Washington Capitals All‑Decade Team
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
143 comments
With just 34 games left in the first ten years of the new century, we thought we'd take a look back at the decade that was for the Washington Capitals, a decade that began with back-to-back Southeast Division championships (and first-round playoff exits), and will end with high hopes and expectations.
It was a decade that saw the franchise hit rock bottom and find its presumptive savior, along with a couple of other lottery picks as the organization was torn down and rebuilt the right way (including a return to the team's proper color scheme). It was a decade that saw four different head coaches (Gabby's good through December, right?) compile a 320-281-45-57 record (heading into this season) and win four Division titles - but just one playoff series in five post-season trips. And it was a decade that saw the sport take an entire season away from its fans.
On an individual player level, Caps fans saw half of the top 14 players in terms of games played in team history play their last games for the organization and watched ownership open wide its wallet, first for the wrong guy, then for the right one.
But who have been the best of the best to don the red, white and blue (or blue, black, bronze, white, etc.) in the 2000s? We've put our list together (to make it easy on ourselves, all stats begin with the 2000-01 season and go through 2008-09), and it's after the jump.
What more can you say about this guy? In four seasons, he's already in the top three in franchise history in goals scored, top ten in points, and top one in hardware and other assorted accolades. He's the best there is, and he's a Washington Capital. Savor it.
No skater played more games for the Caps this decade than the Princeton grad who captained his hometown team in the first season out of the lockout. Arguments could be made for other pivots here, but we'll take this heart-and-soul leader.
Bondra would've been the ultimate no-brainer for the 1990's team, but he was still behind only Ovechkin in 2000's goal-scoring and led the NHL in power-play goals in both 2000-01 and 2001-02 (years in which he finished fourth and sixth overall in goals scored). Add to that the fact that he brought back Brooks Laich in trade when he was moved to Ottawa in February, 2004, and his impact on the 2000's Caps is even greater.
The prototypical puck-moving blueliner was an All-Star in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and was a second-team All-NHL selection in 2001-02 and 2002-03. And, like Bondra, Gonchar was a key piece in the rebuild, bringing back Shaone Morrisonn and the pick that was used to select Jeff Schultz when he was traded to Boston in March, 2004.
Green had an historic 2008-09 regular season and that came on the heels of a season in which he led all rearguards in goals. Green is still learning the defensive side of the game, but after accumulating as minus-18 rating through his first two NHL seasons, he was a combined plus-30 in the next two campaigns.
And then there's Olie. A lot was written about the netminder when he retired recently, and he deserves all of it. Godzilla is atop most franchise goaltending marks, and in the 2000s he played more games than any Cap, had three 30-win seasons (and a 41-win 1999-2000 campaign, for which he was named first-team All-NHL), and won his 300th game as a Cap. But more impressive than the numbers, Kolzig stuck it out through the leanest of lean years in Washington, seeing the franchise through the dark days and passing the torch to Ovechkin. Things might not have ended ideally for Olie the Goalie in D.C., but he'll always be one of the greatest Capitals of all-time.
Of course, hockey is a team sport and a team is made up of more than just six players, so let's fill out the lineup, shall we?
Forwards
Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Bondra
Think this line would be any good? Backstrom is already in the top five in assists this decade for the franchise and has the team's best plus-minus.
Alexander Semin-Adam Oates-Dainius Zubrus
Semin might have made the first team here had he not spent the first post-lockout year in Russia (see what you threw away, Sasha?!). Oates has the most assists per game (and is fifth in overall helpers) this decade. Zubrus is fifth in games played and can do a bit of everything.
Laich-Robert Lang-Chris Clark
Lang has the fifth-best points-per-game rate of any Cap in the 00's and is flanked by a couple of guys who can score 20 goals apiece the hard way.
Steve Konowalchuk-Halpern-Ulf Dahlen
A couple of Yanks (and Cap captains) and a Swede formed perhaps the best checking line in team history.
Defensemen
Brendan Witt-Gonchar
Witt and Gonchar brought a good combination of snarl and skill, and were key returns from the gift that keeps on giving.
Morrisonn-Green
Mo has played the second-most games on the Caps blueline of anyone in the decade and has an impressive plus-minus to show for it (not Jeff Schultz impressive, but still). He's been Green's partner for a while now, so no need to mess with a good thing.
Calle Johansson-Ken Klee
Here's a throwback pairing of a couple of guys who just got the job done on a nightly basis.
