League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) - 2022-23 season, Vol. 4, Off-season Edition

[um]

We might not get Bedard but we have a decent chance for either of Michkov, Fantili or Carlsson, which is not bad either.

Ovi-Fantili-Suzdalev in 2027!

I think our chance at Fantil is the same as Bedard.

Lottery is our only hope for any of the big 4 prospects.

 

[895]

If at the beginning of this season you told me the options were

A) caps first round exit, pens make playoffs

B) caps miss by a lot and get a good pick, pens juuuust miss after buying at the deadline


Ill take option B everytime.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

My head logically wants to say it’s funny watching these teams compete for the privilege of losing in four or five games to Boston but it’s hockey so it would make a lot of sense if the team who manages to sneak into the playoffs — likely on the last day of the season — manages to take down the mighty Bruins in a legendary first round upset.

Hockey is the best. Or the worst. Or mostly the worst but occasionally the best.

 

[Calicaps]

I think our chance at Fantil is the same as Bedard.

Lottery is our only hope for any of the big 4 prospects.

Folks need to be realistic. Yes we have a chance at 1 or 2 OA, but it's a slim chance. And we cannot get 3 or 4 under any circumstances, AFAIK. Any posters who think the Caps need to land Bedard or Fantilli or Michkov or otherwise all hope is lost are bound to be VERY disappointed. We're most likely picking 8/9/10--which to me is still great.

Also, I asked before, who would folks be willing to trade the 8/9/10 pick for?

My head logically wants to say it’s funny watching these teams compete for the privilege of losing in four or five games to Boston but it’s hockey so it would make a lot of sense if the team who manages to sneak into the playoffs — likely on the last day of the season — manages to take down the mighty Bruins in a legendary first round upset.

Hockey is the best. Or the worst. Or mostly the worst but occasionally the best.

The Bruins losing early would warm my heart. Unless it's to Pitt.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Folks need to be realistic. Yes we have a chance at 1 or 2 OA, but it's a slim chance. And we cannot get 3 or 4 under any circumstances, AFAIK. Any posters who think the Caps need to land Bedard or Fantilli or Michkov or otherwise all hope is lost are bound to be VERY disappointed. We're most likely picking 8/9/10--which to me is still great.


The Bruins losing early would warm my heart. Unless it's to Pitt.

I think it’s 50/50 at best they keep the pick if they don’t hit the lottery. A top 10 pick should net them a very good young player which would be more in line with a retool rather than selecting a player that almost certainly wouldn’t have an impact while Ovechkin is still in his 30s.

 

[Calicaps]

I think it’s 50/50 at best they keep the pick if they don’t hit the lottery. A top 10 pick should net them a very good young player which would be more in line with a retool rather than selecting a player that almost certainly wouldn’t have an impact while Ovechkin is still in his 30s.

this is why I've been asking (and it was a late edit above) -- who out there in the league would you want as that "very good young player"?

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

The Bruins losing early would warm my heart. Unless it's to Pitt.

 

[Calicaps]

View attachment 682148

nah... never the Pens

 

[um]

Folks need to be realistic. Yes we have a chance at 1 or 2 OA, but it's a slim chance. And we cannot get 3 or 4 under any circumstances, AFAIK. Any posters who think the Caps need to land Bedard or Fantilli or Michkov or otherwise all hope is lost are bound to be VERY disappointed. We're most likely picking 8/9/10--which to me is still great.

Also, I asked before, who would folks be willing to trade the 8/9/10 pick for?


The Bruins losing early would warm my heart. Unless it's to Pitt.

I think everyone knows that. Our chance right now is 5%.

 

[Calicaps]

I think everyone knows that. I think our chance right now is 5%.

Right. But some folks seems to think they have no hope unless they hit on that 5% is all I'm saying. And I don't believe that.

 

[YippieKaey]

All of us had a less than one in a million chance to inseminate the eggs of our mothers so i'll take 5% any day of the week

 

[um]

Right. But some folks seems to think they have no hope unless they hit on that 5% is all I'm saying. And I don't believe that.

I get that. But I think a lottery pick can translate into immediate success next season, while a top 10 pick takes a couple of years, maybe longer.

Its fun to hope.

 

[kicksavedave]

Folks need to be realistic. Yes we have a chance at 1 or 2 OA, but it's a slim chance. And we cannot get 3 or 4 under any circumstances, AFAIK. Any posters who think the Caps need to land Bedard or Fantilli or Michkov or otherwise all hope is lost are bound to be VERY disappointed. We're most likely picking 8/9/10--which to me is still great.

 

[Calicaps]

I get that. But I think a lottery pick can translate into immediate success next season, while a top 10 pick takes a couple of years, maybe longer.

Its fun to hope.

Agreed. Unless, as @AlexBrovechkin8 noted, that 8/9/10 pick gets traded well. So... since it is fun to hope, if that's how it shakes out, who would you target?

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

this is why I've been asking (and it was a late edit above) -- who out there in the league would you want as that "very good young player"?

