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

[HandsomeTom43]

Holding on to Mantha is probably the best asset management for him. Maybe he breaks out this year and we trade him at the deadline for some picks. Worst-case scenario is, his contract comes off the books after this year so, a way to perceive it is an internal cap dump.

If we can't trade him or Kuzy, I don't see a significant roster upgrade, meaning we will probably miss the playoffs again, so trading Mantha at the deadline could be the best we can hope for this upcoming season.

 

[twabby]

So what center moves to wing? Strome?

The only thing the lineup accomplishes is to see what Carberry can do for them. I also do not believe that lineup contends for anything.

We are running out the clock at this point. Until Backstrom decides anything, we should be planning for the future.

If there is no taker for Kuznetsov in a trade (even if for pennies on the dollar) I'd move him to wing. His defense-optional approach to the game could potentially be mitigated a bit there.

I hope that Carbery does a lot of good for them. I'm extremely encouraged by the staff he is putting together and what he's been saying. But there needs to be a serious roster overhaul this offseason regardless of their approach: going for it, retooling, and rebuilding all require a different look than what you posted.

For what it's worth I think it's fair to consider a rebuild, if that's what your "planning for the future" statement means. But again in that case this lineup makes no sense. Wilson should be gone if a rebuild is the true next step. Dowd should probably be gone. Oshie, if possible, should be gone. A conversation with Ovechkin about playing on a rebuilding team would need to be had, and if it's not something he's interested in they'd need to consider moving him. McMichael should definitely have a spot in the lineup.

The lineup you listed doesn't really accomplish anything, even beginning a rebuild, which is why it would be incredibly disappointing.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

If they can’t trade Kuzy or Mantha then they should try moving Oshie. I love him but his salary is high for what he brings at this point and I fear he may be often injured. They need to inject youth into this line-up and if everyone comes back they will neither be building for the future, nor competing in the present. It would just be a waste of time.

And if they can’t move any salary out that is not only a product of the cap situation but also BMac’s handing bad contracts out and not moving Kuzy a year ago. The dude has been inconsistent and you could predict this sh*t would happen again with him.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

They can’t move Kuzy, Mantha or Oshie.


If there’s one blunder I’m pissed about with GMBM, it’s not trading that shitbrick Loafnetsov after his bounce back season. Colossal failure.

 

[um]

I really don’t want to watch another season of Kuzy giving no effort whatsoever.

When someone tells you who they are, believe them. Trade him for whatever you can, if it’s a 7th round pick, so be it.

 

[um]

If they can’t trade Kuzy or Mantha then they should try moving Oshie. I love him but his salary is high for what he brings at this point and I fear he may be often injured. They need to inject youth into this line-up and if everyone comes back they will neither be building for the future, nor competing in the present. It would just be a waste of time.

And if they can’t move any salary out that is not only a product of the cap situation but also BMac’s handing bad contracts out and not moving Kuzy a year ago. The dude has been inconsistent and you could predict this sh*t would happen again with him.

If someone really wants Oshie than sure, but I fear he may cost a lot to get rid of.

I don’t mind Oshie being around for the integration of young players, he seems like a natural leader and plays with the heart of a lion.

And if the Caps do happen to make playoffs, I want Oshie on my team.

I’ll admit I’m a little biased, Oshie is my #2 favourite Cap of all time. I’ll miss him when he’s gone.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

If someone really wants Oshie than sure, but I fear he may cost a lot to get rid of.

I don’t mind Oshie being around for the integration of young players, he seems like a natural leader and plays with the heart of a lion.

And if the Caps do happen to make playoffs, I want Oshie on my team.

I’ll admit I’m a little biased, Oshie is my #2 favourite Cap of all time. I’ll miss him when he’s gone.

I hear ya. Oshie has been fantastic over the course of his tenure and certainly has a lot to offer in terms of intangibles. However, the team needs a facelift and if Mantha/Kuzy are so bad that they can’t move them, you need to try to move some salary in other ways. There are just too many bad contracts on this team at this point. They will probably have to add a sweetener to move a guy like Oshie but I don’t see many other options.

 

[um]

I hear ya. Oshie has been fantastic over the course of his tenure and certainly has a lot to offer in terms of intangibles. However, the team needs a facelift and if Mantha/Kuzy are so bad that they can’t move them, you need to try to move some salary in other ways. There are just too many bad contracts on this team at this point. They will probably have to add a sweetener to move a guy like Oshie but I don’t see many other options.

Can’t argue this, you’re right.

God I hope someone takes Kuzy instead.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

A player doesn't have to be in bidding war to be traded. Teams could be interested in Kuzy but are considering multiple options. Or low-balling.

Deal options might emerge closer to, or during, draft day - possibly during the 5 minutes a team is on the block, especially if teams had their draft target go early/other trades set off dominoes.

Anything can happen.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

A player doesn't have to be in bidding war to be traded. Teams could be interested in Kuzy but are considering multiple options. Or low-balling.

Deal options might emerge closer to, or during, draft day - possibly during the 5 minutes a team is on the block, especially if teams had their draft target go early/other trades set off dominoes.

Anything can happen.

From your mouth to the Hockey God’s ears.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I’m (non-religiously) praying some team changes their mind and that GMBM hasn’t given up trying to move 92.

 

[zappa4ever]

I vote for --
a contender going down early in RS with injuries to both their 1C and 2C's giving GMBM oppty to sling Kuz for something decent
(don't see anything worthy being offered this summer)

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I vote for --
a contender going down early in RS with injuries to both their 1C and 2C's giving GMBM oppty to sling Kuz for something decent
(don't see anything worthy being offered this summer)

I could live with that but I just don’t see how they can square rolling with the same line-up next year after the burning dumpster of a season they just had. I love Carbery but hard to ask a rookie coach to mold that crap into something competitive. People can hate on Lavi all day but he didn’t have a ton to work with. Lots of old dudes who are often injured is tough for anyone.

