Tuesday Caps Clips: The Gang's All Here
by J.P. on Mar 2, 2010 6:42 AM EST
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Alex Ovechkin is back on the job and - wait for it - talking with the media. How about that? [Corey Masisak, Corey Masisak, CI, Alex Ovetjkin]
- Ovi: "I must admit, I want to win." Good to know. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- Jose Theodore talks about losing his son. Heart-breaking read, to say the least. [WaPo (with "Saves for Kids" charity information here)]
- Theo and his teammates are now focused on the weeks - and months - ahead. [Corey Masisak]
- Nicklas Backstrom's Olympic performance draws rave reviews. [Puck Daddy]
- "Ovie, on the other hand, folded like an umbrella during the quarterfinal against Canada." [The Hockey News]
- Along those lines (but completely detached from reality), Michael Wilbon on February 10: "Ovechkin is the best player in the NHL right now." Michael Wilbon on March 1: "Right now, Ovechkin would need a telescope to see Crosby, who's that far ahead in this race." Reactions to Wilbon's over-the-top and inaccurate bloviating (yes, there's more... much more) from Peerless, D.C. Sports Bog, RMNB and in this FanShot.
- Shaone Morrisonn doesn't like Sidney Crosby. There's a pretty good chance that Sidney Crosby doesn't know who Shaone Morrisonn is. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- "A lot of guys call me Sniper, because of my ability to score." - Matt Bradley (who also goes by "Mr. Offense") [DCist]
- Bruce Boudreau has been one tremendously successful regular season coach in the NHL so far. [Puck Prospectus]
- Looking ahead to the stretch run... [Homer McFanboy]
- ... one featuring a favorable schedule for the Caps... [On the Forecheck]
- ... that opens with an interesting March. [RtR]
- And what would the stretch run be without Rage's Eastern Conference Playoff Tracker, an annual rite of spring of Stravinsky proportions? [FanPost]
- Puck Daddy has a prediction: "Alex Ovechkin will edge Sidney Crosby by one goal for another Richard Trophy." JP has a prediction: If that happens, this will be the most popular page on NHL.com. [Puck Daddy]
- Hey, power rankings are back, with the Caps holding the top spot at Sportsnet and CBS Sports.
- Lightning blueliner Kurtis Foster dislikes the Caps more than any team in the League (good) and calls the Verizon Center the toughest arena to play in "because of the fans" (great). [Raw Charge]
- Owner's Corner. With the Owner. But no corners, really. [Caps365 (video)]
- A Q&A with George McPhee, in which he reveals exactly whom he's targeting at the deadline and what he's willing to move in return. Right. [CI]
- A look at the Caps' trade deadline options and an argument for not trying to upgrade the team down the middle. [DCEx]
- The Flyers are lookin' to deal and may be interested in Milan Jurcina, "a tough-as-nails d-man." I guess there are less accurate things you could write about Juice. [CSNPhilly]
- And speaking of Jurcina, "[b]elieve it or not, one of the teams thought to have interest is the Washington Capitals." [BJX]
- On this date back in 1992, the Caps acquired Paul MacDermid from Winnipeg for Mike Lalor so, um, there's organizational precedent for a March 2 trade.
- "Absurd Goalie Monday" featuring Jim Carey. [The Strangest One of All]
- A nice keepsake from Mike Knuble's appearance in Baltimore. [FanShot]
- Hammer + nail head = Duhatschek (for today, at least). [CTV]
- Great pics from the Bears' "Capitals Night" jersey auction, including Braden Holtby looking like someone who should be doing your taxes (and/or complaining about someone stealing his stapler), not stopping pucks. [Caps In Pictures]
- Happy 48th birthday, Peter Andersson.
- Finally, last evening I did a phoner with Mick Kern that will air on XM204's "The War Room" today some time after 11:00 AM. Check it out to see what I sound like with a massive head cold (two words: dead sexy).
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Braden Holtby looking like someone who should be doing your taxes (and/or complaining about someone stealing his stapler)
He looks like he’s going to play “Stork” in the remake of Animal House. No wait… and extra in the TV show, “Glee”… no wait, the new “Todd” from SNL (“that’s a stunning housecoat you’re wearing, Mrs. Loopner…”)
If you've read this far...seek help.
Pinizzotto… “bid on this shirt, or I’ll kill you”
Miskovic… “open an account today, and you get this free gift”
A. Gordon… “Hey, ma… look whut I found down at thuh feed store”
Perreault… “Is this the audition for the remake of ‘Love Story?’”
Alzner… “PICK ME PICK ME PICK ME!!!”
Amadio… “ok, am I holding this right?”
Giroux… “the last puppy in the litter…”
McNeill… “she’s cute…”
Wellar… “I’m happy to accept this gift as salesman of the month…”
Bouchard… “Winner of the Bobcat Goldthwait Lookalike Competition for the fourth straight year!”
Bacashihua… “look, it’s even spelled right!”
Dubuc… " ok, go ahead…release the bull!"
Bourque… " they woke me up to hold a SHIRT?!"
Laing… “Bond…James Bond”
Carlson… “I know, I know… I’m cool”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 2, 2010 7:38 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Sloan… “I’m pretty sure a #5 Caps jersey with my name on it is a pretty eggregious jersey foul, but whatevs.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 2, 2010 8:13 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
was that his jersey number or his rank amongst the six hershey dmen? they really need to retire that number on all caps related jersey’s even if its his number in hershey..
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 2, 2010 8:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Crosby looks like a baby seal in that pic…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 2, 2010 7:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
.
