Wednesday Caps Clips: Perreault's Opening Statement
by J.P. on Dec 8, 2010 6:39 AM EST
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Your savory breakfast links:
- For Mathieu Perreault, the time to show what he's got is - let me check my watch - now. [Hockey Independent, Capitals News Network, NBC Washington, DCEx]
- Alexander Semin: International Man of Mystery. [WaPo (Carrera)]
- Jeff Schultz talks about his broken thumb and the Winter Classic. [Homer McFanboy]
- Grading the Caps after the first quarter. [ESPN (Burnside)]
- Kudos to ESPN 980 for recognizing that D.C. has a hockey team (and, far more importantly, recommitting to covering it). [D.C. Sports Bog]
- Speaking of radio, a few hits of note:
- Brooks Laich was on Elliot in the Morning yesterday... [YouTube (Part 1, Part 2)]
- ... Bruce Boudreau was on Kirk and Mike... [105.9 The Edge (audio at ~16:20)]
- ... Joe Beninati was on NHL Live! (sure, why not?)... [NHL Live! (audio)]
- ... and Laich will be on 106.7 The Fan at 8:45 this morning, while Boudreau will be on ESPN 980 at 4:50 this afternoon.
- When you think of Alex Ovechkin, does the phrase "well-groomed" come to mind? It might in the future. [D.C. Sports Bog, ESPN, HotH]
- Santa Eliot brings the Caps the gift we all wish they had (well, other than a playoff-proven second-line center). [SI.com (Eliot)]
- Colby Armstrong mocks Semin's fighting style. We mock Armstrong's five career playoff games. [Puck Daddy]
- Schultz and Matt Hendricks audition for the Village People. [RMNB]
- John Carlson reflects on his World Junior Championship experience. [NHL.com (Morreale)]
- Speaking of the WJC, congrats to Caps prospect Patrick Wey on earning an invite to Team USA's World Junior pre-tourney camp. [USA Hockey, Boston College]
- Keith Aucoin and Patrick McNeill sound close to returning to the Bears' lineup. [Patriot-News (Leone)]
- "Braden Holtby loses his mask, steals a stick, throws a check, and gets the shutout all in one night." [Stack the Pads]
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hey, you can also text the names….. :D
So I did some math – I may have sprained my brain but here’s what I figured out:
- Voting closes January 3 – that’s 28 days away (including today)
- The Rink has 3,280 registered members
- If every member of the Rink voted a straight party line (all Caps players – Ovi, Semin, Backstrom and Green) the allotted 30 times per day from now until voting closed, it would add up to 2,755,200 votes for each of our boys
- …but that’s probably not realistic. Even if only 200 members of the Rink did this, however, it would still add up to 168,000 votes per player. Not bad, right?
Look, a lot of our guys deserve to be there. They also don’t deserve to be embarrassed by getting a fraction of the votes given to players who are much less worthy of a spot. They may not get into the "starting lineup" (since that’s only 6 guys total anyway and they don’t necessarily get to start) and they may not even get into the game at all depending on what side of the bed the powers that be woke up on that morning…but it’d be nice to see them up near the top in votes received, wouldn’t it?
So in conclusion – go vote, guys :) I’ve let it slide but I’m making a pledge to take 5-10 minutes out of my day to do it, you all should to! So sayeth Becca, J.B.
Thanks for posting this last night Becca. I know is just a silly game but I’m sure the players appreciate the votes anyway. What bothers me the most is not seeing Semin in the top 10. He’s been a very good player for most of his NHL career and one of the best this season and where would the Caps be without him this year? Can we at least make sure he doesn’t end up behind Sean Avery!
Forwards Sidney Crosby – 319,809
Jonathan Toews – 196,792
Steven Stamkos – 191,265
Alex Ovechkin – 168,684
Evgeni Malkin – 159,119
Patrick Kane – 152,859
Mike Richards – 151,354
Michael Cammalleri – 150,544
*Claude Giroux – 147,993
Pavel Datsyuk – 138,204
Danny Briere – 132,826
Tomas Plekanec – 131,799
Marian Hossa – 125,905
Brian Gionta – 113,307
Henrik Zetterberg – 110,060
Johan Franzen – 82,550
Eric Staal – 81,130
Jeff Carter – 80,336
Nicklas Backstrom – 71,404
*Sean Avery – 64,450
*Alexander Semin – 62,611
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
It’s ridiculous that Sean Avery has more All Star votes than Semin. Gee whiz, Flyers fans have been writing in Claude Giroux who’s having a fine season but not as good as Semin’s in my humble opinion.
(I’ve been trying to do my part in voting for Semin.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I did vote for Avery. And BizNasty.
The NHL chooses their all-star team via ridiculous methods, so they get what they deserve here.
You had me at no problem.
My motivation would be different. I think it would just be hilarious to watch Avery in an all star game trying to stir up shit
I don’t begrudge those who are concerned with these things, but it would be nearly impossible for me to care less.
Know what earns the respect of other fans around the League? Yeah… you do. It’s why Toews is second there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 8, 2010 7:25 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Put another way:
“I have absolutely no interest in that.” – Alexander Semin
Yeah. Sounds like he’s likely to be embarrassed by getting a fraction of the votes given to players who are much less worthy of a spot.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 8, 2010 7:51 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I bet players would rather stay home resting than attend but the best players are going to be invited regardless including Semin probably but it’s one of the few instances that I have as a fan to show some support for the best players in the league who also happen to be in our team. I don’t mind taking a few minutes every day to do it and see no harm in it. My comment above was not meant to persuade anyone to go vote. The people who truly don’t care won’t do it no matter what but there are plenty of fans who do participate and I hope they continue to do so.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
Put a third way (via Friedman):
Is it really worth getting upset at who is/isn’t on the All-Star ballot or who is leading the voting? Truth is, most of the guys you’re arguing about would rather be in Cancun than Carolina.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 8:46 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In baseball, players somehow find an old injury to opt-out to get the five-day weekend.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Datsyuk and Lidstrom got fined for that play.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
I thought they actually got suspended for a game, so more than a fine.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Bingo!
MONTREAL — The NHL will force erstwhile All-Stars Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom to miss the Detroit Red Wings’ first game after the All-Star break for failing to attend this weekend’s festivities.
The pair will miss the Red Wings’ regular-season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets under a policy established last year, Colin Campbell, the NHL’s senior executive vice president of hockey operations, said Friday.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/allstar2009/news/story?id=3855534
Doesn’t say if they had to forfeit salary, though.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Ah, so it was a suspension. Even worse.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
But you can do this:
Sidney Crosby, on the other hand, will not miss the Pittsburgh Penguins’ next game because he was in attendance in Montreal, even though it was announced Thursday he would not take part in on-ice activities during All-Star Weekend as he rests an injured left knee.
And I’m not necessarily picking on Sid, here.
"It's always good to have vikings."
That makes sense. If you are hurt and voted in (as I assume Sid was), then show up, sign some autographs, and participate.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Actually, they did not have to forfeit salary. It was the equivalent of a “healthy” scratch. Except they were probably at the tail end of injuries and could have benefited from the rest anyhow.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Suspensions would hurt. Fines might not.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
The NHL all star game has become the NFL Pro Bowl without leis and hula skirts. A nice time for the players, a rather uncompetitive game, and forgotten 30 minutes after its over. The equivalent of a big mac value meal. I’m more “concerned” — if that’s the word — that Alex Ovechkin will see his stranglehold on the first team NHL all star team at left wing end this season.
Well, not too concerned. But as for the all star game, a thought exercise on why this doesn’t matter. Quick, name last year’s all star game starters.
OK, that’s a trick question, but for an instant, I’ll bet you tried to think of who was on it.
So, who were the starters for the West in the 2009 ASG?
I have better things to do than spend my time like Penguin fans, stuffing digital ballot boxes for Kris Letang.
If you've read this far...seek help.
All-Star games stink. Always have, always will, and they’re completely meaningless in terms of judging a player’s talent, yet people will still point them out when judging a player.
It’s a popularity contest. Nothing more, nothing less. Means as much as your high school student council president elections.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 8:01 AM EST up reply actions
You don’t hear people touting a hockey player’s credentials with “3-time all-star” nearly as often as you hear it in football. “He’s a pro-bowl runningback”.
You had me at no problem.
Happens a lot in basketball too.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
I think the pro-bowl means a lot more to football players. Sure, guys like Brady never bother to show up and then lesser guys like Vince Young go in his place, but other guys like Peyton Manning always show. I just recall how happy London Fletcher was to go last year after all his years of hard work.
It matters way more in football. Fletcher was long known as the best player never to make a pro bowl. Lately, he gets a ton of press, mostly because he finally made a pro bowl, and less for his incredible durability and consecutive starts streak.
You had me at no problem.
Funny, you said last year, but all I saw was the last game. Which is what most people would think back to, if they thought at all.
The whole thing seems really psychological – it’s probably a nice thing to have “x number of times all-star” on your professional resume, regardless of how little it matters for anything. And I suppose it gives a fan base a warm feeling to think they’re the greatest fans because they can stuff the box and get their guys on the team. Like I said yesterday, I’m contributing votes as best I can, but I can’t be fanatical about it. And if I didn’t think the particular players were deserving, I wouldn’t vote for them.
"It's always good to have vikings."
probably a nice thing to have "x number of times all-star" on your professional resume
Sure. But it doesn’t usually say “x number of times all-star starter,” does it? Alex Ovechkin will be an All-Star this season. So too, in all likelihood, will his teammates who deserve to be.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Actually, do people care at all about ASG selections? It seems the NHL doesn’t even keep track of ASG appearances, “All-Star” references usually seem to refer to the year-end All-Star selections.
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It’s brought up a lot when and after players retire (x number of ASGs). Green, Backstrom, and Semin were already screwed out of one. I’d like them to get in once, then I probably couldn’t care less.
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 8, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
If players were seeking another job, then it might be nice on their resume!!
Otherwise, I don’t think it matters. Most folks that are eligible for the HoF are all-stars by definition.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
All-Star games are dumb. The only thing dumber is having fans stack the ballot box to get their undeserving guys on the team (yeah, I’m talking to you Montreal). Maybe if they had the guys play in their jocks, a la Slap Shot, I’d tune in for a second or two. Other than that, I wouldn’t watch if they were playing in my back yard.
I’ll tune in to see the “captains” picking their teams. That should be amusing.
You had me at no problem.
I’m more interested in the skills competition than the game
Although, a lot of tims the hardest shot , most accurate shooter, and fastest skater might not even make it to the ASG.
