Pick 'Em: Two Goalies for Opening Night
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 2:00 PM EDT
in Pick 'Ems
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PrintThrough five preseason games, the Caps have allowed just a dozen goals and have a team goals against average of 2.37. That's the good news.
The bad news, perhaps, is that the team's number one goalie (nominally, at least) is 0-2 and has the worst numbers of the three netminders who have seen action so far this fall, and the best between-the-pipes performer has been the kid they're sending back to Hershey. Take a look:
Yes, this is an extremely small sample, and the teams against whom and behind whom these 'tenders have played thus far have been pretty varied. But one wonders just how much more Michal Neuvirth could be doing right now to make his case to start the season in D.C. That said, a veteran backstop is important to any serious Cup contender, and Varlamov has done nothing to lose the job that was presumed his at the start of camp.
With all of that in mind, if you were making the final cut, which two goalies would be on your opening night roster? If When George McPhee and Bruce Boudreau send Neuvirth back to Chocolatetown, will they have made the right choice?
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I think Varly has the demon eyes with his on. They scare the crap out of me.
Fight, you time-wasting figure skaters!
He looks like Bjork. Which is worse than a demon
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
If you think he’s baby faced in a mask, check this out
by DisGraceland's Grizzled Vet on Sep 26, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
When you win in overtime as Neuvy did vs. Buffalo (IIRC).
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 25, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Neuvirth also played the toughest competition with the least skilled Caps team in front of him. I know I’m in the minority but I voted for the two kids, but we’d obviously have to move Theo first. We can pick up a cheap vet at the deadline if we need to and then let the rookies fight for the No. 1 job until then. They’ll both get the chance to play for highly skilled teams with big playoff expectations in the spring; they can decide who plays where until then. Neuvirth deserves a look. He’s done everything he’s been asked to, and more. As impressed as I am with Varlamov’s mental toughness, I think Neuvirth may even be more impressive, and his style of play is far easier on his body. Let the longterm battle begin.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Agreed. I think both will be good, but Neuvirth will be better long term.
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 Sep 25, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with that. Neuvirth strikes me as plain the steadier goalie. That said, I think that having him as the #1 for most of the year in Hershey is a good plan. I don’t really want to go with a rookie/rookie tandem, and I think it’s realistically Varly’s spot to lose this season. If Varly tears up the joint, MAYBE trade Theo at the deadline if you can, but I’m not really wild about the idea.
(From previous thread, I’m relieved. I didn’t think that trading Neuvirth yet was a good idea, but I was half afraid GMGM might try it.)
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I don’t see how Theo goes at the trade deadline in any scenario. Who’s going to take him? If we don’t want him, I doubt another contender will.
Injury insurance? Another team’s starter goes down early? He could be a valuable expiring contract asset someone might need, you never know.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 25, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I think this is the scenario. Some team with long-term cap issues that looks to be out of the running might be willing to deal if the Caps take some contracts back. It is kind of difficult to imagine the scenario, but it could happen.
You send him with a dowry.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
To a team with cap space. How many of those will take him? Not saying it can’t happen, just doesn’t seem likely. That dowry had better be damned good.
It all depends. If it happens part way into the year and a team needs a vet that can give them average NHL goaltending just so they don’t get embarrassed GMGM could send a mid-level prospect and mid-round pick and probably find a taker, but who knows. It’s still a shame to give up assets just to get someone to take your contract, though, but the Caps are at a point where they have a ton of organizational depth and GMGM is going to need to make a move at some point to put us over the top.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I know I’m in the minority but I voted for the two kids, but we’d obviously have to move Theo first.
To the latter, for whatever reason I think outside circumstances, make this a little more possible than I was thinking a couple weeks ago. If a fringe playoff team has their guy go down and isn’t deep at the position, someone might overpay and take him, especially since most of the few UFA Gs at the end of the year will probably resign, or just aren’t that good.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 25, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Wonder what we might be able to talk Paul Holmgren into if when Ray Emery implodes.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
They can’t afford him in all likelihood. Maybe if it’s a deadline deal they can squeeze him in but they’d probably have to shed salary and what do we really want back from them that they’d give us for Theo?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Nice. No way GMGM trades Stretch’s rights.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
It’s not everyday your backup goalie has a solid knowledge of various web technologies.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
ooooh, nice intangibles that Stretch brings to the team. “In addition to being a total team player and never complaining about how much ice time he receives, Stretch is also a locker room and front office leader in web communications technologies.”
