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

[Calicaps]

Yea, the weekend of the trade, Friedman was talking about this. Some teams will have an internal cap, and won’t touch 100M. He suggested that the Avs were one of those teams, and were hiding behind the “can’t pay a winger more than MacK or as much as centers like Draisaitl.”

I hope Ted doesn’t cheap out going forward. Surprising that Carolina, of all teams, are willing to spend this much.

I think it's still a question whether they are willing to spend that. As of now, he's a rental, plain and simple. They think they have a shot this year and are going for it. What happens after is still very much a question.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Mackinnnon signed 12.6M starting when the cap was 83.5M, so 12.6/83.5 = 15.09% of the cap.
Rantanen projects to 14M or 14.5M with a cap of 95.5M, so 14/95.5 = 14.66% of the cap and 14.5/95.5 = 15.18% of the cap.

So pretty damn close. Then you factor in MacKinnon’s quotes after the trade where he blatantly said he doesn’t care if guys get paid more than he does and you have yourself a head scratcher. Makar needs paid too so maybe they viewed the trade as necessary so they could have a more balanced roster.

 

[wickedwitch]

Assuming the Lindgren rumors are true, then I'm not that surprised. (I would have guessed ~$3 million.) They have nothing remotely promising at all in the pipeline. This is what happens when you don't have the ability to draft/develop NHL goalies.

 

[Calicaps]

Assuming the Lindgren rumors are true, then I'm not that surprised. (I would have guessed ~$3 million.) They have nothing remotely promising at all in the pipeline. This is what happens when you don't have the ability to draft/develop NHL goalies.

HUH? The Caps have been one of the best goalie farms in the NHL for years. It's true that the current crop doesn't seem to be panning out, but this doesn't seem accurate overall.

 

[caps4cup]

Yes for regularly doing a one or two bargain pin finds, also yes for keeping the ones that are homeruns.

Again, and i seem to be repeating this alot and have no idea why ive picked this hill lol, but that 1-2 mills ”extra” is so easily lost in the grand scheme that i just cant find myself worrying about having the security of having a good goalie every night. We currently have a 2 mill guy buried in Hershey, and noone even notices, thats how marginal it is - and also reminds that not all bargain pin finds hit the mark.

Our cap structure right now easily allows us to make this bet, without it really affecting elsewhere. This doesnt stop us from signing Chychrun and updating a top6 winger or 3C.

We have possible cap casualties in less effective roles too, if it starts to look like we really need another mill. Ones that are likely replacable inhouse from ”the pipeline”. And who knows, maybe Lindgren is interesting trade chip by his own if the right fit comes to play.

Just saying that ”saving” an extra million and signing an unkown bargain pin backup for (in case) something thats not currently even on the table feels just unnecessary risk.

I was just thinking if Dowd is now going to be looking at 3.5mil as a 4C (maybe 3C for some teams), is that really worth it when if you could get a younger guy like Appleton, Steel, or Suter who are similar level of players but likely will command less money?

And is Lindgren worth much more (if at all) than Lankinen for example? Or Alex Lyon?

Dowd and Lindgren may be incrementally better, but there are usually value 4th liners/3rd pair/back up goalies available in FA (the Caps signed those same 2 guys to value contracts as well as other guys in recent years like TVR, Gustafsson, Sheary, Raddysh) and with where the Caps are right now, they need more top end talent.

That’s not to say they shouldn’t focus on depth, but it’s extremely hard to win without top end talent. I’d rather spend 14mil for Marner and spend 1mil on a 4C and 2G than 7mil combined for Dowd and Lindgren and 9mil for Ehlers. That’s just one example and may not be realistic, but in terms of their future cap allocation, I’d like to see them prioritize high end talent.

 

[wickedwitch]

HUH? The Caps have been one of the best goalie farms in the NHL for years. It's true that the current crop doesn't seem to be panning out, but this doesn't seem accurate overall.

