Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2021 "Season" Pt. 5

[HecticGlow]

Mantha did draw the 5-minute major

Did he, though? Did he really?

 

[kicksavedave]

Good Twitter thread on why TVR should be in the lineup, and why IMO Schultz should be the odd one out come postseason if everyone is healthy.

I think the only thing that favors Schultz is that he can man PP2. But I don’t think that really means much because Orlov has also been a good option on the point for PP2.

I agree, but not because of fancy stats, and I agree despite admitting that JS is far superior offensively to TVR. The simple way I see it is, JS is a better overall player, but TVR and Dillon are a superior defensive pairing and this team has plenty of offense already. They need to keep pucks out of their net and TVR/Dillon seem to do that better than JS/Dillon, and I think thats most important as we move into the playoffs. JS offensive surplus over TVR isn't going to help our puppy goaltenders much, unless we really expect to win playoff games 6-4 instead of 3-2 like normal.

 

[kicksavedave]

What are the chances the Caps protect Vanecek instead of Samsonov now?

50/50 coin flip?

This was always the worst case scenario, that both goalies play just OK and we have a difficult decision to make. If both sucked or both were outstanding the decision would be easier. Some may say they both suck but I would counter they are both very good for rookies, they shouldn't be compared to prime Vasy or Prime Holtby or other top notch seasoned vets. They are both rooks. They have a lot of upside left to explore.

Good chance we don't lose either as well.

 

[pman25]

I agree, but not because of fancy stats, and I agree despite admitting that JS is far superior offensively to TVR. The simple way I see it is, JS is a better overall player, but TVR and Dillon are a superior defensive pairing and this team has plenty of offense already. They need to keep pucks out of their net and TVR/Dillon seem to do that better than JS/Dillon, and I think thats most important as we move into the playoffs. JS offensive surplus over TVR isn't going to help our puppy goaltenders much, unless we really expect to win playoff games 6-4 instead of 3-2 like normal.

i agree. I like JS, but we are scoring just fine and we need the best D pairings we can get with our goaltending. Dillon-TvR looks strong.

 

[kicksavedave]

Did he, though? Did he really?

View attachment 430557

His nose did

 

[HecticGlow]

I'm still against trading Kuzy even though he's an idiot.

1) We are not going to get good value back

2) A 7.8m he's still not a bad contract. 2018 Kuzy is 11m+ player. 2019-present Kuzy is still worth 7-8m. Peep how much the Flyers paid for Hayes.

3) He seems like a carefree happy go lucky guy. He's just stupid, which I think coaches and teammates tolerate a lot more than a guy who's
malicious or brooding.

I think it depends. If Kuzy is only going to be a 2C for us, I don’t think it would be too hard to find a guy via trade or free agency who can fill that role for us at or below Kuzy’s cap hit. Kuzy is a steal if he plays in god mode, or engages even a little of the magic that captivated so many of us a few years before the Cup run.

And I think a lot rides on what impact he has, and is having, on the room at large. When Kuzy’s playing half heartedly, or coked up, or deciding league-wide rules designed to keep each other safe don’t apply to him, does that hurt an otherwise close-knit, supportive and passionate group? Do we lose all discernible value in Samsonov as long as he and Kuzy are on the same team?

Good care-free is where the bad washes off you easily and you don’t lose sight of what you love. Kuzy comes across increasingly as indifferent about playing. To an extent, it makes sense:

• Kuzy’s secured the long term, $$$ contract
• He’s got the ring
• He’s led the league in points in the playoffs
• He’s proven he has elite skill
• He’s done the rounds on social media and TSN for his creative plays

If you’re not in love with the game itself anymore, what more do you have to prove or achieve? This has never been just a job to Ovi or Backstrom; you can tell TJ and Chara live and breathe hockey; Willy has to learn to not to get too lost in the moment of the game; guys like Eller and Dowd are out there year in year out raising their games and proving they deserve more and more ice time and attention, while Sprong and Sheary are working harder and harder to prove why they belong at this level each and every day. Kuzy? I just don’t see it in Kuzy. I fear he’s got a bit bored, honestly, and is just going through the motions now. A new home with new faces might awaken his passion and interest, but I just don’t see what’s going to do it in Washington sadly.

And sadly I worry Samsonov is going the same way. He had ample chance to beat out Holtby last year to be number 1 and instead he slid, and then prioritised ATV fun over being ready to return to play. This year he starts off poorly, gets COVID after breaching the rules and then can’t string consecutive good starts together all year. Doesn’t seem interested in beating out the guy who was earmarked to be the taxi squad goalie at the start of the season and has regular 3 goals against nights. And now, when he should be amping up for the playoffs, this. Beast Holtby invested so much in his mental game, in his consistent game day routines and conditioning and in-game response to mistakes. Where is that in Sammy?

 

[txpd]

I agree, but not because of fancy stats, and I agree despite admitting that JS is far superior offensively to TVR. The simple way I see it is, JS is a better overall player, but TVR and Dillon are a superior defensive pairing and this team has plenty of offense already..

Let me challenge this a little. The foundation of Laviolette's game is a 5 man attack where the defense corp is fully involved. They already have Chara and Jensen who are penalty killer, defensive specialists. Jensen has been more effective offensively because he can keep up with the movement in the system but Chara cant. Now you want to pull the 2nd biggest offensive gun out of the lineup to create a 2nd defense first pair.

