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

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I disagree. I think that if he is not part of some bigger trade then Caps will have to part with some late picks in order to trade this useless plug with almost $6M salary.

It would be an abomination if they trade somebody like Oshie but keep this poor excuse for a hockey player.

Bro. Mantha will have good trade value at the deadline after we paid for almost all of his salary Eller just got us a second rounder.

The question is if we want to move him this off-season before the draft in free agency then we might have to take back salary.

 

[895]

Buying out Backstrom is so dumb.

Either he ltirs and you try to win.

Or he doesn't retire and you try to tank.

Buying him out is pointless because it just results in mediocrity.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I think this is where I am at with Mantha too. Certainly if his cap hit stands in the way of a legitimate upgrade I’d be open to moving him but I don’t think they should dump him to dump him.

Kuznetsov on the other hand? He’s gotta go. Find a true top 6 center.

It’s a pretty simple allocation of resources exercise. They have limited time, money, and assets to fix the team so they should go for the moves with the biggest impact. Move out Mantha, sure, if there’s a deal that makes sense but does it really matter when these two are your highest paid centers?

Kuznetsov should have to give Ted a refund on his salary this year. Embarrassing.

Edit: for those not familiar with player cards, red splotches = good on offense and bad on defense and blue splotches are the opposite. For Kuznetsov it essentially says he’s terrible at driving offense and he gets cratered in defensively, especially in the highest danger areas. Or to put it more simply, he’s a liability to the team.

Spoiler: Mantha player card

Spoiler: Kuznetsov player card

Spoiler: Backstrom player card

 

[crazy8888]

Bro. Mantha will have good trade value at the deadline after we paid for almost all of his salary Eller just got us a second rounder.

The question is if we want to move him this off-season before the draft in free agency then we might have to take back salary.

His cap hit for 2 more years for $6.5 per. What am i missign here?
You mean actual salary? Who cares, its all about the cap hit.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

His cap hit for 2 more years for $6.5 per. What am i missign here?
You mean actual salary? Who cares, its all about the cap hit.

If you’re talking about Mantha you’re mistaken. He has one year left on his deal — next season — with a $5.7M cap hit. I’m actually not sure who you’re talking about because nobody on the Caps has a $6.5M cap hit.

 

[crazy8888]

Buying out Backstrom is so dumb.

Either he ltirs and you try to win.

Or he doesn't retire and you try to tank.

Buying him out is pointless because it just results in mediocrity.

He has $18M left. Thats a very hefty buyout and yes totally agree that its not the right move to have so much dead cap space

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

His cap hit for 2 more years for $6.5 per. What am i missign here?
You mean actual salary? Who cares, its all about the cap hit.

That he’s only got one year left….

If you’re talking about Mantha you’re mistaken. He has one year left on his deal — next season — with a $5.7M cap hit. I’m actually not sure who you’re talking about because nobody on the Caps has a $6.5M cap hit.

6.5 is his real cash #….same as this most recent season.

 

[crazy8888]

That he’s only got one year left….



6.5 is his real cash #….same as this most recent season.

Right. My bad i was still counting 22-23 for some reason lol.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Right. My bad i was still counting 22-23 for some reason lol.

Hence his value being quite high at the deadline as a UFA pickup with no salary left

 

[crazy8888]

Hence his value being quite high at the deadline as a UFA pickup with no salary left

Still a $6.5 cap hit though, albeit for 1 year and not 2. Who will pay to have $6.5 player sitting in the stands or gently skating around the rink trying his best not to touch anything?

 

[twabby]

Still a $6.5 cap hit though, albeit for 1 year and not 2. Who will pay to have $6.5 player sitting in the stands or gently skating around the rink trying his best not to touch anything?

The cap hit is $5.7 million even if his salary is $6.5 million.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Still a $6.5 cap hit though, albeit for 1 year and not 2. Who will pay to have $6.5 player sitting in the stands or gently skating around the rink trying his best not to touch anything?

Yes I would. Trade him for a 2nd and 1/2 his salary retained at the deadline. Over trading picks or having to take a waiver wire player back like Craig Smith. He might even have more value then Eller (LOL) if he gets used right by new coaching staff.

 

[g00n]

Washington Capitals Reporter at The Washington Post | The Muse

Find our Washington Capitals Reporter job description for The Washington Post located in Washington, DC, as well as other career opportunities that the company is hiring for.

www.themuse.com

NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!

 

[twabby]

If Backstrom is back next year I really do struggle to see where McMichael fits in. There is no universe where he should be in Hershey next year because he's accomplished all he can there and needs to be on the big club next year.

