CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
- Feb 27, 2002
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That Boston 2nd looks teed up for trade if need be.
Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines/etc) | 2024-25 Summer Edition
- Thread starter AlexModvechkin8
- Start date
Strongly in the ’do nothing’ camp.
Top 6 is somehow working with the unexpected parts. No need to mess it up. Fourth line is solid. Theres a lot of pieces to ball around for third line, Eller is reliable and both Vrana and Mangiapane are guys that can get on a heater. Lappy, Miro, Milano and even Leonard on the mix.
Defence has all the depth we need.
Both goalies seem to have earned the teams trust.
Just roll with it and keep all the futures. I dont see us being a piece away from winning it all. Just need to stay healthy and get on the roll at the right time, see what happens.
And as a bonus, im still daydreaming of Oshie comeback for playoffs
Top 6 is somehow working with the unexpected parts. No need to mess it up. Fourth line is solid. Theres a lot of pieces to ball around for third line, Eller is reliable and both Vrana and Mangiapane are guys that can get on a heater. Lappy, Miro, Milano and even Leonard on the mix.
Defence has all the depth we need.
Both goalies seem to have earned the teams trust.
Just roll with it and keep all the futures. I dont see us being a piece away from winning it all. Just need to stay healthy and get on the roll at the right time, see what happens.
And as a bonus, im still daydreaming of Oshie comeback for playoffs
Brian23
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2011
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I think they should continue to be in the market for players that would be here for term, so looking at Hoglander or what have you is totally fine, but I don't think there's anything I'd want as a rental that they'd also want.
By that I mean I still would like a better 3C and 3W rental option, maybe flip Mangi for someone. That 3rd line still feels awful to me, and I feel like it really hurts some of their flexibility in the top 9. I'd love to go into the playoffs/next year with Leonard - 3C acquisition - Miro/Vrana/Milano over what they have now but I think the Eller trade kinda puts the kabosh on that.
By that I mean I still would like a better 3C and 3W rental option, maybe flip Mangi for someone. That 3rd line still feels awful to me, and I feel like it really hurts some of their flexibility in the top 9. I'd love to go into the playoffs/next year with Leonard - 3C acquisition - Miro/Vrana/Milano over what they have now but I think the Eller trade kinda puts the kabosh on that.
The obvious slot for upgrade is Mangiapane. And I like the player. BUT, that 5.8m or whatever is where the capital will need to come from, to acquire someone that makes an actual — you know — difference?
Other than that, it’ll be an injury replacement, I fear. With Ovy out, this team has slowed their goal roll, like quite a lot. Which is concerning.
So that’s where I would look, were I running the team.
Edit — I could see a trade for Michael Granlund. Mangiapane going the other way to absorb salary.
Issue would be cost. He probably would be EXpensive. But he’s been really good in San Jose, and would make sense as a top 6F (or top 9) to supplant the current team.
I DO worry that Protas and CMM will slow down. So having another versatile forward to plug in would be a major plus.
Other than that, it’ll be an injury replacement, I fear. With Ovy out, this team has slowed their goal roll, like quite a lot. Which is concerning.
So that’s where I would look, were I running the team.
Edit — I could see a trade for Michael Granlund. Mangiapane going the other way to absorb salary.
Issue would be cost. He probably would be EXpensive. But he’s been really good in San Jose, and would make sense as a top 6F (or top 9) to supplant the current team.
I DO worry that Protas and CMM will slow down. So having another versatile forward to plug in would be a major plus.
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qc14
Registered User
- Jul 1, 2024
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I'm the other way where I actually think they're fairly set for next year where theoretically Lappy, Miro, and Leonard need full-time slots at forward and Milano may be healthy. They're good now so I'd much rather pay a premium for a better rental that will help this year than take on another guy like Hoglander that Carbery may or may not trust this year and may or may not win a slot next year.
Give me Vatrano or Frederic for that Boston second and let them (and Mangiapane) walk in the summer:
Protas-Strome-Ovi
McM-PLD-Wilson
Frederic-Eller-Mangiapane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh
then next year:
Protas-Strome-Ovi
McM-PLD-Wilson
???-Lappy-Leonard
Duhaime-Dowd-Miro
Why the Boston 2nd. It’s better than ours. Send over our 2nd. And Frederic?
