Caps recall Perreault
"The Washington Capitals have recalled center Mathieu Perreault from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today." - Release
over 1 year ago
J.P.
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Intrigue! Okay, who’s hurt?
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Someone’s got to go on IR, but I don’t necessarily think it has to be a F. They’ve scored 1, 1 and 2 (discounting own goals and ENGs) in their last three, so I could see this being an attempt to jump start the O.
Could well be Poti or Green going to IR?
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I hope not Green (as we all do, I imagine). OTOH, he spent a lot of time talking to Woods at the end of practice yesterday. I’d like to think they were talking about defense, not aches and pains.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I forgot about Erskine’s injury during the ATL game. He’d be my first candidate.
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So it’s not Semin (per BB) and it’s not Erskine.
All signs seem to lead to Poti, but whatever.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I don't think BB would go all Cloak and Dagger
over an Erskine level IR announcement. Is it really that much of a competitive advantage to not let Toronto know that a 5/6 D-man is out? Ovie, Green, or some other big name on the other hand, might merit such tactics.
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This is his time to prove whether he is a legit NHLer or not, I think this will be an extended stay with Flash gone.
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Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
Or at least BB gives him enough of a look this time.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
He’s got to earn his look, though. One good game, followed by a “meh” game and a bad game after that isn’t good enough.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
MJ90 has had plenty of “meh” games. Must be nice to be a 1st round draft pick…
You had me at no problem.
Indeed – having actual upside is nice.
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I know, I know. MJ is clearly going to be the superior NHL player, and he’ll get there faster. But still, MP85 has a much higher bar to clear to get playing time.
And it’s unfair to suggest Perreault has no upside.
You had me at no problem.
While I think that being a late round pick hurts MP, I think being 5’ 8" and giving inconsistent efforts night-to-night hurts him more.
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.
Mostly the inconsistency, I’d say. If a player can’t control his own approach to the game, his talent level doesn’t really matter.
The size issue ought to be moot, because he has shown that he can play in the NHL, create opportunities, and make plays.
You had me at no problem.
Kid’s got talent, sure. But he needs to show that he can play solid defense every shift. And he needs to get consistent on offense. He can’t go disappearing for long stretches at a time like he has been and hope to stay in the NHL.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 6, 2010 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
I’d limit it to your second point. They’d live with his defensive deficiencies if he was bringing the offense on the regular. When he’s gotten sent back to the AHL it’s been because he wasn’t even bringing the offense.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I think it depends on which line he’s on. On the 2nd, I think they’ll live with a few lapses if he can generate consistent offense. If he’s centering Chimera and Fehr on the 3rd line though, they might be less willing to look past his gaffes.
Either way, I think we all agree that consistency is the name of the game for MP. He’s shown that he can score in the NHL.
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 look at BB and I see a willingness to overlook defensive lapses if you can score, no matter what line you’re on. If MP was playing well enough to make that 3rd line good for a goal a game, I think BB would live with him (obviously as long as his D isn’t so bad that they are good for 2 goals a game against). BB wants that third line to be a scoring line, so even if MP is 3C I think he’s going to be predominantly judged on his offensive game.
And yeah, he definitely needs to be more consistent. It’ll be real interesting to see how he gets used tonight.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
A bit maybe. Especially since all three +1’s game in one game and he has such a small sample of games this season.
If you consider all games in the NHL. He’s played 24 games in all and has only been a minus for three of those games (never going below -1).
I just think it shows that, although he might not have an impact on offense consistently, at least hasn’t sucked defensively. I don’t see MP have too many brain farts. But then again, he hasn’t had too much ice time
He’s also been pretty sheltered in relatively few minutes. I like him and I think he can become a player, but he has to work on his defense and his plus/minus to date isn’t going to sway me on that.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yea true. He averages what? 10 minutes a night? 14:56 is his most ever in one game. This season he hasn’t played more than 11:50 which is kind of surprising seeing as how he was on a line with Semin.
This’ll be the first time up, though, since Flash was traded. I’m hoping the smell of blood in the water now finally gets him to prove he;s worth some extra minutes
The size issue ought to be moot
The operative word being “ought,” as in “should be;” to which I’d add, “but isn’t.”
Other than sheer stupidity, there’s a reason that Dylan McIlrath and Erik Gudbranson got drafted several spots ahead of Cam Fowler, and there’s a reason that David Steckel has a 3-yr $3.3m contract while guys like Hendricks and Matt Mottau are floating around looking for training camp tryout contracts. NHL GMs like size.
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 again?
You’re picking the wrong poster child. Perrault hasn’t been playing well at the NHL level for a good while yet. Pick someone who’s earned a spot, and complain about discrimination against them.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 6, 2010 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Perrault hasn’t been playing well at the NHL level for a good while yet.
Can you honestly say that MP has been any more or less inconsistent than when Flash was first called up? Or Fehr? I know the team was less deep back then, but they were frequently God-awful. For the most part, they stayed in the lineup though.
