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As we head into the vast unknown of yet another off-season for the Washington Capitals we immediately shift our focus to looking at team “needs” and the roster moves required to address those “needs”. Some of the decisions have surely already been made, but others may take further assessment by Capitals brass to determine.
But before addressing needs, any smart general manager will take a look around and see what’s working, and maybe just as importantly, what isn’t working, for the successful teams in the league. In other words, what do the Capitals “need” to do to compete with and beat the top teams in the Metropolitan Division, and what do they need to do to compete with and beat any of the top teams in the league.
Here is a quick preliminary “to-do” list:
1. Sign or Trade For Goaltender
This one is obvious. And while the need may be obvious, the means for the change is not. By free agency? or via trade? The Capitals must resolve the goaltender issue. They can’t go into next season with the same two-headed question mark they have been dealing with for the past two seasons.
2. Part Ways With Michal Kempny, Justin Schultz and Carl Hagelin
Justin Schultz and Michal Kempny should not be re-signed. Their departures will generate $6,500,000 in salary cap space that could be used for better value (sign a goaltender, a veteran defender, a scoring center).
Parting ways with Carl Hagelin and replacing him with Johan Larsson or Axel Jonsson-Fjallby would save more than $1,500,000, although it will be difficult to deal Hagelin with his current injury status.
3. Get Younger
The Capitals elevated some of their youth this season (Martin Fehervary, Connor McMichael) and that needs to continue. Replacing Schultz and Kempny with Lucas Johansen, Alex Alexeyev, Tobias Geisser or even Bobby Nardella would be ideal, if they are ready/capable of making the jump to the NHL. That’s a big “if” for all of them right now. The trading of Jonas Siegenthaler begins to really hurt at this point.
Replacing Hagelin with Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (restricted free agent) would reduce the age of the fourth-line left wing position by 10 years. Johan Larsson would cut the age by four years. Ideally, Joe Snively, Aliaksei Protas and/or Brett Leason will also be part of the roster discussion in September.
4. Find Potential Upgrades
There are players like Lars Eller, who are on the bubble, with potential replacements (Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas) waiting in the wings. With one more year remaining on Eller’s contract, the Capitals need to seriously consider dealing him and upgrading at the position. They might also consider moving Nicklas Backstrom down to center the third line and look to sign a second-line center this summer.
Then there is John Carlson, who’s game is becoming more and more bipolar. His offensive game and point production has been great, but the defensive side of his game has been steadily deteriorating. His contract is also a huge negative. The Capitals need to think long and hard about possibly moving on from Carlson.
The Work Begins Now
The work for the start of the 2022-23 season is already underway and you can be assured that changes are on the way. It’s easy to say the Capitals need to get younger, but the execution is critical. Experience is very valuable in the NHL, so the balance of youth and experience needs to be carefully crafted.
By Jon Sorensen
Well done. I worried earlier when reading about training camp decisions. As you so well say, we have decisions to make now. Decide on the look of the team, on the playbook, the style, and then make your player decisions accordingly.
Carlson needs to go, but we will DEFINITELY miss his scoring.
It’s not like we won’t get scoring elsewhere. But he’s become a defensive liability. What galls me is he could be better; he just chooses not to. He needs to get his head screwed on right, or he needs to be gone.
I agree with everything here. Hagelin has only one more year on his contract. Hopefully he can spend that on LTIR and then not be re-signed. And giving Backstrom sheltered minutes is unfortunate for a guy who’s getting $9M a year, but it has to be done.
Eller has only 1 year left making him very easy to move at draft or trade deadline. I don’t agree with moving him though. He is nice insurance for when Backy gets hurt, and he will.
Sign ville husso, trade Carlson +1st for chychrun.
I like the idea of Husso.
Husso is an unrestricted free agent and the Blues have already committed a lot of money to Jordan Binnington.
Indeed, and I think Husso probably only demands 4m Mac on the open market. I’d swallow that pill.
Chychrun was almost -50 this year. Somehow that seems to be trading a problem and a 1st for a younger, less experienced problem….
Carlson is actually not too old to recover. I think for a lot of this year he was dealing with injury. He is so good at helming the team 5 v 5 I don’t think we can find a credible replacement. But I do think his minutes need to diminish. If we don’t sign Schultz and make some other moves, we may be able to get a quality puck moving defenemen — think a Matt Niskanen type — to come in and take some of the pressure off. I don’t know who would take Eller in a trade. I do agree Backstrom needs to have reduced minutes and he should stay on PP1 where he remains effective. Maybe McMichael gets a real shot to be the 2C next year. The team will suffer for it at first, but if he grows into the role, it could make a real difference. Juat about anyone on this team not named Ovechkin or Kuznetsov or Wilson should be tradeable this offseason.
