Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
Coming into this season, I thought Marcus Johansson was the Caps' long term solution at 2C. Now I'm not so sure. He's starting to remind me of Fleischmann, in that he may be better as a winger than a center. With the Caps possibly missing the playoffs this season, I think a significant change is in order. Ideally (IMO), that would be bringing in a legitimate 2C with playmaking and two-way ability, who won't break the bank cap-wise.
Players who fit the bill, in no particular order: Tomas Plekanec - 5M/year through 2016 Joe Pavelski - 4M/year through 2014 Travis Zajac - 3.9M/year through 2013 Derek Roy - 4M/year through 2013
And to put some actual proposals out there...
Johansson + Galiev for Plekanec
Johansson + Laich for Pavelski
Oh, and please don't ask for anyone who's obviously untouchable, like Kuznetsov, Alzner, Carlson, or Orlov.
That Pavelski offer is too low imo. If he was available there would be a ton of teams interested. Roy may be the best bet, as his value has never been lower, but he may never get back to where he was.
Anyone can get a 2nd line center because there are some who appear available. The question is if it's worth what it would cost. There's not many available so the price is ridiculous. Not only do you have to worry about what it costs but if they will re-sign. Roy is a great example. As a duck fan I'd love to get him for our 2nd line center spot, but would we willing to pay him over 6 million after next season? With shortage of centers that go to FA, someone will pay big bucks. All these upcoming FAs know this.
I could see Pavelksi working well there. Whose the current #2 C?
With Backstrom out, the center position is in a constant flux. Any given night, 2C could be Johansson, Laich, Perrault, or even career minor leaguer Keith Aucoin. Johansson and Laich are both better as wingers, Perrault is undersized and inconsistent, and Aucoin... is a minor leaguer. Obviously, the situation is pretty dire.
I wouldn't trade Johansson for Plekanec straight up...
He is nothing like Fleischmann and won't be moved.
He is like Fleischmann in that he's better as a winger than a center. If you wouldn't move him for Plekanec, you don't understand the role Pleks is playing in Montreal. He's been putting up 2C numbers while playing in a shutdown role similar to Laich's defensively. Free him up from some of that responsibility and let him play with Semin (as opposed to the 3rd liners he's had in MTL recently), and his offense will flourish.
With Backstrom out, the center position is in a constant flux. Any given night, 2C could be Johansson, Laich, Perrault, or even career minor leaguer Keith Aucoin. Johansson and Laich are both better as wingers, Perrault is undersized and inconsistent, and Aucoin... is a minor leaguer. Obviously, the situation is pretty dire.
Am I right in thinking that Aucoin is a stud AHL'er?
With Backstrom I'm guessing it looks like - Backstrom, Johansson, Laich, Perrault/Aucoin? If you could trade Johansson for a better player then that'd be a good move.
He is like Fleischmann in that he's better as a winger than a center. If you wouldn't move him for Plekanec, you don't understand the role Pleks is playing in Montreal. He's been putting up 2C numbers while playing in a shutdown role similar to Laich's defensively. Free him up from some of that responsibility and let him play with Semin (as opposed to the 3rd liners he's had in MTL recently), and his offense will flourish.
Holy Wow! You are one knowledgeable Caps fan!!! Thank you for making my day.
If we were to trade Plekanec, I would try and get Johansson and your 1st. I am interested in hearing more about why Johansson is not a better option at center, though. I thought he was a center. Are you saying he looks like he will be better on the wing? Montreal really needs a center more than a winger. Still, the only way I would trade Plekanec would be for a young pivot with potential and some NHL experience and a 1st rounder.
So, do we have a deal? Shall I call Molson, override Gauthier, and get this baby done?
Am I right in thinking that Aucoin is a stud AHL'er?
With Backstrom I'm guessing it looks like - Backstrom, Johansson, Laich, Perrault/Aucoin? If you could trade Johansson for a better player then that'd be a good move.
707 points in 630 career AHL games.
With Backstrom, Halpern is the 4C, Aucoin is Hershey's 1C, and Perrault is bouncing back and forth between the A and the N.
Personally, I'm not all that happy with Johansson and Laich at 2C and 3C. Laich is making 4.5M as a 3C; 3Cs shouldn't be getting that kind of money unless they're Jordan Staal (who I would've included if our franchises were on speaking terms as he fits what I'm looking for perfectly) or Joe Pavelski and they're actually 2Cs. You can find guys with great defensive play and limited offensive ability for much cheaper. Someone like Jay McClement, who's been making less than 2M/year and is hitting free agency this summer. Johansson has loads of potential, but his play this season makes me think he's a 2W going forward and not a 2C. We've got Kuznetsov to fill that role going forward, so I think that makes Johansson expendable.
So if we could move Laich and Johansson for someone like Pavelski and sign a defensively responsible 3C in July, I think we'd look much better down the middle for roughly the same money. Backstrom-Pavleski-McClement-Halpern looks pretty good to me.
Maybe a stupid question but isn't Kuznetsov their long-term solution for the 2C position? Wouldn't it be incredibly stupid to get a player like Plekanec at this point pretty much blocking Kuznetsov from getting any significant time at center?
With Backstrom, Halpern is the 4C, Aucoin is Hershey's 1C, and Perrault is bouncing back and forth between the A and the N.
