Pothier: The Solution From Within
by Stephen Pepper on Mar 12, 2009 12:13 PM EDT
Email
Print[Ed. note: I originally posted a similar article last month on The Red Skate; this post includes updated stats and additional analysis.]
photo credit: gotsparkly
Could "the long road back" be, finally, leading back into Caps' country for Brian Pothier? Sent on a conditioning assignment to Hershey on the afternoon immediately following the trading deadline, he's now played in his third consecutive game for the Bears, without incident and apparently with much improvement each time out. Teammate and understudy Karl Alzner recently said of Pothier's play:
"He was good - for his first game back. In the second game, you could just tell he was just that much better than pretty much everybody out there. It doesn't seem like it's gonna be that hard of a transition for him."
In that scant sample size of three American league games, he's scored no points, is even in +/-, and has all three of his SOG to date, and his first minor penalty, in last night's game, a 3-2 loss to Springfield. He's been paired in those games with recent waiver acquisition Staffan Kronwall.
Most observers of these Caps harboring Cup aspirations for the team would have loved an upgrade on defense at the trading deadline -- a steady, veteran presence. Hardened, determined. We could think of no more fitting solution than 31-year old Pothier, who has certainly been through hell and (almost) back.
GM George McPhee admitted that a possible return of Brian Pothier was one reason front of mind for passing on the addition, and perhaps slipping under the salary cap without significant, or any, loss to the active roster, a depth defenseman like Jordan Leopold, Niclas Havelid, or even Derek Morris. Not to mention orchestrating a major future-mortgaging coup like Chris Pronger. Potsy looked then, and looks now, like a legitimate, not-too-far fetched Plan B. McPhee's BATNA, if you will.
The fact that Potsy was sent to Chocolate Town on that non-eventful March 4th afternoon suggests that he was ready to begin professional play for some time before that day, and that McPhee and Assistant GM Don Fishman simply waited until the trading day dust had settled, and the salary cap picture for the duration of the regular season became clear.
The most difficult aspect of a comeback from a concussion has got to be, not the length of time absent from the game (Pothier was sidelined from active game play for 14 months), but regaining confidence in one's body. That his health rests on a solid foundation of full recovery.
Stephen Whyno of WaTi spoke to Pothier after his second Bears contest:
"The first game, it definitely took a little bit to get the rust off. But I was really happy with the way the game developed. I didn't play too much, and the coaches put me in good situations to try to feel the puck and feel comfortable. The second game was a hundred times better."
"The thing is, once I got hit, once I got in some confrontations, it was a huge difference. The second game [the concussion] wasn't really in my mind. I went back to get pucks and put myself in some situations that I could've got hit for sure. The more I play the more comfortable I get."
The first "substantial" hit Pothier received came courtesy of former NHL enforcer Ryan Hollweg.
Not a bad first big hit to absorb as a test case, eh? While the speed of the AHL game is quite removed from the flash and dash of many of the NHL's offensive talents, the hitting and physical rigors are likely quite similar. For an eyewitness account of Potsy's current level of speed in skating and decision-making, check out reader gotsparkly's FanPost from this morning.
It's been an awfully long time since we've seen Pothier skate, so let's review his creds:
Potsy skated an average of almost 24 minutes a night during his first campaign with the Caps in 2006-07. As part of a current D corps significantly upgraded and matured than the one from that rebuilding season, he'd be called upon to contribute far less TOI/G than that drudgery. Quality over quantity.
Before his most recent concussion injury, he played in 38 games during the 2007-08 season and, in that time, had the fourth-most even strength TOI/60 (behind Shaone Morrisonn, Tom Poti, and Mike Green) and maintained the fewest GA/60 (2.09), again at ES, of any regular (excluding a 7 game stint by Sami Lepisto), by far. For Corsi rating fans, he was 3rd best amongst Caps D in that stat, and was also +4 at ES. And let's not forget that roughly half of his 2007-08 season's work occurred during the woeful, Glen Hanlon-led portion of the campaign.
Now, with this season's current blue line corps, he wouldn't factor significantly into special teams (he saw less duty per game on the PK in 2007-08 than all of Milan Jurcina, John Erskine, Jeff Schultz, Morrisonn, and Poti), but it's the quality minutes at even strength that we're after, anyway.
