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

[Misery74]

I’d trade Jimi for only ROR. Trading him for any rental would be putrid asset management. I don’t think they make a mistake like that.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

If we trade anything it should be the 1st rounder. That pick will be pretty low

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

If Cristall is in Hershey, then why can't Miro, Lappy, and Lenny be on the team? Almost certainly gone are Eller, Mango, Sonny, Jake, Raddysh, and maybe Frank. Ovie is another year older and should have taken the record. I don't see the problem.

That is a ton of unproven youth to inject. I’d be surprised if all 3 were regulars next year.

Caps will continue to sprinkle in vet UFAs and trade adds.

 

[Melkor]

I’d trade Jimi for only ROR. Trading him for any rental would be putrid asset management. I don’t think they make a mistake like that.

I mean I like ROR but saying he's a better option than any rental regardless of if it's to eventually be resigned in the offseason is a bit crazy. Like..he's 34 and his prime is behind him.

If they trade Lapierre +1st in-season, to me it's automatically indicates they have a plan in place to give a contract to anybody going back

 

[Silky mitts]

Ovy Strome Wilson
Protas PLD $11M
CMM Lappy Leonard
Duhaime $2M Miro

Sandin Carlson
Fever Roy
$9M TvR

Thompson
$1M

This is $95.28M next year if Lappy gets $1M

 

[Misery74]

I mean I like ROR but saying he's a better option than any rental regardless of if it's to eventually be resigned in the offseason is a bit crazy. Like..he's 34 and his prime is behind him.

If they trade Lapierre +1st in-season, to me it's automatically indicates they have a plan in place to give a contract to anybody going back

What rental is worth Lapierre and a first? Rantanen?

No one else remotely comes close.

ROR would be a good third line center for the next three years. Lapierre for ROR makes some sense to me, as it is a win now. If they took Eller too, we wouldn’t even require any retention.

But in fairness, ROR at 34 is risky.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Too lazy to read all 12 pages I missed out on during the break, just my couple of cents..

I've seen Mccann play since pretty much his first year in the league to this day.. he's a fraud, hard pass on any deal with a 1st and Mcmichael in it. Guy has stone hands and they have enough bodies to kill penalties, all in all would be just an unnecessary trade to imitate that they at least are doing something.

I feel like his proponents are the same people who advocated here for acquiring Nelson. That dude looks more washed than the blue t-shirt I bought on vacation in Turkey 5 years ago.

5 yrs? Heck, that’s young. I call that “fresh”. Most of my t-shirts are from the 5-15yr range. Some are scarily older!

So what acquisition are you championing?

I’ve got a few in mind.

 

[Coldnwindy]

If the Canes feel like they absolutely need to trade Rantanen, the Caps should collude with a western conference team to get him here with 50% retention as a playoff rental.

New top 6:

Ovechkin-Strome-Rantanen
Protas-Dubois-Wilson

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

 

[wickedwitch]

The Caps aren't trading for a Finn. And they definitely aren't getting one from a division rival.

 

[Ridley Simon]

The Caps aren't trading for a Finn. And they definitely aren't getting one from a division rival.

Until they DO!

 

[Holtbyisms]

We shouldn't be targeting anyone in their 30s for young assets or high round picks.

 

[usiel]

We shouldn't be targeting anyone in their 30s for young assets or high round picks.

Caps look pretty setup prospect-wise for the post AO era so wouldn't want to see some overpay for a 3rd line grinder.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Ovy Strome Wilson
Protas PLD $11M
CMM Lappy Leonard
Duhaime $2M Miro

Sandin Carlson
Fever Roy
$9M TvR

Thompson
$1M

This is $95.28M next year if Lappy gets $1M

11M to spend on a top 6 forward seems optimistic. arent they rumored to be looking to spend 3.5-4 on lindgren? and if chychrun gets a short term deal I think most expect that AAV to be over 9.. also think Dowd will command more than $2M as will any realistic replacement

 

[MW6]

I’m still in the “buy-low” corner on Kotkaniemi (despite being Finnish). He started off the season kind of hot (8pts in 9gms) and had a recent spell where he put up the same numbers, but the consistency hasn’t really been there.

I think his contract is going to look pretty good in a year or two (4,8M intill 2030) as a 3C with upside.

Caps have had some luck in unlocking recent 3rd overall picks and this kid was rushed over from Finland and have dealt with a lot of pressure since (high draft pedigree, Montreal fanbase and the offersheet).

The change of scenery, lower expectations (3C) and Carbery’s ability to get trough to players might very well be enough for him to reach his potential.

 

[Jags]

I think Bjorkstrand or McCann are the new top options for me but I would also say that Marchand and Nelson's performances at 4N probably do not have much predictive value in how they look with the Caps ...

I agree. Nelson playing 4th-line wing in an All-Star tournament isn't an indication of how he'd do at 3C on this team. And being a pure rental that is unlikely to re-sign puts his value in question at least somewhat. Might not cost as much as other options and vacates 3C for us next year, which could be a good thing.