If you want more poster children, they’re not difficult to find. Inconsistent or not, if MP were 6’1" instead of 5’8" we’re not having this discussion – he’s likely already in the NHL, inconsistent or not.
I’m not saying MP’s perfect, and my preceding comment calls out his inconsistent effort. At the same time, ignoring the guy’s size as a factor of consideration is silly. You and I both know it plays a huge role, and a MUCH bigger role than where he was drafted.
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.
Broken Record Time. I’m of half a mind to find the last chain from the last time there was any transaction involving Perrault, and save us all the trouble. Please, for the love of partridges, let it drop.
I mean, you do realize that the argument you’re making today is “Flash and Fehr played like shit when they made the NHL, so the fact that they don’t allow a short player to play like shit and keep his roster spot means they’re biased against short people.”
How about, short people and tall people and average people should all have to earn an NHL roster spot. Which is a hard thing to do on a good and deep team. Guys who don’t earn roster spots shouldn’t have them.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 6, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
How about, short people and tall people and average people should all have to earn an NHL roster spot.
While I agree with your normative statement, it just doesn’t work that way in practice. To take your phrase and re-state it in a way to make it reflect reality, “Average-sized players need to earn their roster spot, small players need to earn their roster spot twice over, and big players need to earn their demotion.”
Like it or not, NHL GMs believe that smaller players are incapable of playing on anything other than a scoring line unless they’re some kind of super-pest ala Jordin Tootoo. Players like MP have to be truly excellent and have to play on a scoring line if they’re gong to stick – unlike a guy like Fehr or Steckel who, if they don’t score, will get turned into a checker.
Broken record or not, it doesn’t detract whatsoever from the truth of my comment, and never in any one of these threads have you shown any evidence to counter the assertion.
Regardless, at this point it seems to me like you’re the one picking the fight here, since my original comment agreed with you regarding the fact that MP’s draft status relative to MJ90 was less important than other factors, namely his on-ice inconsistency.
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.
D’ohboy, do you think a smaller player should get a chance on a checking line if he doesn’t stick on a scoring line?
Have you revised your thoughts on Marcus at all?
1) Yes. I think a lot of “big” players get a pass on physicality because it’s assumed that they’re physical, even if they’re not. David Steckel is a much less physical player than Matt Hendricks, despite a huge size advantage. It’s the same mindset that causes people to curse Schultz because he doesn’t hit people. For many people big = physical.
2) My thoughts on Marcus haven’t changed all that much. He played poorly at the outset of the season, although he’s played much better of late. I never said the kid didn’t have upside, I just thought he looked overmatched.
Where I think I may have been wrong is in my belief that he needed to go to the AHL. With the departure of Flash, he could get regular #2C ice time and special teams ice time, both of which will benefit his development. He still needs a lot of work though.
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.
1) I am more interested if you think a small guy could do well on a checking line. I understand what you are saying about big guys getting a pass, but I am somewhat skeptical that he could handle being on a checking line. Although he looked decent on the 3rd line.
2) Did Marcus improve more than you thought he would? I recall you thought he wasn’t strong on the puck, I feel like he’s gotten a bit better at that. It was interesting, I was checking out the caps roster yesterday and Marcus is the shortest guy on the team, the only one under 6 feet.
1) Generic small guy? Yes. MP specifically? Probably not right now. He just doesn’t give a consistent enough defensive effort.
2) Marcus has looked good and more comfortable with the puck. He’s not going to get physically stronger over the course of the year, so he’s just going to have to learn how to work around that. That’s the big difference between his game right now and where Backstrom was several years ago. Right away, Backstrom demonstrated an ability to physically guard the puck using his body, and I’ve yet to see that from Johansson. On the other hand, Johansson has much better wheels, so he’s going to have to focus on putting that to use on the smaller NHL sheet.
I think the sample’s too small to tell right now whether he’s improved more or less than I thought. If you’d asked me a week ago, I might have said yes. His last two games were nothing to write home about though. I’m perhaps more willing to buy that he can work through his issues/develop in the NHL, especially with Flash gone.
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.
Dude, you’re not paying attention to what I’m saying. I’m not saying that there is no bias against smaller players.
I’m saying that Marcus Perrault doesn’t prove anything because he hasn’t played well enough to stick in the NHL so far. (I like him, and I hope he does well enough to stick this time. The Caps sure could use a 2C with some offensive upside)
I’m saying that it’s almost trivial to argue that smaller players have a tougher road to the NHL. Of course they do.
I’m saying I’m sick and tired of reading this rant every time there’s a Perreault-transaction.
I’m saying at least have the decency to wait until something bad happens with respect to Perreault before rolling this out again next time. I mean, really, isn’t this argument out of place today? After all, he’s getting called up. Doesn’t it undercut the idea that the odds are stacked against the guy when, in an organization that is thick with forwards, he’s the #1 callup yet again despite his poor play in the past at the NHL level? If there really was such a strong bias, wouldn’t Laich be moving to center so Andrew Gordon could come up?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 6, 2010 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I’m not saying that there is no bias against smaller players.
