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

[Silky mitts]

Yep. I think you have to treat Leonard for this year as a non-factor

IMO Leonard will definitely have an adjustment period before he can be impactful at the NHL level. A lot of the goals and plays I see him make on highlights probably wouldn't be successful in the pros. The opposing players are just too good, relative to what he faces now. That's not to say he doesn't have the skill to become 'a guy', just that it'll take him a bit to learn new ways to use that skill.

He’s going to be asked to do the same thing he’s always done which is go to the net and be generally difficult to play against. He’s so much better than Hathaway in so many ways I don’t see how he isn’t more impactful than peak Hathaway this year, who was worth a 2nd a deadline add.

 

[qc14]

He’s going to be asked to do the same thing he’s always done which is go to the net and be generally difficult to play against. He’s so much better than Hathaway in so many ways I don’t see how he isn’t more impactful than peak Hathaway this year, who was worth a 2nd a deadline add.

I am willing to go out on a limb here and say that while it is possible Leonard is more impactful than prime Hathaway this year, it is absolutely not a good strategy to just hope that he is and do nothing else.

Treat the deadline like Leonard isn't giving you anything. If he doesn't, then you have something else to fall back on. If he does and you need to drop a good player from the lineup, that's a great problem to have!

 

[qc14]

We probably need to move a roster player. We can send Jake through waivers but that is for Milano. so then you have 2.6m of cap space. And you need to move a roster player and cap. Or take 50% retained up to 5.2M. There is room to add another but roster spots will be a problem.

Posted this a couple of weeks ago but the math is all the same:

Caps are currently at $3.65M of space. Re-activate Milano (and send down Vrana in a corresponding move) and that goes down to $2.52M. Move out Bear in a deal and his buried cap hit and that goes back up to $3.43M. Send down Frank to make room on the roster for whoever you're bringing in for a trade and that goes up to $4.21M of space. Double that and they could add a player making $8.42M at 50% retention, all while keeping a full 23-man roster and only risking Vrana and Frank to waivers. Send down Milano instead of Frank and you're at $4.58M of space -- enough room for a $9.16M player half retained. Add Milano into the trade as well instead (and keep Frank on the roster) and you have $5.33M in space or $10.66M half retained, once again with a full 23-man roster. There are literally two expiring UFAs (Tavares and Marner) in the entire league they could not fit under the cap by making these very simple moves. The cap is not even close to being an issue in any way.

A large add can be made, especially for an expiring deal where retention is not an issue, with extremely straightforward moves that do not lead to any subtractions of any significance to the roster.

 

[Silky mitts]

I am willing to go out on a limb here and say that while it is possible Leonard is more impactful than prime Hathaway this year, it is absolutely not a good strategy to just hope that he is and do nothing else.

Treat the deadline like Leonard isn't giving you anything. If he doesn't, then you have something else to fall back on. If he does and you need to drop a good player from the lineup, that's a great problem to have!

Even if you’re counting on Leonard you can still add, and recent reporting had the Caps looking to add 1 forward from Friedman (as opposed to more than 1) and linked to Jake Evans and Scott Laughton so Eller upgrades and not wings, and this would be line of thinking to create the best 4 lines, with a spot for Lenny, maximizing your shot this year, and having Boston’s 2nd ahead of all the buyers.

 

[Calicaps]

You should not count on Leonard to be the difference. You should assume you need something else. Then if Lenny--or Miro or Lappy or whomever--shines, great. That's just more depth. But you add because you can and it cannot hurt.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I tend to agree counting on the prospects to be the trade deadline add is a dangerous game. I not sure that means trading for another teams cast off for the sake of trading. Its starting to sound like we are shopping for a bad teams 3rd liners.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

5d chess move: too many teams competing for top 6F’s, Caps should trade for Karlsson (retained) and put him on the wing.

 

[Blades Ov Steel]

You should not count on Leonard to be the difference. You should assume you need something else. Then if Lenny--or Miro or Lappy or whomever--shines, great. That's just more depth. But you add because you can and it cannot hurt.

That's how I felt about Frank tbh, an unexpected surprise.

 

[Corby78]

I’m all for going for it this year, but to be honest I’m not seeing the piece that I want to go for. My worry is going for it just because. I don’t want to give up assets and change the room for a third wing minor upgrade.

I’m kinda just hoping Leonard comes out like a beast and solves the problem.

 

[wickedwitch]

I’m all for going for it this year, but to be honest I’m not seeing the piece that I want to go for. My worry is going for it just because. I don’t want to give up assets and change the room for a third wing minor upgrade.

I’m kinda just hoping Leonard comes out like a beast and solves the problem.

Agreed. I don't think the right piece is out there and available.

And while it's obviously not a guarantee, it's realistic to think Leonard will be a good player (at least for a 3rd liner) immediately. Players like Caufield, McAvoy, and Kreider (plus Makar but he's on a different level) have done the same and been impact players immediately. While I'm sure counter examples exists, I can't think of any top prospects (i.e. top 15 picks) who went to playoff teams after their NCAA season and didn't make an impact. It's not a huge sample, because most top prospects don't go to teams who make the playoffs in the following few years.

And the realistic trade targets are also not guaranteed to play well and fit in. Look at Rantanen.

 

[trick9]

Bruce Cassidy was just recently named second least favourable coach to play for by the players. Are we really surprised thar a coach like him is petty and bitter about a former player who requested a trade away?

This is a pile of nothing. They were petty and didn't pick him, then he got hot and made them look stupid and now they are scrambling to save face.

