Monday Caps Clips: Sabres @ Caps Gameday
by J.P. on Sep 21, 2009 6:42 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Preview of tonight's game. [Capitals]
- The Caps open the home portion of their preseason slate with a rematch of last week's win over the Sabres. Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Mike Green and Jose Theodore are all expected to make their respective preseason debuts.
- Bruce Boudreau on cutting Anton Gustafsson: "The only thing I saw is that he needs work and we've got better players." Good reason to cut someone. [Dump and Chase]
- Ryan Jasinsky also got cut. And while they may take away his Caps' sweater, they can't take away this photo. [TTT Hockey]
- Chris Bourque, the subject of recent rumors (which he apparently refutes), is looking to stick in D.C. [New England Hockey Journal]
- Avangard Omsk is no longer interested in Michael Nylander. That makes... everyone... [Examiner]
- ... which is hardly surprising, considering where he finished in our "Ranking the Caps" voting. [FanPost]
- Only two men have worn a "C" for the Caps longer than Chris Clark has (and each of them has his number retired by the team). [Caps365 (video)]
- The Captain was on the Mike Wise Show on Friday, answering bad questions as best he could. [CBSSports.com (MP3)]
- The Caps think they've got enough team toughness on the roster, even with Donald Brashear gone, though George McPhee acknowledges that "there are probably five to 10 games a year where you can use an enforcer" and "If we feel we need [an enforcer] then we'll call someone up from [minor league affiliate] Hershey or something." [Washington Post]
- To that end, Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison bring a bit of sandpaper to the line-up. [Washington Times]
- Hell, even Karl Alzner is willing to mix it up these days. [Washington Post]
- Contra Nylander, having too many NHL-caliber players for an NHL roster is actually a nice problem to have. [Dump and Chase]
- Are the Caps overrated? EA Sports seems to think so. [DC Landing Strip]
- Scenes from Sunday's Caps practice, where Michael Nylander wore Green, as in "Green means go... away." [Peerless]
- The Capitals were kind enough to ask me to be on a panel at Saturday's Capitals Convention, and I jumped at the opportunity. Here's their description of the "Covering the Caps" session: "You watch, read and listen to their coverage of the Capitals, but who are these broadcasters, reporters and bloggers? How do they approach their coverage and what can they tell you about your favorite Capital? Panelists include: local media – Joe Beninati, Steve Kolbe, Craig Laughlin, Corey Masisak, Jon Press and Lindsay Czarniak." Come see who has a face for T.V.... and who's a better fit for print or the radio. [Capitals (PDF)]
- Brent Johnson on his transition to the dark side and the Caps' current goaltending situation. [Examiner]
- On an administrative note, we've put up a link to the Japers' Rink Ticket Exchange in the "Home Team Links" blog roll on the front page.
- Finally, happy 40th birthday to Curtis Leschyshyn, who was traded to the Caps from Colorado with Chris Simon for Keith Jones and a couple of picks on November 2, 1996, only to be flipped to Hartford for Andrei Nikolishin one week later.
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Especially since my butt is two jean sizes smaller than it was when it last saw a VC seat :)
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I am many things. A cradle-roober isn’t one of them.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Brains :)
But no, how old do you people think I am, seriously?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I have never met you but based on your posts I would say 33 to 35.
Comment first, think second, read third.
Low end of that, but you’re right. A 20- year old is too young to be eligible (10 years is my limit).
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 21, 2009 2:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The rest of us are smart enough not to answer when a lady asks you to guess her age (and certainly not an honest answer!)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
If I had to take a shot in the dark? 28, seems to be the right age to fully appreciate the METEO reference.
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No, no, no, no, no. I’m AO’s age and I fully understood it.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 21, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank. God. Hockey. Season. Starts. Soon.
by TylerG on Sep 21, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Varly misses that one too, sadly.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 21, 2009 2:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The word you are looking for is perhaps “cougar”? ;-)
However, I’ve met you and you didn’t strike me as old enough to fit that description.
Haha!
Once the rink gets big enough we can start a dating site too.
Comment first, think second, read third.
You’ve been reading too many banner ads, Zeph.
Winterion Game Studios
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Blue question mark. (Safari version of Red X)
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
I’ll try again, but damn. It would have been better the first time around.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 21, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
My buttons at the top of the comment box aren’t working, I guess.
