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

[nogatco rd]

Some good perspective from the most underrated hockey site out there :

The Modern Stanley Cup Formula: Depth Over Cap Hits

No player in the salary cap era has won the cup while carrying an AAV above $10MM. Read more at Pro Hockey Rumors.

www.prohockeyrumors.com

Pretty much the mold the caps look to be building towards, no superstar elite gamebreakers, but overwhelming depth that can attack in waves.

 

[zappa4ever]

It's gonna be nice to be able to roll 3 scoring lines with or without Oldmanvechkin, opponents won't know what line to defend against

Curious if we can do something to help at 1RD/2RD or maybe even package Strome for a C upgrade, still have plenty of chips

 

[Holtbyisms]

Points-wise, yes. But you could see in his play he was going to be a force. He just wasn't scoring yet.

Not sure I fully agree here. His skating was atrocious in Hershey at first. His skating development changed his entire trajectory. Even when he first started to score in Hershey he still looked like the slowest player on the ice. You'd have to be an absolute wizard of something to have been able to project his skating development.

 

[g00n]

Not sure I fully agree here. His skating was atrocious in Hershey at first. His skating development changed his entire trajectory. Even when he first started to score in Hershey he still looked like the slowest player on the ice. You'd have to be an absolute wizard of something to have been able to project his skating development.

I was talking about big pro's start with the Caps and didn't look up the stat. Maybe not the same thing.

 

[Holtbyisms]

I was talking about big pro's start with the Caps and didn't look up the stat. Maybe not the same thing.

Word.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

It's gonna be nice to be able to roll 3 scoring lines with or without Oldmanvechkin, opponents won't know what line to defend against

Curious if we can do something to help at 1RD/2RD or maybe even package Strome for a C upgrade, still have plenty of chips

Agree, though we might be getting close to rolling 4, if we keep up this aggressive approach.

I'd be pushing hard to move Beauvillier, Frank, Lappy, and Chuckie. Right now GMs are paying and paying well

I'd still Hronek.

 

[Calicaps]

Agree, though we might be getting close to rolling 4, if we keep up this aggressive approach.

I'd be pushing hard to move Beauvillier, Frank, Lappy, and Chuckie. Right now GMs are paying and paying well

I'd still Hronek.

Van GM said today Hronek isn't available, sadly.

 

[Calicaps]

Some good perspective from the most underrated hockey site out there :

The Modern Stanley Cup Formula: Depth Over Cap Hits

No player in the salary cap era has won the cup while carrying an AAV above $10MM. Read more at Pro Hockey Rumors.

www.prohockeyrumors.com

Pretty much the mold the caps look to be building towards, no superstar elite gamebreakers, but overwhelming depth that can attack in waves.

except now we have a guy north of $10M. guess we're f***ed.

 

[usiel]

I'm going to have to say it but I hope AO hangs it up. Despite the additions no way the teams wins the stanley cup with someone as slow as AO is now on the ice, imho. Even giving him a minute on the power play and 4th line type 5v5 minutes I dont think he can be protected enough to not being taken adantage of after watching the past playoffs.

 

[BMacs Burner]

I'm going to have to say it but I hope AO hangs it up. Despite the additions no way the teams wins the stanley cup with someone as slow as AO is now on the ice, imho. Even giving him a minute on the power play and 4th line type 5v5 minutes I dont think he can be protected enough to not being taken adantage of after watching the past playoffs.

Unfortunate but I tend to agree.

The one hope with the additions they made is that he won't be relied upon as much and can be even more of a specialist than he was last year. I also just don't see any other path to success. No chance he's on both pp units next season, and I hope Strome spends some time away from him where he can flourish independently next to two speedy top-6 wingers.

I do believe this will be the season where everyone accepts a chapter is ending.

 

[stephenball]

Yeah, I’m actually very interested to see how Strome looks this year with faster and more creative linemates. Like, I imagine he would look pretty good with Leonard on the left and Kyrou or Tuch on the right. Strome’s lack of foot speed wouldn’t be as much of a downside as to when he also has Ovechkin on the ice with him. I think in a healthy season he could bounce back to a 65-70 point range.

Franks 2x2 stands out to me, I think Miro has to be looking at the moves they’re making and wondering if he’s even going to get his shot. Maybe he could be on the move for a RHD, but I’d hate to see him go because I do think there’s talent there that could be aided by being put in a consistent spot, I could see him slotting in well with Sourdif and Beau.