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

[Random schmoe]

I thought about throwing up a quick GDT, but it deserves a Halloween flavor that I don't have the creativity to make right now.

Going to it since my wife got tickets in her law firm's suite, my first game in a year or two.

(Though I've been tempted to buy tix to the last few home games of the year, just in case Ovie is approaching the record.)

 

[MW6]

Has this been talked about? Tom Wilson, 4 PIMs in 8 games??

 

[EXTRAS]

Mcmichael? What is he? What's he gonna be in 2 years?

 

[HTFN]

Yup this, they were young and not fully developed NHL players. Lavi doing just fine with the Rangers youth.

the argument was never that they were ready, it's that they would have been ready sooner if given more exposure and it wasn't happening. I'm definitely on record here saying that he's an IQ player first and foremost and needed exposure to understand how to fit his game to what he sees, and that he had the potential to grow by season because his CHL game blossomed at the same rate.

We'll never settle it because it's impossible right now but there's an argument to be made that we would have seen more of this McMichael last year if he had been developed more in the year(s) prior.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

the argument was never that they were ready, it's that they would have been ready sooner if given more exposure and it wasn't happening. I'm definitely on record here saying that he's an IQ player first and foremost and needed exposure to understand how to fit his game to what he sees, and that he had the potential to grow by season because his CHL game blossomed at the same rate.

We'll never settle it because it's impossible right now but there's an argument to be made that we would have seen more of this McMichael last year if he had been developed more in the year(s) prior.

We’re seeing Protas and CMM (more so) breakout after they finally have developed as skaters. That took time and physically maturing…they each have another NHL-level tool now as you mentioned.

CMM definitely wasn’t truly NHL-ready until after his reset in Hershey that year. A few more shifts a game/increased ice time doesn’t change that.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Mcmichael? What is he? What's he gonna be in 2 years?

Well
Paid!

 

[DWGie26]

We’re seeing Protas and CMM (more so) breakout after they finally have developed as skaters. That took time and physically maturing…they each have another NHL-level tool now as you mentioned.

CMM definitely wasn’t truly NHL-ready until after his reset in Hershey that year. A few more shifts a game/increased ice time doesn’t change that.

This is why the Caps generally bake their prospects. Fever. McMichael, Protas all early by Caps standards. Miro will be early too. Leonard will be early. Lapierre will be fine as well. All NHL time by 21. Looks like all will be regulars by 22 growing at 23.

 

[trick9]

Interesting schedule.

Saturday it's Blue Jackets at home, who play the night before and are on the last game of 3 in 4 days

The day after it's the Caps on a b2b and last of 3 in 4 days in Raleigh against the Hurricanes who have been off for 2 days.

Also in a real ''hey look, someone at the MoneyPuck decided to check the advanced stats'' -moment, the Capitals Playoff odds went from 8.2% to 83.7% in a matter of days.

Caps now rank 2nd in xGF%, only behind the 'Canes and nearly 5% ahead of the 3rd. Oilers are 4th and they are over 6% behind the Caps.

Canes are the only team to rank ahead of them in the SCF%, but Caps rank 1st in the NHL in HDCF% and are the only team above 60%.

 

[qc14]

Also in a real ''hey look, someone at the MoneyPuck decided to check the advanced stats'' -moment, the Capitals Playoff odds went from 8.2% to 83.7% in a matter of days.

I don't think it's particularly sophisticated or accurate but I do appreciate with MoneyPuck (unlike many other models) that the inputs are fairly easy to discern.

 

[wickedwitch]

I'm pretty sure Strome is tied for 2nd in even strength points per game.

 

[HeyMattyB]

The last couple of seasons, I've barely enjoyed watching the Caps play, and it got to the point where I was like, "Am I depressed and incapable of enjoying this? Am I an old/busy adult whose priorities have changed? Have I finally died inside and the rest of my life will be a living death?"

It turns out the issue is just that the Caps had been playing boring, barely watchable hockey the last couple of seasons. Even when they won, it was a grind-it-out slog/snoozefest. And now, suddenly, (IMO) they're playing fast/exciting/enjoyable hockey again.

The other night, while watching a game by myself on the couch, a Cap scored--and I instinctively yelled, "YES!" and did the fist-pump thing. I can't remember the last time I had that kind of reaction to watching the Caps play. And it was like, "Holy shit, I still enjoy hockey! How delightful."