Capital Ups and Downs: Week 18
by J.P. on Feb 1, 2010 11:00 AM EST
in Capitals Ups and Downs
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PrintOur weekly look at individual Washington Capitals' ups and downs:
| Goalies | Trend | Notes |
| Michal Neuvirth |  |
It doesn't get more monstrous than the week Neuvy put together: 2-0-0/0.86/.974. He's now 3-0-0/1.20/.963 since getting yanked in Sunrise... and now back in Hershey. |
| Jose Theodore | |
Missed the middle of the week due to a minor injury, but ended the week 2-0-0/2.40/.915 overall and is now 7-0-0/2.08/.938 in his last seven appearances. |
| Semyon Varlamov |  |
Feeling "very, very good," armed with a new mask and likely headed to Hershey (at least that was the plan). |
| Defensemen | ||
| Karl Alzner |  |
Yo-yo'd back to Hershey after a nondescript performance on the Island. |
| John Erskine | |
A goal and an assist is a great month for Erskine, so to have one of each in Tuesday night's game was pretty remarkable. Throw in a plus-four rating and leading the team in hits in three of the four games while taking just one minor in his last five games and Big John is doing everything that's being asked of him (unless, of course, they're asking him not to make cross-ice passes in his own zone... but we'll let that slide). |
| Mike Green |  |
Two assists, plus-four... and a suspension for the kind of hit that has no place in the game. |
| Shaone Morrisonn | |
Like Erskine, Mo broke a long goal-less drought and added a helper in an otherwise uneventful week. |
| Brian Pothier | |
Returned to the lineup to face Anaheim and seems to still be working back up to game speed after two weeks off. |
| Tom Poti | |
Poti played the first 11 periods of the week without being on the ice for a goal against, ended up plus-five for the week, and added a helper on Sunday's game-winner (his tenth third-period point of the season). |
| Jeff Schultz | |
Goal, assists, plus-7 - all in a week's work for Sarge, who hasn't been on the ice for a goal against in his last three games (and hasn't been on the ice for an even-strength-goal-against in four), and didn't commit a single minor in more than 74 minutes of ice time this week. |
| Tyler Sloan | |
Did some good things in his one game this week (Sunday versus Tampa), including a couple of nice defensive efforts on Vinny and Marty. |
| Forwards | ||
| Nicklas Backstrom | |
Two goals (the second of which set a new single-season career best with 23), five assists, plus-six, 18 shots on goal and a 56.3 faceoff win percentage on the week. He's good. |
| Matt Bradley | |
No points and a minus-two rating would normally warrant a down arrow, but fighting Anaheim's Mike Brown brings Brads level. |
| Jason Chimera | |
A goal, an assist and a plus-three rating against the Isles, but little else for the week. |
| Eric Fehr | |
Like linemate Chimera, had a couple of points and a plus-three in Uniondale and then went relatively quiet. |
| Tomas Fleischmann | |
Five assists and a plus-three rating on the week, but three minor penalties and on the ice for three of the six goals the Caps allowed over the four-game span (two of which were at even strength). |
| Boyd Gordon | |
Like Flash, on the ice for half of the goals the Caps allowed on the week, but didn't chip in anything on offense to mitigate it. That said, 12-for-14 weeks on the PK - like the one the Caps just had - weren't happening too often when he was injured. |
| Mike Knuble | |
Four goals, two assists and a plus-five rating have Caps fans day-dreaming of what might be come playoff time. |
| Brooks Laich | |
Laich's two even strength goals for the week (to go along with a helper and a plus-four rating) were as many as he had in his previous 32 games. |
| Quintin Laing | |
Hasn't played since the first game of the win streak. |
| Brendan Morrison | |
A goal and an assist and not much else... which is alright for a $1.5 million third-line center. |
| Alex Ovechkin | |
Two goals, four assists and a plus-five rating aren't huge numbers for Ovi, but he gets the up arrow for playing 79:49 without being on the ice for a single goal against. In fact, AO hasn't been on the ice for a goal against in the last six games and change (more than 125 minutes of ice time). |
| Alexander Semin | |
Has his eighth and ninth two-goal games on the season (only Patrick Marleau has more) in the week's first two games and added a pair of helpers in the last two. To put that first part in perspective, Semin has as many multi-goal games this season as the Rangers' fourth-leading goal scorer has total goals. |
| David Steckel | |
You'd like to see a little more offense out of Stecks, but his two-goal/four-point January actually ties his career one-month highs in both categories. |
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That was an odd hiccup. The page kept refreshing and saying “permission denied”
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:08 AM EST reply actions
Yeah, there was a whole lotta fail going on for a moment. Odd.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
There was a bunch of extra stuff under the post (“inserts”, etc) – guessing those are some of your SBN tools for administering your blog?
