The Washington Capitals Offseason Plans and Pierre-Luc Dubois’ Influence

The Washington Capitals Offseason Plans and Pierre-Luc Dubois’ Influence

on today’s show July 1st is coming soon what other moves does Brian mclen have planned and your Hershey Bears are on the cusp of winning another CER cup your locked on capitals your daily podcast on the Washington Capitals part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day well hello and welcome into this edition of lockdown capitals I’m so glad you decided to join me today as always this podcast is free and available on all the major platforms including the Sirius XM app and on YouTube and I want to thank you for making this your first listen each and every day my name is Dan homy I’ve covered the capitals for the last three seasons for lockdown and various other outlets before that I’m also the host of the weekly show called the capitals minute cast available wherever you find your podcasts you can find me on Twitter it’s danc caps 218 you can find the show on Twitter it’s locked on caps and the best way that you can help grow the show is to subscribe to locked on capitals on YouTube and comment anything down below today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel make every moment more as playoffs wind down the Sports Stop sporting like we want them to but this summer FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or bonus daily that’s right there’s something for everyone every day all summer long visit fanduel.com locked on to get started so in this edition of locked on capitals we talk about the movement surrounding the capitals we already know about the big move of the capitals Trading Darcy camper to the Kings for Pierre Luke dubis and what that means for the team but according to Elliot Freeman that is just the beginning of moves that he thinks are going to take place he thinks that BAC is going to be very busy on July 1 what did he have in mind we’ll talk about that a little bit later we will talk about Pier Luke dubba and his history with Russian players maybe that will be a strong suit of his a rapport with Russian players Alex oetkin and then a little bit later we will talk about how the Hershey Bears keep rolling and are on the cusp of winning another CER cup but just to get it going here talking about movement surrounding the capitals and the move that we know took place last week where the capitals traded Darcy keer to the kings in return for Pierre Luke Dubois uh last week I told you my thoughts on it that it’s a Longshot that he’s going to be able to get any production but with that said I really hope it works out because if it does I think that Pier Luke Dubois could be a dynamic player for the capitals if we can get the pier Luke Dubois of years ago that on paper we know that I think intrinsically is in there it’s just do we have the right coach to coax it out of him can Spencer Carberry be the guy to coax out the player that I think is inside of all of that uh that is the big question and before we get going here let’s just talk about Pier Luke DuBois and what kind of player he is uh we do know that the biggest reason that he was brought to this team was because of the whole at the center position we know that ketov stepped away from hockey indefinitely we know that ketov got dealt out and that Alex ofkin talked about that he lacked chemistry with the various centers that he played with last year capitals wanted to offload Darcy camper because we have a lot of talent and the the Kings wanted to move him out because we approaching July 1st and that would have been a part of of his no move Clause so on paper this could be a huge thing for the capitals and before I get going here on other July 1 possibilities let’s take a look at the high water mark for pier Luke du in the 1819 season 27 goals in the 2122 season 28 goals and in the 2223 season 27 goals All Things Considered not bad last season six 16 goals so definitely a dip and for a guy that was brought into the Kings with High Hopes often times played on the third or fourth line uh so it’s going to be quite a grasp for him and quite a step up because a lot of people already have him pegged uh for playing on the first line Center roll with Alex oetkin so it’s going to be interesting so we know that was a big move I didn’t see that move coming I don’t think anyone saw it coming that quick I know that Jeff Merck you know kind of threw it against the wall and saw if it would stick and as it turns out it did it happened exactly the way he said it was going to it was going to be a swap for Darcy keer and Pier Luke dubba what is next for the capitals I do think as well that the capitals will be active the capitals have signaled their intent to be active during the upcoming offseason following the trade for here Luke duah from the Kings general manager Brian mclen is poised to undertake a proactive approach in shaping this team uh I listened to him on a podcast here recently talking about how he sees that this team is getting older and how he wants to see steps of improvement from Mir nenko laier McMichael Etc uh but he also wants to go out and address the blue line and also wants to go out in address by getting another forward according to insights from Sports Net’s Elliot Freeman there are expectations of heightened activity from the capitals with indications that more moves are in the pipeline what are some of the things we know about the capitals they have a tremendous amount of draft Capital uh some of that will be used in the draft and some of that will be used to flip to get bigger pieces um are they going to Garner the response and the the O wildness of a