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The ‘25-‘26 boredom thread..
Beaglefan2:
Rich - good analysis. I kind of hate to see Milano take a spot as we know what he is - which is a player that gets hot every now and then but has stretches where he just gets dominated and then has the injuries. I like Cristall, but he is really small. At that size they really need to be super-skilled and I'm not sure he will get to that level. I hope I'm wrong since he seems to be able to put the puck in the net. I have the same concerns about Leonard, but at least he is a little bigger.
i'm guessing Miro sticks. He was a strategic draft pick who was a guy that would have gone higher and I think they would like to prove how smart they were drafting him.
By mid-season, I would not be surprised to see Lil Pro on the roster.
richkrt99:
I agree about Milano, He has worked hard and looks excellent now, but he is a streaky player who sometimes just earns himself out of a playing spot, but based on this camp...he's in for now. Lappy as well - I think AHL did him good last year, hope he continues to improve, and he has been very productive as well as responsible.
Hate to see guys not make it simply do to the waiver consequences, but the reality is, why risk an asset if you don't have to so it certainly is a factor.
We need guys who will score - or at least create the opportunities to score. Most of these guys have done that in pre-season, but the other factor is where will they actually play if they make the roster?
Miro and Protus could survive on 4th line due to their size/style of play. Cristall, Leonard, Lappy, would be a waste their so why waste the time to put them there - they'd be better served in AHL honing their craft
I think they will keep Iorio for the waiver reason...he is a young talent with good size and I expect he is close to NHL ready....they shouldn't risk losing him to another team - I believe he would get picked up on waiver for sure. Both Carlson and TVR are declining and wont last forever. Iorio is close to being ready for fulltime NHL play.
I figure the Caps will start with Milano, Leonard, Lappy, Sourdiff, and Iorio, sending the other guys to Hershey, risking Frank and about 6 more to waivers. I expect the first opportunity or injury or someone just not producing, and we will see one or more of these guys in Caps sweater at some point this season.
Leonard is waiver exempt so he could be sent down without risk, leaving a spot for someone who isn't, but they seem to be really high on him and he has played well,
BlackIce:
--- Quote from: Beaglefan2 on Yesterday at 10:46:18 AM ---Rich - good analysis. I kind of hate to see Milano take a spot as we know what he is - which is a player that gets hot every now and then but has stretches where he just gets dominated and then has the injuries. I like Cristall, but he is really small. At that size they really need to be super-skilled and I'm not sure he will get to that level. I hope I'm wrong since he seems to be able to put the puck in the net. I have the same concerns about Leonard, but at least he is a little bigger.
i'm guessing Miro sticks. He was a strategic draft pick who was a guy that would have gone higher and I think they would like to prove how smart they were drafting him.
By mid-season, I would not be surprised to see Lil Pro on the roster.
--- End quote ---
It surprises me that IlyaP might be going to Hershey. He has another year of Junior eligibility left - you'd think the Caps would use it. He must really be showing some talent for them to forego that experience. He had a great season in Juniors, but he will be 19 for this entire next season, I believe. And it's hard to put a lot of weight on Junior stats because lots of guys score lots of points in Juniors.
As for Cristall, I saw a postgame video of him the other day, and he no longer weighs 167 - I'll guarantee you that. His face and neck is filled out; I bet he's put on some weight, and these "official" stats are often known to lag well behind reality. I'd bet he weighs at least 180 now. That ain't huge, but for a waterbug, it can be competitive.
richkrt99:
--- Quote from: BlackIce on Yesterday at 01:41:25 PM ---
It surprises me that IlyaP might be going to Hershey. He has another year of Junior eligibility left - you'd think the Caps would use it. He must really be showing some talent for them to forego that experience. He had a great season in Juniors, but he will be 19 for this entire next season, I believe. And it's hard to put a lot of weight on Junior stats because lots of guys score lots of points in Juniors.
As for Cristall, I saw a postgame video of him the other day, and he no longer weighs 167 - I'll guarantee you that. His face and neck is filled out; I bet he's put on some weight, and these "official" stats are often known to lag well behind reality. I'd bet he weighs at least 180 now. That ain't huge, but for a waterbug, it can be competitive.
--- End quote ---
Agree on both. I think Ilya has progressed greatly, but those crazy stats in WHL don't mean too much. I mean he DID score more than ANYONE else so that's saying something but we all know fantastic prospects don't always turn into superstars. I do think they move him to AHL this season - just based on his level of success and his overall play. His massive size helps.
Every interview I've seen with Cristall, he says the same thing...he's working hard and putting on weight. If he is actually 5'10", then he does look heavier than 167. At his age especially, I would think he could pack on 13lbs of muscle in a season to get him to 180. I'm so far removed from his age and weight...I don't have a good reference :snicker:
richkrt99:
As of this afternoon....
Washington loaned forwards Andrew Cristall, Eriks Mateiko and Ilya Protas and defensemen Ryan Chesley and Leon Muggli to AHL Hershey. All five players are embarking upon their first seasons as pros in North America in 2025-26. Additionally, the Caps placed forward Sheldon Rempal on waivers for the purpose of loaning him to Hershey
Cuts roster to 27; 15F, 9D, 3G. So looks like they need to trim 1G, 1D, 2F
Sourdiff, Leonard, Miro, Lappy, Frank, Milano are left fighting for 4 jobs (I'm missing one I think, but dunno who)
I expect Miro &r Frank get the axe. Miro is waiver exempt. Or maybe Caps cut Milano - his health might make him safe to waiver but dunno - he has played well.
Sourdiff has been the least noticeable of this group to me this preseason, but maybe he's just not flashy or a big scorer? Frank has looked pretty good - has Just missed on bunches of chances - I cringe for him every time thinking that might be a nail in his coffin, but heck maybe mgmt likes the chances hes getting.
I dont know who the 9th D is...Oh maybe Chisolm? So Chisolm/Iorio/BigMac are fighting for 7 & 8 D D spot. Only 1 will have to be cut...None are waiver exempt
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