Monday Caps Clips: August Is Upon Us
by J.P. on Aug 3, 2009 6:42 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Nicklas Backstrom or Mike Green - who has the most value? [FanPost]
- With Milan Jurcina signed and sealed (delivery pending), the Caps now have ten defensemen with NHL experience under contract. "Obviously, there's gonna be some disappointed people come training camp, and that's a juggling act that they have to do to try to keep everybody happy," says Brian Pothier. [Washington Times]
- "[T]hese days, no one laughs when you talk about the Washington Capitals as a contender for the NHL's top prize." No laughter here - just the occasional tear. [CBSSports.com]
- Mike Green is apparently the NHL's 26th best player. [FanHouse]
- Alex Semin is somewhat naughty en Español, but it's cool - he's just wearing a brand created in a Spanish jail by a Colombian drug dealer who was arrested for drug pushing and arms trafficking. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- I've always wondered where the Caps would be had the ping pong balls not bounced their way back in 2004. Pull up a chair - Clarence, err, Peerless has something to show you... [Peerless, Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV]
- In case you missed it, the Bears re-signed Andrew Joudrey and signed goaltender Jason Bacashihua. [John Walton Hockey]
- Quintin Laing talks about his torn spleen, being a fan favorite, and his teeth (or, more precisely, the lack thereof). [Bears.com]
- Cail MacLean, head coach of the South Carolina Stingrays (and who you can read more from here) expects "anywhere from five-to-eight players from Washington/Hershey this season." [Post and Courier]
- Finally, how dead a hockey month is August? So dead that I checked to see how many players in NHL history had the word "August" in their common name and came up with just one - former Capital Patrik Augusta. It's going to be a long month, friends.
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In other news, Brian Pothier said water was wet.
"The passion of our supporters cannot be contained by clothing."
And that he’s in the best shape of his life.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hey, I know we’ve got some Swedish speakers here, ja? Email me – I’ve got a question for you.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
About this blog write-up about Nylander? Until you hear from someone, FYI, a poster over at HFBs provided a translation for part of it. Nothing really surprising other than confirmation that Nylander knows it is time to move on, but he has a say due to the NMC. And something to the effect that he is interested in playing in the NHL not the KHL.
http://marieshockeyblogg.blogspot.com/2009/07/michael-nylander.html
Well the part where he says that he is interested in a move to Edmonton is pretty surprising don’t you think?
Agree, I questioned the context of that reply when I read the person’s translation. Of course, any bad feelings with Edmonton are likely with the Edmonton side not Nylander and given Edmonton management’s difficulties getting players to Edmonton who knows how they would react if Nylander expressed interest in playing there now. Without the cap comment, I’d think that comment was referring back to the decision when he chose between the 2 teams before, but the cap comment makes it more confusing.
Hopefully, one of JPs readers can provide another translation including that comment.
I read it in Swedish and he sounds genuine when he talks about it and it sounds like he is interested in playing in Edmonton right now.
It’d be awfully interesting to see how that would shake out in terms of player movement, because Edmonton doesn’t have a whole lot of cap space right now.
Frankly the only way I see it happening is if Washington takes on Dustin Penner.
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Knuble
Penner – Morrison – Semin
(A guy can dream, can’t he?)
I could see this actually working under the cap, even past this season. Alternatively a three-way deal where the Caps get an overpaid defenseman and someone else gets Penner is a possibility. It’d be fun to watch a few teams Nylandering their bad contracts around.
by Gould Old Days on Aug 3, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I appreciate the info. FWIW, I can’t see why Nylander would not be interested; He was interested before and Renney is there now, too. My question is more about the Edmonton organization and I’d think the fanbase would have a harder time accepting him than the mgmt. team. It is true they don’t have room for him under the 56.8 cap at this exact time.
Nothing has really changed, Nylander has a say in this given the NMC so it requires 2 teams working out a deal and Nylander ok’ing it. The waiting continues…
It’s somewhat ironic that Nylander rumors so closely parallel his play – they just circle around and around and ultimately produce nothing.
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by J.P. on Aug 3, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
kinda like NASCAR
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 3, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
After reading the translation, that tweet where the Omsk GM said something would probably happen in November makes a lot of sense. The NHL is Nylander’s preferred destination, but if McPhee can’t make it happen by October then the logical second option for Nylander is the KHL. Nyls wants to play somewhere and it seems pretty obvious that he and the Caps are done based on what he said about Boudreau. I’m more optomistic now than ever before that Nylander will be gone by December.
Check out Ice Warrior’s and HD89’s translations here. Thanks for the hard work, gents!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
D’oh! I mean gent and fine lady. My apologies.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The good news
Training camp will likely open a month from Tuesday when the young-uns-and-such (likely) report.
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a few of the guys wander into town early over the latter half of August, especially among the D. This is going to be a competitive training camp on a lot of levels and I can see some of the harder workers wanting to get a jumpstart.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Not that I know of. But under the CBA (and unless something’s different in an Olympic year), I think that the earliest day the Caps could open Kids Camp is Sept. 4.
