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

[ArmadilloThumb]

Looks official! Yay!!

Capitals Name Spencer Carbery Head Coach | Washington Capitals

GM Brian MacLellan and Carbery will be available to the media on Thursday, June 1, at District E at 11 a.m.

www.nhl.com

 

[Jags]

The insurer is gonna want proof before paying out $9M a year to a guy who's claiming he can't do the job.

Does it have to be an insurance issue? I'm genuinely asking.

Is it against the rules somehow for Backstrom to qualify for LTIR and the team just pays his salary without filing a claim? I don't get the sense that Ted would be chintzy about paying Nick, just that he'd prefer not to have the cap hit.

I'm not saying that he wouldn't maybe try to get insurance to cover it, but if it's that dodgy a proposition, he could just opt to pay the guy, right? Does LTIR require insurance and the investigations that may come with it? Not sure I've ever heard that part of it explained.

What Nick is doing is largely unprecedented. Qualifying for LTIR shouldn't be complicated, but if insurance claims are mandatory somehow, it goes straight to being an issue of legality.

 

[Calicaps]

Does it have to be an insurance issue? I'm genuinely asking.

Is it against the rules somehow for Backstrom to qualify for LTIR and the team just pays his salary without filing a claim? I don't get the sense that Ted would be chintzy about paying Nick, just that he'd prefer not to have the cap hit.

I'm not saying that he wouldn't maybe try to get insurance to cover it, but if it's that dodgy a proposition, he could just opt to pay the guy, right? Does LTIR require insurance and the investigations that may come with it? Not sure I've ever heard that part of it explained.

What Nick is doing is largely unprecedented. Qualifying for LTIR shouldn't be complicated, but if insurance claims are mandatory somehow, it goes straight to being an issue of legality.

It is unprecedented, and if he can't play safely, then there's no issue: He's LTIR. But if there's no medical reason he can't play, then he's not a candidate for injured reserve. But also yes. The team isn't gonna pay $9M a year for a guy who can't play without making an insurance claim. Would be super stupid.

 

[kicksavedave]

Does it have to be an insurance issue? I'm genuinely asking.

Is it against the rules somehow for Backstrom to qualify for LTIR and the team just pays his salary without filing a claim? I don't get the sense that Ted would be chintzy about paying Nick, just that he'd prefer not to have the cap hit.

I'm not saying that he wouldn't maybe try to get insurance to cover it, but if it's that dodgy a proposition, he could just opt to pay the guy, right? Does LTIR require insurance and the investigations that may come with it? Not sure I've ever heard that part of it explained.

What Nick is doing is largely unprecedented. Qualifying for LTIR shouldn't be complicated, but if insurance claims are mandatory somehow, it goes straight to being an issue of legality.

I doubt there is any law or NHL rule which says a team MUST file an insurance claim. It would be a little sus if the team tried to LTIR him for cap relief, but pay his salary without a claim as it would look like there isn't really a medical issue. As @Calicaps says, it would be stupid, but not illegal.

There is the open question of "Can he play at all" vs "Can he play at a level that merits his high salary". One is worthy of LTIR and one is not. I believe he has to fail a physical to qualify for LTIR and he's already been playing, so unless he has a mysterious setback, he's not a legit candidate for LTIR at all.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Caps are not going to eat Backstrom’s salary in a scenario where they decide to just not to file a claim. It’s either legit and they will go through insurance, or he will play IMO.

 

[Holtbyisms]

He has stated in no uncertain terms over and over for years now that he will not be part of a rebuild. All the folks here who keep thinking that either that will magically change or the organization will pursue a rebuild in spite of his wishes are dreaming. Neither of those things will happen. GMBM says what he means and does what he says and this is what he's said consistently: the front office is prepared to move aggressively to retool, including getting younger and faster, this summer.

What's he going to do, quit? I'm not saying firesale tank like what we did to get him, I'm just suggesting we actively continue to add assets while we staying remotely competitive but look to the future as the #1 goal. The coach they just hired showed their hand. Carbery wasn't hired to get them over the hump for one last hurrah. He's the coach of the future. I mean realistically we don't even have enough ammo for this aggressive retool to replace again vets with young fast stars. It's a pipedream. Our NHL assets are old and damaged goods and we have a bottom 5 prospect pipeline. There's just nothing there, the cupboard is bare. You can't squeeze water from a stone.

 

[Calicaps]

What's he going to do, quit? I'm not saying firesale tank like what we did to get him, I'm just suggesting we actively continue to add assets while we staying remotely competitive but look to the future as the #1 goal. The coach they just hired showed their hand. Carbery wasn't hired to get them over the hump for one last hurrah. He's the coach of the future. I mean realistically we don't even have enough ammo for this aggressive retool to replace again vets with young fast stars. It's a pipedream. Our NHL assets are old and damaged goods and we have a bottom 5 prospect pipeline. There's just nothing there, the cupboard is bare. You can't squeeze water from a stone.

Disagree about "showing their hand." They are doing absolutely what they've said they would. Younger, faster... not just players, but also style of play.

As for Ovie, he wants a shot at a championship. So yeah, I think he'd ask to be traded. He wouldn't want to leave but if the Caps aren't striving to win, he will.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Disagree about "showing their hand." They are doing absolutely what they've said they would. Younger, faster... not just players, but also style of play.

As for Ovie, he wants a shot at a championship. So yeah, I think he'd ask to be traded. He wouldn't want to leave but if the Caps aren't striving to win, he will.

I think he would quietly ask for a trade if he’s not going to sniff the playoffs the next few years, maybe whatever time he’s got left in the NHL. Can’t be an exciting idea for him.

 

[Jags]

As @Calicaps says, it would be stupid, but not illegal.

