Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2021-22 Season Part 8: Off-season Edition

[g00n]

I'm following @twabby 's "sell high" logic and saying now is the PERFECT time to move Carlson for a king's ransom.

 

[trick9]

Even so it's still a large number at that position for them. I tend to think they'd rather move Sammy when the goalie market is hot and use even the LTIR space on other improvements, if they nab a true #1.

I don't really think the market is hot for Sammy... struggling Russian goalie isn't exactly the hottest asset right now. That could change if Sabres miss out on everyone and are looking for a tandem goalie. But i don't really see the fit there.

 

[Langway]

I doubt they'll pay too much another defenseman, although not shutting the door on Schultz's return makes you wonder. According to The Metrics, Marc Staal is coming off of a fairly strong season. He could be a passable stopgap. Subban will likely price himself out but Colin Miller could perhaps fit. Lyubushkin. Maatta. Stralman. Ian Cole seems like the sort of vet they'd target.

Up front in terms of value I like Dylan Strome, Stastny, Stepan, Jarnkrok, Athanasiou, Kubalik, Vatrano, Rodrigues, Lazar, Leivo or Kase as far as value plays go. Maybe buy low on a Gurianov trade. I think overall if they're not spending all that much it may be best to see what they've got internally more or less. Rather than spread it around more equally they probably should target one particular spot of most need and run the risk at the other. Under the circumstances I think that more likely leads to going cheaper on D and giving Johansen a legit shot to prove himself. And instead spending more up front to make due while Wilson is out.

 

[HeyMattyB]

lolol meanwhile I'm pulling for the Caps to acquire Puljujarvi for no other reason than to test the analytics that say, despite his flaws, he's an underrated support player who could fill a glaring need for this team. Show me what u got, fancy stats. I want to believe!

 

[895]

Supposedly Malkin wants 4x6m and Pens only want to give him 3x6m.


I am 100% okay with giving Malkin 4x7m. He will get injured sure but thst just gives McMichael a chance. As long as we shut him down in time for him to be ready for the playoffs, I am on board with Malkin.

 

[DWGie26]

We have to move someone. Eller is one that makes most sense. JC74 is the biggest impact and I do think he has value But then you have to replace him. Sammy makes sense to move. Anyone else outside of that would be shocking to me. Could move one of our younger players like AJF, Leason, Protas who have some value but that would have to be in concert with other moves Because they give us good cap flexiblity.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

Given the uncertainty regarding Nicky potentially returning during the RS, what are the chances the team waits until sometime during the season - either Nov-Dec or at the deadline - to make some of the necessary moves? There are holes that need to be filled by the time the season begins - a starting keeper and another forward to cover for LTIR guys. Maybe bring in a decent 3/4 d to lessen the load on Fever. (I'd prefer not re-signing Schultz unless the price and term are beneficial.) Moving (or penciling) out Hags and moving Eller will create opportunities to see what Hershey guys can do on the big stage. Bank some of the cap savings to make hockey trades in late fall or TDL acquisitions. Is there any Eastern team that didn't make the playoffs that'll displace the Caps from that final playoff spot? I'm hard-pressed to identify any strong competition among those eight. Caps would have to tread water for the first half of the season or so, and by then they should have a better handle on Nick's possible readiness (as well as Wilson returning). They'd have a good read on their Hershey young'uns, CMM & Fever's continued development, and where to put their assets to upgrade the team for the loffs.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Eller really should be traded else Lavi will have him as our second like center by the second period of game 1 of the season.

 

[pman25]

I really don’t mind Johansson back on a one year deal. He fit in quite well, I thought his play was solid. That’s if they decide to go the dumpster diving route to fill out the forwards. Fill in the rest with young guns

I think Justin Schultz was always here as John Carlson insurance, or that was the idea of him at least. Colin Miller might be a sneaky cheap pick up to fill that role. He can shoot it pretty hard

 

[twabby]

Is there any Eastern team that didn't make the playoffs that'll displace the Caps from that final playoff spot? I'm hard-pressed to identify any strong competition among those eight.

I wonder about if the Islanders will bounce back at all. Losing Trotz hurts, but losing Chara will help them. They also were hit pretty hard by COVID immediately after their season opening road-trip and they never really got off on the right foot. I could see Sorokin carrying them to a WC spot even if their forwards leave much to be desired.

The Devils are probably still a year away but if they get a goalie I could see them competing for a WC spot if a few things break their way. If they are relying on Vanecek to be their guy it's hard for me to see them competing this year, even if their underlying numbers last year were respectable.

Other than those two teams it's hard to see anyone else making the postseason that didn't last year. Ottawa should be fun this year but they still seem a little ways away. Same with Detroit.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I really don’t mind Johansson back on a one year deal. He fit in quite well, I thought his play was solid. That’s if they decide to go the dumpster diving route to fill out the forwards. Fill in the rest with young guns

I think Justin Schultz was always here as John Carlson insurance, or that was the idea of him at least. Colin Miller might be a sneaky cheap pick up to fill that role. He can shoot it pretty hard

Respectfully, I don’t consider any of the following young guns: Protas, Leason, AJF. None of them can hang in the top six and actually produce.

 

[Langway]

Still much too early to handicap the East. Very hard to say how aggressive some of the teams with loads of cap space may be in free agency (like Detroit & Buffalo in particular who at least in theory could make jumps with the right moves). On the opposite end there are still some pretty capped out teams. Florida has no room and has to do something. Same with Vegas in the West and Tampa. I'm looking at first stage buyouts and the QO market in the coming days for additional value options. You'd think some trades also have to happen prior to the start of free agency if teams want the flexibility to be active. There are about a half dozen teams well positioned to weaponize their cap space should teams pay a premium for it. The problem for many of the more capped out teams is that many are asset poor unless they get into moving '23 picks. It could force them into some poor returns. It's probably not a very easy time to move salary.

