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

[Calicaps]

Welp. Folks who think we are idiots for wanting to send Lappy down for more time in Hershey are probably going to get their wish. Time for him to sink or swim.

Strange language choice there. Covid, maybe?

As for Lappy, it’s an opportunity. Hope he can make the most of it.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

That new third line, whoever is centering it, is going to get 10 minutes a night. They’re the fourth line now.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Protas was a star center in Junior. With Eller out I'd go:

Vrana - Strome - Mangiapane
CMM - Dubois - Wilson
Jimi - Protas - Miroshnichenko
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

And if Eller is still out when Ovi is back:

Ovi - Strome - Mangiapane
CMM - Dubois - Wilson
Jimi/Vrana - Protas - Miroshnichenko
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

A good experiment at least - and I would shuffle Mangiapane and Miroshnichenko back and forth to see who might gel with who.

I think CMM - Dubois - Wilson has been the best combo so far ans would stick with that.

 

[Calicaps]

Protas was a star center in Junior. With Eller out I'd go:

Vrana - Strome - Mangiapane
CMM - Dubois - Wilson
Jimi - Protas - Miroshnichenko
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

And if Eller is still out when Ovi is back:

Ovi - Strome - Mangiapane
CMM - Dubois - Wilson
Jimi/Vrana - Protas - Miroshnichenko
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

A good experiment at least - and I would shuffle Mangiapane and Miroshnichenko back and forth to see who might gel with who.

That line makes me weep.

 

[qc14]

That line makes me weep.

Was about to say the same thing. For tonight I'd go:

McMichael-Strome-Miro/Raddysh
Vrana-PLD-Wilson
Protas-Lappy-Mangiapane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh/Miro

Keep Vrana, Lappy, and Miro all on separate lines and swap back to

Protas-Strome-Mangiapane
McM-PLD-Wilson
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

in the third.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Reddysh back to the fourth line please. That line was very effective.

 

[hb13xchamps]

He’s been projected as a C his entire time in the Org, why would that change after such a small sample?

I personally think he’s a center and it’s just a down year for him after playing a shit load of hockey the past two years, but I’m not an expert. If the organization feels differently, I think Lappy needs more time to adjust to the wing with more minutes. It’s a luxury that this years Caps can afford to send him back to Hershey because they have some better options.

I’m not ready to give up on the player but he does need a real confidence boost because he’s a shell of the guy we saw last season.

 

[Ridley Simon]

They sure don’t need more wings ready for NHL play lol….CMM couldn’t make it at C….so they kinda need HL to IMO. Luckily Eller is a fine stopgap but who knows about next year. No need to punt on HL unless a killer trade opportunity requires it.

Yeah I dunno about this. Both CMM and Protas can/do play C. We haven’t seen either of the “new versions” of these players at C, and they might be just fine.

OFC there is still Lapierre. I also think they resign Dowd. And Eller could get another year as well.

Plus UFA.

There are a LOT of options. I’m not really worried about it

 

[Ridley Simon]

Was about to say the same thing. For tonight I'd go:

McMichael-Strome-Miro/Raddysh
Vrana-PLD-Wilson
Protas-Lappy-Mangiapane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh/Miro

Keep Vrana, Lappy, and Miro all on separate lines and swap back to

Protas-Strome-Mangiapane
McM-PLD-Wilson
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

in the third.

Mangie is supposed to be an LW, from what I read. And obv Protas has done just fine as an RW w Ovy.

So I’d swap those 2 around

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Yeah I dunno about this. Both CMM and Protas can/do play C. We haven’t seen either of the “new versions” of these players at C, and they might be just fine.

OFC there is still Lapierre. I also think they resign Dowd. And Eller could get another year as well.

Plus UFA.

There are a LOT of options. I’m not really worried about it

Come on….Protas as an NHL C is just like CMM…..that ship has sailed. The Org sees neither as a long term option IMO.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Come on….Protas as an NHL C is just like CMM…..that ship has sailed. The Org sees neither as a long term option IMO.

I don’t agree at all.

I think once those 2 started helping their lines click as W’s w Strome and PLD, they left it alone. 30 games now. Season is still young, as are those 2 players.

I fully believe Protas has the absolute ability to be a top 6C.

Just my 2 cents

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I don’t agree at all.

I think once those 2 started helping their lines click as W’s w Strome and PLD, they left it alone. 30 games now. Season is still young, as are those 2 players.

I fully believe Protas has the absolute ability to be a top 6C.

Just my 2 cents

Ok let’s wait and see how that turns out. How many more YEARS at wing before you agree with me? Just so I can check back. The count is what 3 and 2 already, or 2.5/1.5?

Btw I do think that of the 2, only AP (has the ability and) could probably successfully play a long term (3)c role in the NHL (2c might be pushing it), but I don’t think that’s the plan the Caps have for him. Only heavy injuries will force them to even try.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

That line makes me weep.

Lol, it would only be a couple of games before Ovi returns as an experiment. Maybe you'd prefer:

CMM - Dubois - Wilson
Jimi - Strome - Mangiapane
Vrana - Protas - Miroshnichenko
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

The main point I was trying to make is try Protas at 3C. He may surprise there like CMM surprised at LW. Can't hurt to try after we tried 1st line Raddysh.

I both think the team and individuals flourish when the TOI is spread more evenly rather than with the hidden 3rd line game plan.

 

[zappa4ever]

Pro at 3C for a try would be fine by me
Pro's been defensively responsible and smart his whole NHL career so far, plus it's only 3 gms max and OV's back, with Eller out why not?
Offense has been drying up lately and the ProPLDWilly size line hasn't really lit much of a fire so far
Dec: 7gms - 17GF

 

[Ridley Simon]

Didn’t they both play C last year? Pretty pretty pretty sure they did. Not all season, but some part of it.

I’m generally not wrong with these things, as proven over the years. Even my PPG Protas is now more right than wrong. Go figure!

 

[DWGie26]

When Caps moved Protas and McMichael to wing they were all in on Lappy at C. He had a great year last year. He needs to prove he can fight through this too. That is what it takes. So he will path with Caps as C or he will be traded as a C.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Am I missing something about Protas. He’s always played wing since turning pro besides some fill in duty with injuries. I can’t recall Hershey or Washington deliberately playing him at center

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Don't look now, but moneypuck.com has a new Stanley Cup favorite...

 

[usiel]

Strange language choice there. Covid, maybe?

As for Lappy, it’s an opportunity. Hope he can make the most of it.

Pink eye can be rough.