I actually buy it. I’ve gotten 2 texts at the same time before and never realized there was second message in my inbox. Heck I’ve forgotten to turn my phone on period on occasion. Of course, whatever the reason is there is no excuse and you gotta pay the penalty when you are late.

The former. I think the guys routinely arrive an hour early to warm up, stretch out, eat, work out, etc.

I assume this is because you have to get all tuned up and warmed up on your own?

That’s a big part of it, but another is just reliability, and I think a lot of pretentiousness.

And an all-star backline doesn’t guarantee you a Cup, either. It cuts both ways. There’s something else that you need to have to win a Cup, a quality that I can’t quite put words to – unity is close but doesn’t cover all of it. Ruthlessness also covers part of it. It’s something that Detroit had the year before and Pittsburgh had last year, and that I didn’t see in the Caps last year but I do see this year.

I think so too. The main question is, what would Nashville want? They’re a budget-strapped team, and rumor has it that re-signing Hamhuis is unlikely. I don’t see them looking at the baby goalies; between Rinne and Ellis, they’re pretty well set in goal, and Rinne’s a youngster, so they will be for a while. My guess would be scoring, a Fehr or Flash type. Do you think they’d be happy with someone like Matty Perreault or Andrew Gordon?

Killing off that 2-man power play at the start of the 3rd was the momentum shifter.

Exactly. At some point the Caps are going to have to make room for prospects to try their hand in the AHL/NHL. And to do that, they’ll need to move prospects/players for other assets.

The ultimate goal for the Caps is to win the Stanley Cup, and if moving a few players/prospects increases their chances of doing so, they should make that move.

Agreed. We could probably make trades out of Hershey, and should, but I’d be hesitant about moving the NHL roster as it stands too much.

I actually don’t think there’s much tradeable talent in Hershey. I think the team is unlikely to move Alzner, Carlson, Varlamov, Neuvirth or Holtby. The AHL veterans like Aucoin and Giroux aren’t very attractive in trade. And that leaves second-tier prospects like Kyle Wilson, Andrew Gordon, Matthieu Perrault and Oskar Osala. Every one of those guys has a knock on him that suggests that finding a full-time job on a good NHL team will be tough.

I think prospects elsewhere, like Orlov, Kugryshev, Broda, and Johansson are much more tradeable, in that the Caps would be more willing to lose them and other teams would be more interested in taking them.

it does teach the young guys how to win, and get them in the mindset of expecting to win. That being said, we have plenty of assets we could trade. The caps need to make room in Hershey for Eakin and Della Rovere next season

I’d note that only about half the Hershey team are legitimate NHL prospects.
Hershey plays a lot of minor league talent that probably wouldn’t make the NHL. Quite a few of the Caps best prospects are still in juniors or other leagues.

I agree with you, but I think that the interest among many fans lies in removing all doubt, which will never happen.

The only caveat I’d throw into the “25-7” analysis is that opposing defenses are going to tighten up in the playoffs. There are going to be times when the Caps have to win 2-1. So while you’re right Peerless that it’s probably not absolutely crucial to make trade, an upgrade on D would still be welcome IMO.

This is a great point. We as fans fall in love with certain players and see them as key parts of their team.

In ’91, the Penguins traded away John Cullen (who was leading their team in scoring and went on to a 110-point season). In ’92, they traded away two future Hall-of-Famers in Coffey and Recchi.

In ’94, the Rangers traded Mike Gartner, one of the most consistent scoring forwards of all time, and a 23-year-old Tony Amonte.

In ’96, the Avs traded for Patrick Roy.

In ’06, the Canes brought in two veteran forwards in Recchi and Weight.

Last year, the Pens got Geurin and Kunitz.

(These are just off the top of my head.)

What I’m saying is, the team you see now is probably not going to be the team that goes into the playoffs. Whether that means it’s a defenseman (probably) or a goalie (possibly), a move is going to get made.

It it too bad we can’t play the game against Chicago prior to the trade deadline. That will be a good measuring stick game, to see how we stack up against a potential WC opponent.

Interesting (although you didn’t ask me). Orlov and a late first rounder is not negligible value.

But I would pull the trigger pretty quickly, to tell you the truth.

In a word, yes. I’m not saying that the Caps won’t deal, but their universe has become much narrower in the past couple of months. I suspect that they might have one or two players they might target at a very specific price. They don’t have to cast a wider net or give up more of the farm a smuch as other teams might to be more competitive this year.

That is a great deal for both teams, and I’m sure McPhee would jump at that. Neidermeyer would really help Green, I think. While not a physical defenseman, he’s so good positionally (like Lidstrom) in his own end.

