Toggle sidebar

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

Eller a really strange reacquisition that doesn’t seem to fit. Seemingly either bury Leonard on the teams worst line or put McMichael next to 20 and let him rot. I’ll never understand thinking the way to fix our 3rd line was to trade for 2/3 of of a last place 4th line.
 
IsThatSemin said:
Eller a really strange reacquisition that doesn’t seem to fit. Seemingly either bury Leonard on the teams worst line or put McMichael next to 20 and let him rot. I’ll never understand thinking the way to fix our 3rd line was to trade for 2/3 of of a last place 4th line.
Click to expand...
Beauvillier has a been very good. And Eller is what he is, a decent possession player with existing relationships in the room. Nothing wrong with those gets, especially for the prices and term. I'm sure the team was disappointed that Lappy didn't seize the opportunity, but barring an offseason move, he will get another chance to take that spot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: qcal1427 and Silky mitts
Calicaps said:
Beauvillier has a been very good. And Eller is what he is, a decent possession player with existing relationships in the room. Nothing wrong with those gets, especially for the prices and term. I'm sure the team was disappointed that Lappy didn't seize the opportunity, but barring an offseason move, he will get another chance to take that spot.
Click to expand...
I think and hope they will pursue a guy like Jake Evans (sad he re-signed with MTL) or more realistically, Pius Suter. He can play W or C, and play anywhere in the line up. This in my mind is a smart move because if Lappy can't seize the 3C (or is moved out), Suter can play 3C. However, if Lappy does seize 3C, Suter can play 4RW or anywhere else as needed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedRocking and Calicaps
I think he’ll play. If it wasn’t Boston I could see them wanting him to watch a game from the press box to get an idea of the systems and not rush him, but I can’t imagine them not having him suit up to have his first career game in his hometown
 
  • Like
Reactions: NoVaCapsFan and Calicaps
If one of Beauvillier or Leonard can work in the top 6 then we can play McMichael at 3C.

I think it’s a good strategy to be stacked down the middle.
 
Jags said:
Leonard burns a year no matter what.

While we're doing all the line shuffling, I wouldn't mind seeing McMichael at 3C for a game or two. That big uptick in confidence this year might help make it click for him.
Click to expand...
No thx…the kid is settling in as a winger finally. Also too slight, can’t win faceoffs. The idea of CMM as a good NHL C needs to be retired by fans.

I don’t like all the line shuffling. I think Carbs keeps it minimal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: qcal1427 and Serial_Derecho
Dr John Carlson said:
I think Strome is the best centre on the roster for Leonard, who will do best with a smart playmaker next to him, and Strome himself could use a straight-line skater to help push things forward. Eller isn't that.

At the same time, you can't reduce Wilson and Protas's ice time by putting them with Eller. They're too important for that. They need to be stapled into the top-six.

That leaves McMichael moving down with Eller, but I think to get the most out of McMichael you want him with a possession centre like Dubois who can get the puck from one end to the other, since he isn't the type of player to do that himself.

So, I think you put Leonard with Eller to start, leave the top-six as is, and use the remaining games to reassess if need be...
Click to expand...
Strome is more of a goal scoring shoot first center. If you want creativity you want PLD. He's got eyes in the back of his head.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IafrateOvie34 and MW6
We are in good shape. Let’s say Leonard plays the last 9 games and that WILL determine if he plays in the playoffs for not. But they will play him every game to assess.

That means Frank and one of Raddysh, Mangi, (Millaono), Beauvillier are the two extras. Then Miro, Lappy, Sgarbossa, are all right there. Rybinski and Trineyev, Limoges, behind them. Lots of riches to backfilll.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Calicaps
CapitalsCupReality said:
But not at the cost of his playmaking. He is 11th in the NHL in assists among C’s.

I don’t think you can go wrong with Strome or PLD.
Click to expand...
Many of those apples come on the PP, though. 5v5 he's got less than McMichael/Roy/Sandin...

I'd start Leonard alongside Beauvillier & Eller initially to gauge where he's at then go from there. That should be a less demanding role and also a less demanding amount of ice-time right off the bat. From there he'll decide how prominent a role he'll have. Ideally I think they'd like him alongside Ovechkin & Strome. Either him or Wilson there. If it's Wilson then Leonard needs to prove himself more defensively/systematically if he's with PLD.

One supposes it's likely McMichael that would get shifted down to the Eller line at some point. If so the task becomes getting him enough TOI to get the most out of him and keep his game from sliding. I've liked his game lately. He's definitely not the weakest link in the top six...but it is what it is. Even with the losses lately I'd hesitate to immediate load Leonard up. Better to let him settle in, make a variety of adjustments at a less demanding pace/role and then if he really takes off give him the bigger role.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tycoonheart, CapitalsCupReality and Holtbyisms
I think the smart move is to slot Lenny in with Dowd the first few games. Dowd has more offensive upside than Eller and I don't think it's a good idea to disrupt the top 6. Give him some games to learn the system from a veteran like Dowd and see how he does.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DWGie26 and Calicaps
Well what's great for us is instead of 2 RS gms with Leonard we're now getting 9 and the luxury of experimenting on where to fit him in
personally I'd love him to start a cpl with Dowd and let Dowd give him a great example of grinding in today's NHL
from there, shit, try him on every line and config and see what clicks

Seems like he's got the man-strength and tenacity that McMic/Lapi/Miro didn't have in their 1st cracks at the NHL, hope he can make a splash right now
 
Lost in all of this that there are just 9 games left and the Caps don't have all that much to play for. I mean Presidents Trophy sure but Jets have got some traction there and it might get out of reach. I think we are going to see several of the top-6 guys getting a game off at some point down the stretch. Other than 8, obviously. They can still ice a great team even if they give 1 forward a night off.

Need to end the slide here in Boston though. Then i doubt nobody sits against Canes either but starting from 'hawks i wouldn't be surprised if there's 1 guy rotating for rest to see Leonard with different guys to see where he fits the best for this run. Mostly expecting to see him on the 3rd line with Eller and someone but i do think he's going to get a chance to win a spot elsewhere too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Calicaps
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom