Tuesday Caps Clips: Back to Work
by J.P. on Dec 14, 2010 6:30 AM EST
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Ruminations on what's goin' on. [Puck Daddy, RMNB, Caps News Network, TFP, RtR, StC, RtR, Blonde Girl's Guide, Capitals Outsider, DC Landing Strip]
- The "adversity is a good thing" angle. [Versus (Dater), Houses of the Hockey]
- The "statement fight as turning point" angle. [USA Today (Bourne), NHL.com (Rosen)]
- The "their goaltending isn't good enough" angle. [WaPo (Feinstein), ESPN (Burnside)]
- The "they're not mentally tough enough" angle. [CBC (Friedman)]
- The "kick a man while he's down" angle. [Toronto Star (Cox)]
- Is Bruce Boudreau's job in jeopardy? [Inside Hockey, The Hockey Writers]
- On "peaking early" and "losing now." [RLS]
- Media hits:
- Boudreau was on Kirk and Mike yesterday... [105.9 The Edge (audio)]
- ... and Alan May was on The Sports Fix. [ESPN 980 (audio)]
- Brooks Laich will be on The Sports Junkies at 8:45 this morning... [106.7 The Fan]
- ... and Boudreau will be chatting on ESPN.com at 2:00 this afternoon. [ESPN]
- Boudreau was on Kirk and Mike yesterday... [105.9 The Edge (audio)]
- In case you missed it yesterday, Andrew Gordon got the one birthday present he didn't want, as he was sent back to Hershey. He'll be back. [Capitals]
- Ted Leonsis is influential. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- Alex Ovechkin, come on down! [TV by the Numbers]
- Call it the Mites on Ice Winter Classic. [RMNB]
- Cody Eakin is your WHL player of the week. [WHL]
- Finally, happy 44th birthday to Bill Ranford and happy 49th to Peter Sundstrom.
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5 angles…pentagon post! Fitting for a team whose home is the Capital.
I do hope to see Andrew Gordon back soon the kid has some real talent but hopefully this means our guys are getting healthy again. What a crappy birthday….come up for 1 game in which the caps get crushed and then sent back down.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
He was insurance in case Semin got suspended. As it was they had to sit Bradley so that Andrew could play; the team’s pretty stocked at right wing. And every player-day of NHL salary is precious if the Caps are looking at deadline deals. The more interesting roster non-move is the fact that Fahey is still up, which means one of Green/Sloan is not ready to come back.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Oh true, I didn’t think about the insurance thing. I hope by Wednesday the non-move becomes a move. Fahey always makes me nervous…
But I rather seen Greenie get truly healthy.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 14, 2010 6:59 AM EST up reply actions
Not neccessarily – if Fahey’s up on emergency recall, no need to send him down until you know you don’t need him. And not sure AGord was just Semin insurance – they didn’t have to recall him when they found out Semin wasn’t suspended, but they did. They wanted a spark (which he didn’t really supply).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 14, 2010 8:13 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I apologize if this is a really dumb question…but what difference does it make if he is on emergency recall?
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 14, 2010 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
Fahey and Gordon each went through waivers at the beginning of the season. At that time, any team could have claimed one of them, just like the Pens claimed Chris Bourque at the beginning of the last season. Now they each carry a 10-game “clock” — once they’ve been up in the NHL for 10 games, they need to go through waivers again if they are sent down. But the 10-game clock doesn’t run if they’re up on an “emergency recall.”
The basic rule for an “emergency recall” is that you can’t healthy-scratch anyone at that player’s position. If you are doing that, then it wasn’t really an emergency because you have someone else who could fill in. So in the last game, Gordon’s 10-game clock incremented because Bradley sat, so by rule Gordon’s recall was a regular one and not emergency. But Fahey’s clock did not increment because there were no other defensemen available. So he’s no closer to having to go through waivers again (and the Caps risking losing him) than he was before all the D injuries.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 14, 2010 8:25 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Oh okay, that makes sense (sometimes it amazes me the random stuff I just don’t know).
Does it affect the workings of the salary cap at all?
Or does being on IR mean that you can replace that much salary even if the team is at cap? In which case they would kind of go hand-in-hand….
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 14, 2010 8:30 AM EST up reply actions
Nah, if a player’s up with the team and either playing or scratched, their salary counts against the cap.
You can’t replace salary with regular IR. You can replace salary with LTIR, but only once you’re already at or above the cap, so (hopefully) the Caps won’t get any benefit from LTIR this year. But anyway, that all has to do with the player that’s on IR or LTIR and not the replacement. Replacement is a regular player, just like the rest
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 14, 2010 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
A solid explanation. I’ll add that waiver exemption expires after 10 NHL games or 30 days on an NHL roster.
RockinRed, don’t feel like your question is stupid. Everyone here had to learn waiver rules at some point. It can be quite confusing, at first. If you care to read the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NHL provides it in PDF format here. Article 13 is where waivers and waiver exemptions are discussed at length. This site also does a good job explaining waivers if parsing legal gibberish prose is not your style.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 14, 2010 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
Awesome, thanks to you both!
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 14, 2010 9:01 AM EST up reply actions
Everyone here had to learn waiver rules at some point.
Some of us repeatedly!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 14, 2010 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
Indeed. I still remember getting schooled by DMG on one-way vs. two-day contracts, and I’ve seen the exact same conversation take place since then. Damn you EA Sports!
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 14, 2010 9:08 AM EST up reply actions
So…because Fahey is sitting on the roster for two non-game days (including one non-practice day) those days will count against his 30. Plus his salary counts, right?
Why not send him back until Wednesday? Just because of today’s practice?
If he’s actually at practice, I think he needs to be on the roster. The Caps don’t announce the paper transactions though, I think.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
Yeah paper transactions affect the “days on roster” count, and that information is not readily available (that I know of) to us fans unless your name is sk84fun_dc. Therefore, it is difficult to make calculations that are based on roster days, like waiver exemptions and NHL salary.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 14, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
See Gould’s comment above. Fahey was brought up on an emergency recall, so his 10 game/30 day limit is not affected by his current stint with the Caps.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 14, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
WJC update
For the second of three scrimmages at Team Canada selection camp yesterday, they dropped the WHL Player of the Week down to the fourth line and put him with the hurt kid (Cizikas who plays for Coach Cameron at St. Mike’s), and that line cleaned up. Cody with a goal and then the assist to the coach’s “kid” on the game-winner. The first round of cuts will be announced this morning.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Dec 14, 2010 7:04 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
First Round of Team Canada cuts
TORONTO – Nine players got the bad news as the first cuts were made at the Canadian world junior championship hockey team selection camp.
