The ‘25-‘26 boredom thread..

[alta]

Lapierre was traded to Pittsburgh for draft picks, a 2027 3rd round and 2028 5th round. Lappy is going to be a UFA July 1.


The Caps still have 3 UFAs. OV, Beauvillier and TvR. I would not be surprised to see TvR go.

[Ozzies09tc]

When he's motivated, Kyrou is the fastest skater in the league, will get you 30+ goals and 60+ points and has a great shot.


When he's not motivated, he's a 8.25m/yr 3rd liner with defensive lapses.


Won't battle out of the corner for the puck but will beat you to it.


He's a great player and I think will fit the faster pace of Washington's play than the nitty-gritty grind 'em play St Louis plays -conversely- Connor McMichael is going to excel in this system bc that's the style he brings.


As long as Kyrou performs -as he should- this is a great hockey trade. If he doesn't, this is an overpayment by Washington -but only slightly-


My .02

[BlackIce]

Lapierre was traded to Pittsburgh for draft picks, a 2027 3rd round and 2028 5th round. Lappy is going to be a UFA July 1.


The Caps still have 3 UFAs. OV, Beauvillier and TvR. I would not be surprised to see TvR go.

I agree, Alta - I'm expecting TvR not to be around this coming season.


I think, and I think the Caps think, that Roy is a fixture on the right side, and will probably partner with Hutson a lot.  He is the perfect stay-at-home defender to complement him.  I think that Liljegren is the 3rd pair RHD.  The other RHD position is in flux, because of Sandin's injury.  Sandin had moved over from the left side when Carlson was traded and the Caps SEEMED happy with how he was playing there.  So maybe the Caps are seeing the open RHD spot as a stopgap until Sandin returns - I don't know.  Maybe that could argue for keeping TvR as a stopgap until Sandin returns (as opposed to getting a really legitimate, longer-term RHD to fill that spot.) 


As for Wayne's comment about Kyrou's initially bad =/-:  I saw a comment in the acquisition article that Kyrou had gotten Selke votes at one point, which suggests that he is considered to be a legitimately good defensive forward.  I have no judgment on this matter - don't know the guy. 


If I had to guess who the Caps might take with pick 18 (assuming they don't trade it away before tomorrow), I'd guess Piiparinen (sp?), a RHD.  He's rated #19-20  on the draft boards, I think, and the Caps need a new RHD in the pipeline. 

[waynerivers]

I agree, Alta - I'm expecting TvR not to be around this coming season.


I think, and I think the Caps think, that Roy is a fixture on the right side, and will probably partner with Hutson a lot.  He is the perfect stay-at-home defender to complement him.  I think that Liljegren is the 3rd pair RHD.  The other RHD position is in flux, because of Sandin's injury.  Sandin had moved over from the left side when Carlson was traded and the Caps SEEMED happy with how he was playing there.  So maybe the Caps are seeing the open RHD spot as a stopgap until Sandin returns - I don't know.  Maybe that could argue for keeping TvR as a stopgap until Sandin returns (as opposed to getting a really legitimate, longer-term RHD to fill that spot.) 


As for Wayne's comment about Kyrou's initially bad =/-:  I saw a comment in the acquisition article that Kyrou had gotten Selke votes at one point, which suggests that he is considered to be a legitimately good defensive forward.  I have no judgment on this matter - don't know the guy. 


If I had to guess who the Caps might take with pick 18 (assuming they don't trade it away before tomorrow), I'd guess Piiparinen (sp? ), a RHD.  He's rated #19-20  on the draft boards, I think, and the Caps need a new RHD in the pipeline.

If it were up to me, I'd get rid of TVR and Sandin.  TVR is fairly steady but nothing great.  I'm sick of seeing Sandin get pushed off the puck and tossed around in our own end.  Until this team realizes it needs a BIG and mobile d-man who plays physically, they're going to have problems.  Two such guys would be even better.

[waynerivers]

duplicate

[BlackIce]

Lapierre was traded to Pittsburgh for draft picks, a 2027 3rd round and 2028 5th round. Lappy is going to be a UFA July 1.


The Caps still have 3 UFAs. OV, Beauvillier and TvR. I would not be surprised to see TvR go.

I don't think LaPierre can be a UFA - he isn't old enough, is he?  Do you mean an RFA?

[alta]

I either misread or mistyped that. Yes, Lappy will be an RFA.


Sandin is hurt, knee injury, not expected to play until November. Hurt players have been traded before, but it’s exceedingly rare.

[alta]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/what-the-capitals-are-getting-in-alex-tuch-and-why-the-long-term-commitment-is-well-worth-it

[alta]

Chisholm traded to New Jersey for a 2027 4th round pick. He has one year left under contract. He seemed to play ok here, when he got a chance to play. Seems like it’s a move just to make room for Hutson.




Kampf went to Buffalo as part of the Tuch trade.

[Beaglefan2]

I kind of liked Chisholm. Sorry to see him go. That may mean they intend to keep TVR - or maybe sign  Carlson…..


Looking forward to the draft if we keep our pick. If that big BC kid - Oscar - is there I bet they take him. Maybe it doesn’t matter as they have had better luck with second and third round picks than their first rounders as they just got rid of McMike and Lappy and Miro may be next.