Or
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 7:23 AM EST up reply actions
In all seriousness, do you guys ever get tired of Steinberg working Crosby into his articles? It’s mind-blowing how often he makes it happen. The guy thinks the hockey season starts in January (when the Redskins are done playing), and then he mentions Crosby in 75% of his articles. I don’t know why you give him the time of day.
Same reason The Pensblog mentions AO in 75% of their posts. Its entertaining.
Speaking of Pensblog, I like how they referred to John Erskine this morning as “Joel Erskine”….very Chris Jericho.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 7:43 AM EST up reply actions
Who is Joel Erskine? Intentional mistake?
I have a love-hate relationship with the Pensblog, as I have explained in the past. I just have a hate-hate relationship with Steinberg. It just bugs me that this guy doesn’t mention hockey even when the Caps are tearing up the league, unless the Redskins are done. Oh well. Whatever keeps the hits coming, I guess.
Right. Combine him with Wisebon, and you’ve got three sports writers who overlook/neglect the only team in town doing something, the latter two apparently like to tweak the fanbase of said team. The lack of coverage past the beat tells me how much they think people truly care about the team. I don’t need to go back there! when much more quality stuff is being done elsewhere.
! = except for DC United stuff.
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
Its still a “Redskins Town” unfortunately in terms of hits and popular perception. I’m sure you can empathize being in Pittsburgh during Steelers season.
Seriously…Mike Shanahan can fart and it would make the front page of the Post. And its why Larry Michael has an entire show that airs every day on Comcast Sportsnet, even during offseason, where its just him sitting around talking to Rick Doc Walker for a half an hour.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 7:59 AM EST up reply actions
and there is no company man like Larry Michael. He’ll say the sky is burgundy if he thought it had something to do with the skins.
Its cute when Sonny comes out and predicts the Redskins will win every week. Michael is pure evil.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:08 AM EST up reply actions
That’s true. I am actually very impressed with the coverage the Penguins get in the Pittsburgh newspapers, even during Steeler season. However, that won’t change the fact that it is still a “Steeler Town.”
Although I did catch an interesting Caps show on Comcast Sports Net last night as I was flipping through the channels. I could listen to Brooks Laich interviews all day. That guy is hilarious.
Just curious, how long did it take for the newspaper coverage of the Pens to get to the current level? I imagine it wasn’t at the same quality in 2003-2004, and I’m guessing it gradually built up as the Pens got Crosby, got out of the basement, then became contenders and won the Cup.
If that is the case then there may be hope for Washington papers as the Caps are currently on a similar, but lagged, trajectory.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 2, 2010 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
I’m guessing it gradually built up as the Pens got Crosby, got out of the basement…
I thought he was still in the basement??
/cheap shot
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 2, 2010 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If you’re questioning why Caps fans bother reading him, I’m really curious why a Pens fan reads him.
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.
because Steinberg is like catnip to them?
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!"
Or rub their heads on the floor?
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
Does anyone else find it weird people drug their cats?
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
We have to. He’s got bad asthma and he only has 3 teef left.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
mine likes beer. keeps trying to shove his face in my mug.
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
by ns on Mar 2, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
My cat will try to drink anything left unattended.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
my mom’s cat will maul you to get bacon. I once caught her with her face shoved into a can full of bacon grease.
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!"
Mine too, although they’ll then turn up their nose and walk away if it’s carbonated.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Yeah.. she’s mainly after water and milk. It’s gotten to the point where if you leave the room and don’t take your cup, you probably should just get a new one when you come back.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Sometimes its the only way to catch them to get them in a carrier. Once they know your trying to take them somewhere they will hide and run, and a cat that doesn’t want to be caught can pretty much disapear, so its easier to just spread catnip on the floor, lure them out and get them when their stoned.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
I’m such a dog person, cats are too sassy for me.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
too sassy for you?
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!"
I can’t deal with the excess sass, I have enough of my own.
Also I like that dogs poop outside, that’s just me.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
My cat became my all-time hero when he pooped during my wife’s spanish class.
My wife: “I’m…i’m sorry…did Tommy just fart?”
Kids: “No! He pooped!!!!!!!”
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
The Bog’s driven by page hits, and apparently nobody wants to read about hockey during football season (paraphrasing his words). So this guy isn’t going back to the Bog anytime soon.
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
Eh…I still check it out from time to time just for headlines. I like Steinberg.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 7:48 AM EST up reply actions
About as tired as I get of Seth Rohrbaugh ripping Caps at every turn, which is to say, yes, it gets tiring.
That said, I think the “guy thinks the hockey season starts in January,” etc. stuff is unfair and inaccurate. Dan does a great job, but he also has a base he plays to at times.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Other than the Mike Green comments, I don’t think he does it that often. Maybe I just haven’t been reading as much lately. Really, the worst thing he has said about the Caps is his “Paper Champions” rant, which was just in response to Uncle Ted’s gloating. But that topic doesn’t really pertain to this thread, as it is over 2 months old already.
He kills Ovi, Green and Ted every chance he gets. It’s a shame, too, b/c he’s really good when not sucking up to the PensBlog crowd.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I will have to look for that more. Truthfully, I haven’t read his stuff too much. He was my go to place for news roundups, and would always have them posted by 6 or 7am. He has been slipping. By the time he posts them, I have already gotten my fix.
Definitely true – it’s mid-afternoon and it’s a huge collection of AP Photos. Sweet, I guess.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Dan does a great job, but he also has a base he plays to at times.
and during hockey season, it’s Pittsburgh fans who take the bait every single time and click on his stuff a bazillion times and post countless rants in the comments. In a page view count driven world, he’s found his golden ticket for January-April.
