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

[AlexModvechkin8]

Isles waived Oliver Wahlstrom, 2018 11OA pick with a lethal shot. He skates like a beer leaguer which is why he has struggled, I wonder if the Caps could do their voodoo on him to make him a decent enough skater.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Isles waived Oliver Wahlstrom, 2018 11OA pick with a lethal shot. He skates like a beer leaguer which is why he has struggled, I wonder if the Caps could do their voodoo on him to make him a decent enough skater.

It’s not like we have a wizard or sorceress, just good coaching, and I can’t believe we’re the only ones with access to credible “experts” in powerskating.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Oh i agree completely, but you can't say Raddysh was crushing it at the time Ovi went down either.

Seems a good dude Mange ... whether he gets traded by us or not, hope he finds a good spot next year, likely at a reduced cap hit

He wasn’t playing well in his role?

As someone else pointed out….if Mango was making $3 mil we’re barely discussing this guy.

He’s been fine IMO. Not 5.8 mil fine, but I’ve liked his play overall. I could see him settling in and producing more in the 2nd half of the season.

 

[stephenball]

To be fair it feels like the third line for this team is in a position where at the least they’re asked to not hurt the team when they’re in the ice. They’ve been fine and that’s all we need them to be right now. But in the playoffs you need guys in those positions to contribute.

 

[DWGie26]

Isles waived Oliver Wahlstrom, 2018 11OA pick with a lethal shot. He skates like a beer leaguer which is why he has struggled, I wonder if the Caps could do their voodoo on him to make him a decent enough skater.

I mean i wouldn’t hate it. 6’2 205 lbs and a right shot at only $1M. He also played at Boston College and NTDP and over 200 NHL games. He is a RFA next year.

We would have to cut Vrana to do this with OV getting ready to come back. I would probably be OK with this because we lack right sticks this year.

 

[um]

To be fair it feels like the third line for this team is in a position where at the least they’re asked to not hurt the team when they’re in the ice. They’ve been fine and that’s all we need them to be right now. But in the playoffs you need guys in those positions to contribute.

The third line feels very much up in the air. I think they are content with Eller as the 3C, but the wings are open to improvement:

- Mangiapane is just not good value for his cap hit. Six months ago I'd say whatever, but we're back to being Cup contenders and that's too big of a waste of space.
- Milano is a mystery with his injury problems, it may be wise to give him games and then move on.
- Vrana is not reliable. He's still skilled but not as speedy as he was in 2018.
- Miro goes quiet for long stretches, he's not quite ready.
- Lappy is the same as Miro. Not ready.
- Leonard will be a rookie with very little experience.

I think it makes a lot of sense to try and upgrade on Mangiapane, someone who can jump into the top 6. Then let the other 4-5 guys fight for the last third-line spot.

 

[DWGie26]

I’m not saying Wahlstrom is the answer, but could be another option to work on third line. Might look something like this (with OV back):

Protas-Strome-OV
CMM-PLD-Wilson
Mangiapane (to natural left side)-Eller-Wahlstrom
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh
Lappy

I’d keep Lappy in Washington. Send Miro to Hershey. Waive Vrana and if he clears send him to Hershey. Wouldn’t be upset if Jake got claimed but would prefer to have him in system for depth.

 

[stephenball]

Upgrading is one thing, but finding a proper fit is another. Obviously the Caps would probably want an expiring contract back, and I was just looking at Puckpedia and I’m not seeing a ton. I feel like if you’re going to make a move it has to be one you feel is very positive if you want to shift the room that is riding high this year.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

The Athletic identified a trade target for each team in an article posted today. I like the target but am not giving up Fehervary for Hoglander.

Washington Capitals​

Target: Nils Höglander, LW (VAN) — Sean Gentille

Cost: Martin Fehervary, LHD (WSH) or Trevor van Riemsdyk, RHD (WSH) — Mirtle

Reality: As good as the Caps have been, they could use a bit more pop in their middle six. Höglander has some history as a play-driver, the ability to pop in 15 goals or so (last season’s hot streak aside), and at 23, could stick in the lineup for a few years. The question is whether it’d be worth sending back the defenseman that Vancouver requires; van Riemsdyk might make sense, as fellow right-shot Dylan McIlrath has given Washington some decent low-impact minutes. — Gentille

 

[trick9]

Moving Fehervary in that deal would be just brutal move.

This guy is having a brutal season. I get buying low but this'd be buying high and for what reason? Miro and Lapierre are pacing for bigger point totals so would that even be an upgrade? Even if it's a small one, it's not even remotely worth downgrading from Fehervary/TvR to McIlrath on a nightly basis.

 

[Lou Sassole]

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.

Exactly, they both had 1+1 in last years playoffs. Lappy played 4 games, Kakko played like 15. He's off to an ok start, but their values aren't off much.