And given that the preseason opener is prior to Sept. 19, it’s gotta be o/a the 12th that the real camp officially opens.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So with Fanhouse rating Semin 28 and Green 26 I can’t imagine Backstrom isn’t top 20. That gives the Caps 4 of the top 28 players (as ranked in this ridiculously arbitrary manner). Also, anyone else catch whose name is in the stats box for Mike Green in that link?
Well, in fairness to the stat box error, it is a #26.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
ranked in this ridiculously arbitrary manner
I’m not sure it’s arbitrary – I think it has something to do with numerology. Semin wears #28 and was ranked 28th. Green wears #52 and was ranked 26th (half of 52). If Backstrom is ranked 19th, get ready to be outraged at AO at #8.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It might just apply to the Caps players – the authors a diehard Pens fan, so he probably knew he needed to include the Caps’ Big Four, but didn’t know how to rank them otherwise.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Being a Pens fan doesn’t mean he’s a total homer or the kind of guy who would push Caps or other rival players down the list. I mean, I’m a diehard Caps fan and I still rank Whiny Diver as the best yambag-sucker-puncher in the NHL.
Who is his challenger for best yambag-sucker puncher in the NHL? The real question is where do you have him ranked among all NHL players. I’m not sure how the Norris runner up ends up that far down the list, at least he showed he has a good handle on Green’s game by noting his defensive deficiencies.
Though I still think Green and Semin should be higher. So should Gonchar.
by red army line on Aug 3, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you being sarcastic?
“Defensive deficiencies” is #1 on Mike Green’s talking points list. It’s also the first thing that can be said about any defenseman with a scoring acumen particularly when you’re only familiar with their stats.
"You will remember the night you were struck by the sight of [18] thousand fists in the air" -Disturbed
a) I was kidding
b) He does happen to be a total homer (recall – JP used to write for FanHouse)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Is JP now writing in the third person?
by Scott in Shaw on Aug 3, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Next thing we know, he’ll be “The Blogger formally known as J.P.”
by Murshawursha on Aug 3, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Do stars “go?” When they tore down Tigers stadium, Ernie Harwell was offered any piece of the park he wanted. He asked for, and received, a urinal from the visiting teams’ locker room. I remember an interview with him at the time — he said think of all the great players who used it over the years.
by Gould Old Days on Aug 3, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The easiest way to rank them, IMO, is to set the list so that you would be willing to trade any given player straight up for any individual player ranked ahead of them. So at 47 you have Patrick Kane; the author should be willing to trade Kane for Kaberle, Gaborik, Spezza, Alfredsson, Vanek or Gonchar straight up. I think you’d have a hard time selling that trade to CHI [insert Dave Tallon joke here]. How many guys are there in the league that a GM would trade Mike Green away for straight up? I can’t imagine that there are 25.
I agree, and that’s the criteria I’ve set for our “Rank the Caps” exercise. But Gretz’s list may not choose to care about things such as age, contract status, etc., so the “trade” basis may not be as applicable.
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I thought about that but it seems like age and potential would push Kaberle and Gonchar further down the list, not up it. I don’t see any criteria that moves Green to 26. Exactly what about the other Nik Backstrom, Marc Savard, or the Sedin bros. makes anyone want them over Green?
You’re preaching to the choir, Father.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
What would make them want our Nick Backstrom over Green?
Oh, wait, sorry, wrong thread {grin}
by Gould Old Days on Aug 3, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions
So can we expect to see Letang, Orpik and Staal all in the Top 20? Obviously Sid/Geno will be 1-2, how far can he make AO fall? Speculating is more fun than actually trying to rationalize his picks!
- behind Sid, Geno, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Chara, and Fleury
by red army line on Aug 3, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Green wears #52 and was ranked 26th (half of 52
and 8 divided by 8 is 1 so the numerology theory could still hold true.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
If Backstrom is ranked 19th, get ready to be outraged at AO at #8.
Well, it appears you won’t have to worry about that happening since Ryan Getzlaf apparently has nabbed that spot. (Though the other Nik Backstrom is ranked ahead of Green)
He also notes that Getzlaf is ranked 6th among centers, with Datsyuk, Malkin, Crosby, Zetterberg, Lecavalier and Backstrom still on the board. In light of JP’s homer assessment, which one of those do you think he leaves out?
Ranking Backstrom behind Shane Doan would be pretty egregious. Actually, ranking anyone on that list behind Doan would be egregious, but wow.
by Knee high to a duck on Aug 3, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
He must have made an addition mistake because, clearly, none of those remaining centers can be left out of a top 50 list. Maybe he considers Malkin a winger/center since he sometimes plays with Crosby on the same line.
I forgot about Joe Thornton, too. He’s either made some very serious adding errors, has a different idea about who plays what position than I do or some of those players aren’t in the top 50. Which would be awful.
by Knee high to a duck on Aug 3, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s conceivable (albeit indefensible) that Backstrom gets left off the list. Though he did count the two Sedins as one player, so maybe he saved himself a spot that way. Even though Backstrom had a better year last year than Thornton, the Sedins, etc., some people still think of him as riding Ovie’s coattails.
