getting a cup

that Anaheim trade is such a joke dude. Never happening. Dream on

Only the Vegas trade is even remotely realistic. Tanev and Gudbrandson aren't worth anything close to that, and neither is Orpik. Plus that leaves the Caps well over the cap without a full roster.

Manson has top 4 upside, Vermette is a good 4C on a contender, and Orpik is a pylon with a bad contract. We can't move Orpik for anything of value, or we already would have.

I think the Caps would take the Anaheim and Vegas deals, even at slightly higher cost, and would look to pay less on the Vancouver trade.

Manson played more minutes per game than Orpik last year with better corsi and tougher zone starts, and he's younger and cheaper, but there's half a chance Anaheim wants toughness, experience, leadership, and the ability to get opponents off their game.

I don't think the Caps would trade Orpik for a bag of pucks. Todd Reirden likes him and Niskannen likes playing with him. They're a team. They don't care what Mike Milbury says.

But for a guy eleven years younger who plays more of a puck possession game, and eats minutes better, I think they'd almost have to. Which is how I know that deal doesn't acutally get offered by another contender like Anaheim, but still...