“Yes, your honor, it is true my client did not play a single minute of regulation time last season, but he has Flash programming skills second to none.”
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
You have to be a damn good Flash programmer to pull the kind of money Flash pulls…!
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
javascript is fun. (only works in google chrome.)
by Natty Bumppo on Sep 25, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
ahhh. good to know. it’s part of the google chrome experiments, a fun time-waster for both programmers and non-programmers.
by Natty Bumppo on Sep 27, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Needs more Twitter.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 25, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
And if something’s on the top shelf, he’s on it.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
(I mean the literal top shelf. If you need it handed down to you. Oh, never mind)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I voted for the two kids simply based on what they’ve done this preseason. I don’t expect it to go down like that, but both have looked fantastic. It seems to me that the team plays better with those two in net. I doubt it will happen, like I said, but a case can be made that Neuvirth is the better of the 3 at this point.
I would be comfortable with the Neuvy and Varly but as long as we’re paying JT his 4.5M we may as well have him gobble up some minutes and keep Varly fresh while Neuvy gets full time duty in Hershey. Next season I’d expect it to be a fairly equitable split between Varly and Neuvy unless the former wins some major hardware this season.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Either Varly or Neuvy should go to Hershey and play down there, while the other gets quality minutes here. No sense in one or the other watching from the bench here.
I suspect Theo will get quite a few of the early starts, with Varly picking up more and more of the load as the season goes on. Any injuries, and Neuvy will get work too. If Varly or Neuvy is ready to take on the load, Theo could be traded, but I doubt that would happen…
Let's go Caps!
This is what I see happening. I think we should use Jose while we’ve got him. And if Neuvy plays so well that he forces our hand, then so much the better for us and for him.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 25, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Neuvy couldn’t have played much better than winning the Calder with 2 shutouts in the Finals, could he? (Do I have the # of SO’s correct?) Not to start an argument here, but I’m not sure what else the guy can do to convince management he deserves a shot aside from improving the VC ice or some other minor miracle… : ]
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 25, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t remember what the SOs were in the finals but against WBS he posted SOs in games 6 and 7, the first time in AHL history.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Reading further down, I had NO idea that Neuvy got bounced around the world like a military brat last season. Makes his finish to last season all the more remarkable in my book.
Thank you F&B, I’ll bet I have the Calder Finals and the WBS series mixed up here. I guess he’s better read up on climate control machines then, eh?
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 25, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
While I expect to see all three goalies at one point or another, I voted for Jose and Michal…
I don’t really have a reason for this, other then Neuvy is my favorite of the three.
While I don’t like Theo more then Varly I chose him and Neuvy because I think he’s still going to be an important part of the team, especially if one of the youngsters gets hurt.
I know that BB will play the hot glove, and thats the one reason I’m not the least bit concerned about goal tending this season… Theo will have his starts, as will Varly and Neuvy…
When it comes to the play offs I think either Varly or Neuvy will be the starter… depending on who’s health and who has the best last month or two… I think that we will have a better chance to take the cup with Neuvy then Varly because of durrability issues… as we saw last year the post-season took quite a toll on Varly…
that being said a tandem of the two keeping them both fresh in the post season is a recipe for success… and hopefully no back-to-back’s because of Yani…..
With all the caveats that it’s an incredibly tough choice, I love both Neuvirth and Varlamov, and it would have been best if the kids didn’t develop quite so quickly or Jose not gotten a two-year contract, I picked the same, and here’s why.
Varlamov had difficulty with a North American season last year, and his Washington experience was extra short but extra intense: not quite a fair way to judge him. I think there’s some agreement that he still needs more time to get used to this league.
Neuvirth stayed in Hershey and was instrumental in the Calder Cup win. What next is there for him to do at the AHL level?
Of course my argument works equally well the opposite way — Varly will benefit more from the NHL-level coaching here in Washington than Neuvy might right now.
…And I’ve about talked myself out of my vote.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Sep 25, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Play the grind of a full season and playoffs at the AHL level? He wasn’t there all that long in the regular season with the call-ups to Washington and all – he had just enough games after Varly recovered to get into the swing of the stretch before he jumped right into the postseason, if memory serves. I’d like to see what his conditioning looks like and if he can take 40-50 starts at the AHl level and maintain that level of play.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
He was an ECHL all star in the first half of the year and had a ton of mental stuff to deal with. I’m very impressed, notwithstanding the level of competition.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
“You’re going to Hershey. No, you’re going to the Czech Republic. Wait, come back, now you’re going to South Carolina. Oops, off to Hershey with you! Congrats, Washington needs you! Ok, thanks, back to Hershey.” Kid must have lived out of a suitcase last season.