 

[SherVaughn30]

Leonsis selling 5% of monument to Qatar

f*** that

Not cool Ted

Ted probably wants an exhibition game played there or somethin. He thinks he's a marketing genius, but ignores to take care of the little details...

 

[trick9]

It's a poor year to be trading struggling center. Usually there aren't really any in the market. This summer there are lots of them on the market. PLD, Scheifele and potentially Lindholm are all players teams likely take over Kuznetsov. Even in the FA class there are Max Domi, ROR and JT Compher who are likely better value unless some team is certain Kuznetsov will rebound. Even Johansen was dumped for nothing despite full retention.

Tough market. What makes it next to impossible is the no-trade list Kuznetsov has. Team like Winnipeg or Calgary could be a fit after trading their centers but hard to believe Kuznetsov agrees to go there. That protection also likely rules out Blue Jackets and Coyotes who've had some interest in the past.

Maybe there is a team that shakes out after losing out on all of those players but that’s likely not happening for a while and i don't think the return is going to be much of anything.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

It's a poor year to be trading struggling center. Usually there aren't really any in the market. This summer there are lots of them on the market. PLD, Scheifele and potentially Lindholm are all players teams likely take over Kuznetsov. Even in the FA class there are Max Domi, ROR and JT Compher who are likely better value unless some team is certain Kuznetsov will rebound. Even Johansen was dumped for nothing despite full retention.

Tough market. What makes it next to impossible is the no-trade list Kuznetsov has. Team like Winnipeg or Calgary could be a fit after trading their centers but hard to believe Kuznetsov agrees to go there. That protection also likely rules out Blue Jackets and Coyotes who've had some interest in the past.

Maybe there is a team that shakes out after losing out on all of those players but that’s likely not happening for a while and i don't think the return is going to be much of anything.

The return is cap space and not having a dude who doesn’t want to be there on the team.

 

[Rayquaza64]

The return is cap space and not having a dude who doesn’t want to be there on the team.

and also a potential center spot for a potential top prospect

 

[Ridley Simon]

Doesn’t speak too well as to what Kuznetsov may be worth either.

They got nothing, and ate 50% for two years.

Might be best to hold with Kuzy for now.

Ryan Johansen has never had Kuznetsov’s scoring prowess or offensive abilities.

Apples and Oranges

 

[Kalopsia]

Ryan Johansen has never had Kuznetsov’s scoring prowess or offensive abilities.

Apples and Oranges

Yeah, Johansen's coming off a season where he had 28 points in 55 games before getting a season-ending leg injury in February. He's been bad for a while too - over the last four seasons he averages out to a 49 point pace. Kuzy over the same span averages out to a 66 point pace and has no injury history to speak of. They're equally useless defensively, although at least Kuzy has PKing on his resume now. Kuzy should be significantly more valuable, although significantly more valuable than a guy who just got traded with 50% retention for a pending UFA AHLer may still not be a lot. I agree with @trick9 that with guys like PLD, Scheifele, and Lindholm seemingly available, plus lower tier guys line Backlund and Hayes, the center trade market is about as saturated as I can ever remember. Kuzy picked a really bad time to have a down year. Hopefully MacLellan's in contact with the Kings trying to undercut whatever Winnipeg's asking for for PLD.

 

[Random schmoe]

Anyone know if the official Caps store at Verizon Center has ever sold, or might be expected to sell, Hershey stuff? Wouldn't mind picking up something (jersey, hat, whatever) celebrating the Calder Cup if it's easy.

 

[swansonsays]

Anyone know if the official Caps store at Verizon Center has ever sold, or might be expected to sell, Hershey stuff? Wouldn't mind picking up something (jersey, hat, whatever) celebrating the Calder Cup if it's easy.

Not sure about the Caps store, but the AHL website has some gear. Decent (not great) quality shirts & stuff. Better than the Fanatics NHL stuff. $9 shipping isn't too bad, either.

 

[Random schmoe]

Not sure about the Caps store, but the AHL website has some gear. Decent (not great) quality shirts & stuff. Better than the Fanatics NHL stuff. $9 shipping isn't too bad, either.

Thanks. Quality of items was the main reason I was thinking an in-person store, so I could check them out. (And I work close to CapOne, so it's easy to walk over at lunch.)

Edit to add I just realized this thread was the wrong thread, but given multiple posts I'll leave it here and move on.

 

[Corby78]

I don’t want any part of keeping Kuzy but getting rid of Oshie. If you want kids to be on this roster you need leadership in the room to age them correctly. Do you want McMike and Lappie learning from Kuzy how to go through a season? Or learning from Mantha how to give effort on a nightly basis? I don’t, I want them to learn from guys like Wilson and TJ.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I don’t want any part of keeping Kuzy but getting rid of Oshie. If you want kids to be on this roster you need leadership in the room to age them correctly. Do you want McMike and Lappie learning from Kuzy how to go through a season? Or learning from Mantha how to give effort on a nightly basis? I don’t, I want them to learn from guys like Wilson and TJ.

So let’s just rebuild in that case. I mean let’s wait to see how the summer goes first but if what people are saying is true that they won’t be able to move any salary then you might as well rebuild because bringing back the exact same roster from last year is a waste of everyone’s time.

 

[Calicaps]

All this hand-wringing about Kuzy and Mantha being untradeable is silly at this stage. Yes some trades have happened. But the Cup finals just finished and we're not even at the draft, let alone free agency. It's June. The season is still 3 months away.