Free Agency Episode 2 - The Attack Of The Plugs

[BrooklynCapsFan]

All I want is for every regular to stay healthy.

So McPhee can fry for this disaster.

 

[Bananas]

This is starting to remind me of my friend's strategy for advancing his career and dating women:

Do nothing and wait for the Deus Ex Machina.

 

[Zoidberg Jesus]

Why would GMGM buy out Schultz unless he planned to use the cap space? Surely he doesn't think Alzner and Johansson will require Schultz's cap space... right? Is he just protecting against offer sheets?

Remember the Tyler Sloan buyout? It's like that - Schultz didn't have a spot on this team, so he bought him out so he could find a spot somewhere else and get actual playing time. Any saving towards the cap is just a happy coincidence.

 

[Ajax1995]

Why would GMGM buy out Schultz unless he planned to use the cap space? Surely he doesn't think Alzner and Johansson will require Schultz's cap space... right? Is he just protecting against offer sheets?

I do think he will use some of the money saved on Schultz to get Alzner and Johansson re-signed.

Also many are acting like the Caps have this tremendous amount of caps space that McPhee is just refusing to use it.

Currently with 19 players signed, 11 forwards (Ovechkin, Backstrom, Laich, Erat, Brouwer, Ward, Chimera, Fehr, Perreault, Beagle, and Volpatti) 6 defensemen (Green, Carlson, Erskine, Orlov, Hillen, and Oleksy) and the two goaltenders the Caps have roughly $8.275 mil in cap space.

If you figure you need to save roughly $500k for Kuznetsov's prorated deal that leaves $7.775 mil. I figure it is going to take somewhere around $6 mil to get Alzner and Johansson re-signed, which leaves $1.775 mil and a 21 man roster. If you fill out the roster with guys making the minimum that leaves enough so that they don't need to worry about call ups and that is about it.

So yeah I think the money saved on Schultz will be used.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I do think he will use some of the money saved on Schultz to get Alzner and Johansson re-signed.

Also many are acting like the Caps have this tremendous amount of caps space that McPhee is just refusing to use it.

Currently with 19 players signed, 11 forwards (Ovechkin, Backstrom, Laich, Erat, Brouwer, Ward, Chimera, Fehr, Perreault, Beagle, and Volpatti) 6 defensemen (Green, Carlson, Erskine, Orlov, Hillen, and Oleksy) and the two goaltenders the Caps have roughly $8.275 mil in cap space.

If you figure you need to save roughly $500k for Kuznetsov's prorated deal that leaves $7.775 mil. I figure it is going to take somewhere around $6 mil to get Alzner and Johansson re-signed, which leaves $1.775 mil and a 21 man roster. If you fill out the roster with guys making the minimum that leaves enough so that they don't need to worry about call ups and that is about it.

So yeah I think the money saved on Schultz will be used.

Unused cap space also grows as the season goes on and could have a big chunk of space come the deadline

 

[Ajax1995]

This is largely a veteran team. Maybe Johansson/Carlson improve. But I wouldn't count on our "young" players carrying the day with their ongoing development.

In no particular order I see Johansson, Perreault, Fehr, Alzner, Carlson, Orlov, Holtby, and Neuvirth as having a lot of room to improve and Erskine, Hillen, and Oleksy to have some room to improve.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

FORWARDS
Marcus Johansson ($2.500m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Alex Ovechkin ($9.538m)
Martin Erat ($4.500m) / Brooks Laich ($4.500m) / Troy Brouwer ($3.667m)
Jason Chimera ($1.750m) / Mathieu Perreault ($1.050m) / Eric Fehr ($1.500m)
Aaron Volpatti ($0.575m) / Jay Beagle ($0.900m) / Joel Ward ($3.000m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Green ($6.083m) / John Carlson ($3.967m)
Karl Alzner ($3.500m) / Jack Hillen ($0.700m)
John Erskine ($1.963m) / Tomas Kundratek ($0.550m)
Steven Oleksy ($0.542m) /
GOALTENDERS
Michal Neuvirth ($2.500m)
Braden Holtby ($1.850m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $61,834,295; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $2,465,705

That's about where we are right now. Send ward out and you've got room for Grabovski, Latta, and Kuznetsov. You could probably swing it with just Chimera leaving as well.

 

[strungout]

Even $2.5 million seems high for Johansson. Ugh.

I still like his potential...but man that seems to be a lot for him right now.

