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

[Ovechkins Wodka]

On a trade who is to say the new player can learn Carberys D system in a few weeks of games. Alot of these inhouse options have been in it for years if you count time in Hershey.

Swinging for the fences leads to lots of strikeouts.

 

[Silky mitts]

Nonsense. You go for the throat.

Ethen Frank and Lars Eller are fine. But fine should not be sufficient given how close we are.

I'm starting to come around to the idea that the highest upside upgrades of Frank and Eller and Lenny and Lappy. And I don't like the thinking that we're close to a Cup so a big move makes us closer. Carolina by every model was truly close to a Cup and made a big move to get closer this year at the cost of next year., different situation but their vibes are not where they were pre trade.

 

[Misery74]

I'm starting to come around to the idea that the highest upside upgrades of Frank and Eller and Lenny and Lappy. And I don't like the thinking that we're close to a Cup so a big move makes us closer. Carolina by every model was truly close to a Cup and made a big move to get closer this year at the cost of next year., different situation but their vibes are not where they were pre trade.

Carolina for years has had goaltending issues.

I am glad to hold Jimi and Leonard. But we have picks and other prospects.

Our captain is 39. These are the all or nothing days. This team has a great opportunity to find themselves in a Conference Final.

Sun Tzu says BUY at deadline.

 

[notDkristich]

I think they add a vet 7D on expiring contract and try to upgrade Sheppard at Hershey in case we need an emergency call-up for playoffs. AA wont cut it and DM's only purpose in the playoffs will be to hit people for one game.

 

[895]

Would it be controversial to say Protas is our best player and it's not even that close? PLD is second.

 

[kicksavedave]

Would it be controversial to say Protas is our best player and it's not even that close? PLD is second.

It is close. Wilson, PLD and Strome are all playing really well, and Ovi continues to score goals like he's 30 again. But Protas is 2nd in pts and 1st in +/- on the team, so there's a case to be made.

 

[Bunch of Jurcos]

I wanted to say that you guys have had one hell of an impressive retool. I think the consensus was that you'd be a lot closer to Pittsburgh than where you are now. Your GM definitely deserves votes for GM of the year. Keep it up and I hope to see you guys in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

 

[Kazer]

Don't change an effing thing. We had seen GMGM tinkering over the years destroy the chemistry.

Almost every team that wins makes moves at the deadline.

Panthers - Tarasenko
Golden Knights - Barbashev
Avalanche - Lehkonen, Manson
Lightning (21) - Savard
Lightning (20) - Coleman & Goodrow
Blues - none
Caps - Kempny
Pens (17) - Streit, Hainsey
Pens (16) - Hagelin, Schultz
Blackhawks - Timonen, Vermette

The key is finding a move that fits your team.

 

[hb13xchamps]

The third line is where the upgrades could come. They should absolutely look to add a depth defenseman. Yes they have AA and Big Mac, but Hershey has Iorio on an NHL deal and that’s pretty much it. You lose a couple of guys to injuries and it turns very bad, very quickly

 

[wickedwitch]

The third line is where the upgrades could come. They should absolutely look to add a depth defenseman. Yes they have AA and Big Mac, but Hershey has Iorio on an NHL deal and that’s pretty much it. You lose a couple of guys to injuries and it turns very bad, very quickly

And Bear. Which gives them 10 D they can play.

They could use someone on the left, but it's questionable about whether that would be an improvement on someone playing on their off-side.

 

[qc14]

And Bear. Which gives them 10 D they can play.

They could use someone on the left, but it's questionable about whether that would be an improvement on someone playing on their off-side.

If they really need a lefty just hope there's someone on waivers post-tdl where there's no roster limit

 

[Holtbyisms]

Simply not giving enough credit. But that’s fine

Giving them credit wouldn't fit the agenda.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Not for these two games, no. Big picture, of course. The camaraderie and resilience on display has to be the envy of most front offices in the league. It can't be bought and is pretty essential for high-end team performance. Whether that necessarily means a deep run ahead, we'll see. There are some limits probably, some athletic/stamina limits, but perhaps checking and depth can offset it.

Pickard has been one of the league's most suspect goaltenders and Skinner has also been below average. It's definitely why I don't believe EDM has what it takes as-is. But, sure, PLD has been a massive shutdown piece and it gives them the ability to frustrate certain teams. The coaching staff also seems close to pitch perfect. Overall alignment is very, very strong.

For this Caps team I'd be more concerned about deeper and more balanced, more crafty teams. It's less about record than stylistic match-up. And, again, coming out of the break can make it even easier for structure to break down. The Caps applied that pressure and earned their way back to the league's top offense this weekend. All well deserved. Obviously their own structure tightened up quickly and for a couple of day games coming out of the break it's commendable/unexpected. The blueline in particular doesn't get enough credit 1-6 for why they're so good.

Maybe I'm spoiled coming off of the 4 Nations super teams. Maybe the Caps, looking for their first series win in seven years, don't need another significant piece up front to have a run. Maybe not being sold on the middle six is nitpicking a team without much to criticize. Maybe Leonard is their finalizing piece. Maybe Lapierre and Miro are enough depth if need be. But PIT/EDM kind of quit and not getting saves plays a part in that.

Either way one has to love their standing in the East at the moment. We'll see what else happens as opponents load up. Only Carolina among stronger teams still hasn't moved their 2025 first and the Caps overall have a stronger pipeline coming than any current playoff team. Add that all up and it's fantastic times really. They've thread the needle and now can afford to be carefully aggressive if the right situation materializes.

And 2 years ago you thought this team was total toast.

And 1 year ago you liked that they made the plays offs, but thought they’d maxed out.

And so of course today you aren’t sold.

