Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2021 Off-Season Pt. 2

[HeyMattyB]

you think he’s just chasing the biggest dollar amount for here on out? He may be, I dunno.

That said, a 2 year deal on a team or in a place you would rather not be but for a mil or 2 more doesn’t seem as attractive as a shorter deal in a better place/better team and where he could parlay that success into his next deal…

I understand the argument. My position is that, yes, in most cases, I expect professional athletes to make contract-related decisions primarily (but not entirely) based on maximizing their earnings during the prime years of their limited careers. Not necessarily, "I'll take the very best contract I can get, regardless of to whatever bottom-feeding team it takes it me." But often, "Here's the best mix of money AND opportunity."

And I think that, despite all the constant calls/arguments made by fans for these players to sign sweetheart deals (including "Sign a one-year Prove It deal, what could go wrong?" arguments) more often than not they eventually sign contracts that offer more money and better term.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[tenken00]

Holtby in Toronto would be tough knowing how everyone blames the goalie as reasons #1, #2 and #3 as to why their team can't do anything.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I understand the argument. My position is that, yes, in most cases, I expect professional athletes to make contract-related decisions primarily (but not entirely) based on maximizing their earnings during the prime years of their limited careers. Not necessarily, "I'll take the very best contract I can get, regardless of to whatever bottom-feeding team it takes it me." But often, "Here's the best mix of money AND opportunity."

And I think that, despite all the constant calls/arguments made by fans for these players to sign sweetheart deals (including "Sign a one-year Prove It deal, what could go wrong?" arguments) more often than not they eventually sign contracts that offer more money and better term.

its not even about a sweetheart deal….his play has tanked for years. It’s about his value…which is at an all time low for his career.

in general, I don’t believe much in athletes giving discounts, but sometimes you have to take a trim to get yourself on a better path to rebound.

 

[HeyMattyB]

its not even about a sweetheart deal….his play has tanked for years. It’s about his value…which is at an all time low for his career.

in general, I don’t believe much in athletes giving discounts, but sometimes you have to take a trim to get yourself on a better path to rebound.

Okay. Well, again, we'll likely see how it works out soon enough, won't we?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Okay. Well, again, we'll likely see how it works out soon enough, won't we?

I expect he won’t get bought out and it won’t matter.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

After listening to the conversation around Eichel on 31 thoughts (basically a lot of teams keep throwing offers out but nothing is good enough) I am wondering if he's really the ultimate domino that will have to fall for Kuzy to get traded.

Assuming discussions ramp up, there will be at least one team who felt like they were in it before they missed out, at that point you tend to get a lot of knee jerk moves to fill that void. My guess is that this will be a tough needle to thread. Caps want a replacement on deck, there will not be a lot out there. You'd have to strike post Eichel trade, sign your Center and trade Kuzy in basically the same swoop. Not sure that's doable to be honest.

 

[txpd]

I think it’s fair to look at Carlson just like anyone, but he’s a Norris runner up 2 seasons ago, 12th last year….

how does that and his production or other contributions compare in terms of recent quality play, leadership, misc contributions for Kuzy? Seems lopsided in 74’s favor to me.

I’m struggling seeing this “same logic apply”….

Perceived value. He stinks but scores like an all star. Get rid of him and score big return while you can. We know that anyone can pass the puck to Ov in his office. Thats easy. Besides....goals and points are....you know

 

[tenken00]

After listening to the conversation around Eichel on 31 thoughts (basically a lot of teams keep throwing offers out but nothing is good enough) I am wondering if he's really the ultimate domino that will have to fall for Kuzy to get traded.

Assuming discussions ramp up, there will be at least one team who felt like they were in it before they missed out, at that point you tend to get a lot of knee jerk moves to fill that void. My guess is that this will be a tough needle to thread. Caps want a replacement on deck, there will not be a lot out there. You'd have to strike post Eichel trade, sign your Center and trade Kuzy in basically the same swoop. Not sure that's doable to be honest.

It's because teams know that Buffalo has to move Eichel sometime this offseason either way. No way are they going to move out Reinhart and Ristolainen for futures and keep Eichel. That would have the opposite effect. Teams know that and will keep lowballing Buffalo because eventually Buffalo will have to accept one of them.

This is what happens when everyone knows a player is available for trade and that they have to move them no matter what AKA Kuznetsov.

 

[Calicaps]

It's because teams know that Buffalo has to move Eichel sometime this offseason either way. No way are they going to move out Reinhart and Ristolainen for futures and keep Eichel. That would have the opposite effect. Teams know that and will keep lowballing Buffalo because eventually Buffalo will have to accept one of them.

This is what happens when everyone knows a player is available for trade and that they have to move them no matter what AKA Kuznetsov.

Except I don't believe that's the take on 92.

 

[tenken00]

Except I don't believe that's the take on 92.

Which is why GMBM said Kuzy is there for the right offer but we're just as fine keeping him.

 

[Calicaps]

Which is why GMBM said Kuzy is there for the right offer but we're just as fine keeping him.

right. misunderstood ya. sorry.

 

[Neil Racki]

I dont think we trade Kuzy or make any big changes.

I imagine we go into next season (3 months from now) with pretty much the same 2020 group. And our season ends in 2021 like it did in 2020 and 2019.

Regular season will be fun to watch though.

Wish we played Boston more.

 

[twabby]

Perceived value. He stinks but scores like an all star. Get rid of him and score big return while you can. We know that anyone can pass the puck to Ov in his office. Thats easy. Besides....goals and points are....you know

I won’t go as far as he stinks, but he has been one of the main reasons why the team has struggled in the postseason since 2017-18. You can point to cheap PP points all you want as evidence that he’s doing his job, but it doesn’t make up for his poor defensive play and lack of offensive impact and point scoring at 5v5. He has 2 points total at 5v5 in the past 3 postseasons.