I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now and assume that Getzlaf is actually the 8th center on his list. Hard to see how Backstrom finishes higher than Getzlaf, though.
Yeah, that’s why I used him as the comparison point. Ranking either one behind him seems more than a little bit silly to me.
I wouldn’t rank our 19 ahead of Getzlaf, but I think it’s a pretty near decision.
by Knee high to a duck on Aug 3, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
in one interview nylander said that
1) he is willing to change the club
2) he knows that since he’s salary is what it is, it’s not gonna be easy
3) BB has said that he’s not good enough
4) Jagr has called him and asked if he would come to KHL
miss u, CR baby...u want 2 get back 2gether? - now with lots of Ducks love
I know we live in the District of Columbia, but...
It’s “Colombian,” not “Columbian.”
Also, what does Cail MacLean’s statement about the Stingrays mean? I hope we don’t see any Caps there, or it’ll be bad news bears. Well, unless it’s someone whose name starts with an “N” and ends with an “ylander.”
"My face is my mask."
Peerless: Three Cheers for the Ovie-ful life posts. They’ve been fantastic
Re: Semin’s shirt — I am a Colombian, and it’s a little ridiculous for Americans to complain about anyone else’s jail/gangster idolization. Colombians don’t really idolize their criminals the same way Americans do, and the drug dealers ain’t too popular there. I suspect it isn’t mainly Colombians buying that brand.
[And the country is Colombia, not Columbia.]
Didn’t mean any offense by it – just a note.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
No offense taken at all. Just trying to share some perspective.
by Gould Old Days on Aug 3, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
(And on the spelling error – my bad for cutting and pasting from the linked site without proofing)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Every time a goal horn makes a racket, Don Cherry gets an ugly jacket…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 3, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I occurs to me that Don Cherry’s nickname is Grapes and his jackets look like he stole someone’s drapes. I wonder if that’s coincidental.
by Knee high to a duck on Aug 3, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
And of course by the first I, I meant It.
by Knee high to a duck on Aug 3, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
OT (sort of) / If you're really bored ....
Check out this little toy. Line production by team, PP, EV, SH.
Even strength curiosity: Flash/Fedorov/Fehr produced as many goals as Ovechkin/Fedorov/Semin did. It doesn’t take TOI into account, though.
Make of it what you will.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Whoops – it’s points, not goals.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
F-Street got 298 shifts together; Care Bears got 1302. Advantage: F-Street.
(and yes, combined points is a terrible way to judge lines)
by Gould Old Days on Aug 3, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
(But the 11 vs. 11 points is F Street vs. three Russians, not the CB’s)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Oh, sorry, reading fail. Let’s try that again:
F-Street got 298 shifts together, 3 Russians got 233. Advantage: 3 Russians
by Gould Old Days on Aug 3, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
We use that tool all the time. In fact, it’s pretty much what this post is based on (where, btw, that F Street vs. Russian trio stat is in the first table).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Cool, I’d never seen a link to it. Thanks.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
It’s that last link before the first table in that post (not that you should click on every link, but just so no one thinks I’m not sourcing my info).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Maybe we'll be talking Olympic hockey?
Team Germany had a NHL-playerless “camp” in late July
Team USA: Aug. 17-19
Team Canada: August 24-27 (Greenie)
Team Russia (now with autographs!): August 29-Sept 1 (Ovie, Semin, Varly)
Team Sweden and Mr. Backstrom must be camping somewhere, but I can’t find the details….
IS PAЯTY NOW
Bäckström didn’t attend the Swedish camp. There were no on ice stuff. They talked to the media, tried clothes on, filed some paperwork. Then went to a U2 concert and played golf (not with Bono as far as I know).
I enjoyed the Laing interview. I was a little confused by this question though.
Chris Rahn: You were on HERSHEY’s 2007 team that went to the finals. The 2008-09 BEARS were unbelievable. How great would it be to win your first Calder Cup with the BEARS?
Quintin Laing: There’d be nothing better, nothing more satisfying than that. We were close in ‘07; that’s all you want to do is get back to the finals and have another opportunity, and that opportunity comes tonight. Honestly, since ’07 it definitely be a dream come true to win it here
I guess he did the interview during the playoffs and just didn’t publish it till last month?
Jucie is on Slovakia’s Olympic training camp roster:
http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/browse/0/article/slovakian-summer-camp-roster.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=187&cHash=8748e518c4
But he may not attend camp:
However, some invited players might not appear. Peter Smrek, Ladislav Nagy and Richard Zednik were not released from their Russian teams are on the camp list. The participation of Jozef Stümpel, is currently open. Due a variety of reasons, Milan Jurcina, Peter Sejna, Marek Svatos and Miroslav Satan will not attend.
IS PAЯTY NOW
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