Should have added an "anymore" to that sentence. They have not developed anyone recently and there's no top prospects in the system. Which is the relevant point here. They no longer can develop their own goalie (even just a backup) so they have to pay Lindgren.

 

[stephenball]

I see them signing Charlie for a few years if he wants to stay, and maybe take a shot at a mid round goalie in the draft this year or next, start trying to find the next goalie to develop.

I see a lot of value in having a trustworthy solid backup. I think we are seeing a clear transition just money wise of how clearly they view Thompson as the main starter, and he’ll he starting a higher percentage of games in the future. But they know and love Charlie, and having him is a good option so that if Thompson randomly pulls a groin in practice our whole season isn’t flushed down the toilet.

 

[Ridley Simon]

As if Protas’s contract wasn’t good enough already. Strome and Sandin’s contract extensions also looking even better and PLD will be close to getting paid 2nd line money in 3 years.

Thompson’s contract also looks better now. If he continues to play at a starter level the next 3 years (not even the Vezina candidate he’s been this year), his cap% in 27-28 will be equivalent to a 4.55mil cap hit this year.

They’re in a really, really good spot right now with some young talent on the way and a lot of money available. I’d still be wary of overpaying guys like Dowd and Lindgren though. Spend the extra money at the top of the lineup and sign depth players (like Raddysh, Duhaime, or the original Lindgren and Dowd contracts) that are similarly effective but might not be as heralded.

Agree with most all of this post. Well said.

I would say, though, that paying Dowd or Lindgren an extra mil a year, each, won’t kill them. That 2m is a lot smaller than it used to be. And Dowd has literally been the 4th line for what — 6 or 7 years? I wouldn’t go long term w either, but the per year isn’t something I’m too worried about. Ensure its 3yrs tops (hopefully 2) for both, and I’m good w 6.5- 7m between the 2 of them.

Stalwarts to this team, IMO, those 2.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Yea, the weekend of the trade, Friedman was talking about this. Some teams will have an internal cap, and won’t touch 100M. He suggested that the Avs were one of those teams, and were hiding behind the “can’t pay a winger more than MacK or as much as centers like Draisaitl.”

I hope Ted doesn’t cheap out going forward. Surprising that Carolina, of all teams, are willing to spend this much.

Ted is already playing the highest salaried payroll in the league, right now….

So I have no idea why we’d be worried about Ted paying to the cap going forward???

That’s not very logical, IMO.

 

[DWGie26]

Our tandem goaltending has been one of the best in the NHL this year. Certainly strength of the team. OV said he hopes the caps sign him. It’s clear he is important to the room.

I don’t believe they will go beyond 4 years (with Thompson at 6). Caps also have leverage because Chucky loves it here. Tarik mentioned on a post game show (Calgary game i think) that the number could approach $4M so that is likely where Wheeks got it from. I still don’t buy it so I think goaltending will be closer to 9M. I have no problem with that.

Also Stevenson is on a one-way contract next year but it can be buried. He needs some time to develop before he is even a backup in the NHL.

 

[Calicaps]

Our tandem goaltending has been one of the best in the NHL this year. Certainly strength of the team. OV said he hopes the caps sign him. It’s clear he is important to the room.

I don’t believe they will go beyond 4 years (with Thompson at 6). Caps also have leverage because Chucky loves it here. Tarik mentioned on a post game show (Calgary game i think) that the number could approach $4M so that is likely where Wheeks got it from. I still don’t buy it so I think goaltending will be closer to 9M. I have no problem with that.

Also Stevenson is on a one-way contract next year but it can be buried. He needs some time to develop before he is even a backup in the NHL.

I hope that if it's as much as $4M it won't be more than another year or two. I could also see them going 3x3.

 

[trick9]

Yea, the weekend of the trade, Friedman was talking about this. Some teams will have an internal cap, and won’t touch 100M. He suggested that the Avs were one of those teams, and were hiding behind the “can’t pay a winger more than MacK or as much as centers like Draisaitl.”

I hope Ted doesn’t cheap out going forward. Surprising that Carolina, of all teams, are willing to spend this much.

