Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines/etc) | 2025-26 Summer Edition

[Dr John Carlson]

I might swap Wilson and Kyrou, and insert Cristall for Ovi who retires. That F Corps would be dynamite!

I would definitely prefer trying one of the kids at 3LW as well, but it'll be tough for 8 to resist not going for one more kick at the can with that forward group.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Beauvillier and Chucky would be another 5.75. could replace with Trineyev and Stevenson and net another 4m there if needed.

 

[Todd Lazarchick]

I believe this marks the retirement of "todd".

No sir lol

 

[strungout]

3rd round pick. Whatever.

Give me an RD on July 1st and let’s go!

 

[bacchist]

I would definitely prefer trying one of the kids at 3LW as well, but it'll be tough for 8 to resist not going for one more kick at the can with that forward group.

Feels like we are getting close if we can get a serviceable RD without taking a step back somewhere.

 

[Langway]

It does make me wonder to what extent Strome and Ilya will be able to stay connected to play at that level of tempo, though. How solid those two can be with more balance will go a long way determining their ceiling.

While they're at it: how settled is Carlson on Tampa Bay?

 

[895]

I wouldn't mind Jensen or Carlson coming back

 

[HeyMattyB]

The Capitals haven't been lacking in size or forechecking, they've been lacking in dynamism and creativity. That's such a big part of why Cole Huston was a breath of fresh air last year.

Well, the Caps have been lacking in zone entries and scoring off the rush, which both Tuch and Kyrou are (supposedly) excellent at. Assuming that's accurate, I'd say that's a pretty significant improvement for the offense.

 

[qcal1427]

It does make me wonder to what extent Strome and Ilya will be able to stay connected to play at that level of tempo, though. How solid those two can be with more balance will go a long way determining their ceiling.

While they're at it: how settled is Carlson on Tampa Bay?

I think Ilya can handle it but yea just staple Ovi and Strome together and let them do their own thing while the rest of the team goes fast

 

[stephenball]

Protas-Protas-Tuch could be interesting. Although maybe Protas-Protas-Kyrou would be a better fit, put Tuch with Strome?

 

[Langway]

Protas-Protas-Tuch could be interesting. Although maybe Protas-Protas-Kyrou would be a better fit, put Tuch with Strome?

Yes and then a dreamy Leno-PLD-Wilson line.

 

[um]

I don't have that notion. Just that Tuch isn't a player who creates his own offense (at least not anymore). To use the most hyperbolic example that all Caps fans can relate to, young Ovechkin created tons of his own offense. But Ovie of the past few years has not created his own offense. Ryan Leonard hopefully will be a guy who can create his own offense if he continues to develop, but it's not 100% there yet. But the Capitals have needed more guys capable of manufacturing plays, creativity, and creating something for themselves or their linemates over the past few years, and Tuch doesn't address that shortcoming. If you built a roster of 12 Tuchs (or 12 Wilsons or 12 A Pros or whatever), that roster would struggle to score. NOT because those are bad players or those aren't players you want on a team, but because you need the dynamic playmakers as well to help these types of guys maximize their potential. The Capitals haven't been lacking in size or forechecking, they've been lacking in dynamism and creativity. That's such a big part of why Cole Huston was a breath of fresh air last year.

I don’t think Tuch and Wilson are similar at all.

All six of our big forwards are quite different, style wise

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Ovi coming back to play RD at this point.

 

[kicksavedave]

Yes and then a dreamy Leno-PLD-Wilson line.

That line would be an absolute shit storm to play against. Love it!

 

[zappa4ever]

The WSH's did the things! x2

 

[TheKingSlayer]

I thought Miro would get a shot this year

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

That line would be an absolute shit storm to play against. Love it!

And you can still have a double Protas line with one of the new guys

 

[qcal1427]

I thought Miro would get a shot this year

He will in San Jose …

 

[Marshall]

 

[bacchist]

I thought Miro would get a shot this year

He's played 52 games in the NHL. He's gotten chances.

 

[Holtbyisms]

He's played 52 games in the NHL. He's gotten chances.

Probably would have said the same about Big Pros first 52 games and 13 points?

 

[RedRocking]

That line would be an absolute shit storm to play against. Love it!

Lenny would drag Wilson into so many post whistle shenanigans, lol.

 

[RickDias]

Acted fast instead of waiting until they didn't have a seat like last year. Love the Kyrou trade, less enthusiastic about Tuch. Leans to the Ovi done side of things. RD still a massive hole.

 

[Kalopsia]

in retrospect does this make it even more clear they should’ve offered Ehlers more last summer? Absolutely. That’s in the past now, and if there’s a time to overspend on a UFA it is right now

As the old Chinese proverb goes, the best time to overspend on a UFA was a year ago, the second best time is right now.

I think Ilya can handle it but yea just staple Ovi and Strome together and let them do their own thing while the rest of the team goes fast

The off-speed pitch to compliment their arsenal of fastballs.

 

[kicksavedave]

As the old Chinese proverb goes, the best time to overspend on a UFA was a year ago, the second best time is right now.

Confucius, or Sun Tzu?