Exactly. And all he did was lock it down. That takes a lot of mental focus.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I still like watching the highlights from his debut.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Valentine’s Day, IIRC. I missed most of the game but I did see his breakaway save.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Okay, fair enough. I don’t see the need to rush him, though. Let him spend one more season in Hershey with a callup to Washington if needed, then make the decision next off-season. I love Neuvirth, do’t get me wrong, I think he’s the long-term answer, but I’m not ina real hurry.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Most likely that’s what we’ll see, of course. And I’m sure it will work itself out.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Sep 25, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Jose and Varly
Easy call. Nothing against Neuvy, as I fully expect to see him up here sooner rather than later, but to start the season I don’t think #60 or 40 have given Boudreau or GMGM any reason to NOT go with them, and I think we all knew going into preseason that’s what it would take for Neuvy to earn an opening day roster spot.
As for Jose, you have have to keep him right now, he provides veteran stability. You can’t send him down (as far as I know), and trading him (if there were any takers) would be absurd. How many NHL starts to Varly and Neuvy have between them? less than 20, including Varly’s run in last year’s playoffs? (sorry for not looking it up). It is very naive to just assume that either of these guys can make it through a full NHL season until they’ve actually done it. Not overlooking how good both Varlamov and Neuvirth have been, I don’t think any team would want to approach a season with almost no experience in front of the net. There is a very good chance that Theodore has to take a back seat to one of the younger guys this year, but I don’t think he falls lower than #2 on depth chart unless he’s PUP.
As for Varly, you can’t overlook what he did in the playoffs last year, and as I said before, he’s earned a spot on the Caps’ roster (which is his to lose). He may start #2, but who knows how the season could play out.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 25, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions
Varly and Neuvy have 11 regular season starts between the two of them (Varly as 13 post-season starts)
Thanks! I knew I was close — I think my point still stands.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 25, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
GMGM could send Theo to HER if he wanted to, though it would be kind of a dick move. The Caps are not just any NHL team. They are one of the most talented teams in the league. They’ll score enough to forgive some goaltending mistakes, and if the rookies fall flat the Caps are good enough to go on a strong run to dig themselves out of a hole (and go into the playoffs strong, PIT anyone?). I obviously am not rooting against the Caps early in the season, but a big part of me wouldn’t mind them seeing a little adversity to prevent the late season cruise.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
kind of a dick move? Serious dick move.
As we’ve discussed before, GMGM and BB are two of the most loyal guys in hockey and I just don’t see them being mega-dicks to the guy who played good solider when he got benched last season.
I say only kinda because if GMGM could get a better player with the cap space stashing Theo in HER helps the team, which is ultimately his number 1 job. Yes, he is very loyal and Theo handled the benching well, but GMGM has to pursue every option to make this team better, and the other 4.5 million dollar anchor isn’t going anywhere.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
It would be hard to get players to WANT to come here if that’s the kind of treatment they’d expect.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 25, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
GMGM and BB are two of the most loyal guys in hockey and I just don’t see them being mega-dicks to the guy who played good solider when he got benched last season.
… Nylander… just sayin’
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Theo at least gives us average production for his position, which Nyls doesn’t.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Just saying that bringing a guy in and signing him for four years then making him ride the bench for the last couple doesn’t scream loyalty to me. I understand the situation, but on the surface it seems “dick”-ish.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Nylander didn’t get benched until his production completely fell off and there were, from a line chemistry perspective, better C options. Going into last season, they both spoke very highly of Nyls, and gave him a lot of opportunities to prove himself (which he did until mid to late October).
Yup. I understand why he’s benched. I was just trying to point out that when asserting “GMGM and BB are two of the most loyal guys in hockey,” the Nylander situation is sort of a black mark on their record on that front. I know there’s more to the story; it just looks bad.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree. Nyls earned the benching, and players can understand that. PHI practically forced D-Hatcher and Rathje into retirement because they couldn’t afford to let them off the LTIR but people will still play there. I don’t think the Nyls situation is a big deal outside our salary cap implications.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
eh, I’ll concede to avoid looking like a Nylander fanboy.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Sort of off topic, but not…. Rambling through B&N today, I browsed the calendar section. Took a look at the 2010 Capitals calendar, and Nylander gets a month. Figure that one out.