Go there. It’ll make sense with the previous comment.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 21, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s a redneck age joke here with roober, but I’m not clever enough to tease it out.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 21, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I am as well, although I’m going with a Sabres fan…
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Sep 21, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Ditto
Grabbed the seats I share with another person at the last minute. Rockin’ the red (hat) tonight!
by Scott in Shaw on Sep 21, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
J.P., any chance of running over someone’s foot Saturday with a riding mower?
/still tripping out about Mad Men
"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."
Someone at the WSH hockey club has a sense of truth: JP is on a panel with journalists and analysts. OFB is moderating a panel whereon its role is to be of AHL fanboys.
Says something about how various media is regarded, no? (And deserved — the content here is serious and analytical; it provides thoughtful content that the Post and Times don’t.) Well done, host!
by TylerG on Sep 21, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I’m probably better to read than to look at.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This is why we love the Rink. It’s not only analytically fascinating, but it’s factually accurate as well.
Speaking of TV, back at the awards party, Wash Post Live came out. Did they actually film anything with you? The only thing I ever saw on the show was depressingly sexist, asking a bunch of women who they thought the hottest Cap was. Boo Ivan Carter.
They definitely filmed Carter, Wysh and me, but I don’t know if/when they ran it. I assume they did (they said they would), but I forgot to watch/check/follow-up.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I sent them an e-mail at the time, but never received a response.
The show was much better when Ross Thaler was the host. Carter is okay, but needed more time/practice in front of the camera before being given such a big gig. I watch it much less now than I used to, and the only reason to be watching is if I know they’re talking Caps. And I’ll turn it off after that. Then again, I’m not the target audience, so they’re not going to care.
Agreed on Thaler > Carter. Carter’s a much better guest than host in my admittedly limited exposure to him. Really nice guy, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Thaler is a professional television sports host, Carter is a print reporter forced into a position he’s not equipped to handle (at least yet). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve winced at those pregnant pauses that occur while Ivan’s trying to figure out what camera to look at. I will give him some props. He’s from Minnesota and he does know puck as opposed to his bald sidekick, Mike Wise, who’s just a stooge in general.
Yeah, it was on. Can’t remember exactly when, but I definitely saw it. Early summer, sometime.
by mechanicsville on Sep 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
1. Handsome is as handsome does;
2. Men get more distinguished as they age – this is an indisputable fact; and
3. Your comments here lead me to believe that you’ve fulfilled your biological destiny by passing your genes along to a new generation, so on a very basic level it doesn’t matter how you look.
Czarniak, on the other hand, should have her own channel.
by Scott in Shaw on Sep 21, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
On a related note, the possible best part of Game 7 was watching her and Sara Walsh talk about who knows what a couple sections away from me.
"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 21, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Why the dig at OFB, or am I reading your post wrong? The AHL panel looks pretty interesting to me.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 21, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Not too long, no, but I’ve been reading much longer than I’ve been commenting. I have noticed some shots at OFB, I just don’t understand why. There’s room in this world for both.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 21, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
The perception is that OFB is a homer and refuses to say anything negative, I believe.
I happen to agree that there’s room in the world for all types of people and there’s room on the Internet for all types of blogs. Nobody has to like or dislike a particular one, and the shots do sometimes get old, although I’ve been guilty now and again.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
The perception is that OFB is a homer and refuses to say anything negative, I believe.
Unless it’s about Jeff Schultz, who was mocked for his (unsuccessful) effort to play through his injury in the playoffs.
Or about Daniel Snyder, about whom OFB made grossly inappropriate death jokes. This could be a very long ‘reply’ thread.
What were the death jokes? I don’t care much about the Redskins and I don’t regularly read OFB so I must have missed it. Just want to point out how the CHI organization turned around after Bill Wirtz died. A bad owner can be crippling and sometimes there is only one way to get rid of them.
A man must have a code.
And though I know we all wish nothing but good health for Mr. Pollin, it’s undeniable that the Caps will benefit once he goes to the great owner’s box in the sky.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It was the “there is only one way to get rid of them” that used the active voice a bit much, I thought.
Funny to see that you’re the problem with tone. I’m not advocating anyone do anything about it; I’m just stating a reality. Owners have no boss. If they don’t want to sell the team they can’t be fired. Everyone dies, and the unfortunate truth is that sometimes Owner-death is the best thing for a franchise.