Getting the axe were defensemen Jesse Blacker and Brayden McNabb and forwards Brendan Gallagher, Ryan Howse, Brad Ross, Joey Hishon, Garrett Wilson, Reilly Smith and Linden Veh.
The cuts reduced the camp roster to 31 players.
The final 22-man team is to be announced Wednesday.
The world junior championship begins Dec. 26 in Buffalo, N.Y
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 7:44 AM EST up reply actions
Why 4th line? For balance or is Team Canada really that loaded that they are looking to have Cody play on a checking line or are trying to go with 4 scoring lines?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
These are just scrimmages and I can’t say that I really know what they’re looking for.
Sunday’s scrimmage they had him on Team White on wing on the third line with two of the guys they cut this morning. No points from that line. The ‘star’ of Sunday’s scrimmage was Foligno on Team Red with two goals. He’s important mainly in that he also ran over Cizikas and injured him, with some sort of back thing. Cizikas did not practice Monday morning ‘cos he was getting shot full of painkillers working with the medical staff and he was a gametime decision. At gametime. he said he was good to go and he went on the fourth line with Cody. This worked out well for both of them, as they each got a goal and an assist (on each others’ goal)
Cody’s previous linemates moved up to first and second line duty last night and got cut this morning.
Tonight’s scrimmage is the smaller Canada roster against a university all-star team. Last year, Cody was in the box watching the university team score the game-winner against, and he got cut the next day. I don’t think he’ll make that mistake this year.
IMO, canada’s biggest hurdle this year is goaltending.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Dec 14, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
From what Emily said, it could be coaches giving bubble guys more of a chance to stand and show their worth.
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 Dec 14, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
That’s kind of what I thought as well. Play the guys who need to make an impression with the top lines to see if they sink or swim. Cody seems to have a spot locked up so it doesn’t really matter where he plays.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I know it’s going to be a while, but the more time that goes by, the more I can’t wait to see this guy in Caps red. I’m excited to see him perform well on the national stage. Though, not too well. He’ll have to settle for silver.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
This year’s Team Canada is not nearly as studly as the past few years. And their path to the medal rounds is difficult, as they are in the “Group of Death” with Russia and Sweden. This year’s Russia squad has some very good players in it and a very smart coach. Sweden is no slouch either.
But Team USA is a heavy favorite, with lots of returning players. The Canadian angst over their loss last year is quite heartwarming, actually.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
This year’s Russia squad has some very good players in it and a very smart coach.
I am … skeptical.
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 Dec 14, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Don’t be. Valery Bragin has done an excellent job with his squad. Just ask Cody, whose WHL team got smoked by Bragin’s Boyz in the SuperSeries. Even without Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, and Orlov.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I’ll keep an eye on the team (and defer to you for now, as you are definitely more well rounded in the Juniors news than I am). It’s just strange to hear coaching talked about as a strength of Russian teams.
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 Dec 14, 2010 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
For now, I’m calling Team Russia the dark horse in this tournament. They may surprise.
But one reason Team WHL looked so bad was their goaltending. Neithyer Olivier Roy or Calvin Pickard was any good in the SuperSeries game that I watched. And the Russian skill guys saw that weakness and went for it.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
What are the dates for the tournament this year? I can’t remember off the top of my head.
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 Dec 14, 2010 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
No way am I buying USA as a heavy favorite. I still think Canada is going to have the most talented roster, even without seeing the final rosters.
Canada might not have the same pop on offense, but I think their D is going to be extremely tough to play against. Again.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yeah. This USA as heavy-favorite thing is a canard that they’re using to drum up coverage. It’s a load of crap — they’re going to have two of the top-3 presumptive draft picks this season at forward, plus all the other depth and returning D. Canada is the favorite until the rest of the world catches up in producing elite hockey talent and right now, it’s not even close.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 14, 2010 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not so very sure about that. The USA development programs are definitely bearing fruit and the US is beating canada head-to-head in a lot of the younger tournaments.
For example, the Junior A Challenge, where Team USA played its way (convincingly) through Canada East AND Canada West:
(Caleb Herbert, holding the trophy)
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
That was basically a minor-league version of the WJC, no?
I note that Canada is so overwhelmingly talented that they can put together a competitive squad from each half of the country and pit them against the rest of the hockey powers with no little success.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 14, 2010 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
Now you get to combine the best of Canada East and Canada West to form one team. USA Hockey is making strides but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Who, again, were the three most important USA players last year? Carlson, Fowler, and Stepan. Where are those guys going to be this year? Not wearing a Team USA jersey (though two of the three are still in red, white and blue). They have some returning guys, but I don’t think that will be enough.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Eight returning Americans. Carly’s not eligible, and pretty sure Stepan isn’t either. Fowler’s still eligible, but so is Tyler Seguin and he ain’t coming back.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Seguin didn’t play last year either. Canada always has talent that doesn’t play because they are in the NHL (and won’t let you forget it). America doesn’t have that depth so losing guys hurts. They certainly have some studs on that D corps, but it remains to be seen how they perform. I’m not talking about why the USA guys I cited aren’t going to be there, just noting that they were inarguably (IMO) the 3 most important Americans last year, and they won’t be there. That’s a lot of stepping up that has to happen; enough so that I just can’t see them as favorites. It’s like if the ‘Hawks lost Keith, Seabrook, and Toews. They wouldn’t return as favorites, that’s for sure.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
How about losing Niemmi, Byfuglien, Versteeg, and Ladd?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 14, 2010 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
I think that makes a difference as well, and I think you can argue that Team USA lost guys like that as well. Jordan Schroeder is the top scoring USA player in WJC history (points and assists). Tyler Johnson was an absolute stud on the PK and in a defensive role in general. Danny Kristo didn’t have as many of the headlines, but was also a huge part of the top line.
