Capital Ups and Downs: Week 4
by J.P. on Nov 1, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
in Capitals Ups and Downs
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PrintOur weekly look at individual Washington Capitals' ups and downs:
| Goalies | Trend | Notes |
| Braden Holtby |  |
A three-game road trip with the big club - where he makes $2,972 per day in the NHL (versus $65k for the season in the AHL) - ain't so bad, even if Holtby didn't see any action. |
| Michal Neuvirth |  |
Another stellar week (2-1-0/1.34/.947) featured Neuvy's first career shutout and, more importantly, gave the team the chance to win each of the three games. Since opening night, Neuvirth has allowed more than two goals in a game just once, and finished October 7-3-0/2.15/.926. Sounds like Rookie of the Month numbers to me. |
| Semyon Varlamov |  |
Last seen in Hershey taking Dmitry Kugryshev to lunch. Killer. |
| Defensemen | ||
| Karl Alzner | |
Clean King Karl committed his first two penalties of the season this week and was on the ice for a power-play goal against as well as the game-opening even-strength tally in Calgary. He's currently riding a 17-game regular season point-less (and 56-game goal-less) streak, and hasn't registered a shot on goal in his last four outings. Granted, that's not his game... but still. |
| John Carlson |  |
Since a four-game stretch during which he notched a goal and five assists, Carlson has gone a half-dozen games without a point, but continues to play big minutes (through a presumably minor injury)... and get victimized somewhat frequently during them. To wit, Carlson has been on the ice now for 11 of the 24 non-penalty shot goals the Caps have allowed, and was on for three of four this past week. |
| John Erskine | |
Erskine had a very strong game in Carolina (even finding his way onto the score sheet for the first time since March 25 with a secondary helper on the Hendricks tally), and followed it up with solid work in Minny and Calgary. For the week, Big John played 9:24 on the penalty kill without being on the ice for a goal against. |
| Brian Fahey | |
Fahey is simply not an NHLer. In 22:10 of almost exclusively even strength ice time in the bigs so far this season, he's been on the ice for (and perhaps the proximate cause of) three goals against; that's three times as many as Mike Green has been on for in 193:43, which includes 26:12 shorthanded. |
| Mike Green | |
Speaking of Mike Green, that the team is dramatically better with him in the lineup (and healthy) is no great revelation - he was on the ice for six goals for this week and nary a goal against. But seeing his skill with the puck (on the two helpers in Calgary, most obviously) one is reminded of how truly elite that part of his game is. Oh, and the fact that he's one of three defensemen who has played five or more games, averaged three or more minutes on the PK and not yet been on the ice for a single goal against isn't bad either. |
| Tom Poti | |
Poti didn't travel with the team this week. Hopefully the rest did him good. |
| Jeff Schultz | |
Sarge logged 15:05 of shorthanded ice time this week - more than half the time the team spent killing penalties - and wasn't on the ice for a goal against. In fact, he had a shorthanded helper on Backstrom's empty netter in Raleigh. Very solid work in a plus-two week. |
| Tyler Sloan | |
Solid in Carolina, much less so in Minnesota before being limited by injury in that game and missing Saturday night's tilt in Calgary. |
| Forwards | ||
| Nicklas Backstrom | |
With three goals and three assists, a plus-four rating, and a 59% win percentage on 59 draws, Backstrom put up the kind of numbers Caps fans are more used to seeing from him this week. But that "one that got away" - the puck he shot into Wild goale Niklas Backstrom's catching glove - still stings a bit. |
| Matt Bradley | |
"Scored" against the Flames to cap an up-and-down week as he returned to the lineup after missing five games with a lower-body injury. |
| Jason Chimera | |
A relatively nondescript week for Chimera... other than that he can now tell his grandkids that he once assisted on an Alex Ovechkin power-play goal (his first point with the extra man as a Cap, by the way). |
| Eric Fehr | |
Goal-less in seven games (and with only one shot on goal in the week's first two games), Bruce Boudreau scratched Fehr in Calgary. Let's see how he responds. |
| Tomas Fleischmann | |
How does Flash not figure in the scoring when the Caps drop seven on an opponent? His assist-less streak is at nine games and he's no longer a center (for now). But if you want a positive, he hasn't been on the ice for a goal against since the first period of the first game of the season. |
| Boyd Gordon | |
Gordon got back into the lineup on Saturday night and led all forwards in shorthanded ice time (5:09) for the perfect-on-the-night unit. The team is now 5-0-0 with him in the lineup, 2-4-0 without him. Just sayin'. |
| Matt Hendricks | |
Scored the eventual game-winner in Carolina and dropped 'em in Calgary. Not a bad week. |
| Marcus Johansson | |
Out with an injured hip flexor, but sounds close to returning. |
| D.J. King | |
Played against the Flames and did nothing. |
| Mike Knuble | |
Knuble has gone ten games without a goal and only has pointed in one of his last nine (a two-assist effort in Raleigh earlier in the week). If he continues to find himself off that dream role skating on the top line with Backstrom and Ovechkin, look for his numbers to continue to disappoint. |
| Brooks Laich | |
Picked up his first point in a half-dozen games against the Flames during a game in which he found himself as the latest contestant to play "Who Wants To Be The Caps' Second-Line Center?" |
| Alex Ovechkin | |
With a point (3-2-5) and a plus in each game this week, AO seems to be busting out of the early-season slump that has him on a 52-goal/97-point pace. Some slump. |
| Mathieu Perreault | |
When you're Mathieu Perreault, you can barely afford to have any off nights if you want to stay in the NHL. He had two to start the week and now he's back in Hershey. |
| Alexander Semin | |
A three-point night in Calgary upon being promoted to the top line saved a lackluster week during which Sasha totaled just three shots on goal in the three games. |
| David Steckel | |
With a beauty of an assist in Carolina to start the week and a penalty shot conversion in Calgary to end it, we can hold our nose for the effort in Minnesota and give Steckel an up arrow. |
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His very nice goal aside, Green has been noticeably better defensively. I wish he’d do better at avoiding checks. He seems to be more vulnerable lately to taking some pretty hard ones.