Guy is a clown show on ice. f*** him. Don’t want him on the team. Ovechkin jabbed him in the family jewels, remember? We want them playing together? No thanks.
Granlund or bust. That’s my ride
qc14
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- Jul 1, 2024
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I'm less convinced by Granlund, he to me is the epitome of a "someone has to score the points" player on a bad team and I'm not sure we would have the powerplay time for him that he needs to be most effective.
As for Frederic he's definitely a guy you hate ... until he's on your team. Would give the third line a little more bite without being a liability offensively.
trick9
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2013
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Granlund struggles vs. East and already was a TDL failure for an EC team that brought him in to provide secondary scoring.
On the contrary he's great vs. West and has familiarity with few WC teams.
This isn't a bidding war we, or any other Eastern team is likely to win. Which is propably a good thing.
Perfect TDL was upgrading 3C early. Now bring in Leonard and this team is more than ready.
On the contrary he's great vs. West and has familiarity with few WC teams.
This isn't a bidding war we, or any other Eastern team is likely to win. Which is propably a good thing.
Perfect TDL was upgrading 3C early. Now bring in Leonard and this team is more than ready.
Dr John Carlson
Registered User
I don't know if Granlund offers enough of an upgrade over the similarly-sized Mangiapane to spend the assets to get him. The biggest advantage of having him would be if they want to plug Leonard in at 3RW right away, in which case I think he's best served having a creative playmaker like Granlund on his line, which is neither Eller nor Mangiapane.
Feels like it'd be setting Granlund up for failure, going from playing 21 minutes a night on the top line with skilled players to ~15 minutes a night on a 3rd line with Lars Eller. We saw what happened when Pittsburgh tried doing that a few years ago at the TDL. Better to upgrade Mangiapane with somebody who has more oomph to their game and can bring a different dimension to those 15 minutes.
Feels like it'd be setting Granlund up for failure, going from playing 21 minutes a night on the top line with skilled players to ~15 minutes a night on a 3rd line with Lars Eller. We saw what happened when Pittsburgh tried doing that a few years ago at the TDL. Better to upgrade Mangiapane with somebody who has more oomph to their game and can bring a different dimension to those 15 minutes.
Not interested in Granlund. If they didn’t get Lars I’d say sure but he’s redundant with Eller. He doesn’t add tangible size, speed, or skill over Mangiapane or Vrana.
qc14
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- Jul 1, 2024
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My "3W upgrades" tier list taking into account assumed acquisition cost and including every forward on the Athletic's most recent big board except swapping the already traded Kaako for Leonard:
Top Targets
Vatrano - scorer that can play up if someone gets hurt, still responsible and probably cheaper
Nelson - best all around forward, not sure what the cost would be
Some Concerns
Marchand - second best all around forward, cost probably prohibitive
Frederic - bring some bite and speed to the third line
Gourde - somewhat redundant with Eller but the best defender on the list
Serious Concerns
Leonard - will Carbery trust him right away?
Hall - can he play the right style for that third line?
Olivier - can he be more than a worse Duhaime?
Bjugstad - why would Utah move on from him?
Rossi - I don't understand why he's on the trade board
Would Rather Stay Put
Rakell - too much term
Granlund - needs to be a top guy and won't get that here
Kreider - too much money and term
Nyquist - can't keep up with the speed
Hard Pass
Saad - if you're being scratched by the Blues ...
Faksa - way too slow
Goodrow - awful playoff results
Robertson - why take on another version of Lapierre
Top Targets
Vatrano - scorer that can play up if someone gets hurt, still responsible and probably cheaper
Nelson - best all around forward, not sure what the cost would be
Some Concerns
Marchand - second best all around forward, cost probably prohibitive
Frederic - bring some bite and speed to the third line
Gourde - somewhat redundant with Eller but the best defender on the list
Serious Concerns
Leonard - will Carbery trust him right away?
Hall - can he play the right style for that third line?
Olivier - can he be more than a worse Duhaime?
