Possible offseason moves by the Capitals and Travis Hamonic withdraws his trade request are the big topics in today’s NHL rumor mill.
What next for the Capitals?
No big offseason shakeups for the Capitals?
ESPN.COM: In the immediate aftermath of the Washington Capitals playoff elimination, Craig Custance advises management not to overreact by blowing up the roster following yet another early playoff exit. He notes GM Brian MacLellan said this season was the first of a two-year Stanley Cup window. If he sticks by that plan, there won’t be major roster changes this summer. Custance also recommends re-signing center Evgeny Kuznetsov to a long-term extension and tinker with their depth players by letting Mike Richards and Jason Chimera depart via free agency in favor of younger depth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As heartbreaking as this playoff elimination is for the Capitals, I don’t think they need to shake things up. Adding some speed to their depth lines might be a good idea for next season.
I’m sure there will be some “bold” observer who’ll call upon MacLellan to trade captain Alex Ovechkin by claiming the Caps can’t win with him, but that would be a bad move. Ovechkin (two goals, five assists for seven points) outperformed Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (two assists) and Evgeni Malkin (a goal and an assist) in this series. He had two points in each of the elimination games against the Penguins in this series.
Kuznetsov had a tremendous regular season but managed only three points in 12 playoff games. Can’t help but wonder what effect that might have upon his contract talks. I don’t believe he or any of the other core Capitals players are in any danger of being moved this summer.
Latest on the Islanders.
NEWSDAY: The New York Islanders got some good news yesterday, as defenseman Travis Hamonic has withdrawn the trade request he made last summer. Claiming the health of a family member has stabilized, Hamonic expressed his desire to remain with the Islanders. GM Garth Snow attempted to honor Hamonic’s request during the season, exploring trades with the Winnipeg Jets and other clubs close to the blueliner’s home province of Manitoba, but couldn’t find any suitable deals.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: With Hamonic off the trade block, David Staples suggests “Sami Vantanen of the Ducks, Tyson Barrie of Avs and unrestricted free agent Jason Demers of the Stars.” as trade options for the Edmonton Oilers.
WINNIPEG SUN: Ken Wiebe also notes Hamonic’s rescinding his trade request and reflected on the rumors linking Jets blueliners such as Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and even Dustin Byfuglien to a potential trade for the Isle’s rearguard.
NEW YORK POST: Brett Cyrgalis reports Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak could be a trade piece this summer. He cites backup Thomas Greiss’ performance filling in for the sidelined Halak down the stretch and in the playoffs plus management remains infatuated with promising J-F Berube. The club won’t maintain a three-goal system for next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: And so we bid adieu to the Hamonic trade speculations and scenarios that provided so much entertainment and discussion since his trade request was revealed last November. It was a good run. On a serious note, I’m happy for Hamonic that his ill family member is doing better. The Isles organization as a whole deserves credit for how well they handled this situation.
As for Halak, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Isles attempt to trade him, but given his injury history and $4.5 million annual cap hit through 2017-18, he won’t be easy to move. Since 2010-11, he’s missed a total of 73 games to injuries and illness.
I agree, well done by Snow and their management group. I feel like with how this played out, and how the Drouin situation has been going, more GMs will be comfortable taking the ‘wait and see’ approach to trade requests of young players.
The Caps don’t have to do much as said above. Letting Richards go. Orpik seems like the only guy I would consider trading. Undisciplined penalties at bad times after coming back from a suspension looks awful on him.
CMac, totally agree with that, I was hoping the bruins would’ve done the same thing with Hamilton, some will say its different because he was going to get an offer sheet. I would’ve rolled the dice, because they could’ve easily matched Calgary offer and the Hamilton camp knew that because its essentially the deal he signed in Calgary. It would’ve been how much more of an offer sheet was coming?
Would you take Orpik at 5.5 for 3 more years? Washington would have to eat at least a million probably more to find someone willing to take Orpik. For me he is the most overpaid Dman in the NHL. An average hitter, average shot blocker, average defender & really barely a top 4 guy making #2 money.
Dan girardi
I wouldn’t take Orpik at 1.5 for any length of time. Hell Borowiecki of the Sens hits just as hard and is tougher in a one-to-one confrontation and costs $1.1 for the next 2 years – and I hope the Sens find some way to send HIM packing as the complexities of his chosen position are mere rumours in his mind.
