The Wake-up Shake-up
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
417 comments
"My gut tells me it may be a shot across the bow. Wake up or else changes will be made." - Bruins goalie Tim Thomas on the trade that sent now former teammate Chuck Kobasew to Minnesota
When a team with high expectations stumbles out of the gate, there are any number of things management can do to try to get things back on track, but they all boil down to a simple choice: do something or do nothing. For Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli, he chose the latter course of action when he traded winger Chuck Kobasew to Minnesota for a player, a prospect and a pick over the weekend.
The move does a few things for the B's, from the obvious (freeing up salary cap room for this and next season, adding to an already-impressive stockpile of draft picks and making room for prospects to play) to the... um... less obvious. But perhaps most importantly, the trade sends a message to the 3-4-0 Bruins, a team clearly better than its record: good is not good enough. As defenseman Dennis Wideman put it, "Obviously when people start getting moved around it's not because you're playing well."
Patrice Bergeron added, "With the way things were going, that’s something that’s going to happen. We just have to deal with this as a team, when somebody like that has to go because of the situation."
And while Kobasew has scored twenty or more goals in three of the four post-lockout seasons (but hasn't yet found the back of the net in 2009-10), he wasn't a foundational piece for Boston - Chiarelli killed a few birds with a relatively inexpensive stone.
All of which brings us to the Capitals, a team that, at times, certainly gives off the impression that it's plenty comfortable. And why wouldn't they be? After all, it's been a remarkably stable group of guys for years now, and they all know that when they're focused and at their best, they can beat anyone. "Don't worry," they say with their actions, "we'll turn it on with ten minutes left in a game or for important games and definitely come playoff time."
The problem, of course, is that "turning it on" is easier said than done. For the 50 wins and so on that the Caps racked up during the regular season last year, they were nearly upset in the first round by the Rangers, in part because of bad habits they'd picked up while coasting into the playoffs.
Now, no one's saying that a team needs razor-sharp focus and playoff-like intensity for every minute of every game of an 82-game season. But, as Bruce Boudreau noted recently, "The only thing in this world that is free are habits. You want to consistently get into good habits," and that means getting a little uncomfortable. Gabby seems to realize that, and has approached it in a couple of ways so far in this young season, including creating positional battles up and down the roster, calling out a couple of veterans, and skating the heck out of his players. After all, as he said back during camp, "We will be focused because it's my job to keep them focused" (an issue that has already reared it's head this season).
As Peter Chiarelli showed this past weekend, however, the coach isn't the only one whose job it is to keep the team focused; you can bet that George McPhee will be watching how the Bruins respond to the trade, knowing full well that a similar trade can be a key refocusing tool.
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Truth. The Capitals have played like a comfortable team since at least the middle of last season. Their record this year is a smidge deceiving — they haven’t played as well as their point total would indicate. Combine that with the teams’ abundance of D assets and… well, ’tis about time to afflict the comfortable.
by TylerG on Oct 20, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So, you’re saying Jeff Schultz for a fifth round pick then?
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I agree. I mean, all of those guys are moveable in a sense, but what the Kobasew trade did was send a message without making a fundamental change to the core of the team itself. Personally, I think moving 26 and 17 would be a bit bigger than that, and I’d add 14 to your list of moveables. Not sure how I feel about 2 and 15, but with you on 23, 4 and 16.
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by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hear you on 14, but who takes him before he’s hit the ice in a game?
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not saying “make a trade now,” but think Flash is a guy to keep an eye on especially since moving him would be just about the ultimate “damn, if they moved him, no one’s safe” move, given Bruce’s affinity for him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Completely agree on that. He might even be worth something on the trade market as a bargain-priced asset.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the biggest thing: a team close to the cap looking to add 20-goal scorer depth.
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can we quit this?
Flash isn’t a “20-goal scorer.”
He has never scored 20 goals in the NHL, let alone demonstrated an ability to do it repeatedly. He’s not a “20-goal scorer” any more than Semin is a “40-goal scorer.” They have both shown the potential to do so, but they haven’t yet.
Until he actually scores 20 goals, and preferably does it more than once, he’s not a 20-goal scorer.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You still having fun on semantics?
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course, that’s how we roll.
He has never scored 20 goals in the NHL, let alone demonstrated an ability to do it repeatedly
They have both shown the potential to do so, but they haven’t yet.
Are you saying that they only have the potential to do it once? Or are you contradicting yourself? Or am I missing something.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flukes
I think that to be labeled a “20-goal scorer,” you need to do it more than once, or show some demonstrable ability to do it repeatedly. Flash has put up some decent stats down in the “A,” but let’s not forget, Fehr was twice a 50-goal scorer in junior.
If Flash had potted 20 last year, I still wouldn’t feel comfortable penciling him in the following year for another 20, simply because I don’t feel that his performance was sustainable. It’s the same reason that I don’t think David Krejci is a “20-goal” scorer. The dude doubled his shooting % from ’08 to ’09.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wait, so you’re saying that you actually must score twenty (20) to be considered a twenty (20) goal scorer? fascinating.
you must not have gotten this year’s BarnLoveMath.com primer.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Oct 20, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is barnlovemath.com SFW???
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Broken link. But just think, I was willing to put my fiance’s computer on the line for all of you.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
seems to be safe enough for Bruce.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Oct 20, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would you care if people used “Potential 20 goal scorer” to “20-goal scorer?”
Also, I find a difference in “20 goal scorer” and “Perennial 20 goal scorer”
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See Below Comments
RE: Pettinger, Matt and Clark, Chris.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That don’t really answer my question?
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was gonna use some long analogy, but I’ll try to be shorter and more direct, since I want to get on my bike and get my ride on…
To me, using 20-goal scorer as a descriptor implies that it’s likely to happen again. Otherwise we wouldn’t use it, we’d just say “forward.” (As an example, notice how infrequently anyone refers to Chris Clark as a “30-goal scorer.”)
I don’t think Flash is any more a “20-goal scorer” than I think Jason Blake was a 40-goal scorer a few years ago. They both got lucky, and circumstances outside their control created an outcome that they could not repeat on their own. This was reflected in their ridiculously outlying shooting percentages and, in the case of Blake, a precipitous plunge back to reality the following year.
Jason Blake was a 20-25 goal scorer who had one epicly good/lucky season. Just like Chris Clark was a career grinder who had 2 epicly good/lucky seasons. Until he actually scores 20 goals, and does so in a manner that doesn’t make me think it’s a fluke (i.e. puts up a shooting percentage that’s double his career average, or plays on a line with Backstrom all year), I’ll call shenanigans on “Flash the 20-goal scorer.”
I guess my point is that saying something like “50-goal scorer” is a pregnant phrase – it’s intended to say “well, they did this before, so….” And that’s how you get people thinking that Jonathan Cheechoo is actually an elite offensive talent, or that Dainius Zubrus is anything other than a #3 Center.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s fair. In all honesty, though, anything can happen in any year, and you’re only really as good in the NHL as you are right now. I’d justify calling anyone by their previous accomplishments, though. Just because Clark isn’t going to be a 30-goal scorer this year doesn’t mean he hasn’t been. It’s just a phrase to say “oh, this guy has scored 30 goals in a season in the past.” I’ve never taken it to be more than that. Fair point~
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
This is probably my knee-jerk reaction to the standard ESPN-level of analysis that often accompanies a phrase like this. You hear it tossed around all the time to justify stupid personnel moves, “20-game winner” “35-homer 3rd baseman,” “1,000 yard-rusher,” etc, etc.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which Reminds Me
Take a moment to think about how unbelievably good Ovie’s first two years in the league were. He played on what was essentially an AHL squad. Every night, the opposition’s only task was to stop #8. His linemates were typically a third-line center and a fourth-line wing. And yet he put up 98 goals and 198 points. Suck on that, Tavares.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, and let’s be honest, while I’d take Ovechkin + anyone + anyone over anyone + Tavares + Okposo, Okposo is better than anyone Ovechkin had as a linemate in year one, really.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
I epically misspelled epicly. :)
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Brian Gionta wants to know why he can’t be an example.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s because he’s too short.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I realized I was trying to respond and ended up ranting instead. What I’m trying to say is that both Flash and Sasha have shown the ability to pot 20 and 40, respectively, in a given season. However, they both have characteristics that would lead a rational observer to doubt their ability to do that year-in, year-out. They’ve both been less-than-durable, and they’ve both been prone to long slumps.
