Fan Forum Thoughts from Caps brass.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 20, 2009 5:03 PM EDT
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Random notes from a STH teleconference earlier today with Bruce Boudreau and George McPhee, listed for page view's sake:
On the # 1 goaltender: "Varly's got to prove it again to me...Varly & Neuvy have to prove they want to knock (Theo) off" (BB)
On John Carlson: "Gonna be a really good player...will contend for a job this year." (BB)
On Joe Finley at forward: Based on organizational depth in the position, "we're toying with the idea right now..to find what the best fit for him is." (BB)
On Brent Johnson: "Probably not returning..." (GM)
On Bob Woods: "He coached Mike Green and Jeff Schultz when I was there (in Hershey) and they're comfortable with him." (BB)
On the hate of Jeff Schultz, and whether fans are too rough on him: "I think they ARE rough on him...He's a top 4 defenseman for us...Makes the right play at the right time. Doesn't hit, but gets in people's way...Doesn't do it with pizzazz, they should cut him some slack." (BB) "He's ahead of schedule as far as we're concerned...takes about 300 games for an NHL defenseman to be comfortable...Jeff's a smart player." (GM)
On the team overcoming adversity, playoff deficits, etc...: "I don't think anything scares us now." (BB)
On what's encouraging for this year: "The ability to win the games against the big teams in their building." (BB) "We're pleased with how this team is progressing." (GM)
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
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I forgot about it, until I got a phone call that put me onto the bridge automatically. Nice touch.
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 20, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I was busy from 4-4:30, figured it would be over by then. How long did it last?
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 20, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
It went until 5.
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 20, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for posting. I didn’t get back to my desk until a little after 4:00, so I had to call in. And then I kept getting distracted by someone coming in and out of the room.
For the most part it sounded like they screened the calls well enough to avoid shouting matches and the like, but a couple of stupid questions did get through. It’s a nice gesture to do something like this, but you know there’s only so much they’re really going to say publicly about many subjects.
George and Bruce’s staunch defense of Schultz was music to my ears. If they said it once, they said it a dozen times that the fans need to back off the criticism of Jeff. George was particularly vocal about how young Jeff is and how good he can be. Nice to hear.
Mine too. I was all THANK YOU NOW BACK OFF CI.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
CI’s not the only batch of people who dislike the guy. I don’t see a top-4 guy in him yet.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Hmm. If BB and GMGM do and you don’t … well.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
How many people on CI do you think are STHs?
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 21, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
George was particularly vocal about how young Jeff is and how good he can be
It really showed in the checkbook… by giving him that nice QO instead of a decent contract ……ha!
They signed schultz for 1-yr at like 715k or something right? I’d think if they were that confident with him, they’d have signed him for a few years rather than 1yr / 715k right? it was more sarcasm than anything.
Why pay anyone more than you have to? If Schultz wanted to play ball and sign for longer he would have rather than accepting the QO.
I think if anything, Schultz did not want a longer deal based on this past season. In his mind he’s going to earn the big(er) contract this coming year.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Thanks for posting – I was going to post as well, but here’s what else I got:
Giroux changed agents, but they’re still trying to sign him – sounds like they’re doing some relationship building there. We’ll see what happens.
McPhee was not a fan of the officiating in the Penguins series. I was in the car so didn’t write down the quote, but it was something about how there’s one element that’s out of your control, and that’s the officiating, and that some teams advance because they get the breaks.
BB on winning: “if you always believe you can win, you’re ahead of the game”
On Feds, it sounded like the parting was pretty much respect-filled on both sides, but mutual. BB said he was “one of my favorites” and GMGM said “we squeezed everything we could out of him”.
Mike Green is 100% healthy and raring to go, per Boudreau.
On Baby Gus, BB’s comments sounded like he simply didn’t have enough to go on rather than him being lukewarm. He did say that he was “surprised by how big and strong he was”.
On Joe Finley: “for a really big guy, he can skate”, and “We know he can play both defense and forward, we’re just trying to find the best fit for him.” (BB) Sounds like they’re still toying with the idea but that initial returns on Finley at forward are pretty good. And I have to admit that he’s right, a 6’7" guy on the forecheck is pretty darned intimidating.
On who’s going to fill the experience role – some of the names they listed included Knuble, Morrison, Ovechkin, and Clark. They also said that all the guys are getting experience.
On free agent invites who really impressed: Evander Sheen (agree), Reid Edmondson (absolutely agree, he was awesome), and Meyer? All three guys “retain stuff”, “can skate”, and “go after loose pucks”.