Barrie not a good fit in Edmonton, exceptional offensive skills…..below average defensive skills……..Edmonton needs defence………..
I hate the sound this way, but the Caps need at add a few more North American players to their lineup. Great team during the regular season, but they always seem to be missing something in the playoffs.
You need to shakeup something when you have this much talent and you cannot advance. Offense, defense, goaltending and now one of the best coaches – it’s all there but something is missing.
How would David Backes look in a Caps uniform? Keep Jason Chimera too.
Although I do agree with that the team is ‘lacking’ of something… I’m not sure the Capitals have a lot of room to make impactful moves like a David Backes (besides depth additions). Once the team resigns its players (RFA and UFA)… even if they don’t sign them all and only focus on the main ones there will be barely enough left to sign a Backes. Marcus Johannson is up for a contract and made $3.75m this season, he’ll surely be getting a raise. Jason Chimera is a UFA who made $2m this season, will likely be getting a noticeable raise as well. Orlov is going to be getting a raise from his $2m also, he was their 2nd pairing defenseman set to be an RFA and only 24. I guess what I’m getting at is I don’t see the room to add one of the bigger name free agents out there this off season if the Capitals are interested in retaining Johannson, Orlov, Chimera, and even just a couple of the other names…. unless they make a trade, which may happen
Washington has 17 players signed & 15 mil in cap space. Johnasson’s raise won’t be significant in or around 4.5 per. The only way Chimera is retained at 37 is if he takes a 1 year deal at nominally less money. Orlov played as the #6 Dman in Washington. He’s getting a raise but has very little leverage I wager 2 years at about 3.5. Another show me contract.
That leaves a some money to do something if so inclined but not much I assume Wilson & Latta will have to accept their qualifying offers. They could add 1 B grade UFA in or around 3 mil.
My thought here is that the Caps would have to move a piece, probably Johannson to make room for an addition of some sort. The Caps can’t just go into next season believing everything is OK; you know there is doubt in that locker room.
Standing pat is not the right thing to do.
Striker,
Basically what I said, they don’t have a lot of room to make an impactful addition like one of the bigger free agent names. Adding a $3m player is about right.
Yes. Agreed.
He’d look great ! Term and dollars may be an issue for the Caps as Backes is looking at around 6 mil a yr.
He would fit in but the money is absolutely not going to work and I HIGHLY doubt Backes takes a lot less to play with the Caps
First star in the series-clinching game for the Penguins last night: Phil Kessel. 33 points in 33 career playoff games. He’s been called a lot of names on this site. Here’s a new one: clutch performer.
Wonder how the Leaf and Bruin fans feel about that true statement?
As A leaf fan, all I can say is this. I Wouldn’t call Phil Kessel a clutch performer. He has speed, skill and a great shot. When he wants to be, He’s as good a hockey player as there is, but he doesn’t always want to be.
Id say hes clutch…have for sometime, the issue wasnt Kessel its what surrounded him. Think the Pens are showing that on a team with depth Kessel is a dangerous player.
Doesn’t bother me one bit… The Bruins received fantastic value in that trade, they subsequently screwed that up later down the road but initially was a fine move. I don’t think it bothers many Bruins fan to see Kessel score, everyone and their mother knows he can. He’s a very talented forward and no-one can argue that he isn’t. Good for him and Penguins. I was pulling for the Penguins in that series as I usually support the underdog. A lot of people were almost writing it off as a guarantee the Capitals were going to the Stanley Cup finals and every other team in the conference wasn’t close… because it was a so called weak conference when compared to the western conference. I’m happy to see the Capitals bounced.
I can’t speak for Leafs fans…
I hate Kessel. As a Bruins fan I’m happy he was moved & the return was significant, Seguin, Knight & Hamilton. He’s a cancer. A talented cancer but a cancer none the less. He’s not worth 8 mil per season I’m not sure he’s even worth the 6.8 Pittsburgh is picking up. He cares about no 1 but himself.
Kessel can be a clutch player, when put in the right situation and surrounded by the right players.
As long as it’s not for my favorite team I wish Kessel all the best.
