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

[CapitalsCupReality]

Yes, which is why it's not surprising.

Nor interesting!

Iorio is the prospect next up to step into the big roster on D, and I think Bear is done here myself beyond this season.

He (Bear) may get forced into duty, but I could see them moving him if they can sooner rather than later (if a market were to develop for him based on his play in Hershey and injuries around the league).

 

[um]

Who are legit third line center targets? Almost a 3/4 line technically with how the play the Dowd line.

Ideally Lapierre turns it around this season, but even if he doesn’t I don’t think they should trade him. He has the talent and they need to be patient with him but the team needs to fill the short term gap.

Gourde was mentioned which makes sense but he seems to be struggling. Could be a reasonable target considering that.

Eller was mentioned and he seems to have rebounded but he was a shell of his former self the last season here.

Give me Malkin

But seriously, no one to get in the way long term.

 

[usiel]

Re: Lapierre... I believe seeing Sarbossa playing just a solid positional 3rd line center that doesn't give up odd man rushes as something that will help him reset. Just going back to year and seeing how his game at times was really good at the NHL level makes me feel he'll get it. Inconsistency is a hallmark of young players at the NHL level. I trust in the staff and in Lapierre to be a good player for the Caps this year.

 

[Misery74]

Re: Lapierre... I believe seeing Sarbossa playing just a solid positional 3rd line center that doesn't give up odd man rushes as something that will help him reset. Just going back to year and seeing how his game at times was really good at the NHL level makes me feel he'll get it. Inconsistency is a hallmark of young players at the NHL level. I trust in the staff and in Lapierre to be a good player for the Caps this year.

Agree. I’d like to see him back tonight.

 

[stephenball]

I’d say leave him out tonight and bring him back in tomorrow

 

[NoVaCapsFan]

The more success we see with different guys playing “next man up” the more I think it’s a system/coach/culture thing for this year’s team. Still early, though, and regression is to be expected especially if the goalies are gonna keep giving up 3 goals all the time. Canes game tomorrow will be a toughie. I just hope they take care of business tonight against CBJ.

 

[qc14]

Who are legit third line center targets? Almost a 3/4 line technically with how the play the Dowd line.

Ideally Lapierre turns it around this season, but even if he doesn’t I don’t think they should trade him. He has the talent and they need to be patient with him but the team needs to fill the short term gap.

Gourde was mentioned which makes sense but he seems to be struggling. Could be a reasonable target considering that.

Eller was mentioned and he seems to have rebounded but he was a shell of his former self the last season here.

For a rental I think Gourde is the only one that makes sense unless a bigger name unexpectedly shakes loose (Brock Nelson, Giroux?). I really think they should stay away from Granlund, who IMO has proven multiple times over that he's a good stopgap top line player on a bad team but a horrible 3rd liner on a good team. Eller ... I wouldn't hate depending on price but at the same time looked completely cooked as a 3c last time he was here and I'm not sure what the value add over Sgarbossa is.

For a non-rental I think Scott Laughton would be a very Caps kind of add. Maybe you could utilize the cap space to bring in a Pageau or Coyle type as a semi cap dump for cheap?

 

[DWGie26]

I’d still like to see Lappy play out. He is back in tonight so i hope he plays like he has something to prove.

Bear was scratched last Hershey game. I figured he was coming up, but seems as though just benched. I feel it would be best for both parties to move on. There is something there even though we did him right with two-year contract. I wonder what we could get.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I’d still like to see Lappy play out. He is back in tonight so i hope he plays like he has something to prove.

Bear was scratched last Hershey game. I figured he was coming up, but seems as though just benched. I feel it would be best for both parties to move on. There is something there even though we did him right with two-year contract. I wonder what we could get.

He did clear waivers. I think he would be free for the taking.

 

[Ridley Simon]

He did clear waivers. I think he would be free for the taking.

