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

[qc14]

Re: Leonard

I think no matter how ready he/they/we think he is, management can't rely on him as the big addition. As others have pointed out, there just isn't really much runway post Frozen Four for him to get up to speed and I would be extremely hesitant to put him straight in to playoff hockey.

If you can get a 3W upgrade (not over Mangiapane but over Vrana/Miro/Milano/Raddysh) for this year I think you have to do it. Leonard can be a black ace, the first guy to come into the lineup if/when someone gets injured or isn't playing well. I'm just still a big believer that the team is too good now to rely on a 19yo rookie to be what pushes them over the top, no matter how talented/ready that rookie is. Absolute worst (best?) case scenario is you give up a second for a rental 3w and Leonard comes in looking like Makar did and forces them to play him anyways. I'm fine paying for some insurance in case that doesn't happen.

As for the AHL -- I don't think he'll play in the regular season there this year or next, but if Hershey's run is longer than Washington's I have no doubt they'll send him down for it and he'll be happy to go.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

I don’t agree. He isn’t leaving BC unless he knows he will be in the line-up with some sort of leash. Might he end up out if he struggles? Sure. But I firmly believe he will be given every opportunity to play and keep a spot. I don’t think he will be treated like every other prospect they’ve had.

Leonard has the confidence to know that he will be able to crack the line-up. Carbs and other Caps officials will have counseled him that he has to show himself capable - but do any of us think Lenny won't deem himself capable? He's got the gold from World Juniors, and if BC wins the Frozen Four, what's left for him to prove at that level?

And if the second half of this season is more-or-less a repeat of the first, then the Caps will be playing WC2 or WC1 in the first round. The games won't be like playing a cellar-dweller, but let's not pretend that Lenny's introduction to playoff hockey would be the equivalent of the Cup Finals. He could sit a game or two in that round if needed. He's smart and would gain insight as an observer, maybe as much as he would if he were on the ice.

 

[trick9]

I don't really think there's that much pressure on Leonard. He's likely drawing in to a 3rd line spot with 2 trusted vets in Eller and Mangiapane. That line has the potential to be as good as any 3rd line in the league, even though it's not been great so far. And i mean... Caps are 26-10-4 with a bad 3rd line. 3 other lines have been going very well throughout the season, so they can afford to give him a bit softer minutes early on and make him earn more. But it's not like this team has fallen apart when that 3rd line hasn't been good.

Low-risk, high-reward. If it doesn't work right away for him, they have pieces to work to try and get that line going. If it works really well for him straight away, they can move him up the depth chart too.

I don't really see the issue here. All around, you basically couldn't walk into a much better situation as a blue-chip prospect. It's a really good team but one that doesn't exactly need you to set the world on fire right away, or atleast the expectations won't be of that.

 

[um]

Leonard is going straight into the lineup. Mac though he was NHL ready over a year ago. Carbery loves him. (Seriously, Carbery absolutely lights up every time he gets asked about Leonard.) Every hockey expert in the world thinks he's going straight into the lineup.

And Leonard isn't like all those other prospects that the Caps have proceeded slowly with. None of them were close to his level at this age. Leonard may literally be the best player outside of the NHL. Other than Kuzy, who also never went to the AHL before going to the NHL, who is remotely comparable?

Come spring, all he has to do is make the 3rd line better. I think give him a few games, and he will. His game off the puck is going to translate really well.

(Also, Tarik has mentioned Leonard being put on the third line. He's a mouthpiece for the organization.)

I think Leonard may be an option on the 4th line as well, which has had a lot of different right wingers this year.

 

[g00n]

He may want to chill and take a victory lap after the FF. I hope not but maybe

 

[kicksavedave]

Leonard is going straight into the lineup. Mac though he was NHL ready over a year ago. Carbery loves him. (Seriously, Carbery absolutely lights up every time he gets asked about Leonard.) Every hockey expert in the world thinks he's going straight into the lineup.

And Leonard isn't like all those other prospects that the Caps have proceeded slowly with. None of them were close to his level at this age. Leonard may literally be the best player outside of the NHL. Other than Kuzy, who also never went to the AHL before going to the NHL, who is remotely comparable?

Come spring, all he has to do is make the 3rd line better. I think give him a few games, and he will. His game off the puck is going to translate really well.

(Also, Tarik has mentioned Leonard being put on the third line. He's a mouthpiece for the organization.)

Kuzy never went to the AHL, but he spent parts of 4 or 5 seasons in the KHL playing against grown men, before joining the Caps. He also played for Russia's World team (not just Jr) 3 times.

Lenny is a man among boys at the NCAA and WJr level, but he's never really competed against grown ass men. Expecting him to join the Caps and immediately improve them, may be be asking too much.

 

[Brian23]

So because Lappy struggled in what was supposed to be his first full NHL season, Leonard is going to “fail” (what’s failure btw?)? That’s what you’re warning everyone about?