We get Kreider, Morin, Bourque, and D’Amigo back and those guys will have to be huge, but I see a lot of talent that isn’t returning. The U-18 D corps from last year (minus their BCCD) is going to have to show a lot of maturity and step up in a big way if we are going to make the gold medal game again.
Jack Campbell returns, but goaltending wasn’t a big part of the reason we won anyway. The goaltending by both USA and Canada (and throw in Sweden while we’re at it) was a bit of a gong show all tournament.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
My parents saw him play (I think) against the Wheat Kings.
Said he stood out like a supermodel at a pig roast.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
He ought to, certainly, given the whole he’d-totally-make-the-Hershey-Bears-if-he-weren’t-underaged thing hanging over his head.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 14, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Can I raise a practical question at this point?
Are we going to do ‘Stonehenge’ tomorrow?
"If you don't shut the [hell] up, I'm going to kick you in the balls so hard your dentist is going to have to work around them at your next cleaning."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 14, 2010 7:31 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
....
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 7:41 AM EST up reply actions 7 recs
What’s wrong with bein’ sexy?
Previously incarnated as UF and UnleashFurry...
Lost member of the now defunct 'Black Avatar Alliance'
You should have seen the cover they WANTED to do! It wasn’t a glove, believe me.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Dec 14, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
Aaaand OT
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Dec 14, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
000
Hi there…I’m Damien Cox.
Let me take this opportunity to again point out the same tired cliches and themes I’ve been putting out about Alex Ovechkin for the last year. I know you love them as much as I do.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 7:46 AM EST reply actions
And please buy my book.
"Right now, I can't wait for the playoffs." -- Mike Green 1/18/2010
by VaMedic on Dec 14, 2010 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Ruminations on what’s goin’ on.
Might as well add my own completely baseless speculation, then. As long as we’re throwing shit up against the wall, anyway.
The Hannan trade is too close to the recent collapse to be entirely unrelated, but I’ve had trouble figuring out how or why it ties in.
Then, it hit me.
The players believe(d) that the most important piece to acquire was another C. They were all quietly waiting for a pivot. When their most likely trade bait went for something other than a C, they lost their focus and their will to compete.
Or something.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
You’d be closer to target if you suggested that Hannan brought the flu bug with him.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 14, 2010 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Could we make it through today without any:
-Group Therapy
-Group Hugs
-Group Psychosis
-In-Group/Out-Group Meltdowns
-Groupthink
-Groupers
-Groupon
or
-Hand-wringing
-Hand-holding
-Hand-slapping
-Hand-relief
-Hand me a tissue
-Hands across Bruce Boudreau
-Handsome Boy Modeling School
or
-Bed-wetting
-Bed-shitting
-Bedfellows
-Bed, Bath and Beyond
-Bedford-Stuyvesant
-Betty White
-Yellow Ledbetter?
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 Dec 14, 2010 8:18 AM EST reply actions 12 recs
Yea…I already wet the bed knowing that I can still enjoy watching Cliff Lee pitch.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 14, 2010 8:50 AM EST up reply actions
It was in an earlier draft. I just really hate Bed, Bath and Beyond.
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.
we’re gonna have a pretty nice little saturday.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 14, 2010 1:03 PM EST up reply actions
-Group Therapy
-Group Hugs
-Group Psychosis
-In-Group/Out-Group Meltdowns
-Groupthink
-Gropers
-Groupon
Spell check fix free of charge…
Previously incarnated as UF and UnleashFurry...
Lost member of the now defunct 'Black Avatar Alliance'
I don’t think D’oh would endorse a day without gropage.
Less drama, more hockey
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 14, 2010 9:34 AM EST up reply actions
I was referring to the fish, bro.
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.
So was I, brah.
Previously incarnated as UF and UnleashFurry...
Lost member of the now defunct 'Black Avatar Alliance'
by Christoph J on Dec 14, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Hang Loose Bruddah
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 will not consent to the no hand-relief, and as such may need someone to hand me a tissue.
Also, we may go to Bed, Bath and Beyond. I don’t know. I don’t know if we’ll have time.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 14, 2010 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Damn you JP. Damn you. You had to suck me into a Damien Cox article. I am attracted to those links like a kid is to cotton candy at a county fair.
I’m starting to believe (very selfishly) that he writes those pieces just to aggravate me.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
It’s something I read now just to get annoyed on purpose.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
I know I am going to annoyed and, to his credit, JP tried to warn me.
I am drawn like a flame to a moth, like flies to shit, like tongues to a cold flagpole, like Arkansans to black Megadeath t-shirts, like pre-teens to Justin Bieber, like Canadian journalists to the altar of Crosby.
You get the picture.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I have the opposite reaction. I see Damien Cox’s name on something and I run the other way.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
Yep, me too. I didn’t read it but I have a pretty good idea for what the content is.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I looked at the pic of the top of the article and couldn’t bring myself to read it.
I rather not start off the day annoyed.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 14, 2010 8:57 AM EST up reply actions
I looked at the link address, saw the file name and decided I already knew everything the article would say.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
And you’re right, too. It said all of that and then some.
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
by IRockTheRed on Dec 14, 2010 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
STL Spidey: introvert, solipsist.
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 Dec 14, 2010 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Damn you too. I have no idea what a solipsist is and I’m running to a meeting. Can’t look it up until later.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Wow….definitely a word I thought I’d never see on a hockey blog. I’m tempted to flag it for showing off.
Probably OT?
Thank to everyone who defined it for me while I was off in meetings for the past 75 minutes. :-)
Per Wikipedia:
Solipsism (pronounced /ˈsɒlɨpsɪzəm/) is the philosophical idea that only one’s own mind is sure to exist. The term comes from Latin solus (alone) and ipse (self). Solipsism is an epistemological or ontological position that knowledge of anything outside one’s own specific mind is unjustified. The external world and other minds cannot be known and might not exist. In the history of philosophy, solipsism has served as a skeptical hypothesis.
More simply – because my own mind can’t get around Wikipedia (/rimshot):
a theory in philosophy that your own existence is the only thing that is real or that can be known
So – it is good or bad or indifferent to be a solipsist?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Check out OT—literature-related answer to be found there.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Dec 14, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
Well Camus can do, but Sartre is smartre.
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.
000
Oh yeah?! Well Scooby Doo can doo doo, but Jimmy Carter is smarter!
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Dumbledore’s gay????
