2008-09 Rink Wrap: Tyler Sloan
by Stephen Pepper on Jun 18, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in Rink Wraps
117 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,Tyler Sloan.
Tyler Sloan
#89 / Defenseman / Washington Capitals
6-3
205
Mar 15, 1981
1
UFA; Contract of $475,000 (league minimum) in '08-'09.
None
Key Stat: During the regular season, he was fourth-best amongst Caps D in GA/60 (minimum 20 GP).
Interesting Stat: He, and Karl Alzner, were the only Caps D to draw more penalties than they committed at even strength (again, 20 GP minimum).
The Good: Most of Caps Land had never heard of Tyler Sloan, signed by Washington to a one year deal on July 2 of last year. Except those who closely followed the Hershey Bears during their first Calder Cup run in the era of Capitals affiliation -- Sloan was an emergency signee for Hershey and saw two games of 2005-06 playoff action in the A. But when Sloan took his first NHL shift in his home town of Calgary, and crushed Flames F Daymond Langkow in the neutral zone, with an open-ice hit fit for a year-end league highlight reel, we all took notice.
Yes, "Cinderella Man" provided one of several feel-good stories of the season for Les Capitals, his long-winding journey to the summit of the hockey world. A rags-to-riches to rookie dinner tab tale, punctuated by his first NHL goal, a third period tie-breaker that could have been a game-winner, and finishing up with a healthy dose of ice time in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Ok, that's all well and good, but how did Sloan fit it to the bigger 2008-09 Capitals season picture? Well, principally, he provided solid injury support, most often paired with Tom Poti, during the months of November and December, when all of Mike Green, Jeff Schultz, Shaone Morrisonn, and even Poti himself, spent time on the shelf. And, as for injury insurance, Sloan was as cheap as they come, earning the league minimum (and yeah, he probably was really liking it).
He was an effective penalty killer, earning the second (to Green) lowest GA/60 ratio at 4-on-5 amongst Caps D, and was on pace to block more shots on the PK than all Caps D but Alzner (in each case, minimum 20 GP).
I even suggested that Sloan could've, perhaps should've, seen more playoff action, later in the second-round Penguins series, over an severely injury-compromised Green. Think I'm crazy? Well, the Penguins didn't score while he was on the ice in his two GP (Games 2 and 3), either at even-strength or on the PP. And Sloan stayed out of the penalty box. According to Brian Pothier, after Sloan's NHL playoff debut, "[H]e just makes great decisions....I don't think he made a mistake [in Game 2]." Green was a -4 at ES during the post-season; Sloan, a + 1. So for what that's worth.
Feeling underwhelmed? Well, at least his name evokes a legendary indie rock band from the Great White North.
The Bad: At times, admittedly, Sloan looked more like a Las Vegas Wrangler than a Washington Capital. For stretches he would efficiently clear the puck and at other times make dangerous clearing attempts that would directly result in goals, or highlight-reel saves. Like we saw a bit with Alzner last season, the pace of the game tends to wear on an NHL rookie, after the adrenaline of the call-up, and excitement of playing in the show, begins to subside.
And Sloan doesn't get many pucks on net, shooting less frequently than even Morrisonn or John Erskine. So he's really a defensive-defenseman. (Though Marty Turco might disagree.)
But seriously, going into this season, what did you expect from the first #89 in Capitals history? So . . .
The Vote: Rate Sloan 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: Is Sloan worth resigning as injury depth for 2009-10, up to what price (assuming he could garner an offer from another team)? What re-signings of other Caps D not currently under contract (Morrisonn, Milan Jurcina, Schultz, Bryan Helmer, Sean Collins, Sami Lepisto) would make Sloan expendable?
Update: Per the team, Sloan has been re-signed for next season. Further details have not yet been disclosed.
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I’m a little surprised he even got a wrap, to be honest, but I thought about it and, yeah, he was here for a solid chunk of the season.
I gave him a 6. I had no expectations of him (I’d never heard of him), but he came in and was perfectly serviceable. He also came in and caused me to give myself a premature bald spot, too.
