Tuesday Caps Clips: Blown Away
by J.P. on Dec 29, 2009 6:48 AM EST
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's stinker from Corey (blog, gamer), Tarik (blog, gamer), Ed Frankovic, DCEx, TTT Hockey (pics), RMNB, StC and Canes Country.
- Reactions to the Jason Chimera deal from DCEx, Elliotte Friedman (whose 30 Thoughts include plenty of Caps bits, among them his pick for next captain, with which I respectfully disagree), The Cannon, Ed Frankovic, Fight For Old DC, Puck-rakers and Hockey or Die!...
- ... and a few words on the departed players from Brooks Laich (I'm getting verklempt!), Tic Tac Toe Hockey, Peerless, D.C. Landing Strip, and the former captain himself.
- Hey, Chimera was surprised, too. [Dispatch]
- Oh, and Milan Jurcina was part of the trade as well. [DCEx]
- So who'll be next to wear the "C" anyway? [TWT]
- Wait... does an NHL magazine really refer to Alex Ovechkin as "Alone at the Top"? [NHL.com]
- Great stuff on Eric Fehr's (breakthrough?) season. [FanHouse]
- Fresh power rankings are out, with the Caps up two to second at CBC and CBS Sports, and up one to second at Sporting News.
- Puck Daddy's year-end retrospective is just awesome. Set aside some time to fully enjoy it. [Puck Daddy]
- On Mike Green's Olympic fate. [DCEx]
- Fabulous ESPNFail. [Twitpic]
- A couple more reactions to Alexander Semin's contract extension. [5ive Hole, On Frozen Blog]
- Only one forward averaged more ice time per game in the 2000's than Alex Ovechkin. [Behind The Net]
- Peerless is counting down the Top 10 Caps stories of the year, and has posted number 10, number 9 and number 8 for your reading pleasure.
- An NHL bucket list that doesn't include partying with AO? Unpossible. [Rock The Red.net]
- Checking in on Francois Bouchard in Hershey. [John Walton Hockey]
- Bear Tracks! [LDN]
- Per the HHoF, on this date back in 1975, "Washington Capitals fired GM/Coach Milt Schmidt, midway thru the team's second season in the NHL. Two days later Max McNab replaced Schmidt as GM, and Tommy McVie took over as coach." Not good times.
- Finally, happy 28th birthday to Jakub Cutta.
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Ed’s post-game wrap has some good comments on the trade from Western scouts, for what it’s worth.
"I didn't mind a diminished role because we were winning so much and we're such a great team and had a chance to do something in the playoffs...I would have taken any role on this team to do that.
From Puck-rakers, it seems that the Jackets really wanted Clark and the Caps really wanted Chimera (as did another, unnamed team). And they’d been talking about it since September. FWIW.
ALEX, FЯEE
So does that mean that the Caps said if you want Clark, you have to take a spare defenseman with him? Interesting.
"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."
NHL on the Fly guys think Ovi is getting the C. They think Ovie wants it and that he will get it very soon like today or tomorrow. These are the same guys who said the other day that Brooks Laich was Washington’s future Captain.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
On the Fly = fail. Not always, but some of the things their guys have said lately just have me scratching my head.
"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."
Particularly Larry Murphy. I swear, half the time when he speaks I think he’s either drunk, on drugs or brain-damaged.
Do you “whoop whoop” your TV when he’s on?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I do.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Dec 29, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
Who was it who blamed Green for the Koci incident? At that point, they lost any credibility.
"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."
Him, too, but I meant from the On the Fly crew.
"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."
oops. I try to avoid On The Fly. My brain cells like being alive.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
It was the pinhead. Does that narrow it down for you?
by mechanicsville on Dec 29, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
It’s like this: I can tell you who it was when I see him, but I really don’t remember most of their names. And it’s probably better that way.
"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."
Yeah, that was sort of my point, too. Not too many Mensa members in that lot.
by mechanicsville on Dec 30, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
A bit off-topic, but congratulations are due to Friend of the Rink and co-SBNation blogger Hooks Orpik, who just became a first-time uncle. Best wishes, Hooks!
ALEX, FЯEE
Congrats to your procreating sibling!
"I didn't mind a diminished role because we were winning so much and we're such a great team and had a chance to do something in the playoffs...I would have taken any role on this team to do that.
by Bald Pollack on Dec 29, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions
Reading about Chimera’s reaction to the trade made me gain some respect for him. He’s known for running his mouth, but he seems like a legitimately nice guy.
JP, with all the endless debate over a new captain, I was thinking of FanPosting a poll for it (someone’s going to do one inevitably), but were you planning on posting an official Rink captaincy article/poll?
"My face is my mask."
I tweeted it, but the most disturbing part of the trade, to me, is that C’bus now has two guys nicknamed “Juice” (Huselius being the other). That should’ve been reason enough for them to take ShaMo instead (thereby alleviating our two-guys-with-the-same-nickname problem as well).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Good thing former Capitals Legend Bob Joyce is retired. They could have Juice, Juice and Joyce, which sounds like the world’s oddest law firm.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 29, 2009 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
No, I believe this is the world's oddest law firm...
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 29, 2009 8:54 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I enjoyed Bob Loblaw’s law blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 29, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
Loblaw, Caveman, and the ghost of Johnny Cochran – the new dream team?
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Only if Harvey Birdman is involved somehow
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 29, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
So is it K Juice and M Juice? Swedish Juice and Slovak Juice?
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Dec 29, 2009 8:52 AM EST up reply actions
I would not be surprised to see Lars skating with an ‘A’ on his sweater tomorrow night. And under serious consideration for the ‘C’.
ALEX, FЯEE
Huh. Ya learn something new every day. Think I’ll stick to calling him Nicky, though. And right now, I’m fine with him wearing an “A” but not the “C.”
I would give Ovi the C. We’ll leave Knuble as an A. I’d recommend giving Laich an A, as well. Funny that so many people are ready to make Laich the C when he’s barely been an A.
Rocking the Red since 1975
So you strip Morrison/Poti of their “A” for no apparent reason?
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 29, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
No, I don’t recommend that, necessarily. I would say give Laich an “A” the next time they need an “A”.
Rocking the Red since 1975
So like, next season at the earliest.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 29, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
…all two of us.
Don’t sell yourself short, Judge. You’re a tremendous “A”.
by mechanicsville on Dec 29, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
Definitely don’t want to C him up before you sign him (not that I support his captaincy candidacy).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(To clarify, not that I think there’s a chance in hell they don’t sign him, but no reason to give his agent another leverage point.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nicky is not exactly high in my list of potential captains. I’d put him after Ovi, Knuble, Laich, B. Morrison; etc.
Rocking the Red since 1975
You don’t give the “C” to a guy who is potentially going to be gone 6 months from now, so that removes B-Mo from consideration.
A man gotta have a code
by Carl Putnam on Dec 29, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
…tomorrow night? No no no. Regardless of the fact that it won’t be him, nothing will be different tomorrow night, other than the fact that a certain fire-breathing monster will be on the ice.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 29, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Tuesday Caps Clips: Blown Away
No they weren’t.
Look, I know it’s much easier to remember the three unanswered goals in the first period than than it is to remember the Caps outscoring the Canes 3-1 over the next 30 minutes. But from minutes 42 to 50, this was a one goal game.
They did come back. They did step up and make it a one-goal game in the third period, where other teams would have mailed it in for the rest of the night. So while the press storyline will be “Caps lose leadership, come out flat, and get blown out” that’s not actually how it went. I was actually impressed with the Caps’ leadership. They managued to turn a stinker into just an ordinary loss, and to give themselves a chance to win in the process.
The Caps pulled their goalie. They did it because they thought they had a chance to win the game in the last two minutes. As it turns out, a two goal lead became a three goal lead. But you don’t pull your goalie in a blowout, and this wasn’t a blowout.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Putting aside for a moment that one shouldn’t read any great depth of analysis into a play-on-words post title, this game wasn’t nearly as close as the score.
The Caps were outscored 4-1 at even strength (not counting the ENG, but counting Fehr’s joke goal), were out-hit, turned the puck over and were badly outdrawn by a team that had won one road game all season entering last night. I’m perfectly comfortable with just about any variation of the word “blow” when used to describe the Caps’ effort and results last night.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 29, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It was a terrible effort. No question there.
But something needs to be said about the fact that they embarrassed themselves in the first stanza, and then came back. I know it’s hard to issue praise after a terrible showing like that. But if the question was “is there any leadership, any heart in this organization with Clark gone,” the answer is “yes.”
Obviously, it would have been better to see them come out from the beginning with a desire to win. But a lesser team would have kicked it into “cruise” at the start of the 2nd. This team has a very impressive competitive spirit. And if a couple things go differently — if Brendan Morrison shows a little more discipline and avoids his penalty, or if the refs get the Brooks Laich call right or if another goalie is in net — the Caps could easily have won this game.
Not a day when we feel like giving them much praise, but they do deserve praise for that.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 29, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
The comeback, IMO, was half-hearted at best, and the result of playing a fairly horrific opponent. They put forth some effort that paid off on stat-padding PPs and had spurts of decent 5-on-5 play. I didn’t see the fiery comeback that I saw in, say, Edmonton.
All in all, I thought it was one of the worst efforts of the year. Probably bottom five.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
One way or another, it will be very interesting to see how they come out against San Jose. I sure hope I’m not treated to a repeat of the Caps’ last game out here in the Bay Area.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 29, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions
i get the bay area comcast sports affiliate here in o’ahu. score!
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 29, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
Shouldn’t you be doing more important things Mr. President?
"I didn't mind a diminished role because we were winning so much and we're such a great team and had a chance to do something in the playoffs...I would have taken any role on this team to do that.
by Bald Pollack on Dec 29, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
one shouldn’t read any great depth of analysis into a play-on-words post title
And I’m really reacting to all the recappers, not just this set of links. The press story will go down as though this was a true blow-out. Perhaps against a better team it would have been, but that’s giving Carolina too much credit.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 29, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
Juice is goin’ to the Olympics. The Rat, too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Think of how strong an Olympic team we’d have if the Czech Republic and Slovakia had not broken up.
Oddly enough, Juice was Flash’s roommate. (The Czech and the Slovak got along better than their respective countries.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Well…they’re pretty much two countries that don’t belong together that were kinda forced into that relationship. Can’t imagine there would be a lot of love there.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 29, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
The Rat, too
Ken Linseman is Vancouver-bound?
by redlineblue on Dec 29, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
Anyone know the Caps record when Koken is butchering the play-by-play?
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
He was doing it last night? What was the Versus game?
"I didn't mind a diminished role because we were winning so much and we're such a great team and had a chance to do something in the playoffs...I would have taken any role on this team to do that.
by Bald Pollack on Dec 29, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
As for Theodore, it is time for him to go when Neuvirth comes up and shows he can handle big time shots in a more "Velcro-like" fashion than the 12 year NHL veteran. I’m not sure how many more chances #60 is going to get, at this point.
I don’t think we need any further evidence. As someone else said, at this point Theo’s basically a bad goaltender who occasionally has a good game. I’d take my chances (and I really feel it’s an upgrade) with Varly and Neuvy. We just need to figure out what to do with Theo.
Disagree. Neuvirth hasn’t shown nearly enough yet (and neither, frankly, has Varly’s groin) to go with a pair of 21-year-olds.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I understand those question marks, but if we stick with Theo there are no questions marks – we’re definitely not going to go a far as we could or should.
Again, I disagree. No one’s saying Theo’s your starting goalie in the playoffs. He’s there to eat minutes up during the regular season so Varly’s fresh and sharp come playoff time.