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 14, 2010 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
solipsist
Rec’d because I’ve got a Rollins book by the same name at home.
"If you don't shut the [hell] up, I'm going to kick you in the balls so hard your dentist is going to have to work around them at your next cleaning."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 14, 2010 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
Misery loving company and whatnot, the Flyers have put themselves in an interesting position
In a nutshell, they cannot add anyone to the roster at present.
Note, however, that they currently have a HS available at all positions, so they’d need multiple events to create a real problem. And even then, they could just LTIR someone else, if the had to.
But still.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Laperierre is a 35+ contract isn’t he? That’s the whole problem then, because he can’t retire and they can’t buy him out. Nice.
"It's always good to have vikings."
He still counts against the cap even if they “move” him to ADK, correct?
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions
The Mogilny Rule strikes again
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
I think Quick felt the need to redeem himself after the night before….
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 14, 2010 9:40 AM EST up reply actions
And how about a hat tip for Flash's first home game as an Av?
One goal and two assists, helping to lock up a comeback. Good for him.
Growl.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I don’t think anyone on here actually ever disliked Flash, we just go annoyed by the delta between his talent, his production, and his TOI.
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 Dec 14, 2010 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
He’s clicking well with Duchene. Scary that kid isn’t even 20 yet.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
He’s so very good. He skates like Crosby (similar stance, skating strength) only he’s much faster/shiftier.
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.
Good for him. I am glad he is finding success so far. I wish Hannan could get some success here though!
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 14, 2010 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
That was a phenomenal game. Duchene is looking more and more like the best player out of that draft. That team is just STACKED down the middle with Stastny, Duchene and O’Reilly. Once they’re healthy, watch 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.
I love Ryan O’reilly’s game. Man I wish the Caps had him.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
I always thought that Duchene should have gone 1st overall.
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 Dec 14, 2010 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
Yep. Tavares 1, Hedman 2, Duchene 3.
Bet TB would like to have that one back – can you imagine a 1-2 -3 of Stamkos, Duchene, Lecavalier?
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 St. Louis
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
000
Well, they would have to drag him out of retirement first
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
Is the Nordiques logo supposed to look like an elephant playing hockey with his trunk?
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
It’s a beautiful, beautiful jersey
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
The fleur-de-lis right above the crotch is a nice touch.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
It’s gentlemanly
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
Like a figleaf?
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 14, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
It’s supposed to be an Igloo that looks like a lower case "N: with the stick and puck forming the entrance…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 14, 2010 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
Way too early to judge Hedman. And Tavares. And Duchene. It’s only their second season.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 14, 2010 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
From a stats perspective, maybe, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat. It’s not to early to judge skillsets. Of the three, Duchene is the only one who looks to have game-breaking talent at the NHL level. Tavares is good, and he’ll likely be a very good player over the course of his NHL career. Unfortunately, he’s not nearly fast enough to create his own room on the ice or to play the same kind of tenacious defense that Duchene does. Hedman doesn’t appear to have the offensive talents he was supposed to. Like Tavares, he’ll be a good player, and maybe even borderline-great, but I just don’t see him at the same level as Duchene.
Some players have “it.” Duchene definitely does. The other two. . . not so much.
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’m not sure I agree it’s not too early to judge skillsets, but most of what we see is what guys execute in-game. That may be vastly different from what they’re actually capable of doing.
We all know that D mature later, for one. I know we normally toss that around in a defensive game maturation sense, but I think it applies for offense, too. Not every D that puts up points needs to be as dynamic and good with the puck as Green or Doughty. Smart passes go a long way, and Hedman seems to be able to execute in that regard (though whether he’s confident enough to take the offensive risks others take is another matter).
What I see in Tavares is a guy who has to adapt mentally to get around his mobility limitations. He wasn’t tearing up the OHL in his first season, exactly, but once he got the hang of it he was dynamite.
From a stats perspective, offensive peak is generally around ages 23-26, so starting from a guy’s fourth or fifth season in the league. It’s only the second.
I’m not sure Duchene will be better offensively than Tavares, but he sure will be defensively better, possibly all-around better.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 14, 2010 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
Correct me if I’m wrong, but Pronger wasn’t a dominant player until at least three or four years in. I mean, he regularly put up 25/30 points a year, but he wasn’t known as a generationally good defenseman until he won the Hart and Norris.
Hedman might have a similar developmental curve, and honestly, he fills a greater organizational need for Tampa Bay. He definitely has the potential to be a stud for them in the future.
Pronger also had a lot of “issues” his first few years in the league.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Nobody remembered him.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 14, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The teams that drafted Pronger and Charra unloaded them both a couple of years too early. Hartford traded Pronger for Shanahan, and Charra was par tof the package that brought Yashin to the Isles from Ottawa.
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 Dec 14, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
Shannyhan put up some really great numbers for Hartford. Unfortunately, that whole situation was a mess by the time he got there. Also, Pronger pretty much had to go
He made his debut in the 1993–94 NHL season, playing 81 games for the Whalers and earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. However, Pronger was arrested for drunk driving, involved in a barroom brawl, and was considered by some to be impatient and immature.2 After a second season in Hartford, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues for star forward Brendan Shanahan on July 27, 1995.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
Hedman’s also a really big guy. I think they tend to take a bit longer to adjust to the speed of the NHL. I still like his game.
Although Hedman’s skating is so good already that I wouldn’t consider him a normal big guy that should take that long to adjust.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Which is why his lack of impact, particularly offensively, is all the more puzzling.
I’m not saying either he or Tavares are a bust by any means, I’m just saying that if that draft happens again, Dutchy might go first overall.
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.
