Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2018-19 We Are The Champions Edition - Pt. 2

[hockeykicker]

Oh well, not like he was doing anything here lately anyways

 

[895]

Did Holtby fix himself or did Korn say/do anything?

 

[Calicaps]

womp wooomp

Bummer. But oh well. In BMac we trust!

 

[hockeykicker]

Did Holtby fix himself or did Korn say/do anything?

We dont even know if korn was ever in dc until the end of the year. Maybe he came up and we didnt know about it. But at end of day its not like holtby would forget whatever korn taught him

 

[Calicaps]

We dont even know if korn was ever in dc until the end of the year. Maybe he came up and we didnt know about it. But at end of day its not like holtby would forget whatever korn taught him

I’m bummed more about Samsonov’s development, but to your point it’s also not as if Murray forgot everything Korn taught him either.

In the end, Mitch is the goalie whisperer which is tough to lose, but he’s also mostly retired, so he’s wasnt gonna be around a whole lot anyway.

 

[hockeykicker]

I’m bummed more about Samsonov’s development, but to your point it’s also not as if Murray forgot everything Korn taught him either.

In the end, Mitch is the goalie whisperer which is tough to lose, but he’s also mostly retired, so he’s wasnt gonna be around a whole lot anyway.

Well korn did have two offseasons with Samsonov. Worked with him in the development camp. Plus kolzig still here too

 

[Thrasymachus]

Hey guys sorry Korn followed Trotz. Isles owners are spending a lot of money on hockey ops and it’s freaking us islander fans out

If it makes you feel any better, I’d rather have won the cup last year

Anything about Korn islander fans ought to know? It sounds like he is mostly gonna be a consultant, being semi-retired and all

Cheers and Gl this upcoming season

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Screw you Korn!

 

[hockeykicker]

Hey guys sorry Korn followed Trotz. Isles owners are spending a lot of money on hockey ops and it’s freaking us islander fans out

If it makes you feel any better, I’d rather have won the cup last year

Anything about Korn islander fans ought to know? It sounds like he is mostly gonna be a consultant, being semi-retired and all

Cheers and Gl this upcoming season

Pretty much what you said, he will do the summer camps, then relax in Florida for most of year and then come back up for playoffs. Now thats what he did in dc, but since hes retired that might be the same path

 

[trick9]

Hey guys sorry Korn followed Trotz. Isles owners are spending a lot of money on hockey ops and it’s freaking us islander fans out

If it makes you feel any better, I’d rather have won the cup last year

Anything about Korn islander fans ought to know? It sounds like he is mostly gonna be a consultant, being semi-retired and all

Cheers and Gl this upcoming season

Good influence to have around your every-day goalie coach but he has one leg on retirement already.

 

[BondraEra]

Was just randomly thinking about how good Orlov has gotten. That is all.

 

[Calicaps]

Was just randomly thinking about how good Orlov has gotten. That is all.

Been rewatching the run, basically on continuous loop, and heard Jones talking about Orlov during an intermission in ECF Game 1. Big praise. He really came into his own this year.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[Brian23]

I thought they called Korn in during Holtby's big fall off in February and had him working directly with him to "fix" the issue.

I still believe it was an issue of fatigue, the only thing losing Korn sucks about is who'll be developing Samsonov. But to be fair, if he's going to be good I'm not sure the Goalie Coach is gonna be the reason he fails or succeeds.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Crosby looks like he's not allowed within 500 yards of schools.

 

[Calicaps]

Crosby looks like he's not allowed within 500 yards of schools.

 

[Ridley Simon]

So now that Tom terrific is back. What cap space do we have left?

I think it’s like 1.1m. And that’s with a FULL team. 21 skaters and 2 G. So any addition would push someone out. I can see a better back up G now...

Take out Copley...and we have 1.7-1.8m to play with. Lehtonen at 1.25-1.5m. I think that will happen. Would leave 300-500k in wiggle room w a full roster. Send down another player and it’s more like .9m to 1.2m in carried space.

That could become a good adder at the TDL. Assuming no LTIR etc.

In GMBM we trust!!!

 

[artilector]

So now that Tom terrific is back. What cap space do we have left?

I think it’s like 1.1m. And that’s with a FULL team. 21 skaters and 2 G. So any addition would push someone out. I can see a better back up G now...

Take out Copley...and we have 1.7-1.8m to play with. Lehtonen at 1.25-1.5m. I think that will happen. Would leave 300-500k in wiggle room w a full roster. Send down another player and it’s more like .9m to 1.2m in carried space.

That could become a good adder at the TDL. Assuming no LTIR etc.

In GMBM we trust!!!

Yep, capfriendly shows 1,1M.

As far as a better backup G, I think the Caps can pretty safely wait until the deadline to pick one up, if need be.

 

[Langway]

A camp PTO for a Letestu, Shore, Vermette or Stajan makes a lot of sense IMO. For now I like AJF-Stephenson-DSP as the fourth-line but they're on the record as liking Stephenson better on the wing. I don't think they've yet made an addition where that's sensible, though.