So what you’re really talking about in “not going as far as we could or should” is regular season wins. Assuming that Varly comes back next week and that he stays healthy and splits the remaining ~40 starts 50/50 with whomever his #2 is, we’re talking about 20 starts for Theo and/or Neuvy. Do you think there’s likely to be a huge difference in win totals between those two in 20 games?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Under the scenario you describe, yes, I think Neuvy could win more of those 20 games because that’s enough for Theo to go through his inevitable up-and-down performance cycle and lay a bunch of eggs. I know Neuvy is inexperienced and we’re, at the end of the day, counting on Varly, but if Varly does go down, and we need to count on someone else for any extended period of time, I’d be prepared to take my chances with Neuvy over Theo.
Also, I’ve never bought into this talk before, but I am starting to become a little convinced that the team performs differently in front of Theo; not that they don’t try as hard or anything like that, but they need to have a confidence level with their goaltending which sometimes seems a little lacking with Theo.
If Varly is out and the Caps needed a medium-to-long-term fill-in, I’d give Neuvy that shot. But I’m still perfectly comfortable with Jose as the backup.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hey, if Varly stays healthy and plays almost every game, I’m comfortable with Leonhardt as backup! I think we’re in the same place: in small doses, Theo’s acceptable as a true backup, but if we have any kind of longer term needs, our chances for success are likely better with Neuvy.
just make sure you order enough sticks.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 29, 2009 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
If Varlamov can’t play in the playoffs, who do you want in net? And if the answer isn’t Theo, don’t you want Neuvirth getting more NHL playing time before he’s thrown into the fire. We got pretty lucky with Varlamov last year, but do you want to count on lightning striking twice with a team that is ready to compete for a Cup?
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
I think Neuvy’s best chance at being sharp if pressed into emergency duty is to be getting a starter’s load of playing time in Hershey, with perhaps a bit more NHL seasoning late in the year.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Again, I disagree. No one’s saying Theo’s your starting goalie in the playoffs.
Ahh, but the rub is, he could be given Varly’s wonky groin. And if that happens could you ever see the Caps winning a Cup with Theo in net? For my money, I’d try and move Theo ( and I used to be one of his biggest apologists) and go after a more dependable pending-UFA keeper. If Dallas were to fall out of contention, Marty Turco would look awfully nice in a Caps uniform.
Marty Turco would look awfully nice in a Caps uniform.
Another guy to send long outlet passes to AO. I’d be all for such an upgrade as long as it was cheap to pick him up. I’m not giving up good prospects for him.
A man gotta have a code
by Carl Putnam on Dec 29, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
I guess it depends on the prospects. The Caps have a legitimate window of opportunity to win a Cup this season. If Varly goes down, there’s no way that happens with Theo. If a guy like Turco were here, it’s still a definite possibility if Varly gets hurt. Management has to decide just how much are they willing to give up to insure they don’t fail because of an injury in goal.
True. However, I’m just not sure Marty is a huge upgrade over Neuvirth, at least big enough to justify sending good prospects for an UFA guy who is beginning downside of career. I have more faith in Neuvy than many around here.
A man gotta have a code
by Carl Putnam on Dec 29, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
Neuvirth has zero NHL playoff games under his belt. Turco has played in 47 playoff games with a .914 save% and a 2.17GAA. And so far this season, Turco’s numbers are better than Neuvirth’s. I’m not advocating trading Neuvirth for Turco, but if you’re asking who I’d rather have backing up Varly with the idea that he might need to step in for a long playoff run, it’s hands down Turco. Of course, none of this will ever happen since Dallas will probably still be in contention come the trading deadline.
Which is why I think they’ll be asking too much for Marty. Bear in mind I’m a huge Turco fan. I defended a couple of weeks ago. However, I don’t see an aquisition like that as essential for a Cup run. I’ve got tons of faith in our young tenders and in Irbe. I’m more concerned with upgrading our blueline.
A man gotta have a code
by Carl Putnam on Dec 29, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
And if he doesn't play how will Neuvirth ever get playoff experience?
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Since Taylor’s singing, I hope the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston isn’t covered in snow
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 29, 2009 9:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
To the contrary, I hope a blizzard hits and the teams are skating in six inches of snow OR it rains and they’re skating in an inch of slush. Hell hath no fury like a Caps fan scorned.
