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

[wickedwitch]

In a way, I'm comforted by this. Teams almost never make in through the regular season without hitting a rough patch (and the exceptions then falter in the playoffs like Boston in 2023). If this is what a rough patch looks like, then that's a good sign.

 

[Kazer]

Ive been able to catch most of the past two games and I love that Protas-PLD-Wilson line. That has to be the biggest line combination in the entire league and they are annoying to play against. That’s the type of line you deploy against the leagues best players and you also get the scoring aspect out of it

That line is fantastic, but it begs the question what the heck do you do about the other three lines? I've been chewing on this question all day. One solution is to break up the super line, but I hate the idea of touching the one line that is going (and boy is it going). What I would do is:

Bench Vrana
Move up Raddysh
Put Miro at 4RW
Attempt to bolster the 3rd line (with Eller at C)

Protas - Dubois - Wilson
Ovechkin - Strome - Raddysh
McMichael - Eller - Mango
Duhaime - Dowd - Miro

While I don't love top 6 Raddysh, he has played well (in a very small sample size) with Ovechkin and Strome and a McMichael - Eller - Mangiapane line feels like it has potential.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Trade for Tuch. Give back salary and futures.

Problem solved

 

[Silky mitts]

Just got to make it make it 100 days or less and insert Lenny in the lineup

 

[Brian23]

We keep saying just insert Leonard, do we really want our prized prospect to have to come into the NHL playoffs and literally be the carrying/focal point of his line?

I think, to an even worse degree then what was done with Lapierre this offseason, people are crowning Leonard before he's played a single second for the team and all it'll do is potentially set him up for failure.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

We keep saying just insert Leonard, do we really want our prized prospect to have to come into the NHL playoffs and literally be the carrying/focal point of his line?

I think, to an even worse degree then what was done with Lapierre this offseason, people are crowning Leonard before he's played a single second for the team and all it'll do is potentially set him up for failure.

So because Lappy struggled in what was supposed to be his first full NHL season, Leonard is going to “fail” (what’s failure btw?)? That’s what you’re warning everyone about?

I agree a few people seem to have the sentiment that he’s going to slot right in and do great, but he’s slotting in somewhere if he's signed. If he doesn’t do great, so be it. All part of the learning process.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I think both are valid points.

We all ARE putting a lot of expectations (pressure) on Leonard. 100%.

That said, he doesn’t seem to care much about pressure. Like at all. Look at his smirk. He thinks he can’t do it all.

And perhaps he can?

 

[caps4cup]

Vrana is just awful. He brings absolutely nothing to the table unless he’s being spoon fed scoring/rush chances. He kills cycle plays in the offensive zone because he can’t win a puck/board battle and is a liability defensively.

He’s at a 38% xG%, which is 9th worst out of 394 Forwards with over 200 minutes of 5v5 play and by far the worst among Caps forwards (Lapierre is at 42% and Eller is at 46%). There is zero reason he should be playing over Miro right now and it makes zero sense to put McMichael with him if you’re trying to get him going. It’s cutting into his ice time and attaching him to a complete anchor isn’t doing him any favors.

To follow up on this, when Vrana isn’t on the ice, the team is close to 55% in terms of 5v5 xG%. Their swoon the last few weeks isn’t his fault, but they cannot keep running him out there when he’s been that detrimental to their overall game and expect that to help them get back to where they need to be.

 

[Ridley Simon]

To follow up on this, when Vrana isn’t on the ice, the team is close to 55% in terms of 5v5 xG%. Their swoon the last few weeks isn’t his fault, but they cannot keep running him out there when he’s been that detrimental to their overall game and expect that to help them get back to where they need to be.

You’ve now made your point 2x. I don’t think anyone was ignoring it?

So who else? Miro is the obvious answer — but someone isn’t liking him there. For whatever reason.

I am starting to miss 3w Milano — which is scaring me

 

[DWGie26]

I think both are valid points.

We all ARE putting a lot of expectations (pressure) on Leonard. 100%.

That said, he doesn’t seem to care much about pressure. Like at all. Look at his smirk. He thinks he can’t do it all.

And perhaps he can?

The fans and HF is putting pressure on Leonard (and Lappy). But that isn’t the way the Capitals organization works. I do not think they will send Leonard to Hershey. He will be a black ace. maybe he plays in a couple/few regular season games depending on when season is over. But he will be sheltered in his first NHL stint especially since playoffs.

Also, Mangiapane is kinda what people are saying we look for as 3W. He can play up and down the lineup. He is probably a 20 goal scorer by the end of the season and he is trending in the system. So he stays.

In terms of picking someone up, we just don’t have the Cap space. The only reason we have space for Milano is because there will be a corresponding move. The only way we could make a meaningful move is to trade out Mandi’s 5.8M. And I don’t think that is the best move.

