Speculation: Caps Hockey General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2017-18 Regular Season Edition

[BiPolar Caps]

Do you trade Bura after G7?

His stock is rising. I would. We know he has obvious talent, but he has a fragile psyche and he's a light weight when it comes to the physical side of the game ala board battles. Andre, thanks for your service.

 

[Calicaps]

Do you trade Bura after G7?

TBD. As our bandwagon Oiler fan noted, a clutch performance like he had could change the whole trajectory of his career. See how he does this series, the evaluate.

 

[RandyHolt]

Bura goes crazy about every once every 10-20 games, and its good for 1-4 games. He's hardly alone with that inconsistency. Perhaps injuries are in play with him more than we know. Any player not doing what we expect every night....

 

[Blitzkrieg365]

Might not be the right place to ask this, but does anyone know where I can pickup the red classic alternate jersey the Caps we're wearing before the adidas deal?

 

[Red Dread]

I'm personally looking for the jersey/t shirt of the WC 2015. Fav Caps jersey.

 

[Corby78]

IRGT Bura. Right now I would still say yes. This offseason is again going to be about managing the cap and keeping a couple key guys. While I wish Bura the best I don't think he makes the cut. Don't forget this is the guy who has missed much of these playoffs, so one good game is not enough. Hopefully this is one of his hot streaks and he has a really good couple games in the finals helping us to victory. But I don't think he is a smart piece for next years squad.

 

[Langway]

Re: Bura, I think it still depends in part on the offer but also what their overall plans are. Do they manage to move Orpik? Can Kempny fit reasonably? Too many variables to say just yet but if they could net strong value there's a good case for it. Stephenson's rise and Vrana jumping him in the system allows for them to seriously consider it either way.

 

[Raikkonen]

On the other hand, Wilson's contract got to be north of 4M already, right?

In case Caps need cap space Bura is certainly 2nd in line (after Orpik) to be cleared.

 

[Raikkonen]

Also. A simple win in SCF could do wonders to this roster. Caps could get a rather young team with all the pieces and the confidence they CAN WIN it again. The knowledge how to do it will be there for the remainder of Ovi's career.

Along with Kuzy and Holtby. And rather young D core. And Backstrom will turn 31 only next season.

Win it - and you can burn some more high draft picks to fuel playoff runs every Spring.

They need 4 wins.

 

[Langway]

Yes indeed. Even if they win they ought to attack the off-season as though they want to at least maximize their chances for further success in Ovechkin's remaining three seasons under contract. Win it all and it should remove any doubt that 8/19 will be lifers. You'd think either way that Leonsis will pay up for Trotz (he paid up for Scott Brooks with a lot less justification) and do what it takes to lock up Carlson & Wilson. There will be losses. It could be Grubauer, Orpik & Burakovsky along with UFAs Beagle and perhaps Kempny. Those two UFAs will be the toughest to hash out on a team-friendly basis IMO. Winning it would not only give the know-how for the rest of Ovechkin's career but also for younger guys Orlov, Kuznetsov, Wilson, Vrana and Stephenson as mature credible leaders. Overall, like I mentioned in the draft thread, it should give confidence, clarity and decisiveness to the front office overall in terms of their organizational identity and what it takes. It would be massive. Even the younger guys that aren't playing just following along and seeing all it takes can take a lot of lessons away and be motivated in the off-season to strive to be the next man up. There could be some risk in backing off, relaxing organizationally and just turning things over to youth that maybe won't entirely have the goods when it comes to Djoos, Bowey and perhaps Boyd as an NHL center. But they can also rightly stop sweating the regular season so long as the internals are on track and be more open to take some chances on youth, esp. in depth roles, with eventual trades as Plan Bs if it doesn't work out.

The coaching market is interesting. Everyone that fired someone has already made their hires (CGY with Peters, CAR with Brind'Amour, DAL with Montgomery & NYR with Quinn). The Islanders with Lou probably will end up making a change IMO but does anyone else enter the market? Does Boudreau stay in Minnesota under Fenton? Vigneault is out there for someone, perhaps the Islanders, but the lack of widespread openings should further help the Caps in not just retaining Trotz but the rest of the staff for now.