As long as it’s passable a week later for the Fenway college games, I’m good with that too.
by mercurialwinger on Dec 29, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Mackan v. Orlov tonight at the World Juniors. Also a newly well-disciplined Delly takes on Slovakia.
ALEX, FЯEE
John Carlson vs. Latvia, too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Didn’t have the guts to dive into the 800-post thread on the trade.
Looks like I missed an eventful afternoon and evening.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
More Chimera goodies coming at 11.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yay
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Dec 29, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
You know my afternoon is hockey centric when I can’t even fit in an hour to listen to the Mike O’Meara show podcast.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Podcast only, for the time being. Oscar Santana’s doing the show with him, to boot.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Pretty sure Grease is still in Florida doing an afternoon drive rock/talk show.
Mike’s podcast show is huge already after only a month or so, subscriptions-wise.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I thought Ol’ Waddle Doodle was on (the aptly named) WGOP locally here?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 29, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
Pretty high quality. His show is good, and they’re trying to get a radio gig, but right now they’re enjoying the podcast idea, it seems. It’s also available free at , and I’ll justify posting that by saying he’s mentioned the Caps more than the Redskins (And also more than 106.7 has).
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Dec 29, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
The Coken/Mitchell pairing filling in for The Junkies were talking nothing but Caps for the entirety of my drive into work this morning.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
That’s amazing, but also a substitute group =/
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Dec 29, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
True, and “Smokin’ Al”, as he chose to go by on the air, and callers were happy to oblige, is likely the driving force behind that. Mitchell brought the player’s angle, such as the leadership gap being less about the C and more about the example Clark set, that the guys in the locker room that make the cogs turn aren’t always the ones in front of the microphones. Pretty good listen, but it eventually lost out to my CD player (was in a Smash mood.)
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
My take on some disparate issues that seem to have been raised
AO for C. He’s the lead dog anyway, given his talent and contract. Might as well put the mantle of leadership on him formally. I suspect he’ll rise to the responsibility.
Clark leaving does not upset me. His actual production was negligible.
It would have been nice if CBus would have taken ShaMo, but I can live with Juice being gone. Someone had to go.
Chimera’s acquisition will have to be rated in hindsight. I can understand the theory of adding grit and forechecking. We’ll see how how performs.
The additional cap space is a nice bonus.
Theo…oy gevalt.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
On your issues:
1) Give Ovi the C, as soon as the road trip’s over. He’s our real Captain anyway.
2) While Clark’s productivity’s been down, I’ll miss the guy. And so will the team. But the dumping of his salary provides great cap relief.
3) I know someone on defense had to go since we just have too many d-men. I would have proposed trading Poti myself instead of Juice because the former is older.
4) The acquisition of Chimera will be rated in hindsight — as you say. I’ll admit I was reacting emotionally to his acquisition as he was the guy who hurt Ovi (and one of the reasons I was rooting against the Blue Jackets since November 1.) I would feel a similar emotion if the Caps acquired David Backes.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I don’t think we, who are not privy to what goes on in the locker room, can comment on who the “real” captain is.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Dec 29, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
3) I know someone on defense had to go since we just have too many d-men. I would have proposed trading Poti myself instead of Juice because the former is older.
The former’s also better, and brings a skill set essentially to the Caps that Juice doesn’t.
by David Getz on Dec 29, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
OT: Justin Bourne
Seriously, it’s like a mini-Christmas every time this guys posts something. From today’s entry:
Sports parents, in general, have a tendency to take their child’s sporting life too seriously. These hyper-involved "helicopter parents" (a term used to describe the constant hovering) frequently suck the fun out of kicking a ball, chasing a puck or eating dandelions and picking your nose while wearing a jersey.
Hockey is awful for this.
One Mom brought in her very own skate-measuring tool, the same one we used to make sure the edges on the blades were of equal height. We did a premier sharpening job, of course, but the Mom felt inclined to purchase her own tool and measure the edges before paying for the sharpening, just to be sure.