pure Luke Dubois or are they going to be smaller moves it is going to be exciting on July 1 we know that for sure mlen has expressed a clear intention to bolster the team’s top six forward positions the upcoming free agency period and potential pre-draft deals are seen as Prime opportunities to make significant additions to the roster um if you can take the day off of work and and plant your butt in front of the TV I of course will have you guys covered all day on lock on capitals but it is an exciting time and I get really kind of excited about the big moves that potentially could take place uh on July 1st we saw what happened last summer Max Patch ready and Joel Edmonson yay that didn’t really move the needle what I’m hoping for is something bigger after the acquisition of dubo cap friendly projects the capitals to have 12935 million in cap space additionally Nick backstrom’s 9.2 mil cap hit remains on long-term injured reserve providing the team with an additional 3735 million in cap space the one thing I’m going to say about TJ oosi uh and one of the things that was spoke of is that he wants some assuredness he wants uh some promises made from doctors and Physicians that he is going to be able to go and play a full season without having to fly a specialist in from Minnesota to straighten him out his back out that kind of thing um so there is the potential that TJ ooshi could step away from hockey if the perception is his perception that he is not going to be 100% and he doesn’t want to put himself through well what he’s been putting himself through the last few seasons here the one thing I hope is he does the right thing and he says something sooner than later I don’t want this to go all the way to you know September October November time and go you know guys I just decided I’m not up for this kind of shooting the capitals in the foot uh and you know dashing any hopes of them going out and picking up you know someone to fill his uh spot in the lineup so uh we take a look at it I do hope that if TJ Oshi in fact makes the decision that uh he is not going to play with the capitals and he’s not going to play hockey anymore he does the right thing and tells BAC sooner than later that hey I don’t think I’m going to be able to do this anymore I’m going to step away from hockey similar to what Nick Backstrom did and uh then we’ll have additional money if he goes on ltir that is the hope so that we can solidify this lineup uh I think that that was one of the things that um hurt the capitals last season was that Nick bxr all signs pointed to that he was going to be good to go and as it turns out he wasn’t that hippers surfacing procedure didn’t respond the way that he had hoped or we had hoped uh so it was a difficult position you had hoped uh that he would have said something earlier but by all outward appearances it looked like Backstrom would have been good to go as he was playing hockey over in Sweden so I do think that GM Brian mcclelen will be active on July 1st to address the various positions in the lineup I do think and I’ve said before that I don’t think the capitals are one top six forward away from being competitive I think that they are a few uh forwards away from being competitive I’m not going to say that they’re all going to be top tier upper echelon but we do need some goal scorers added to this team we don’t know what kind of Alex oetkin is going to show up in Camp if it’s anything like last season he’ll get off to a slow start not saying that it has to happen this year but we need to plan and we need more goalscoring production and we need it from guys that have historically scored goals McMichael laier protus uh even Mir nenko those players on paper one day will be great goal scorers but I don’t want to wait longterm I don’t doubt that one day they will be really really great players and they are already going in that direction but I want some assuredness that this team will be better than they were last year and there’s everything that points to me that they should be I think they will be with some key additions I think that Brian mlen has what it takes historically he’s done some really great things for this team uh I want that oh factor I think he’s up for it um it’s just going to be interesting to see how that plays out what players are going to move out what players potentially could move in keep it locked to lock on capitals especially on July 1st as that stands to be very busy for the capitals all right so coming up here Straight Ahead we will talk about Pier Luke DuBois and his history with playing with Russian players maybe there will be a rapport what are his thoughts about playing with Russian players all discuss straight ahead I love sports I love them so much I never want them to stop but as the playoffs wind down we get fewer games and Sports aren’t sportsing like I want them to but fuel lets me keep the sports going whenever I want all I have to do is open the app and dream up bets anytime and I’m in the mood and this summer FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or bonus daily that’s right there’s something for everyone every day all summer long so head over to fanduel.com locked on and start making the most of your summer FanDuel official sports betting part part of Major League Baseball are you watching Fox Sports or ESPN on your TV all day have to turn down the volume with all the shouting make the switch to lockon sports today a free 247 sports streaming Channel program for you every day to bring you the biggest stories without all the screaming locked on sports today brings you the can’t miss analysis opinions and news streaming 247 on YouTube or the free