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!"
There’s something to people being played like fiddles that is both amusing and disturbing.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
, it’s Pittsburgh fans who take the bait every single time and click on his stuff a bazillion times
Bingo, insult Pittsburgh during the hockey season and the page counts explode.
Ted Leonsis Used to Recommend: http://capsnut.blogspot.com/
Everybody Wang Chung......
Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
Reposted from the FanShot
a gut punch. Just horrible.
BTW, here is the info on how to donate the Theo’s organization, Saves For Kids.
by RedBirdie on Mar 1, 2010 7:16 PM PST
I may donate something soon. I have a very close friend whose son was born premature and with other very serious problems, and the kid is now a normal 5-year-old. Amazing how randomly things like this can strike, and how random the outcomes can be.
If y’all wanted to put some kind of benefit or contest together to raise some cash, I’d definitely be in. Not sure what it would be. The 10¢ per post on a GDT has been done — it’d be fun to come up with something new and creative in that vein.
Perhaps we can do "60 for 60?" — get 60 people to pledge a certain amount or something like that?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 2, 2010 8:50 AM EST up reply actions
How ‘bout a price-per-save by any Caps goalie during their 5-game homestand that starts on Thursday? BB is going to get both his netminders some game action, I’d imagine. And we’re all part of one team.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
sounds like a great idea. People can decide what level they’re comfortable with. Like, person A might say “I’m donating 50 cents for every save” while Person B say “I’m in college and broke, but I can swing 5 cents per save.”
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!"
And let’s make sure it covers both goalies. No reason to take away from the charity when Varly gets a start.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 2, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
What Theo’s been able to do this season at a position that requires 100% concentration has been remarkable. I’ve got a buddy who lost a son two years ago and he’s never been the same since. When Theo went into that tailspin around Christmas, I wondered if the loss of his child was a major factor. Looks like it was.
ok, gang, FanPost for donations is up. make sure you rec it so it can stay on the front page as long as possible.
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!"
Steinberg making Wilbon look foolish makes me happy.
by Battenburg Baron on Mar 2, 2010 7:42 AM EST reply actions
At some point, even attacking him FJM-style, it just gets tiring. I’m so over the whole Crosby-Ovechkin thing.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
So am I. To me, trumpeting that Crosby has a Cup and a medal and Ovechkin doesn’t, therefore Crosby is better, is a slap in the face of the teams Crosby played with. Hello, this is a team sport, and Team Canada was absurdly stacked. Crosby’s had all the luck so far, bluntly.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
by gotsparkly on Mar 2, 2010 8:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
as annoying as it is to hear the arguement, its a valid one. And one we won’t hear the end of until Ovie brings home some team hardware.
I don’t think it is for the reasons stated above. You’ll hear it anyway, but I don’t think it’s all that valid. Crosby doesn’t have any of the individual awards – to me that points to him having the good fortune to play on better teams and that he by himself has less to do with that.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
by gotsparkly on Mar 2, 2010 8:15 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
lol crosby maeks his team better thats why they won gold n cups lol
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Ovehchicken doeznt bckchek. Geicoc aveman!!!!! gO Pens@!
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:31 AM EST up reply actions
I didn’t go to college, but if you’re comparing individuals , should not individual achievements be mentioned? Pearson, Hart, Ross, Calder. They must be pretty close in those, right?
Or, if you’re comparing individuals by team results, why not highlight crosby’s Conn Smythe trophy last spring, and show how he was the tip of Canada’s spear throughout Vancouver?
Oh. Nevermind.
by redlineblue on Mar 2, 2010 8:52 AM EST up reply actions 7 recs
There is something to be said about players who do win championships and Olympic golds though. It’s not a tiebreaking who’s better argument, but it does, for example, make a guy like Scott Niedermayer a HoF lock lock.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Mar 2, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
John Elway had to watch Joe Montana win four Super Bowls. Peyton Manning had to witness Tom Brady win three.
While those two athletes crafted incredible careers, they always had to answer questions about the team accomplishments of their rival. Fans of Elway and Manning would always point to statistics and individual awards, but Montana and Brady supporters had those Super Bowl rings.
This was a good perspective on the whole “but Sydney’s got a ring” argument at this stage in their careers. Elway lacked the supporting running game and Manning lacked a defense for awhile and that colored their performance in the playoffs while not taking anything away from their individual merits.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Its “Sidney”
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
Eh, no matter what A.O. does, they’re always going to find some way to claim that Crosby is bitter…er…better.
Notice how after Canada stomped Russia in the quarterfinals people stopped talking about the lousy, two-bit, no-talent hacks Crosby had to endure as his linemates?
Ted Leonsis Used to Recommend: http://capsnut.blogspot.com/
Everybody Wang Chung......
Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
Reading that Wilbon column, I’m trying to figure out which of his comments is more delusional.
First, there’s this one:
All these folks writing and talking about the Winter Olympics and I haven’t seen a word of criticism directed at Ovechkin, famous as he is.
Ah, Mike, what alternate universe have you been living in these past 14 days? But as ridiculous as that Wilbon statement is, I thought this one was even more outrageous:
Ovechkin is damn lucky he’s not black and playing basketball; my brethren in the national (and local) media would have put on their Sunday church robes and preached him to death by now. We’d have read about “those thug basketball players” and such.
So now it’s all about race, Mike? How sad Wilbon’s life must be that everything has to be viewed through a black and white prism, even when it involves a Russian hockey player.
Wow. That skirts dangerously close to a racist remark.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
I don’t even understand what the hell he’s trying to say there.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Me either, I don’t see a premise or a conclusion.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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You fools!
