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

[CapitalsCupReality]

He was so good last season and the playoffs. Its hard to figure out whats going on with him. The talent and skill is in him. Its hard to give up on that. I really want the coaches to get him going again.

We all do.

 

[Kazer]

I also think 1st+Lapierre is a bit much for a 3C, even if its elite 3C.

But what do you do with Lapierre if you trade for ROR? Theres no center spot for him the next 2+ seasons, so he’ll just tank his value in Hershey.

Id rather do Lapierre+ than a 1st for ROR.

I don't think we should trade for ROR (at least not while we have Eller.. maybe in the offseason), but ROR is not a 3C. He might be a 3C here by pure virtue of having Strome and PLD, but he would be a 2C on many (if not most) NHL teams and could probably be a fill in 1C on a team with weak center depth and/or injuries. Even on a very low-scoring Nashville team, ROR is on pace for 20+ goals and 50 points.

On a semi-related note, trading Lapierre before next season makes a ton of sense if the organization does not view him as a full-time NHLer in 25-26. Being in the AHL this year is disappointing but not unheard of. But if he's not on the team and contributing next year, his value is going to tank considerably (much more than it has).

Also, I agree completely with Wodka that Lappy was so good last year (arguably our second best forward in the playoffs after Wilson), but we're looking at nearly a full year of 'meh' level play. Was last year an anomaly? I would feel more confident in Lappy bouncing back if his D+2 and D+3 years were stronger or if he was dominating in Hershey (rather than playing at a mediocre level).

 

[Roshi]

He was so good last season and the playoffs. Its hard to figure out whats going on with him. The talent and skill is in him. Its hard to give up on that. I really want the coaches to get him going again.

i was superb high on him! The series against Rangers, the AHL playoffs, he had GAME. I was ready to give him 2C spot.

He def can turn it around again and we end up looking stupid to talking about trading him, but biggest problem with that suprisingly is we suddenly became too good to have the patience of letting him play through it. We are on the clock! The road looks rocky and the time is not on Lappys side after losing the 3C spot.

 

[Random schmoe]

Apologies if this is old news, but just perusing Frank Seravalli's Trade Targets board (updated today), I stopped to read a separate writeup on Jake Evans. In the 'Potential Suitors' section he stated:

"Believe the Caps were the team that tried to acquire Evans last summer at the Draft in exchange for a second-round pick, and that makes some sense. They’ve tried to fill that 3C role this year with Lars Eller, but Evans would be a better fit."

I'm not sure how relevant it is anymore, given their subsequent acquisition of Eller, but thought it interesting and enlightening.

 

[Calicaps]

I don't think we should trade for ROR (at least not while we have Eller.. maybe in the offseason), but ROR is not a 3C. He might be a 3C here by pure virtue of having Strome and PLD, but he would be a 2C on many (if not most) NHL teams and could probably be a fill in 1C on a team with weak center depth and/or injuries. Even on a very low-scoring Nashville team, ROR is on pace for 20+ goals and 50 points.

On a semi-related note, trading Lapierre before next season makes a ton of sense if the organization does not view him as a full-time NHLer in 25-26. Being in the AHL this year is disappointing but not unheard of. But if he's not on the team and contributing next year, his value is going to tank considerably (much more than it has).

Also, I agree completely with Wodka that Lappy was so good last year (arguably our second best forward in the playoffs after Wilson), but we're looking at nearly a full year of 'meh' level play. Was last year an anomaly? I would feel more confident in Lappy bouncing back if his D+2 and D+3 years were stronger or if he was dominating in Hershey (rather than playing at a mediocre level).

It's confusing bcuz a few posters who've watched him at times in Hershey have described him as "amazing" and "a man among boys" but the points just aren't there and he's playing down the lineup. And then he got hurt. I'm hoping the all-star break provided a reset for him and he'll be better coming out of that. Would be such a boon for him to find his form in time to join the Caps again this season. Solving problems from within > trading.

 

[Kolzilla]

Apologies if this is old news, but just perusing Frank Seravalli's Trade Targets board (updated today), I stopped to read a separate writeup on Jake Evans. In the 'Potential Suitors' section he stated:

"Believe the Caps were the team that tried to acquire Evans last summer at the Draft in exchange for a second-round pick, and that makes some sense. They’ve tried to fill that 3C role this year with Lars Eller, but Evans would be a better fit."

I'm not sure how relevant it is anymore, given their subsequent acquisition of Eller, but thought it interesting and enlightening.

Wouldn't be surprised if WSH targets Evans in FA this summer.

 

[Jags]

We all do.

Definitely. It's similar to what happened early in Vrana's career. We had this kid on the farm that seemed ready to go, but the Caps were pretty stacked, there wasn't an obvious spot for him, and the success of the team was more important than the potential disruption of trying to get him going.

We probably could have worked through Lappy's struggles early on, but the team went on a tear and sustaining that was simply more important. Sorry, kid. We'll check in with you when we need you, or we'll see you next year.

I don't think we should trade for ROR (at least not while we have Eller.. maybe in the offseason), but ROR is not a 3C. He might be a 3C here by pure virtue of having Strome and PLD, but he would be a 2C on many (if not most) NHL teams and could probably be a fill in 1C on a team with weak center depth and/or injuries. Even on a very low-scoring Nashville team, ROR is on pace for 20+ goals and 50 points.

