Bourque Claimed by Pittsburgh
by Stephen Pepper on Sep 30, 2009 12:53 PM EDT
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PrintChris Bourque was claimed by Pittsburgh this afternoon, per Mr. El-Bashir.
Unfortunate salary cap casualty, or dagger to your heart?
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
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Thanks…The writing was on the wall based of Pittsburgh’s cuts.
I think they were gonna keep Chris Conner….Bourque is the same size and skill and about 4 years younger. Made sense to take a chance on that, especially if the guy might be back in Hershey burning up Wilkes-Barre again.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
Not really…The organization exists to win Stanley Cups.
That Bourque plays for a rival is sheer icing on the cake. The reason he was claimed is he can add something to Pittsburgh, not that he’ll take something away from Wilkes-Barre.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
What about Crawford? SWB?
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
My b, 112.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
Hooks, I don’t think that’s true at all. I think the reason he was claimed is because that’s taking one piece away from a rival. I’m not sure they make this claim if he wasn’t a rival, and frankly, I think it’s shit.
Also, I’m going to hate your fucking guts for a while, so you’ll just have to understand.
Rational me says I still think it was the right move, and I can’t blame the team he went to for how the situation panned out.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
The organization exists to win Stanley Cups.
Please, the Red Sox and Yankees do it all the time. I don’t think either of those organization’s drive to win Championships is below Pittsburgh. Let’s not get full of ourselves because you’ve won one Cup in the last 18 years.
And there is no salary cap in baseball so there is limited opportunity cost. And the Caps/Pens haven’t had a rivalry for almost a hundred years. And outside AO beating Crosby in all those individual awards Pens fans haven’t really felt pain at the hands of the Caps so they probably don’t have nearly the same painful feelings as we do.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
And if you look at all the preseason predictions, more than half have the Caps winning the East not Pittsburgh. Hooks is right on one thing, Pittsburgh wants to win another Cup and Washington may be the biggest stumbling block to achieving that goal. Whether or not the Caps and the Pens have a rivalry that’s of equal footing is immaterial to what each team does right now. Did Pittsburgh claim Bourque just because he was a Cap? No. But did the fact that he fit a need and he was a Cap factor into their decision? I’m betting it did. Nothing evil about it, that’s just the way pro sports work. You can call it paranoia, I call it reality.
my stomach did drop when when i read it. Mostly because:
I feel bad for the guy. Opening in Boston was probably fairy tale for him
Its bloody phuquing Pittsburgh.
I’m sure he’ll play in Boston this year at some point…. :(
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 30, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Baloney
Among the top 10 scorers in the playoffs versus the Penguins, All-Time are seven Capitals and Ray Bourque. They didn’t like Ray, either.
by Marshall Pirate on Sep 30, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
i couldn’t believe my eyes….that hurts…more because of Pitt of course…
Can I blame nyls for this too? :)
The dude made it through almost every team..so close…
And ( maybe) worst of all, we start the year with boyd kane. I mean no offense to Mr.Kane but there are many other people who deserve that spot and would be better for us.
How does Aucoin and Giroux feel right now?
" 60 percent of the time...it works everytime"
Fuckers
Is there anything they can do that doesn’t suck?
Your favorite meme is dead
by Edanger6 on Sep 30, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Win the Cup.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s all about perspective, but I’d say winning the Cup is one of the awesomest things a team can do.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Where are the Penguins in the claim order? Last?
Sigh.. feels like a total “heh, fuck you Washington” move.
D’ohboy, it sounds like you’ve seen a good bit of CBo and you describe him as “fast, smart, plays with energy and has a good shot.” That reminds me of another little guy that has found a home in the NHL: Jordan Tootoo. The only real difference in those descriptions is that Tootoo isn’t all that smart and CBo doesn’t fight. Is fighting really the only reason Tootoo is in the NHL or am I missing something?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Nail, meet Mr. Hammerhead
Tootoo’s around because he fights. It helps that he’s built like a Merkava tank, though.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Built like a tank and he can definitely skate. I also wondered why he can’t do more with that shot he has. I’m not sure what your upshot is, though. If Tootoo wouldn’t be in the league without fighting, and CBo isn’t a fighter, what keeps CBo in the league?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Speed, shot, puckhandling, hockey sense. All things that Tootoo kind of lacks.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Tootoo has a good shot and speed. I’m not sure CBo’s stickhandling and hockey sense are going to be enough to make that jump, but I haven’t watched him enough. We’ll see.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
From what I've seen
Tootoo’s fast, but not quick. He gets a good top speed, but it takes him blueline-to-blueline to get going. Also, I don’t think he skates all that well with the puck.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
I've made my position known.
It’s a slimy move on Pittsburgh’s part.
It’s a shitty thing for the caps to do.
"And next year it will be ours."
Why is it slimy for PIT? They have a few high priced players and need cheap guys that contribute, which CBo seems to be. If he can help their team why should they do us any favors?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I can’t help but think this was somewhat motivated by the fact we are the caps, and they are the pens. They were last in draft order, and it’s just a lame thing for them to do.
"And next year it will be ours."
I think this is Caps paranoia.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
Rec’d.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, the Penguins sure have us caps fans rattled according to the comments on this board.
I think it was time to let Bourque go. The Caps are too deep in talent, he wouldn’t get another realistic shot for a long while. Let him get his chance with another club, even if it’s w/the Pens.
Depth
We’re too deep at D, and maybe G. If AnGus turns into anything, we might be decent at C, although I seriously doubt that will happen.
We’re not that deep at W when you consider what we’ve got in Hershey (outside of Osala and maybe Bouchard, not much). We haven’t spent a top pick on a W since Ovie, and that was 5 years ago now.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
We’re pretty effin’ deep at center. Five or six center-capable players on the big club plus Wilson, Beagle..
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Backstrom, then who? Morisson’s old and likely gone next year. As much as I love Steckel and Gordo, they’re 3rd/4th liners. Perrault? I’d love to see it, but probably not.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
I think he’s going to blow up down in Hershey this year. He looks like he’s gotten taller somehow, bigger definitely, and he wants it.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Perreault, that is.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
That would be awesome if it happened. He was fun to watch down in Hershey, but I’m not holding my breath on it, because he basically HAS to play on a top line, given his size/skill.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
He looked good against CHI’s all NHL D. We also have Johansson who is going to be playing in his second SEL season this year. Probably won’t be ready next year but in two years he could challenge for 2C.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Johansson’s the one I’m waiting on. Still, two years is a long time.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Ovie, Semin, Laich, Flash. Not much more needed there. W is less important than C, D, or G. Looking at PIT and DET model here.
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
You're right
W isn’t as important. But every Cup-winning team has that guy you hate to play against. Pitts had Talbot and Kennedy. Det. had Maltby and Draper. Ana. had Moen and Marchant. I thought Bourque could develop into that.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
If Semin gets locked up we are fine at W. Top two lines with AO and AS? You could put a grinder with halfway decent hands on the other wing and the lines would be deadly. Between Fehr, Flash, Osala, Laich, Bouchard, Perreault, Eakin, Kugryshev I think we figure out a few top 6 wings, plus whatever future drafts hold.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I’m with Ovechwin on this. Pittsburgh probably had a need for a kid like Bourque, but I think the underlying reason for the claim was to take something away from Washington. As a long-time observer of the Red Sox-Yankee wars, there’s a long-held approach that what weakens your opponent strengthens you. I bet if you go through the wiaver wire, you can find a bunch of players Pittsburgh could have taken that are similar to Bourque.
Kinda like when NYY claimed Chris Carter so that the Sox would have to find another player to complete the Wagner trade.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Yep. I do find it amusing that the Stanley Cup champs are making it a habit of picking up Cap players. Last year Matt Cooke, then Brent Johnson and now C-Bo. What makes it tough is that there is no way in the world I can root against Chris, yet there’s also no way I can root for a Penguin. If he scores a game winner, I might just explode.
are you a fellow Red Sox fan?
