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

[The Instigator]

Can we agree that if Brad Marchand were to become available he should be Washington's top target?

Boston's 4-4-2 in their last ten games, sitting at 11th in the East currently based on points percentage. One of the worst goal differentials also. They're still Right There with a cluster of five teams for two spots but they're in tough with NYR a decent bet to claim one of them. Seems to me their chosen direction could shape a lot and it's probably worth waiting on that possibility. Could you imagine the drama adding Leonard & Marchand down the stretch? Sign me up...

My brother is a Bruins fan and I've brought this up constantly.

Can you imagine a line of Marchand-Dubois-Wilson? People would hate that haha.

But honestly the way he could play up and down the lineup and have that higher gear is something the Capitals should look at if he comes available.

 

[usiel]

As far as the 3rd line goes what intrigues me is picking up Ryan O'Reilly from Nashville though there is some term there. But Eller on the wing with RO centering feels like 2/3 of a legit shutdown line that could generate some offense.

 

[Blades Ov Steel]

Will be interesting to see how the Caps respond to Carolina's moves.

 

[trick9]

Can we agree that if Brad Marchand were to become available he should be Washington's top target?

Boston's 4-4-2 in their last ten games, sitting at 11th in the East currently based on points percentage. One of the worst goal differentials also. They're still Right There with a cluster of five teams for two spots but they're in tough with NYR a decent bet to claim one of them. Seems to me their chosen direction could shape a lot and it's probably worth waiting on that possibility. Could you imagine the drama adding Leonard & Marchand down the stretch? Sign me up...

The problem with this is that... refs too hate him. We already have Wilson and Dubois who are hated by the refs and you can basically mug them without getting a penalty. Marchand fits right into that category. He doesn't really draw calls anymore either. Unless it's coincidental minors.

Would be hilarious though.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Interested to see how Vancouver responds vs the Caps after reports came out that essentially their whole core sans Hughes was on the trading block to Carolina.

Could be an angry team playing with a chip on their shoulder, but it wouldn’t shock me to see apathy setting in either.

 

[Misery74]

Can we agree that if Brad Marchand were to become available he should be Washington's top target?

Boston's 4-4-2 in their last ten games, sitting at 11th in the East currently based on points percentage. One of the worst goal differentials also. They're still Right There with a cluster of five teams for two spots but they're in tough with NYR a decent bet to claim one of them. Seems to me their chosen direction could shape a lot and it's probably worth waiting on that possibility. Could you imagine the drama adding Leonard & Marchand down the stretch? Sign me up...

This all day.

Odds are, it will be NYR in round one. That will be no cakewalk.

 

[notDkristich]

Can we agree that if Brad Marchand were to become available he should be Washington's top target?

Boston's 4-4-2 in their last ten games, sitting at 11th in the East currently based on points percentage. One of the worst goal differentials also. They're still Right There with a cluster of five teams for two spots but they're in tough with NYR a decent bet to claim one of them. Seems to me their chosen direction could shape a lot and it's probably worth waiting on that possibility. Could you imagine the drama adding Leonard & Marchand down the stretch? Sign me up...

i threw up a little bit in my mouth

probably how other fan bases felt about Hunter, Hathaway, etc.

 

[kicksavedave]

Can we agree that if Brad Marchand were to become available he should be Washington's top target?

Boston's 4-4-2 in their last ten games, sitting at 11th in the East currently based on points percentage. One of the worst goal differentials also. They're still Right There with a cluster of five teams for two spots but they're in tough with NYR a decent bet to claim one of them. Seems to me their chosen direction could shape a lot and it's probably worth waiting on that possibility. Could you imagine the drama adding Leonard & Marchand down the stretch? Sign me up...

Not agreed. There's lots of reasons not to trade for Marchand. The fact that he's a complete asshole is just one of them.

 

[EXTRAS]

What's the reason the teams 2nd leading scorer isn't getting even 2nd unit power play time? Is Protas that bad on the powerplay? It doesn't make much sense to me. Surely they can find room amongst the top 7 or 8 forwards for him to get a bit.

