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

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trick9

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I’m going to continue to push and try and get more in my camp that for the right price I feel like the caps should really pursue Bertuzzi.

I feel like he’d be a great add for the caps next year.
Yeah... top UFA's don't come for the right price.
 
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g00n

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Yeah it kicks ass!

*twabby looks at calendar. Sees "Caps eliminated?" circled next to "BEGIN OFFSEASON SHITPOSTING"*

TRADE WILSON!
GET RID OF FIGHTING!
GET RID OF HITTING!
DEFENSEMEN NEVER IMPROVE!
ALL GMS AND COACHES ARE TERRIBLE COMPARED TO ME!
STATS!!!!


lol
 
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Devil Dancer

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Gonna float this out there….what if GMBM has put out feelers and tried to move the obvious choices from the roster and nobody is biting, even for future of any notable value?

If they can’t move any of the obvious options, all we have left is limited UFA moves or other trades. We very well could be looking at another top-10 pick next year if they can’t make meaningful additions to the lineup.
I realize I'm more pessimistic than most, but this is my expectation. They'll add a Boesser type player and it won't be enough to significantly elevate the team. They'll sell a little at the deadline again and end up picking 8-12.

Prove me wrong GMBM!
 

twabby

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I realize I'm more pessimistic than most, but this is my expectation. They'll add a Boesser type player and it won't be enough to significantly elevate the team. They'll sell a little at the deadline again and end up picking 8-12.

Prove me wrong GMBM!

I think it's possible they can't strike good deals for Kuznetsov and Mantha in particular. Kuznetsov has the ability to be a 1B/2A type center but I wouldn't blame other teams for not paying for a mystery box type player. And Mantha isn't going to get the Capitals much no matter what, one would think.

With Backstrom's level of performance also a huge question mark I think they might be wise to step back this year, or at least don't be aggressive to the point of making regrettable moves. Boeser would be an example of such a move, or any of the UFAs Tarik listed in his recent athletic article.

After this year Mantha's contract expires, Kuznetsov and Oshie will be a year from UFA, the UFA class should be much better, and there should be clarity with Backstrom going forward. And maybe the #8 pick if they keep it could be ready in 24-25 depending on who falls to them. The downside of course is that Ovechkin isn't going to keep being effective forever, so not being aggressive this year could backfire if he can't keep it up. But I think weighing it against other factors I'd lean toward being conservative this year and then going for it again the following year.
 

Ovechkins Wodka

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I think it's possible they can't strike good deals for Kuznetsov and Mantha in particular. Kuznetsov has the ability to be a 1B/2A type center but I wouldn't blame other teams for not paying for a mystery box type player. And Mantha isn't going to get the Capitals much no matter what, one would think.

With Backstrom's level of performance also a huge question mark I think they might be wise to step back this year, or at least don't be aggressive to the point of making regrettable moves. Boeser would be an example of such a move, or any of the UFAs Tarik listed in his recent athletic article.

After this year Mantha's contract expires, Kuznetsov and Oshie will be a year from UFA, the UFA class should be much better, and there should be clarity with Backstrom going forward. And maybe the #8 pick if they keep it could be ready in 24-25 depending on who falls to them. The downside of course is that Ovechkin isn't going to keep being effective forever, so not being aggressive this year could backfire if he can't keep it up. But I think weighing it against other factors I'd lean toward being conservative this year and then going for it again the following year.
Since when did Ovie ever need a Baby sitter. His shot will still be there and he will be in the office for the PP. The idea he can’t function without his band of washed up super friends is laughable.
 
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SecretaryofDefense5

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I think it's possible they can't strike good deals for Kuznetsov and Mantha in particular. Kuznetsov has the ability to be a 1B/2A type center but I wouldn't blame other teams for not paying for a mystery box type player. And Mantha isn't going to get the Capitals much no matter what, one would think.

With Backstrom's level of performance also a huge question mark I think they might be wise to step back this year, or at least don't be aggressive to the point of making regrettable moves. Boeser would be an example of such a move, or any of the UFAs Tarik listed in his recent athletic article.

After this year Mantha's contract expires, Kuznetsov and Oshie will be a year from UFA, the UFA class should be much better, and there should be clarity with Backstrom going forward. And maybe the #8 pick if they keep it could be ready in 24-25 depending on who falls to them. The downside of course is that Ovechkin isn't going to keep being effective forever, so not being aggressive this year could backfire if he can't keep it up. But I think weighing it against other factors I'd lean toward being conservative this year and then going for it again the following year.
If they were to be conservative that would go against what BMac has said and what the orgs agreement with Ovechkin was. I don’t think that happens.
 

twabby

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If they were to be conservative that would go against what BMac has said and what the orgs agreement with Ovechkin was. I don’t think that happens.

