Brent Johnson signs with Pittsburgh
"The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins have signed goaltender Brent Johnson to a one-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero." - Penguins.com (h/t @mirtle)
4 months ago
J.P.
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Well, there goes the “trade Theo, Varly start, BJ backup” dreams some (message boarders) had.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jul 21, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not on the Internet! hurr hurr
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jul 21, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
trade nylander and theodore for BJ!!!
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Schultz for Scuderi and a First!! Then send the First and Nylander to Chicago for Kane! Worked in NHL 09!!!!
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jul 21, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dave tallon chicago would have taken nylander for kane and toews.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just said to someone, wonder where Johnson is going… and then clicked to Japers to see this. Ugh.
Rockin' the Red in Section 412
by boutros23 on Jul 21, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been expecting this for what feels like weeks, but hoped it wouldn’t happen. Pittsburgh close to DC and family.
by gfcaps fan on Jul 21, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sad to see BJ go, especially to Pitt. But it’s a good situation for him, and he’s a class guy. I wish him (and only him) the best.
by grapejoos on Jul 21, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Pit only wins games that BJ plays. but he only plays 15 games.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and none of those 15 games are against the Caps.
by RedBirdie on Jul 21, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
all against other conference leaders. boston, philly, nj. ect
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Man, I’ve been worried that this was going to happen all offseason. Of all the places he could go, it had to be the Pens. Ugh.
Although, truthfully speaking, “all the places he could go” entails, what, 2 NHL teams maybe?
I hate to say it, but I hope he gets waived and claimed by another team so I can root for him again.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You can’t root for a guy you like just because of the sweater he’s wearing? Isn’t that a little Seinfeldian?
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I cannot root for Brent Johnson now. Sorry.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 21, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So if the Caps traded for Sean Avery you’d be good with being all for him? If David Steckel or Brooks Laich went to the Hurricanes or to the Flyers you’d hope they’d be -30s?
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely yes. How many Packers fans are wishing Favre well with the Vikings?
You can't reason someone out of something they weren't reasoned into.
by ChrisAm on Jul 21, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a little different. Favre did not handle that situation well in GB and BJ1 was nothing but class here.
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed that BJ1 is a first class guy and that Favre has issues but I root for the Flyers, Pens and every SE Division team to lose every game they play and for ties when they play each other. If Stecks and Laich went West I wouldn’t care how they did one or the other.
You can't reason someone out of something they weren't reasoned into.
by ChrisAm on Jul 21, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the flip side,
I know a few Vikings fans who don’t want Favre because he’s old and used to be a Packer. The difference here is that BJ is just a backup. For example, we Sox fans barely noticed when last year’s backup catcher (Kevin Cash) signed with the Yankees, but were outraged when Johnny Damon (A popular star on the ‘04 team) became a Yank a few years ago. So even though I’m not happy he signed with Pitt, I don’t think we should worry too much about it from a practical point of view (sentimentally, however…)
ZING! ZANG! ZUNG!
by crabchowdah on Jul 21, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not necessarily a two-way street, and not all teams are the Pens.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hurricanes not so much. Flyers or Pens are a different story. The two teams I hate the most, and the general negative feelings towards their franchise and fan base will sour my view of a player, former cap or not.
And most of us did not like Jagr, or at the very least grew to hate him very quickly even though he was a member of the team we all support. Players don’t get a free pass, but just because someone is a former Cap doesn’t mean I’ll cheer for them forever.
I like Brent, cheered loudly for him as a Cap but I do not want to see him or the Pens do well.
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 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If Avery was here, I’d root for him to help the team win. If Stecks or Laich went to Philly, I’d hope they lost every game.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 21, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also must note the difference between personal and team success. I can root for Johnny to get 50 shutouts if they’re 50 shootout losses. Same for Laich to lose every game 16-15 with 5 hatty’s if he were a Flyer, or whatever.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can only wish him the best, but like Fredo, he’s dead to me.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jul 21, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In a semi-joking, hey happy you’ve found something that worked out now die in a fire when we play you way.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jul 21, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fredo, you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know it was you Johnson. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jul 21, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
which one of you is bill simmons?
by Natty Bumppo on Jul 21, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absurd equivalent: Mafia boss kills your brother, your son joins said mafia boss. This is a sad day, and no, you can’t support your son.