In general that is. I don’t think there’s anyone ASG-worthy-or-not that can match Chara’s shot right now
I’d watch a skills competition in which Chara and Weber fired slapshots at each other until one of them was knocked out.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
by SmallZ827 on Dec 8, 2010 10:38 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
What about a hardest shot competition with goalies our out-skaters in net that don’t wear pads?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Honestly, I bet you that Jurcina could give Chara a run for his money.
Hell, if the Caps called up Josh Godfrey, he could give Chara a run for his money.
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.
C’mon, you know my shtick by now. Talk to Brad Stuart about it.
by Chris Burton on Dec 8, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve always wanted to see a no-joke skills comp, with the best player from every team in each category. Fastest skater? I wanna see Chimera out there, not just the Caps’ representative.
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 8, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Exactly. Things would be much more entertaining this way.
by Chris Burton on Dec 8, 2010 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
that would be great, and not so hard to pull off. every team would get to have their own intra-squad competition, which would be awesome for fans of every team even if none of their top dogs made the cut for the league-wide comp.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 8, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
Teams actually used to do this pre-lockout. Then some goalies got hurt and they shut it down. I’d love to see it come back 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.
the goalies got hurt doing what? stopping breakaways? not racing around the rink i hope.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 8, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
In field hockey us goalies had to do the sprint drills in full goalie pads. That was awkward.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
One hockey coach I had was a Russian power skating expert who never gave a thought to goalies aside from the fact that he knew he wanted them in net. We still always had do all the skating drills he designed to help stick handle around a D 1 on 1 instead of doing something that would be far more beneficial to goalies. Always pissed me off.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 8, 2010 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
First off, calling him a power skating instructor isn’t exactly accurate. Second off, skating for goalies is a highly underrated skill and even if he went too far to the one extreme, I think a lot of youth coaches pay far too little attention to developing the skating and puck handling skills of their goalies.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Sure, skating and puck handling are important skills, which is why I never got annoyed with having to do skating and stick handling drills in general. But the skating and puck handling drills that are useful for goalies are different from the kind of drills Alexei would run. But he is just another coach in a long line of coaches I had that had no clue what to do with goalies.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 8, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Most coaches don’t know what to do with goalies. In both soccer and field hockey, I found a lot of times I ended up making up my own goalie drills with whoever the back up keeper was. Really frustrating and isolating.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
He definitely didn’t have a great grasp on goalies, and I think half the reason he even agreed to train them was because he needed someone for his shooters to work against. He’s got to be the most talented coach I’ve ever skated with by miles and miles.
Or maybe he hates goalies because you spell his name wrong. Aleksey.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
He totally only wanted goalies to take up the net for shooting drills. I’m not sure I ever got any goalie specific piece of advice from him. And to be fair, I called him a power skating expert, not instructor. He obviously taught more than power skating.
Maybe if he didn’t want me to spell his name wrong he’d give his directions for drills in coherent English.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 8, 2010 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
But then again, the “real” spelling of his name is the Cyrillic version and “Alexei” and “Aleksey” are merely the transcriptions into English.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
by CapsFan75 on Dec 8, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I remember this. Used to do team by team comps, and they let the fans in free at Cap Centre to see the Caps version. I remember Alan May and Iafrate wearing bandanas, and I believe that’s where Iafrate set the shot record of 103.5.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
And the year Iafrate was hurt, Redskins place kicker Chip Lohmiller had a harder slap shot than any of the participating Capitals players.
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 8, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Damn. J.P. beat me to it.
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 8, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Some teams still have team skills competitions, typically as a fundraiser, which are open to fans. I know Edmonton had one as recently as last season. Some others as well.
Yeah, Leafs do it, too.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
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It’s generally a Canadian team thing, not surprisingly.
I really think they should bring it back – charge a nominal fee, give the proceeds to charity, mic the boys up and let ‘em go. Even if the winners don’t get to go to the ASG it’d be fun to see the best of what we’ve got.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Dec 8, 2010 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Nothing will ever top Chip Lohmiller firing a harder slapshot than any of the Caps at one of these back in the day.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The Washington Capitals held their third annual skills competition last night in front of an estimated 7,300 fans at USAir Arena. Chip Lohmiller won the hardest shot competition with a slap shot of 94.3 mph. Yes, Lohmiller is the kicker for the Washington Redskins. Yes, he was there as celebrity. Yes, he won anyway.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You know, as soon as the conversation shifted to this I had a feeling you’d pull that clip out :P You do love that story, don’t you?
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
7,300 fans.
I have to believe we’d exceed that today easily. Double I would guess.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Considering the Caps can draw over 1000 people to Kettler for training camp scrimmages…I’d have to agree.
Someone’s emailing Ted about this, right? :) Should we start a letter-writing campaign?
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
It would be great to do even pre-season for free. Kind of a pre-season pep rally.
Or – between the regular season and playoffs. Same thing.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Well, I like the idea of it raising money for charity – I think that’s what most teams do, it’s kind of a draw for fans and I think the players would be more willing to do it if they knew it was raising money for charity.
And I’d prefer early season, maybe October or November. Pre-season you don’t have the team set yet and if there’s any gap between the regular season and playoffs I want them focusing on the playoffs and resting.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
How’s anyone gonna find the time for a letter-writing campaign when they’re stuffing the All-Star ballots 30 times a day?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 8, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I doubt they’d do it this year with the Winter Classic, but it would be fun going forward.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
Ha, that’s awesome.
I’m sort of surprised this isn’t still going on, esp considering the new fanbase the Caps have here. I feel like that’d be a great extra money-making gimmick for Ted, and one I could actually get on board with (as opposed to, say, the embarrassing hand-waving zamboni race during the third period).
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
Chip Lohmiller is from Minnesota. He probably played some hockey growing up, I hope so at least. Just like Shaun Suisham, good old Canadian boy and hockey fan and kicker formerly of the skins, now with the Steelers. Heard he was hanging out with the Penguins players. Lohmiller is now the head coach of a high school football team in northern Minnesota.
Drawn like a moth to the HBO flame…
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I wonder if he mentions hanging out with caps players to them. I think he’s just a big hockey fan. And an inconsistent kicker. I still curse him for missing those kicks last year and then the skins lost to the Saints. That would of been one nice memory to have from the abyss that was last season.
Ah, yes…The Choke.
I saw that about him hanging out w/ the Pens the other day, I mentioned I hoped he would teach them how to do that.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
actually I think I learned that from your tweet that someone I follow retweeted (sorry I don’t follow you) so I was wondering where you got that from.
Follow me GRR >:(
…kidding :) And where I got what from, The Choke? Apparently that’s what that blown kick against the Saints was called (and he was released like 3 days later, right?)…my roommate’s boyfriend at the time was a HUGE Skins fan and was seething over that for a week afterwards.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
sorry no I meant the Suisham hanging out with Pens. I saw many of those epic chokes in person, including the Saints game.
I’ll follow you:) Is it dccheapseats?
That HBO flame seems to be drawing in folks down here too.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
But she actually works for the NHL doing this kind of stuff. She was involved in making Ovie’s DVD. I don’t think she counts, she isn’t a professional hanger-oner.
I think I was at that one, too. We went to most games when I was a kid because we had a pretty good ticket hook up.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
Yup, some examples:
note: I know I went to at least 1 Caps event like this at the Verizon Center, I believe pre-lockout; I recall Halpern during the fastest skater comp sliding into the boards or falling in the corner on the turn. Was something like $5 or $10 for charity, seating was first come first serve, etc.
I’d love to see the Red vs White skills comp that the Capitals used to do back in the old Capital center days.
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 8, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
As much of an honor it is to play in the All-Star game personally I’d rather see none of the Caps participate. Let them spend the time resting and healing….especially Semin.
I wish the NHL gave all their players a mid-season rest since the season is so long and rigorous.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
FWIW – Inspired by this thread, I went over the nhl.com, clicked on the “cast your ballot” link and was unable to get to the ballot.
Both Firefox and Internet Explorer couldn’t bring up the ballot due to connection problems. If it was blocked at work, I would have gotten our big red hand.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I had an easier time navigating to the Voting site by going to the San Jose Sharks site than through the NHL site. (I was able to get to voting from the NHL site in a convoluted manner that I couldn’t begin to describe.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
- If every member of the Rink voted a straight party line (all Caps players – Ovi, Semin, Backstrom and Green)
Isn’t this just the root cause of the very problem you are trying to address? Every team’s fans voting for their guys and not the best/most deserving players? Is Ovi the third best forward so far this year? It’s debatable when you think of what Crosby and Stamkos have done so far. As much as folks hold their nose when praising Sidney, can you say that Ovi, Semin or Backs should be voted ahead of him to date? I can’t.
In the end, I don’t really care. Ovi will be there, hopefully Backs and Greener too. It’s as much a reflection of how well the Caps team is viewed around the League vs. individual players.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 8, 2010 8:44 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I don’t think I said Crosby or Stamkos didn’t deserve to be there – but even with the totals I threw out there Ovi wouldn’t beat either one anyway (unless everyone everywhere stopped voting for them right now).
I named those four guys because I think they legit deserve to be there. Biased? Sure, maybe, but there are other players on our team that I would like to see there yet realize probably don’t deserve to be.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
can you say that Ovi, Semin or Backs should be voted ahead of him to date? I can’t.
Just for the record I’m not voting for Ovi, Semin, Backstrom and Green because I want to put them ahead of Crosby or anyone else and while it is true that part of my reason for voting for them is because they are Caps players, I also believe that they have been four of the best players in the league in the past few years and deserve to be named All-Stars. I mean the idea, I think, is to vote for your favorite player(s) among the best. The heading on the NHL-All Star Vote web page does say (Who will you pick? Send your favorite players to the 2011 NHL All-Star game in Raleigh, NC). I think it’s unrealistic to expect every fan to vote for the actual best players in the sport in these things. Will the votes have any influence whatsoever on whom the NHL picks after the top 6 are voted in? I have no idea but it can’t hurt to have your best guys on the list.
Another thing regarding Semin, let’s say he does get named an All-Star this year. Wouldn’t he appreciate the fact that fans voted him as one of the best and most deserving players as well? I think people in general enjoy being recognized and appreciated. Also, I found the following response from Semin about not being invited to participate last year. I think deep down players do care about being named All-Stars.
DS: Did you get upset because you weren’t invited to an All-Star game?
AS: I missed many games because of the injuries. (Of course) I wanted to play (in All-Star Game), but it is what it is.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
I’ve never voted for an All-Star game ( and never will), but if I did these would be the ten guys I’d put on the ballot. I mean, if the All-Star game is about entertainment, these guys would surely provide it.
