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

[Jags]

McMichael has way more value going out and he will bring back a true top 6.

Right, because if McMichael really is no real help in the playoffs, that's something that only WE know. The rest of the league has no clue! Their talent evaluation is bupkis! So of course they'll trade us a mint for him.

Your myopic view of an admittedly flawed player aside, don't you think it's possible given the cap space we have and the likelihood of retention at the TDL, that we can add to this team without subtracting from it? Isn't it better to take two steps forward *without* taking one back?

If your view of McMike is correct, then it isn't a secret and the trade partner would just as likely take another prospect entirely, cuz there'd have to be additional futures in the deal anyway if you're getting back a "true top 6."

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Right, because if McMichael really is no real help in the playoffs, that's something that only WE know. The rest of the league has no clue! Their talent evaluation is bupkis! So of course they'll trade us a mint for him.

Your myopic view of an admittedly flawed player aside, don't you think it's possible given the cap space we have and the likelihood of retention at the TDL, that we can add to this team without subtracting from it? Isn't it better to take two steps forward *without* taking one back?

If your view of McMike is correct, then it isn't a secret and the trade partner would just as likely take another prospect entirely, cuz there'd have to be additional futures in the deal anyway if you're getting back a "true top 6."

You can’t fake devalue CMM to try and make your argument. Even if he has flaws, he’s young….he has value.

He can be correct and CMM can have value at the same time.

 

[DWGie26]

Right, because if McMichael really is no real help in the playoffs, that's something that only WE know. The rest of the league has no clue! Their talent evaluation is bupkis! So of course they'll trade us a mint for him.

Your myopic view of an admittedly flawed player aside, don't you think it's possible given the cap space we have and the likelihood of retention at the TDL, that we can add to this team without subtracting from it? Isn't it better to take two steps forward *without* taking one back?

If your view of McMike is correct, then it isn't a secret and the trade partner would just as likely take another prospect entirely, cuz there'd have to be additional futures in the deal anyway if you're getting back a "true top 6."

You have been around long enough to have seen my myriad of posts, most of which are in support of McMichael. I like McMichael.

I also want to swing for a cup in the next two years. In order to get value back, we are going to have to give up something of value. McMichael is the most valuable piece we have that I’m willing to move.

So sure, my view is probably more slanted towards a GM view that a coaches view. Nothing wrong with either take. But that is why they are different.

 

[wickedwitch]

So the Caps should have a good deal of cap space next season (unless they think they will sign Marner). I wonder how Chychrun would feel about something like a 3x$13 million deal.

You have been around long enough to have seen my myriad of posts, most of which are in support of McMichael. I like McMichael.

I also want to swing for a cup in the next two years. In order to get value back, we are going to have to give up something of value. McMichael is the most valuable piece we have that I’m willing to move.

So sure, my view is probably more slanted towards a GM view that a coaches view. Nothing wrong with either take. But that is why they are different.

I'm not completely opposed to trading CMM, but CMM for who? Because I don't see a player out there that will be available and fits the Caps needs and will be worth more than the Caps' 1st.

(Maybe Anaheim wants to trade Zegras?)

But also, I don't see the Caps trading CMM for locker room reasons -- they don't want to touch the chemistry they have.

So yeah, I'll be shocked if they trade a roster player like CMM this season.

 

[DWGie26]

So the Caps should have a good deal of cap space next season (unless they think they will sign Marner). I wonder how Chychrun would feel about something like a 3x$13 million deal.



I'm not completely opposed to trading CMM, but CMM for who? Because I don't see a player out there that will be available and fits the Caps needs and will be worth more than the Caps' 1st.

(Maybe Anaheim wants to trade Zegras?)

But also, I don't see the Caps trading CMM for locker room reasons -- they don't want to touch the chemistry they have.

So yeah, I'll be shocked if they trade a roster player like CMM this season.

The three players i would do it for in order (because they have this year and next and can be good additions to top 6):

1. Tuck (was two but i like his size so now my top)
2. Bjorkstrand
3. Zegras - I watched the Anaheim game and he was really active and noticeable but small

I’m not trading McMichael for a pending UFA rental.

 

[wickedwitch]

The three players i would do it for in order (because they have this year and next and can be good additions to top 6):

1. Tuck (was two but i like his size so now my top)
2. Bjorkstrand
3. Zegras - I watched the Anaheim game and he was really active and noticeable but small

I’m not trading McMichael for a pending UFA rental.

Tuch isn't getting traded to the Caps for anything short of Leonard (or some other absurd overpay) at the deadline. Tuch was there main piece back in the Eichel trade. If Buffalo doesn't get completely overpaid, there's no reason to trade him now. Buffalo can wait for the offseason when everyone has space for his salary and (if they can't sign him,) create a bidding war.