I'm not sure about the stupid part. If NHL's LTIR and player insurance have zero connection, then it's two systems with their own rules. So long as Backstrom is on board, LTIR should be a breeze. That part is moot.

While getting off the hook for the cap hit should be easy, gaming an insurance company for ten figures isn't. So the idea that LTIRetiring a player and not filing an insurance claim is stupid doesn't really track. LTIR won't require the intense medical scrutiny you guys were alluding to above, and it's not illegal. Insurance fraud of that magnitude would require that scrutiny, and is absolutely illegal.

Stupid to not file a claim just to see if they'll cover it? Sure. But also stupid to lie to try and defend that claim if it's disputed and you know it's bullshit.

I'm not sure there's ever actually been a dodgy LTIRetirement. Hossa's thing only sounds nutty if you really want it to. The nitty gritty explanation holds water; it's just weird. And if was written somewhere that insurance covered it, then it was probably legit.

 

[twabby]

Mantha on the list. His buyout would be a $1.37M cap hit next year and $2.17M the following year.

I don't really like this option for reasons already discussed, and especially if he can be utilized on a revamped power play now that we know Carbery is coming in.

 

[discobob]

I don't think I've seen one negative comment about him here, so if he's hired and crashes and burns at some point nobody will be able to atodaso

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Mantha on the list. His buyout would be a $1.37M cap hit next year and $2.17M the following year.

I don't really like this option for reasons already discussed, and especially if he can be utilized on a revamped power play now that we know Carbery is coming in.

No thanks to a Mantha buy out. Also don’t think they should attach assets to move him. Even if he stinks they can retain 50% at the TDL and someone will want him for depth.

I have been more of a Mantha supporter than most and think he’s been really unlucky since he’s been here. I’d like to see him get one more bite at the apple since he should be pretty motivated to be playing for his next contract.

 

[Calicaps]

No thanks to a Mantha buy out. Also don’t think they should attach assets to move him. Even if he stinks they can retain 50% at the TDL and someone will want him for depth.

I have been more of a Mantha supporter than most and think he’s been really unlucky since he’s been here. I’d like to see him get one more bite at the apple since he should be pretty motivated to be playing for his next contract.

Mac has consistently said that buyouts aren't a strategy they're interested in. This is just clickbait to me. If they can't trade him for some kind of return, he'll be on the roster come October.

 

[kicksavedave]

Mac has consistently said that buyouts aren't a strategy they're interested in. This is just clickbait to me. If they can't trade him for some kind of return, he'll be on the roster come October.

This. One thing we may all agree on is that PL did not "get the most out of each player" as the old sports cliché goes. Here's hoping Spencer Carburetor can get them all running at peak performance. If Mantha and Kuzy can return to something close to their own optimum play, the team will be competitive.

 

[YippieKaey]

What are the odds of Suzdalev getting a couple of NHL games in 23/24?

 

[Rayquaza64]

What are the odds of Suzdalev getting a couple of NHL games in 23/24?

less than 5%. Obviously never going to say never but would have to adapt to the pro game very well.

 

[Brian23]

Yeah, I'd much rather hear that Miro and Suzdalev are playing every game in Hershey next year. I can only imagine wanting them to play next year, assuming they aren't already him, is if the team is so far ahead in a playoff race they can give them some minutes or they're so far into the tank that they want to give the kids a shot.

 

[OV Rocks]

Yeah, I'd much rather hear that Miro and Suzdalev are playing every game in Hershey next year. I can only imagine wanting them to play next year, assuming they aren't already him, is if the team is so far ahead in a playoff race they can give them some minutes or they're so far into the tank that they want to give the kids a shot.

Could be a fun year in Hershey with Lapierre, Miro, Suzdalev, and Iorio

 

[trick9]

Buying out Mantha is risky for an GM. You can be made to look like an idiot if he is bought out and signs a 1-year 'prove it' contract to a team like the Oilers (where i think he'd go) and explodes there. I think no doubt he's still capable of producing points and putting him with top players in favourable situation could lead to a good season. GMBM is already drawing some criticism for paying the premium to acquire him.

I think they should shop him and hope someone bites. If they don't, just keep him and at worst flip him for an asset at the TDL with salary retention. Hope that Carbery can get more out of him.

 

[HecticGlow]

I don’t see a scenario in which Backstrom goes on permanent LTIR unless either his condition genuinely deteriorates (E.g. further injury or more surgery required) or he decides to call it a day. Nicky has made it clear he thinks he can be better next year and isn’t ready to call it a day - for the Caps to even try to LTIR him would result in a claim by the NHLPA they’d lose.

Basically Nick is here until he decides not to be. Dreamed up rosters that don’t have Nick in the lineup are not realistic in my view.

Nick at 3C and special teams is hardly a hindrance to the team anyway, so the bigger question is where do you find a Kuzy replacement. There are no proven 1Cs available. Does PLD or someone put them into contention? I’m not sure it does.

The wildcard is CMM or Protas at center playing for Carbery, although again I’d keep expectations pretty low.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Seeing Protas is playing wing on Lappys line in Hershey I dont think hes a center option. Could be a bottom 6 wing who can fill in at center in a pinch.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

They are not buying Mantha out.

 

[YippieKaey]

less than 5%. Obviously never going to say never but would have to adapt to the pro game very well.

Mm. I think i'd want to see him for a few games in an ultra-sheltered 3rd line role. Good size and good hands. Would be cool if he could get a sense of the tempo and temperature of the big league.

After all, he did manage to get Bedard ranked as the #1 draft pick

 

[StrikingDistance]

They are not buying Mantha out.

I hope not. This board needs a solid whipping boy and the drama it creates so I can come here and be entertained everyday.

 

[YippieKaey]

Mantha-Protas- Wilson could be a fun beefy line.

Followed by Ovi-Bäcky-Oshie as the energy line haha.