Oh, and a loose comment from McPhee: “We have room to do a couple more things” when talking about the offseason. Wonder what that means.
It was a really, really good call – there’s a limit on what they’re going to say publicly of course, but their positions were pretty clear, and consistent with what they’ve said in the past.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 20, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
A quick addenda to Fedorov , McPhee mentioned that he got a call from him last week, thanking him again for the time in town. Class move.
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 20, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if Fedorov will ever consider coming back to coach in the Caps org. Sounds like both sides really respect each other, and Feds was very open about how much he loved the city itself.
I think he might be interested in a role in the future, after his playing days are done and his financials are squared away. Largely, Feds has lived in America his whole adult life and his parents spend a lot of time in Florida. I think he likes the lifestyle and the weather in North America more. My guess is, if he were to stay in the game after retirement, a team like Caps, with a healthy Russian influence, would be appealing.
by NHL Observer on Aug 1, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
man i hope mike green is ready to go. many people last year said he needed to bulk up. imagine if all the caps young guns could go 100% during the playoffs. scary stuff, especially since this could be the last year we have them all.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 20, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
What has you worried? Who do you see as potentially leaving? Caps are in a pretty good salary cap position. I don’t see them as having to let any of the Young Guns go next offseason for money reasons at least.
by Gould Old Days on Jul 20, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
you have no worries at all of semin leaving or being moved?
by hockeyman33 on Jul 20, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
mm with backstrom needing to be locked up too, it could be tight. especially if they both have high asking prices. GMGM could probably fit them both in money wise, so you’re right there. but semin still might not be around by 2010-2011 season as much as i would like to see him stay.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 20, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Theo and Pothier come off the books next offseason, and Nylander probably joins them (his NMC runs out). I’m just not that worried about whether Backstrom and Semin will fit in under the cap.
by Gould Old Days on Jul 20, 2009 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
But the cap is also going to drop, and if the drop is as dramatic as they’re saying it might be, losing Nylander and Pothier does nothing for us.
I’ve decided for myself that I’m not going to speculate about it. Borrowing trouble has a ridiculous interest rate, and if the cap drops that much, players of all stripes will take smaller salaries than they otherwise might to stay employed.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
This year they said little to no increase if not small drop. Next year was always going to be the “dramatic” drop.
Actually, the only reason the cap didn’t drop was because the union voted to activate a 5% escalator. Otherwise, the cap probably would have dropped a couple of million. At least, that’s my understanding.
It may have dropped a little but brs03 is right. Next year was always supposed to be the dramatic drop. Season Tix for the 08-09 season were already mostly paid for when the economy went down so the revenues didn’t take a hit as much as people expected. This spring teams had to try to re-up the STHs and are expected to have a tougher time (I haven’t seen the numbers yet but that’s the expectation).
The problem is, even if we can make it work next year it’s gonna be really hard to keep it working in the future. Suppose semin and backstrom combine to get around 10-11 mil…add in the 15 mil currently being paid to Ovie and Greener and you are talking about 25-26 mil for 4 players, leaving you roughly the same amount for the entire rest of the roster. It’ll be tough to balance over the long haul as guys come off their entry level contracts.
I don’t think it’s that uncommon for a team’s top 6 or so players to make half of the team’s salary.
Next year is a bit tight (though manageable). After that, the Caps are in hog heaven. They have only two players signed for 11/12: Ovechkin and Green. It’s hard to quibble with either contract. The team is in great shape to make the right deal with the right player, as McPhee always says. Now actually doing that is the hard part…
by Gould Old Days on Jul 21, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with this, most teams are pretty top heavy on their salaries. I have thought about it a lot, and researched very little, and come to the conclusion that you can spend between 1/2 and 2/3 of your cap on 6-7 core guys and fill in the rest with ELCs and veteran journeymen. The Caps have some great core guys to lock up and the depth of the organization should keep the ELCs coming for several years.
Green is in “incredible shape,” according to his coach.
Along those same lines, much love and respect to BB for his recollection. Along the lines of the team question and winning the games against big teams (with McPhee noting the losses against the shite ones as well), BB recalled how well the team played in the Detroit game, with the stipulation that Holmstrom was out that game. Aside from the fact that he’s right, it’s even clearer to me that the way he conducts himself in front of the cameras vs. the room (or in more candid moments) is self-orchestrated.
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 20, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Did no one ask about when Fehr will be ready to go?
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 21, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
The fan comment that made me giggle was from the guy that asked if the Caps have a special ceremony planned to “wash the Flyers” off Mike Knuble.