True, but there's what a guy is in general, then what he is for this particular team. If we had blah wing talent outside our top 6, we'd probably be fine leaning on Eller. And Eller has played pretty well. He's just not a guy that's going to help a line perform offensively.

But we DO have wing talent to spread around, and we could also add a good one if we had a 3C that could leverage what they bring. So we could...

a) Add a TDL wing and hope he can overcome a 3C with lackluster offensive awareness.

b) Add a TDL center that can help leverage the 3W talent we already have, or...

c) Get both.

I don't see any reason that any of those options are off the table. If we think ROR can perform in line with the rest of his contract or be moved again, it's a good option that might not cost us big. Nelson and Evans also have more of that gear that Eller lacks.

On my phone, so can't look up the cap on a trade, but I think (maybe) we can make it work for futures and keep Eller and Mangiapane for the playoff run. ROR might click with Mangiapane/Leonard, might spark Miro or keep Frank going. Or we can swap around some top 6 wings, too. A center with offensive upside unlocks possibilities for us.

 

[twabby]

Since you punked him in this post, @twabby PLEASE post the individual player cards for Tuch vs CMM…..

Sure thing. Click the spoiler to show the cards.

Spoiler

CMM this year:

Last 3 years:

Tuch this year:

Last 3 years:

 

[Ridley Simon]

He's got 8 points in 9 games now, and he's got 2 goals in his last 4 games. Hell, he's inside the top 80 forwards in the league for points and top 60 for goals. He is that borderline first line player you're looking for.

We get it. You don’t want to trade him. I’m concerned this is his peak, as I still really couldn’t tell you what he truly excels at. I’d admit same w Lapierre. They ARE good players, but they aren’t special in any way.

Protas, you could see it
Leonard, you can see it
Cristall (IF he’s not too small, and now that he can skate better), you can see it
Hutson, you can see it.

I don’t see it w Lappy or CMM. I like them, but I certainly dont think that they can’t upgraded on for Ovy’s last 2 runs.

Maybe you do w CMM. It’s ok to disagree man

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I’m fine with moving CMM but needs to be for a player with some term IMHO.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Totally, agree. But I similarly don't believe in the TDL arms race narrative. The Canes did it, the Rags did it, so must we do... something. In all this analysis of McMike, I think it was overlooked that our LINES were hot the first half of the year. It wasn't specific guys spurring it all on, or one or two glue guys making it all work. The chemistry was insane, and continues to be.

It was EVERYTHING that Carbs said at his introductory presser last year. He kept stressing playing with pace, and in today's NHL that's cohesion and continuity, plain and simple. Feet moving, precision passing, go go go. Our team chemistry is as good as it has maybe ever been (stem to stern), and McMike isn't a passenger. He's been elevating others as much as they've helped him.

Upsetting that isn't something I'd do willy-nilly. And I know that's not what YOU are suggesting, but lotsa folks are champing at the bit to make a deal. I think we can all agree that "The Right Trade" is pretty much always a good idea, but it's hard to see what that would realistically look like when we continue to prove capable of beating anyone.



Sure, me too. And I'm sure you agree that the worst feeling is watching those young guys rise big time wearing someone else's sweater.

I've had enough of that shit. We won a Cup with a bunch of prospects stepping up in big moments, and without sexy TDL adds. I'm looking at our depth right now, the likely call-ups from Hershey, and Leonard, and I'm willing to bet that they can contribute when called upon.

I think Lappy, Protas, Miro, and McMike and might be able to chip in like Walker, Stephenson, Vrana, and Boyd did. And if you think of McMike as less of a prospect and more of a slow-developing tweener, remember that Burakovsky pretty much won us a Game 7 by himself. Ya never know when that blind squirrel's gonna pot a couple'a nuts.

So yeah, I'm all for "The Right Trade" but if that nebulous idea doesn't surface, maybe add a little depth and soldier on. I like our team.



Not that particular way, no. I like Tuch a lot, but I don't see the virtue in that specific trade idea. If that's the only way to get him, I'd pass and let Tuch's playoff legacy with us remain that one goal he DIDN'T score.

That’s a lot of words, even for you, good sir.

I think Tuch can take over and win games. And not in the “blind squirrel can find a nut” type way.

Do you know plays the most minutes for the forwards in Buffalo?

Do you who only has 10% of his 40pts, from the PP?

Do you know who leads his team — by a long shot — in plus/minus?

Sure — these aren’t your basic boxcar stats, but they show the value he brings to a team.

He’s still just 28, he’s defensively responsible, he’s a PITA to play against, he’s an all situations RW, and is flatly a much better all around player than CMM is …..right now. I think it’s a REALLY safe wager, that he will also be a lot better than CMM next year (yeah, my crystal ball is out), too.

This is maximizing Ovy’s window. I very much think Tuch could be the difference between long runs and not. It’s all fine lines in the playoffs.

So again, I’d deal Tuch, their late 1st, and a
B level prospect (I said Sudzalov) for Tuch. In a heartbeat.

Sure, he may not be available. “Wishing will not make it so” . Yeah no shit. I’m 55 dude. I learned that lesson a long f***ing time ago