A man must have a code.
Don’t want to get too depressing, but Abe Pollin is suffering from a disease that is just about the worst you can get. There’s no cure, there’s no recovery. It’s just one long continuous downhill slide that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. As a Caps fan, I’ve had mixed feelings on Abe, but when I heard the disease he contracted I’ve had nothing but prayers for him.
I didn’t hear about this?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Here is the link to the Snyder story for those interested. Specifically the last paragraph.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 21, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It came out in a column about a year and a half, maybe two years ago. If you’ve seen any photos of him in public recently, he’s reduced to a wheelchair with a neck support to hold his head up. Basically, all his muscles control is slowoly shutting down. Very sad for a guy who was so vibrant and active in the community.
From your description, he suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
No, it’s some kind of other, lethal, untreatable, degenerative neurological disease. IIRC, it has palsy in the name somewhere. Not a nice way to go, I was horrified when I heard about it.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 21, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that.
Degenerative neuro-diseases are one of my primal fears, I can scarcely imagine anything worse.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 21, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Al Davis and the Raiders — there’s another example of a similar situation. Everyone has to respect what Davis has done for the community, team and NFL, but these days he’s part of the problem holding them back. That guy gets more impulsive and out of touch every year. It’s sad to watch.
Different situation with Angelos and Snyder, who were terrible from just about the moment they arrived.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Jerry Jones is quickly on the Al Davis path as well, some Cowboy fans may claim he’s already there.
I think the bad ownership problem is going to be particularly painful with Angelos and Snyder because the guys are so young still and neither of them look like they have any interest in selling the team. IIRC Snyder was a childhood fan of the Redskins so I think it’s very unlikely that he gives the team up; I don’t recall what Angelos’ connection was with the O’s.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
someone apparently beat some sense into Angelos this past year. All reports are that he has let Andy MacPhail run things (as promised) and has stopped being meddlesome. I’ve even seen it speculated that orders came down from MLB itself that Angelos step aside and let someone who knows what he’s doing run things. The deterioration of the Orioles, once a model franchise for MLB, has become an embarrassment to baseball, and its not a coincidence that MacPhail landed in the Orioles front office.
Angelos has had his law practice in Baltimore since the early 1960s. He’s a graduate of the University of Baltimore Law School.
Angelos, like Snyder, was also a childhood fan of the team he now owns. I think it’s also unlikely he gives up his team (unfortunately).
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 21, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
There are signs of improvement though. I do like the MacPhail approach. Team is starting to build up some long-term assets.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a personal beef with OFB that has to do with inconsistent moderation — removing some comments that offered different opinions while permitting others that could have offended certain minority populations. (No, I didn’t post any of the comments in question.)
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Sep 21, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t have a problem with most of what’s written there, but it’s not discussion friendly in format, etc. I once had a beef with something written, but took it to a direct e-mail. The point was missed in response. Doesn’t matter, I’ll still read it and move on back over here.
You’re right that their site isn’t nearly as discussion friendly as this site. That has more to do with the respective parent networks though. MVN is nowhere near as user friendly as SBN. It’s much better than Caps Insider, however.
I’ve never experienced any of my comments being edited, although I have seen the thread Tyler linked to before, so I was aware that it happened.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 21, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Such as that, and that wasn’t an isolated incident.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Sep 21, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope Chirs Bourque does get a shot with the Caps. It would be a shame if after all his time here, we never actually got to see what he could do with some extended playing time. I have to wonder,though, that if Perrault had Bourque on the back of his jersey would there be any question he’d be sticking with the big club?
by b.orr4 on Sep 21, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Not trying to overanalyze what you said but…it seems a little conflicted. On the one hand, you say it would be a shame to see Bourque go and I do agree with this sentiment. But are you also saying Bourque’s pedigree affords him a longer look than a Perrault or Bouchard or Giroux, meaning, other guys with potentially more to give may not be given the same chance?
