GMCP and BM both have said this in their summer press conference. They said trying to tank and hope you get a generational player hasn’t worked out for many franchises. I’d wager they don’t tear it down to the studs and instead try to build around the upcoming core with a large acquisition.
The upgrade the team at the deadline for Ovi failed at 90%+ rate over his career. The one year we won the cup we didn't "upgrade". We added a couple random depth pieces for security that cost us basically nothing. What makes everyone think trading away valuable assets and draft capital to upgrade a team that's already performing this well is a good move? Look how many teams do it every year and how many it ends up not working out for. It's just not smart asset management unless you need an extra push to get into the playoffs and this team does not.
I guess it depends how you define "upgrade." Adding big-name guys who don't you make better, in my opinion, isn't upgrading. But our front office has shown savant-like ability to improve the team with the right additions that don't empty the cupboard. Not sure why you are so confident that they can't do that now. And BTW, if they do nothing, I will conclude that they felt standing pat was best. But if they can actually upgrade the team, they will.
The options include continuing to draft and develop, and insert smart lower cost UFAs or trade adds (talking less than $10 mil a year Superstar level contracts). Blowing it up isn’t even an option any more IMO. Too much farm depth.
I don't disagree. Today's NHL game is less superstar-driven than ever in my memory (which I think is presenting a big marketing challenge for the league, but that's a whole other conversation). But with the cap going up like crazy right now, $10M for one key guy isn't even gonna be that much.
If there’s a 10% chance the guy you acquire for a 3rd round pick for a playoff run, that’s a fair deal, not too much higher chance for a 2nd. Basically every cup winner fine tunes their roster down the stretch, Panthers were a wagon last year and added Tarasenko because they could.
2018 was an amazing run with minimal additions at the TDL. Everyone mocked those deals at the time IIRC. Without looking, I’d venture that the 2018 team is a bit of an outlier in terms of in season additions to a Stanley cup winner
Right... I'm m asking you to do the math, I already did it, that's why I posted it. lol
Kempny was a 4d. That's not a minimal acquisition IMO ...
This. But he was a "lesser" player in so far as he was an off-the-radar type of pickup. Not the big name. In many ways he was the quintessential BMac "right guy for the role" acquisition.
Why does getting a top 6F have to be “some giant stupid move”, again?
He wasn’t brought in to be a top 4 D. Hell he didn’t even play at first, Jerabek did. The acquisition worked out nicely but I’d be willing to bet that GMBM would admit he lucked into how that deal worked out.
After the Rantanen trade I'm not sure I'd agree. They're not desperate but realistically there should be urgency to add. What if they fizzle out? Would they respond by merely integrating more youth next season? They're on a fine track in the bigger picture. They've added a lot of stability recently but promise in itself doesn't put teams over the top. They may not find themselves in as strong of a position given what should be an overall easier opening round opponent and then the East generally not being amazing.
This is the conundrum. Leonard has shined at all levels, including WJC and the Caps' development camps. But he's untested/unproven against NHL-level pros. One positive is that Lenny costs nothing to acquire, other than a contract. Of the external possible adds, which if any offer better odds of fitting in and making the team better? Acquisition costs shouldn't be outrageous for a pending UFA like Evans or Donato. I'd prefer someone with term but the cost for that player will be higher. At least the Caps have assets they can exchange.
Yep. I think you have to treat Leonard for this year as a non-factor