I’m saying that it’s almost trivial to argue that smaller players have a tougher road to the NHL. Of course they do.
How about, short people and tall people and average people should all have to earn an NHL roster spot.
The original posts I replied to:
MJ90 has had plenty of "meh" games. Must be nice to be a 1st round draft pick…
But still, MP85 has a much higher bar to clear to get playing time.
My response:
While I think that being a late round pick hurts MP, I think being 5’ 8" and giving inconsistent efforts night-to-night hurts him more.
Is there anything in there that you ACTUALLYdisagree with? MP isn’t in the NHL largely for two reasons:
1) He gives inconsistent efforts (for a variety of reasons); and
2) He’s short.
Do you really disagree with that? I made a rather banal statement of fact that mostly agreed with you and you’re turning it into something much more. I have said repeatedly that Perreault’s play does not merit staying in the NHL. This doesn’t mean that the same inconsistency would just get him benched or put on the 4th line if he were 6’2" and 200lbs. And you know this is true.
After all, he’s getting called up. Doesn’t it undercut the idea that the odds are stacked against the guy when, in an organization that is thick with forwards, he’s the #1 callup yet again despite his poor play in the past at the NHL level? If there really was such a strong bias, wouldn’t Laich be moving to center so Andrew Gordon could come up?
Now you’re just getting silly. The organization is thick with wings and thin with scoring-line NHL-ready centers. The team knows that Brooks Laich isn’t a center. They know he’s a stop-gap at best, otherwise they wouldn’t have tried the ridiculous “Flash as #2C experiment.” They’re not convinced that MJ can center the second line and they know that Laich can’t do it. The only other center in the organization with the skill-set to center that line is MP.
I’m saying I’m sick and tired of reading this rant every time there’s a Perreault-transaction.
I’m failing to see how my original comment was a “rant.” It was a sentence, and one in which I agreed with you about his inconsistency. You’re the one turning this into a rant/argument.
We agree that MP’s inconsistency hurts him. We agree that smaller players have a higher bar to clear than larger ones.
So, given that my original comment was “his draft position hurts him less than the fact that he’s small and inconsistent,” I’m having a really tough time understanding why you’re disagreeing with me.
If MP were 6’1" or gave a consistent effort every night, he’d likely be in the NHL. And if I had wheels, I’d be a wagon.
If you don’t want to hear a rant/argument, don’t take a one-sentence line (one which you apparently agree with for the most part) and tell the author that they’re wrong and you disagree with 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.
by D'ohboy on Dec 6, 2010 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Who is this “Marcus Perrault” guy?
Is this the collective name of all players doing the “Wa2C” dance for the Caps 2nd line center position?
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. - Michael Jordan
by Icebat on Dec 6, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It's this guy...
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
by bagace on Dec 6, 2010 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And considering the play of a couple of other diminutive Francophones (Saint Louis, Briere), size is something that can be overcome.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
If you’ve got plus-plus strength on your skates, shiftiness, speed, and hockey sense. And, of course, effort.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
The effort is key. Briere got dinged for the same thing when he first came out of the Q – he didn’t give full effort every night and he didn’t play all 200ft of the ice. If you’re going to play as a small guy in the NHL, you’ve got to be running at 8,000RPM every shift of every game and find a way to sustain that over a full season. MP hasn’t figured that out yet, or hasn’t managed to execute on it.
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 Briere rubbed people the wrong way by thinking he was the shit before he proved anything. Briere was a first round pick though, I’m not sure what MP would be letting get to his head.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
He was hot stuff in the QMJHL, winning the Jean Beliveau Trophy as the league’s leading scorer in his last year there. Kind of like being the QB for the local high school, then going to a big, out of state college where he’s just another football player on a stacked team.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I understand that he had a successful Q career, and has tons of skill, but I feel like he should have known what kind of uphill battle he had considering the full picture. Maybe it’s just maturity, but it’s disappointing.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Personally, I think MP85 will be a 1C in this league one day. But bear in mind, Marty St Louis didn’t make it to the NHL full-time until he was 24, and he didn’t crack 50 points until he was 27… And that’s the best little man in the league. Perreault will need a lot of seasoning to learn how to effectively compete with guys who outweigh him by 50 lbs.
You had me at no problem.
Briere followed a similar path. The big thing MP’s going to have to learn is that putting up gaudy stats in the AHL isn’t enough. Luckily, he shares a lockerroom with someone who should be able to fill him in about 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.
Neuvy? :-)
Seriously, I think Giroux’s travels over the summer (and into this fall) should probably convince him that it takes all aspects of your game to make it in the NHL.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I was thinking more of Aucoin, but whatever floats your boat. :)
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 it’s not just about simply having “meh” games, because everyone has those…it’s about when they happen and how soon.