Brandon Prust
George Parros
Zenon Konopka
Colton Orr
Ryane Clowe
Derek Boogaard
Derek Dorsett
Mike Brown
Jody Shelley
DJ King
If the All-Star game was strictly about entertainment, then the All-Star game clearly #needsmorebradley
Is there any other player out there with that kind of deadpan delivery, that can say anything to a camera and keep a straight face. When he hangs up the skates, Brads likely has a job in either being a sports anchor or perhaps as an actor in a sitcom…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 8, 2010 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Hey, it’s the OFB ballot!
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Nice Schultzie interview by Homer McFanboy. You can tell that playing in the WC this year means alot to him (poor guy). And loved his comments about who will be the “breakout” star in the 24/7 series:
His best guess at who could fill that void came down to Matt Bradley, Jason Chimera or maybe Eric Fehr, but only "if they got him singing his country music or something."
Chimmer and Brads seem to be the odds on favorite; and if I had to hear Country music being sung, I guess I could bear it coming from F16.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Yesterday’s clips:
A Rink stick salute to Sarge as he reports to sick bay: Jeff Schultz blocked a shot with his hand, broke his thumb, and is out for 4-6 weeks. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mr. Nasty. [ProHockeyTalk, TBD (Chamberlain), SB Nation DC]
Today’s clips:
Jeff Schultz talks about his broken thumb and the Winter Classic. [Homer McFanboy]
There are cities in this league where losing a defenseman off your top pairing due to injury would be worth a newspaper story of its own. You know, like, all of them other than DC.
Instead, the Post ran one sentence about the injury news in paragraph 5 of yesterday’s gamer, and today we get “Semin is still a mystery.” Hey folks, Semin is still going to be a mystery tomorrow. Why not give us a little more on the biggest news about the team? And there’s nothing at all from Masisak as far as I can tell. Have all you paid journalists even called Schultz for a comment?
No?
That’s OK. The blogs have it covered.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
Building America’s Hockey Capital FTW!
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 9:00 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
Other cities do cover their hockey players in more detail it is true. I understand the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has an in-depth piece on Sidney Crosby making a big change in his life. He used to cut his sandwiches in half length-wise, but is now cutting them on the diagonal. It is referred to as “The Crosby Cut” and is even being offered by the iconic “Primanti Brothers” restaurant for its signature sandwiches.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Crust on or crust off? I cannot stress how vital this information is.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Boxers or briefs?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I hate to rub it in, Peerless, but I can view a Primanti Bros restaurant from my office. And that “Crosby Cut” is tastier, loaded in vitamins and nutrition, and is value priced at $8.70!!!
Do they have a piece of burnt toast with some smetana for $0.08
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Homer’s player interviews are always quality. He has a knack for asking the right questions that will get an interesting response. It has always surprised me somewhat that he is able get that kind of first-hand access to the players to conduct his interviews, but like you said, this is DC, and the blogs have it covered.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
This one was a phenomenal interview. When you see the journalists, including Vogel, interview Schultz, he usually doesn’t say 20 words. Hell, those 20 words usually don’t have more than 30 syllables between them. The guy’s tight as a clam.
He really came out of his shell for HMF. To be blunt, I’ve been thinking of Schultz as a fairly…uninteresting (there, that’s a good word for it)…guy for a couple of years now. Maybe he just hates press scrums.
Maybe the professionals should put in a little extra time and try to get him out of that environment and ask him some questions now and again…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
While reading that interview, I definitely got the sense that Schultz and Homer have a good rapport. I have got that sense from Homer’s previous interviews with guys like Brooks Laich, but Laich always opens up during interviews. He teased Elliot in the Morning about liking Barbies in the radio spot from yesterday, for example. However, getting Schultz to open up, be it about his injury or Entourage, is pretty rare, in my estimation. And then there is this:
"I don’t know if I did anything wrong to them, but I was a wanted man," Schultz said with a laugh.
Schultz laughed during an interview? Inconceivable! Next thing you know, some pictures will surface of Sarge dressed up in a goofy policeman’s outfit or something.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
Still waiting to find out how he got the moniker “Mr Nasty”
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Check out this Bog article.
One thing I learned from hanging around the 2006 Wizards and the 2007 Redskins: winning teams create many excellent nicknames. And so it is with the Capitals, who gathered around the television in their dressing room on Sunday as analyst Pierre McGuire described Jeff Schultz as both big and nasty.
“We followed the big part,” said Eric Fehr, discussing his 6-foot-6 roommate on the road. “But we didn’t really see the nasty.”
And thus was born “Mr. Nasty,” a nickname that spread quicker than an astronaut costume in Chinatown.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions
I forgot about the astronaut. So happy he didn’t reappear this year.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah that guy wore out his gimmick pretty quickly.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
Is the guy sitting in the same seats, just sans costume?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
ALL YOUR FAULT!
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Geez. Just curious.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I wasn’t picking on you. It was just following up on the last year’s news aspect of it. Fortunately, so far nothing new has replaced it this year.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Not interested in the green latex guys from Vancouver, eh?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Elliot seems to bring out the best in interviews with the players. I’m guessing it’s because he has a good off-ice relationship with the team and knows a bunch of them fairly well. On the other outlets, some are better interviewers than others, but most of them don’t know enough about the game to make it worth much.
"It's always good to have vikings."
but most of them don’t know enough about the game to make it worth much.
A good description of the so-called “Sports Junkies.”
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I was pretty much going after all of the local sports talk population.
Talk about painful, I listened to Vogel with The Sports Reporters yesterday. It’s a given that Andy Pollin doesn’t know or care about hockey, so I wish he’d just be quiet and let Czaban do the talking, as he does understand it.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Sidenote about Elliot: I guess he went toy shopping for Toys for Tots yesterday with Laichs…and Laich’s incredibly hot girlfriend? He was babbling about it this morning around 7ish. So yea…Brooksie’s gotta girlfriend…sorry ladies.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
I heard that when I was driving to work this morning. It was incredibly rude of Elliot….. not to provide pictures.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
If the Deadskins don’t dominate the sports news, there’s normally video on CSN of the toy shopping trip. I remember Knuble going with his kids last year.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Please refrain from using “Deadskins” or other such monikers to…oh who am I kidding, they suck.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Please refrain from using "Deadskins" or other such monikers
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT. Because their actual name isn’t horribly, terribly offensive to the native population.
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.
(risk of political debate)
I’m part native amerian.
I don’t give a shit.
I never see how that kind stuff is offensive. Blackhawks? It’s just the name of a tribe. Redskins… I mean that’s like naming some team the black ski… oh wait.
Crap
Did anyone see that WaPo Style Invitational contest where contestants were asked to merge two team names to make a new name with a witty description? One Honorable Mention: “Chicago Blackhawks + Washington Redskins = The Blackskins — what, NOW you’re offended?”
/end OT
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah. I think I saw that somewhere. . .
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.
Whatever, I thought it was clever :)
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed that the Post should have had more on Sarge’s injury, but in all fairness to Katie, I’m guessing that the Semin story was written last week and the paper just found the space to run it.
In my mind, that’s kind of the exact opposite of a good reason.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
I have no problem with it. In fact, I’m all for it. Whatever someone may think of Semin, Katie clearly put a lot of work into the story. The way editors reward their beat reporters is by giving them the occasional front page feature and it wouldn’t have been right to pull it for an article on an injured player. For my money, anytime the Post devotes that much space to a player not named Ovechkin, it’s a good thing. Plus, who’s to say there isn’t a piece on Schultz in the near future.
Oh, by all means, run the Semin story. Just run it “too.” Or run it later.
In a regular season that means as little as this one, trades and injuries should be the #1 thing that gets reported.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
In fairness to Katie (see, sk8!), without practice yesterday, she couldn’t get quotes on how the team is going to fill the void and whatnot, and a story sans quotes ain’t much of a story.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And my criticism is equal opportunity. I didn’t see a Schultz story from any paid journalist.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
In fairness to Corey (here I go again), he is limited in the number of stories he can write for CSN.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But CSN pretty much runs something every day, right?
(My ignorance shows — I pretty much stick to blogs and things blogs point me to these days)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Not from him, and a lot of what they do run is from wire services. But I still think that in fairness to everyone, you had his injury Monday night, but “the story” Monday night was the epic collapse. Then you had no practice yesterday. If there isn’t coverage of what Schultz’s loss means to the team today/tomorrow, there’s reason to wonder why, IMO.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’ve never said it had to be Corey" I said “any paid journalist.” They have other journalists at CSN. Nobody ran the story (I have actually checked now).
It’s disappointing to me that none of the media outlets in town ran a separate story the day after, much less two days later. The guy led the league in a major statistic last year. I know all the flaws with +/-, but sheesh — isn’t it worth some effort?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
Dear Diary,
Today I wanted to write a piece about how Jeff Schultz’s injury would hurt the Caps, but those stupid jerks over at CSN wouldn’t put it up because “I’ve reached my story limit.” I suppose they have to save their server space in case a Redskin gets a hangnail. It’s just so frustrating, Diary. I was even going to call it “Finger Banged Up.”
At least that title made me giggle. I’ve been so sad since David Getz moved away. I tried hanging out with a bunch of boys (and one strange girl) the other weekend, but it just wasn’t the same. He’s so dreamy, and I never got to slow-dance with him.
Winter Formal is coming up, and they’re calling it “A Classic on Ice,” but I’m not sure I’m going to go now that David’s gone and since CSN probably won’t let me run half my stories. Sometimes, I just feel like there’s no point, Diary.
Time to eat a pint of Americone Dream and fall asleep watching Gossip Girl. Le sigh.
Melancholically Yours,
Corey
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 8, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 15 recs
Don’t you have work you’re supposed to be doing or something?
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
I think we should have a new segment on the Rink called “Dear Diary”.
These are always hilarious
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
At the end of the year, we can pull up all of Corey’s diary entries and put them into a fanpost. And call Corey onto JRR.
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 9, 2010 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
Homer got quotes
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
Those were post-game, from Schultz. And while a great piece, of more importance than “how do you feel, Jeff?” is “how are you going to cope going forward, Bruce?”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Or how about both? I would like to see a piece with quotes from Schultz and Boudreau on the day after a key player goes down with a long term injury. Even if it means the source isn’t going to come to where you are, and you have to call them.
Nate Ewell has phone numbers for Boudreau and Schultz. See if you can get them that way. Make the effort. What else are you doing all day?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
Sadly, I don’t think Bruce would necessarily say very much to answer that question. Although it would be nice to see someone try to get info out of him about it. Maybe today.
But that’s not the point. We’ve all read the “player breaks finger” stories before. We all know exactly what they’ll say. It’s still important. Covering the day-to-day news is their job.
