We’re (finally) getting down to “nitty gritty”, as they say. The deadline for teams to reduce their rosters to the 23-man maximum is set for 5:00 PM on the night before the start of the season. And even though the Capitals 23-man roster has been pretty much set since free agency began in July, there are still a couple of vacancies that could see a wide range of solutions.
With Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren assured two of the 23 spots, the Capitals could go with 14 forwards and seven defensemen or 13 forwards and eight defensemen for their final roster openings. And while the openings are scant, there are dozens of line permutations involved with the decision. Here’s a look at a few of the key variables.
14 FORWARDS, 7 DEFENSMEN
14 Forwards
The following is a breakdown of the forward’s general assignments. You can flip players and lines and the single open position, but the names are set.
Alex Ovechkin – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Connor Brown
Anthony Mantha – Dylan Strome – Conor Sheary
Marcus Johansson – Lars Eller – T.J. Oshie
Opening A – Nic Dowd – Garnet Hathaway
Opening B, Opening C [Extras, 13th and 14th Forwards]
Options For Openings: Connor McMichael, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Joe Snively, Aliaksei Protas, Brett Leason, Henrik Borgstrom.
In all actuality, “Opening A” could occur anywhere in the lineup, so a player that can play center or wing most likely has an edge.
Borgstrom and Leason are on the outside looking in, and will likely not get a spot on the roster. Unfortunately both Borgstrom and Leason, they will also require waivers to return to Hershey.
This leaves four players, McMichael, Jonsson-Fjallby, Snively and Protas competing for three spots. McMichael and Protas are waivers exempt. Snively and Jonsson-Fjallby would need to clear waivers to return to Hershey.
Here’s where the decision comes: Do you send McMichael and Protas to Hershey, because you can (they are waivers exempt and can be called up/down anytime), and thus, lessen the risk of losing a player like Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and/or Joe Snively on waivers? Do you keep one waivers-exempt player, say Protas, who could be returned to Hershey when Tom Wilson returns to the lineup? (Snively or Jonsson-Fjallby would then need to be waived when Wilson returns).
Of the four, Snively and Protas have made the best showing in the preseason, with one tuneup game remaining. However, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby might be the best natural fit to replace Hagelin, as he is excellent on the penalty kill, a solid back checker and has an excellent shot. McMichael has the most NHL experience, and can play center or wing.
7 Defensemen
The Capitals blueline has also been relatively set since the summer, with one open spot available.
Martin Fehervary — John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov — Nick Jensen
Open Spot — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Options For Openings: Matt Irwin, Lucas Johansen, Erik Gustafsson.
Knowing Laviolette and the importance of comfort and familiarity to him, Matt Irwin will likely get a spot on the roster, and he should. He was solid last season and preseason has shown much of the same. That leaves Lucas Johansen and Erik Gustafsson battling for the final spot.
Gustafsson has had the best training camp and looked the best in preseason action. Both Gustafsson and Johansen would need to clear waivers to make it to Hershey.
OR…
13 FORWARDS, 8 DEFENSEMEN
The other option for the Capitals would be to go with 13 forwards and 8 defensemen. The configuration would eliminate any decisions regarding the blueline, but require one additional forward to run the waivers gauntlet.
13 Forwards
Obviously the 13 Forwards option creates greater pressure on the final decision regarding forwards in training camp.
Alex Ovechkin – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Connor Brown
Anthony Mantha – Dylan Strome – Conor Sheary
Marcus Johansson – Lars Eller – T.J. Oshie
Opening A – Nic Dowd – Garnet Hathaway
The forwards discussion above under the 14 Forwards option applies, with the need to cut one more forward from the roster.
8 Defensemen
If the Capitals decide to go with 13 forwards and 8 defensemen, the blueline is set with who they have left in training camp.
Martin Fehervary — John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov — Nick Jensen
Erik Gustafsson — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Lucas Johansen- Matt Irwin
To (over)simplify things, the decision to go with 14-7 or 13-8 could be boiled down to one final decision. Is keeping Lucas Johansen worth more than the potential/likely loss of one of the aforementioned forward prospects.
So that’s where we sit with five days to go. There are tough decisions to be made over the next few days at Capitals HQ in Ballston.
Unless of course there is an injury (knocks on wood). Or a trade (dun, dun, dun!) Then all of this is out the window.
Which way are you leaning?
By Jon Sorensen