Yeah, garbage. Everything cool now?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Only 1 down arrow, which seems about right.
"I am ready for his provocations"
by PaintDrinkingPete on Feb 1, 2010 11:12 AM EST reply actions
Tyler Sloan...
Did more than a “few” good things last night. Two shots on goal, and four hits (tied with Erskine)… yeah, he had a pair of giveaways, but they were balanced with takeaways, and he was a +1 on the night.
I’d say that “exceeds expectations” for Sloan, given how low expectations around here are for him…
I need a snappy signature...
I wrote “some” not “few.” I’m pretty comfortable with his grade and description, being that he only played one game. If he plays a week full of games like that, he’d probably get an up arrow, and I know that it’s beyond his control, but am sticking with what I gave him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, but a little detail on those “some good things” would have been nice. He had a really good game out there. The fact that it was his only game this week is, as you said, beyond his control.
I need a snappy signature...
He cited good work against Vinny and Marty. Write a fanpost if you want to get into exactly how good a game he had.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Feb 1, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Team toughness baby.
Damn! Looks like my women is on time.
by Bald Pollack on Feb 1, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
This blog needs a little more sandpaper.
by mechanicsville on Feb 1, 2010 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, but you can’t rate a guy on games he didn’t play.
The game he did play was better than you expected, right?
I need a snappy signature...
Actually, I’m pretty sure I can rate a guy on whatever the hell I want to rate him on.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 1, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
I didn’t mean that quite as flippant as it reads, but the fact is I would hope that Tyler Sloan would be able to come in and play decent hockey. He did that. Maybe a bit better than I expected (though he had a couple of gruesome turnovers), but in a one-game sample, I’m fine with where I have him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Although to be totally fair, in the “gruesome turnovers” department, both Ovechkin and Semin left the puck behind them several times… and those were nasty, too, even if they weren’t credited in the event summary as turnovers.
I need a snappy signature...
Semin also leads the team in goal scoring for the month and Ovechkin is Ovechkin. They more than make up for in it other areas, where Sloan probably doesn’t.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Right – both within a specific game and over the course of a week.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That is true, but their gruesome turnovers are almost never mentioned unless they lead to gruesome goals for the other team. Nobody comes out and says, “OVI, quit leaving the puck behind!” in one of these. Think what their offensive production would be if they didn’t drop the puck four times out of six! It’d be obscene!
I need a snappy signature...
I think it’s because all we ask of Tyler Sloan is to NOT turn the puck over. That’s pretty much all he has to do. Move the puck safely, hit a guy once in a while.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Right – there’s acceptable risk with guys like the Alexes. A Sloan needs to be nearly risk-free.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The game he did play was better than you expected, right?
Going from memory and from BB’s post-game presser (which I’m becoming a junkie of), he seems to be imply that if you’re a 7D and you have to come in, you should be ready, or you’re not going to be a 7D anymore. He did his job.
Damn! Looks like my women is on time.
by Bald Pollack on Feb 1, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
You got a little detail – two defensive plays. Feel free to FanPost your love letter to Sloan, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 1, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Eh, Sloan’s the new Schultz, since Mr. Nasty is racking up the +/- this year. Seems like everyone loves to rag on any lapse, but mostly ignore anything good he does…. just like people have done for the previous two years with regards to Schultz.
Sloan kicked ass yesterday. JP can do whatever he wants with his cartoon arrows, though. That’s all the discussion is about.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I think instead of arrows he should have hearts and glitter. Turn the whole thing into a middle school Lisa Frank post.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
True Story
We were doing some bullshit “what I’m thankful for” presentations in third grade, and one of the girls listed Lisa Frank as her primary.
