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

[CapitalsCupReality]

Advising caution in any trade talk when you're already a league-leading team who has played half the year strong in every phase with no glaring weaknesses? That's just smart.

Show me the squeaky wheels. Our top 6 clicks, our fourth line is the best in the league, Eller can't leverage wing talent, and no one sane wants to f*** with our defense. Is there a difference-making keeper available? What wing on the market upgrades what we have? You could upgrade Eller, but he moves the needle everywhere but the scoreboard, so again, gotta be cautious.

52 days to the trade deadline. We'll see where we stand and what kind of talent shakes loose then. But with all the talk about how high the cap could jump this year, I'd expect slim pickins this TDL. GMs might have serious room to keep literally anyone willing to stay put.

So yeah, right now it kinda feels like folks advocating for trades just because. I'm always all for a good trade, but with the team playing the way they are and the lean market, what even is a "good trade" for us at the moment? Do you have something specific in mind?

But that’s not what’s happening….nuts are just being hoarded. There no cautioning, just shutting down the idea of upgrading any of our weak spots. The discussion of upgrading those spots is not just advocating trades just because…

And if you think this team has no glaring spots that could be upgraded….I mean come on.

All along I’ve said I only expect depth adds, but I hope they’re staying aggressive and always looking for meaningful upgrades where it makes sense.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Advising caution in any trade talk when you're already a league-leading team who has played half the year strong in every phase with no glaring weaknesses? That's just smart.

Show me the squeaky wheels. Our top 6 clicks, our fourth line is the best in the league, Eller can't leverage wing talent, and no one sane wants to f*** with our defense. Is there a difference-making keeper available? What wing on the market upgrades what we have? You could upgrade Eller, but he moves the needle everywhere but the scoreboard, so again, gotta be cautious.

52 days to the trade deadline. We'll see where we stand and what kind of talent shakes loose then. But with all the talk about how high the cap could jump this year, I'd expect slim pickins this TDL. GMs might have serious room to keep literally anyone willing to stay put.

So yeah, right now it kinda feels like folks advocating for trades just because. I'm always all for a good trade, but with the team playing the way they are and the lean market, what even is a "good trade" for us at the moment? Do you have something specific in mind?

I’ve mentioned specific players a few times.

I thought Brady Tkachuk would be a huge target. BUT, the Sens are winning and may eke out their first playoff spot in years. So I am sure he’s not available.

I think Alex Tuch would be a great add. I know he’d be expensive. He’s been someone I’ve trumpeted. Would be really good on this team.

I like Anders Lee a lot. As well as Brock Nelson. Either would add a LOT of scoring depth for the playoffs.

I liked Michael Granlund, before we got Eller. I think he’d be very useful for the top 9.

As you can see, I don’t want to screw w the defense. I think they need another top 9F.

But I’m a heathen for wanting to add to Ovy’s best chance since 2018. And possibly last best chance. Things have broken right so far. Not every year goes that way.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Extend LT. Like now.

 

[Jags]

And if you think this team has no glaring spots that could be upgraded….I mean come on.

We'd all like to conjure an upgrade in goal, but that's what we'd have to do. Not likely to be one available that's significantly better than what we have.

The third line is what it is offensively with Eller at pivot, and it's a tradeoff they seem to be okay with because of what else he brings. If they're willing to upgrade that spot (and actually pull it off) then yeah, we could maybe find a C that has that gear AND make a deal for a wing to seize the spot no one else has been able to all year.

But that's a lot of ifs and maybes, and you can't really do one without the other because Eller is where wing offense goes to die. The only wing to ever thrive by his side was Connolly, and that dude was opportunistic in a way that defied Eller's lack of offensive awareness. Maybe find his clone?

I wouldn't call those glaring spots, but you do you.

All along I’ve said I only expect depth adds, but I hope they’re staying aggressive and always looking for meaningful upgrades where it makes sense.

Our management staff always does this, and I'm sure they try to even when nothing much comes of it. A lack of pursuit of meaningful upgrades hasn't been an issue for our GM staff since BMac took over. I guess we'll see if it continues. Fingers crossed.

