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

[Ridley Simon]

Where are people standing on going after a few more struggling, high upside/pedigree (top-5 OA-ish), change of scenery types of additions, that obviously comes with some risk (a la Dubois/Strome)?

Lafreniere, Kotkaniemi, McTavish, K.Dach, Nemec, Turcotte, Hayton, Wright/Berniers comes to mind.

Some of these are not like the others. Couple I’d be happy to “try out”…..others? Not so much.

 

[RedRocking]

Another name to throw out - still sounds like the Wild might move on from Rossi. I don’t get it, but maybe they need the $ for KK. And Guerin is a putz I guess.

If not Lappy, and we need a 3C replacement - Pius Suter could be a solid, cheap option. Honestly surprised VAN haven’t extended him.

 

[qcal1427]

Cristal almost made a team that's in the running for the President's Trophy,, not in favor of adding a wing in FA

Expectations have changed since training camp though.

They're at $14.4M in space right now and need a 3c, 3w, 4c, 4w, 13f, and a 7d. Subtract $950k for Leonard, $815k for Iorio, $3M for Dowd, $2M for whichever of Raddysh/Beauvillier/Mangiapane they bring back, $1M for the 13f. Conservatively you've got almost $7M to fill 3c and 4w. You can increase that quite a bit by moving out Milano.

Don't be stupid, but you can go medium-name shopping with that money.

 

[Misery74]

Expectations have changed since training camp though.

They're at $14.4M in space right now and need a 3c, 3w, 4c, 4w, 13f, and a 7d. Subtract $950k for Leonard, $815k for Iorio, $3M for Dowd, $2M for whichever of Raddysh/Beauvillier/Mangiapane they bring back, $1M for the 13f. Conservatively you've got almost $7M to fill 3c and 4w. You can increase that quite a bit by moving out Milano.

Don't be stupid, but you can go medium-name shopping with that money.

Mangiapane will make more than that. And if someone is willing to pay Dowd $3m, it shouldn’t be us.

RyLo, Jimi and Miro all regulars next year.

 

[Cappy76]

Dylan Mac resigned just announced. 2 years 1.6 total

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Locker does not add any serious color commentary for the serious hockey fan. His schtick and shhhlur and more beer...hic..what was I saying?

I advise you to go listen to any serious coach at the college or higher level (not interviews, but actual tactical coaching) and it is nothing like Locker or May who is all about "sticks in lanes". Get out of here with that peewee hockey talk.

I want to hear actual X's and O's. And get out of here with the F1 forecheck non-sense.

*mic drop*

I’m gonna disagree….I guess I don’t need the game mansplained to me on that level.

I’d prefer Locker be a little less homer’ish, but that’s kinda his job as an in-market commentator.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Dylan Mac resigned just announced. 2 years 1.6 total

Excellent. Good foot soldier.

Capitals Re-sign Dylan McIlrath | Washington Capitals

Defenseman, who has been with organization since 2021, signs for two more years

www.nhl.com

 

[um]

Mangiapane will make more than that. And if someone is willing to pay Dowd $3m, it shouldn’t be us.

RyLo, Jimi and Miro all regulars next year.

Not a fan of your RyLo. Leo?

I don't know, we'll get there.

 

[um]

I’m gonna disagree….I guess I don’t need the game mansplained to me on that level.

I’d prefer Locker be a little less homer’ish, but that’s kinda his job as an in-market commentator.

Yea the serious commentators get tiring eventually. It's hockey, it's not complicated in the slightest.

Of course, I'd prefer no commentary at all. Those rare moments when they let you just listen and watch the game are the greatest. I'd pay big money for that viewing experience.

 

[notDkristich]

I’m gonna disagree….I guess I don’t need the game mansplained to me on that level.

I’d prefer Locker be a little less homer’ish, but that’s kinda his job as an in-market commentator.

dunno if tactics is mansplaining, but aiyt

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

dunno if tactics is mansplaining, but aiyt

I guess I don’t feel the need. I understand what’s going on out there and feel like I pick up most of the tactical nuances. However, it is a fast moving game and the cameras aren’t always actively showing those nuances, often until replay, and that’s where I feel they kinda catch up (or I might click back 15 seconds and rewatch a sequence).

Would a little more verbal tactical expertise from Locker be appreciated, sure, but it’s not like the broadcast has a glaring hole without it. At least not from this viewer’s perspective.

 

[Random schmoe]

I'm irrationally happy with the Mac re-signing..I think he's great to have around, and I suspect he's valuable in the locker room given his experience as a former (and not highly successful) top draft pick, and his years captaining teams. And I'm happy for him that he gets some comfort in a 2 year NHL deal, even if it doesn't come with any guarantees, given his years in the AHL.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

It’s pretty much league min. I’m glad to keep Mac around. He’s great in Hershey and is perfect for number seven defenseman and he will fight anybody in a pinch.

 

[twabby]

The Dylan McIlrath re-signing gets my official:

 

[Calicaps]

Locker for sure has been a play by play announcer for a long a long time and is clearly accomplished. I think May has been solid. Naturally don't think he has natural chemistry with Joe B.. My problem with Locker is when he becomes an unserious giggle monster. Some might like that and that is fine everyone is going to have the different opinions. Locker can do serious. I'll be honest for me the same pair gets boring after these many years.

This part for sure, which is why I often take the opportunity to listen to opponent broadcasts when it's not a announcer team I loathe.

 

[qcal1427]

Mangiapane will make more than that. And if someone is willing to pay Dowd $3m, it shouldn’t be us.

RyLo, Jimi and Miro all regulars next year.

Eh I'm not so sure, he's got the better pedigree but smaller and his boxcars and role this season are pretty similar to Raddysh and Beauvillier. Mantha got $3.5Mx1, I see Mangiapane in a similar range.

