The ‘24-‘25 boredom thread..

[Beaglefan2]

Interesting BlackIce.  I'm not sure the Rangers would trade a young guy like that - especially to the Caps.  I would also hate to give up Alexyev as a throw-in as I have been really wanting them to develop him more. He could be very solid for a long time, especially if they get him to use his big body.


I am thrilled where the Caps are and have to eat some crow as I thought they should be tanking for a lottery pick.  I'm still not thinking they could win the Cup, but they could get on a run and  scare some people, and who knows....


I think the key guys that will really make a difference are Chyckrun and PLD.  If those guys get even better, then we could be a contender.

[Mickstix]

OK, now I'm starting to get greedy.


It certainly was a good move to get Eller back here to bolster the third line.  But once Ovie returns, I still think we are most unsettled there, even though we have numbers now.  Plus, if there is a shortage on this team, it is natural right wings.

Isn't Miro a natural RW? Though I've not really seen much from him other than hustle and good hockey sense, I'd hate to lose him, especially to the Rags.

[BlackIce]

Isn't Miro a natural RW? Though I've not really seen much from him other than husttle and good hockey sense, I'd hate to lose him, especially to the Rags.

   




He is listed on the Caps site as a LW.  I know the team has been shuttling a few guys back and forth between LW and RW because of their shortage of dedicated RW'ers.  In fact, Protas was a RW when he moved up to L1, though there was also some scuttlebutt about Ovie at RW sometimes.  Whether that was an effort to get Protas time at LW or whatever, I do not know.


With regard to reservations that people have about giving up particular young players, I understand that.  But the price for a guy like this is going to be high.  I'd like to think that, say, Lapierre and TVR could get it done, but I doubt it.  The alternative, which the Rangers MAY be looking for, for all I know, is draft picks.  But they'd probably have to be high, because now the Caps look as though they could be a team whose picks would be toward the end of the round.   


All of this is why I asked the question at the end of my original post - is the Caps' performance thus far sufficient to justify a move like this?  It isn't an easy call - the bloom COULD come off the rose as the season progresses.  There are some players who have broken out or are playing over their career-established heads right now, and we could definitely see regression later in the season.   


The other factor to take into account is that, while Lindgren and Thompson have been OK in goal so far, they haven't shown themselves to be elite.  But I think, in no small reason because of their cost, we ARE going to ride with them this year unless/until injury strikes, and even in that event, we may just bring up one of the Hershey goalies to fill in.  Is THAT a good enough enough tandem to consider making what would look to be a pretty big move with some risk at this point?  We all know of conditions where a good team runs into elite goaltending and gets knocked out.  To this point, signs are that we can't expect to be the team with elite playoff goaltending.

[Beaglefan2]

I think we are good enough to make a significant move but I doubt the Rangers would be our dance partner.  They went into the year as a Cup contender and now they are panicking - but if they make moves, I don't think it will be to give up younger assets - but I have been wrong a lot this year.


I'm not too worried about the bloom coming off the rose.  You could argue that while we have some guys that are over-performing, we have some other guys that could kick in even more. Mangiopani was a 35 goal scorer and he could put a few more in. PLD should have at least 5 more goals and could break out.  Raddysh was looking average at best and he is really playing well now. Lappy has had a few good games now and he could be a lot better going forward.  And Strome could/should have had more goals.


I've learned that they are never as good as we think when they are hot, but never as bad as we think when they are cold.  Overall though, I'm loving the composition of this team and it is so much better watching the games!

[alta]

I am surprised the rose bloomed as quickly as it did. I expected more struggles early on as the new guys became familiar with the rest of the team on the ice.

[richkrt99]

I agree with surprise at the level of our success this early with so many new pieces.  For once, nearly every change/new player we acquired/made has had significant impact (other than Vranna).
I would hate to part with Miro.  He is young, but loaded with talent and SHOOTS the puck. He really reminds me of Ovi with his style of play.  Hes so young its hard to evaluate him yet...he'd be the last prospect I would move.
Lappy I run hot and cold with...he shows improvement, then slacks off, then better, etc.  He is stilly young though.
I think honestly Carbs has had significant impact on the development of the mid-younger guys especially.  McMike, Protas, and Strome have ALL benefited with Carbs as HC.  Not saying they have not done the work and put in the effort, but someone or several someones are help guiding their improved play beyond just a years' maturity.
I could see them moving Alexeyev and no fault of his own, but basically all the D are playing well.  I think ALexeyev would get more ice if Chycrun wasn't playing so well or if Sandin was still iffy.  TVR I'd be okay moving, Sandin for the right price, and Alexeyev as well.
Alexeyev is 25, Sandin is 24, and Chicklets is only 26 (damn he IS getting paid next year)
I would love the Caps to sign Chicklets NOW to a new deal....then you can safely move another D.  If Chicklets gets to FA this summer, he could really get paid if he continues to excel this season.  If caps moved a D now, then couldn't retain Chicklets, then you looking for more D next year.
I'm not sold on our goaltending...they are super bargain and play well enough, but I don't think anyone really thought we would be relying on them for a DEEP playoff run this year.
Okay, time to stop counting all these unhatched chickens...
Anyway, its nice to have these kinds of problems...like...where do we put Ovi when he returns[size=78%] [/size]

[Mickstix]

I can't give Carbs enough credit for how this team has taken shape and performed. Also, major shout out to Chris Patrick (Caps GM) he's done a hell of a job assembling a competitive team!


Im with the camp that I'd roll with what we have. We're in Ovi mode for the next year+. See what happens around deadline time, but Im always weary of someone coming in a fucking up the chemistry. (And some young prospect going elsewhere and becoming Seags or Forsberg)

[alta]

Seigs..   