But I’m a heathen for wanting to add to Ovy’s best chance since 2018. And possibly last best chance

No one said anything like that. You're just coming on awfully strong, asking us if we want to win a Cup like anyone's saying anything that runs contrary to that goal, two months ahead of the TDL, about a team in first place that's playing as complete a game as this franchise has since their Cup run.

Do we want to win a Cup? CMM hasn't earned anything? You're proselytizing to folks that don't need converting. We're on board. You're antsy for no reason. 51 days to go. Take a deep breath.

Things have broken right so far. Not every year goes that way.

"A new pilot will fly into cloud cover. There’ll be no visibility. And they’ll check their gauges, they’ll look at the artificial horizon, it’ll show them level, but they won’t trust it. So, they’ll make an adjustment and then another and another… The number of new pilots who fly out of clouds completely upside-down would knock you out."

-- Senator Howard Stackhouse, The West Wing


No reason to look up all day, waiting for the sky to fall, Rid. Let time and circumstance determine our needs ahead of the deadline. Management is keenly aware of our situation, and I'm sure they have their ears to the ground. You're coming off like they've got a track record of pissing away golden opportunities. Just ain't so.

 

[MW6]

Miro + Lappy for McTavish

 

[Kazer]

LOL dude. My comment about a transcendent player was for …..

OVECHKIN.

OUR transcriber player. Not some trade pic up (as you’ve alluded to, I like Tuch … but he’s no more transcendent than I am)


Protect your own Nutz, my man

My bad. That's the problem with talking about trading for a guy with 1.5 years left when we have 1.5 years left on Ovechkin's contract. Either way, I stand by my bottom line - trading for Tuch = good; trading Cristall for Tuch = bad.

 

[895]

Miro + Lappy for McTavish

Im okay with this.

Are the Ducks okay with this?

 

[Ridley Simon]

We'd all like to conjure an upgrade in goal, but that's what we'd have to do. Not likely to be one available that's significantly better than what we have.

The third line is what it is offensively with Eller at pivot, and it's a tradeoff they seem to be okay with because of what else he brings. If they're willing to upgrade that spot (and actually pull it off) then yeah, we could maybe find a C that has that gear AND make a deal for a wing to seize the spot no one else has been able to all year.

But that's a lot of ifs and maybes, and you can't really do one without the other because Eller is where wing offense goes to die. The only wing to ever thrive by his side was Connolly, and that dude was opportunistic in a way that defied Eller's lack of offensive awareness. Maybe find his clone?

I wouldn't call those glaring spots, but you do you.



Our management staff always does this, and I'm sure they try to even when nothing much comes of it. A lack of pursuit of meaningful upgrades hasn't been an issue for our GM staff since BMac took over. I guess we'll see if it continues. Fingers crossed.



No one said anything like that. You're just coming on awfully strong, asking us if we want to win a Cup like anyone's saying anything that runs contrary to that goal, two months ahead of the TDL, about a team in first place that's playing as complete a game as this franchise has since their Cup run.

Do we want to win a Cup? CMM hasn't earned anything? You're proselytizing to folks that don't need converting. We're on board. You're antsy for no reason. 51 days to go. Take a deep breath.



"A new pilot will fly into cloud cover. There’ll be no visibility. And they’ll check their gauges, they’ll look at the artificial horizon, it’ll show them level, but they won’t trust it. So, they’ll make an adjustment and then another and another… The number of new pilots who fly out of clouds completely upside-down would knock you out."

-- Senator Howard Stackhouse, The West Wing


No reason to look up all day, waiting for the sky to fall, Rid. Let time and circumstance determine our needs ahead of the deadline. Management is keenly aware of our situation, and I'm sure they have their ears to the ground. You're coming off like they've got a track record of pissing away golden opportunities. Just ain't so.

Dude — I never said the sky was falling. Nor have I ever doubted managements abilities. Hell, I’ve probably been GMBM’s biggest apologist on here over the years. I FULLY believe in the man, always have.

Some posters want to hoard nuts. And I think that’s foolish. As you’ve witnessed with the names I’ve mentioned, I don’t want a trade just for the sakes of it. I want a REAL difference maker for the top 9. And to do that, Mangiapane will HAVE to go back bc salary.

So it’s not an outlandish claim here “trade everybody!!”, but rather a specific spot with some specific players in mind (I’m sure I’ve missed some targets). If that cannot happen, then I get it. I won’t rail against the machine if we don’t acquire anyone. I never have.