Kids are stupid.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Ouch.
I’m still fired up about the class election we had in 5th grade where I soundly defeated the most popular girl in the class to win Class President.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
.
It was a bigger upset than “Simpson Defeats Prince”
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It’s JP’s site, and he can rank people however he wants. To me, it just seems there’s a lot of Sloan-hate around the blogosphere in general. JP isn’t the only one who constantly rags on him.
I don’t think I’m every unfairly critical of him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Only because Sloan is clearly our weakest defenseman, and it shows in the on-ice mistakes he makes. He’s a decent injury replacement, but has not proven himself worthy of a regular starting slot. The only reason he’s not in Hershey is GMGM doesn’t want to lose him for nothing.
But if he’s such a lousy defenseman that GMGM is afraid to lose him, then:
A) why was he resigned?
B) why didn’t any of the other 29 teams pick him up in the offseason as a UFA?
I need a snappy signature...
A. Who knows. I think he’s 7-8 defenseman.
B. Because he’s a 7-8 defenseman.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Feb 1, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
We spent an entire afternoon trying to figure out exactly why he was re signed.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
If anybody wants my opinion, it’s because we need inexpensive players who are serviceable at their position. Sloan can, as an injury callup, play both forward and defense; the only other guy we have on the roster who can do that is Laich. He’s a 2-for-the-price-of-a-cheap-one player. Is he the best at either position? No. But you HAVE to have some inexpensive guys on the roster if you want to keep the Backstroms, Semins, Greens, and Ovechkins well-paid. Not all teams are going to be made up 100% of perfect players; in fact, I’d go so far as to say no team can be, especially with the salary cap.
My opinion remains that Sloan has been serviceable in his position as an injury callup. He can hold the fort without completely losing a game for us. If you can point to a game where he was the sole cause of a loss, please, by all means, do so, but our losses this year have been, for the most part, team efforts, where nobody on the ice was doing his job.
I need a snappy signature...
JP will say, “Then why not league minimum?”
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Precisely. And if he’s no better (or worse) than an average AHL guy, why not bring up an average AHL guy?
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
Playing Devil’s Advocate here, since I don’t necessarily agree with the signing, the Caps’ may have put a price on knowing Boudreau’s system and proving the capability to play in it.
They definitely do. But let’s be honest – it can be learned (see Morrison, Knuble, Chimera, etc.).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He’s got the lowest salary of any defenseman on the roster; what more do you want?
I need a snappy signature...
And that includes the guys in Hershey, BTW… where he’s paid less than all but two of them this season.
Alzner – $1,675,000
Miskovic – $875,000
Finley – $850,000
Godfrey – $845,833
Carlson – $845,833
Collins – $650,000
Sloan – $640,000
Hauswirth – $545,000
P. MacNeil – $541,666
I need a snappy signature...
If I had my way, Patty MacNeill would get in a game here or there with the Caps.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Likely, but he has upside that others don’t and, perhaps more importantly, is a moveable asset that could use some exposure.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If Collins can hang, Patty could certainly hang.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I’m gonna be a douche and pull the entertainment industry into this discussion for comparison.
It’s not uncommon for “talent” held to exclusive contracts, who know they’re going to be sitting on the sidelines for a while, to get inflated salaries. If they have a good agent, they’ll fight for more money to temporarily sit on the sidelines while passing up other opportunities for more exposure with other venues.
For example, and I’m over simplifying a bit, but Jay Leno was paid $6 mil/year to be Johnny Carson’s backup. That usually meant 6 – 8 days of work a year. Obviously, some of that pay was to make up for Jay’s canceled tour dates, but it was mainly to keep Jay under NBC’s tent and not itching for his own TV show, etc. He was paid more than his TV market rate at the time to be a fill-in.
So, perhaps, during contract negotiations the issue of playing time/future came up between Sloan’s agent and GMGM’s people. It was possibly made very clear that Sloan wasn’t going to be a top 6 D-men for Washington, but GMGM and BB wanted to keep him with the team. They fairly and honorably offered him a higher than market rate salary in exchange for less playing time than he could expect for a different club.