How hard is it to track down one player and one team rep (if Boudreau’s not available, get an assistant coach or someone in the front office) and then add a little bit of analysis of how Schultz’s absence will affect the team and who might get an opportunity for extra playing time out of it. You know, the basics.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
For all you doubters, from Katie:
I’ll have more on how the Capitals will adjust without Schultz for tomorrow’s paper, so keep an eye out for that.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Ha! So she’s another JR lurker. : )
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
@WashCaps just tweeted that Green and Hannan will be a pair.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
At least HBO’s on it. Schultz went in yesterday specifically to be interviewed by them about it. So hopefully we’ll see that part on Dec. 15. At little late but you can’t hope for too much around here on a day Haynesworth got suspended.
"You’re sitting in a meeting and then you see guy standing behind you with a big microphone," Schultz said. "It definitely takes some getting used to."
I don’t know — I think that guy may just hate cameras, hate being recorded.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
there’s either something wrong with the online 106.7 feed or there’s something wrong with my connection, because this laich interview has been interrupted by random commercials 6 or 7 times.
There’s always the podcast. You can count on it in a couple of hours, if that long.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I really disagree with his assertion. This is a case of the stats not painting the entire picture and, while I agree that he’s going to “bounce back” a bit (mostly because of shooting % regression), he’s not going to bounce back to 07-10 Ovechkin without a major adjustment.
The book is out on Ovie, and I’m not talking about that poorly-written hatchet job by a couple hosers. I’m talking about Jacques Martin’s Secrets of Defending Ovechkin: How to put Stuxnet in the Russian Machine (which is only slightly better known than his book Play Pai-Gow for PROFIT!).
Ovechkin’s speed through the neutral zone used to prevent defensemen with a conundrum: step up and have him go around you, or back off and have him use you as a screen. Ovie hates going wide on his backhand, likely because the ridiculous curve on his blade makes it all but impossible. As a defenseman, you know that he’s going to pull back toward center ice on his forehand, which means you can start cheating in that direction without fear of getting burned to the outside. Players actually started doing this a few years ago, and in response, Ovie started pulling up and shooting using the defensemen’s legs as a screen. So far, so good.
Here’s what Martin figured out though, if you back into the defensive zone and cheat to the inside, you screen your keeper quite badly, but if you step up on Ovie at the blueline, your keeper can still see the shot and Ovie’s less likely to shoot from that distance. Instead of shooting, Ovie heads laterally across the zone, looking to improve his shooting position, or waiting for his teammates. Martin had both defensemen drop back and play two abreast against Ovie, so as he moves laterally, he’s actually moving further into the teeth of the defense. On top of this, Martin had his forwards put backward pressure on Ovie.
The end result of all this was a ton of blocked shots and turnovers right around the offensive blueline. Of course, it won’t always work. Sometimes, the defenseman won’t maintain his gap and step up early enough, or the second defenseman won’t get back, or the forwards will be lazy on their backcheck. But if those three things happen, it’s almost impossible for Ovie to score.
What has been brutal to watch is Ovie’s unwillingness/inability to adjust to this tactic. Including the playoffs, this has been going on for around 30 games and he still hasn’t figured it out. I’ll give him credit for trying to find his teammates more with passes, but that’s ultimately not his game – he’s a shooter. Even if he did try to pass more often, it’s tough to pass to a teammate when you’re in the middle of four defenders.
How can Ovie and Bruce fix this? There are several ways, actually, and Bruce has already tried one – put Ovie on the right wing where his forehand takes him wide instead of back toward center ice. Not coincidentally, that was one of Ovie’s better games of the season. Another way to fix the problem is simpler – Ovie needs to dump the puck into the corner when both defensemen stand him up at the blueline. True, it’s not the game he’d prefer to play, but once Ovie does this about 5 times to start the game, the defensemen will have to back off a bit to try to get back and recover the puck. Yet another way to fix the problem is to repeatedly tell Ovie to go wide on his backhand, but that might be impossible given his tendencies and the curve on his blade.
The last solution was originally brought up a while back by F&B, and that is for Ovie to give the puck away, preferably to Backstrom or Semin, and let them carry the puck into the zone. Ovie’s got a ton of skill, but he’s not a great puckhandler, and those two are two of the best in the world. Instead of driving headlong into the teeth of the defense, Ovie needs to hold up in the neutral zone and find Backstrom or Semin (if he’s out with Knuble, it might not work, but then he can play dump and chase), give them the puck and let them draw the defensemen to them. Ovie just needs to get in position to unload his shot. The problem with this last solution is, it may not always fit with Boudreau’s “GO-GO-GO” system; sometimes it involves slowing the play down on purpose to regroup in the neutral zone – exactly the thing that Nylander used to do that drove Bruce nuts.
Scoring off the rush isn’t Ovie’s sole source of goals, but it’s a big component, and this tactic has essentially dried up that well. Until Ovie adjusts or finds a new source of goals (perhaps by moving off the point on the power play), his production is going to be lower than past years. So while I agree that he’s going to bounce back at some point, barring a major adjustment to his play, he’s not going to bounce back to the 50-60 goal range we’ve become accustomed to. More likely, he’ll be around the 40-50 goal range which, while still good, is pretty far from the lofty standards he’s set himself.
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 8, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 21 recs
Ovechkin’s speed through the neutral zone used to prevent defensemen
Present. All that effort and editing and I miss that. Grrrr.
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.
The last solution was originally brought up a while back by F&B, and that is for Ovie to give the puck away, preferably to Backstrom or Semin, and let them carry the puck into the zone.
Discussed at nearly exactly the same time last year: Even Ovechkin Can Use a Cavalry
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Dec 8, 2010 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
nice analysis. Would another option be to try and shoot it hard enough off the boards behind the goal to get a rebound that would come back out for a rebound shot? The idea being that a shot once you get in the offensive zone might get the D turned around to chase the rebound, giving Ovi the space to get the rebound and fire home a shot, kinda like our D do once we’ve set up in the attacking zone?
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Only if he can shoot it without slowing down (because then a backchecker with momentum will beat him to it) and without putting it too close to the net (because then the goalie will just grab it). A traditional corner dump would work better.
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 copied and pasted this post into Microsoft Word so I could read it more discreetly at work…. it took up a page and a half. Have you considered turning it into a FanPost?
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry it’s so long. It’d be easier with pictures, but I go with my talent, and that’s 1000 words.
If there’s demand for a FanPost, sure. It’d be great if I could get someone familiar with MS Paint to collaborate with me on some screen shots to illustrate 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.
No need to apologize for the length. That wasn’t meant to be a negative comment. I just feel that far too often FanPosts are published that could have worked just fine as comments in Caps Clips. This is the opposite in that it was a comment in Caps Clips, but it would work well as a FanPost also.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
No need to apologize for the length.
That’s what she said.
And I totally agree – would love to see more substantive FanPosts. Stuff like this deserves it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I vote yes on the fanpost
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
I, for one, am glad you put it here. I don’t always catch all the Fan Posts. Thank you VERY much for offering your opinions about how Ovi can change things for the better, too. There’s been an awful lot of talk about how he needs to change (and the “book”) but this is the first time I’ve seen some potential solutions. No offense to anyone who’s addressed it before – I’m not here every day and I’m sure I miss a lot. Anyway, some interesting and sensible ideas, D’oh. Thanks again.
If Lurking equaled Learning, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
This Fanpost by F&B from last year that Emily linked to above illustrates some of the same stuff.
I’ll try to put something together with MS Paint later today, but I gotta work. :)
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 8, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I rec’d both links to my work!
I think it would be interesting to go back and look at that FanPost I wrote last year and make some detailed comparisons to what is happening this year. Are teams really playing him differently, or is he just not getting the bounces that he used to?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Fantastic post.
Another way of looking at this is OV’s goal against Toronto the other night (long-distance missile from the top of the left circle). OV crosses center-ice, pulls up, defenders gave him a little bit of space and he lasers it home. We used to see quite a few of those shots/goals. IIRC that’s his first such goal from that spot this season — the reason? He’s getting crowded up high like D’oh says. Every single game.
The ice will show everything.
I don’t think teams are even playing AO that much differently. I think what Martins did in the playoffs is similar to what other teams had already been doing when I wrote my FanPost, MON just did it with more aplomb. It all comes down to AO adjusting his game and moving away from the “cut across the middle” move. One thing I’ve noticed a lot more lately is that AO HATES to take the puck past the top of the circles. It’s like he has an internal clock that tells him he needs to fire the puck when he gets that deep; whether it’s a low percentage shot or a forced cross ice pass he is going to move the puck in a risky manner as soon as he gets to the circles. Contrast that with Backstrom, who will carry the puck down to the corner and either pull an escape up the boards or start a cycle and it’s just another reason why Backstrom should be carrying the mail on that line. Of course, it’s hard to have Backstrom carry the mail when AO is on a scout mission setting up a remote outpost every time it looks like we’re about to break the puck out.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
My observation exactly (remote outpost). But is this on AO, or is it BB’s system? And, either way, a change would be good.
If Lurking equaled Learning, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
At this point, both guys are responsible in my mind. BB needs to take charge as coach, but AO has to learn/want to adapt his game as both Captain and 3-time players’ MVP.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
The valid point there I see is zone starts, but there’s definitely more to it than that.
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by red army line on Dec 8, 2010 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
I think D’oboy’s diagnosis covers 70-80% of the problem. Can anyone explain why Ovie is consistently shanking shots when he has time and space and why he seems to be less accurate than Milan Jurcina when shooting from the point?
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
My guess is that it’s related – he knows that he doesn’t have the time and space that he used to, so he’s rushing his shots.
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.
My neighbor—a physical therapist and avaid caps fan—swears AO has a prob with his right thumb. Thinks his fire control probs stem from using the crease in the heel of his hand to sub for a working thumb. "See, he’s hitting the puck, not shooting it….
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
I’d buy that. He’s constantly shaking his hand after shifts.
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.
Why don’t they rest/rehab/cut him and get it effing Fixed? I mean, 80 games at 1/2 power and 40 at full power is the same amount of Alex. And the spring classic’s a damn sight more important than the Winter one.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
He’s the captain. It’s more important to show toughness than to be ready for the playoffs. Or something
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
So fucking sit him a few games.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 8, 2010 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Semin vs Haynesworth
In the home-delivered WaPo Sports section, the juxtaposition of the above-the-fold “Haynesworth, Over and Out” article could not be in much more stark contrast to the Semin below-the-fold subhead, “Capitals’ Semin produces on the ice, is quiet off of it.” The terrific picture takes up almsot the entire bottom half.
would someone with a subscription mind going to the Post page and go to the print edition option and do a screen shot of the sports front page? I’d do it but I couldn’t find that print edition open that shows you the paper as it is printed, maybe because I’m no longer a subscriber. Or take a pick of the actual paper. Or I guess I could just go buy the paper today.
here ya go
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 8, 2010 9:28 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
It’s only going to get worse.
