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Around SBN: The Gift Of The 2003 Tigers

Ovechkin, Semin and Varlamov are Olympians

via daylife.com

Here, via @dchesnokov, is Russia's Olympic roster:

Goalkeepers

Evgeni Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov, Semyon Varlamov

Defenders

Andrei Markov, Ilya Nikulin, Dmitri Kalinin, Konstantin Korneev, Denis Grebeshkov, Fedor Tyutin, Sergei Gonchar, Anton Volchenkov

Forwards

Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Fedorov. Ilya Kovalchuk, Maxim Afinogenov, Danis Zaripov, Alexander Semin, Alexander Radulov, Viktor Kozlov, Alexander Ovechkin, Aleksey Morozov

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Comments

Display:

Those F’s are gangsta-stacked.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:15 PM EST reply actions  

It’s a little freakin’ scary. Or good. I haven’t decided who I want to win yet, to be honest (and I know it won’t be the US).

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Wait, you’re not rooting for the U.S.? WTF?

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:23 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I second that “WTF”!

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 24, 2009 10:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey, now – of COURSE I’m rooting for the good ol’ US of A!

I just need to decide who I’d rather see with the gold medal after our fellow Yanks get unceremoniously booted out, duh.

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 10:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Whatever. Ryan Miller’s money… if he’s not facing the Russians.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions  

I’ll tell you what – if Ryan Miller holds down the fort and Zach Parise can bust through Luongo or Nabokov or whomever, I give ’em a shot for a medal.

If Tim “the flailing marshmallow” Thomas is in net, however…

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Tim Thomas is Alex Semin’s bitch. Eff him.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:36 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Meanwhile...

Cam Ward wonders if he’s free…

In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

by Rob Parker on Dec 24, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Plenty of room on the “Sasha’s Bitch” train for young Cameron, I’m sure. Almost makes me hope he hasn’t played himself off the Canadian team just for that reason alone.

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 10:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Nash’s skate played him off the team.

Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.

by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 24, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, scary good set of forwards there. On defense, well…we’ll see how it plays out.

Good for Varly, I guess. In my heart of hearts, I was hoping for R&R time for that kid, but whatever.

"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"

by fat_daddyo on Dec 24, 2009 10:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I think that being Russia’s #3 will be R&R, with a side of confidence and experience.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions  

I’ll roll with that. It’s the right play by Russia, I think.

Good experience, regardless of any wear and tear from travel.

"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"

by fat_daddyo on Dec 24, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s the right play by Russia b/c, despite the uncertainty, they’ve gotta have their eye on 2014 in Sochi. And you don’t want your hopes as host country potentially riding on a guy with no Olympic experience. Really just the right move by them.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Agree on all counts.

I took a moment to reflect that he’s playing behind Nabby and Bryzghalov (sp?)…he’s not going to get a lot of big games. Maybe a period or two against, say, Germany for seasoning.

"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"

by fat_daddyo on Dec 24, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Sigh. Germany. I have no reason to root for them this year. Sigh.

Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.

by RedBirdie on Dec 25, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Congrats to Varly and Feds, (the russian machine and jizz were locks)

by Doncosmic on Dec 24, 2009 10:18 PM EST reply actions  

oh, and Kozlov too, forgot him

by Doncosmic on Dec 24, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions  

Wow, I didn’t entirely expect that. (I mean Varly, of course. We knew the Alexes would be there.)

I think I may need to change my prediction to Russia-Canada-Sweden instead of Sweden-Canada-Russia. Can’t wait — 49 days to go!

"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."

by CapitalCentre on Dec 24, 2009 10:20 PM EST reply actions  

Sweden plays as a team — don’t discount the importance of that in the Olympics.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Dec 25, 2009 6:51 AM EST up reply actions  

SWEEET! Looks like the team is well-equipped to put Team Canada in its place. :-)

by IRockTheRed on Dec 24, 2009 10:25 PM EST reply actions  

Sure hope so.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Dec 24, 2009 10:27 PM EST up reply actions  

I am, of course, cheering for Team USA first, Team Russia second, and Team Czech Republic third. :-D

by IRockTheRed on Dec 24, 2009 10:26 PM EST reply actions  

That’s a great Christmas present for our Russian (and former Russian) boys. Okay, the Russians don’t celebrate Christmas when we do but still…

I think Caps fans may be rooting for the Russians in hockey for this Olympiad.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Dec 24, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions  

I’m glad Varly made the team. I don’t expect him to play a single game, but just being there will do wonders for his confidence and experience, you’d think, and was a smart investment for 2014 for the Russians. Atta boy, Varly.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions  

Feds (and Kozlov i suppose) playing with Ovie and Semin will make me wax nostalgic!

