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

[notDkristich]

Why is it so difficult to find a partner for Carlson? Seems like the only two that ever had any success were Alzner early in his career and Kempny for a playoff run and half a season. On paper wouldn't you just need someone who is above average reliable on the back end and at best average puck moving - shouldn't be too hard to find

My time to shine.

Take for example, if you are "surrounded by assholes, then you might be the asshole"

If it's "Hard to find John Carlson a good partner, then he might not be good"

John was good with Alzner, because John was young and mobile and was hungry to earn a contract. Now, not so much.

 

[OV Rocks]

My time to shine.

Take for example, if you are "surrounded by assholes, then you might be the asshole"

If it's "Hard to find John Carlson a good partner, then he might not be good"

John was good with Alzner, because John was young and mobile and was hungry to earn a contract. Now, not so much.

I do get the take. In all seriousness, Carlson is the best Caps d-man in the last 20 years, and probably the next 10 years. Over a 30 year stretch is an all time great Caps player for me

The newest guy on my radar to target is Carson Soucy, I could see him complimenting Carlson very well.

 

[Cappy76]

8 million hasn't bought a "#1 dman" for quite a while. Carlson was a ~7 million defenseman who go a cup bump and reward for being highly underpaid for 6 years prior when he made less than 4

My point still stands - he was paid in 2018 as this teams #1 dman and since then we’ve continuously have been trying to find a partner that fits him. IMO if you’re paid as the teams 1D then you’re plugged into that slot and not worried about. Roster construction shouldn’t break down because we can’t figure out who to play next to our 8 million dollar 1D

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I’m just gonna call it Orlov is resigning. He’s moved home and is playing beer league in Reston. LFG *hot take*

Please do not consider this a source

 

[HTFN]

Bring on this guy. Go Anals

 

[Devil Dancer]

Bring on this guy. Go Anals

What the hell is that? Caps Twitter posted something with that thing and I'm so confused.

 

[HTFN]

What the hell is that? Caps Twitter posted something with that thing and I'm so confused.

They got an AI to create new mascots for all the teams. I'm hoping to get some serious miles out of this guy this year:

Some of them are stone cold terrifying but a few are downright hilarious

AI Reimagines Mascots For All 32 NHL Teams

After doing the same thing for the NBA and NFL, former World Series of Poker final tablist Garry Gates asked AI to create mascots for all 32 NHL teams.

news.sportslogos.net

The Penguin looks like he's completely dead inside, just couldn't give two shits about anything. I like to imagine he sighs a lot and slouches around the arena doing the bare minimum.

 

[um]

I love it. Go Anals!

 

[usiel]

Hunh. Fridgeman says on the latest 32T that the Caps were in 'deep' talks with Babcock when they decided on Lavi.

Would have been an interesting choice then but doesn't seem to fit the type of coach they are looking for.

 

[Devil Dancer]

Haha that's great. The Philly one looks like gritty after a shave.

 

[HTFN]

"Sup, it's me, The Penguin or whatever. Are you not entertained and all that, yada yada, does anyone have a cigarette?"

Mascot most likely to decline photos because he's "on break" right there.

 

[RedRocking]

My time to shine.

Take for example, if you are "surrounded by assholes, then you might be the asshole"

If it's "Hard to find John Carlson a good partner, then he might not be good"

John was good with Alzner, because John was young and mobile and was hungry to earn a contract. Now, not so much.

 

[g00n]

LET'S GO ANAL!

*honk honk honk!"

 

[kicksavedave]

Bring on this guy. Go Anals

Lets Go Anals!

 

[MW6]

Any chance that 8th OA for Gabe Vilardi is a viable option?

He's RFA, Kings are pretty tight against the cap, have a stocked pipeline with prospects. has a great shot and score a lot from the high slot with one timers and tips. Great along the boards, high hockey IQ, decent size.. scored 23 goals in 63 games. Could be the successor of Oshie on the powerplay. His GvA/60 would be 2nd on the Caps trailing only Hathaway.

 

[um]

Any chance that 8th OA for Gabe Vilardi is a viable option?

He's RFA, Kings are pretty tight against the cap, have a stocked pipeline with prospects. has a great shot and score a lot from the high slot with one timers and tips. Great along the boards, high hockey IQ, decent size.. scored 23 goals in 63 games. Could be the successor of Oshie on the powerplay. His GvA/60 would be 2nd on the Caps trailing only Hathaway.

I’d be very wary of a team getting rid of a highly touted prospect that young.

 

[MW6]

I’d be very wary of a team getting rid of a highly touted prospect that young.

I'd say that they more likely are being forced to move him because of cap issues then getting rid of him. I'm more curious what you guys think value-wise and fit?
They have 18 players signed with 7,5M in cap space and need a 2LD to replace Gavrikov. Their top-6 is pretty set with Fiala, Moore, Iafallo and Kempe signed longterm.And that's not even mentioning Arvidsson who could be the one they have to sacrifice to afford everyone otherwise. And Arvidsson played on their 1st line most of the season.

 

[um]

I'd say that they more likely are being forced to move him because of cap issues then getting rid of him. I'm more curious what you guys think value-wise and fit?
They have 18 players signed with 7,5M in cap space and need a 2LD to replace Gavrikov. Their top-6 is pretty set with Fiala, Moore, Iafallo and Kempe signed longterm.And that's not even mentioning Arvidsson who could be the one they have to sacrifice to afford everyone otherwise. And Arvidsson played on their 1st line most of the season.

I don’t really know what the Kings plans are, but I’d be surprised if keeping Vilardi isn’t a priority.

 

[Silky mitts]

Hunh. Fridgeman says on the latest 32T that the Caps were in 'deep' talks with Babcock when they decided on Lavi.

The first time he was on NHL Tonight after Lavi left he described it as
Carbery

Halpern
Brunette
was the initial list, maybe he said someone else but he emphasized interest in Carbery then mentioned Halpernm and Brunette in passing

 

[Corby78]

Bring on this guy. Go Anals

That’s a better looking home sweater than what we currently have. Fix the shoulders and I’m on board

 

[HTFN]

That’s a better looking home sweater than what we currently have. Fix the shoulders and I’m on board

Honestly a handful of those jerseys are pretty sweet. Dallas and Philly both got nice clean looks there, and I love this Panthers logo:

 

[Acallabeth]

HF needs to make these mascots into stickers or something. Funniest stuff.

 

[Marshall]

The Sabres Mascot...there is no life in those eyes.

 

[Serial_Derecho]

Good to see Howard the Duck is still around, even if he has put on a few pounds the last couple decades.

 

[marcel snapshot]

I don't know about Brunette. He got seriously out-coached by Lavi in that 2022 series, but the Caps refused to accept the series that Florida seemed intent on handing to them. And then he got even more out-coached by Cooper in that sweep.

I think Halpern's tutelage under Cooper and experience of going to the Cup final 3 years in a row with the Bolts gives him a pretty big edge over Brunette - particularly given the way that Tampa can play so many different styles depending on what the situation dictates.

I don't see the Caps immediately transitioning (or maybe ever fully doing so) to being a relentlessly up-temp, swarming, pressure team - but they need to add the capability to play that way in spots to their toolbox. I think Halpern's experience with Tampa could be useful for that.