As for me, I wish the best to the guy.
by Laich on Jul 21, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not if it helps the Pens?
I can root for him to lose every game 1-0. But unless it’s helping the Caps, I’m not going to root for the Pens’ success.
Johnny signed with the enemy. Oh well.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
can’t exactly blame him though. he has been screwed over a few times here(huet and varly) and doesnt have a job in late july. he prob would accept almost any offer sheet, even if it was to the pens
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not blaming him, the market sucks and he took the only (likely) NHL job left. I’m just not rooting for him to win anymore. I hold no ill will towards him (until he dominates the Caps I’m sure).
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah can’t blame him…but don’t have to root for him.
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 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
(until he dominates the Caps I’m sure).
JINX alert! Don’t even say something like that after we got schooled in the playoffs by such future sure-fire HHOFers like… Johan Hedberg. Or Ron Tugnutt. : ]
by war_capitals on Jul 21, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not so much vs Varly. Johnson wasn’t cleared to play when Varly was called up. Rotten luck, rotten timing on getting hurt. I love the guy, but don’t wish him well playing for the enemy.
by gfcaps fan on Jul 21, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The language people use around sports teams can really be quite… bizarre. I mean, during WW2 do you think anyone referred to the St. Louis Browns as “the enemy?” FWIW, an enemy is “an armed foe; an opposing military force.” Brent Johnson is not playing for an enemy, he is playing for a rival club.
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Touchy, touchy. It’s a freaking expression.
by gfcaps fan on Jul 21, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, the Penguins are a foe, and they do have arms. So the first definition applies.
by Murshawursha on Jul 21, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, for real. They are also all wearing armor, have spiked feet, train weekly, and carry clubs. A few thousand years ago they would have been quite a task force.
by zephyr on Jul 21, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have read this and am completely comfortable referring to the Penguins as the “enemy” in that sense! I’ll even up the ante: sworn enemy.
by grapejoos on Jul 21, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But during WWII people also said things like “swell” and “golly, gee”. Chalk it up to decades of desensitization in our culture. If this was 9/12/01, different story. But it’s all about timing, and this is not a big deal.
by Cluster on Jul 21, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a bartender but I say swell on the daily…
And golly gee occasionally…
Call me an old soul I guess…
Strange as it sounds, we do own TVs in Russia - Simeon Varlamov
by JustJeff on Jul 21, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, for now he get’s a temporary “un-root” satus. I wish he and his family nothing but the best and of course no ill-will towards him personally, but yeah, as long as he (or anyone else) is playing for a rival I’m not gonna root for them. Sorry.
I hate to see Johnny go, but it seemed obvious that there isn’t too much of a place for him on this team now that the younger guys are starting to come up.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jul 21, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never once rooted for Mike Mussina while he wore a Yankees uniform, and I adored the guy.
by RedBirdie on Jul 21, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But did you cheer when his no-hitter was ruined?
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 21, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t cheer, but a little piece of my blackened heart was joyful. I sat through one of his attempted no-hitters when he was with Baltimore, and being a young, teenage girl with a crush at the time, I was devastated when it didn’t happen. So I didn’t want to see him get in in Pinstripes. I will admit, however, to feeling happy for him when he FINALLY got 20 wins, and have great respect for him just walking away from the game on his own terms, even though he could have toughed it out to 300 wins.
by RedBirdie on Jul 22, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good thing for the Pens, they needed a vet presence as a backup goalie anbd Johnny’s been fairly reliable in that role.
I wonder if the #2 spot is his or if they will let John Curry battle it out and potentially risk losing Johnson on waivers if they chose to send him down.
And, as JP likes to point out, the “NHL teammates of Alex Ovechkin/Sidney Crosby” club now grows. Johnson is the 4th guy at the table, joining such notables as Matt Cooke, Rico Fata and Kris Beech*
*Beech never actually suited up for a game at the same time as Crosby did, so even in this he gets an asterik
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is John Curry a part of a Cup-winning team? I can’t imagine the answer is ‘yes.’ Veteran experience in a backup is key. Just look at JT60. (Oh, wait……)
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marc-Andre Fleury has missed significant portions of the past two seasons with injury….As the Penguins nearly learned this season, you can’t win the Cup if you don’t make it to the playoffs.