Goaltenders
Kolzig
Brent Johnson played the second-most games in goal during the 00's, and Semyon Varlamov's 2009 playoff run deserves praise, but it was Huet's run at the end of the 2008 season that really kept the franchise on track after it had derailed earlier in the season. Had he lost just one more game in that 11-2-0/1.63/.936 stretch, the young Caps would have had to have waited another year before getting their first taste of the playoffs. Besides, we know he'd get along well with Olie in the room...
So there you have it - a decade of Caps hockey nearly in the books with the team set to enter the 10's on an uptick. Can't wait to see what the next All-Decade Team looks like.
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Look at my avatar and feel shame for your omission!
Great nostalgia article.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh I changed it to Pivonka a while ago, whoops. Nevermind ;)
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love ShaMo, but I feel like the fact he makes it onto the Caps’ all-decade team is a testament to the weakness of our defensemen.
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Oct 13, 2009 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Same can be said for the inclusion of Halpern. Love him, but he’s not all decade on many (any?) teams.
by Sct112 on Oct 13, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somewhere Ivan Majesky weeps...
And there’s no way I would take Cristobal “Small Sample Size” Huet over Jose Theodore.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 13, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Bwaaaaahahahahahhaha.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can’t keep taking “games played” into account like the article does and then pick a guy like Huet, who only played 13 games here (not including playoffs)
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 13, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It goes so far beyond games played. How many times did Huet kill us with weak goals? Did Huet get benched in the playoffs? I can categorically say that the Caps would not have made the playoffs in 08 without Huet. Can you say the same about Theo last year? The level of play and the importance of their play for the two guys is just not comparable.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Huet made a huge mistake leaving the Caps. He seemed to fit very well with this team. Not nearly as well as he does in Chicago.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 13, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huet came close to it (being benched in the playoffs if my recollections are correct), which is what convinced Olie to finally leave town.
How can anything go beyond games played? If I play one game and pitch a shutout, and the other guy plays 15 games and does okay for himself, how does it make any sense to go with the smaller sample size?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 13, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What other backup are you going to pick? Huet played enough games where I was very confident in how he would and could perform in a Capitals sweater.
He was one of the largest factors in getting the Caps into the playoffs which was very important for the team and fan base that season. He literally helped the Caps pull of something never done in history and they almost made it to round two.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 13, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be honest? Either Johnny or Theo. As silly as the idea of picking an all-decade team is, its even sillier to pick a guy who played all of 13 games (and 7 in the play offs) as a back up goaltender.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 13, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Johnny was very good at all until the past two seasons. He was fine with being Olie’s best bud backup and just having a good time.
I’ll change my thoughts on Theo if he goaltends into the Cup finals or something until then he’s someone that got bested by a rookie when it mattered most.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 13, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huet wasn’t the back up goaltender.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as a backup goaltender on the all-decade team
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 13, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As silly as the idea of picking an all-decade team is… it’s even sillier to waste your time pissing and moaning about who the backup goalie on that team should be.
Fixed that for you.
Look, I picked Huet because he was a (if not the) key piece of what was probably the most memorable and enjoyable stretch of hockey the team played all decade. If you want a mediocre starter or a perennial backup, that’s your call. To each his own.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Where exactly am I “pissing and moaning” about anything? I was voicing my opinion on the matter, which the last time I checked, was what message boards were all about.
Does referring to it as “silly” offend you? Boo hoo.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 13, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calm yourself, amigo. If you can take issue with the entire premise of a post (without any explanation of why) and the content thereof, I certainly can refer to it as pissing and moaning – I was voicing my opinion on the matter, which the last time I checked, was what message boards were all about (even though this isn’t a message board).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can anything go beyond games played?
Well for one thing, there’d be no discussion otherwise. The list would just be the list of who’d played the most games for the Caps from 2000 onward. Plus Shaone Morrisonn would be on the list and Mike Green wouldn’t.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant it more as an expression of sample size. Plus, there were many times in the above article where “games played” was mentioned, so I figured it had some weight to it.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 13, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Using that logic, where’s Feds? They wouldn’t have moved past the Rags without his goal in Game 7 last year, or Brads for the same reason. Last year would have been a disaster had they not managed to get to round 2.
by Sct112 on Oct 13, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could see Feds getting an honorable mention.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah. def needs an honorable mention.
its ridiculous how much I miss watchign him skate.
by RedBirdie on Oct 13, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I downloaded a Metallurg Magnitogorsk game recently, basically just to watch Feds and how he is playing these days.
