Capitals Guest Writer: The Grabovski Affect- Charlie Lehnertz

Only words of advice I can give you here:

If placed in a 3rd line role he will perform poorly. He cannot play that role, is not a great defensive player and clearly his attitude is an issue in that regard.

And play him with strong defensive wingers (or at least one if possible) he can create his own plays and functioned best when he had a guy like Kuli playing with him. He played solid top 6 minutes and PP and that line wasn't horrible defensively either, him Kuli and MacA a couple years ago.

And he can be streaky. Not quite Kessel streaky but he will disappear at times and other times get hot.

And that's pretty much it, hope he plays well for the Caps

As it currently stands, we are left with 2.66 in cap space to re-sign Johansson, and possibly others. Majo, producing at a clip of .51 PPG, and yo-yoing around the lineup has a few comparables, starting with Backlund (1.5 AAV) on the low-end. Unsigned RFAs, Stepan, Hodgson, Kadri, and Henrique on the high-end, who all produced at a higher clip, albeit all, minus Kadri, had expanded roles with their club. They should all sign for more than Majo, but it's hard to place a value on these guys, depending on how you see them. Some guys who have done less on their ELC received a big raise based on intangibles or potential, while others meager raises ranging from 1.2-1.6 AAV. Ideally, he will receive a 2-year bridge, at a hit of 1.8. Though I realistically see that number being higher, which would require a trade. Chimera, Erskine, and Ward are the first targets, in my opinion, though I imagine there is not much chatter for any of these guys at the moment. Trading Erskine without bringing in a better defender also leaves a gap in the second pair, which is already apparent with Erskine slated there.

Also, Brouwer is a right winger, as is Erat. But under Oates, it is evident that he much prefers to put right-handed shots on the right, and the same for the left wing. He is almost obsessed with it, it seems, while most of his line combinations consisted of left-handed shots on the left and the same for the right. Brouwer will be on his right, and Erat on his left.
Defense has the top-4 locked (though we will probably see Erskine moved down to the bottom pair at some points in the season), with Hillen, Kundratek, Oleksy, and Orlov competing for the final pair. Oleksy and Orlov are on two-way deals, and I believe Kundratek is as well, leaving Hillen with one of the younger guys. Again, Oates obsession with left-handed shots on the left and vice versa is a factor, so I give the slight edge to Oleksy, who also played the most games on the big club last year. Projected lineups, as it stands;
FORWARDS
Marcus Johansson ($1.800m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Alex Ovechkin ($9.538m)
Martin Erat ($4.500m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($3.000m) / Troy Brouwer ($3.667m)
Jason Chimera ($1.750m) / Brooks Laich ($4.500m) / Eric Fehr ($1.500m)
Jay Beagle ($0.900m) / Mathieu Perreault ($1.050m) / Joel Ward ($3.000m)
Aaron Volpatti ($0.575m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Karl Alzner ($2.800m) / John Carlson ($3.967m)
John Erskine ($1.963m) / Mike Green ($6.083m)
Jack Hillen ($0.700m) / Steven Oleksy ($0.542m)
Tomas Kundratek ($0.550m) /
GOALTENDERS
Braden Holtby ($1.850m)
Michal Neuvirth ($2.500m)
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SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,434,295; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $865,705

Much flexibility exists between the wingers, as well as Laich, who can wind up playing every where, including second line left winger, moving MP to the third line where he rightfully deserves, keeping Beagle, our best face off guy, at center on the fourth line. The right wingers, minus Ovi, can all juggle up and down the lineup, though I suspect Brouwer will be looked upon to keep up his pace from the shortened season. A rather strong top-9 with the signing of Grabovski, and not a bad bottom-6, though with the Capitals, looking good on paper means nothing. In my opinion, an upgrade at top-4 d is needed, though more significant salary must go out, or an overpay must be given to entice the club to retain salary.

grabovski to nashville for forsberg.

Only words of advice I can give you here:

If placed in a 3rd line role he will perform poorly. He cannot play that role, is not a great defensive player and clearly his attitude is an issue in that regard.

And play him with strong defensive wingers (or at least one if possible) he can create his own plays and functioned best when he had a guy like Kuli playing with him. He played solid top 6 minutes and PP and that line wasn't horrible defensively either, him Kuli and MacA a couple years ago.

And he can be streaky. Not quite Kessel streaky but he will disappear at times and other times get hot.

And that's pretty much it, hope he plays well for the Caps
- TheLeafsInsider

His advanced stats seemed to suggest that, while me may not have liked it, he did fine in a checking line role. It's a moot point though, as he will be solidified into the top-6, playing with strong wingers in Erat, Brouwer, Chimera, Laich, Fehr, and Ward.

Chris Tanev for Johansson 1.5 mil Cap hit.

Chris Tanev for Johansson 1.5 mil Cap hit.
- VANTEL

I admittedly don't know much about him, but first impressions lead me to believe he could play in a top-4 role at some point. Only 23 as well. I can't help but feel like Majo holds more value though.

