"[Mike] Green returned to Capitals training camp this month under 200 pounds and looking like a world-class athlete. It's part of a mandate from Coach Bruce Boudreau that the Capitals, to a man, improve their fitness for an arduous regular season and marathon playoff run.
"'We're going to push them from day one of camp to be the best conditioned, hardest working team in the League,' he said." - From today's Puck Daddy feature on Green
2 months ago
J.P.
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Oops..I fanshotted the same article…feel free to delete.
by fat_daddyo on Sep 17, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully it’s more than lip service.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 17, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Amen. If it’s not just lip service, look out.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looking at the pics, I thought Green looked noticeably trimmer than he did last year…that’s something, at least.
by fat_daddyo on Sep 17, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually got to see him in person at the first day of rookie camp – he was there in a T-shirt and shorts, and I remember nearly dropping my jaw because he was that stacked. He looked really, really good.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s what I was thinking. If it’s anything like the mandate to get gritty and tough in front of the net….
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hockey players speak in cliches all the time, even more than most athletes, so the whole thing from BB about being the best conditioned team in the league…yeah, that’s probably just pleasant sounding pablum.
Green, though, I’m hoping is another story. I thought he looked noticeably puffy later in the season – nb, most here were of a differing opinion – but he looks fitter to me, at least now. See sparkly’s observation, above, as well.
Compare photographs and see if you agree (crossing fingers to see if this works):
From last year (I think):
From the recent sneakerball:
by fat_daddyo on Sep 17, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Green is baby-faced though. As someone who also suffers from “Gain 1 ounce, get insta-chipmunk cheeks,” it really really sucks. My mom’s a big fan of “Oh my gawd, how much weight have you gained?!” school of how welcoming your daughter for a weekend visit.
by RedBirdie on Sep 17, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Solution: don’t go home. You give ’em that treatment for about a decade, they wise up.
by fat_daddyo on Sep 17, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
alas, I love my father too much to do that to him; also, they live in Rehoboth, and I have a weakness for both lounging on the beach and, yes, stuffing my face with Trashers fries.
by RedBirdie on Sep 17, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must be the only person in the world who wouldn’t cry if she was told she could never walk a beach again. Sand gets in the damndest places, I have no use for salt water, and stepping on shells and jellyfish and horseshoe crabs and getting sunburns is not my idea of a good vacation. Give me a good weekend in wine country or in the middle of a mountain any day.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its mostly the french fries and really good spa :)
by RedBirdie on Sep 17, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I have the same problem of the chipmunk cheeks. My face tends to look chubby even when it’s not.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I solved this problem by growing a beard.
I know, not very helpful…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 17, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know Green is in good shape, I know Ovi is in awesome shape. I’ve heard Stretch say that Semin is in very good spirits\shape.
I’m more talking about the “mandate” coming from the top down that every player will be on beast level. It seems unlikely.
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yesterday on EITM, Elliot talked about the sneaker awards, and said he ran into Ovi and was ‘wowed’ by how big he was compared to the past few years. He said he’s straight muscle. up to 230 (I think last year he was about 220)
We’ll see how this works.
by vt caps fan on Sep 17, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This isn’t the first time someone has mandated a Battle of the Bulge. Conn Smythe could probably still coach in this league.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Sep 17, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And first up in the Haterz Harrangue, matt takes a swing and a Wysh. Yerry.take still in the on-deck circle.
How utterly predictable.
So predictable, Wysh apparently twitterpredicted it before the post even went live. LOL.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s okay. Should Washington manage to bring home Lord Stanley’s hardware this season * knocks on wood * I will go to Puck Daddy to watch the haters cry, and it will be good and satisfying.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Green was a pudgy puddle of pudding by the end of last year and still managed to finish with 31 goals, 73 points, and a plus-24.
This could be interesting…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Remember, all the air and all the pixels that are being wasted on talk are still just that: talk. Talk is cheap, especially on the Internet. The best revenge is success.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you for reminding us all not to take the bait and waste that 10 minutes’ worth of reply-ness out of our day. You’re 100% correct.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 17, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is your fun fact about Mike Green for last year. Even if you take away his “padded” (according to Matt over on Puck Daddy) stats against the SE, he finished 16-31-47, +12.
