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

[Langway]

0 chance I'm making a big move with this team going like this. Hold onto your assets and keep rolling with the wagon you've already built. Toss Leonard into the mix and let him compete with Frank for ice time when BCs season ends.

I think they'll be mindful of that for sure. Playing two pretty lousy defensive teams coming out of the break juiced them up no doubt. It's a testament to their hunger, discipline and investment but I'm not sure I'd put too much stock these two games. It's still about the road ahead.

If there's one game to circle before the trade deadline it's definitely Tampa Bay. That should be the closest to a measuring stick game in the meantime. They definitely should not be in the market for a Trent Fredric type just to make a modest upgrade over Raddysh. If they do anything it ought to be consequential and significant to an extent where it obviously explains/sells itself.

Otherwise, yeah, the disruption factor ought to side against marginal upgrades even perhaps to the extent of upgrading over Vrana/Alexeyev/McIlrath given whats in Hershey. The only depth need I guess may be LD after HHA's departure. Overall little need to add just to have some veteran body available.

 

[rockymtnoyster]

 

[Holtbyisms]

I've been so impressed with Frank's backchecking/pressure and hustle.

Yeah, if he keeps it up I'm not so sure there's really a significant upgrade for him out there that makes sense for us. His flat out speed has been an asset time and time again. Draws a lot of penalties, back checks with tons of speed, beats out icing calls on a regular basis. Plus he's chipping in goals. He's a good bit older than your typical rookie. He's won back to back Calder cups and been a key component on both teams. He knows what it takes to win it all and he's been around a lot of these guys for years now in the organization, they know him.

Who are we going to replace if not Frank, Eller? Sure I guess you could upgrade him but he's a great fit on this team right now. He's great on the PK, he's trustworthy and he was a instant lock when it came to chemistry off and on the ice. I just don't know that replacing him does anything for us if it disrupts chemistry at all. If we were limping into the deadline, I'd consider upgrading him perhaps but that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Holtbyisms]

I think they'll be mindful of that for sure. Playing two pretty lousy defensive teams coming out of the break juiced them up no doubt. It's a testament to their hunger, discipline and investment but I'm not sure I'd put too much stock these two games. It's still about the road ahead.

If there's one game to circle before the trade deadline it's definitely Tampa Bay. That should be the closest to a measuring stick game in the meantime. They definitely should not be in the market for a Trent Fredric type just to make a modest upgrade over Raddysh. If they do anything it ought to be consequential and significant to an extent where it obviously explains/sells itself.

Otherwise, yeah, the disruption factor ought to side against marginal upgrades even perhaps to the extent of upgrading over Vrana/Alexeyev/McIlrath given whats in Hershey. The only depth need I guess may be LD after HHA's departure. Overall little need to add just to have some veteran body available.

That lousy defensive team we blew out today was in the cup finals last year and is 34-19 this year with enough points to place them in second in the east. Don't downplay the beating we put on a top tier team with two of the top players in the world to keep pushing the we might need to make a move agenda.

 

[Langway]

The Oilers are good. Perhaps very good. But the goaltending is bad. Really bad. Pickard is one of the worst and Skinner hasn't been much better. If they sort that out they might have just enough if their high-end players dominate again. Deeper, more balanced and tighter checking teams are more what I'd consider more of a threat and particularly coming out of the break it seems like it'll take a while for teams to tighten back up. Some, of course, are just...loose period.

IMO the question for this also very good Caps team remains just how much elevation Strome and McMichael in particular have to offer. Those two players in those two roles...I remain unsold whether they'll be hard enough to play against in tight contests. Adding Leonard should help them further overwhelm teams but also relying on Eller/Frank/Mangiapane. It's dicey. I don't know collectively if that middle six group will be determined and firm enough offensively. It's nitpicking perhaps and we won't know until they do it but it is the projection concern.

The current mix could work. They do have alternatives in Hershey if need be or injuries hit. But in a down draft year with a deep system they should at least pursue a move that could put them over the top. Even if it comes with an element of disruption. Doesn't mean they absolutely should. Doesn't mean they must. But as delicate as chemistry can be I trust the front office's instincts and ability to strike that balance if something were to materialize. I don't think they should categorically eliminate the possibility of doing something significant. It needs to be the right fit and perhaps that's not out there but I wouldn't let a very strong regular season too greatly influence strenuously projecting where their limitations may be and what moves could boost them further.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

The Oilers are good. Perhaps very good. But the goaltending is bad. Really bad. Pickard is one of the worst and Skinner hasn't been much better. If they sort that out they might have just enough if their high-end players dominate again. Deeper, more balanced and tighter checking teams are more what I'd consider more of a threat and particularly coming out of the break it seems like it'll take a while for teams to tighten back up. Some, of course, are just...loose period.

