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

[WanderingCapsFan]

It’s too thick for
Opening night. Gotta chop quite a few skaters, and of course a G.

23 players max, 2 are G, so 21 skaters.

That’s 26 listed skaters and 3 G’s. They need to dump 6 players, min.

And get under the cap. Definitely part of the equation.

 

[Misery74]

So….. Milano is the new whipping boy? And we haven’t even played a game yet?

Huh. At 1.9m/season, I’m not sure how anyone can be upset about the year he had.

And since he’s done nothing negative since then, I’m a little lost w the Milano scrutiny.

I don’t consider Milano a whipping boy. But if Cristall stays, he is really the only one that could come out.

My thoughts anyway.

 

[Midnight Judges]

Man, these are not easy decisions.

 

[StrikingDistance]

Man, these are not easy decisions.

It's why we get paid the big bucks to decide for the organization. You've done well HF'rs! ...add another zero to your check this week!

 

[Kazer]

Miro is not going to make the team as the 13th or 14th forward. If the earlier lines posted were correct, I believe Vrana has made the team as the 13th forward (though I suppose they could keep Sgarbossa instead). Miro, Cristall, and Parascak would go down in that scenario.

Big if, obviously. Still two weeks until opening night.

I am pretty confident that Bear will start the year in the AHL. AA and McIlrath are fighting to be 7D. Caps should be fine cap wise with Backstrom and Oshie on LTIR.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

What could Milano fetch in a trade?

Not much, besides if the Capitals decide to keep Cristall for the nine games and then decide to return him to his junior team after the nine games then you've shot yourself in the foot by trading Milano. Milano's on a cheap contract, he's a decent player when in the line up, injuries was his issue last season.

 

[DukeDog13]

Milano scored at a 25 goal pace last season. For a team that is desperately looking for goals, I feel like trading him with his cheap contract would be a net negative. Either Protas or Raddysh would be the odd ones out in my mind. But I don't see either of them getting traded for whatever reason so who knows...

 

[um]

I see no reason to trade Milano.

I see the decision ahead being between Vrana, Miro and Cristall. Cristall is the only one who can’t play in the AHL, so he should at least get a 9 game trial.

 

[zappa4ever]

I think the posted lineup for top 4 lines and 3 pair are the opening night roster
leaving:
Vrana-Sgarbossa-Miro +Cristall/Parascak
Alexeyev/McIlrath/Bear

fairly safe assuming Sgar/Para/McIlrath all are Hershey-bound...
leaving:
Vrana/Miro/Cristall/
Alexeyev/Bear

I hope Cristall gets a 9gm oppty (or at least a few to discover if he can hang w/real games)

at this moment I think 13F is Miro, I think his potential wins over Vrana's

for V: I think Hershey is best option to start out to let Miro/Cristall get a chance and see if things gel (and also see how V does resuming a daily hockey career again)

hopefully Alexeyev will be 7D as I think we all see Bear's issues

 

[Hivemind]

The only reason I would "dump" Milano is if they keep most/all of the young players up, but the concept of an "open competition" doesn't really pan out and Milano is getting all the opportunities while Cristall and/or Miro is stuck in the press box.

 

[Misery74]

I see no reason to trade Milano.

I see the decision ahead being between Vrana, Miro and Cristall. Cristall is the only one who can’t play in the AHL, so he should at least get a 9 game trial.

Agree. But in this case, either Milano or Protas ride the pine.

Which would be fine.

 

[um]

The only reason I would "dump" Milano is if they keep most/all of the young players up, but the concept of an "open competition" doesn't really pan out and Milano is getting all the opportunities while Cristall and/or Miro is stuck in the press box.

Injuries happen, always.

Miro and Vrana will get their opportunities.

 

[Misery74]

I think the posted lineup for top 4 lines and 3 pair are the opening night roster
leaving:
Vrana-Sgarbossa-Miro +Cristall/Parascak
Alexeyev/McIlrath/Bear

fairly safe assuming Sgar/Para/McIlrath all are Hershey-bound...
leaving:
Vrana/Miro/Cristall/
Alexeyev/Bear

I hope Cristall gets a 9gm oppty (or at least a few to discover if he can hang w/real games)

at this moment I think 13F is Miro, I think his potential wins over Vrana's

for V: I think Hershey is best option to start out to let Miro/Cristall get a chance and see if things gel (and also see how V does resuming a daily hockey career again)

hopefully Alexeyev will be 7D as I think we all see Bear's issues

I agree. Vrana has to earn it. Start him in Hershey. If he gets claimed, so be it. Odds are, he’ll be on waivers again.

 

[g00n]

Injuries happen, always.

Miro and Vrana will get their opportunities.

Yeah people were bent about CMM last year and it didn't take long for someone to get hurt and propel him into the lineup, iirc

 

[Holtbyisms]

It's really easy. They'll keep 7D and 14F to start. Vrana makes the team on a league minimum. Bear goes to Hershey temporarily. Parascak definitely goes back to junior, this is just a 1st rounder treatment to get him as much as they can before returning him to development. Cristal gets a handful of games then goes back to junior. Bear returns from Hershey when Cristal goes back. Sgarbossa, McIlrath and Miro all go to Hershey. Miro needs to play, he'll be in the top six in Hershey. Don't want Miro taking turns with Sonny here and playing every other week, that's a perfect role for Vrana.