That point total would have still been good for 15th among defensmen.
The goal total would have been ninth.
He’d have still been in the top 30 in plus-minus and assists
…in 48 games.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 13 recs
for our sheer amusement, what does that work out to over a full season?
I amazed, but the “Caps only win because they play ion the SE” myth lives on, and strong. And apparently the trendy way to wave you “I think the Caps are overrated” flag this season is to pick Carolina.
by RedBirdie on Sep 17, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Over 82 games that would be 27/53/80…not so shabby
by fat_daddyo on Sep 17, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorta like the Caps playing against non SE opponents finishing better (though I can’t remember if the added emphasis on the West games skews this up or down). Peerless got rec’d
by red army line on Sep 17, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec-a-roni
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 17, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not bad for a fat guy.
"Why the [frak] would I live to 100? I'm 73 and [stuff's] starting to get boring. By the way, there's no money left when I go, just FYI."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 17, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
…who can’t play defense.
"Why the [frak] would I live to 100? I'm 73 and [stuff's] starting to get boring. By the way, there's no money left when I go, just FYI."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 17, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
…and doesn’t floss regularly.
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
…and bad hair
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Clearly this guy has too much baggage. Dump him.
by b.orr4 on Sep 17, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ken Klee is available, right? Also Ben Clymer, I hear…
by fat_daddyo on Sep 17, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Brendan Witt might be had for a song
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
and drive an Lamborghini, which is a lifestyle choice I just can’t agree with
by RedBirdie on Sep 17, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you mean this one (which I’m guessing was his…parked illegally, I might add)?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s clearly making up for something not large enough in his greenlife.
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You sure? That car isn’t exactly a land yacht.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Varly disagrees.
/wait, what?
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Revealing my geekdom, a rec for the Yoda reference.
by gfcaps fan on Sep 17, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And uses too many exclamation points
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
damn you. spit up a little bit of coffee all over my shirt after coming across this
by ns on Sep 17, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec’d all the way down the list. That’s gangsta.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Mike Green during a quiet moment of relaxation in his crib…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, you score big time goals, Fats. I mean, that’s what everybody says: you score big time goals.
"Why the [frak] would I live to 100? I'm 73 and [stuff's] starting to get boring. By the way, there's no money left when I go, just FYI."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 17, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
zaftig!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Long live Mike O’Meara!!!
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 17, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like Garfield, he’s not fat, he’s fluffy.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
uh-huh…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What happened to Carlos Mencia?
"Why the [frak] would I live to 100? I'm 73 and [stuff's] starting to get boring. By the way, there's no money left when I go, just FYI."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 17, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His dick don’t work.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec-a-roo, man.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's Hoping...
…that this guy went on the same diet:
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you mean you’re hoping he wasn’t on the Swedish Meatball diet this summer?
by RedBirdie on Sep 17, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Granted I didn’t get to see him out of hockey gear, but he didn’t look like it to me.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 17, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It could be worse
We could’ve acquired this guy as our new #2 C:
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy shit! D’ohboy’s back? Where have you been? Licking your wounds after Friedman/Keynes, no doubt.
(And I hear Wellwood has looked decent so far this pre-season)
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hahah, what a terrible picture. I always heard everyone making fun of him but I had no idea he was such a fatass.
This article came out today. Supposedly he has “rippled abs” now.
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The picture looks better
Suddenly, I don’t feel so bad for him…
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha. I’d never seen that version of the pic. Hard to have too much sympathy.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just make sure to take a look at his right leg. He had a series of lower body injuries. Kinda makes it hard to keep in shape.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously. I finally just got cleared from a knee injury this spring, and let’s just say, Varly’s not looking to date me any time soon.
by RedBirdie on Sep 17, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cuz you’re married? Or not Russian?
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s been a combo of work and trying to get as much riding in as possible before the summer concludes and my evenings become more Caps-centric.
I actually feel kinda bad for Wellwood in that picture. He’s in quite possibly the least flattering pose known to man, and he’s clearly got an excuse – he’s got a bum foot fer Chrissakes.
