Speculation: Acq./Rost. Bldg./Cap Part XLVII

[Zoidberg Jesus]

He's a career .32 ppg player who may not even want to play in NA anymore. He's also undersized (especially compared to the Caps players and how they are playing) and he's never once scored in double digits goals-wise.

Close to $3 mil for that???

No offense my man but I think I know the real reason you want this player.

He's an ok grinder. He's in no way an upgrade over Fehr and at that price point I'd easily take the bigger stronger player in Beagle.

As Hivemind said, bringing up career stats doesn't paint a great picture. He only emerged in his last two years in St Louis. Those two years he played at a 40 point pace, won 60% of his faceoffs, played nearly 2 minutes a game on the PK, and was in their top 3 forwards in possession both years. He's also been in 8 NHL fights, so don't assume his size means he's not tough. The guy's definitely a better option at 3C than anyone we've got under contract, and depending on what Fehr gets in the open market he might provide more bang for the buck than him too.

 

[Stewie G]

Fehr's shoulder might make the decision an easier one, assuming the Blues are open to a swap of rights.

 

[fedfed]

He's a career .32 ppg player who may not even want to play in NA anymore. He's also undersized (especially compared to the Caps players and how they are playing) and he's never once scored in double digits goals-wise.

Close to $3 mil for that???

No offense my man but I think I know the real reason you want this player.

He's an ok grinder. He's in no way an upgrade over Fehr and at that price point I'd easily take the bigger stronger player in Beagle.

Bring it on.

As far as I know, the only reason why I like players according to you is because they are Russian, but unfortunately Sobotka is Czech, so I gotta hate him...

 

[Stewie G]

Bring it on.

As far as I know, the only reason why I like players according to you is because they are Russian, but unfortunately Sobotka is Czech, so I gotta hate him...

He can't even be offensive right.

 

[Ajax1995]

Sort of. There commitment would be no more than the Capitals. They claiming team is allowed to demote him later in the season, but would have to once again put him on waivers. The Capitals would be allowed to directly assign him to the AHL if they were to then put a claim on him (though they don't have any additional waiver priority to do so). It's more or less like a Rule 5 pick in MLB. You don't have to keep them on your roster, but it's very unlikely you could subsequently assign them to the minors without another team (likely the original) claiming him.

Yeah I jumped over the details but I guess my point was that if the 2nd team attempted to send him down there is a 100% chance, IMO of course, that if someone didn't claim him before them the Caps would grab and and send him directly to Hershey. So for all intents and purposes you have to keep him in the NHL all season in order to keep him in your organization.

Thank you for explaining the details though.

 

[Roughing]

We don't get JVR without giving up Kuznetsov or Burakovsky.

I'd try anyone but those two. 1st rounder, Carrick, Vrana maybe. I'd at least pick up the phone.

Speedy RH goalscorer thats good on the walls. That's what they need for the second line. In other words, Patrick Sharp.

Yeah, that would work, too. He's $6M next year, a pending FA, and wasn't great this season so I dunno. Might be easier to obtain at least.

 

[BobRouse]

Bring it on.

As far as I know, the only reason why I like players according to you is because they are Russian, but unfortunately Sobotka is Czech, so I gotta hate him...

I was close at least

As Hivemind said, bringing up career stats doesn't paint a great picture. He only emerged in his last two years in St Louis. Those two years he played at a 40 point pace, won 60% of his faceoffs, played nearly 2 minutes a game on the PK, and was in their top 3 forwards in possession both years. He's also been in 8 NHL fights, so don't assume his size means he's not tough. The guy's definitely a better option at 3C than anyone we've got under contract, and depending on what Fehr gets in the open market he might provide more bang for the buck than him too.

Meh. The body of work doesn't impress me for the price tag. Also he clearly wants more $$ than that or else he would have stayed (either that or he just wanted to go play overseas since he hates America and kittens)

I'd prefer a 6'4 Eric Fehr or Jay Beagle being resigned over trying to convince an undersized player to come back to play in NA. He'll probably cost as much as Fehr and 2x as much as Beagle.

Caps are playing a different style of game. They want a different mold of player. They don't seem to want guys under 6'

This is all assuming he wants to come back to NA anyhow.

 

[Langway]

Speedy RH goalscorer thats good on the walls. That's what they need for the second line. In other words, Patrick Sharp.

