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

[Silky mitts]

I think it was pretty clear that Lindholm was in serious decline last year and probably wasn't the piece Vancouver needed.

If they trade for Brock Nelson, Marchand, Gourde, or ROR it's the same situation. Frederic, Evans, Laughton are they any different than Eller? If they trade for Donato there's some upside, maybe they sit Eller the rest of the year to give Donato (or another center) an audition, or they split time, either way it's a distraction for a center worse than Lindholm who apparently everyone knew would ruin Vancouver.

 

[qc14]

For the sake of argument, let’s assume our lines if tonight was game 1 of the first round would be the following. Leonard will likely draw in, so I’d assume that pushes Frank or Raddyish out. Where else would you want to upgrade? McMike in theory could be upgraded. Eller is playing well when he’s not saddled with Vrana.

Ovi-Strome-Pro
McMike-PLD-Wilson
Mangiapane-Eller-Frank
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddyish
extras: Milano, Vrana

I just don’t see a ton of moves to be made. ROR makes some sense if they want to admit defeat on Eller. Could stand to improve Raddyish I think, though Leonard or Frank would fill that need. I like Mangiapane on the third line and doubt you’d find an upgrade on him available for a reasonable price.

It’s good and well to say we need to go all-in… but where? Really the only guys I see that could be upgraded are McMike, Eller, and Raddyish, and I don’t know that any of those guys really needs to be upgraded.

I think there are two pretty obvious areas. Number one is getting another top 6 forward. I'll pick Nelson in this example. It gives you a ton of flexibility if someone gets hurt or goes through a slump. Do Raddysh or Frank "deserve" to come out of the lineup in this scenario? No, but tough shit.

Ovi-Strome-Protas
Nelson-PLD-Wilson
McMichael-Eller-Mangiapane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

That's just one lineup, but I think you could rotate Nelson with pretty much anyone on the third line and it would still make sense.

Number two is an upgrade at 13F over Milano and Vrana. I do not feel comfortable with either of them in the playoffs. Even Miro or Lappy I'd prefer don't need to play. Vrana especially has completely tanked Eller's numbers. Give me Justin Brazeau for a 4th for example. If someone goes down, I feel much more comfortable slotting him at 4w and moving everyone else up a slot than I do putting Vrana at 3w.

No one needs to be upgraded but if the right guy comes available for a fair price then pull the trigger. I think this year's class is weak but there are certainly guys out there that I like a lot

If they trade for Brock Nelson, Marchand, Gourde, or ROR it's the same situation. Frederic, Evans, Laughton are they any different than Eller? If they trade for Donato there's some upside, maybe they sit Eller the rest of the year to give Donato (or another center) an audition, or they split time, either way it's a distraction for a center worse than Lindholm who apparently everyone knew would ruin Vancouver.

I would rather have this year's version of Nelson, Marchand, or ROR over last year's version of E Lindholm, Gourde is kind of a push. I don't think Frederic, Evans, or Laughton are meaningfully different than Eller but they are meaningfully different than Milano or Vrana.

 

[Kazer]

No prospects should be truly untouchable. Having said that, I probably would not trade Leonard, Hutson, or Protas (Protas because his value to us is higher than external). I would consider trading anyone else for the right deal, including Cristall, Parascak, and Miro.

On Frank, I would still put Milano (if 100%) above him just because of track record. Frank has been super impressive from a puck possession pov, but he is shooting 22% and has 5 points in 17 games (note: his oiSh% is also high). If he were shooting a more normal (but still relatively high) 12%, then he's sitting at 2 goals, 3 points in 17 games.

Milano has scored 10+ goals and 30+ points multiple times in his career (often in way less than 82 games); was a good play-driver last year [3rd best forward by xGF% last season]; and has the ability to play up and down the lineup.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

If it ain’t Jimi, we need a 3c. Eller is a 4c.

Ideally, we’ll find a 2c and play him 3c.

Mangiapane - new c - Leonard

Eller is not replacing Dowd. And Eller has been playing well since he got paired with Mango and Frank.