Did you actually read what I posted...? What part is me saying he was going to fail? I just said they shouldn't set a rookie up for failure by expecting him to have to carry a line in the Playoffs as his first taste of NHL action.

The comparison to Lapierre was because anyone that commented anointing Lapierre in the off-season was met with derision, and it only got worse as he had an awful camp and preseason.

It’s in the best short and long term interests of the franchise to have at the very least a spot on the 3rd line when the B/C season wraps up if not a spot in the top 6 and the fact that Lapierre regressed after playing well in the playoffs isn’t an argument for blocking Leonard when there’s nonzero concern about signing him. Concerns about disrupting chemistry is a good argument but we’re questioning Vrana’s compete level.

No one is saying to block Leonard, literally nothing I said emphasizes blocking Leonard.

Its like people didn't actually read what I said.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Did you actually read what I posted...? What part is me saying he was going to fail? I just said they shouldn't set a rookie up for failure by expecting him to have to carry a line in the Playoffs as his first taste of NHL action.

The comparison to Lapierre was because anyone that commented anointing Lapierre in the off-season was met with derision, and it only got worse as he had an awful camp and preseason.


No one is saying to block Leonard, literally nothing I said emphasizes blocking Leonard.

Its like people didn't actually read what I said.

You used the word failure like you’re expecting it or at a minimum suggesting he would. I can read. Can you write? If you chose poor wording, that’s on you.

What this really was, was you saying “look at me, I was right that Lappy wasn’t ready”…..transparent as day. Pat yourself on the back.

 

[zappa4ever]

"Why not us?"
Is what I think MGMT must be thinking at this point of the season in the East;
no one is a juggernaut, we've been the most consistent, there's only been flashes of NJ/TOR/TB/CAR/FL looking great and all have flaws that can cost them

As long as GMCP plays it smart and doesn't trade away prospects and only uses a pick or picks + a Vrana/Milano I'm all for it at this point; could be the last Playoff hurrah for OV and this core

re: Leonard
Seems he's stronger than Miro/Lapi right now and stronger than McMic was last year, throw him in the mix and see what he can do; it'll be what like 5 RS gms and eval where he's at to see what he can handle; hard to see how it'd be worse production than Miro and Lapi's combined goal total of 1
I doubt Carbs is going to say much more than go out, have fun and play your game; he doesn't need to carry any line

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

"Why not us?"
Is what I think MGMT must be thinking at this point of the season in the East;
no one is a juggernaut, we've been the most consistent, there's only been flashes of NJ/TOR/TB/CAR/FL looking great and all have flaws that can cost them

As long as GMCP plays it smart and doesn't trade away prospects and only uses a pick or picks + a Vrana/Milano I'm all for it at this point; could be the last Playoff hurrah for OV and this core

re: Leonard
Seems he's stronger than Miro/Lapi right now and stronger than McMic was last year, throw him in the mix and see what he can do; it'll be what like 5 RS gms and eval where he's at to see what he can handle; hard to see how it'd be worse production than Miro and Lapi's combined goal total of 1
I doubt Carbs is going to say much more than go out, have fun and play your game; he doesn't need to carry any line

This thank you….bunch of nonsense suggesting he’s going to be the “focal point” or have to carry a line on his own.

 

[Brian23]

You used the word failure like you’re expecting it or at a minimum suggesting he would. I can read. Can you write? If you chose poor wording, that’s on you.

What this really was, was you saying “look at me, I was right that Lappy wasn’t ready”…..transparent as day. Pat yourself on the back.

bruh what.

Setting someone up for failure is not the same as saying they're going to fail. This is ridiculous.

 

[Silky mitts]

No one is saying to block Leonard, literally nothing I said emphasizes blocking Leonard.

Its like people didn't actually read what I said.

You were either suggesting a 3rd trade for a rental aimed at bolstering the 3rd line, inserting Lenny on the Ovy's line, or starting him in Hershey

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

On Lenny, let’s say he does sign a contract with us and we don’t have a long playoff run. Could we send him back down to Hershey to get a playoff run in the A?

 

[Misery74]

Rentals: In no particular order

Anders Lee
Yanni Gourde
Taylor Hall
Brad Marchand
Jason Zucker
Brandon Tanev
Nick Bjugstad
Alex Kerfoot
Mikael Granlund

Definitely some names, not exactly blue chips material.

Depending on Boston, imagine adding Marchand and Leonard?

Please, let’s dump Lars Eller, again.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Anytime a poster uses the word “bruh” to start a post, I accept that as a signal they’re tapping out of the debate…..bruh…..duh…

 

[qc14]

"Why not us?"
Is what I think MGMT must be thinking at this point of the season in the East;
no one is a juggernaut, we've been the most consistent, there's only been flashes of NJ/TOR/TB/CAR/FL looking great and all have flaws that can cost them

As long as GMCP plays it smart and doesn't trade away prospects and only uses a pick or picks + a Vrana/Milano I'm all for it at this point; could be the last Playoff hurrah for OV and this core

re: Leonard
Seems he's stronger than Miro/Lapi right now and stronger than McMic was last year, throw him in the mix and see what he can do; it'll be what like 5 RS gms and eval where he's at to see what he can handle; hard to see how it'd be worse production than Miro and Lapi's combined goal total of 1
I doubt Carbs is going to say much more than go out, have fun and play your game; he doesn't need to carry any line

I totally agree with this with just one addition.