I'm meh about Bjorkstrand -- I don't think he's worth CMM. But I could be convinced.

 

[Jags]

You can’t fake devalue CMM to try and make your argument. Even if he has flaws, he’s young….he has value.

He can be correct and CMM can have value at the same time.

Okay, then I guess I'm getting tangled up in how he worded it...

Two different positions. Two different values (both in and out). We need Eller for a cup run more than we need McMichael. McMichael has way more value going out and he will bring back a true top 6.

The idea that we need Eller more than we need McMichael paints a picture to me that might not be what he intends; that Eller is better for this team than McMichael.

Following that by saying McMichael has more value speaks directly to what you're saying -- that he's young with another year at a great number, and that has real value. But it's only a great number and that combo only has real value if McMichael's play is also valuable, which just feels contradicted to me by the first statement.

I suppose the first statement could mean that we need an impact 3C more than we need whatever McMichael is giving us today, specifically for the perils of playoff hockey. But specifically Eller? If the TDL rumors are true, Eller is WAY easier to upgrade.

Anyway, my apologies If I'm misunderstanding something here. I just don't see how those two sentences flow together. "We need Eller for a cup run more than we need McMichael," just doesn't compute for me.

@DWGie26, I know you were replying to a silly post comparing the two; that it wasn't you that took the convo there. But I guess I'm just not quite grasping your reply.

 

[Roshi]

I dont like Zegras for now. Risky. He is another reclamation project and I would definately not trade CMM for him right now.

Rather play CMM who has shown steady developement and has 2,1m for next year in the 3C spot than trade him for 5,75 mill for same time period Zegras who is on his second down year.

Id consider seriously Boeser extended for CMM though. Something that gives us dependable 30 goal scorer with contract security. Stylistically Boeser could take over Ovie's spot after next year and his price tag should be comfortably less than O's. But then again, id much rather get it done without CMM being involved.

Still like Tuch, he has good motor. But i dont think he is avaivable. Isnt he playing in his hometown? And doing well with good cap hit. Why would either side want to part there. Ive never quite understood who Bjorkstrand is as a player. Many seem to like him, maybe I have just missed him playing. Just seems as forgottable player for me and biggest reason he is so coveted because the tradeboard is a little underwhelming.

Ive propably turned around and now siding up with its just best to keep McMichael over the field. Trading him for another 50-60 point winger doesnt feel like big enough update to justify the lost cap space and possible ceiling of CMM.

 

[HTFN]

I dont like Zegras for now. Risky. He is another reclamation project and I would definately not trade CMM for him right now.

Rather play CMM who has shown steady developement and has 2,1m for next year in the 3C spot than trade him for 5,75 mill for same time period Zegras who is on his second down year.

Id consider seriously Boeser extended for CMM though. Something that gives us dependable 30 goal scorer with contract security. Stylistically Boeser could take over Ovie's spot after next year and his price tag should be comfortably less than O's. But then again, id much rather get it done without CMM being involved.

Still like Tuch, he has good motor. But i dont think he is avaivable. Isnt he playing in his hometown? And doing well with good cap hit. Why would either side want to part there. Ive never quite understood who Bjorkstrand is as a player. Many seem to like him, maybe I have just missed him playing. Just seems as forgottable player for me and biggest reason he is so coveted because the tradeboard is a little underwhelming.

Ive propably turned around and now siding up with its just best to keep McMichael over the field. Trading him for another 50-60 point winger doesnt feel like big enough update to justify the lost cap space and possible ceiling of CMM.

what the f*** are we doing here? Not directed towards you but you made a good conjunction of points here.

Boeser for McMichael just seems like swapping a commodity that seems capped out for a guy who found significant real estate this year. If we're talking about this guy being an OV replacement we're missing or ignoring how much we handicap the team by accommodating that style of play, and I love the guy to bits... but Ovechkin is not independently a winning player right now.

Great, we trade some proven play and some injury history for a guy figuring his shit out, constantly improving anyway, and with a pedigree for being an intellectual player and not just a guy with wheels or a shot. His player cards over the three years twabby linked indicated that he can be an average 2-way center when asked (by another coach) and also an ~85th percentile scoring forward when asked (by this coach, unless I got the percentile shit wrong which can definitely happen as an idiot)

We've got a guy with tools and motor to do a lot of what the team could reasonably ask except being a true lockdown center, it's only really a matter of how far they develop his potential game before telling him he is what he is.... but are we there already? Anybody who isn't a point per game is already streaky, that's the territory. We saying he's fully cooked? Because we said that last year (me arguably included) and he's shown an extra set of wheels and a way better shot than before.