The one concern about bringing in an established guy to back up is I wouldn't rule out Samsonov's rookie season being somewhat similar to Vasilevskiy's. He played 25 games in the AHL but also 16 in the NHL and then four playoff games. He didn't play in the NHL until December, in part because they had Nabokov only to flame out--and he won't play in the playoffs but I wouldn't rule out him getting NHL games next season at some point. I'm not sure they'll want to outright block that with Lehtonen. It does make sense to upgrade over Copley but a softer trade like Montoya or Pickard/Sparks could make a little more sense.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Yep, capfriendly shows 1,1M.

As far as a better backup G, I think the Caps can pretty safely wait until the deadline to pick one up, if need be.

I’m not advocating signing just anyone. Lehtonen would be a really nice pick up. I’m high on him with his last year amd at the cost. He’s well worth 1.3ish.

 

[hockeykicker]

A camp PTO for a Letestu, Shore, Vermette or Stajan makes a lot of sense IMO. For now I like AJF-Stephenson-DSP as the fourth-line but they're on the record as liking Stephenson better on the wing. I don't think they've yet made an addition where that's sensible, though.

The one concern about bringing in an established guy to back up is I wouldn't rule out Samsonov's rookie season being somewhat similar to Vasilevskiy's. He played 25 games in the AHL but also 16 in the NHL and then four playoff games. He didn't play in the NHL until December, in part because they had Nabokov only to flame out--and he won't play in the playoffs but I wouldn't rule out him getting NHL games next season at some point. I'm not sure they'll want to outright block that with Lehtonen. It does make sense to upgrade over Copley but a softer trade like Montoya or Pickard/Sparks could make a little more sense.

but then who loses their roster spot through waivers? likely means we lose travis boyd or nathan walker. now do we need them? hard to say

 

[Calicaps]

A camp PTO for a Letestu, Shore, Vermette or Stajan makes a lot of sense IMO. For now I like AJF-Stephenson-DSP as the fourth-line but they're on the record as liking Stephenson better on the wing. I don't think they've yet made an addition where that's sensible, though.

The one concern about bringing in an established guy to back up is I wouldn't rule out Samsonov's rookie season being somewhat similar to Vasilevskiy's. He played 25 games in the AHL but also 16 in the NHL and then four playoff games. He didn't play in the NHL until December, in part because they had Nabokov only to flame out--and he won't play in the playoffs but I wouldn't rule out him getting NHL games next season at some point. I'm not sure they'll want to outright block that with Lehtonen. It does make sense to upgrade over Copley but a softer trade like Montoya or Pickard/Sparks could make a little more sense.

I’m conflicted RE: 18. I want him at C, but I worry that 4th line wastes him.

 

[Langway]

but then who loses their roster spot through waivers? likely means we lose travis boyd or nathan walker. now do we need them? hard to say

Maybe both but if they can't beat out AJF and a 4C PTO wins the spot in camp then I wouldn't worry about it. Stephenson cleared last fall and he was a better player.

Stephenson is going to be blocked from the top nine either way and at least if he's 4C there could be the potential for more of an energy line with pace. They're not going to get much of that with any of the 4C options left and if they add a specialist 4C they'd be more likely to just bury that line defensively again. Whereas if AJF shows he's ready maybe it's more of a legit two-way energy line instead. I'd still entertain the idea of a FO/PK specialist as an option because the competition would be healthy and maybe they do like that type of usage to free up other lines. Ideally, though, I'd just give Eller heavier defensive responsibility in the short-term and try to develop Pinho & Pilon into that role organizationally.

 

[Ridley Simon]

A camp PTO for a Letestu, Shore, Vermette or Stajan makes a lot of sense IMO. For now I like AJF-Stephenson-DSP as the fourth-line but they're on the record as liking Stephenson better on the wing. I don't think they've yet made an addition where that's sensible, though.

The one concern about bringing in an established guy to back up is I wouldn't rule out Samsonov's rookie season being somewhat similar to Vasilevskiy's. He played 25 games in the AHL but also 16 in the NHL and then four playoff games. He didn't play in the NHL until December, in part because they had Nabokov only to flame out--and he won't play in the playoffs but I wouldn't rule out him getting NHL games next season at some point. I'm not sure they'll want to outright block that with Lehtonen. It does make sense to upgrade over Copley but a softer trade like Montoya or Pickard/Sparks could make a little more sense.

I get the Samsanov piece. That certainly convolutes things a bit. That said, Ilya has already talked about being nervous for the transition to NA hockey, and I think thrusting him into an even higher role may be an issue. Especially if a G gets hurt. Let’s say 70 needs 5-10 games off (or god help us...more?). Copley/Samsanov pairing....especially if Ilya is shakey and needs time to adapt to NA?

Ugh.

Guy like Lehtonen insulates you from that. Still can call up Samsanov...but to be the spot guy. Not THE guy. Goalies are a weird group. Don’t want to burst Ilya’s NA bubble with a “too soon” moment. Especially without our G whisperer Korn on call. No cavalry to call in.

If they can sign Lehtonen for 1.5 or under, be silly not too. If come TDL, Ilya is in the right place....then send Kari out and move on.

Edit — and as far as the vet F. Sure....if space allows. I’d much rather the Lehtonen thing I just mentioned (and there were rumours to the effect we were testing that out)...but if not, then a guy like Letestu in particular sound appealing. Shore and Vermette too. Candidly, they could easily do both g and F...if the vet F was at 1m. Would work under the cap no problem when swapping out another F to give that vet F a roster spot.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Ok...dust is settling.

1.1m left.

Whats next???