Mike’s pointing out how pushing a camera in Vancouver, bringing guns to the locker room, shooting yourself at a nightclub with an unlicensed handgun, and buying land to slaughter dogs all are roughly equivalent, except the camera-pusher is white.
I can’t stay here and explain every little thing. Jeez.
by redlineblue on Mar 2, 2010 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
It always seems to be about race with Wilbon, even when it isn’t. What’s ironic is this is a guy who grew up in an upper-middle class suburb of Chicago, went to private schools and graduated from Northwestern. I’m sure he’s experienced his share of racism, but it almost seems like he’s trying to gain street cred within the black community by constantly ranting on the subject.
I think I do, but he’s off the mark, as he is with the whole argument. There was no fight involved, there were no guns (legal or illegal) involved. Blowing off the media isn’t against the law, or even bad sportsmanship.
"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."
That’s the funny thing about what Ovechkin did. That is tame compared to what football/basketball players do. Since it is hockey, it seems so much worse than it is.
Right, we’re in good shape if this is the big controversy of the day.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Of course, there’s a real possibility that Wilbon is bored and looking for hits since the Wizards blow as badly as they do.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Wilbon is clumsy at making a potentially valid point. Ovechkin’s behavior should be compared to his true equals: the faces of the sport in the other major sports. I feel that he’s getting just criticism that will quickly blow over for something that Peyton Manning or Michael Jordan would not do. LeBron James does do stupid stuff some times and I think he is fairly criticized when he screws up. Leaving the court after last year’s playoff loss, whining about refs sometimes, and his failure to man up and enter the dunk contest after he pledged to are sometimes when he’s taken minor media flak a la Ovie in this case.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
As a black Caps fan, I have to say that this kind of comment really reinforces how little Wilbon pays attention to hockey and how out of touch he is with the sport. Judge individuals by individual behavior, Wilbon. Caron Butler from the Wizards had heart and was a worthy player to root for and carried himself in a classy way. To me, it seems that he got a lot of praise for that and his career was not adversely affected by being black. “Thug basketball” players get called thug basketball players when they brings guns into the locker room.
I do feel that there is a real difference in the heart and caring between basketball and other sports, but it’s mostly due to the star driven nature of a 5 on 5 sport where players can play the whole game to the more team nature of other sports and has little difference with racial makeup. Consequently, basketball’s youth leagues can be about wooing physically freakish stars or guards with ridiculous speed for AAU and private school leagues rather than on developing the character and skills necessary for success and maturity. You get 1 LeBron James on your high school team and the whole program blows up and is branded. There’s also the issue of illegal professionalization that creates an air of dishonesty and distrust about prep basketball. OJ Mayo situations seem less likely to happen as a result.
To me the biggest racial disparity is that white baseball players and tennis players are presented with a choice to legally earn money in their sport as soon as they are able while black basketball players who in many cases desperately need money are required to play in a skillfully cost controlled system in college and lack a quality paid minor leagues. I love March Madness but there is a real plantation aspect to it in this way.
I get the sense that hockey development systems leagues don’t work that way and that the physical demands of playing the sport create character challenges and team trust that elevates the game and the players who participate. I think more than anything this is what has attracted me to hockey as a relatively recent convert.
I am very curious to know at what point in their careers youth hockey stars start making money. When do youth stars overseas and in America begin to earn money playing hockey and how much does it impact their career decisions?
Yes, Ovie is great and produces highlight reel goals. But NBC and their Sidney vs. Ovie pumping fail to show how as much as anything the Caps success this year has been more about increased responsibility and team trust as they settle into roles and system. How tough work to clear the puck or keep it in the zone can be as valuable as a superstar on many nights.
Didn’t mean to go on so long at this point in the arguement but I hope that more Americans of all colors will learn to appreciate hockey for the great sport that it is and that it’s success can rival the heart and passion of so many of its players.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Mar 2, 2010 10:17 AM EST up reply actions 26 recs
Terrific post (and rec’d), thank you. Many great points. I hadn’t thought about this but IMO you’re on to something here:
I get the sense that hockey development systems leagues don’t work that way and that the physical demands of playing the sport create character challenges and team trust that elevates the game and the players who participate.
Holy crap that’s awesome. A rec for you, sir.
It really, really varies from star to star. What team they’re on, the team’s need, their financial situation, and more all play into that. ECHL’s minimum is I think $400 a week? AHL is where salaries start becoming close to decent.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Thank you much. It’s hard for me to contribute to the always outstanding discussion due to computer access sometimes (No laptop, computer in TV in different rooms) and wanting to make sure that I have something credible to contribute. Guys like Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith, and Stuart Scott bother me sometimes in that they suck a lot of the oxygen out of the room for credible black sports coverage from the major networks, and I felt that I had to respond to this because a lot of people are going to justifiably blast Wilbon.
What age do you have to be to start making money as a hockey player? What leagues are available to you? One of the things that’s been confusing to me about hockey is that I don’t fully understand the minor league feeder systems in the way that I understand basketball and football prep situation.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Great post SD. Keep on keeping on.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Mar 2, 2010 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
Pretty sure you can get into the AHL at 19. You can be in the NHL younger if you’re real real good or a crappy team needs you. There are also chances to play in Europe, but I know even less about those.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I thought you could play in the A at 18 if you weren’t in the Canadian major juniors?
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!"
