IMO, just play AJF and save the $1.65M on Larsson

I think we see the first true Caps camp battle in ages between him and Snively for 4LW. My money’s on Snively, but either way, it’s time to stop blocking our prospects with by signing slow veterans to play 4th line/3rd pairing.

Ottawa says "Thank you, Come again".

If the Isles move Varly they are not retaining on him.

I think Trocheck gets more dollars. Maybe just north of 8M

The only reason I signed Larsson is because we need a depth center (and Pilon / Lap / Beck) are not suitable for that role if they are needed for 5+ games. I am more than fine with AJF or Snively, but then we would still need to sign a versatile center as our 13th forward.

Sorry - just a touch confused

Does that mean a no or a quick yes? If it is a no, just curious, what is Banny's trade value? As I said in my description, I honestly have no idea.

Gotcha. Well in this GM team, there is room for that. He is definitely going to get a big payday even though I don't think he should be getting first line money (just my view)

Quick yes.

I think they'd rather have Oshie slide over to center if a top 9 center is out than use Larsson, and if it's Dowd out then whatever center's playing best in Hershey can fill in. They wouldn't be as good as Larsson, but they wouldn't require blocking Snively/AJF. Snively in particular seems like he might still have a chance at becoming a Sheary-type middle six winger if he's given a chance.

Totally agree with your assessment about Snively being a Sheary-type player.

I respectfully disagree with your thoughts about Oshie. He was a suitable short-term replacement for a center within the top 9, but it disrupted his pace of play (his words). And Oshie has struggled to stay completely healthy as well.

Center depth has been a concern in years past for the Caps (remembering the bubble experience specifically) and having a RW (with a little C experience) be the only replacement option for center in the top 9 is concerning. ESPECIALLY when unproven McMichael will be the sole 3rd line center this year. If Kuzy or Trocheck (whoever the second line center goes down), you expect McMichael to step up to be a 2nd line center? That is a lot of responsibility for an unproven second year guy.

Youth movement needs to come, but you have to remember to be able to have adequate depth, especially down the middle. It would be great if we could get a TVR-type vet. I say TVR-type because the first year he was signed, he hardly played but we had that reassurance that if someone did go down, he was there. So maybe not Larsson, but someone (under 1.5mil preferably) needs to be brought in to either play or be ready to step in just in case.

I'd rather gamble on McMichael stepping up in the 2C role than play Larsson there. McMichael might be able to rise to the occasion, but I think a 2nd line centered by Larsson would just be an expensive 4th line - probably won't get scored on but probably won't score either. Even on the 3rd line, is Larsson really that much better than just calling up whichever one of Lapierre/Protas/Pilon/Sgarbossa/Vecchione is playing best in Hershey at the time?

I really like the concept of this. I think we can really only do this if Backstrom is going to Robidas Island since it puts us in quite the cap crunch if he returns.

Brannstrom's stock has fallen quite a bit, and I would not move a second for him nor give him 2 million when alexeyev or johansen would fit the same role. Other than that, I like all these moves and think they're pretty realistic

Yeah - I guess I am just not a fan of McMichael in a 2C role, but who knows. Regarding Larsson, I would take him over Lap/Pilon/Sgarbossa/Vecchione 100 out of 100 times a day. Protas is the only one who MIGHT be able okay. But I see your point.

I still think we need a vet center / versatile forward