IF one of my targets does get acquired and we could’ve done it, that will disappoint me.

But I will get over it. I always do.

 

[Silky mitts]

How soon we forget Jakub Jerabek. The glue.

I know this is tongue in cheek but they played him instead of trusting the maybe not ready Djoos and immediately went down 2-0 in the 1st series with Jerabek at fault for both OT GWGs

 

[StrikingDistance]

Think management is still sorting through the fridge before deciding to go to the grocery store.

They have to be happy with their discovery of old package ball park Franks they found in the back of the freezer.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Do they look to upgrade 7D? Alexeyev seems out of favor at this point and Big Mac doesn’t play unless there’s an injury.

I know this team is one of the highest scoring teams in the league but they also have some guys with crazy shooting percentages. If you’re making a trade to upgrade the team I’d venture you look to target someone who puts the puck in the net.

 

[Jags]

Dude — I never said the sky was falling. Nor have I ever doubted managements abilities.

"Do we want to win the Cup? Do we??? Or do we just want to insulate our players from some bad feelings, and ensure everyone is happy. While we lose on the first/second round again?"

Read that back. Zealous urgency casting doubt that people here want to win, followed by the direct assertion that if management doesn't do what you're saying we're going to blow our shot. Went on to take nonsensical swipes at McMichael and Leonard for no reason...

This team is playing pretty great and complete hockey right now, in first place by six points with games in hand, and you're running around yelling at people ("Do we???") that we're doomed to fail if we don't do something. Straight out of the Chicken Little playbook.

Tkachuk was a total pipe dream. Buffalo has Tuch locked in at a great number for another year, Lee is 34 with a year left at $7m, and their captain that they like very much...

No one's against a good trade. You just need to disabuse yourself of the notion that every trade you propose is good. Or even realistic in some cases...

Nelson is interesting as an Eller upgrade if the Caps want one, but even then you're talking about a very typical TDL rental we have plenty of time to arrange. Hardly worth all the dust you're kicking up, but I like it. Let's do that. Would that satisfy your fervor, or no? Would Brock Nelson take us from "We're going to lose if we don't do something!!!!!" to "Okay, we're cool now..."?

 

[Langway]

Show me the squeaky wheels.

Lately I'd say Strome & McMichael in terms of production. Both have gone pretty cold. Both also have an element of softness that makes you wonder if they'll heat back up in adverse conditions. And then Raddysh continuing to get looks on a scoring line when he has little business being there. As welcome as Frank's contributions have been I wouldn't count on him when the time comes either. And, of course, Ovechkin's underlying play is also quite suspect at this stage. How many passengers can they afford on scoring lines? Adding Leonard ideally should give them another driver but we'll see to what immediate extent. For now it's working...but their ceiling does remain somewhat limited. Most teams have such concerns, mind you, and often far more significant. PLD, Protas, Chychrun & Thompson do at the very least provide a different dynamic that could make them a handful for anyone.

I do agree with the notion there's not staunch opposition to the idea of being aggressive at the deadline per se. I don't think they should trade a Mateiko or something for a mid-rental that's a modest upgrade at best (even if overall his loss is quite manageable). They should value some of these developing pieces and take pride in what they're building compared to believing a Granlund type that's producing on a bad team will come in and move the needle much. (I'd value Mateiko over either of their '25 second rounders. If they're making more of a mid addition it's such picks that ought to move.)

Also definitely agree that subtle additions can end up being more beneficial. Sometimes it's just about fit and consolidating a particular strength or more subtle weakness. I still like Gourde as an idea if the price is right. That sort of forechecking energy and two-way play can come in handy further stirring the pot. He's the sort of linemate that would do well causing havoc alongside either Wilson or perhaps Leonard. I don't know realistically if that impact skilled forward is out there. Again, based on Seravalli's list of players mostly in play it doesn't seem likely.

