I'm San Jose I say that's a good start.

I agree I feel like we could get more but the key to this move is five Couture a chance at a cup while also saving us 2 years of his deal, plus there is a chance we could flip both pieces at the deadline or at worse Kuznetsov next off-season.

i don't mind it for either sides. I think the sharks would realistically need to retain 750k or so, but that shouldn't affect this much.

Yes. Makes sense for both. Nice job.

Sharks only have 1 retention slot and that’s needed for deadline deals to gain more picks, hence why I added Barabanov and Mantha.
Gains Washington roughly 3 mil in cap space plus both are layers they receive offer more upside, especially come playoffs.

Do you really want that Couture contract? $8M for 4 years is tough. Dude will be 38 at the end of that contract. Good chance that contract ages poorly.

a chance at what?
you don't really think this team has a chance through the metro... not even sure they make the playoffs at all (they are significantly worse than CAR and NJD, the were and will be worse then PIT until they have both core playing and they might be worse then the two NY teams as well...)

this is just a terrible deal for Washington. The 1st one should be from Sharks, not from Washington, and even then this deal will be very doubtful for us for Caps

its 2023 not 2020
Kuznetsov value isnt what it once was
They've been trying to move him for years with no luck
They waited too long as he's had 1 good season 4 season since his NTC kicked in
Before that he was playing at a high level worth his 7.8m x 8 year deal that was 45% Signing Bonuses.
Since his NTC kicked in though he's had 1 season where he earned his 7.8m

Couture isnt Couturier
He still has plenty of Value despite being older because he's more consistent.
Kuznetsov may have higher highs, but also has extended lower low's.
Couture is more centered and a consistent 20-30 goal scorer and 50+ point Center with great Faceoff Center for Bulk DZ faceoffs volume wise.(he's been carving out a niche the last 3 years)

Everything points to Couture having more value head to head with Kuznetsov

there is logic in your words, but to supplement it with the 1st is robbery. If Washington needed Couture, he would simply exchange his draft picks, since this asset may be interesting not as a replacement for the leader, but as an addition to the leaders of the Caps. And you underestimate too much what Kuznetsov gives.

I don't think Caps are interested in Couture. They need to get younger badly.

Hard pass by the Caps. That trade doesn't do much for them. MAYBE if you remove the 1st it might work.

lol @ the Sharks fans being the only ones saying it makes sense for both sides.

It does not make any sense for the caps. Couture for Kuznetsov is absolutely awful for the caps. The term and cap hit on that Couture contract is a disaster in the making. Sharks need to add significantly and remove the first from the caps.

Mantha+ for Barabanov does make sense for the caps, but not a first round pick when the future is uncertain for this team.

Your jokeing or. Are you that much a homer? Washington get the two better players and save 3 mil but that’s not enough?

Couture has aged well so far, his game is predicated on skill and intelligence not speed. And you guys have a few more seasons to try and get ovechkin another cup. Couture is a playoff beast and Barabanov is cheaper and better than Mantha? I don’t understand the reasoning here

You also forget the last 3 years couture has put up respectable numbers with next to no help. Until Barabanov was on his wing this year his line mates were guys like Dahlen (out of this league) Bonino (4th line depth wing) Nieto (same) Leonard (AHL player).
Imagine if he had 2 comparable line mates and wasn’t forced to be a shut down C cause the team doesn’t have anyone else!

Being a playoff beast doesn’t matter if the caps can’t make the playoffs. Couture to Kuznetsov doesn’t solve anything and makes the caps older and that contract will be a boat anchor in 2 seasons when Kuznetsov’s will be expiring. Again, it makes no sense for the caps ESPECIALLY when you’re adding in a first round pick. Even two for two I wouldn’t do this as a caps fan.

You’re underestimating what Couture with 2 decent line mates could give! The fact you’re saving 3 mil this year and getting both better players is why it needs the 1st. Without the 1st what is the point for the sharks?

Lmao dude you’re being ridiculous. Well good thing this will never actually happen, good luck with Mantha and and guy who wants out of your organization. Bet that goes great for you guys!

I agree with all the Caps fans on here. Bad trade for WSH, Couture is on a horrible contract, and the 1st is outrageous.

Gotta point out one comical thing: you keep saying "playoff beast". I mean, sure, but the guy hasn't played in the playoffs since 2018-2019 season lol so he may have been a playoff beast when he was 4 years younger, but that isn't actually a good selling point...

Every time he’s in the playoffs he is a top performer, that’s a mentality thing and doesn’t diminish with age! That’s why cup contenders like vets.
Take the 1st out and ask yourself why the sharks do that deal? Couture and Barabanov are both clear upgrades and this saves WAS 3 mil this season. Washington would have to add in this scenario to make it fair otherwise there is zero point in doing the deal.

There's zero point in the Caps acquiring Couture for this price. It's a huge gamble with the Caps 2025 1st, which is very likely to be a lottery pick. Adding more term and cap with Couture will hamstring the Caps down the line, even if it saves the team $3M against the cap this season. The only way I see the Caps giving up a first round pick is if they're in a really good spot at the deadline, or if they can acquire a true top six talent that is between 24-28. It just doesn't make sense to leverage the future when the Caps' window is arguably already closed.

If the window is closed then doesn’t it make sense to move Ovechkin? I thought Washington was still trying to get him another cup. I did this figuring Washington was like PIT trying for one last ditch effort the next 2-3 years which is why I thought this made sense.

I do disagree with everyone on here about Couture’s contract becoming a disaster towards the end, the way he works and how physically fit he is plus his game style, intelligence, and mentality make me think we will still be an 18-25 goal 50 point guy at 37/38 (think Pavelski but not as crazy of a late career upswing like he has had) could he be considered Overpaid? Sure! But a problem contract? Doubtful. And as a sharks fan I have zero issue with his deal or keeping him, but we’re not likely to get a cup in the next 4 years so I posted this.

They're not fully rebuilding, it's more of a retool right now. Ovi will finish his NHL career with the Caps regardless. They'll do smart moves to improve the roster, but they're not going to part with valuable assets (like good prospects and 1-2 round picks) unless it really makes sense and gets a proven young player back in a deal. I would expect more moves like the Sandin trade instead of this one in this ACGM.

Ok, while I don’t argue the value of picking in the first 3 rounds and keeping a sustainable prospect pool, most NHL GM don’t think this way and jump at aging vets with good track records to push into the playoffs, Especially when your team is aging out of their window and they want to pry that window open for another year or two before the inevitable rebuild. I’ve seen crazier deals than this before for players far less productive than these two are and could be with better line mates.