No idea. Worst case - we trade for what mgmt thinks is "the guy", give up a package, and then its too late / it doesn't turn around.

It's different (and a unique position for the Caps) to be trying to climb back into the playoff hunt.

Plus it is tricky because Backy is already skating, which leads me to believe he is planning to come back before the playoffs (I guess?). So a whole lot of caps space isn't necessarily available.

I don't know if I am mentally prepared enough to see the Caps sell at the TDL. Going to be tough to see players leave and the Caps fully commit to a "reload".

Was looking at next year's potential FAs. We really need Backy to LTIRetire so we can use that ~$9mil to get younger. If he doesn't, I am not sure the Caps will compete with this core...

It seems bmac is looking to get an offensive forward, so we aren’t going sell I don’t think if we have ovi on the team. Just gotta push through I guess until a move is made.

I'm assuming they expect Backstrom (and his contract) to return and mess with the current cap situation. Given some of the proposed prices for forwards, I can't exactly blame him.

Oh. I didn’t know what nixed meant. Well damn it

Trade Eller. We have space. Put beck on ltir. Place kubel on waivers, alex alexyev down. Keep Irwin.

Alexeyev > Irwin imo. Would rather risk him to waivers than Alexeyev

Son of a…

Matt Irwin szn

GLASS BONES AND PAPER SKIN.

I honestly can't wait until we play each other next.

THE INJURY BOWL!

How many have you had in total this year? We have had 11

As of right now we've got 6 on IR (with Big Z, Bo, and potentially Bean on LTIR). We're hurting bad.

We hold the title for most injury.

Now we have an excuse for what’s happening. We all know what the true reason is

Colorado is at 10 as of an hour ago (Foudy and Lehkonen are day to day)

We have had 11 all year. So probably they have us. God damn it.

Forgot where exactly I saw it but weighted for minutes played / total games lost PHI and WAS are far and away the two most injured teams, CBJ in 3rd, then a pretty big jump to COL in 4th

Saw that as well. I believe it was a Nova Caps article (or RMNB) that had those stats.

Ngl. Didn’t even know the caps game was yesterday.

I’m feeling hope. We just need to get healthy.

Also that triangle with osh strome and Kuzy in that bottom right spot on the power play is so good

Can't believe I just noticed your new pfp

You like it?

I think Friday is going to be a true test of overcoming adversity. Defense will likely still be AHL caliber, they could (possibly) have an AHL goalie start, and the forwards are, well, the forwards.

I think this can be a win (especially if Grubauer is in net), but the Caps are going to have to play some of their best hockey.

Spoiler: It will be a loss, as I'll be at the game and it seems every time I attend a game, I get d**kpunched one way or another, but I can at least hope for a win for the next day

its... uh... unique.

Best profile pic on the website

Agreed...You would think Shepard would get Friday's start and then TBD but also potentially Tuesday's start against a bad opponent, the Hawks (assuming Darcy is still out).

I don't think Lindgren can start Friday and Sunday. That would 4.5 games in ~8 days.

I do think the Kraken are frauds though - they are not as good as their record shows, and I predict a "collapse" starting mid-end December

Can't believe its already one week into December. Thinking ahead -

We should be getting Wilson back just before or just after the 1st of the new year.
Orlov, who knows but I assume he is closer than Wilson.
Backstrom - I did see him competitively skating against Wilson and looked quite good. I assume he is still a little away but maybe end of Feb? I couldn't tell you

But that being said, Caps are 3 points back from 3rd place (with a whole lot of teams in between). I still don't necessarily have "hope" for this season, but maybe the "stay afloat until injuries subside" methodology is working...? We saw how effective getting Oshie back - gotta think getting Wilson back will be equal (if not more) beneficial...

I expect, if this season continues and the Caps are close to playoff contention, the TDL will be similar to 2018. A few depth pieces for picks (3rd or above).