The ‘23-‘24 boredom thread.. no square poop allowed

[richkrt99]

Holy cow.  Didn't see that coming.  Sucks for Backy, but sadly I think it is time.
So....what does that mean for salary cap....does he get moved to LTIR/IR for cap purposes?

very little info out there.

I think this team could use $9m

Really sucks though.  Rather see Backy go out with another Cup and retire legit.  He's one of the good guys I think

[richkrt99]

Yikes...this is interesting.  I liked Brown but this loophole is ridiculous.  Basically the Oilers signed him for league minimum salary but with a $3.25m bonus that is excluded from the cap (for playing 10 games).  that's some serious lawyerly BS, but the rules is the rules.

The fact that the Brown has zero points in 9 games is interesting.
https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2023/10/31/connor-brown-is-about-to-get-a-giant-payday-from-the-oilers-for-simply-playing-10-games/
The headline reads like Brown did something tricky, but really the Oilers just paid him $4m for a 1 year deal, but only $775k shows against the cap.

[alta]

I’ve been looking, and it’s clear as mud. There’s language in the salary cap about signing a contract before and after the age of 35 then retiring before and after the age of 35 and what that means to the cap hit. Backy is now 35, but he signed his current contract before the age of 35.


Either way, the Caps need to put Backy on LTIR now. It’s not official yet, but likely will be shortly. A player can retire at any point in their career. But as soon as they do the contract is over and no more paychecks. It doesn’t appear money would be an issue with Backy, but may as well get as much as you can.


There’s also the Kucherov precedent that Tampa set.

[Beaglefan2]

I would be shocked if Nicky retired and walked away from the money. It is both this year and next year, so he would be walking from almost $18 million.  He went through the surgery and the comeback because he is competitive, but also for the money.

[alta]

Apparently 33yo Dowd hasn’t skated at all since game 2. He did have “core surgery” in the offseason and noted in camp that it didn’t fix everything. 36yo Oshie had a minor procedure on his back in the offseason and he looks like he’s still not 100%. This decision by Backy has to be on their minds.

Backy at $9.2M, Oshie at $5.8M and Dowd at $1.3M are UFAs after 24-25.

McMike did take a couple shifts at center in place of Backy in Mondays practice. Backy must’ve said something to the team before today. And, with Backy out indefinitely/permanently, that leaves more than enough cap space to get Dowd, Edmundson and Pacioretty off of IR.

38 year old OV still skews the average age of the team though.

[alta]

I would be shocked if Nicky retired and walked away from the money. It is both this year and next year, so he would be walking from almost $18 million.  He went through the surgery and the comeback because he is competitive, but also for the money.

I would agree on this season.

[Mickstix]

Even if Nicky just goes on LTIR we still get that cap relief. (Far as I know) He's basically saying he aint coming back anytime soon, if ever, so if Im management I treat this like we have 9.2m to spend.. Leonsis has to eat 9m bucks, but he still gets paid and we can still use that. (again, far as I know) Tell Nicky if/when we make the playoffs this year or next, he can come skate with the team, possibly even contribute a game or series, whatever.. And if we don't make the loffs, he can sign a 1 game/year deal for pennies for the next year, so he can have his day with the club before hanging it up "officially".. Least that's my dream ending. lol

[alta]

the Caps need about $5M to bring Pacs, Edmundson and Dowd back in. That leaves about $4M extra.

[alta]

interesting statistic..

https://twitter.com/CapitalsPR/status/1720086353617326296

[richkrt99]

Hey Mick...someone hijacked your avatar photo and posted a photo of some old dude there 

[Mickstix]

Damn if they didn't! Hackers!! 


Now that ya mentioned it. I go around 220. So that bass had to weigh 70 pounds. When you're my age, let me see you lift 70 pounds up with 1 hand, smile and take a selfie with the other! 

[alta]

old men and their fish stories 




 

[Mickstix]

It happens..    lol

[alta]

I noticed Backy was officially listed as being on IR this morning.

[Mickstix]

Bring it!! Can't be any worse..


https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1720831626790232259

[alta]

Speculation is Dowd and Edmundson are about a week out from returning to the game.

[Mickstix]

Missing Dowd, especially his faceoff skills. I lose track every night, but whenever I pay attention, we're losing a faceoff. Hopefully whatever injury he's nursing isn't recuring all season.

[alta]

Caps must’ve won a couple faceoffs last night, the win percentage went up  0.3%.
 



I’ve not seen an update on TvR either. But with three days off I’m not surprised.

[alta]

Kuznetsov and van Riemsdyk did not participate in practice this morning. I’m guessing Kuzy is a minor issue, but no update on TvR yet.

[alta]

News after today’s practice:
- TvR is still being evaluated
- No explanation for Kuzy but word is illness
- Management is still trying for a top 6 trade involving Mantha
- Backstrom is unlikely to play again this season