I tend to agree with you especially since I’m not sure GMBM would be guaranteed to keep his job if they miss the postseason again next year.

But if there aren’t good deals out there with the limited assets Washington does have and there are no good UFAs to sign how exactly do they get better?

They have to give to get so who are they giving in order to get true upgrades? I doubt Kuznetsov returns much. Same with Mantha.
 

Ovechkins Wodka

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IMG_4018.png


The 1 2 and 4 pick in the 2014 draft. This is like a hockey futures master class. Oh then trading for Matty Ice.
 

ArmadilloThumb

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I doubt Kuznetsov returns much. Same with Mantha.

Have to disagree here. GMBM's job is to make the case that Kuzy will thrive in your team's setting for reasons a, b, c, etc... there are scenarios out there where that can be true.

Mantha may be a harder sell right now (but maybe not). He may fetch more after a few good months with a new coach/system.

I hope we are all pleasantly surprised by GMBM power of persuasion....
 

Holtbyisms

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I realize I'm more pessimistic than most, but this is my expectation. They'll add a Boesser type player and it won't be enough to significantly elevate the team. They'll sell a little at the deadline again and end up picking 8-12.

Prove me wrong GMBM!
Agree, I'm getting that same vibe. Here's to hoping that it leads to the real red tank the following year for Michael Misa as we watch Ovi take #1 away from Wayne.
 

Langway

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It's probably still too early for the trade market to have fully formed. But they may need to wait until late July or August to move 92/39 (92 more likely I'd wager). Maybe uncertainty forces them to move Oshie first to get younger/faster and add more flexibility. Maybe in time it's more of a swap of diminished assets, like Ryan Johansen for Kuznetsov with other depth pieces added. Primarily targeting value and looking within for solutions wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. They do have some players on the cusp. Beck Malenstyn certainly should graduate to 4LW as a physical energy PKer alongside Dowd. McMichael's time should come somewhere in the middle six, albeit maybe still not at center. The two won't move the needle too much individually but it's a process.

The coaching hire is the big priority nailing and adopting a consistent longer game mentality. They're going to have to be very resourceful maximizing what they have and integrating new faces while ideally seeking to play a crisper style. There's likely considerable room for growth 5v5 offensively given all that's been proven historically re: Lavi's effect on teams offensively over the years. It's probably not in itself enough to bounce back as much as they'll need and team defense on paper also may not quite be where it needs to be. If they could move on from Mantha, re-sign Orlov to a team-friendly deal and just make a value play or two up front it may be enough to be in the mix. They may have no other choice but to remain a big move away from being more formidable.

As far as the landscape in the East goes...you've got to figure FLA, TBL, TOR, CAR and NJD should be considered playoff locks next year. You never know with injuries but they're favorites. Then perhaps three spots for BOS, NYR, PIT, NYI, WSH, BUF and OTT. It promises to be a bloodbath. Four may not make it and BUF/OTT in particular are younger teams poised to improve. DET also has flexibility to be aggressive and more squarely get into the mix. There's perhaps a lot of turnover coming in BOS, a coaching change for NYR and management changes in PIT. That may open the door some if those mixes don't come together. If the Caps are able to finesse their way through some issues and manage to be greater-than-the-sum-of-their-parts with good health maybe they're back in the mix. You'd figure one way or another they'll move on from at least one $5M+ player, if not two or three, and put out a different look. They don't have a wealth of assets...but at times simple cap space is enough to pounce on an opportunity. They shouldn't spend for the sake of it, esp. on the wing for a less complete style player. They need goal-scoring but I doubt it's really worth going after a Boeser type. Sort out the rest to a higher degree and then maybe such a finishing piece could be contemplated. They mostly need to sort the center position but with 19 up in the air it promises to be a lingering issue no matter what. Fair to wonder just how aggressive they should be elsewhere if that position remains substandard.
 

SecretaryofDefense5

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I tend to agree with you especially since I’m not sure GMBM would be guaranteed to keep his job if they miss the postseason again next year.

But if there aren’t good deals out there with the limited assets Washington does have and there are no good UFAs to sign how exactly do they get better?

They have to give to get so who are they giving in order to get true upgrades? I doubt Kuznetsov returns much. Same with Mantha.
I am guessing you would have to move Kuzy and/or Mantha for players who need new scenery (e.g. Ryan Johansen or someone along those lines). Will it really move the needle? Maybe not. I’d move Kuzy if only because his posture towards of the end of last year sure seemed like a guy who doesn’t want to be here anymore. If a guy wants out, jettison him. That can eventually start to poison the room.
 

