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

[CapitalsCupReality]

Wont it be nice if Ilya Protas ends up being on his brothers level in the future?

Lil Pro could be better….noodle that one…

 

[StrikingDistance]

Losing isn't "adversity"; it's just losing.

Their captain and leading goal scorer broke his leg and has missed nearly a month of games. Then their captain-in-waiting broke his face and is playing inside fish bowl. That's adversity. This is a team overcoming adversity.

So easy to create a few more posts on here.

So much positivity, there needs to be some negativity, but I'm quite terrible at it. But just trying to get into the season.

 

[Langway]

NHL trade tiers Big Board: Kreider, Rossi, Provorov among players generating buzz

While the trade deadline isn't until March 7, significant trades have already happened. Here are 68 players who could join a new team.

www.espn.com

The Caps shouldn't add much at the moment I don't think. The vibes are too good. That said, the weakest link is probably Mangiapane (assuming Lapierre gets pushed out for Leonard at some point). AM is fine but that's about it. He's not going to take over a shift. Not the biggest nor strongest. Sort of a Sheary lite. Better defensively than Sheary maybe but less disruptive on the forecheck, less productive at Sheary's peak effectiveness as Basic Energy Guy. Also doesn't seem like he's much of a sniper. Shrug. Good thing others have taken off in top six roles because that doesn't seem like it's in the cards.

McTavish would be an intriguing upside play. Probably not a ton of roster room for him given what else is coming but value and upside still make it interesting. Playoff style wingers like Gourde and Marchand would be fun. Brock Nelson would add more size. Taylor Hall could be another X factor. All that said aside from McTavish and perhaps Hoglander the salary cap would be an obstacle for anything significant it seems. Just adding Eller and then Leonard in the spring may be enough. Figuring out a way to move on from Milano will eventually be needed. Other than that pending tasks are mainly about contract extensions.

 

[Random schmoe]

Is it just me, or do the Caps seem to do more goalie screening than they have in the past? (Meaning, as a point of emphasis/strategy on their part.) It seems like every game they score at least one while the goalie is screened.

 

[Langway]

 

[kicksavedave]

Is it just me, or do the Caps seem to do more goalie screening than they have in the past? (Meaning, as a point of emphasis/strategy on their part.) It seems like every game they score at least one while the goalie is screened.

Carbs talked about it in a WaPo article, that his offseason "generate more offense" plan was heavily focused on just going to the net all the time, everyone. Like, suddenly, the basics of hockey needed to be reinstalled in the roster. It's obviously working.

Their much improved forecheck helps too.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

NHL trade tiers Big Board: Kreider, Rossi, Provorov among players generating buzz

While the trade deadline isn't until March 7, significant trades have already happened. Here are 68 players who could join a new team.

www.espn.com

The Caps shouldn't add much at the moment I don't think. The vibes are too good. That said, the weakest link is probably Mangiapane (assuming Lapierre gets pushed out for Leonard at some point). AM is fine but that's about it. He's not going to take over a shift. Not the biggest nor strongest. Sort of a Sheary lite. Better defensively than Sheary maybe but less disruptive on the forecheck, less productive at Sheary's peak effectiveness as Basic Energy Guy. Also doesn't seem like he's much of a sniper. Shrug. Good thing others have taken off in top six roles because that doesn't seem like it's in the cards.

McTavish would be an intriguing upside play. Probably not a ton of roster room for him given what else is coming but value and upside still make it interesting. Playoff style wingers like Gourde and Marchand would be fun. Brock Nelson would add more size. Taylor Hall could be another X factor. All that said aside from McTavish and perhaps Hoglander the salary cap would be an obstacle for anything significant it seems. Just adding Eller and then Leonard in the spring may be enough. Figuring out a way to move on from Milano will eventually be needed. Other than that pending tasks are mainly about contract extensions.

I’m still on the Marchand train but Boston is also probably safe to make the playoffs given how ass some of the other teams in the East are. I also don’t think they necessarily need to go after anyone with term. Kakko is also really intriguing as he fits exactly the type of reclamation profile this team likes to target: young, great pedigree, large human. A Lapierre/Kakko swap would be an interesting discussion.

Ovi-Strome-Pro
McMike-Dubois-Wilson
Marchand/Kakko-Eller-Leonard
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddyish

 

[895]

I’m still on the Marchand train but Boston is also probably safe to make the playoffs given how ass some of the other teams in the East are. I also don’t think they necessarily need to go after anyone with term. Kakko is also really intriguing as he fits exactly the type of reclamation profile this team likes to target: young, great pedigree, large human. A Lapierre/Kakko swap would be an interesting discussion.

Ovi-Strome-Pro
McMike-Dubois-Wilson
Marchand/Kakko-Eller-Leonard
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddyish

New York would have to be literally insane to do Lapierre for Kakko

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

New York would have to be literally insane to do Lapierre for Kakko

He’s on pace for 11 goals this year, and will be a free agent after this season. He’s played for three different coaches in his six seasons in New York and hasn’t shown anything to make you think he’ll live up to his draft billing while in a Rangers jersey. Lapierre outscored him last season. Kakko is getting caved in at even strength this year and is back to a bottom six role. Kakko has more value but not “literally insane” to trade him for Lapierre value.

 

[895]

Lapierre has very little value.

Kaako for Hoglander might make some sense.

 

[Brian23]

weakest link is probably Mangiapane

He's actually been a disappointment for me. Not that I think he's been out right bad, but I really thought he'd show up and be a decisive player for us.

I still think they need more help on the 3rd line. I'd still look to upgrade Eller or Wing going forward, but I doubt they make any big move their now.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Lapierre has very little value.

Kaako for Hoglander might make some sense.

Come on…..

 

[wickedwitch]

He's actually been a disappointment for me. Not that I think he's been out right bad, but I really thought he'd show up and be a decisive player for us.

I wonder to what extent Gaudreau's death is affecting him. Obviously, everyone handles grief differently, but I know I wouldn't be at my best after a very close friend died suddenly and tragically.