So now, Sloan is paid more than he probably deserves to sit the bench, workout more than the regular players, and step up when one of the top 6 go down. For some players this job description is a maddening nightmare. Most would take a weaker contract for more playing time. But for guys like Sloan, it makes a lot of sense, especially if you ever want a chance to see your name on Lord Stanley’s Cup.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven back to Pittsburgh, and hear the lamentations of Sidney Crosby.
Hard to know if the analogy makes sense, but there’s a certain logic to what you say. And Sloan gets more money than he’d likely see anywhere else, and as a journeyman likely the best he’s ever going to get, so why not go for it?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Except to do that the “talent” has to have leverage, which requires actual talent. There was no reason to fear Sloan leaving for another team because he just had a chance over the summer and nobody wanted him.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
by Rob Parker on Feb 1, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I know this is a copy and paste of a dman list from one of the cap hit sites, but Hauswirth is a forward not a dman.
(and I think you know this and it just didn’t come out clearly in the post, but those are their salaries when playing in the NHL; on that list above, only Collins and Sloan are on one way contracts.
And it’s McNeill :)
I have posted elsewhere and agree, it would be nice given his steady performance overall this season with Hershey and improvements since turning pro to see Patrick McNeill given an NHL game. The biggest concern I’d have at the NHL level is the lack of upperbody/overall strength and a tendency from time to time to be caught flatfooted and beaten one on one (much less this season compared to last season.)
So after Alzner and Carlson, how would you rank the HER D in terms of prospect/call up potential?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
There aren’t many to rank.
IMO, after Alzner and Carlson, Patrick McNeill (lefty) would be the logical call-up of the NHL contracted players. Miskovic (righty) has played well as a rookie out of the NCAA and would be next after McNeill.
Collins (righty) has had an up and down season, but playing better of late, IMO, in the games I have seen. However, he has to clear re-entry waivers and is signed for another season so I don’t think he’s an option except as the last available dman because of the re-entry waiver situation.
Godfrey is in the ECHL and out with a concussion.
Finley, depending on whether one considers him a dman or forward at this point, was playing d for SC in the ECHL before the hand injury. Latest reports are that he may return to SC soon and is expected back with SC this season.
At this time, Helmer, Amadio, Yeo (in ECHL), Wellar, are playing on AHL contracts.
Thanks. I figured it was between McNeill and Miskovic. Miskovic probably needs a few more years of pro seasoning before he’ll get a serious look (if ever) and that’s fine. I saw him a little in training camp and I liked his poise with the puck and his ability to get his shots off quickly and through traffic. But his size and skating was a real liability against the NHL players out there.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
My bigger question is “why now?” Was there really a risk of Sloan not being signable at the same term this summer? Why not wait and see who’s available, who’s ready, who you get via trade, etc.?
And I think reasonable minds can differ as to just how serviceable he is. Solid game yesterday, for sure. He’s had other games where he was horribly overmatched.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The only thing I can think of is that the Caps think Sloan is more valuable in trade if he’s signed.
Cost certainty definitely increases a player’s trade value, but if anyone wanted him, they’d have signed him last summer. Has he shown much more this season than he did last year? Maybe (i.e. his ability to play F), but I’m not so sure.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If he’s “serviceable,” designed to step in at a moment’s notice (which at this point is his job), then that makes all the more sense not to give him an up arrow for doing his job.
Damn! Looks like my women is on time.
by Bald Pollack on Feb 1, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
My opinion remains that Sloan has been serviceable in his position as an injury callup. He can hold the fort without completely losing a game for us.
Which is what he did on Sunday.
Which is why he gets the
It’s not like the is an insult or anything. It means he met expectations.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Feb 1, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
B) why didn’t any of the other 29 teams pick him up in the offseason as a UFA?
My guess? Sloan wanted to stay with the organization that took a chance on him, and they offered him a one way deal. Didn’t matter what anyone else was going to offer, he wanted to stay. (he signed July 2, btw.)