I am also willing to bet money that not all of Leonard, Lappy, and Miro will be regulars next year. I'm willing to stake a claim here and say that the number of games next season where 3 out of the 4 of them + Cristall are dressing at the same time is less than 10.

 

[Silky mitts]

Expectations have changed since training camp though.

They're at $14.4M in space right now and need a 3c, 3w, 4c, 4w, 13f, and a 7d. Subtract $950k for Leonard, $815k for Iorio, $3M for Dowd, $2M for whichever of Raddysh/Beauvillier/Mangiapane they bring back, $1M for the 13f. Conservatively you've got almost $7M to fill 3c and 4w. You can increase that quite a bit by moving out Milano.

Don't be stupid, but you can go medium-name shopping with that money.

Ovy Strome Wilson
CMM PLD Protas
Cristal/Miro Granlund Leonard
Duhaime Dowd Miro/UFA

This lineup has about $11.25M to pay Granlund, Dowd, and scratches. Even if you take the greatest of success stories for a 3rd line wing - Brett Connolly type on a 1 year deal - the best case scenario is like 18 g 40 p on a 1 year deal. What's the worst case scenario if you don't sign one? Cristal isn't ready but you still have Miro, maybe the platoon puts up 9 goals 27 p. But the best case you've got more money for 3C and higher upside players.

 

[wickedwitch]

If McIlrath is on the NHL roster next season, something has gone wrong with Iorio. (Or there are injuries.)

But there's nothing to dislike about this contract.

 

[Roshi]

If McIlrath is on the NHL roster next season, something has gone wrong with Iorio. (Or there are injuries.)

But there's nothing to dislike about this contract.

Why? They’ve had 8 all season. If Iorio is good enough there is no reason he wouldnt stay up with McIlrath.

If he is more than 7, he is challenging TvR, not Danny-Boy.

Alexeeyev is the one on the outs.

 

[wickedwitch]

Why? They’ve had 8 all season. If Iorio is good enough there is no reason he wouldnt stay up with McIlrath.

If he is more than 7, he is challenging TvR, not Danny-boy. If he is 7D level, ma

They're both RD.

Clearly, handed-ness matters to Carbery, because he used AA as a sub for LDs and McIlrath as a sub for RDs.

 

[Roshi]

They're both RD.

Clearly, handed-ness matters to Carbery, because he used AA as a sub for LDs and McIlrath as a sub for RDs.

TvR can play both sides.

But ok, i get it. If he cant play through Danny and Trevor, so be it. Im happy that we signed McIlrath.

 

[qcal1427]

Ovy Strome Wilson
CMM PLD Protas
Cristal/Miro Granlund Leonard
Duhaime Dowd Miro/UFA

This lineup has about $11.25M to pay Granlund, Dowd, and scratches. Even if you take the greatest of success stories for a 3rd line wing - Brett Connolly type on a 1 year deal - the best case scenario is like 18 g 40 p on a 1 year deal. What's the worst case scenario if you don't sign one? Cristal isn't ready but you still have Miro, maybe the platoon puts up 9 goals 27 p. But the best case you've got more money for 3C and higher upside players.

Their are two worst case (I might even say probable) scenarios with the lineup you have above:

1) You have too many players that Carbery doesn't trust in high-leverage situations. Can't roll four lines, and puts even more stress on an aging Dowd. This is especially true with Granlund or Lappy at 3c.

2) Cristall/Miro/Leonard/Lappy can't score. 9-18-27 would be perfectly fine at 3w as you point out. As we saw with Lappy this year though, you can't just plug anyone in and expect that. Going 0-8-8 in 27 games is unacceptable in that role and once again just makes an entire line unplayable.

You have the money to bring back at least one of Raddysh/Beauvillier/Mangiapane. You know that all 3 of them can be perfect plug-and-play guys on either of the bottom 2 lines and even be ok in top 6 spot-duty. Do it in the offseason so you don't need to go out and get another version of Eller 30 games into the season.

Ovi-Strome-Wilson
CMM-PLD-Protas
Raddysh-UFA-Leonard
Duhaime-Dowd-UFA
Miro/Frank

 

[wickedwitch]

Ovi-Strome-Wilson
CMM-PLD-Protas
Raddysh-UFA-Leonard
Duhaime-Dowd-UFA
Miro/Frank

They should not put their prized prospect on a line long-term with Raddysh. He cannot be an option for that spot unless they have Leonard in the top 6.

 

[qcal1427]

They should not put their prized prospect on a line long-term with Raddysh. He cannot be an option for that spot unless they have Leonard in the top 6.

Why not for a year though? It's more important for Leonard that he's put on a line that Carbery will trust to play in the 3rd period than to be with another rookie who's figuring it out just because their more skilled offensively. Raddysh is a perfectly acceptable player at most aspects of the game and someone Carbery trusts.

Doesn't have to be specifically him, but he's the exact kind of guy I'd be targeting for the 3LW spot. If Leonard really is that good too, he'll force his way into a top 6 spot anyways

 

[wickedwitch]

Why not for a year though? It's more important for Leonard that he's put on a line that Carbery will trust to play in the 3rd period than to be with another rookie who's figuring it out just because their more skilled offensively. Raddysh is a perfectly acceptable player at most aspects of the game and someone Carbery trusts.

Doesn't have to be specifically him, but he's the exact kind of guy I'd be targeting for the 3LW spot. If Leonard really is that good too, he'll force his way into a top 6 spot anyways

1) It's important for him to develop his offense, which won't happen with Raddysh
2) It's important for him to build his confidence via offense, which won't happen with Raddysh
3) The Caps have the cap space to do much, much better. We can afford someone who is trusted defensively with some offensive ability.