Getting a reliable backup was a glaring hole for Pittsburgh. They just filled it.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oui, that was my backhanded point. He’s a perfect fit. I hope he’s making a bundle, too! (Sanford X 1.7, say.)
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oui, that was my backhanded point. He’s a perfect fit. I hope he’s making a bundle, too! (Sanford X 1.7, say.)
One way, one year, $525,000 I hear.
Ray Shero doesn’t play games.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Argh. Should be good value for you guys.
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 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A guy with almost 250 games of NHL experience for little more than the league minimum. The very definition of low-risk (if he gets injured)/high reward (if he doesn’t, and plays as well as he did last year before his surgery).
The media love the Penguins’ high end talent, but it’s what Shero built around it that got them a Cup. This is likely to be another example of that kind of engineering (although perhaps not the Cup part this year).
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Better not be the Cup part this year!
by gfcaps fan on Jul 21, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh man. That’s too bad. I thought Johnny was deserving of a $1Mish deal. Then again, in the current NHL, how many (true) backup goalies have seven-figure deals?
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TSN’s reporting the Johnson deal is for 2 years, 2 million total. So it looks like he is deserving.
by DZ-015 on Jul 22, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Be careful not to over-sell yourself on BJ – he’s not exactly Mr. Durable.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 21, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. The one knock on Johnny is his durability.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 21, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should be good for 25 games though….
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that’s a good point I’m going to make on Pensburgh.
In a perfect world, MAF gets ~65 starts and Johnson gets 15-17 nights of work, something he’s proved capable of, unlike past Pittsburgh goalies (coughDanySabourincough).
If Fleury pulls a groin or sprains an ankle again, the Pens don’t have to put their hopes in John Curry (3 NHL games) or Brad Thiessen (0 NHL games).
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean like the Caps putting their hopes in Simeon Varlamov after five starts….
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, nothing backhanded at the Caps was intended, I honestly was just adding the Penguins perspective. And the situations are a little different too:
Varlamov — brilliant playoff run and a former first round pick
and then you have
Curry — undrafted goalie, 3rd year pro, 150 minutes of game time in the NHL
Thiessen — undrafted goalie, pro rookie, 0 minutes in the NHL
Varly’s way more heralded and frankly more talented than Curry/Thiessen are at this point. Varlamov may have his own durability issues and is still green too, but that’s a question for you guys to debate on your own…Didn’t mean to hint or infer anything on this one.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We agree here — sorry, I’m not trying to stir the pot. I’m one of the peeps who likes it when you post here!
No, sorry, my comment was backhanded, that BJ1 is a perfect fit for PIT.
Yeah, point taken on PIT kids vs. teh WSH kid(s). And no question that there’s a talent differential. Just pointing out that signing a veteran like BJ1 is a super move when compared to risking going with rooks.
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotcha and we’re agreed. Good for Pittsburgh is Johnson can stay healthy.
Better for Pittsburgh if they only need him 15-20 times.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Curry — undrafted goalie, 3rd year pro, 150 minutes of game time in the NHL
Thiessen — undrafted goalie, pro rookie, 0 minutes in the NHL
No way Thiessen competes for an NHL spot this year, he should have stayed at NEU for his Senior season. Curry would be an interesting experiment, but just that, an experiment. All in all, signing BJ has to be viewed as a solid pick up.
by ThreePingPost on Jul 21, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, no way that Thiessen should be in the NHL this year, but if the Pens didn’t sign a vet backup and Fleury went down again, Thiessen would suddenly be #2 on the depth chart. Which really shows the need Pittsburgh had.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except that damage that’s been nagging him for, what, 5 years? has now been repaired. That might go a long way towards improving his game and his durability, assuming he’s recovered and gotten in shape of course.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn. Too bad to see him go, specially to pit. gonna suck seeing him in a gold jersey
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Awww, suck. Good for him, though, but the Pens? Yick.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 21, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder how his wife feels about this. She’s a local girl.
by RedBirdie on Jul 21, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
She married a pro athlete – moving is part of the package.
by Your Nation's Capital on Jul 21, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its not the moving, its the playing for the Pittsburgh Freaking Penguins part I’m wondering about.
by RedBirdie on Jul 21, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the kind of stuff fanz care about, not players/wives/etc.
by TylerG on Jul 21, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
simply not true, at all. Classmate of mine was drafted by the Yankees….absolutely crying, and not tears of joy. Another friend managed to get drafted by his childhood team and was crushed when they traded him. Both know its a business, but they still are people with real emotions.
by RedBirdie on Jul 21, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, but they do care about what city they live in. I’ll let that comment speak for itself.