Parenthetically, this is pretty much a huge backhanded compliment to Sasha. He’s injury prone and sometimes inconsistent, and yet he still puts up double what Flash can do.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But because Flash is such a bargain, he’s worth the risk. A team is looking at 30-goal upside, and if they give him strong minutes, he should get 10 and probably 20, in my mind. He doesn’t even play on BB’s #1 PP, but could elsewhere.
by red army line on Oct 21, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Bradley is a 20 goal scorer.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Pettinger
Literally WAS a 20-goal scorer.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he panned out real well, right?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See also: Chris Clark
30-goal scorer.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 20, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
scary, but I think Brads really is on pace for right around 20 goals.
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On fire since the playoffs!
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the sound of me complaining: (crickets chirp)
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’d be a bit, since again there’s health issues there and he’ll have to be proven sound before he moves. But then, I think this move’s a little premature yet – I think Bruce is going to see if the bag skates have any effect before making a move like this.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True. Should have said GMGM, thanks.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again, I’m not calling for a trade… yet.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I got that, JP. Neither am I. I’m saying that the trade probably won’t happen yet, but then Flash isn’t going anywhere for a bit either, so it still works.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right-o.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BB said last week that 14 “can be an elite player” and a 30 goal scorer. He loves Flash. He benched Fehr in the last game. I think we where the coach stands. GMGM might have to pry Flash away from him with a crow bar.
by Direction 87 on Oct 20, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can buy thirty goal scorer under the right circumstances, but never “elite”.
Last season I thought Boudreau’s affinity for Fleischmann hurt the team at times and if that starts happening again (obviously it’s only fair to give Flash some ice time first) I’d start considering trading for that reason alone, were I McPhee.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I definitely buy Flash as an “elite” player. When hes’ riding buses and playing 3 games over the weekend.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
17 is core?
26 would have to bring back an asset, no question. But his departure — and the resulting cap space — would also result in Alzner’s arrival.
by TylerG on Oct 20, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
17 is core. He wears the C and the players consider him their leader. That’s core.
26 is “foundational” in that he’s the most important blueliner’s partner. Granted, ten games with someone else could make 52 plenty comfortable again, but for now, moving out a top-pairing D would be a more significant move than trading a 3rd line winger.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
17 is not the bullet you would want to shoot right away, even if things were going sour. If you wanted to maximize discomfort, think of who was together in Hershey and peel off one of that crowd. Being buddies is fine, until you lose sight of why you were brought up through the system together.
But McPhee is hardly bashful about trading captains.
I would say we are quite a ways away from that sort of thing, though.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 20, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right – one could envision a color-coded scale similar to the “threat awareness” silliness in which there are picks, then prospects, then Laing-types, Erskine/Fehrs, Clarks and, at the top, the nuclear option – Semin. We’re miles away from anything above level 4 in my book.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: trading captains – in McPhee’s tenure, he’s traded away a couple of disgruntled Captains (Oates, Kono… does Witt count?), but it’s not like he’s made a habit of it.
In any case, Clark’s contract is a bit problematic, and his on-ice production hasn’t picked up yet. I don’t think he’s at risk of being traded, given his big cap hit and spotty track record for the last couple of seasons. But if GMGM is offered something compelling for Clark (hypothetically speaking, as this is simply not likely right now), you’d have to think he’d consider getting a 4th liner with that cap hit off the books, right?
by bodyodor on Oct 20, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure – it’s his job to consider everything offered to him, especially something “compelling.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Kono trade was made not because he was disgruntled, although playing for Cassidy would make anyone disgruntled. It came up when George wanted to sign Kono to an extension as he was coming up on being a UFA. Kono told George not to bother since he would not be resigning with the Caps as he wanted to settle down in the Western US.
At that point George said that he would try to trade Kono and get something for him and asked if he had any preferences. Kono mentioned the Avs, and off he went, being the first player to go in the fire sale.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suppose one could draw a distinction between a disgruntled player and “an impending UFA who told the GM that he had no intention of re-signing with the team,” but I guess I probably wouldn’t.
by bodyodor on Oct 20, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think shipping out the C would definitely send a statement, maximize discomfort (AO and Laich would immediately break into a fist fight for the open C spot) and free up more cap space than the other trade bait.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree – keeping Clark here maximizes discomfort in that the rest of the guys live in constant fear of the embarassment of seeing Gary Bettman hand him the Cup.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Heaven forefend.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m too lazy to look it up, but wasn’t this nugget given to us by the same guy who called Mike Green a “toolbag”?
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
O.k. Guess the mindset struck me as similar.
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
AO and Laich would immediately break into a fist fight for the open C spot)
how much do you think we could sell tickets for? And can we charge a premium for a cage match?
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are lots of players I could see moved because they’re somewhat interchangeable parts, but Flash I think is the least likely. I don’t want to say teacher’s pet, but Bruce has never said a bad word about Flash. In fact, he very rarely says anything about him that isn’t glowing. For whatever reason, he just sees something in 14 that seems to speak greatness to his eyes and I’m thinking that if George came to Bruce and said he had a deal for Fleishman, there’d be one hell of a fight.
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think there would be a fight. Bruce’s job is to do the best he can with the tools GMGM provides him. I think he would be greatly out-stepping his boundaries by getting into a fight over trading Flash unless George directly asked him “HEY, what do you think about this trade option?”
It doesn’t matter though I really doubt any of that happens at this point in time.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reading stories before, it seems like Bruce only knows things from what he is told and/or the paper. He might be asked his thoughts, but he is never there for the final decision, that is GMGM’s doing. I remember reading about how he found out he got a new assistant, in the paper.
by Bman21212 on Oct 20, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right story, wrong man. That was team owner Ted Leonsis.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 21, 2009 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think 2 is really marketable yet until he stays healthy for a full year.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At which point he’s UFA. So I don’t see that he’s a trade option.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, again I think that the return isn’t necessarily the most important factor on this type of trade. Moving Pothier, for example, would send a message to the team AND let them bring up Alzner. Would you take a long-shot prospect and a 3rd round pick for Pothier? You’d have to think about it, no?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2 would get you some cap space beyond Alzner too. Not a lot, but it wouldn’t take a lot to help WSH right now.
by TylerG on Oct 20, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know anyone who would offer that, though. I don’t think the question is so much “what return would we get” as much as “If you’re a team that needs a d-man, do you trade for a guy coming off a major injury who makes 2.5 million bucks?” I’m not sure I take the risk on him, when as a suitor saying “You’re shopping d-men? Let me get a crack at Milan Jurcina or Sha-mo.”
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because maybe what you think you need is a puck-mover. If you need a hitter, then the guy you might want is 23.
by TylerG on Oct 20, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s better puck movers making less on other teams who don’t have injury concerns. I don’t see Pothier moving.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed. he’s here until his contract expires.
by ns on Oct 20, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s better puck movers making less on other teams who don’t have injury concerns.
But are they available? If so, at what price?
A third round pick for Pothier might be a better deal for someone than a second rounder for a similar, but cheaper, player.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moving Pothier, even if you just want cap room (or a return) is just above the chance that Backstrom won’t resign and just under the chance we move Nylander, and won’t happen. I’d bet even money on it.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that it’s unlikely that Pothier gets moved because I think the Capitals want his skill set, but I don’t think it’s because there are better, cheaper options because I don’t know who those guys are.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Available? Dunno, but there’s other guys out there.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What relevance does a guy who’s unavailable have to this discussion?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not so sure Pothier’s available either, but we’re talking about him.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That didn’t answer the question, nor does it change the fact that an GM looking for the skill set Pothier brings isn’t going to decide not go after Pothier just because there are better, similar players in the world if there’s not a chance that he can land one of the others.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So because we say he’s available, he’s available? I’m saying “Someone else cheaper is likely available” and “Someone else without his injury concerns is likely available.” I don’t see a GM looking at our team and saying “Hey, I want Pothier” when the team itself has cheaper, healthier, and younger options.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So because we say he’s available, he’s available?
