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

[HTFN]

He needs to earn that, though, and it's not like his current role hasn't been super insulated. If he can't show much of a spark in easy minutes he doesn't deserve better linemates. Being outplayed by Sgarbossa isn't a great look. I don't think his struggle are on anything more than him. It's not linemates, it's not the role, it's not the staff. He showed up expecting it to be easy it seems. Who knows what the deal is but I'm confident the staff will make the right call with him.

Maybe they'd regret dealing him. I wouldn't rush to throw him overboard or anything but for the right type of return (ideally a cheap quality RD or goalie prospect) I'd definitely consider it. Unlike with McMichael or Protas it's not like skating is the main issue. His skating is just fine. It's the strength and perhaps also the toolbox in being able to effectively simplify and win just enough battles to be effective. With so many wingers on the way the clock is definitely ticking if he doesn't start becoming a more formidable battler if nothing else.

I don't think it's the minutes, I think it's the mentality. Might even just be as simple as who he's playing with, we could have just seen chemistry with somebody like Protas last year and not fully identified what's going on. I just saw him pretty comprehensively better (and way more natural, even backchecking) when he was being asked to fly and create for the guy in Ovechkin.

I couldn't tell you what he's being asked to do right now, to be fair, but the most familiar refrain for guys with minutes like these is to simplify and not lose ground in the bigger territory war and I'm just not sure if that mentality fits for who he is as a player. Simplify, sure, could always use a bit of that, but I don't think it's in his developmental interest to put him in a limited place that magnifies mistakes and provides limited opportunity and touches to negate that.

No doubt, you'd like that to be earned. I'm in agreement and said it's not really worthy of promotion on paper based on the results... but there's a non-zero chance this is our square peg/round hole guy on the roster right now.

 

[895]

Do we really think rookie Leonard is going to be better than Mangiapane at 3RW?

I highly doubt it.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Do we really think rookie Leonard is going to be better than Mangiapane at 3RW?

I highly doubt it.

I wouldnt be so sure he comes to the Caps this season. Thats still a big IF until he states hes going pro.

Lets hope he wins the Champ and can leave on top this year.

 

[Hivemind]

Do we really think rookie Leonard is going to be better than Mangiapane at 3RW?

I highly doubt it.

If Leonard goes pro, the concept is he attempts to earn 3RW while Mangiapane shifts to 3LW.

 

[qc14]

I don't think it's the minutes, I think it's the mentality. Might even just be as simple as who he's playing with, we could have just seen chemistry with somebody like Protas last year and not fully identified what's going on. I just saw him pretty comprehensively better (and way more natural, even backchecking) when he was being asked to fly and create for the guy in Ovechkin.

I couldn't tell you what he's being asked to do right now, to be fair, but the most familiar refrain for guys with minutes like these is to simplify and not lose ground in the bigger territory war and I'm just not sure if that mentality fits for who he is as a player. Simplify, sure, could always use a bit of that, but I don't think it's in his developmental interest to put him in a limited place that magnifies mistakes and provides limited opportunity and touches to negate that.

No doubt, you'd like that to be earned. I'm in agreement and said it's not really worthy of promotion on paper based on the results... but there's a non-zero chance this is our square peg/round hole guy on the roster right now.

My reasons Lappy is struggling, in order

1) he's 22yo and played 96 total games last season
2) Vrana (and Milano to a lesser extent) are doing that line no favors in d-zone coverage
3) he himself is already not a great in-zone defender
4) he's been pretty unlucky to not have more points (3.7% oISH%!!!!!), which both changes outside perception and affects #5
5) he's lost a lot of confidence and in his own head

Going to Hershey probably helps with 4 and 5, but does nothing about 2 and is probably actively harmful on 1 and 3. At a certain point, it's not developmentally better to go back to what's comfortable and easy and I think Lappy has earned the right to be past that point, especially when I think it's still pretty clear he's one of the 13 best forwards under contract.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

With Eller on board they can afford to be patient with Lappy either at the NHL or AHL level. He's clearly struggling, and he's been vocal about being his own worst enemy and getting inside his head too often. I don't think they need to trade him but this relieves the pressure of having to perform at a certain level. Think this can definitely be a positive for his development if all parties take the right approach.