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Oct 13, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how is he playing? I’ve only seen a couple clips where he makes everyone else look like Pee-Wee’ers playing with a god.
by RedBirdie on Oct 14, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Games played is only used as one measure, perhaps even as a tie-breaker.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a nod to CalleJo, who played his final season for us in 02-03, and was one of the most dependable blueliners we’ve ever had.
by Kirg on Oct 13, 2009 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cote deserves the same treatment.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was my opinion. Cote over Morrisonn.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 13, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Abosolutely. Still got his poster on my wall from his 1,000th game against Carolina.
by bigmac1124 on Oct 13, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a testament to the durability and effectiveness of Olie that we’re debating guys like Huet and Theo for the backup role on the All Decade team.
Didn’t Kono play some C at times? Having a hard time seeing Halpy as your AD C.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 13, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chris Clark over Jaromir Jagr? I mean, I know we all hate Jagr because the Caps wanted to turn him into a dump-and-chase forward, but he did score more than a point per game on average while in Washington.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sometimes, the attitude of a guy does him in.
Or, he didn’t want to be in Washington, so we don’t want him on the All-Decade team.
by RedBirdie on Oct 13, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Granted, though I’d be willing to bet that his attitude would undergo a dramatic shift if he were on a line with Alexander Semin and Adam Oates.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The ‘if we can surround Jagr with guys he likes he’ll be happy and fulfill his potential and we’ll win’ train of thought was what damned the team while he was here.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But, shit, Robert Lang paid off.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d say Bondra-Lang-Jagr is pretty good.
by red army line on Oct 14, 2009 5:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Jagirl, thank you very much. If you’re too tired to play hard in the playoffs, you’re too tired to play on the AD team.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 13, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jagr quit on the team and admitted it.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you’re too tired to play hard in the playoffs, you’re too tired to play on the AD team.
I don’t get it. He led the team in scoring during the Caps’ only playoff appearance in his three years in Washington. Seven points in six games just isn’t good enough sometimes I guess.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its the attitude problem. left a bad taste in most everyone’s mouths.
by RedBirdie on Oct 13, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No one’s questioning his productivity, they’re questioning his effort. Seven points in six games means something different for a Jagr or an Ovechkin than it does a Laich or a Knuble.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even if he could have done more, he’s still far more productive than Chris Clark. Unless he was going up and punching guys in the face in the locker room, I would hope the rest of the guys can deal with his attitude (the way they did in New York and Pittsburgh) in order to allow him to stay and town and give us the best #2 scoring line in NHL history with Semin-Oates-Jagr. Heck, maybe his attitude would change under a different system. Either way, the sheer offensive firepower of that team would overwhelm the entire league.
I apologize, I’m way too bored today.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll respectfully disagree. A star with an attitude problem cannot coexist on a team, especially not alongside (or in this case, a line below) another arguably better star. I doubt Jagr would ever change his attitude if put on a second line. And when it comes down to it, hockey is a TEAM sport and infectiously negative egos erode that structure.
'It is bitter -- bitter,' he answered. 'But I like it, because it is bitter, and because it is my heart.'"
by HooLovesDC on Oct 13, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec’d, for agreeing with you and the Pearl Jam avatar.
by RedBirdie on Oct 13, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First, no need to apologize. Second, I think I’m starting to agree with you. I’d be much more embarrassed if Gary Bettman has to hand the Cup to Chris Clark than Jagr. I mean what, Clark hasn’t given anything to the team. Just his ear, teeth, palate, etc. Jagr gave a fraction of his skill and effort and a bunch of goals and assists.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
To be fair, if Kip Miller was a top-six forward on your team, you’d be pretty pissed off too.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, if you were paid millions and millions of dollars your boss and everyone that counted on you to do your job would not give a fuck about how you felt about Kip Miller. Or the fact that your jackass coach played 3D. This one is strict liability, you do not get to quit on your team and reserve any respect or deference. I don’t care if the entire team had a, um, intimate getaway with Mrs. Jagr, you don’t get to quit on the team. On the hierarchy of douchiest things a player can do, quitting is right at the top.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Eh, I guess it comes down to how important you think chemistry is in building a winning team. I personally tend to think it matters less than a lot of others do. I think talent and productivity are more important for a team to have than great chemistry, although at least some modicum of both is needed. Also, if Jagr gave up on the team, how was he able to produce so much. More to the point, who cares if he didn’t do more? His numbers spoke for themselves.