My brain hurts from that rationalization – not wenough coffee.
by S h a g g y on Sep 21, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Perreault ain’t fully baked yet. He’s still very young, and his game is incomplete. Check back in a year — if he’s defensively responsible on every shift, then maybe Perreault will be ready to wear a Caps sweater, but not now. (they also have to figure out what position he’ll play)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed – if his name was Chris Smith, he’d have been Lepisto’d last summer.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think he’d have been more Tyler Sloan’d or Sean Collins’d. He proved his value to the Bears last year — the question is whether he’s good enough to make this Caps squad. Lepisto couldn’t even get a Hershey sweater, especially after Carlson made the team.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough, though I was more referring to the “second rounder, so let’s get something while we can” aspect of the situation, because he likely can’t be Sloan’d or Collins’d, b/c he’d be snagged off waivers (though I think Sloan could as well). My point is that his name has helped him along the way, and could help the Caps if they chose to move him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yup. If he was Chris Smith, he’d pass through waivers on the way back to Hershey this year…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Lepisto would have still dressed for Hershey, and their D would have been sick. But he was never going to make the Caps and the organization needed to make room for the D prospects that they still think may have a future.
A man must have a code.
He was benched sometime last year, I think around the time that Kronwall was acquired, and stopped getting into the games. Even if he’d still been around, I doubt he would have played much in the playoffs. Helmer, Alzner, Kronwall, Collins, Sloan, and Carlson and others were all ahead of him.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t he lose his spleen?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Nylander!
I’m going to start calling that guy the Ancient Mariner. It fits on more than one level.
Too bad Finley didn’t lob a Yard Pro at him, then he might be stashable on LTIR…
And no, I’m not rooting for him to be injured, for the record. But if he were willing to say he’s injured…
Good luck winning the grievance on that one.
"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 21, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Way to go, Nyls. You’ve managed to disappoint teams on two continents. Who’s next? The Mandarin Monarchs of the Chinese league?
So, lemme get this straight. You’re saying the Mandarin Monarchs of the CL have interest in Nylander?
There’s hope yet!!!
If you’re genuinely curious about the state of hockey in the far east, there’s some interesting reads around:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_League_Ice_Hockey
I can’t seem to find a jersey picture, but the Tohoku Free Blades have a pretty VG-RPG style logo!
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Since I’m not the most well-versed in calling jersey fouls, would it be in poor taste to get an ALIH jersey from one of the teams with my own name and number? (I tend to wear these things, either at pickup for when I’m playing house league. I’ve got an OV8 red, and want a Bourque white, to wear to Caps games.)
Was also having trouble finding any Tohoku Free Blades pictures, seems like they’re a brand-new club. Maybe I should send them an email and ask! =)
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Ouch. Well, I’m racking up the PIMs, then. I’ve got about a half-dozen jerseys with my name, number, or both on ’em. Mostly house league stuff, including a Chiefs jersey and an Oilers jersey (for house league teams that wore those), my college jersey, and some jerseys from house league inline.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
No foul for a jersey with your name on it that actually gets used for playing hockey. (I mean with other people wearing similar jerseys — not pickup hockey) And you can wear it around other places too. So if I’m understanding the house league teams right, you’re fine for those.
But get something else on the Tohoku jersey, or just wear it blank.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
“Cocksucker”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Too early for some prediction?
Probably, but what the heck. My final standings predictions, based on basically nothing:
1. Washington – 112 Points
2. Pittsburgh – 108
3. Boston – 105
4. Philadelphia – 100 (struggling with Philly, basically because of Emery…)
5. Carolina – 100
6. Buffalo – 97
7. Toronto – 95
8. New York – 93
do you think the Devils are the odd team out this year? I see them as good as CAR and superior to #6-8
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 21, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
My list is hopeful to a measurable extent: i.e., I like Toronto, and I don’t like Jersey.
But I am low on the Devils. I don’t see Brodeur lasting a whole season, and Clemmensen isn’t there to back up; I think they took a step backwards in terms of personnel.
And I think Toronto both surprises a lot of teams and gets a bounty of gift points, from opponents that simply don’t want to deal with the pain inflicted by their blue line..
The other team left out is Montreal – not believing in them at all. Scott Gomez leaves me completely cold.
Toronto has done surprisingly well for themselves in the pre-season. I realize it’s just pre-season, but they’re not the joke they were last season.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
They still won’t be able to score until Kessel returns… and returns to form. I don’t know if they can give up half a season and still make the playoffs.
A man must have a code.
good point. And how healthy is he when he gets back vs. guys in midseason form?