All said, however, I was pleasantly surprised, and would be happy to see him as an injury-replacement at any time next year.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 7:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sloan was the cutoff.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish he would have gotten 1 second of ice time. That’s one of my all time favorite feel good stories.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, but a Brett Leonhardt rap would be cool.
by Stephen Pepper on Jun 18, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um, I gave him a 10 because A. I’m generous and B. he didnt shit the bed and we didn’t eat it while having a lot of players with injuries. Had you told me before the season started that sometime during the middle of season our blueline would consist of Helmer, Sloan, Collins and Kronwall, I’d definitely say that we were screwed. So based on my expectations of despair and bewilderment and the Hershey boys passing the grade, 10.
by JSchon on Jun 18, 2009 7:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thats a fair assessment, but I gave him a 7 (debated over 7 and 8) for the same reasons, essentially. He struggled a bit as the season went on, but he gave his all whenever he was on ice. He was noticeably physical, I thought. I liked him and he’s worth keeping around, especially since, as the #1-2 guy in Hershey, he won a championship. He’s earned his contract.
And YES, he should have played more in the post season, given the amount of injuries to our D and the quality of play he exhibited.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 18, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was he really all that noticeably physical outside of his awesomely-destructive hit on Langkow? I don’t remember his physicality much, otherwise.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really – he had just about exactly the same number of hits per game as Green.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on the above but gave him an 8. One more point for that viciously awesome hit on Daymond. Not to mention held his own when the rest of CAL came to whine about it.
Good stuff.
A 10 would have him step up and play a full and solid season in the bigs. I’m not a huge stats guy but obviously stay on the plus side for the season and a couple more timely goals and I’d be a happy camper.
Note: I’m not saying he’s good enough to take anyone’s place in the D corp, maybe he is, maybe he isnt. Thats just what I think would earn him a 10 for me since I now have expectations of the kid.
by MetalCap on Jun 18, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Good:
The Bad: Tyler could stand to be a little more gangsta when posing for his head shot.
Thanks for your service, Tyler, but I hope to never see you again in a Caps sweater.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 7:34 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Exactly my thoughts (the second, and I guess the first)…
I don’t want to have the opportunity to give him a 10 (or 7 or 5 or whatever) next year, and I’m not even sure what a 10 would be… 3g/7a/+6 in 20 games as a fill-in?
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 18, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bonus Interesting Caps Fact: Today’s Wrap is for the only player in team history to wear #89, while tomorrow’s is for the only player to ever wear #70 for the Caps.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 7:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, trying to locate a photo of Stecks wearing #70 out there in the electrons is easier said than done.
by Cluster on Jun 18, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know I tried and failed.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you want picture of him in the white jersey or black?
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why must we choose?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here you go:
http://bayimg.com/kaBeKAacD
http://bayimg.com/kAbEMAacD
http://bayimg.com/kABEnAACD
http://bayimg.com/kABePaaCD
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Has anyone else worn 74? Like yesterday’s subject?
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice pull (and Semin never wore it).
FYI, the full list can be found here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dang. Maybe a pre-season game? Hockeyreference.com doesn’t have him as wearing #74 either.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it’s preseason. He wore 74 up until the first real game of 03-04.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Btw, could that roster seem any further back in time than it does to me now?
Jagr, Kono, Bondra, Lang, Gonchar, Witt, Sebastien Charpentier (HAHAHA)
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I even have a Rookie Card with him wearing it!
I guess it went lower when they realized he’d make the team, huh?
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semin used to wear 31, 32, 28 in Russia. Some guy had 32 retired so maybe it took him awhile to decide on what to wear?
