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

[qc14]

The easiest play is putting Protas at 3C I think, Mangiapane 1RW and then calling up Miro for 3RW. They need to get Mangiapane going and it's very hard to expect that on the third line. That does make the top line smaller and perhaps easier to play against but that may be worthwhile for a sturdier third line. If they wanted to I guess they could give Miro a shot on the top line here or there. Ultimately 1RW seems obviously where Leonard ought to end up...

There's a lot of merit to letting McMichael lead his own line at center based on what we've seen. How much more could he create from the middle with softer usage? Their options at 3W aren't great currently so it is a matter of priorities. They need to be willing to sacrifice elements in the top six for the sake of more depth and better balance. Better strength up the middle and more balance would seem to be the play. Even if Lapierre gets it going somewhat it's very tough to believe he will be the hardest-to-play-against option any time soon.

I like that more than dropping McMichael but only slightly. I just feel like you finally have a top 6 that seems to be clicking both by the eye test and by actual and expected goals. Ovi -- the man that has not put up good underlying stats since like 2016 -- is at a 60% xG at 5v5! Ovi-Strome-Protas and McM-Dubois-Wilson are 9th and 17th in the league respectively for 5v5 xG share for lines with >50 minutes.

Yes it kind of sucks for Mangiapane to have to babysit the third line but I just don't think it's worth it at this point to mess with what is clearly working during the other ~45 minutes of 5v5 a night just to slightly better optimize 7 of them.

 

[Langway]

Sgarbossa recalled. There's the answer I guess.

Edit: Yup:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850917577700057504

 

[Silky mitts]

Best be believin in 3C platoons Mr Lappy, you're in one

 

[zappa4ever]

Sgarbossa as 1st callup of RS wasn't on my bingo card

Get it together Jimi or get used to melted cheese product on stale corn fried tortillas

 

[Brian23]

I guess they really like how Protas has played with Alex and Strome, but I really loved that suggestion of Protas to 3C. I don't know if he's actually a center in the NHL, but I'd love to see Protas get an extend time at center to see if he can stick. That'd also let them bring up Miro and reward him for his hot start.

Feel like Sgarbossa feels like an odd fit for that line.

 

[Kolzilla]

I guess they really like how Protas has played with Alex and Strome, but I really loved that suggestion of Protas to 3C. I don't know if he's actually a center in the NHL, but I'd love to see Protas get an extend time at center to see if he can stick. That'd also let them bring up Miro and reward him for his hot start.

Feel like Sgarbossa feels like an odd fit for that line.

I agree, but I don't think they wanna tinker with a line that seems to be working.

 

[zappa4ever]

I appreciate that Carbs is leaving the other 3 F lines alone since they're all doing good, no need to split Dowd line up since they're basically line 3 re: TOI

also interesting that he's left the D pairs untouched too, w/Mc jumping to 2RD instead of 3rd pair while waiting for Roy

 

[kicksavedave]

Has Protas actually played any C with the Caps before?

 

[tycoonheart]

Has Protas actually played any C with the Caps before?

He did last year.

 

[twabby]

Yeah I don't mind the Barbossa callup, and I kind of like the Protas/Ovechkin duo. That duo doesn't bleed chances like an Ovechkin line is sometimes wont to do.

I give this the official:

 

[Ridley Simon]

Lapierre and Vrana have been worse than the rest of their teammates, and when adjusting for context they've been easily the worst line.

As a team they are 58%. Lapierre and Vrana have been getting by far the easiest deployments and are still doing worse than the rest of the lines. The GAR stats aren't available yet but I suspect they won't look kindly on those two in particular. They are putting up the same or slightly worse than the Dowd line who is getting shackled with the tough deployments.

Let’s just have Dowd center them? This third line, you speak of?

And also center the 4th line as well. Dowd is THAT good.

I have spoken

 

[Ridley Simon]

I think this is worth a try:

Ovie-Strome-Lapierre
Mangiapane-Dubois-Wilson
Milano*-McMichael-Protas
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

*= Milano/Vrana/Mirosnichenko

Too much disruption, IMO. That’s 3 lines getting dinged for 1 lines issues.

Ovey - Strome - Protas
Lapierre - Dubois - Wilson
Vrana/Milano - McMichael - Mangiapane
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

Just flip the two centers.