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
After every Caps playoff elimination, I compare that season to the ’03 Sox. The irony is, Bruce Boudreau is a Yankee fan!
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
And the Sox is yours. You Yanks/Sox fans are so self-absorbed that you actually think there are only two sides, when the reality is the majority just want you all to go away.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Rec’d!!! The funny this is that all these Sox fans hate what they have themselves become. Trent Reznor is smiling somewhere (if he were at all a sports fan).
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 30, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s sorta true, in that some of us are embarrassed about the bandwagoners (think pink hats) I, by the way, do not own pink sports stuff.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Or the whole evil empire thing. Beats everyone by spending tons. Obnoxious arrogant fans.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
or the fact that Boston fans somehow think they invented baseball, being a fan, winning, and the internet.
I can’t wait for the Red Sox to go back to being a semi-decent team that chokes.
or the fact that Boston fans somehow think they invented baseball, being a fan, winning, and the internet.
ken burns said it, so it must be true.
by Natty Bumppo on Sep 30, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
The evil empire is still moreso the Yanks than us. We may have an extremely high payroll, but New York’s is even more absurd.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Yeah NY is more absurd but it’s not like BOS isn’t one of the 5 teams in on every major FA in MLB.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I never said that we weren’t in on every major FA, just that NY’s payroll is even more absurd than ours. (Side note: I want Joe Mauer…. to stay a Twin)
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
My dad would agree with you
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Growing up, spending my summers on a farm an hour out of St. Louis, and when I wasn’t there, the Prince William Cannons were the Cardinals farm team? Easy to fall for em.
Your dad seems like a smart fellow.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
he is. (and he grew up in rural Missouri a few hours from St. Louis)
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Go Nationals...
…and take the Redskins with you!
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 30, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve always been confused by these “lifelong” Red Sox fans that have never lived anywhere but Fairfax
I’m born and raised in MD, but my mom is from Boston and I go there to see family every year. I was an O’s fan during the summer of ’07, but that October, I turned on the ALCS and fell in love with the Sox. I also try my best to understand the game.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
so, in short, you’re a total bandwagon jumper.
I grew up in MD with Boston parents and despite Pete Angelos, my faith in the Birds remains.
actually, if it makes a difference, a good many Sox fans believe that the O’s will be real good in a couple years. Also, ’07 was the first year I started paying attention to sports.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Jumping on the hot team of the year is the very definition of a bandwagon fan. (um, an no, I don’t particularly care what Red Sox “fans” think of the Os)
As an O’s fan kinda (grew up with them, but don’t really care for baseball much anymore), the O’s stink.
The O’s will stink for a while.
by TFG on Sep 30, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Baltimore has a lot of good, young talent in the organization. If things don’t go badly wrong for them, they’ll be competitive.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
With all due respect, you started paying attention to sports in 2007. The O’s are over a decade removed from the playoffs. A couple good prospects is not going to save this organization. I’m sure you could find a couple good cells in a terminal tumor.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I’m not the only one who thinks that the O’s have potential. Sure, it’ll require some very good luck, but doesn’t that apply to all teams in some way?
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
I probably wouldn’t have become a sox fan if i didn’t have such strong family connections
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
You Yanks/Sox fans are so self-absorbed that you actually think there are only two sides, when the reality is the majority just want you all to go away.
What is your problem? Chowdah and I were sharing a couple of harmless joking comments and you turn it into a nasty fest. Seriously.
I’m not really being nasty and I’m not taking it too seriously, sorry if the tone didn’t come through. But the yanks/sox stuff is ubiquitous and even comes up on this site with a disturbing regularity. If you’re going to openly be a yanks/sox fan then at least have the courtesy to take some shots back with grace, god knows your fan base lobs plenty out.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I’m a big boy, I have no problem dealing with criticism. I’m just not going to be a punching bag just because you don’t like Boston. And no, your tone didn’t come through. For the record, I was Red Sox fan back when they were worse than the Orioles are today. Don’t lump me in with today’s fan base. And Weber, if you go back on this thread, you’ll see where it got turned into a baseball rant. But you’re right, this is a hockey blog and should stay that way.
I grew up on Long Island. The vast majority of my friends, and fiancee, are Yanks fans. It’s not really a personal assessment and I wasn’t trying to impugn your fanhood. I’ve just had yanks/sox crammed down my throat for far too long and I just felt like pointing out that most people actually don’t care.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Good. We both swim in these waters far too often to be pissing at each other.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Unless
It’s challenge pissing. In which case, it’s awesome.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
We are way too far to the right side of the screen to start this.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Keynes-Friedman 2: Rink Rat Boogaloo>
by Cluster on Sep 30, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Awesome. We gotta pimp this one. I’m talking exclusive interviews, a weigh in with manufactured tension, the works.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Aw come on
there’s a little
more space
over here to
the right.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm so glad
I came back to this thread. Otherwise I would have missed all this goodness.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
I’m trying to swear off fighting on the right side of the screen, but if you want to see me drop ’em with an old friend…
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Swear to God
I heard the theme from “Jaws” as I scrolled down the page.
Duh-nuhn. Duh-nunh.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
There were more than a couple of signs Bourque wasn’t the most perfect fit personality-wise in the org, possibly a la Eminger.
So while he may very well have a chip vs Washington in the immediate future, perhaps he’s a time-bomb/sleeper cell locker room cancer for the Pens.
Care to expand on these signs that he would have been poison?
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
It may be hard to go back and find the specific print references over time on a minor league prospect but fair request.
I’ll get back on that. We’ll say during game 1 – it’s an away game so you guys won’t be Verizoning anyway.
(The lazy response would have been lets look at his career in 3-4 years and read between the lines)
If you’re going to make that kind of statement, you need to back it up with facts. Otherwise that’s just weak, petty, small and unfortunate.
I have seen him screaming at coaches at a few Bears games. I’d say it’s probably more fire than cancer, though.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
I’ve seen that too. I’ve also seen him only work hard when he thinks someone is watching (like when there’s an injury in DC or his dad is in town to watch) and take short cuts later in the game when he thought he “did enough” earlier. He’s a great player when he actually plays, but you only get that 50% of the time.
by OverTheBoards on Sep 30, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
So can someone explain the rationale then? Waive CBo and have to call up some scrub? Why not just keep Bourque on the roster?
had to get under the Salary cap. pure and simple
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 30, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Sloan would have been picked up too, and faster.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Sorry, but no
He’s 28. He’s got no NHL track record, and only a marginal AHL track record. There are better options on waivers already, some of which are still available (Jones, Schubert).
Even if he were snatched up, we’ve got defensemen coming out of our ears.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
There are better options on waivers already, some of which are still available (Jones, Schubert).
Better player doesn’t always equal better option. That’s a minuscule cap hit for and NHL player.
This. He’s a serviceable NHL defenseman for next to nothing.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Exactly. Sloan is reliable and has progressed since his first NHL game. Jones is a bad turnover waiting to happen. He may have more skill and upside than Sloan but he is guaranteed going to hurt the team and he has a terrible K.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
883 – 243k more than Sloan and enough to make a difference.
Of course, there’s always the chance Team A claims Schubert and Team B claims Sloan as their backup plan.
Schubert: 65 NHL points
Sloan: 5 NHL points
Worth the extra $243k to me.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
This is one of those times
When I get annoyed remembering that the Caps pay Matt Bradley $1m. I like the guy, but $1m?
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
He’s worth it.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Can’t fault the guy for having a good agent.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Not the point
I remember back when the Caps re-signed him. I commented on here that I thought it was way too much. Everyone pretty much thought I was nuts, but at some point, all those little remainders add up. Today, it’s just Bourque, but last year, it was bringing someone in at the deadline. Who knows what could happen in the future. Every contract and every dollar counts.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Pretty sure you had it right, actually. Two singular subjects.. yeah.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
this was a sneak through fail. Fehr coming on line means someone had to be exposed and GMGM bet that now was the time. It’s a lot of faith in QLaing, imo.
from the house that Red Jesus built
Players like Laing are what every Stanley Cup winner has to have. Bourque doesn’t fit that role yet. I think keeping Laing over Bourque is an indication that the Caps really intend to go for it all this year. It sucks that we lost him, but if the Cup is the goal then it probably was inevitable. In any case, he was probably going on waivers in a week or two when Flash and/or Fehr return.