 

[HTFN]

The Athletic identified a trade target for each team in an article posted today. I like the target but am not giving up Fehervary for Hoglander.

Washington Capitals​

Target: Nils Höglander, LW (VAN) — Sean Gentille

Cost: Martin Fehervary, LHD (WSH) or Trevor van Riemsdyk, RHD (WSH) — Mirtle

Reality: As good as the Caps have been, they could use a bit more pop in their middle six. Höglander has some history as a play-driver, the ability to pop in 15 goals or so (last season’s hot streak aside), and at 23, could stick in the lineup for a few years. The question is whether it’d be worth sending back the defenseman that Vancouver requires; van Riemsdyk might make sense, as fellow right-shot Dylan McIlrath has given Washington some decent low-impact minutes. — Gentille

broad coverage of this team is absolute garbage, goddamn.

Sure, let's trade a component of one of the league's best D corps for "15 goals or so and some history as a play driver" to shore up one of the least important parts of the roster. Absolute dogwater.

 

[RedRocking]

Sammi Silber did an AMA this week, and she said Marco Rossi was a name to watch. He’s off to a hot start, but is a pending RFA and sounds like he’s not in the Wild’s long term plans. He’s def skilled, but not sure we need to trade for another small winger. I like Hoglander (but not at the expense of Fever).

I do agree that we need more firepower on the 3rd line. Right now it’s just Eller + guys that are mainly good in transition/puck support. Need someone who is more of a finisher. Wish Carbs didn’t see Vrana as too much of a liability, as he doesn’t need a lot of minutes to produce. Maybe Miro spends some time w Eller after Ovi comes back?

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Negative interest in trading any of their six regular defenseman. Less than negative interest, even.

Just sign Leonard and roll with whoever's gelling on the third line come April.

 

[895]

I cannot believe someone gets paid to propose that trade holy. I would immediately cancel my subscription if I had one.

 

[Marshall]

The Caps have an NHL points % of .750. Also the best offense in goals scored.

They aren't trading boo, and I'm not sure if Eller wasn't their major "TDL" acquisition.

Waiver wire zeros? Get outta here.

 

[Ridley Simon]

The Athletic identified a trade target for each team in an article posted today. I like the target but am not giving up Fehervary for Hoglander.

Washington Capitals​

Target: Nils Höglander, LW (VAN) — Sean Gentille

Cost: Martin Fehervary, LHD (WSH) or Trevor van Riemsdyk, RHD (WSH) — Mirtle

Reality: As good as the Caps have been, they could use a bit more pop in their middle six. Höglander has some history as a play-driver, the ability to pop in 15 goals or so (last season’s hot streak aside), and at 23, could stick in the lineup for a few years. The question is whether it’d be worth sending back the defenseman that Vancouver requires; van Riemsdyk might make sense, as fellow right-shot Dylan McIlrath has given Washington some decent low-impact minutes. — Gentille

This gets a big NO from me, dawg. I wouldn’t trade ANY of the top 6D. Alexeyev or Bear or lessers, but not the top 6.

They are the straw that stirs the drink, and we do NOT WANT top 6 McIlrath unless injuries.

I don’t mind Hoglander. But not for a top 6D.

 

[usiel]

Negative interest in trading any of their six regular defenseman. Less than negative interest, even.

Just sign Leonard and roll with whoever's gelling on the third line come April.

Thinking about the 3rd line moving into the playoffs I think it is valid to think of Leonard being signed is another step. He's not someone coming out of juniors he's ready for the pros. Watched about 90% of his games this season conservatively. He's been the most physical player on the ice against any team he's faced. So I don't think its really that much of a gamble to pencil him in 3rd line RW.

 

[usiel]

Would not want to give any D depth away at this point. Off season for sure since wth are they going to do with AA and I think its time to move on from JVR as he continues to get slower.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I can think of a scoring winger we have coming back soon that could fix the 3rd line. I know it will never happen but Ovie has played with Eller before.

 

[Brian23]

Honestly, I could/would move TVR for the right deal but I don't know if a reclamation project like Hoglander is worth it.

He's 33, about to be 34, and our 3rd RD. While he's miles ahead of McIlrath, I do think a trade could be out in the ether that makes sense for them.

 

[DWGie26]

This gets a big NO from me, dawg. I wouldn’t trade ANY of the top 6D. Alexeyev or Bear or lessers, but not the top 6.

They are the straw that stirs the drink, and we do NOT WANT top 6 McIlrath unless injuries.

I don’t mind Hoglander. But not for a top 6D.

It’s not like it is ModVechkins idea. All 32 of these trades are just fantasy moves… not like real moves. Including Shepherd for a second from Seattle.

I don’t think I like Hoglander anyway. He is locked up for 4 years (1.1M this and $3M x 3 beyond). We have a lot of youth of our own. We don’t need to go get other youngsters like we did a year or three ago. Maybe someone on expiring agreement.