Sounds right, yeah – I’m pretty sure that’s what kept SDR out of Hershey this year.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 2, 2010 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
Which league is SDR in right now and do you have any idea how much he makes?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
SDR’s in major juniors (OHL I think – he plays for the Colts still, yes?) He played for Canada in the WJC.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
So hockey’s a full-time professional gig in major juniors? Where are hockey draft picks getting there money from?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
I’m no expert on the intricacies of daily life for a player in the OHL/WHL/QMJHL but they’re not paid (I’m pretty sure). Many live with host families and attend school where they play. I think. Don’t take this as definite fact.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Mar 2, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
I think they get a minuscule stipend of like $90/week or something.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Yeah, the CHL pays the players a very nominal stipend. Thats why players who play in the CHL can’t go on to play in the NCAA.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 2, 2010 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Sorta OT, there’s also an educational assistance fund that players are eligible for until they play like 3 years of pro hockey.
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.
The CHL teams pay a basic stipend but the money that comes on top is from the NHL teams that sign them to a contract. So Eakin and SDR have their stipend from the CHL teams and then whatever the Caps have agreed to pay them on top for the time being.
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.
I knew they got something to cover basic expenses, but not something which I would consider being paid a salary or making money.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Mar 2, 2010 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
The rules for control are also key too. Aren’t there NHL draft picks who play college hockey and remain under team control? That’s different from baseball.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
I think teams retain rights for 2 years. Used to be 4 years. I’m sure its in the CBA and I’m just too lazy to look it up.
the rules for baseball are complicated, as it depends on when you are drafted and if you’ve been drafted before. Trust baseball to make something as straightforward as a draft incredibly complicated.
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!"
If you draft an NCAA player you keep their rights until they graduate (or would graduate, I believe). If you can’t sign them after they finish college you get a compensatory pick. That’s what happened with Blake Wheeler.
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.
I’m sure you know how it is the Swedish league!
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’m pretty sure you can play in the SEL as soon as you’re good enough. There may be some age restriction, but it’s at 16 or younger if there is one. Plenty of 17 year olds have played SEL. Ice Warrior could clear this up I’m sure.
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.
If you are good enough to play you get to play. The youngest SEL player so far is Fredrik Möller (he never played in nhl) he was16 years old + 29 days. Bäckström is right up there with 16 years 10 months and 26 days.
The youngest player to score a goal is still Calle Johansson and he did it in his first game too, quite impressive.
by Malin A on Mar 2, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
NCAA you can’t get paid at all. Except for the Canadian Major Junior leagues (OHL, QMJHL, WHL; collectively CHL) the Junior players don’t get paid. In the CHL the players get a stipend but the guys that are drafted and signed pro contracts get significantly more money than the guys that are nobodies. Guys like Tavares were being paid since 16. Guys that go NCAA don’t get paid until in their 20s.
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.
Hence why the european option is becoming more and more appealing for some basketball players.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
But depending on your draft stock some guys get paid in the CHL. Some get paid much more than the ECHL guys get paid. I’m pretty sure Cody Eakin is drawing a nice check right now.
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.
11 recs isn’t enough. Have one more. =)
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Thank you very much and I’m interested in where the “heart” from hockey players comes from. Is it inherent to the game itself or is it more a cultural product of the communities that give us hockey players?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
for many, leaving home at an early age & having to bond with strangers in a living arrangement. Much travel & long bus rides. I have always thought the road to hockey professionalism is more arduous than for other sports; the path does not seem as linear as with football/basketball to me.
As the parent of 3 hockey-playing sons, we have spent an inordinate amount of time devoted to the sport compared to when they play baseball, soccer, tennis or basketball. You cannot just go outside to a concrete pad, down to a school gym or out to a field to play. As we all are too aware around here lately, ice rinks are too few and far between. Therefore, we travel a lot, even in house leagues. We’ve stayed in many hotels and eaten hundreds of meals with other parents & the teams. On any Sat. or Sun., we often spend 6 hours or more getting to and from a single game — allowing for travel time each way (often more than an hour), pregame warmup (an hour early), the game itself, a meal (usually have missed a major meal in the process), and travel home. This is in a addition to 2 practices a week.
Lots of time for bonding & rehashing good/bad calls, terrific/horrid plays, etc. All the kids dream of becoming NHLers, but obviously very few will make it. But, the experience has been good and kept them out of trouble — we are with them most of the time. The lessons about teamwork, responsibility, disappointment, etc. have been invaluable (as can be true with any sport). Finally, the volunteers in the sport are the most AMAZING. Without many parents & even those without kids, but who love the sport, the clubs would not exist.
by Seminrocks on Mar 2, 2010 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Thanks much with this (and Rec’d). This is something that I’ve been reflecting on a lot. Your thoughts on the high barrier of entry are particularly pertinent. IMO, hockey’s biggest barrier to growth in this country has been it’s high barrier of entry for youth sports. I want alternatives to football (too many injuries and physical trumps skill with specialized positions at pro) and basketball (AAU + diminishing public school is bad) for youth and high school sports. But I’m not sure if it’s cost effective for resource strapped communities to devote more resources to hockey in today’s funding environments. I get the sense that hockey may not be as strong as golf’s First Tee or baseball’s RBI program attracting underserved populations to the sport.
It sounds like from what you’re saying the limited resources and facilities create a bond of brotherhood and sense of community that is priceless.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
well, the barrier issue is real; you’re right. Hockey is logistically & financially challenging. When we first started I was astounded that it literally cost 10x the fee for baseball, not to mention the required gear (all bought second-hand at first).
You mentioned football: I would not let my sons play it, even though I’m from TX & it is king. My brother & his sons had too many injuries for my taste. People thought I was crazy I’d let them play hockey. I was opposed at first, but let them try it it hoping they would find it all too much trouble. Wrong. They are pretty well protected & we’ve only had 1 broken wrist & 1 possible concussion, plus minor sprains, etc., in 9 yrs. I think in football it would have been worse. However, one son has been on 2 teams with 2 femur breaks; teammates with various other arm/shoulder injuries & concussions through the years .