Duchy may go first overall, but I don’t see him going second overall. Hedman hasn’t gotten a ton of PPTOI (3rd among D both years so far). His scoring numbers aren’t even that bad so I don’t see where the knock on him is coming from.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I don’t think TBL regrets it at all. How much ice is there for a 3C? None of those guys are prototypical checkers so they’d end up looking to move someone to wing to fit them all in the top 6. Hedman is still developing and will be real good. The team that wants a do-over is the NYI. I’d take either Hedman or Duchy over Tavares.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Went to that GreenLife “Rock for Charity” thing last night. Very cool. Talked to Green for a bit about the season, hes a nice guy. Ovie/Nicky/Fehr were there too, and I think maybe Matty P, but I wasn’t sure. Didn’t buy the VIP tickets (stupid expensive), they were out in the crowd with all us cheap folks.
was HBO there filming? Saw on twitter that someone in the VIP section saw Ovie, Nicky, Nicky’s brother, Marcus, Schultz, Carlson, King. She said Ovie talked to her for 5 minutes.
by vtcapsfan99 on Dec 14, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Oh wow, yea, I didn’t get that 5 minute-Ovie VIP treatment, unfortunately. That seems pretty freaking awesome, but way too expensive for me. Green seemed pretty cool, said he thinks the slump will be good for the team in the long run. Yea, there were all sorts of cameras following them around. OH! I prolly saw MarJo, not MP. He seemed too tall for MP, which is why I originally hesitated.
...............
MP has longer hair than MoJo, their faces are different, but they both do have dark hair.
Here’s MoJo:
Here’s Matty P:
That’s really cool that you got to talk to Green for a bit. Did he seem recovered from his illness?
by vtcapsfan99 on Dec 14, 2010 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Haha, yea. Looking at those pictures, it was definitely MarJo. Didn’t seem like Matty P, but I really wanted it to be at the time. It was definitely MarJo though.
As for Green, he said he’d be playing on Wednesday, so I’m assuming hes recovered. He was out in the crowd all night taking pictures, interviewing and shaking hands, so I imagine hes better (did he have the flu?).
I’m glad you enjoyed the event and that Greenie was a good host. Was it crowded?
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
My sister got the VIP ticket and got to talk to – and get autographs from/pictures with – Green, Carlson, Ovi, Backstrom, MarJo, Schultz and King. Said they were all super nice, that Carlson and MarJo didn’t drink (good boys), and that everyone except Green left before 9:00 (VERY good boys).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
that Carlson and MarJo didn’t drink
I’m sure there’d be all sorts of legal problems if they were partaking in underage drinking at an official team event.
Less drama, more hockey
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 14, 2010 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Sure, sure…although it wasn’t an official team event, it was a “let’s support Greenie” event – but I know what you mean.
Pretty sure it would go beyond legal problems, too, the team has probably cautioned them against drinking anywhere the fans are…although I’m sure none of the underaged guys has ever EVER had a drop of liquor in the US ;)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Happy Birthday Bill Ranford...
…he’s the Caps answer to Wally Pipp (go look him up….) although Pipp didn’t get hurt by taking a slap shot in the [Thoresen]s like Ranford did….
Ranford ended up being ok but he lost his job to Kolzig because of it. And of course, since he wasn’t seemingly hurt all that bad, Laughlin was making light of it on the TV broadcast, making his voice even more high pitched…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
I remember when that happened.
“You won’t see him no more”
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
Bill Ranford fun fact : Ranford acted in the movie Miracle, performing the on-ice scenes as the goaltender for Team USA, Jim Craig, while Eddie Cahill performed the off-ice scenes
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
Ranford pic
Although it’s not from his years with the Caps, here’s a cool Bill Ranford pic.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
RANFORD SMASH!!!
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.
Someone needs to ’shop a tiny city below him
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
I love seeing 80’s goalie pics:
1. Pads that don’t stick out 10 inches in every direction beyond the contour of the body.
2. Stand-up style.
We’ll never go back to #2, but I keep hoping for a return to #1.
We’ll never go back to #2
Tee hee
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
If #1 isn’t returning, you might want to see a doctor.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Dec 14, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
Those pads Ranford is wearing are probably at least as wide as current goalie pads. Not as tall obviously, but not any narrower.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 14, 2010 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
Probably right, and Ranford wasn’t a small goaltender, he was a pretty big guy….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 14, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
This argument is so tired.
Goal pads were probably at their largest in the 80’s. They were easily 12" wide new and as they settled throughout the season the width near the bottom would easily get to be 14". Current goal pads are 11" wide and they don’t really change shape like the old pads because there isn’t hair in them.
Blockers were being made at 9×16.5 and the current rule is 8×15.
The only thing that was smaller was the C\A and pants but goalies today are much larger than goalies were in the 80’s. As I’ve said before I think it would be good if both of those were a bit more form fitting but they aren’t that out of control on most guys anyway.
The good old days are a lot farther back than the 80’s if you’re referring to pad hugeness. And you’re not going to see a bunch of 5ft6 guys whiffing at pucks anytime soon. (MP withstanding)
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Uh-o Boyd:
@cmasisak22 Team spokesman says Semin is day-to-day and Boyd Gordon is out 1-2 weeks. MJ90 is sick.
half a minute ago via TweetDeck
please not his back – please not his back – please not his back******
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Good lord, again?
Less drama, more hockey
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 14, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Did he block any shots or take any weird hits in the Rangers game? If not, I think it has to be the back.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Wasn’t he wearing a knee brace a while back? I seem to remember that the last time he missed a few games it was the knee/leg, not his back.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Montreal put Dustin Boyd on waivers yesterday. Maybe we can sign Boyd to replace Boyd.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
And if they do it the same day they bring up Andrew Gordon to replace him, the headline would look like “Capitals lose Boyd Gordon, Add Boyd, Gordon”
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
The “no relation” drinking game might make games bearable again.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Dec 14, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In a game against the Wild, half the room is blitzed before the first period is over.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
At this point do you really need games to drink heavily while watching this team? /snark
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Dec 14, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
That would be awesome
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
Forget Boudreau — Fire Greg Smith!!!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 14, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
Stan Wong FTW
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
FWIW, a Swedish journalist that were at the game wrote that Semin was limping after the Rangers game .
Sympathetic trauma… he was limping for his shot that Ovechkin took off his knee.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 14, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Honestly, I’ve grown a little tired of the articles dissecting the current slump, be it the repetition or the depressing subject matter; however, the Inside Hockey piece is not to be missed. It is dead on with its analysis of both Boudreau, Ovechkin, and the system the Caps employ. Many of the sentiments in the article have been reflected in the comments on this site.
The money quote:
Ever noticed how the standard recap of a Capitals loss reads "despite outshooting and out-chancing the (insert team), the Capitals fell short thanks in large part to the effort of (insert goaltender)."?
