Caps reassign Alzner, Carlson and Neuvirth
"The Washington Capitals have assigned defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson and goaltender Michal Neuvirth to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. All three players have split this season between Washington and Hershey. " - Release
almost 2 years ago
J.P.
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Counting tonight’s home game, the Bears have nine matches before the Caps play another game on March 3. That should be good experience for the kids.
But the Caps need to be a little careful here. Alzner has played 51 pro games this year (30 for the Bears, 21 for the Caps), Carlson 46 (39 Bears, 7 Caps), and Neuvirth 33 (16 Bears, 17 Caps). Caps have 20 games left on the season. That means if the kids play the full nine, Alzner will end up with 80 GP in his second pro season, and Carlson with 75 in his first pro season. (I don’t worry so much about Neuvy, since he ain’t playing 29 more regular season games this year anyway).
I do worry about the young defensemen burning out, as young players often do. Add the fact that they’ll face three back-to-backs (counting tonight) and another stretch of three games in a row, and this could really affect their conditioning. I’m not saying two weeks entirely off would be better, but I will be watching the Bears to see how they manage ice time. I’d like to see Alzner and Carlson get at least one night off during this stretch.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Feb 14, 2010 10:04 AM EST reply actions
That means if the kids play the full nine, Alzner will end up
Left out a clause — I’m talking about if they play the full 9 in Hershey and 20 remaining in Washington (29 total).
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Feb 14, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
carlson played a bunch of games in WJC too.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Alzner split 78 games between here and Hershey last year, so I’d hope conditioning wouldn’t be a probiem for him as much as it might be for Carlson.
"Where are we going Morty?"
"Back to the boatyard. Somebody's about to get a fucking slap."
by Bald Pollack on Feb 14, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
Well I think that’s part of the reason Carlson won’t be here for the playoffs, and the way they’ve handled it I’d be shocked if Alzner is as well at this point. Don’t forget Carlson’s WJC games. Sure, they weren’t against men, but they were still games in which he played a ton of ice and in pretty intense competition (at least 3 of them were).
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Haha I was like WTF
Then I remembered there was the break
by washfan29 on Feb 14, 2010 10:06 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I know what you mean. But that was the Caps plan over all — to send the kids down during break.
The Caps figure the kids can benefit more from playing than having a week off.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Yeah I know
I just forgot the break was now and was still thinking there would be a game in a couple of days
by washfan29 on Feb 14, 2010 10:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yes!
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Feb 14, 2010 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
The rookies looked like rookies last night. Their skating is obviously an upgrade, but they made some rookie plays and looked a little more rattled than the vets. I think that’s why GMGM doesn’t want two rookies on the team for the playoffs. Those were the jitters I was hoping Alzner would work out of his system by playing in the NHL for most of the season, but he didn’t get that opportunity. It’s probably too late now. I expect both of them to help HER go for back to back Calder Cups this year, barring injury. Next year they should start on the Caps on opening night.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Those were the jitters I was hoping Alzner would work out of his system by playing in the NHL for most of the season, but he didn’t get that opportunity.
I’ve felt the same way all along, and I am beyond annoyed that his time was mismanaged the way it has been this season. Not good for him, probably not the best thing for the Caps either.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Feb 14, 2010 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
Not good for the Caps this year as it means he won’t be able to help in the playoffs as much as he would otherwise. But I don’t think it’s going to hurt his development at all. It’s much more dangerous to rush a D than to go too slowly. He’ll be a little overcooked when he gets to the NHL but that’ll just mean he’ll be more confident and have more experience with a variety of situations (and keep his cap hit lower for another year or two at least). DET is notorious for doing this and it hasn’t seemed to hurt them.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
DET is notorious for doing this and it hasn’t seemed to hurt them.
I’m not so sure it helps them, either. At least not with respect to their D.
Lidstrom was an a DET draftee, but that was a loooong time ago. Rafalski was an FA, Kronwall is probably the best example of overcooking a prospect and having it work out, Stuart was a trade, Ericsson has regressed hugely this season, Lilja was a Kings draft pick who broke into the NHL with FLA, Lebda is (somewhat) servicable and Meech looks like DET’s version of Tyler Sloan (statwise, can’t say I’ve paid close enough attention to his game to make that judgement).
Last year, I would have agreed, but I’m not so sure now.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Feb 14, 2010 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
Lebda and Meech aren’t exactly beloved by the winged whackos.
The thing with Detroit is they let their European draftees spend their time in the Euro leagues, so its hard to get a handle on those guys until they pop up in Detroit. But, imo, their system is a little weak right now. AFAIK, they don’t have that “next” D man in the system (certainly not in Grand Rapids). And as everyone has seen this season, their guys in Grand Rapids are unable to step up they way the Hershey guys do for Washington. Bear call-ups are, at the very least, serviceable. In Detroit, they pray that a call up doesn’t fuck up so spectacularly it makes from page at nhl.com. (of course, their big guns haven’t stepped up at all this season, either)
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!"
Maybe. Hopefully.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Feb 14, 2010 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
Mismanaged? Alzner couldn’t be called up due to cap issues until nyls was moved. Recall that he was brought up pretty quickly after the moved nyls. I thought he did ok but the team already had 7 dmen up here and alzner was the only one with options. I’m thinking they will move at least one dman (shamo) and Karl will get his chance. He’s had enough time up here to be more than ready for the playoffs.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Feb 14, 2010 8:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yes, in my opinion, mismanaged. It feels like he’s spent more time traveling between Washington and Hershey than playing for either. Which means he’s not developing chemistry or stability in Washington. I know the systems are the same, but the personnel aren’t — and Washington’s where he ought to be spending his career.
This has been my theory all along.
I’m an Alzner fangirl. Realistically, I want to see him here around Thanksgiving. If we have to wait until March to make the space, we’ve definitely waited too long.
We can probably expect that he’ll have ups and downs for his first few weeks, and I think he needs time to shake out the kinks, lose momentum during the Olympic break, and regain his composure before the playoffs start.
by CapitalCentre on Nov 5, 2009
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Feb 14, 2010 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
i agree that it would be best for him to stay up with the big club. but again, the team was in a bit of a pickle early on because they couldnt afford to keep him up here. without rehashing the nylander saga, the team just didnt have the option or ability to keep him up here until that was resolved. so they did what they could do until they had the space for him. i firmly believe he will be up here for good after the trade deadline…
to say he was mismanaged suggests that the team intentionally messed with him when they could have done things differently. in this case, i dont think they could have done it much differently
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Feb 15, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
It is fair to say he’s been mismanaged since Nylander came off the Cap.
The only thing keeping him down was the fact that BB and GMGM (inexplicably) believe the Caps have 7 NHL level D men.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 15, 2010 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks, I think that’s what I was getting at.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Feb 15, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 8:45 AM EST)
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