MarJo’s gotten progressively better just about every game, and all in his first series of games as a Cap. Perreault’s had repeated call-ups over the past 2 years and each time he starts out strong than fades – often really quickly.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
To be fair though MarJo’s been out there every night (or just about) and MP just gets shipped back when he stagnates. Although he didn have a little bit of an extended stay last year
One way or another, MP fan or not, lets hope he kicks it up a notch.
:P
I disagree on both counts. This year he just needs to improve on last year. Next year is his make or break year. I also think the fact that we need to put someone on IR to fit him means that he won’t get a longer look than the injury. He’ll have to play out of his mind every game to stay up when whoever it is gets healthy again, and in that case it means they have to move someone else out, possibly Sloan if the D gets healthy.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I’d say he’s more or less flippable with MarJo.
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by red army line on Dec 6, 2010 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
Especially if SOB is together. The only real question is whether one of them gets to play with Semin. I think MP will get the chance with Semin because he has more offensive upside and they pretty clearly don’t think Mackan is ready for that yet.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
BB pretty much said that this is MP’s shot at filling the 2C “hole”. So, yeah, he’ll be with Semin. Probably Laich, too.
You had me at no problem.
Wouldn’t mind another round of 21-19-8, personally. Gramps can get 28’s trash.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
28-85-22.
The alex’s play opposite wings across the 2 lines on purpose.
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.
Erskine?
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Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
In today’s Post both Poti and Erskine thought they’d be ready to go tonight. Maybe the perpetually injured Boyd Gordon is the answer.
Poti is always saying he’s ready to go.
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It’s great when he comes back into the lineup and says, “yeah, I’m feeling great. I’m at about 64% right now.”
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Tough cookie.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 7, 2010 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
Well, Poti has come in for a game this season, then promptly sat out again. It’s possible Sloan “tweeked something” Sat night and they decided not to risk it.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I remember Sloan and MP having a little bit of chemsitry last season.
Lets home it comes back to them
Dear sweet baby Jesus, I hope not!
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Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
Heart Attack Warning
Please provide some sort of warning before putting these words together again:
“…Sloan playing forward…”
I’m going to have nightmares now.
Oddly enough, I’d prefer to see him playing fourth line minutes as a forward than cracking the top six on D.
by Yoshietree on Dec 6, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I was hoping they’d put him with Fehr and Chimmer. They clicked really well on the Duchesne Cup Team, and those two need something to get going.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
But MP and Semin together this season has been prety badass as well. MP can scramble like a madman and seems to always end up with the puck right in the slot
Semin and Perreault. The Spastic Dream Team.
Semin/Perreault for president 2012!
Something tells me whether Semin gets going is based on Semin, rather than who they put out as his center. Fehr and Chimmer (especially Fehr) need someone desperately to get them going.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Hear, hear. The lack of a center is really hurting Fehr. Chimera contributes enough on the forecheck and “sandpaper” fronts that he remains valuable even when he’s not scoring.
You had me at no problem.
I’m always amazed how someone as fast as Chimera scores so few goals. Seems like no one can ever keep up with him to get that rebound (that always seems to be there when he rushes in)
MP could probably squeak in there
I think a lot of that is that Chimera is chasing down pucks in the corners, either from a dump-in or trying to prevent icing. He doesn’t get to chase a whole lot of pucks right in front of the goal or catching a goalie behind the net.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
I’m always amazed how someone as fast as Chimera scores so few goals.
Chimera’s the kind of guy who would have been a 35 goal scorer back in the 80s when goalies were terrible and you could score regularly on 40ft slapshots. Not much scoring happens off of wide rushes anymore as goalies have improved. His speed is great for getting to pucks on the forecheck, but he doesn’t have the shiftiness/deking ability to get by guys one-on-one and get breakaways.
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.
Yesterday Ersk told Katie he was “ready to play”, but I think BB wants to get Hannan and Poti out there together, as well as issue a wakeup call to his forwards, so Big John takes the fall.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I’m sure I’m imagining things, because nothing was said yesterday, but I felt like someone was missing from practice, but couldn’t get a handle on who. I sat all the way at the top of the bleachers, and didn’t really stare to make out faces and helmet numbers for the players it takes a few extra looks for me to figure out (the helmet numbers are almost impossible for me to read from up there). But I tried a head count at one point and only came up with 22.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Was Stecks playing? He got stapled to the bench after the Enstrom Incident, but maybe he got hurt too.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
It doesn’t. But with 8 D on the roster, a D to the IR that frees up a roster spot isn’t going to result in a Fahey recall, so…
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The offense has been scuffling, and part of the reason is they only have one scoring line (the one Backstrom happens to be playing on). MJ90 makes an acceptable 3C, but is out of his depth as 2C. Gordo/Hendricks are OK as 4C, but as a 3C they’re miscast. Stecks is a black hole for everything but faceoffs.
