John Erskine: Mr. Movember
by Becca H on Nov 15, 2010 2:30 PM EST
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When John Erskine fired the eventual game-winner past Ondrej Pavelec last night, he not only capped off an incredibly impressive night for himself but also continued what has been a solid stretch of games overall for the big defenseman. Amid a blueline that has already suffered a cavalcade of injuries - and to big-minute, high-profile players - Erskine has emerged as a steady defensive presence while also (somewhat surprisingly) chipping in with some timely offense.
It wasn't always the case. Like most of his teammates, Erskine had a slow start to the season, getting dinged for several bad goals against and taking some ill-advised penalties. It was an inauspicious start to be sure.
But towards the end of October things started to turn around; he settled in and started to find his game. Since October 27 against Carolina (a game in which he logged a career high 27:53 of ice time) Erskine has registered two goals and three assists, a plus-six rating, and a pretty badass fight. He's also had seven shots on goal, another ten attempted that missed or were blocked, made a bone-rattling twenty-four hits, blocked eighteen shots and now has more goals/60 at even strength (on the season) than either Green or Carlson. Along the way he's taken just two minor penalties, a third of his total for the first half of the season.
In short he's become the solid third-pair defenseman the Caps need him to be, effective in his 15-16 minutes a night while the younger blueliners adjust to the NHL and the veterans get healthy. He's providing physicality without taking himself out of position, sacrificing his body to block shots and using a highly underrated shot of his own to provide (or at least kick-start) some offense. He's made smart plays, plays that show up on the scoresheet and others that don't - but that are equally appreciated by his teammates.
It's not often that a guy like John Erskine stands out on a team like the Caps, filled with superstar Russians and Norris Trophy candidates. As his team struggles to find its identity and establish its groove, however, Erskine has been a steadying presence - an anchor deep within the blueline while the team rights the ship.
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“I won’t [Franceschetti] us over / I’m Mister Movember / I’m Mister Movember / I won’t [Franceschetti] us over.”
Gotta be the 'stache
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Picture
When is that picture from. One thing I’ve noticed is 4 seems to be meaner and leaner, this season.
I recall reading (don’t remember source) that Erskine worked on his power skating to improve his speed and on his overall fitness, because he was upset at being benched during the playoffs. IIRC he was directly quoted.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Nov 15, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
Damn but you are good. That’s what I read alright.
Now if Semin would only let himself be directly quoted…..!
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Nov 15, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
That’s a good photo of him to use for the Scarlet Caps site.
Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,
Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.
in the spirit of Nike’s old It’s gotta be the shows commercial…
It’s gotta be the ’stache
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
And looks like Emily beat me to it while I was searching for the video!
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 Nov 15, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
To me, one who has always like Erskine while also understanding his weaknesses, his play this season is pleasantly predictable. I knew that sitting out towars the end last year, and in the playoffs, had to sting.
Sure enough, he worked extra hard this offseason with a skating coach to improve on what he perceived to be his biggest weakness. I think it’s a case of John not being able to be complacent and stay in the lineup any more, and turning a negative into a positive. Good job #4.
I fear that he’ll regress back to his usual form but when push came to shove, he showed up. More than you can say for a lot of people on this team.
Hopefully it’s the stache and he keeps it for the rest of the season. It’s been really great to not be as nervous as normal when Erskne/Sloan are out there.
Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,
Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.
Lets hope Erskine’s wife isn’t named Delilah.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 15, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
That’s why I’ve always had a soft spot for Erskine. He’s slow, and I have a heart attack every time he’s trying to defend an odd-man rush, and he (up until recently) has been rarely been a positive game-changing presence.
BUT
-despite his drawbacks, he always looks like he’s working his tail off out there
-when he’s on the ice, he’s the very first player to jump into a scrap to defend a teammate against intimidators on the other team.
-he will always willingly sacrifice the body to block shots or break up passes.
-he’s just a flat out tough SOB.
"That's hockey. You never know what's going to happen. It's a tough sport. No tooth, a broken nose, but I'm looking good [laughs]." - #8
There was a long stretch of time where I always thought of Mr. Erskine as the worst player getting a Caps sweater. He’s definitely changed my point of view this season.
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
In short he’s become the solid third-pair defenseman the Caps need him to be
I’d revise this sentence to say, “he’s playing like the solid third-pair defenseman the Caps need him to be.”
Erskine isn’t a solid third-pair defenseman. He’s a nice guy to have sitting in the press box in case of injury and he’s the kind of guy you can throw into the lineup if the opposition has a number of pests (NYR? PHI?), but he shouldn’t, and likely won’t be getting a sweater every night. He’ll tire or get injured and in a month we’ll all be pining for another depth defenseman to push him into the press box.
After four years of watching him play, I know Erskine well enough to know that this is the absolute max we’re going to see out of him. Am I happy? Yes. Is it well-timed? Yes. Will it last? No.
That being said, nice November thus far #4.
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 15, 2010 3:32 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
That’s an awful pessimistic view point to take though I can understand from a fan’s perspective how some people might be hesitant to buy into a player based on past performance.
However, Erskine has never played with this much confidence nor has he put together this many performances of this caliber. Who’s to say his getting benched hasn’t motivated him to become a better and more consistent player this year. Time will tell, and hopefully you’ll be wrong.
If you are driving in the left hand lane and you are not passing, you are a #$@&$
I think it depends on how good you want your third pair to be. PHI last year, sure, a team that needs to be able to play it’s third pair in the playoffs due to a lack of terrific blue liners, not so much.
by red army line on Nov 16, 2010 4:42 AM EST up reply actions
hasn’t motivated him to become a better and more consistent player this year. Time will tell, and hopefully you’ll be wrong
Can’t pin you down…in the Semin thread you seemed to speak in favor of it being because it’s a contract year because that happens all the time in professional sports. Wouldn’t you say the same thing about Erskine then?
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 15, 2010 11:36 PM EST reply actions
ugh reply fail
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 15, 2010 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
I'm usually not a big fan of him
but I love how he’s been playing lately. Like someone said earlier, he is playing like the 3rd pairing defenseman we need him to be. I just hope this lasts over a month…..
That fight with Boulton was one of the best I’ve seen in awhile.
"My Sports Blog":http://myfriendcorey.wordpress.com
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