We just need to grin and bear it (LOL, SEE what I did there??) for the rest of the year.

 

[JayBeagleFanAccount]

remember when like 90% of this board wanted mcmichael traded and then deepthroated lavy in the same breath

 

[g00n]

remember when like 90% of this board wanted mcmichael traded and then deepthroated lavy in the same breath

You mean when he looked like shit and couldn't finish?

That was 2yrs ago, bruh. You still carrying that around?

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Time for a GMGM "if your in the game" meme

 

[Lou Sassole]

Look at Ovie hustling back on defense. I've been assured on the main boards that he can barely skate forward, and even then, only to shoot from the left circle.

 

[Lou Sassole]

You mean when he looked like shit and couldn't finish?

That was 2yrs ago, bruh. You still carrying that around?

Yeah, not sure how some people don't understand that the NHL is not a developmental league, unless you're in complete rebuild mode.

 

[Jags]

Look at Ovie hustling back on defense. I've been assured on the main boards that he can barely skate forward, and even then, only to shoot from the left circle.

The last couple years of Caps hockey had to be a bummer to be part of. Seeing this team play this way, the new guys clicking perfectly, the kids stepping up big, the fans getting back into it... It's got Ovi rejuvenated. The guy loves playing.

Despite the typical things fans say about leaders in sports, Ovi was never a "The team goes as he goes" type of guy. When the team is firing on all cylinders, he catches fire and his spirit lifts everyone up. But he's just as susceptible to the doldrums as anyone. He's always been easily dispirited by coaches, too. So it's nice to see Carbery so well respected by the team, management making such good decisions, and the guys on the ice getting it done and so clearly enjoying it.

 

[MW6]

Protas is looking like a Kozlov-regen, just a little bigger, faster and harder working. I actually love the fit with Ovie!

 

[DWGie26]

The last couple years of Caps hockey had to be a bummer to be part of. Seeing this team play this way, the new guys clicking perfectly, the kids stepping up big, the fans getting back into it... It's got Ovi rejuvenated. The guy loves playing.

Despite the typical things fans say about leaders in sports, Ovi was never a "The team goes as he goes" type of guy. When the team is firing on all cylinders, he catches fire and his spirit lifts everyone up. But he's just as susceptible to the doldrums as anyone. He's always been easily dispirited by coaches, too. So it's nice to see Carbery so well respected by the team, management making such good decisions, and the guys on the ice getting it done and so clearly enjoying it.

It is fantastic to see. And this is a nice start to season.

That said, it is a long season and there WILL be slumps and stretches of bad play. As you noted the culture and bonds seem very strong. I have been beating that drum for a while. We are going to need that at times this season because adversity will strike!

 

[Nogatco Rd]

How is it that McMichael is +9 and PLD +1? Which line is getting shuffled?

 

[Misery74]

Adios Lavi hockey. Don’t ever f***ing come back.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Laci’s style didn’t work in dc.

 

[zappa4ever]

Laci’s style didn’t work in dc.

worked pretty well at Bushwood CC tho'

 

[Kazer]

Laci’s style didn’t work in dc.

I remain convinced that Lavi was the right coach at the wrong time. Had he taken over in 18-19 after Trotz, Caps might have won a second cup (or at least gotten close).

Huge credit to the braintrust (BM & CP) for moving on from Lavi and bringing in Carberry after 22-23. It would have been tempting to chalk that up to 'one bad year' after back-to-back playoff years, but they made the right choice.

 

[Midnight Judges]

Look at Ovie hustling back on defense. I've been assured on the main boards that he can barely skate forward, and even then, only to shoot from the left circle.

The higher a Russian player flies, the more frantic the lies against them become.

 

[Silky mitts]

Sandin has 5 assists, 18 blocks, and is +7 the last 5 games
Also the trade to get him from Toronto resulted in Erik Gustafsson becoming the first player to play for all original six teams, with him signing with Detroit and NYR the last 2 years