strome historically sucks on the wing but maybe the caps system will be better for him there

I agree with these lines but I wouldn't be shocked to see Mantha and Sheary switched...

I want him at center, but it sounds like Laviolette is gonna throw him on the wing when backstrom is back. We’ll see!!

I was thinking Sheary at 1RW, Wilson at 2RW, and Mantha at 4LW possibly. Maybe Mantha finds his game with a healthy backstrom. He also has chemistry with Strome even though they never end up on the same line.

They really shouldn't do this. Go with Kuz-Strome-Backy-Dowd. That's nasty. Plus Strome is a high end playmaker, no reason to put him with another like Backy or Kuz.

Agree, but I doubt management feels the same way. At least with Strome on the wing with Backstrom and Mantha, should give Mantha a long term line to build some chemistry with, and produce some more offense. I think he's been screwed by how Laviolette has deployed players, so maybe getting a long term line with 2 great playmakers can boost his confidence and results.

I think eventually the Caps will go with Kuzy-Strome-Backy-Dowd and either trade Eller or move him to wing (which, as we have seen last season, isn't necessarily good for Eller).

Right now, I do think these are the lines the team goes with, mainly to ensure Backy is comfortable, skating okay, and ready to go for the rest of the season. If he is not, Caps have Eller for center depth security. We have seen countless teams in the past who won the stanley cup and had stellar center depth (quick examples: Pittsburgh 2016 & 2017; Avs last season). Not a bad initial plan imo.

Only thing that really bugs me is that Milano will probably sit (as shown here). He has been too good and too noticeable to sit. I would say sit MoJo, but same goes with him (to an extent). He has been quite good as well... Tough decisions coming up

I wouldn't mind sitting Milano if we're talking long range game. Loved how he's played so far but if they sit him, could depreciate his value and make him easier to retain next year. I get the concern that he's been too good to sit but if Washington is getting even better results from Backstrom's return, I don't think they can have too much depth, and it would be incredibly nice to be in a position where they can have a guy performing at a top 6 level coming off the bench for any injuries.

Also fun fact: Milano's next point will be point #100 for his career.

This is what I think management will do at least at first. Hopefully Backy proves hes ready and they bury Eller when Carly comes back and then call him up for depth in the loffs.

This is not what we should do. Strome is a center, he's played great, and needs to stay there.

I 100% agree with you guys. I just think this is the most likely look that Lavi goes with. Hopefully Eller gets pushed out so that we can see Kuz-Strome-Backy-Dowd down the middle in some order.