My hope is that Kane gets picked off the Waiver wire. He’s the Crosby of the AHL and it pains me to see that whining baby back with the Bears.
by OverTheBoards on Sep 30, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Cap casualty. Can we start a new thread talking about hockey matters that actually matter? The amount of discussion, venom even, about this thing is ridiculous. You’d think the Caps waived Ovi for god sakes. The guy was the last guy to make the roster. He’s not a sniper or a D-man.
by Carl Putnam on Sep 30, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Just because you didn’t like him doesn’t mean other people didn’t want to see him on the team really bad.
The paranoia part I agree with though.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
I never said I didn’t like him. He’s just a prospect that doesn’t project to be 1st or 2nd liner. Not sure where you get the idea I don’t “like” him. Haven’t seen enough of him at NHL level to determine my thoughts minus he’s not going to be a top 2 line guy. May turn into a servicable NHL guy. I only lose sleep when a team trades away current or prospective scorers, D-men, or goalies. You can always find the other parts. It’s like in NFL – you can find RB’s and LB’s much more easily than good lineman and QB’s.
For a lot of us who go to Hershey regularly, Chris has become a real favorite. I know in my case, I really wanted to see how he would develop at the NHL level. Yeah, he might be a marginal prospect, but we watched him grow up and now we’re robbed of the opportunity to possibly see him succeed in a Caps uniform. I doubt Chris was going to be the difference between losing the Cup and in a week it will be forgotten, but right now it stings.
From your post you convey that you really didn’t care or like to see him on the roster since you said none of this really matters. I wasn’t talking about liking him on a personal level.
Other people obviously care enough to talk about it, where they think he could have been a nice addition to the team maybe and you’re saying, “hey everyone, this is stupid to care move on to something else.”
He was also Ranked at #25 in our rank the Caps and we got nothing for him. (Ranked above Erskine, Clark, Sloan, Laing, and A Gordon)
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
My point is this org is going for a Cup. CBo was likely to have little to no effect on that. I’d rather argue about Schultz or even Nylander’s drag on the cap and how that effects moves than freaking out about a marginal player getting picked up on waivers.
Your evidence to keep is JP’s rankings poll? The poll was a popularity contest. It was fun way to pass the dreary no hockey summer days. Nothing more/nothing less.
So you’d rather they have cut Sloan or Lang? Sloan who was arguably their best D guy in camp and Lang who fills a role on PK that Caps need filled. Sorry those guys fill needs and bring depth in areas Cbo doesn’t.
It’s time to let go of the “best D-man in camp” meme. Yes, he played well. Why? Because he was playing for his career, that’s why. At 28, it’s make or break time for him. Borderline players often look like the best guys in camp, because they’re usually the only ones going 100%.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
I wouldn’t disagree per se in terms of this being his last shot, however I’d much prefer to have defensive depth especially to start the season. We’ve got a ton of question marks on the blueline in terms of consistency. I also think the competition to get into the lineup will ultimately result in better defensive play this year. That vs. a 4th liner to me is no contest. Apparently BB & GMGM feel the same.
As long as BB is at the head of the meme I don’t think you can bury it. Do I expect him to be the best D all year? No. But I think he played pretty damn well in the pre-season and the opportunities he got last season. He’s also cheap as dirt, which is nice to have on a team with an albatross.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
It was my evidence that people cared and would like to talk about it. Who are you to say everyone should just shut up and talk about something else because it doesn’t matter to you? Just go to another thread.
Maybe someone else can chime in if I’m not comprehending or writing things well.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
My point is people are getting overly dramatic over this situation. I’d like to think we’d all like to talk about potential themes/issues for upcoming season that starts on Thursday instead of a prospect who got waived.
Agree with you on one item. I am off to another thread. Wasted too much time on this already.
At least we still have Clark repping Red Sox Nation… sigh
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
Inb4 everyone acts like C-Bo was the next coming of hockey christ and wasn’t going to be in Hershey in two weeks anyway.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Sep 30, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions
Shitburgh
I really like to think we’re better than this. It’s just a pet-peeve of mine. I don’t like seeing Philthy or Shitsburgh any more than I like seeing The Crapitals. I don’t feel like it adds anything to the discussion other than empty invective. Just my take.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 30, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Rec’d. But I reserve the right to call them Crapitals when they play like it. Nobody kicks my dog but me.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Well, it’s a bit different when we do it. Just like it’s a bit different when you tease your kid brother and when someone else does it.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 30, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
This is why I just refer to them as “The fucking Penguins” or “Fucking Pittsburgh.” It’s harsher and more satisfying in addition to being less retarded.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Exactly my point. Shannon’s theory of information at work.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 30, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
aneurysm ensuing
not as much b/c of the Bourque leaving thing as it is the Penguins taking him. fuckers.
by ns on Sep 30, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Agreed. I don’t think I’d have cared if, say, Boston took him. I just hate losing EVERYTHING to Pittsburgh.
It just may be an indication of Pitts lack of depth.
by Sidehillman on Sep 30, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Rec’d. Pittsburgh just signed the Caps’ 14th forward, presumably to play him every night. Earlier this year, they signed the Caps’ 4th goalie to be their #2.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Instead of rec’ing this, how about we all engage in a little peer pressure by, oh, I dunno…
Suggesting an avatar?
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Um, OK, is it wrong to point out that CBo is a marginal NHL-AHL player, a fourth-liner with limited upside, a better last name than a player and that losing a guy like that isn’t the end of the world?
Is it great cap/player management by the WSH braintrust? No. Does it matter a whole lot? No.
I don’t always agree with Tyler, but when I do, I make sure it’s when we are dismissing Chris Bourque.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Sep 30, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Did someone call me?
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Um, OK, is it wrong to point out that CBo is a marginal NHL-AHL player, a fourth-liner with limited upside, a better last name than a player and that losing a guy like that isn’t the end of the world?
I feel your pain, I get comments ragging the Pens for letting Matt Moulson go (who is a spare part player on weak teams like LA and NYI these days)
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
Let’s see what the guy does in the league before we proclaim him marginal. The Caps aren’t immune to making mistakes.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Yeah, they drafted a guy from Cornell.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well the Caps drafted neither, so probably not.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Didn’t they draft their sons/older brothers though?
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I can see it now…Caps vs. Pens. Conference finals. Game 7. OT. Bourque scores the winner. Karma gets us again.
As much as I hate Pittsburgh, I wish the kid luck.
Fuck that. Fuck all of that.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I thin he meant that he hopes CBo doesn’t get messed up in the post-Cup limo ride is all. None of us wants anything we shipped to Pittsburgh to work out. This type of luck is a Beech-ism more than anything, I bet.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 30, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe. I’m just saying No to anything relating to the Penguins succeeding, and damn sure G7OTG from our former prospect. He was an alright prospect by why in holy hell would any of us be wishing for him to be the one that got away. (Not that I think kewibr was actually wishing for the G7OTG, it’s just too unbearable a thought to even bring up.)
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Oh hell no! I just know how much it’s pissed me off to see the likes of Murphy, Gonchar, and Cooke helping Pitt win against us. I know it’s only because we’re looking at them, but it always seems like they’re the ones doing the damage and it would kill me if CB did the same. I’ll ‘whoop’ his ass ever time he’s on the ice in a Pens uniform.
I do wish him luck though…I’ll be happy to see him score on the Flyers, just as long as he tanks against us.
You clearly don’t understand what the “whoop” is for.
by Scott in Shaw on Sep 30, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cap Casualty?