Red, I agree to some extent. We need to hear who was dealing with injuries which will hopefully come on “breakdown day” on Sunday. Could explain a lot.
I have a feeling we’ll be hearing about lots of injury news.
I would add Oshie to the names we should retain as well. I realize he’s getting up there in age, but I think he brings a lot to the table. No one on the roster played harder vs Florida
The problem isn’t any injury Carlson might be playing through but his lackadaisical play.
Great article.. I also read Tariks piece on Athletic.. I’m in the camp of making a move on a goalie of a Quick, Husso type.. and continue the youth movement. McMichael get a full time role middle 6 winger/ 3l center 82 games 12-14 minutes a game put up 40+pts per. Snively, AJF, Lapierre, Protas all have chance to take other roster spots..
But if they can swing a move like Fil Forsberg or something a legit star or zjohnny Hockey legit star that’s UFA or via trade that’s in that 27-28 range that’ll boost the top 6.. im all for it. Move Mantha or Eller or both and get that person
Good stuff, Jon. The frustrating thing is that it won’t get put into shape in a year or two.
Our stars are getting older. Ovie is amazing. He’ll probably keep scoring and we’ll probably overlook his defensive play. Backstrom is ok as a #2 center if he’s healthy enough to play. Kuzy had an excellent year and a good playoffs all things considered. He could help another team win the Cup. He has real trade value. Wilson probably stays. He does everything so well. But again what would he return in trade?
Carlson did get torched on defense a few times but I think Lavi just rode him too hard. Our D corps is weak. Fehervary had a good year but he’s not a good top pair D man yet. Maybe one day. Orlov had a great year. He’s become a hell of a D man. He could bring back a good draft pick in a trade. Schultz had an ok year and was ok in the playoffs. I’m not a big fan of Jensen’s game overall. He’s a good skater and decent puck handler but struggles to shut down star players. To be fair almost everybody struggles to shut down star players but the Caps need players who can do it. None of the Caps D corps are outstanding defensively. Carlson is damn good offensively. Orlov competes all over the ice and can carry the puck reasonably well.
I see average NHL goalies in Sammy and Vanny. Samsonov has toms of raw talent but seems to lose his competitiveness a few times each game. Vasilevsky ups his game in those moments. So yeah I don’t think Sammy is the answer.
Do you think Ovie’s run at becoming the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer will be or should be more important than building the next Cup winner? Let’s face it, that’s on a lot of people’s minds.
Thank you, Lance! 👊 I grew, this could be more like 2-3 years, but that could change. The news in Backstrom may alter everything.
How about coaching? Two back to back first round losses. Traditionally has been a catalyst for head coach change.
I’m with ya. But I think since the first two years he’s dealt with unusual circumstances, like COVID and a ton of injuries, I feel confident he will get next season, at least.
Every post playoff there’s claims major changes will be made with roster yet none are made. Ever. Owner is only interested in filling arena. Not winning. Fire GM and coaches. Overhaul roster. Otherwise enjoy being mediocre. Again.
Blowing it up is not the answer.. As long as Ovi is on the roster….
sooo another 4 years or so… IT’s not going to happen. So get over it. How long have you even watched hockey, 2018ish? GTFOH
Dont over react like the Leafs.. we took the Prez winners to 6 games without Willie… Hathaway came within an inch of prob winning the series…
Let Hags go… JS and MK as well… I say let Eller go and keep CM… Dowd can play 3rd line C if needed…
Sign who for D? There are a few… wait for the draft… If Mantha stays healthy next year, along with a solid G then the Caps will be fine.
Good points. The Caps-Cat series was close. A shame it was a 1-8 seeding, that’s a joke.
Why a joke? The Caps did it to themselves during the season with many OT lossees and a poor PPmost of the year. They are what they are, a team that has quality but not enough quality to suceed in the playoffs and win a Cup.
Defense wins you the Cup—the PK did ridiculously fantastic, but overall team D wore down against the Cats. But it was also a problem in the REGULAR SEASON, choking leads! So something needs to improve with the overall team D.
I like Eller because he’s a good Swiss army knife type player but I think he may need to be moved for draft picks or something. And then it’s up to the young guys to produce and grow up fast, if you’re gonna replace Eller.
But yeah, Hags, Kemper, Schultz need to go to free up space. Gotta get more draft picks and prospects and re-stock Hershey too
Stop doing the drop back pass,
It haunts us. Teams steal the puck and get short handed goals.
Move the puck forward.
Learn to score garbage goals,
Teams love garbage goals against us. They knock us out in the 1st round.They love garbage goals,Goals with odor on em.
