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

[CapitalsCupReality]

Heard a report from Alan May that Backstrom might be out for the start of the regular season rehabbing the hip that he had surgery on. I think that this will have an effect on the moves that the Caps are trying to pull off. If we lose Backstrom for any period of time the center depth is back to where we were last season. I think that with that in mind they look at a player like Backes. Someone who can play the center spot while Backstrom is out to give us Kuzy and Backes then when Nicky comes back he can slot in at 1RW. That gives the Caps the ability to let Nicky fully recover with no need to rush back. Plus Backes can be used in his spot on the PK while Kuzy takes his spot on the PP.

I still want to know why Backstrom was golfing right before surgery.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Backes is cheaper, younger, more productive, and I think the PK ability is better than what Sharp can bring. I am on board for Backes more so than I am Sharp think he is a better fit for the system and the team

Backes would be more expensive to acquire IMO.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[hockeykicker]

so who are we looking at then? unless caps are sort of interested then sneak out of nowhere

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

so who are we looking at then? unless caps are sort of interested then sneak out of nowhere

It would be funny if no one bailed the Hawks out of trouble by taking Sharp off their hands. I'd like to have Sharp here, but seeing the Hawks struggle for once would be nice.

 

[Capitlols]

so who are we looking at then? unless caps are sort of interested then sneak out of nowhere

We like our team.

 

[Langway]

I'd guess they're looking at actual hockey trades that are fairly salary neutral (or trades that have a net impact of being mostly neutral). Failing that they're trying to close on the somewhat realistic re-signs in Fehr/Beagle if it can be done reasonably in order to at least sustain their center depth.

 

[artilector]

I'm just waiting for the outcome.

Need some actual moves to feed decent speculation

 

[SpinningEdge]

I'm surprised no one is mentioning MSL.

He has a cup, would only be a one year deal (where hopefully Wilson, Burro, or Bowey could develop and be future top line RW), is coming off a decent season, and is a natural RW.

We've seen how many assists he gets when he passed to Stamkos - could you imagine him and Backstrom feeding the puck to Ovi? WOW.

He will only go to a contender as he's 40 now, will probably only sign a 1 year or so deal, won't have to give anyone up to get him, and he'd probably be pretty cheap.

Ovi - Backstrom - MSL
Burro - Kuzy - veteran top 6 via trade

That's not a bad top 6.

Thoughts?

 

[Raikkonen]

Good source from Russia claims Plotnikov will sign with Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, GMBM better not give Beagle+Fehr more than 4,5M.

 

[MW6]

I'm surprised no one is mentioning MSL.

He has a cup, would only be a one year deal (where hopefully Wilson, Burro, or Bowey could develop and be future top line RW), is coming off a decent season, and is a natural RW.

We've seen how many assists he gets when he passed to Stamkos - could you imagine him and Backstrom feeding the puck to Ovi? WOW.

He will only go to a contender as he's 40 now, will probably only sign a 1 year or so deal, won't have to give anyone up to get him, and he'd probably be pretty cheap.

Ovi - Backstrom - MSL
Burro - Kuzy - veteran top 6 via trade

That's not a bad top 6.

Thoughts?

I like the idea of MSL! I'm just not sure he's right for the 1st line?

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Backes
Burakovsky-Backstrom-St.Louis
Frolik-Sutter-Fehr
Chimera-Beagle-Wilson

Pp1: Ovie, Carlson, Backes, Backstrom, Kuznetsov
Pp2: Ovie, Niskanen, Fehr, Burakovsky, St. Louis

Brouwer for Sutter (similar contracts)
Johansson+ for Backes (UFA after next season)
St. Louis 2yr @3M
Laich for cap space

 

[hockeykicker]

Serious question. What in the playoffs showed that msl had anything left in the tank?

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Only problem with MSL is he will probably demand more then what a 40 year old is worth.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

MSL is totally done. Absolutely not.

 

[Langway]

Good source from Russia claims Plotnikov will sign with Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, GMBM better not give Beagle+Fehr more than 4,5M.

Their Guys are Their Guys, tho.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

MSL is totally done. Absolutely not.

I'd consider him a last resort, if we have no other moves and desperate.

 

[Stewie G]

I'm going out on a limb and calling Semin as the under the radar acquisition, as long as they can make the deal salary cap neutral. Putting him in Brouwer's spot on the PP would be lethal.

Orpik can take away his Coke if he starts to get out of line.

 

[Capitlols]

Good lord, Semin is still speculated around here?

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Good lord, Semin is still speculated around here?

That's what happens when you gut the roster of talent.

 

[Capitlols]

That's what happens when you gut the roster of talent.

Except Semin won't alleviate the talent woes.

 

[Hivemind]

Except Semin won't alleviate the talent woes.

There are plenty of ways people can bash Semin. Claiming he isn't talented is not one of them.

 

[strungout]

He WAS talented.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Except Semin won't alleviate the talent woes.

Correct. Either have to pony up and pay for a legit guy, or keep our picks/prospects and be patient until their producing and staying in the line up.

 

[strungout]

So what hockey trades are out there to make...in terms of teams looking to move players just to move them?

I keep looking at Edmonton and someone like Purcell. Not ideal...but might not cost much to get him. Maybe get them to add Hendricks...I'd love to get him back.

Would the Wild move Niederreiter?

 

[Langway]

Maybe the last day to move Green's rights for something given that teams can talk to agents starting tomorrow. I suppose a team like Edmonton might still want to try to aggressively close if their initial interest in well received, though the lure of hitting the market might be too much at this point.

I'd think Minnesota would want to move Vanek out of anyone, though he has a NMC. If they retained some salary and took Brouwer it would kinda sorta make sense. Right shot, good deflection guy. Motor is questionable but the Caps aren't exactly high octane anyway.