I think Friedman mentioned that the Canes feel they haven't really had an superstar in their whole existence and the owner was willing to spend to finally get one.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I think Friedman mentioned that the Canes feel they haven't really had a superstar in their whole existence and the owner was willing to spend to finally get one.

Eric Staal was pretty damn good in his prime

 

[Roshi]

I was just thinking if Dowd is now going to be looking at 3.5mil as a 4C (maybe 3C for some teams), is that really worth it when if you could get a younger guy like Appleton, Steel, or Suter who are similar level of players but likely will command less money?

And is Lindgren worth much more (if at all) than Lankinen for example? Or Alex Lyon?

Dowd and Lindgren may be incrementally better, but there are usually value 4th liners/3rd pair/back up goalies available in FA (the Caps signed those same 2 guys to value contracts as well as other guys in recent years like TVR, Gustafsson, Sheary, Raddysh) and with where the Caps are right now, they need more top end talent.

That’s not to say they shouldn’t focus on depth, but it’s extremely hard to win without top end talent. I’d rather spend 14mil for Marner and spend 1mil on a 4C and 2G than 7mil combined for Dowd and Lindgren and 9

3,5 Dowd would be a tough decision, lets hope it gets done with lower cap hit.

But no, Appleton or Suter is not similar level players. Dowd is 4th line C playing 3rd line minutes in a shutdown role against the best players in the world.

Wingers come and go but whoever you put with Dowd immediately rises their stock. Caps have had the best fourth line in the league as long as Dowd has been here. Thats quite important when your first line is pretty meh.

Keeping Dowd makes it easier to spend less on the bottom6 wingers too.

 

[PlushMinus]

Not sure if this has been posted but it's fantastic. Wilson vs Rasmus in the Calgary game the other night

 

[qc14]

Ted is already playing the highest salaried payroll in the league, right now….

So I have no idea why we’d be worried about Ted paying to the cap going forward???

That’s not very logical, IMO.

I will say that I'm pretty sure the Backstrom and Oshie contracts are insured. While I don't think that Ted spending will be an issue, you can never really be sure until it actually happens.

Winnipeg, Carolina, Colorado better win now ...

 

[Blades Ov Steel]

Not sure if this has been posted but it's fantastic. Wilson vs Rasmus in the Calgary game the other night

I too have a big head, I feel attacked rn

 

[Blades Ov Steel]

 

[Ridley Simon]

I hope that if it's as much as $4M it won't be more than another year or two. I could also see them going 3x3.

Yes. 3x3 (or even 4yrs @ 3m) is where I sit. If it was 3 at 3.5, I wouldn’t blanch too much.

 

[Kazer]

HUH? The Caps have been one of the best goalie farms in the NHL for years. It's true that the current crop doesn't seem to be panning out, but this doesn't seem accurate overall.

As I outlined before, the Caps dearth of goaltending prospects right now mostly due to lack of draft capital used on the position. Using 5 draft chunks:

05-09 1 1st (Varlamov); 1 2nd (Neuvirth); 1 4th (Holtby); 1 5th (Machesney); 1 6th (Dunn);
10-14 1 2nd (Vanecek); 2 4th (Soberg, Grubauer); 1 7th (Kostenko)
15-19 1 1st (Samsonov); 1 4th (Gibson)
20-24 1 4th (Kempf); 2 6th (Clark; Bjorklund); 1 7th (Keller)

Caps in 05-14 invested 1sts and 2nds into the position with depth. In 15-19, they only invested two draft picks total in the position with Sammy and Gibson. They have started to reinvest in the position lately (20-24), but it's too soon to tell if any of those guys will work out. They have also used late picks except for Kempf.

I'd like to see them continue to take a goalie per year until they rebuild the pipeline. It doesn't really matter where. Of the top 10 GSAA this year, you have goalies taken from all over the place ranging from first round (Oettinger, Vasy) to seventh round (Wolf, Daccord) to undrafted (LT) and plenty in the middle.