The difficulty with sending Theo to Hershey is that once you send him down, you basically have to bury him there for the year (or at least until close to the trade deadline, if you have a deal brewing). If he gets claimed on re-entry waivers, you take the cap hit for half of his remaining salary. This is probably the part of the conversation where Neuvirth has to be the good soldier, go to Hershey, play a lot of games and prove that he and Varly are the right NHL tandem for 2010-2011. It’s true, he’s getting a little hosed on the deal, but Neuvirth also appears to have the better temperament to handle the demotion in the short term. Theo certainly wouldn’t take a trip to Hershey well and Varly could get completely bent out of shape or have his confidence take a hit, if he gets the short straw.
by NHL Observer on Sep 25, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
What a difference a year makes
A year ago, most of the “experts” (and some of us) were pointing to goaltending as the #1 reason why the Capitals may not succeed.
This year, we’re arguing about which 2 out 3 deserving netminders should make the opening night roster. Good problem to have.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 25, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions
Just because we have 3 doesn’t make it a strength, yet.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Agree completely, as my previous post suggests. I was just saying our situation this year is better than last, IMO.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 25, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
A year ago, most of the "experts" (and some of us) were pointing to goaltending as the #1 reason why the Capitals may not succeed.
Well, to be fair it still is the #1 negative listed in just about every prediction of how the Caps will finish. Given this team’s offense, if the goalies can keep the team GAA to around 3.00, the Caps should win a heck of a lot of games.
last year’s GAA:
Neuvirth: 3.00
Theodore: 2.87
Varlamov: 2.37
Johnson: 2.81
And that’s a 50 win team right there! Even if the goalies get their GAA even lower, I’m not sure it’ll make a sizable difference in the Caps win total.
sizable difference in the Caps regular season win total
Playoffs are another story. Everyone says the goaltending is the problem because of the expectations, which are as high as any other teams’.
by red army line on Sep 26, 2009 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I say keep Jose as a full time backup and rotate which young ’tender is up and starting for the Caps. Let both Varley and Neuvy get a decent amount of NHL experience and time with NHL coaching. Let Jose make the occasional start to keep them both fresh.
This is really great situation for the Caps. Competition breeds excellence and there is plenty of competition for the goalie spot. This will help us get the most out of our two young prospects.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions
I say keep Jose as a full time backup and rotate which young ’tender is up and starting for the Caps. Let both Varley and Neuvy get a decent amount of NHL experience and time with NHL coaching. Let Jose make the occasional start to keep them both fresh.
If you do that you have to constantly shuttle guys back and forth and/or worry about it eating at your cap.
I’m not advocating swapping them out frequently. I’m saying let both of them play in the NHL for considerable periods of time, just not together. I don’t think the logistics of that situation would be too bad, unless I’m missing something.
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 25, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha. That’s pretty funny numerology right there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This poll is a lot like the “Should Clark Remain Captain” poll to me. There’s a temptation to vote for one of the choices with Neuvirth because I actually believe he was the best goaltender in the organization last spring and he’s had the best preseason. But history matters, these people are real human beings, and there’s a real value to continuity. And unlike the Clark poll, this is something that can easily change mid-season if needed. So I voted Theo-Varly. It’s September, and I may feel very differently in February.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The big difference I see between the two is that I wouldn’t think twice about jettisoning Theo and I would be sad to see Clark get the boot. Moving Theo and biding time before signing/trading for a mediocre vet is more palatable than trading Clark for peanuts or publicly shaming him.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
the value of experience
if…you remove the experience factor from the equation, it’s pretty easy to assess that Jose is running third in a three horse field. By how much, and the value any coach or GM wants to assign to the experience factor is a subjective matter.
1. Did Jose really steal any games for the Caps last year? None that I can remember, not even one.
2. Does the prospect for him be able to steal an occasional game for the Caps in 2009-2010 appear to have improved? Not from what I’ve seen in the pre-season, but in fairness, he was only in two games.
3. Assuming that Jose remains the #1 going into the season, how much work should his backup get? I’m thinking if its Varlamov, it should be about a 50-50 split of games. Having Semyon here to sit the majority of the time would impede his development as a professional goalie.
4. Does anyone think Jose gets re-signed this off-season? I don’t see it…and certainly not for $4.5m/year. When do you start preparing to go forward, given the understanding the guy annointed the #1 probably doesn’t fit here beyond this year?