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"
B is the reason why everyone is so baffled by A.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 1, 2010 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think any single person here hates the guy. Most of us are just more concerned with whether or not he deserves the minutes he has been getting or whether he should have been re-signed.
by Kolzilla on Feb 1, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
It doesn’t help that he is at best the 8th best defenseman in the organization yet still getting a sweater from time to time while a guy who is one of the 6 best defensemen and a key part of the team moving forward is playing in Hershey.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 1, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he’s holding Patty MacNeill down.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Zach Miscovic wants to know what he has to do to get some love.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Aside from the facts that we’ve been touting Schultz here for awhile and that Schultz isn’t a career minor leaguer, Sloan isn’t the new Schultz.
Damn! Looks like my women is on time.
by Bald Pollack on Feb 1, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sloan and Schultz shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence. One is a first round draft pick, the other a career AHLer that’s been lucky enough to stick around as a swingman. Schultz continues to show up-side and potential…Sloan – what you see is what you’re gonna get.
Damn… again, half a second slow…
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I could make a comment about sandpaper in the bathroom, but I won’t.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Disagree. Sloan is, at most, a serviceable 6/7 defenseman with no upside – what you see is what you get. Schultz is a young first-rounder who’s getting better by the week and has been the whipping boy for uneducated fans for years. There’s really no comparison here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Which is why when everyone is healthy/not suspended, Schultz is in the lineup and Sloan has scratched from the line up fever.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
We don’t have to have a whipping boy. We are fairly critical of players’ shortcomings. Other sites might need whipping boys, but we do not.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I wasn’t referring to this site in particular; I was referring to the fan base as a whole.
I need a snappy signature...
I think a guy needs to play in order to be a whipping boy. Hard to hate on a guy who plays so infrequently (that’s not to say, however, that it’s hard to take issue with specifics related to his contract).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Plenty of people acknowledged that Sloan played well yesterday. But he came in and gave 16 pretty solid minutes on D in one game, basically the bare minimum that you have to be able to do to hold a defensive roster spot in the NHL. Let’s not get carried away, Sloan is nowhere near as good as Schultz (and I’d be willing to wager that he never will be close).
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 1, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
I’m getting that too. I had to finally press the stop button in my browser so I could finish reading the Ups and Downs.
The best part is that the whole team would have been up or at least neutral if it weren’t for Green’s nasty hit.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Feb 1, 2010 11:14 AM EST reply actions
Is Boudreau writing these up/downs?
Second week in a row that Flash has an up arrow. During that 2 week stretch he has been on the ice for 6 of 13 GA, 5 of 11 even strength. He’s +2 during that period where we have outscored opponents by 19. He was -1 in each of the games that I’d call the big ones during that stretch (Pit, Det).
Shouldn’t the expectations be higher for our 2nd line center by now? Especially considering the 3rd line Fehr and Chimera got no movement dashes for what I thought was a pretty strong week.
/rant
I was going to give Flash an “even,” but five points in four games is a better pace than I think we’d reasonably expect from him. I was sure to note his penalties and Goals Against, but still think his offense bailed him out here. But I’d buy an “even” (and would be having a similar discussion right now about why I didn’t give him an “up”).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Fair enough. Flash has been bugging me more than most this season for this very reason. He has taken a huge step up in offensive production, but there is still definitely a pattern of him being on the ice for GA. His GAON/60 is second highest on the team behind Alzner, but he’s only behind the young guns in most offensive categories.
In fairness to him, he’s still learning the defensive responsibilities of the center position.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Except that his glaring defensive mistakes aren’t specific to being a center. It’s stuff you learn from the time you start playing team hockey. I would have given him an even, at best, for that bullshit yesterday. Clearing the zone on the PK isn’t something you have to learn when you start playing center. It’s something you know since you were a kid. And given that Flash has been PKing for a full season now (there abouts) I’d say he didn’t need to learn that lesson. He wasn’t on the ice for that second goal last night, but he was in the box, and was the single most responsible player for that goal against. That was possibly the worst play we’ve seen during this entire win streak.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Except for fumble fingers Theo, of course.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Yes. That one play was inexcusably awful. No denying it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I just wish there was a way to run controlled experiments. What would BB’s reaction have been if Fehr made that play?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Starts with “scr” and rhymes with “hatch”?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Did Gabby actually bench Flash for a shift or two late yesterday? I saw Steckel out there with Laich and Semin for at least one shift after the Bolts tied it up.
by mechanicsville on Feb 1, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
I think the production is good for our $750k LW/Center. Something like 14 pts in the last 15 games, and that having to shoulder the new added burdens & responsibilities of playing Center, which shouldn’t exactly be trivialized. He’s winning some faceoffs (and his recent draw win got him an assist).