No, no one said that, or anything like that.
What I’m saying is that yes, there are cheaper, better, younger players than Brian Pothier who bring the same skill set, but unless those players are available they don’t impact Pothier’s trade value. Right now I don’t know of any players like that available, nor can I think of any I’d expect to be available. Even if those kinds of guys are out there, they’re likely to be more expensive and thus they still might not impact Pothier’s trade value.
Who are the “cheaper, healthier, and younger options” on the Capitals?
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Green, Alzner, Carlson… uh, yeah (and I’m limiting it to guys with a somewhat similar skillset to Pothier’s – it’s doubtful that someone looking at a Pothier type would be interested in a Jurcina type).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jurcina was a bad argument, but eh, I’m not saying we shouldn’t move Pothier, I’m just saying I really don’t see it happening.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But if they’re not available it’s a moot point because they’re not an option. They won’t even be part of the discussion beyond “Is [x] available? No? Okay.”
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, what I meant was if you (the trading partner) wanted to wait until you were sure about his health, you’re not trading for him now. By the time you’d be willing, unless it’s a deadline deal, you just wait until next summer.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only thing with moving Pothier is the injury issue. Has he played enough games for GM’s to be satisfied that he’s sound?
I think 15 can move, JP – we have faceoffs and depth on the PK right now.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thoughts on those guys
23 – Ideally he is moved before the deadline as he is a UFA after this season. I don’t know if you can get much for him, though.
26 – Definitely someone who has value and is also a UFA after this season. Usually a tough to sign guy though.
4 – Has little or no trade value… the Caps may shop him, but may find no takers
2 – Again, little or no trade value. Not that he doesn’t have talent, but missing a year and half with the concussion/eye issue is going to scare teams away. I still think that he signs an extension at some point.
17 – This is the ace in the hole if the team really needs a shake up. I don’t see this happening though
15 – Tough one, as good checking centers are not hard to find. Personally, I’d rather hang onto him.
16 – Works, plays his rear end off, goes to the net. If George trades him, he could end up being another Andrew Brunette (a solid NHLer for over a decade who can put the puck in the net 20+ times a year).
Trading a defenseman would help with the logjam there, and will definitely free up a little cap room (if they trade Jurcina, for example, they could extend ShaMo or Pothier).
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trading a defenseman would help with the logjam there, and will definitely free up a little cap room (if they trade Jurcina, for example, they could extend ShaMo or Pothier).
An extension wouldn’t kick in until next year, so trading Juice doesn’t help in that regard.
I agree with most of the rest, and I think Fehr’d be the most likely candidate. He simply looks like he isn’t going to get a chance under Boudreau so they might as well ship him out.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I better get a full damn season out of “Fehr and Balanced.”
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We know you more as the guy with the Sealab avatar anyway.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got told what the avatar was, and I still think it looks like Race Bannon, but that’s because I’m really old.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, the moustache makes it harder to determine the man underneath.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll go back to normal Murphy in a few days. Just soaking in the ’stache glory for now.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Captain Murphy is much funnier than Race Bannon. I just hope you’re not too old to appreciate it. If you want a taste just look for any of the following episodes: Der Dieb, The Policy, Radio Free Sealab, Hail Squishface, Captain Murphy and the Feng Shui Bunch. Really, almost anything from the first 3 seasons (before Harry Goz died) can’t go wrong.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I’m now officially old. David “Race” Bannon and I were born in the same year. Egads!
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bannon’s getting a makeover…
http://www.netharuka.com/science-fiction/the-rock-cast-as-race-bannon/
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Saw that! At his age, he could use one. I know it wouldn’t hurt me any.
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know, just yesterday I was taking a break during work hours to check Japer’s Rink while drinking my double vanilla latte and thinking “Those guys on the Caps are just too comfortable. It’s a shame”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I weeped because there’s no avatar.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
weeped or wept? I can never remember the difference….
by bilspacecadet on Oct 20, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wept.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
weep-led?
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I hurled because I drank my scotch with ice.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It does seem like a similar move isn’t out of the question. The big uncertainty from my end — who’s the likely target? And for this team, wouldn’t it be more likely to open a space for someone in Hershey, meaning we don’t want a player back, we want picks?
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think there are probably a half dozen guys who could be considered.
I agree that the Caps are going to want picks and/or unsigned prospects. Can’t see them wanting to add anyone to Hershey and adding someone to the NHL roster is probably something they’d save for a bigger move.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
And I think a move like this is done as much for the “value” of the message it sends as for the value it brings back in return (which would be minimal for some guys). Of course you don’t make a bad deal just to make a deal, but there is value in making a point. I mean, who was the last “one of the guys” that GMGM traded? Pettinger?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta be Pettinger – the only trade I can think of since then involved Lepsito and that’s not a “shake up” trade (at least not at the NHL level).
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
eek, its been a long time since a name player got traded.
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
(Eminger in the interim, but hardly “one of the guys,” given his status leading up to the move.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sutherby was a big deal (to me, going from future captain to really, what is he now?), but that was earlier.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was he really looked at as a future captain? (I’m asking, not snarking)
by renstar on Oct 20, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think a few people thought of him as such. He did wear an A as well.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More than a few. Future captain was also linked with his name. Kind of reflects how bad the team was back then.
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s easy say this kind of stuff in retrospect, but he was seen as having a fair amount of scoring upside. And there was never any question that he’d do whatever was needed for the team.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Up ‘til now it’s been one big happy fuzzy group hug, with Care Bears, lollipops and Pixy Stix all ‘round. And Peerless really demonstrated how heavily they’ve been relying on AO.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup, exactly. And there are guys down in Hershey who’d love to have their sweaters. Add to that the cap space issues, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Bruce do the same thing if the guys don’t shape up.
As for target – I have to look at Boyd Gordon, honestly. The Caps are pretty deep on the PK with the addition of Laing, they have a faceoff go-to guy in David Steckel, and Gordon just hasn’t been doing all that much so far. Gordon might go to a team that is looking for faceoff / PK help.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The PK depth is less of an issue with Laing, but Gordon kills penalties and wins faceoffs, and that’s a pretty valuable contribution.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he’s an RFA for one more year. He’s by no means indispensible, but I’d be surprised to see him moved, in part because I don’t think there’d be a ton of demand (Blair Betts, for example, went all summer without getting a sniff, so why would someone give up an asset for Gordon?).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point re Betts. It’s a hard one to figure: who has enough value that someone else wants them, not enough that the Capitals will miss them too much, and is a significant enough member of the team to shake things up?
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which is why I am looking at the two guys pictured and Juice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flash, maybe, but I’m not so sure that Fehr would be considered part of the core if he keeps not getting ice time. Trading Clark would be a strong statement – too strong, maybe.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would anyone roll the dice on Fehr and his double-shoulder probabtion? Sounds like a stretch and I think later on he will improve overall and still contribute drawn penalties.
Sorry Q, but you’re the guy to move if any are to be made. I love his heart but if he’s constantly “one or two strides behind” on backchecking, there’s nothing that’ll fix his speed (unless he’s nursing a boo-boo that we don’t know about?).
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Oct 20, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Laing’s an option. Not sure anyone would want him enough to give up something for him and I’m not sure he’s a big enough part of the team to have an impact.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would think the beauty of such a move would be to send the message while not Plax-ing the team in the leg by shipping out a core guy. We wouldn’t miss him too terribly, while GMGM gets to flex his “angry, vengeful” GM muscles to further drive his point home (if needed). It is sort of an “all-in” move when that’s prehaps not yet called for, but if the Caps were to try to send a message this way it wouldn’t matter much what was coming back to us in said hypothetical deal. A 6th- or 7th-rounder may even drive home the point even further, e.g. “I’m so sick of guys letting us down that I’ll trade you for a friggin’ bag of pucks!” Sending a message might be the one time GMGM doesn’t manage assets rationally, but I hope you’re right that this isn’t exactly his style.