I can not imagine Laviolette signing up for that. Remember that there was a lot of talk that MacLellan signed Schultz because he was the type player Lavy wanted. Schultz has delivered. I dont see Lavy deciding now that he was wrong and didnt need that type of player afterall.

 

[Random schmoe]

 

[Eirikrautha]

Who would have dreamed that we might get Kempny back for the playoffs... and sit him. How different this team is than just two years ago!

 

[innitfam]

Fantasy league stat watcher here. Is there any indication that Mantha will miss any ganes from that cross check?

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

 

[ovikovy817]

Wonderful job by dops. I'll go read the mains ahaha

 

[pman25]

Should have been more, but i guess all the whining had some effect

 

[Random schmoe]

Fantasy league stat watcher here. Is there any indication that Mantha will miss any ganes from that cross check?

No indication of that, no.

 

[Random schmoe]

Who would have dreamed that we might get Kempny back for the playoffs... and sit him. How different this team is than just two years ago!

Yeah. Who knows how good he's be right now after the layoff, but a team could do worse than to have him available as a 7th or 8th d-man.

 

[HecticGlow]

Yeah. Who knows how good he's be right now after the layoff, but a team could do worse than to have him available as a 7th or 8th d-man.

Hopefully his time in Hershey will give both him and the organisation time to review where he's at. I can't see him jumping into the top-6 arbitrarily, but it opens a question of what happens if a LD either falters or can't play – do you go with TVR, who you know fits the system and is playing well but would be on his (dreaded) offside, or Kempny who hasn't played in a year but had such success three postseasons ago?

 

[kicksavedave]

Let me challenge this a little. The foundation of Laviolette's game is a 5 man attack where the defense corp is fully involved. They already have Chara and Jensen who are penalty killer, defensive specialists. Jensen has been more effective offensively because he can keep up with the movement in the system but Chara cant. Now you want to pull the 2nd biggest offensive gun out of the lineup to create a 2nd defense first pair.

I can not imagine Laviolette signing up for that. Remember that there was a lot of talk that MacLellan signed Schultz because he was the type player Lavy wanted. Schultz has delivered. I dont see Lavy deciding now that he was wrong and didnt need that type of player afterall.

Its not so much about deciding he was wrong about his preferences. Its more about the reality that Schultz/Dillon doesn't work well at all, and TVR /Dillon works very well. I'm not arguing Schultz's value or Lavi's preferences, but fit on a line is also important. Plus we signed Schultz when we may have had a higher expectation for our goalie tandem than we do right now, but then Lundy got all broken hearted, so maybe the need for better defense is more urgent now than we JS was signed.

Anyway, we'll see, hopefully JC comes back and Dillon stays at form, and Dilly's 6 weeks of dreadful play are just a phase he went though, not actually caused by JS.

 

[koalabear9301]

Potential destination for Kuznetsov if we go that route.

 

[kicksavedave]

Potential destination for Kuznetsov if we go that route.

That line will need a nickname. Lets start with "We play hard when we feel like it line" and see how that sticks.

Or maybe the TBL line? Talented But Lazy.

 

[um]

Potential destination for Kuznetsov if we go that route.

doesn't Kuznetsov have a no trade clause?

Just looked it up. Its 15 teams, I'd guess Columbus is one of them.

 

[bur and 666 others]

Potential destination for Kuznetsov if we go that route.

They don't have a C to send back. We need a C in return if we are about to trade Kuzy.

 

[pman25]

The one that makes sense on paper is Kuzy for Kadri+

Saw a proposal for Kuzy for Kadri, Barron (RHD prospect), and a pick and that seemed intriguing. Kadri has one year left and is an adequate middle 6 center to bridge for McMichael. We need a center in return and we're probably not gonna get one better than Kuznetsov back, otherwise why would a team bother?

 

[txpd]

I'm still against trading Kuzy even though he's an idiot.

1) We are not going to get good value back

2) A 7.8m he's still not a bad contract. 2018 Kuzy is 11m+ player. 2019-present Kuzy is still worth 7-8m. Peep how much the Flyers paid for Hayes.

3) He seems like a carefree happy go lucky guy. He's just stupid, which I think coaches and teammates tolerate a lot more than a guy who's
malicious or brooding.

If the locker room hasnt turned against him, I doubt he would be traded. They would allow the coach to throw him in the doghouse and laugh at him. But if the locker room gets tired of his act, he's gone. This current situation is making noises like its the players that have turned on him.

 

[txpd]

doesn't Kuznetsov have a no trade clause?

Just looked it up. Its 15 teams, I'd guess Columbus is one of them.

No trade clauses are only as strong at the player's desire not to be traded. This could all be blown out of proportion, but if the room has turned on him and the coach and gm have had enough, Kuzy wont want to stay. Might be Columbus isnt a good fit but Denver might be.

 

[txpd]

The one that makes sense on paper is Kuzy for Kadri+

Saw a proposal for Kuzy for Kadri, Barron (RHD prospect), and a pick and that seemed intriguing. Kadri has one year left and is an adequate middle 6 center to bridge for McMichael. We need a center in return and we're probably not gonna get one better than Kuznetsov back, otherwise why would a team bother?

Kadri is more of a Lars Eller level player. I dont see him as the ticket for TJ Oshie and Mantha. My expectation were Colorado to be involved is that they would spend futures for 92 and the Caps would use a second transaction to find a best fit.

On the other hand with the Caps current rep, adding Kadri would create head explosions of epic proportions.