Brian Sickles: What is Capitals Plan for Managing Their 11 Soon-To-Be UFAs?

This is the first time since the Ovechkin era began that the team is "up in the air".
It's kind of exciting, but sad at the same time with Backstrom on the verge of retirement.
But the possibilities for next year are VERY interesting. This is going to be fun!

Washington should beat everyone to the punch and trade for JvR to play with his brother then sign him to an extension!!!

Could see that sellers scenario playing out as the current construction is one injury away from a real struggle to be competitive; especially on the blue line. Being sellers would likely mean that Lapierre and McMichael get a big chunk of time to establish themselves. Assuming Backstrom is done. This time next year I’d gamble on the front office prioritizing the utilization of some of their own ELC’s and the value those price points can unlock, along with some flashy if not responsible dips into the UFA Pool. All told, the roster looking something like…

Ovi-Kuz-TJ
JT Miller-Lappy-T. Wilson
McMichael-D. Strome-R. Mantha
Fjallby-Dowd-Hathaway
x Borgstrom x K. Clark / R. Sutter

R. Graves / C. Soucy-J. Carlson (some size)
D. Orlov-M. Weegar / R. Gudas (bite+skill)
Fehervary-J. Holl (size)
x Alexeyev x L. Johansen

DK
Lindy

I love Nick Backstrom, and my wife loves him - even more than I do. That said, he is on the books for another (3) years at $9.2m/year. Some questions I have - and please understand the context - this isn't about whether I think his past performance is justification for his current salary - I do, but that ain't the way the salary cap works.



If Nick comes back this year, is his performance on par with other players currently being paid in the $9m/year range?
How about players in the $4-5m/year range?
How about the year after that?, and the following year?
Think about that in the context of Ovi, Kuznetzov, Oshie, and Carlson contract hits through the next three years.

Given the significant amount of money involved, If Nick is medically able to play, just not at a $9m/yr level, do the Caps buy him out? (the mere thought of him EVER wearing another NHL jersey HORRIFIES me!) or, do they put him on LTiR - and can you do that is he is medically cleared to play?

One player, regardless of how I feel about him, does not have (should not be in a position to) the right to adversely impact the franchise for several years in the manner in which this could play out. The best possible solution (perhaps not financially for Ted, but for the Caps as a team), is for Backstrom to go on LTIR for the duration of his contract. He's already in my mind earned the money his current contract will be paying him.

His #19 is going up to the rafters after his playing days are over - which they may be. I'd hate to see his legacy - which is a great one, be tarnished by how this plays out.

I love Nick Backstrom, and my wife loves him - even more than I do. That said, he is on the books for another (3) years at $9.2m/year. Some questions I have - and please understand the context - this isn't about whether I think his past performance is justification for his current salary - I do, but that ain't the way the salary cap works.



If Nick comes back this year, is his performance on par with other players currently being paid in the $9m/year range?
How about players in the $4-5m/year range?
How about the year after that?, and the following year?
Think about that in the context of Ovi, Kuznetzov, Oshie, and Carlson contract hits through the next three years.

Given the significant amount of money involved, If Nick is medically able to play, just not at a $9m/yr level, do the Caps buy him out? (the mere thought of him EVER wearing another NHL jersey HORRIFIES me!) or, do they put him on LTiR - and can you do that is he is medically cleared to play?

One player, regardless of how I feel about him, does not have (should not be in a position to) the right to adversely impact the franchise for several years in the manner in which this could play out. The best possible solution (perhaps not financially for Ted, but for the Caps as a team), is for Backstrom to go on LTIR for the duration of his contract. He's already in my mind earned the money his current contract will be paying him.

His #19 is going up to the rafters after his playing days are over - which they may be. I'd hate to see his legacy - which is a great one, be tarnished by how this plays out.
- sfischer

Given their moves to the roster, it looks they they do not anticipate Backstrom back until the playoffs, regardless of what GMBM says.

As to your question in your blog title, I think this is where, depending on how the season goes and the older players perform, the Caps can improve the roster for a better chance at the cup OR if things go downward, start making much bigger changes toward the inevitable rebuild.