Did we really need that 77.000 that we save with boyd kane up instead
Your favorite meme is dead
No probably not. GMGM just gave the kid away to spite CBo, his family, and his fans.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
1. F-You Pittsburgh, on principle
2. If this kid’s last name wasn’t Bourque and his dad wasn’t Ray Bourque we wouldn’t be having these conversations.
I hope he’s successful since there’s gotta be a ton of pressure on a legacy kid like this to partially fill his father’s shoes. But at 5’ 8" and 168 lbs., the odds are against him.
5’ 8" and 168 lbs
Perhaps with these on…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Because it’s Pittsburgh, and because I had a soft spot in my hockey heart for the kid from Boston…. ugh.
It really feels like a dick move by Pittsburgh, no matter what the real reasoning was. As long as he doesn’t score any gamewinners against the Caps, I wish him well.
by mercurialwinger on Sep 30, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions
The real question is…would you really rather Bourque than Fehr or Flash…?
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Sep 30, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions
At this point, no. Flash makes less and can score a lot more.
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree with the essence, but not the facts
But if you couldn’t get that from the thread yesterday there’s no reason to rehash it.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Sorry, reading fail. Bourque makes less.
Do you disagree with me or Capitals Kremlin?
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, you
I think you’re right, Flash might score more (although not by as much as we might hope), but his complete failure at other aspects of the game makes him expendable to me, no matter his cap hit.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
He’s of the same class as Bourque and more proven in the NHL. I’d risk Flash.
I opened the comments yesterday, then closed the window by accident, so all the comments were un-yellowed. Didn’t bother leafing through them (or should I say penning?).
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I would not risk Flash with him injured. He had pneumonia last season and still scored 19 goals. His numbers have improved EVERY season he’s played for the Caps. OK, he had one fewer assist last year than the year before. The pneumonia dropped him 30 pounds, and it’s VERY hard to recover from that and play hockey at the same time. He was really only starting to play like he had at the beginning of the season during the playoffs.
Risk?
I’m not sure what you mean by risk in this context. As for the 19 goals, he played a lot on one of the league’s best power plays.
And no, he didn’t “lose 30lbs” when he had pneumonia. He’s 190lbs (probably being generous). He missed only 6 games with the pneumonia, which is about two weeks in calendar time. You’re telling me that an otherwise healthy athlete lost 30lbs (or 16% of his bodyweight) in two weeks? Sorry, no. And I don’t care if Bruce said something to that effect, it was hyperbole.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Mike Green is a dick
He should have shared his extra weight with Flash.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Is he the one that we’re picking on for being fat this year? Last year at this time it was Nicky.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
No, Green was fat during the second half of last season (apparently, although our freaking beat writers didn’t share that info with us and news didn’t come out until 2 weeks before camp).
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
There were whispers out there. That’s basically par for the course with beat writers in any sport; you have to do a lot of reading between the lines.
I’m not sure how serious to take the whispers, to tell you the truth.
huh??
The whispers were pretty poor, IMO. If any of them had gone beyond “he haz no golez so he sux in the playoffs” then maybe I’d pay attention. But you had a bunch of asshats saying they thought his conditioning was an issue when the guy was still able to skate, just couldn’t do shit with the puck; all while not mentioning the bum shoulder. I thought it was sloppy work.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Pretty tough to make any sort of solid analysis on injuries in hockey – the players and clubs are so secretive you can never really tell what is what. Iirc, there was lots of talk about the flu, we knew there had been a shoulder injury but it was never discussed openly…the shoulder sure didn’t help that’s for sure.
huh??
Yeah, but
Isn’t that what Corey and Tarik get paid for? Isn’t “access” the thing that separates journalists from hacks like us?
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Sep 30, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
As for the 19 goals, he played a lot on one of the league’s best power plays.
You just love throwing that out there despite everything we learned yesterday.
What exactly did we "learn?"
That he got 2:20 of PP time/game on the league’s second-best PP? That he scored more than 1/3 of his goals on the PP? That his lack of defensive abilities or physical play make him useless outside of scoring? That he’s precisely the kind of player the Caps didn’t need in the playoffs? That he disappears for long stretches and has difficulty staying in the lineup?
If Flash comes out this year and scores 20 goals and gets 25 assists, I’ll buy you a beer. But I still say that’s less likely than Bristol Palin making a run for her mom’s vacated governor seat in 2012.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
I will say this much regarding Flash and pneumonia. I’m recovering from pneumonia right now, and I had a mild case. That s*** is no f***** joke. I shook bronchitis on my own in three days and this knocked me out for a week until the antibiotics kicked in. I dropped five pounds in three days. I’m still working back into my workout routine and my cardio levels are back to where they were in July. I felt like a three-day-old kitten for a week even after I shook it and could go back to work.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I've had it, multiple times
But still, 30lbs in 2 weeks? It’s pretty easy to lose 10 as you become dehydrated. But losing 30, when you’re as lean as Flash is, means losing copious amounts of muscle, and that’s just tough to do in 2 weeks.
I don’t doubt that it affected his season, but I don’t think it’s an end-all, be-all excuse for his atrocious play down the stretch, either.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Total agreeance. I’d rather Flash.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Oct 1, 2009 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Like several posts in this thread, that’s uncalled for and more CI-style than it is Rink-style.
by TylerG on Sep 30, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Like everyone else I’m upset that Nyls isn’t working out in BB’s system. But eff him? Really? Seems to me that when he signed the contract…while dissing EDM…there weren’t this many naysayers or contract haters. Do you really blame him for signing the contract? How would you act if you were in his shoes?
No one put a gun to McPhee’s head to make him sign Nylander. In fact, we were all pretty much clicking our heals with joy when it happened. And if you’re feeling bad for Chris, don’t forget, he isn’t going to Phoenix. He just got picked up by the current Stanley Cup Champs. I bet you he’s not exactly crying.
Not all of us
I hated the Nyls-Poti-Kozlov signings from the get-go. And still do. (And yes, I know Poti’s useful.)
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Who do you like, if you hate Poti, Koz, and Flash?
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
All the legitimately talented younger players that will actually be on the team when we win a cup
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Fleischmann’s not going anywhere, so you might need to be more specific~
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Reading comprehension
I never said I hated the players, I hated their contracts. At the time, I thought at the time that the players and prospects acquired during the 2004-2006 rebuild would start to jell into a Cup contender in a couple of years. At the same time, I felt that Nyls, Kozzy and Poti would likely as not end up as expensive complimentary players, and that their contracts would collectively push us up against the cap and limit our flexibility at the crucial moment when we hit our “Stanley Cup Window.”
I think I was pretty spot-on. Poti has been a useful player, but given our depth at D and Green’s emergence as the PP QB, I think we could find better use for his $3.5m.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Well, Kozlov is gone just in time, so his K was about perfect. Poti has actually been the veteran presence on the blueline, much as it surprises me. I still don’t think his game is great, but I honestly don’t see who replaces it. Maybe that money could have been used better, but the way the D market has looked (we could have had Jeff Finger!) I’m not even sure of that. Nyls is the one that is a big problem, and the one that should have looked like a problem from the start.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
You’d be hard pressed to find a #1 pairing defenseman for much less than $3.5 million. My complaint with Poti isn’t his play, it’s that he’s been injured a lot.
Somewhere
A little piece of Scotty Hockey just died.
Seriously, if you think Poti is a #1 pairing defenseman, I’ve got a kick ass bridge to see you east of Alexandria. Brand new and everything.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
If I were in his shoes I’d be happy when I signed the contract.
As of last year I would feel worthless no matter how much money I was making. I haven’t performed at a professional level in over a year. I am holding back the team that I’ve been a part of during that time. I think I probably would have read the writing on the wall and waived the remainder of my contract and forged some career where I could be productive and not a hindrance. But that’s just me.
Wow. You’d turn down the last big pay check of your career because you weren’t producing? You’re a better person than me.
On a global scale it depends on what you’re doing to earn that pay check. I’ve been in situations where I’ve gotten paid to do basically nothing. It wears on your soul. You can feel your worth eroding away every day.
