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

[Ridley Simon]

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...



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.



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?



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.



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.

No man. Just no. I know exactly what I said. You are interpreting it “your way”, which is fine. I cannot parse and pick sentences like you do.

In doing so, you lose the actual argument, @Jags

I do not care about PLAYING CMM or any other player out of their current roles. Which is exactly WHY I didn’t agree w @Silky mitts.

I don’t think anyone being added should be on the 4th line either. Like at all.

I do not think this team can win it all. I just don’t. So I think they augment it. “Waiting 50 days” not only makes you miss opportunities, it drives up prices towards the TDL, and it also strips you of perhaps needed time for chemistry (see Shattenkirk).

Again — none of this is about hoarding their nuts. Your diatribe is about IF to acquire, and when.

I ALSO believe in IF to acquire. The when is something I think you are wrong on, and I agree on the WHO. Mostly, save a player or 2

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

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

My dream situation is Ovi comes back on a League Minimum contact year by year if we Cup contenders and if he can pot 20 on the PP. Then use his money plus some more to sign Kiprizov because wouldn't he like to play with Ovi and then maybe we can be a contender for the next 7 years...

That’s my wish-plan!!

 

[Jags]

Why is that mindset met w objection?

I'm 95% with you on the mindset. It's the delivery that's generating responses, Rid. You got really animated there for a bit. If you'd worded things the way you did in this post, I don't think anyone would have objected.

In doing so, you lose the actual argument, @Jags

Maybe this is where we're getting caught up. I'm not trying to win anything. You suggest I "lost" by responding to your posts point-by-point. I kind of had to do that because you peppered that particular post with wild claims and mischaracterizations that completely reframed everything both of us were saying. So I re-quoted the original posts for clarification and context.

Again, if that's not what you want to happen, then you might want to revisit the way you argue. Maybe thinking of it as arguing isn't the best way to start. I'm just having a discussion on a discussion board. Can we maybe just do that?

 

[895]

I regret the Eller trade. Wasted assets and cap space on a guy who's better than Lapierre but still not good enough to be a 3c of a SC contender.

We didn't give up a lot and it's not a disaster or anything, but in hindsight, we should have just gone straight for Gourde or whoever.

 

[Jags]

I regret the Eller trade. Wasted assets and cap space on a guy who's better than Lapierre but still not good enough to be a 3c of a SC contender.

I think it's more complicated than that. At the time the team was firing on all cylinders but for that spot, so they were looking to stabilize an important position. Eller did that, and they 100% knew what they were getting in him. He adds value everywhere but on the scoreboard.

The steadiness he added and games he helped us win over that time would still be worth it if we made a deal to upgrade 3C. Just gotta be careful to find someone that can add what Lars lacks while keeping most of what he adds. Not the easiest needle to thread.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I'm 95% with you on the mindset. It's the delivery that's generating responses, Rid. You got really animated there for a bit. If you'd worded things the way you did in this post, I don't think anyone would have objected.



Maybe this is where we're getting caught up. I'm not trying to win anything. You suggest I "lost" by responding to your posts point-by-point. I kind of had to do that because you peppered that particular post with wild claims and mischaracterizations that completely reframed everything both of us were saying. So I re-quoted the original posts for clarification and context.

Again, if that's not what you want to happen, then you might want to revisit the way you argue. Maybe thinking of it as arguing isn't the best way to start. I'm just having a discussion on a discussion board. Can we maybe just do that?

You know you. I know me. So perhaps make this about us then? Off line?

I am passionate about the team. That won’t change.

Discussion is arguing. Especially over the internet. No one is heated. At least, they shouldn’t be? So I should change my vernacular here? I will. Appreciate that.

The “wild claims” part is inflammatory sir. As are most of how you characterize my posting. Seems slightly hypocritical?

We can stop cluttering this thread w our inter-squabbles.

Succinctly:

I think the Caps should trade some nuts to make their team better this year. I’ve listed names. Those names may not be for everyone, I get it! So….

I WELCOME more names.

Good?

 

[Roshi]

I actually enjoyed that exchange of words and thoughts, well done.

Agree with you both.

Now lets go win the cup. Even better if we can hoard some nuts while doing it

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I keep looking at the Redwings as a team that could blow it up. Would they trade their hometown Captain Larkin?

https://puckpedia.com/player/dylan-larkin

Year 2 of 8 year deal. I doubt they trade him

 

[Dr John Carlson]

The elephant in the room with Leonard is that there still remains a realistic chance he doesn't sign by season's end. Seems as though this is made more likely if BC doesn't win in the Frozen Four.

Pass on Granlund for sure, I don't buy him being productive in a depth role. Nelson and Gourde are more interesting. Tuch would be incredible, but the price must be high.

Thompson's doing well enough that their goaltending - the clear weak point of the roster - ought to stand pat. The next biggest weak point IMO is Strome at 1C, but it's extremely difficult to imagine them moving off of him at his contract. He also wore an A when 8 was out, and that matters.

The organization should probably have a good idea whether Leonard plans to sign or not. If he does, roll with him. If not, try for one of those middle six wingers. And get one more depth defenseman in case McIlrath or Alexeyev get close to the ice.

 

[wickedwitch]

The elephant in the room with Leonard is that there still remains a realistic chance he doesn't sign by season's end. Seems as though this is made more likely if BC doesn't win in the Frozen Four.

Every single bit of evidence points to him signing. There is not a shred of evidence that indicates otherwise.

 

[qc14]

Re: where to make a big trade

I don't think goaltending is a weakness of the roster at all and is in fact one of its greatest strengths, so I don't really get the desire to make a change there.

Their D is probably a top 5 unit in the league, with 8 guys who I trust to play minutes in the playoffs and two more in Hershey that you probably couldn't find upgrades on in the open market. I don't even think they need to do the usual "trade for a guy to sit in the press box" move here.

I've loved Frank's game so far but I think even if he keeps it up and/or Milano gets healthy and/or Leonard signs at the end of the year the glaring hole is still at 3w. You can either fix that by bringing in a guy to play that role specifically (Frederic, Gourde, Hall) or bringing in another top 6 guy (Nelson, Tuch) that bumps McMichael or Protas down. I think there are some guys in either category that I really like and think would probably be worth the price, and some that I really don't and think they should stay away from.

Re: hoarding nuts vs. spending them

The Caps are in a uniquely great position to go big-fish shopping if they think the big fish is actually a good fit. We've got a great prospect pool all things considered, especially with guys ready to contribute in the next couple of years. There's not really any bad money on the books, especially long term. We also have an extremely defined window of contention, and at least to me a massive risk that maybe future years don't go quite as perfectly as this one.

I also think that the chemistry within the room has been a major part of the success this year and I would not f*** with that in any major way. Trading Mangiapane out, for instance, is a huge no-go for me. Even if it's going after a big name, I'd rather it be a rental that is a pure add (like Nelson) than a long-term piece that requires some sort of subtraction from the roster to get done (Elias Pettersson).

I trust BMac and CP with whatever they decide to do, even if it is to stay pat. Sometimes the deals just don't present themselves, sometimes they do. If I were in charge of the team though, I would absolutely be looking to move the 25 1st and maybe some of the second tier futures (who or what those are is debatable) for the best forward on the market.

Reward the coaches, the room, the fans for what has been a really incredible season so far and go for it.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Does anyone know what type of money Leonard in making now on NIL?
After his USA showing he surely picked up some sponsors