Red Jesus and Friends 4, Panthers 2, Fleetwood Mac 0

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over 3 years ago J.P. 46 comments 0 recs |

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Strangely, Fleetwood Mac looks more pissed off than do the Cats.

Modern Art Notes

by TylerG on Feb 15, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions

That’s because the Panthers know how to accept a loss.

How the HELL does Shaone Morrisonn keep getting a sweater?

by Whiter Mage on Feb 15, 2009 10:24 PM EST up reply actions

''He's good; [he's] going to get his chances,'' Bouwmeester said. ``One on one, yeah, he's pretty explosive. He has a great shot, one that seems to find its way in sometimes.''

Sometimes? [chuckle]

Jay ’Big Screen" Bouwmeester on his pal Ovie, in the Herald Story —> http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/hockey/florida-panthers/story/906114.html

by Uncle C on Feb 16, 2009 9:06 AM EST reply actions

Bouwmeester said, "We gave him a little too much room, and he is going to come up with a few if you do that. That is why he has 40 goals."

A few? [guffaw]

Big Screen certainly has a wry sense of humor. As well as a bit of a math problem.

From the Sun-Sentinel story —> http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/sunrise/main/sfl-flsppanthers16sbfeb16,0,6330923.story

by Uncle C on Feb 16, 2009 9:11 AM EST reply actions

A bit of a math problem?

How so? 2 goals (+ ENG) = a few, no? He’s clearly speaking on a game-to-game basis.

by brs03 on Feb 16, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

Ovie has 41 goals, not 40

by Pivonka, Michael Ridley on Feb 16, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but saying he has 40 goals isn’t necessarily saying he’s only go 40 goals. He’s calling him a 40-goal scorer, which he is. No benefit of the doubt for rounding for the sake of the quote?

by brs03 on Feb 16, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Last night, I decided that I don’t know what everyone sees in Bouwmeester. I’ve not really seen him much (More specifically, I never really looked at him from an analytical mindset), and last night’s game was an eye opener. He seemed very much to be a defensive liability who could throw a check, and he could move the puck ok. I don’t feel his lack of play was caused by any shadowing or isolating on him. Maybe he had a bad game. I don’t feel, though, that 1) we need another puck moving d-man, 2) we need another puck mover who can skate/hit, or 3) we need more defensemen necessarily at all. If we’re going to take any of their defensive guys, I’d want Ballard or Boynton.

How the HELL does Shaone Morrisonn keep getting a sweater?

by Whiter Mage on Feb 16, 2009 10:03 AM EST reply actions

Ballard, for my lights.

I didn’t see the whole game, but what of it I did see, Ballard was the one most consistently in the way and making the big checks and keeping or guys out of their zone. I’m not completely convinced we need another D-man, though.

I kind of want to pat the Panthers on the head and tell them “He does that to every team, it’s not just you.” Ovi abuses the D-men with wild abandon and it’s one of the most dangerous and unbelievable things he does. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few forwards thinking “I have got to learn to do that”.

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

Skastins is pretty good too,

For my life, I’ll never understand what the big deal with Bryan McCabe was.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Feb 16, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

I might get jumped for this one, but if I had to pick one D-man I might grab at the deadline, it’d be Rob Scuderi from PIT. Right in his prime, playoff experience, only 12 points but +9 on the Pens and only 12 PIMs on the season. (Hint: Only Green and Schultz on our D have a higher +/-.) He logs time on their PK and based on rating is probably the best PK’er they’ve got. At a cap hit of .713, not a bad package, especially if he’s UFA at the end of this year.

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

He might be nice, but I don’t know if the Pens look to trade him. They’re going to do everything they can to try and get into the playoffs, Shero can’t afford to be a seller and we don’t have anything they could use (at least nothing we’d part with).

by brs03 on Feb 16, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

Not even Nylander as a setup guy for Crosby/Malkin? They may be looking for veteran leadership as well as a glue guy, and those we have some of. Seems to me what they’re missing is a cohesive force.

Hey, a girl can dream.

You could be right. Rumor has it that we had scouts at the Colorado/Minnesota game and that Minnesota might be willing to part with D to pick up some scoring. Don’t know where I’d find scoring in Washington …. :) If that’s true, Jordan Leopold and Ruslan Salei from COL and Marc-Andre Bergeron from Minnesota are all decent UFA’s this year with less than 2mil cap hits.

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Bergeron I think is unattainable without a considerable return, but if we can pluck Salei off the ’Lanche for pix/prospects, that would be an outstanding get.

by bigonetimer on Feb 16, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

Hmmm.

