two options
1) Complete tear down. How far does this go? Not sure cuz the only consistent pieces since the start of their 2010 embarrassment era are Ovi, Backstrom, Carlsson and Alzner. The others have joined the team at different spots so would trading Oshie or Holtby really change the culture?
If they do rebuild or retool, I would go with as defensive a team as possible. Keep Ovi (even though he is a shadow in the very far distance of what he was from 07-10) and Holtby, trade Oshie, Backstrom, Kuznetsov for elite defensemen and round out the forwards with defensive minded guys who can put the puck in the net the odd time.
Why? Because that is the team that Trotz is comfortable with. Defense is his specialty.
2) Fire Trotz and the coaching carousel continues. The best option out there? Darrly Sutter. If there is any problem with the players due to lack of accountability. Boy oh boy thats your guy. He is second only to Torts in that regard.
in 2009-2011, they were a team that was not built to win and was very top heavy so those upsets were possible because the team was flawed. But from 2012-2014 the Caps were not contenders. Then when they gave up that 3-1 lead to a better Rangers team, for some reason the Caps were blamed with another choke job. Like come on, that Rangers team was the presidents trophy winner. Then after losing in a heavy weight bout versus Pittsburgh, the loser label was amplified, but how can you be called a choker if you lose to the champion in 6 games?
My thoughts: the loses in 2009-2011 were by teams that were flawed for cup champions so were vulnerable to be upset and because they were upset those years they were labelled as chokers. But this team is not fundamentally flawed and I think at this point it is just in their heads. I mean the air in that locker room must be tighter than a you know what. I think its all mental at this point. It also doesnt bode well that they are up against a sleeping giant in Toronto who is every bit as skilled in the top 6 as Washington, (and faster), but was being cast off to a 4 game sweep due to inexperience by the media.