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 21, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
True, but his absence hurts much less than Kessel’s.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Right. But I think of all the teams/players discussed Kessel’s absence hurts his team the most just because of total lack of depth of scoring.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
He looks that way, but I don’t think he plays that way. He’s the Jeff Schultz of forwards — both large and effective, but not because he uses his size to great effect in terms of physicality.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I think TOR is improved, and they’ll be fun to watch. They’ll be pugnacious and tenacious, but still has too many variables to get to 95 pts. They did solve one issue, perhaps, by signing Kessel, but the forward group is not very solid defensively, with a couple exceptions—Primeau is good a PKer. The centers, [Grabovski, Stajan (whom I’d like as our #2), Mitchell, Primeau], are decent as a group, but not great. Their defense is much better, but as with most teams (assuming avg. health), it hinges on the netminding—I personally don’t think it’s in Vesa Toskala, so can this kid Jonas G. step up and play 50+ games, winning 60%? If that and other things happen, then they’ll make the last week of the season very interesting for the 7-8 spot. In any event, they hop over the Habs, who aren’t fooling anyone this year. I see all the Canadian teams in the East on the sidelines come playoffs.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 21, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
And…they can look forward to some interesting pump-up stories from Wilson regarding mid-19th century prairie fights (sorry, don’t have the link handy but I know SOMEone here follows me on this one…)
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 21, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I predict Toronto gives up more goals this year than last. Toughness is not the same thing as good defense. Going for the big hit puts you out of position more often than not. Komisarek is not a defensive upgrade. If he gets more minutes than Schenn, they’re in real trouble.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Komisarek is not a defensive upgrade? Over White, Kubina, van Ryn, Finger? I heartily disagree. Komisarek is better in his own end than Kaberle is as well. At this point Komisarek is at worst 3rd on the depth chart as far as defensive play; and that’s giving Schenn a ton of credit.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
It’s a fair point and I’ll concede it — overrated, overpaid, and overplayed does not actually mean “bad.”
I still think Toronto is in for a defensive letdown. Hitting nice, and hitting good, but first take care of net.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Respectfully (and know that I have enjoyed your posts and found them insightful) I disagree.
One, it’s simply hard to get worse at something you were rock-bottom at. TOR gave up 293 goals last year, last in the League. They had very poor Goalie play for long stretches; they did not have a creditable backup (one extremely frustrating game to the contrary notwithstanding); and their defense was porous at times.
I expect their Goalies to be better – if Toskala can’t do it, the Monster is at the very least better than Cujo and the other stiff they had in net (name escapes me for the moment).
Two, I do think Komisarek is a general upgrade to the defensive corps. The only objective metric I can find (VUKOTA) which I have my reservations about, puts Komisarek ahead of Beauchemin (and Schenn, for that matter). I can’t find the Corsi numbers after a cursory search.
Behind the Net doesn’t have them?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Tonight’s lineup, per Corey:
Goalies for tonight: Theodore, Bacashihua
Defenseman for tonight: Schultz, Green, Alzner, Carlson, Collins, Erskine
Forwards for tonight: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble, Giroux-Aucoin-Semin, Joudrey-Steckel-A. Gordon, Bourque-Beagle-Bradley
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Killer B’s!
[Stretch Leonhardt called — he wants that line to be called “B Street”]
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 21, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey, these guys have a beef with that first suggestion.
"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 21, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
If Giroux keeps scoring ,I think he has a spot locked up, if not already.
by S h a g g y on Sep 21, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting that Joudrey gets a sweater considering the Caps didn’t even resign him last summer. I think he’s on a Hershey-only contract.
He is. The flip side of that coin is that Bouchard hasn’t gotten a single game yet, but is still in camp. Odd.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And Bouchard was skating on the second line with Semin and BMo at yesterday’s practice.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Right. Guess he didn’t look so good there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I can’t offer any analysis of his work. All I’m qualified to do yet is read the names on the backs of the jerseys. B-O-U-C-H-A-R-D.
I can say that Mike Knuble appeared to be skating with great glee, Perreault was still glowing from his OT goal, and Mike Green easily led the rest of the defense corps in the end-of-practice skatearounds.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Green easily led the rest of the defense corps in the end-of-practice skatearounds.
No suprise there. In a league of wonderful skaters, Green is one of the best.
Ditto. I love to just watch him skate laps
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Sep 21, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
It was something to see.
