Caps promote Brian Maclellan to GM and name Barry Trotz as coach

[elocomotive]

THIS. Very much so this. And I think Trotz is a stabilizing force. Obviously personnel changes need to be made too to help create that identity, but I think getting a solid leader like Trotz is a good start.

Trotz was a sought after guy this postseason. The fact that he so quickly signed with the Caps after the meeting tells me that he and the new GM (who I'm guessing Trotz knew would be the new GM before it was announced) must be on the same page.

I think people are forgetting some things with Ovechkin - he played pretty hard on defense during the late Boudreau/Hunter period. He got benched at time and I'm sure it wasn't the style that best fit how he plays, but he did what was asked of him, improved defensively, and never complained about it. I think he then regressed under Oates. He was a +105 in the four seasons from 2007-2011. Tales of his lack of leadership/defensive play have been greatly exaggerated. Don't get me wrong - he'll never be a Selke nominee. But I don't think there was some kind of open discontent in the locker room and I don't think he has a problem playing defense - he just needs reminders from time-to-time. Trotz may be the right guy to balance that.

 

[IPostedWhat]

If there is one thing we've struggled with over the past 3-4 years, it's identity.

I thought they were going with the whole "Medieval Times with Mel Gibson" thing?

 

[elocomotive]

THIS. Very much so this. And I think Trotz is a stabilizing force. Obviously personnel changes need to be made too to help create that identity, but I think getting a solid leader like Trotz is a good start.

Who are the top D-men the Caps should be looking at?

Stralman in NY is at the top of my list of UFAs right now. I think they'll definitely be looking to add a piece on D. Their cap situation is really good. $15 million in space with 20 guys signed and Grabovski is the only guy they really SHOULD sign that isn't already.

I'd trade Mike Green (Carlson can take his PP role)for a bag of beads, buyout Brooks Laich, and add some pieces to fit Trotz's new style if I were the GM.

 

[pixburgher66]

Trotz was a sought after guy this postseason. The fact that he so quickly signed with the Caps after the meeting tells me that he and the new GM (who I'm guessing Trotz knew would be the new GM before it was announced) must be on the same page.

I think people are forgetting some things with Ovechkin - he played pretty hard on defense during the late Boudreau/Hunter period. He got benched at time and I'm sure it wasn't the style that best fit how he plays, but he did what was asked of him, improved defensively, and never complained about it. I think he then regressed under Oates. He was a +105 in the four seasons from 2007-2011. Tales of his lack of leadership/defensive play have been greatly exaggerated. Don't get me wrong - he'll never be a Selke nominee. But I don't think there was some kind of open discontent in the locker room and I don't think he has a problem playing defense - he just needs reminders from time-to-time. Trotz may be the right guy to balance that.

He's played hard in every system he's been forced into, no doubt. Some just haven't been the best for him. As I mentioned earlier, I don't think he's a "coach killer" in that he's uncooperative, but I think he's a hard player for coaches to properly utilize, which has gotten coaches in hot water.

 

[elocomotive]

I thought they were going with the whole "Medieval Times with Mel Gibson" thing?

The tried it out - but everyone just cheers for the red knight and it didn't work. Plus, Gibson was always yelling about the Jews. It was distracting.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Who are the top D-men the Caps should be looking at?

Stralman in NY is at the top of my list of UFAs right now. I think they'll definitely be looking to add a piece on D. Their cap situation is really good. $15 million in space with 20 guys signed and Grabovski is the only guy they really SHOULD sign that isn't already.

I'd trade Mike Green (Carlson can take his PP role)for a bag of beads, buyout Brooks Laich, and add some pieces to fit Trotz's new style if I were the GM.

Do you think they go after Matt Niskanen?

 

[elocomotive]

I do think he'll help John Carlson and Karl Alzner but I'm still not sure if they're the top pairing guys they need - they still need to go after someone in trade or free agency to shore things up

A full season of Kuzy should help them too on offense - I think the key eventually will be goaltending - Pekka Rinne and Braden Holtby is a big difference, even though Braden Holtby's had his moments of brilliance

Alzner could be half of a top shutdown pair if they find the right guy to go with him. I think he's a really great #2 defensive guy on a team. I think Carlson is a strong second pairing and PP guy. They need to bring in at least one really solid d-man this offseason.

I think Holtby can be the guy, but I hope they let him be him instead of what they tried to change him into last season.

 

[pixburgher66]

Who are the top D-men the Caps should be looking at?

Stralman in NY is at the top of my list of UFAs right now. I think they'll definitely be looking to add a piece on D. Their cap situation is really good. $15 million in space with 20 guys signed and Grabovski is the only guy they really SHOULD sign that isn't already.

I'd trade Mike Green (Carlson can take his PP role)for a bag of beads, buyout Brooks Laich, and add some pieces to fit Trotz's new style if I were the GM.

*Begins breathing heavy* Those eyes.

I think moving Green is a good move. He's just...I don't know how to describe Mike Green. I don't covet him personally, but there are certainly a good amount of teams that could use him. The return on him wouldn't be as big as it once would have been, but still a prospect/pick package. With all that space, I'd go in big on the D. Now, if I were a Caps fan I'd say go balls to the wall for Niskanen, especially if you move Green. As a Pens fan...BACK OFF. There are some decent options out there on D in the UFA market: Boyle, Timonen, Markov in the "old man" department; lightly used Brooks Orpik is available! You may get in a bidding battle with the Leafs for Orpik though...TRUCULENCE.