Bjugstad - why would Utah move on from him?
Rossi - I don't understand why he's on the trade board
Would Rather Stay Put
Rakell - too much term
Granlund - needs to be a top guy and won't get that here
Kreider - too much money and term
Nyquist - can't keep up with the speed
Hard Pass
Saad - if you're being scratched by the Blues ...
Faksa - way too slow
Goodrow - awful playoff results
Robertson - why take on another version of Lapierre
While I ultimately am leaning towards no moves, Vatrano is the obvious target out there. Someone who would be relatively cheap and would clearly upgrade the 3rd line.
I still believe the Caps made their deadline move already with the Eller trade and that the team will solve the 3rd line wing issues in house between Vrana (playing better finally, Lappy, Miro, Leonard, and Mangipane.
I had no idea that Rakell had 3 full years left. There's someone I would've been interested in him as a UFA but yikes to that term.
SecretaryofDefense5
Registered User
twabby
Registered User
- Mar 9, 2010
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Not really understanding the desire to upgrade Mangiapane:
Is he too expensive for what he brings? Probably, but he's still a perfectly good 3rd line winger who can play in the top 6 in a pinch. If he has to be a cap casualty to facilitate a bigger move then sure, but I'm not seeing the problem with his play.
I love Vrana but I'd want to have him be the 13th forward and bring in someone to play beside Eller and Mangiapane on the third line. It could just be Ryan Leonard. If they don't think he'll be effective this postseason then I'd like to see them target someone who they won't have to bench late in tight games like they probably will with Vrana or Lapierre.
Is he too expensive for what he brings? Probably, but he's still a perfectly good 3rd line winger who can play in the top 6 in a pinch. If he has to be a cap casualty to facilitate a bigger move then sure, but I'm not seeing the problem with his play.
I love Vrana but I'd want to have him be the 13th forward and bring in someone to play beside Eller and Mangiapane on the third line. It could just be Ryan Leonard. If they don't think he'll be effective this postseason then I'd like to see them target someone who they won't have to bench late in tight games like they probably will with Vrana or Lapierre.
I don’t know why people want to run Mangi out. he is fine. Expensive but not causing us problems. We knew what contract we were getting and it fit. If we were a medium team, then maybe move him to get assets for an expiring contract. But we are good so we are going to have to take that one down.
I think we grab a value depth piece. Problem is available roster spots. Interesting thought above about Milano being on LTIR all year for concussion. We only have 1.6M in cap space.
I think we grab a value depth piece. Problem is available roster spots. Interesting thought above about Milano being on LTIR all year for concussion. We only have 1.6M in cap space.
wickedwitch
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2010
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Beyond there possibly not being an obvious on-ice upgrade, I don't think they'll want to mess with the off-ice chemistry. I think that's one reason it was Eller traded for specifically.
Dylan Strome to Chychrun/Thompson: “stay unsigned. Stay unsigned as long as you can”
HTFN
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2009
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He's a good responsible pro who seems to bring a lot of stability to the lines he's on when he's in a bottom/middle six role and asked to put in good minutes. Some people may not like that he's not scoring like he has in the past but he's an underrated element of the team for making good touches in good places and letting them stretch the bench a bit.
Only name i think is upgrade for Mangiapane here is Marchand, and i dont like the optics of him wearing a Caps jersey. He needs to retire as a Bruins.
Rossi i can definately get on board with, but at what cost? Is he really avaivable?
Vatrano and Nelson arent that much better than Mangiapane. If at all. They are scoring in a much bigger role in their current teams. And you need to worry about the fit. Mangiapane checks the same boxes as they do. Not interested.
Granlund is skilled and could be a depth acquisition to have plan B in case Dubois or Strome goes down. But want to throw a 1st for him? Or 2nd+. Thats what the Sharks will ask. Id rather not. Unless of course Dubois or Strome goes down before TDL.
Kreider indeed is too much money and term. Gourde is Eller.
Others wingers on the list i wouldnt count as upgrades for even Vrana.
The rental list attracts very little for me. Any stab at this list should come only because a long term injury for one of our owns.