In a situation like professional sports when your life is playing a sport, you’ve been practicing and playing in games for your entire life it’s much different and much worse (at least I can imagine). You’ve made millions and you have to think that you’re good at what you do. Suddenly you’re on the bench or worse, not even dressing to play. Sure you’re making millions still but you’re not doing anything and your future worth is dropping fast.
Say what you want about players chasing money but at least they get to play to earn it.
And he’s made how much in his career?
Roughly 20.7 million. But 8.5 million is 8.5 million.
It’s a lot easier to say you’d walk away from that than it is to actually do it.
Did you see the shoes he had on at Convention Saturday – ewww! Nobody wants to be in those shoes. Dirty, ripped, smelly boat shoes. Yuck.
by OverTheBoards on Sep 30, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Blah, I’m just in such an awful mood. Nervous all night and day, just to see this.
I think I need to bail on hockey coverage for a day or two, just try to enjoy opening day, and let the loss settle in.
What a fscking head-trip… my favorite player is gone.. and to the waddle-birds.
So much for that white jersey. =(
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
HOLY CRAP! You were literally moments away from ordering a jersey that, two days after placing the order, would be like some sort of ticking stinkbomb coming in UPS delivery.
Play it safe… order up an OV. What, someone has a problem with a Hall of Famer jersey?! Sure everyone else has one, that should tell you he’s pretty damned good.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 30, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t fault people for wearing jerseys of players no longer with the team. It’s not as if Bourque went to management demanding a trade or waiver opportunity.
If anything, a Bourque jersey shows you pay attention to this team outside of the young guns.
Tarik has Chris’ reaction up.
“I’m excited and sad at the same time,” Bourque said. “The organization has done so much for me, whether it was in Hershey or Washington. I won two Calder Cups in Hershey and scored my first goal NHL in Washington. Some of my best memories playing hockey have been in this organization. At the same time, I’m excited to get a chance with Pittsburgh. They won the Stanley Cup last year and they’ll be raising the banner Friday night [against the Rangers.] That will be fun. Hopefully, I can stick with the big club the whole season.”
I’m sure we’ll all be over Bourque long before it happens.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Sep 30, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The half-price situation only arises on re-entry waivers, I believe.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Well, we might as well wait and see how this plays out. The Pens made their final cuts the other day, too. As discussed here, what’s one bubble player for another? Are you gonna cut your own loyal AHLers for a guy who JUST made the opposition’s opening day roster(and only due to injuries)? He’s a fill in guy! That seems like a bit of a narrow strategy on the Pens’ part. Is Bourque THAT much better than anyone in the Pens’ system? Will Bourque remain on the NHL roster? Would the Caps try to get him back?
At any rate, wow, what a very poorly handled situation by the Caps. I REALLY wish the Caps took a page out of the Red Wings’ front office and never promise anything to any bubble players. Because ya never know….
Salary cap listing?
Geez. Hate to him go there. Can someone direct me to a site that has all of the teams & salaries? How can the Penguins have room to pick up anybody? How long do they have Malkin, Staal locked up for?
It’s not 100% accurate.
By the way, no one knows how Bourque will fit on the Pens. We’ll have to wait and see.
sorry, re-reading you post, Holt Worth, and I think you mean “fit” as in how will he mesh with the team, what line, etc. Not how will he fit under the cap. So ignore my previous post
Correct. Like the Caps they just finalized their roster before this waiver fiasco. I’ve talked this out to a few objective people(Red Wing and Devils fans) and they’re baffled by the Pens’ decision and agree there’s a bit of the ol’ “F’ you, Washington” into this move. How are you going to cut down your team to 21, establish bonds between line- and teammates, and then throw new prospect into the mix just as the season begins? Blarg.
AND they stole our backup goalie! [Drops Gloves]
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 30, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Dagger. I liked Bourque. I think that the Caps should have gotten rid of two other guys and kept Borque. There are guys inthe org that are only going to be AHL players. Bourque may not be. He won two AHL championships, and was a hard working kid. I hate that it happened like that. All this for Nylander? Should have bought him out. Bourque is worth more than Nylander.
Nylander bouy out has too many negative cap ramifications. Not an option.
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 30, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Eugoogly
To those of you don’t get why some of us seem to be more upset by Bourque’s departure than seems necessary, I offer the following words:
Bourque is probably never going to be a star in the NHL, but he has undeniable talent. He has great wheels, a “wicked-hard” shot, and a brain that thinks the game a step ahead of his opponents. His stature in the game is more a product of his stature than his name. True, he never cracked the Caps lineup before, but in his first year, he was only 19. After watching his performance in the Calder Cup playoffs last year, I was convinced that this was the year of his NHL breakout. Apparently, so was Ray Shero.
Moreover, Bourque is the kind of player that the Caps have seemingly lacked for the last few years. He’s an all-out buzzsaw on the ice who is constantly revving his engine to the redline. He’s fun to watch, but more than that, his style of play drives opponents nuts. To my eyes, he’s the anti-Flash. He might not have the same hands, but when he’s not scoring, you still notice him. You can’t help but notice him.
Finally, for those of us who played contact sports despite being small in stature, players like Chris Bourque will always have a place in our hearts. We root for them because we want to see them succeed, because, in a way, when they succeed, so do we.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Sep 30, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 11 recs
he’s the anti-Flash.
Is it “in other words” when you actually say it???
by Sct112 on Sep 30, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec-a-roni. This, exactly.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I don’t get it.
If you say, this bums me because I wanted to see Chris grow up in this org, that’s fine.
If you say, this bums me because i wanted to be able to cheer for him and now he’s in Pittsburgh and I can’t, that’s fine.
But when you say “he’s got undeniable talent” then that’s a load of baloney because GMGM would have found a trade partner if that were true.
We’re literally down to the Pens saying “the 25th guy on your roster is marginally better than the 25th guy on my roster, so I’ll cut him and take yours.” That’s definitely not undeniable talent. That’s not Ray Shero thinks this will be a breakout year for Chris. And then there are 20+ GMs who decided Chris wasn’t even worth picking up for free.
He doesn’t have much going for him besides warm Hershey feelings and an awesome last name.
by Tromni on Sep 30, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Height
I think if Bourque were 6ft, he’d have been taken much earlier, if he were ever waived in the first place.
I think GMGM’s strategy almost worked. He thought (wrongly) that teams who were still paring their roster down wouldn’t want to pick up another guy this late in the game. I think that probably kept more than a few teams from claiming him – they’re still figuring out their own mess.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
If he were 6ft, I think Fehr would still be in Hershey.
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If he were 6 feet, he’d have the physical tools to be an NHL player.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Dino Ciccarelli, Yvan Cournoyer, Henri Richard, Marcel Dionne and Martin St. Louis all rang
They’d like a word.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Yeah I just spoke to them, they said CBo isn’t in their league. Give him 4 inches and they’ll still take him to school.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They weren't calling you.
Maybe lines got crossed? Do they even have lines anymore?
Wouldn’t it be awesome if the internet were actually controlled by a huge number of women with old-school 40s haircuts plugging various wires into a massive board of sockets?
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
You just gave Mabel a good chuckle when she routed that comment through to the Rink.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
You’d think the Rink populace would have considered him higher than, say, someone who’s in Hershey now.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
It all comes down to wing depth. The Caps have better wings than the Penguins, and Bourque was expendable.
Bourque may actually get a shot at a top-9 role with the Pens. Pascal Dupuis is probably going to get a lot of time on the Pens 3rd line, and he hasn’t caught a pass cleanly since last October.
Bourque works hard, like Dupuis, but he has more offensive upside. If it doesn’t work out, oh well. The Caps had to do what they had to do. They are too stacked offensively on the big-boy club to make room for him.
Things that people keep saying that are kinda irritating and untrue:
1. “This is Nylander’s fault!” What’s the guy going to do, force a European team to offer him a contract? Maybe they all think he stinks too, just like the Caps.
2. “Oh well, Bourque was going to get exposed to waivers anyway!” The Caps could easily have sent down Sloan now instead, and he probably would have cleared with no difficulty. Contrary to what you might think, unproven 6/7 NHL defensemen are really not that hard to come by. After Sloan, if the Caps were insistent that Bourque was the odd man out, you have until Flash has recovered to let him earn a spot or give him the Lepisto treatment.