I think it’d be prospects, probably something in the range of Giroux or Aucoin or Bourque. The Avs don’t have a spectacular amount of offense right now.

Me, I was thinking Leopold more than Salei, but I could be argued on that. May just be a personal preference.

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

well, the Avs have dirt for healthy centers. If GMGM can parlay Giroux for either of those two, ’twould be a coup.

by bigonetimer on Feb 16, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed, Giroux and Aucoin is no big loss. I like Aucoin and C-Bo but neither are essential to keep. Giroux I am comfortable moving, to put it mildly.

by grapejoos on Feb 16, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

+1

I wouldn’t be unhappy to let Giroux and either Aucoin or C-Bo go for Leopold (my preference over Salei but I’ll take either). I see that as win-win for everyone – they get a shot at the NHL, Leopold gets a shot at Cup contention, we get experienced D, and Colorado gets healthy centers.

Mind you, this is entirely speculative – I’m not completely convinced that we need D, but I would like to have someone who can punt people out of the crease on the PP.

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

On the PK, my bad.

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

on the other side of the ice,

MIN has a lot of Dmen who would look great in red. I doubt they part with any of their top 4, all of whom are signed to pretty darn reasonable contracts, but Skoula and Bergeron would work, and would be an upgrade over Mo.

by bigonetimer on Feb 16, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

What do you see them wanting in return? We know offense. The same as Colorado or would they be looking for a finisher?

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

I agree that they’d want offense—they have some oldtimers and a soon to be UFA superstar on the wings. C-Bo or A. Gordon and a mid-rd. pick for Skoula/Bergeron? Perhaps they’re looking closely at our goalies, too, as Backstrom is UFA in June.

by bigonetimer on Feb 16, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

Well...

It would be pretty dumb for us to trade either Neuvirth or Varlamov at this point. I imagine GMGM would want a HUGE return for either one of those two.

by wittcap79 on Feb 16, 2009 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

I doubt we trade goalies right now. Neuvirth is solid and Varly could be the odd man out of his injury situation doesn’t settle in a year or two, but right now we stand pat goalie-wise. We might let Johnson go to free agency. Maybe. Depends on Varly.

by gotsparkly on Feb 16, 2009 11:08 PM EST up reply actions

Honestly, I see more in Neuwirth than Varlamov. Both have their flaws (Specifically, Rebound control), but both have solid solid strengths.

For example, Varlamov is awesome at challenging shooters, but overdoes it. He’s over-aggressive, which scares the Hell out of me. His conditioning seems lackluster, and while he plays EXCELLENT against NHL opponents so far, he could have been beaten by better passing.

Neuwirth makes the first save(So does Varly). The only goal I saw him allow was not his fault. His conditioning seemed great.

I like Varlamov more in pressure situations, though. He made some KILLER saves through traffic. I just think Neuwirth’s more likely to have an Olaf Kolzig career, and Varlamov (Hopefully not) is geared for a Jim Carey one.

How the HELL does Shaone Morrisonn keep getting a sweater?

by Whiter Mage on Feb 16, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

Gonch?

Lets bring back Gonchar. He’s healthy now and the Pens are done. I love it.

by gitty up caps on Feb 16, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

I second this move.

How the HELL does Shaone Morrisonn keep getting a sweater?

by Whiter Mage on Feb 17, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly how much have you seen of Neuwirth and Varlamov? 3 games? Simma…

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Feb 17, 2009 3:48 AM EST up reply actions

Wasn’t going crazy, was just evaluating them on what I’ve seen. Didn’t everyone go apeshit crazy for Varlamov after one shutout?

How is what I did any different at all?

How the HELL does Shaone Morrisonn keep getting a sweater?

by Whiter Mage on Feb 17, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

I was actually thinking of B Ho as our trade bait for Minny, and not Varls or Neuwirth…my bad. Unless the deal is a blockbuster, I can’t see us giving up either of those guys right now.

by bigonetimer on Feb 17, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t mind the Neuvirth love, but let’s not dump on Varlamov. His conditioning isn’t lackluster, if it was there is no way he could move around the way he does. What he needs is a goaltending coach so he can maximize his superior athletic ability. He’s still a little raw, but universally regarded as a #1 goalie prospect, not Jim Carey V2.0.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Feb 17, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

yep. I think he’s got more in the tank than Jim Carrey, one of the damnedest unlikely Vezina winners in history.

by bigonetimer on Feb 17, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

I wasn’t dumping on the kid, I was saying from what I saw so far, unless he fixes his issues, that’s how he’s going to be. If you can’t play two games in four nights, your conditioning sucks, and he wasn’t able to take consecutive starts. It was reported on by numerous sources. That’s a lack of conditioning. And, he is over aggressive. I think you mistook my “Criticisms” for me not liking the guy. I think the kid’s got a bright future, IF he can get his stuff taken care of. If not, he’s heading the way of the Net Detective.