A goal is a goal.
Stats (high-danger shots and goals) took a step down this season. There is an issue with that.
Caps need to get younger and add more speed. The leauge is fast pace now. Teams like FLA, Colorado, Toronto, tampa sorta. They are succeeding while old school dump and chase and slow wearing down game doesnt work. Second, we need another star. Ovi is Ovi but he shoukd be on second line already. He shoukdnt be the center of our offense. Imagine if we had a another star on top line and ovi on second. Backstrom shoukd be third line center at this point. His production isnt top 2 center level. Third. MANTHA needs to go. He sucks, he is a waste of oxygen on this team. He is lazy doesnt shoot and cant score in playoffs. Fourth, defrnse needs to bring in young players like alexyev and more. Let them play a 82 game season. Let them make mistakes and learn and come playoffs they will be ready. Time to take a chance and use our youth at the top. Let mcmichael play top minutes. Let snicely play. You dont know their potential. Our team is to reliant on our core and theres no room for others
Huge mistake not signing Kane. Washington hockey fans are hockey illiterate.
The majority of the league must be hockey illiterate. There were only a couple teams interested in taking a chance with him.
A toxic locker room is worse than an injured locker room. I do not feel it was a mistake. Kane might straighten out and fly right (and for his sake I hope he does), but with his history at the time, not signing him was the correct call.
No, it wasn’t. The Caps don’t need that toxic jerk in the locker room no matter how talented he is.
I agree withmost of what you say JOn however I think that the first thing that management and ownership must realize is that the Cup window for this team, due to many reasons, has closed and it is time to rebuild. They dont have to start tomorrow by getting rid of over 1/2 of this team but can do is slowly over the next 3-4 years.
I agree that they have to ake some changes in goal as they cannot go forward with two #2 goalies and at tis time there is no one in the minors who is really ready to start. Things to look at: When will Hunter Shepard be ready? Are Gibson and Clark in the picture and if so when will they get to Hershey? Copley is a good/decent backup and maybe one day will become a goalie coach. Where oes Clark fit in as he has nice size but at 20 still in College. Kostenko and Bjorklund look like projects. I would prefer VV as the #2 for now. I doube that Sammy will bring much in trade and he is not worth what he was paid this year. With both of them being RFA this summer we cant resign both. I think a lot dependson when they expect Shephard or one of the other guys to be ready on who they sign over this summer and hopefully it will not be for a long term or for big bucks. Maybe Campbell or Suban might take a 2 year deal.
Agree on parting ways with Kempny, Schultz and Hagelin as well as Johansson and probably Larsson as well. Bring up all those that played last year and let them fight for spots this fall. And to be honest if Laviolette doesnt like it I say let him walk. Also have no problem with trading Eller adn Sammy or VV whichever you can get the most for. If someone would take Carlson without having the Caps take back salary I would do that. Sad but backy and his hip problems needs to retire. With thee changes the team reduces salary cap and gets younger.
Lastly Im not sold on the HC or on the GM. I feel that just making trades like the GM did this year in what appeared to be desperation and making a trade for the sake of a trade needs to stop. Also trading away our younger players and draft picks for older players who dont produce is nothing more than wher GMGM did. Why is it that Fla can get a Giroux while we end up loosing draft picks for players like Johansson and Larsson. Pitt got Jeff Carter a couple of years ago and Boston picked up Hall while we get scraps.
The Caps had 9 players who took up about 68% of the salary cap. Its time to seriously reduce their cap number and play the rookies who they have drafted to see what they have. Also they need to take a hard serious look at the draft this year and draft someone in the 1st round who is either ready now or will be in one year and then the rest of the picks need to be players who have size, speed and can shoot and have grit.
Finally I really think that the Cpas need to clean house in both the front office and on the coaching bench. time for new blood and new thinking. And time for Ted to realize that if the rebuild does not start now when it does it willt ale a longer time that is he were to start now. Starting now may mean being out of the playoffe for 1-3 year starting later means out for 4-6 years.
I am a Bears season ticket holder and I am Commenting on your potential moves to replace current Caps defenseman with those in their AHL system. Johanson had an ok year. His first since he arrived in Hershey. Not ready for prime time. Alexeyev has a big shot but not an elite skater. Potential though. Nardella has been getting worse not better each year. Geisser is decent for an AHLer now. None will improve the defense. Best players in their system are forwards. So if the are moving defenseman they better go shopping.
I believe it says “and that’s a big “if”. I will disagree with your assessment of Nardella, as he was the leading scorer on his SHL team last season. I have also watched every game for the past 8-9, years (away games as well) so I feel I have a good gauge of who is doing what in Hershey.