MP gives them an offensive pivot.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
So excited that MP got called up for tonight’s game. It means I will get to see Mites on Ice live during the game just not in the intermission..
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
Haha! Poor fella.
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Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
If the roster stays this way through the season (ha!), this appears to delay the earliest date the Caps could get Richards by about two weeks, to February 24…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Wouldn’t that figure be offset by the salary of whoever goes on IR?
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 6, 2010 10:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Guys on the IR still count against your cap payroll, but you can exceed the cap by the amount of salary parked on the IR.
So, no.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
However in the case that MP is with the big club for the rest of the season either some is on IR for that time (making it LTIR) or is moved either through a trade (with no roster player coming back to the Caps).
So any calculation of the impact of MP’s cap hit (if extended to the end of the season) to the overall cap space needs to account for the savings that moving another player to LTIR or elsewhere would create.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 6, 2010 1:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
A player on LTIR does not result in any cap savings as it relates to later moves. LTIR enables the team to use the player’s cap hit to replace him with one or more players, but it doesn’t result in banking cap space for later use.
OK, I get the details of IR/LTIR confused and I know I’m not alone judging by the responses my first post received.
My point was about G_O_D’s calculations regarding keeping MP on the big club roster and how it would affect the hypothetical date that Brad Richards could be added to the team later in the year. His calculations were based on cap space available after keeping MP up here for the remainder of the season.
For that to happen someone would have to be moved off the active roster to open up a spot for MP. I suppose that could occur through trade (with no roster player in return), waive, buy out, demotion, or LTIR. Actions that would in some way offset the cap hit of MP’s salary for the rest of the year.
[If MP is a replacement for a LTIR, would he impact the cap at all since he presumably makes less than any roster player? If I understand it, the original player still counts against the cap and a team can replace him with a player(s) whose salary equals that of the injured player. This seems to mean that only the LTIR is counted against the cap and the replacement salaries do not.]
Bottom line is that other things would need to happen to the roster for MP to stay for the rest of the season and those things would need to be factored in before impact of MP’s salary on our year end cap space can be calculated.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 6, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
LTIR does not reduce anyone’s cap hit, or make anyone’s salary “not count.” LTIR means that you are permitted to exceed the cap by that player’s salary. But since the Caps aren’t up at the top of the cap, it does no good for them. So basically, LTIR is irrelevant.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 6, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
Let the guessing commence:
cmasisak22 All 8 d-men on the ice for the #Caps but no Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin or Knuble this morning.
It’s not Ovechkin or Backstrom going on IR.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Nope, he doesn’t. Good recall – I forgot about that until you mentioned it.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
And Semin has suddenly lost his scoring touch. Do we know what his “nagging injury” might be?
"It's always good to have vikings."
Per Corey:
Boudreau says someone is going on IR to make room for MP85 but won’t say who. Also said 8, 19, 22 and 28 were taking their option.
So…that clears up nothing, thanks BB :P
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
BB sounds like he’s really having fun with these “statements”, isn’t he?
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
In another life, BB was a Kremlin spokesperson.
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 get his jollies somehow. I think he really enjoys toying with the press.
I hate that I won’t know who it is until they announce the scratches on the board, because I know I will have left for the game long before it’s announced.
"It's always good to have vikings."
If it was Semin, they’d either play King and shuffle the deck, or call up a wing, such as … AGord.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
And to muddy the waters further, Corey says that Varly’s alone on the ice with the coaches after practice (usually scratches and sometimes injured guys give the non-starting goalie extra work after practice ends.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
No disrespect to Corey and Katie, but with Toronto as the opponent, TSN and the majority of the Canadian media will be all over the story if someone skates later. He’s just playing it tight so Ron Wilson won’t know.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Has Belanger been traded yet?
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
From Corey: BB on MP85: “We thought we are struggling in that No. 2 hole and have used a lot of different guys. This is his opportunity to take it.”
Hole is right. It’s going to need a bigger, weightier plug I think. Sounds like do or die for MP, and just in time to decide if Caps need to make a timely acquisition to allow chemical acclimation.
A more curious tweet:
cmasisak22: Boudreau says he’s looking for 3 things from MP85: “1 is consistency, 2 is energy and 3 is being a good pro.”
As JP mentioned on Twitter, that third bullet is the interesting one. Makes me wonder more and more what happened last fall with the so-called “Sushi stomach flu” that sent him back to Hershey.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
It’s been all but said that he was partying it up a little too much on that recall.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
And I’d guess he’s running out of chances on that one. If he fails this time (by BB and Caps expectations), I’d imagine he turns into trade bait.
"It's always good to have vikings."
He might be trade bait regardless, with the plethora of promising Cs we have in the system.
You had me at no problem.
You SO missed out on a chance to go all alliteration on us, my friend…plethora of promising pivots!