Bill James once said that bad teams evaluate players based on what they don’t bring to the table rather than what they do. Jagr could have done more, but he was still pretty damn valuable.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, if Jagr gave up on the team, how was he able to produce so much.
Because he’s an extraordinarily talented hockey player, even by NHL standards.
More to the point, who cares if he didn’t do more? His numbers spoke for themselves.
I would think anyone who cares about the Capitals would care. You want the players playing to their potential if you’re a fan or coach, right? It doesn’t make sense to say ’you’re so talented that you put up good numbers anyway, so who cares what your effort is like?’
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re right, the numbers do speak for themselves: his lowest season point totals by far for any year in a 15 year span (which includes seasons after leaving the Caps).
In a vacuum, his stats look good. Put those stats in the context of a future Hall of Famer with 5 Art Ross Trophies, 3 Pearson Trophies, a Hart Trophy, and 120+ points in the seasons immediately before and after playing for the Caps, those numbers look pretty bad.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 13, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
If AO stopped trying but still scored 35 goals a year would you be happy? Probably not because you know he has 55+ goal potential.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he did it as part of a team that won a Stanley Cup I could care less.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FUCK. I missed a Stanley Cup??? Jagr brought a Cup here? Where the fuck was I???
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’d bring one here if he were on a line with Semin and Oates. I’d kick a toddler in the face just to watch the line play one game together.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So…the argument in favor of Jagr is:
- He was still pretty good, even though he quit on the team.
- If the Capitals had him on a team full of their choice of players who’d worn their uniforms in the past decade at the talent level they had when they played on the Caps, that team would be better than any team currently in the NHL.
Or…?
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I fail to see how that pertains to any of the previous discussion.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point is, no I wouldn’t be happy if Ovechkin put up 30 goals in a season. But would I rather have a 30-goal Ovechkin than Chris Clark playing to his full potential? Yes, because I believe it would be a positive move if the goal were to create the best team. And the same applies with Jagr in this hypothetical scenario.
Part of the fun of this exercise is to commemorate our favorite players over the last decade. Strictly by those standards, Jagr doesn’t make it.
The other part of the fun is putting together a team that you think would destroy the competition, at least to me. That’s all I’m saying.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand that. I don’t see the relevance of the “if he won a Stanley Cup” aspect of it.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It allows him to sidestep the question.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alright, you really dislike Jagr on a deep personal level. I get it.
The “stanley cup” line wasn’t a good analogy. The point of it was to say that seeing the team succeed would be more important to me than whether or not one of the star players performed to his full potential.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I loathe Jagr. There isn’t a single player I loathe more. I’d take Briere and Ribeiro on my team before Jagr.
Nobody is disputing team success, but Jagr’s refusal to try directly related to the team not succeeding, not anything close to a Cup run.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hoo-yah!
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 13, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um, no. You’re not reading very carefully.
Jagr didn’t play very well for the Caps. He was more liability than asset. The team would have been better off without him. His adequate statistics mask a contribution that was a net negative rather than positive.
He didn’t help the team win. Isn’t that what this is about? Wins?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haven’t the Caps shown that they’re a better team when they’re full of overachievers than when they’re full of underachievers?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yes, Jagr was productive, but there’s more to building a team/honoring players than productivity. Jagr’s the ninth most productive player in the history of the NHL and there are a heck of a lot more than nine guys I’d like to clone if I were starting an NHL team from scratch.
It’s not really fair to say “man that team would blow everyone in the league away!” That’s going to be the case most of the time when you’re comparing an all-decade team with single-season teams.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d take Johnny over Theo/Huet, if only for the fact that 1) He’s used to a back up role (lol irrelevant) and 2) Before Huet got here, the season was pretty much salvaged by his play. However, it’s kind of a moot point. Kolzig is going to be the starter.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 13, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Much love for Ulf Dahlen right here. One of the smoothest skaters on the perimeter.
by bigmac1124 on Oct 13, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to be nit-picky, but the decade (and millenium) officially started Jan 1, 2001, since there was no “Year Zero.”
