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

[tycoonheart]

You don't touch selke candidate Connor McMichael. Leave him where he is.

 

[895]

To quote twabby

When McMichael is not on the ice, other players should be asking “where is McMichael?”

 

[Langway]

Yeah, they're not going to want to shuffle Protas or McMichael down just to solve the nominal 3C issue. It'll be external if it happens. The main question is whether Lapierre is a keeper. Is he putting in the work to adapt and improve at the top level? If not, is he someone to keep, replace and invest in next season or is he an asset to flip? TBD but they ought to be aggressive. Not foolish but definitely intent to give this team the best possible chance if they continue to look the part.

The secondary question needs to probably be: what's the best option to play between Mangiapane and Ryan Leonard in the spring? Because that's what the third line ought to be trending towards. It's setting up very, very nicely if they can stay healthy. They're bound to have some external options that shake loose, even more if they're prepared to take on some term.

One of their bigger assets looks to be Carbery so they should leverage that into contemplating further various change of scenery options. Outside of that Old Friend Lars Eller wouldn't be the worst idea in the world...

 

[Devil Dancer]

I'm ready to sign Carbs to an Ovechkin-style 13 year contract. Lock him up through his coaching prime.

I'd probably regret it eventually but that's how I feel today.

 

[stephenball]

I think Lapierre seems to have a good attitude, I think sitting a game or two will be good for him and he’ll come back better.

 

[wickedwitch]

Yeah, they're not going to want to shuffle Protas or McMichael down just to solve the nominal 3C issue. It'll be external if it happens. The main question is whether Lapierre is a keeper. Is he putting in the work to adapt and improve at the top level? If not, is he someone to keep, replace and invest in next season or is he an asset to flip? TBD but they ought to be aggressive. Not foolish but definitely intent to give this team the best possible chance if they continue to look the part.

The secondary question needs to probably be: what's the best option to play between Mangiapane and Ryan Leonard in the spring? Because that's what the third line ought to be trending towards. It's setting up very, very nicely if they can stay healthy. They're bound to have some external options that shake loose, even more if they're prepared to take on some term.

One of their bigger assets looks to be Carbery so they should leverage that into contemplating further various change of scenery options. Outside of that Old Friend Lars Eller wouldn't be the worst idea in the world...

Another medium-term option is calling up BC, remind them they have 1 top 6 center, and ask them to move Leonard to center. He's already taking some faceoffs and the defensive responsibility, so it shouldn't be a huge stretch for him. Then you have the flexibility to slot him in either center or the wing come April. It also allows for Miro in that 3L spot.

 

[Lindemann]

Our goalies have let in some meh goals

But they are making the big saves when it counts. Thompson made 3 or 4 huge saves to prevent a tie yesterday

That is hella important

 

[qc14]

Another medium-term option is calling up BC, remind them they have 1 top 6 center, and ask them to move Leonard to center. He's already taking some faceoffs and the defensive responsibility, so it shouldn't be a huge stretch for him. Then you have the flexibility to slot him in either center or the wing come April. It also allows for Miro in that 3L spot.

I see that as a strictly worse short and medium term solution than just letting Lappy ride it out. If Lappy -- a guy who is a natural center in his third year of professional hockey that just won the AHL playoff MVP -- is struggling, putting a rookie who hasn't played center once his entire junior career there is not going to be more conducive to winning.

I think 3c is a "problem" insofar as the team is good this year and what would make the team even better this year is a trustworthy, short-term vet at that spot (or 3LW to provide more cover than Vrana currently is). Not concerned at all about Lappy long-term as a center for the team.

 

[Lou Sassole]

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.

Huberdeau blows. Keep that guy away from this squad. He's a perimeter, regular season player.

 

[StrikingDistance]

Performance is not a straight line. Lappy will rebound under this coaching staff. Think CMM was in the doghouse a few times before he started walking on water last night.

All hail Carbs. Smart, honest, and fair communicator.

 

[trick9]

I'm glad we didn't sell-low on McMichael when he struggled early on. Or Protas.

Which is why i'm confident we aren't doing that with Lapierre either. Develop your own guys, through struggles too. Some will pan out, some won't.

 

[stephenball]

Also, imagine if Protas works on his shot this season through the offseason. He’s bringing a lot to the ice now and looks vastly improved. That puck possession late in the game was masterful.