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 24, 2009 10:29 PM EST reply actions  

my selfish thought.....

is that part of me is hoping Russia gets knocked out early? as to minimize the risk to the Caps.

on the flip side Russia has the best chance to beat Canada and I’d be just happy if Sid didn’t get a gold medal so there is that too.

by nuftjedi on Dec 24, 2009 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

That’s fair, I suppose, but so is thinking “I hope Russia wins the gold so our Russians have supreme confidence” or “If Russia loses, will our guys be depressed enough to let it impact their NHL play?” Playing pop-psych on this stuff is a crapshoot, imo.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Crosby is my #1 reason for cheering against Canada. That and Canadians’ perception that their team is lightyears ahead of everyone else.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 24, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions  

The thing is, it’s not really possible for Russia, or any team, to get knocked out “early”. Every team is going to play between four and seven games. The difference between playing in the medal round and getting knocked out at first chance is minimal.

by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 24, 2009 11:45 PM EST up reply actions  

You know, I think it’s high time Ovie invested in some serious anti-depressants. Come on, kid, lighten up!! ;)

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Slap his face on a box of condoms and there will be fucking in the streets, yo.

Merry Christmas to all!

by DrinkingPartner on Dec 25, 2009 6:16 AM EST up reply actions  

Are those his Caps gloves?

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 24, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Btw, nice 50/50 mix, Tretiak.

I count 15/22 (~68%) NHLers. Liar.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 11:01 PM EST reply actions  

Pensive Sasha is pensive.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 24, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions  

What you don’t see here is that play is going on and four of his teammates (and the goalie) are busting their asses wondering where their other winger is.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

Yeah, but in a minute he’ll hop off the bench, get behind one defender, deke around two others, come to a complete stop and score on a blistering, one-legged slapshot.

Or if Tim Thomas is in net…a bouncer from the opposite goal line.

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Um… yeah.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

…and then take a hooking penalty in the offensive zone?

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeesh, that was awkward.

by DrinkingPartner on Dec 25, 2009 6:17 AM EST up reply actions  

That can’t be comfortable.

"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."

by CapitalCentre on Dec 24, 2009 11:08 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s during a time out!

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Dec 24, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions  

he did the same thing against Carolina a couple weeks ago. It was strange. Sat there for the time out. Sat there when play started. hopped down from his perch and scored. Whatever works when it comes to Semin, I guess.

Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.

by RedBirdie on Dec 25, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions  

N’awww. Baby goalie! I’m like a proud mama over here, seriously.

by Becca H on Dec 24, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions  

I feel that way, too. (He is probably the Cap who most reminds me of my younger child.)

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Dec 25, 2009 10:38 AM EST up reply actions  

I wonder what his Olympic mask will look like.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 24, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions  

YAY VARLY! Awesome job, kiddo, to make the Olympics!

Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.

by RedBirdie on Dec 25, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions  

All pix from Team Russia summer camp.

ALEX, FЯEE

by EmilyB on Dec 24, 2009 11:06 PM EST reply actions  

We just got through watching “Miracle”, so I guess I’m ready for the Olympics. Hey, what else is there to do on Christmas Eve?

USA! USA!

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 11:24 PM EST reply actions  

I watched Youngblood. You think the Caps can sign Carl Kracki?

In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

by Rob Parker on Dec 25, 2009 4:14 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

“Miracle” — back in the day when Russia was big bad Russia.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Dec 25, 2009 10:38 AM EST up reply actions  

Interesting about 1980, Canada was not in the medal round. I assume the lack of professionals in the Olympics was possibly more devastating to the Candians back then?

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Dec 25, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Here is an article about it apparently it was Holland that stopped them.

by Malin A on Dec 25, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Team GB didn’t qualify. =(

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by winterion on Dec 25, 2009 12:37 AM EST reply actions  

4 hours later and this still hasn’t been picked up by CBC, TSN or ESPN.

by Natty Bumppo on Dec 25, 2009 1:09 AM EST reply actions  

Sensible Lines:

Ovechkin – Malkin – Kovalchuk
Afinogenov – Datsyuk – Semin
Morozov – Fedorov – Zaripov
Radulov – Zinoviev – Kozlov

But what I really love are the power play units, when Markov and Gonchar are added to the mix. If Ovechkin is at point, those powerplay units are really scary.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Dec 25, 2009 6:59 AM EST reply actions  

I was going to make a Jizz joke, but it’s too early for me.

I keep 8-28 together so that AO and Kovy aren’t fighting each other to shoot. I think Dats should get the care bears because he balances out that line a lot better, IMO, than Malkin could. That also pushes Kovy to RW, when, like Alex (both), he’s a natural LW and, unlike Sasha S., has not been converted to the other side.