Rockin' the Red in Section 412
OMG, I about died laughing. Fluff question but worth it for the good laugh.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Thanks, BP and sparkly for relaying the 411 – rec’d in a big way.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
awesome. Is it supposed to be posted to the Caps site?
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 20, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Want a ride on a roller coaster?
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 20, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Nyls and Morrison
Unless I missed it, there was not one question about Nyls. Has he simply become that irrelevant or has he become that big elephant in the room that everyone wants to avoid?
At my son’s hockey practice today, one of the other fathers was preparing me for the big disappointment that is BMo. JP’s earlier post and its attendant warnings came flooding back to me.
This guy has followed BMo’s career mostly because they knew each other growing up in Vancouver and playing together. The guy is now a very successful businessman, very hockey smart and I got the impression that it was not sour grapes about paths not taken. Anyway, it was not what I wanted to hear.
You can't reason someone out of something they weren't reasoned into.
You were just ahead of me on the Nyls part.
And for $1.5mil, BMo cant be too much of a disappointment.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 20, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, given the money they have and the options available, BMo was a good acquisition..if the Caps’ chance for success rested on his shoulders, I’d be worried, but I don’t believe it does. If he is healthy and is able to contribute, it will be well worth the $1.5mil price tag; if not, at least he’s not costing too much money.
I actually thought that they may have been screening questions to ensure “no Nylander questions” were asked…if that is even possible. Still, it would have been a wasted question—we all know they’d like to unload him (and more importantly his cap hit), but with Dale Tallon no longer in charge of making deals in the NHL, it’s probably never gonna happen. I’m pretty sure GMGM and Gabby would have had to taken high road if asked, however, I would have expected a response similar to…
“Both he [Nyls] and the team were disappointed by his performance last year, but he’ll be back at camp and competing for a job with everyone this year, and hopefully will be able to compete at a high level this season.”
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jul 20, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
that would be a good way to keep things positive and make the organization looke better.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 20, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t worry too much about the BMo deal. If he stinks, so what? All the Caps will have lost is one year and $1.5 million. And if they need the cap room come the trade deadline, they can always waive him. That’s about as risk-free a deal as you’re going to find.
Honestly we’re not even asking that much from the guy – I agree. And it’s not as if someone like Boyd Gordon is going to step in and take his job.. we’re thin at center.
Honestly, put anyone that can shoot and pass consistently next to Semin, and they’ll probably get 50-60 points.
so, what did he say? I’ve not heard a knock on him other than the well discussed injuries.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jul 21, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
That he is soft on puck and falls over if you blow too hard on him. That he is a small guy who always relied on speed and he was not able to make anything happen without it. That his injuries have robbed him of his speed and that his compete level was very questionable.
And my friend is ecstatic that Vancouver drafted Jordan Schroeder so it isn’t like he has a bias against smaller speed guys. He predicted that the Caps will prefer Nyls over BMo in rather short order. There’s only one scenario under which that would be a good thing.
You can't reason someone out of something they weren't reasoned into.
Interesting stuff. You’d think his compete level will be as high as it gets this year, as the guy is playing for his career. If the guy can skate in straight lines, I am pretty sure the Caps are never going to prefer Nyls over him (and if they do, BMo won’t be around long).
I’m cautiously optimistic about BMo, but as others have said, even if he flops there’s virtually no downside, and there are lots of reasons to think he will succeed.
He predicted that the Caps will prefer Nyls over BMo in rather short order.
and thus ends his consideration as a credible source.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
That he is soft on puck and falls over if you blow too hard on him. That he is a small guy who always relied on speed and he was not able to make anything happen without it. That his injuries have robbed him of his speed and that his compete level was very questionable.
Sounds a lot like Teemu Selanne for the 2-3 seasons before the lockout. Then Selanne fixed his knees. If BMos legs are back he’ll be a completely different player. We’ll see.
I was not able to participate due to work, but they screened the questions for the call according to posters on message boards. Some said they submitted a question but were not picked. That maybe why there was no questions about Nyls.
Does it really count as “screening questions” if you get many more questions than you can possibly address in the allotted time, so you choose a set that are well worded and that don’t all cover the same topic?
by Gould Old Days on Jul 24, 2009 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions
direct link to the mp3 here.
Rockin' the Red in Section 412
by boutros23 on Jul 21, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
awesome thanks!
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 21, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
54 | 26 | 17 | 11 | 63 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
54 | 24 | 24 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.12.2012 at 8:46 AM EST)
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