 

[Jags]

Lappy will rebound under this coaching staff. Think CMM was in the doghouse a few times before he started walking on water last night.

100% agree. With McMike it appears to be about confidence. At some point you just need to decide to stop being a prospect, step up, and play your game. Lack of confidence turns your focus inward, then you start changing things, and it all starts to snowball.

What Carbery is doing right now is exactly right. The 3rd line is sputtering some but not costing you games. Everything else is working at evens. Monkey around with the 3rd with your bench players and Hershey all you want, but leave everything else exactly as it is. Any talk about moving Protas or McMike to the 3rd is bonkers. Those two crucially need the success they're having now. They're taking the step we've been waiting a long time to see them take. Don't f*** it up.

Lappy will be fine. Keep alternating the carrot and the stick, figure out what works for him, and he'll get his rhythm back. Patience.

 

[Cappy76]

Also, imagine if Protas works on his shot this season through the offseason. He’s bringing a lot to the ice now and looks vastly improved. That puck possession late in the game was masterful.

To think in a few seasons we could have 2 of him

 

[stephenball]

To think in a few seasons we could have 2 of him

It would be entertaining to see a Protas-Protas-Wilson line just to see the pure size haha

 

[qc14]

Also, imagine if Protas works on his shot this season through the offseason. He’s bringing a lot to the ice now and looks vastly improved. That puck possession late in the game was masterful.

Wendy Marco deserves a lot of credit. The Caps have been able to pretty significantly improve the skating of quite a few of their drafted guys and I think the FO views that as a strength allowing them to take bigger risks in the draft

 

[SherVaughn30]

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:

View attachment 922952

Barbossa can win faceoffs, which is something HL has struggled with. My personal belief, HL needs to be sent to Hershey to keep him in good game shape and rack up points to build his confidence. For such a young player, practicing with team you learn stuff, but you need to play actual games. It's not a bad thing if HL gets sent to Hershey.

 

[stephenball]

Wendy Marco deserves a lot of credit. The Caps have been able to pretty significantly improve the skating of quite a few of their drafted guys and I think the FO views that as a strength allowing them to take bigger risks in the draft

Absolutely, it was made more clear with picking Parascak, they have faith in working with people whose knock is skating.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Barbossa can win faceoffs, which is something HL has struggled with. My personal belief, HL needs to be sent to Hershey to keep him in good game shape and rack up points to build his confidence. For such a young player, practicing with team you learn stuff, but you need to play actual games. It's not a bad thing if HL gets sent to Hershey.

I think that HLP is graduated and has learned all he can in Hershey. Let him work through things here. At worst maybe consider a short conditioning stint, if he can’t get back in the lineup soon.

I’d wager it’s bad in his mind after the postseason he just had there, and positive play here late last season.

 

[Ridley Simon]

It would be entertaining to see a Protas-Protas-Wilson line just to see the pure size haha

That reminds me of a scene I saw earlier this season, after the Caps scored a goal (PP, maybe?) and Ovechkin was celebrating with them, and he was the 2nd smallest of the group.

Dubois, Strome, Wilson (or Protas?) were all towering over him. It was hilarious!

 

[Calicaps]

Performance is not a straight line. Lappy will rebound under this coaching staff. Think CMM was in the doghouse a few times before he started walking on water last night.

All hail Carbs. Smart, honest, and fair communicator.

This is the way.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

JC6 day to day with upper body.
I guess DTD is good news

 

[Random schmoe]

One thought I've had on Lapierre ... He played in 96 games last season between DC and Hershey, with his season not ending until June 21. We've all heard how long playoff runs can limit offseason recovery time. (Whether there are stats to back it up or not, we've at least heard that.) The dude could just be suffering from that.

His previous seasons were:
2022-23: 80 games
2021-22: 54
2020-21: 30
2019-20: 19

Might also be a case where he needs to learn HOW to recover from a season that long. He doesn't have much history of extra-long seasons.

 

[kicksavedave]

Any talk of moving Hendrix , those posters need a week break from all hockey. Sure he's in a slump, he may have a nagging injury, he may be tired from winning back to back championships at a young age - leading them in this most recent one, or he may just be in a funk....

Regardless of the why, you let him work through it and you don't trade kids who have proven they can play. I promise BMac and SC aren't remotely entertaining any idea of moving HL out, even for a second. Its a long season and players go throw slumps. This is a long game, not meant for the impetuous.