That being said can’t fault the guy. If I was in need of a job and the Stanley Cup champs rang I’m pretty sure I’d sign on the dotted line.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
… for half a million dollars, to boot (hey, we’re in a Recession). And most of the money will be earned by wearing a baseball cap if all goes according to plan up there.
BTW, I’m a hat size 7 1/4, Mr. Shero. : ]
by war_capitals on Jul 21, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fleury’s injury history…
18-Dec-08 Missed 12 games (lower body injury).
10-Feb-08 Missed 27 games (ankle injury) and assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
10-Dec-05 Missed 1 game (stomach virus).
Johnson’s injury history…
13-May-09 Missed 30 regular season and 14 playoff games (hip surgery).
27-Jan-09 Missed 2 games (undisclosed).
01-Jan-09 Missed 3 games (illness).
10-Jan-08 Missed 5 games (knee injury) and assigned to Hershey (AHL).
08-Feb-07 Missed 4 games (undisclosed).
04-Jan-06 Missed 2 games (groin).
11-Mar-03 Missed 5 games (groin).
04-Dec-02 Missed 24 games (sprained ankle).
09-Apr-02 Missed 1 game (hip injury).
24-Nov-01 Missed 1 game (flu).
29-Jan-01 Missed 3 games (Knee injury).
Someone better be ready at WBS.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Looks like John Curry is their top goalie?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 21, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats what Caps fans will hope. (i dont hope for johnny’s injury, but i do for pit’s failure)
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was 5-1-1 against Hershey last year… maybe they should just call him up to play against the Caps.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
EFFF. another cap killer in the making. damn you Jon Sim
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still don’t know why the Caps haven’t tried to acquire Jon Sim so they don’t have to play against him. Plus he wouldn’t look out of place on the 4th line with Gordo and Flash….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Jul 21, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry but I’d take their situation over ours any day from an NHL level prespective. I love Varly but he’s never even played a full NHL season. And we’ve still got Threeormore.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There will be a lot of talk about Varlamov, but I see this as going all in on Neuvirth. If Varlamov slips, there isn’t the vet to fall back on as the backup out of camp. They’d have to look at Neuvirth in that role.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you are right given my distaste for Theo’s goaltending. However, given the contract situation I think Theo will at least get the opportunity to play before Neuvy. I’m not worried about Varly slipping as much as his durability.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely. Perhaps I wasn’t clear. The #1 job is Theodore’s to lose. I would think Varlamov as to significantly outplay him in camp to take over — there are just too many unknowns there. What I was thinking was that it is just as likely, given Varlamov’s utter lack of NHL experience, that he slips as much as steps up. If he slips, then Neuvirth is the fall back as the backup.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The #1 job is Theodore’s to lose.