Scarbs is a nice fill-in but not a 3C on a contender. Moving CMM or Pro to 3C and breaking up two great lines to fix a bottom six line is an unnecessary risk.

Non-zero possibility, as @HTFN said, that Lapierre is this year's version of Burakovsky a few years ago when the team traded for top six help (PLD <--> Oshie) and he was beat out of a top six role by a fellow prospect (CMM <--> Vrana) and is left without a clear fit on the team.

I also don't think they should be in a hurry to trade him. McMike was rumored to be surplus to requirements and evidently was a part of trade talks this summer between Winnipeg and Washington before cementing himself now as someone who is not available and is considered a core piece moving forward.

 

[caps4cup]

Do we really think rookie Leonard is going to be better than Mangiapane at 3RW?

I highly doubt it.

I’m not sure Leonard would be better than Miroshnichenko. I would doubt it to be honest.

Last year on the Caps, among semi regular forwards, he was 3rd in xG% (behind Strome and Mantha), 2nd in xGF/60% (Strome), 3rd in Shots/60 (Pacioretty and Ovechkin), and 1st in ixG/60. His finishing ability has been a lot better in the AHL this year and if he scored 2/3 more goals last year in his NHL stint, I’m not sure he doesn’t start the season penciled into the lineup. He’s a point per game player in the AHL as a 20 year old and like Leonard, plays a heavier game than you would think based off his size. Either of them would seemingly be a great stylistic fit with Mangiapane and Eller.

 

[Random schmoe]

"Jakub Vrana and Dylan McIlrath are here to stay, as the Capitals told both to find places to stay after a couple of months of hotel living."

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-vrana-mcilrath-hotel-upgrade-permanent-place

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856792874374828497

 

[Jags]

I wouldnt be so sure he comes to the Caps this season. Thats still a big IF until he states hes going pro.

Yeah, watching the crowd after that late game winner he scored the other day... Packed house, mostly students, plenty of girls, crazy big moment for him...

If he's got even a little NIL going on, pro hockey isn't much better than that (if at all) for a kid his age.

I'm sure he wants it, and I'd bet on him being a Cap next year, but what he's got right where he is is pretty damn nice, too.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Just please ignore that nitwit Kevin Hayes.

I hope he enjoys this season and realizes he needs to move on to grow.

 

[usiel]

I wouldnt be so sure he comes to the Caps this season. Thats still a big IF until he states hes going pro.

Lets hope he wins the Champ and can leave on top this year.

He's coming. Caps probably in the playoff hunt plus AO going for the record potentially around the time he could turn pro...who wouldn't want to be a part of that.

 

[DWGie26]

My reasons Lappy is struggling, in order

1) he's 22yo and played 96 total games last season
2) Vrana (and Milano to a lesser extent) are doing that line no favors in d-zone coverage
3) he himself is already not a great in-zone defender
4) he's been pretty unlucky to not have more points (3.7% oISH%!!!!!), which both changes outside perception and affects #5
5) he's lost a lot of confidence and in his own head

Going to Hershey probably helps with 4 and 5, but does nothing about 2 and is probably actively harmful on 1 and 3. At a certain point, it's not developmentally better to go back to what's comfortable and easy and I think Lappy has earned the right to be past that point, especially when I think it's still pretty clear he's one of the 13 best forwards under contract.

I like these but i would order them differently. And this is very similar conversation we had about McMichael 2-3 years ago.

1. 96 games is a lot. And young age. I would leave this as number 1
2. Confidence - things aren’t clicking and he is surely feeling a lot of pressure. The games needs to slow down for him a bunch to get his confidence. I can see him struggling with speed right now. McMichael said getting his confidence was number 1
3. The unlucky bounces affects confidence at this age - but hard to push through that at 22
4. Having a more developed two way game will also affect confidence
5. Nobody is getting gifted linemates. Gotta play with what you got and the line where you are slotted. So while it is a factor, it is what it is

All this said, i think the right move for him is to stay in Washington for a while. Watch and learn the NHL game, get mentored by Eller and others. Take advantage of being with NHLers and the benefits that come with being in washington ton. He doesn’t need more games so development will be better here than in Hershey for now. Someone will get hurt and he is next man up.