Tell your girlfriend to stop texting me.
The game against the Islanders, where he was hurt, seemed particularly bad. Seemed like every hit Green was caught off guard and also gave the image that the Isle’s were targeting him.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
I think we have seen, pretty consistently at least since the playoffs 2 years ago, that teams are intentionally running Green whenever they can, moreso than any other player on the Caps. Maybe I’m confusing cause and effect, but I’ve noticed this in dozens of games over the past year (and pretty much every playoff game).
I think this has a lot to do with him taking so many big hits, though he could probably do more to avoid contact (but his guile to make a play when a defender is bearing down on him is also what makes him great).
Teams absolutely game plan for Green, and that plan is knock him around to get him out of the game (either because he does something stupid in retaliation, or he gets banged up). Philly was very open about the fact that Green was getting a ton of attention from them in the 2008 playoffs.
So far, I think Green has done a good job at keeping his head screwed on and not letting his emotions take over and cause him to do something stupid.
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Green was getting a ton of attention from them in the 2008 playoffs
Well, Green definitely did his part to bang up Philly :)
"Do you see my fist? It was fists like these that built quaint Canadian cities out of the harsh Canadian wilderness, etc. etc."
Not in Seattle anymore.
by SeattleCapsFan on Nov 1, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree – if I were him, my frustration would have boiled over more. He did have that bad flying elbow against…Florida? last year that earned him a suspension, but I can’t think of many instances where he’s retaliated given how much abuse he’s taken. It reminds me of Ovie running Malkin before he got over that, except Green has to worry about more than one guy trying to take his head off.
An extending list of shoulder-related injuries will also go a long way in keeping him from doing something stupid.
Green can’t really fight back as he was recently reminded. The Kovalchuk fight didn’t directly cause his latest injury, but the injury happened shortly thereafter on a pretty garden variety check. I’d burn some early-season shorthanded minutes to get the word out that there will be overwhelming (excessive?) response for even minor liberties on Green
I took something. I can see things no one else can see... Why're you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
The game against the Islanders, where he was hurt, seemed particularly bad. Seemed like every hit Green was caught off guard and also gave the image that the Isle’s were targeting him.
He more-or-less injured himself when he was checking someone and went into the glass/boards awkwardly, but it’s worth noting that we dressed DJ King and he even fought in that game while Green continued to get abused.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
You forgot
for Cory Sarich
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Nov 1, 2010 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 6 recs
To maintain it, he has to up his game and score twice for us next time we face the Flames.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Nov 1, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Was also the sign pointing at Karlsson’s water bottle for D. Steckel.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Nov 1, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Love it, especially because you know it’s more likely he wouldn’t have scored on the chance if he’d been allowed to play through.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Nov 1, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Is the daily salary tracker at CapGeek a new feature, or have I just been painfully unaware of its existence? I don’t know how many times I have wished for that exact feature when trying to figure out how much the call-ups are making.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 1, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions
Surprised at the Backstrom and Ovi up arrows, I’d give them both neutrals. Both of them showed welcome improvements over their play the last few weeks, but I feel like they haven’t done anything that “exceeds expectations” yet. They’re just finally starting to play the way we know they can.
"Do you see my fist? It was fists like these that built quaint Canadian cities out of the harsh Canadian wilderness, etc. etc."
Not in Seattle anymore.
That left me a bit confused as well. I suppose it’s all relative. They get the arrows relative to expectations. Expectations are relative to the player. But a player is relative to how he’s performed week-to-week. And, of course, it’s probably all relative to how we (and J.P. channeling our collective “we”) feel after a week of Caps’ hockey. Personally, I’m just glad I’m not a relative of Sean Avery. Nothing ever shuts that guy up.
Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....
About as much as he did this week at least, from the looks of it.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Nov 1, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
It Depends on how many games in a week but generally- at least a goal every 2 games and preferably at least a point in each game. Those are the periphery of my expectations for him.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
I have a feeling normal AO wouldn’t get the up, but since he wasn’t playing too great the previous week, he gets it here.
by red army line on Nov 1, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Knuble has gone ten games without a goal and only has pointed in one of his last nine (a two-assist effort in Raleigh earlier in the week). If he continues to find himself off that dream role skating on the top line with Backstrom and Ovechkin, look for his numbers to continue to disappoint
I assume the 2-assist effort in Carolina saved him from the down arrow?
Beyond his numbers, which aren’t good, Knuble looks a step slow to me out there. He’s struggled to sustain the forecheck, and whichever line he’s been on has been a non-factor in the scoring department (outside of Carolina, of course).
I thought he was a prime candidate to take a step back from his production last year, but I did not anticipate the regression he’s shown.
He has done some OK work on the PK, though.
Dunno, maybe I can live with the “neutral” rating…my gut says down arrow, though.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
He’s following his play last year, I’m wondering if Knuble’s learned to pace himself for the season. BB played the Care Bears in quite a few games at the start of last season, so he bounced back and forth between lines. He had some success with BMo as his center, but it wasn’t until he came back from his injury that he really started to get his point production up (and stick up on the top line).
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
He had some success with BMo as his center
That old Maize n Blue magic ;)
(sorry Gf hehe)
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
Good to see Oisk get the upward arrow. He has looked solid which is all I ask of him and nothing more. Well nice to see him attempt a few shots also.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
He’s a guy who has used the opportunity for more ice time and responsibilty quite well.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Any week he’s got an up arrow is a huge bonus. He wasn’t perfect, but much more in control of himself. I thought his passes and clears were definitely better this week.