Yes, strike now while the iron is hot. I’m not comfortable with Carlson going forward as 1D because he’s not good enough. If we’re only using points to judge him then I guess they should go ahead and sign Tyson Barrie, the leading point scorer in the NHL among D. He’d certainly be cheaper than Carlson! Heck just keep Schultz in that case as a PP specialist.

$8 million should pay for an even strength dynamo who can drive play and play with urgency. Carlson ain’t that, especially in the playoffs where he is routinely overmatched. Compare that with “lesser” players like Orlov and even Jensen who can match that level of urgency and intensity.

I dunno, Carlson seems like a lazy player to me. Can’t have those guys in the locker room IMO. Sets a bad example. At least he’d likely return a king’s ransom.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

production matters in the real world…..

“cheap PP points”…..lol float that nonsense to Backstrom or anyone who has played with our era’s greatest sniper. You have to be good enough to be out there on the PP, then make a play still.

 

[pman25]

I wish we had been on Sam Reinhart, 1st and a goalie prospect? He's a very good two way player at center and wing. Get him and they could have shipped Kuzy off for futures no problem.

 

[twabby]

production matters in the real world…..

“cheap PP points”…..lol float that nonsense to Backstrom or anyone who has played with our era’s greatest sniper. You have to be good enough to be out there on the PP, then make a play still.

Even if you grant Carlson is an indispensable piece of the PP (I don’t, but for the sake of argument assume it) how much even strength futility are you willing to tolerate out of an $8 million defenseman?

“Good enough” isn’t good enough for an $8 million defenseman IMO. Much like Kuznetsov should be expected to be a 200 foot player at his salary, so should Carlson. I’d move on from him if there’s an upgrade available, and fortunately there is an upgrade in Dougie Hamilton available for the low price of money. Outbid the competitors, and reap the rewards of a Carlson trade. Shake up the core (needed), get assets (needed), and most importantly get a better team going into next year. Seems like a no-brainer. Much more sensical than shaking up the core, not getting good assets, and probably getting worse as many people are suggesting in a Kuznetsov trade for peanuts to sign...David Krejci?

 

[txpd]

I won’t go as far as he stinks, but he has been one of the main reasons why the team has struggled in the postseason since 2017-18. You can point to cheap PP points all you want as evidence that he’s doing his job, but it doesn’t make up for his poor defensive play and lack of offensive impact and point scoring at 5v5. He has 2 points total at 5v5 in the past 3 postseasons.

Yes, strike now while the iron is hot. I’m not comfortable with Carlson going forward as 1D because he’s not good enough. If we’re only using points to judge him then I guess they should go ahead and sign Tyson Barrie, the leading point scorer in the NHL among D. He’d certainly be cheaper than Carlson! Heck just keep Schultz in that case as a PP specialist.

$8 million should pay for an even strength dynamo who can drive play and play with urgency. Carlson ain’t that, especially in the playoffs where he is routinely overmatched. Compare that with “lesser” players like Orlov and even Jensen who can match that level of urgency and intensity.

I dunno, Carlson seems like a lazy player to me. Can’t have those guys in the locker room IMO. Sets a bad example. At least he’d likely return a king’s ransom.

Stop, dude. You live on the number. Then you fire your coup de grace by saying, "Carlson SEEMS like a lazy player." Jesus....and this comes from a Kuznetsov supporter. Ok, bud. Have a nice day

 

[Hivemind]

Stop, dude. You live on the number. Then you fire your coup de grace by saying, "Carlson SEEMS like a lazy player." Jesus....and this comes from a Kuznetsov supporter. Ok, bud. Have a nice day

His lazy comments are pointing out the hypocrisy of the fans who want Kuzy gone but don't apply the same standard to other players on the roster, such as Carlson.

The eye test matches what he's saying. Or have you forgotten how Hall walked right by Carlson in game 2 and sent the game to OT? Or Craig Smith spinning Carlson like a top to set up Hall to tie the game at 1 in game 3?

 

[txpd]

production matters in the real world…..

“cheap PP points”…..lol float that nonsense to Backstrom or anyone who has played with our era’s greatest sniper. You have to be good enough to be out there on the PP, then make a play still.

Well...Backstrom isn't that good either. Oh, and I guess Oshie is a plug

 

[max21]

When I think of Carlson now I think of Taylor hall cruising right past him with less than 3 minutes to tie game 2, I hated that

 

[g00n]

Lol "hypocrisy".

Nobody here was happy with Carlson's performance in the playoffs. But he also didn't f*** the team with repeated, stupid off-ice shit. Also reportedly injured.

Not married to either of them if GMBM needs to move them. Name on the front vs name on the back etc etc

 

[txpd]

Colorado for a former Caps goalie? Done

 

[twabby]

Lol "hypocrisy".

Nobody here was happy with Carlson's performance in the playoffs. But he also didn't f*** the team with repeated, stupid off-ice shit. Also reportedly injured.

Not married to either of them if GMBM needs to move them. Name on the front vs name on the back etc etc

That's right, Carlson has hurt the team with repeated on-ice disappointments when crunch-time has come around. But good thing the scoreboard differentiates between on-ice vs. off-ice disappointments when judging the winner in a hockey game.

All I'm trying to do is suggest ways to make the team better. I think Carlson could return a king's ransom in a trade, and I think Hamilton is a better player available for not much more in terms of a cap hit. Seems like a huge net gain to me, they should try it. Who doesn't want a better player and more assets to potentially improve the team?

They should also try to upgrade from Kuznetsov, though since he has little to no trade value IMO it'll be trickier. They should still do it though!

 

[tenken00]

Well.. it would be tough to replace both Kuznetsov and Carlson and expect to win much of anything.