And as many have noted, long term solutions dont really gel in right now as we have plethora of inhouse options so close to graduating. A positive problem to have.
Best help for the short and long term just seems to be trusting our guys and using the picks we have to add in for next wave. Our latest second round picks include Cristall and Hutson. I want more of those, rather than one ”run” with Vatrano over Vrana or Mangi.
And yeah i know you just listed the names, didnt say you want them
Langway
In den Wolken
- Jul 7, 2006
- 33,091
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So...with an estimated '25-26 salary cap of $92.5M it looks like the Caps should have ~$30M to work with to fill both goaltender spots, 2-3 D and 4-5 forward spots. Assume Lapierre, Miro and Leonard fill the majority of the forward spots on the cheap. Moving on from Milano one way or another seems likely but opens another spot to fill. Perhaps Vrana returns on the cheap, perhaps not. Same with Eller.
Assuming they don't replace Mangiapane with a more expensive vet and go younger up front they should have the ability to retain Chychrun, Thompson, Lindgren and Dowd. Raddysh also needs a new deal. But the numbers for next season seem entirely doable to keep this roster together. It's more to what extent do some of those four look to cash in on term...and to what extent would the Caps be hesitant to do that in some cases. I'd happily throw max term at Chychrun at this point but the rest are a bit more dodgy.
McMichael will be due a nice raise in 2026 but the Strome/Protas/CMM contracts up front and then Sandin/Fehervary to a lesser extent should really help near-term structuring. As will having some quality prospects almost ready.
Assuming they don't replace Mangiapane with a more expensive vet and go younger up front they should have the ability to retain Chychrun, Thompson, Lindgren and Dowd. Raddysh also needs a new deal. But the numbers for next season seem entirely doable to keep this roster together. It's more to what extent do some of those four look to cash in on term...and to what extent would the Caps be hesitant to do that in some cases. I'd happily throw max term at Chychrun at this point but the rest are a bit more dodgy.
McMichael will be due a nice raise in 2026 but the Strome/Protas/CMM contracts up front and then Sandin/Fehervary to a lesser extent should really help near-term structuring. As will having some quality prospects almost ready.
qc14
Registered User
- Jul 1, 2024
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I don't view any of these rentals as an upgrade over Mangiapane but an upgrade over Vrana or Lapierre, both of whom Carbery has shown he does not trust to play in games in the middle of the season without Ovi let alone a playoff matchup. They would have the space for a lot of these guys with Mangiapane as long as they get some retention and ship out Bear as expiring salary filler.
On the second point I guess I just fundamentally disagree. I want one more run. The team is good, great even, right now. They only have probably one more year after this with Ovi and Carlson, this probably is the best chance they will have at a cup in the next 10 years. I think their chances of a cup are raised not insignificantly with a guy like Vatrano or Frederic or Nelson in the lineup instead of Vrana.
The fact that they've done such a fantastic job setting up the future with guys like Cristall and Hutson makes me want to expend assets for a rental even more because I know the cupboard isn't bare.
qc14
Registered User
- Jul 1, 2024
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Re: trade deadline discussions
I don't view another forward as an upgrade on Mangiapane and I certainly wouldn't move him out unless they are going real big fish hunting (basically just Panarin or Marner) and have to do so to make the money work. They would take Vrana/Lapierre's spot.
I also am not worried about upsetting the locker room chemistry at all. They will do their diligence on any addition (no Sprong for example). If anything I think it's a disservice to the room to be so good and not go out and get another guy who can help.
I don't view another forward as an upgrade on Mangiapane and I certainly wouldn't move him out unless they are going real big fish hunting (basically just Panarin or Marner) and have to do so to make the money work. They would take Vrana/Lapierre's spot.
I also am not worried about upsetting the locker room chemistry at all. They will do their diligence on any addition (no Sprong for example). If anything I think it's a disservice to the room to be so good and not go out and get another guy who can help.
zappa4ever
Music is the Best!
Now w OV back hope we can string together 3 or 4 good efforts in a row
It's really been 1 good 1 bad for awhile now (despite the good L10 record)
It's really been 1 good 1 bad for awhile now (despite the good L10 record)
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