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Links guy at Five For Howling.
He’s been much more responsible with his play coupled with effective stick use and sound positioning. Against Carolina, he looked like a Schultz in a lumberjack costume. Very solid game for him that would make me feel confident in him being a 5th/6th D man in the playoffs should he be able to continue this level of play somehow. He did leave Fahey out in the cold I think during the 1st against the Flames, though. I think at least….
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
And it’s so nice to see…hopefully he can maintain that “solid” level of play when he’s back to getting #6 minutes soon (again, hopefully). But it’s nice to see him put together a string of games where he’s playing like a serviceable D man.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Personally I’ve been very happy with Erksine’s play as a whole for the season. Much improved after his maligned self last year. Would seem he definitely is taking the competition between himself and Sloan, when the roster is healthy, for that 6th d-man very seriously.
He fulfills his role. He won’t be putting up points every week and will have a goal or two scored while hes on ice a week but for him thats good. Opposed to being on ice for 4 or 5 a week especially when he only plays 15 or so minutes a night. He’s been playing above 20 and looking good through it. He’s rough when he needs to be, and maybe a few occasions where he shouldn’t of been, but he’s been above my expectations for Erksine thus far.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
In 11 games, the Caps defense has given up:
4 goals – 2 times (ATL and BOS)
3 goals – 2 times (ATL and BOS)
2 goals – 5 times
1 goal- 1 time
0 goals – 1 time
I’ll give first props to Neuvirth, but Erskine has definitely helped this cause, considering the absences of Poti and Green for extended periods.
I too am coming around on him and hope he keeps this up.
Now – if we can only avoid Atlanta and Boston.
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Now – if we can only avoid Atlanta and Boston.
Guess who we play this week and guess who we play twice two weeks from now?
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
we can only hope that Thomas comes crashing back to earth around 7 pm on Friday. No way he can keep this up.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Repeated 50ft shots make every goalie look amazing. Just saying.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
That and hitting the crest each and every time…or just trying to stuff every shot low into the pads.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Bless you for saying that. He’s been seeing everything the Caps have thrown at him (and other teams, for that matter); he’s not the worst goalie in the world and I’ll admit he’s been making some decent saves but there’s no way he should be holding this Caps team to 1 goal.
I’m ready for ol’ Floppy to return to his 09-10 (aka his true) form.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Thomas was just on NHL Live, and he mentioned how the cage in his mask has been changed to square bars, which allow his eyes to adjust must better. Any chance the NHL can get that design banned?
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
only if Marty throws a big enough hissy fit…..
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
You mean, only if Marty adopts this design too.
Then we can have 2 Brodeur Rules.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Big John Ersk also deserves the up arrow for tweeting the Halloween pic of he and his family. Its nice when you don’t have to buy any props to get that toothless look.
He’s been mostly solid but he continue to struggle with his puck skills. Don’t know if his stick is too long or short but he seems to have a hard time digging the puck out when it’s in his skates and sometimes half fans on clearing attempts.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 1, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
He doesn’t have the softest hands and he’s pretty tall and plays with a pretty tall stick. Not a recipe for quality puck handling.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
I agree, let’s extend him for 2 years.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Nov 1, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
For every silver lining there’s a dark cloud? ;)
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Certainly Semin exceeded your expectations by not getting any penalties in 4 games? Surprised that wasn’t the first backhanded compliment.
The even dash totally ignores his solid defensive play in the Carolina game. When he scores, there are complaints about other aspects of his game, but when he plays defensively, doesn’t score, despite 6 attempts in a game, no mention? Even Alan May tweeted near the end of the Carolina game that Semin had “been stellar all around.”
So after the whole team played well in Carolina, then all played pretty poorly in Minny, then the young guns put up most of the points in Calgary, they all get an up arrow except Semin? Locker noted on the Backstrom goal that it would not show up on the scoresheet, but Semin’s move to the middle to draw the defenders allowed that pass, hence the goal. I THINK even the powers that be on this blog have admitted to the fact that not all good play is on the scoresheet.
Finally, being “promoted” to the first line is a bit of a misnomer. It makes it sound like a reward for good behavior when we all know that Semin’s usual place on the second line is strategic and that he is first-line material.
Agree with you on all these points. I think Semin deserves the up arrow with the rest of the Young Guns. Plus, apparently his relatives were giving out signed Semin cards to trick-or-treaters along with candy.
And see, I think they all deserve “-”. To me they played as they should have, and the Calgary offensive onslaught (which arguably was in part due to Calgary just falling apart) is negated by the play in Minn. I think we’re all just so used to being frustrated with these guys that when they play like they should we get over excited.
"Do you see my fist? It was fists like these that built quaint Canadian cities out of the harsh Canadian wilderness, etc. etc."
Not in Seattle anymore.
by SeattleCapsFan on Nov 1, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear what you’re saying, but I disagree. Backstrom put up 6 points in 3 games, and AO put up 5. I set the baseline for those guys at about 1.25 points/game; then add in defensively responsible play, good possession time, faceoffs (for Backs), GAON, etc.
The point production exceeds the baseline expectation, and the rest of the factors were decent (going from memory here, and bearing in mind that I didn’t see periods 1 and 2 of the Minny game). So I’m fine with them getting an up arrow.
I expect Semin to be a point a game player, and he was. I also expect him to play a superior defensive game, which he did against Carolina, not against Minny (from what I saw). 3 shots is below what I expect from him. I can live with the neutral rating.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
what about when you take into account his lack of penalties? 3 shots on goal is low, but he had one goal out of that. How many shots do you expect? He’d probably have a few more shots against Calgary if he wasn’t passing to Ovie to attempt the hat trick.