 

[stephenball]

It's really easy. They'll keep 7D and 14F to start. Vrana makes the team on a league minimum. Bear goes to Hershey temporarily. Parascak definitely goes back to junior, this is just a 1st rounder treatment to get him as much as they can before returning him to development. Cristal gets a handful of games then goes back to junior. Bear returns from Hershey when Cristal goes back. Sgarbossa, McIlrath and Miro all go to Hershey. Miro needs to play, he'll be in the top six in Hershey. Don't want Miro taking turns with Sonny here and playing every other week, that's a perfect role for Vrana.

This seems like the most realistic path

 

[wickedwitch]

It's really easy. They'll keep 7D and 14F to start. Vrana makes the team on a league minimum. Bear goes to Hershey temporarily. Parascak definitely goes back to junior, this is just a 1st rounder treatment to get him as much as they can before returning him to development. Cristal gets a handful of games then goes back to junior. Bear returns from Hershey when Cristal goes back. Sgarbossa, McIlrath and Miro all go to Hershey. Miro needs to play, he'll be in the top six in Hershey. Don't want Miro taking turns with Sonny here and playing every other week, that's a perfect role for Vrana.

That's my guess too. The biggest problems are Bear/McIlrath potentially getting claimed (which probably won't happen but I can live with it if it does). The other real possibility is starting Vrana in Hershey, but I think that's less likely.

 

[Calicaps]

I think the posted lineup for top 4 lines and 3 pair are the opening night roster
leaving:
Vrana-Sgarbossa-Miro +Cristall/Parascak
Alexeyev/McIlrath/Bear

fairly safe assuming Sgar/Para/McIlrath all are Hershey-bound...
leaving:
Vrana/Miro/Cristall/
Alexeyev/Bear

I hope Cristall gets a 9gm oppty (or at least a few to discover if he can hang w/real games)

at this moment I think 13F is Miro, I think his potential wins over Vrana's

for V: I think Hershey is best option to start out to let Miro/Cristall get a chance and see if things gel (and also see how V does resuming a daily hockey career again)

hopefully Alexeyev will be 7D as I think we all see Bear's issues

Doesn't Parascek have to go back to jrs. if he's not in the bigs?

 

[zappa4ever]

Doesn't Parascek have to go back to jrs. if he's not in the bigs?

oops, forgot he's a new 2024 draftee, just grouped him in with Hershey instead of the W, he's essentially got the same options as Cristall

 

[JayBeagleFanAccount]

miro going back to the ahl seems like a waste; hes ready, let the kid play.

im also dying for top 9 vrana but its just not going to happen sadly

 

[DWGie26]

Opening roster schnanigans aside. Because there will be a lot of people up in arms when opening roster comes out. That will change in 24 hours. Posted on how we can maximize before but too lazy to link. But we need to look 24 hours after opening roster.

I ultimately think it will be 14F if Cristal stays. Otherwise 8 Dee which may include McIlrath. My money is on Bear going down (it also works in cap model). Miro to Hershey to get lots of minutes. He is better served there. Vrana as 13. Sgarbossa to Hershey and Parazcek to juniors.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

Send Vrana to Hershey ala Milano on his arrival, wait for the inevitable injuries, profit.

 

[DWGie26]

After tonight’s game, I think a couple of things shook out and I’ll start with Dee since it gets no love:

- much improved overall. Only 1 point tonight but 4 points each of the last two games.
- Fever and Roy looked good together
- Sandin and TVR as third pair is nice luxury (and both can play up if injuries)
- Alexyev was much better - i think he grabbed 7D
- McIlrath didn’t do enough to steal a spot. Hope he doesn’t get claimed as I like him in org.

Vrana didn’t do much. Puck with Cristal now. Hope he plays on Saturday and earns a spot. Miro has shown he needs to grow in Hershey for a while. He’ll get there but needs move development.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

After tonight’s game, I think a couple of things shook out and I’ll start with Dee since it gets no love:

- much improved overall. Only 1 point tonight but 4 points each of the last two games.
- Fever and Roy looked good together
- Sandin and TVR as third pair is nice luxury (and both can play up if injuries)
- Alexyev was much better - i think he grabbed 7D
- McIlrath didn’t do enough to steal a spot. Hope he doesn’t get claimed as I like him in org.

Vrana didn’t do much. Puck with Cristal now. Hope he plays on Saturday and earns a spot. Miro has shown he needs to grow in Hershey for a while. He’ll get there but needs move development.

I watched bits and pieces and from what I saw, Lappy was okay but he didn't shine.

 

[WanderingCapsFan]

Just a reminder to the "make Vrana the 13th forward" or "send Vrana to Hershey" people.

Vrana is not under contract to the Caps. He could sign with another team tomorrow. The 50 contract limit is a real thing. Who knows what the Caps braintrust thinks, and who knows what the other 31 NHL teams think, let alone the European teams.