I’m only pointing this out so that you can re-do the all-decade team next fall…in case you decide to replace Halpern with Nylander by that point. You know I’m only here to help, J.P. =]
by docciavelli on Oct 13, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That doesn’t really make sense. A decade is a period of ten years and when people talking about decades they talk about them in reference to the tags, not the years since 1 AD. When people talk about “the eighties” they mean 1980-1989.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any ten year period can be a decade, can’t it? 95-05?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 13, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
That picture is epic. And genius. Fantastic.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Oct 13, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Captions…
“We really need to cut Troi off…every time she has too many Romulan ales, she’s off dancing naked on the nav panel.
“Will someone please tell Worf that whenever he has Klingon fangorbeast, his farts make our eyes water?”
“Is that Shatner looking for another cameo?…don’t look at him…don’t look.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 13, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Halpern’s a great choice. I liked Halpie when he was with Dallas.
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/SLStarsFan
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Oct 13, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Blue Collar Caps
The Kono-Halpern-Dahlen line is one of the best lines I have ever seen at doing their job. The way they would cycle the puck along the boards and just eat clock and their opponents legs was a sight to see. Truly play that fans of the game, not just the team, could enjoy. I’m glad to see them get some recognition as that style of play was, until now, what the Caps were known for. Today’s team could learn something by watching some of that tape.
by renstar on Oct 13, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
GREAT photo find! i really like the choice of huet as backup goalie. the guy absolutely carried the team while he was here.
by Natty Bumppo on Oct 13, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Huet is a lousy choice for backup goalie for the all decade team. The only worse option would have been everyone else.
Says something about Kolzig, no?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just add another forward or defenseman and dress Olie as the only goalie? I’d go for that.
by Sct112 on Oct 13, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a great pic, isn’t it? A torch passing of sorts.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Robert Lang and Dainus Zubrus are the only players listed who both did not start the decade with the Caps and aren’t going to finish it with them.
It’s safe to say the Caps started the decade with a pretty good team and finished with a pretty good team. Those teams in the middle of the decade, not so much.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lang was only a Cap for almost 2 seasons. I wonder how tempted J.P. was to put Feds in that spot.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 13, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somewhat tempted, but I liked what Lang did here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the answer…I figured it would be a close call with the similar numbers, position on the All-Decade team, etc…
I hope he does well on the ’Yotes this year…
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 13, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always liked Lang and felt that he did exactly what they paid him to do (in stark contrast to, well… you know).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember going to a Caps game two years after the deal for Double J. At one point, the crowd cheered (sarcastically?) when Jags back-checked into the Caps’ defensive corner. I know I got a chuckle out of it for obvious reasons.
Lang, on the other hand, is a guy I’ve always wanted Pittsburgh to bring back. He even looked good handing the Pens their only loss last week. The guy’s an all-around player that could fit well on any team’s second line.
by docciavelli on Oct 13, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zubie was pretty close… he showed up in ’01, right?
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 13, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A little of the old and a little of the new
Not a lot in between.
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Bondra
Johannson-Gonchar (sorry, SmugLife50Deuce)
Olie
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Oct 13, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think a good rule for deciding who should be on this team is “who am I going to remember best when I think back on this decade?” Following that rule, the only change I’d make is to put Fedorov in for Zubrus. Dainus’s time here is just completely forgettable for me. Terrible teams, the experiment at center, etc.
I think Zubrus is justifiable in some abstract sense of the amount he contributed, and maybe as a reminder of those bad times, but I’ll never forget what it meant to have Fedorov here.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well put.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 13, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I had to put into words my guiding criteria for putting this together, that’d probably be it. It’s why Huet makes it, for example.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, but I’ve long had a difficult time separating my emotions about Fedorov (“Sergei Fedorov is coming to Washington! Sergei Freakin’ Fedorov is going to be a CAPITAL! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” was my reaction to the trade and it was pretty much like that ever day until he left the NHL) from the reality of what Fedorov did here. So I don’t trust myself to put togetehr a coherent argument as to why Feds deserves a spot on the list that doesn’t end up with “But he’s Sergei fucking Fedorov!”
by RedBirdie on Oct 13, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"But he’s Sergei fucking Fedorov!"
I believe that is an eloquent and fully appropriate argument for this kind of endeavor.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
ok, well, then, my argument is Sergei Fedorov deserves to be on this list because he is Sergei Fucking Fedorov!
by RedBirdie on Oct 13, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The problem, as I think about it, is that Feds is a center. I have a much harder time voting Halpern, Backstrom, Oates, or Lang off the island. And while a roster is 23, it’s bad form to have a bench on a team like this.