 

[Kazer]

Lately I'd say Strome & McMichael in terms of production. Both have gone pretty cold. Both also have an element of softness that makes you wonder if they'll heat back up in adverse conditions. And then Raddysh continuing to get looks on a scoring line when he has little business being there. As welcome as Frank's contributions have been I wouldn't count on him when the time comes either. And, of course, Ovechkin's underlying play is also quite suspect at this stage. How many passengers can they afford on scoring lines? Adding Leonard ideally should give them another driver but we'll see to what immediate extent. For now it's working...but their ceiling does remain somewhat limited. Most teams have such concerns, mind you, and often far more significant. PLD, Protas, Chychrun & Thompson do at the very least provide a different dynamic that could make them a handful for anyone.

I do agree with the notion there's not staunch opposition to the idea of being aggressive at the deadline per se. I don't think they should trade a Mateiko or something for a mid-rental that's a modest upgrade at best (even if overall his loss is quite manageable). They should value some of these developing pieces and take pride in what they're building compared to believing a Granlund type that's producing on a bad team will come in and move the needle much. (I'd value Mateiko over either of their '25 second rounders. If they're making more of a mid addition it's such picks that ought to move.)

Also definitely agree that subtle additions can end up being more beneficial. Sometimes it's just about fit and consolidating a particular strength or more subtle weakness. I still like Gourde as an idea if the price is right. That sort of forechecking energy and two-way play can come in handy further stirring the pot. He's the sort of linemate that would do well causing havoc alongside either Wilson or perhaps Leonard. I don't know realistically if that impact skilled forward is out there. Again, based on Seravalli's list of players mostly in play it doesn't seem likely.

Gourde is one of the best play drivers on the Kraken in terms of xGF% but should we concerned about the clear downtick in production? He's on pace for just 14 goals (over 82 games) despite shooting nearly 16%, and his points production has dropped consistently from 48 (twice in a row) to 33 to now on pace (82 game pace) for about 37 points.

As a point of contrast, Eller is on pace (82 game pace) for 16 goals, 30 points. Gourde is an upgrade, but is he enough of an upgrade to warrant giving up assets (nuts)?

Having just disagreed with Ridley Simon, I completely agree with him that if we're going to do an upgrade that it needs to be a real upgrade and not just rearranging the deck chairs.

 

[Ridley Simon]

"Do we want to win the Cup? Do we??? Or do we just want to insulate our players from some bad feelings, and ensure everyone is happy. While we lose on the first/second round again?"

Read that back. Zealous urgency casting doubt that people here want to win, followed by the direct assertion that if management doesn't do what you're saying we're going to blow our shot. Went on to take nonsensical swipes at McMichael and Leonard for no reason...

This team is playing pretty great and complete hockey right now, in first place by six points with games in hand, and you're running around yelling at people ("Do we???") that we're doomed to fail if we don't do something. Straight out of the Chicken Little playbook.

Tkachuk was a total pipe dream. Buffalo has Tuch locked in at a great number for another year, Lee is 34 with a year left at $7m, and their captain that they like very much...

No one's against a good trade. You just need to disabuse yourself of the notion that every trade you propose is good. Or even realistic in some cases...

Nelson is interesting as an Eller upgrade if the Caps want one, but even then you're talking about a very typical TDL rental we have plenty of time to arrange. Hardly worth all the dust you're kicking up, but I like it. Let's do that. Would that satisfy your fervor, or no? Would Brock Nelson take us from "We're going to lose if we don't do something!!!!!" to "Okay, we're cool now..."?

Dude — you read that back with the post it was quoted to.

Quoting part of a post without content is kinda Childs play, my guy. I mean come on

My response was to @Silky mitts about hoarding nuts and worrying about CMM and Leonard.

Please do not create a false narrative to embolden your points. That’s not OK.

You are barking up the wrong tree here, in your zeal to create an argument. I’ve NEVER said anything about being “doomed to fail”, I mean LOL. Stop with that stuff please. Your hyperbole is fun, but massively inaccurate when it’s come to my views on our team.

If you think I am a glass half empty kinda fan, for this team, then you’ve read the room really poorly. I am almost always glass more than half full (save the last years of GMGM, I was insistent on change, to the point of being very annoying).

IF you think this team is ready to win it all now, then I applaud you.

I fear they are not. And have spoken as such, ESPECIALLY about their ability to score.

Hopefully that is something that I don’t have to further defend with you. But I’d wager I do

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Adding an eventual potential/likely star in Leonard who is excited to take the next step and is already a fit with this group is enough.