/random
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
…and there’s no easier way to get your guy viewed by as many eyes as possible then have them come up and play against Toronto.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Well, and we play FL on Thurs., which had me thinking of F&B’s always-intriguing idea of Stephen Weiss. Maybe a good time for the Caps to get a look at some FL C’s?
Can they afford to lose any offense? They have a tough enough time putting the puck in the net as it is.
You had me at no problem.
They’re a division rival, we should already know them in and out.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
He might be trade bait regardless
This may well be the real reason why he’s been called up and what better way to get a lot of exposure than playing against the Canadian Dallas Cowboys. Out of curiosity, how are the Maple Leafs set at center?
I think as bad as the Leafs are, they may be even worse in the developmental leagues. Not much in the pipeline, IIRC.
You had me at no problem.
Seems like the Leafs aren’t “set” at any position.
Their 1C, I believe, is Mikhail Grabovski, and while I don’t particularly like him, he’s one of the young guys they’re building around so I doubt they’d part with him even if we wanted him.
Behind him, they’re thin on pivots. Nazem Kadri is another kid they’ve called up who has to prove himself. After that they’ve got nobody I’m even lukewarm about.
They’d undoubtedly love to have MP, given their lack of draft picks and the thin stock of talent on the roster, but they don’t have anyone to give back.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I had no idea, until I heard Mirtle on JRR, that the Leafs were the youngest team in the league.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
May depend what roster dresses. Without Poti our age probably comes down a little.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yeah, they might have lost it when they sent Schenn away and Muzzin down, now that I think of it.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
for all the young guys the Caps have, they also have a number of 30+ players: Bradley Chimera, Knuble, Erskine, Hannan, and Poti. and Sloan will hit that before the season ends.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Tyler Bozak had good basic stats last year as the 1C, around a 60 points per 82 pace, but he’s been cold this 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.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 6, 2010 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
You think Brian Burke would “undoubtedly love to have MP”? I don’t. Maybe the fans would enjoy him like we do, but he’s not a Burke player.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
If anyone would “undoubtedly love to have MP,” there’s a pretty decent chance they’d have him already. Certainly worth watching over the next few months.
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Exactly. It’s still a pretty big question at this point whether he’s an NHL player. If anyone had offered anything of value for him, he’d be gone.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
Like several players on our roster (and probably most in the league), MP is just another guy who won’t bring back enough value in a trade to make it worth moving him.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
He’d fetch more than Joe Corvo.
Right?……Right?
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
I’m going to go ahead and guess that we don’t see MP traded for a 2nd round pick anytime soon.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 6, 2010 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
Sure, in the generic sense that they have precious little in the way of skilled prospects, and need as many as they can get.
If you mean, “burning with desire to get that Matt Perreault into the organization”, well then no, but I don’t think I implied that.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I remember when he was last sent back to hershey, there was talk about how he was, as i recall BB putting it (and im paraphrasing) “unprofessional.” I know that it was for things off the ice, but did anyone find out exactly what? From what i was getting, it sounded as if he got big head syndrome and acted like the superstar he wasnt…
When my friend Robbie and I played hockey in the driveway on our rollerblades....I was always Peter Bondra
As Corey – who’s a good enough reporter to actually address the point, rather than merely glossing over it – notes, MP85 “drew the ire of Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau for some off-ice issues.”
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I like Corey M’s work overall, but I think you are giving too much credit to Masisak on this issue given the limited amount he said. Just a different opinion…
by sk84fun_dc on Dec 6, 2010 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Boudreau outlined three things that Perreault needs to do on this recall. Anyone reporting that quote who makes no mention or allusion to perhaps the most interesting of those points isn’t doing a very good job as a reporter. Simply regurgitating the quote and putting it alongside a couple of other quote and/or stats is hardly journalism, when the coach puts something like that out there.
So yeah, I guess you’re right – I’m giving too much credit to Corey for doing his job. Maybe it says more about similarly situated folks who aren’t.
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by J.P. on Dec 6, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I agree it’s an interesting point, but what did Masisak actually write on this? Only thing other than the quote that I see about item 3, “three is being a good pro”, is this:
“…drew the ire of Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau for some off-ice issues and then was sent back to Hershey …”
I just don’t see that as being worthy of this type of praise. I read Masisak’s work regularly not so much the case with Carrera, but sometimes the bashing of Carrera gets to be a bit much.
That’s ridiculous. There are clearly off-ice issues related to this player. One reporter has mentioned that. The other hasn’t. I don’t see how this is “bashing … a bit much.” It’s pointing out a part of the story that isn’t getting adequate coverage by the one major newspaper in town.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Could this be an editorial decision?
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
Perhaps. So I suppose, in fairness, I should be criticizing the paper for not following that portion of this story.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(Which is precisely what I did when I wrote “It’s pointing out a part of the story that isn’t getting adequate coverage by the one major newspaper in town.”)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So saying there are off-ice issues and leaving it at that is journalism? I’m reacting as much to the little Masisak did say as to Carrera not saying anything, if you think my point is ridiculous than fine, agree to disagree.