I think they're going to have to draft that player or go cheaper because of their likely cap crunch this summer. Daniel Sprong could be that guy. Jack Roslovic could maybe be that guy in time. Colin White on the wing could also maybe be that guy. Certainly if Travis Konecny falls or even Nick Merkley (despite the low goal totals) they would fit pretty well. That player is not just needed for more dynamic 5-on-5 play but as an important piece in the PP setup. Alternatively, I'd give up a lot for TJ Oshie if that's one of STL's off-season shakeup moves. I've long liked Charlie Coyle as an option if he's available. If Cody Hodgson gets bought out maybe that's a value play. Hell, if Semin is bought out why not on a one-year deal?

If Brouwer continues to no-show I'd definitely move him and find a cheaper replacement. Even if they like his PKing and physicality it's very hard to justify paying him what he's going to want on his next contract given the light playoff record.

 

[Hivemind]

The only way Fehr signs for Sobotka money is if he either leaves money on the table or if his shoulder concerns are more significant than have been let on. Barring shoulder concerns, somebody is going to offer Fehr $4M per year.

If Brouwer continues to no-show I'd definitely move him and find a cheaper replacement. Even if they like his PKing and physicality it's very hard to justify paying him what he's going to want on his next contract given the light playoff record.

My only concern with ditching Brouwer is the complete lack of other RW options the team has. If you trade Brouwer, the only RW with NHL experience the team has under contract are Wilson, Burakovsky (who Trotz and MacLellan see as a center, long-term), Stanislav Galiev, and Chris Brown. Not exactly a confidence inspiring group. They'd have to make multiple additions from outside the club, and it would put them in a position of weakness in both contract and trade negotiations. And even with additions, it would be putting a ton of weight on the shoulders of younger players being put into key roles.

A trade during next season makes more sense to me. That way you can allow the younger guys to grow into the role and prove they're ready for additional responsibility before subtracting the closest thing to a proven option we have.

 

[txpd]

if the caps are unhappy with brouwer and want to move him, there is no pressure to do that until after they know if ward is staying or not.

 

[Langway]

Yeah, I think much of the reasoning in moving Brouwer would be in order to keep Ward. Ultimately maybe it comes down to term. Tough call but Brouwer is not part of the solution 5-on-5 even as a top six complementary player so it makes sense.

Burakovsky will play wherever they need him. They also have Vrana as an option if need be. The biggest thing would be adding PKing forwards given the potential losses of Brouwer/Fehr/Beagle. Those types are out there in the UFA market at fairly reasonable short-term prices every year, though, and if they can get a young one back with some upside for Brouwer I'd do it.

If the Cap really is set at $71.5M then they may be able to keep their RFAs plus Ward and maybe even Green if he's open to something around $5M. But they'd need to move Brouwer and probably Orlov to make it work. It's going to be a matter of priorities, flexibility and getting guys to take discounts however they go about the off-season.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

My only concern with ditching Brouwer is the complete lack of other RW options the team has. If you trade Brouwer, the only RW with NHL experience the team has under contract are Wilson, Burakovsky (who Trotz and MacLellan see as a center, long-term), Stanislav Galiev, and Chris Brown. Not exactly a confidence inspiring group. They'd have to make multiple additions from outside the club, and it would put them in a position of weakness in both contract and trade negotiations. And even with additions, it would be putting a ton of weight on the shoulders of younger players being put into key roles.

A trade during next season makes more sense to me. That way you can allow the younger guys to grow into the role and prove they're ready for additional responsibility before subtracting the closest thing to a proven option we have.

I mean, one of the top-6 RWs will almost assuredly be Burakovsky if Brouwer goes, despite the organization's long-term projection.

Barber also has to factor into the RW depth. No NHL experience, but likely ready to step in soon.

I get the feeling we'll see significant movement this summer, as BMac will want to further shape the team in his & Trotz's vision. Sharp is available. I'd guess Purcell is attainable. Stafford and Williams are UFA options. Kessel's always out there, but there would need to be significant salary retention. Burns is intriguing, but putting him on the PP1 pivot neutralizes his biggest weapon.

 

[fedfed]

I was close at least

Meh. The body of work doesn't impress me for the price tag. Also he clearly wants more $$ than that or else he would have stayed (either that or he just wanted to go play overseas since he hates America and kittens)

I'd prefer a 6'4 Eric Fehr or Jay Beagle being resigned over trying to convince an undersized player to come back to play in NA. He'll probably cost as much as Fehr and 2x as much as Beagle.

Caps are playing a different style of game. They want a different mold of player. They don't seem to want guys under 6'

This is all assuming he wants to come back to NA anyhow.