Eight-year-old kids are worried about the hollow in their blades? I’m skeptical. I’m skeptical because Jarome Iginla brought his skates in for me to sharpen that same summer and didn’t know what hollow his skates were done to.
Me: "How do you want them done?"
Him: "Um, I dunno, regular?"
Me, slightly flummoxed: "Hmm."
I’m sure it was just that his trainer knows his needs better than he knew his own, but still, he genuinely didn’t know.
Rec’d for the Bourne love. We need to get more people on this bandwagon. Awesome.
Slightly related, I hadn’t been asked what hollow I used since HS until I got asked a KCI the other day. I hadn’t been too impressed with their sharpening jobs at first but the last couple I got were pretty good. Very surprising that Iginla didn’t know his own hollow.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
the “what i learned today” segment, starring elliotte friedman’s 30 thoughts:
3. Initial reaction to the Alexander Semin contract? One agent said Semin left a lot of money on the table. But, in the summer of 2001, the Pittsburgh Penguins were surprised when Darius Kasparaitis happily accepted a below-market two-year, $2.4 million arbitration award. Why? Agent Mark Gandler pointed out that the second-year salary was below the NHL average, making the defenceman an unrestricted free agent. The Penguins didn’t see that coming, and had to trade him. Gandler represents Semin, and is clearly willing to take short-term gambles for long-term gains.
That one really floored me. Obviously that doesn’t apply under the current CBA, but the agent’s a gambler who’s won before, and I guess he’s good at getting his players to buy in to it.
"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."
right, i have no doubt the agent knows what he’s doing. if bagging the largest possible contract is what matters most to semin, i’m guessing he won’t be a cap after next season.
that said, he could also just be maximizing the contract offer he does get from the caps. business is business.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 29, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
As we all know or have learned this week.
As it says, it’s a gamble. I had this discussion elsewhere yesterday. If Semin can stay healthy and play a full 2010-11, maybe he gets a Gaborik-like contract, but probably not here. If he can’t, he either signs another year at $6 mil, or signs a deal like the Caps offered this year, whatever it was. Or goes back to Russia.
"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."
The McErlain article
Thanks for putting that in the sidebar. Honestly, if she’s going to be an editor of something, it’d be nice that she got an understanding of it.
"I didn't mind a diminished role because we were winning so much and we're such a great team and had a chance to do something in the playoffs...I would have taken any role on this team to do that.
Or at least provide some damn support for her position. This is The Washington Post. Pandering to the ‘lulz jeff schultz sux!!!!!’ crowd should be so far beneath them that it shouldn’t even be considered.
Echo chamber effect? She reads that Schultz sux all day in the CI comments, and has come to believe it?
This, btw, would speak directly to the point that BP raises in the original post on this topic.
Schultz instead of Juice…I mean, really. Even my freaking eyes tell me that Schultz is way better than Juice.
Garbage.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
In her defense, she had a shot of Sarge love. But rather than answer the initial question with some common sense information (which, ironically she does later), it’s met with, I dunno whatever that prattle was.
Honestly, if I can’t answer the question seriously off the jump, I’d at least be a little professional about it.
"I didn't mind a diminished role because we were winning so much and we're such a great team and had a chance to do something in the playoffs...I would have taken any role on this team to do that.
by Bald Pollack on Dec 29, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
Schultztown, USA: Here’s one reason the Caps didn’t trade Schultz: he’s been one of their best defenseman this year. Second in the league among all defenseman (tied with Mike Green) in plus/minus, and allows only 1.57 GA/ON per 60, better than Alzer, ShaMo, Poti, Green and Sloan, at $715K. Yep, get him out of here!
Lindsay Applebaum: Schultztown! Just throwing this out there, just because.
Alright, fess up, who was it?
by David Getz on Dec 29, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Right? “GAON/60” is the sign of a Rink Rat (though I do note the incorrect notation of the stat).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
GA/ON/60. I feel a Rink Rat would know better.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 29, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
McErlain?