And yet the coaches, players or both seem completely unwilling to adjust or adapt.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 14, 2010 11:23 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
Rec’d.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Dec 14, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
Funny, when I read that article I thought the writer must have spent some time at the Rink in gathering thoughts for the story.
Flash’s new-found production gave me pause, as well.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
It’s way too early to start judging the trade. I wouldn’t start doing so until after this year’s playoffs.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Dec 14, 2010 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah. We’ll have plenty of time to dissect what went wrong in May.
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.
Booooooooooooooooo!
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 14, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
Definitely reads that way. Perhaps Ben Eisenberg is actually D’ohboy?
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 14, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
Haha actually that would be me. Thanks for the positive vibes, though I’m sure any of you or D’ohboy could’ve wrote the same thing. The commenters here crush 90% of writers who are paid to analyze the game.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Woah, I had no idea that it actually was one of our own. How long have you been writing at that site?
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 14, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
I didn’t think you needed to go past the first sentence for a money quote:
It’s not so much the six losses themselves that have a lot of folks in Washington concerned about the Capitals’ current skid, it’s the way in which they’re losing.
Losing six games sucks, but if they’d all been games like Saturday’s against the Avs I’d be less concerned. Saturday the Caps had issues, but they showed glimmers of intensity and a return to structure that gave me some hope. The rest of the games? Not so much.
This line also jumped out at me:
The top two lines have never been particularly great at forechecking and out-working teams in the offensive end. They rely heavily on scoring on the rush and in transition…
This was glaringly obvious in the Rags game. The entire flow of the game seemed to go: NYR holds possession in our end, we get a quick rushing breakaway, waste it on a shot from the top of the circle, NYR gets possession again and holds it in our end. Even on the power play.
I am a little confused by the conclusion though. He details every reason why the system isn’t working, and argues that its not the losing streak that’s worrisome but how their losing. Then he turns around and says a 6 game losing streak isn’t enough to can BB and gives the excuse of an injured/sick roster. There’s a disconnect there. In my opinion, if the system isn’t working (which he argued quite persuasively), whether the Caps are 0-6 is almost irrelevant.
I agree that replacing BB mid-season should be an absolute last resort. But I’m 99% convinced that unless we see some significant system changes (not a win streak or a sudden surge in goal production) in the next month, it will be time to pull the plug. Or else we can kiss any hope of playoff success good bye.
Less drama, more hockey
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 14, 2010 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I hear you, I was thinking that either the team rounds back into form within the next three weeks and comes back stronger than before or it’s time to bring down the guillotine. To a large extent, I just think it’s going to be really hard to force these guys to learn a new system. How long is that going to take? Will they be comfortable with it in time?
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Which to be honest is why I think this needs to happen sooner rather than later. On the other hand, these guys are all professional hockey players, and while a lot of them have been playing under BB for years, they should be able to adjust to the roles required of them. A change in system (along with less of a reliance on the skill players) may even be the jump start some of them need to play into their strengths.
Of course, there is the question BP keeps bringing up of who would you want as the new head coach? I’d rather keep BB and his unsuccessful system than make a rush replacement decision.
Less drama, more hockey
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 14, 2010 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
PIT didn’t have too many issues in 0809. The Caps also adapted pretty quick in 0708. With 30-40 games for any new coach to work with, I don’t think that should really be an issue.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 14, 2010 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
Also, most systems are much simpler than Boudreau’s. As an example, Flash hasn’t looked totally out of place in Sacco’s system (although it’s a drastic change from Boudreau’s).
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.
Damnit, I even had a “Hell, look how fast Flash seems to be adjusting” and then decided to take it out.
Less drama, more hockey
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 14, 2010 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t take it out. It’s a data point.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Off the top of my head, Flash scored eight goals in nine games when Ovechkin was out last season. We all know he can get hot, we all know he can score. That was never the issue.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 14, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
although it’s a drastic change from Boudreau’s
Oops. I meant to say, NOT a drastic change. They’re both aggressive systems, Sacco’s is just simpler and seemingly a little more organized.
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.
You’ve asserted it a lot, but do you have any inside info on the two respective systems? I don’t know how you can be so certain about the “simplicity” of either system based on just watching them play, and as far as I know coaches don’t generally explain the details of their system to the public. If you’ve seen BB or Sacco do that somewhere I’d love a link.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I don’t know if Sacco has said so publicly (although I think he has) that he likes a simple system, especially with younger guys.
From watching both teams regularly it’s pretty easy to discern the differences. One example is the backcheck. The Caps try to put one-on-one backpressure on the puck and backcheck to their position. As the D slide laterally in the neutral zone, it’s the responsibility of the off-side winger to hustle back and take up the lane. If they miss this assignment (as someone did on Ryan Wilson’s goal the other night), it’s an easy 3-2.
The Avs simplify this greatly – if you’re not in reach of an opponent, you backcheck to the high-slot and pick up a man from there. In practice, this means that Avs players are more likely to be in position to break up a potential odd-man rush.
In the zone, the Caps are much more likely to try to pull up and make a move. The Avs get the puck over the blueline, get the puck on net and send the far man to the back post looking for rebounds/deflections.
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.
Interesting. I wonder how different Therrien/Bylsma and Stevens/Laviollette systems are as well.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Therrien/Bylsma—>completely different. Passive forecheck (but not quite Lemaire) vs BB-style, with some differences.
I gather that Lavi likes a more aggressive style than Stevens, but I can’t remember Stevens’ system all that well, honestly.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 14, 2010 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
A couple of thoughts on this.
First, if BB’s systems and personnel management are never going to lead to success, you have to replace him, and sooner is better than later. That’s where I am, but obviously reasonable minds may differ on this one.
If you still think there’s a chance with BB at the helm, then you have to ask some further questions.
Is there still a chance that the ship gets righted? If yes, then you have to continue to give him rope. It’s only when you conclude that it’s not going to improve under him that you give him the axe mid-season.
Setting aside my thoughts in the first point, as assuming that BB has the potential to take them all the way, then I don’t think we’re at the point that it’s just not ever going to work.
Why? The 5 pipes in the NYR game tell me the team was still trying. The horrid shooting pct during the streak looks like a lot of bad luck. AO tried a fight, the rest of team was still going to the net, and so on. They didn’t lay down like dogs.