Pothier could get a callup as soon as this weekend. If so, where does he fit in the D pairings?
At least to start, we'd likely see the following set out by Gabby with #2 in the lineup:
Green-Morrisonn
Poti-Schultz
Pothier-Erskine/Jurcina
That would give him manageable third-pair duties, as well as some familiarity. Pothier skated with Erskine third-most often at ES among all Caps' D in 2007-08 (behind Poti and Schultz, who likely wouldn't be separated just on account of Pothier's return).
Finally, a note on salary cap implications:
While Chris Clark's and Brent Johnson's LTIR status collectively free up about $3.446 million of cap space, Karl Alzner's $1.675 million total cap hit, plus Pothier's $2.5 million per, totals $4.175 million. Add to that the estimated modest hit by Michal Neuvirth's $850,000 salary, filling in for the injured Johnson, and that leaves Alzner as the odd man out in Washington.
208 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Question
…so after the 5-game assignment if finished, he comes back up the Caps, right? There are no other options as I understand it.
by mechanicsville on Mar 12, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions
That’s pretty much it – he comes back or goes back on IR of some sort.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
From the CBA
Section 13.9 Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan.
A Player who is on the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception as set forth in Article 50
may, with his consent, during the term of such Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness
Exception (but in no event during the first fourteen (14) calendar days and six (6) NHL
Games), be Loaned on a Conditioning Loan (the “Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness
Exception Conditioning Loan”) for a period not to exceed up to the longer of six (6) days
and three (3) games, solely for the purpose of determining whether the Player is fit to
play. If the Club determines that it needs more time to assess the Player’s fitness to play,
the Club may file a written request by facsimile with the Commissioner’s Office, with a
copy to the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof, to extend the Loan for an
additional two (2) games. The Commissioner, upon good cause, may approve the onetime
extension.
Hence the 5 games.
by Stephen Pepper on Mar 12, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
If the Club determines that it needs more time to assess the Player’s fitness to play,
the Club may file a written request by facsimile with the Commissioner’s Office, with a
copy to the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof, to extend the Loan for an
additional two (2) games. The Commissioner, upon good cause, may approve the onetime
extension.
Ask Kurtis Foster of the Wild how fair that rule is.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
In fairness, it was a dick move on the NHL’s part, but it would be an equally dick move if a team claimed him if it was legit rehab, which, if you broke your leg in 3 places, duh. Too bad sports is full of dicks.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Too badsportsthe world is full of dicks.
Fixed that for you.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Theoretically, if we left Pothier down in Hershey too long and tried to call him up, he would have to go through waivers again, right? Would he be eligible to play in the playoffs for an NHL team in that scenario? I thought rosters were frozen for playoff purposes after the trade deadline.
Theoretically, if we left Pothier down in Hershey too long and tried to call him up, he would have to go through waivers again, right?
After his two week stint on rehab, Pothier needs to go on the active roster or IR again, they can’t assign him to Hershey without him clearing waivers first.
I think waivers are still active this time of year.
This post makes that Ersky $1.25M cap hit starting next year look worse. And I wasn’t sure that was possible.
Well, when they signed that, it was doubtful if Pothier was ever coming back. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say. I’m eyeballing Mo’s contract more than Ersky’s right now, truthfully.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Mar 12, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Uh, why? Mo’s comes off the books this summer if the Caps want it to. Erskine’s doesn’t.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Erskine doesn’t have that bad of a contract, considering what Mo wants and how they play comparetively. Erskine’s a better d-man, in my opinion, and does more/brings more to the team.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
A question:
If Pothier is clean as a whistle coming back, looking ahead to next year, doesn’t Erskine’s contract make Mo AND Jurcina expendable now?
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
52, 3, 55, 4, 27, 2… I’d think you’d still need Mo or Juice (assuming they didn’t go with a UFA from somewhere).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Not in my opinion. If Pothier’s ready to go, and Jurcina leaves, the team would have
Green
Poti
Schultz
Alzner
Pothier
Erskine
Which is only six. Injuries will happen, and you want an seventh NHL caliber defenseman around when they do.
Then that question might be would you settle for some Sloan/Collins/Kronwall love?
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Sloan, no. Collins and Kronwall, maybe, but I think Jurcina’s better and I think they’ll be able to afford him.
Why not Sloan? I thought he was pretty good when he was up, other than a few bad mistakes that I saw he was solid. Good skater, can hit even if he doesn’t do it often.
Sloan’s apparently been horrible lately (at least according to this account).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Personally, I like Kronwall as the 7th d-man. He seems to be the most natural fit for the player who needs the most games off (Erskine).
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d because no more +1’s. So saith JP :)
I liked what I saw of Kronwall and don’t think he got enough of a shake up here.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Mar 12, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s only a few weeks old and already Rec’d has jumped the shark. I know it’s a new tool but all this green is driving me crazy. A simple +1 is more than sufficient.
Agreed. Rec that shite if it’s slightly profound or hilarious, not just because you (collectively) agree with it.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
One green comment in this thread is driving you crazy? C’mon. “Rec’d” is great b/c it lets someone late to the post find the good stuff easily. But I do agree with BP that it should be used judiciously.
In fact, I’m going to bump up how many “rec’s” it takes to highlight a comment and that should solve all problems.
Feel free to rec this awesome comment.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 12, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Feel free to rec this awesome comment.
You asked for it…
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he makes a few too many of those mistakes to justify him being on the club next year. That being said I do love watching the guy play. If he could clean up his game a bit more I’d be all for him being a #5 or #6 guy down the road. He’s 28 and if he’s ever going to make it to the show on a permanent basis he’s gotta make better decisions consistently with the puck and when defending on odd man breaks.
I just thought he generally looked overmatched. Keeping him as the 8th or 9th guy I am fine with, but I don’t think he should be playing every day for an extended period of time.
I thought Collins was a little better, but Collins is also 24, and it’s not uncommon for defensemen to make big strides at that age. Sloan is 28 on Sunday so I don’t think he has that upside.
Obviously the coaching staff agrees with you DMG. However, I just don’t get it myself. Collins looked overmatched to me. Then again I’ve been watching so much poor defense the last decade I probably don’t know what good positioning and smart decision making even looks like anymore. LOL. I’ll trust BB and GMGM to figure it out.
I’d like to see him back. I liked what I saw of Kronwall.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Mar 12, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well if he’s QO’d low enough, I’d be fine with it. The only person concern is that Fedorov is another luxury that they wind up resigning for a million more than they should.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
*or personal concern.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not trying to be a smart ass or an Erskine apologist but who would you rather have at $1.25M a season next year?
What FA could be gotten at that price this summer? Or who would trade for (and give up in return) who is set to make that much next season?
Yeah, we’re probably over paying about 250,000k for him but I buy JP’s argument (it JP who argued that right?) that he’s worth that for his fighting willingness/ability.
Erskine is also routinely the only guy who’ll stand up and clear the net. He does his job.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Erskine is fine at doing what he does if his minutes and matchups are managed.
That said, I don’t think there was any need to rush to sign him when they did, especially not knowing about Pothier’s future. I mean, was there really ever a chance that the Caps wouldn’t be able to sign Erskine for $1.25M this summer, when they had a better idea of what was going on, roster-wise?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I mean, was there really ever a chance that the Caps wouldn’t be able to sign Erskine for $1.25M this summer, when they had a better idea of what was going on, roster-wise?
And salary cap wise…
GMGM was tired of his phone ringing off the hook with people asking for Erskine trades so he said, “enough is enough! Let’s sign this guy now!”
In retrospect in seems like a smart move in the long term. Kozlov might be “the rug”, but Erskine might be “the bridge”.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Contractually speaking of course. Smart arse.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
That rush is getting 180 dollars from me for an Erskine sweater.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Here, in part, is why Erskine’s contract blows (as much for the “when” and “why” as the “how much”):
There isn’t a single defenseman currently over 24 signed for the 2010/11season for less than $1.75m, other than Ersky. Why? Because there’s no reason to sign 3rd-pairing (at best) D’s that far out – too much can happen (a declining salary cap, a resurrected player, etc.) to make it look silly, and similar guys are always available.
Is it the worst contract the Caps already have for the 2010-11 season? Uh, no. But I’m not sure it made sense at the time or now. Maybe by then it will. Maybe.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Oh, I agree on the motive, it’s weird. But if your blueline is:
Green
Poti
Alzner
Carlson
Godfrey
Finley/Seabrook/whomever
Then you’ve got your 7th defenseman right there. That could answer the “Why?” part of it, better than what I think I heard when it was signed.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
(1) Where’s Schultz?
(2) It’d be a big, big mistake to assume Godfrey, Finley or Seabrook would be ready to be a full time NHLer by 2010.
Crap, I knew I forgot somebody (see everyone?)
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Btw, in the picture on the right, that’s C-Bo turning to us and asking, “Hey, you guys ever going to give me another chance?”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 12, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I also don’t understand all the love for Chris Bourque. I mean, yeah, he’s a good story with the undersized angle and the big heart and all, but is he really an impact guy at the NHL level? The admittedly few times I’ve seen him haven’t lead me to think he is.
But maybe I’m missing something?
I'm just making up the following:
You know the first few times Martin St Louis came up, he didn’t look very impressive either.
Well, I remember Mike Green’s first year with the big club. The team was flat out bad, and Green didn’t look real good most of the time. But every so often he’d do something that made you go, “wow”. And you thought, that kid’s gonna be good some day.
This is purely subjective, but I haven’t had that thought about Bourque.
But that was the rap against Metropolit and Brunette, and they have had solid NHL careers, so I am perfectly open to being persuaded that I am in fact missing something.
I think he can be. The problem he’s got is that we’ve got a glut of guys who play his style up in the big club. I love him to death and want for him to have a solid NHL career, but maybe the best way for him to get that is with another club.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Glad to see Pothier is playing well. I hope he builds his confidence up and stays healthy.
A Q related to this: Is the only hope of seeing young Alzner in a caps sweater between now and the playoffs is ANOTHER injury (god forbid).
Would it be worth it if we brought him up just for the playoffs? Would he make us ‘better’.
I for one vote that Karl stay in Hershey for the rest of the year. Him coming up and being thrown into the fire that will be the playoffs is a lot to ask of him. If I was GMGM for the day, I would let Karl stay in a Bear’s sweater for the playoffs, get accustomed to a playoff run there, and expect that he makes the team come next October.
by Sct112 on Mar 12, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with that. Also, based on what I saw last night, more time in Hershey won’t hurt him any. Yeah, he’ll be good for October, but he still occasionally panics or zigs when he should zag. I look forward to seeing him, but next year.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
My impression of the pre-concussion Pothier was that he is a serviceable #4-type defenseman. So if he’s able to regain that form and play on a third pairing, and push Juice or Erskine into a reserve role, it would be an upgrade. Big if, of course.
Don’t get me started on Erskine’s contract…didn’t understand it then, and don’t understand it now. Are ham-fisted, cement-legged grinders that hard to come by?
Two anti-Ersky posts already in this thread…kinda surprised after the toughness he showed against Nashville.
Yeah, he might make a few extra bucks than he should, but assuming we lose Brash to retirement after this year, not having Erskine on this team would make the Caps a joke in terms of their ability to stand up for themselves and police the game.
That’s why I’d keep erskine over jurcinia.
by vt caps fan on Mar 12, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Caps a joke in terms of their ability to stand up for themselves and police the game.
buh…buh…Bradley…
Ha! While I agree that Brad’s fighting skills are a “joke”, I love his heart and toughness and like him on the team. But too often he’s Brash’s lap dog, fighting the other team’s superior middleweight and getting creamed in the process.
Bradley would be a great MMA fighter, because he always seems to stay up and get the takedown. But damn, he sure does lead with his face.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rocky never blocked or dodged a punch and look how far he got.
by zephyr on Mar 12, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Repost (sorta) from the Potsie fan shot
The consensus seems to be that the top 4 are set:
52-26
3-55
That leaves 4, 23, 2 and 27 for 2 spots, or really 3 spots because 2 will play if healthy.
That leaves 4, 23 and 27 for the one spot.
That seems to leave 27 out even for the playoffs, which might be why 27 is being paired with 44 and not 2.
And is that a good thing?
If it ain't broke, don't break it.
I don’t think Alzner is ready for the NHL, and throwing him into the playoffs is a bad call, in my book. Let him get AHL playoff experience, and if he thinks it’s a bad thing, ask him to talk to Mike Green, who seems to relish in his Calder Cup win, and he’s a pretty good NHL D-man.
On top of that, Alzner is showing signs of hitting the wall. He’s never played in a professional season yet. He’s going to be good. He’s also not ready.
4-2 is, in my opinion, the best 5-6 pairing we could hope and dream for. 2-23 is upsetting, personally, and 4-23 is even worse. I’d want 2-4 about 70% of the time, and 2-23 if Ersky can’t go.
27, if you will, should stay with 44 in Hershey.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
rec'd
As I said above, Karl would benefit more playing in Hershey for a longer playoff run, than sitting on the bench for all but 8 minutes of a NHL playoff game. He’s young, let the kid get comfortable before we crown him the next coming on Langway.
I’m good with 2-4. Side benefit: If Potsy becomes a target for the Jarkko Ruutus and Steve Downies of the world, Erskine can and will defend him. Pothier getting run is something of a concern, so I’d want a tough guy on the ice with him for at least the first couple of games.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Mar 12, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ruutu plays for Ottawa, Downie for Tampa’s AHL affiliate – no NHL postseason for those clowns.
But I agree with your point – it’s the Carcillos and Averys that must be watched.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I didn’t even think about that, but it’s a good point. I don’t know though if a guy like Carcillo or Cooke is going to not run at Potsy because of it.
Though, it seems to me like when Erskine is in a fight, though, the instigator rule doesn’t apply, so Erskine should be able to get a jump in.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Agreed – there are no deterrents to those guys. They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do (difference being that at least Carcillo will answer the bell when it rings).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
True enough, but Erskine’s better than nothing, certainly, and probably better than most if anything will help. It should at least make them think.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
No one is going to think twice about checking anyone on our team. There are way more things going on and to do than to read a jersey to see if they are checking number 2.
Most people won’t. The pests of the world do occasionally target injuries – remember Jarkko Ruutu running Johnson with Leonhardt on the bench? Some scary moments there. Carcillo and Avery (thank you JP, those are better examples) are cut from that kind of cloth.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
They still won’t think twice about NOT doing it, which is what some\you are implying, just because he’s paired with JE4.
Most players in the NHL say that the injuries aren’t targetted, but that’s a crock of shit. We were taught in high school hockey if we knew a guy was favoring a leg, we’d attack him on that side. If a goalie had a hurt blocker hand, we’d shoot that side.
No doubt people go after injuries. If they didn’t, the term “Upper Body Injury” wouldn’t exist.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
No doubt people go after injuries. If they didn’t, the term "Upper Body Injury" wouldn’t exist.
Bingo. Rec’d.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Green shoots right, Morrisonn shoots left.
Poti shoots left, Schultz shoots left.
Jurcina shoots right, Erskine shoots left.
Pothier shoots right.
I seem to recall Boudreau saying he preferred right/left defense pairings. That would suggest that if Pothier were headed for the third pairing, that he would take Jurcina’s spot.
(For what it’s worth, if Poti persists in taking risks by jumping up in the neutral zone and at his own blueline, and failing miserably at it, then I would just as soon see Schultz get a new right-handed partner.)
Correct me if I am wrong but I remember in an interview with Ovy after the playoffs last year he said that the way it works in the NHL is that none of the players receive any salary at all, so my question is whether the Salary Cap is still in play or not. Namely can we bring guys up from Hershey for the playoffs that would normally not fit under the cap (Karl Alzner)?
If that is the case I could see our top 6 being:
52-27
3-26
2-4
(23-55)
Salary cap does not apply to the playoffs.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So we could bring him up?
If that is the case, J.P. how would you like to see our D pairings in round 1?
by PennCapsFan12 on Mar 12, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
The Caps could recall him for the playoffs, but honestly, I think bringing a guy up who hasn’t played with the team in months and throwing him into his first NHL playoff series relatively cold would be a mistake.
Ideally, I’d go with…
52-26
3-55
4/23-2
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 12, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, love for the shout-out, guys. Glad to be able to contribute something worthwhile; I don’t often feel that I do around here with all the folks who are considerably more knowledgeable than me in abundance.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Oh, stop – half the people who think they’re considerably more knowledgeable than you aren’t, they just like to read their own pixels. :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ha :) Isn’t that everyone?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
We know its true for J.P. – has everyone seen this gem from Salmon at the Flyer Frequent?
So what has been their downfall? Two obvious things, and one thing that hasn’t gotten talked about a whole lot.
The first is a complete lack of secondary scoring, which JP wrote about just yesterday over at Japer’s Rink (which is probably the best team focused blog in the NHL blogosphere).
Referring to the Caps recent slide
As if we didn’t do enough to pump up their egos, now Flyers fans are doing it?
Congrats by the way boys, you are doing something right.
Heh. Nice.
Salmon actually posted a link to that post as a FanShot this morning, but I trashed it b/c I don’t want to set a precedent of allowing people to shamelessly pimp their own stuff, and it was a little trolling in how the post started out . Plus, Pepper wrote the secondary scoring post AND the apostrophe comes after the “s” in Japers.
Other than that, I loved it. :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I agree that it is a very tough situation for such a young guy to be thrown right back into the mix during the playoffs but I figure that (hopefully) most of Karl’s future years with the organization will be spent with a substantial amount of playoff time and we all know how valuable experience is. Now I wouldn’t mortgage the series or our playoff hopes on a young kid getting experience but I believe that Karl could step in and be as big a contributer as our current 4-6 defensemen, if not better.
I just feel that the team will want Poti to eat up huge minutes in the playoffs and that any small mistake that Schultz makes will be jumped all over by the better playoff teams and I feel that if someone else could step in and make less mistakes in top 4 minutes than he should be given the chance.
I feel that if someone else could step in and make less mistakes in top 4 minutes than he should be given the chance.
If that’s your concern, I wouldn’t advocate Alzner. He has more giveaways per game than any Capitals defenseman besides Mike Green (and the only reason Green has so many is that he joins the rush so often).
As much as I dislike Schultz (And, I do, I think he’s our 4th, shit Pothier’s back 5th best defenseman on the team), I think Karl is about our 8th best defenseman at this time. Schultz might make a mistake or two, but he’s not a rookie playing in his first playoff series. He also has been with the team all year. I’m on the Alzner bandwagon, but rushing him is a problem.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Unless you’ve been watching Alzner in Hershey, I’m not sure you’re in a position to assess the current state of his game. That’s not meant to be condescending, mind you, just to point out that we can speculate all we want to about what Alzner might or might not be capable of right now, but it doesn’t mean much at all.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Alzner did not look like the same player that impressed us during his first NHL callup when I was at the Bears game back on 2/28. Granted that is a small sample size, just saying that I and the Caps fans I went with were wondering what was wrong with him.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 12, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
There isn’t anything wrong with him. He was probably playing on pure adrenaline during his first call-up. His second call-up he was probably not as excited and knew he wouldn’t be staying.
It’s all mental and he’ll be fine.
That’s a might big wall they have in Hershey, as Bouchard and Osala both hit it pretty hard as well.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Was that wall moved to Hershey after the Skipjacks left B-more? If so then its probably the same one Reggie Savage hit.
So… tempted… to add a Pelle Lindbergh joke…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Boo.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 12, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s me being an optimist again =]
I’m just thinking it’s a headcase thing and not physical because he has played good and he is very very young for a dman as you know.
yeah he “looked” frustrated, but that could have been me reading too much into body language.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 12, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to beat a dead horse here, but do you know how often the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? Always. That’s how often.
But the fact is that when the Caps reassigned Alzner a month ago, he had a minus-9 rating since December 22, the worst giveaway/takeaway ratio of all Caps blueliners and the highest GAON/60 of all Caps rearguards at both 5-on-5 and 4-on-5.
He wasn’t ready then, it seemed, and there’s little reason to think he’s ready now inasmuch as I’ve read/heard.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Points taken, I would feel better if Pothier took Schultz’s minutes and a 55-4/23 3rd pairing would probably be pretty effective.
I haven’t seen much of Alzner in Hershey (did get away from class/hockey at Penn long enough to see them play the Phantoms in early Feb. and he looked solid).
It is just fond memories of watching him play in and seem impressive in his first call up that I hope he could potentially recapture.
I think there’s a decent chance Schultz’s minutes will go down when Pothier comes up, but I think he’ll stay with Poti. Boudreau likes using that as a shutdown pairing these days. Plus a 55-4 pairing has too many skating issues for me to feel comfortable with.
Ya on the skating issues. I agree that Schultz’s (and Poti’s) ES minutes will go down when Potsy comes back, definitely. I don’t think PK’ll drop much, though.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Whom do you see Pothier paired with (b/c their ES minutes will go up as well being w/ him)
by PennCapsFan12 on Mar 12, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I say Erskine, and half because I don’t think Pothier’s ES numbers are going to be that high right off the bat. When they need to be, you drop Mo from the top pairing.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Schultz. Put Pothier with Poti. But honestly, I’d rather see Pothier with Erskine skating 16 minutes of ES minutes a night, and getting Pothier some PP. I know people say our PP doesn’t have problems, but I think Pothier’s perfect with Poti on the second unit as bombers from the point.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Addendum: I believe Poti-Schultz is our top pairing. I used Mo in the top pairing because most people say Mo-Green seems to be the top pairing. I disagree.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Whatever pairing Green’s in is the top pairing in that it gets the most ice time, both at ES and overall.
But if you’re talking about who’s out there in the last minute with a one-goal lead, I agree – it’s 55-3.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Off topic, but the Rangers are getting that pick for Cherepanov. Classless, imo. Maybe not classless per se, but I’m definitely opposed to it. Canucks didn’t get a pick for Bourdon.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=413511
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Semantics, really. Shouldn’t make a difference. Would the Rangers have gotten a pick if he had lived, but spent the rest of his life as a vegetable? (Not rhetorical, I really don’t know).
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
It’s not semantics, it’s part of the CBA. If a team is unable to sign a player, they get a compensatory pick. Bourdon was signed, Cherepanov can’t be.
I think the answer to the second question is yes.
Nice that the CBA essentially punishes the team that actually makes a commitment to its guy.
Obviously these are situations that produce odd results, but maybe they should have a rule that if a kid passes away or is unable to be signed before he’s X years old or has played Y games, the team gets compensation.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It seems to me to suck to limit it to “If the kid is signed”. I just don’t think that because a kid wasn’t signed that the team should get a draft pick. That’s really lame to me.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Therein lies the problem. They need something for this circumstance, as it’s happening (seemingly) more frequently.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I’m not sure that classless is the right word but there is definitely a really gross feeling with this whole thing.
How would you like to be the kid taken with the compensatory pick? I mean, other than being happy to be drafted, wouldn’t it be a little weird?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Personally it seems bad but business is business.
He’s dead and that’s really sad but people die all the time.
What sickens me about it is that the Rangers seem to now have defined his life as an asset. From now on, Cherepanov is nothing more than a draft pick and the player he turns into. It’s not necessarily the Rags doing it, but the fact that the system allows it sickens me.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
What sickens me about it is that the Rangers seem to now have defined his life as an asset. From now on, Cherepanov is nothing more than a draft pick and the player he turns into.
By that logic, there should be life insurance, no?
What? Just ridiculous...
No one defined his life as an asset. It’s not like they traded a dead body for a pick. They are getting the same pick they had before; it’s more like a redo.
There shouldn’t be redo’s for it. The way I see it, that’s exactly what they did – Traded Cherepanov’s rights for a pick. That’s exactly how it looks to me, yeah.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
He’s gone and since he is they never got their pick so they deserve another one. You can be preachy if you want and I’m sure some will respond to it but that’s just blown out of proportion.
So every time a pick doesn’t pan out, let’s throw a team another draft pick? That’s utterly dumb.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I don’t necessarily think that should make a difference. Maybe if you don’t hink you can sign a guy, you shouldn’t sign him.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
It’s already been explained multiple times throughout this jack. There isn’t anything to counterpoint on that it’s just simply not true.
Honestly wasn’t intending to. Just had read it and wanted to post my thoughts on it, so I didn’t sit here and not talk to anyone about something that I felt strongly about.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Would’ve been a great FanShot. And before you say you don’t know how to do a FanShot, read this.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Good to know for the future.
Apologies >_<
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I’m rooting for a full Pothier return. Firstly because he’s a good guy and I’d love to see him come back and contribute, and secondly because the hockey gods smile on this sort of thing, especially in the later stages of the season…if you know what I mean.
But all joking aside I think Pothier can come back and be a huge help to this team. Last year, before the injury, he was really hitting his stride and showing us what he could do. I just hope he can bring his game back to that level and stay healthy.
Let’s go Potsy!
by CapitalsKremlin on Mar 12, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’m a big supporter of Pothier and hope he does well, but the fact that he could come back and be a boost to the team is as much an indictment of the current state of our D corp as it is an endorsement of his ability. We’ve got a #1/2 in Green, a #3 in Poti and the rest are all 4/5/6s. On a team like Florida, they probably wouldn’t even consider bringing Pothier back because they don’t need him. Here, he’s looked at as a potential second pairing guy.
by b.orr4 on Mar 12, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I’d say 3rd pairing guy, but I agree with your general statement… Pothier will not be a savior, but he will be an improvment.
rec’d just because you love it so much. If you would prefer, I’ll unrec it to make your point.
Or the NHL, where everybody has a “.500” record.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
or everyone gets to be a co-captain on the team.
by CapitalsKremlin on Mar 12, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree. The Capitals have several guys (Schultz, Morrisonn, Jurcina) who are being asked to do more than they really should. Getting another top-4 caliber defenseman in there has the potential to be great for the team because it means most of the defensemen have to do less.
But, really, Mike Green a #1/2? Dude’s killing everyone in terms of offensive and is doing really well in defense too. I say he’s a true number one.
I think it depends on what how you classify a #1 defenseman. If you think that the defense’s job is to play good defense and occasionally provide some offense, Greener probably doesn’t qualify as a true #1, if a #1 is a world class player, that can be a terrific offensive threat, but lapses occasionally in his own zone, then I would say he certainly does count as the #1.
He’s definitely the best defensemen on the Caps though.
I think some people hold back on saying he’s a true No.1 because he can be a liability in his own end, but I’m with you DMG, he’s a No. 1 in my book.
by CapitalsKremlin on Mar 12, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have said that in November, but I think he’s been great in his own end the last couple months.
Isn’t he a TOI leader almost every game? I think maybe the responsibility of being the go-to-guy had helped matured his defensive game. Last year around this time, he wasn’t my favorite on D, but he’s been, like you said, solid this year.
by CapitalsKremlin on Mar 12, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to ruin the lovefest, but...
I don’t think Pothier was that great before he got injured. His best games came after he was benched. He was prone to TERRIBLE decision making, frequently in the form of passes up the middle. I don’t know how that problem could have been resolved by NOT playing for over a year. Is he an improvement on our 3rd pair, yes, for sure. Is he a solution to our defensive woes? No. I don’t expect him to be any better (and it’s very optimistic to expect him to be as good) than he was before he got hurt, which was inconsistent and frequently disappointing.
I don’t know how adding a 3rd puck moving d-man (Cause let’s face it, we only have two on the active roster) to fit a third pairing isn’t a good thing.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Mar 12, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.11.2012 at 8:02 AM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- The Chicago Blackhawks’ losing streak is bad for everybody
- According to NHL, here’s why Dominic Moore escaped suspension for Fedotenko hit
- How Mats Sundin’s no-trade clause controversy made fans reconsider loyalty in NHL
- Nordiques Nation invades Hockey Day in Canada
- Youth hockey coach, parents clash over alleged tirade over 9-year old’s 200th goal puck
Certain photos copyright © 2012 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.
