Japers' Rink: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Fedor vs Rogers Results and Live Coverage

"One thing that happened for sure with the tough guys is their salaries have gone down because people don’t want to spend as much on them because they need the money for more talent. The next step is, do we really need it at all, or should we take a page from Detroit’s book and just throw as much talent at this other team as we can. If people want to screw around, then you beat them up on your power play if you have a good power play."

- George McPhee on tough guys

4 months ago Jp_avatar_2_tiny J.P. 24 comments 0 recs  | 

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from Japers' Rink

Capitals Ten Game Review

Oct 2009 by Stephen Pepper - 29 comments

The Wake-up Shake-up

Oct 2009 by J.P. - 417 comments

Recap: Rangers 3, Capitals 2

Sep 2009 by J.P. - 92 comments

Comments

Display:

Define "tough guy"

So who/what is a tough guy these days? Is GM referring to Brashear? Sure, we don’t need him anymore. Enforcers are going the way of the dinosaur.

We do need tough guys that will go to the front of the net and into the corners and come out minus a tooth but plus 1 on the score sheet. Detroit has quite a few of those types of players, we don’t. Plus they have the D that can take an average goalie to the Cup finals, we don’t.

I was reading through the final list of GM’s draft picks and it looks like we won’t be filling either void any time soon with any of our draft picks.

Now that Bouwmeester has gone to Calgary, I don’t see us making any moves via free agency either. Hopefully our new coach can help out our D and we can use what we have in house to make us tougher.

by CleartheTrackherecomesShack on Jun 27, 2009 5:40 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Now that Bouwmeester has gone to Calgary, I don’t see us making any moves via free agency either. Hopefully our new coach can help out our D and we can use what we have in house to make us tougher.

I’d be pretty surprised if J-Bo doesn’t hit the free agent market anyway, but I don’t think his status affects the Caps. They have enough defensemen as it is, they have big needs up front, and that six million is way more than they can afford for one player.

by David M. Getz on Jun 27, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So, the Caps are getting out of the tough game? I’m assuming he means enforcers. Lucic is a tough guy, and he scores in bunches. As for Backstrom, is he suddenly feared? Before Brashear, the Caps needed someone who could protect the young guys. Now, according to McPhee, they don’t need the protection anymore. I think we’ll know by the end of next season.

by Hunky Dory on Jun 27, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mcphee was talking about Brashear and enforcers.

by B19 on Jun 27, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

we can’t let ovi be our physical presence
we need another forechecking punisher

by Icebat on Jun 27, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I take those comments to mean that Brashear won’t be resigned. I agree we need more punishing checkers and forecheckers than just Ovechkin but I think we get that with Jurcina, Laich, Gordon and Bradley. I also think if he makes the roster this season Osala will be a puinishing checker when he wants and needs to be and Backstrom holds his own. The only guy who seems to be a magnet for cheap shots is Semin and if he learns not to retaliate and instead hurts others on the power play more often than not then what McPhee makes sense.

by markbona-capsfan99 on Jun 27, 2009 8:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think I’d rather have several guys who will stick up for their teammates and get involved in the shoving matches and deliver punishing checks than a single really good enforcer, because of the instigator rule. Brashear’s problem is that he’s so good that a lot of guys won’t go with him, and he’s hamstrung.

I’m okay with this.

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

by gotsparkly on Jun 27, 2009 8:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree with you on that. I think Brads and Erskine will drop ‘em if need be, and all of the guys will stick up for their teammates if liberties are being taken. The team seems so tight that they’re not going to let anyone get away with much. At this point, I’m a little more concerned about replacing Kozlov and Fedorov on the top two lines than getting/keeping an enforcer.

by letsgocaps on Jun 27, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Truth be told, I’d like to see a pest on this team, someone in the mold of Jarkko Ruutu or Stefan Della Rovere. Steve Pinizzotto plays that role in Hershey, and I’m curious to see what he could do with the big club.

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

by gotsparkly on Jun 27, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

THe thing is, the Caps need a pest that can contribute offensively, and not be a defensive liability. Those guys are rare. Avery is the best of that bunch, I think.

I appreciate Erskine and Bradley’s willingness to fight; I just wish we had someone that could win a fight, with Brashear gone.

by Hunky Dory on Jun 27, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

HAY U GAIZ LETS TRADE 4 AVERY

</caps message board>

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

by gotsparkly on Jun 27, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Avery is a pretty decent hockey player, once you get past the crap.

I don’t think a Della Rovere is ever going to be that class of player, but there is a pretty good parallel — another OHL graduate, played some in the ECHL before moving up, about the same size, and a pest who isn’t shy about being a pest.