All this tells me that the talent on the team is trying to find their way out of the funk, which ought to be enough to keep the coach’s job. If, as noted prior, you still think he has the chops to get them to win the big ones.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I think the lack of effort we have been seeing is a result of 1) illness/injuries (sickness will in itself prevent a 100% individual effort, and for the healthy few it gets discouraging to play when half your regular team is under the weather/injured); and 2) frustration over the winless (and IMO more importantly the goalless) streak.
I don’t think the team has given up on BB, as some would suggest. And I don’t think this team is incapable of winning games…the last three seasons under BB suggest otherwise, as many of his defenders point out. The talent will eventually win out, and we’ll have another 7-2 game and the mood will lighten and everyone will go back to thinking it’s ok.
But I think the problems that Kolzilla so articulately summarizes in his Inside Hockey piece will come back and continue to haunt us unless Bruce makes some considerable tactical changes. Without those changes, all it’ll take is another “hot goalie” (gag) and our season’s done. For me, the big question is can BB adjust his system to address these shortcomings? And I think history tells us that is highly unlikely.
Less drama, more hockey
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 14, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
Regarding effort level, Friedman speculated in his 30 Thoughts that perhaps the Caps as a team do not believe in their goalies.
That in turn prompted me to speculate that perhaps they don’t believe in their C personnel.
It’s impossible to know now, failing someone on the team breaking silence in a way that almost never happens in the NHL, whether there’s anything there.
But if there is, the toxicity level is very high. Teams are sunk if they look at their personnel and think, “there’s no way we can win with this group of guys”.
Note that the personnel at those two positions is different than last year’s team. No BMo, no Theo. Does it make sense to lose confidence based on the absence of two not-so-great players? Absolutely not. Do hockey players do and believe things that make no sense to me? Absolutely yes.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
which is obviously what Feinstein bases his article on, since he is in no way qualified to analyze this team.
Shutout 4 times in a month = need better goalie!
Choking since 1985.
So Ovi’s gonna go against Sid and JR on The Price is Right. Seems pretty fair to Ovi so long as the items to bid on are:
-High end Mercedes
-Ripped jeans
-Turkish yacht rentals
You think Ovi knows what the price of a gallon of milk is in the US? “Umm, I’ll say $5K Drew”
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 14, 2010 11:24 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Loser has to go to Drew’s padded sex dungeon.
"If you don't shut the [hell] up, I'm going to kick you in the balls so hard your dentist is going to have to work around them at your next cleaning."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 14, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
“It hasn’t been a good year for Ovechkin especially when compared to Sidney Crosby. Now Crosby can add winning a showcase showdown to his Stanley Cup and Olympian accomplishments. One can imagine a young Sidney memorizing the price of abrasive dish soap in his parents basement while the docile tones of Bob Barker hums in the background. Meanwhile in Russia a young Alex washes his face with abrasive cleaner purchased with rubles. Is that even a real currency?” /Future Damien Cox
by RED503 on Dec 14, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
If the “showcase showdown” is the Winter Classic, don’t we have to wait for that to take place first?
Does anyone give a damn anyway? Didn’t we beat Pittsburgh 4 times last year (or was it 6) in the regular season and what good did that do us? And we won the regular season series from them in 2008 as well.
Didn’t we learn last year that regular season success doesn’t matter? I don’t care if they get in the playoffs with the 8th spot, as long as they get in. This is nothing but an 82 game warm-up for the opening round playoff series.
and we’ll say it again… only one Stanley Cup champ since the lockout had a sub-.500 December, and they ended up firing their coach later in the season before going on a run. You can’t just ho-hum your way to April and think, oh, then we’ll play hard because it matters. Teams that built good habits over the course of the year will be playing harder, too.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 14, 2010 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I’m pretty sure it was a reference to them (Ovechkin and Crosby, along with Jeremy Roenick) being on the Price is Right. I think RED503 was just trying to bring the funny.
Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly ...on a broomstick. We're flexible like that (:
by MR Laughlin18 on Dec 14, 2010 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. As did I.
Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly ...on a broomstick. We're flexible like that (:
by MR Laughlin18 on Dec 14, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
I really like the RMNB piece. Mathematically the odds of this team losing 8 straight is about 5% and losing 9 straight is microscopic. Maybe at that point McPhee should do something drastic, I dunno.
Damn well better win Wednesday.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Right now, the odds of this team losing 8 straight are 25%. The odds of losing 9 straight are 12.5%.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 14, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I could quibble a little bit about the underlying assumptions – for instance, I’d like to use the goal differential at the beginning of the losing streak rather than at the end – but yeah, in general, it’s interesting.
I’ll be interested to see how they do against Anaheim. The last time they played ANA, they played what I considered to be their best game of the season. It was only due to some impressive work by Giggy, some kind posts and a few untimely bounces that the Caps didn’t have that one salted away by the 30-minute mark.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Taking about Anaheim...
Pass or Fail – Jonas Hiller’s 2010-2011 Black, Mad Max style mask
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 12:51 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Pass. Totally badass.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Dec 14, 2010 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
I concur. Gets the “smash” from me.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
The Ducks logo and gold bars ruin it. Otherwise somebody could’ve picked up the mask and asked if there was any way this mask could be more black and Hiller could reply “None, none more black”
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
by apk3000 on Dec 14, 2010 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Passed harder than a kidney stone.
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 Dec 14, 2010 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
Super Pass and remind me of
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Meanwhile from the other side of the Monumental empire:
@washpostlive
Wiz fans: at what point do you become very concerned about John Wall’s injury issues? I’m chalking it up to bad luck but 8 games…..
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
knee tendinitis is nothing to screw around with. I’m worried.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
This might be the cutest thing ever – Schultz has a BFF here in Washington, and it’s not a teammate. Find out who it is :)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
So precious!
Sarge took quite a whack in the face there.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Great piece. Reading how AC plans to get him “out of his shell” was so funny. And that pic of his son in the WC jersey is great.