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’d be a trip, seeing him wear 32.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I remember right, Ovechkin wore 32 in Russia as well.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Jun 18, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correct
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some mystical meaning for the number 32 in Russia?
by gfcaps fan on Jun 18, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re on a roll. Maybe you can be the official Rink Sweater Number Czar?
by Scott in Shaw on Jun 18, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe JP’s intern and I can bring him coffee and pictures.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has the intern been released from Kramerica Industries yet?
by Bald Pollack on Jun 18, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Helllloooooooo
Hahaha! That one took me a second to get.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kramerica is no more. Forget about Kramerica.
by Moonage Daydream on Jun 18, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Answering Pepper’s questions, sure, for a slightly modest increase (<600k), and I’d guess that even with the other D being resigned, he’d still be valuable in Hershey.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 18, 2009 7:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
8
He was certainly better than I thought he was…
…and we’ll always have Calgary
by wittcap79 on Jun 18, 2009 7:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
(Must… resist… urge to comment on the ensuing power play…)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks JP…I just threw up in my mouth.
by wittcap79 on Jun 18, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry. I loved the hit, hated the crap that immediately followed it, and was sickened by the fact that the Caps were handed a 9-minute PP on which they didn’t score. It’s hard for me to separate the three.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well it was easy for me, until you piped up.
by wittcap79 on Jun 18, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t forget Nyls’ patented “Momentum Halting Holding Penalty” during the middle of that PP.
That may have been the beginning of his end (save for the Montreal GWG)
by Cluster on Jun 18, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that was a killer.
The Caps also took eight consecutive penalties in that game, if I recall correctly.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, the fact that the Caps PP stunk that night wasn’t Sloan’s fault at all. He handed them a golden opportunity, gift-boxed, to put the game away, and they dropped the ball. Not his fault at all.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jun 18, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who said it was his fault?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, just pointing it out since this is his thread :)
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jun 18, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Caps also were kinda stinky the night Sloan scored his goal.
There was no need for that game to go to OT. That was a night the undisciplined Caps showed up – playing down to the level the Stars were playing. “Defensive-defenseman” Sloan scores an up-ice alley-oop from 5 feet out. I remember my disbelief that he was all the way up there thinking maybe I needed to re-assess his game. But I happily cheered just the same.
by Icebat on Jun 18, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for bringing up Sloan the band. You inspired me to break out the 1994 mega-smash album Twice Removed. What? it wasn’t mega-smash? Damned Canadian radio in my youth…
Rockin' the Red in Section 412
by boutros23 on Jun 18, 2009 8:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Having no expectations, the kid exceeded them, but you could see near the end of his stint up here that it was time for him to go back to Hershey. He’d be great to resign and keep in Choco-town, but there’s no room on our d-line for him this season barring injuries.
by FFSEnough on Jun 18, 2009 8:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tough one to score based on our expectations-guided system, but I’d throw out there that our expectations can be informed by the fact that he was called up (i.e. he wouldn’t have been called up if he couldn’t at least play a little), so I got the high end of what I expected from that point on… and a 6.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 8:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And don’t forget that Bruce Boudreau told us all the way back in August that “[W]e like Tyler Sloan a lot.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was super happy with Sloan this season. If he can develop into a real NHL player, he’s exactly the sort of player the Caps need, as a counterweight to Green.
by jakeshapiro on Jun 18, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He’s 28. I tend to doubt that there’s much “developing” left in Sloan. More likely, he is what he is.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More likely, he is what he is.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s illegitimate kid?
/watches too many movies
//not proud of it
by Bald Pollack on Jun 18, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point. You don’t think you could ever see him in a Caps jersey full-time though?
by jakeshapiro on Jun 18, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would hope that the Caps never become so depleted that we would need him here full-time. 10-15 games, if necessary, alright, but no more.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t. He’s about ninth on the team’s depth chart at the position right now, and some guys should be jumping over him soon.
by David M. Getz on Jun 18, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Off-topic, but love the avatar. Great record.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jun 18, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So this is going to be another one of those pun-filled days, eh?
by David M. Getz on Jun 18, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I *D*unno how *M*uch honest-to-*G*od analysis can be discussed over Tyler Sloan. Obviously, we all know the rest of us, so we could probably garner record posts, but I don’t know if we’d want to.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
damn formatting. I thought that was going to look pretty cool with your name all bold like that. oh well.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gave him a 10, since I had precisely zero expectations for him to make a material contribution at the NHL level. He turned out to prove himself as a competent 5/6/7 D-man or injury call-up and seems like a great fit to keep in the system.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jun 18, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A throwaway 10
My expectations were for him to play in Hershey all season and get lit up like a pinball machine in The Show in the unhappy event that events required him to play in Washington. He was a tolerable fill in.
