Willis offers Brief SOTU-update on Caps Post Trade Deadline
Mar 24, 2024 20:41:03 GMT -5
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Post by ALL CAPS on Mar 24, 2024 20:41:03 GMT -5
Washington, DC -- The trade deadline for Season 21 in the Nation's capital was seemingly, and somewhat appropriately, in like a lion and out like a lamb. Although the Caps completed a number of trades leading up to the March 23rd deadline, the team announced just one additional trade on deadline day.
“I can assure you that the lack of activity on deadline day wasn’t due to a lack of trying,” GM Willis said during a media availability on Sunday afternoon in DC. “We are always looking at every possible angle to improve the team - at the end of the day, we were faced with some choices, and we are ultimately happy with our decisions. At this stage in the development of our team it becomes more about tightening the screws than anything else.”
The lone Washington trade on deadline day saw the Capitals re-acquire former Cap Michael Carcone from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 4th round draft pick in 2024, and a conditional 7th round draft pick in 2025. Although Carcone is relatively unknown player in most hockey circles, Willis believes that he may factor into Washington’s roster as early as next season.
“We originally signed (Carcone) back in the Fall of 2017 as an unrestricted free agent. We saw some good qualities in him then, but unfortunately his development was stunted during his time here, and other players passed by him on our depth chart. We made the decision to release him in 2020 knowing that a change could be good for his development – and it looks like it has been, frankly.” Willis said, reflecting on the years. “Today, in him we see a diminutive and energetic player who has the upside to provide secondary scoring as a bottom six forward in the NsHL. Unfortunately, that won’t be this season due to some lingering health issues, but our team of professionals will work closely with (Carcone) to have him 100% and ready for Season 22.”
The team of professionals that Willis is alluding to is the same team of professionals that worked with Clayton Keller through the end of last season to have him back in peak condition in time for Season 21, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. As many hockey insiders had predicted, Keller has been enjoying a breakout season with the Capitals with an impressive 66 points (30 goals) in 66 GP so far, thus realizing the potential that many saw in him in his draft year.
“There are a handful of players who are currently working in depth roles with us that I anticipate will take steps forward both in their development and in our organizational depth chart, and that includes Connor McMichael, Kevin Stenlund and Jordan Spence, for sure – Well, add Michael Carcone’s name to that list.” Willis told the packed media room, offering a small insight to his plans beyond this season.
Asked whether the team felt that young guns (D) David Reinbacher, (F) Dalibor Dvorsky, or (F) Jagger Firkus could play into the team’s plans for Season 21, Willis left the door open.
“At the end of the day, we want our best team on the ice, and we also want the players in our organization to be deployed in the situations that are best suited to their skills, and to their longer-term development. If that means playing with the Capitals for those young players, then yes, by all means.” Willis replied. “However, an added benefit of winning is that it affords us the time to exercise a little bit of patience with our younger players. That is something that we believe benefits our prospects, including the ones that you have mentioned by name, immensely. Take a look for example at Jagger Firkus – not long after the trade deadline passed did he post a 5-point performance in what will be the final regular season game of his WHL career – and he captured the WHL scoring champion honors (Bobby Clarke Trophy) in the process. We believe that moments like that help form young players into future winners and allow them to unlock their potential.”
Although Willis appeared calm, confident, and good spirited through the media availability, it was clear that repeated questions about the Capitals lack of activity on deadline day did wear on his patience as time went on.
“Look guys, like I said – its not for a lack of effort! There are 31 other teams out there competing against us and trying to navigate their way to the top, too!” Willis said sharply in response to one reporter. “While the deadline becomes a great event, there is a lot of work that often goes into these things in the weeks leading up to the deadline, too. In addition to the work that we completed today, we also had the the acquisition of David Kampf a few weeks back, and he’s a player that we are very pleased to add to our bottom six forward group. David plays an honest game and leaves it all on the ice, so we feel that his style is consistent with the culture of winning that we strive to achieve in Washington.” Willis said.
“You can also look at our re-acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois back in February as our efforts to get the deadline shopping done early, and Pierre formed good chemistry in hurry on our second line with (Nick Schmaltz) and (Jeff Skinner).” Willis said. “Getting the work done early provides you with the opportunity to evaluate what impact the transaction has on the chemistry of the club, and can help determine if more changes are required.
“When we are sitting in 1st place as a team in the standings, when we have (Mitch Marner) heating up in the leagues scoring race, and when we have (Darcy Kuemper) in Vezina form, there isn’t a lot of reasons to make change. This group that we have has earned the right to control their destiny.” Willis said with conviction towards the end of his availability. “When the dust settles on Season 21, the Washington Capitals will have home ice advantage in round one of the playoffs, and you can bank on that. However, that’s about the only thing you can bank on,” Willis said with a laugh.
“Once the playoffs start, you can take everything that happened here in this regular season and throw it out the window because it won’t matter. For us it will be about doing what it takes to find our rhythm and keeping focused on our ultimate goal." Willis said, looking ahead to the playoffs - although no teams have yet clinched. "This isn’t the first walk down this path for many of the players in our locker room. However, we are determined to underline that last season was the exception, and that perennial Eastern contender status is the expectation in Washington - can't you tell?”
With that, Willis ended his availability. Later that night, the Capitals would go on to defeat the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 4-2 with David Kampf and Pierre-Luc Dubois accounting for three of the team's goals on the night. Perhaps they were listening when their GM tipped his hat to them earlier in the day. Chalk it up to good luck.