This all said, I’d feel like a complete tool if it happend to Q. It’d be like firing one of my cats for underperforming.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Oct 20, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only a young gun would Plax the team and they are off the table.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
29 teams passed on Q this summer in free agency – I can’t imagine too many blowin’ up GMGM’s pager trying to get their hands on him now, when it will cost them an asset.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are half a dozen teams that need D. The Caps have been hoarding.
by TylerG on Oct 20, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the one that’s been frustrating me. And with our perceived desire to shop at least 23 & 26, I wonder if the Caps are getting any offers.
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not just the Caps, TOR too.
The question is whether the teams in question need top-end Ds or lower depth Ds.
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta think he meant depth defensemen. There are probably 28 teams that could use a top end defenseman right now.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are 30 teams that would be willing to add a top-end defenseman if they can find the cap room… you can’t have enough. But there is a need for a 3-4 defenseman (ShaMo) or a 5-7 defenseman (Jurcina)…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a side note, which two don’t need a top-ender? DET and PHI?
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
CGY has to be in there.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking Philly and Calgary.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rafalski and Lidstrom’s a nice pair.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I like Kronwall as well. Brad Stuart isn’t bad when he’s not playing the Pens in game 7 (but no, he’s not top-end).
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vancouver, maybe?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a side note, which two don’t need a top-ender?
The Islanders and Leafs?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That SI link about the “not so obvious” parts of the Boston/Minnesota trade was very interesting.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When I read about the trade, the first thing that occurred to me (and that I was too lazy to research) was whether this allowed Boston to have the picks necessary to tender offer sheets to RFAs. It would appear that they could do so and still have picks to exercise, if they found an RFA to their liking.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 20, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There won’t be another RFA round until after the 2010 draft so you’d be looking at their 2011 stable of picks and the 2010 RFAs.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the picks had to be their original draft choices, not ones acquired in a trade.
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
GMs do this sort of thing all the time. Do you really think the Caps needed Keith Aucoin when the signed him as a UFA in the summer of 2008? Sure having an extra forward helps, but signing Keith Aucoin away from Carolina made the deal sweeter.
If George could have had a similar forward from another team, say in the Northwest division for the same salary, I bet he’d extend the offer to the player from the Southeast division first. He knew that Aucoin played 50+ games for the ‘Canes in 2007-08 when he filled in well for an injured Rod Brind’amour. Seeing that Brind’amour is well into his 30s, you had to believe that he might have another lengthy injury (which he did not, a credit to the ‘Canes and to Brind’amour) and if he did, they’d like to have some depth at center. By adding Aucoin, he was able to help the Caps depth out, and at the same time reduce the ’Canes depth. A very shrewd move.
GMs are paid to be shrewd.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If a GM’s taking on marginal players from other teams just so they won’t have them, he’s wasting money and a contract.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well....
…it’s not like Aucoin wouldn’t have an NHL contract, and taking him from the Canes wasn’t the only reason. The main focus was to add depth to the Caps, that it came at the expense of the Caps top division rival made it all the more sweet.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not for nothing, but I think the Canes would have managed at C fine even if Aucoin didn’t re-sign. Let’s call it what it is, a depth move while the C prospects here pan/don’t pan out.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go look at the Canes’ scoring so far in the season and tell me they are doing just fine. No Aucoin wouldn’t solve that. And no, this wasn’t really relevant. And yes, I love gloating about E. Staal’s inconsistency.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a problem. Excuse me while I begin reading my Tracy Morgan book and hope to get pregnant.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And yes, I love gloating about E. Staal’s inconsistency.
Isn’t he, like, the second or third best forward in the Southeast? No wonder no one respects this damn division.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Supposedly.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are undisputed 1-2, no?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, I’d also put Vinny and St. Louis ahead of Staal, too.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d put Nicky ahead of Staal as well. And then there are some other names I could come up with
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah, obviously Nicky.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently it’s not so obvious that Baxter > E. Staal.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had previously argued Staal > Backstrom. But given how inconsistent Staal is and how great Backy’s been since being separated from AO and over the past five games generally, I’ve changed my opinion – Backstrom’s a rock.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spot on J.P. Baxter is just better.
(I win!)
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I’m pretty sure you were taking a backhand dig at Backstrom for not doing much since he was separated from AO, but really he’s been “cold” for only a couple games and Staal has 2 points in 7. It’s not even comparable inconsistent streaks.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Backstrom doesn’t have an even strength assist (and only one overall) in five games and just one overall in that stretch (no goals). I’d say that’s similar to 2 points in 7, but both are tiny samples and Backy was more consistent last season.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the point was to help your team outscore the other team. Does the guy with 11 points (regardless of PP or ES) do that or the guy with 2 points?
I also thought you reflexively supported anything that started with “Spot on J.P.” so WTF?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, you’re right, and I’m defending you. To the death, nay, to the pain.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s all I ask for.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Staal has ZERO ES points this season. He’s T-7 on his team in points. If both are doing damage mostly on the PP I’ll take the guy that is doing more damage.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You already won. No need to pile on ! ;)
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha. I’m still bitter at all the scotch comments today after I acquiesced last night. And I effing hate the Staal family (or more accurately the ridiculous hype they get).
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the contrary, I fully support piling on Staal. Should happen more often.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I fully support piling on Staal. Should happen more often.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 20, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m still bitter at all the scotch comments
If I can be serious here for a minute, you drink your damned scotch just the way it makes you happiest. if that means mashing up a dill pickle in the glass, then do it.
Letting people tell you how you like your food and drink is no way to go through life.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 20, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure if it comes through on the internet, but I’m totally joking. I don’t give a rat’s ass what people think about how I go through life. I take a Laissez-faire attitude to other people’s decisions; and I expect the same courtesy. The only thing I care about is that people don’t think I’m being an asshole (when I’m not trying to be an asshole). I’m sensitive to the fact that I come off like a dick and around here I try to make it clear when I am and am not actually being a dick.
As for the scotch. I don’t particularly care if “everyone else drinks it warm.” In the UK people drink beer warm. Not my style. Objectively no sane woman in her right mind would settle down with me; yet I’ve locked up a real winner. There’s no accounting for taste.
(Final aside: Why does the scotch have to be warm? Is it that putting ice in the glass messes up the taste, or is it related to the temperature? If I just left my bottle in the freezer and drank it neat would the purists still be on my ass? I’m really only concerned with the temperature; warm scotch burns my tongue and throat more than cold scotch does, and I don’t really notice much of a difference in taste if I drink it fast enough for it to not get watered down.)
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You probably have your gin’n’beer at 43 degrees instead of the customary 77 degrees too, don’t you?
I don’t like the idea of cold scotch because I think it would numb my tongue and I’d miss some of the depth, but hey — it’s 98.6 degrees in there. The stuff warms up as you drink it.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My handle of gin is in the freezer so I damn well hope it’s colder than 43. I think I just have a particularly sensitive tongue/throat so the warm scotch just burns a bit too much. Or I’m just a pussy.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scotch that’s too cold loses some of its flavor (in theory) and an ice cube could add too much water (you want to add a little to bring the drink below 80 proof). “Warm” is also a relative term: like British beer, it should be cellar temperature. Say 55 degrees. As an aside: light American lagers served at cellar temperature are horrific, but cask-conditioned English ales can be sublime.
by RPI93 on Oct 20, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate the Staals ....
Except for Bongo-face.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Oct 20, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
If a GM’s taking on marginal players from other teams just so they won’t have them, he’s wasting money and a contract
Isn’t that what the Penguins just did to the Caps?.
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If so, it was a stupid decision.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My sentiments exactly and bit underhanded.