But there’s some poetry to putting Feds in as just a “forward,” given all the drama of the center position in the last couple years. (And he is probably still today a better defenseman than Morrisonn…)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or just "player"
Feds was a great forward, and good on D. Just slap him in there, and he’ll end up useful somewhere.
by Bman21212 on Oct 14, 2009 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a seamless argument you got there.
by redlineblue on Oct 13, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are Bruce Smith and Deion Sanders on your Redskins all decade team?
by Sct112 on Oct 13, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
who are these “Redskins” you speak of?
by RedBirdie on Oct 13, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The fact he’s a first ballot hall of famer that played on the team for 14 months doesn’t get him on the All Decade team.
He was fun to have around, and I’m sure Bruce loves all of the sweaters he sold, but there are guys that contributed more.
by Sct112 on Oct 13, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
By Bruce, I meant Ted… damn overtime days.
by Sct112 on Oct 13, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heresy. 91 gave us ‘only a handful of thrilling, timely goals’, sure.
He gave DC the pleasure of having an aging superstar lay it on the line (contrast with Deion, Jagr, Jordan, etc. etc. etc…).
He translated “2-way player” from English to an obscure Siberian dialect.
He got 8 thinking more about subtlety.
He gave Nick Backstrom face-off lessons.
In 14 months, Caps (incl. fans) and Fedorov traded huge and lasting favors.
Plus gimme a break, he’s Sergei Effing Fedorov.
by redlineblue on Oct 13, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Anna Kournikova.
That is all.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 13, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The old man paid for what he done wrong: Columbus Blue Jackets.
by redlineblue on Oct 13, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You misunderstand me. I would put Feds on every team’s all-decade team as an accolade for having been where so many have longed to go.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 13, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
‘Married a nut case’/climbed Mt. Anna. You can see how that call might go either way…
by redlineblue on Oct 13, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brooks Laich was also quoted recently saying that Fedorov had a huge effect on him as well. He watched Feds and how he conducted himself on and off the ice; Feds, never rushed anything, so Laich decided he wouldn’t either and he says its helped him take his game to the next level because he’s calmer and more focused.
Nothing was more enjoyable than watchign Fedorov skate in warm-ups with all that blond hair flowing freely about.
by RedBirdie on Oct 14, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I went home from work early on trade deadline day because I was freaking out about Huet and Fedorov.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oates should be on the first line, and hired as an assistant coach, but i’m biased.
by oates_meal on Oct 13, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oates is more 90s to me. If you limit it to his 2000s contributions, I think Backstrom gets ahead of him.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed. i have a soft spot for backis. he reminds me of oates. and watching the capitals as a kid.
by oates_meal on Oct 13, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mike Grier...
No love for Mike Grier? Sure he was here for only a couple of years, but he was more Ulf Dahlen than Ulf Dahlen (and I confess I was a big Dahlen fan and have an autographed Dahlen jersey in the closet). Grier takes guff from no one and would hit anything that moved. It pains me, but I’d put him on the line up there with Halpern and Kono (the three of them were the best checking line the Caps had, better than Halpern Kono Dahlen).
That said, I’ll offer up a line up for the decade:
Line 1: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Bondra
The pucks would be coming from either side, and opposing goalies would swear the Caps were using two pucks at once. Bondra had a great shot, but in this unit, he’d be collecting the garbage goals as he also did well going to the net.
Line 2: Semin, Oates, Laich
Zubrus may have better numbers, but Laich is more consistent, and again, someone has to go to the net (Zubie’s big, but he doesn’t like getting in front there.)
Line 3: Zubrus, Fedorov, Clark
He’s Sergei Freaking Fedorov! Zubie could help here, Clark goes to the net (and he wears the C for this team)
Line 4: Grier, Halpern, Konowalchuk
The best way to prevent opposition goals is to keep the puck behind their goal line…
D-Pair 1: Gonchar, Klee
Worked well together after Reekie was traded to Chicago. Klee is a good guy all around and the game misses him.