And I believe GMGM and Bruce basically said that in the STH call yesterday
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 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 21, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’ll lose it one way or another. I sure hope it happens in camp so he doesn’t cost us any points.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In a contract year? I wouldn’t jump to conclusions there.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve seen him play plenty in the last 3 years. He has been fighting the puck most of that time. His reaction time and lateral movement seems to have slowed. He’s a guy who easily loses confidence, as a matter of fact that is the hallmark of his career sadly. His last contract year in COL they essentially had two poor goalies, Theo being the better of the two. Coaching staff revamped their system to make it so the goalies would see less shots. Then they didn’t try to resign him even though they had no other real option. He’s seems to be a nice guy, good teammate, but no longer a number one goaltender.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that’s a fairly decent gamble, really. After what both of them showed us last season, gambling that one of Varly or Neuvirth will pan out as a long-term NHL goalie doesn’t seem like an unreasonable bet.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 21, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think folks may have misinterpreted my comment. My point was that if you had to start this coming NHL season with a goalie tandem you’d take the Pens over the Caps. I’m not talking long term. Obviously long term I love the fact that we’;ve got 3 guys who could all be legitimate NHL goalies.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think it’s really much of a “gamble” as much as it is “no other choice.” I don’t think Varlamov-Neuvirth as a tandem in Hershey this year was a viable option at all. The only question now is whether they sign a vet to backup Neuvy/Varly in Hershey, or give Holtby the reins. I think that is where you can say “gamble” or not, however minor it may be.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s not a gamble at all. And I don’t think it’s a hard question either, Holtby gets the backup role.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 21, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good insurance signing for the Pens. Dollars? Kinda sets the table for a nice Royale in net at our training camp, though! Part of me wants Braden Holtby to make things even more uncomfortable, as it were.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jul 21, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
All of me wants him to. I want both Neuvy and Holtby pushing Varly and Theo. Should be great competition and I expect it to bring out the best in terms of play. The depth at camp at every position should be absolutely incredible. Being a Caps fan these days feels like an out of body experience. :-)
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holtby is a year away from pushing anybody, and that includes being the starter at Hershey.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
tell that to D. McCheese
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jul 21, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holtby has better long-term upside.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 21, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are two totally different guys. I’m with Peerless on this one Holtby has a chance to be a stud. McCheese is a decent AHL guy who if he really pushed his upper limits could possibly be a number #2 in NHL. Hence why the Caps let him go so they’ have space for Holtby in Hershey.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
right…what I was (poorly) joking about was that Holtby “pushed” Darren out of a spot in Hershey! : )
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jul 21, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry. didn’t get that you were joking.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
serious. The depth at D organizationally, I think, is the best we have had, and in net there is no question about it.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jul 21, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d add the center position as well. I remember the bad old days when barely could scratch together 3 decent centers for entire caps org.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re joking, right? C is our position of least depth.
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 21, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Prospect wise yes, but with Backstrom, BMo, Stecks, Gordon, Laich and Nylander we have our bases covered well enough at the NHL level
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 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Take out Nylander (who won’t play a minute for the Caps this year), keep Laich as a wing, and then factor in that we don’t yet know what we have in BMo, then tell me how you feel. Does no one remember how much we were all freaking out about our lack of a 2C like two weeks ago? Stecks and Gordo are fine NHL third and fourth liners. And (as you acknowledge), our prospects are big question marks. BMo is probably not a long-term solution. So our depth at C is scary (not in a good way). God help us if Nicky goes down.
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 21, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Going into this season I though we had the best depth at center ever. But Nylander went through the season as a total bust and Feds wasn’t exactly producing at a breakneck pace.
by zephyr on Jul 21, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the very least we had 3 guys in the top 10 or 15 in the NHL in draws in 91 15 and 39. Hopefully 19 can join that list
by red army line on Jul 21, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d rather see our other Cs join a different list that Backstrom is on (Malkin, Ovechkin, Crosby, Datsyuk, Parise, Kovalchuk, Getzlaf, Iginla, Savard, Backstrom).
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 21, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you look at the worst case scenario, then yes we are thin.
But Laich CAN play C if needed, Nylander will be give a chance to earn ice time in Camp (maybe he makes an attempt to buy into the system rather than just free lancing?) and BMo was productive towards the end of last season, and will have a chance to play with some really talented wingers. Its not all doom and gloom.
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 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, not doom and gloom. But also not a position of depth, imho, which is why I challenged CP2Devil on it.
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 21, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you look at the organization as a whole we’ve got depth. We have 4 quality centers in DC not including Nyles. Plus as Sombero Guy we have Laich who can play center. Add in Aucoin in Hershey who can play at NHL level.
I think people tend to forget that most teams don’t have a ton of depth at the center position. Shoot I recall a time when a certain Zubrus fella was our top center for pete’s sake. I recall when Adam Oates arrived and everyone exclaimed we finally had a 1st line center for the 1st time in team history. I’d take Baks over Oates, especially at that point in his career in a heartbeat,
As for prospects we have have a number at center just like other teams – who knows whether Perrault, Baby Gus, Johansson, Eakin, etc. will pan out.
I’d love to have the Pens centers, but having that embarrassment of riches is the expeception. Seen enough teams with various franchises over the years to feel quite good about Caps situation.
by CP2Devil on Jul 21, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crosby, Malkin, Staal.
Richards, Carter, Briere, Giroux.
Savard (for now), Bergeron, Krejci.