Brian23

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Dec 3, 2011
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I can understand being apprehensive about the draft, as they haven't really picked any Superstars in a long time (though I think they've done well, but that's another argument) but I'm not sure why anyone would be apprehensive about who GMBM is going to acquire in free agency or particularly the trade.

A guy like Boeser just does not fit his MO, and would feel closer to an Erat like trade from him. I don't expect he's afraid for his job right now or I can't imagine Ted would be letting him make these decisions.

Like, his only real year swinging big was the year we signed Niskanen and Orpik and as much as I had sticker shock on both they were still extremely and undebatably valuable to this franchise. Niskanen well out playing his contract during his time too.
 
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YippieKaey

How you gonna do hockey like that?
Apr 2, 2012
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What do we have?

A surefire 40/50 goal scorer
A great PP quarterback
A two way power forward winger
A good to great goalie
A promising fairly young D who played well for us
A decent but aging defensive core

So what we need is young, quick and hardworking guys and a playmaking center. Boeser, Bertuzzi etc are not the solutions.
 

Ridley Simon

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I brought up RyJo for Kuz a few weeks ago. It’s a serious possibility, IMO. Trotz knows the player (Kuz), and RyJo obv has the family connection.

Both players have 2yrs left on their contracts. Both players were born in 1992, 2mo or so apart
Both players make around 8m

That’s where the similarity ends. Kuz has been a more dynamic offensive presence. RyJo is a more complete player.

These 2 straight up. Wish Nashville retaining 3m a yr? Caps could add a draft pick for that retention number?

Then trade Mantha for whatever futures you can get.

Sigh Orlov to a 4yr /7m a season deal.
Being up McMichael and Protas full time (1.6m between the 2 of them.

Caps have 7.3m in space right now w 10F, 5D, and 2G. The moves above would leave them w 11F, 6D, and 2G ……. 7.4m or so in Cap space.

Would need 2F’s, 1D, and no G’s.
Fehervary is still an RFA, and guys like Malenstyn, Lapierre, Frank, and Pilon could vie for the F slots. Fever could be 7th signed defenseman.

So say they use 1.7m for Fever, 800k for another Hershey forward.

That leaves close to 5m to add another impact forward.

Ovechkin - Strome - Wilson
5m Forward - RyJo - Oshie
Milano - Backstrom - McMichael
Protas - Dowd - Malenstyn
Aube-Kubel

Orlov/Sandin - Carlson
Orlov/Sandin - Jensen
Fever - TVR
Alexeyev

Kuemper
Lindgren

So that’s my plan. LOL
 
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Holtbyisms

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I brought up RyJo for Kuz a few weeks ago. It’s a serious possibility, IMO. Trotz knows the player (Kuz), and RyJo obv has the family connection.

Both players have 2yrs left on their contracts. Both players were born in 1992, 2mo or so apart
Both players make around 8m

That’s where the similarity ends. Kuz has been a more dynamic offensive presence. RyJo is a more complete player.

These 2 straight up. Wish Nashville retaining 3m a yr? Caps could add a draft pick for that retention number?

Then trade Mantha for whatever futures you can get.

Sigh Orlov to a 4yr /7m a season deal.
Being up McMichael and Protas full time (1.6m between the 2 of them.

Caps have 7.3m in space right now w 10F, 5D, and 2G. The moves above would leave them w 11F, 6D, and 2G ……. 7.4m or so in Cap space.

Would need 2F’s, 1D, and no G’s
Fehervary is still and RFA, and guys like Malenstyn, Lapierre, Frank, and Pilon could VOE for the F slots. Fever could be 7th signed forward.

So say they use 1.7m for Fever, 800k for a Hershey forward.

That leaves close to 5m to add another impact forward.

Ovechkin - Strome - Wilson
5m Forward - RyJo - Oshie
Milano - Backstrom - McMichael
Protas - Dowd - Malenstyn
Aube-Kubel

Orlov/Sandin - Carlson
Orlov/Sandin - Jensen
Fever - TVR
Alexeyev

Kuemper
Lindgren

So that’s my plan. LOL
That's kind of where I see this going. Rather find a way for McMichael play C with kuzy going for a change of scenery winger instead of C. But similar thought process I guess. Not sure this makes us good enough to make any noise though but not a lot of other options to retool when you bag of tools is ready to be retired.
 