 

[Coldnwindy]

Carbs should get our backup D in Alexeyev and McIlrath some games in or at the very least get sent down for conditioning stints in Hershey before the trade deadline... Gonna need to know if we need to grab a depth D for the playoff run.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

For the sake of argument, let’s assume our lines if tonight was game 1 of the first round would be the following. Leonard will likely draw in, so I’d assume that pushes Frank or Raddyish out. Where else would you want to upgrade? McMike in theory could be upgraded. Eller is playing well when he’s not saddled with Vrana.

Ovi-Strome-Pro
McMike-PLD-Wilson
Mangiapane-Eller-Frank
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddyish
extras: Milano, Vrana

I just don’t see a ton of moves to be made. ROR makes some sense if they want to admit defeat on Eller. Could stand to improve Raddyish I think, though Leonard or Frank would fill that need. I like Mangiapane on the third line and doubt you’d find an upgrade on him available for a reasonable price.

It’s good and well to say we need to go all-in… but where? Really the only guys I see that could be upgraded are McMike, Eller, and Raddyish, and I don’t know that any of those guys really needs to be upgraded.

Well that is 25% of your starting forward lineup lol…

Then what do we do with Dowd? He's been a A level 4C for a while now

You play Dowd over Eller is what you do.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Well that is 25% of your starting forward lineup lol…



You play Dowd over Eller is what you do.

Really it’s zero percent, because nothing needs to be upgraded. There are no glaring holes or flashing red warning lights at any position.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[Misery74]

Eller is not replacing Dowd. And Eller has been playing well since he got paired with Mango and Frank.

I don’t think Eller should replace Dowd. I am saying Eller is not a 3c, he’s a 4c.

Agree, we have a 4c in Dowd. We need a 3c. Let’s put a 2c in that spot, not a 4c.

Move Eller at the deadline. Replace him with someone better.

 

[Holtbyisms]

My thoughts exactly. Don't f*** up a good thing. Every time we've tried to add something significant at the deadline it didn't even come remotely close to working. Want to add some third line depth who will need to beat out the current host of guys in the press box to earn ice time? Sure. Want to upgrade Alexeyev, go for it. Bear is already a McIlrath upgrade sitting in Hershey for the right side. Don't add anyone you feel is entitled to ice time right now because the guys playing have already earned it.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

 

[Langway]

More and more I think they need to upgrade over Eller. It's not even Eller's fault per se. It's that they need a stronger hedge against Strome not having much second effort and elevation come playoff time. Despite Strome leading the team in scoring by a decent margin I don't see the physical tools mainly nor the attitude to expect a playoff monster. If games break/bog down and get sloppy late or something then maybe his skill can make an impact. But at full tilt? Too often even in the regular season it seems like he's just hanging on. Whereas PLD pretty consistently at least seems able to make quality little support plays to extend possession sequences...

Strome won't be taken out of the top six but they're going to need a more highly functioning third scoring line than what Eller can provide them. I don't know where Eller slots if they make a change. 3LW? Probably not. 4RW? Despite Lapierre playing better recently it seems quick to give him another shot. Laughton or Evans aren't enough. Nelson, Pageau or ROR could work.

 

[Carlzner]

If we're really being honest, the spot that needs upgrading the most is the last player they will ever trade.

Not advocating for that of course.

 

[Calicaps]

If we're really being honest, the spot that needs upgrading the most is the last player they will ever trade.

Not advocating for that of course.

He’s leading the team in goals and is among the top players in the league in pts/60. Yeah his all-around game has gotten very weak, but no. He maybe needs less ice time, but he’s still a top 6 guy.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

If we're really being honest, the spot that needs upgrading the most is the last player they will ever trade.

Not advocating for that of course.

Yeah no. He’s not a problem. It’s silly to even pretend he is.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Yeah no. He’s not a problem. It’s silly to even pretend he is.

It’s pretty obvious to tell early which games he cares about playing defense.

 

[um]

If we're really being honest, the spot that needs upgrading the most is the last player they will ever trade.

