I believe Ovi will be back. He is good for the team image & marketing in that he IS the franchise. There are different levels of success when it comes to the franchise (and $$$ is one of them)
He does control it somewhat as the ball is in his court. The team simply can not pay him $12m a year and put a roster out that will be competitive. He's not Connor McDavid....or Leon Draisaitl. Ovi isn't worth it and more importantly the Capitals simply can't afford it. SO if he demands something outrageous, then he's gone....or should be. I figure they will come to terms with something that is overpaying him but not outrageously...I hope (anything over 9m is over paying). I'm hoping they get him for <10m for three years and that's it. Or 8.5 for 4 or something. But, I won't be surprised when they pay him 11m or something crazy, just disappointed.
He has the ability to help HIS team by taking a cap friendly salary. Not saying he has to or even that he should (well I think he should) or that it is fair that he take a pay cut, but He COULD do this if he really wants to win and wants to win here.
Ovie has control over what salary he demands...so in that factor he DOES Control it. It's more his choice than it is management's. They can't choose to pay him more because it simply isn't there.
Backy will be back. Whether he is "worth" his salary remains to be seen. He has had some minor injuries in the past, and I don't think he is done, but his best days are behind him. He can still be a solid 2c I think, but they need to cut back on all his extra duties (like PK) if they want to prolong his effectiveness. That wasn't possible at the end of this season and playoffs and it showed.
Anderson...meh. He was okay, but he had glaring holes and he will never be a true starting NHL goalie again. He's a UFA and won't be back. I'd be surprised if he plays anywhere next year. Like Black said...not hanging a hat on him.
After all being said and all the drama around it, I believe Samsonov was the best option to actually win. Remember he is young and really hasn't played that much. He needs some serious coaching and such (ahem...stay in position...and HOLD onto your damn stick!) Question is....will he get the proper coaching and guidance needed here to improve his game....or will he become a passenger on the Kuzy train?
He does NOT have a contract so...who the hell knows. He is an RFA. I guess we will see this summer how upset the Caps are with him and his antics. Him playing over Anderson in the last two playoff games (and performing pretty well) should tell you what the Caps think about Anderson.
Wilson is going nowhere. As it should be. For all the whining about him around the league, I'll bet you even the Rangers would welcome him with open arms.
The NHL has hampered his overall effectiveness. I don't like it one bit, but they want to take the roughness out of the game. Live with it or get out. I think Willy has gotten that message and it has impacted his game. He can still be highly effective and worth his salary. You don't pay a goon $5m a year no matter how much the fans like him. He needs to adjust his game by contributing more on the score sheet. I think he will. This year was not good for him. Next year will be better.
Oshie....I like him a lot, but his age is catching up with him too. He still competes and gives the effort but like most of this team - his best days are well behind him. I'd probably protect him in the draft, but losing him would not be the end of the world. He is a great team guy and locker room guy, and fan guy, and head and heart are there, but stars need the legs and lungs too.
Most of the decisions are made anyway. Only guys to worry about are guys who are not signed next year:
Ovi is a UFA: sign him to a FAIR deal...everything else in the offseason stems from what happens with his contract.
Kuzy: under contract, but fuck him. Send him packing - I think the coach is done with him, but Caps management can be stubborn. If you CAN'T swing a deal with him in it then he will be back. I'd expect that doesn't happen, but WTF knows.
Charra is UFA: let him walk. Unless he will play for $750k again. Great guy, but old and slow. Not sure he helps the FUTURE of this team. Kempny will be back so we don't need him (not that Kempny IMPROVES the D)
Samsonov is RFA: Based on our options...sign him unless he's burned too many bridges in your eyes
Anderson is UFA: I don't expect him back, nor do I want him
Lundqvist is UFA: Do you want to chance on him? I don't know. I kind of figured the heart surgery ended his playing days, but apparently not.
Raffl is UFA: meh...didn't see much on him, but Caps will NEED some bargain contract guys.
Carr is UFA: couldn't break the lineup, but I expect maybe the lineup is thinner next year so...
Geez...is this the boredom thread or what. Sorry for the long post.