I’d probably go for that. But I have trouble believing another team asks for (accepts) Morrisonn, and he’s the only roster D-man I’d be willing to get rid of. (OK, maybe Sloan, but he’s probably got even less value.)

I think our problems with the Rags last time was a slow start. With the increased traffic in front of Hank and the experience we got last year, I wouldn’t expect a repeat.

I’d be okay with Boston. They don’t have as many weapons as Philly and we can handle either Thomas or Rask.

I wouldn’t mind playing the Rangers again, but I really could do without their fans.

my thoughts exactly. Plus guys like Ryan Malone aren’t exactly pushovers.

A garbage Ninja?

Been home since Saturday night and going completely stir crazy and insane. I am going to go shovel my neighbor’s driveways just to give me something to do. How much is it supposed to snow anyway? Looks like we have about 5 so far.

melting the snow with lasers!

You did yourself a favor. He’s hopeless.

A good question, but one that will likely go unanswered. I suppose, once the numbers are released, you get take the ratings for DC and use that to estimate the number of extra people that might have been watching, but obviously that’s not a science.

That’s why we might not necessarily need it. The only one I can really think of off the top of my head is Bubbles.

But I don’t really keep up with the nickname business.

(I was being verysarcastic. I do not see NJ as the strongest team. Not in the slightest.)

Damnit I thought I had replied with a bit more in depth. But a good indicator is how much space the goal scorer has. In the Pittsburgh game, the scorer was relatively unmolested on all 4 goals. That points to blown coverage whether it be a winger not covering the high slot, or a D man chasing the puck or simply not being in position.

All players are taught from a young age to never play with it at the blue line (either one). If it’s a turnover at the defensive blue line that points to some pretty piss poor D.

I don’t necessarily consider losing battles down low bad D. Depending on the situation it may simply be a very good forecheck. Often it’s a combination of the two (bad D, good O).

So, you consider the first part of the breakout technically defense?

I’ve seen a couple ECHL games, one in San Diego and one in Florida. Attendance depends on the team’s history in the market and how teams are currently playing just like in other pro leagues. Some teams draw great and some struggle to draw.

I think you are correct that Neuvy and Holtby are the only guys who played for the Rays and suited up for the Caps.Caps affiliation with the Rays is relatively new. I believe it began in 2006. The one other guy I know of for sure who played for the Rays and now plays in NHL is Rich Peverley.

I think I went to an Icebreakers game once.

Used to go to those games a lot.

PPP would cry.

Yeah, right now our “goalie situation” is two that have been playing very well recently, and one that was playing very well before getting injured. All three won’t realistically keep up incredible numbers, but I don’t see it as a bad situation.

To add to your reasons, I’d add that keeping all three together for this brief period allows Irbe to coach all 3 of the goalies at once.

Good point. Since it was the Caps intention to have Neuvy qualify for AHL play during the Olympics, I think that is likely.

After the game tonight, and after the snow stops….

Can’t find where I read it, but I heard Brads.

Jason Chimere not on the ice this am. Last two lines changed up a bit: Fehr-B. Morrison-Bradley and Laing-Steckel-Gordon.

They now couldn’t afford to bench Green for disciplinary reasons. 5 blue lines. No spares. Somehow I don’t think we’d press a goalie into service on the blue line.

Could get sliced from a skate.

Tonight’s motivation. Montreal is a possible first round playoff opponent.

Yea, but I have preferences.

Yes, they have. They’re still playing good hockey and Brian Elliott has been lights-out for them. Montreal probably won’t win missing Cammalleri but they’ll make Ottawa think.

honestly, spots 2-5 are all up for grabs. The Pens are nipping at the Devils, and Ottawa has the same number of points as Buffalo (but has played more games). At this point, Washington will be #1. We know who will be 2-5, but no idea what order. 6-13 is a crap shot.

Yeah, I know, it’s interesting. I’m diametrically on the other side, here.

Have we gotten word on Emery yet? All I could get yesterday was that he was having an MRI due to stiffness in his hip. The GM said it was not a short term problem. Not that I believe him.

Anyway, even if Emery is broken I don’t see Leighton as a huge downgrade.

Note that I’m not predicting massive success for the Flyers here – I’m just saying they hold off the Habs (big injury problems, no scoring) and the Lightning (bad defense, inconsistent) for the 6th seed. I keep thinking the underachieving superstars will right the ship, to tell you the truth.

haha, yes, the Rangers, I think the’ll pull it together at the end of the season but they wont be able to handle us in the first round, (hopefully)

I think the Isles are a better team than the Rangers.

I’m assuming that was tongue in cheek.

Yeah man! I was supposed to come home for that game but the snow prevented that. Instead I got to watch it with 4 pens fans…after they gave me so much shit in the second period, Ovi got his hat trick and I ran into their room and threw my hats at them lol.