Not advocating for that of course.

Yes, this team lacks high-end 1st line talent. I don't think Strome or Dubois are 1Cs either.

But having 4 strong lines is a pretty good formula to win it all. I'm happy with adding a middle six-forward and rolling 4 lines.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Not sure if this was posted yet. But it doesnt sound like anyone is worth a 1st this deadline...

 

[Caps8112]

havent followed Gourde in a while but I remember him being a playoff guy for the lightning. Is he remotely the same player?
If Ovi sticks to the game plan for him, his play is fine. Dont try to do to much. Skating with the puck days are over, no fancy move attempts. At 39 his game is making great neutral zone passes, backchecking when he can and getting to the open spot because his shot is still top 5 in the league. Watching him try to do anything else is rough.
Really dont know if they will do anything at the deadline but if there is a way to get a top 6 forward without losing anything of significance Id be up for it. IMO Lappy is nearing the "Prove it" time. He isnt playing while eller is. That says a lot.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

It’s pretty obvious to tell early which games he cares about playing defense.

Oh totally. Takes a lot of energy to play a solid two-way game. I think we’re seeing him conserve himself a lot. It is what it is. He’s damn old for his profession.

 

[Misery74]

Jimi and Miro should be recalled. Waive Jake and McIrath. Both will clear. If not, so be it.

 

[Langway]

I wouldn't rule out them moving their first. It's just that it rightly has to be an exceptional circumstance to warrant it. Laughton ain't it.

I've discounted Brock Nelson often but his numbers are actually pretty good. Washington's biggest need is 5v5 production and table setters. Over the past ten weeks or so (since 12/17) Nelson leads NYI in 5v5 points and has produced slightly double what Dylan Strome has (17 to 8). Washington's centers after PLD simply don't produce enough assists 5v5. They don't stir the pot enough offensively. Eller has strong possession numbers at least and Dowd gets overloaded defensively. Strome has no excuses, though, and it's to the point where (again) they need to upgrade over Eller because of Strome's basic limitations 5v5.

PLD and Protas are their 5v5 catalysts as-is. Only 11 players league-wide have produced more at even-strength over that span. But they can't afford to be so meek up the middle as offensive facilitators. Adding another shooter could work I suppose but with Leonard in the wings that seems less of a concern on its own. They need someone that ideally would boost the third scoring line, making those around them better offensively and then boost the PP a bit. Add that and Leonard and it may be enough. As-is otherwise the trend lines aren't good re: 5v5 play. They already lean so much on finishing ability over volume.

They need another forward that can consistently create along the lines of PLD/Protas. Anything less seems like tinkering. A Laughton or Gourde seem very same-y. They have enough checkers. They have enough PKers. Injury insurance is helpful but it's far from a top priority. Setting their sights that low IMO would be a miscalculation of needs. Strome's dip in production 5v5 should no doubt have them aiming higher. Since 12/17 he's been out-produced 5v5 by Roy, Dowd, Mangiapane, Raddysh and Fehervary. Eller is only a point behind. Not gonna cut it. They can't afford to tinker and hope a rookie is the eventual solution at the 11th hour.

 

[wickedwitch]

Right now, it seems to be a sellers market, which is not unexpected. The reported prices are way too high. We'll see how much those prices come down before the trade deadline.

 

[Langway]

LeBrun & Friedman both suggesting the Caps will add a depth forward rather than something big. Meh. If so hopefully that's more on the Donato/Zucker side of things than a more offensively-challenged one. Friedman has said a Laughton type, who seems more like bottom six injury insurance than a legit sizeable upgrade.

Adding another checker really just seems like tinkering. Are they really thinking they can check their way to a deep run? It seems like an incredibly tall ask, even in a wide open East. While I think this group would manage a numbers game a lot better than in the past why create one without a significant upgrade being made? Even aside from the 23 man roster going away on deadline day it seems far from ideal to carry an extra four or five players down the stretch. Vrana could be waived. Milano also could be waived but, again, it just seems a bit redundant focusing on depth rather than something that could more significantly boost their chances.