 

[895]

If we win, Beagle will get paid by some team looking for that mythical cup winner leadership. He won't deserve what he gets but I'll be happy for him on a personal level.

 

[Raikkonen]

IIRC Beagle is good old Canadian boy and he could take a discount to stay.

There is not much leverage he has now. Beagle is 32, we have Boyd and Stephenson. Either he wants to stay and signs some reasonable 2 year deal or he's gone, yeah.

Also, everybody knows the mythical leadership came from 8 and 70

PS: Signing Eller early gives GMBM time and flexibility. And Eller's contract looks good now (besides him being 3rd Euro center on the team obviously).

PPS: PK will suffer without our only right handed FO specialist and Orpik. Another factor to consider.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Might not be the right place to ask this, but does anyone know where I can pickup the red classic alternate jersey the Caps we're wearing before the adidas deal?

E-Bay has a gazillion jerseys. Many are used, but that doesn’t really matter with the type of fabric they are made of. Also can get used ones really cheap.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Yes indeed. Even if they win they ought to attack the off-season as though they want to at least maximize their chances for further success in Ovechkin's remaining three seasons under contract. Win it all and it should remove any doubt that 8/19 will be lifers. You'd think either way that Leonsis will pay up for Trotz (he paid up for Scott Brooks with a lot less justification) and do what it takes to lock up Carlson & Wilson. There will be losses. It could be Grubauer, Orpik & Burakovsky along with UFAs Beagle and perhaps Kempny. Those two UFAs will be the toughest to hash out on a team-friendly basis IMO. Winning it would not only give the know-how for the rest of Ovechkin's career but also for younger guys Orlov, Kuznetsov, Wilson, Vrana and Stephenson as mature credible leaders. Overall, like I mentioned in the draft thread, it should give confidence, clarity and decisiveness to the front office overall in terms of their organizational identity and what it takes. It would be massive. Even the younger guys that aren't playing just following along and seeing all it takes can take a lot of lessons away and be motivated in the off-season to strive to be the next man up. There could be some risk in backing off, relaxing organizationally and just turning things over to youth that maybe won't entirely have the goods when it comes to Djoos, Bowey and perhaps Boyd as an NHL center. But they can also rightly stop sweating the regular season so long as the internals are on track and be more open to take some chances on youth, esp. in depth roles, with eventual trades as Plan Bs if it doesn't work out.

The coaching market is interesting. Everyone that fired someone has already made their hires (CGY with Peters, CAR with Brind'Amour, DAL with Montgomery & NYR with Quinn). The Islanders with Lou probably will end up making a change IMO but does anyone else enter the market? Does Boudreau stay in Minnesota under Fenton? Vigneault is out there for someone, perhaps the Islanders, but the lack of widespread openings should further help the Caps in not just retaining Trotz but the rest of the staff for now.

What a difference a playoff run makes, eh?

Caps future looks bright. Will be glaringly so if they can win this Cup. Would allow a multiple championship 5yr window, I think.

Add to the current youth (that’s playing lights out), they are adding a LOT to Hershey right now. Mainly F’s and the G to add to the already swollen D pipeline. It’s just impressive.

GMBM and co have done an absolutely terrific job. Trotz is leading the team in ways many of us did not expect. He should be back, 100%...assuming that’s what he wants. If not, it’s Reirden’s show. It will be eventually anyway, IMO, just depends when eventually happens.

The entire program is in a really good place. As good as it’s ever been. The playoff success has hightlighted all of their strengths. Which is markedly different than the 98 team. That was a one hit wonder, and you knew it. Not so with this group.

 

[stanleycaps18]

I think the off season will be a success if they can move Orpik, who has clearly shown he has something left in the tank, to a place like Buffalo for a 2nd round pick. He can show leadership to a young defensive corps, and the Caps open up cap-space and a slot on the 3rd pair. They have the bodies to replace him on the team currently.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I think the off season will be a success if they can move Orpik, who has clearly shown he has something left in the tank, to a place like Buffalo for a 2nd round pick. He can show leadership to a young defensive core, and the Caps open up cap-space and a slot on the 3rd pair. They have the bodies to replace him on the team currently.

