Confirmed with Link: Mantha to Vegas for 2nd and 4th round picks

[alphabetical]

You only get so many retention slots. Would have been great to use this one to facilitate a big trade between two other teams where the money doesn't work out. Probably could have gotten a second for that alone.

Didn't Jersey just get a 6th to retain 1.125M$ on tanev? I don't think a second is the going market rate for that service.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

If we have 2 spots left to eat salary I would be looking at it for our UFAs or Dowd

 

[bacchist]

When I woke up today, the Caps didn't have a second round pick this year. Now they do. It's been a good day.

 

[mouser]

You only get so many retention slots. Would have been great to use this one to facilitate a big trade between two other teams where the money doesn't work out. Probably could have gotten a second for that alone.

No team has ever received a 2nd round pick for doing third team salary retention. The highest record so far is Arizona receiving a 3rd round pick for retaining on Kane last season, but that 3rd was four drafts in the future, 2026.

And it’s still an odd outlier, that maybe Chicago or the Rangers owed AZ a favor which increased the pick round.

 

[Hivemind]

I mean, the only other realistic guy they'd retain on is Dowd. I don't know why anyone's too worried about retention slots.

Because they can use those slots as a 3rd party to facilitate trades for other teams, and pick up "free" draft picks in the process. Moreover, this return was fine for a full price Mantha, but is pretty tepid for a 50% retention.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I’ll take it….didn't expect a 1st….feel lucky he bounced back and we recouped some value.


Now….

Sell it all!

 

[DWGie26]

I think GMBM wanted to go get some assets to do other deals. He knew he was going to retain on Mantha.

Fine to get the party started… we have several players to move. Edmundson, Patches (FLA?), Dowd for sure. Maybe TVR. I think we hold NAK. No on Beck unless he is part of a really interesting trade (top pair Dee or top 6 center).

I would not retain on Dowd, Edmundson, or Patches. All $2M or less and not worth taking retention. Let’s us take back another big Salary or two for expiring UFA’s and build more assets. Hopefully that is next move.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

The return and retention feels a bit doing-a-favorish to Vegas. But I guess this determines their direction for the TDL. No reason to keep Edmundson or Patches now, and you might as well listen intently on the RHDs and Dowd.

 

[RandyHolt]

A power forward? Who?

Thats how GMBM needs to sell him. Needed to sell him.

 

[DWGie26]

Yep… this direction was set a while ago. Move all the pending UFA’s. Dowd with best value.

Doesn’t mean we can’t compete. Next man up. Sounds like they want to play Miro. Lappy and McMichael and Protas continue to grow. Malenstyn in different role. Alexyev on defense.

 

[twabby]

I mean, sure. But they also couldn’t give him away last year and he started the year as a healthy scratch so they should also get some credit for rebuilding his value.

I mean yeah but they also let it get to the point where he was a negatively valued asset despite having positive impacts. It's nice that they recovered some of his value this season but they hardly maximized Mantha during his tenure in DC and that affected his trade value today.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Last retention spot saved for Dowd and then they revisit Kuzy in the offseason?

Aren’t there 3? We have one (Mantha), and it ends this summer.

I’m not sure what you’re driving at. OR I am missing someone?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I mean yeah but they also let it get to the point where he was a negatively valued asset despite having positive impacts. It's nice that they recovered some of his value this season but they hardly maximized Mantha during his tenure in DC and that affected his trade value today.

The player would have had to NOT been a disappointment in his time here for that to occur….

 

[Langway]

I'm not sure Dowd nets a first either. Maybe with Edmundson or TVR bundled, both at half price and taking a contract back (to flip). But alone, even at half price, it may be more like a two and a three.

Teams like Edmonton are likely aiming for more offensive impact if they add a forward, though they do seem like the best fit if not. NYR/COL are seemingly more interested in Wennberg/Henrique type centers. Hard to pay that price for even the best 4C unless they're viewed as a passable 3C. And unlike some it's not like Dowd is nails in the face-off circle so as a pure specialist it isn't perfect. He's solid but a first is a hefty price.

Guentzel will net a first. Hanifin should. Buchnevich should. That may be it, though, particularly since a number of teams are depleted from moving picks the last year or two. Edmonton should move theirs. Maybe Vegas. Dallas could. The Rangers should. There are future firsts but overall not a great landscape for netting that sort of return, esp. compared to a little while ago when it was thought most contenders might part with theirs.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I mean, sure. But they also couldn’t give him away last year and he started the year as a healthy scratch so they should also get some credit for rebuilding his value.

Nah. Let’s just all bitch about it.

That’s far more fun and cool!

 

[IafrateOvie34]

I mean, sure. But they also couldn’t give him away last year and he started the year as a healthy scratch so they should also get some credit for rebuilding his value.

That's an important way to look at it. Last year he wasn't worth anything. Great perspective.