Backstrom, Morrison, Steckel, Gordon.
Which one of these is not like the others? Do you want to get out of the East, much less win a Cup?
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 21, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the same time, none of those teams have the firepower on the wing that the Caps do with two 40-60 goal scorers in Semin and Ovechkin and guys like Knuble, Flash and Laich too as reliable 20-30 goal guys.
Boston may be close (Ryder, Wheeler, Recchi and maybe Kessel if they sign him) but they haven’t proved much in the post-season either.
Strength down the middle is important (see Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Filppula and Draper) but a team has to be rounded.
If Morrison can regain his form, the Caps ought to be in good shape given the growth of Backstrom and Steckel.
Obviously it’s advantageous to have strength at center (or any position naturally), but I think the Caps may be in better shape then the general consensus around here.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They may be, we’ll see. I can definitely see it working out OK, but the difference between that and the other teams is that it’s hard to imagine a situation where they are without reliable scoring line Cs. I’m hopeful that Morrison will have a good return, similar to when Selanne had his knees fixed, but you can’t count on it. I also think that Backstrom is the best (or very shortly will be) non-Hart winner on that list so our top line will always be able to go head to head with anyone. Why are you picking on me anyway, you’re always the first guy to point out how important centers are.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 21, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First off I said we had great depth not that we had 3 all-stars at center. There is a difference. Also, if we had 2 other studs at center besides Baks how would we pay anyone. This isn’t the NHL of old when if you had the money you could keep a team like Oilers of the 80’s together. We’ve got two scoring wingers who put the puck in the net just fine and then add in Knuble and I’m not exactly concerned about offense. If anything this team needs to worry about giving up less goals not scoring more goals.
Hooks point is one I was trying to get across before but he did so much better.
…I think the Caps may be in better shape then the general consensus around here.
by CP2Devil on Jul 22, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t disagree with Hooks, I was merely trying to demonstrate that in comparison to the teams we are (hopefully) going to be competing with this season our C depth looks a lot more pedestrian. I wouldn’t call our C depth “great” nor would I ever indicate it was anything close to the strength of our team. We have some Cs that may work, and some wings that can carry the burden. Our C depth is only slightly above average, I’d say.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 22, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
[nods head]
I’d also add that NONE of our C prospects are close to being NHL ready.
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 22, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On that point I will agree. We have a 1-2 year gap that I wish we didn’t have. However, can’t have everything. I still like how we sit, especially with Aucoin down in hershey at the ready.
by CP2Devil on Jul 23, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean AAAAucoin? Don’t get too excited.
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 23, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am sad...
….but it’s not going to be a big issue because if Fleury is healthy, he gets the nod against the Caps. The back up plays against the bottom of the NHL (i.e. Atlanta, Islanders, Tampa, Phoenix, Colorado).
There is a risk for the Penguins, in that it’s possible that Johnny isn’t 100% after his injury. If he’s not, they’re out a good bit of $$ and still don’t have a viable solution for their #2 goaltender.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Jul 21, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This sucks! And now we’ll be stuck with Theo. Sigh. At least we can all take solace in the fact that Theo is a hottie.
by jakeshapiro on Jul 21, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Face it, we were stuck with him either way. Our only hope of getting rid of him, if the desire persists, is probably to trade him at the deadline (if Varly takes the reins) and acquire a new vet backup.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
his deal is done after this year so that wouldn’t make so much sense. might as well just keep him as our vet backup unless we get somthing good from the deal.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel like there’s a chance Theo can bounce back after getting humiliated this past playoffs. We’ll see, I suppose.
by jakeshapiro on Jul 21, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for a couple games, then fall right back to his inconsistant self.
by hockeyman33 on Jul 21, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That might be all we need. A couple of starts in the postseason to give Varly a break
by red army line on Jul 21, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem with Theo is you don’t get to pick his hot spots.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 21, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the point. You’d probably get an ok pick at the deadline, not to mention you might need to space if you’re trying to be a big buyer.
