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

[Mickstix]

They probably need 4-5m extra to resign McMike, Protas and NAK. Hope they play Charlie hard and see if he's rugged enough to be a #1. If so, possibly move Kuemper and let Shep be the #2 next year.

If they get Bear, they'll need to move Jensen or TVR. Let Paci walk. Not sure what they do with Mantha, but 5.7m is at least 1.7m too much. Have to see how he does the rest of the season.

I don't really see them in cap trouble though, as long as Nicky stays on the sideline.

[alta]

https://twitter.com/NoVa_Caps/status/1734258638775083070

[Mickstix]

Wonder how much salary they'd retain? Bummer he seems to have more head issues than Kuzy.

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https://twitter.com/RFCapsMoustache/status/1734239098926256150

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https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/features/washington-capitals-alex-ovechkin-deep-dive-scoring-woes

[Surreylily]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/features/washington-capitals-alex-ovechkin-deep-dive-scoring-woes

Oooohhhh! 


Thanks for posting this Alta.    Top man.   

I found this really interesting.   We've all been wondering "What's up with Ovi"  ?

I found it especially interesting that his shot speed is so high.   To my naked eye test, his shot is visibly slower.  I can actually see the blur of the puck as it careens towards the net these days.    As opposed to previous seasons, where he hit the puck ....  it was in the back of the net and there was nothing in between. 
Not a blink of the eye.

My eyesight must be miraculously improving.      Maybe I'll win the lottery this week too..   

Not that I'm calling these guys liars or anything, but stats........  Pffffffff.   


Stats are like religeons.  They can be jiggled and wriggled around to suit whatever trend they decide to folow this week.

Ovi used to be able to see, if a goalie was going down, to pick the off glove side and laser into the other top corner.   Or if the goalie was coming up from a butterfly, that open  5 hole. 

Where is that guy?


There is no excuse that he is being double marked these days  He isn't.

[Mickstix]

That was a good article. At least the stats and specs say he's just snake bit. Just have to hope and pray he snaps out of it. 

[richkrt99]

back to the RFA's....
On the D side...
Rasmus Sundin is RFA...he has been pretty good..not sure what he's worth, but expect he will want at least a mil more than current 1.4m
but if you add the Bear...
Lucas Johanson also an RFA.
Emundson is an UFA...I am disappointed in his play so far...guess I just had my hopes up for a real D man and hoped he was it.  Havent given up on him, and he's not yet old, so we will see where he is at end of season, but UFA he might get money elsewhere.


RFA Forwards:
McMike - based on so far...he's a keeper next year no matter what
Protas - also a keeper
Malenstyn - I like his size and speed
Phillips - experiment over....walk away
UFA Forwards:
Mantha - Hmmmm...so ready to unload this guy, but if he perks up and has a decent year (especially if he gels with Mcmike & Protas, I'd give him a short term deal...definitely at a reduced rate.  But if he really does come on and has a good year...someone will likely offer him a better deal.
Aue-kubel - Im not totally sold on him...He's a keeper for a bargain salary 4th line guy at 1.5m or less


just my rando thoughts on these guys

[Beaglefan2]

I'm not totally sold on NAK either, but at least he has some inclination to check hard every now and then - which has gone away in the NHL.


I'm also not totally sold on Protas either but he is improving and if he could play more physical, he could be a real asset. I don't think he will be a 20 goal scorer, more like 10 - 15, but I would keep him for the right price.


McMike - hope they sign for 4 year deal.


Phillips - good as gone. Why didn't they give Ethan Frank a shot - he has been  tearing it up.


Lapierre - a keeper and I like how he is getting better and with some confidence, he could be really good. He is McMike all over again and I really wish they would keep him up here and get him more experience.  I would rather have him on the ice than Pacioretti.


On the D side, it is going to be interesting. I like adding this Bear guy as it will give us more depth. I am afraid they have soured on Alexyev which is a shame as he was a relatively high draft pick and has some size.   Having depth on defense could net us a draft pick or two at the trade deadline if we are sellers.  Edmundson would probably get us a decent pick.

[alta]

Virginia approved a plan to build an arena in Alexandrea at the Potomac Yards neighborhood on the south edge of National airport.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/lawmakers-back-plan-to-move-nhl-s-capitals-nba-s-wizards-to-virginia/ar-AA1lpjpf

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Rumor is the Caps signed Bear for two years, details unknown at this point but Bear did make $2M last season.

[richkrt99]

So signed Bear from where?  Was he unsigned or on waivers?
Caps appear to have found guys off the street before....Milano, NAK

[alta]

Signed him as a UFA off the street. He played in Vancouver last year finishing out the one year deal he signed with Carolina after a trade. He is currently recovering from shoulder surgery so I wouldn’t expect to see him in a Caps sweater for a month, maybe two.

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https://twitter.com/sammisilber/status/1734986589120409913

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Sounds like the deal to move the Capitals and Wizards to Arlington is done. Ted says women’s basketball and concerts will remain downtown, though the new place would have to have concerts as well to pay the bills during the offseason.


If everyone signs on the dotted line soon it would still likely be 3 years out.

[Mickstix]

Yea, their lease with Cap One runs through 2027 I believe. Seen some renders of the new location, looks pretty sweet! Also, a lot of Md. folk whining about 3-4 mile change in venue. lol Va. been traveling to Landover for 50 years to see the Caps, Bullets, and Skins.

[alta]

The only problem I see with Potomac Yards is ingress and egress. One can get to Chinatown from any direction, plus the subway. The location in Arlington only has north and south access, with light access from the west, plus the subway. Water access would be a plus. They are going to need some major road improvements for access. Part of the plan includes headquarters for monumental sports, the ownership group, which would be beneficial for them as a business getting out of D.C. But I’m not sure this is a done deal yet. No one from monumental stuck around long enough at todays presser to take questions.

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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10100943-craig-berube-fired-as-blues-hc-after-5-plus-seasons-with-stl-won-2019-stanley-cup

[Mickstix]

I read the thing that killed the Skins move there was the Arlington council (or something to that effect) and apparently today they we're all in attendance/on stage for the announcement. But, like anything these days, you never know what or who will come out of the woodwork.


Obviously makes no difference to me. But yea, GW Parkway gonna need a couple lanes added for sure. They have a marina right there if there's a want for water access. People will adapt.


Renders I saw, for Hillbilly's who are too lazy to go find em. 

[alta]

There’s a big difference between a 90,000 seat stadium and 20,000 seat arena. Primarily the traffic on game day. Other cities have made a football stadium work in a similar location, but most were built on more land.