I just wish they were playing for the US team. Man.

by DrinkingPartner on Dec 25, 2009 7:33 AM EST up reply actions  

Actually, Chesnokov’s lines make more sense than mine.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Dec 25, 2009 7:56 AM EST up reply actions  

I concur that ZZM is a dangerous line – ZZM has been dynamic in all the international play that I’ve seen them in so far.

Malkin’s said many times he likes playing with Kovy… so I also like the Dats centering Ovie and Semin line, and then Afinogenov-Malkin-Kovalchuk.

Although there’s also the fact that playing Dats on the third line means Dats can go up against guys like Crosby/Nash/Iginla and still be a scoring threat the other way.

by Vinn on Dec 25, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions  

I firmly believe that the single best thing about the Olympics, from the Caps’ perspective, is the opportunity for this to happen:

Boudreau: Now, Jizz Sasha, while you’re in Vancouver, I want you to study everything about Pavel Datsyuk. His approach to the competition. His preparation. His training regimen. His positioning. I want you to learn everything you can from him.

Can you imagine if Semin comes home having picked up even just a few lessons from studying Datsyuk?

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Dec 25, 2009 7:08 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

When he’s not too busy studying the women’s aerialist ski teams, you mean?

ALEX, FЯEE

by EmilyB on Dec 25, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions  

Can you imagine if Semin had retained even just a few lessons from studying Sergei Fedorov for a year-plus?

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 25, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

z

He did…..he retained the bad habits.

Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.

by RedBirdie on Dec 25, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions  

And Semin is improving. He certainly improved over the year before Fedorov. Look at his plus-minus. Would you have trusted the ‘05-06 Semin to ever kill penalties? I think Fedorov gets some of the credit for Semin’s improvements.

(I also think Fedorov gets some of the blame for the continuing bad habits…)

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Dec 25, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions  

I know, I know. All this forced holiday cheer means I’m not properly channeling my snark effectively.

Honestly, I’m thrilled to get to watch Fedorov skate (even if its just on TV) again. Love the guy.

Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.

by RedBirdie on Dec 25, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions  

Would you have trusted the ‘05-06 Semin to ever kill penalties?

Dunno – that Semin was in Russia. But I’ve always firmly believed that making a guy like him kill penalties shows him what’s expected of him and that defense comes first, so yes.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 25, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry — meant 06-07. I meant Hanlon’s full season.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Dec 25, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I know, just crackin’ nuts (being the season for it and all).

But my point stands – make guys like that kill penalties.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 26, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions  

Merry Christmas, all

Joy of the season to you and yours.

"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"

by fat_daddyo on Dec 25, 2009 9:32 AM EST reply actions  

I notice that the translation sites convert the last name “Grebeshkov” to scallops. So, Edmonton’s defenseman is now “Denis Scallops”. Will “scallops” now catch on as a nickname for Denis around the Internet?

BTW, at the Edmonton game, someone remarked (online) that DesLauries looked like a lobster with this goalie pads; etc. And when the Caps beat him, they said the lobster was boiled. So, you could say, the Caps ate lobster and scallops in Edmonton.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Dec 25, 2009 10:36 AM EST reply actions  

Varly’s first name becomes “Seeds”

ALEX, FЯEE

by EmilyB on Dec 25, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Explains his reactions to women.

Unleash the Alex!

by gotsparkly on Dec 25, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Late to the party – nice! Congrats to all of them, and glad Varly is getting a shot, although like JP says, he probably won’t play much.

Rooting for Team USA first, Russia second, and whoever is playing Canada third.

Unleash the Alex!

by gotsparkly on Dec 25, 2009 10:54 AM EST reply actions  

Rooting for Team USA first, Russia second, and whoever is playing Canada third.

I believe that goes for a lot of us. Also, I hope Bonzai’s squad looks respectable.

A man gotta have a code

by Carl Putnam on Dec 25, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Which team is he coaching?

Unleash the Alex!

by gotsparkly on Dec 25, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions  

just FYI, he’s GM, not a coach.

Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.

by RedBirdie on Dec 26, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Heh. I have to say that my mother is Canadian, and I go to university in Canada, so fwiw… I’m rooting for Team Canada second.

by Vinn on Dec 25, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions  

At first, I said I’d only root for Russia if Zubov was on the team, but I still might. I refuse to support Canada because of Crosby and Luongo. I have issues iwth USA, because most of those players are Mike Modano-wannabes.

I’ll probably end up hoping for Russia, USA, and Sweden to get the medals.

Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa

by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Dec 25, 2009 4:39 PM EST reply actions  

Why is it bad to be Mike Modano wannabes? Isn’t that respect? He’s one of the greatest American players ever and in his prime during the formative years of our current studs, I’d expect them to look up to him, as he probably looked up to Mullen.

In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

by Rob Parker on Dec 25, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions  

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