 

[DWGie26]

I don’t think Leonard has nearly as much “ego” as some suggest (“top 6 or bust). His skill set which is gritty, two way play who scores. As an early entry to NHL (before age 20), that skill set is going to be best at 3RW. Like McMichael and Lappy he is going to have growing pains and hit walls. He can absolutely be a top six player in time, but that will take some time.

 

[Random schmoe]

With the below query, I am *not* advocating for trading LaPierre. In fact, I don't think they should, much the same way I pushed back against the idea of trading McMichael this summer. But I think spitballing here is fair.

Assuming the team continues close to their current pace and they go into the playoffs with expectations of proceeding past the first round... Do we trust Thompson and/or Lindgren to be 'the guy/s' to start and succeed in the playoffs? Or would we rather have a Proven Veteran Starter type?

Are there any goalies that:
* have the history of performance to have confidence in them?
* are on teams that would be likely sellers at the deadline (and willing to trade their starting goalie)?
* (optional here I guess, but) ... preferably are young enough and/or on decent contracts past 2024-25?
* might be worth acquiring for a Hendrix type prospect (and/or other lesser and/or picks, specific value/cost is not the point here)?

Obviously, some guys might cost a heck of a lot more than we'd want to pay.

To be honest, I don't see many guys that would fit the bill, at least not at this point. Cam Talbot maybe? Believe it or not, he's 15th among all active goalies in save percentage (cough cough right behind Kuemper at 14th), and 4th this season among goalies with at least 5 games. But he doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies about relying on him for a good playoff run.

 

[wickedwitch]

With the below query, I am *not* advocating for trading LaPierre. In fact, I don't think they should, much the same way I pushed back against the idea of trading McMichael this summer. But I think spitballing here is fair.

Assuming the team continues close to their current pace and they go into the playoffs with expectations of proceeding past the first round... Do we trust Thompson and/or Lindgren to be 'the guy/s' to start and succeed in the playoffs? Or would we rather have a Proven Veteran Starter type?

Are there any goalies that:
* have the history of performance to have confidence in them?
* are on teams that would be likely sellers at the deadline (and willing to trade their starting goalie)?
* (optional here I guess, but) ... preferably are young enough and/or on decent contracts past 2024-25?
* might be worth acquiring for a Hendrix type prospect (and/or other lesser and/or picks, specific value/cost is not the point here)?

Obviously, some guys might cost a heck of a lot more than we'd want to pay.

To be honest, I don't see many guys that would fit the bill, at least not at this point. Cam Talbot maybe? Believe it or not, he's 15th among all active goalies in save percentage (cough cough right behind Kuemper at 14th), and 4th this season among goalies with at least 5 games. But he doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies about relying on him for a good playoff run.

Here's another issue: even if we decided we needed an upgrade in goal, if there's a good goalie available, other teams (e.g. Edmonton and Colorado) will pay more because they will be more desperate.

 

[trick9]

If/when Thompson keeps playing well and still gets replaced, you might aswell trade him because no chance he's re-signing here.

I'd trust Thompson. Much rather have him than Talbot. Thompson was one of the better goalies in the Playoffs last season and Talbot was one of the worst.

 

[Random schmoe]

If/when Thompson keeps playing well and still gets replaced, you might aswell trade him because no chance he's re-signing here.

I'd trust Thompson. Much rather have him than Talbot. Thompson was one of the better goalies in the Playoffs last season and Talbot was one of the worst.

Agreed on Talbot, for the record. I had meant to explicitly say this but forgot, but basically he was just an example of "obvious" guys that might be available ... and a perfect example of why going down that road is dangerous. There's really no clear cut #1 guy with reliable history that I can see as available. And, as @wickedwitch pointed out, if those guys do come available, there are other teams potentially more desperate than we would be.

It was just spitballing food for thought.
Not that spitballs make good food, but, you know what I mean.

 

[Monsterrain]

Hendrix isn’t gonna get the games in with eller here now. I don’t want him to just sit in the box. Send him down and let him play.