Amazon Fire TV channels app of the lockon podcast Network your team every day all right welcome back into this edition of lockon capitals part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day talking Pier Luke DuBois and his history in the NHL and how he has a history of playing with Russians and oftentimes that has gone well for him maybe that will give him an inn if you will with Alex oetkin a rapport if you will uh and I think that that is key to the relationship because that is one of the things that’s kind of sketched out as I record this in late June is that Pier Luke tubo is going to be the center for Alex oetkin so if those two can get along and have chemistry and a rapport I think that will put the team in a good position the caps made one of the first major moves of the 2024 off season this week by trading Darcy keer to the Kings for pier Luke duah the capitals will be dubois’s fourth NHL team despite the centerman turning just 26 in a few days um so that is the worrisome part as we get into this as well is you know for the long history and the things that we’ve heard he’s only 26 years old I guess if there’s one thing to take from it is that maybe he has grown as a player and will be a changed man for the capitals so let’s talk about Dub’s experience with Russian players DUIs had an eye-opening experience with Russian players fgh schetz nikov and Maxim excuse me lazarev during the time in the qm jl’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagle he mentioned that playing with them changed his overall outlook on hockey and taught him how to play in a different way it’s a different way of looking at things and oftentimes that helps you know if you can see things from a different perspective oftentimes that helps and some and he also played with a premier name in the NHL uh a player that the capitals faed here not too long ago and the New York Rangers playing with our tamy panarin dubba found a good connection on ice with our tamy panan when they played together for the Columbus Blue Jackets they formed a strong partnership and achieved significant success as reflected in their statistics the impact they had on the team so let’s take a look at that again let’s take a look at his time in Columbus in 17 1820 goals 18 1927 goals 19 19 2018 goals and he only played five games in the 2021 season one goal so there that was some of his best hockey that he played with Columbus and also for the few years that he played for the Winnipeg Jets um so that is what we’re looking at we’re looking at a player that has a long history of playing in the NHL despite his young age he has quite a history already in the NHL and has a history of playing with uh Russian players so on paper potentially that could mean that he has a good rapport with some of the players like Alex oetkin so let’s take a look at his playing style and influence Dubois talked about his playing style emphasizing the importance of creating space on the ice in the impact of having a spaced out game he also discussed how he adapted the strategies he learned from playing with Russian players to playing with teammates of different nationalities and it’s a different way of playing hockey European Swedish you know all over the place uh you take a look at the players in Russia from different places all over the world it’s a different way of playing hockey different systems different mindsets that kind of thing that if you can expose yourself to as many different players as possible well I think that can only be advantageous so his future with the capitals with Dubois being part of the Washington Capitals he’ll have the opportunity to play with oie again like I think he is going to be penil in at least right now to be playing on the Topline Center position with Alex oetkin which could present a significant opportunity for both players and the team dubba has not played with highlevel Russian Talent since Panera’s departure from Columbus in 2019 however he plans to apply what he learned from Russian players to his new team so you know it’s good a good sign a good possibility uh that if he has a connection with Russian players and historically has played well with Russian players that at least on paper potentially uh that could mean that he’ll have a rapport and maybe he’ll get along with Alex oetkin right out of the gate and maybe they will set the NHL Ablaze as a good one to combo feeding up great passes to Alex oetkin one Could Only Hope anyway all right so coming up here after the break we will talk about how the Hershey Bears are rolling and are on the cusp of winning another cder cup all discuss Straight Ahead passion drive and patience the formula for winning championships is also what keeps your ride or 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played some of its best hockey ever this past season with a lot of great talent and they have the opportunity now to potentially win it all Monday uh and it’s going to be fun must C TV that is for sure the Hershey Bears are on the brink of winning their second consecutive cder cup after a strong game five victory over the Firebirds Jimmy Huntington scored twice and Hardy hman octel also contributed a goal leading Hershey to a three to2 win it was a back and forth it wasn’t easy as the Firebirds play very well at home well attended games the fans are into it uh the game was tied going into the second period and Hershey secured the win with a late goal by Huntington goalie Hunter Shepard made 24 saves to help seal the win with one more Victory Hershey can clinch the cup at home huge news for the Bears huge news for the capitals and most notably for Hunter Shepard who stands to be