100% they do. In spades. And that’s assuming they don’t keep Kempny or Jerabek. My dream next few months (until October)
-Caps win the Cup
-Caps resign Carlson
-Caps resign Wilson
-Caps resign Kempny
-Caps resign DSP
-Caps resign Jerebek
-Caps trade Orpik for a draft pick
-Caps trade Grubauer for futures
-Caps trade Burakovsky for futures

8-92-43
13-19-77
18-20-10
63-x-25
x-x

2-9
6-74
29-x
22-x

70
x

X’s Are filled with either youth, or speedy vets. Even signing Carlson to 8m/yr and Wilson to 4m/yr, they should have some salary space left over. Plenty to fil in gaps where need be. They’d have a pretty stocked cupboard in Hershey, and they’d have all the draft picks from this year, as well as futures from Orpik, Grubauer, Burakovsky deals.

BOOM. And candidly, it’s highly doable, IMO. Hardest part is the first bullet point.

4 more W’s!!!!

 

[Langway]

Bowey will need waivers next fall so I'm not sure they'll want Jerabek back. We'll see on Burakovsky, how he finishes and the value he carries. 4C and a S@Her that offsets the potential shedding of Orpik's contract stick out as priorities, though that's subject to change depending on how the SCF goes. AJF & Gersich could battle it out for the 4LW spot, with AJF's assignment clause and PK ability giving him the edge. Not only would a Cup win up the value of everyone involved but it should also give them more favorable circumstances not just negotiating with their free agents but other depth free agents looking for the opportunity to win. Paying up for Trotz will be the other priority of course and, like I said, if they paid that much for Scott Brooks then it'll be way more justifiable doing so for Trotz (esp. if they prevail).

 

[Raikkonen]

Orpik is the player you want to have (at cheaper cost surely). No Orpik means Djoos-Bowey. And Orlov as main PK LD. Asking for trouble.

I mean there is s chance he stays. Getting #2 for him sounds fantastic.

 

[um]

Orpik is the player you want to have (at cheaper cost surely). No Orpik means Djoos-Bowey. And Orlov as main PK LD. Asking for trouble.

I mean there is s chance he stays. Getting #2 for him sounds fantastic.

We should learn from this season that you need to give guys a chance to grow into new roles, I'm sure Orlov can handle 1PK and Kempny/Djoos/Johansen/Bowey can handle 2PK. If not you get a D at the deadline.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Watch Orpik see out his contract....people would lose it....

I’m all for letting guys step up, but for Orpik’s role you need a certain level of physicality, stature, and snarl....that’s not often taught or groomed. Add to that the willingness to throw yourself in front of anything coming at you. I don’t see anyone young that brings anything close to those things....

Niskanen is the next best then 74.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Watch Orpik see out his contract....people would lose it....

I’m all for letting guys step up, but for Orpik’s role you need a certain level of physicality, stature, and snarl....that’s not often taught or groomed. Add to that the willingness to throw yourself in front of anything coming at you. I don’t see anyone young that brings anything close to those things....

Niskanen is the next best then 74.

It’s not that I really want Orpik gone. I like him, and have always defended him and his contract.

But if they are going to keep Carlson and Wilson, they will need to shed some salary. I don’t think Burakovsky and Grubauer is enough (and that’s assuming they want to even shed Burakovsky....they may not).

 

[Calicaps]

I wonder if they don’t give Orpik an option, especially if they take home the Cup: get traded out for your last year or retire and get paid a good chunk o’ change to coach up our more physical D prospects.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

It’s not that I really want Orpik gone. I like him, and have always defended him and his contract.

But if they are going to keep Carlson and Wilson, they will need to shed some salary. I don’t think Burakovsky and Grubauer is enough (and that’s assuming they want to even shed Burakovsky....they may not).

Would be funny if they moved him only to reacquire him at the deadline...

 

[Jbwest31]

Capitals are good!