 

[Kazer]

Was trying to do some research on the impact of college players on NHL teams in the playoffs, and I was not able to find much. The three best examples I found (while looking through a sea of players who played in the AHL for a while first) were:

Cole Caufield - signed after sophomore year [a blistering year I might add] - put up 4 goals, 8 assists in 20 playoff games for Montreal in 20-21.
Matthew Knies, signed after his sophomore season - put up 1+3 in 7 playoff games with the Leafs.
Chris Kreider, signed after his junior year - put up 5+2 in 18 games for the Rangers on their way to losing the ECF in 11-12.

So, to me, it's not out of the question that Leonard can come in and make an immediate impact. Expectations should be tempered, however. This is particularly true if Leonard is going to be centered by Eller.

 

[Jags]

Maybe a deal doesn't materialize for a top 6 player but that's where they should be looking.

I see what you mean, but "Eller replacement" doesn't automatically mean 3rd liner. Who knows how the chemistry shakes out if we added a ROR or Nelson that can play up the lineup? That they *might* play on the 3rd line here only means that we're a deep team. It doesn't lessen the potential impact they could have once they arrive.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Barry Trotz is the general manager (GM) of the Nashville Predators. He became GM in July 2023, replacing David Poile

If we are in on ROR. GMBM / GMCP and Barry know each other well so it might be easy to trade with.

 

[wickedwitch]

Barry Trotz is the general manager (GM) of the Nashville Predators. He became GM in July 2023, replacing David Poile

If we are in on ROR. GMBM / GMCP and Barry know each other well so it might be easy to trade with.

Yeah... remember how that ended? I would not rely on them having a good relationship. Of course, it's been nearly 9 years, so maybe time has healed the hurt. Regardless, hopefully things are better with GMCP, because he would have been less involved in that.

 

[Todd Lazarchick]

This FO simply relying on Leonard to be their deadline add would be malpractice on their part. That’s a lot of weight for a kid to hold. Although he seems like he could be someone to handle that pressure I’m surely not forcing it on him out the gate and I don’t think they are going to either. They should be all in for upgrading the top 6/9 despite Leonard. He comes in and earns it and impresses then you have two nice top 9 additions for the price of one. But banking on him solely being the only new piece isn’t it.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Just trade for Tuch. Right, @Jags ?

 

[Corby78]

This FO simply relying on Leonard to be their deadline add would be malpractice on their part. That’s a lot of weight for a kid to hold. Although he seems like he could be someone to handle that pressure I’m surely not forcing it on him out the gate and I don’t think they are going to either. They should be all in for upgrading the top 6/9 despite Leonard. He comes in and earns it and impresses then you have two nice top 9 additions for the price of one. But banking on him solely being the only new piece isn’t it.

I think if the reports are true they have already proven that isn’t the plan, so no malpractice on the FOs part. Now they may not make a deal, but that may end up being the smart move depending on who is actually available and what the asking price is.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

 

[twabby]

I see what you mean, but "Eller replacement" doesn't automatically mean 3rd liner. Who knows how the chemistry shakes out if we added a ROR or Nelson that can play up the lineup? That they *might* play on the 3rd line here only means that we're a deep team. It doesn't lessen the potential impact they could have once they arrive.

Agreed. I think Ryan O'Reilly and Brock Nelson fit the bill and those would be good targets.

On the other hand I don't think Scott Laughton would be a good target, as has been rumored. Not that Caps rumors are ever based in reality.

 

[DWGie26]

You should not count on Leonard to be the difference. You should assume you need something else. Then if Lenny--or Miro or Lappy or whomever--shines, great. That's just more depth. But you add because you can and it cannot hurt.

Yes. This is exactly what i have been saying. They are black aces for a reason. You bring them into the fold if neede and it brings upside like in 2017-2018. We also have so many roster spots and we are deep on Dee, forward. Goalie is concerning but not out of bounds. Next man up.

I am all about top 6 or nothing. Happy either way. Guaranteed the caps are having a lot of conversations. Have a plan. Won’t be goated into a bad deal. Could get a steal from being active. Otherwise nothing which is fine.

 

[Calicaps]

Yes. This is exactly what i have been saying. They are black aces for a reason. You bring them into the fold if neede and it brings upside like in 2017-2018. We also have so many roster spots and we are deep on Dee, forward. Goalie is concerning but not out of bounds. Next man up.

I am all about top 6 or nothing. Happy either way. Guaranteed the caps are having a lot of conversations. Have a plan. Won’t be goated into a bad deal. Could get a steal from being active. Otherwise nothing which is fine.

Really? How so? From where I sit, we have one of the best tandems in the league.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

A move that could happen is TJ Oshie. But I think hes retired or he would have to start really training soon.

 

[Jags]

On the other hand I don't think Scott Laughton would be a good target, as has been rumored.

Definitely agree. I'm for getting a guy that can play in the top 6, but some of the suggestions that amount to keeping Eller at 3C and McMichael getting bumped to the 3rd really don't track for me. McMichael will wither on Eller's wing and the 3rd line would see next to no improvement, IMO.

So yeah, I'd be looking for a center that can play up. I think that's the move that bolsters our team the most because it could shake the chemistry of our entire top 9, get our 3rd playing 3rd line minutes, allowing us to deploy the 4th more strategically.

Just adding a top 6 wing and leaving the 3rd to iron their shit out doesn't work for me.

 

[qc14]

Agreed. I think Ryan O'Reilly and Brock Nelson fit the bill and those would be good targets.

On the other hand I don't think Scott Laughton would be a good target, as has been rumored. Not that Caps rumors are ever based in reality.

After thinking more about it I actually kind of like Laughton if the plan is for him to take over from Dowd next year. Would still want another scorer as an add for this season though.

Really? How so? From where I sit, we have one of the best tandems in the league.

I think it's more so the organizational depth. I would absolutely not want Shep or Stevenson in a playoff game.

A move that could happen is TJ Oshie. But I think hes retired or he would have to starting really training soon.

Zero chance Oshie is coming back