And of course that’s sort of why I threw “if the desire persists” in there. If Theo’s only so-so, or if Varly is lights out, and you can get something for him at the deadline, you might have to do it. There are probably other vets you could get at the deadline that might fit that vet backup role better than Theo, and if another team needs a starter down the stretch it might be worth while to move him.
by brs03 on Jul 21, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was a huge Johnson fan last season. (pun intended) I’ll miss him but I think with the goalies we have available it was the smartest move cap wise and Cap wise.
by zephyr on Jul 21, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is probably a much bigger story here than it is in Pittsburgh. Brent’s going to be lucky if he even gets mentioned in the news and notes section with this story hitting the wires.
by b.orr4 on Jul 21, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Much bigger story here but hockey is pretty big in ’burgh. It will be mentioned. Who reads the newspaper anymore anyway?
by zephyr on Jul 21, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pensblog will run a screencap of this page with arrows pointing -→ STUNNED
by Your Nation's Capital on Jul 21, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When Ben got in his motorcycle accident they had reporters talking about it for 15 minutes straight on the 6:00 PM news, they were outside of the hospital and everything….And after all of that, they threw it back to the studio where they went to, you guessed it, Sports, where they talked more about it. Wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.
But this latest Ben story seems to be perhaps a non-issue compared to that. The Johnny signing with get coverage. Not huge coverage, but it’ll be mentioned.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hockey’s big in Pittsburgh. Football is armageddon.
by b.orr4 on Jul 21, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
/dies just a little inside
Where we're going, we don't need roads.
by sorengo99 on Jul 21, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think I have anything inside left to kill after watching Bettman hand Crosby the cup.
by Murshawursha on Jul 21, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does this mean Varlamov will change his number from 40 to 1? Didn’t he wear #1 everywhere he played that didn’t have a player already wearing it?
by RED503 on Jul 21, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
/varlamov #40 jersey Tshirt owner
by Natty Bumppo on Jul 21, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know I mentioned it somewhere else earlier, but I warned my son not to get anything with Varlamov 40 on it. I was expecting a number change at some point, given that it looked to me like a randomly assigned number, not one that he would have chosen. We’ll see what happens.
by gfcaps fan on Jul 21, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I picked up my varly 40 t-shirt for this very reason…
Posterity when I’m old and grey I believe…
Strange as it sounds, we do own TVs in Russia - Simeon Varlamov
by JustJeff on Jul 21, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dont know how to feel.
As a Caps fan – pissed Johnny would go to his biggest rival of the past few years.
As a Johnny fan – happy he landed a job…and with a team (gulp) that gives him a chance to win the cup.
As a Caps Fan – pissed! He couldnt get a slightly better deal from any other team out there, including Det or Chi!?
As a hockey purist – great fit for both sides and exactly what both needed
As a Caps fan – maybe he wont fully recover from his hip surgery and/or will be overworked when MAF gets hurt…
(not advocating for injuries but just hopefully he’ll let a lot of soft ones in as Olie did his last year here)
In the end I hate this because it’s so right…
by bigity b on Jul 21, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Btw, Johnny will join an exclusive club – NHL teammates of both Sid and Ovie. So far, the only members are Matt Cooke, Rico Fata and Kris Beech (though Beech never actually played in a game with Sid).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 21, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s what I get for not reading the musings of Pens fans.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 21, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scooped by a Pens fan on his own blog – JP gets to wear the scarlet letter “P”. For “pwned”.
J/k, JP. We love you and don’t want you to banninate us and cast us back into the slimy morass of the Caps message boards.
by S h a g g y on Jul 21, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, it’s a mutually updated list guys, and since it’s Pens news today I’d better have it.
I believe JP came up with the original idea, so you gotta credit him for that.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 21, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really scooped or beat. It’s a little tidbit of info. Can’t expect JP to read every single comment of every thread.
by zephyr on Jul 21, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So I’ve lost the ability to comment at work, but I’m glad for both us and for BJ about the signing. He’ll go to another contender, and we’ll get to have Theo, Varly, and Nuey alternate duties. I’m not at all saddened by that turn of events: Theo will likely get his half share of the starts, and Varlamov will get an upped sched as Neuvirth will get more games.
At least, that’s how it seems it’s going to play out. The Cap may not allow that kind of switching, though.
by DrinkingPartner on Jul 21, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Please please tell me you don’t work for the Feds. I’m not sure if I can recover from the loss of Japers and SBNation.
by Yoshietree on Jul 21, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, just behind a malfunctioning firewall, I expect.
by DrinkingPartner on Jul 21, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 9:16 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 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.
