Caps recall Varlamov

"The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Simeon Varlamov from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today." - Press Release

almost 3 years ago J.P. 40 comments 0 recs |

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Has Varly been 2 or 3 of the 4 call-ups available to GMGM? It seems that GMGM was reserving all 4 of his callups to use on Varly as moved him back and forth between Hershey.

by Sct112 on Mar 30, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

Seems that way to me. But it’s not a bad idea. Varly is going to be the back-up here for the Caps in the playoffs and he needs to be ready. I don’t think BB will hesitate at all to put him in there if JT struggles.

by grapejoos on Mar 30, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I do. Any coach is more apt to play a playoff tested veteran, even through struggles, than a rookie. Also, Boudreau proved last year he’s more than willing to rely on a struggling starter even if he had a potentially viable back up (Huet over Kolzig). I’d be shocked if we saw Varlamov in the playoffs for any reason other than injury.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Mar 30, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope you’re right, because that means JT will be playing well enough. And I’m not saying I have no confidence in JT – I think he’ll do just fine, and I don’t expect to see Varlamov either.

That said, I think BB and GMGM see Varlamov as a guy who could be thrown in there – right now – and win a playoff series. I think he has that potential, and our playoff opponents are unlikely to have played against him. He fits that ace-in-the-hole mold pretty well.

by grapejoos on Mar 30, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Does that 4 call ups include ‘emergency call ups? If so, wouldn’t Varlamov be considered an emergency call up for the injured Johnson?

by Fauxrumors on Mar 30, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure how it applies to goalies, but in order to be an emergency callup the guy being replaced has to have played the previous game and has to be injured.

When Varly came up to replace Neuvirth it wasn’t an emergency and they can’t have replaced Johnson with an emergency callup since he’s been down so long.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong

And no, emergency callups are different than the 4.

by Sct112 on Mar 30, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I think some of the time he counts as an emergency callup though. I’m not sure whether swapping replacements burns a callup or not. It may be that that’s the case, and if so then yeah, Varly’s using up our callups and that’s just fine. Everyone else fits the emergency callup bill or won’t be coming up until the playoffs anyways, so it’s all good.

by brs03 on Mar 30, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Quite a stable of keeper prospects

Between Varly, Neuvirth and Holtby ( who is a finalist for Goalie of the Year in the WHL), the Caps have the deepest pool of young goalies in franchise history. I have to believe this trio of young keepers has to be one of the best group of goalie prospects in the NHL as well. Quite a testament to the team’s scouting department.

by b.orr4 on Mar 30, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

Not to mention Dunn (not the same accolades but still a good prospect and great for depth).

It will be interesting to see how long GMGM keeps hedging his bets and drafting goalies. I kinda hope he keeps up the practice of taking one every year, just because you never know who’s going to fall apart.

by brs03 on Mar 30, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I think that he probably does continue to pick up ~1 a year. Goalie prospects are too unpredictable and you can never have too many goalies (ask SJS or ANA).

by Rob Parker on Mar 30, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we’ve all learned from the Jim Carey experience that not only can you not count on goalie prospects, you can’t count on Vezina Trophy winners.

by b.orr4 on Mar 30, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Only hope that proves to be untrue for Hart trophy winners.

by Sct112 on Mar 30, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s not really so much don’t count on Vezina winners as don’t count on guys who have one great year.

by David Getz on Mar 30, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. I expect him to keep going the NCAA route (as he did with Dunn), especially if there’s nobody that really jumps out at him, if only to keep the pipeline from getting clogged. Those extra two years are going to make a big difference in terms of finding space in the organization.

by brs03 on Mar 30, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

And probably something that will be eyed covetously by other teams as well.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Mar 30, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Not necessarily. As valuable as goalie prospects are to their own teams, you’re not going to get a ton in a trade for them so you won’t see them swapped that often. Too much boom or bust, I think, for other teams to care too much until they’re already making an impact.

Now, if it gets to the point where we’ve got 3 NHLers or something, then you’d definitely see some shopping going on. But until then I think “covetously” is too strong a word.

by brs03 on Mar 30, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

No surprise that Varly is back. Maybe he’ll get the start against the Isles Wednesday? :)

by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 30, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

From Tarik, emphasis mine:

Varlamov has been told by the Washington coaching staff that he’ll get at least two more starts with the Caps before the end of the regular season, and with the NHL’s worst team coming to town on Wednesday, I’m thinking one of Varlamov’s opportunities will be against the Islanders.

"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."

by Bald Pollack on Mar 30, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting.

Personally, given the light schedule, I’d be surprised if he got Wednesday night’s game, but we shall see.

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

by J.P. on Mar 30, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah, I love Tarik, and he’s great at getting information out, but I think the guy has little to know analysis skills

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Mar 30, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

With Carolina looking like they’re not going to lose again, I think you need to play your starters until the division is wrapped up. Besides, the Isles just knocked off Detroit IN Detroit. Who’s to say they couldn’t come here and due the same. When the division is a done deal, then let Varly play. Not before.

by b.orr4 on Mar 30, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed in all points. Can’t do this “resting starters” crap like we did against Tampa and just assume victory. Granted, if they really did need the night off, good.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Mar 30, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

In a shutout, no less.

I don’t think our starters are going to need rest against the Islanders or Buffalo; they’ve just had four days off. Now, against Atlanta, maybe. I’d like to see Varlamov get a tougher test than that to see how he does, but I can see why you wouldn’t, and we know that Boudreau isn’t shy about throwing the youngsters into the fire.

I’m thinking that this homestand is going to be harder-fought than we might initially think.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Mar 30, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

All they need are three points and the emphasis should be to keep the pedal down until they get them. Hopefully it happens by Friday and then BB has the luxury of four games to get Varly his starts and get everyone else rested and healthy while the possible first round opponents are beating each other to death.

by b.orr4 on Mar 30, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I dunno, I’m more of the opinion that now is the time to get into postseason mentality and keep the pedal to the floor down the stretch. Remember, we’ve got a couple of milestones that we could still hit after getting those three points, and ones that might be worth chasing.

- We could take second seed in the East, guaranteeing home ice for two rounds.
- We could set a new franchise record for points (current record is 107)
- We could aim for 50 wins on the season.

Get Varly his starts, too, but don’t slack off.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Mar 30, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

The real reason in my mind to shoot for 2nd place is a first round matchup against NY/Montreal (and not Pitt/Carolina)

by Moonage Daydream on Mar 30, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

That too, and yes, that’s a big one. We want no part of either Pitt or Carolina right now. Better for us to let NJ tackle Carolina or Pitt. Gotta admit, though, Philly – Carolina would be interesting.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Mar 30, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

That and home ice advantage in the second round.

It’s our seeding to lose given the schedules of both clubs.

Officially out of the minors...Capitals Kremlin.com!."

by CapitalsKremlin on Mar 30, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Bear in mind they’ve got a game in hand on us, though (played tonight).

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Mar 30, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s go Averys!

Officially out of the minors...Capitals Kremlin.com!."

by CapitalsKremlin on Mar 30, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Would you mind heading to KCI and reminding the guys why they should be UP for this game?

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Mar 30, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

In reality those last two milestones don’t mean anything to the team. If they think they have a better chance of winning in the playoff by scratching guys, they’re going to do it regardless of whether it costs the team the franchise wins record.

by David Getz on Mar 30, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Not really, no, but the first one is a good thing to stay sharp for. With Pitt and Carolina both surging, second vs. third seed could make all the difference in the playoffs.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Mar 30, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

with four shootout wins, any talk of breaking the team wins record is already soiled, in my O-pinion.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Mar 30, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Then I guess Gretzky’s records are a farce then also as he played in hockey’s highest scoring era…

One has to play by the rules that are given. How do, or how should, the professional leagues track records then? Should records today be marked with an * because there more/fewer games and new rules?

by Yoshietree on Mar 30, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

there is some allowance for that as the game evolves, but they have in effect ruined the team standings/points/wins records by creating the shootout and 3 point games. so: YES.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Mar 30, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish he’d get the final home game, mainly because I’ll be there, but I imagine that he’ll likely get at least one of his starts on the road.

Officially out of the minors...Capitals Kremlin.com!."

by CapitalsKremlin on Mar 30, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Intersting that they are going to give Theo that much rest. Playing Varlamov twice probably is a way to keep him NHL-sharp since Johnson won’t be ready for the post season

by Fauxrumors on Mar 30, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

It would really suck if Theo got the flu that’s been going around the team, like he got in the 2nd round last year. R.E.A.L.L.Y. S.U.C.K. So I guess keeping Varlamov sharp may be a good move.

by red army line on Mar 30, 2009 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

What’s the acronym being spelled out “really suck”?

by David Getz on Mar 31, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

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