Oh boy. Another talented left handed defenseman. I'm not sure how a kid out of juniors is going to be an upgrade over Djoos right away. Convince me? Karlsson isn't an upgrade over Niskanen, and that cap space is all going to him next summer because of previous goal totals, unlikely to be repeated. Trading away half a franchise to get Erik Karlsson an audition on the Caps' power play seems kind of silly. Maybe just sign Mike Green? Or wait a year and sign Karlsson as a UFA, if he wants to join a better team, with a better power play? I'm just not sure Bowey isn't the answer for the Caps' power play, long term, though.

Hughes has some great stickhandling skills. Fun player to watch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJiyMMwO-Qg). I'm just not sure he upgrades the Caps. Orlov, Djoos, and Johansen is a pretty good rotation. Hughes probably waits a year or two to make the NHL, so you're looking at Kempny or a UFA. Maybe De Haan or Cole is okay, but then do you have cap space to keep Karlsson, after you traded a franchise worth of talent to rent him?

Seems smart to dump 4 roster players 3 rfa and 1 basically is a less offensive better DEFENSIVE defenseman for 1 player for 1 year. ...... and if you are trading holtby send orpik. But imo this doesn’t help the caps at all Carlson is crushing ek this year. Just pay him and keep all those player

Hughes seems to be a Hanifin type guy right away. He’s bigger than Djoos. Also in my opinion the best skater in the draft. I think it would be a mistake to not try to trade up in this years draft. Maybe for Hughes maybe for someone else like a righty. Boqvist maybe? But he’s small

What I see in those WJC clips is a guy like Joe Juneau--he can skate around the perimeter for days and then runs out of space and flings the puck somewhere vaguely near the net. Lots of fun to watch. Not always consistent offense on his own. With a good team around him, translates into some chances, but on Team USA, it doesn't look like it worked out, much. Just a lot of harmless wristers to the goalie's shoulder pads. One great cross crease pass, though.

Yeah, Boqvist seems to have a pretty good scoring touch, and can beat guys one on one skating through them and getting breakaways https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Awl9cY2fqA

I don't think he's half as creative or complete, offensively, as Svechnikov, but the cuts I'm seeing look like he's got much more of a nose for the net than Hughes. Not quite as reliant on a forehand wrister as Zadina, and scores from a wider variety of spots. Who else would you look at? Who would the Caps get in this supposedly deep draft if they don't trade up and just chill?

Ryan Merkley, Groulx, or Kotkaniemi if he falls. I just think the caps need to get another 1st rounder this draft than the one they already have

Kotkaniemi looks like a patient guy who can play the right half boards and apprentice under Backstrom, giving the Caps a second credible power play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5y-JGjB5k8


Groulx seems to score well when he stands on the doorstep and waits for the puck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDsygL57JvI

I think Kotkaniemi and Groulx seem like they could each easily grow into Backstrom and Oshie on the power play, respectively. I still like Svechnikov more.

There's a lot to be said for guys who skate well, but the Caps just have no organizational need at left defense. Holtby for Svechnikov (plus picks) I'd consider. Holtby for a left D (plus nothing) who'll start out about sixth or seventh on a depth chart where they only need three guys? Pass. I mean, unless I'm wrong that Virtanen vs. Connolly is just a different flavor of the same bottom nine goal scoring winger, getting a change of scenery?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU8y-zc0SX0

I like Groulx. He's fun. I wouldn't trade Holtby for him, but maybe Grubauer?

Hey, while we're at it, check out CCG's hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsIhK27M7-I

Not bad either.

Here's some Merkley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0bsKNm0qFM Seems to pinch in from the point well, and be good at wrist shots and cross ice passes. Not too much else, but does those things well.

What do you think of Carolina's pick? Burgerboss offers cap relief, picks, and a 3C for Holtby. https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/123694&post_id=402966

Give us Hanifin + TVR + 1st for holtby and Connolly

Hanifin certainly fits into the Caps' top four, but without trading Ovechkin, they don't get him onto the first power play unit. I kinda like this guy more: https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/lindhel01.html