 

[g00n]

Supposedly Malkin wants 4x6m and Pens only want to give him 3x6m.


I am 100% okay with giving Malkin 4x7m. He will get injured sure but thst just gives McMichael a chance. As long as we shut him down in time for him to be ready for the playoffs, I am on board with Malkin.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

They really don’t need to worry about the cap until the trade deadline at the earliest which is why I want them to be aggressive. Hagelin would be easy to dump to a cap floor team this summer and Eller would have value either now or at the TDL so that’s $6M+ right there. If LuJo takes the 3LD spot they’re only paying him $750k to fill that role.

They really should not consider themselves hamstrung just because Backstrom said he wants to come back. First there’s no guarantee he can come back and second he’s not going to be ready before the deadline and at that point just save him until the playoffs. There’s a lot of salary coming off the books next off-season so it’s not like they need to worry about that either. They’ll need space for Orlov, Jensen, and Hathaway extensions but the latter two shouldn’t see material raises.

A chunk seems likely to go to Keumper but that’s Eller and Hagelin’s money. I really hope they add someone in the top six be it a center or a winger. I’ve liked Miller because of the versatility to play wing or center anywhere in the top six.

And as @Langway pointed out there are some interesting names for middle six roles that shouldn’t break the bank.

Do it to it, BMac.

 

[Langway]

Miller to NYI seems like the one move that could really shake up the East were it to happen.

 

[DWGie26]

They really don’t need to worry about the cap until the trade deadline at the earliest which is why I want them to be aggressive. Hagelin would be easy to dump to a cap floor team this summer and Eller would have value either now or at the TDL so that’s $6M+ right there. If LuJo takes the 3LD spot they’re only paying him $750k to fill that role.

They really should not consider themselves hamstrung just because Backstrom said he wants to come back. First there’s no guarantee he can come back and second he’s not going to be ready before the deadline and at that point just save him until the playoffs. There’s a lot of salary coming off the books next off-season so it’s not like they need to worry about that either. They’ll need space for Orlov, Jensen, and Hathaway extensions but the latter two shouldn’t see material raises.

A chunk seems likely to go to Keumper but that’s Eller and Hagelin’s money. I really hope they add someone in the top six be it a center or a winger. I’ve liked Miller because of the versatility to play wing or center anywhere in the top six.

And as @Langway pointed out there are some interesting names for middle six roles that shouldn’t break the bank.

Do it to it, BMac.

I think this is about right. There are different directions to go, and I see BMAC going hard at a 2C and/or Goalie and LD Out of the gate. But i can also see him not liking the prices and holding for tier 2 players later in FA (but before season) As there will be values after many shoot their wads on tier 1. And to your point @AlexBrovechkin8 they will know a lot more about timing on Backstrom mid-way through the season and either have space for this year or have the ability to move Eller. I’d still prefer to do that this offseason though which will help swing early.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Miller to NYI seems like the one move that could really shake up the East were it to happen.

What does NYI have to offer, though? They have a terrible prospect pool — one of the two or three worst in the league — and are they really going to offer an unprotected 2023 first round pick when they missed the playoffs last year and have a new coach this year? Would be a huge gamble but maybe Lou says f*** it I’m old let’s get nuts.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Seems like a pretty good indication that the Leafs may be out on the FAs.

 

[Langway]

 

[HeyMattyB]

Seems like a pretty good indication that the Leafs may be out on the FAs.

And out on at least one other trade option:

 

[zappa4ever]

Anyone having any interest in Malkin look at his GP the last 10 seasons:
Pretty damn good odds he'll miss 20+ games and take stupid undisciplined penalties almost every game. No thanks even at 1M

2012-13: 31 GP (48GM season)
14: 60
15: 69
16: 57
17: 62
18: 78
19: 68
20: 55 (69?GM seas)
21: 33 (56?GM seas)
2021-22: 41 GP

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

And out on at least one other trade option:

Woof. That is certainly a direct statement.

 

[BallardEra]

Woof. That is certainly a direct statement.

Same agent as Jack Campbell.

 

[BallardEra]

Seems like a pretty good indication that the Leafs may be out on the FAs.

Not necessarily. I think he’d be their 1B option. Perhaps Leafs give them Kerfoot with Murray at 50% retained which still allows the Leafs space to add a 1A.

 

[Rayquaza64]

They really don’t need to worry about the cap until the trade deadline at the earliest which is why I want them to be aggressive. Hagelin would be easy to dump to a cap floor team this summer and Eller would have value either now or at the TDL so that’s $6M+ right there. If LuJo takes the 3LD spot they’re only paying him $750k to fill that role.

They really should not consider themselves hamstrung just because Backstrom said he wants to come back. First there’s no guarantee he can come back and second he’s not going to be ready before the deadline and at that point just save him until the playoffs. There’s a lot of salary coming off the books next off-season so it’s not like they need to worry about that either. They’ll need space for Orlov, Jensen, and Hathaway extensions but the latter two shouldn’t see material raises.

A chunk seems likely to go to Keumper but that’s Eller and Hagelin’s money. I really hope they add someone in the top six be it a center or a winger. I’ve liked Miller because of the versatility to play wing or center anywhere in the top six.

And as @Langway pointed out there are some interesting names for middle six roles that shouldn’t break the bank.

Do it to it, BMac.

I agree, especially with names like kubalik hitting the market, and other middle six options like domi, marchment, etc. that wouldnt cost a fortune finding a forward who can play on that second line and doing it effectively shouldnt be that difficult and keeping it under the cap is entirely possible.