Don’t care if he stays or if he goes, as his ceiling is organizational filler.
by fat_daddyo on Jun 18, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
These are the kind of guys you need in the minors, one’s that can be recalled and contribute effectively. It was a good signing.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 18, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought Sloan was great for a little while and he really could have been much worse.
In the playoffs I was pulling my hair out every time he was on the ice though. I think it was more just happenstance that he wasn’t scored on. I agree that we probably would have been better with him out there more than Green.
He gets an 8 since I had no expectations from him and I think he made good use of his time with the big club. Monster hit? Check. Goal? Check. Playoff Game? Check.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 9:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In the playoffs I was pulling my hair out every time he was on the ice though. I think it was more just happenstance that he wasn’t scored on. I agree that we probably would have been better with him out there more than Green.
In hindsight I wish the team would have gone with seven defensemen and (virtually) only used Green in powerplay situations. Beagle was only playing 2-4 minutes a night in that Penguins series and I have to think dressing Sloan in order to take pressure of Green would have done the team a lot more good than playing Green 22+ minutes a night and using a sweater on Beagle.
by David M. Getz on Jun 18, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes that would have been very smart. When the Pens started doing that with Gonchar I thought to myself, “Self, why aren’t the Caps doing that?”
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is my first time to post and the very thing you have just brought up was the reason I signed up, but was somewhat tentative about bringing it up that the Caps should be going with seven D as no one seemed to mention it before. I was thinking the same thing that they were only playing Beagle sparingly so why not just use an extra D since we were so beleaguered in our zone.
by cwmprthd on Jun 18, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the site. You play roller hockey around Frederick? I’ve probably played against you. Except now I only place ice in Frederick since the roller is converted. Have to play inline in Laurel\Dulles\Chantilly.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In hindsight I wish the team would have gone with seven defensemen and (virtually) only used Green in powerplay situations.
Slightly related, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them break camp with seven in back.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 18, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you say “powerplay”? Could have just sat him out then.
by gfcaps fan on Jun 18, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much it for me too. Didn’t expect a thing and played very well for that. An 8.
Also think he is one of the reasons we will see a trade from GMGM this offseason. He would be fine depth on our blue line as a 5/6/7 guy, or a guy who could start in Hershey and come up as necessary if one of the rookies (Alzner, possibly but hope not yet Carlson) struggle. His being in the organization allows for McPhee to package a couple guys up from our defensive depth to try to land a guy to help us out at 2nd line C or RW.
by HateOffSeason on Jun 18, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure I see that because in an ideal situation I don’t think Sloan ever dresses for the Capitals next season. In my opinion I think the only guy he might make expendable is Lepsito.
by David M. Getz on Jun 18, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IDEAL SITUATION!!!! AND YOU ARE A CAPS FAN???!!!!!
Just kidding. I could see him as a 7 guy, most of the time in the pressbox, but giving some rest to other guys and stepping up in injury situations. I’m not sure he outplays anyone currently on the team, but if someone gets traded, I’m not scared of seeing him in a sweater.
by HateOffSeason on Jun 18, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
An 8
I had no expectations of him in the NHL (at the AHL, I did, I figured he’d be veteran leadership in Hershey, and he definitely did that…)
He played effectively when he was in the line up here in DC. He didn’t make too many mistakes and he certainly didn’t embarass himself. And when was the last time anyone in the NHL drew a 9 minute penalty from an opponent? (That the Caps forgot to score on the 9 minute PP is another issue…)
I’d resign him, if possible, to keep around as a 7th D/veteran leader in Hershey, but I suspect someone out there might want him as their regular 5th or 6th D-man, in which case, he should take them up on it. Colorado would be a good fit for him, I suspect.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Jun 18, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s a shame to see his obvious exceptional skating ability hindered by suspect decision making. He’s a tremendous skater.
by S h a g g y on Jun 18, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Washington Capitals organization already made the decision. Tyler Sloan was re-signed to a one year, two-way contract for 2009-10.