5. Do you think that Jose is a goalie that this team could win a Cup with? The Jose of 8 – 10 years ago…maybe. The Jose of last season? not so much.
by shotfromthepoint on Sep 25, 2009 6:48 PM EDT reply actions
1. Did Jose really steal any games for the Caps last year? None that I can remember, not even one.
I think I have one — the day after Thanksgiving shutout against Montreal. An aberration of sorts, but pretty damned impressive. Just saying it happens. With Theo, you have the mouth dropping stops, and then the weak goal. He’s gone next June, but for now, he’s the starter. I have no problem with that changing mid-year when one of the kids proves himself.
The post-game write-up has some gems, too. Regarding Theo’s GAA ans save percentage at that point (and taking a dig at the All-Star voting):
Although the NHL has devolved to the point where it awards standings points for shootout wins and losses, it still does not (not yet, anyway) award standings points for pretty save percentages or awesome goals against averages. Wins still matter most, especially when you defeat the NHL’s Eastern Conference All-Star Team.
And remember that Theo in Jan-Feb-March had the best GAA in the league.
by red army line on Sep 26, 2009 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Jose knew going into last season that he’s the bridge guy for the kiddie korps. A much as he may like DC, the org, and hi teammate, he knew there was very little chance of a long term future for him here, and must have known that year 2 would mean splitting time with one or both of the kids.
Theo’s solid enough for now. The Caps don’t need a Lundqvist (Or Olie circa 1999) to steal games left and right. An elite elite goalie would be nice, but it not absolutely needed for this particular Caps team. Forgive me for drinking the kool-aid, but yes, this team could damn well give us that parade we’ve all been waiting for, even with Theo in net.
They could, but the way Theo has played post-lockout two straight months of solid hockey is a lot to ask.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Well Theo did have about 2 straight months of very good play following the comeback in MSG, including a couple 2-1 wins against the Flyers. Also, it’s a contract year, and in his last contract year he had about 4 straight months of solid play (including stealing a playoff series). Not that I have a ton of faith in Theodore, but I think he will at least be a little better than last year . At least in the regular season…
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 26, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed, they don’t need his to steal a lot of games, but doing it occasionally when the team in front of him lays an egg (which isn’t going to happen often) would be nice. He hasn’t shown me he can do that, and that was magnified by his effort in last years playoffs. I don’t see this team winning a cup with Jose in net…sorry, I just don’t. I like him, but he’s not going to be the goalie that takes this team to the Cup.
by shotfromthepoint on Sep 25, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
If the task at hand were to win one game tomorrow, I’d go with Varly. Why? Because he’s shown the ability to rise to the occasion and play a magnificent game.
However, the task at hand is different. We’re looking for a guy to start 50 games or so. And Varly has shown us that he does not have the wherewithal to pull that off; he succumbs to fatigue and injuries over even the medium haul. Look at last year’s playoffs if you doubt it.
Theo has shown us he’s a mediocre goalie, but he has shown the ability to sustain that level over the long haul.
Neuvirth? We don’t know.
I’d like to start Neuvirth and have Theo as the backup in case the wheels fall off.
To me, it’s almost a moot point. There’s no question that Neuvy’s going to Hershey, but it’s not like he’s going to stay there. These preseason discussions of “give one 50 games and the other 30” are fantasy. Both Theo and Varly have proven to be relatively fragile, and one’s bound to go down to a groin tweak at a bare minimum at some point. Neuvy will get his chance, I predict before Thanksgiving. One of these goalies will rise to the top by February (or we’re totally screwed) and they’ll all have the opportunity to.
by katzistan on Sep 25, 2009 10:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Sorry to do this OT thing, guys, but I’m on a Blackberry and I cannot see FanPosts on my browser. Where are the CapsCon folks meeting tonight?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 26, 2009 10:58 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
We’ll be meeting at 8pm, immediately after the closing ceremonies, and that, my friends, will be one very long day. (IMO that ambitious schedule is more suited to a two-day convention, but I’m ready to rock.)
The restaurant is the National Pastime Sports Bar and Grill, located downstairs in the beautiful soaring atrium at the Gaylord. I’ll get there a little early to reserve some space (it’s first-come first-served) and I will leave word at the desk to direct you all in the right direction. Tell ’em Japers sent you.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 26, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank you!
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Sep 26, 2009 4:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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