 

[Chukcha]

nvm

 

[um]

What's the reason the teams 2nd leading scorer isn't getting even 2nd unit power play time? Is Protas that bad on the powerplay? It doesn't make much sense to me. Surely they can find room amongst the top 7 or 8 forwards for him to get a bit.

You are right, it doesn’t make sense.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Will be interesting to see how the Caps respond to Carolina's moves.

Yes, and is it actually still GMBM's call, with Patrick doing the heavy lifting - or does he truly now have more autonomy as GM.

Team has been pretty well settled into the let out nuts slowly roast and mature patiently mindset. I doubt they suddenly become reactionary, but they may want to be more aggressive. Time will tell.

 

[Kalopsia]

As far as the 3rd line goes what intrigues me is picking up Ryan O'Reilly from Nashville though there is some term there. But Eller on the wing with RO centering feels like 2/3 of a legit shutdown line that could generate some offense.

How did Nashville get ROR on such a cheap contract AND it has no trade protection? It's one thing to take a discount to go to a city you like, but then you're supposed to get the NMC to you can make sure you stay there. He signed that contract on day one of free agency in 2023 too, so it's not like he waited too long and ran out of options.

Anyway, the term on him doesn't scare me cause he'd be shouldering an easier load in DC and his with his 4.5M cap hit he'd have to drop off hard to be a bad value. I dunno if Trotz is ready to totally commit to a full rebuild though, and if they're trading O'Reilly they'd need to be stripping it down to the studs. They've got nothing at center if he leaves, in the pros or in the minors.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Can we agree that if Brad Marchand were to become available he should be Washington's top target?

Boston's 4-4-2 in their last ten games, sitting at 11th in the East currently based on points percentage. One of the worst goal differentials also. They're still Right There with a cluster of five teams for two spots but they're in tough with NYR a decent bet to claim one of them. Seems to me their chosen direction could shape a lot and it's probably worth waiting on that possibility. Could you imagine the drama adding Leonard & Marchand down the stretch? Sign me up...

NOPE!

Ryan Leonard is just who the Bruins would want in return. Massachusetts boy who currently plays for Boston College. Leonard would fit right in to the Bruins style of play.

Somehow with all this TDL talk, the ghosts of the Shattenkirk and Forsberg trades are returning.

 

[Lou Sassole]

Not agreed. There's lots of reasons not to trade for Marchand. The fact that he's a complete asshole is just one of them.

That's actually a reason to trade for him. Assholes win playoff hockey games.

 

[DWGie26]

I’m being opportunistic at trade deadline if Caps. We don’t NEED to make a trade which means we have leverage. We have assets and the one I am trying to move is either our first or one of seconds depending on return. I want a veteran rental for a long run. And you need a vet for that. In order of priority (1) speed and creative scorer, (2) third line playoff gamer who can score secondary goals.

 

[Kalopsia]

NOPE!

Ryan Leonard is just who the Bruins would want in return. Massachusetts boy who currently plays for Boston College. Leonard would fit right in to the Bruins style of play.

Somehow with all this TDL talk, the ghosts of the Shattenkirk and Forsberg trades are returning.

I'd sure they'd want him, but asking for a prospect of his caliber in return for a nearly 37 year old rental winger on pace for 60 points would be insane. No one pays that kind of price for in-season rentals. The Erat trade was a monumentally stupid move by a desperate GM, but Erat at least was only 31 and had another year on his contract. Much more likely the price for Marchand would be the 2025 1st and maybe some token day 2 picks and/or minor prospects, like what the Caps paid for Shattenkirk or what they got back for Orlov.