Sad to see 55’s cast, though. :(
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Wasn’t it Carter’s kid who had the Schultz jersey with the name spelled wrong?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 14, 2010 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sorry his thumb is broken but very happy to see that cast. It doesn’t look like this (beverage and food warning – that’s Mike Modano’s hand). No pins, no plates, just a nice clean cast. A little time and good intentions and I bet he comes back sooner rather than later.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Schultzie looks like an enormously tall twelve year old in that picture—one preparing to ask for an autograph on his cast.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Dec 14, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
His thumb cast.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
From Andy Strickland
There is more and more noise regarding the Blues potentially unloading a D-man. If Doug Armstrong is successful in moving a defenseman for an offensive player the club could very well turn to free agent Marc-Andre Bergeron as a replacement. Sources say the Blues have recently inquired about the power play specialist who’s coming off of knee surgery. The club would obviously have no reason to turn to Bergeron unless they move a D-man
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
I don’t know who they have on their blue line but I know whoever it is, they’re almost certainly better than MAB.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I think it’s about getting another forward, more than MAB replacing one of their D.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
According to the Strickland article, they are looking for offensive/PP help as they have a slew of injuries at the moment up front with Perron, Oshie and MacDonald all out. Also rumours have been flying that they may be interested in Alexei Kovalev who is in Cory Clouston’s dogouse in Ottawa at the moment.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
STL's D at the moment
Eric Brewer, Barret Jackman, Erik Johnson, Alex Pietrangelo, Ian Cole, Carlo Colaiacovo
Roman Polak is injured.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
Three unlikely to be traded: Johnson – no way no how. Cole = Peoria, no value. Pietrangelo = most value, but very unlikely. Too much potential.
That leaves Brewer, Jackman, Colaiacovo. Each might fit nicely on another team, but none, IMO, is more than a 3/4 D.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Put you on the spot Spidey. Say you could have one of the latter three you named on the Caps, which one would you choose?
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, I’m not crazy about any, but I have the best feeling about Colaiacovo. Brewer and Jackman just seem too mistake-prone and inconsistent.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Colaiacovo gets hurt all the time, doesn’t he?
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
I’d have to go look at his GP. He did have a concussion this season.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
21, 48, 28, 10, 63, 67, 21 (this year)
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Assuming he was up with the big club in the past two years, then your question is valid. 63 and 67 games doesn’t do much for me.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I stll say the Blues fleeced the Leafs in that deal to get CC and Alex Steen for Lee Stempniak. I do like Alex Steen.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
Of course, it probably hurt the Leafs worse to deal Stempniak to Phoenix and watch him turn into Brett Hull.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Jackman and Brewer get a lot of tough assignments. That’s changed some this year; the Blues are starting in the opponent’s end a lot more than their own, especially compared to years prior, but those guys have been getting the lion’s share of the crappy situations.
Both of those guys are tough to play against when I watch the Blues, I think the Caps could use a little more of that sandpaper edge.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 14, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
Related:
@RaymondBowe
Former Colts captain Stefan Della Rovere has been sent back to Peoria (AHL) by the St. Louis Blues. He had 9 PIMs and 0 points in 5 games.
Aw, Delly.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Obligatory Burton comment that they are the dirtiest team in the league.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I wasn’t the only person to assert that, though, and I would maintain its true.
by Chris Burton on Dec 14, 2010 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
I know. Just pointing out that what some people see as “hard to play against” others see as “dirty sons of bitches.” Probably both positions are true.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
MAB is someone you only roll out on the PP.
The Blue’s D is
EJ
Brewer
Pietrangelo
Polak
Cola
Jackman
someotherdudewhosnamestartswithO. Oystrick?
Anyway, they have serious depth on the blueline, they can afford to trade a piece.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 14, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly KHATD. Which is how the Habs utilized MAB in last year’s playoffs vs the Caps.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
It’s Oystrick, yeah, and you left out Nikita Nikitin who’s seen some minutes there this year due to injuries. I don’t think they’re going to make the playoffs but the problem won’t be on defense.
by Chris Burton on Dec 14, 2010 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
Avatar bet that they make the playoffs? You can pick my avatar for a week if they don’t make it, I pick yours for a week if they do?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 14, 2010 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
Even half of what he makes now is still too much.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
and through the 11-12 season no less
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 Dec 14, 2010 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Old, terrible, and capped out is no way to go through life, son.
Can't he be both, like the late Earl Warren?
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 14, 2010 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
He got that sick contract based on a remarkable 3 year run in Minny where he scored 30+ goals 3 straight years and averaged almost 300 shots. That’s like a 50 goal year in Wash-, er , Philly!
And obviously making goalies fear for their life with his shot.
From Wikipedia:
Rolston’s shot is also known for making Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jean-Sébastien Giguère duck for cover1 during a game in the 2007-2008 NHL season when Rolston fired a slapshot from the right wing aiming for the top left corner of the net. Giguere visibly ducked to avoid being hit in the mask, resulting in a goal for Rolston. In a similar event during the 2006-2007 NHL season, Rolston fired a slapshot on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo. The shot hit Luongo in the mask, and though unhurt, Luongo was visiby dazed for minutes, lying on the ice until the team’s trainer confirmed he was okay to continue the game. Rolston would later score on a penalty shot using his slapshot in the same game against Luongo.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 14, 2010 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
I love when he broke the goalie’s mic in an all star game a couple years ago.
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 Dec 14, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
From Cox article
After his mediocre work in last winter’s Vancouver Olympics, Ovechkin didn’t score in 13 of Washington’s final 18 regular season games and then was controlled by the Montreal Canadiens in their first-round upset of the Caps, held to five goals in the series and none in the final two games.
Is that really being controlled?
I do get his angle that Crosby is in a different “stratosphere” right now. I’m not sure if that’s so terrible for the Winter Classic angle. Maybe they’ll finally try to talk up the rivalry on both teams instead of beating a dead horse. (No, I know what really will happen…)
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Of course, 5 goals in 7 games is only a 59 goal pace, tons of players not named Ovechkin have put up those kinda numbers recently.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
I sat in on practice this morning. Next time I should take binoculars, pretending to be Grace Kelly in Rear Window (I wish), musing about the goings on in the offices across the ice. With Gordo, Sasha, and MJ not on the ice this morning, I thought if only I could peer into GMGM’s office to see whose body he’s stuffing in a train trunk.
FYI
Ovi documentary (the dvd) is on NHLN tonight at 6.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
Six Beers Too Many Fantasy Team - BizNasty's Hobo Rodeo
by boutros23 on Dec 14, 2010 5:38 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
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