Avoiding stick and restraining fouls is a good point, but I lump that in with the superior defense. He’s got great wheels, good vision and puck sense, and he can absolutely put himself in a position to take the puck away without taking penalties.
Regarding his shots, I feel like he ought to consistently register 2.5 a night on average. Given his PP time, I don’t think that’s unrealistically high.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
He isn’t always the shooter role on the PP though, a lot of his best work are done on the half wall and with good puck possession freezing the D. Sometimes he tries to get too fancy with his passing but he’s also exceptionally good at making a D think he has a passing lane shut down but then using a subtle shift with his puck handling he can adjust the angle to make an open lane. Can’t remember how many times he’d hit Backstrom back door for an easy tap in last year. I’m hoping we start to see more of those because teams get easily lured into expecting him to play it out to the point to set up one timers for Green/Ovie.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Surprised that wasn’t the first backhanded compliment.
Lighten up, Francis.
"DON'T SAY THAT! Please! That is the worst, most stupid thing anyone could say! Cause it quite clearly isn't "only a game." I mean if it was do you honestly think I'd care this much?"
by Bald Pollack on Nov 1, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Keep in mind that these are based on expectations, and Semin is expected to be an offensive-minded player. It’s not an attack on Semin if he gets this rating because he’s had some decent defensive games but fails to score (and doesn’t even have a ton of scoring chances) – in fact I’d bet some of the thinking behind the even-rating was because he wasn’t horrific defensively. If Backstrom has a poor offensive showing one week, he’s probably also getting an even or a down arrow (and has a few times already this year) unless he does some stellar defensive work, like his crazy shot-blocking PK fiesta of doom from last season.
Further, Semin’s been praised in recaps and in the comments for doing things that set up a goal but maybe don’t show up on the scoresheet. We’re all aware that not everything does, these ratings aren’t strictly stat-based. He’s having a great start to the season – doesn’t mean he’s deserving of an up-arrow every time he does something good.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Sarge logged 15:05 of shorthanded ice time this week – more than half the time the team spent killing penalties – and wasn’t on the ice for a goal against. In fact, he had a shorthanded helper on Backstrom’s empty netter in Raleigh. Very solid work in a plus-two week.Just a question from a long time lurker, but how does this merit an “-”? I think his play has been one of the most consistent so far, and his performance on the road was at the very least solid, as noted in the quote.
Just wondering how this was determined.
Also to clarify in case it is needed, the “-” is not a minus (that’s what the down arrow is for). It simply means he didn’t have a particularly good or bad week, but played to expectations.
"Because the game is not just about fighting no more. " D.J. King
And Sarge’s “expectations” here at Japers’ is higher than other blog sites. (**cough*OFB*cough*CI*cough**)
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
It’s
“Drop your purse and hit him, Schultz!”
And then later…
“At least hit him with your purse!”
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
by D'ohboy on Nov 1, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just saying, we may expect shut down work from him, but at some point the TOI without being on for a goal against (ES or SH) deserves an up arrow. I expected him to be very solid, but he’s been stellar. No other word for it.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Sarge only gets an up arrow when he contributes offensively. He is a true shut down defenseman and him showing up and, well, shutting down a team are what everyone expects out of double nickel.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
Maybe you missed it, but a few weeks ago, Alzner tweeted this:
May I point out that I am NOT a good choice for fantasy teams haha. That’s not my strong suit unless you get points for shipping pucks out.
4:48 PM Oct 14th via Twitter for Android
"Because the game is not just about fighting no more. " D.J. King
Love him knowing his role. If Carlson can break out of his growing pains/minor injury issues, our top 4 is looking quite good. Alzner may have been on for a few goals against but in general he’s looked very solid to me.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
At what point...
…does Neuvy’s fine play turn into a neutral?
That is: this week he was terrific.
But we’re almost at the point where we expect it. If, this week, he goes 2-1-0 2.00 GAA .920 SV%, does he get a neutral? Or another up?
We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?
As a “rookie”, and considering how often we were giving Jose so much credit for not losing any games in regulation with all those 5-3 and 6-4 wins last year, if he continues to put up 2.25 GAA and .920 SV% numbers I think he deserves an Up arrow for awhile yet. We’re only 11 games in…it’s still early. That being said, he’s been quite, quite consistent so far. His play, our PK, and GA in general are all reasons why the problems we have been complaining about seem much less worrisome than the glaring issues going into last year’s playoffs.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
He had his first ever shutout this week…so it’s worthy.
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by PaintDrinkingPete on Nov 1, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
If we can hereforth expect .947, 1.34 from Neuvy, he’ll be the best goalie ever, by a mile. That week deserves a + and the realization that he’s not going to keep that pace up.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 1, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Those who’ve watched him play this season can say he has been playing very well. Which conveniently happens to match his stats. It’s probably too early in the season and his career to expect his recent performance – or any level of play really – to be “normal” for him.
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. - Michael Jordan
I think we should expect .92% out of him. He has shown time and time again that he has the potential to be a guy you can safely include in your top 10 goalie list. His GAA might stink because of Washington’s system, but with the PK clicking he could see 2 GAA.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
Expecting a .92 is pretty incredible. That’s HoF territory.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Best-ever territory, really.
Hasek had a .922, and Brodeur is at .913. Roy, .910.
Anything in the teens and he’ll be outstanding. (And have a shot at the HOF with enough longevity).
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Over the career, but in their prime they were pushing north of .92 and Neuvirth is in about that territory.