I agree that the recent few penalties are somewhat troubling, but then again one might suggest the same about Backstrom….but who would? I think the technical stats can sometimes be misleading. I think it’s fair to give a little credit to Flash (and Brooks) for Semin’s huge surge…it’s obviously working out and Flash centering that line shouldn’t be overlooked. I think he’ll only continue to improve (and caps should lock him up for 2 yrs at 2-point something mil per).
Help him shoulder the burden and grab some credit – get an avatar.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Feb 1, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
it almost looks photo-ish, but i think it’s alex ross artwork. The trouble with quickly grabbing an image from google….
It is Alex Ross. It’s from “The Greatest Flash stories ever told” I believe. The guy is amazing.
His Justice team cover is probably one of the best comic drawings ever.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Yes
I don’t follow comics like I did when I was a kid. I had just seen this one and was awestruck by it.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Well done, sir.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Feb 1, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
Worst moment of the year.
Granted I was watching from the other end of the arena so my view wasn’t great, but from where I sat, yesterday’s PK play by Flash where he had his stick on the puck but failed to clear the zone (looked like he was contemplating skating out and just moved too slowly), then turned the puck over, then got called for a penalty leading to a 5-on-3 which eventually turned into the tying goal for the lightening — that was the single worst 5 seconds of hockey I’ve seen from a Capital all year, having seen about 45 of their games. That may have been the worst 5 seconds of hockey I’ve ever seen.
Note, even BB who has the man-crush for Flash benched him for the rest of the game. Flash has been a revelation at Center, but that alone would have earned the down arrow in my book.
Dumbest. Sequence. Ever.
Yeah, total #FlashFail there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Total lack of awareness, right? You want to skate it out, Flash, fine, but not with Vince right behind you . How many games in a row have we seen him pick one of our guys’ pocket for an odd-man advantage?
What would you do if Ovi was right behind you? Skate it out or clear?
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven back to Pittsburgh, and hear the lamentations of Sidney Crosby.
One thing I wonder about is whether his teammates were saying anything to him. Either way there is no excuse for Flash to be so nonchalant with the puck on the PK and the blame for the play is on him, but the other PKers deserve some blame if they weren’t yelling at him that Vinny was right on his back (but again, I’m not sure if that is the case).
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 1, 2010 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
In Flash's defense...
…there are probably only a dozen or so players in the NHL who have the hands and stick length to pickpocket someone like that, with Semin being our lone Caps representative. The problem is that Lecavalier is one of them too. Bad play, but I doubt Flash will ever make that mistake again.
Despised in all cities except Washington and Quebec.
I just don’t think there is any defense for hesitating with the puck on a PK at that point in the game, when you’re SO close to clearing the zone.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
Indefensible but explicable? Flash got pwned by a guy with tremendous stick and puck skills, which sometimes happens. He just can’t let it happen in such a bad situation and spot on the ice.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Indefensible AND inexplicable. You have to know who is one the ice.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven back to Pittsburgh, and hear the lamentations of Sidney Crosby.
Ehhhh…you play against Lecavalier long enough, he’s going to pick your pocket a time or two. You just want it to happen when you’re deep in their zone and trying to hold on to the puck the extra heartbeat for someone to open up. Not in your own slot on the PK with a chance at the easy clear.
Whatever.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
First post, be gentle…….
While I understand that even the best players will get their pocket picked from time to time by other great players, his reaction of immediately hooking Vinny and causing a 5-on-3 is what I find inexcusable.
by Green_with_Envy on Feb 1, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Welcome aboard. No need to be gentle on my part as I wholeheartedly agree with your post.