I admittedly don't know much about him, but first impressions lead me to believe he could play in a top-4 role. Only 23 as well. I can't help but feel like Majo holds more value though.
- Blackstrom2

We signed him as a top 4 Dman , he is very reliable very few mistakes. Doesn't possess a lot of offence .

he will be great in his first year then ask for 50 million then end up on calgary

he will be great in his first year then ask for 50 million then end up on calgary
- rubberduckies

First- i like the jab at the flames.
second- tihs looks like a large skilled team. should be fun to watch. hopefully Ovie can return to form and shows magic with backstrom.

His advanced stats seemed to suggest that, while me may not have liked it, he did fine in a checking line role. It's a moot point though, as he will be solidified into the top-6, playing with strong wingers in Erat, Brouwer, Chimera, Laich, Fehr, and Ward.
- Blackstrom2

the advanced stats don't show he was -20 in 55 total games last year. I know +/- isn't a telling stat, but fact is the guy was invisible most nights last year..he really just didn't respond well to 3rd line duties (He played mostly with MacArthur/Kulemin/Frattin) so it's not like he was playing with scrubs either

Chris Tanev for Johansson 1.5 mil Cap hit.
- VANTEL

Horrible trade for Washington. Johansson is already a top 6 forward and is a former 1st rd pick. you don't trade those kinda players for undrafted bottom pairing d-men unless their is something else to the deal (Gaunce/Jensen/Schroeder?)

I think it's a good signing to get a second line center at that price and length. It's certainly worth the risk.

I still think the Caps could use some size in their top 6. Some of those guys are big but they don't play the boards particularly well. I feel like that's the reason they struggle more in the playoffs.

Just an outsider's opinion.

Horrible trade for Washington. Johansson is already a top 6 forward and is a former 1st rd pick. you don't trade those kinda players for undrafted bottom pairing d-men unless their is something else to the deal (Gaunce/Jensen/Schroeder?)
- GardinerExpress

Have fun signing him to 4 mil then

They could have Schroeder.

First off, welcome Charlie. When was the last time anyone wrote something about the Capitals? It's great to have a voice again.

Like most Cap's fans, I like the Grabo signing. It looks like good value for a year before seeing where to go next season. There will be more cap room for both Grabo and Marcus next season, if all works out. I really think GMGM had his sights on a couple of second line centers via trade and that Grabo was a 2nd or 3rd option. It's my belief that Sam Gagner was his ultimate goal, and I'm really surprised that the Oilers signed him to the deal they did given the cap issues they're going to encounter in the coming years.

I don't like all the talk of trading Johannson. He is developing nicely and I doubt GMGM has seriously considered moving him. However, I don't see this team starting the season as is. One of Ward, Perrault, Chimera, Laich, or Brouwer is likely to be moved. I see Ward as they guy they'd like to ship out, but I doubt they can with his contract. Everyone loved Brouwer's 2013 season, but with the excess of RW's, I wonder if he might be the one that gets traded. Thoughts?

Haha, doesn't matter who Garbovski is lined up with, he wont pass to them.

First off, welcome Charlie. When was the last time anyone wrote something about the Capitals? It's great to have a voice again.

Like most Cap's fans, I like the Grabo signing. It looks like good value for a year before seeing where to go next season. There will be more cap room for both Grabo and Marcus next season, if all works out. I really think GMGM had his sights on a couple of second line centers via trade and that Grabo was a 2nd or 3rd option. It's my belief that Sam Gagner was his ultimate goal, and I'm really surprised that the Oilers signed him to the deal they did given the cap issues they're going to encounter in the coming years.

I don't like all the talk of trading Johannson. He is developing nicely and I doubt GMGM has seriously considered moving him. However, I don't see this team starting the season as is. One of Ward, Perrault, Chimera, Laich, or Brouwer is likely to be moved. I see Ward as they guy they'd like to ship out, but I doubt they can with his contract. Everyone loved Brouwer's 2013 season, but with the excess of RW's, I wonder if he might be the one that gets traded. Thoughts?
- thomasp520

trade Brouwer? hell no. Ward, Chimera, Erskine even, should go before him if we are trying to clear space. I would even trade Erat or Laich before Brouwer, though they both have NTCs.

FORWARDS
Marcus Johansson ($2.000m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Alex Ovechkin ($9.538m)
Martin Erat ($4.500m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($3.000m) / Troy Brouwer ($3.667m)
Brooks Laich ($4.500m) / Mathieu Perreault ($1.050m) / Eric Fehr ($1.500m)
Jason Chimera ($1.750m) / Jay Beagle ($0.900m) / Joel Ward ($3.000m)
Aaron Volpatti ($0.575m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Green ($6.083m) / John Carlson ($3.967m)
Karl Alzner ($2.800m) / John Erskine ($1.963m)
Jack Hillen ($0.700m) / Tomas Kundratek ($0.550m)
Steven Oleksy ($0.542m) /
GOALTENDERS
Braden Holtby ($1.850m)
Michal Neuvirth ($2.500m)
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CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,634,295; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $665,705