Neuvirth can do that, easily. I’m totally sold on him. He’s the truth and then some, the Capitals tell him “hey have fun on defense kid” and he comes back and plays tougher. His sharpest play has come when the team needed him to stop everything.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
Did you just say “Neuvirth can do that, easily” where “that” was play like Hasek, Brodeur, and Roy in their primes?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 1, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, like Killer_Carlson said a lot of goalies can do .92. Hasek did over .92 for something like half the 90s, Brodeur has only done it a few times but he’s playing 70 games a season and Roy was more of a playoff beast when he’d dominate the postseason but be relatively inconspicuous (but still quite good) during the regular season
Neuvirth is capable of doing over .92 this year playing 40-50 games. I’d expect that from him at least given what he has shown so far. Even with a suspect D corp in front of him.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
And many people would consider our defense “suspect” due to the lack of depth (and our “baby” blue liners).
And, will Neuvirth really only play 40-50 games, at the rate he’s going?
Rocking the Red since 1975
At some point Holtby will get starts or Varley will get healthy. On the other hand, the modus operandi is to ride a winning goalie till he dies of old age on ice.
You bring another point up too — Alzner and Carlson will get better, and hopefully the forwards will become more and more responsible. Cutting down on those easy shots will go a ways toward artificially inflating Neuvirth’s numbers.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
Over a career .920 is incredible, but for a single season it’s around top 5-10 in the league. Still damn impressive, but I know you know that a whole lot of mediocre (or flat out bad) goalies have put up .920+ in a year.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 1, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
that’s my point, I didn’t realize I was making it sound like he was Hasek the Younger. 92% is what it takes to sit toward the top in the league over a single year. I think Neuvirth has the possibility to register that in a few of his next several years, especially this one when there’s not much video on how to beat him.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
Fahey is simply not an NHLer. In 22:10 of almost exclusively even strength ice time in the bigs so far this season, he’s been on the ice for (and perhaps the proximate cause of) three goals against; that’s three times as many as Mike Green has been on for in 193:43, which includes 26:12 shorthanded.
Do I have to be the jackass that points out that 3 times 0 equals…0?
/sorry.
"I am ready for his provocations"
twitter
by PaintDrinkingPete on Nov 1, 2010 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think he may be talking about the full season, not just this week. I don’t think Green skated 193 in three games.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Maybe he did. Ask Alex Ovechkin, he was on the ice the whole time.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 1, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t get it – “In 22:10 of almost exclusively even strength ice time in the bigs so far this season, he’s been on the ice for … three goals against; that’s three times as many as Mike Green has been on for in 193:43”
Where’s the problem?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think he mistakenly believes that Green has yet to be on the ice for a goal against. If that were indeed the case, something multiplied by zero would be zero.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Indeed, my mistake…
"I am ready for his provocations"
twitter
by PaintDrinkingPete on Nov 1, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Another beauty today from HHBL21: “I was raised in Saskatchewan and I learned about defense early. If the fence is open the cows get out.”
Thanks, Brooks. For that, you get sent to the pun cage.
by Wheeler on Nov 1, 2010 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Two minutes for excessively bad punning, and a five-sentence suspension. Wow, that’s bad. :-p
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
As always, Brooks Laich speaks wisely…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 1, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
That may be true, Brooks, but the calves are safe in the care of Alex Ovechkin.
"If you close your eyes in the NHL, you'll take one upside the head." - Alexander Semin
by mercurialwinger on Nov 1, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Memo
To: Brooks Laich
From: D’ohboy
Re: Quotes
Win the Cup or shut the fuck up.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
by D'ohboy on Nov 1, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
If you want the Cup, you go to the mute button
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
The quotes just aren’t doing it for me anymore. Win the Cup and then you can start waxing philosophical.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
You’re welcome to your opinion, but really? If everyone followed your law here, most players would never be able to talk. Ever. What’s he supposed to do, shut up until June just because he hasn’t won a Cup yet?
Also, my guess is reporters seek Brooks out because they know he’ll have something more than the usual sports cliches to give them, which he usually does. You want to stop reading quotes from him, start a petition to have Corey/Katie/et al banned from his stall.
And oh yeah, the most important thing: it was a JOKE. I know some people get annoyed with the “I’m so pissed off, I just want to win already” stuff he’s been saying – and I get that, although I don’t agree with it – but this is so not that, he’s making a stupid pun about a fence and cows and living in the middle of nowhere.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Nov 1, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Honestly, my response was a little hyperbolic, but Brooks has already shown himself to be proficient at talking the talk. The constant stream of well-intentioned bon mots gets old when they’re not followed through on consistently. At some point, you get tired of hearing how he knows what everyone needs to do and you want to see execution. I’m long since past that point.
The Caps need fewer quotes and more of this.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
If you don’t like the “well-intentioned bon mots”, stop reading quotes. Don’t go to CI or Caps365 for any pre-/post-game quotes from anyone on this team. And keep that up until the Caps win a Cup – because honestly, what the hell else are they going to say?
Walking the walk, as you say, can only happen by winning a Cup – and you don’t win Cups in November. Period. You do, however, have a responsibility to talk to the media.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
People remember Fred Shero’s quotes not because he was witty, but because he won.
I understand that part of his responsibility is to talk to the media, and I don’t want to hear pablum. But I don’t want to hear another canned cliche wherein Laich or another Cap preaches what they don’t practice. It’s beyond old.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Who cares if you remember his quotes? I don’t think Brooks is going around saying things in hopes of being remembered – this is the way he’s talked the entire time he’s been in this organization. It’s just the way he talks.
And every player preaches what they don’t practice. There are players on the shittiest teams in the League saying things like “we just need to tighten up defensively” or “we have to give 110%” or more crap like that, as if their teams are actually doing that. It’s what they do.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
There’s a qualitative difference between, “we need to get more traffic in front,” and “if you want money, go to the bank, if you want bread, go to the bakery, if you want goals, go to the net.”