I see you know the deal on avatars already. Too bad Trevor Kidd wasn’t ever a Cap. You’d have had some excellent choices.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Too bad the only thing I can think about Trevor Kidd is “haahhahahahahahaha he was picked before Brodeur…. FUCK why didn’t someone pick Brodeur before NJD got him.”
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
it sure would have spared us a lot of posts from what’s-her-name lecturing about the genius of the trap, Lou, Lemaire, Marty, and how we’re all just a bunch of stupid Capitals bandwagoners who not only know nothing about hockey, but cannot understand why the New Jersey Devils are the greatest hockey organization in the history of the universe.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"
Thanks.
Yes, I have seen many a non-avatar member be roused. I was not going to make that mistake. I do remember the checkerboard looking pads Kidd wore with the Canes. While a cool pic, not avatar worthy (and a division rival at that).
Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
by Green_with_Envy on Feb 1, 2010 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt as far as exaggeration goes, but if that is the dumbest sequence you have ever seen, stick around and watch hockey for awhile. I assure you you’ll see some other bad things, if not from the Caps.
Granted, it was a dark moment in an otherwise productive season for Flash. But seriously…we’ve seen similar moments from Semin, Ovi, Green, etc…perhaps not ALL at such untimely moments. In any event, at least it was in a game where he had 2 assists (including one, stemming from the original between-the-legs back pass, that was quite nifty IMO) which at least helped balance his boneheaded gaffe.
Anyhow, I guess the silver lining is that we’re having this discussion where the play didn’t actually lead to a loss….
Probably doesn’t change his rating at all, but a B-Mo stat worth noting: a 54.9% in the dot this week.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
B-Mo out on the point for the power play yesterday reminded me of how well he did there last Nov. when Ovi was out. He may not have Greenie’s slapshot, but his passing skills, and the way he’d control the pace (allowing the others down low to shift around) were outstanding.
While true, at the same time, I hate the 5 forward PP.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Ditto. I’m fully expecting a SHG against in the next couple of games. I find Ovi more high risk/high reward at the point than I’d like. Ovi + BMo? Shudder.
essentially Green makes it a 5-forward PP anyway.
If you ask me… B-Mo protects the line and holds more pucks in than Green does in the first place. Most of the time when the shorties start happening Green pinches or just tries to use his stick to stop pucks from being cleared… B-Mo uses his hands, feet, stick and legs.
I did my part to make the Rink proud at the game yesterday – met a Schultz hater in the pretzel line (trade him, send him to Hershey, worst defenseman on the team, etc.), and gave him an epic statistical smakedown. He was still attempting to spew the usual bullshit when I walked away, but it felt damn good.
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
by kellobellow on Feb 1, 2010 2:42 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Some poor bastard in a Rangers jersey was getting roasted in the men’s room by section 112 during the second intermission of the Florida game. Oof.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Must have been very emasculating for him.
How much longer can this shit go on, by the way? Dude is up around the top of the league in +/-. Even a dummy should be able to grasp that.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
HE DoeNST HIT anyONE!
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
I try :)
My favorite part was the “what the hell is that?” look I got when I mentioned GAON/60… my response was something along the lines of “oh sorry, I’m a mathematician, I always forget people don’t know that term…”
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
If you had mentioned GVT his head might have exploded.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
I like your nurse's uniform, guy.
These are O.R. scrubs.
O.R. they?
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 1, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Have you ever tried to score a Goal Versus Threshold? It’s not as easy as it looks.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Feb 2, 2010 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
Statistical smakedowns are the best smakedowns.
"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 1, 2010 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
Second best
After Carbomb smakedowns. How’s the jersey looking?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
The jersey’s fine. Two cycles in the wash and all was well. And you talk pretty big for only winning by a fraction of a second. Live it up while you can, old buck.
"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 1, 2010 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
A fraction of a second is plenty of time in a CarBomb race. And I will.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
I’m debating coming on Saturday. Perhaps a rematch is in order.
"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 1, 2010 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
You jokers can fight for second place.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 1, 2010 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Because statistical smakedowns don’t stop?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Feb 2, 2010 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
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