The ‘25-‘26 boredom thread..

[alta]

Gone fishing for three straight days? When did you win the lottery?

[Mickstix]

 I won't tell anyone, but there will be clues! 

[alta]

Preseason game 5 tonight, Caps vs Bruins at 7pm. Monumental and supposedly 106.7 will have the game. The last Thursday night game 106.7 broadcast the nfl even though the Skins weren’t playing.


Ovechkin-I. Protas-Miroshnichenko
Beauvillier-Lapierre-Leonard
Milano-Sourdif-Frank
Cristall-Mateiko-Rempal

Chycrun-TVR
Fehervary-Iorio
McIlrath-Chesley

Lindgren

[BlackIce]

Boy, the Caps are taking a good look at L'il Protas - centering the Ovie line, which is a big responsibility not only to give Ovie his chances, but to be defensively responsible given that Ovie is no great shakes in his own zone.

[richkrt99]

Yes they are looking hard at a lot of guys.  I've been quite impressed with a bunch of them.  Leonard has looked good, so has Cristall, Protas, Lappy and Miro as well.  Even Rempall has looked good.  I think honestly all have played well enough to make the squad but there just isn't room.
I think Lappy and Leonard are in, as is Milano.  That leaves room for 1 forward
Frank, Sourdiff, Rempal, Smallman, Clarke. Rybinski, Trineyev,  would have to clear waivers (as would Lappy, Milano)
Cristall, Protus, Miro are waivers exempt.  I think just based on asset management, The Caps will send these three to Hershey and put Sourdiff on the NHL Roster.  Kind of sucks for all 3 of them as they have all played very well.
Kind of makes my scratch my head a little that they spent draft pics to get Sourdiff, when they have SO many young prospects that could maybe make the jump.  Caps are going to have to risk at least 7 Forwards to the waiver wire this week.

I heard them say last night if Iorio is sent to Hershey - he will have to clear waivers.  I don't understand that based on the waiver exempt guidelines I've seen.  Iorio is 22, has 3 years pro status (this year is 4) and has played 9 NHL games in two seasons (never 8 games in one year).
I looked it up - he signed his ELC Oct, 2021 - so he is 4 years from start of his PRO career.  I assume that is what makes him waiver eligible.
Chisolm, Iorio, BigMac are fighting for 2 spots.  I ASSUME BigMac is a lock - he seems to be very well liked, and I certainly think he has his value...guy knows how to clear the crease.
I expect Iorio will make it over Chisolm.

[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]

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.

   




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]

   
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.

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 

[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

[Beaglefan2]

I like Chisolm and Iorio.  Chisolm can skate and kind of reminds me of Chyckrun.  I would like to see Mac make the team, but he is not going to get better at this point.  If they are going to do what they have in the past and not work in the 7th guy very often, then I would prefer them down in Hershey where they can develop.


On Cristall - there is no way he is 5' 10" but maybe he is not done growing.  I really hope Leonard can grow as well and put on muscle. He can get away with the free-wheeling skating style in college, but he scares me with the big boys - he is gonna get hurt if he doesn't protect himself better.


I repeat what I said about Miro - I think he is the one they will keep because they want to look smart drafting him.

[richkrt99]

whoever is moved from the D has to clear Waivers - which sucks.  I can't see them risking Iorio - he would get grabbed for sure.  I think Iorio was a 1st round pick...I just don't see them losing him.  I love BigMac, but at this point, I'd rather risk losing 35yo Mac than 22yo Iorio.  I having seen enough or know anything about Chisolm to really comment on him

Leonard is listed at 6'0, 190 lbs. I don't think he's that tall, but he might be.  He looks pretty solid and muscular in his warroad shirt, but i just didn't think he was that big.  They keep referring to him as a "power forward", but that's not the impression I got last year.  He has looked more solid in this short preseason...driving the net, standing in front, etc.
Funny - the short article I read (Mike Vogel), didn't even mention Leonard in the discussion of who would be cut next

FWIW - they have Miro listed at 6'-1", 185lbs.  I don't think he's 6'-1, but maybe so

They have Lil Pro listed at 6'-5" - now THAT one I don't doubt 

[Beaglefan2]

I think you are right about Iorio.  I just hope hs in not another Alexyev - that they never develop and then lose him later.


I don't think Miro is that big either. All teams exaggerate a little, but the Caps have had this reputation as a big, physical team for years which I don't agree with.  Other than Ovi and Willy, there really is very little size on the team that will actually use that size.  Carlson is an oversized pillow and our D has to be one of the least physical in the league. Protas is not physical at all.

[BlackIce]

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

Sourdiff was brought in specifically to be the 4RW to go with Dowd/Duhaine.  So offense isn't really the issue there.  If he's to get cut, somebody has to fill 4RW, and none of the other guys you mentioned is really suited for that.  On defense, Big Mac goes down - no one will take him because of his age.  He's at the point in his career where he knows what the deal is -- he is a spare part.  I think Frank is in sort of the same boat, though I could see someone being more willing to take a flyer on him.

[alta]

Final cuts need to be made by Monday at 5pm eastern.


Final preseason game, Caps vs Blue Jackets at 7pm
Monumental Sports, 106.7 FM

There doesn’t appear to be any pregame again tonight. Tonight’s expected lines per Sammi..

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Ivan Miroshnichenko-Hendrix Lapierre-Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Justin Sourdif

Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy
Declan Chisholm-Dylan McIlrath

Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren

[BlackIce]

Did McIlrath get hurt this evening?  I don't think he's played in the second half of the game.

[alta]

McIlrath had one short shift to start the 3rd then went to the locker room. Roy did not play the final 10 minutes, also went to the locker room. That’s potentially two D men starting the season on IR.


It kinda looked like McIlrath may have strained a groin when he lost his skate blade, not sure what happened to Roy.

[richkrt99]

Yes Mac was hurt and did not return for 3rd period....later reported as lower body injury
Roy also disappeared near end of 3rd...Caps finished with 4D