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
…yeah? So? What do you want him to do, change the fact that he’s able to turn a cliche into an interesting, memorable quote because it bugs you?
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
One of them is a collective statement of what the team needs to do. The other is Brooks acting like an all-knowing hockey guru, which is much more tolerable if you actually practice what you preach.
The first couple of times, it was amusing. After the umpteenth time, I just want to see some delivery.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
He’s said it ONCE. After doing exactly what he said. However, it’s not his entire game and he’s not the entire team.
And we took it and ran with it because it’s a funny quote – Ovie’s “I swear my mom” also got picked up, that okay with you?
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
To be fair, we also rip on Mike Green and Boudreau for doing similar stuff. The difference with Laich is two-fold. First, it’s in his delivery. Second, it’s in the fact that he gets fawned over for saying things that he doesn’t do with consistency. In other realms, that wouldn’t get you labeled “hockey hero,” it would get you labeled “hockey hypocrite.”
I’d rather he not end up that way, because I’m a fan. I think the team collectively needs to focus less on saying the right thing and spend more time just doing the right thing. If that means they’re boring quotes, I’m ok with that. Joe Sakic was a boring SOB, but he won two Cups.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
But see, if they DON’T say the right thing they get blasted, too. What if Brooks came out and said he knew going to the net was the way to score goals but…eh, he didn’t really feel like it?
Plus the reality is that not only does it not take away from their on-ice play, it’s a necessity of the times. Sakic lived in a time before Twitter and won his Cups before the internet was as much of a force as it is – now everything a guy says gets added to blog posts, retweeted on Twitter, etc., which means the media is constantly looking for great quotes to increase their visibility. I’d bet that Sakic and everyone else who was known as "boring" said a ton of interesting things that never made it into the paper or got any coverage whatsoever because they weren’t “relevant” to whatever the paper was writing about that day.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
But we don’t blast Schultz, or Fehr or Flash, or Chimmer or Semin for not talking. The easiest way to avoid criticism of something you say is to just say nothing.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
…which wouldn’t work and you know it. Who are the media’s go-to guys? Ovie, Green, Backstrom, Laich. And Chimmer, for what it’s worth, talks quite a bit.
I guess I just don’t take it so seriously. He hasn’t said anything ever that I don’t see in some form in his game – is he perfect? No. Does he go to the net as much as he should? No. But I much prefer hearing him say the right things, and in the way he says them, to not hearing them at all – at least if he and others are saying it, it’s clear they know what they need to do. The next step is execution, of course, but if they’re not saying the right things how do I know they’re aware of a problem?
(And if you read that last part without going cross-eyed, you deserve a cookie.)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Because...
…that totally worked for Ovi during the Olympics.
by Moleculo on Nov 1, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The failure of the Russians at the Olympics had nothing to do with not talking to the press.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
To be fair, the press could have given some pointers to the defensemen.
Human existence being an hallucination containing in itself the secondary hallucinations of day and night (the latter an insanitary condition of the atmosphere due to accretions of black air) it ill becomes any man of sense to be concerned at the illusory approach of the supreme hallucination known as death.
No, but this
The easiest way to avoid criticism of something you say is to just say nothing.
definitely didn’t work out.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 1, 2010 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s zero indication that D’oh went to CI or anywhere else to read quotes. He responded to a comment posted here.
Brooks has had a good season so far, so I’m not going to crap on him, but his hype is beyond his production and we’ve gotten used to his quotes surpassing his play so it becomes tiresome.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Nov 1, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you, Abalard.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I assume you mean Barrie.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
The auto-backlash can become equally tiresome. Why not ignore it?
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
by SmallZ827 on Nov 1, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because the guy has been dubbed “Hockey Hero” based on quotes. Quotes! It’s pretty hard to ignore the deluge of affection thrown his way.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Nov 1, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I say let people have their moniker. So people like the guy. So some people like the guy more than perhaps his on-ice production would warrant. All these ever do is devolve into the same “I care x much about what a hockey player does off-ice” argument.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Oh, please. “Hockey Hero” has nothing to do with his quotes. If you have an issue w/ the nickname take it up with the guy behind INCH and Corey – that didn’t start with anything he said.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I’m curious as to why it was ever given, and why it’s so commonly repeated. I’ll take it up here where I actually have conversations and where I see it on a daily basis.
Where did Hockey Hero come from if not his quotes?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I’m pretty sure it came from Joe Gladziszewski of INCH hockey, who loves the way Brooks plays. You can ask him if you want. It spread into our conversations here because of Corey.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I’m very late to this party, and not sure if this will get read, but… I felt the moniker quite appropriate after the tire changing incident after game 7 last year.
I have to wonder how many other people (Caps fans and non-Caps fans alike) passed by that car before Brooks pulled over? How many other professional athletes would have pulled over to stop? Who had just lost of biggest game of the (now over) season? We could bash him and the rest of the team for losing the series, but either way I’m sure he was less than “in the mood” to stop and help someone out of the side of the road, and yet he probably didn’t think twice about it. My respect for the man grew about 200% after hearing that story. Hero-like? Maybe not, but more good Samaritan-like than most of the people who probably passed by. The quotes are a bit corny and stupid, but that’s just his personallity…and I’ll take corny over douchey any day.
"I am ready for his provocations"
twitter
by PaintDrinkingPete on Nov 1, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Brooks Laich fan and I think he’s probably a great human being.
I just want him to put up or shut up.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Agreed 100%. But…he’s had a pretty good start to the year so far and no matter how much we want him to put up or shut up right this second…the playoffs are still not going to start until April.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 1, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
He has been better this year.