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was always coming into camps even when he was healthy wayyy overweight. +1 on the least flattering pose known to man though.
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
But I have to think part of that is playing in the hockey media fishbowls that are Vancouver and Toronto. Can you imagine the beating Nicky would have taken for the photo above if he were the #1 C in Toronto rather than DC?
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. And he was so young. I’m sure he hadn’t been doing big time serious off-season training and dietary programs at that point. He was probably a little immature and used to dominating on skill alone. I’m willing to give him a break.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
It’s hard to hate on a guy after you read this.
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I for one hope you’ll be around regularly for the season. So cut that work shit out.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s the lingonberry jam that always does it.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It sure as hell isn’t the lutefisk. (shudders)
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Falcon and General’s White Portions… that was Nicky’s summer last year…
by Sct112 on Sep 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kid’s lit up like a Christmas tree. It must be cool to make a kid so happy.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought that was Nicklas Backstrom introducing the new, “100-calorie” version of Nicklas Backstrom.
Coming to stores soon!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Seriously though
In 2007-2008, one thing that really impressed me about Green was his ability to recover after one of his end-to-end rushes. He’d motor the puck all the way up the ice into the offensive zone from behind his own net, and if he was caught out by a turnover, he’d usually catch the other team’s rush from behind by his own blue line. To the best of my memory, I didn’t see him do that once last year. I saw him try it a few times and run out of steam by the red line.
Sure, there could be a lot of factors for this, but coupled with some of the whispers going around town about his “lifestyle habits,” I was worried that his wheels were starting to slip. Hopefully, losing some of that weight will help him regain some of that zip. I just hope it doesn’t come at the cost of his durability – a little padding can be a helpful thing.
by D'ohboy on Sep 17, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As far as durability I think a little prudence and discretion would have helped that more than anything last year. I bet he doesn’t test Pronger like that again (and we’ll get several chances to see, unfortunately).
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of cars, a sighting of Ovie’s new ride (96.9% sure) at the Harris Teeter in Ballston. The body is built completely with carbon fiber material. Several salesmen from the Mercedes dealership across the street came over to gawk.
by Cluster on Sep 17, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He drives a Red X?
"Why the [frak] would I live to 100? I'm 73 and [stuff's] starting to get boring. By the way, there's no money left when I go, just FYI."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 17, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m staring at a charcoal gray $500,000 sports guy.
Are all three red x’s?
by Cluster on Sep 17, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bill Simmons fail?
That would be $500,000 sports car.
by Cluster on Sep 17, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Yep, 3 reds, but I’m at work, so that may be the reason.
"Why the [frak] would I live to 100? I'm 73 and [stuff's] starting to get boring. By the way, there's no money left when I go, just FYI."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 17, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do I get a payoff on three reds?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Baby… baby…. lemon?
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Sep 17, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got 3 reds.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 17, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m guessing this is what you were talking about?
There was a feature about it that I saw on YouTube (can’t find that at work). There are only 350 in the world.
by Sct112 on Sep 17, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’ is so last year’s ride. Apparently there’s a new one out there.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well I’m guessing the toddler accessory makes them a collector’s item.
"Why the [frak] would I live to 100? I'm 73 and [stuff's] starting to get boring. By the way, there's no money left when I go, just FYI."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 17, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that is funny shit. rec’d
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 17, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it was a TwitPic, their hotlinks are designed to die. On the TwitPic page, they give instructions on how to link to the pic at their site (they want the traffic to go back there). Follow those instructions, and we should be able to follow the link back to the TwitPic page. Failing that, just grab the main URL to the TwitPic and post it here with the linky tool.
/class dismissed
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If someone had told me two years ago about a “TwitPic,” I’d have been looking for Sidney Crosby portraits.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Some days you get the bear, some days, the bear wins a Calder Cup… or something like that
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 17, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah first day of camp, pulled up at the light right after 66 on Glebe and he came up, I rev’d (Got a Mustang GT) the light turned and he was gone. I didnt catch up to him until we were at the top deck of Kettler. Got a little finger wag from Papa Ovechkin haha.
Beautiful car!
by MetalCap on Sep 17, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gangsta living tha thugg life on his day night off…
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 17, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 12:53 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.