3. “Bourque was just a casualty of the cap.” This one is sort of true, but it obscures the point. The Caps may have had to send somebody down, but they chose Bourque, knowing that he would probably not clear. Or maybe they thought he would clear (in which case, they are also dumber than I thought). Either way, you simply can’t blame “the cap” here, you have to blame the Caps. They had other options (i.e. SLOAN), but this is the one they chose.
At this point, I’m just thrilled that the Penguins grabbed him. I am not going to do any work for the rest of the day, and I will be thoroughly entertained!
Mostly agree, but
I think
knowing that he would probably not clearprobably isn’t true. I think if they knew that Pitts would sign him, they’d have done things differently.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Do you remember the whole “promised CBo they’d find an NHL club for him” thing. Well if GMGM couldn’t find a trade partner and wanted to give CBo a chance and knew it wouldn’t be with the caps, then waivers are the only way to go. Ron Hainsey gives unwaivering credit to Gainey for giving him a shot in the NHL; Hainsey had been toiling in the minors for a long time though he could probably have played on a few NHL clubs. Gainey tried to bring him up to the Habs through waivers even though he knew Hainsey would get picked up just because he wanted the guy to have a shot in the NHL. Maybe GMGM was just trying to give CBo a chance.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
My expletive early about Nylander was more surrounding his situation with this team. He’s making money, a LOT of money, but not earning it.
Is that his fault? Partially. He isn’t stepping his game up, he doesn’t appear to even be trying to adapt to the new system he’s in.
What isn’t his fault? We gave him too much money and he’s old.
This part probably isn’t true:
The Caps could easily have sent down Sloan now instead, and he probably would have cleared with no difficulty.
I think Sloan would also have been claimed.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
he made it through waivers to the very last team. pretty close to clearing if you ask me
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 30, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
They had other options (i.e. SLOAN), but this is the one they chose.
I think Sloan’s cheaper. I can’t believe the magic number was somewhere between 500,000 and 577,500. That’s probably the answer.
2. "Oh well, Bourque was going to get exposed to waivers anyway!" The Caps could easily have sent down Sloan now instead, and he probably would have cleared with no difficulty. Contrary to what you might think, unproven 6/7 NHL defensemen are really not that hard to come by. After Sloan, if the Caps were insistent that Bourque was the odd man out, you have until Flash has recovered to let him earn a spot or give him the Lepisto treatment.
Perhaps, but with Flash and Fehr on the roster, that would just have made him a healthy scratch every night. And they’re going to have to open up two roster spots for Flash and Fehr.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
In the cap crunch, I find it hard to understand why the Caps kept 8 defensemen on the NHL roster.
No offense to him, but players like Tyler Sloan pass through waivers all the time. 23 year old forwards with decent upside and proven AHL production don’t hit the wire all that often.
With all the injuries last season the Caps maybe they don’t even want to put it to chance. That’s the only thing I can think of, easier to find a 4th liner than it would be to get a NHL caliber defenseman.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
I'm starting to feel dirty
From all the sense you’re making. Please say something irrationally homer-istic about the Pens, and I’ll do the same for the Caps so the universe can come back into balance.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Sep 30, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yes. Ironically Hooks is the most civilized of other NHL team nation people who post IMO.
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I like your point Hooks but I think it was a gamble that GMGM got called on. He tried to slip him through, and the Pens called him on it.
The fact is that Bourque was going to be assigned to Hershey in 2 weeks when Flash/Fehr come back even if Sloan was the one sent down today. GMGM tried to hide CBo in the wash and it didn’t work out.
the part that I don’t like most is that they let him make the opening night roster and then they waived him. Not classy at all.
by Hunky Dory on Sep 30, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
They were gonna have to once Fehr and/or Flash returned. I’m guessing Fehr’s progression led to them to decide to take a chance now hoping they could get him through. It was gonna happen soon enough.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 30, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hard to say that now since we haven’t seen much of Bourque in the NHL, but that may very well end up being the case…or not.
Would we feel the same way if his last name wasn’t Bourque?
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 30, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Personally, it has nothing to do with his last name. I liked the way he played. I like what he offered. I like the tempo he brought and the tenacity with which he fought. I watch Fehr do nothing with his size and I watch Bourque play bigger than he is. Plus, Fehr has now had two shoulder surgeries, on both shoulders no less. If he was a physical presence, I’d be more lenient, but he ain’t and his shoulders are already an issue.
CBo was a 2nd round pick. Angus was a 1st round pick. Perreault was a 6th round pick. Tell me names and bloodlines don’t matter. If CBo was 6th round pick Chris Smith he’d probably have already been gone, and would not have the same kind of fan swell that CBo enjoys.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
That’s the big question, I feel. How would we feel if he was not a Bourque, but a Wilson? I don’t know if this would even be an issue.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I’m not sure why everyone thinks he’s just a product of his name. In his 20-23 year old seasons as a pro, he put up almost a point/game, and then almost a point/game in the playoffs last year. If you look at the names surrounding him on the Calder Cup scoring leaders, they’re almost all older AAAA non-prospects like Giroux.
Bourque is better than you’re giving him credit for.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
He may not be a product of his name, but he certainly has gotten the Borque-bump. He was not really a 2nd round prospect when he was picked, and he’s not really anything special now. How many guys in the NHL that are shorter than 5’10" aren’t top 6 talent? Outside Tootoo all the small guys I can think of are ridiculously talented. I don’t know if Borque has that much talent.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Sep 30, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Draft Position
I think you’re right here – without the name, he’s not a 2nd rounder. Most everything after that has been him though.
Shorter than 5’10… I’ll have to think on that. Probably not many, though.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
The organization lacks Fehr type players. I’d keep Fehr over Bourque.
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
No, big net-crashing wingers who post comparable EVEN+/- per 60 to Alex Ovechkin.
by red army line on Sep 30, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Net-crashing wingers? Fehr? Since when? He was drafted to be a right wing scoring threat. He hasn’t done that, and he’s been injured a lot.
He’s been known to – doesn’t always, but when he does, red lights behind the goal celebrated.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
his high is 12 goals. He’s as effective as Sutherby was. his +/- is higher, once. Just because he had a decent +/- for one PARTIAL season doesn’t mean he’s a star waiting to shoot across the sky. I’d have bet that Bourque put up 12 goals this year had he stuck.
He’s as effective as Sutherby is a joke. I’m not going to pull the link again but DMG has done great work looking at how effective various players are, and you could learn from his analysis of Fehr.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
yeah, I read it, it was one partial season and it doesn’t mean he’s going to replicate it. Since then, he’s had both shoulders worked on. He’s often injured and hasn’t lived up to the hype. We’ll see if he does this year. But keep in mind that he’s not even going to start the season. McPhee noted years ago that he’s never seen a player have a good year if they missed training camp. Your boy aint ready to go and is going to have to work his way back into shape before he starts producing, like everyone else. All that work stealing pucks is useless if you send weak wristers on net from 40 feet out. Of course it shows that his shifts ends in the offensive zone, he hands the puck over to the goalie.
That’s not really an accurate summation of his game. I’m also not saying he’s the next coming of John Leclair. I am saying that he’s head-and-reconstructed-shoulders above Sutherby.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
All that work stealing pucks is useless if you send weak wristers on net from 40 feet out. Of course it shows that his shifts ends in the offensive zone, he hands the puck over to the goalie.
Meme. The only guy whose average wrister was from a shorter distance than Fehr was Laich.
Yeah, the most “net-crashing” I see Fehr do is taking pot shots from the outside. Hopefully he proves me wrong with a season of Knub-lessons.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
What did the Caps get in return?
(sorry for not reading ALL comments if this was mentioned).
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 30, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions
Jack Shit.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Don’t the Pens have to offer compensation? or is this one of those “for future considerations”, undisclosed to the public sort of deals?