Or this:

Not Dowd - Not Dowd - Not Dowd
Not Dowd - Not Dowd - Not Dowd
Not Dowd - DOWD - Not Dowd
Duhaime - DOWD - Raddysh

 

[PlushMinus]

I guess they really like how Protas has played with Alex and Strome, but I really loved that suggestion of Protas to 3C. I don't know if he's actually a center in the NHL, but I'd love to see Protas get an extend time at center to see if he can stick. That'd also let them bring up Miro and reward him for his hot start.

Feel like Sgarbossa feels like an odd fit for that line.

Sgarbossa has had a really impressive and long AHL career. Don't rate him as an NHL'er but we don't have many options at C. Can't imagine he'll set the 3rd line on fire but I guess they just want to see if he can do enough to get Vrana and Mangiapane going.

Not the worst move in the world and the season is still very young. I also give it Twabby's seal of approval!

 

[stephenball]

It’s funny, I remember people on the mains making jokes last TDL when there was talk about Dowd being available, but man, that’s just one of those guys who can be the difference for a team in the playoffs. Like, maybe if the Oilers traded for him they would have won, I think about him that highly.

 

[DWGie26]

I’m not surprised to see Sgarbossa as early callup. I really think the org wants to see Miro, Iorio, Rybinski, Trineyev, Dube, develop in Hershey versus play in WSH. We will see Sgarbossa, Frank, Limoges first. Late in the season the young guys will get their shot.

 

[Kuz]

Lapierre needs to step up and find his game. Deserved to sit now and hopefully he will work hard to be back at the level we saw last playoffs. Had hoped he would come back better than he was last year, but so far hes not at last years level.

Its good that they are trying something else and Sgarbossa always works hard. While its the 3rd line on paper its been our 4th the last few years as Dowd's line have had 3rd line minutes for years now.

As someone are saying I would be willing to give McMichael a chance on the third line to see if he can carry his own lane at C. He have looked like a stud so far, but wil also mess with the 2nd line that have worked so well. Then you either switch Lapierre to wing or give Milano a chance.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I wouldn’t bench Lappy vs the Rangers if you want him to get back to playoffs form

 

[um]

I wouldn’t bench Lappy vs the Rangers if you want him to get back to playoffs form

Maybe that's the ultimate wake-up call.

 

[StrikingDistance]

I wouldn’t bench Lappy vs the Rangers if you want him to get back to playoffs form

Don't think he's just going to 'snap out of his funk' because it's the Rags. If anything, the way he's been playing, that line would get dominated.

Seriously though, could care less about the switch-out.

What are the changes to the PP?

ps f*** the Rags.

 

[Roshi]

Havent seen this "whole" and functional Capitals since 2018. Love it. Love the hustle. Lets see if we can keep it up, or is it just a spurt. Anyways its fun to see the team -can- be at this level. From Hershey to Caps, whole organization is rocking.

- McMichael is seriously good at the moment.
- Protas is taking another step. That suprises me, didnt really believe on him.
- Dubois, so far so good. Playing like a 8,5 mill center, which exceeds all expectation.
- Chychrun, please be a day-to-day. What a huge steal.
- Wilson is back.
- Nice to have a top3-fighter in the universum again. Deslauriers, Rempe.. Reaves next? Whats is great, he can actually play his part with the gloves too. Improved John Erskine right now.
- Strome, just.. what a huge steal.
- Mangiapane is fun.
- Vrana is hanging in there, which is fun.
- Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh. Feels like anyone you complement with Dowd is one of the leagues best fourth liners immediately, but Duhaime is great energy guy. I like him more than Hathaway. Hathaway was fun, but more a pest than a tough guy. Duhaime is just tough to play against.
- Carlson resurrection keeps extending our D-window.
- Lindgren is the real deal and has to be the clear no.1 going forward. But Thompson is very very high end back-up.
- Really seeing why everyone loves Carbery. He sees the game from fans pespective and isnt afraid to play fun hockey. Breathes hockey. That catches. Years and miles will eventually catch up, but having someone lead with spark is, again fun.

 

[OV Rocks]

It’s hard to be critical of the team at this point but the 3rd line is definitely the weakest link on the roster.

I think there are two plays that you can make and both involve bringing in someone from outside the organization. I know it might not be everyone’s favorite but I’m now firmly in the give Ovi one more run category.