Playoffs may look like:

Ovi - Strome - Protas
CMM - PLD - Wilson
Miro/Mango/Frank/Vrana- Eller - Leonard
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

With that LW3 spot going to whoever is hot or matches better against a specific opponent. That's also depth if needed.

I really like that. Includes the best synergies we've seen this year and will have great chemistry.

 

[Jags]

Having just disagreed with Ridley Simon, I completely agree with him that if we're going to do an upgrade that it needs to be a real upgrade and not just rearranging the deck chairs.

I agree in principle, but the rest of that adage is "on the Titanic." This team is not a sinking ship, which is my only real misgiving with what Rid is saying -- the mysterious urgency and desperation to upgrade what's currently the best team in the East.

Gourde is better than he's playing, but playing in Seattle is bound to hurt your numbers. That said, it's a fair point that he might be a marginal upgrade. Good play driver, but Nelson is probably the better fit for our situation. He's a NYI lifer, so he might not be available. They might literally rent him and bring him back in the offseason, but that juice might not be worth the squeeze.

I also agree with Langway that the Caps feel like a bit of a paper tiger in spots, but those are more doubts than actual weaknesses. Being concerned about LT being able to backstop a Cup and whether McMike is for real make sense because it takes time and consistency to establish a rep.

I think the second line started to sputter because the league started treating us like the threat we are, and started defending them like they're our top line. And they're not wrong. Fortunately we have a coach that sees it for what it is and made appropriate adjustments. I don't think we should be worried about Strome and CMM just yet.

We haven't been as dominant during this stretch, but if 6-1-3 in our last 10 is how this team will handle adversity, it's fair to say we're playing playoff hockey right now. I like our chances to win OT games 5v5. With 7+ weeks to suss out our needs and feel out the market, I'm willing to use that time to our advantage. Patience, grasshopper.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Adding an eventual potential/likely star in Leonard who is excited to take the next step and is already a fit with this group is enough.

Playoffs may look like:

Ovi - Strome - Protas
CMM - PLD - Wilson
Miro/Mango/Frank/Vrana- Eller - Leonard
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh

With that LW3 spot going to whoever is hot or matches better against a specific opponent. That's also depth if needed.

I really like that. Includes the best synergies we've seen this year and will have great chemistry.

That’s a LOT of pressure and expectations on a college sophomore.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

That’s a LOT of pressure and expectations on a college sophomore.

And as other posters have pointed out he would have 2 NHL games in the gap between the Frozen 4 ending and NHL playoffs.
Thats a hard ask for any player even one as good as Leonard

 

[Ridley Simon]

I agree in principle, but the rest of that adage is "on the Titanic." This team is not a sinking ship, which is my only real misgiving with what Rid is saying -- the mysterious urgency and desperation to upgrade what's currently the best team in the league.

Gourde is better than he's playing, but playing in Seattle is bound to hurt your numbers. That said, it's a fair point that he might be a marginal upgrade. Good play driver, but Nelson is probably the better fit for our situation. He's a NYI lifer, so he might not be available. They might literally rent him and bring him back in the offseason, but that juice might not be worth the squeeze.

I also agree with Langway that the Caps feel like a bit of a paper tiger in spots, but those are more doubts than actual weaknesses. Being concerned about LT being able to backstop a Cup and whether McMike is for real make sense because it takes time and consistency to establish a rep.

I think the second line started to sputter because the league started treating us like the threat we are, and started defending them like they're our top line. And they're not wrong. Fortunately we have a coach that sees it for what it is and made appropriate adjustments. I don't think we should be worried about Strome and CMM just yet.

We haven't been as dominant during this stretch, but if 6-1-3 in our last 10 is how this team will handle adversity, it's fair to say we're playing playoff hockey right now. I like our chances to win OT games 5v5. With 7+ weeks to suss out our needs and feel out the market, I'm willing to use that time to our advantage. Patience, grasshopper.

I don’t think we are a “paper Tiger”. That’s an extreme.

However I do think our early season offense wasn’t sustainable, as we *should* upgrade the top 9.

We SHOULD. Like I’ve said a bunch of times, with an actual difference maker.

I would NOT trade a Mateiko for a Gourde, as an example. I sure as hell would for a Tuch or Nelson or Lee (probably not a Granlund).