Our 2 older sons have worked with the Kids on Ice program at Fort Dupont to help kids learn to skate & play hockey. More programs like that are needed. They have a lot of used, donated equipment. But, still, getting to the rinks is the first challenge.
Our high schools in Fairfax Co. won’t touch it due to the cost & liability. Some schools have clubs, and others just say no.
In an email I suggested to Uncle Ted 2-3 years ago when AOL was in Rockefeller Plaza & NBC was broadcasting the NHL that they should have Mites on Ice (or Squirts, Pee Wees, etc) periodically during the Today Show to highlight & showcase youth hockey. At some point they did do something like this once & it included Mark Messier, but that was it.
Man 10X baseball is extremely pricey. That almost feels like lacrosse on ice.
So, in your opinion the limited number of rinks in the US is the biggest issue more so than the equipment? What are the ages of the kids int he Kids on Ice program and how far have kids recruited in the program gone in local hockey?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Money and access to ice are huge barriers. Access isn’t just locak rinks. Kids in cold weather areas have ponds and backyard rinks. Kids in warm weather areas have none of that.
I’d add culture as well. This represents a broad range of things. Local culture, but also the culture/cultures the kid’s family comes from. Much tougher to get kids interested in a sport that their family or friends aren’t in to. It’s not impossible because I’ve seen it, but its much harder. This is true for almost any sport any place in the world.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
The issues are all related; one leads to the other. Building/owning/maintaining ice rinks is expensive, which means buying ice time is expensive. I am not involved in that for our club, but I believe it varies from $250-$400 per hour, with Kettler often the priciest. Our home rinks are Mount Vernon in FFX, Fort Dupont, & Tucker Rd. in Oxon Hill.
So, with fewer rinks, there is less ice time available, which makes it more expensive. Consequently, there’s less exposure & opportunity to play. Right now we are without the double rinks in PW Co. due to the snow, which is where our sons have played spring league & we play their travel teams. Fort Dupont is talking about cutting back this summer on their community programs, which would be a travesty. Now I hear the rink in Charlottesville may close; we play Blue Ridge there, too.
So, the registration fees are high compared to other sports, and the equipment costs are an added barrier. Hockey families are great at recylcing equipment, passing it down & around to get all possible use out of it. Still, kids grow & need bigger skates, pads, etc. And sticks break!
The ages for Kids on Ice are 5-18. I do not know how far the kids have gone in local hockey, but as with most youth sports, including the ones in which we are involved, the main idea is to teach life lessons, have an outlet for physical activity, keep busy, and learn to do something you can do for the rest of your life.
They have an intro to hockey program here in PHX that they’ve been doing for a number of years. Great way to have kids try out the sport. It’s called Kids First.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
It’s not just the number of rinks. Seminrocks names a bunch of local rinks below, and there are even more. Where I grew up playing (Long Island) there were three rinks within half an hour drive. And another 3 within about an hour. The bigger issue is that Long Island has ridiculously high energy costs and humid air. Humid air makes it very hard to maintain the ice so even if there were enough rink for people to get ice whenever they wanted, the cost would still be high just because of maintenance.
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.
Great take, but I dispute the plantation comment. The vast majority of NCAA basketball (and football) players never get to play pro, but still get their education. It’s not like they get nothing out of the deal. Plus, if the NCAA wants to remain amateur I don’t know how else you go about it. I agree that there should be minor professional leagues for the NBA and NFL, but that’s a separate issue and I don’t think it’s fair to indict the NCAA system because of it.
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.
why not? The NCAA doesn’t want to see the NBA and NFL get viable minor leagues. The best players would go to the professional minors, not the NCAA. The NCAA stands to lose absurd amounts of money if that were to happen.
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!"
True, but until you hear about the NBA and NFL actually trying to establish minor leagues and the NCAA somehow blocking it I don’t think it’s their fault. They have self-interest, but haven’t even had to act on it. To my knowledge the NFL and NBA have never really tried to establish minor leagues. The NBA has the summer league, but that obviously doesn’t compete with the NCAA. Maybe the NCAA is blocking it behind the scenes, but I have no reason to think that. And you know I’m about as anti-NCAA as anyone so I’m not just giving them the benefit of the doubt.
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.
Plantation is an inflammatory word and you’re justified in disliking how I’m using it. I just get so upset that basketball players don’t have choice. The NBA does not want a minor league because Isaiah Thomas ran the CBA into the ground and said minor league would have to compete with NCAA and loyal alumni. The NBA cannot figure out a way to develop players while they are on NBA rosters. And European teams are not about developing high school players adjusting to culture shock. To me, it’s a very big problem, one that Stern has failed on and one that the NCAA profits off of. I think that the NHL system works so well because it offers choices and allows the market to make those choices. Also, it seems to me to be fairly consistent and with open access to players internationally.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
There are definitely avenues for Europeans to play in North America in both the CHL and NCAA. I think you’re dead on with the market choices aspect. The CHL isn’t for everyone, and NCAA isn’t for everyone. Some guys just need some time to grow and develop their game before turning pro, and the NCAA allows that. I don’t follow the NBA at all so I had no idea they had talked about a minor league and chosen not to do it. I have some friends from LSU and they swear that the NFL will never be able to get a minor league because the NCAA alumni base would revolt. That’s ridiculous IMO.
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.