And I’d like to take a moment to thank the Caps organization once again. The website sez “all practices are open to the public and free of charge”. And…they are. I couldn’t believe my great good fortune. I felt like an impostor, looking over my shoulder for an Official person to approach and demand my credentials. But all that happened was me having free rinkside seats to watch the NHL’s finest get ready for their new season.
Unreal. I’m still pinching myself.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by EmilyB on Sep 21, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d be a Capitals fan regardless, but damn if Uncle Ted doesn’t reward us all season/off-season with various breaks like this (free, open practices, he hasn’t tried to sue me even ONCE, etc.).
Win one 4 Ted, fellas!!! You know he’s the best!!!
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 21, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Quite an economical twofer here. A shout out to the Caps and Leonsis and a humorous dig at the fatuous blowhard that owns the local football team all in one.
by mechanicsville on Sep 21, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I felt the same way the first time I went to a practice. I just stood next to the glass as some of the world’s finest hockey players skated a few feet away from me… and then proceeded to hurl chunks of rubber at frightening velocities in my direction.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 21, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
rec’d for echoing my thoughts (I went for the first time 8 days ago)
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Also Eric Fehr participated in the whole practice except the scrimmage-y bits, and even then he was doing shooting drills with Theo in net.
IS PAЯTY NOW
It’s good to be young. My shoulder surgery took the better part of a year to fully heal. Eric gets both shoulders cut and is back playing pro hockey in a few months.
He’s also got a team of doctors supervising his physical therapy every day. If we were all so lucky, we’d all recover in half the time.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 21, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
scrimmage-y bits….deelish with buttered toast. Wait, that’s scrapple.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 21, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
TEB Tweets
Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that TEB tweets with no apparent knowledge of what Corey has tweeted? I mean, talk about unclear-on-the-media….
I don’t know, obviously with twitter you’re going to have a lot of repeated news and such, depending on who you follow. I do follow both TED and Corey, but many may not. They are technically associated with rival publications. If it were me and I had access to the team and able to source my own info, I’d probably just post my own stuff, without worrying about someone had posted or simply re-tweeting.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 21, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I will be in attendance at the game tonight, but since I already have friends of my own asking…
Will there be coverage available (TV/radio/streaming)? Anybody know any details yet?
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 21, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions
It’s going to be on 1500 AM, but not on CSN…apparently, they think poker re-runs and more important.
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Sep 21, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Spelling fail…
Are*
Slow morning.
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Sep 21, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. I’m a little surprised CSN isn’t providing coverage for at the least the home games (assuming they’re allowed to), given the recent popularity of the team.
Yeah, it’s just exhibition pre-season, but it’s still hockey, and it’s still interesting on several levels if you follow the team (getting a chance to see the younger talent, for example). I mean, the market the crap out of NFL preseason, and those games are lousy.
I, for one, would watch every game if it was possible.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 21, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
No problem, and I agree. Besides, it’s better than Redskins highlights, given the way they played yesterday.
Thank God I’m a Jets fan…
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Sep 21, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Corey says that the Caps will try to stream it tonight on the team site.
"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 21, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They did this last year with decent success (and prior, IIRC) – just a stream of the jumbotron with the score up top. If audio is accompanied, it’s terrible.
The Bears also did that in the playoffs except they charged money for it. Personally, I felt it was a bit of a ripoff.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 21, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Attendance
I’m going to be real curious to see how many show up for tonight’s game. Typically, 7-8,000 has been the norm for a pre-season game, but if the calls I’ve been getting for my tickets are any indication, I wouldn’t be surprised to 16,000+.
I remember going to all the pre-season games last year, and the show-up filled about half of the Phone Booth. And this was vs. teams like Carolina, Boston, and I think Atlanta. Then again, the United Center was sold out when the Caps showed up, so I guess part of the attendance depends upon the opponent. But I agree, I wouldn’t be shocked if there were more than 10,000 people tonight.
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Sep 21, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Last season’s pre-season home opener drew 13,266 (paid attendance, that is). Given they’ve maxed out on season tix, I’d expect tonight’s to be even higher, even if the actual fannies-in-seats number isn’t as impressive.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
keep in mind that STH get pre-season tix as part of the package. If you have the tickets (and paid for them) you might as well go.
Yeah, STH numbered about 9 or 10,000 last year? There around 16,000 now, so it will be curious to see how many show up given all the hype.