However if Backstrom comes back next year the only real position available for McMichael would be 2C. I wouldn't be thrilled about a Strome/McMichael 1-2 punch down the middle, as much as I like both players. I guess the other option would be Backstrom at 2C and McMichael at 3C, which would basically kill any hope of the second line scoring goals.

Backstrom has earned the right to attempt to come back next year, but damn if his return isn't going to put the team into a huge bind in more ways than one unless he somehow turns back the clock. I'm generally an optimistic fellow, but it's hard to see a player entering his late 30s coming back from a major hip surgery and being anything other than what he has shown this year.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

CMM and Frank should 100% be on the team next season. I have high hopes for both making a nice leap next season So im not as worried about taking on bad contracts in UFA or Trade.

If we roll with what we got:
Ovie Strome Wilson
Frank CMM Sonny - Need for Speed line
Mantha Backy Oshie


Thats my top 3 lines next season. And yes that 3rd line would the highest paid 3rd line in salary cap history (Made up that stat but I bet it is right).

 

[Ovi895]

CMM and Frank should 100% be on the team next season. I have high hopes for both making a nice leap next season So im not as worried about taking on bad contracts in UFA or Trade.

If we roll with what we got:
Ovie Strome Wilson
Frank CMM Sonny - Need for Speed line
Mantha Backy Oshie


Thats my top 3 lines next season. And yes that 3rd line would the highest paid 3rd line in salary cap history (Made up that stat but I bet it is right).

Mantha needs to play offensive RW or moved/bought out. Its beyond dumb to keep Erating him when he literally has one above average NHL skill and one type of line combo/deployment that made him look like a player that got BMac to trade all that for him in the first place. Put him with CMM and hope CMM is a young speedy Larkin type that Mantha gelled with so well. To compensate for the 2nd and 3rd line being so wobbly have the 4th line be 3rd line caliber like Seattle's is with Geekie and Sprong

Ovi-Strome-Wilson
Milano-CMM-Mantha
Frank/Snively Backstrom Oshie
Snively/Frank Protas Dowd

That's probably the best zero effort lineup (dump Kuznetsov and don't bother bringing any new forwards from outside the org) they can put together next year. Roll 4 lines and hope every young player takes a step forward, Oshie and Backstrom hang in there and Mantha pulls together something similar to what he did in Detroit in his contract year

PS - Protas should 100% be at C imo, he's comfortable and effective there with his size and if there's a 5% chance he unlocks Tage Thompson mode there it would be absolutely game changing for the franchise

 

[crazy8888]

Yes I would. Trade him for a 2nd and 1/2 his salary retained at the deadline. Over trading picks or having to take a waiver wire player back like Craig Smith. He might even have more value then Eller (LOL) if he gets used right by new coaching staff.

So trade him next deadline and retain half his salary? I take it you are already convinced that no playoffs next year either?

The cap hit is $5.7 million even if his salary is $6.5 million.

My bad, your right i was looking at salary numbers. Still a high number for a player like him.

 

[usiel]

Washington Capitals Reporter at The Washington Post | The Muse

Find our Washington Capitals Reporter job description for The Washington Post located in Washington, DC, as well as other career opportunities that the company is hiring for.

www.themuse.com

NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!

Being a NHL beat writter for the WaPo does seem like a hockey fan dream job.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

If Backstrom is back next year I really do struggle to see where McMichael fits in. There is no universe where he should be in Hershey next year because he's accomplished all he can there and needs to be on the big club next year.

However if Backstrom comes back next year the only real position available for McMichael would be 2C. I wouldn't be thrilled about a Strome/McMichael 1-2 punch down the middle, as much as I like both players. I guess the other option would be Backstrom at 2C and McMichael at 3C, which would basically kill any hope of the second line scoring goals.

Backstrom has earned the right to attempt to come back next year, but damn if his return isn't going to put the team into a huge bind in more ways than one unless he somehow turns back the clock. I'm generally an optimistic fellow, but it's hard to see a player entering his late 30s coming back from a major hip surgery and being anything other than what he has shown this year.

I think putting McMichael at 2C is the most straightforward path to fixing things. If you swap out Kuznetsov with McMichael you may sacrifice some offense but you’re almost assuredly going to be stronger defensively and overall. Also, if they slot in McMichael then they are only trying to solve two open positions in the top six whereas if you look for another center outside the organization that’s three holes they have to fill.

Let’s say they can get Ehlers out of Winnipeg and they go with McMichael at 2C. Lines could look like I’ve listed below. If they can swap out Mantha for an upgrade then so be it but I’m not counting on it. McMichael would have two big wingers that can help create space for him. Put some speed on the wings with Backstrom to help him on that third line. Protect Oshie and make that fourth line a line that can score.

Regarding McMichael, I’m just tired of the organization shipping out young players because they want a quick fix. That’s why they are where they are. Give him a run and see what you got.