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And by “50+,” you mean 38?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoops, my bad. Brindy missed 50+ games, and I thought Aucoin covered all of them… he did play most of them.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand your point, but I’m not sure the situation in Boston is comparable to the Caps. Records aside, the Caps have played far tougher teams and have been in every game. Boston, on the other hand, opened with a stinker against the Caps, has had bad losses to both the Ducks and the Coyotes where they weren’t very competitive, was life and death with the Isles and lost at home to Colorado. The Caps have been inconsistent and blown leads, but from a management perspective I don’t think that’s a reason to start shipping out players. Let’s keep in mind it’s only 8 games and they are in first place. If it continues for another ten games, then it might be time to make a move or two, but I think any move now is way too premature. The one exception, of course, is Nylander.
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Caps have been inconsistent and blown leads, but from a management perspective I don’t think that’s a reason to start shipping out players. Let’s keep in mind it’s only 8 games and they are in first place. If it continues for another ten games, then it might be time to make a move or two, but I think any move now is way too premature.
But these issues date back to mid-season last year, don’t they?
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
But these issues date back to mid-season last year, don’t they?
No doubt, but I have a sense to some extent that management views each season on its own merits. If the team were floundering like the Bruins, pulling the trigger would be a lot easier. Also, don’t you have to at some stage, point a finger at Bruce and ask if his style of coaching isn’t a contributing factor to some of these deficiencies?
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt, but I have a sense to some extent that management views each season on its own merits.
I think that’s a fair point, but I think you’ve got to consider last season somewhat when you consider the vast majority of the team is the same.
Also, don’t you have to at some stage, point a finger at Bruce and ask if his style of coaching isn’t a contributing factor to some of these deficiencies?
Sure, but it’s a lot easier and a lot less risky to move a guy like Fehr or Erskine and see if you can get the change you want.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BB seems like he has been more aggressive in dealing with these “issues.” More aggressive imo than he was last year when it was very rare that he would call guys out, rarely had hard skates (Buffalo loss on the road is the only time I can think of), and rarely took playing time away. He is edgier this year. It still might not be enough.
by Direction 87 on Oct 20, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
GMGM is going to give Bruce every chance in the world. When they were interviewing for the Hershey position, Bruce was the first guy to come in, and GMGM was apparently so impressed, he didn’t even bother to interview the rest of the candidates. And then GM taps Bruce to fill in after Hanlon is fired, rather than one of the ex-coaches doing the TV circuit until the next coaching job comes along. McPhee has, in some ways, hitched his wagon to Bruce, and until Bruce implodes (and dear god, I really don’t want to see that), the Caps front office is going to back him no matter what.
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And then GM taps Bruce to fill in after Hanlon is fired, rather than one of the ex-coaches doing the TV circuit until the next coaching job comes along.
Well, he tapped Boudreau as an interim and kept him when he had immediate success; that’s a little different.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a sense to some extent that management views each season on its own merits.
Ask Doug Wilson about that.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, and am not calling for a trade – merely pointing out an option GMGM has if it comes to that. Too often we focus on Boudreau when it comes to these issues, and I’m just noting that it’s not just on him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Spot on, JP. The Caps players are all very comfortable, and why shouldn’t they be? McPhee has not shown in his tenure that he is one to make a trade that makes him look bad, and he’s not one to dump an “asset” until their perceived value has been completely exhausted (Chris Bourque fiasco aside).
At this point, GMGM is entirely too predictable – the whole world knows that he won’t trade or expose an undervalued asset to waivers. He’d sooner let them sit in the press box until their perceived value spikes. Sometimes, that works out really well (see Eminger, Steve) – other times, you just end up waiting endlessly for Boyd Gordon’s offensive game to blossom, or for Eric Fehr to stay healthy for a full season, and your asset is essentially squandered (note: I still hold out some hope for Fehr’s health – Gordo’s offense is lost cause).
Unless GMGM does something different, we all know that a trade is probably not imminent, unless some GM out there loses their mind and agrees to take a risk on Nylander.
by bodyodor on Oct 20, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
McPhee has not shown in his tenure that he is one to make a trade that makes him look bad, and he’s not one to dump an "asset" until their perceived value has been completely exhausted (Chris Bourque fiasco aside).
No GM wants to make a trade that makes him look bad, but McPhee’s been willing to make trades that are unpopular or controversial. You’ve got the fire sale, and you’ve also got Konowalchuk and a third rounder for Battaglia and Johansson.
It’s undoubtedly a good thing that McPhee doesn’t dump assets until they go bad – why would you dump something that has value?
At this point, GMGM is entirely too predictable – the whole world knows that he won’t trade or expose an undervalued asset to waivers.
I don’t think that’s an different from every other GM in the league (or at least any different from what they’re trying to do). Wanting to only move assets when you get something in return and especially when you get something at least equal in return is predictable because it’s the definition of a GM’s job.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No GM wants to make a trade that makes him look bad, but McPhee’s been willing to make trades that are unpopular or controversial.
The Huet deal wasn’t exactly popular either, in at least one stall in the locker room.
But I think what bodyodor is getting at is that GMGM is very conservative, and it can end up biting him in the tail.
Note: I reflexively defend anyone who starts a post with “Spot on, JP.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I think what bodyodor is getting at is that GMGM is very conservative, and it can end up biting him in the tail.
That I would certainly not dispute. He seems hesitant to make moves and I think he overvalues guys he’s had for a while.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Word. This was basically all I was getting at. Unless GMGM makes a conscious effort to change his fundamental makeup as a GM, I don’t think we’ll be seeing anyone getting Kobasew’ed anytime soon.
by bodyodor on Oct 20, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I think what bodyodor is getting at…
I love the internet.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m still waiting for scratch and stiff internet service.
by b.orr4 on Oct 20, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s a semi-related question: When Flash is activated, and assuming no new injuries and Nylander stays in limbo, do the Caps have to make a roster move to accommodate him?
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Oct 20, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, let’s see…
Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble, Laich, Morrison, Semin, Laing, Steckel, Bradley, Fehr, Aucoin, Clark, Gordon = 13
Green, Mo, Schultz, Poti, Juice, Pothier, Sloan, Erskine = 8
Theo, Varly = 2
So that’s 23 guys (assuming Erskine is off IR by then), so yeah – they’ve gotta make a move.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you’ll see them try to waive Q.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta be him or Sloan (again, barring someone to IR).
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by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seconded on Sloan, it’d be nice to have fairly constant pairings for more than a couple games at a time.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree it should be Sloan. Laing has yet to be scratched and brings some shot blocking and PK ability. I think he fits in nicely on the fourth line. Sloan has only played three games and has been bouncing around in the D pairings and even at forward. I’d say he’s less of an asset.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Q isn’t the one we love and remember from prior seasons. I still like the guy and his story but I don’t think he belongs on a Stanley Cup championship team anymore. He would be great if he was a little faster and a little everything else to go along with his work ethic but he’s just falling short.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
But would you say Sloan belongs on a Stanley Cup championship team instead?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing, but I don’t think he’d clear waivers and he isn’t our worst dman right now.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t say yes or no to anything on him yet. Small sample size on him yet. He gets more TOI than Laing does, though, and like zephyr says, he’s not the worst dman in the bunch.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t read too much in to TOI – Laing’s is going to vary based on how often the team’s on the PK and defensemen play more than forwards.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
QL is not even really the go to go for the PK anymore. There are 5 or 6 guys I’d play before him on the PK every time now.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, Laing has played every game so far. Sloan only dressed for three. Apparently Laing makes a valuable enough contribution to merit a nightly sweater.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s not apples to apples considering they play position with incredibly different amounts of depth.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correlation != QL
Yeah, QL getting a sweater every night has nothing to do with his value to the team. It has more to do with the fact that the team has 12 forwards to put on the ice and have only had 12 to ice with Nylander being scratched every game.