That is a good picture of Semin though.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
I’m kinda shocked that Semin actually sat for a pic by the WP. Of course Katie has a few quotes by him translated in the article. I wonder how they managed to convince him to participate.
He’s looking for a job come June…
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
I wonder who the translator was (a journo like Malamud or the team’s PR).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m going to go with Sergei. Katie did say in the article that it was a rare one-on-one interview. Obviously there was another person present, but I don’t think she’d say one-on-one if it was another reporter. I guess we can see if the same quotes show up in some Russian language articles.
Sergei has been translating for Varly at times for interviews and some at Caps con before Irbe showed up to the panel.
Right, and I’d agree with your guess. This raises a point that was raised when Sergey was translating for Varly and how three different journos (Carrera, Masisak and McNally) handled it. Personally, I think it’s an important detail to note if a team spokesman is the one providing translation services.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I know there was an article earlier in the season mentioning that Semin I think it was said X through a team representative. That is probably the best way to describe it. I agree with you that that context should be included in the article. I know that Steinberg did a piece on Ovie last season and got an outside interpreter that I think was affiliated with a university because he wanted to ask Ovie more in depth questions. That’s probably the best route to go with the whole translation issue but I know it isn’t feasible for everyday. I think Steinberg said Ovie wasn’t all that open with him and there was some video shortly after (maybe it was one of those caps365 driving with a player segments) where Ovie was much more candid. I think he actually said something about how the Olympics experience affected him in that short video.
Yep. All I’m saying is that if something you don’t understand is being filtered through the team’s spin doctors, your readers should know that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The reporter in question might do well to make an audio recording of the interview, to keep the team’s translator honest.
You had me at no problem.
All reporters make an audio recording of interviews
they certainly aren’t transcribing as the interview goes along!
by CAPS NEWS NETWORK on Dec 8, 2010 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
His face looks so weathered. How can he look like that at 26? By 35, he’ll look like he’s carved out of wood.
You had me at no problem.
Smoking fucks up a lot of things. He needs to stop. And get a chemical peel. Maybe some microdermabrasion.
Those teeth need help too.
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 8, 2010 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
If he’s smoking, he needs to stop for reasons other than his skin.
Plus, maybe some ladies dig the Jack Palance look?
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
He’s smoked for awhile now – don’t know how frequently, though. Pretty sure both he and Ovi use chewing tobacco, too.
Gross.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Best quote about athletes and smoking was when that lady tried to shame John Kruk about smoking.
“Lady, I’m not an athlete, I’m a baseball player”
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
I once had something called a “Kruk Burger” in Pennsylvania that had glazed donut halves instead of a bun. Pretty much summed up baseball in a nutshell. I don’t know how Semin can manage smoking with an NHL career, though. My body wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
do we know how often he smokes? Maybe he limits it during the season. Then again we saw him smoking in Germany during the WC. I agree that he should stop for health and performance reasons.
He should also be to bed by 9:00 and be sure to eat his vitamins.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
This reminds me of that hilarious video Chris Cooley made last year I think when fans complained he spent too much time on his blog versus concentrating on football. So he filmed himself all day long in his full uniform, including his helmet. Shots of him getting out of bed, trying to eat breakfast, driving in his car, gassing up the car, etc. He got some weird looks while out in public.
Johan Cruyff was a very heavy smoker and he played at an elite level for many years.
Granted, different sport and a very different era, when cardio training was at a much lower level.
But still, if you have elite skills and an elite-level cardio engine (heart and lungs) you can abuse the machine for quite a long time before your performance slips. Certainly I think that in your 20’s you can get away with it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
The Star just ran this last month, on tobacco use and hockey.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
Six Beers Too Many Fantasy Team - BizNasty's Hobo Rodeo
Someone once asked Mario Lemieux what he did to get in shape for the upcoming season.
His answer?
Quit smoking and eating poutine.
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 remember reading about Jack Lambert, the HoF linebacker for the Steelers.
He was a heavy smoker and he had an ash tray welded to the front of his locker.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
My favorite Kruk moment was after his surgery, he comes out on stage for the Letterman show (I think it was) wearing a T shirt that said something along the lines of “I have my bat and my ball and am going to Philadelphia”
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
I think it was more like " If you dn’t like it I’m going to take my ball and go home"
"Quint?"........"No."
What’s wrong with his teeth? It always looks like he has a pretty nice, straight, even set of them in pictures, and all there, too. I’ve never seen him up close in person. Do you mean they are tobacco stained? Sure wish he didn’t smoke or chew. Nasty habits, particularly if he in fact does the latter.
Sometimes, though, he looks really young in pictures. Shadowy lighting tends to accentuate lines and larger pores. I think this is a good picture of him, although it makes him look older than he is. Those pictures they took of the Olympians here were horrible, however. The lighting was atrocious and highlighted every single skin flaw.
They are extremely yellow. It is icky.
And yes, it is definitely all about lighting too. Poor lighting = seeing every line, scar and pore on that face.
Ugh I hated the Olympian pictures. No one looked good, thanks to poor lighting, and for some reason grabbing them directly after a practice. Nick looked the worst.
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 8, 2010 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
I’m going to take a guess that proper dental care wasn’t high on the priority list in Siberia immediately before and after the Soviet collapse.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
He looks alternately 12 years old and 42 years old.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
He’s the only guy who could be Uncle Paul and targeted by Uncle Paul.
The bastards hung me in the spring of '25. But I am still alive.
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 8, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
That’s not a good thing, methinks.
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.
Steven Tyler barely looks like Steven Tyler anymore.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
Six Beers Too Many Fantasy Team - BizNasty's Hobo Rodeo
Don’t spit, Al!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 9:34 AM EST up reply actions
Kind of a visual statement for DC sports: The oversized Redskin, looking foresaken but still looming at the top, while the Capitals, still below, are emerging from the shadows into clarity. I can dig it.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
by bagace on Dec 8, 2010 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If Semin ever writes a novel, that will be the picture of the author that they include on the inside cover flap.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 8, 2010 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks Peerless. One page has skins fail, wizards fail, and I see there is a little mention of the nats on the top, not sure if that article discusses nats fail. Good thing for the caps.
Does anyone else get the sense that the DC fanbase’s acceptance that Semin just doesn’t talk to the media more than once every blue moon, combined with Ovie soaking up 95% of the media attention wherever he goes, is a BIG reason why Sasha wants to stay?
You had me at no problem.
What I actually found interesting were the numerous quotes from his teammates about his comfort level and how it translates to play on the ice. If the guy really does take three years to open up to his teammates, I can’t imagine him being happy having to start all over with a new team.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
On a related note, I could see a Canadian franchise offering Laich a huge contract for the opposite reason – he’s the kind of guy who might absorb a lot of that media scrutiny, which would allow other guys to hang back a bit.
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.
Most definitely. He can earn extra pay for his persona in a bigger hockey media market. Unless it’s Montreal.
You had me at no problem.
Semin is really the classic introverted person. He’s figured out a situation that works for him, with Ovie having the limelight. Sounds like he’s finally totally comfortable here. Making a huge change and going to a new place is way more intimidating to an introvert than an extroverted person. It only makes sense that he doesn’t want to leave. I hope that they can come to terms financially. I also hope that he doesn’t allow his agent or desire for $$$$$$ to push him into a situation where he’d have to be the superstar on another team. I don’t think he’d be happy that way.
Making a huge change and going to a new place is way more intimidating to an introvert than an extroverted person.
Not really. Most introverts settle in well. They just reestablish their quiet life elsewhere. The difference here is media obligations, brightness of the spotlight, and comfort with the language.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
They may readjust, but that doesn’t mean they don’t dread the readjustment period.
You had me at no problem.
Sorry — but why would they “dread” their readjustment period? What does that mean?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
having to acquaint yourself with a whole new group of people, all at once. As outgoing and vocal as I am here, anyone who has met me will probably tell you I’m a lot quieter and subdued in person, particularly group situations. I dread starting a new job (or when I was younger, a new school) because I’ve never been comfortable in new situations like that. Until I get to know people, I end up spending a couple of weeks mildly panicky.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I was surprised how much starting my new job last year threw me off, because I wasn’t moving or anything. But it was totally disturbing to me for quite awhile. It might have been slightly better if I was working in an immediate area that I was familiar with (started working in downtown Rockville compared to downtown Bethesda before). I took months to really make friends at work. I hardly talked to anyone at first. Now that I’ve been here a year, I have several acquaintances that I chat with, but most of those relationships were established within the past few months.
I absolutely dread going to big group activities alone. In fact I avoid it a lot of times, which is stupid, because how else do you met people. It’s just a lot harder to meet people.
I think a lot of introverts do well online. It takes away a lot of pressure and awkwardness and just allows them to relax and be themselves.
plus online we can lurk and feel a part of the group without feeling the need to participate and not looking awkward if we don’t say much
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Yeah, the rink doesn’t make me feel guilty for eating lunch at my desk every day instead of going to the lunch-room and being social.
You had me at no problem.
the lunch-room causes way too many flashbacks to middle school. at my last job, I’d go out for lunch, just so I could get away and read for a bit.
I did a lot better when I worked in a small office and everyone was around the same age. we frequently did lunch together, with none of the stress of a larger office.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
sounds just like me. I’ll convince myself to go to a group thing, and then end up standing in the corner the whole time.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Seems to be common in this forum. Makes for hilarious Rink get-togethers.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
I’m going to make an effort to get to the next one just to see what a room full of introverts looks like.
lots of people standing around while Ovechwin is the life of the party.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I get super shy usually, I had to force myself to show up to the first game watch, I debated going home :P
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
The first time I went to a Rink thing, I was not able to convince myself to go introduce myself to any people. I had to force myself to a second event to try again. (And glad I did.)
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Dec 8, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
As introverted as I am, I’m really hoping to meet folks in person someday. The fact that this board exists, makes it easier.
If it was a get-together of caps’ fans that I didn’t know, I wouldn’t even go.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I walked past the group like, 5 times before my first game meetup. I felt like a crazy, but it’s just my personality, I get nervous with new people and things, but once I’m in and feel comfortable, I get chatty :P
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
We are bunch of damned attractive people that sit around waiting for others to notice us.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Dec 8, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Sounds like one of these events needs some sort of icebreaker activity for everyone to get over themselves and start chatting in a structured activity, then continue it on to talking about the caps or whatever once they feel a little more comfortable.
I am know I am guilty of not attending these events because fear of going alone and not meeting anyone to talk to and standing awkwardly alone in the corner.
You just gotta jump in sometimes.
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
Also I’ll talk to you!
