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Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines/etc) | 2024-25 Summer Edition

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Caps ranked 9th in salary cap outlook published by The Athletic. That’s good for 2nd in the Metro behind Carolina.

9. Washington Capitals​

2025-26 salaries: $64 million
RFAs estimate: Minimal
Dead money: $0

Notable UFAs: Jakob Chychrun, Charlie Lindgren, Logan Thompson, Andrew Mangiapane
Projected cap space: $29 million (8th)

Biggest decision: Who do they go with in goal long term?

The fourth-best record in the standings right now, no RFAs to re-sign, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie’s contracts off the books, and nearly $30 million to play with in free agency?

That all sounds pretty good for 2025-26.

Significant rebound seasons for players on huge contracts like Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilsonmove them up this ranking, as does the rise of Dylan Strome, Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael — a nifty trio who are all signed for a combined $10.5 million through until 2026.

They do have some key parts they’ll have to pay or replace in free agency, but new GM Chris Patrick has a lot to work with here, especially if Alex Ovechkin keeps producing the way he has early this season.
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Fairly light sched next 16 days (along with an easier Strength of Schedule) , time for a reset, oppty for more practices, and at the end of all that, OV should be ready!

What a freaking unexpected Joy this season has been so far (minus Russian Machine in for repairs of course)

Fri, Dec 6 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 7 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Thu, Dec 12 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 14 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Mon, Dec 16 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Tue, Dec 17 @ Chicago 8:30 PM
Fri, Dec 20 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
 
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zappa4ever said:
Fairly light sched next 16 days (along with an easier Strength of Schedule) , time for a reset, oppty for more practices, and at the end of all that, OV should be ready!

What a freaking unexpected Joy this season has been so far (minus Russian Machine in for repairs of course)

Fri, Dec 6 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 7 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Thu, Dec 12 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 14 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Mon, Dec 16 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Tue, Dec 17 @ Chicago 8:30 PM
Fri, Dec 20 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
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I was thinking about that earlier. One advantage of this dead period (4 games in 13 days) is that it allows Ovechkin to heal while the team is not playing as much.

Four weeks from the original injury would have him returning December 16.
 
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zappa4ever said:
Fairly light sched next 16 days (along with an easier Strength of Schedule) , time for a reset, oppty for more practices, and at the end of all that, OV should be ready!

What a freaking unexpected Joy this season has been so far (minus Russian Machine in for repairs of course)

Fri, Dec 6 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 7 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Thu, Dec 12 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 14 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Mon, Dec 16 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Tue, Dec 17 @ Chicago 8:30 PM
Fri, Dec 20 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Click to expand...
Will be interesting to see how they do. Historically this team has done well when they don’t get a lot of time off and they have a tendency to play down to lesser competition but maybe there’s been enough turnover that those won’t be issues any more.
 
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AlexModvechkin8 said:
Will be interesting to see how they do. Historically this team has done well when they don’t get a lot of time off and they have a tendency to play down to lesser competition but maybe there’s been enough turnover that those won’t be issues any more.
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Yeah. I am not sure the “easier” schedule benefits them that much, especially at home (Penguins, Islanders and Sharks all recently said — HELLO).

I’d love to be wrong?

And 7 games in 15 days isnt what I would call “light”. That’s a game every other day.
 
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I'm not sad that nobody is playing in that tournament, but I am sad that they aren't getting the recognition they deserve. I sometimes feel like everyone treats the Caps like the Washington Ovechkins and no other players get attention sans Wilson.

I'm going to very much miss Ovi when he retires, but I won't miss how people view the Caps.
 
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I'm not sure how to feel about Dubois on our team, he's been good lately but I kinda feel he can be better. Also kinda glad no Caps made it to the 4 nations thing, as Holtbyisms said, they could get injured and that would hurt our season.
 
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coldworldnsh said:
I'm not sure how to feel about Dubois on our team, he's been good lately but I kinda feel he can be better. Also kinda glad no Caps made it to the 4 nations thing, as Holtbyisms said, they could get injured and that would hurt our season.
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I think Dubois is pretty good at some stuff, and I feel like he is a net positive. So far, he seems to have had some trouble getting the puck into the net, even on pretty good chances, and it's starting to seem like it's not all just a matter of bad luck. I hope that changes, because if it ever does, I think he would be a fine player. I still think I like him OK though overall.
 
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I don't think this early season renaissance is possible without PLD solidifying the 2C spot.

I also don't think he's the guy to play 2C on a real Cup contender. Especially at his salary. Thankfully the salary cap is about to go up a lot, so it won't be so it won't be such an anchor in the future.
 
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wickedwitch said:
I'm not sad that nobody is playing in that tournament, but I am sad that they aren't getting the recognition they deserve. I sometimes feel like everyone treats the Caps like the Washington Ovechkins and no other players get attention sans Wilson.

I'm going to very much miss Ovi when he retires, but I won't miss how people view the Caps.
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Dunno. Probably just be mostly irrelevant again, as they were before Ovechkin.

Winning breeds recognition. That will come if/when they continue to be a thing, as a team.

Backstrom, Semin, Green, Carlson, etc etc have all been recognized as terrific players. They got their due. And obv #8. Even guys like Oshie, Kuznetsov and Niskanen got love.

Or they will be the Caps of the 80’s and 90’s. Some good teams, some nice players, usually well coached, but all in all……meh.
 
Maruk moustache said:
I think Dubois is pretty good at some stuff, and I feel like he is a net positive. So far, he seems to have had some trouble getting the puck into the net, even on pretty good chances, and it's starting to seem like it's not all just a matter of bad luck. I hope that changes, because if it ever does, I think he would be a fine player. I still think I like him OK though overall.
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Yeah i think hes OK too, hopefully it turns around and we see more from him.
 
Devil Dancer said:
I don't think this early season renaissance is possible without PLD solidifying the 2C spot.

I also don't think he's the guy to play 2C on a real Cup contender. Especially at his salary. Thankfully the salary cap is about to go up a lot, so it won't be so it won't be such an anchor in the future.
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Wrong thread. 😊.

I think PLD could be a 2C on a Cup Team. Not sure if Strome is your 1C at the same time.

But maybe?

PS — I expect this post to get moved 😏
 
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Maruk moustache said:
I think Dubois is pretty good at some stuff, and I feel like he is a net positive. So far, he seems to have had some trouble getting the puck into the net, even on pretty good chances, and it's starting to seem like it's not all just a matter of bad luck. I hope that changes, because if it ever does, I think he would be a fine player. I still think I like him OK though overall.
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Dubois is getting lots of opportunities, but it looks like he's squeezing the stick too hard and they aren't going in. Everything else in his game is great. He's been using his size and speed to make power moves against defenders and win board battles that lead to puck possession and scoring opportunities. He's also been very defensively responsible. I think the goals will come, just need to continue to be patient. Even if they don't, his other contributions have been a big part of the team's success.
 
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