How the HELL does Shaone Morrisonn keep getting a sweater?

by Whiter Mage on Feb 17, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

maybe you should just go scout hockey full time.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Feb 17, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with Whiter Mage’s take on Varlamov, as well as his optimism. Varlamov is a maniac out there and I’m not sure if that will hold up either in terms of his durability or other teams scouting him heavily. I think it will, but it worries me a bit. Neuvirth looked a lot more like your typical goalie prospect and was stellar, just like Varlamov was.

They both have bright futures, and if McPhee traded either one of them right now, I’d be terrified that he traded away a future franchise goalie.

by grapejoos on Feb 17, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by bigonetimer on Feb 17, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

Durability is certainly a consideration for any goalie, but sometimes these young guys are literally still growing into their bodies. As much as I liked Neuvirth’s game, it was Tbay, and the Caps were more or less at full health.

But the facts are, Varlamov played on 1/3, 1/4, 1/7, 1/9 and 1/11 and won all but the last of those games for Hershey.

So let’s not regurgitate hogwash like ‘he lacks conditioning’ whether or not it was reported or just speculated. He played 5 games in 9 nights. He’s a young kid with tons of raw talent and whether or not he makes it, I don’t know but it certainly won’t be because of some of these bogus claims (e.g. he could have been beaten by better passing).

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Feb 17, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

My concerns about Varlamov’s durability are based upon his injuries and the fact that his coaches have said conditioning is an issue for him. I may be regurgitating it, but that doesn’t mean it’s hogwash. And I’m not even saying he lacks it, but just that it’s a question mark at this point. And frankly I do worry about a guy like that getting beat by cross-ice passing. He comes further out of the net to challenge shooters than any other young goalie I’ve seen. I’m curious as to whether teams will try to exploit that when they have a scouting report to go off of, or if Varly will do it less. And I don’t think that’s unreasonable to wonder about, nor do I think it minimizes his accomplishments to date.

I agree with your (macvechkin’s) take on Varlamov’s athleticism and his status as the #1 prospect in the organization. I do think that Neuvirth is a close #2 who certainly matched Varlamov’s performances in a Caps sweater. TB may be bad but LeCavalier isn’t, and Neuvirth robbed him on a breakaway the first time he was tested. Hard not to get excited by that.

by grapejoos on Feb 17, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely excited about Neuvy, that was kind of my point: be excited about Neuvy, but don’t downgrade/nit-pick Varlamov, which is not to say he is flawless. Durability a question, needs some coaching to improve fundamentals. This just means we have two potential solid #1s.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Feb 17, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

I can nit-pick Neuvy if you like, too. I can nit-pick anyone. Fact of the matter is no one on this team is perfect. Even Ovechkin makes mistakes.

All I did was decide I like Neuwirth as a better prospect than Varlamov. I then backed it up, much in the same way one would if they were taking a player to arbitration.

As far as “maybe [I] should just go scout hockey full time.” goes, I wish like Hell I could. It’d beat the piss out of sitting in classes trying to earn my degree.

By all means, I love what I see in Varlamov. But I see a lot of flaws. You know who else has a lot of flaws in his game? Jose Theodore. Mike Green. Eric Fehr. Every Single Player. How dare I point out a single one of Varlamov’s.

Mac(and everyone), I’ve said it before, and I’ve said it again. I do not necessarily agree with everyone else on this blog. And that’s why I like coming here, because if I want to say things that people disagree with, and get ignored/attacked for it, I’ll go to Tarik’s blog. I used to. I far prefer having healthy discussion on the situations and players that come up with intelligent people, which almost all of you are.

Try not to be too offended. Eric Fehr is starting to prove me wrong, and I’d like Varlamov to as well.

How the HELL does Shaone Morrisonn keep getting a sweater?

by Whiter Mage on Feb 17, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

Cool.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Feb 17, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions

Balls...

Skating along the Florida boards, arms raised. Love it.

by hotdog88gt on Feb 16, 2009 2:12 PM EST reply actions

That isn’t as ballish as it looks. He is skating toward his own bench and isn’t even looking at the kitty kats. He is probably a good 15 feet from the boards too. If they even thought he was taunting them, someone would come over the boards after him.

by Old Bob on Feb 16, 2009 10:53 PM EST reply actions