 

[Capitlols]

That defense is depressing as hell.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

potential trade targets/2014 UFA
http://capgeek.com/free-agents/?year_id=2014&team_id=-1&position_id=-1&fa_type_id=2

Vanek and Stastny I think will be moved this season playing for rebuilding teams

Heatly being awful now with big cap hit will be shopped but no takers

 

[BobRouse]

FORWARDS
Marcus Johansson ($2.500m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Alex Ovechkin ($9.538m)
Martin Erat ($4.500m) / Brooks Laich ($4.500m) / Troy Brouwer ($3.667m)
Jason Chimera ($1.750m) / Mathieu Perreault ($1.050m) / Eric Fehr ($1.500m)
Aaron Volpatti ($0.575m) / Jay Beagle ($0.900m) / Joel Ward ($3.000m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Green ($6.083m) / John Carlson ($3.967m)
Karl Alzner ($3.500m) / Jack Hillen ($0.700m)
John Erskine ($1.963m) / Tomas Kundratek ($0.550m)
Steven Oleksy ($0.542m) /
GOALTENDERS
Michal Neuvirth ($2.500m)
Braden Holtby ($1.850m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $61,834,295; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $2,465,705

That's about where we are right now. Send ward out and you've got room for Grabovski, Latta, and Kuznetsov. You could probably swing it with just Chimera leaving as well.

Those are high end figures for Alzner and MJ. Maybe they get that much but I doubt its more and probably be a bit less overall.

I'd rather keep Ward and stay away from Grabovski. Far away...stupid fued with Kostitsyns is a red flag. Being a good player and putting up numbers on a terrible team is one thing but when said team improves and you are seeing your role greatly decreased that says something.

Remember Brian Willsie scored 20 goals here. Clymer came close to that I believe. They did so on terrible Caps teams. I view Grabovski in the same mold. Don't get enamoured with his production on putrid Maple Leaf teams.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Those are high end figures for Alzner and MJ. Maybe they get that much but I doubt its more and probably be a bit less overall.

I'd rather keep Ward and stay away from Grabovski. Far away...stupid fued with Kostitsyns is a red flag. Being a good player and putting up numbers on a terrible team is one thing but when said team improves and you are seeing your role greatly decreased that says something.

Remember Brian Willsie scored 20 goals here. Clymer came close to that I believe. They did so on terrible Caps teams. I view Grabovski in the same mold. Don't get enamoured with his production on putrid Maple Leaf teams.

How do you explain Grabovski improving the play of everyone (bar Joey Crabb) he played with? He's been an excellent possession player.

The only thing his decreased role says is that Carlyle didn't know how to use him properly.

Personally, I think a second line center has a much greater impact on team success than a 4th line winger.

 

[BobRouse]

How do you explain Grabovski improving the play of everyone (bar Joey Crabb) he played with? He's been an excellent possession player.

The only thing his decreased role says is that Carlyle didn't know how to use him properly.

Personally, I think a second line center has a much greater impact on team success than a 4th line winger.

If he improved the play of everyone then why is it that for the first time the Leafs made the playoffs he no longer played a top 6 role? Are Bozak and Kadri that awesome?

Carlyle has won a cup and took the Leafs to the playoffs for the first time in a decade. I'd suggest he knows how to utilize players correctly. He played his best guys and Grabovski wasn't one of them.

I don't think Grabovski is a 2nd line center on a playoff team and I think Ward is an outstanding playoff performer and more of a 3rd liner. Grabovski is a good player on a bad team but on a good team he shouldn't have a roster spot. Thats been my take on him and I saw nothing to change it last year.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

If he improved the play of everyone then why is it that for the first time the Leafs made the playoffs he no longer played a top 6 role? Are Bozak and Kadri that awesome?

Carlyle has won a cup and took the Leafs to the playoffs for the first time in a decade. I'd suggest he knows how to utilize players correctly. He played his best guys and Grabovski wasn't one of them.

I don't think Grabovski is a 2nd line center on a playoff team and I think Ward is an outstanding playoff performer and more of a 3rd liner. Grabovski is a good player on a bad team but on a good team he shouldn't have a roster spot. Thats been my take on him and I saw nothing to change it last year.

Because the rest of their roster improved? Kadri took a huge step forward, as did Franson. McClement also really helped improve their penalty kill.

Carlyle won a Cup because he had two first-ballot hall of fame defensemen in their primes. The credit he gets for that is almost as bad as people building up Yzerman for Canada's gold medal.

If you're so convinced Grabovski is a bad fit, what about his game don't you like?

And as far as him not being a 2nd line center on a playoff team, have you taken a look at the Caps roster? Who isn't he an improvement over? Who was Chicago's 2C?

 

[Ajax1995]

If you're so convinced Grabovski is a bad fit, what about his game don't you like?

Well I like how when he was given a much increased role in the playoffs he really stepped it up...

 

[Liberati0n*]

Remember Brian Willsie scored 20 goals here. Clymer came close to that I believe. They did so on terrible Caps teams. I view Grabovski in the same mold. Don't get enamoured with his production on putrid Maple Leaf teams.

No he didn't. He scored 19.



The logic of the Schultz buyout: I guess there's still a bonus cushion, but maybe one of the reasons is to make room to fit Wilson, who is almost guaranteed to be on the team at this point, on the roster?