They had a minor league. Isaiah Thomas ran it into the ground as he did the Toronto Raptors, and Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks. Now they have a Developmental League that’s sort of a minor league except that you can’t bypass college to go into the D-League. In the bargaining agreement you have to wait one year after you high school graduating class to play in the NBA or its pro affiliates. We know why they did this. Minor Leagues are expensive (baseball’s works because major league teams pay many high end salaries) and the straight to NBA path was creating players who were an embarassment to the league and improperly developed.
But the flip side is that college teams have to choose between being quasi pro entitites that pay coaches not players and getting the best players for a short time or being system oriented programs that embrace at least development of players and in even rarer cases development of men.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Alex Ovechkin is a fun, dynamic guy and all, but based on Olympic outcomes, in what scenario do the Capitals beat out the Penguins in the East? I guess as a Caps fan you just hope someone else knocks Pittsburgh out before a potential rematch of last year’s classic tilt.
In the scenario that:
- Crosby is not on the most stacked team in decades
- Ovechkin’s not surrounded by non-NHL talent (players or otherwise)
- Ovechkin’s on a team that is coached by someone more competent than FDR’s tax policy.
- Bykov is not involved.
And the shootout is not clutch.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
Oh, and a situation where the shootout is not involved.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Mar 2, 2010 7:56 AM EST up reply actions
Even if they lost in a SO, they’ll still get half a win.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Mar 2, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
You’re missing the first step!
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 2, 2010 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
I’d be thrilled if someone else knocked out the Pens, but I can imagine many such scenarios. The most obvious one is where these teams, and not the Caps and Pens of last year, play each other. Another would be where the Caps have a healthy defensive corps. And those are just the two completely obvious ones.
The only one’s I could see knocking the Pens out before we’d get a shot at them would be the Sabers or Devils. I know Elliot has been playing well lately, but I have this feeling that when the Sens get to the postseason they are going to fold like a pair of deuces before a royal flush.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Mar 2, 2010 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. I think the Devils could do it – not so sure about the Sabres. I’d love to see either of them get a shot before us. I’m not really sure what to make of the Sens, but I’m inclined to agree.
I didn’t think the Sabres could do it, until I saw how out of his mind Ryan Miller played in the Olympic tournament. If he has gas in the tank I think he can do it to the Pens again. Unfortunately that also means I fear he could do it to us too.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Mar 2, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
We’ve done pretty well against Miller this season. I’m less worried.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
True, but I’m not so sure Miller couldn’t turn it up another level. The reason the Sabres don’t worry me as much as other teams though is that they can’t score. If Miller plays well I have confidence we can take a series from them where the average score is 2-1 or 3-2.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Mar 2, 2010 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
Miller is a great, great goalie, the best in the game today. At the same time, I think both the Pens and the Caps have enough scoring to beat him and the Sabres over 7 games. I like our chances a little better due to the PP issue but either way, his skaters will have to step up and excel to win a series against either PIT or WSH.
If the Caps get matched up with the Pens...
…the Pens go down this year. The Caps are a better team than the Penguins right now. The won-loss record, the stats, the head to head all show that. It will be which team stays healthiest if they meet, and if the Caps are as healthy as the Pens, then the Caps will be the team advancing.
It won’t be an easy series, but all things equal, the Caps are better right now.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 2, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
well, all things equal (that is, no injuries) there is no excuse for losing to Pittsburgh this year. The Caps are simple better — better offense, better power play, as efficient in goaltending (in terms of goals against), as good a defense, and they are likely to have home ice again
If you've read this far...seek help.
It certainly did for the D corp. The injury toll among them read: Green (mono and shoulder), Poti (broken foot), Erskine (broken foot), Morrisonn (can’t recall but he was playing hurt). Schultz (was out in the Ranger series). We’re talking over 2/3. No wonder we had no team speed — with 2 guys with broken feet.
In spite of Gonchar playing hurt, I somehow doubt that the Pens had the same amount of injuries on the blue line.
Rocking the Red since 1975
The Caps were probably a better team than the Pens the day before last year’s deadline, too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Exactly. Complacency is a killer – the Pens have been anything but at the deadline in recent years and have had a lot of playoff success. If the Caps don’t do anything (or anything beyond getting a guy like Sutton), after clearing all of this cap room and holding all of these moveable assets, I will be baffled.
I still say if 1) the Caps were healthier, and 2) they hadn’t just played a grueling 7-game series against NYR, Game 7 would have had a much different outcome (not necessarily a Caps win, but def not a Pens blowout). The Pens didn’t win that series because they were the better team, they won it because the Caps were just dried up.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 2, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
Based on Olympic outcomes, in what scenario does Team Russia beat the Capitals? Maxim Afinagenov isn’t a top 6 player on the Caps. Our D isn’t really any worse than the Russian D. The way that team was coached, the Caps could probably have beaten Team Russia even if we gave Russia Ovechkin or Semin.
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.
Hey look, Evgeny Artyukhin is back in the Southeast. FWIW.
As for Crosby not knowing who ShaMo is- ShaMo could fix that and I would thoroughly enjoy every second of it.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Maybe Waddell still thinks they can make the playoffs? Not sure what Artyukhin brings to the table to make that reality though.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
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LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:36 AM EST up reply actions
Artyukhin brings a very large body to the table, and everywhere else he goes. He’s also as strong as an ox, but really doesn’t have a clue when it comes to how hockey is played. If he ever figures out what his role is (which should be go to the front of the net, arrive angry) then he might be a salvageable player.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 2, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
Not that they’re on the same level, but Chara was like that his first few years in the league. Big, lumbering guy that just needed to learn how to use his body in the NHL.
