that he feels right again and can enjoy it more. Maybe he wants to help any team that will have him that still values the positives he brings to the table as more of a mentor. Hard to blame him if so. If that's not the Caps any longer he's not obligated to stop playing and do them any favors, certainly not before he gives it his all training. This is about his future as an NHL player and treating him like Craig Anderson ushering him out to pasture is bullshit. It's a player they're invested in for better or for worse and need to exhaust all options getting him back in top shape before declaring defeat and rushing to judgement.

They do seem to be halfway out of the boat already, which is probably not great for morale, even if it is taking water. You wonder if that skepticism doesn't extend to Oshie and having to gut through another two years of him playing through injuries. If they're going to draw a high line that may not be something they can afford either. As far as plans I'd just respectfully give Backstrom the off-season and not stress too much about it. It is what it is. It's not like they're Right There as contenders and this is the lone piece holding them back. Far from it.

They have bigger fish to fry in an installing a new head coach and dealing with Kuznetsov & Mantha most notably. Do they really need $25M+ to reinvest adequately (in a year where at least publicly there's not a great deal of impact available)? It can't just be about resources. It's got to in part be about efficiency, doing a better job maximizing at all levels. If they want this summer to be sort of retail therapy it's likely misguided. They should make moves that underline how unacceptable this season was but they need patience and discipline to bounce back more significantly. Winning the off-season ala the Redskins of old is likely not it, even if they are operating under some pressure to turn it around. As far as force-multipliers go the coaching hire needs to be the primary mover getting it back on track and from there operating in a pretty concerted fashion toward whatever the shared vision is for best next steps.

 

[Ridley Simon]

“He’s hurting this team”, “losing respect for him”….

Not whining, then it’s just what, pathetic? A $9 mil blank check is not necessarily the clearest way to improvement IMO.

If he’s medically cleared and doesn’t want to quit….feels like we have to ride it out.

One poster said they were losing respect for him, which certainly wasn’t a take I “respect” (lol), but it was one poster.

Sadly, he was hurting the team while on the ice — as much as it pains me to say it. Pretty much in all facets. SURE, we have other players that also did the same, however they are fully healthy and *could* be terrific in another environment.

Nicky isn’t even thought of in the same way. Least, not by me. I would LOVE to see him get half a stride back and be a much better Eller. But if he isn’t truly a guy that should crack the top 4 C’s on an NHL team, then that needs to be dealt with, IMO.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Not sure Bruce would take an assistant coach job. Maybe Caps would be the one exception due to history and all but my gut tells me for Bruce its either HC or nothing.

Given his age he might. He may not want the burden of head coaching and be in more relaxed environment.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

If he’s healthy enough to be cleared, he’s healthy enough to play. Certainly not the only underperformer in the NHL who is “hurting his team”……hell not even on his own team…

Time for us fans to suck it up and stop whining about it. Let’s see how the summer goes and if he makes it to camp.

Indeed. We all knew this would happen someday and every team faces having an aging core with rebuilding/retooling woes. At least we aren't the Sharks or 98 Caps. Us fans have something to show for this generation with 2018. I'm not saying I like being in this situation, however it's reality. All we can do is what Raikkonen said and let GMBM make the moves without Backstrom's contract as a distraction. Who knows they might even make the playoffs with right decisions this summer. I'm not a basketball fan at all, but I do remember the Clippers being mighty terrible for decades. Those are team fans I feel sorry for.

 

[Ridley Simon]

You can't force a guy to LTIR if he's healthy. It's not like 19's failing physicals. Maybe they no longer think he's a capable 2C regardless and if he's to continue it needs to be elsewhere. Maybe they want to come to an understanding it's not workable and he can agree to cash checks if he wants to. But it may be that he still loves the game, maybe more than ever now that he feels right again and can enjoy it more. Maybe he wants to help any team that will have him that still values the positives he brings to the table as more of a mentor. Hard to blame him if so. If that's not the Caps any longer he's not obligated to stop playing and do them any favors, certainly not before he gives it his all training. This is about his future as an NHL player and treating him like Craig Anderson ushering him out to pasture is bullshit. It's a player they're invested in for better or for worse and need to exhaust all options getting him back in top shape before declaring defeat and rushing to judgement.

They do seem to be halfway out of the boat already, which is probably not great for morale, even if it is taking water. You wonder if that skepticism doesn't extend to Oshie and having to gut through another two years of him playing through injuries. If they're going to draw a high line that may not be something they can afford either. As far as plans I'd just respectfully give Backstrom the off-season and not stress too much about it. It is what it is. It's not like their Right There as contenders and this is the lone piece holding them back. Far from it.

They have bigger fish to fry in an installing a new head coach and dealing with Kuznetsov & Mantha most notably. Do they really need $25M+ to reinvest adequately (in a year where at least publicly there's not a great deal of impact available)? It can't just be about resources. It's got to in part be about efficiency, doing a better job maximizing at all levels. If they want this summer to be sort of retail therapy it's likely misguided. They should make moves that underline how unacceptable this season was but they need patience and discipline to bounce back more significantly. Winning the off-season ala the Redskins of old is likely not it, even if they are operating under some pressure to turn it around. As far as force-multipliers go the coaching hire needs to be the primary mover getting it back on track and from there operating in a pretty concerted fashion toward whatever the shared vision is for best next steps.

You can just quote me sir in your responses, as much of this is about things I’ve discussed the last page or so.

And come man …. LOL … don’t use the Snyder-Skins as an example of anything useful. That’s just stupid. No one wants to emulate anything that he(they) did. That’s just silly.

If Backstrom cannot play NHL caliber hockey, then what’s the solution? Create a rift and then find a way to deal him to some “cap space junkyard” like Arizona or Ottawa or (insert name)? That’s the other solution.

Like it to not, and regardless of ALL of the other issues the team needs to deal with (Kuznetsov, Mantha, Oshie), it’s obvious to me that GMBM has made the “Backstrom situation” a priority to resolve ASAP. Whatever ASAP may look like. I obv don’t know.

And all of this intertwines w a coaching hire, as well as how they change their mindset for youth development and structures extending down to Hershey and South Carolina.

Anyway, TL; DR

 

[twabby]

While they need to be respectful of Backstrom I certainly understand why MacLellan is outwardly skeptical. I think stepping back next year is certainly reasonable and in that case there’s no harm in letting Backstrom give it a go. However if they miss the postseason again next year does MacLellan still have a job? He probably should, but perhaps he’s feeling some heat from Leonsis to make the postseason next year no matter what.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[bacchist]

$525k for AHL?

 

[Ridley Simon]

$525k for AHL?

He’s 31 and a really good scorer in the AHL. Someone was going to pay him

 

[Hivemind]

No problem with keeping Sgarbossa around as an AHL leader and NHL depth, but the 10 games he played this year for the Capitals are frustrating as hell considering there were younger, higher-upside alternatives available in Hershey.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

If he’s healthy enough to be cleared, he’s healthy enough to play. Certainly not the only underperformer in the NHL who is “hurting his team”……hell not even on his own team…

Time for us fans to suck it up and stop whining about it. Let’s see how the summer goes and if he makes it to camp.

Below is what happens when you drink wine and try to provide commentary. Don’t drink and post kids.

It isn’t whining. It’s stating the obvious. Dude is an anchor right now. I will always appreciate Backstrom but Ovi’s years left in the league are precious. Bye Felicia, if the dude can’t produce.

 

[usiel]

Still would like to see how a non-surgery off-season goes for Backis. That said, as with all aging Caps players under contract throughout the years they need to be slide down the position lineup.