Stayed posted to our updates for more on how this remarkable season develops Caps fans.
Richard Thingyi, Senior Hockey Insider
DC Leaks Sports Media & Entertainment
“I can assure you that the lack of activity on deadline day wasn’t due to a lack of trying,” GM Willis said during a media availability on Sunday afternoon in DC. “We are always looking at every possible angle to improve the team - at the end of the day, we were faced with some choices, and we are ultimately happy with our decisions. At this stage in the development of our team it becomes more about tightening the screws than anything else.”
The lone Washington trade on deadline day saw the Capitals re-acquire former Cap Michael Carcone from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 4th round draft pick in 2024, and a conditional 7th round draft pick in 2025. Although Carcone is relatively unknown player in most hockey circles, Willis believes that he may factor into Washington’s roster as early as next season.
“We originally signed (Carcone) back in the Fall of 2017 as an unrestricted free agent. We saw some good qualities in him then, but unfortunately his development was stunted during his time here, and other players passed by him on our depth chart. We made the decision to release him in 2020 knowing that a change could be good for his development – and it looks like it has been, frankly.” Willis said, reflecting on the years. “Today, in him we see a diminutive and energetic player who has the upside to provide secondary scoring as a bottom six forward in the NsHL. Unfortunately, that won’t be this season due to some lingering health issues, but our team of professionals will work closely with (Carcone) to have him 100% and ready for Season 22.”
The team of professionals that Willis is alluding to is the same team of professionals that worked with Clayton Keller through the end of last season to have him back in peak condition in time for Season 21, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. As many hockey insiders had predicted, Keller has been enjoying a breakout season with the Capitals with an impressive 66 points (30 goals) in 66 GP so far, thus realizing the potential that many saw in him in his draft year.
“There are a handful of players who are currently working in depth roles with us that I anticipate will take steps forward both in their development and in our organizational depth chart, and that includes Connor McMichael, Kevin Stenlund and Jordan Spence, for sure – Well, add Michael Carcone’s name to that list.” Willis told the packed media room, offering a small insight to his plans beyond this season.
Asked whether the team felt that young guns (D) David Reinbacher, (F) Dalibor Dvorsky, or (F) Jagger Firkus could play into the team’s plans for Season 21, Willis left the door open.
“At the end of the day, we want our best team on the ice, and we also want the players in our organization to be deployed in the situations that are best suited to their skills, and to their longer-term development. If that means playing with the Capitals for those young players, then yes, by all means.” Willis replied. “However, an added benefit of winning is that it affords us the time to exercise a little bit of patience with our younger players. That is something that we believe benefits our prospects, including the ones that you have mentioned by name, immensely. Take a look for example at Jagger Firkus – not long after the trade deadline passed did he post a 5-point performance in what will be the final regular season game of his WHL career – and he captured the WHL scoring champion honors (Bobby Clarke Trophy) in the process. We believe that moments like that help form young players into future winners and allow them to unlock their potential.”
Although Willis appeared calm, confident, and good spirited through the media availability, it was clear that repeated questions about the Capitals lack of activity on deadline day did wear on his patience as time went on.
“Look guys, like I said – its not for a lack of effort! There are 31 other teams out there competing against us and trying to navigate their way to the top, too!” Willis said sharply in response to one reporter. “While the deadline becomes a great event, there is a lot of work that often goes into these things in the weeks leading up to the deadline, too. In addition to the work that we completed today, we also had the the acquisition of David Kampf a few weeks back, and he’s a player that we are very pleased to add to our bottom six forward group. David plays an honest game and leaves it all on the ice, so we feel that his style is consistent with the culture of winning that we strive to achieve in Washington.” Willis said.
“You can also look at our re-acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois back in February as our efforts to get the deadline shopping done early, and Pierre formed good chemistry in hurry on our second line with (Nick Schmaltz) and (Jeff Skinner).” Willis said. “Getting the work done early provides you with the opportunity to evaluate what impact the transaction has on the chemistry of the club, and can help determine if more changes are required.
“When we are sitting in 1st place as a team in the standings, when we have (Mitch Marner) heating up in the leagues scoring race, and when we have (Darcy Kuemper) in Vezina form, there isn’t a lot of reasons to make change. This group that we have has earned the right to control their destiny.” Willis said with conviction towards the end of his availability. “When the dust settles on Season 21, the Washington Capitals will have home ice advantage in round one of the playoffs, and you can bank on that. However, that’s about the only thing you can bank on,” Willis said with a laugh.
“Once the playoffs start, you can take everything that happened here in this regular season and throw it out the window because it won’t matter. For us it will be about doing what it takes to find our rhythm and keeping focused on our ultimate goal." Willis said, looking ahead to the playoffs - although no teams have yet clinched. "This isn’t the first walk down this path for many of the players in our locker room. However, we are determined to underline that last season was the exception, and that perennial Eastern contender status is the expectation in Washington - can't you tell?”
With that, Willis ended his availability. Later that night, the Capitals would go on to defeat the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 4-2 with David Kampf and Pierre-Luc Dubois accounting for three of the team's goals on the night. Perhaps they were listening when their GM tipped his hat to them earlier in the day. Chalk it up to good luck.
Stayed posted to our updates for more on how this remarkable season develops Caps fans.
Richard Thingyi, Senior Hockey Insider
DC Leaks Sports Media & Entertainment