Yes. Addressing the point by noting that there have been off-ice issues as opposed to not recognizing the point at all is better journalism.
Corey also has noted in the past that:
… The diminutive center drew the ire of Bruce Boudreau last season for off-ice issues in his first stint with the Capitals but the coach said he was more mature during his second call-up and at the beginning of this training camp.
He was reprimanded by Boudreau during media availability at Kettler Capitals Iceplex one day during camp for being late to a power-play meeting (Boudreau told him not to bother attending)[…].
I’m not sure how the body of work – and this specific piece – don’t demonstrate better journalism.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I just don’t see the point of layering on the praise due to that sentence that is all. I read Masisak due to his body of work, I just don’t see this one as worth the praise. And funny, because once he went down that road, I found it surprising he didn’t mention the preseason item, but I couldn’t recall where it had been reported and didn’t have time to search so thanks for tracking that down.
Nothing in my comment is to try to give Carrera/Washington Post credit for something she and the Post aren’t.
And I acknowledged as much by noting “I guess you’re right – I’m giving too much credit to Corey for doing his job. Maybe it says more about similarly situated folks who aren’t.” Then you said I was bashing Katie too much. Now you’re saying I’m praising Corey too much (deja vu) and that you’re not trying to credit the Post with anything.
Please let me know where the goal posts are currently so I can adjust my aim accordingly.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
In my opinion, you look for opportunities to praise Corey M and look for opportunities to critique Katie C and I didn’t see this particular example being worthy of going down that path, which does not mean I’m praising the Washington Post and the sports coverage. I’ll agree to disagree and move on.
However, one clarification, I guess I’m missing the Applebaum reference, the Perreault write-up from this morning that I read on CI was by Carrera?
I’ll be sure to get pre-approval from you on my praise and criticism in the future.
And what Applebaum reference?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(Oh, D’ohboy below… I think he meant Carrera, though it’s possible that Carrera had it and it was nixed by her editor, Applebaum, prior to posting.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Who said you need pre-approval from anyone any more than I can choose to disagree without pre-approval or post-approval.
The comment below about Applebaum, I didn’t feel like typing two comments, perhaps I misunderstood the Applebaum reference below.
For the final time, my “praise” of Corey here is little more than a veiled shot at others who didn’t even attempt to address Boudreau’s third point. That’s it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah. That one’s on me.
This is an interesting case study though, because while everyone acknowledges that there’s more going on here with a wink and a nod, you can’t say it out loud or you risk losing access.
With that being said, think even just the additional sentence adds a bit more context to what might otherwise be a throwaway line.
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 think it’s a fine line between giving the reader pertinent information and “talking out of school,” and I think Corey walked that line a little better than his competitor in this case.
Say much more than, “MP drew BB’s ire,” and you’re likely to get frozen out a bit – the beat reporters are privy to a bunch of things that they cannot or do not report on out of courtesy.
At the same time, to say that BB is looking for “professionalism,” without citing the previous issue whatsoever (as Applebaum did), paints an incomplete picture.
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. Corey knows. Bruce knows. Perreault knows. Corey’s not going to say any more – if anyone is, it’s going to be Bruce. And maybe that time will come.
At the same time, to say that BB is looking for "professionalism," without citing the previous issue whatsoever (as Applebaum did), paints an incomplete picture.
That’s really all I’m saying. And if someone there didn’t know what Bruce meant, they should have asked the question. After all, that’s their job, no?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I lost my faith that they will adequately inform us when Mike Green’s weight gain program went under the radar until the following training camp.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
There’s no appetite (no pun intended) for any coverage that might be perceived as negative in this “hockey town.” Case in point – CSN Washington, on its website, broke the hockey story of the news cycle two weeks ago. The author of that article did radio hits on Sirius, in Toronto, etc. And yet, CSN Washington itself ignored the story – didn’t even have the guy on their evening roundtable show or anything.
Maybe CSN is scared of Monumental Sports taking its ball and going home (which they’re going to do anyway). And maybe some local media members are somewhat intimidated by either their youth/inexperience or for other reasons, so they write happy, fluffy stories all the time. Hell, maybe there isn’t the talent base, locally, to be smartly critical. But whatever it is, this media market is Fleischmann soft on the Caps, and it’s hard to see that changing.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
this media market is Fleischmann soft on the Caps, and it’s hard to see that changing.
Well, I’d add to that by saying it’s Fleischmann soft only until one of the non-hockey columnists writes their annual, “Teh Caps R Chokerzzz” column, at which point it becomes irrationally hard on the team.
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.
How about Wilbon’s rant about Ovie after the Olympics. To top off basing his accusation of Ovie hurting a woman on a Russian language paparazzi video, he said the media wasn’t going after Ovie for it because he was white. I prefer the caps to be ignored rather than get that sort of coverage.