And it is a crappy situation for them, given that they can’t really prove anything definitively until April.
With that being said, I’d feel a hell of a lot better if Brooks went to the net with a vengeance and if he backchecked hard and if he killed penalties effectively WITH CONSISTENCY throughout the season.
If he does that, even if the Caps don’t win the Cup, he’ll get a pass from me.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
I can literally guarantee that, unless members of Laich’s family are on this site, I’m the longest-tenured Laich fan at the Rink. I watched the kid play in Seattle. I used to peruse the box scores in the Hockey News to see how he was playing in Binghamton. I own a Laich jersey.
He needs to walk the walk or quit talking the talk.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
He needs to walk the walk or quit talking the talk.
This I can understand. But saying “UNTIL YOU WIN A CUP NO TALKING” doesn’t make any sense, because we of all people argue all the time that a person doesn’t win a championship, a team does (Crosby’s better! Gold!).
But then I see you admitted your your response was hyperbolic, so we really have no beef.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
And that’s where hyperbole comes in.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s not “no talking,” it’s “no pontificating about things that you do not actually execute on until you’re willing to put your money where your mouth is.”
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Perfectly fair.
Some people overrate him, no doubt. It happens all the time with players, for whatever reason. I mean, some people think Osgood’s an elite goalie. And they’re entitled to that opinion.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Osgood’s tragically underrated. :)
I love Laich, I’m just tired of hearing this BS until I start seeing him execute.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
I guess I just wonder what you want him to say instead. The media is going to gravitate to him for a quote – you know that, you can’t honestly believe they won’t – so what is it that he could say exactly that wouldn’t be BS in your eyes?
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
It’s not so much what he says, as much as it is what he doesn’t do. I’d be perfectly OK with him talking … If he practiced what he preaches, especially since he does it in the manner that he does.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
1) We gotta play ‘em one day at a time.
2) I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ballclub.
3) I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things will work out.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
by D'ohboy on Nov 1, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You know, Crosby’s as dull as they come and even HE doesn’t talk like that. Those quotes have largely gone the way of the dodo in professional sports because a) they won’t sell papers and b) they’re copouts. I don’t give a shit if you’re playing ’em one day at a time, I want to know what you think the team needs to do to get one WIN at a time.
And for what it’s worth, the “dull” players like Crosby are able to largely stick to cliches only because they have guys on their team who don’t.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Nov 1, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If Matt Cooke wants to lecture me on how to be a fucking cheap-shotting douchebag, I’m totally listening to that.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
by D'ohboy on Nov 1, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Honestly though, I think this would do it for me:
“We know what we need to do, we just need to execute.”
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
by D'ohboy on Nov 1, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
“Any criticism directed toward him should be directed toward us as players. We didn’t execute. And none of the blame should be on him. He makes the game so easy for us to play. I can’t say enough. Him, Dean Evason, Bob Woods. I’ve raved about these guys. I’ve raved about Dean for the five years I’ve been with him. Bruce, I won a championship with him [in Hershey], so I know that his style can be effective in the postseason. Just the blame falls on us as players, and it should be in no way directed towards any of the coaching staff.”
That work?
No. Because there is tons of blame to be directed at the coaching staff.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, for crying out…as if he’s going to say that, though, if he does believe it. You don’t throw others under the bus. Period. He’d be absolutely blasted to smithereens around here if Brooks dared to say something like that, even if we did agree with him.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
That’s why you remain silent on whether or not there should be blame directed at the coaches.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
…he was asked point blank. If he’d said “no comment” it would have been interpreted as him saying the blame lay squarely with the coaches.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
There does exist a middle ground between saying “no comment” and saying “don’t blame the coaches at all”. Try finding that. One can comment that they didn’t execute properly without saying that there is no blame to be thrown at the coaches.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, that’d be fine. Just repeat it ad nauseum.
To be clear, if Laich were Knuble, he could make his bakery quote. If Laich were Gordo or Schultz, I could get with a quote about defense. If Matt Hendricks or Brads or Erskine want to make a quote about toughness, I’m buying in.
The problem is that, for all his talent, Laich doesn’t do those things consistently enough to speak like a guru about them. He speaks with an authority that is unwarranted.
If Laich wants to make quotes about scoring in bunches before going on prolonged cold streaks, I’m all ears. Players can
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
This is where I come out. It’s not about what he’s saying. It’s about what Brooks Laich isn’t doing. And what he isn’t doing on a regular basis is getting in front of the goalie or playing shutdown defense.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 1, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, “win the Cup or shut the fuck up” has a nice, catchy ring to it. Maybe I can send that one to Brooksie and he can use it for a t-shirt slogan.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
by D'ohboy on Nov 1, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn’t say he did – I said if he didn’t like it, he shouldn’t read the quotes, wherever they may be. And if you read a quote here and it bugs you, there’s a wonderful feature provided by the SBN folks called a ‘z’ key – I encourage those who are bothered by it to simply use that feature and spare the rest of us the tiresome “shut the fuck up Brooks and win a Cup” talk. We didn’t FPFS this, someone posted it and you’re welcome to ignore it; hell, even if we DID FPFS it you’d be welcome to ignore that, as well.
And yes, everyone here knows his hype is beyond his production. I’m one of Laich’s biggest fans and I’ve argued he should be on the 3rd line. But he’s going to be known for his quotes around here a) because they’re usually pretty good and b) because the media knows that and goes to him for more.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Just as you’re entitled to post it, I’m entitled to read it and find it objectionable.
I’m not offended that I read it, I’m annoyed that he can say such great things and not execute them.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
…he said if the fence is open, the cows get out.