Daniel Carcillo.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Jun 28, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well then we don’t even need to venture too far for that if we’ve got two guys already. I haven’t really watched either play so I don’t know if they can do decent offensively, or if they’re liabilities. Avery, yeah; all you ever hear is something to the extent of, “He could be such a good player, but he just worries about chirping at everyone.” Della Rovere played in juniors this year right? So you could bring Pinizzotto up and put Della Rovere in Hershey. Don’t know if that’s exactly what GMGM would consider, but it would be pretty awesome to just see some guy chirping away. He could get into a talking match with Crosby.

by letsgocaps on Jun 27, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Delly can’t go to Hershey, he has to go back to Barrie or else play in the NHL.

Bruess sounds like he might be able to play something similar to what Pinner does though, so if something happens where either of them actually can make the Caps things might stay “balanced.”

by brs03 on Jun 27, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Delly can’t go to Hershey, he has to go back to Barrie or else play in the NHL.

SDR has been in Barrie for three years and just signed an entry level deal where he even played in South Carolina this year; he’ll be in Hershey/SC next year.

by Bald Pollack on Jun 28, 2009 6:13 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He won’t be 20 by then, though, i believe. The AHL age limit was the whole issue, was it not?

by DrinkingPartner on Jun 28, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It’s my understanding/presumption the E doesn’t.

by Bald Pollack on Jun 28, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

SDR has already joined Hershey once. Doesn’t that mean he can play for them again next year?

by Gould Old Days on Jun 28, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not necessarily. He joined Hershey when his OHL team was eliminated so it was OK. He can only go to the AHL next year if he is over 20.

by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 28, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, he joined them, but I don’t think ever appeared for them. I’m assuming his path might be similar to the one Godfrey could be taking (with a promotion to the A) this year.

by Bald Pollack on Jun 28, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

His ECHL time is just as an assignment for the AHL team. He can’t play in the AHL, ergo he can’t play in the ECHL. He’ll be in Barrie.

by brs03 on Jun 28, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

To clarify...

Delly cannot play in Hershey next year.

FWIW, Carlson can (b/c he was drafted out of the USHL, not the OHL).

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

by J.P. on Jun 28, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Holtby can go to Hershey because he is old for his draft year so he’ll be 20 by the time the season starts, right?

by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 29, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah. Born one day after the 07 cutoff IINM.

by brs03 on Jun 29, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

A Washington Capitals blog from the most powerful city in the world
Start posting about the Capitals »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Ovi_interview_-_11-06-09_small
Better know your Caps prospects - meet Mackan
Young_frankenstein_small
Hockey mask not required?
Vivelelapinavatar_small
Shake up? Will it happen? Time to play GM.
Untitled_small
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of the NHLPA.
Chris_meet_alex_small
Is Lazy Play Good for a Team?
Ff1-whitemage_1__small
JRHL - Fantasy Hockey, Real Update.
Ovi_interview_-_11-06-09_small
Ovechkin Injury Updates: Now Listed Week-to-Week
Ovi_interview_-_11-06-09_small
Gabby: Confessions of a Book Reviewer
Hobbes-sombrero_small
If it happens in the NBA, it could certainly be happening in the NHL
Tottlogo_small
Cost of Replacing Ovechkin

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

My wife carved this into our pumpkin!

Recent FanShots

NHL.com article on D.C. as a hockey town
Washington puts Michael Nylander on waivers.
Rangers and Canucks brawl from yesterday. Kesler gets jumped by four Rangers, and a scrum ensues. O'Brien pokes Avery. Good stuff.

And listen at 2:30 for some good swearing between Hordichuk and Avery.
Brendan Morrison, Survivorman!
 

You may recall that after signing with the Caps this summer but before reporting to training camp in September, BMo took a trip to the Canadian wilderness for charity. 
 


Despite the "mosquitos as big as seagulls", the participants all survived and emerged from the woods to a tasty homestyle Hornpayne feast.
 



And now, we have video.
 



There's a lot more Brad May and Kris King than #9 in this clip, but we get a little flavor of how the Caps' second line center spent his summer vacation.
Just wanted to share a shot of the action on Sunday night, including Shaone Morrisonn vs. Jason Chimera on the left.
Hockey OT
In the NFL, success isn't about pep talks or similar salary structures....
Restricted Free Agents, Class of November 2009
Swedish TV channel SVT2 came to the Phonebooth for a visit with native son Nicky Backstrom
"When Don Cherry predicted Ovi would be taken out by someone he hit...

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

Southeast Standings

GP W L OTL PT
Washington 16 9 3 4 22
Tampa Bay 14 5 4 5 15
Atlanta 12 6 5 1 13
Florida 14 5 8 1 11
Carolina 15 2 10 3 7

(updated 11.7.2009 at 9:10 AM EST)

More great SB Nation Blogs

Baseball

Football

Basketball

College

Hockey

Soccer

Combat Sports

Golf

General


Managing Editor

Jp_avatar_2_small J.P.

Brothers (and Sister) in Arms

Witt_small David M. Getz

6green_stecks_gordo__2__small CapsChick

Region_capture_small Stephen Pepper

Cunning Linguist

Ov_avatar_small tuvanhillbilly

Relatively Silent Partner

Img_1353_small kpb