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
I’d talk to you.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Even if you did go to/like Virginia Tech :-)
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
do people identify themselves by their screen names? I feel like it would be easier if they wore lame nametags with real name and screen name.
I’ll get out to some event eventually. At this point I am kinda distracted by other things in life. But I look forward to meeting people.
I’ve never been to one for fear of not fitting in.
Kidding….I was at school so rarely made it up to the DC area for games.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Fortunately we all look exactly like our avatars, which makes it easier.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Dec 8, 2010 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I am a building that was demolished eight years ago next Wednesday.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Dec 8, 2010 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
I almost bought a Spidey goalie mask there other day. There’s one at our local hockey store.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Go ahead...
Take the knife from me.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 8, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I’m covered in Caps logos. The tattooing hurt.
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 9, 2010 9:31 AM EST up reply actions
I was thinking the same thing. If I can ever get out there to meet you guys, I might find everyone standing in the corner.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
That is me. When I found out via some testing that I was an introvert, I became less uncomfortable with this. I am the guy that stands next to his wife at parties, because I really have almost no interest in talking to anyone.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I hate it with a fiery passion.
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
I really suck at it. But if I somehow find out the person likes sports, at least I can keep up the discussion awhile. Otherwise it doesn’t always go well.
I actually have to think about it and force myself to ask people about themselves. If I can force the first few questions out, I’m usually ok. It doesn’t come naturally.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Yea…but I really don’t wanna know about everyone’s jobs and I really don’t want to talk about mine. And it’s not for lack of caring or just being rude. I spend enough time at work that I don’t want to talk about it outside of work.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
I have actually reminded people that know me well that I really don’t care about their vacation or what they did over the weekend. They get it.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I pretend to care, people like when you pretend to care.
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
Yes they do. Spot on.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
does this go over very well? I could see them being offended if you tell them you aren’t interested in hearing about their life.
It became a running joke. We all had gone through the same training. Like Ovechwin said, I now pretend. That is better.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Really? Why is that? How’s the family? What do you do for fun? How’s the weather out there?
(Sorry. Too easy.)
By the way – I’m right with you.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
/laughing outloud
Thanks goodness the door is closed.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Yes, I’ve been much happier with life once I stopped trying to fit my square peg introvert personality into the extrovert round hole the world is. I stopped feeling guilty for not liking to go to big group events and finding excuses to skip them. I do sometimes make myself go and will enjoy myself maybe half of the time, but all the energy dealing with the awkward feelings of not fitting in or knowing what to say or where to stand is draining.
We really do have a lot of introverts here, don’t we. And many of us, it seems, have similar experiences.
I thinking that, perhaps obviously, we’re way OT in Clips, and should start a separate thread.
Unfortunately, not one of us would want to start the conversation and most of us would be done after a few comments.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Dec 8, 2010 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
As yet another fellow introvert, this is the best Clips OT conversation ever. I can rise to a social occasion when necessary but I always need crash time afterwards to recuperate. And I hate change (I.e. Moving, new job, etc., etc.) but know from experience that I can adapt. I married into a family of extroverts so at the holiday I find a driving need to run errands just to get away from the chatter at home. I have always had a soft spot for Semin for this very reason—his quiet introspective nature. But I had no idea so many of you vocal Rinkers were just as introverted as me. Wow!
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 8, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
How exactly did you do that? I feel guilty about that stuff all the time.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
I took a test called Myers-Briggs, that has an introvert-extrovert scale. It showed that I was a clear introvert. It also helps to explain how I as an introvert can work with others and explained to other how to work with me. Most importantly, it helped me get over shame or any other emotion that I didn’t like parties, didn’t really want to go out with folks after work, etc. It made my alone time ok.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
What’s funny is I didn’t even realize that I was introverted until my older sister pointed it out to me I think around the time I was in grad school. She was trying to explain to me why I kept having relationship difficulties dating extremely extroverted guys that I seemed to be drawn to.
I read some books on introverts and realized that it was ok to be the way I was because that was my personality, it wasn’t something fundamentally lacking in me, despite what the world seemed to think. I got older and out of the college mode of group socializing. Not that I didn’t enjoy that mostly, but it’s a lot more natural to form groups in college then out in the real world for me. Also someone pointed out that your needs change over time.
I try to pay a lot more attention to how I feel about things, versus what the world thinks you should feel like or act like.
I usually almost always force myself to go to the work socializing activities because I figure it’s good for me and I don’t want to hurt my career when it’s expected. I’m not so good in other areas because I don’t have that motivation.
My older sister makes a point to tell me I’m introverted all the time as though it’s a terrible thing and I shouldn’t date introverted girls cuz I’m introverted etc etc. I’ve learned to ignore her, but I think that’s because I’ve just gotten good at ignoring the sibling.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Also, bear in mind that there’s a difference between “introvert” and “introverted.” It’s pretty crucial when talking about personalities.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Dec 8, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
There is? Don’t you have to be introverted to be an introvert?
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
You can be goofy without being a goof!
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
No, you don’t. You can be an introvert and the most outgoing person in the world.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Dec 8, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
I’m with you. I think it’s important to have outlets and friends, but I no longer feel guilty about not participating in group events. I go to the ones I want to and I leave when I’m ready. I no longer apologize because I’ve reached sensory overload and need to do the Greta Garbo act. Once I jettisoned the idea that I was suppose to do the social thing the sense of guilt just slid away.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 8, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Sensory overload is a great way to describe.
I get a feeling that I can only describe as a gas tank filling up (no intestinal jokes please). When the tank of human interaction fills up, I’m done and I’m outta there.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Wordsmithing aside, I consider myself an introvert, and I would hate to uproot my life, move across the country, try to make all new friends, learn new restaurants, new terrain, etc. I would certainly dread such a thing.
You had me at no problem.
I’m an introvert to a significant level and have embraced it. I did move my family across the country and did make new friends, learn new restaurants, new terrain. I did not want to, but had to.
I embraced the move and viewed it as a new chapter in my life. It was exciting.
That didn’t change the fact that I’m an introvert and need my down time. But I can’t say that I dreaded the move. I can understand why RB and you would/do. That’s fair. But, certainly extroverts might as well.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
If a relocation is forced upon me, I look on the bright side and embrace it. I have moved around in the past, from here to Chicago and back. But if I have a choice, I tend to lean towards “let’s just keep things the way they are”.
But I get your point.
You had me at no problem.
But if I have a choice, I tend to lean towards "let’s just keep things the way they are".
FWIW – I do as well. Sometimes, life doesn’t let you.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Tell me about it… ;)
Count me in the introverts group. At the very least none of you will have trouble identifying me—I’m ethnically Indian.
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 9, 2010 9:35 AM EST up reply actions
Good point about extroverts. Some of the ones I know worry about going to new places and don’t stray far from what they know because they are so reliant on their outer circle. The introverts I know are fine almost anywhere because they have more of an inner life – busy place or empty place they remain content within themselves.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I’m with you.
Introvert is a term that folks toss around easily. From where I sit, I can’t tell you whether Semin is an introvert or not.
An introvert is not someone who doesn’t like to talk or someone who necessarily keeps to himself or herself all the time. The classic difference between an introvert and an extrovert is where each gets their energy. An extrovert gets their energy from being in groups and participating with others. An introvert gets their energy from being alone or with fewer people. And, of course, neither is 100%. Extroverts might not talk very much and introverts might talk alot. There’s no hard and fast rule. Many, many actors are, in fact, introverts, yet they are fabulous on stage and in public.
Semin may or may not be an introvert. At minimum, he doesn’t seek the spotlight and is not comfortable with it, despite his chosen profession. For all we know, Brooks Laich may be an introvert. He’s great in an interview, but may require period away from crowds or groups to get his energy level back up. We don’t know.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Dec 8, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That is how I’ve understood the difference between introverts and extroverts. I am more of a talker than my husband and can be lively socially but am drained afterwards yet my husband is comfortable in any crowd and prefers company over solitude. It’s all a matter of degrees.
I have to admit I’ve always thought of Semin as introspective but he could just be media shy. On the other hand how often have we seen him go clubbing? And he does like his quiet vacations.
We need to ask Brooksie which he is. I bet he’s an extrovert who thinks he’s an introvert.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 8, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve read books on introverts and am one myself. Change is more difficult for them. It’s a much more intimidating process for them. They have a much harder time adjusting. Making friends is much harder. Not that introverts can’t be social, but they tend to either do it one-on-one or in smaller groups. If they do go to a big group activity, they need recovery time afterward, whereas extroverts are energized by such events. Also, in a new situation, introverts tend to take quite awhile to settle in and get their bearings. Once they feel more comfortable, they start talking more and being more social.
I think most people fall somewhere on the introverted/extroverted spectrum. It’s not one or the other.
I’m not just throwing the word introvert around with Semin. I’m basing that on a lot of things. He had a hard adjustment period. He took a really long time to feel comfortable and open up to people. He has his best friend Ovie, and is friendly some with the other guys, but he’s probably not BFFs with several guys or considers everyone on the team his good friends. He doesn’t like the limelight or doing interviews. He isn’t really seen much in the groups that go out. I think Ovie tends to go out more with Green and Backstrom. Not that Semin wouldn’t ever go out but not as frequently. I read that his dad likes fishing in this area and he goes out with him, also at home in Russia.
I agree with a lot of that. I am much the same way, particularly in the area of recovery time. I have a busy household of 3 boys and I relish that time no one is here. I often have to plan out things so that I know I will get that time alone to recharge my ability to deal with the chaos, noise, and constant interactions.
Now, it does not mean I don’t like a party, but usually start out dreading going. Once there, I often am the last to leave, but then have to stay up late at home while everyone else is asleep afterwards. Of course, I married an extrovert.
I think a lot of it also has to do with language. I have a French-Canadian friend who said she traveled through the US when she was 18 and didn’t speak any English. It took her a long time to get comfortable talking to people and even then she felt like people viewed her as having no sense of humor or personality. Her English is excellent now, but she still feels self-conscious. Oh, and she’s an extrovert (in French!). On that note, some make a big deal about Semin not wanting to give interviews in English when it’s clear he understands the language. Anyone who’s struggled to learn other languages knows these are vastly different things. Understanding the language and having the confidence to express yourself (to the media, no less) are not the same. And I realize how long he’s been playing in the US. I’ll just say that learning a new language is very easy for some people, and very hard for others.
If Lurking equaled Learning, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
And there’s a big difference between understanding a language, and feeling comfortable speaking it. After years of taking Spanish in high school and different trips to Mexico I can usually understand what folks are saying, but I can’t come up with the words to respond a lot of the time
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Totally agree. I’m the same way with French. Yet my friend was speaking fluently after 6 months of High School French and now teaches it. Some have a natural affinity for language, some don’t. And, of course it doesn’t help if you’re self-conscious by nature. If you’re like Ovechkin, you make a mistake and laugh it off. Semin also seems much more private.