 

[Ridley Simon]

The fans and HF is putting pressure on Leonard (and Lappy). But that isn’t the way the Capitals organization works. I do not think they will send Leonard to Hershey. He will be a black ace. maybe he plays in a couple/few regular season games depending on when season is over. But he will be sheltered in his first NHL stint especially since playoffs.

Also, Mangiapane is kinda what people are saying we look for as 3W. He can play up and down the lineup. He is probably a 20 goal scorer by the end of the season and he is trending in the system. So he stays.

In terms of picking someone up, we just don’t have the Cap space. The only reason we have space for Milano is because there will be a corresponding move. The only way we could make a meaningful move is to trade out Mandi’s 5.8M. And I don’t think that is the best move.

Appreciate the response. —

However I see no world where Leonard is a black ace. Certainly not off the bat. Perhaps I am wrong.

But I don’t think so, obv.

Milano can we good, if healthy. Guys got hands. He coold easily cement the 3rd line w whomever. He’s got the ability

We will see.

 

[DWGie26]

Maybe something like this as we get to playoffs (assumes Vrana gets waived when Milano comes back):

McMichael-Strome-OV
Protas-PLD-Wilson
Milano-Eller-Mangipane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh
Miro-Lappy-Leonard

I am comfortable with this group of forwards. Lot of things you can do with the third line and working in youth when injuries or inspiration occur.

 

[Calicaps]

Maybe something like this as we get to playoffs (assumes Vrana gets waived when Milano comes back):

McMichael-Strome-OV
Protas-PLD-Wilson
Milano-Eller-Mangipane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh
Miro-Lappy-Leonard

I am comfortable with this group of forwards. Lot of things you can do with the third line and working in youth when injuries or inspiration occur.

I think you have to swap CMM and Protas. As good as the Pro-Dub-Willy line has been, we were better as a team and more balanced when we had Ovie-Strome-Pro and CMM-Dub-Willy. No reason not to get back to that. The OV line really needs Protas’ forecheck and puck retrieval/possession.

 

[caps4cup]

You’ve now made your point 2x. I don’t think anyone was ignoring it?

So who else? Miro is the obvious answer — but someone isn’t liking him there. For whatever reason.

I am starting to miss 3w Milano — which is scaring me

Milano actually might not be a terrible stylistic fit with Mangiapane and Eller. But yeah I’d roll with Miro for now and play him on the 3rd line instead of 4th.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

The NHL's GM Of The Year Front-Runner Isn't Even A GM Anymore — The Hockey News

It would certainly be unprecedented, but halfway through the season, it's clear that the Washington Capitals' outgoing GM crushed it last summer, says Ken Campbell.

apple.news

Certainly, it can't go to Chris Patrick, who took over for Brian MacLellan, who stepped down (actually up, to president of hockey operations) from the post in July. But by that time, it was MacLellan who had done all the heavy lifting to restructure the Caps' roster, changes that have seen them morph into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

 

[qc14]

Maybe something like this as we get to playoffs (assumes Vrana gets waived when Milano comes back):

McMichael-Strome-OV
Protas-PLD-Wilson
Milano-Eller-Mangipane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh
Miro-Lappy-Leonard

I am comfortable with this group of forwards. Lot of things you can do with the third line and working in youth when injuries or inspiration occur.

I am extremely doubtful that Milano comes back unfortunately.

I like these lines a lot, especially if you swap McMichael and Protas. I just still think this roster is begging for another winger to really solidify everything. The great thing is that is the easiest and cheapest piece to find out there. Tuch would be amazing and I'm really bummed Vatrano re-signed and is off the market but I think even a lesser name could be a big help. Zucker? Brandon Tanev? Jake Evans?

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Lenny isn’t signing to eat nachos or go play in Hershey. If he leaves BC, he will be in the Caps line-up.

 

[DWGie26]

I am extremely doubtful that Milano comes back unfortunately.

I was thinking he might be out all year. Just like Oshie and Backstrom. But he has been skating. I know that doesn’t mean he is coming back imminently, but if they were going to shelve him all year, he probably wouldn’t be skating.

 

[DWGie26]

Lenny isn’t signing to eat nachos or go play in Hershey. If he leaves BC, he will be in the Caps line-up.

Lenny will sign and then he will do what they team deems as in his best interest to develop and in the team’s best interest to win. All those things are possibilities depending on how he adapts to the NHL game and how quickly and the situation.

Frozen 4 is April 10 and 12. When that is over, Caps have only 3 games left including one on the 13th of April. So at best he has two opportunities to play regular season games for Caps.

my point was Caps historically take a slow / cautious approach to youngsters. Dropping him in for his first NHL experience in the playoffs… i just don’t see that happening unless Leonard is so far ahead of mangipane, Milano, Vrana, and Miro who all have significant NHL experience. So an extra forward in playoffs.

 

[wickedwitch]

Lenny will sign and then he will do what they team deems as in his best interest to develop and in the team’s best interest to win. All those things are possibilities depending on how he adapts to the NHL game and how quickly and the situation.

