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

SkinsFan09

Registered User
Jun 10, 2009
5,290
1,701
Brooklyn
Strome is averaging 1.57 PPG, with 22 total. His career high last year was 67. He really might top 100 this year - which is crazy, in that we haven’t had a 100 pt guy since Backy/Ovi in ‘09-‘10.

Not bad for a guy the Hawks just discarded, and we’re only paying 5M/yr. That might be BMac’s most impressive piece of business ever, lol.

The Dyl-ouisiana Purchase.
 

CapitalsCupReality

It’s Go Time!!
Feb 27, 2002
66,244
21,240
I think with the way they are playing now, it would be malpractice to not move the first. Can't guarantee how long they'll be good and I think (once again as things stand right now) there is a clear path for them in the east this year.

I do not think Leonard will play in the NHL this year. They had a clear need for him last year in the regular season and playoffs that just isn't here right now. Who's spot is he taking? Vrana most likely -- but I would rather bring up Miro who has pro and NHL experience -- to fill that role. It's the same with next year.

“Malpractice”….Wow lol…..slow your roll…..they only move a 1st for a core addition IMO, but likely not at all….and it’s a loooong season.
 

Holtbyisms

Matt Irwin is a legit talent
Sponsor
Jul 1, 2012
7,460
4,308
Bedford, PA
I think with the way they are playing now, it would be malpractice to not move the first. Can't guarantee how long they'll be good and I think (once again as things stand right now) there is a clear path for them in the east this year.

I do not think Leonard will play in the NHL this year. They had a clear need for him last year in the regular season and playoffs that just isn't here right now. Who's spot is he taking? Vrana most likely -- but I would rather bring up Miro who has pro and NHL experience -- to fill that role. It's the same with next year.
Holy overreaction batman. This team needs to continue to strengthen their prospect pool to help with the inevitable loss of 8. Amazing start to the season so far, beyond any of our expectations, even the optimistic crowd but there's a lot of hockey to play.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nogatco Rd

Ovechkins Wodka

Registered User
Dec 1, 2007
18,704
8,572
DC
I don’t really like trading our1st rounders especially for deadline rentals.
i’m guessing we will have our normal trade deadline of dumpster diving for overpriced players.
 

qc14

Registered User
Jul 1, 2024
210
368
Holy overreaction batman. This team needs to continue to strengthen their prospect pool to help with the inevitable loss of 8. Amazing start to the season so far, beyond any of our expectations, even the optimistic crowd but there's a lot of hockey to play.
Should have clarified that if they continue playing this way, they absolutely should move their first. What team in the east is definitively better than them right now? I would pretty much only have Carolina and Florida.

There's a clear path to a playoff run this year and while I think a lot of the improvements made are hopefully more long term, a big part of the success so far is Ovi and Carlson in particular continuing to play at an extremely high level, and you never know when those wheels can fall off. Whoever they take with their first this year at lets generously say 18oa probably won't play games for the team for another three years, won't be a meaningful contributor for another five or 6, and will never be a real star. There's going to be plenty of runway to be bad, get future talent, and add 1sts if/when they finally go through a full rebuild. There is not at all a lot of runway left for this specific group.

All of that adds up to me to be a pretty clear indication to buy, buy, and buy. I would be extremely annoyed if the TDL comes around, they are still sitting in the top 10 in the league, and they don't do anything because of some nebulous "future" that they have to plan for. Doesn't mean you have to move your first, the deal may just not be there. If a legit 3c or 2w is available though, I stand by it being malpractice to not take serious runs at those players, including moving this year's first.
 

usiel

Where wolf’s ears are, wolf’s teeth are near.
Sponsor
Jul 29, 2002
15,856
4,678
Klendathu
www.myspace.com
Should have clarified that if they continue playing this way, they absolutely should move their first. What team in the east is definitively better than them right now? I would pretty much only have Carolina and Florida.

There's a clear path to a playoff run this year and while I think a lot of the improvements made are hopefully more long term, a big part of the success so far is Ovi and Carlson in particular continuing to play at an extremely high level, and you never know when those wheels can fall off. Whoever they take with their first this year at lets generously say 18oa probably won't play games for the team for another three years, won't be a meaningful contributor for another five or 6, and will never be a real star. There's going to be plenty of runway to be bad, get future talent, and add 1sts if/when they finally go through a full rebuild. There is not at all a lot of runway left for this specific group.