If Lurking equaled Learning, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
Some have a natural affinity for language, some don’t.
Spot on. Some people can learn other languages and some can’t. Semin may be in the group that just can’t.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I also think he is a perfectionist, something else I can relate to (armchair psycho here). That does not mean he does things perfectly all the time, but strives to and is really bothered when he can’t. Sometimes I think he has conflict with himself on the ice between doing something he thinks should be perfectly done and doing the expedient thing. It’s hard for perfectionists to “make do” and often won’t even attempt things unless they can do them exactly how they think they should be done with a perfect result.
I hate to be that guy, but I’m going to be that guy.
Doesn’t most or all of this belong in OTOT?
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 8, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This mod was at work, away from a computer. Sombrero is dead-on.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 8, 2010 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
Leave it to the damned extrovert to ruin it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
by fat_daddyo on Dec 8, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
…I was just about to say. I love all my little introverts, but this is becoming a group therapy session ;)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I’m waiting for D’ohboy to do a “Dear Diary” on this one.
“I’m crushed. I went to the meetup and no one talked to me…”
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Nah. Who doesn’t want to talk to the guy with the giant yellow doughnut for a head?
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.
isn’t every day group therapy day? :) But usual it revolves around “oh god, why am I a Caps fan?!?!”
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Seriously. Maybe we all need to get the number of that psychologist Greenie visited over the summer…
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
If they keep blowing 3 goal leads in the 3rd period, I will start to ask myself that question.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Seriously. That was the first time I got really upset over a regular season game.
You had me at no problem.
Me too. I was so angry in the third. It’s like my son doing his homework but failing to turn it in for credit. Should never give up easy points.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 8, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
I was “watching” the Caps implode on my phone as my son’s high school team lost 7-0 right in front of me. Wasn’t a good night.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
How awful for you.
I was at least happy to see the gif of Ovi’s stick tap to King after he scored. Didn’t see it while at the game. A tiny pleasure from a miserable game.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 8, 2010 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
If Ted knew Caps fans were introverts before he bought the team, he might have reconsidered for fear no one would go to the games! Good thing we all can find comfort in the crowd of red without having to talk directly.
LOL Key phrase:
without having to talk directly.
I do love the energy at Verizon. And the “sea of red.”
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 8, 2010 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Bourne on the mid-season slog
Just read this one, and in the wake of Monday’s debacle, I found it striking.
It can be tough to roll out of your hotel bed, put on your winter’s warmest, get on the bus and get excited to go to war with Edmonton in Game 51, but those points matter.
It’s the coaches time to shine – let’s see who keeps their team awake while the others drift off to sleep.
Given AO’s resolute refusal to engage in the D zone, and the complete inability to clear the zone, I’m going to guess that the prevailing attitude was “it’s Monday, it’s the Leafs, and we’re up 3. Yawn.”
Seeing as the rest of the NHL had found a way to shut out the Leafs 6 times, do we see some implied commentary on BB’s ability to coax focus out of the troops?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I find this hard to believe, but I read somewhere that Monday night was the first time in the Maple Leafs franchise history that the team has ever come back from a two goal deficit in the final three minutes of a game. Can’t find the link, but if that’s true, losing that game may be one of the more embarrassing achievements in Capitals history.
Or another bump in the road on the way to the Stanley Cup?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Half-full. Definitely Half-full.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Hey, maybe the Caps have gone back to the alternating 1st -2nd round exits of the Bryan Murray era.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
My magic wand is out and I am pointing east with positive vibes.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I had precisely the same reaction – nothing like experience to provide perspective to our daily railings about our boys’ inability to finish. That said, I find these games when the Caps piss on the fire and call in the dogs an ominous portent for some reason.
The last 10 minutes of the TOR game I think I heard Bruce repeatedly utter the phrase “Play your game, play your game” as he paced up and down the bench.
But to no avail…
"Quint?"........"No."
by NJNJ on Dec 8, 2010 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Play Your Game?
This has been said before, I believe.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Dec 8, 2010 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought of something D’ohboy noted, namely that BB’s system requires absolutely precise gap control through neutral in order for it not to fall apart completely.
When the effort is not there, and when the D are hanging back to prevent a break, you get all that space in the top half of the D zone that we saw Toronto exploit.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
On the last couple goals, it looked to me like the D and Backstrom were being far too aggressive (there were 3 Caps playing two guys below the net), while the forwards were being far too lax (Knuble lost his check on the game winner, and Ovie was just sort of standing around in the slot on both goals).
That being said, I generally agree – if our forwards aren’t skating back hard and the D backs off, there’s TONS of room, and Toronto really exploited 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.
Just Tweeted by Steinberg
Ovechkin shaving for Gillette. Somehow this doesn’t see right to me.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
What happens in the playoffs?
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
You didn’t read the article yesterday? He has permission to grow a playoff beard.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I can’t say an article about Ovechkin selling a personal hygiene product got a click-thru from me, no.
Good news about the beard, though.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
by jordanDC on Dec 8, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I can’t say an article about Ovechkin selling a personal hygiene product got a click-thru from me, no.
Win. And yet it’s a two-day “story”…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Indeed. And Dan adds value to a press release (often in terms of information, almost always in terms of entertainment). That said… yeah.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And…it woulda been a one-day story if the team had practice yesterday.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
No, it’s a two-day “story” because Proctor-Gamble sent out press releases on consecutive days and people ran with them.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ovechkin selling a personal hygiene product
Is there a Max Talbott joke in there somewhere?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 8, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
A “well-groomed” playoff beard.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
From the Bog story
one of Ovechkin’s representatives…“Gillette and Alex both understand and respect the traditions of the game,” he told me. “Alex isn’t superstitious by nature, and he hasn’t even thought about it. He just wants to make the playoffs, and he’ll decide once the playoffs start. If the team decides to do something, he certainly will be able to participate.”
The hell he isn’t superstitious. We all looked at him not look at the President’s Trophy.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Dec 8, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
____
How great is that Perreault pic, btw?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 8, 2010 10:06 AM EST reply actions 6 recs
That picture is actual size, no?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 8, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 9 recs
Let’s all brace for a torrent of short jokes for as long as he stays with the parent club…
You had me at no problem.
There’s definitely some Lucky Charms jokes to be made.
Now where’s the pic of Semin lying splattered all over the ice in the crease after taking one for the team on MP’s second goal?
"And then they’ll look at guys in my situation, that could play three good games in a row and have one bad shift, and they’ll say, ‘Well, that’s why he’s been in the minor leagues his whole career.'" --Matt Hendricks
don’t forget that he was laying under someone, a defenseman I think. Now that’s one interaction with a defenseman that I don’t think he was happy about. Actually I was really impressed to see Semin do that. You know that he’s really bought into the team goals this year.
Yes, I know he got laid out by a defenseman, hence the “taking one for the team.”
My post was meant as a compliment.
"And then they’ll look at guys in my situation, that could play three good games in a row and have one bad shift, and they’ll say, ‘Well, that’s why he’s been in the minor leagues his whole career.'" --Matt Hendricks
Oh, I didn’t take it any other way than a compliment. Too bad there is no font for tone on the internet.
hmm...
About the goal scoring celebrations, if Nicklas Backstrom is the “Super Swede,” and Alex Ovechkin is the “Russian Machine,” then what do they put on the jumbotron for Perreault?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 8, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
____
I think the Montreal Canadiens have that name locked up, but it would work.
"/>
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
leaving his feet for a hit
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Dec 8, 2010 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Just not that archery pose he did last year when he scored his first NHL goal.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
He’d have to play for Nashville first.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
"Whatever you say, coach"
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
ah, the Barry trotz action figure.
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 8, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Reminds me that I watched the 11-minute HBO promo for 24/7 again yesterday and, as if HBO knew something, there is about three seconds of MP skating in practice. I hadn’t noticed that before.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Whoops -reply fail. Should have gone witht the MP picture.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
For the Walrus
Imagine the SC playoffs
It’s easy if you try
No choking to teams below us
Vanquishing Pitt and P-H-I
Imagine all the Capitals
Playing for today…
Imagine no late game letdowns
It isn’t hard to do
No HHT’s to kill or die for
And no dumb shootouts too
Imagine all the Capitals
with awesome Corsi…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But Bruce has got to be the one
To urge all Care Bears to heed him
And the Caps will skate as one
Imagine puck possession
I wonder if you can
To score with greed and hunger
And crush all life from the Pens
Imagine all the Capitals
Awing the hockey world…
You may say GM and Ted are dreamers
But they’re not the only ones
I hope someday you’ll join us
And watch our boys hoist the Cup as one
by S h a g g y on Dec 8, 2010 10:44 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Nicely Done
Looking for a miracle and apropos of the anniversary today, I googled “John Lennon Hockey.” This was the fourth image the came up. No idea why of course.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Dec 8, 2010 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 7 recs
and cookie thought he could handle the teenager…
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 8, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
HE’S NAMED AFTER EVANDER HOLYFIELD!!!!
WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING??!?!?!?!
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 actually wasn’t that far gone during this conversation.
side note: best thing about watching a game with d’ohboy….leaning over and saying “stone hands” whenever chimera misses a shot.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 8, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
does it cause him to start twitching uncontrollably?
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Koo-koo-ka-choo
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
New content (though, admittedly, it’s more snack than full meal).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
kcarrera
Matt Hendricks left practice early and according to a team spokesman will not return to the ice today. #Caps
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Per Boudreau, Hendricks has a bruise that was bothering him in practice so BB told him to rest and use today as a maintenance day. #Caps
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
must be from the shot he blocked Monday.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I was watching the last game vs Toronto with my fiance’ when the King/Orr fight happened
She started talking about how fighting was so unneccessary and that professional athlenes are public figures and setting a bad example for children as role models.
If the league wants to get rid of “premeditated” fights I won’t argue. I explained that the NHL was talking about getting rid of these kind of fights, but in the heat of the moment fights still happen.
She reiterated her same position
I had nothin’. Other than arguing that theyre fights that at least take place between two concenting adults, like MMA fights. But she’s against those too.
So I got nuthin’… NOTHING!
And some people only eat vegetables.
"Semin had two goals this year, Perreault comes in and he gets three."
by jordanDC on Dec 8, 2010 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I guess it comes down to
Hockey fights are about as “acceptable” as MMA and boxing.
Those only different really is that with boxing/mmA the fight and techniques are the actual sport. It’s basically an exhibition of the art of fighting styles and proving which one is really better.