Lyle, you mention Crosby and Malkin but ignore the more impressive stats of Phil Kessel – 12 points (5 goals + 7 assists) in 11 games these playoffs, with two goals and an assist last night. He’s no longer a Leafs player, it’s okay to acknowledge his outstanding play.
exactly. did those on this board watch that game last night or this series? he has been outstanding.
I gave Kessel his props (along with Hagelin and Bonino) in my recap of last night’s game in the “News” section.
We should give honorable mention to Daley – he has found a home with the Pens. Hagelin for Etem was a disaster trade for Rangers.
Speed was factor both Eastern series.
I think that was the impressive thing about the penguins, Crosby and Malkin were normal and yet were able to eliminate the Caps in 6. Phil the Trill, leading the way. This Tampa series should been entertaining a ton of skill. If Pitts can get Crosby and Malkin going in this series, this should have lots of speed. Keeping with my prediction before the playoff started, Pitts wins the cup! Mind you I did say or LA in 6. So not really boosting, gives me a small thread to hang onto.
I had Was & Anh in the cup final by bracket selections. Yet somehow still in a great spot in all my playoff pools as most others did as well but if StL doesn’t advance It will be difficult to win any of them. I’ll finish in the money but can’t win if Dallas takes them out tonight.
Looking forward to the game tonight but going to be tight to get there by game time. Every thing needs to go right no delays including traffic once I hit Dallas/Fort Worth. Brutal milk run. Fort MacMurray to Edm, Edm to Denver, Denver to SJ, SJ to Dallas. Don’t ask. Sometimes happens with my Air Canada package & late bookings.
Will take a miracle with airlines these days, but at least you are staying out of the northeastern airports like Dulles, the NY airports, etc. Good luck man.
With Hamonic off the trade block, hockey beat writers across North America must now conjure a new active daily snippet about some other player they are convince will end up in their city for peanuts…
… cue up the Oliver Ekman-Larsson being moved for the 1st overall again
Sigh. As a Leaf fan, I’m just looking forward to my team selecting Matthews and I’m guessing a Dman in the middle of the 1st (in exchange for a package).
Dan39,
Package of what? Don’t they have a late 1st, so you mean moving up then?
That’s right, Chad.
I normally cut and paste the rankings into a spreadsheet as they come in but wait until after the lottery before I start to have a serious look at the players I expect to be taken around our slot.
This year, however, based on need and statements Lou has made, I think we’re looking at packaging that PIT pick and the 31st to move up. We also have the WAS 2nd to play with.
If you look at aggregate rankings I provide below, you’re targeting one from this group.
#5 – Chychrun
#7 – Joulevi
#11 – Sergachyov
#14 – Fabbro
#15 – Bean
#19 – McAvoy
Of these, Fabbro and McAvoy are your right shots.
Dan39,
I understand… I’m not sure what the package would have to look like to get a shot at one of those guys, some are going to go top 10 even 3 possibly 4 of the names listed may. If you visit different sites post lottery draft it has many of those defenseman going between 5-15. I think Toronto would at the very least have to give up the Pittsburgh pick, and both 2nd round 2016 picks to move into a position to have a chance to take one of those guys you mentioned. Depending on the final outcome of the playoffs that Pittsburgh pick may become even less valuable than it already has. Maybe more like a early 2nd if they win or at least head to the finals.
Interesting that the Leafs’ savior is going to be an American kid born and raising in Arizona
Chad, I think if you do a quick Google of the various articles published on the value of picks in the first round, you see there is a huge drop off at the top of the draft and then it really levels out.
The drop from #1 to #4, is like 10x as important as the drop from #10 to #15. It’s especially true when you’re talking about defenseman that are really hard to predict outside of the top 4.
Let’s say you have the 30th and 31st – worst case – I think you can swap that to get into somewhere around the 15th. If you add the 56th from WAS, maybe you get 10-15. That puts you in with a shot at one of the best D coming out of the draft.
If you look at the 2012 class, which we now are starting to get a decent idea of, compare the draft slot to how you’d draft them today:
Slot / Player
2 / Ryan Murray
4 / Griffin Reinhart
5 / Morgan Rielly
6 / Hampus Lindholm
7 / Mathew Dumba
8 / Derrick Pouliot
9 / Jacob Trouba
10 / Slater Koekkoek
15 / Cody Ceci
22 / Olli Maatta
23 / Michael Matheson
25 / Jordan Schmaltz
28 / Brady Skjei
Those guys in the middle are as good as the ones at the top. The kids in the 6, 8, 9, 15 and 22 slots are probably at the top end if you reorder it.