All of that adds up to me to be a pretty clear indication to buy, buy, and buy. I would be extremely annoyed if the TDL comes around, they are still sitting in the top 10 in the league, and they don't do anything because of some nebulous "future" that they have to plan for. Doesn't mean you have to move your first, the deal may just not be there. If a legit 3c or 2w is available though, I stand by it being malpractice to not take serious runs at those players, including moving this year's first.
Love the enthusiasm. Its just way early. January is the next crucible step since league-wise this is where regular season pretenders start to fall back to the wayside whether in general or due to injuries. Pure rentals for a 1st I don't know generally they like to get another year out of them for the caps.

Lets enjoy the team as they are playing now. And hope for no long time injuries.
 

LesDiablesRouges

Registered User
Feb 9, 2019
1,572
2,011
It’s rarely about loading up at the deadline….more often just getting hot at the right time…
I agree……also barring injuries, do we have a hole in our team anywhere other than 3LW? Maybeeeeee 1G if neither goalie gets hot? We are in a very good position and 3LW could soon enough be filled internally if they want to give Miro a shot and/or wait for Leonard come Spring.
 

Roshi

Registered User
Feb 7, 2013
2,077
2,090
Finland
Problem with trading our 1st is that we dont have glaring holes to fix currently. Who is the guy we want to spend the pick and demote hot McMike or Protas down in the lineup for?

Third liners dont cost that much. Atleast shouldnt, as we shouldnt look long term options anyways for minor tweaks like third line as our own system is overflowing and we are going to need roster spots as early as next year.

Keep the pick. The ’next wave’ is earning the trust.

Injury or getting really cold could change this of course, but i dont see a top6 add changing our faith all that much right now.

I actually dont hate the idea of bringing Lars back for playoffs depth if things go that way. 3C is pretty much all we are missing at the moment, but its a young season and as someone whos hot now could fade away, i wouldnt be suprised to see Lappy bounce back either. And theres still some interesting in house cards to be played too. Miro will get his taste again. We might see a peak of Leonard. Who knows, maybe we’ll see Oshie tilt the ice when the season closes in.!?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Calicaps

Ovechkins Wodka

Registered User
Dec 1, 2007
18,704
8,572
DC
I dont want Eller back. If we do trade for a 3C, I would call our old friend Barry in Nashville and see if ROR is for sale.

https://puckpedia.com/player/ryan-oreilly
2 more seasons at 4.5 cap hit

I mostly think we should wait on Lappy, I think he will start getting hot and will take over the 3C job. If he still isnt playing well come the march deadline then we could go shopping.

I also wouldnt want to block the Miro-Lappy-Leonard line next season
 

Nogatco Rd

Pierre-Luc Dubas
Apr 3, 2021
2,846
5,332
Agree that 3C is a glaring hole. Fortunately Lapierre still has time to pull it together. People sleep on the fact that he played 96 games last season between the NHL & AHL reg seasons and playoffs. The AHL grind being especially taxing with bus travel cutting into recovery time. And all that coming on the heels of a deep postseason run with Hershey the year before.

As a guy who missed significant time in junior with injury issues plus COVID shortened seasons, my guess is that all the miles he’s logged recently caught up to him and he wasn’t able to truly recover and reset over the summer.
 

trick9

Registered User
Jun 2, 2013
12,565
5,711
Crosby being 708th AKA last in the NHL in high-danger chances against 5-on-5 is wild to me. It's literally the narrative that's been said about Ovechkin for years, that he's completely fine giving up goals against to get to goal record, apart from the fact that with Ovechkin it's never been true. Now that it actually is true but it's Crosby who seem completely fine to see Penguins give up 400 goals this season just to keep up his own PPG streak going.

But i mean... what a fall from grace. Crosby, like Malkin still play in as coddled offensive role as possible and somehow that stat line is still possible. They both get as many offensive-zone starts (Crosby 60%, Malkin close to 70%) as possible and Sullivan tries to get them away from other teams top match-up's as much as possible, with Eller taking the garbage minutes and still Crosby is somehow bleeding chances against more than guys like Cody Ceci and Connor Murphy who are both not only terrible players but they play for terrible teams and get the garbage minutes to boot.