And I think it was a good decision.
I agree about the playoff playing time, I still don’t understand the line-up and ice time decisions made by the coaching staff for the last few games. The post-season comments about dmen health/injuries hasn’t changed my mind that there were some strange decisions made in not dressing a 7th dman for those games given Sloan was available and the ice time given to Beagle.
by sk84fun_dc on Jun 18, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
do you have a link confirming this? (please say you do!!)
by RedBirdie on Jun 18, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
another good signing (pending confirm) by GMGM.
Aside from the King, he’s the best callup on the blueline we had all year.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s confirmed – Sloan is under contract for next season.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 18, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t have one yet, but Corey Masisak is tweeting it.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jun 18, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tarik has it up now, along with Collins signing for 2 years
by RedBirdie on Jun 18, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, sorry – my link was me after getting confirmation from the team.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 19, 2009 6:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ZERO expectations
1) Gave him a 10 because had ZERO expectations and filled in OK during his time in DC.
2) To get another 10 he’d have to again play 25+ games. (That wouldn’t be a good thing if you’re a Caps supporter!)
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Jun 18, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As a ridiculously proud Empress for Life of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club, I grant him a 10.
Of course, now I have slightly higher expectations for next season…
by RedBirdie on Jun 18, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
because I occasionally like to let gut feeling run wild and tell my rational, fact obsessed side to shut up. That, and I respect a guy who clawed his way up the hockey ranks for years before getting his shot.
Like I said, I have different expectations for him next year. But this year? Hey, the guy is living the dram, giving us a highlight hit, and getting a point against the Pens in the playoffs.
by RedBirdie on Jun 18, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool, just wondering. Empress for life of a TS89 (is that a terminator model?) fan club is quite a title to bestow on yourself.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m thinking very highly of myself today. After my boss yells at me for slacking, I’m sure I’ll be reduced to “Slacker for Life”
by RedBirdie on Jun 18, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you can have the empress for life title. His Mom might be the only one that fights you for it =]
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gave him a 10 ...
because, as a new call-up, he performed very well and proved he could play at the NHL level (as both Boudreau & McPhee said). He didn’t make any more errors than other Caps, but people were watching for mistakes because he was a call-up. I thought he was more physical than most of the D, and certainly more than Alzner. An undiagnosed broken rib part way through his stint could have been the reason he let up a bit in this regard towards the end. He was a +15 in Calder Cup Playoffs, playing against the opposition’s top lines (record I believe), and was not scored on once 5 on 5. I expect far more from D who start with the team & play all season with the same players than I do from a call-up … so I was pleasantly surprised. Thought he should have played more than 2 games against Pitts. in the playoffs as he was healthy & did well in both games — certainly better than a few of the Caps D. It’s not a matter of him signing or not signing a contract with Wash. for 2009-2010 … as that happened months ago; however there has to be room for him in Wash. & he has to perform at camp to get the thumbs up. I’d be happy to see him get the chance to really prove himself.
by FORTUNA on Jun 18, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’d somehow never heard of Tyler Sloan, and when he was called up I was angry about calling up what I thought at the time was an ECHLer. I was expecting him to be garbage. Those expectations changed fast, but this is another “Giroux” kind of guy, who stays in the AHL, pops up when injuries require it, but hopefully knows his place on the depth chart.
He got an 8, because I didn’t expect anything but a body, and he went well and beyond that.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Jun 18, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In the cap era, we are going to need guys like Sloan, who play for close to minimum dollars yet give you more bang for your buck than say, Morrison at $1.9 mil.
And I agree with all those on this board who suggest that he should have played more versus Pens, especially with Green looking like the guy who had just been called up from AHL. The organization really needs to look at how they handled the whole call up / Beagle/ hurt Dmen situation. Looking back it’s easy to second guess, but id rather have 2-3 healthy ahl d men playing than obviously hurt, not playing anywhere near the level of the regular season, first teamers’.