Frozen 4 is April 10 and 12. When that is over, Caps have only 3 games left including one on the 13th of April. So at best he has two opportunities to play regular season games for Caps.

my point was Caps historically take a slow / cautious approach to youngsters. Dropping him in for his first NHL experience in the playoffs… i just don’t see that happening unless Leonard is so far ahead of mangipane, Milano, Vrana, and Miro who all have significant NHL experience. So an extra forward in playoffs.

Leonard is going straight into the lineup. Mac though he was NHL ready over a year ago. Carbery loves him. (Seriously, Carbery absolutely lights up every time he gets asked about Leonard.) Every hockey expert in the world thinks he's going straight into the lineup.

And Leonard isn't like all those other prospects that the Caps have proceeded slowly with. None of them were close to his level at this age. Leonard may literally be the best player outside of the NHL. Other than Kuzy, who also never went to the AHL before going to the NHL, who is remotely comparable?

Come spring, all he has to do is make the 3rd line better. I think give him a few games, and he will. His game off the puck is going to translate really well.

(Also, Tarik has mentioned Leonard being put on the third line. He's a mouthpiece for the organization.)

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Lenny will sign and then he will do what they team deems as in his best interest to develop and in the team’s best interest to win. All those things are possibilities depending on how he adapts to the NHL game and how quickly and the situation.

Frozen 4 is April 10 and 12. When that is over, Caps have only 3 games left including one on the 13th of April. So at best he has two opportunities to play regular season games for Caps.

my point was Caps historically take a slow / cautious approach to youngsters. Dropping him in for his first NHL experience in the playoffs… i just don’t see that happening unless Leonard is so far ahead of mangipane, Milano, Vrana, and Miro who all have significant NHL experience. So an extra forward in playoffs.

I don’t agree. He isn’t leaving BC unless he knows he will be in the line-up with some sort of leash. Might he end up out if he struggles? Sure. But I firmly believe he will be given every opportunity to play and keep a spot. I don’t think he will be treated like every other prospect they’ve had.

 

[RedRocking]

The fans and HF is putting pressure on Leonard (and Lappy). But that isn’t the way the Capitals organization works. I do not think they will send Leonard to Hershey. He will be a black ace. maybe he plays in a couple/few regular season games depending on when season is over. But he will be sheltered in his first NHL stint especially since playoffs.

Also, Mangiapane is kinda what people are saying we look for as 3W. He can play up and down the lineup. He is probably a 20 goal scorer by the end of the season and he is trending in the system. So he stays.

In terms of picking someone up, we just don’t have the Cap space. The only reason we have space for Milano is because there will be a corresponding move. The only way we could make a meaningful move is to trade out Mandi’s 5.8M. And I don’t think that is the best move.

Yea, I like Mangiapane’s game. It’s just he’s stuck with Eller, who is playing wing now for some f***ing reason (seriously that trade looks so dumb now that we moved CMM to 3C anyways).

So that line is just an offensive black hole with no chemistry. Mangi needs to play with some other skilled linemates. I’d like it be Miro at some point - but he’s not quite ready. Also agree that Lenny is being hyped up just a little too much to fix it.

More broadly - this could be Ovi’s last chance to make a deep run, can’t we make a better trade for an established middle 6 guy? Hoglander (if that’s still a thing, would be a good target).

Relying on old retreads and rooks seems like a bad idea.

 

[DWGie26]

Well, i was wrong on Lappy. maybe I’ll be wrong here too. But the timing matters. If they go to the frozen four there is not a lot of time to have him play in non-playoff games.

And to be clear, I don’t think he is going to Hershey this year. I think he is an extra forward who maybe plays with injuries. But again, we’ll see. I’m just reading the tea leafs on history.

 

[Silky mitts]

We keep saying just insert Leonard, do we really want our prized prospect to have to come into the NHL playoffs and literally be the carrying/focal point of his line?

I think, to an even worse degree then what was done with Lapierre this offseason, people are crowning Leonard before he's played a single second for the team and all it'll do is potentially set him up for failure.

It’s in the best short and long term interests of the franchise to have at the very least a spot on the 3rd line when the B/C season wraps up if not a spot in the top 6 and the fact that Lapierre regressed after playing well in the playoffs isn’t an argument for blocking Leonard when there’s nonzero concern about signing him. Concerns about disrupting chemistry is a good argument but we’re questioning Vrana’s compete level.

 

[g00n]

When was the last time we had a player with a combination of this kind of Jr. pedigree and high draft status that was sent to the AHL first for any long stretch of time?

Carlson? 48 regular and 13 playoff games with the Bears? But he was 27th OA pick.

Wilson played a handful of games for the Bears, mostly playoffs. 16th OA pick.

CMM? 25th overall and a few seasons in Hershey/DC


I think if Leonard does anything he may get a cup of coffee in the NHL to see where he's at, and then if he doesn't stick maybe takes the Big Willy route and lands in Hershey for the playoffs before bull rushing camp next season.