The Siegenthaler trade was money, as I recall. Caps weren’t going to be able to afford to keep him. Still a bad move in my opinion, I feel there were other options at that time. Though I don’t remember what they were. The Forsberg trade.. ooffa. He never got a chance here. He was traded while still in the minors, and I couldn’t tell you what the Caps got in return. Other than the shaft, unlubed.


There are a couple guys I’d consider moving. But at this juncture I see no reason to. We don’t need to bring in a Shattenkirk only to bench a Schmidt. Which really messed up the D chemistry that season.

[alta]

second day in a row, 2 weeks into the 4-6 week recovery

https://x.com/Capitals/status/1864681873080782998

[Beaglefan2]

Rich - I didn't realize Alexyev is older than Sandin.  I'd still like to keep him and give him a real chance to develop further. TVR would be my first guy to go, but I think he is just a trade deadline guy that would get a third round pick.  I don't think other teams would be that high on him.  Based on that, I think the Caps keep them all just to have depth when the inevitable injuries come.


I'm afraid the boat may have sailed on re-signing Chyckrun.  They might have had a chance to get a longer term deal when they got him, but I bet Chyckun is determined to go to free agency for two reasons - obviously the money, but also picking the right team to be on for the long run. He has had to bounce around and play on crappy teams, so I bet he really want to be able to pick.  I was assuming the Caps would be crummy and he would not want to be here long-term, but maybe now we have a chance.

[richkrt99]

Rich - I didn't realize Alexyev is older than Sandin.  I'd still like to keep him and give him a real chance to develop further. TVR would be my first guy to go, but I think he is just a trade deadline guy that would get a third round pick.  I don't think other teams would be that high on him.  Based on that, I think the Caps keep them all just to have depth when the inevitable injuries come.


I'm afraid the boat may have sailed on re-signing Chyckrun.  They might have had a chance to get a longer term deal when they got him, but I bet Chyckun is determined to go to free agency for two reasons - obviously the money, but also picking the right team to be on for the long run. He has had to bounce around and play on crappy teams, so I bet he really want to be able to pick.  I was assuming the Caps would be crummy and he would not want to be here long-term, but maybe now we have a chance.

Yeah, I've been wanting Alexeyev to be full time starter for a couple years.  Time do it was last year or before....dump some old guys contracts (TVR, Jensen) and let Alexeyev play.  If I recall, his development was slowed by an early career injury and then Covid fucked a couple seasons for him so he's a later bloomer, but not his fault.
You probably right about Chychrun.  Caps organization seems like a solid place tho - many guys come here and like it and stay long term (Oshie, Stromme, .  Not sure about a cup run soon, but hell if we play like we've been and maybe get a real Netminder (no offense) then maybe we could be contenders in the near future.
I think maybe he'd like a deal with Tampa or FLA, but hell, maybe he had enough swamp already.  Who knows?  Glad to see an acquisition shine though...good for him and the team. 
Haven't heard boo about Jensen in Ottawa - looked it up he has 8A, 1G in 24 games and is a +11.  Pretty decent stats for him.  (got to suck to get traded)

[Mickstix]

Im glad we get to rest, but this is pretty f'd up. And to snub Russia as well.


https://twitter.com/sammisilber/status/1864747635686486318

[alta]

And to snub Russia as well.

 

[BlackIce]

Im glad we get to rest, but this is pretty f'd up. And to snub Russia as well.


https://twitter.com/sammisilber/status/1864747635686486318

   




You can bet your booties that a smart guy like Carbery is going to have this teed up as motivation for the troops for the rest of the season.

[Beaglefan2]

Yeah, I've been wanting Alexeyev to be full time starter for a couple years.  Time do it was last year or before....dump some old guys contracts (TVR, Jensen) and let Alexeyev play.  If I recall, his development was slowed by an early career injury and then Covid fucked a couple seasons for him so he's a later bloomer, but not his fault.
You probably right about Chychrun.  Caps organization seems like a solid place tho - many guys come here and like it and stay long term (Oshie, Stromme, .  Not sure about a cup run soon, but hell if we play like we've been and maybe get a real Netminder (no offense) then maybe we could be contenders in the near future.
I think maybe he'd like a deal with Tampa or FLA, but hell, maybe he had enough swamp already.  Who knows?  Glad to see an acquisition shine though...good for him and the team. 
Haven't heard boo about Jensen in Ottawa - looked it up he has 8A, 1G in 24 games and is a +11.  Pretty decent stats for him.  (got to suck to get traded)

If the Caps and Alexyev are smart, they will use this time to bulk him up and get him stronger. If he could use that big body and get more physical he could last for a while in the NHL as a journeyman defenseman.  I'm afraid they are going to let him go though.


Maybe the key to Chychrun signing long-term might be if he loves Carbury.  They could sell him that he would be taking over for Carlson and be the leader on this team once Ovi retires.  A good step in that direction right now would be to have him replace Carlson on the PP once Ovi is back.  That would be a real shakeup, which the Caps have never been willing to do, but I think the PP would be a lot better.

[Mickstix]

 

 

[alta]

 

 


how is Russia being snubbed in this 4 nations thing?

[Mickstix]

Russia isn't one of the 4 nations.


USA, Canada, Finland, Sweden

[alta]

The top five nations by active NHL players:
1: Canadia  %42.1
2: Merica     %28
3: Sweden   %9.7
4: Russia     %6.5
5: Finland    %4.7


I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a political reason, or, betmann is an idiot.. could go either way

[Beaglefan2]

That performance by Willy against the Habs was just awesome - and inspiring to the whole team.  It looks like he has a grapefruit on the side of his face.  I'd be surprised if he doesn't have some broken bones in his face.  His helmet visor may have prevented damage to his eye-socket. 


I think he pretty much sent a message to the clowns that left him off the Canada team.  So did Logan Thompson.   Good for them!!