 

[DWGie26]

I'm not sure Dowd nets a first either. Maybe with Edmundson or TVR bundled, both at half price and taking a contract back (to flip). But alone, even at half price, it may be more like a two and a three.

Teams like Edmonton are likely aiming for more offensive impact if they add a forward, though they do seem like the best fit if not. NYR/COL are seemingly more interested in Wennberg/Henrique type centers. Hard to pay that price for even the best 4C unless they're viewed as a passable 3C. And unlike some it's not like Dowd is nails in the face-off circle so as a pure specialist it isn't perfect. He's solid but a first is a hefty price.

Guentzel will net a first. Hanifin should. Buchnevich should. That may be it, though, particularly since a number of teams are depleted from moving picks the last year or two. Edmonton should move theirs. Maybe Vegas. Dallas could. The Rangers should. There are future firsts but overall not a great landscape for netting that sort of return, esp. compared to a little while ago when it was thought most contenders might part with theirs.

Every team competing for a cup needs a solid 4th line. There is no better than Dowd and he has another cheap year left. No retention. I might take a second for him just to free up roster spot to get younger. But i feel like he will be the last one moved. Mantha most important chip. Dowd the most valuable.

 

[Langway]

Certainly teams need trustworthy fourth lines but it's still something of a luxury item compared to defense or a higher impact offensive forward. There's no doubt interest but I'm skeptical it rises to the level of a first (at least a '24 first). I just think it's unlikely he's a team's top priority, as he's a finishing touch kind of piece. Maybe a team like EDM goes all-in, gets other business done and also adds him late for a '25 first. They probably should be that aggressive. But I'm not sure how many teams are in the same boat.

One note about Goodrow trade comparisons: SJS did send back a third to TBL along with Goodrow. That may be more the template for adding one.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I mean, sure. But they also couldn’t give him away last year and he started the year as a healthy scratch so they should also get some credit for rebuilding his value.

Nah. Let’s just all bitch about it.

Would anyone disappointed we didn't get a first for Mantha want to trade a first for a Mantha?

LOL. Right. Let’s see how this rolls!

 

[Ridley Simon]

Thats how GMBM needs to sell him. Needed to sell him.

Yeah but —

These aren’t random people off the street that you are selling a skittish Mustang to.

These other dudes (GM’s) are PAID to understand these different players. It’s kinda hard to “sell” them in anything that isn’t remotely true.

I mean yeah but they also let it get to the point where he was a negatively valued asset despite having positive impacts. It's nice that they recovered some of his value this season but they hardly maximized Mantha during his tenure in DC and that affected his trade value today.

So….none of that is on the actual player/individual? They are all products of their environment?

We really don’t believe that, do we?

 

[Ridley Simon]

Certainly teams need trustworthy fourth lines but it's still something of a luxury item compared to defense or a higher impact offensive forward. There's no doubt interest but I'm skeptical it rises to the level of a first (at least a '24 first). I just think it's unlikely he's a team's top priority, as he's a finishing touch kind of piece. Maybe a team like EDM goes all-in, gets other business done and also adds him late for a '25 first. They probably should be that aggressive. But I'm not sure how many teams are in the same boat.

One note about Goodrow trade comparisons: SJS did send back a third to TBL along with Goodrow. That may be more the template for adding one.

I’d rather a ‘25 1st than a ‘24 1st, easily.

So— let that be so. Make it happen, @Langway

 

[DWGie26]

Certainly teams need trustworthy fourth lines but it's still something of a luxury item compared to defense or a higher impact offensive forward. There's no doubt interest but I'm skeptical it rises to the level of a first (at least a '24 first). I just think it's unlikely he's a team's top priority, as he's a finishing touch kind of piece. Maybe a team like EDM goes all-in, gets other business done and also adds him late for a '25 first. They probably should be that aggressive. But I'm not sure how many teams are in the same boat.

One note about Goodrow trade comparisons: SJS did send back a third to TBL along with Goodrow. That may be more the template for adding one.

He is our best trade chip. Teams want him. We don’t have to move him.

Without Dowd we are 6 center deep (including Sutter and Protas). And Sgarbossa, Rybinski, and Hofer behind them which is hopefully not needed.

So i am creating demand on a cheap player locked in for next year (cheap). May be last piece to fall. Teams will swing big and miss and then overpay for a guy like Dowd. Good to move Mantha early.

 

[Devil Dancer]

I'm not excited by the return, but before the season started I'd have been shocked to get a 2nd for Mantha so I'll take it as a win.

 

[trick9]

Great deal.

I was expecting a 2nd. 2nd + 4th is ideal return. Wingers aren't valued that high.

 

[Holtbyisms]

The return is a bit more underwhelming for the Capitals, considering what a low-key good addition Mantha has the potential to be. The Guenztel market may hold up the winger market, but there are a lot of teams looking for a boost so it seems like Washington could have pushed for more especially since they were willing to retain salary.

Golden Knights grade: A-

Capitals grade: C