You should know as well as I players sometimes suffer in Hershey (See Jonas Siegenthaler) He was average at best there, but once he left he flourished, and now is one of the best young defensemen in the NHL. The Capitals will give them a chance in September, that you can be assured.
Trade Hagelin your kidding right? When Hagelin got hurt he was tied with most points on the team with Kuzy? Once Hagelin got hurt you never heard about the 4th line the rest of the season or playoffs? Hagelin was the 4th line. Hagelin also has the most experience on this team in fact he as the record for most playoff appearances. He has always gone to at least the second round till he joined the Capitals. It is also the Capitals whom are to blame for maybe he’s career ending injury. A injury he got in “practice” for gods sake. Wouldnt be surprised if the high sticker was Hathaway whom cant keep calm ever. Hagelins eye injury is on the Capitals period. Who have you heard get a serious injury in practice. The 4th was the best line for the last 2 years thats already be established by stats. The 4th line however was hardly mentioned once Hagelin got hurt he gets the pucks behind opponets nets cause noone on the Caps is at fast as Hagelin. Then he dishes it to Dowd or Hathaway thats why they both had career years (thanks to Hagelin) But go ahead and trade Hagelin i miss him on teams that get pass the first round. He hasnt sense he came to Washington. Gets injury because of the Capitals and now you say the Capitals should trade him lol how ridiculous i would be suing the Capitals for me getting injured in practice.
You are essentially completely wrong. Larsson stepped in Hagelin’s spot and did very well, and is younger and cheaper. Axel is 10 years younger and $2 million cheaper. Hagelin has one eye. The fact that you blame the Capitals is laughable. Hagelin always wears his shield tilted back, check the pics. That’s his choice but he hast to consider the risks.
Larrsson did nothing he is slow and gott man-handled the whole series. Axel not impressed with him either he is a very bad knock off of Carl. He might beable to have Hagelins signature flow but he does not have Hagelins speed, hockey intelligence, and for sure Stanley Cups. When Pittsburg traded Hagelin they tried trading back for him the same year. They only traded him to stir up the locker room. Many articles on Penguins trying to get Hagelin back the same year they traded him. I am cool with your opinion on trading him. The only Capitals whom play hard every night is Hagelin, Oshie, and Sheary thats it. Everyone else is more worried about OVI getting his goals then winning or winning the Cup. Crosby a way better team player for sure.
Sorry, but he gone.
I did notice how Hagelin said in his exit video though “you dont hear guys every getting hurt seriously in practice”. I think he was making a point to whomever high sticked them was to blame. who highsticks a guy in practice. Im sure we will never know. My money is on Hathaway.
It was an accident. Probably wouldn’t have happened if he wore he shield like he supposed to.
Well i never comment on articles nor Washingtons facebook page like other people do daily. I find it so funny us regular people saying who should be fired or traded lol. If these professional hockey players could see all of us at are meaningless jobs and how we perform they would be laughing. But we think we can judge them on something that they worked on sense they were 4 years old. Shit people on here commenting probably like 40 percent body fat have a job that means nothing to the world and any person could do their job. Sad none athletes know whats best lol.
but hey maybe you are an hockey expert i have no idea. Take care good aritcle
You make good points. but this team played without half of thier top 6 forwards for most of the year and still managed 100 points and did not fade until the last few weeks of the season. Yes the Caps need to get younger, but the window is NOT closed. They should have won game 4 at home and been up 3 to 1 on Florida, that was bad puck luck PERIOD, missing an open net AND THEN Florida luck a pucks it in with seconds remaining. You don’t define a teams season as over the hill based on that. This team is still a contender, but I agree its upgrade time. Lars and perhaps a 3rd may get an extra 2nd rounder this year and they need to target the Russian forwards in this draft who may slip even if it cost next years draft capital. They can manage this year with a free agent to help on the 3rd paring defensivily. The team has some promising centers like McMichael, who need to be given a shot. Backy and Hags are great but they will not be 100 percent next year. I see both as LTIR, and Snively, AJF, Protas all need to play. No they are top 6 but as thier confidence grows team performance will improve. Goalies take time to develop and no one in the NHL gets more out of a goalie than Barry Trotz. I see the Caps having a great year next year under Trotz. Sign both young goalies on one year deals and let Trotz find our Number 1. And Ryan Pulock likely signs with our Trotz team to give us a much stronger D.
I think you make sone good points Phil but Ryan resigned with the islanders long term and while Trotz is available he is unlikely to return after the way he left the organization after just winning the Stanley Cup
I understand we did try to trade for the islanders goalie but that fell through so management is trying to address those issues-
Agree the Caps core is still solid though old and injury prone –
Another year maybe 2 and the window slams shut –