Langway

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Boeser is just 26. If we look at MacLellan's biggest additions of the past year--outside of goaltending--there's almost a sense of adding youth for the sake of it. They were value propositions but all below average skaters so no one's idea of younger legs. There's youthful energy, a determination to prove themselves and gain career security on a competitive team, but nothing that moved them forward in overall pace of play. There's theoretical upside to come but maybe not the fluidity to realize it at a high level. Adding a Boeser if that's all that's available wouldn't be that bad a move. It depends on the cost. It likely falls short of the mark but there's probably some remaining upside. It's probably not worth it as a priority project but he would fill a need while not locking them into term. With just one year left on his contract there's flexibility if it doesn't work. They could do worse, assuming VAN largely just wants to clear his salary. Not a central piece but they may need to bide their time for those.

RS: The issue with something like this is I wouldn't expect the pace of a middle six including Backstrom, Oshie, Milano and McMichael to do enough damage offensively or be firm enough defensively. It's still too soft. Adding Orlov back would be a good start for team D but it would need to be quite the value 2LW to tip the scales. Is there room for McMichael and Milano both? Backstrom and Oshie both? Moving out 92/39 is a good start but still doubtful a middle six along those lines is formidable enough. At the very least, more than other Hershey players, I'd want some PTOs ala Sheary/Milano to strengthen competition. It's very light.
 

trick9

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If we want to move Kuznetsov the last thing we should do is to move him for a lesser lazy talent who has a bigger cap hit.

I don't see a good defensive player there either. It's a guy who doesn't PK, starts 66% of his shifts on the offensive zone and had 28 points this season.

Hard pass. Even with how crappy the market would be i'd guess there are atleast 2 better options like moving Kuznetsov and retaining as much salary needed to do so + promoting McMichael or Protas or then just keeping Kuznetsov.

Acquiring Johansen would be fueling the red tank for the start of the season. And the season after that.
 

Ridley Simon

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Boeser is just 26. If we look at MacLellan's biggest additions of the past year--outside of goaltending--there's almost a sense of adding youth for the sake of it. They were value propositions but all below average skaters so no one's idea of younger legs. There's youthful energy, a determination to prove themselves and gain career security on a competitive team, but nothing that moved them forward in overall pace of play. There's theoretical upside to come but maybe not the fluidity to realize it at a high level. Adding a Boeser if that's all that's available wouldn't be that bad a move. It depends on the cost. It likely falls short of the mark but there's probably some remaining upside. It's probably not worth it as a priority project but he would fill a need while not locking them into term. With just one year left on his contract there's flexibility if it doesn't work. They could do worse, assuming VAN largely just wants to clear his salary. Not a central piece but they may need to bide their time for those.

RS: The issue with something like this is I wouldn't expect the pace of a middle six including Backstrom, Oshie, Milano and McMichael to do enough damage offensively or be firm enough defensively. It's still too soft. Adding Orlov back would be a good start for team D but it would need to be quite the value 2LW to tip the scales. Is there room for McMichael and Milano both? Backstrom and Oshie both? Moving out 92/39 is a good start but still doubtful a middle six along those lines is formidable enough. At the very least, more than other Hershey players, I'd want some PTOs ala Sheary/Milano to strengthen competition. It's very light.
There are some guys I’d love to trade for:
Boston has deBrusk
Calgary has Lindholm and Tofolli
Philadelphia has Konecny
Winnipeg has Scheifele, Ehlers and Schmidt

Just to name a few
 

SecretaryofDefense5

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Boeser is just 26. If we look at MacLellan's biggest additions of the past year--outside of goaltending--there's almost a sense of adding youth for the sake of it. They were value propositions but all below average skaters so no one's idea of younger legs. There's youthful energy, a determination to prove themselves and gain career security on a competitive team, but nothing that moved them forward in overall pace of play. There's theoretical upside to come but maybe not the fluidity to realize it at a high level. Adding a Boeser if that's all that's available wouldn't be that bad a move. It depends on the cost. It likely falls short of the mark but there's probably some remaining upside. It's probably not worth it as a priority project but he would fill a need while not locking them into term. With just one year left on his contract there's flexibility if it doesn't work. They could do worse, assuming VAN largely just wants to clear his salary. Not a central piece but they may need to bide their time for those.

RS: The issue with something like this is I wouldn't expect the pace of a middle six including Backstrom, Oshie, Milano and McMichael to do enough damage offensively or be firm enough defensively. It's still too soft. Adding Orlov back would be a good start for team D but it would need to be quite the value 2LW to tip the scales. Is there room for McMichael and Milano both? Backstrom and Oshie both? Moving out 92/39 is a good start but still doubtful a middle six along those lines is formidable enough. At the very least, more than other Hershey players, I'd want some PTOs ala Sheary/Milano to strengthen competition. It's very light.
If Backstrom is the 3C that line is going to struggle no matter who is on his wings. I’m guessing management needs to see that for one complete season before they try to convince Nick to go on LTIR.
 
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