IMO the question for this also very good Caps team remains just how much elevation Strome and McMichael in particular have to offer. Those two players in those two roles...I remain unsold whether they'll be hard enough to play against in tight contests. Adding Leonard should help them further overwhelm teams but also relying on Eller/Frank/Mangiapane. It's dicey. I don't know collectively if that middle six group will be determined and firm enough offensively. It's nitpicking perhaps and we won't know until they do it but it is the projection concern.

The current mix could work. They do have alternatives in Hershey if need be or injuries hit. But in a down draft year with a deep system they should at least pursue a move that could put them over the top. Even if it comes with an element of disruption. Doesn't mean they absolutely should. Doesn't mean they must. But as delicate as chemistry can be I trust the front office's instincts and ability to strike that balance if something were to materialize. I don't think they should categorically eliminate the possibility of doing something significant. It needs to be the right fit and perhaps that's not out there but I wouldn't let a very strong regular season too greatly influence strenuously projecting where their limitations may be and what moves could boost them further.

I mostly agree with this. Let Leonard join the team and don’t force a move at the deadline if there isn’t a good one to be made.

I think the team is good enough to go all the way. Plenty of championship teams in the cap era won with flaws in their roster, very few teams were flawless.

- 2015 Hawks won the Cup with 4 defensemen only, their 3rd pairing was stapled to the bench in most games.
- 2017 Pens won without their #1D.
- 2020 Lightning won with Stamkos only playing one game in the final.

 

[tycoonheart]

Yeah, prior to the break Edmonton was probably the most consistent team in the league. That was a great win. Maybe they are not the best defensively but they still have two of the best players in the league and we shut them both down.

 

[Pigskin]

we have had very few injuries all year, I don't think you bank on that the rest of the way

I still add the best top 6 forward we can get our hands on and pay the price

like previous seasons, the front office will likely consult the leadership group on whether they should make a move or not ... Ovi, Carlson etc will decide if the locker room can stomach it

 

[Ridley Simon]

I think they'll be mindful of that for sure. Playing two pretty lousy defensive teams coming out of the break juiced them up no doubt. It's a testament to their hunger, discipline and investment but I'm not sure I'd put too much stock these two games. It's still about the road ahead.

If there's one game to circle before the trade deadline it's definitely Tampa Bay. That should be the closest to a measuring stick game in the meantime. They definitely should not be in the market for a Trent Fredric type just to make a modest upgrade over Raddysh. If they do anything it ought to be consequential and significant to an extent where it obviously explains/sells itself.

Otherwise, yeah, the disruption factor ought to side against marginal upgrades even perhaps to the extent of upgrading over Vrana/Alexeyev/McIlrath given whats in Hershey. The only depth need I guess may be LD after HHA's departure. Overall little need to add just to have some veteran body available.

Simply not giving enough credit. But that’s fine

 

[qc14]

I think Frank has played very well and "deserves" to stay in the lineup. Mangiapane I have defended all year long and feel the same way about. Raddysh has sneakily been a pretty consistent 5v5 scorer. Even Eller has really turned it around the last ten games, and while his numbers were disastrous with Vrana or Lappy on his wing they've been completely acceptable with Frank. I'm excited for Leonard to join too.

I think we're finally at 12 forwards that I trust in a playoff series.

That being said ...

I would feel a lot better if we had 13. I still think one more guy, whether it's a true top 6 upgrade that pushes someone else down or more of a pure 3rd line type, is needed. Maybe it's Frank that comes out. Maybe Raddysh, maybe Eller. Maybe even whoever we go and get! We're currently one injury/suspension away from having Vrana play in the playoffs. That's not what a serious contender should be doing. I'd even take whatever version of Johan Larsson/Michael Raffl is available this year. I do not want to see Vrana or Lappy on the ice in the playoffs.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

The talking heads on the TNT shows suggested Boston could be sellers if they have a bad 2 weeks.