You know, he’s always been the first to say when he’s fucked up. It’s not like he’s running around blaming other guys for things and then making the same mistakes. And that bakery/bank/net quote? Came AFTER he scored a goal doing just that. So…I’m not sure what more you want him to do.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
So…I’m not sure what more you want him to do.
Go to the net when it matters.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
And stop setting up at the side of the net on the PP and then turning and trying to jam a puck through a goalie. Jesus Christ nothing he does annoys me as much as that.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
It’s worked, though. The guy had a ton of power play goals last year doing that.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
And my last minute studying for exams “works”. But that doesn’t mean that there are other, better methods that I should employ.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Are should be read “aren’t”.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
He was in front of the net on at least two of the goals against Calgary. He can’t do it when it REALLY matters until April, and unless you have a way of speeding up time that’ll have to do for now.
As for last playoffs…I’m convinced getting hit w/ a puck made him a little gunshy, and I certainly didn’t let him off the hook for it. But he’s also not the only guy on the team – he is, however, more consistent about doing just that than most guys on this team. If Ovie starts using the same quote, then we’ve got issues.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
What kills me is that I watch the Avs on a regular basis and that team doesn’t have 1/3 the talent the Caps do, but I watch a player like Chris Stewart park his ass in front of the keeper and not move and I think to myself , “goddamnit why can’t Brooks and Fehr do that?” Every time the Avs gain the zone with possession, Stewart is in front of the net and he’s freaking immovable.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
There once was a Capital named Laich
Whose looks made his Rink popularity spike
He played a good, but not great, game.
But his puns they were quite lame
But let’s not banish Brooks from the mike.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Nov 1, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
I just thought of a good way to explain this:
Imagine that you’ve got a well-intentioned significant other. Now imagine that you want this significant other to do something. . . let’s say, make the bed in the morning. Now let’s say your significant other makes the bed five mornings in a row, but then will go weeks without making the bed, and when you talk to them about it, they say all the right things. Sometimes, they even say the right things unprovoked, and they’ll go another five days with making the bed before going another two weeks without doing it. Then you’ll confront them again and they’ll say the right things and they’ll repeat the pattern.
Now let’s say your parents are visiting and you really want the house orderly and clean and you make this clear to your significant other. You tell them that the bed must be made. But they forget and your parents come and you look like slobs.
At that point, would you really want to hear your significant other say all the right things, or would you just want them to shut the fuck up and make the goddamn bed in the morning?
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Ohhhhh…now I get it. Apparently this has happened to you before and you’re taking it out on poor Brooks ;)
Honestly, though, if I had time I’d love to go through all his quotes from the last 6 months, the last year, etc. and find out just how many things he says the team should be doing that he’s not doing himself. He’s not saying anything that scandalous, you know? And it’s pretty much what the rest of the team is saying. The fact that they know what to do is comforting; they’ll learn how to execute.
Or lose in the first round again and be shipped out, whatever.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
No, I think at that point you stop expecting them to make the bed and do it yourself if you care about it that much. As much as it falls on them for not following through, it also falls on you for expecting them to change after the 100th time they demonstrated they won’t.
Seriously D’ohboy, stop expecting Laich to step up in the playoffs and get to the front of the net yourself!
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 1, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
What are you talking about? Brooks always makes the bed when he stays at my place. He brews the coffee too.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 1, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So, what, don’t talk to reporters for the rest of the season?
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Don’t act like you’ve got all the answers when you clearly don’t.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Or, if you do have the answers, as you’ve said, walk the walk.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 1, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
You guys are awfully crotchety this season today. Seriously. They’re asked for opinions, they give them; they don’t claim to be all-knowing, they just say what they believe.
And frankly if you don’t like it, like I said before, don’t read the quotes. The team’s 7-4-0, they’re starting to play better, and Laich’s had a pretty decent start to the season. That’s all the “walking the walk” they can do until June.
In other words, everyone unclench. I repeat: GEEZ.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
How many times have people repeated his stupid “bakery” comment, and how often could we have used for Brooks to have actually gone to the net? Where was his great quote during the last two playoff years? Where is it when he inevitably goes into a scoring drought?
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
For the record, this thread is made even more awesome when you’re coming off novocaine from the dentist.
"DON'T SAY THAT! Please! That is the worst, most stupid thing anyone could say! Cause it quite clearly isn't "only a game." I mean if it was do you honestly think I'd care this much?"
Big D’oh and the Judgmental Bitch, comin’ your way after the break!
;)
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
Six Beers Too Many Fantasy Team - BizNasty's Hobo Rodeo
by boutros23 on Nov 1, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I’m down. We could be the obnoxious version of Japers’ Rink Radio.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Ah, the Randy Moss Approach.
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Nov 1, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to admit, I laughed my butt off at that.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 2, 2010 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Rookie of the Month...
When does the League announce this? Neuvy should win this… he’s been nothing short of outstanding.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
B-b-b-ut Eberle!
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
He’s Canadian you know.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
And has the good sense to play in Canada.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Line between jokey paranoia and real paranoia seems very blurry today.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
members of Team Neuvy, ready and reporting for duty, sir!
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
just to clarify before i say something stupid…are these based on last weeks performances or their normal play
"I ain't no rodman... I don't have no blond hair, red hair. I'm Reggie Evans"
Not officially, But some of the respect for them is subtracted. (Or, in some of the advanced statistics, they get a point docked.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Perhaps this has been addressed before, but could we substitute a side-to-side arrow or some other “no change” indicator for the dash? Seeing +, -, + for “injured, no change, injured” often tricks me into “up, down, up” until I see the arrows again to remind me. Minor complaint, that is all.
"Inglewood Jack! Inglewood Jack!" - Coach Jules
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Nov 4, 2010 4:46 PM EDT reply actions
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