 

[DWGie26]

I'd sure they'd want him, but asking for a prospect of his caliber in return for a nearly 37 year old rental winger on pace for 60 points would be insane. No one pays that kind of price for in-season rentals. The Erat trade was a monumentally stupid move by a desperate GM, but Erat at least was only 31 and had another year on his contract. Much more likely the price for Marchand would be the 2025 1st and maybe some token day 2 picks and/or minor prospects, like what the Caps paid for Shattenkirk or what they got back for Orlov.

Exactly. Can’t compare the two. GMGM was desperate. We don’t have that problem now. More of a position of strength. We won’t make that mistake now. GMBM/CP are more savvy.

 

[twabby]

They should look for top 6 acquisitions and look to push McMichael to the third line.

The third line has been the season-long weakness but it's not like the top 6 as a whole has been great. Why not kill two birds with one stone and strengthen the entire top 9?

 

[MW6]

They should look for top 6 acquisitions and look to push McMichael to the third line.

The third line has been the season-long weakness but it's not like the top 6 as a whole has been great. Why not kill two birds with one stone and strengthen the entire top 9?

His name rhymes with Stitch Larner.. but that would probably push McMichael to another division, not the 3rd line..

 

[TheSmokingMan]

We need to get McMichael and Strome going again. They've gone ice cold, combine that with Ovie still trying to find his timing and that explains why we are struggling to score right now. It's reassuring that they can still play great defense and are getting outstanding goaltending, but I don't want to go into the playoffs struggling to score. I'm hoping the upcoming break will allow them to reset.

If we still haven't gotten the offense flowing by the trade deadline, a move for a scoring forward needs to be made.

 

[Langway]

I just think Strome & McMichael aren't it when games become heavily contested. They're not tenacious or firm enough to earn themselves space. They get closed out way too easily. The third line is cobbled together. The fourth line is just okay really. Duhaime isn't the most skilled nor the quickest. Same for Mangiapane. The PLD line is a monster when together but they wisely split them up last night. They've got to spread that size and tenacity around.

The D is just about perfect. The right side perhaps leaves a bit to be desired offensively top to bottom. The forwards are far easier to pick apart. They may not want to step on anyone's toes too much but...there's a lot of room for improvement.

The break should be coming at a good time. We'll see if they can freshen it up offensively thereafter. If not I wonder if they'd have the willingness to do something bold that may require a more significant subtraction (say McMichael). The surplus value supplied through next season may be too much to part with barring an exceptional circumstance but altogether I'm not sure this is a $6M+ player or something.

Edit: The best hope for those two IMO is for their collective possession game to more consistently put teams on their heels and for that to open up more ice for them. But in terms of individual pushback their skillsets are somewhat limited.

 

[zappa4ever]

We're #1.
and we're a freaking mystery.
Leading in GF all year basically, with no high end finishers minus Ove Man River
Have 7 of last 10 gms with mid-to-weak performances yet not lose in reg once and maintain a .750 P%
3rd line revolving door yet still producing
Goal and Defense "all-of-a-sudden" is Top Tier

It's been one of the most surprising/interesting Caps seasons ever so far... I'm here for it!

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

I’m being opportunistic at trade deadline if Caps. We don’t NEED to make a trade which means we have leverage. We have assets and the one I am trying to move is either our first or one of seconds depending on return. I want a veteran rental for a long run. And you need a vet for that. In order of priority (1) speed and creative scorer, (2) third line playoff gamer who can score secondary goals.

Concur fully.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

I just think Strome & McMichael aren't it when games become heavily contested. They're not tenacious or firm enough to earn themselves space. They get closed out way too easily.

I see that more with Strome than CMM. CMM is a good puck thief and is pretty tenacious on both forecheck and backcheck. His is still developing and I'm thinking he will still improve there.
...

If not I wonder if they'd have the willingness to do something bold that may require a more significant subtraction (say McMichael).

OK. Bold. Trade Strome. The contact value should reap a very high level talent. Move Protas to top 6 C.

Im not really advocating moving Strome, but it annoying how the whole fan community is quick to move CMM when on whole when he does nothing but surprise to the upside overall over the long haul - and I'm convinced he will to continue to.