 

[ChibiPooky]

potential trade targets/2014 UFA
http://capgeek.com/free-agents/?year_id=2014&team_id=-1&position_id=-1&fa_type_id=2

Vanek and Stastny I think will be moved this season playing for rebuilding teams

Heatly being awful now with big cap hit will be shopped but no takers

Colorado is a playoff team this year IMO. They certainly aren't "rebuilding" anymore. I view them as a young, talented team held back by coaching (stale and not really a good fit). Their defense is the main point of concern.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

potential trade targets/2014 UFA
http://capgeek.com/free-agents/?year_id=2014&team_id=-1&position_id=-1&fa_type_id=2

Vanek and Stastny I think will be moved this season playing for rebuilding teams

Heatly being awful now with big cap hit will be shopped but no takers

That list won't look half as good in 6 months. I would wager that one of Thornton and Pavelski reaches the market, though.

 

[BobRouse]

Because the rest of their roster improved? Kadri took a huge step forward, as did Franson. McClement also really helped improve their penalty kill.

Carlyle won a Cup because he had two first-ballot hall of fame defensemen in their primes. The credit he gets for that is almost as bad as people building up Yzerman for Canada's gold medal.

If you're so convinced Grabovski is a bad fit, what about his game don't you like?

And as far as him not being a 2nd line center on a playoff team, have you taken a look at the Caps roster? Who isn't he an improvement over? Who was Chicago's 2C?

You may have a point about his cup in Anaheim but it was still impressive the way he turned the Leafs around and perhaps some of the credit for those young guys stepping up was his...for moving Grabovski down the depth chart and giving Bozak and Kadri more important roles? I agree about Yzerman.

Grabovski has less vision than Brooks Laich. He comes from the Olli Jokinen school of center iceman and thats one I don't care for one bit. Laich has had 30 assists 3x in his career as a winger (or at least twice as a winger). Grabovski never hit that mark as a center...a top 6 center. Centers should accumulate assists far easier than wingers.

I don't like Olli Jokinen. I don't like Grabovski. Never have. Personal preference I suppose. I would take MP, MJ and Laich over him at 2C. I just don't think he's good.

No he didn't. He scored 19.

Man why you have to hate on Brian Willsie??? Why not just cut him some slack and round up?

 

[Roughing]

That's about where we are right now. Send ward out and you've got room for Grabovski, Latta, and Kuznetsov. You could probably swing it with just Chimera leaving as well.

I think it works with Chimmer leaving and I want him out anyway.

Unless Orlov looks great that D is still bad though.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

You may have a point about his cup in Anaheim but it was still impressive the way he turned the Leafs around and perhaps some of the credit for those young guys stepping up was his...for moving Grabovski down the depth chart and giving Bozak and Kadri more important roles? I agree about Yzerman.

Grabovski has less vision than Brooks Laich. He comes from the Olli Jokinen school of center iceman and thats one I don't care for one bit. Laich has had 30 assists 3x in his career as a winger (or at least twice as a winger). Grabovski never hit that mark as a center...a top 6 center. Centers should accumulate assists far easier than wingers.

I don't like Olli Jokinen. I don't like Grabovski. Never have. Personal preference I suppose. I would take MP, MJ and Laich over him at 2C. I just don't think he's good.

Grabovski never played with Backstrom, Ovechkin, Semin, and Green. You don't think he'd have several 30+ assist seasons playing with them? He had 4 straight 25+ assist seasons playing with the crap in Toronto.

 

[BobRouse]

Grabovski never played with Backstrom, Ovechkin, Semin, and Green. You don't think he'd have several 30+ assist seasons playing with them? He had 4 straight 25+ assist seasons playing with the crap in Toronto.

Well I doubt we'll ever find out something like that. I don't think Semin or Ovechkin would score nearly as many goals with him at center. Grabovski is a bit of a puck hog too in addition to not being able to see the ice.

Again...I never like Jokinen and I view Grabovski in the same mold. Just not the type of center I'd want on my team.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

But the thing is, you're getting that sort of player at 2C with Laich. He's similarly lacking in vision, but Grabovski's more skilled.

The Jokinen comparison isn't remotely fair. If Jokinen had Grabovski's work ethic on the ice, he'd be a perennial 80 point player.

 

[BobRouse]

But the thing is, you're getting that sort of player at 2C with Laich. He's similarly lacking in vision, but Grabovski's more skilled.

The Jokinen comparison isn't remotely fair. If Jokinen had Grabovski's work ethic on the ice, he'd be a perennial 80 point player.

I agree on Laich and thats why I was underwhelmed to hear him being the 2C. I was hoping for MP or MJ. That said I'd still take Laich over Grabovski. But I do have the concerns along the same lines. I do think Laich has better vision and is a better passer than Grabovski.

I meant that Jokinen had the same kind of skillset and offensive shoot first mentality while not having very good vision. I agree Grabovski gives solid effort. I never doubted his work ethic. The guy plays hard..but with blinders on.

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

I agree on Laich and thats why I was underwhelmed to hear him being the 2C. I was hoping for MP or MJ. That said I'd still take Laich over Grabovski. But I do have the concerns along the same lines. I do think Laich has better vision and is a better passer than Grabovski.

I meant that Jokinen had the same kind of skillset and offensive shoot first mentality while not having very good vision. I agree Grabovski gives solid effort. I never doubted his work ethic. The guy plays hard..but with blinders on.

And yet you like MJ's vision? He couldn't find a passing lane with a map.