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staytru20

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Jun. 26, 2018
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Washington Capitals
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Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 14, 2021 at 11:26 a.m.
Thread: Kuzy to Habs
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>DriveFor25</b></div><div>Montreal will not trade a young, cheap, promising center in Kotkaniemi for an older, overpaid, defensively unreliable center in Kutnetzov, especially when Kotkaniemi is part of the future core in Montreal and they don’t have much cap space to work with. If they were to spend money, it would be for a mobile PMLD or an offensive LW. Drouin is probably available though.</div></div>

Kuznetsov was actually a lot more effective defensively this season after meeting with Laviolette. Kuzy wanted more ice time, and Lavy told him he needed to be better defensively, and he was. His defensive performance measured by Evolving Hockey was actually pretty comparable to Kotkaniemi's, but Kuznetsov was much better offensively. A lot of it is probably more role oriented for KK, but having Suzuki and Kuznetsov as your 1-2 punch in MTL would be pretty deadly.
Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 2, 2021 at 2:24 p.m.
Thread: 4th Period Report Kuz Team Interest
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Meeqs</b></div><div>I mean WITH him they aren't a Cup contender. At some point you need to expect that his personal issues make the player you wish him to be not the same thing as the player he has been for multiple season, hence the point of all of this. From everything I have heard, it sounds like the decision has been made, so that is the reality I am going on until reports come out otherwise</div></div>

I've seen nothing saying the Caps are going to move him for a low return. It doesn't make sense for a team still expecting to make the playoffs. Are they a top tier contender like the Lightning, Avalanche, or Vegas? No, but anything can happen in the playoffs. Everyone wrote off the Caps in 2018 too.

Also, it's not like Kuznetsov has been bad on the ice. He's actually still producing, so I don't know where that comes from.
Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 2, 2021 at 2:16 p.m.
Thread: 4th Period Report Kuz Team Interest
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Meeqs</b></div><div>That's fair on the ED point.

I think the reality for WSH is that Kuzy has had serious personal problems ( a cocaine problem being one of them) along with not living up to standards on the ice means that WSH is simply not going to allow him to constantly cost this team a chance at the Cup any longer. They can't rely on him so ultimately they have to move on from him, even if the return isn't ideal they view returning with him as a non option with how few contending years this team has left.

If he does well on his new team then so be it, the only one WSH cares about is their own.</div></div>

The issue is, without Kuznetsov, the team isn't a cup contender. If they're getting a low return, the Caps have no center depth. Kuznetsov is the catalyst for the Caps' success in the playoffs. When he's on his game and invested, he is absolutely elite. If 2018 wasn't Ovi's first cup, there's no doubt that Kuznetsov wins the Conn Smythe.

So there's essentially three options:

1. Make the right trade involving Kuznetsov, with a center like Tomas Hertl or Sean Monahan coming back, giving the Caps center depth that can match up with other playoff teams.
2. Sell low on Kuznetsov, don't have a viable 2C option, and probably not even make the playoffs, or lose in the first round.
3. Roll the dice on Kuznetsov that he straightens up the off-ice issues. Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Eller, and Dowd down the middle is still a strong group. Adding a bit more youth and speed to the roster could help the team stay healthier entering the playoffs.
Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 2, 2021 at 1:50 p.m.
Thread: 4th Period Report Kuz Team Interest
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Meeqs</b></div><div>While I agree with needing a replacement there are always things like ED slots that are an issue and any cap space WSH can get right now gives them options.

I will say I wouldn't be shocked if something like a Kuzy for Monahan swap ends up happening</div></div>

Holding off on Ovi's new contract allows the Caps to protect an extra forward. I'd expect the Caps to protect Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Oshie, Wilson, Eller, Sprong, and Mantha. Trading Kuznetsov would open a slot to protect...Conor Sheary. I don't really see the need in moving Kuznetsov for an additional spot on the protection list for forwards.

Kuznetsov for Monahan does make sense from the Caps' perspective. Smaller cap hit, top six quality. It just doesn't make sense to trade Kuznetsov for a low return and then watch him kill it with a new team.
Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 2, 2021 at 12:17 p.m.
Thread: 4th Period Report Kuz Team Interest
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Meeqs</b></div><div>Its going to be VERY interesting to see what the deal ends up being and I think its going to shock some people. If WSH is determined to get rid of him, in a market where moving money is impossible, he might get a shockingly low return. Especially when off ice stuff is involved things get weird.</div></div>

I certainly wouldn't trade Kuznetsov unless there's a 2C caliber player coming back. It doesn't make sense to take a low return on Kuznetsov with this team's window on the verge of closing, and the Caps don't have anyone in the system that is a long term, viable option at 2C. Slotting in Eller doesn't make sense for a full 82 game season, and slotting in McMichael is just setting him up to fail.

If a viable trade option isn't available, that's when you have to lean on your leadership group. MacLellan and Lavy need to lean on Ovechkin, Backstrom, Oshie, and Carlson to keep Kuznetsov in check off the ice.