 

[Jags]

Who are we going to replace if not Frank, Eller? Sure I guess you could upgrade him but he's a great fit on this team right now. He's great on the PK, he's trustworthy and he was a instant lock when it came to chemistry off and on the ice.

The issue with Eller is even strength. You can see Frank and Mangiapane moving the puck with purpose. A center that can leverage what they can bring in the offensive zone would be big for us. No reason to lose Eller in the trade, he can play 4W with Rad on the bench and still PK as much as we need.

I like Eller a lot, but we have 3W talent that can't cash in with him at center. A 3rd line that can finish would make us significantly more versatile in the postseason.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

https://puckpedia.com/player/trent-frederic

Hes been in rumors. What do we think his cost is for a deadline rental? a 3rd?

Is he a 3rd line upgrade? Im not sure hes much better then Eller. Thats not saying much.

Hot stove for the deadline

Trade Watch List 2025 3.0 — The Fourth Period

Trade Watch List 2025: The top players believed to be available ahead of the 2025 Trade Deadline.

www.thefourthperiod.com

 

[qc14]

The issue with Eller is even strength. You can see Frank and Mangiapane moving the puck with purpose. A center that can leverage what they can bring in the offensive zone would be big for us. No reason to lose Eller in the trade, he can play 4W with Rad on the bench and still PK as much as we need.

I like Eller a lot, but we have 3W talent that can't cash in with him at center. A 3rd line that can finish would make us significantly more versatile in the postseason.

Frank-Eller-Raddysh has 100 5v5 minutes together and is at a 58% xG share. Eller has a 41% xG share with Lapierre, and a 51% xG share without him. 31% with Vrana, 52% w/o. 54% xG with neither Vrana or Lapierre. 56% without Vrana, Lappy, or Miro. To me that's driving play at even strength.

WoWYs aren't everything but I think it's pretty clear that the third line issues were almost entirely on Vrana/Lappy/Miro. I understand the desire for more offense out of that line and him in particular, and I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea to get a more offensive guy there and bump him to 4w. I also think that there are some guys out there (Ryan Strome in particular comes to mind) that while maybe providing more offense than Eller would give back much more the other way.

 

[qc14]

https://puckpedia.com/player/trent-frederic

Hes been in rumors. What do we think his cost is for a deadline rental? a 3rd?

Is he a 3rd line upgrade? Im not sure hes much better then Eller. Thats not saying much.

Hot stove for the deadline

Trade Watch List 2025 3.0 — The Fourth Period

Trade Watch List 2025: The top players believed to be available ahead of the 2025 Trade Deadline.

www.thefourthperiod.com

I haven't seen Pageau rumored to be out there that much but he's a guy that really intrigues me. Kind of the perfect contract situation and would definitely be a more offensive-minded 3c

 

[notDkristich]

I haven't seen Pageau rumored to be out there that much but he's a guy that really intrigues me. Kind of the perfect contract situation and would definitely be a more offensive-minded 3c

too much discussion around a position we've already upgraded. i think we go for a 7D and 3G (ahl) for injury insurance and stand pat.

 

[qc14]

too much discussion around a position we've already upgraded. i think we go for a 7D and 3G (ahl) for injury insurance and stand pat.

I agree with 3G but 7D and 8D have already been upgraded IMO. Don't see anyone out there that would cost a late round pick that's also better than AA or McIlrath

 

[trick9]

Simply not giving enough credit. But that’s fine

Agreed.

Oilers are the biggest Stanley Cup favourite if you believe the betting odds. Believe what you want about their goaltending, i don't disagree there but overall, that's a damn good team. There are plenty of people around the league who think they are the best in the league. Just no credit for absolutely dismantling them.

 

[Kuz]

We are probably the deepest team in the league. Like Vrana would probably play as a depth scorer for most NHL teams. Putting up 0,44 PPG with less than 10 minutes of ice time is very good. Same with Lapierre and Miro they would play NHL hockey on most teams. Sgarbossa aswell is probably good enough for a 4th line role for a lot of NHL teams. So we have like 16 forwards who are NHL quality then you have Milano that if he gets back is also a good NHL depth scorer. Leonard looks NHL ready and Cristall might be aswell, but probably will play AHL first because Caps are so deep.

On defence aswell AA and McIlrath are certainly very good 7D. We are not as top heavy as other team, but we dont have guys playing higher in the lineup than their capable off. Most other teams will have 4th line guys in their third line and third line guys in the top 2 lines etc and 7D on the ice.