Quoting: Kalopsia
I think they'd rather have Oshie slide over to center if a top 9 center is out than use Larsson, and if it's Dowd out then whatever center's playing best in Hershey can fill in. They wouldn't be as good as Larsson, but they wouldn't require blocking Snively/AJF. Snively in particular seems like he might still have a chance at becoming a Sheary-type middle six winger if he's given a chance.
Totally agree with your assessment about Snively being a Sheary-type player.
I respectfully disagree with your thoughts about Oshie. He was a suitable short-term replacement for a center within the top 9, but it disrupted his pace of play (his words). And Oshie has struggled to stay completely healthy as well.
Center depth has been a concern in years past for the Caps (remembering the bubble experience specifically) and having a RW (with a little C experience) be the only replacement option for center in the top 9 is concerning. ESPECIALLY when unproven McMichael will be the sole 3rd line center this year. If Kuzy or Trocheck (whoever the second line center goes down), you expect McMichael to step up to be a 2nd line center? That is a lot of responsibility for an unproven second year guy.
Youth movement needs to come, but you have to remember to be able to have adequate depth, especially down the middle. It would be great if we could get a TVR-type vet. I say TVR-type because the first year he was signed, he hardly played but we had that reassurance that if someone did go down, he was there. So maybe not Larsson, but someone (under 1.5mil preferably) needs to be brought in to either play or be ready to step in just in case.