4th Hanson, I think you’re underselling Marner (2.0 ppg in OHL, 2.5 ppg in playoffs) and Nylander (0.6 ppg in NHL this season now 0.83 ppg in AHL playoffs) to say Matthews is the only high end talent the Leafs have.
even to move up to 19 the leafs would have to move more than pitts and the 31st just not gonna happen
I am surprised the Jackets have not come up in trade talks. Moving the #3 pick for assets now? How much longer can this franchise tread water?
Good point! Honestly though I look at practically most of the franchises with picks in the top 10 and arguments can be made for most to move their pick. Maybe this draft well see more activity. I was quite surprised last draft when the Bruins moved Hamilton and Lucic on draft day
I think the cap crunch + upcoming expansion draft will make this an interesting off-season, starting with the draft.
I can here Chiarelli now. F–k! That’s 1 less Dman off the board to help solve Edm’s D problem.
He still has the 4th overall… it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out. I feel the biggest trade he’s made IMO was the Seguin debacle in which he completely blew so I’d like to see how he rebounds with the situation he’s currently in. He’s also made a number of other horrible trades when on the Bruins, especially around the deadline. Time for Chiarelli to bounce back and swing for the fences.
I really think Chiarelli is afraid to move any of his skilled guys after the Seguin trade. These guys are all still young and have a long way to go.
It’s been over a year and still waiting for him to do something.
I get the feeling he’s a bit reluctant as well. I’m not doubting him moving the 4th but until I see Chiarelli make another big time move I’m standing by my opinion that the guy is a bit gun shy to make a big time move. The Seguin debacle I think has hurt him. Post Seguin, what big moves did he make to better the Bruins organization? Boychuk… blew that trade too, Connolly… as of right now a complete disaster as well. He mortgaged 4 second round picks for those 2 players alone. No major signings after the Seguin trade… I can’t wait to see what Chiarelli does this off season and hope to be proven wrong, for the sake of the Oilers fanbase I’m pulling for them… otherwise I hope Chiarelli #Fails
He did not help NYI in the playoffs as i said before not enough offencesive upside to be anything more than a 3/4 dman.
Good for the Isles and Hamonic. Snow wasn’t going to get a player with that quality of contract back.
As for Hamonic-Winnipeg is no more than 1 connector flight away, so he may as well stay where he is comfortable.
Losing Alzner hurt the Caps. Pittsburgh exposed the Caps d for being slow. Orpik,while he didn’t quite cost the Caps the game he is no more now then a 5 6 d man. They should have got Hamhuis when they had a chance.
Time to promote Bowey.
If I’m Washington I would definitely consider trading Backstrom. IMO yes he puts up the points during the regular season, but come playoff time he’s always been absent. Backstrom is a player you can get a lot of return for, due to his experience and talent, but if Washington wants to make a splash in the post season this is one player I would consider dealing.
… But if he’s absent playoff time and Washington is moving him, maybe because he isn’t good in the playoffs then it’s not a secret to other GM’s as well. Playoff performances hurt the value of players. No one overpays for poor performances in the playoffs except the Boston Red Sox and the David Price contract.
you don’t trade backstrom unless you move ovi first just too good of chemistry
Interesting piece of information and I may be wrong because it was very late last night when I started digging and writing things down but I saw an interesting comment on Twitter regarding the Penguins… Went something like this:
Amazing the impact the Penguins scouts have had on the organization last 5 years.
Now on the surface you say “yeah obviously the team is clicking right now and they look great, chemistry is right” but I thought to myself okay… How many current players in the lineup (during this playoff run) has been drafted by the team? Any guesses… ? I came up with only 8 total and that based on the 4 lines of forwards, 3 lines of defenseman, and both goalies. I haven’t had time to research all 29 other teams but would honestly like to… To get an idea but I think 8 is quite low IMO. Now the point was made that scouts are at every leve, such as Pro scouts that assist in trades but this Penguins team is more pieced together and talent from outside places then it is from inside the organization. Just my opinion!