Warning...Prepare for long-winded boredom rant...
We know it's past time to start rebuilding, but our roster is nearly set for next season already so it's gonna be the same ole same ole (literally old in this case) again next year. I expect the Caps will be slightly more competitive next year only in that they CAN'T have as many injuries. Willy is a difference maker for sure. It's nice Backy is actually back, but strictly speaking, the Caps would probably be better served if he'd had to retire. Not that he can't contribute at least on some level, but the NEED for this team to rebuild is only hampered by his $9m salary for an aging player. For a team in rebuild mode, old $9m players are only delaying that re-build process. Don't get me wrong, I like Backy and I'm amazed he is actually back playing at the NHL level, but he's definitely lost a step. Speed was never his greatest asset, but he's not the super effective shut down two-way player (and great play maker) he once was.
UFA Forwards: Sheary, Smith, Hags, Brown are the remaining UFA's. Smith you let walk, Sheary I'd sign at same salary, Hags I expect (hope) retires, and Connor Brown I'd be interested in talking to , but would have to move Mantha to afford him. Hard to say what Brown would fetch in FA with a whole year missed with injury. It's too bad Mantha hasn't been the big power 25G forward we expected/hoped he'd be. Can't fault him for missing most of last year with injury, but his 11G/16A in 63G this year is definitely underperforming. IF the Caps don't/can't move him, it really is going to be the same ole same ole next season. We just don't have the cap space to do much.
Defense: Irwin is a UFA, I'd let him walk. Alexeyev and Fever are both RFA's. You have to sign both IMO. Both could be top tier D for the future of this team. Both are going to get pay raises, not sure what a typical increase is for an RFA at the end of ELCs. Carlsson is also an RFA, but 26 years old.
Caps current signed salary total is $76,130,834 (for next season). That's 11 forwards, 4 D, and 2 G signed (excluding the RFA's). At minimum, you need three more D, and 2 more forwards at and have roughly 7.5 mil in cap space (plus whatever the Cap increases for 2023/24)
I'm already counting my chickens hatched on signing Fever and Alexeyev so that's 2/3 of your remaining D. I think for a young re-building team, you play Alexeyev full time next season. Not sure what salary will be, but I'd expect maybe around the $2m range? THat's $4m of your available $6m cap space.
The addition of Sandin is a huge positive. Maybe just a good month for him, but he has been a difference maker, and plays much bigger than his size, and can play all situations. He's been much more than I expected so far. Nice we have him locked up for next year - he's been the rare positive compared to our typical acquisition history.
Honestly, I was surprised the Caps sent Carlsson down last game - he has played well and had to clear waivers to go. I think I would have risked Irwin for that, but maybe someone would grab Irwin as a utility back up D for a playoff run since he's a UFA and could just be dropped end of season? (Carlsson is an RFA.)
Carlsson has good size (6'-5') and has played well enough, I'm okay with him as the 7th D for next season at a reasonable salary. Although a typical 25 man cap space roster would have an 8th D as well, so maybe you sign Irwin to another year at $750k?
So depending on IF the Caps move Mantha (or someone else), they have little $$ to work with for changes. I expect Fever and Alexeyev will get at least $1m more each.
In my fantasy scenario with Fever, ALexeyev getting $2m each (roughly 1.2m more than current) you have only $2m (plus any cap increase) to sign two forwards and the 7th D-man.
Sqeak, Squeak, Squeak - not sure if that's this team constantly rubbing tight against the cap or.....the OLD bones of this team rubbing and creaking.
On a side note, and as a comparison - The Sabres currently have a 26 man roster and $17.1m in available cap space (currently). That's amazing. They have 14F, 8D, 5G on this roster (plus G on IR - 8 of them entry level contract players on the current roster. Next year they have 5 UFA and 2 RFA to resign. 4 of those total about 6.5m for next year, still leaving $11.5m in cap space. Now they DO have $6m Kyle Okposo (captain) as a UFA, and I expect will resign at age 34 for no more than 6m...probably less, and the do NEED a goalie - Ben Bishop (36) is UFA in last year of 6 year at $4.9m, along with Craig Anderson (41) also a FA at 1.5 currently. I expect they will be shopping for a starting goalie in the offseason unless they sign Bishop to a short term.
The Caps with an aging roster, zero cap space and mired in LT contracts have 77pts - 4th in WC race with 9 games left. Sabres are 6th with 73 pts, but 12 games remaining. Neither will make the playoffs this year, but ...
Which team do you think has more flexibility to improve over the coming years?
Go Caps