D-Pair 2: Green, Poti
Green is a great talent and Poti makes great outlet passes and plays the puck well in his own end
D-Pair 3: Johannson, Witt
Calle-Jo could play with anyone on the backline but played mostly with Witter
Starting Goalie: Kolzig
A no brainer. Won the Vezina in 2000 and had most of his career wins in this decade
Backup Goalie: Billington
If only for his mocking Johann Hedberg by making “antlers” with his blocker pad and catching gloves…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 13, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Grier, but Dahlen’s offensive skills (including skating) were much, much better.
by David M. Getz on Oct 13, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, I almost mentioned Grier in my earlier post on the Kono-Halpern-Dahlen line. Grier plugged into that like well and they continued to play well, but it just wasn’t the same line as it was with Dahlen.
by renstar on Oct 13, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think of Grier as a Shark or a Sabre before I think of him as a Cap.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We need a consistent breakaway threat on this team, like Bondra used to be.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This team meaning the present Caps.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That distracting movement in the back is Alex Semin jumping up and down and waving.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he’s about as close as we’ve got, I guess. Good enough.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 13, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slapshot from between the circles… ugh
by Sct112 on Oct 13, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My theory is that both our Russian goal-scorers are like the Sundance Kid. Remember how he couldn’t shoot just standing there, but needed some movement—a game situation—for his aim to be true? I think the gimmick’s un-hockeyness jams up Ovechkin and Semin alike.
Or maybe I just hope they hate it as much as I do, could be either one,
by redlineblue on Oct 13, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked Grier too, but there was nothing more disheartening than watching him on a breakaway, knowing that he was absolutely not going to score.
by Kolzilla on Oct 13, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I saw Grier score on a breakaway against Atlanta once...
Admittedly it was about a 6 foot breakaway when their goalie at the time ended up way out of position and Kono found him in between the circles with only open ice…he skated the puck right into the empty net…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 14, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should teach that move to Essa.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 14, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about an honorable mention enforcer? I’m taking Simon over Brash. Of course, Simon has the advantage of being on the pre-strike rules team, but there was something more fighter than enforcer to Brash.
by superjuan on Oct 13, 2009 7:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I see your Stephen Peat and raise you a Darcy Verot
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin Kaminski?
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 13, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Killer!
He was a great fighter and even better at goading penalties out of the other team.
There was one Super Bowl Sunday game against Edmonton, Killer managed to get into a fight with their enforcer, Louis DeBrusk, and get him to take an instigator, he drew a double minor from another guy for roughing, and eventually left the game with a concussion… with 5 minutes to go in the first period. Quite the afternoon.
I also remember Killer’s break away on Ron Hextall (I think that can be found on YouTube somewhere). He came out of the penalty box to take a pass from the zone against Philly and went in alone on Hexy, but instead of deking or shooting he pretty much plowed through Hextall puck first. The puck went in, and then Killer, Hexy and the net all went flying, and he celebrated by raising his arms and screaming into Hextall’s face…. awesome.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 14, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was a great fighter
Don’t get me wrong here. I love me some Killer. And he was a valuable member of those teams. But he was not a great fighter. He was, in fact, pretty bad at it. It never stopped him, and the team seemed to always get a lift from it, but I don’t have many memories of Kaminsky skating off the ice from a fight victorious. My memories usually involve blood pouring from his face.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 14, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 14, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s Kaminski now. Look at that nose! Look at them scars! Impressive….
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 14, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caps PIMs leaders for the 2000s
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 13, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rick Berry! I’d forgotten all about him. I think I was happier before I remembered.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
By the way, anyone questioning Ulf Dahlen’s presence on this list better look at the stats JP just gave us. 142 games, 100 points, and only 14 PIMs? We could use some more of that.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 13, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well according to that chart, Stephen Peat led all Capitals in shooting percentage during the 2000s.
Clutch.
by Stormblue on Oct 13, 2009 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semin in 7th...
With 263 PIMs… we all know it’s 154 minors and one major for playing the bongos fighting…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 14, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
248 from 124 minors, a five minute fighting major, and a ten minute game misconduct, iirc.
by David M. Getz on Oct 14, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ShoMo is the only one in the top ten with a plus rating. Oh, the odd things that pop up in hockey.
by RedBirdie on Oct 14, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
59 | 41 | 12 | 6 | 88 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
57 | 25 | 21 | 11 | 61 |
|
Atlanta
|
57 | 25 | 24 | 8 | 58 |
|
Florida
|
58 | 24 | 25 | 9 | 57 |
|
Carolina
|
58 | 21 | 30 | 7 | 49 |
(updated 2.9.2010 at 9:00 AM EST)
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