One of Sloans games played being at forward is probably the best example of this being a terrible comparison.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ok, I admit comparing GP between the two was faulty. However, if there is enough D depth to sit Sloan more often than not, and enough lack at forward to play Sloan for a game, then how does it hurt to keep Laing over Sloan? Unless it all comes down to who has the best chance of clearing waivers.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To me it just comes down to who has the best chance of clearing waivers. Why has the team been doing such a balancing act and screwing with all the defense men to keep 8 on the roster to just all of a sudden waive a dman that won’t clear when they could easily waive a guy that they probably won’t lose who would be benched with the return of Flash.
We’ll see soon enough I suppose.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough. With Flash’s return, it does make sense that on a given night Laing is the likely candidate at forward to be scratched. Like you said, we’ll see.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This talk of waivers got be thinking, is there a good website to see who has a two-way contract and who has a one-way contract?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The individual player pages on CapGeek.com have them, if that helps.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
… but waivers and one-vs.-two-way deals have nothing to do with one another, really.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
… but waivers and one-vs.-two-way deals have nothing to do with one another, really.
Uh, that’s not what EA Sports told me….
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of those games.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ever play Eastside Hockey Manager?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OMG, yes, I love Eastside Hockey Manager.
Although buyouts don’t count against the cap in that game…
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, one of its few problems. ehmthebluline.com hopefully has a worldwide roster/settings update soon..
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Explain this hockey manager. This sounds like something I would enjoy.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a computer game released by Sports Interactive where you don’t play the game (control the players) but rather serve as a GM (and if you want, coach) of a professional hockey team.
It has, either in generic or licensed form, five North American Leagues and leagues in Russia, Czech Republic, Britain, Sweden, Finland, and perhaps a few more.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
EA needs to hire the guys who made this and actually build a playable GM mode for the NHL series. In my be-a-pro game this year, my CPU gm traded Semin and Theodore for Kari Lehtonen.. and sent Tom Poti and Brian Pothier to Hershey in favor of free agent signing M-A Bergeron. Makes it a lot less fun to be a phony-baloney Capital.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I took to simulating one day at a time to ensure no ridiculous trades went down.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shouldn’t have to! GM mode is clunky as balls, too. Then again, EHM has spoiled me.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tried playing the Be a GM mode when I was able to pick up the game. Couldn’t even make it to the start of the season, despite trying five times because of all the wacky stuff other GMs were doing.
I’d love it if the game gave you the option to just turn off CPU trades until September when you start that mode…
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I couldn’t figure out for the life of me how to re-sign upcoming FAs at the beginning of the season, so I had about half a team.. it sucks.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
EA needs to hire the guys who made this and actually build a playable GM mode for the NHL series. In my be-a-pro game this year, my CPU gm traded Semin and Theodore for Kari Lehtonen.. and sent Tom Poti and Brian Pothier to Hershey in favor of free agent signing M-A Bergeron. Makes it a lot less fun to be a phony-baloney Capital.
is your CPU GM actually ScottyHockey?
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.eastsidehockeymanager.net/
2007 is the latest edition (and will be the last due to rampant piracy). You can play it free for like 120 days with the old rosters, or buy it and then use updated rosters/images/content/everything from the internet.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll throw in a try. Looks like Wayne Gretzky hockey, graphically, which doesn’t hurt it in my eyes.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s pretty great – the best is when the little dots start fighting. My girlfriend came in once while I was playing and there was a line brawl and said, “This is adorable”.
The engine’s not perfect, but man it will give you a sense of how difficult a GM’s job is (at least until you figure out the AI).
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Line brawls are possible? Sweet.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really? I guess I don’t understand the differences then. This stuff is not my forte.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Waivers is determined by how many games a guy has played and his age. One-way contract just means you get paid the same in the NHL and AHL; two-way means you get paid less in the AHL.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, ok. Thanks. I was always confused about this kind of stuff.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea, I looked at CapGeek briefly. I was wondering if there was a site that had it listed by teams. I’ll just have to sift through it myself. Thanks!
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SBN partner On the Forecheck had a nice waivers tutorial. A bit Preds-specific, but still useful.
I may FanShot this later tonight.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, it’s very good. On our “to do” list is a similar post for the Caps.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks. That link is very helpful.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Aucoin was sent down yesterday?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was. My bad. So no move needed, I suppose, unless I’m forgetting someone else.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Duh. Nylander. Move needed.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I knew the numbers were right, but I couldn’t think who was missing instead of Aucoin. Not like Nylander has done anything memorable.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
(Swap Nylander in for Aucoin there)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A roster can have 23 players on it. A required move would be for cap reasons, not roster size reasons.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The 23 guys doesn’t include Fleischmann – it’s 23 now, 24 with Flash.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, got it. So yes, they’d have to send someone down.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn’t Erskine also on the IR?
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ersky’s on vanilla IR and his salary goes to the cap. Flash is on super duper LTIR, which means his salary doesn’t count towards the cap.
I think.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are the technical terms, btw.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Technically, LTIR players do count towards the cap. What the LTIR exemption does is allow you to exceed the cap for the same amount as the player on LTIR. Now for most people, the distinction doesn’t mean much, but for the Caps, it means they don’t bank any money, and for the players, LTIR guys still count against the Players’ Share.
by apk3000 on Oct 20, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
One of the best explanations of this I’ve ever read…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flash is on super duper LTIR
Sort of like double secret probation, only with more flair.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is, but Flash is still a week away from coming off the IR and the assumption was made that Ersky would be healthy by then. Obviously if he’s not off IR, no move need be made at that point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t Aucoin get assigned back to Hershey yesterday?
by Ames on Oct 20, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
isn’t Aucion already gone
never let the truth get in the way of a good story
by toymechanic on Oct 20, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t the Caps send Aucoin down yesterday?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And in case anyone’s wondering, yes, Wade Redden’s “WTF?” face was one of the reasons I chose the pic I did.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It’s dated, but this one of him with the Sens is nice:
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
Note: I reflexively rec any picture of Crosby being punched.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
52
Not sure why anyone hasn’t discussed moving 52 as the “nuclear bomb” trade? Hes horribly inconsistent and since the end of last regular season hasn’t been playing D, his position, very well. I agree with other before me who’ve stated that hes a liability. Trading him will open HUGE cap space and possibly net another D or draft picks.
by feeya7 on Oct 20, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ummmmmmmmmmm…no.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is this a serious post or are you trolling?
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You’re horribly, horribly mistaken. Just plain wrong, really.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh boy. Here we go.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, though, trading Green isn’t going to happen. They’re just not going to trade one of the YoungGuns. If they really need an ace in the hole, they’ll trade Clark.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or Semin, which would suck.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve said it before, Semin + Farm for Kovy. I’m all in.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t be so sure Semin’s untouchable (though he’d likely move in the offseason if he does), but Green’s not going anywhere…nor should he.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn’t this his contract year? Semin, I mean.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably won’t be traded by us in the offseason, then.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothin’ wrong with trading an RFA.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s a handy resource on the subject.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is my point exactly. Hes the second highest salary hit on the Caps. We don’t have a scoring problem, we have a getting scored on problem. Green’s strength is in the former, hence my issue.
by feeya7 on Oct 20, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We don’t have a scoring problem because we have a guy that puts up 30 from the blue line.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Green’s strength is in being on the ice for more goals for than goals against. It’s an important strength to have in a game that rewards teams for outscoring their opponents.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Watch out, you’re promoting group think.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I, for one, am bucking the group think and trying to build a SCF team around the principle that “you can, indeed, win by getting outscored.”
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Toronto?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus by Ryder’s analytics Green was in the top, what, 15% of defensemen in terms of defensive contribution or so?
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keep your damn dirty facts away from my memes!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Facts can change. Unlike JPs memes.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
facts are soft, kinda like European hockey players, aren’t they? And that’s why facts suck.
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Facts would be superstars if they could just stay focused.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And didn’t wear visors.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if they’d stop hogging…well, everything, really.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus by Ryder’s analytics Green was in the top, what, 15% of defensemen in terms of defensive contribution or so?
30 teams, 6 active defensemen per team = 180 defensemen.
Top 15% means top 27 in the league.