 

[element1286]

Trotz is a great hire. If he can't work with Ovie, I don't think Trotz is the problem. Will definitely bring structure to that group.

 

[Cobiemonster]

*Begins breathing heavy* Those eyes.

I think moving Green is a good move. He's just...I don't know how to describe Mike Green. I don't covet him personally, but there are certainly a good amount of teams that could use him. The return on him wouldn't be as big as it once would have been, but still a prospect/pick package. With all that space, I'd go in big on the D. Now, if I were a Caps fan I'd say go balls to the wall for Niskanen, especially if you move Green. As a Pens fan...BACK OFF. There are some decent options out there on D in the UFA market: Boyle, Timonen, Markov in the "old man" department; lightly used Brooks Orpik is available! You may get in a bidding battle with the Leafs for Orpik though...TRUCULENCE.

I was thinking about Dan Boyle too as an option for them, but I'm not sure they need him - he'd be more of a PP guy, John Carlson could probably be that guy

Kimmo Timonen is either returning to the Flyers or retiring, the Habs will get something done with Markov because they are way worse without him and Brooks Orpik is meh

 

[element1286]

*Begins breathing heavy* Those eyes.

I think moving Green is a good move. He's just...I don't know how to describe Mike Green. I don't covet him personally, but there are certainly a good amount of teams that could use him. The return on him wouldn't be as big as it once would have been, but still a prospect/pick package. With all that space, I'd go in big on the D. Now, if I were a Caps fan I'd say go balls to the wall for Niskanen, especially if you move Green. As a Pens fan...BACK OFF. There are some decent options out there on D in the UFA market: Boyle, Timonen, Markov in the "old man" department; lightly used Brooks Orpik is available! You may get in a bidding battle with the Leafs for Orpik though...TRUCULENCE.

Think Green could be what Brian Campbell was/is to the Panthers. Trade him off for some depth forwards.

 

[elocomotive]

Do you think they go after Matt Niskanen?

Maybe. I'd put him towards the bottom of my top 10 D-man UFAs. He's good, but I don't think his value level is going to be good. I think this offseason they should worry entirely about D-men. I'd be looking to add one younger guy like Stralman or Matt Greene and maybe a vet like Boyle, Markov, or Orpik. This is assuming they could unload Green.

In terms of forwards, I've long coveted Matt Moulson, but I can see Trotz liking a Ryan Callahan.

They have money right now and I think with the age/skills they have, they need to make a few big moves and look at this team with a 2-3 year time window in mind.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Maybe. I'd put him towards the bottom of my top 10 D-man UFAs. He's good, but I don't think his value level is going to be good. I think this offseason they should worry entirely about D-men. I'd be looking to add one younger guy like Stralman or Matt Greene and maybe a vet like Boyle, Markov, or Orpik. This is assuming they could unload Green.

In terms of forwards, I've long coveted Matt Moulson, but I can see Trotz liking a Ryan Callahan.

They have money right now and I think with the age/skills they have, they need to make a few big moves and look at this team with a 2-3 year time window in mind.

Yeah I think Matt Niskanen will get a ton of money and I think the Caps might be better suited to find someone on a cheaper, less years type of deal who can give them something right now

As for the forwards, Matt Moulson would be a great fit, especially on a line with Ovie - Ryan Callahan would be pretty good too and it'd give them a credible leader incase Ovie doesn't get his leadership together

 

[dash]

Because no joke, it sounds like Brian MacLellan got the job as Capitals general manager by treating Washington owner Ted Leonsis the same way George treated Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

At today’s introductory press conference, Leonsis told the tale of how the Caps decided to promote MacLellan from within the organization, as opposed to hiring a fresh set of eyes from outside.

According to Leonsis, MacLellan was “the most negative of the interviews” for GM, and even gave Leonsis a list of things that ownership needed to do better.

Leonsis was impressed with MacLellan’s “authentic” and “straightforward” approach, as well as his courage to tell people “what they don’t want to hear.”

 

[Cobiemonster]

So much for those who want Brooks Laich bought out(and I think what they're doing is the right move, they're better when he's in the lineup):

 

[Cobiemonster]

This is interesting as well and it seems Caps fans like this on twitter:

 

[dash]

Is GMBM going to stick? Sounds a little bit on the smelly side to me (lol)

 

[pixburgher66]

Maybe. I'd put him towards the bottom of my top 10 D-man UFAs. He's good, but I don't think his value level is going to be good. I think this offseason they should worry entirely about D-men. I'd be looking to add one younger guy like Stralman or Matt Greene and maybe a vet like Boyle, Markov, or Orpik. This is assuming they could unload Green.

In terms of forwards, I've long coveted Matt Moulson, but I can see Trotz liking a Ryan Callahan.

They have money right now and I think with the age/skills they have, they need to make a few big moves and look at this team with a 2-3 year time window in mind.

Callahan would need to be overpaid, that's the issue with pretty much anyone who signs him. I'd love him on my team, but not for the price tag.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Is GMBM going to stick? Sounds a little bit on the smelly side to me (lol)

I saw one tweet that said "General Manager Bowel Movement"

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Shea Weber in the cesspool cant stop himself from speaking glowingly about Trotz



/
OV for Weber ????