1st is you move McMichael to 3C which is tough because he is really starting to shine in the 2LW spot. That means you have to fill the 2LW with someone. Internally is Miro but that doesn’t make the team better. A player like Ehlers or even a Huberdeau would be really interesting here not to mention either one would be big additions to the PP. That means moving on from Lappy, Alexyev, 1st rounder, etc.

2nd option is you keep the top-6 how it is and add a 3C. I think the player that comes to mind is someone like a Brian Boyle(obviously not BB) type player. Defensively responsible bigger body with Mangiapane and Vrana/Milano on the sides. Cheaper cost to acquire here.

 

[g00n]

Of course it's early and these numbers will eventually regress (WPG are not going to finish at .889) but the Caps .750 points% is higher than any other season finish in Caps history.

The 2009-10 team ended at .738.
2015-16: .732
2016-2017: .726

Other years the range was generally 40-65% or so.

We've only played about 10% of the season but they've beaten some good teams. Their current goal differential is +7, and that's with a 3-0 loss to TB.

Both of these stats are huge improvements over the 2022-23 squad which backed into the playoffs with a .555 points% and -37 GD.

The schedule so far:

The only real cupcakes in there are the Philly wins.

We have seen other seasons with fast starts like this and iirc they've been derailed by rashes of injuries. I hope the coaching and training staff (and the players) are paying particular attention to recovery and best practices for staying healthy. It may make all the difference.

 

[qc14]

It’s hard to be critical of the team at this point but the 3rd line is definitely the weakest link on the roster.

I think there are two plays that you can make and both involve bringing in someone from outside the organization. I know it might not be everyone’s favorite but I’m now firmly in the give Ovi one more run category.

1st is you move McMichael to 3C which is tough because he is really starting to shine in the 2LW spot. That means you have to fill the 2LW with someone. Internally is Miro but that doesn’t make the team better. A player like Ehlers or even a Huberdeau would be really interesting here not to mention either one would be big additions to the PP. That means moving on from Lappy, Alexyev, 1st rounder, etc.

2nd option is you keep the top-6 how it is and add a 3C. I think the player that comes to mind is someone like a Brian Boyle(obviously not BB) type player. Defensively responsible bigger body with Mangiapane and Vrana/Milano on the sides. Cheaper cost to acquire here.

Third option (and probably the easiest to pull off) is you get a more defensively responsible 3LW to help shelter Lappy more than Vrana is doing currently.

Obviously don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves here but IF they are still playing at this level by Christmas they should be big game hunting and not think twice about moving a first.

Guys I really like (that could possibly be available): Gourde, Ehlers, Nelson, Kerfoot, MoJo

Guys I would avoid: Granlund, Huberdeau, Kuzmenko, Vatrano, Dvorak

Gourde is the dream add for this team IMO

 

[Kazer]

It’s hard to be critical of the team at this point but the 3rd line is definitely the weakest link on the roster.

I think there are two plays that you can make and both involve bringing in someone from outside the organization. I know it might not be everyone’s favorite but I’m now firmly in the give Ovi one more run category.

1st is you move McMichael to 3C which is tough because he is really starting to shine in the 2LW spot. That means you have to fill the 2LW with someone. Internally is Miro but that doesn’t make the team better. A player like Ehlers or even a Huberdeau would be really interesting here not to mention either one would be big additions to the PP. That means moving on from Lappy, Alexyev, 1st rounder, etc.

2nd option is you keep the top-6 how it is and add a 3C. I think the player that comes to mind is someone like a Brian Boyle(obviously not BB) type player. Defensively responsible bigger body with Mangiapane and Vrana/Milano on the sides. Cheaper cost to acquire here.

The organization is high on Lapierre, as they should be, despite his rough start to the season. My guess is they will give him a chance to reclaim the spot over time. If he's still waffling around trade deadline time and the Caps are still in playoff position, then I believe this (bolded from your post) is exactly how it will go.

Lappy had 6 goals/15 points in his last 26 regular season games last year. He needs to find that level again.

As you outlined, I don't see them moving Protas or McMichael as internal options to 3C given how crucial they've been to the success of the top two lines.

 

[zappa4ever]

There's a lot of teams in the East looking mid at best so far and blowing points (or goats, as it were)

TOR 11pts in 12gms
NJD 14pts in 12
BOS 9 in 10
NYI 8 in 9
PIT LOL in LOLZ

Tons to like so far

and in a nice bonus nhl com's got OV as the main headline/photo when it should have been Flower in PIT finale, more lols