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 30, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
No. It was a waiver wire pick up. He’s just gone. It wasn’t an offer sheet.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
I guess I assumed it was like MLB, where teams that claim the player still have to compensate the former team (in other words, offer a trade).
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 30, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe when you claim a player off of waivers you put up a nominal fee (like $50,000). But that could be under the previous CBA.
Basically it costs very little to get a player from waivers.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
What did the Caps get in return?
there was a goat pic in an earlier thread that summed it up pretty well.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Sep 30, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
To be fair for the Caps on Sloan(and fair to Sloan), from all preseason reports Tyler was one of the best performing defenders. They made their positive opinions of him very public, but I’m sure scouts from around the league noticed this, too.
And don’t forget…no one’s questioning the Caps’ skill and depth at forward.
If Tyler Sloan is our best defenseman, let me go on record with “We’re fucked.”
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Sep 30, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Not ours, I don’t think, but he was solid enough in pre-season that I can think of several clubs that would consider him an upgrade.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Not to throw stones, because he doesn’t deserve it, but Tyler Sloan making the team is more of an indication of where our D is at than how well Sloan is playing. That said, SLoan beating Alzner out also says something and it aint something I like hearing.
I still think you’re not giving Tyler enough credit. Guess we’ll see who’s right come tomorrow night.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Like I said, I’m not throwing stones at Sloan. He made the roster by playing very well. I thought he played pretty good when called up last year. But he looks good compared to some of our other dfensemen. I look at other bluelines and I dont see Sloan cracking them. Thats all I’m saying. We seem to be long on 3rd pairing guys and short on first and seconds. If Ovechkin were to sustain a lengthy injury, do you think our offense puts up enough to make the D shine? I think its questionable, not improbable, but far less likely.
Depends. I don’t think it’s impossible that they do – we have more weapons than just Ovechkin, and if you put a Hershey call-up in the lineup, he will bust his @$$ while he’s up here because he wants to stay. I think it’s no accident that we posted our best month-record of the season last year when our blueline was more chocolate than red.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I agree that the d improved when the Bears blueline was in, but that goes back to my point about our blueline being suspect. My fundamental point is that with Ovechkin out of the lineup, this team loses a lot up front. I thought Malkins remarks last spring were very telling. He said the Caps have two top lines that cause trouble and two bottoml ines that were less worrisome; and he noted that the D wasn’t too hard to get around. Now, sure, they had busted feet and and cracked ribs, but the fact remains that the only people looking at the Caps D and liking what they see are Caps fans. Everyother pundit looks and says after Green there is a steep drop off. I agree with that. Poti aint a force. He’s a 3-4 guy on any team with a Decent blueline. Green, Poti and then…it looks like Sloan.
Then why didn’t we trade Morrissonnnnnn or Juice? 8 D plus Alzner and Carlson on deck…
Russian Machine Never Breaks
My guess
No takers. I’m still somewhat surprised that they’re on the roster at this point, but I don’t think anyone wanted to pick them up for the cap hit.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
This. I bet there were no takers, especially with someone like Randy Jones on waivers.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 30, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
If nobody wants to pick them up for that cap hit, why did we just sign them for that cap hit??
Russian Machine Never Breaks
It's not quite either/or
The recipient would be losing something (presumably a pick or prospect) and losing cap space. We just lose the cap space.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Seems to me we re-signed these guys with the intention of getting something for them. That now seems less likely and whatever we do get (4th rounder?) it will be minus Chris Bourque.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Sorta
But I also think we re-signed them because nobody would go into a season in which they expected to compete for the Cup with Tyler Sloan, John Erskine and Brian Pothier as top-6 defensemen. And that’s not a slight against those guys, but Sloan is a AAAA player (if that) Erskine is just now starting to look like a legit NHL player and Pothier is one hard jostle away from retirement.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
I’m somewhere in between. I like Bourque and was deeply disappointed that he got claimed, for all of the reasons D’ohboy above stated. He’s an energy player who’s a pain in the rear to play against, and has offensive upside. Mostly what annoys me is that he’s also responsible in his own end, and that’s not something we have a ton of.
But you can’t keep everyone, and Sloan doesn’t clear either, dollars to doughnuts. He was too solid in pre-season and I think he’d upgrade the 2nd or 3rd pairings of at least 10 different teams.
In short, FML, but dagger is going a bit far.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Left wing is this organization’s long suit, the Alex Semin at 2RW notwithstanding. It’s sucks it’s a kid who’s cut his teeth with us, and it sucks worse that George couldn’t make a move to at least get something for him, a pick, something. But Chris Bourque is not the piece where we’re short (no pun intended).
from the house that Red Jesus built
We’re a tad short on energy players and workers like Bourque.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Not in the bottom 6 F. If he was a top 6 F that had energy and grit I’d think differently, and so would GMGM. Picking up BMo and Knuble upgraded our top 6 energy and toughness as well, fwiw.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Knuble, yes. BMo? You sure about that? That’s why I like the idea of having Laich at 2LW – he does bring some of that. Maybe when Fehr comes back he can do something with that as well – assuming he will and he’s healthy.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Fehr? Toughness?
I know he’s big, and he puts up good stats/TOI, but he’s never demonstrated even one iota of on-ice toughness in the mold of say, Knuble or Bradley. He’s a big guy who plays a perimeter game. He could get outmuscled by a Kostitsyn.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
And perhaps one of the reasons why Knuble was brought in, to give a kick in Fehr’s arse.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
BB gives the kick in the ass. Knuble shows him how to be a net presence. Getting to the net and scoring is about timing. If you set up too early the D ties you up and you can’t get to a rebound, if you get there too late you don’t get anything. Knowing when to approach the front and time it is a skill that Fehr hasn’t developed (neither has Laich) but Knuble most certainly has.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Wrong choice of words from me, but sounds like we’re on the same page.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Check the stats. Fehr’s a good defensive player. Really nice defensive stats, and without the best quality teammates on his lines.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess you're responding to me
I didn’t question his defensive ability. I was more questioning his strength, balance on his skates and willingness to be physical.
Toughness scale:
Matt Bradley<-Eric Fehr<-A soft, downy pillow<-Tomas Fleischmann
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
strength, balance on his skates and willingness to be physical
How is that different from defensive ability?
More importantly, if you have all of those things but no defensive ability, doesn’t that make you a bad player? If you have very strong defensive ability, but you lack each of those things doesn’t that make you [Putting Jeff Schultz in strikethrough would just be too damned easy here] a very useful hockey player?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Defense to me
Is more about positioning, being aware of what’s going on around you, having a quick stick, making the smart play, etc. I think Fehr’s actually pretty good at these things.
However, when the puck drops into the corners in the offensive zone, I rarely see him out-muscle someone for the puck. Is it because he’s not able, or not willing? I’m not really sure, but there it is.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
All I’m saying is physicality is a means. Scoring goals is an end. Preventing goals is an end. There’s more than one means to that end. If someone is good at scoring and preventing goals, but isn’t physical, that someone is a good hockey player. If someone is physical but isn’t good at scoring or preventing goals, that person is not a good player.
Fehr’s a good player. I don’t much care how he gets there.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think we’re sorta talking past each other here. I think you’re right – physicality is a means. But given Fehr’s general lack of skating ability, if he’s going to stick in this league as anything other than a bottom-6 forward, he’s going to have to learn how to be a little more “like Mike,” and a little less “like Flash.”
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Publish each team's salary cap Liability!
1) Yet another reason the NHL needs to publish each team’s salary cap liability and update it daily! This way fans such as ourselves can understand moves such as these.
2) We heard after the last lockout how the NHL was going to be fan friendly/open/more access, etc. Well, a good start would be to publish a number that for some reason is not publicly revealed. (apparently the press IS privy to these numbers?)
3) If they updated it based upon trades, call ups/injuries, etc each day on NHL.com it would be a very popular location!
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
Lots of clubs don’t officially announce contract terms, so this would be forcing their hands.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Which is ridiculous, because a number, maybe not exact but fairly damn close always gets out almost immediately.
