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

[qc14]

Where I'm at right now, all of this is of course barring any trades:

1) There's too many young guys that have fought hard and will fight hard in the future for a spot for Vrana. It sucks, I wish him the best, I hope he gets an NHL deal elsewhere, but it's time to move on.

2) Because of cap shenanigans, I see almost no way that Bear isn't sent through waivers to start the season. It's the only way that they can keep Oshie on LTI to start the season and maximize the LTIR pool for him.

3) You have to give Cristall or Rybynski at least 2 or 3 regular season games. As Friedman always says, the players know who deserves to be there and both of them are having better camps than other guys potentially on the bubble. I would assume they don't stick (which is completely fine!) and that eventually the middle 6 is McM-PLD-Wilson, Milano-Lappy-Protas. I would love to see Cristall-PLD-Wilson, Milano-McM-Protas on opening night though. Doesn't mean he's played poorly or can't come up later, but Miro has pretty clearly been beaten out to me.

 

[qc14]

Also I'm tired of the "rather have young guys play top line minutes in Hershey than sit or play 10 minutes in the NHL" sentiment. There's a whole lot of value in being able to practice and travel with the big club and the number one thing the organization is concerned with is making the NHL club as good as possible. Lapierre can sit for a couple games and he will be fine.

 

[Misery74]

Some people taking crazy pills.

Lapierre > CMM, Protas, Milano, Vrana, etc. it’s not even especially close. He drives play more than any of these players.

If Cristall gets a shot, it should be to see if he, along with our other best players, play well together. Players like Lapierre.

Honestly, being waiver exempt doesn’t make him in any way waiveable. Plays great here, then goes back to Hershey and is playoff MVP.

Someone please explain how Vrana makes us in any way better than Lapierre?

 

[Monsterrain]

Can vrana be sent to hershey?

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Vrana will make the team.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Can vrana be sent to hershey?

He can be waived/assigned like anyone. Assuming they sign him to an actual contract.

He could also get claimed

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

After running out of players to use in the playoffs last season, I wouldn’t be so fast to get rid of any healthy capable players

I do not think Cristal can handle 82 NHL games at this point. He might not even last his 9 games before going back to JRs

NHL teams need a lot more than 18 opening night players for a long season.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

After running out of players to use in the playoffs last season, I wouldn’t be so fast to get rid of any healthy capable players

I do not think Cristal can handle 82 NHL games at this point. He might not even last his 9 games before going back to JRs

NHL teams need a lot more than 18 opening night players for a long season.

How many games a season is Vrana averaging his last few years lol…?

 

[usiel]

As far as Cristall for me send him back to juniors. Not saying he has done bad in TC but don't feel the point of a performative keeping him on the big club.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Damn. That Laine injury looks bad.



And just adding to my point from earlier 82 NHL games is a lot. We definitely need more than 18 capable players.

 

[usiel]

Damn. That Laine injury looks bad.



And just adding to my point from earlier 82 NHL games is a lot. We definitely need more than 18 capable players.

Ouch. Would assume Habs fans still believing they'll win the SC.