I think the unfortunate reality of the NHL calendar -- where the TDL is way ahead of Leonard leaving school -- necessitates them to plan as if he is not joining this year. If/when he does, it takes the pressure off of him even more. If he looks like he can have a Kreider/Makar type impact coming straight from college to the playoffs and maybe knocks a guy you gave a second for down the lineup that's a great problem to have. If he doesn't (which would be perfectly normal!) then you already have another guy you can trust in that spot.

 

[Midnight Judges]

If you can get a 3W upgrade (not over Mangiapane but over Vrana/Miro/Milano/Raddysh) for this year I think you have to do it.

I think your logic is good, but I'm having a hard time imagining some sort of substantial upgrade over those players.

Vrana has been pretty productive given his extremely low minutes (7 goals and 11 points in 25 GP but with under 10 minutes ATOI).

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Vrana looks like a guy who can’t be “trusted” in the postseason. They need an upgrade, internally or externally, it doesn’t matter. Otherwise you can’t really roll 4 lines when you’ll need to be able to (when guys are going all out in the playoffs).

 

[Brian23]

Anytime a poster uses the word “bruh” to start a post, I accept that as a signal they’re tapping out of the debate…..bruh…..duh…

You're joking right? You read my post wrong, taking me saying setting up a prized rookie for failure as he's going to fail and now you want to take blame me. Illiteracy at it's best conflating setting someone up for failure as someone is going to fail.

You were either suggesting a 3rd trade for a rental aimed at bolstering the 3rd line, inserting Lenny on the Ovy's line, or starting him in Hershey

I was pushing back against every poster who continues to say the "add" for our TDL is going to be Leonard on the 3rd line. That planning on him being the difference maker to suddenly turn the 3rd line into an asset in the NHL Playoffs is a ridiculous ask for a rookie.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Guy I would go HARD after (but seriously doubt could be “gotten”) is Alex Tuch. I LOATHE playing against him. He’s an RW, he’s got another year left on his deal, and he’s only 4.75m against the SalCap.

That said, he’d cost a lot. Not Leonard, but some good prospects. I’d deal Cristall and another F prospect for him.

But that’s just me

 

[Midnight Judges]

Vrana looks like a guy who can’t be “trusted” in the postseason.

yeah I can see that. Surely the coaches are thinking along those lines too which is likely why he isn't getting the minutes or even a jersey much of the time.

He does have a nice offensive upside though. He can break a game open with his speed and shot. If you put him on a line with two responsible intelligent players (like Eller and Mangiapane) it seems to me the risk/reward can be managed to a net positive.

 

[Midnight Judges]

Guy I would go HARD after (but seriously doubt could be “gotten”) is Alex Tuch. I LOATHE playing against him. He’s an RW, he’s got another year left on his deal, and he’s only 4.75m against the SalCap.

Okay well yeah that would be a nice upgrade. Plus I think him having this recent success in Buffalo of all places speaks well of him.

He's going to make some serious money on his next contract though.

Letting Crystal go is scary but I think your calculus here is reasonable.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

You're joking right? You read my post wrong, taking me saying setting up a prized rookie for failure as he's going to fail and now you want to take blame me. Illiteracy at it's best conflating setting someone up for failure as someone is going to fail.

No more bruhs? Just insults. Typical.

Next…

 

[qc14]

I think your logic is good, but I'm having a hard time imagining some sort of substantial upgrade over those players.

Vrana has been pretty productive given his extremely low minutes (7 goals and 11 points in 25 GP but with under 10 minutes ATOI).

He also has a 39% xG at 5v5 (by far the lowest on the team), still looks constantly lost in the D-zone, and Carbery doesn't trust him to play in high-leverage minutes. Let's also not forget that he has 3 goals and 8 points in 38 career playoff games including 0 and 0 in 15 post-cup, which is a big part of the reason they moved on from him to begin with.

It's much more important IMO to have someone Carbery does trust to play -- which lets you keep all 4 lines together, you don't need to double-shift Mangiapane or Raddysh, etc. -- even if they're not as much as a scoring threat.

 

[Ridley Simon]

He also has a 39% xG at 5v5 (by far the lowest on the team), still looks constantly lost in the D-zone, and Carbery doesn't trust him to play in high-leverage minutes. Let's also not forget that he has 3 goals and 8 points in 38 career playoff games including 0 and 0 in 15 post-cup, which is a big part of the reason they moved on from him to begin with.

It's much more important IMO to have someone Carbery does trust to play -- which lets you keep all 4 lines together, you don't need to double-shift Mangiapane or Raddysh, etc. -- even if they're not as much as a scoring threat.

Again. Alex Tuch.