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Impossible Situation That Doesnt Feel That Impossible

Created by: krakowitz
Team: 2022-23 Washington Capitals
Initial Creation Date: Sep. 15, 2021
Published: Sep. 15, 2021
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Let the record show that I do not think this is likely to happen. In all likelihood, this is my imagination being bored on a Wednesday evening.

It seems Malkin has had his issues with the Penguins for a long time, but nothing ever amounted to a trade. Is it possible he leaves in free agency this summer? I don't think it's likely, but I also wouldn't consider it impossible. And then look at the Caps. If Kuznetsov underwhelms again, he'll most certainly be on his way out. It will be difficult to find a center that can play behind Backstrom right now and keep us in contention. If Hertl is off the market by then, there really aren't any other good long term 2Cs on the market (Trocheck is the only other candidate that could fit). Instead of throwing Eller or McMichael in that spot, would they pivot to someone like Malkin to fill the void while McMichael and Lapierre develop? Would Malkin want to play with Ovechkin, especially while he chases Gretzky's record? I know the Caps want to get younger, but if there isn't a younger option on the market, going after someone like Malkin is a total Caps move. Washington seems to love going after big names after their prime years (Kovalchuk, Chara, Lundqvist recently, Fedorov and Nylander from a decade ago) and Malkin totally fits the bill as someone management would target in this situation.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
4$4,000,000
3$3,000,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$7,000,000
2$3,750,000
1$1,000,000
2$1,000,000
Trades
1.
WSH
    to wherever for whatever
    VGK
    1. Kuznetsov, Evgeny
    2.
    WSH
      to wherever for whatever
      BOS
      1. Jensen, Nick
      DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
      2022
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WPG
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      2023
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      2024
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      Logo of the WSH
      ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
      21$81,500,000$73,225,000$100,000$0$8,275,000
      Left WingCentreRight Wing
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Ovechkin, Alex
      $9,500,000$9,500,000
      LW
      M-NTC, NMC
      UFA - 4
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Bäckström, Nicklas
      $9,200,000$9,200,000
      C
      NMC
      UFA - 3
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Oshie, T.J.
      $5,750,000$5,750,000
      RW
      M-NTC
      UFA - 3
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Mantha, Anthony
      $2,850,000$2,850,000
      LW, RW
      UFA - 2
      Malkin, Evgeni
      $7,000,000$7,000,000
      C
      UFA - 4
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Wilson, Tom
      $5,166,667$5,166,667
      RW
      M-NTC
      UFA - 2
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Eller, Lars
      $2,415,000$2,415,000
      C
      UFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Sprong, Daniel
      $3,000,000$3,000,000
      RW, LW
      UFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      McMichael, Connor
      $863,333$863,333
      LW, C
      RFA - 2
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Hathaway, Garnet
      $1,500,000$1,500,000
      RW, LW
      UFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Hagelin, Carl
      $2,750,000$2,750,000
      LW
      UFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Dowd, Nic
      $1,000,000$1,000,000
      C
      UFA - 3
      Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Fehérváry, Martin
      $791,667$791,667
      LD/RD
      RFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Carlson, John
      $8,000,000$8,000,000
      RD
      M-NTC
      UFA - 4
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Orlov, Dmitry
      $1,275,000$1,275,000
      LD
      M-NTC
      UFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Schultz, Justin
      $3,750,000$3,750,000
      RD
      UFA - 2
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Alexeyev, Alexander
      $863,333$863,333
      LD/RD
      RFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Samsonov, Ilya
      $4,000,000$4,000,000
      G
      UFA - 1
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      van Riemsdyk, Trevor
      $950,000$950,000
      RD
      UFA - 1
      Holtby, Braden
      $1,000,000$1,000,000
      G
      UFA
      ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
      Logo of the Washington Capitals
      Sheary, Conor
      $1,500,000$1,500,000
      LW, RW
      UFA - 1

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      Sep. 15, 2021 at 9:15 p.m.
      #1
      ClockReads2113
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      I was thinking about this recently actually. Issue is Caps need to get younger and Malkin isn't that. But man, would I love it for so many reasons: pissing off PIT fans and getting Malkin and Ovi together.
      krakowitz and capsfan2121 liked this.
      Sep. 15, 2021 at 10:34 p.m.
      #2
      krakowitz
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      Quoting: ClockReads2113
      I was thinking about this recently actually. Issue is Caps need to get younger and Malkin isn't that. But man, would I love it for so many reasons: pissing off PIT fans and getting Malkin and Ovi together.


      I totally agree that the Caps need to get younger. I just don't see a way they move on from Kuznetsov, get younger AND stay competitive. I think management could ultimately settle on getting Malkin to fill the void until McMichael/Lapierre is ready for that 2C spot.
      Sep. 16, 2021 at 10:16 a.m.
      #3
      Eli
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      Edited Sep. 16, 2021 at 11:57 a.m.
      They're coming off identical seasons and Kuznetsov is six years younger. Why are we talking about this?

      eta: if the answer is Jensen for Marino, it's a start, but I think Kuznetsov should have a better year than Malkin this year if they get the same ice time. Trading to help Pittsburgh stay competitive and get younger crossed my mind here, and I didn't like it. smile
      Sep. 16, 2021 at 1:39 p.m.
      #4
      krakowitz
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      Quoting: Eli
      They're coming off identical seasons and Kuznetsov is six years younger. Why are we talking about this?

      eta: if the answer is Jensen for Marino, it's a start, but I think Kuznetsov should have a better year than Malkin this year if they get the same ice time. Trading to help Pittsburgh stay competitive and get younger crossed my mind here, and I didn't like it. smile


      Not identical. Malkin was substantially better. I brought it up because in the event Kuznetsov has another down year, you know that GMBM will be looking to shake things up. It will most likely be too costly asset wise to trade away Kuznetsov and get a younger replacement 2C, and I can totally see him pivoting to Malkin to be the stopgap until one of the kids are ready. I want to believe that Kuznetsov will have a bounce back year and we keep him moving forward, but I'll believe it when I see it. Maybe him and Mantha have some natural chemistry or something.

      And why would Pittsburgh entertain Jensen for Marino? Marino is a much better player and it's not particularly close either.
      Sep. 16, 2021 at 2:05 p.m.
      #5
      Eli
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      Quoting: krakowitz
      Not identical. Malkin was substantially better. I brought it up because in the event Kuznetsov has another down year, you know that GMBM will be looking to shake things up. It will most likely be too costly asset wise to trade away Kuznetsov and get a younger replacement 2C, and I can totally see him pivoting to Malkin to be the stopgap until one of the kids are ready. I want to believe that Kuznetsov will have a bounce back year and we keep him moving forward, but I'll believe it when I see it. Maybe him and Mantha have some natural chemistry or something.

      And why would Pittsburgh entertain Jensen for Marino? Marino is a much better player and it's not particularly close either.


      Kuznetsov and Malkin got similar boxcars last year. Very close. Within one point. Each started very slow and fanbases panicked and called for trades. The difference is six years of age, and that's probably more than the average NHL career. To me that difference is worth Marino, but I'm sure to PIttsburgh it isn't. Just being flippant.

      To me if Kuznetsov doesn't get motivated after two years with a million dollar coach, it's not necessarily on Kuznetsov.
       
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