You’ve never been sold. Which is ok…..but simply you’ve been proven wrong for a good long spell.

I enjoy your posts. They just haven’t been correct — far as the big picture — for a few years now.

Right?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

The third line is where the upgrades could come. They should absolutely look to add a depth defenseman. Yes they have AA and Big Mac, but Hershey has Iorio on an NHL deal and that’s pretty much it. You lose a couple of guys to injuries and it turns very bad, very quickly

Totally agree here. We really don’t want to rely on 7-10 to fill in during a crucial playoff run.

And 2 years ago you thought this team was total toast.

And 1 year ago you liked that they made the plays offs, but thought they’d maxed out.

And so of course today you aren’t sold.

You’ve never been sold. Which is ok…..but simply you’ve been proven wrong for a good long spell.

I enjoy your posts. They just haven’t been correct — far as the big picture — for a few years now.

Right?

That’s a bit of a stretch, but I’ll step aside with my popcorn and watch.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Would it be controversial to say Protas is our best player and it's not even that close? PLD is second.

Not from where this guy sits. He’s the man. Easily as important as anyone on the team.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Totally agree here. We really don’t want to rely on 7-10 to fill in during a crucial playoff run.


That’s a bit of a stretch, but I’ll step aside with my popcorn and watch.

I enjoy @Langway ’s post. #5 was one of my favourite players, so it’s easy to admire.

However it’s been a “doubting Thomas” slant for a few years now…..and he knows it .

I’d rather all for one and one for all!

 

[Langway]

It's been seven years since they won a playoff round. They hit on Carbery. They've hit on just about everything over the past ~8 months. But it was a rough period there sitting through some of their aging players fizzling out and not much coming up to offset overall decline. Now it's all revamped and some of those younger pieces have hit in a big way. It's a different story.

Not being sold on the middle six or their elevation potential is a very particular concern re: just how difficult it is to have deep playoff success. It's a far stretch from not being sold on their direction, which has become promising very quickly. Sure, I've doubted them often over the years. Their direction seemed stale for quite a long time post-Cup. No longer. Between cyclical lulls and no cap rise they were sort of stuck. It's amazing what one off-season well executed can do.

They need to lock up Chychrun and enjoy the 895 ride. Aside from that much else can take care of itself. It's a great position they've put themselves in. Not just in the standings. Not just what's in the pipeline. And not just having the flexibility to be aggressive over the next two weeks but also affording to be highly selective in what to add (if anything).

 

[um]

Would it be controversial to say Protas is our best player and it's not even that close? PLD is second.

I think you’re right.

And that’s good for 8th in the NHL.

 

[Lou Sassole]

Totally agree here. We really don’t want to rely on 7-10 to fill in during a crucial playoff run.


That’s a bit of a stretch, but I’ll step aside with my popcorn and watch.

We won a cup with Djoos, it's not ideal, but you can hide a defenseman in the playoffs.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

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

Almost makes us think the AHL is a development league . Great organizations for players to become better professionals.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Washington Capitals​

Deadline status: Better be adding
Cap space: $3.65 million
Players, picks in play: Alexander Alexeyev, Hendrix Lapierre, Sonny Milano

The Capitals have been this season's surprising success story, and not just because Alex Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record. It only makes sense for GM Chris Patrick to capitalize on that by adding some depth to the lineup.

They could use some help in their bottom six at center and on the wing. Veterans like Yanni Gourde, Scott Laughton and Brandon Tanev could all be intriguing short-term options to complement Washington's younger core, which has done well this season but still doesn't have the kind of experience those more seasoned skaters bring to the ice and the dressing room.

But it's crucial for the Capitals not to disrupt the chemistry they've worked hard to cultivate and that has continuously paid off for them. We're not talking drastic, swing-for-the-fences trades here. It's about Washington feeling confident that it has enough personnel to carry it through what could be a long spring.

NHL trade deadline preview for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, what teams should do

Some teams got a jump start on trade season, while others have waited until after 4 Nations. Here's where things stand for each GM ahead of March 7.

www.espn.com

 

[Ridley Simon]

It's been seven years since they won a playoff round. They hit on Carbery. They've hit on just about everything over the past ~8 months. But it was a rough period there sitting through some of their aging players fizzling out and not much coming up to offset overall decline. Now it's all revamped and some of those younger pieces have hit in a big way. It's a different story.

Not being sold on the middle six or their elevation potential is a very particular concern re: just how difficult it is to have deep playoff success. It's a far stretch from not being sold on their direction, which has become promising very quickly. Sure, I've doubted them often over the years. Their direction seemed stale for quite a long time post-Cup. No longer. Between cyclical lulls and no cap rise they were sort of stuck. It's amazing what one off-season well executed can do.

They need to lock up Chychrun and enjoy the 895 ride. Aside from that much else can take care of itself. It's a great position they've put themselves in. Not just in the standings. Not just what's in the pipeline. And not just having the flexibility to be aggressive over the next two weeks but also affording to be highly selective in what to add (if anything).

So….you now approve of what the brain trust did? Bigger picture -/ will you now give them the benefit of the doubt, vs being a doubting Thomas?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

We won a cup with Djoos, it's not ideal, but you can hide a defenseman in the playoffs.

Yeah but it’s always going to be a one off scenario with failure the most likely outcome.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Don't change an effing thing. We had seen GMGM tinkering over the years destroy the chemistry.

The third line can be improved and should be.

 

[stephenball]

I’m very much of the opinion that the Caps shouldn’t be looking to make a big splash at the deadline, they’re more in the bolt tightening zone, where you look for that last tweak to pull things together for a run. The third round pick for Kempny type trade. As everyone has said, that’s the third line, everything else is feeling super strong.