I think her problem with the hockey fights was more that the fighting “Teaches kids that it’s ok to use violence as a response to when someone does something wrong to you”
My wife, who has watched me watching many, many hockey games, still had to ask:
“Why don’t the refs stop them?”
You had me at no problem.
That’s a much easier question to answer than “why are they fighting?” though, no? The refs don’t stop them until both stop swinging or they fall down – and they do that so they don’t get hurt or hit by an errant fist or something.
…although there are some refs I wouldn’t mind getting within fist-swinging distance. Ahem.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
…although there are some refs I wouldn’t mind getting within fist-swinging distance. Ahem.
This applies to basically every ref whose name is well known by NHL fans.
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 8, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
This probably has been discussed here before, but for those of you who have kids who they watch hockey with
What do you tell them when they ask about the fights
Not that I have kids, but I’d imagine it’s important to emphasize the fact that the rules that govern interactions in the real world are not necessarily the same as the ones that govern conduct on the ice.
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 8, 2010 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Heck – rules that govern hockey through high school and college are not the same as NHL.
I was shocked when I saw two kids from the USHL fight. They did what Greenie and Kovalchuk did – dropped gloves and pulled helmets off. It was required.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Exactly. Guys take swings at one another with their sticks on the ice, too. They run into each other at full speed and slam each other into boards. They say things out there you’d never say to someone on the street (…I hope). It’s just the most extreme of all those things, and I think most kids are able to understand the difference between what happens on the ice in a sporting event – or on the court or the field or whatever – and what they’re allowed to do in real life.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I heard this kind of response after the whole Michael Phelps/pot thing:
“Mommy, if Michael Phelps can smoke pot, why can’t I?”
“You can smoke pot when you win 8 gold medals”
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
I tell ‘em that sometimes you reach a point where you just can’t back up any more in life, and once you’ve reached that point there’s nothing to do but plant your feet, turn the knuckles up and start swinging.
And also that there are two key things to remember.
First, for most of us that last part is figurative. It just so happens that hockey is one of those occupations where it is not.
Second, making a good judgment is the key.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I explain hockey fighting the same way I tell them about where babies come from.
Sometimes two people get together and do funny things to each other. Sometimes it’s on purpose and sometimes it’s at the spur of the moment. Sometimes they have done it before and sometimes its the first time. It looks like the are wrestling and sometimes one’s shirt gets pulled off. Usually nobody gets hurt and it only lasts a few minutes. Then they are separated and spend some time alone. The good ones will do it again later and the really good ones will get to do it with someone else the next night.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 8, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 9 recs
How do you explain the “Third Man In” rule?
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 8, 2010 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
Third Man in is BAD BAD BAD. Bench clearing brawls used to occur in the much looser ’70s.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Some people find stars punching other people in this act exciting.
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 8, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
it only lasts a few minutes
The really good ones can go all night.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 8, 2010 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think getting rid of premeditated fights but allowing other fights will help much. The guys that want to fight will just do something to provoke it like going after Ovie like Orr did. I don’t think it would take much effort for them to create a reason.
So we’ve got a new little (week)daily feature that we’re going to try out aimed at generating discussion. Check it out here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Tyler Sloan
Caught practice this morning and couldn’t help but notice that Sloan was taking regular shifts on defense. I must say, pretty amazing for a guy who just went on IR two days before. I’d love to know how the Caps got away with that one.
one of the editors needs to delete this comment ASAP.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 8, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve never heard of an investigation into a spurious injury and IR/LTIR. Who would be upset about it if it did happen? I suppose it increases escrow.
You had me at no problem.
Well, I suppose technically it’s allowing a team to rid themselves of a useless player in exchange for one who might help them (and wherever any of us may fall on the MP85 vs. MJ90 scale, I think we all can agree that MP85 > Sloan). If he’s not really injured it’s probably some form of circumvention, because it’s allowing you to carry more players than you’d be able to otherwise.
Having said that…even if Sloan’s not really hurt (which to be fair he was out last week with some kind of injury, it’s possible he’s skating but isn’t at 100%), it’d hardly be the first time a team did that. Hell, the Caps put Nycholat on IR with “the flu” a few years ago, anyone remember that? :P
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
actually sadly Sloan isn’t useless because we are one Poti groin explosion away from needing him right now.
Raise your hand if you think Poti’s going to blow out said groin again everytime he has to make a sudden stop during a game.
during one particularly explosive start-stop on Monday, I know I groaned “Oh god, there goes his groin.”
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Last night while taking a piss in a urinal I came up with a Theory
Tyler Sloan is bad, but not as bad as everyone makes him out to be. Why?
I think most people don’t realize it but 9o% of the time they take a piss in a public bathroom they unknowgly are staring at the name SLOAN engraved in the urinal flusher, subliminally embedding the thought in all of our minds that Sloan=Excrement
by Brainumbc on Dec 8, 2010 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
pretty amazing for a guy who just went on IR two days before
… and participated fully in practice on that day, too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
maybe he’s got an “upper-body” injury, you know the kind some people get in between the ears
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
How heavy were the contact drills in the practices? If he has an UBI then maybe he was just skating to do the systems work?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Post called it a groin injury. So who the hell knows.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Buy or Sell?
Brendan Witt to the Caps on a league minimum (or close) contract as a replacement for Sloan.
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.
Apparently, it was due to a conflict with Scott Gordon.
Still, I’m selling; his footspeed is atrocious, he’s had a number of knee injuries, and I really can’t see McPhee signing him back when he refused to stick around for the rebuild. He did net us the draft pick we used on Varly, though, so that’s a plus.
He was better pre-lockout. Post-lockout, he was a terrible defenseman on terrible teams.
No thanks. I agree with Wheeler – Witt’s style of play and skating fit pre-lockout hockey not post-lockout hockey…. Didn’t see anything watching him play for Bridgeport last year either…well except when he was taking penalties.
Sell. Not without getting rid of a contract. Cap space is at a premium now, and moves still need to be made for the playoffs.
You had me at no problem.
Oh…this I didn’t think of. I still think he could outplay Sloan, but I guess he’d be tough to get on the roster.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Sell. Sell. SELL! SELL!
He was horrendous for NYI and he was almost as bad playing in the AHL. The Bears attacked his side of the ice and straight-up worked him.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 8, 2010 5:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, that’s pretty much where I’m at, too.
But then I remember that he’d replace T-Slo and I reconsider, if only briefly.
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.
Katie has Schultz as “likely [to] go on long-term injured reserve, which requires he miss a minimum of 10 games or 24 days.”
Is there any reason to do so, considering how far the Caps are from the cap max, and they have enough d-men?
BTW, the 10/24 minimum would still allow Schultz to play WC, just in case anyone wants to help the guy out with some voodoo magic.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
IR gives the team the roster spot so don’t need LTIR for that aspect of the roster and 23 active players
…following the link it says “will likely”
It’s possible there’s an insurance reason or other roster move where LTIR would be favorable, but unless they are planning to make another trade, I don’t see how LTIR helps from an actual roster/cap perspective right now as there isn’t anyone in the AHL only due to cap space right now. So I’d say Schultz to IR very likely, but to LTIR only if there is a reason.
Teams typically don’t like to place a player on LTIR unless they have to for roster/cap reasons since as noted above there is the 10/24 rule.
Looking at Philly’s cap situation, it’s interesting that they haven’t put either Ian Laperriere or Matt Walker on LTIR, even though both have had injuries that have kept them out of the lineup for an extended period of time. I’m guessing that one of those two – probably Laperriere – will go on LTIR if he’s not close to returning.
wow, I had assumed they were on LTIR and their salary situation was just that screwed up that they were close to the cap even with them on LTIR.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Becca actually tweeted about Philly and Laperiere and LTIR the other day, at least I think it was Becca. I haven’t looked into it very much, but yes, it is interesting as I had assumed he was on LTIR. I knew someone was on LTIR so I looked it up and it’s Leighton.
I believe it has to do with the number of players on the roster with potential performance bonuses this season, but I haven’t thought it all through and done any math. Still, add in the lack of a performance bonus cushion for next season and the contracts/money they have counting against the cap next year already and I believe it is a cap management issue not just about this season but next season.
Buy or Sell? Perreault and Johansson can alternate 2C/3C and both be better for it.
The knock on MP85 is that he is skilled and provides a definite spark, but only for the first few games after he gets called up. The knock on MJ90 is that he’s a rookie, and has the typical flashes of greatness balanced with the mistakes of inexperience. Both are probably a plus at 3C but too inconsistent to be a permanent 2C at this point in their respective careers.
So the proposition to Buy or Sell on: Alternate MP85 & MJ90 at every 2-3 games as the starting 2C. It provides enough opportunity for them to build chemistry with linemates and show their top-6 talent, but also gives them enough rest to avoid wearing out due to physical conditioning or mental pressure.
Thoughts?
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Buy – sort of. I’d have no problem switching them sometimes, based on how they’re doing. Each can do either one at this point, and both could learn and develop at either position. Every 2-3 games sounds a bit much, but switching them when the situation calls for it is fine.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Yes, I was upset about the Caps loss on Monday (and their other recent losses). But I recalled last year when I got into a discussion with a Hawks fan on the Senators blog during the playoffs. He referred to “Hawksitis” as the tendency to blow 3 goal leads in the third period since the Black Hawks had a tendency to do that. (One example was against us in March.) But it must have happened multiple times to them.
Yes, the same Black Hawks who won the Stanley Cup. So maybe there’s hope for us after all.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Hawksitis. Interesting. It’s true that we fans tend to have a myopic view of both the good and the bad. We celebrate when our team hurts their opponent such as the Caps did against the Hawks. And we fall into an abyss of negativity when they lose especially badly. Or worse yet against the Leafs we fall into a black hole of despair from which emits not a single ray of positive feeling about our team.
I had never really looked at that game as the Hawks imploding but rather as the Caps stepping it up in their Captain’s absence and wresting the game back from the Hawks. It’s all how one spins the narrative and from which team’s perspective.
It’s the same as with the sixty minute effort. I’ve come to the conclusion that a true sixty minute effort is like perfection—a goal but one that’s not really achievable 100%. Really the achievable goal is to seek the momentum and control but when it’s lost and the guys on a shift are scrambling then the next shift needs to do their damndest to get the momentum back and not let the scrambling last.. Or before they know it many shifts and a full ten minutes have gone by and the other team has scored. Maybe even three times.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 8, 2010 9:28 PM EST up reply actions
I guess it will be in the clips tomorrow but Holtby’s interview in SHOE is fascinating and perceptive. Nice to close out my Caps reading with warm and fuzzy thoughts about our goalies. I can only do so much despair. It’s too depressing.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
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