You didn't even know the nationality of a player you bashed. I'd think it was a Don Cherry impression, but it seems legit.

Do you really think that height is a determining factor of player choice by any sane NHL GM? What is it, basketball on ice?

Beagle will cost 2m+, book it. Close to Sobotka if not more. Fehr will cost 3.5-4m.

His agent didn't rule out his return, neither did his KHL GM.

 

[BobRouse]

You didn't even know the nationality of a player you bashed. I'd think it was a Don Cherry impression, but it seems legit.

Do you really think that height is a determining factor of player choice by any sane NHL GM? What is it, basketball on ice?

Beagle will cost 2m+, book it. Close to Sobotka if not more. Fehr will cost 3.5-4m.

His agent didn't rule out his return, neither did his KHL GM.

It begs the question of why he left in the first place?

Big people beat up little people. Height and weight do matter especially to the Caps it seems. They got rid of their only sub 6' player. Wanting to play a heavy game usually would go hand in hand in wanting bigger players.

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

Small players like Zucarello and Giordano who hide in the KHL never work out in the NHL.

 

[um]

It begs the question of why he left in the first place?
.

the blues brought in Stastny and pushed him out of the lineup, so they couldn't pay him fair value.

 

[Capitlols]

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC
Hearing free-agent F Artem Panarin, who led KHL champion St. Petersburg in scoring, is getting close to joining the Chicago Blackhawks.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC
Do believe CAL (as @reporterchris mentioned), MON & TOR were among those interested. Panarin liked the fit in CHI best.

 

[Calicaps]

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC
Hearing free-agent F Artem Panarin, who led KHL champion St. Petersburg in scoring, is getting close to joining the Chicago Blackhawks.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC
Do believe CAL (as @reporterchris mentioned), MON & TOR were among those interested. Panarin liked the fit in CHI best.

GTFO. This should not be allowed mid-playoffs.

 

[SimplySensational]

He's not going to be in the lineup until next year...

Also, **** GMBM, how the hell are the Capitals not interested in Panarin. Cheap depth scoring! NO THANKS!

 

[pman25]

Panarin replacement for Patrick Sharp?

Have to think Hawks move him and probably try to move Bickell to get below the cap

 

[SimplySensational]

Panarin replacement for Patrick Sharp?

Have to think Hawks move him and probably try to move Bickell to get below the cap

Get off the Patrick Sharp stuff. Its pointless. The Capitals are in cap hell too.

 

[Raikkonen]

Well... Brouwer is the oldest in top-6, right?

Ward is older, ofc, but can be sheltered with limited minutes in regular season And he's getting the job done.

@newPKguys: you need roster slots for that. Pity McClement resigned with Canes. Maybe Semin can play some PK?! Joking.

We don't know a couple of big salaries yet:

Holtby (obviously)
Kuznetsov (that's an interesting question)
Green (0 or 5+)

There is Chimmer who you don't want to send off yet probably, there is Latta who's under team's control, cheap and has potential, there's Wilson... Those guys aren't PK stars for sure. Riley Barber?!

Fehr and Beagle can PK. Also you can get more specialists at deadline 2016.

 

[Raikkonen]

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Burakovsky
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Chimera-Fehr-Ward
Laich-Latta-Beagle

AHL: Galiev, Barber, Vrana, Brown

Kind of the same meh?

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson/2RW
Hansen-HarryPotter-2RW/Wilson
Burakovsky-Fehr-Ward
Chimera-Latta-Beagle

This is after Laich and Brouwer traded. 8M+ freed from that. PK forwards are somewhat still there.

This all isn't looking like big roster turnover.

 

[BobRouse]

the blues brought in Stastny and pushed him out of the lineup, so they couldn't pay him fair value.

Close to $3 mil isn't fair value to a player who's never scored double digit goals? Begs the question of what he is exactly looking for then?

RE: Sharp

No. Declining 33-34 yo goal scoring winger making $6 million (and term) who brings no physical presence.

RE: Smaller players

Who said they can't be successful? If you have beef take it up with BMac and Trotz as they are the ones who seem to value bigger players more. The size of our roster is not some random chance or accident.

 

[artilector]

Lots of choices. Laich, Green, Brouwer, Beagle, perhaps Mojo and Fehr are various shades of expendable, but it depends on contract negotiations and what trades they can find to replace/upgrade these players.

IMO, ideally they find a way to remove Laich, a legit top-6 (R)W to trade for and then take it from there, as far as deciding who else they can keep.