My philosophy is NOT “ready, FIRE!!! …errr, aim?”

And so I trust the management team. This is a REAL YEAR to try and win a Cup. Don’t be bashful about it???

Why is that mindset met w objection?

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

That’s a LOT of pressure and expectations on a college sophomore.

I would agree normally, but Leonard is somewhat a unicorn. Fierce competitor with confidence and achievement/proven skill set. Allowing him to come in on the 3rd line takes much of the pressure off and I also think he can move up and down the lineup as needed.

I actually think he can come in and have an impact like Wyatt Johnston did in Dallas in his first play offs (maybe not 10 goals but significant impact overall)

 

[Ridley Simon]

I would agree normally, but Leonard is somewhat a unicorn. Fierce competitor with confidence and achievement/proven skill set. Allowing him to come in on the 3rd line takes much of the pressure off and I also think he can move up and down the lineup as needed.

I actually think he can come in and have an impact like Wyatt Johnston did in Dallas.

Hope you are right, obviously. 100%.

But I don’t think we should bank on it, and have plans A, B, C, and D….

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

This is a REAL YEAR to try and win a Cup.

I agree. But I also think may very well apply to the next 3 or more if we continue to be patient with the emerging pool if talent and fill in with FAs when needed. Who wouldn't want to play here now!!

It's all very good going forward, all things considered!

 

[Jags]

Dude — you read that back with the post it was quoted to.

Quoting part of a post without content is kinda Childs play, my guy. I mean come on

I didn't have to quote his post because he said pretty much literally what I'm saying, so the same exact context is there to be had. But just for giggles, let's take a look at what you quoted...

"If you were talking about a 1st, + for Rasmus Andersson I'd be into it - no one should be against trading for available RHD - but when you're talking about trading for Tuch or any big time forward, first you're either pushing CMM out of the top 6 or trading assets to bolster the 4th line for the regular season since you can presumably count on Lenny for the postseason, and second are you creating an obstacle to signing Lenny in April? And that's before you get into nuts."

I agree with you that he's maybe a little overconcerned with chemistry, but it's a minor quibble about a paragraph that's otherwise 100% correct. Makes it clear he's open to impactful trades, not hoarding nuts; is exactly right about just moving wings around of comparable impact if you acquire another, giving up assets for a nominal upgrade, and so on.

Categorizing that as hoarding nuts is being hellbent on selling us on an argument that isn't happening...

I’ve NEVER said anything about being “doomed to fail”, I mean LOL

You said, "Or do we just want to insulate our players from some bad feelings, and ensure everyone is happy. While we lose on the first/second round again?"

So if we don't do what you say, we will lose in the postseason. This is sports. Losing is failure. Doomed to fail if we don't do what you say.

I'm not reading tea leaves here, Rid. That's what you said. No inuendo or inference required. If that's not what you meant to convey, you need to choose different words.

IF you think this team is ready to win it all now, then I applaud you.

I didn't say that. I said over and over that we have 50+ days to make necessary adjustments. Who's the one using hyperbole here?

I fear they are not. And have spoken as such, ESPECIALLY about their ability to score.

Not sure what you mean. The Caps are #1 in the East in goals for. And they're coming from all over the place, which is ideal. Also best in goals against for that matter, which makes the margin even bigger.

EVERYONE would like to score more. Every fan of every team in every sport. So sure, if we can add some goals without giving more up, let's absolutely do that, said every sports fan ever.

Please do not create a false narrative to embolden your points. That’s not OK.

Um, pretty sure that was you. Said you didn't say things you clearly did, said I said things I clearly didn't, saying the same things about other posters that are just as untrue... That not being okay is your thing. As far as I'm concerned we're just talking here. No reason to get ruffled about it, so it's perfectly okay by me.

You want your winning team to keep winning and you're fired up about it. Good. Stay that way. Just ease up a bit.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I agree. But I also think may very well apply to the next 3 or more if we continue to be patient with the emerging pool if talent and fill in with FAs when needed. Who wouldn't want to play here now!!

It's all very good going forward, all things considered!

Ovy wont produce like this in 3yrs, IMO. And that’s simply NOT begrudging the man. Going from 39 to 41 is a real thing for a world class athlete. It’s huge.

I’d love to be wrong. Obviously