Crap
I was gonna take my dad to the Wednesday game, since I’m in town from Illinois that night. Does this mean that I should try to order tickets now and or to the box office?
I’ve got a couple freebies in the upper level if you want them.
"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 21, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Dude, it’s like a bar, it just kind of happened.
Ren, fire away.
"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 21, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Well my name isn’t Senator Geary, so I think I’m good.
"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 21, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
From TEB:
Boudreau also said he plans to use the Thursday and Sunday preseason games as dress rehearsals.
(Glad I’ll be there on Wednesday to see that)Tonight will mark the preseason debut of the Alex Ovechkin-Backstrom-Mike Knuble line. But Boudreau said he plans to use Ovechkin-Backstrom-Alexander Semin on Wednesday, with Knuble getting second line duty with Brendan Morrison as his center.
On the flack Schultz catches from fans: “He seems to be the guy they pick on a little bit. But to the coaching staff, he’s a really valuable player to have. …In any sport, there’s somebody that somebody doesn’t like. It’s not warranted in Jeff’s case because he’s played really good for us. But he seems to be a guy the fans have an easy attack mode, and I wish they would turn it off.”
Leave Britney alone!
Comment first, think second, read third.
That last comment almost reads like there’s somebody in the organization that those feelings are warranted for. Maybe I’m just stuck in circular logic.
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I hope Nylander is gone soon because my head is spinning from all of these roundabout circle jokes.
Comment first, think second, read third.
I totally misread your “circle jokes.”
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 21, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
And there is another member of the Raunch Patrol :) my brother!
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 21, 2009 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
most people that don’t like “raunch” have never tried it to know any better… ahem. Or did I read this incorrectly? (Just funnin’, don’t ever take me seriously, I sure as hell don’t).
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 21, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
No, that’s haunch ;)
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 21, 2009 3:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
WOW! Accidental, completely and totally. I was sitting here working on a circular file reference in my code and.. wow. No, that wasn’t meant to be a Nylander thing.. maybe it’s subconscious at this point? Scary.
< PhilKenSebben > Ha-ha! Nylander. < /PhilKenSebben >
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I’m also tired of all the Doublespeak about Circles. I think At the Last he won’t end up In Exile, but will rather end up Talking Through Glass while us Cap fans await The Great Exchange. Unless All the World is Mad I think the Caps organization will remain Beggars looking for someone to relieve them of The Weight.
A man must have a code.
Good effort, but it loses points for not linking to YouTube videos.
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This is an epic thread. Bridman, thrice, accidental circles joke, and Schultz for Norris being spouted by the coach.
Comment first, think second, read third.
Yeah, curiously personalized to 55 by Bruce…very grandfatherly, in a way.
from the house that Red Jesus built
and Schultz for Norris being spouted by the coach.
“What the hell does he know. He’s just a coach. I know what I see and I see a big klutz out there who can’t skate and won’t hit anybody. He’s useless. Get rid of him. He sucks”
-compilation quote of every Schultz-hater at Verizon.
Homer: Well, what do you think?
Editor: This is a joke, right? I mean this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever read!
Homer: What’s wrong with it?
Editor: You keep using words like “Pasghetti” and “Momatoes” You make numerous threatening references to the United Nations, and at the end you repeat the words “Screw Flanders” over and over again!
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by winterion on Sep 21, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
From the Post Article on "Sandpaper"
General Manager George McPhee said[,] “There are probably five to 10 games a year where you can use an enforcer. The rest of the time you really don’t need them…If we feel we need [an enforcer] then we’ll call someone up from [minor league affiliate] Hershey or something,…but we’d like to make the playoffs and have four skilled lines that can play.”
I agree with this theory, and am very pleased to see the Caps going with this.
Not sure who they call up, and who they send down when they do, but I like the no-enforcer approach.
Not sure who they call
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by winterion on Sep 21, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry if this was posted above, but per the Washcaps twitter:
BREAKING NEWS: Tonight’s Game to be Streamed LIVE via washingtoncaps.com
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 21, 2009 3:53 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
51 | 24 | 16 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
52 | 27 | 21 | 4 | 58 |
|
Winnipeg
|
54 | 24 | 24 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
51 | 23 | 23 | 5 | 51 |
|
Carolina
|
54 | 20 | 25 | 9 | 49 |
(updated 2.7.2012 at 3:17 AM EST)
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