I guess that makes Mike Green a top pairing defensive defenseman, doesn’t it?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he was actually higher than 27, I just parsed the number of defensemen under consideration a bit since I figured guys might be hurt.
But, yeah, Green’s a top four defensive defenseman at the very least.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m no math genius here, but my spider senses tell me he might just be considered a #1 D man…maybe you have to caveat that as a poor man’s #1 D…what with 27 being pretty close to 30 and all.
No way the Caps trade Green. They live or die with that guy on their top line. If injuries, food, poor self esteem, arachnophobia or whatever combination of circumstances and events conspire to render him ineffective, they get screwed. But there’s zero way they move him.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 20, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
He may have an positive effect via assists but his +- being only 1 stands in the middle of the pack. Alls I’m saying is I think his contribution/salary ratio needs to be watched.
by feeya7 on Oct 20, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus minus is a poor statistic. And Green was fifth in it among defensemen last year.
His contribution for his salary is phenomenal. He was – literally – historically great last season, and he makes less money than guys like Bryan McCabe, Lubomir Visnovsky, and Sheldon Souray. He’s in the same neighborhood as guys like Michal Rozsival, Pavel Kubina, and Ron Hainsey, and he brings a ton more production than any of those guys.
Honestly, is there a way to replace Green’s contribution to the team with 5.25 million, excluding guys on entry level deals? It’d be very, very difficult.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Rec’d for truth backed by facts.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, but he laid a goose-egg during the playoffs last year (clearly the only time of the season thats important to the Caps anymore, as per japers’ previous post) and anyone’s salary is only second to Ovie needs to earn it in the post-season.
Alls I’m really saying is that I’d trade him over any other “bombs”, especially Semin. I don’t consider Clark a bomb.
by feeya7 on Oct 20, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Say it with me now:
“INJURED”
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One thing I can tell you from recent personal experience – illness and injury can absolutely eff up your metabolism like whoa. Not saying this is what happened, but I’ve been there and am still trying to straighten mine out.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you’re still seeing the effects of it with Green. I mean, gaining 29 pounds and losing 25 in less than a year is really hard on a human body.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think his aggregate gain and loss may been even more significant. He said he’s under 200 now.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And logging dam near 30 minutes every game.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yo-yo’ing like that is brutal on your body. It screws your metabolism up and it never quite finds its equilibrium again. (and then you find that, no, you cannot eat a whole bag of chips without consequence.)
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Green was also hurt and sick in the playoffs.
Semin’s a much less valuable player than Green, especially when you consider their respective salaries. His offense isn’t as much for his position as Green’s, he takes bad penalties, he’s lower on the depth chart, his focus wanes, and he’s much more inconsistent (Green is pretty consistent for a defenseman who scores as much as he does).
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not understanding any of this argument due to the lack of an avatar
by SethB on Oct 20, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
he laid a goose-egg during the playoffs
1 Nicklas Lidstrom DET 16 points in 21 GP
2 Sergei Gonchar PIT 14 points in 22 GP
3 Kris Letang PIT 13 points in 23 GP
4 Brian Rafalski DET 12 points in 18 GP
5 Brent Seabrook CHI 12 points in 17 GP
6 Scott Niedermayer ANA 10 points in 13 GP
7 Chris Pronger ANA 10 points in 13 GP
8 Brian Campbell CHI 10 points in 17 GP
9 Mike Green WSH 9 points in 14 GP
10 Cam Barker CHI 9 points in 17 GP
11 Niklas Kronwall DET 9 points in 23 GP
12 Brad Stuart DET 9 points in 23 GP
13 Jonathan Ericsson DET 8 points in 22 GP
14 Alexander Edler VAN 8 points in 10 GP
15 Joni Pitkanen CAR 8 points in 18 GP
Top 10 in the league is “a goose egg?”
Hey, maybe the fact that your expectations were so high that you found a top-10 performance disappointing suggests that he’s actually a hell of a player.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Rec-o… Suave…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ooooooh ay-oh oh oh oh
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know better than to feed the troll.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Gould Old Days philosophy of dealing with trolls:
Don’t let the troll under your skin. If you want to make a post that makes you happy, post it.
This one made me happy because people generally need a reminder that Greener wasn’t terrible in the playoffs. He wasn’t himself, but he was still very, very good.
I don’t really care what feeya thinks about this. He’ll probably find some other facile criticism to spout without any backup. But the rest of us need a reminder every once in a while of how good Green is when he’s bad.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nice work, sir.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 20, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he doesn’t think so, but it had that effect. But I agree, the response was fab.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its even more impressive when you break it down by PPG.
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your list above doesn’t account for the fact that 52 was on a line with Ovie much of the time. Playing with Ovie means high points, just look at the post by peerless today. I’m not trolling, I love the Caps, but I’m just not convinced that Green is one of the best defense-men in the league. The caps are high offense team and therefore have inflated point totals. Scoring lots of goals doesn’t mean wins, as this season is slowly proving.
Also, don’t give me shit or make your posts personal (re: below), I’m just exploring outside of the box. I’m a Caps fan, we’re on the same team.
by feeya7 on Oct 20, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
4-2-2 is on pace for 40-20-20 with two left over, a 100 point campaign. That’s hardly an unsuccessful season. To say that scoring lots of goals doesn’t mean wins is a hard sell. I would call them high octane more than high offense, and I would take a 100 point season in a heartbeat.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 20, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your list above doesn’t account for the fact that 52 was on a line with Ovie much of the time.
It also doesn’t account for the fact that Green played fewer games than most of those guys (in ranking anyway), the fact that Green was hurt, or that those guys play with some pretty talented players too. All the guys ahead of Green were either on Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, or Anaheim, so they’re playing with guys who can put the puck in the net too.
Scoring lots of goals doesn’t mean wins, as this season is slowly proving.
Not inherently, no, but scoring more goals than your opponent does. There’s no doubt about Green’s offensive capabilities; simply put he’s blowing everyone else away and even if those point totals in part reflect that he’s on a very good offensive team he’s probably the best offensive defenseman in the NHL. Defensively he’s somewhere between above average and excellent depending on what metric you use. You get a guy like that and odds are he’s going to help the team outscore the opponent and ergo win the game.
From what I understand the crux of your arguement is that Green isn’t a good defensive defenseman – but he is, by almost any measure out there.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What, pray tell, is the measure in which Green is not a good defensive defenseman?
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh, I guess you could say ‘giveaways’, although that has more to do with him attacking aggressively.
Truth be told, I’m not aware of any, but there might be one there.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will say this: Mike Green is infuriating because there are plays where he really doesn’t look like he’s giving maximum (or even average) effort. The thing is, he’s so far ahead of everyone else as an athlete, he can often recover and bail himself out.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 20, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he skates so damn well that even when he’s flying it looks like he isn’t trying all that hard. Scott Niedermayer wheels up the ice effortlessly as well but nobody ever complains about his effort level.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a Caps fan, we’re on the same team.
An avatar builds team spirit.
by RPI93 on Oct 20, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
lol’d
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your list above doesn’t account for the fact that 52 was on a line with Ovie much of the time.
someone help me out here, but unlike Tyler Sloan, I thought Greenie played on D all the time? Yah? Oh, so he doesn’t play on the same forward line as Ovie.
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
52 and 8 from what I see normally play together at home, but separately on the road.
by red army line on Oct 21, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who said you were allowed to be logical?
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds a little like that plus-minus thing, and we know that plus-minus is a number that’s worth less than AIG stock
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 21, 2009 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That second-highest cap hit is still low for the caliber of player Green is.
You take him out, you take out a lot of offense and suddenly the team might have a problem getting scored on.
Bottom line, though, is that you win by outscoring the other team and a guy like Green helps you do that.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your issue is your lack of an avatar. Pointing that out is my strength.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Oct 20, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
This is my point exactly. Hes the second highest salary hit on the Caps.
But what do you do with the cap space? Use it to replace Green? That’s awfully hard because getting that significant of a contribution for that amount of money is hard to do.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Per Ryder, Green was the most valuable NHL skater last season at 134 player contribution, 10 better than Ovechkin and Datsyuk.