Im glad we have Sloan to provide call up depth, but I would never be worried if he had to play for an extended period.
Gave him an 8.
by Direction 87 on Jun 18, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
But regardless of cap space, salary, and available talent: I want to see Hershey guys up in DC temporarily displacing physically healthy veterans and giving their all on a very regular basis. Not just when starters are hurt.
by Icebat on Jun 18, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why should veterans that are healthy get displaced because some greenhorn wants his shot in the show? The injuries are bound to happen, let the guys get their shot then. A charity system is ridiculous. If the person is good enough to be on the big club they’ll show it in training camp or when they get a legitimate shot.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I definitely agree the charity system is ridiculous. Just because you’re a “starter” doesn’t mean you keep your seat at the table no matter how crappy you’re playing.
by Icebat on Jun 18, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
remember that there’s a limited number of roster spots available and the salary cap. If 4 regular guys are playing like crap, its not quite so simple as “bench ’em and call in the Bears!”
by RedBirdie on Jun 18, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, true dat too.
Establishing the threat that this can happen- early- should theoretically mean less need later, or the potential more seemingly likely.
- I’d be the first to say I’m not an NHL coach (but I do have some small hockey coaching exp- little enough for it to be fairly weightless)
- My school of thought would create an uncomfortableness in borderline starters which would probably make a couple perform worse/not fit, which some could reasonably argue against
I prefer knowing I have players on my team that will respond well to pressure given the Finals tends to make some players a bit uncomfortable. But if we’re not going there lets all just have a good time
:)
by Icebat on Jun 18, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry you didn’t specify that and said on a very regular basis. Paints an odd picture. Hopefully we don’t have any veterans under performing this coming season.
by zephyr on Jun 18, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts are often formed better than my written sentences. I know I tend to not quite draw the line as clearly between A and B as I’d like.
by Icebat on Jun 18, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think this brings up an interesting point. One of my criticisms of Bruce is that his otherwise-superb player’s coach mentality sometimes gets in the way of sitting a guy who is struggling, and bringing up some hungry dog from Hershey for a night or two. I ‘d like to see him send a message via the pressbox more often next year and beyond, and count me among those who won’t be too upset to see Flash someone get Wally Pipped by a current Bear.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 18, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I think Flash got a bum rap this season. Pneumonia will do that to you.
2008-2009: 73 GP, 19 G, 18 A, 20 PIM
2007-2008: 75 GP, 10 G, 20 A, 18 PIM
2006-2007: 29 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PIM
2005-2006: 14 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PIM
He’s improved over the 2007-2008 season, even playing fewer games and dropping 30 pounds to pneumonia. I’m not worried about Flash as a player. I think he’ll kick butt next year!
by IRockTheRed on Jun 18, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thirty pounds? I know the guy was sick but I seriously doubt he was ever in the 155 range.
by David M. Getz on Jun 18, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
pneumonia is brutal. You end up losing muscle mass real quick.
by RedBirdie on Jun 18, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don’t know if Flash dropped 30 pounds but I’m sure he lost some weight. He admits he lost some strength as a result of the illness. There have been rumors on the internet that he had mono. Would not be surprised at that. The Caps played Columbus around the time Steve Mason had just come down with mono but before it was announced. (He had been suffering for 3-4 weeks, a time frame that included the Caps game.) And then the Caps played the Bruins soon after Phil Kessel was diagnosed. Green apparently had mono, since late March. (At least that was the first report of Green being sick.)
by CapsFan75 on Jun 18, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pneumonia and then mono? Poor flash!
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Jun 19, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gave him a 10.
I didn’t have very high expectations and he did quite well when he was called up.
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Jun 19, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
59 | 41 | 12 | 6 | 88 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
57 | 25 | 21 | 11 | 61 |
|
Atlanta
|
57 | 25 | 24 | 8 | 58 |
|
Florida
|
58 | 24 | 25 | 9 | 57 |
|
Carolina
|
58 | 21 | 30 | 7 | 49 |
(updated 2.9.2010 at 4:15 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2010 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.