I'd prefer ROR because I think his number is good, and with the escalating cap and no trade protection, he'd be easily movable if our plans change. But Nelson is an intriguing option if the ask is reasonable.

Then you stand pat and hope for the best.

If what teams want in return is nuts, I agree. But if the prices are reasonable, we'd be crazy not to look at upgrading Eller. You can't look at it in terms of "How staggeringly awesome are Nelson and O'Reilly at 34?" The simple metric is "Are they better than Lars Eller right now?"

 

[Melkor]

What rental is worth Lapierre and a first? Rantanen?

No one else remotely comes close.

ROR would be a good third line center for the next three years. Lapierre for ROR makes some sense to me, as it is a win now. If they took Eller too, we wouldn’t even require any retention.

But in fairness, ROR at 34 is risky.

To me Marner and Ehlers easily worth 1st+Lapierre. My assessment of such move would depend obviously on whether these players would want to re-sign and if there's a fit. Regarding the initial post I was replying to, I was just disputing the thesis that ROR is 'that' good. ROR from 2015-16? Yeah easily. Now? I don't know.

 

[Melkor]

5 yrs? Heck, that’s young. I call that “fresh”. Most of my t-shirts are from the 5-15yr range. Some are scarily older!

So what acquisition are you championing?

I’ve got a few in mind.

Honestly...and again that's a big IF...If Leonard is that guy and I'm mistaken on his part, he's exactly the kind of guy this team needs to glue that middle six together in something with a clear picture of who plays with whom and how exactly does that need to work.

I feel like Eller will be fine come playoff time and if there's nobody with a fair price tag attached for that 3C role, I'd pass on trying to upgrade there from the outside.

What they need to check the market for is prices for core type of players. If there's someone that makes sense for their playstyle, I approve trading a 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd and a 4th...can swap any of those with any prospect they have outside maybe the top-3 in the system.

 

[Silky mitts]

11M to spend on a top 6 forward seems optimistic. arent they rumored to be looking to spend 3.5-4 on lindgren? and if chychrun gets a short term deal I think most expect that AAV to be over 9.. also think Dowd will command more than $2M as will any realistic replacement

Just wanted to see what was left for a top 6 if I went cheapish at replacements at 4C and backup goalie and highish for Chychrun for 8 years.1. And also if they trade for someone with term the math is easy for me to plug in. But also if they don’t resign Chychrun the money is there for at least 2 out of 3 of going after Marner or Rantanen, Dowd, and Lindgren.

Ethen Frank as fast a skater as there is in the league

 

[Kolzilla]

For all the forecasting of roster next season, especially regarding Leonard and where he would slot I the lineup, maybe the best approach is to resign Dowd and have Lenny as the 4RW. of course he'd actually get more ice time than our 3rd, but he hopefully learns the defensive side of the game his first year.

 

[Melkor]

maybe the best approach is to resign Dowd and have Lenny as the 4RW

That's how you shake the confidence of your young players.

ALways saw it as this: if you earn your opportunity - it doesn't matter if you're a rookie among the vets. If Leonard comes in at the main camp and outplays his competition for a wing spot on the top lines - he should be playing there his 1st pro game. To put him on the 4th line to learn defense? Man buy some pylons on the market for a vet min and let them play defense all day. These kids need to devlop their offense at this level first and foremost.

 

[Coldnwindy]

That's how you shake the confidence of your young players.

ALways saw it as this: if you earn your opportunity - it doesn't matter if you're a rookie among the vets. If Leonard comes in at the main camp and outplays his competition for a wing spot on the top lines - he should be playing there his 1st pro game. To put him on the 4th line to learn defense? Man buy some pylons on the market for a vet min and let them play defense all day. These kids need to devlop their offense at this level first and foremost.

Yep, forcing young offense-talented players to learn to play defense first is the quickest way to go the path of a team like the rags and have none of your promising young players pan out.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

All he has to do is earn his place on the roster and more importantly in the lineup.

No need to sweat the process. Young guys often start low in the lineup so they don’t have to face the top offensive or defensive pressures. Hopefully he’ll be ready to be impactful quickly, but so few are.

 

[DWGie26]

All he has to do is earn his place on the roster and more importantly in the lineup.

No need to sweat the process. Young guys often start low in the lineup so they don’t have to face the top offensive or defensive pressures. Hopefully he’ll be ready to be impactful quickly, but so few are.

They also tend to struggle with consistency in first year or two. And usually don’t play the two-way game the Caps expect.

I fully expect Leonard to get 4RW time next season. Just like Miro this season.

I think Dowd is a big signing for us in offseason. So consistent and glue of the 4th line. Will help with all the youngsters coming up. We need to lock that up as well.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

For all the forecasting of roster next season, especially regarding Leonard and where he would slot I the lineup, maybe the best approach is to resign Dowd and have Lenny as the 4RW. of course he'd actually get more ice time than our 3rd, but he hopefully learns the defensive side of the game his first year.

I think that would a perfectly fine spot. Dowd would mentor him on the honest hardworking side of things and can score a little as well.