Personally, I'm not all that happy with Johansson and Laich at 2C and 3C. Laich is making 4.5M as a 3C; 3Cs shouldn't be getting that kind of money unless they're Jordan Staal (who I would've included if our franchises were on speaking terms as he fits what I'm looking for perfectly) or Joe Pavelski and they're actually 2Cs. You can find guys with great defensive play and limited offensive ability for much cheaper. Someone like Jay McClement, who's been making less than 2M/year and is hitting free agency this summer. Johansson has loads of potential, but his play this season makes me think he's a 2W going forward and not a 2C. We've got Kuznetsov to fill that role going forward, so I think that makes Johansson expendable.
So if we could move Laich and Johansson for someone like Pavelski and sign a defensively responsible 3C in July, I think we'd look much better down the middle for roughly the same money. Backstrom-Pavleski-McClement-Halpern looks pretty good to me.
Laich has to be the highest paid 3C, surely?
If Kuznetzov comes in then I could see one of them being let go.
I am not a fan of trading Pavs he has one of the best contracts in the NHL for everything he brings, but if the Sharks traded Pavelski I imagine they'd want a 1st coming back and probably a natural RW since that is what he has been playing
1st + Brouwer + Gailev for Pavelski + 5th
Saying Mojo is like Flash is where everyone should stop reading. they are nothing alike.
Guy is only in his 2nd full season in America. He played on a different size rink before. How about giving him a couple seasons to develop?
You're right, he wasn't a 2C this year. He has been rushed. However, he has performed quite well considering the circumstance he has been thrusted into.
Kid has speed, puck control, defensive ability, and a decent shot. Needs to work faceoffs and board play. Would love to seem him had more strength which shouldn't be out of the question considering age.
Caps need a stop gap until he develops, not a replacement.
And nice idea trading two centers for one when we lack depth. That should help out.
Holy Wow! You are one knowledgeable Caps fan!!! Thank you for making my day.
If we were to trade Plekanec, I would try and get Johansson and your 1st. I am interested in hearing more about why Johansson is not a better option at center, though. I thought he was a center. Are you saying he looks like he will be better on the wing? Montreal really needs a center more than a winger. Still, the only way I would trade Plekanec would be for a young pivot with potential and some NHL experience and a 1st rounder.
So, do we have a deal? Shall I call Molson, override Gauthier, and get this baby done?
I've seen enough Pleks proposals to get a basic understanding of his usage from Habs fans. BTN backs up what you guys have said and then some. The production he puts up with the minutes he plays is virtually unheard of.
Johansson's decision making is suspect. He has trouble leading the rush despite his speed, and is prone to making boneheaded mistakes. All of these should be solved with time, but I'm not keen on continuing to flounder while he learns the game. He does have elite skating ability (not just speed, but maneuverability) and a great wrister, so I can see him being a very good sniping 2W along the lines of Loui Eriksson (not that good, but that sort of player). With Ovie, Semin, and hopefully Kuznetsov though, we've got 3 top six players with a similar style of play, so he's expendable in my eyes.
All that said, Mackan + our 1st is a bit much. I'd be more open to it should the Caps make the playoffs and that pick is in the 16-20 range, but it's still a tough sell. With a pick in the 10-15 range, the Caps could draft a guy like Gaunce or Faksa who project to be very Plekanec-esque players. Would you do Johansson + 2013 1st? Or Johansson + Galiev + Boston 2nd?
If Kuznetzov comes in then I could see one of them being let go.
Yep definitely benefited from the 2009-2010 high scoring team.
The sad thing is Mcphee tried to pass it off as a good deal that Laich would get more on the open market. He would have hurt in some ways to let go because he's very versatile but it's still a not great deal.
If Kuznetsov comes in and shows he can play C effectively I don't think they'd dump MoJo they'd probably just switch him to wing where he looked comfortable earlier in the season
I don't it's been a huge hole forever and Mcphee has done nothing to fill it. Pathetic
Maybe a stupid question but isn't Kuznetsov their long-term solution for the 2C position? Wouldn't it be incredibly stupid to get a player like Plekanec at this point pretty much blocking Kuznetsov from getting any significant time at center?
He can play C, but he projects more as a RW.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonzaibondra12
Saying Mojo is like Flash is where everyone should stop reading. they are nothing alike.
Guy is only in his 2nd full season in America. He played on a different size rink before. How about giving him a couple seasons to develop?
You're right, he wasn't a 2C this year. He has been rushed. However, he has performed quite well considering the circumstance he has been thrusted into.
Kid has speed, puck control, defensive ability, and a decent shot. Needs to work faceoffs and board play. Would love to seem him had more strength which shouldn't be out of the question considering age.
Caps need a stop gap until he develops, not a replacement.
And nice idea trading two centers for one when we lack depth. That should help out.
Is it that hard to grasp the point of that comparison? All I mean is that he's another Caps 2C that's better off as a winger. That's it.
The issue I have with Johansson is that he's regressed this year. Waiting for him to figure it out while the Caps flounder without a real 2C isn't a great solution. I don't know how a stop gap helps either. With the stop gap at 2C, Backstrom at 1C, and Laich at 3C, where is Mackan going to get experience at C? Playing 4C? Hershey?
Also, 2 centers for 1 center plus 1 center in FA means the Caps still have 2 centers. We're just paying 4+M/year for the scoring one at 2C instead of the shutdown one at 3C.