For context, DeBrincat was a 2x 40 goal scorer, age 23, and under contract for one more season before becoming a RFA (with arb rights) when he was traded for 7OA, 39OA, and a 3rd in 2024. The Islanders traded 13OA for Alex Romanov and pick 98. Romanov is a defenseman and was 22 when he was traded last summer.

I need to sharpen my pencil a bit to go over more options but a name I’d personally be interested in Nic Ehlers from Winnipeg. He’s 27, under cost control for two more years after this season at $6M/year, has scored 20+ goals every season since his sophomore year in 2016-17 (even during the shortened Covid season), and has speed to burn. He’s not the best defensively but he is dynamic offensively and has really strong underlying numbers. His coach this year is a moron and he was hurt to start the season but he’s still pacing for 21 goals on a team that can’t score despite playing on the third line because Rick Bowness sucks at his job.

 

[um]

Agreed. Unless, as @AlexBrovechkin8 noted, that 8/9/10 pick gets traded well. So... since it is fun to hope, if that's how it shakes out, who would you target?

DeBrincat may be one. As @AlexBrovechkin8 mentions, maybe Ehlers or Dubois. They'll probably be more option revealed after the playoffs are done. Perhaps the Leafs choke and Nylander becomes available.

Things will be very different once the draft rolls around.

 

[Calicaps]

For context, DeBrincat was a 2x 40 goal scorer, age 23, and under contract for one more season before becoming a RFA (with arb rights) when he was traded for 7OA, 39OA, and a 3rd in 2024. The Islanders traded 13OA for Alex Romanov and pick 98. Romanov is a defenseman and was 22 when he was traded last summer.

I need to sharpen my pencil a bit to go over more options but a name I’d personally be interested in Nic Ehlers from Winnipeg. He’s 27, under cost control for two more years after this season at $6M/year, has scored 20+ goals every season since his sophomore year in 2016-17 (even during the shortened Covid season), and has speed to burn. He’s not the best defensively but he is dynamic offensively and has really strong underlying numbers. His coach this year is a moron and he was hurt to start the season but he’s still pacing for 21 goals on a team that can’t score despite playing on the third line because Paul Maurice sucks at his job.

DeBrincat may be one. As @AlexBrovechkin8 mentions, maybe Ehlers or Dubois. They'll probably be more option revealed after the playoffs are done. Perhaps the Leafs choke and Nylander becomes available.

Things will be very different once the draft rolls around.

I realize this is pretty unrealistic too, but before the TDL (and before Horvat was traded) I heard rumblings on the radio that Pettersson could be available. Kuzy + 8/9OA + what??

 

[kicksavedave]

I think its a pretty solid bet that, if they don't win the lottery they will trade the pick for immediate help. That's the only plan that coincides with the "Support Ovi's chase while trying to remain competitive" mantra.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I realize this is pretty unrealistic too, but before the TDL (and before Horvat was traded) I heard rumblings on the radio that Pettersson could be available. Kuzy + 8/9OA + what??

If we could flip Kuzy for Pettersson I’d give a lifetime contract to BMac.

 

[g00n]

I'm thinking they don't make significant moves before the coaching question is answered. Bringing in an all-PMD cast on the back line and then hiring a coach who needs stay at home guys would be a disaster.

 

[Cappy76]

I’d love for them to kick the tires on Ehlers and Newhook both could be pieces to add that would benefit the top 6.

 

[twabby]

If we could flip Kuzy for Pettersson I’d give a lifetime contract to BMac.

Pettersson is the guy I dream about that is maybe, possibly available.

There were rumblings from Michael Russo of The Athletic that Pettersson would want to move on. Russo would be a weird person to start an unfounded rumor about a Canuck player given that Russo is the Wild's beat writer, so I tend to think there is some truth to it. Vancouver also played hardball with Pettersson during his last contract and forced him to take a bridge so I could see that making him sour a bit on Vancouver. On top of, you know, Vancouver being a directionless franchise.

That being said I don't think Kuzy + #8 overall does anything to even begin a conversation. Washington would need to add a lot more futures, or get another team involved in a 3-way deal with a guy like Wilson going in the direction of that third team to even begin discussions. It's certainly something Washington should pursue, but it'd be complicated and cost a lot.

 

[YippieKaey]

I realize this is pretty unrealistic too, but before the TDL (and before Horvat was traded) I heard rumblings on the radio that Pettersson could be available. Kuzy + 8/9OA + what??

+ Wilson and it might actually happen. Probably not but who knows.

 

[Ovi895]

If the Leafs get first rounded in the playoffs again maybe they'd be open to moving Marner. Marner+Ovi for the next 2 years would be great to behold. 895 next year at the rate the league is going. Wilson would be the main piece going the other way most likely but imo its worth it for that level of player

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

If the Leafs get first rounded in the playoffs again maybe they'd be open to moving Marner. Marner+Ovi for the next 2 years would be great to behold. 895 next year at the rate the league is going. Wilson would be the main piece going the other way most likely but imo its worth it for that level of player

One of the few Wilson proposals I would consider