Ovi-Strome-Ehlers
Mantha-McMichael-Wilson
Milano-Backstrom-Frank
Protas-Dowd-Oshie

 

[crazy8888]

If you’re talking about Mantha you’re mistaken. He has one year left on his deal — next season — with a $5.7M cap hit. I’m actually not sure who you’re talking about because nobody on the Caps has a $6.5M cap hit.

I was looking at salary but thought it was cap hit. Thats my mistake. Even at $5.7 i stick by story

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

So trade him next deadline and retain half his salary? I take it you are already convinced that no playoffs next year either?

Why not retain? We already did it with every deadline trade we made this season. GMBM doesn’t care about Teds money if he’s allowed to spend to the cap and can make a better trade.

And on the playoffs… I think we have a lot of work to do and developing our young players is 1st step. I never said they can’t do it.

 

[twabby]

I think putting McMichael at 2C is the most straightforward path to fixing things. If you swap out Kuznetsov with McMichael you may sacrifice some offense but you’re almost assuredly going to be stronger defensively and overall. Also, if they slot in McMichael then they are only trying to solve two open positions in the top six whereas if you look for another center outside the organization that’s three holes they have to fill.

Let’s say they can get Ehlers out of Winnipeg and they go with McMichael at 2C. Lines could look like I’ve listed below. If they can swap out Mantha for an upgrade then so be it but I’m not counting on it. McMichael would have two big wingers that can help create space for him. Put some speed on the wings with Backstrom to help him on that third line. Protect Oshie and make that fourth line a line that can score.

Regarding McMichael, I’m just tired of the organization shipping out young players because they want a quick fix. That’s why they are where they are. Give him a run and see what you got.

Ovi-Strome-Ehlers
Mantha-McMichael-Wilson
Milano-Backstrom-Frank
Protas-Dowd-Oshie

I don't want them shipping out young players either unless it's for a no-brainer upgrade in the Elias Pettersson (good one) tier.

Maybe you're right and McMichael getting top 6 minutes off the bat is best. He certainly seemed at his best in 2021-22 when he was getting consistent minutes at center instead of getting 7 minutes a night on the third line LW next to Lars Eller. I just think in an ideal world he could get consistent 3C minutes and then work is way up into the top 6. Too bad that option isn't really available if Backstrom does come back.

 

[crazy8888]

Why not retain? We already did it with every deadline trade we made this season. GMBM doesn’t care about Teds money if he’s allowed to spend to the cap and can make a better trade.

And on the playoffs… I think we have a lot of work to do and developing our young players is 1st step. I never said they can’t do it.

Because you retain the cap hit too, no? So if you are playoff bound you kind of want all of your available cap working for you. I see that there is room to ponder here though. Give up a late pick to trade all of his contract, or say retain some of it and get a late pick back instead. God i hope i understand this whole retention business correctly and not making an idiot out of myself but i digress.

Frankly, i dont care much what they do as long as they get rid of him.

 

[Hivemind]

I'm tempering my expectations with Frank. He's got some serious wheels and broke out this season, but he's 25 and (actually a little under) Point/Game seasons in the AHL are far from a sure bet of NHL success. Riley Barber, Martin Frk, Vinni Lettieri, and Charles Hudon all had relatively comparable seasons to Frank, and none of them are guys you'd want on an NHL roster. Frank's probably in a similar to boat to someone like Kole Lind, who's a year younger but only been biting on the edges of being an NHLer (in both Vancouver and Seattle).

I'd love it if Frank's later bloomer campaign continues and he's able to grab an NHL spot. But I wouldn't clear roster space for him pre-emptively.

 

[Ridley Simon]

If Backstrom is back next year I really do struggle to see where McMichael fits in. There is no universe where he should be in Hershey next year because he's accomplished all he can there and needs to be on the big club next year.

However if Backstrom comes back next year the only real position available for McMichael would be 2C. I wouldn't be thrilled about a Strome/McMichael 1-2 punch down the middle, as much as I like both players. I guess the other option would be Backstrom at 2C and McMichael at 3C, which would basically kill any hope of the second line scoring goals.

Backstrom has earned the right to attempt to come back next year, but damn if his return isn't going to put the team into a huge bind in more ways than one unless he somehow turns back the clock. I'm generally an optimistic fellow, but it's hard to see a player entering his late 30s coming back from a major hip surgery and being anything other than what he has shown this year.

Couple of things my man—

“No universe”??? Like Thanos “I am inevitable” type of certainty? That’s a statement!

Backstrom is 34. As a card carrying almost 54yr old, I must assure you that anysomething4 is NOT entering your late anysomething’a.

Its middle, anysomething, at worst. Stop being an ageist!