Wilbon’s last day can’t come fast enough.
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Interesting observation, one I’d never even considered.
I suppose it’s because the Caps are winning, and because of the nature of the fanbase(relatively small and devoted)?
You had me at no problem.
I think there’s a much more partner-like relationship between the team and the mainstream media outlets than there is in some other cities, where it’s not necessarily adversarial, but certainly, well, different.
If you think about it, the CSN needs the Caps – the Caps give them good ratings and, ultimately, if Ted decides to take the Caps and Wiz and form an RSN, CSN is done. So they’re not going to be particularly critical.
Radio outlets want players/coaches on, since the Caps are the hot team in town, so they’re not going to be particularly critical.
As for the Post, the need isn’t quite so obvious (as evidenced by the staff they’ve allocated to covering the team), but they have neither the depth nor inclination to be particularly critical, due in part to the relationships their staff are trying to develop with the team.
To be sure, there isn’t a whole hell of a lot about which to be critical these days. But if “Kovalchucklegte” is any indication, if tough times do hit, well, expect more valid criticism from outside the Beltway than from within.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 6, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The Fan still gets skins player interviews, despite being very critical of the skins (just ask LaVar about Dan Synder). I think some of it is just this market is severely lacking in knowledgable hockey media. LaVar is getting better and Dukes knows more than him, but they aren’t exactly qualified to give detailed analysis, so they mostly just stick to nice interviews.
what was your take on Boswell’s recent piece on Kovalchucklegate, losing, and the team getting back on track? I’ll admit to being a Boswell fangirl, but some days I think he and Svrluga (whose talents are utterly wasted on the redskins) are the only ones with any brains in that sports department (well, and Shenin)
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Yah, WaPo would have a tough time being accurately critical without reading blogger critiques first and regurgitating.
CSN has the dual issue of being utterly dependent on the Caps for programming AND its major personalities being hugely pro-Caps guys who are very tight with the team.
I think the radio outlets are really just following others’ lead, though. I don’t expect to hear anything thoughtful or original come out of these sports shows that are hosted by guys who hardly know the difference between icing and offside.
And let’s not discount the effect of an owner who is pretty universally beloved in DC, and a team that has built wisely for the long-term. It’s so easy to contrast with Snyder that the Caps can’t help but bask in positive coverage when the Redskins are stinking up the field.
You had me at no problem.
No question that WaPo is sorely lacking an experienced hockey journalist for the Caps beat. DC hasn’t been a “hockey town” until recently, so we have no local bullpen to draw from. Times are tough in the newspaper world, and even if they had someone really solid, it probably wouldn’t translate into much of a revenue bump for WaPo. So, I guess I’m disappointed by unsurprised by the lack of quality reporting that comes from that outlet.
I don’t even read CI for my news anymore. Twitter tells me what I need to know.
You had me at no problem.
I agree that it would of been nice if Corey had said a little more. No need to give the gory details, but that they thought his commitment or work ethic were lacking, or something similar. But JP is right in that Corey is the only one in town talking about it. Corey doesn’t seem to have an issue publishing things critical of the players (laughgate, etc).
Maybe because he’s a free-lancer so he doesn’t have the editorial oversight on everything he puts out? If they don’t like what he writes, they don’t publish it. But Katie’s got to produce something acceptable daily for the Post. Plus, I recall reading that the Post now has strict guidelines on what reporters (versus Columnist) can put out there.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Tix
If anyone is excited enough by this news that they want to see Matty P in person, my club level tickets for tonight are now available. My email address is in my profile. I’ll accept any reasonable offer since it’s so late.
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Those tickets must be worth what….4 or 5 dollars?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
From Elliotte Friedman’s 30 thoughts:
11. Was talking to Martin St. Louis as that Fleischmann/Hannan deal was announced. His initial reaction: “That’s because of Marcus Johansson. He’s a really good player.”
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Who has time for Clips?
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I wish Martin St. Louis played for the Caps.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
How about Flash for St. Louis?
/joke from one week ago
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Only if we can route him through LA and get Malkin.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Do you think Ovie and Semin would argue over who got to play with Malkin? Am I wrong to think Malkin might play better/more consistently on a line with his Russian buds?
Why would they? You don’t hear about Canadian guys that only have to play with Canadian guys.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
At least some of the time:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/ovechkin-malkin-and-semin-make.html
You had me at no problem.
The Russians are kinda different. Datsyuk said that if a Russian was chosen All Star captain, he’d pick all Russians first.
A Canadian guy wouldn’t pick all Canadians?
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2010 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
Digging through some Perreault stats. As much as I love MP I gotta say, he’s a center and there are some things other than scoring centers need to be good at
This season he has a 44.4% f/o percentage. Only 3 games yea so you can’t really judge him too much on that
But last season: 21 games, a bigger sample. 45.2%. Bleah. Not Abysmal but if he wants 2c.. or ANY slot, he’s going to have to get better
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