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

[Silky mitts]

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.

Of all the pending UFA on teams less than 99% to make the playoffs, the top 3 scorers are Marchand, Zucker, and Donato, there aren't scorers available

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Of all the pending UFA on teams less than 99% to make the playoffs, the top 3 scorers are Marchand, Zucker, and Donato, there aren't scorers available

That’s why a good GM wouldn’t be looking at just the surface candidates the ones that everyone knows COULD be available.

 

[Silky mitts]

That’s why a good GM wouldn’t be looking at just the surface candidates the ones that everyone knows COULD be available.

Real gs move in silence like lasagna but the market is bare and they seem to be tempering expectations for the deadline

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Real gs move in silence like lasagna but the market is bare and they seem to be tempering expectations for the deadline

The market isn’t what’s just publicly known….

I’ve said all along I only expected depth pickups, but I think they probably need something more substantial to win a Cup again.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

If there’s a deal to be made that they think will improve the team they’ll make it. And they have proven time and again they’re not afraid to make hard choices and bold moves. Why people continue to think they won’t look under every rock baffles me, this is not George “we like our team” McPhee.

None of their larger moves were leaked or even hinted at before things went down. There wasn’t a peep that Mac was going to bring in guys like Oshie, Mantha, Shattenkirk, Eller, Sandin, Chychrun, PLD, Mangiapane, Thompson, etc. Many (most?) moves have worked out, a few have not, but I would wager to guess GMCP, BMac, and team are not just waiting for The Athletic to upgrade their trade big board to figure out their to-do list at the deadline.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Shocking news...


Really I cant believe we were giving Max important playoff min and PP time last season.

 

[trick9]

Yanni Gourde is an interesting guy if he's actually healthy. I think injury concerns have driven his price down but if healthy he's a really good player known to up his game in the Playoffs (12 points in last 13-game run). Also i have a soft spot for forwards who work their ass off to climb all the way from ECHL to NHL regular.

That said, with the injury risk, it's not a guy i'd move a 1st for. Unless it's a 1st for Gourde + 2nd kind of a deal.

 

[Silky mitts]

None of their larger moves were leaked or even hinted at before things went down. There wasn’t a peep that Mac was going to bring in guys like Oshie, Mantha, Shattenkirk, Eller, Sandin, Chychrun, PLD, Mangiapane, Thompson, etc. Many (most?) moves have worked out, a few have not, but I would wager to guess GMCP, BMac, and team are not just waiting for The Athletic to upgrade their trade big board to figure out their to-do list at the deadline.

I googled Brian McClellan saying we're looking to upgrade our top 6 2024, tons of quotes describing looking for the types of acquisitions Mangi and PLD were

Google Search

For Sandin they said the were looking to add NHL ready players at the deadline

 

[Langway]

Sources: Sabres’ phones buzzing with interest in JJ Peterka, who joins Trade Targets board

Peterka, Mario Ferraro and Brad Marchand are among the new names in the top 45.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Peterka would be a very good add. BUF should wait until the off-season to shake it up but who knows?

I get the temptation to add a Playoff Style player...a guy with jam that's Hard to Play Against. But with this group and some of their 5v5 limitations the target ought to be higher and more decisive. They're not going to lack intensity when the playoffs roll around. I'd wager the shortage will be skilled poise to a much, much greater extent. Many of their 5v5 metrics are much closer to mid than their standings placement.

A true offensive difference maker may or may not be available. A Brock Nelson may be short of that but still worth the upgrade over Eller IMO. We'll see if he becomes available. One would think the Caps won't make moves until deadline day barring an exceptional circumstance. Until then they ought to be shaking all of the cupboards...

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I googled Brian McClellan saying we're looking to upgrade our top 6 2024, tons of quotes describing looking for the types of acquisitions Mangi and PLD were

Google Search

For Sandin they said the were looking to add NHL ready players at the deadline

That a lot different than looking at the big trade board and going “nope nothing to be had”.

Back then he was saying “open for business”. No specific big names linked to us that ultimately moved right?

 

[Silky mitts]

That a lot different than looking at the big trade board and going “nope nothing to be had”.

Back then he was saying “open for business”. No specific big names linked to us that ultimately moved right?

Right, really only saying they doesn't expect to trade a 1st, I'm not really against a 2nd for Donato or one of the Islanders but there are a lot of teams in the mix and not a lot of forwards available, I just don't think anyone else not already out there will be sneaky available but now maybe Tuch is available so who knows

 

[wickedwitch]

my impression of GMCP's press conference:
-very few teams have decided to sell (thus far)
-GMCP seems inclined to err on the side of not making a move. (I think he's a pretty open guy, but obviously it's possible he's saying this as a negotiating strategy.) He mentioned multiple times that moves often don't move the needle much historically and highlighted the times the Caps were best served by not making a move.
-whether that literally means no moves or just some extra depth that could be stashed in Hershey or even a bottom 6 forward, I don't know.