[richkrt99]

Lappy being moved to be expected and not a big deal. Too bad, he just could not launch here.  Hopefully he gets a shot to play in Shittsburgh FFS. 
I also liked Chisholm and would have liked to see more playing time for him. I'd rather see Chisolm on the ice than TVR.  I certainly hope they plan for TVR to NOT be here, but we are definitely  missing a D piece.
FWIW, i do NOT wish to see them even consider bringing Carlson back here. 

[Mickstix]

Good for Chisholm! Wish him well and hope he gets some ice! Lappy too.. Good kid! Just never found his juice here. 

The way I see it, Ovi's playing at least 1 more year. So they don't have the money for anything but a plug RD. And they seem to like TVR and Sandin, who will have +/- 7 months of hockey left to play when he comes back.. I won't be surprised if they sign Ovi for more than he makes now. 1 year 12m or something like that.

[BlackIce]

Lappy being moved to be expected and not a big deal. Too bad, he just could not launch here.  Hopefully he gets a shot to play in Shittsburgh FFS. 
I also liked Chisholm and would have liked to see more playing time for him. I'd rather see Chisolm on the ice than TVR.  I certainly hope they plan for TVR to NOT be here, but we are definitely  missing a D piece.
FWIW, i do NOT wish to see them even consider bringing Carlson back here.

I saw an article that stated that Carlson has already announced he is coming back East, and his most likely landing spot is Tampa Bay, on a 2 year contract at AAV of $10 million or more. 


Talk about bloated UFA contracts .....

[BlackIce]

Good for Chisholm! Wish him well and hope he gets some ice!

The way I see it, Ovi's playing at least 1 more year. So they don't have the money for anything but a plug RD. And they seem to like TVR and Sandin, who will have +/- 7 months of hockey left to play when he comes back.. I won't be surprised if they sign Ovi for more than he makes now. 1 year 12m or something like that.

   


I think you may be spot on in your assessment, Mick.


As far as the defense situation, the Caps currently have 9 defensemen listed on their roster.  But of them, Chisholm has already been dealt, we know McIlrath is nothing more than a spot player, Sandin is currently injured, and TvR's status is uncertain at best.  If the Caps are planning to plug Sandin back in on the right side when he returns, to become the sixth usual starter, then in looking at who the Caps might sign, we have to think of that player as a stopgap who would eventually become the 7th defenseman upon Sandin's return.  In that case, in looking at who the Caps might pick up, it would make sense for them to consider players who have some experience playing both sides on defense (as the Caps apparently see Sandin as being capable of).  That would be useful when the player slides into the #7 spot.  I don't know who among available players might fit that description.

[richkrt99]

Id really like to see them get a rough and tumble BIG defensemen to add to this core.  He doesn't need to be a flashy puck moving goal scorer, he needs to be able to push his weight around and clear the crease.  Having just ONE of those guys on the ice would be nice now and then.  A Joe Reekie or John Erskine type     I know those guys are dinosaurs but someone more of that ilk

[alta]

Round one of the draft starts tonight at 7pm eastern. Caps pick 18th, which will probably be around 10:00

[Beaglefan2]

Last mock draft had the Caps taking Nikita Klepov at 18 but there are some scouts really high on him and he will probably be gone. They had Oscar Hemming at 17 and he is a 6’4” forward out of BC. That’s my guess as they obviously have the BC connection with Leno.


Regarding Ovi, I have no idea where they stand with the cap after Tuch and Kyrou. Dropping off Carlsons contract covers a lot of that. I also think Ovi is coming back as I think he would have told them before the draft if he wasn’t coming. Maybe he gives them a team/friendly deal with the condition that they use it to beef up the team even more. That’s probably unrealistic as it will be a pride thing.

[Beaglefan2]

Well, they missed Klepov and Herman and got a big center from Finland - Suvanto. Supposed to be defensive and good at faceoffs. The ESPN analysts were more favorable than the NahL channel guys who said maybe a third-liner.


One interesting comment about the Caps was that they may be going after Boone Jenner in free agency. Always loved that guy but we don’t need another long term deal to an old guy.

[Mickstix]

Big boy! They said he has some Wilson in him! lol There'll come a time in the not to distant future where we could use a big, tough 3 or 4C.. Hope he can win draws!!

[BlackIce]

Big boy! They said he has some Wilson in him! lol There'll come a time in the not to distant future where we could use a big, tough 3 or 4C.. Hope he can win draws!!

   



Any draft pick is a selection about potential, because (except for the very most outstanding talents) you have to project what you could be getting years down the line.


Suvanto doesn't turn 18 until September - he is one of the youngest players in the draft.  His reputation right now is that he is a good skater for his size, his defensive game is great, and he's supposed to be good at face-offs.  He'll work hard to protect the puck along the walls.  But he is not imaginative offensively - he plays the game mechanically and simply.  And we all know that the really high draft choices among centers are the ones who drive offense.  But this choice is the opposite of that, and exactly what you are describing, Mick.  We've agonized over the Caps not being able to protect leads late, and not being able to win IMPORTANT face-offs in critical situations.  This guy was drafted to be a bottom-line center, but the guy you want on the ice at the end of a tight game to try to close it out.  Like all non-franchise-player draftees, we'll see how it pans out over time.  But that is what the point of this selection was.