"I didn't mind a diminished role because we were winning so much and we're such a great team and had a chance to do something in the playoffs...I would have taken any role on this team to do that.
by Bald Pollack on Dec 29, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Should note that it was a poster that provided the stats that support Sarge. Of course, she did make the decision to post them. But her comment:
Schultztown, USA: Here’s one reason the Caps didn’t trade Schultz: he’s been one of their best defenseman this year. Second in the league among all defenseman (tied with Mike Green) in plus/minus, and allows only 1.57 GA/ON per 60, better than Alzer, ShaMo, Poti, Green and Sloan, at $715K. Yep, get him out of here!
Lindsay Applebaum: Schultztown! Just throwing this out there, just because.
makes me think that she honestly did not know the relative merits of Juice and Schultz.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Copy/Paste fail
I intended to include here response, but as DMG has already provided it, I will forebear.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Having just read the transcript, her reponse could have been read as mocking the person who asked the question, rather than agreeing with them. As a reporter/editor, it’s not her place to make that kind of remark is seriousness. However, it she was mocking the caller, she should have followed up the comment indicating as such.
"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."
lindsay and TEB aren’t doing their jobs IMO if they aren’t reading japers’ rink at least occasionally.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 29, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Varly to Hershey
according to @WashCaps.
Getting his groin geared up for the big show.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
This was posted with the caveat that it’s not “technically” a conditioning stint, but “will serve as such”. Someone care to explain the nuances of conditioning stint regulations, and why it was not used in this case?
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 29, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
He’s on a rookie contract so he can go up and down as much as the team needs him to (no waivers). Conditioning stints are used to send guys to the minors to get back in game shape without exposing them to waivers.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
(FanShot up on the front page, fwiw)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
HAHAHAHA...Possibly the dumbest hockey column ever (and I do not say that lightly)
From the St Louis Dispatch…
A few nuggest:
The struggling Blue Jackets shook things up Monday, acquiring Capitals captain Chris Clark, a combative forward, and offensive defenseman Milan Jurcina.
Jurcina adds skill to a blue line group lacking offensive flair
George McPhee can know consider extending Nicklas Backstrom’s contract to keep that emerging star in the team nucleus.
it signaled the end of the holiday trade embargo and reminded other Western Conference GMs that the time has come to make adjustments.
Buffalo is one potential trade partner for LA. The Ottawa Sun suggests the Kings could also hook up with the Flyers should that team decide to move center Jeff Carter.
Blues fans are keeping an eye on Hurricanes star Eric Staal, who recently moved to right wing on a line with center Matt Cullen and left winger Jussi Jokinen. (Staal is getting paid cornerstone dollars in Carolina, making him one of the NHL’s most egregiously overpaid players this season.)
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
If 0 goals and 4 assists on the season quantifies an offensive defenseman, then we’re stocked with those.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 29, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
The last line redeems it all.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
True, but he’s not even the most egregiously overpaid player at his position in the Division. Hell, he’s not even second.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
True. And as much as I don’t like him I never said CAR shouldn’t lock him up or that he’s not a damn good player. Who do you have as egregiously overpaid above him? Nyls and Lecavalier?
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
How is Lecavalier more overpayed than Staal? He has a smaller cap hit and he is producing more goals and points.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 30, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
I was just referring to salary (Lecavalier is making $10m this year, Staal $6m), not cap hit, so I could include Nylander.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
NHL.com article on Clark and Jurcia (mostly Clarkie) making their debuts on the Island tonight. Some quick quotes from Hitch:
“Our young guys need that voice inside the locker room to help us engage and get better,” he said. “You can’t have enough of those guys — provided they can play. There’s no point being a leader if you can’t go out on the ice and play, and Chris has shown the ability to play this year. He’s played well.”
“I don’t know [Jurcina] that well,” he said. “He’s a big guy who moves the puck well. I can probably give you a better evaluation after a couple of games. He’s a right shot, big guy. I talked to a couple of Slovak guys that know him well and that I’ve coached before, and they speak very highly of him.”
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
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