You can’t replace his contribution with his salary, barring amazing blue-chip entry level guys. Can’t be done.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 20, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo. Green’s been an incredibly productive player the last couple of years and considering his salary makes him look even better.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just to clarify, the point of that link was to show jordanDC a good resource if he had future contract questions, not to make a point in the trade Green debate.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, bra. I know these things, I’m just a lazy fuck most of the time.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool, just spreading the word… and by word I mean links.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Players like Green are so hard to find that GMGM would have to get back one huge return to warrent such a move right now. As for Semin, could see that IF it looks like they’ll be trouble resigning him.
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Oct 20, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
because some of us are still reeling when watching Gonchar. i.e. I understand the ‘nuclear bomb’ affect, but would you reaslly get fair value in return for him?
by bigity b on Oct 20, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t matter if he did or not. He was part of the salary dump, and UFA afterwards, to boot.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trading Green would be a very, very big mistake. He had, literally, a historically great season last year and he’s the 18th most highly paid defenseman in the NHL. That’s a great bargain, even if he doesn’t hit 30 goals again. Plus he’s still a restricted free agent at the beginning of next season.
He’s not a liability, either, he’s actually an above average defensive defenseman as we noted here and as Ryder noted in his workup on last season.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought green had a 4 year deal, and he’s only in year two. (I may be terribly, terribly wrong. Numbers? Not my strong suit)
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoops, you’re right. Meant to type “at the end of his contract” rather than “at the beginning of next season”. Odd…
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno how seriously I can take a guy w/o an avatar.
Cue BP…
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think SFS did this already, so I won’t hound the poor lad.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really? This is not the best idea I’ve heard today.
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IDK – i like to believe GMGM has something up his sleeve since he decided to keep 8 d-men. Didn’t B say for 2 years that he prefers keeping 6 so he doesn’t have to healthy scratch anyone (not named nylander)? I was hoping some of those d are being showcased – aren’t Pothier, Jurcina, and ShaneMo UFA after this year? …
Also, not sure if this has been talked about, but you think Aucoin being sent down without Gordo being 100% healthy slightly opens the door for Nylander to get 5-10 min of ice time soon? I begining to turn the tide and think, why not put him on the fourth line with Clark and Fehr – it’s not like BB plays them in the 3rd pd. anyway…
by bigity b on Oct 20, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Also, not sure if this has been talked about, but you think Aucoin being sent down without Gordo being 100% healthy slightly opens the door for Nylander to get 5-10 min of ice time soon?
No, I think it’s to save a few bucks on the cap. Nyls isn’t playing for the Caps this year. Period.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nyls isn’t playing for the Caps this year. Period.
Not even if half the forwards get injured at the same time again?
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find it very, very unlikely that six Capitals forwards are going to be injured enough to not play but not enough to be on LTIR at the same time. And the team played Boyd Kane and Tyler Sloan as a forward over Nylander.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
shhhhhhhhhh! Don’t even bring up the potential of 6 forwards being injured. It gives me flashback to last season’s “Ovie and the Hershey Bears show!”
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We won a lot of games during that show.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and it was a fun show. I’m just not sure my heart can take another round of “Bryan Helmer is playing D tonight?! Who the frack is Bryan Helmer?”
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s awesome, that’s who.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Helmer...
…is the captain of a Calder Cup winning team.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 20, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And remember that’s when both the skaters and Theo were clicking—>pwnage of Boston, among other teams.
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, but I do worry about the flu (not necessarily of the swine variety, either). It wasn’t a good vibe to read that Semin was sent to the doctor yesterday because he was ill. What’s the first thing that comes to mind in a situation like that? Keeping everyone else from getting whatever it is he’s got.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 20, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which was the correct call and good on the Caps to quarantine him.
I got a flu shot last Tuesday and came down with a cold on Saturday. Go figger.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 20, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought that too. Totally the right call on the Caps’ part. With you-know-what running around, quarantine him before he gets the team sick.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aucoin being sent down right away is most likely a cap control thing. We’re super close and need every day worth of salary we can spare.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any idea if GMGM wants to replicate what CHI is doing with Skille? Hershey’s a little far, but I don’t think it’s undoable.
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They did that last year with some of the D guys during the Great D Plague. They were “sent down” but stuck around Washington until the next game day.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yo, Cody Eakin got signed, per @capsmedia.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I got the tweet before it was up there. I did look :)
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he was saying the comment was more suitable for the Clips, the de facto daily open thread. But whatevs…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, okay. I mistook, I thought he was saying it was already up there and I said WTH?
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The real nuclear option
more so then Semin is Laich….hopefully won’t happen, but it would get some attention.
never let the truth get in the way of a good story
by toymechanic on Oct 20, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No way they trade Laich this season.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, trading Laich to try and shake thing up and get the team re-focused? Not a good plan.
by David M. Getz on Oct 20, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope…still have Neuvith (sp) Laich is part of the Hershey core and would free up some cap space. I’m not suggesting it happen
never let the truth get in the way of a good story
by toymechanic on Oct 20, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing like a little synergy.
"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everything today has convinced me that we need another fire sale and to start over building the team from Nylander out.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Fahq yea, Backstrom, AO, Semin, and Green to Toronto for Kadri and a pick.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 20, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade for Frolov too!
/gasoline to the fire
by WolfPackof1 on Oct 20, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just was reading the CI update for how practice went and read the comments for some reason. I saw this bit of gold:
flash, BMo, Semin, Gordo, Backs
5 fwds who play largely a finesse game. Thats too effing many
I can’t think of another NHL team, even the bad ones, who have that. Don’t say Detroit. Guys like Helm, Datsyuk play with a lot of grit in their game. Certainly not Pittsburgh.
Posted by: cstanton1
There is a lot of fail in there but some of the guys that make the “finesse” player list are just comedy gold.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That guy is the worst of the worst over there. Everyone just trollbaits him and he keeps on rolling. Part of why I don’t much look around in them parts no more.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus threaded comments are where it’s at.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean you don’t like discussions that overlap multiple posts and continue regardless of the current topic?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 20, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
C’mon… no personal attacks.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When is the truth a personal attack? Seriously, JP. It’s a “consider the source” moment.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
cough carolinaeasy cough
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn’t that the guy you schooled F&B?
by red army line on Oct 20, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not taking any credit for hitting a ball off of a Tee. He also got banned here after starting some rabble.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that was the guy who thought Joe Paterno was the great philosopher to ever live, right? That was an amusing couple of days.
by RedBirdie on Oct 20, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t recall all the stuff he said here. He just tossed out a softball on Pensburgh and I called him out on it with extreme prejudice. Didn’t exactly take an amazing argument to do so; pretty much anyone could have shot him down had they felt so inclined.
(And JoePa singlehandedly killed the PITT v. PSU rivalry, so good for him; who likes regional rivalries in college football anyway?)
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Paterno is practically a mirror image of my grandfather. =)
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by winterion on Oct 20, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
zeph, cstanton1 is one of the greatest blithering idiots that posts on that blog. Some of the stuff he comes up with is really unreal.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As I said. cstanton1 is one of those people you ignore because if you don’t he’ll make your head go asplodey.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Woh, sorry didn’t know this would get so much response, I just thought it was funny. I’m not familiar with the posters over there…
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 20, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey no worries, not your fault. 11111111111111111
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sigh Sorry about the ones, guys – cat walk on keyboard.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 20, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha. I thought it was just a CI exclamation point joke.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know what all the bag skating, line swapping, goalie and D worrying is about. It’s pretty clear to me that the Caps are struggling because they don’t have an enforcer.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 20, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Of course! How did we miss this until now?
by RPI93 on Oct 20, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or the rug to pull the room together.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 20, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny, watching Thrashers tonight. Slava Kozlov reminded me of Victor which gave me pause to reflect on the Big Lebowski.
by mechanicsville on Oct 20, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They clearly need an enforcer with leadership capabilities so we can finally get the C off of Clark!
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 20, 2009 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 8:36 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