the number two in net for the capital so let’s talk about it the unbelievable game the Hershey Bears are one way one win away from winning their 13th color cup title following their incredible comeback win over Coachella Valley Firebirds Jimmy hunt Huntington scored a pair of goals including the gamewinner and Hardy H octel also made a significant contribution with a clutch goal huge fist pumping quieting the crowd in Cali the Bears now have two chances to secure Victory on home ice at Giant Center so let’s talk about the challenging game her faced a tough challenge as they fell behind early in the game but they managed to rally and equalize with Huntington’s goal late in the first period that was the momentum that the Hershey Bears were looking for as the momentum was definitely in Coachella Valley’s favor before that the second period presented its own difficulties with a significant shot disadvantage but remained scoreless however the Firebirds pulled ahead in the third period putting the Bears Under Pressure nevertheless Hardy h octel stepped up once again with a crucial goal keeping Hershey In Contention keep your eyes on Hardy hom octel we saw him in Camp last season uh many people thought he would be on the big club last season I think he is going to be fighting for a spot on the big team the capitals the overtime looming there was the potential there was the feeling in the air that could this thing go to OT overtime was looming and the tension was high especially after chell’s mascot Fuego taunted Hershey’s fans however the Bears managed to take the lead for the first time in the game with Huntington’s second goal securing a dramatic Victory the team’s resilient defense and Huntington’s heroics ultimately brought them within touching distance of the Calder Cup Can you feel it um it’s exciting and I think no better thing than for the Hershey Bears to clinch it at home let’s get her done post game comments talking here Bears head coach Todd Nelson acknowledged the firebird strong performance and stressed the need for improvement in the upcoming game despite their lead in the series the team remains focused on challenges ahead in importance of maintaining their performance in game six this thing is not on lock they could still lose at all I’m not going to say it’s happened but they need to keep their foot squarely pressed on the gas and just keep doing what you were doing the entire way with the opportunity to captured the CER cup at the Giant Center in front of an eagerly anticipated soldout crowd the Bears are gearing up for a historic moment this could be the first time since 2010 that the cup has won at home and only the second time in 44 years the stage is set for the exhilarating conclusion to the thrilling cder Cup playoff series so taking a look at who stood out in particular Huntington with two goals H octel with a goal it was huge and then you take a look at Hunter Shephard uh saving 24 of 26 I do think that the Bears are in a really good position I think they have what it takes they got great coaching they have great future Capitals players on their team there’s a lot to be excited about and a whole lot that you know this is going to be a good job interview if you will for a lot of those players uh we know hendrik slop here we know even Mir nenko but we’re also talking about other players on this team Hardy hom oel for example Huntington that was good exposure to the Brass of the capitals to say hey look at this guy look at how great he’s playing and of course the net minding you know solidifying his spot Hunter Shepard as being the number two on paper I know that clay Stevenson will battle for him that position as well but excitement abounds for the capitals AHL affiliate Hershey Bears and if you’re capitals fans a lot to be excited about that is some great hockey to be sure and make sure in tun into that game uh as it it’s exciting to see the conclusion potential conclusion I think they have what it takes uh to wrap it all up on Monday night with this team dialed in I think the sky’s the limit and like I say a really great opportunity for these Bears players you know you take a look at it l here has worked on his game even Mir nenko has really popped off the page excitement abounds as capitals fans and as Hershey Bears fans listen once again I want to thank you for joining me on this edition of lockon capitals your only daily year own podcast covering the Washington Capitals and I want to thank all of you that listen on the audio side and watch this on YouTube you are ultimately what makes this show successful when you’re done here head on over to lockton’s 247 streaming channel available on the free Amazon Fire TV channels app and on YouTube all right once again I want to thank you for joining me on this edition of locked on capitals part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day my name is Dan homy and I’ll talk to you again next time

The Washington Capitals are gearing up for an active offseason, with General Manager Brian MacLellan expected to make more moves after acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings. The team is focused on strengthening its top six forward positions and has the resources to make significant additions to the roster, thanks to a substantial number of draft picks and available cap space. Additionally, the Hershey Bears are on the verge of winning their second consecutive Calder Cup, following a strong Game 5 victory over the Firebirds. Jimmy Huntington’s standout performance and the team’s resilience have positioned them just one win away from clinching the title at home.

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