Yeah, but it should still be up to the team as far as official policy.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Oh, I agree. I don’t mind telling people what I earn or how I spend my money, but I don’t want it listed publicly on the internet. :)
I’m just saying it’s moot to hide it from world if the world is going to find out anyway.
If they pay a lease to the arena then the point is the same. I don’t see how the arena issue is dispositive if the team is paying rent.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I see your point
But I imagine that most leases do not cover the full amortized cost of the arena. Most research shows that arenas are not profitable – hence why many are publicly funded. So, if that’s the case, the taxpaying public is giving a subsidy to that team, and deserves to have some clue as to how they’re spending that money.
I don’t feel all that strongly about it though, since we can get most of the info via google anyhow.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
Yeah it all becomes publicly available (mostly) somehow so it’s not a big deal. But the arenas are used for more than just the sports team so it’s not like the arena is to the sole benefit of the team, even if the team was the impetus for construction. Arenas may not be profitable, but that is for a community to consider before deciding to build one, not a reason to use as leverage over the team to force public access to their books.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Seattle Example
While I voted in favor of building both Safeco and Qwest Field (which the teams DO NOT lease), most people in Seattle did not. I can’t recall the exact particulars, but the voters turned down the sales-tax levy and the city council pushed it through anyway.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
That’s a bad community decision, I’m not sure what implication that should have on the teams that play there. Are you saying the city of Seattle should have access to the private books of the Mariners and Seahawks?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
In theory, yeah
But I really don’t care all that much. I’m a sports fan. Fuck hospitals and roads.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Sep 30, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I love that line so much, I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If the Caps had thought it crucial to keep CB they would have.
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
Probably what it boils down to. It’ll open up opportunities for guys to shine in Hershey, too.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Yes it sucks, but it won’t make or break the Caps. He is going to be a 4-A roleplayer for most of his career, much like Keith Aucoin.
Now part of the Pens motivation may be to reduce the Caps depth a bit. I am sure one of the reasons that George signed Aucoin before 2008-09 was that it reduced the Hurricanes’ depth. Fortunately, the Caps are still very deep. Remember, the Caps AHL and ECHL affiliates are hanging championship banners at their home openers…
Let's go Caps!
Boyd Frikkin Kane?
And Q Laing on the 3rd line?
That part sucks ass.
CBo on the Pens doesn’t faze me at all, though.
huh??
Unfortunate salary cap casualty, or dagger to your heart?
Yes, both. Damnitall.
If they hadn’t told him he made the team first…if he hadn’t been picked up by Pittsburgh…if he hadn’t been so gracious and eloquent when he scored his first NHL goal…
OTOH, I’d rather be crushed by Pittsburgh in September than in April. Let’s hope.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
The Chris Bourque lobby is forever closed now :(
nah, I wish him best of luck on puke Pittsburgh…it’s a business and there’s not much you can do about it.
Although I’d really like to ask GMGM why he did this in the first place…
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Sep 30, 2009 3:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I don't quite know why
But this whole situation reminds me of this video.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
What’s the keystroke to advance to the next new comment? These long threads are killing me. If anyone has a link to the post with all of those shortcuts, I’ll be your best friend.
Press C to tab to new comments, Shift-C to tab backwards, X to mark as read, and Shift-A to mark all read.
The best: Z will simultaneously mark and tab forward, and R will reply to the comment that has focus.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Right at the top of these comments.
Press C to tab to new comments, Shift-C to tab backwards, X to mark as read, and Shift-A to mark all read.
The best: Z will simultaneously mark and tab forward, and R will reply to the comment that has focus.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I've read all 409 posts..
and no mention of why Boyd Kane was the one called up from Hershey? Was he even at the Caps training camp?
I saw Boyd Kane once...
…know what he asked me for?
Tree-fitty.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Sep 30, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
He was – but he was in the first round of cuts. Don’t expect much from him and you won’t be let down. He was with Hershey when they won the cup back in 06, and then went to Philly. His best attributes are crying, whining, diving, and complaining.
by OverTheBoards on Sep 30, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's See...
In 2008-09 the Lightning had at one time on their roster:
Matt Pettinger, Steve Emminger, Olie Kolzig, Jeff Halpern and Jamie Heward. Five ex-Caps. Their record was 24-40-18.
At the start of 2009-10, the Pens have on their roster:
Sergei Gonchar, Matt Cooke, Brent Johnson, and Chris Bourque. Four ex-Caps.
One more former Cap on the roster, and they’ll implode. Where’s Kris Beech when you need him?
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 30, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Where’s Michael Nylander when you need him?
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Sep 30, 2009 4:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Holy hell. There is a ridiculous amount of comments here. I tried to read them all and have no attention span for it at the moment.
I’ll admit, when I first found out when I was leaving from school, I was pissed. I didn’t consider anything other than the fact that he got picked up by, of all teams, pittsburgh. But then, once the emotions had settled down a little, you get it. I love CBo, especially after I went to see Hershey play in Game 4 against Manitoba, but he probably would’ve been waived in two weeks any way when Fehr comes back. Some people are pissed at GMGM, but it probably was the best time to do it. Would you have rather done it now, when teams are still situating their teams, or a few games into the season when they’ve got their rosters finalized? Managerially, it was the right move to waive him now instead of waiting until Fehr came back.
Mr. Circles is going to have pitchforks and torches approaching his house soon. This one just put the nail in the coffin for Caps fans who already didn’t like him. He caused (well, still is causing) headaches for management, is turning into a distraction for the team, is a $5 million cap hit (or something like that), and now people see him as one of the reasons CBo had to be put on waivers before he got to “have dinner with his dad.” This is not a good time to be Michael Nylander.
I think it’s hard to fault Nylander if you consider what it must be like to be in his shoes.
Not that people won’t still do it…
It’s a tough situation. He’s not required to do anything at all. He signed a contract, he’s honoring it, and the Caps have to, too. But, he’s going to get paid whatever happens, so you’d think he’d facilitate some kind of move out of town. It can’t feel good knowing the team is calling up an AHL scrub just so they don’t have to put you in the lineup.
How is this Circle’s fault? I can’t blame him one bit for signing his contract.
If you want to place blame, GMGM is your man. He is the one that signed Circles to the absurd contract.
by Moonage Daydream on Sep 30, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not saying I’m blaming Circles. I’ve just seen stuff on Twitter and whatnot with people saying things about him and how it’s partially his fault once they all heard that CBo was put on waivers due to cap space problems. I agree that the person to blame would be GMGM, but I’m not blaming him for anything either.
But someone's blaming GMGM A LOT
From @CapsFans:
jdb820: I hope the #borque fiasco finally wakes up Ted to the fact that GMGM needs to go! If we ditch him, I bet you we carry the cup.
I’ve been really busy this week – only 1 strained eye on Caps developments – but am I crazy or were there rumors that Bourque might be leaving the organization for a week now?
Getting nothing for him is definitely a management failure, but disappointing or not, his departure shouldn’t have come as a complete surprise. How it played out was kind of interesting though.
I wonder what those Bruins-game-ticket-holding Bourque fans are going to be doing on game night…
Obviously an elaborate ploy to help the Bruins sell out on opening night
Good lord, what a freak out.
Pittsburgh may have cost the Caps’ organization a championship today — Hershey’s 11th Calder Cup. But all this consternation for the NHL team? Bourque doesn’t fit on the top two Caps’ lines, and he’s not an built to be a third or fourth liner for the NHL game. He’s a tweener. I wish him the best, but I just can’t bring myself to feel this strongly about a guy who was keeping a roster spot warm while Flash and Fehr recuperate.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
It’s really the fact that some guy called Boyd Kane is going to be on the opening night roster that sucks the most. At least get Jay Beagle or some other Hershey champ in there.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
Boyd Kane’s name is on the Calder Cup, under the words “Hershey Bears”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 30, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I just sent down C-Bo in NHL 10 to call up Boyd Kane, and have nicknamed him “Citizen.”
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
You should create Sid Abel just for kicks.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 30, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
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