So after this year, we have three more years of Backy at $9.2 million. I screamed long and loud when they did that contract and it will be our worst deal ever.
Oshie also has three more years, but at $5.75 million. If that was our only bad contract, it wouldn't be so bad.
Carlson has four more years after this at $8 million.
Ovi has four more at $9.5 million.
The 24/25 season is gonna be a disaster, but maybe that will get us the number one pick.... how old will Ovi's kid be??
Yeah these contracts are definitely going to hurt. Carlson at 8 mill was too much even at his best but that contract was pre-Covid and nobody know there was going to be a cap freeze, so it's ugly, but everyone expected there to be more cap room moving forward.
Backy ...I'm just
hoping that he is not yet fully rehabbed and he will actually get better. If THIS is as good as he is ever going to be, he is going to be a liability out there. Not that speed was really ever his game, so I'm hoping he can find ways to still be useful. But he will never be worth 9.5m again, and I can't see him playing three more years if he is actually as bad as he looks out there right now. You'd be better off buying him out and giving the roster spot to McMichael or Snively or anybody. Plus McMichael needs to be playing. Playing a washed up Backy hurts in more ways than one.
Oshie - I think we all knew at the Beginning of his deal the last few years of it would be painful, and I honestly think he could have gotten more $$ at the time of the deal. It happens....that's why players sign long term deals - they know their value decreases as they age.
As for Ovi....his value is at a whole different level. The Caps are committed to Ovi breaking Wayne's record, and doing it as a Capital. And good for both the Caps and Ovi - Ovi pretty much made hockey what it is in this town. Ovi sells tickets and brings attention to this team - no matter where he is playing. He's good for hockey and this team so...I don't really have a problem with paying 9.5m to one of the best players in the history of the game - he is truly a once in a generation type of athlete. Plus, he IS still performing. 50 goals and 90 points is pretty damn good.
The Caps are hamstringed by these contracts, but I think they knew it and just decided to keep the band together and sell tickets. Despite what everyone says publicly, I think they all know there very little hope of actual playoff success with this team over the next 5 seasons.
Problem is, you are wasting the best years of guys like Wilson, Mantha & Kuzy, plus some good development and playing years for a number of younger guys whose roster spots are taken by the overpaid Geritol group. BTW - Wilson and Mantha are both UFA's end of 2023-24 Season. Ouch.
Most of the "core" of this team is set for next year, but there are 5 UFA's at the end of the season:
Mojo, Larsson: both these guys are basically budget players - not sure we see either back next year unless they are willing to play for peanuts
Shultz, Kempny, Irwin....Shulz has been better than I actually thought he would over his term, but do you want him back for 4m? Kempny...I think is done, Irwin....meh they might sign him for another 750k just as a fill in.
Also - both GT need contracts (or walking papers). NO idea what we are going to do for GT next year.
I think this team has but one goal over the next three years...