It's pretty interesting that he's re-signing there. The team doesn't seem to be heading to better direction and he's clearly not that motivated keeping them afloat. I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up with the Avalanche at some point to find his love for the game again.
 

RedRocking

Registered User
Jan 8, 2022
7,214
8,629
NoCal
Crosby being 708th AKA last in the NHL in high-danger chances against 5-on-5 is wild to me. It's literally the narrative that's been said about Ovechkin for years, that he's completely fine giving up goals against to get to goal record, apart from the fact that with Ovechkin it's never been true. Now that it actually is true but it's Crosby who seem completely fine to see Penguins give up 400 goals this season just to keep up his own PPG streak going.

But i mean... what a fall from grace. Crosby, like Malkin still play in as coddled offensive role as possible and somehow that stat line is still possible. They both get as many offensive-zone starts (Crosby 60%, Malkin close to 70%) as possible and Sullivan tries to get them away from other teams top match-up's as much as possible, with Eller taking the garbage minutes and still Crosby is somehow bleeding chances against more than guys like Cody Ceci and Connor Murphy who are both not only terrible players but they play for terrible teams and get the garbage minutes to boot.

It's pretty interesting that he's re-signing there. The team doesn't seem to be heading to better direction and he's clearly not that motivated keeping them afloat. I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up with the Avalanche at some point to find his love for the game again.
In other words, Wither Selke Crosby?

That. is. a. shame.
 

Roshi

Registered User
Feb 7, 2013
2,077
2,090
Finland
I dont want Eller back. If we do trade for a 3C, I would call our old friend Barry in Nashville and see if ROR is for sale.

https://puckpedia.com/player/ryan-oreilly
2 more seasons at 4.5 cap hit

I mostly think we should wait on Lappy, I think he will start getting hot and will take over the 3C job. If he still isnt playing well come the march deadline then we could go shopping.

I also wouldnt want to block the Miro-Lappy-Leonard line next season

ROR would be great for this season. But i want that spot reserved for Lapierre next season so…

Reading above, forger Eller. Lets take a chance on another rebound-case and trade for the leagues worst center Crosby. Its working out with Dubois so far so maybe it can work out with SC too. Though he will be making more than Dubois too so its even a bigger risk. Wonder what the Pens would give us for taking the contract ;)
 

twabby

Registered User
Mar 9, 2010
14,115
15,596
Will post more charts later, and the sample size is still small, but here is a prime example of "you win some, you lose some" re: arguments on the internet:

1731422325789.png



1731422362197.png
 

twabby

Registered User
Mar 9, 2010
14,115
15,596
There are so many good charts on the team. The only players who have disappointed are Lapierre and Vrana, and even Vrana was more of a flyer than someone they're banking on to contribute.
 
  • Like
Reactions: um and max21

stephenball

Registered User
Jan 7, 2018
514
1,024
Trading our first just makes no sense. I’m thrilled at how well the team is doing, but I feel like this season is more about being happy about what they’re accomplishing, especially some of the young players. Keep adding more young talent through the draft and moving forward, I don’t want to trade a first hoping to make the second round of the playoffs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roshi

um

Registered User
Sep 4, 2008
16,098
6,071
toronto
Even if it was time to go all in, which I'd disagree with as we just started with this new core, I don't think our needs are great enough to trade a first.

Our only large hole right now is 3C. You could argue 3LW too, but we have Miro and Leonard coming up. I'd be weary spending a first on either of those positions, but I am easily seduced by Stanley Cup dreams.

I dont want Eller back. If we do trade for a 3C, I would call our old friend Barry in Nashville and see if ROR is for sale.

https://puckpedia.com/player/ryan-oreilly
2 more seasons at 4.5 cap hit

I mostly think we should wait on Lappy, I think he will start getting hot and will take over the 3C job. If he still isnt playing well come the march deadline then we could go shopping.

I also wouldnt want to block the Miro-Lappy-Leonard line next season
I love ROR as a player and would be super excited to get him. But I can't help think we'd be falling into the same trap the Kings did with Dubois. Neither Dubois or ROR are 3Cs, It might not be a good fit.

Perhaps if we got someone like ROR the "4th line" would have to be an actual 4th line.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kalopsia

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad