2008-09 Rink Wrap: John Erskine
by David M. Getz on May 25, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in Rink Wraps
44 comments
From Alzner to Varlamov, we're taking a look at and grading the 2008-09 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Caps for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2009-10. Next up, John Erskine.
John Erskine
#4 / Defenseman / Washington Capitals
6-4
216
Jun 26, 1980
7
$1,250,000 cap hit in 2009-10; UFA after 2011-12
4.84
Key Stat: Erskine's 1.71 GAON/60 was the lowest among all Capitals defensemen in the 2008-09 season.
Interesting Stat: Erskine's -0.06 quality of competition rating was the lowest among Capitals defensemen as well; his 0.12 quality of teammate rating was the highest.
The Good: Simply put, Erskine did what was asked of him without too much fuss during the regular season, taking regular shifts at even strength (15:07 per game) without allowing too many goals, and killed penalties more efficiently than any defenseman on the team other than Mike Green.
Of course a lot of the good that came out of Erskine's game came from his overt physicality and toughness. Erskine led Capitals defensemen in hits per game and was second in blocked shots per game, despite being sixth in ice time per game among defensemen. Although concussion concerns have led to Erskine dropping the gloves less often than he had in earlier seasons, Erskine handled himself pretty well in the three fights he had in the 08-09 season.
The Bad: It's not exactly news when it comes to Erskine, but the rugged blueliner contributed virtually nothing on offense in the 2008-09 season. In a combined 64 regular season and playoff games and a combined 1,102:35 of ice time, Erskine only two primary assists and didn't register a single goal. In fact, Erskine's performance in the offensive zone may have hurt the Capitals this season: Anecdotally, Erskine seemed to put the puck into the shin pads of opposing defensemen an awful lot; statistically he had his shots blocked more often than any defenseman other than Green. Erskine also only got 38% of his five-on-five shot attempts get on net compared with 45% for Karl Alzner, 43% for Milan Jurcina, 41% for Green, and 41% for Shaone Morrisonn.
In his own end Erskine was generally solid during the regular season, but for all the praise he received for playing well in the playoffs, particularly against the Rangers, he finished the postseason with a 2.78 GAON/60 rating. That rating was second-worst on the team, behind only the injured and ineffective Mike Green and was registered despite the fact Erskine against weaker competition than any Capitals defenseman other than Brian Pothier.
Finally, Erskine's solid goals against statistics are mitigated by the fact that he played against weaker opposition and with stronger teammates than other Caps defensemen. Despite this, Erskine took penalties more often than any Capitals defenseman other than Jurcina, and 61% of Erskine's minors were restraining fouls. Erskine was also a liability with the puck at times this season, giving the puck away more often than anyone other than Alzner, while registering the fewest takeaways of any Capitals defenseman.
The Vote: Rate Erskine below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season - if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.
The Discussion: What role do you see John Erskine playing on the 2009-10 Capitals, and what role do you think he should play? Is he a guy who should be getting a sweater every night, getting regular shifts, and killing penalties? Or is he a seventh defenseman at the NHL level; one who should be used as a reserve when others are hurt? Finally, is his potential enough to justify his new contract extension and salary?
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Pretty straightforward, save for a good postseason stretch PBF. If he plays the regular season the way he played those playoff games, I’d be kinda happy with the extension.
by Bald Pollack on May 25, 2009 7:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Honestly he looks like the only defenseman on the team that can play any defense. We don’t need wingers playing D.
by Mixmy1200s on May 25, 2009 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Referring to the Penguins series. Pothier, Poti, and Green did nothing defensively in my opinion. They were consistently outmatched physically and by hustle. All three have good to great offensive skills, but the team clearly doesn’t need more than one Mike Green.
by Mixmy1200s on May 25, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That may be the case, but I’d argue that Green, Poti, Jurcina, Schultz, and Morrisonn are all better defensive players than Erskine.
by David M. Getz on May 25, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d argue that Jurcina, Schultz, and Morrisonn are all worse defensively than Erskine, if all players are “on”, and I would argue that Erskine is more consistent than those guys, you know what you’re going to get out of him. Sometimes he takes a lazy penalty, but he’s a damn good defenseman when he is rested, which is why he’ll never be more than a 5-6 pairing guy. But he’s good down there.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on May 25, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Along those same lines, you know where Erskine’s weakness is – his skating. Jurcina and Schultz don’t skate all that well either, but they play smarter than Erskine and play better positionally and thus able to mitigate that weakness more effectively – for example, I don’t see Erskine as being able to control Malkin the way Schultz did at times this season.
by David M. Getz on May 25, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno about playing smarter, but I think positionally and aggresiveness, Erskine is pretty damn solid. But yeah, if he spent all summer just working on his summer, he’d come out of it a 3-4 guy, if he could improve it significantly.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on May 25, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t. Erskine’s no kid. He is what he is.
by TylerG on May 25, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Erskine does generally play a pretty smarter game – he needs to in order to survive in the NHL – but he also take himself out of position to make a hit on a regular basis and turns the puck over more than any of the team’s other defenseman (save for Mike Green).
by David M. Getz on May 25, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have that gripe more with Jurcina. He got better, they both did in the playoffs, but Jurcina routinely took himself out of position for the hit.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on May 25, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, happy Memorial Day all, stop for a moment and remember why you’re grilling.
by Bald Pollack on May 25, 2009 7:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Happy Memorial day all!
Not sure what Erskine’s contract extension looks like, but if he can limit goals from the opposing team, then I’m satisfied. He is not being asked to score goals, only prevent them.
by RedskinFan4Life on May 25, 2009 8:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It was 1.25 Million a year for 2 years, starting next season.
by Gould Old Days on May 25, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Money well spent, if you ask me.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on May 25, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks - then definitely a good extension. hopefully he’ll bridge the gap to Carlson and Alzner.
by RedskinFan4Life on May 25, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I expected he’d be a #7/8 defenseman, a guy who filled in when injuries hit and you hoped he didn’t get much ice time. In the beginning of the season, that’s what he was, but down the stretch and into the playoffs something changed and he became a solid third pairing, if not second pairing D-man. For that he got a 7 from me because I expected virtually nothing from him and he showed me a lot more. However, over the course of 82 games, all of his flaws get exposed ( no speed, no offense, penchant for penalties, etc) and he’s still a 6/7/8 defenseman. At $1 million plus, he’s probably worth the money for the toughness he brings whether it’s here or with another team.
by b.orr4 on May 25, 2009 8:18 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Couldn’t have put it any more clearly than b.orr4. Except it earned a 6 from me.
Where is the hits/game stat kept? I’d like to compare all the D.
by Uncle C on May 25, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hits are kept by the NHL, but the hits per game have to be done by hand (unless someone knows of a website I don’t).
by David M. Getz on May 25, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well written. He got an 8 from me because my expectations were so low.
by Gould Old Days on May 25, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But those penalties....
Ersky also ranked second in the Caps in penalties taken per 60 minutes (Jurcina) and the Caps took more penalties with Ersky on the ice than with any other regular D. IMHO that data counts against him and holds him to a seven.
by TylerG on May 25, 2009 8:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
(And yes, I know you had the Juice stat there, but I didn’t think my second stat would make any sense unless I repeated it.)
by TylerG on May 25, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on his play in the playoffs I was going to rate him a 7, but the GAON/60 stat JP posted isn’t flattering, which cost him a point: 6. Next season I think he deserves to play the majority of games, but should be rested occasionally.
by RPI93 on May 25, 2009 8:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RPI93 summarizes my take pretty well. but then i’ll bump him back up to a 7 due to the postseason broken foot.
by Natty Bumppo on May 25, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playoffs
He’s welcome to continue his very mediocre play during the first 82, as long as he steps up in the playoffs. Stunned.
TTT Hockey: tictactoehockey.blogspot.com
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by turnituptoeleven on May 25, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What role do you see John Erskine playing on the 2009-10 Capitals, and what role do you think he should play? Is he a guy who should be getting a sweater every night, getting regular shifts, and killing penalties? Or is he a seventh defenseman at the NHL level; one who should be used as a reserve when others are hurt? Finally, is his potential enough to justify his new contract extension and salary?
You’ve heard this song from me before, but I think Erskine is most effective when he’s getting some rest. On a great team I think he’d be a perfect 7th defenseman — if he’s in your top 6 and playing every night then you probably don’t have enough defense depth to win the cup.
And his temperament is perfect for that 7th D role. For example, Juice seemed to do best with stability, playing every night the same role with the same partner, and Milan suffered when things were inconsistent. Erskine doesn’t give a damn. He plays his game when asked to, no matter what the circumstances. I’d like to see Erskine play between 30 and 50 games next year. Call him a “reserve-plus.” And that’ll keep him fresh for the playoffs.
Oh, and with Brashear likely gone his enforcer role may be more important.
To answer that last question, yeah, in my mind a guy like that is worth 1.25 Million — especially since the rest of the Caps D isn’t terribly physical. He’s a good complement to the players the Caps already have and a very good fit on this team.
by Gould Old Days on May 25, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Couldn’t agree more. As a #7 defenseman, he’s great. As a #5 or 6, he’s acceptable, but not ideal. If he starts getting almost 20 mins a night then the GM needs to start looking for help. However, his salary is on the high side for a player that could reasonably expect to watch a fair number of games from the press box next year.
To your point about his enforcer role: in my opinion, he can either be a defenseman or an enforcer, but not both, unless the team (stupidly) wants to dress 7 D every night. Losing a fourth-line winger for 5 minutes means nothing, since you can just skip the fourth line (which you’d likely do anyhow). Losing a defenseman is tough rotationally, particularly if that defenseman has a special-teams role like Erskine. Moreover, fighting takes a hell of a toll on your hands, and potentially on your head if, like Erskine, you previously suffered concussions.
I rate him a 6. His work on the PK was more than I expected, but his offensive contributions were essentially nil.
by D'ohboy on May 25, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gave him a 5
Based on the fact I didn’t expect a whole hell of a lot out of him, and got basically what I expected. Some hits, some fights, some basically OK defense, some horrible skating, some bad penalties, some nights where speedy attackers left him looking like a turnstile, some nights where he was good enough.
If we were grading on performance relative to salary, I’d downgrade him. The $1.25M extension remains a puzzle to me.
He’s an acceptable option for a third pair defender on most any team, including this one. I’d like to see his minutes lowered next season, like to see him out there against the checking and grind line forwards as much as possible, like to see him spell the top pair defenders when he can. He can PK a bit, probably.
Can’t foresee any circumstances under which he could possibly earn a 10? Not any realistic circumstances anyway. Say, +10, double-digit points, pounds enough guys senseless to provide a realistic deterrent…which just ain’t gonna happen.
by fat_daddyo on May 25, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
To be fair to Erskine, he mad $550,000 this year and had a cap hit of 537,000, which I think was a great bargain. That 1.25 million seems a little steep to me, but I’m more concerned with the combination of length, duration, and timing of the extension.
by David M. Getz on May 25, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did not realize that his extension does not kick in until next year – as it stands, I agree with you that $537K is a bargain for him.
Further agree with you about the length and price of the extension. The timing can only have arisen, I surmise, due to a handshake type of agreement with GM? Or something that we don’t know about. It’s the only possible justification I can come up with.
by fat_daddyo on May 25, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have expectations he’s going to play defense and fill Brashear’s old role of being the “Protector”, which he’s already doing, Brash doesn’t do what he does often enough, and Erskine isn’t that far behind. If you combine 5-7 d-man with Enforcer roles, I have no problem with the 1.25 mil extension.
Also, my Erskine jersey is in the mail and should arrive between the 29th and June 6th.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on May 25, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Erskine as a tough guy isn’t something we should count on – he seems a lot less likely to fight now, given his concussion problems.
by David M. Getz on May 25, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think we can count on it, but we didn’t exactly count on it from 87. We did, but his numbers are declining. I don’t think we need a tough guy, if we’re building in the mold of the Red Wings, we need a Nick Kronwall. While Staffan can do that role, so can Erskine, I feel.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on May 25, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Game 6 of the Rangers series Emrick was talking about how Jurcina was hitting hard for someone who didn’t show up as a hitter in the scouting report. I actually think Green is our Kronwall because he skates better and faster.
by red army line on May 25, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Emrick’s a tool. Jurcina was playing pretty well, and I think Erskine was just such a cog against the Rangers. Hopefully as long as they’re wearing red, they continue. Also, thankfully I can wear my new jersey for 2 years at least.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on May 25, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know he’s a tool, but I think we have more guys that hit hard and in open ice—unexpectedly to a casual fan—than just Erskine.
by red army line on May 25, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree, I don’t remember his first fight – (but wasn’t it with Goddard where he got the concussion?), but he had 2 fights after returning from the concussion and in both cases, the opposing team’s goon instigated the fight, not Erskine.
The Caps might have hoped he’d fill that role when they signed him to that deal, but I don’t expect him to fight in the future unless absolutely necessary.
by Stormblue on May 25, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gave him a 7. I did not like Erskine going into the season and I thought his lack of speed, inability to handle the puck and stupid penalties continued to be a major liability in the first half of the season. At the time, I was baffled by the ridiculous size and timing of the contract.
But something clicked with him in the second half, and he became a much more reliable Dman in the last few months of the season and the playoffs. He was able to provide the physical presence the Caps sorely need on their blueline without taking himself out of position (as often) or taking (as many) dumb penalties. While $1.25 mil may still be a bit of an overpayment for him, if he continues his late season play the extension he got is definitely not as bad as I had originally thought.
I agree with others that he is a good 6/7 dman. He should get significant time playing on the third pairing, but he also should be battling some other guys (Pothier and Schultz come to mind) to get a routine spot in the lineup.
by Killer_Carlson on May 25, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’d love to see Schultz, Potsy, Juice, Erskine and maybe Alzner play only about 60-65 games next year and get some rest and time to watch games in the pressbox. I think a rotation would benefit all of those guys but BB doesn’t seem to like rotations (except for a brief stint when Potsy came back). He seems to like to find favorites and stick with them regardless; other guys can’t seem to find a shift no matter what they do.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 26, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A 5....
He had a decent year, about what I expected from him. He wasn’t spectacular, and he wasn’t horrific, he was just… there. When he was playing at his best, you didn’t notice him on the ice at all.
He does have some toughness, and as I said previously, despite his lack of speed he gets to the puck and he gets there angry. He takes umbrage at opposing forwards coming down the ice on his side of the rink.
How does he get to 10… I don’t know if he can… he is playing about as well as he probably can right now, and that’s what I’d expect from him. Maybe if scored a goal or two next year…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 25, 2009 11:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe if scored a goal or two next year…
…..especially if that goal turns out to be a Stanley Cup clincher. :) :) Pipe dream, eh?
by RedskinFan4Life on May 26, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll take a game winner… or even a 6th goal in a 7-1 game…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 26, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting to see than he had a 4.84 last season and such a big jump in votes this time around.
Everyone questioned his contract extension… ahhh, 20/20 vision.
by :hsughrofl: on May 26, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
71 | 47 | 14 | 10 | 104 |
|
Atlanta
|
70 | 30 | 29 | 11 | 71 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
70 | 28 | 30 | 12 | 68 |
|
Florida
|
69 | 28 | 30 | 11 | 67 |
|
Carolina
|
70 | 29 | 33 | 8 | 66 |
(updated 3.19.2010 at 9:06 AM EDT)
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