I can’t remember how good of a skater Artyukhin is, but I do know Chara worked summers improving his skating sometimes.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Mar 2, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Chara didn’t have rocks for brains and didn’t have an NHL ready skill set immediately. Artyukhin doesn’t have to get physically better, he’s got the tools. He just needs to put it together in his brain, and I don’t see that happening.
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.
I think he could be a great player if given third line minutes. He’d just have to stop running guys and focus on using his size and surprising speed. He has the touch to score, but is usually too worried about slew footing guys and yapping at the bench.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Plant him in front of the net and let him score off his hockey haunches.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
He’s easier to move than AO’s or Knubie’s haunches are.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 2, 2010 10:48 AM EST up reply actions
To move Ovie’s haunches you just need Russian Techno playing.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Hey, he’s an equal opportunity ladies man.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 2, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
these articles make it seem like there has been a 10 year long series of beat downs by crosby’s pens and ovie’s caps. when in fact the two guys teams have met once in post season play, a series that went all seven games where both guys played well and the pens prevaled.
in the olympics it seems folks forget that half ovie’s team were non NHLer’s. Non-NHLers for a reason. If the Pens played the Caps but they Caps had 9 guys who should be in Hershey, would folks say Ovie choked or that he was on a flawed team?
not getting the connection between ovie’s olympic results and the caps playing the pens. gonchar was on the russian team too…
this seems to be the downside of being a gregarious fun-loving, larger than life guy. folks are looking for you to fail to bring you down a peg. if you are milquetoast like some others, folks seem less likely to want to pounce on your failures.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
This is also because of the internet age. Everything in the present is blown way out of proportion as the biggest thing we’ve ever seen. Bird lost to Magic the first two times they met, but Bird’s time came and history remembers a great rivalry. I fully expect the same to happen to Ovie.
by kman8924 on Mar 2, 2010 8:24 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This goes at one of my pet peeves. The overemphasis on individual athletes in team sports. A number of athletes across the team sports spectrum were criticized early in their careers for not having more success in the playoffs. I remember when MJ and Stevie Y were getting blasted early in their careers for not winning titles. It was ridiculous. It’s even more ridiculous because they play in team sports. If you don’t take into account a player’;s experience, their coach, and their teammates then its not discussion worthy IMO. Take the Magic vs Bird thing. If they weren’t on teams with guys like Worthy, Kareem, Scott, DJ, McHale, and Parish they wouldn’t have won squat.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 2, 2010 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
So much of this has to do with the real purpose of sports in America: translating the joy of victory into the branding of products. Team’s don’t attract advertising dollars individuals do. The one thing that’s a slight thing about this now is that with free agency individuals with certain power can choose their teams to some extent and choose how much they value winning, stability, and duckets. Shaq leaving Orlando to get rings is an example of this. Jordan influencing the Bulls direction for complementary players through the veiled threat of departure if they don’t win is similar as well.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
I disagree, both teams and individuals attract ad dollars. Depends on how the brands(teams and individuals) are doing and have done historically. I always think networks do a poor job promoting sports by emphasizing individuals too much. It can hurt brands and TV when this happens. See Tiger Woods. PGA & networks ridiculous emphasis in both marketing and in event coverage on one golfer has now put them in a bad spot. What is funny to me is that never has the tour had a more interesting assortment of characters since the days of Chi-Chi, Trevino, Player, Palmer, and Nicklaus.
Free agency certainly helps a star player force deals that may help them win championships. Your Bulls example was an excellent one. See Cleveland this season as well. However, it doesn’t guarantee a title. Winning titles is still a combo of ingredients no one person can control. Ask anyone who has won a title on any level and they’ll tell you some luck was involved. Whether it be an official’s call, a season with very few injuries, coach’s health, etc.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 2, 2010 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
How do teams attract ad dollars? How do those dollars compare to those that individual earn? I guess that this is related to the luxury box issue and branding issues and visibility opportunities for winning teams like the Caps vs. sad sack organizations like the present Nats who can’t get a name for their stadium.
By the way, I do agree with your overall point in that I prefer great teams and the synergy of the Caps to the Gilbert as savior that the Wizards sold us before this season. Also, I’m enjoying watching the Nats go about building their team brick by frustrating brick.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
They attract ad dollars by the value of that team’s brand. Redskins are a great example of this. The Phoenix Suns, where I live, are another great example. They both do a great job selling their brand, as well as having large fanbases. Some teams do a better job of marketing their brand than others, as well as looking outside their traditional market. Cowboys and the Raiders have always done this well.
Most of the focus on individuals is supposed to help lure in the casual fans. I find this somewhat amusing because these fans, many of whom become hardcore fans down the road, could also be attracted by a number of ofther things. Marketing individuals become the rage after MJ’s marketing explosion in the 80’s. It’s not like there wasn’t individual marketing of sports stars before that, but that is when it exploded.
You can sell a rebuild if fans trust you. Think O’s in mid 80’s. If they don’t then its extremely hard. Think O’s currently.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Football is always an outlier in team marketing to me and doesn’t compare but so well to other sports. There’s the helmets, the fact that it’s a separate offense squad, defense squad, and special team’s squad.
Phoenix is a really powerful example, though. You mean even with two-time MVP Steve Nash they do a good job of pushing their team over Nash?
I have so much respect for the Suns and I really believe one of the tragedies for the NBA is that they haven’t broken through and won a championship so that other teams would try to copy them. Instead, Boston won and now it’s “how can we get a Big 3?”
Similar thing for the NHL with the Caps. Bettman has got to be a Caps fan in so many ways because it’s a rare case of a growing market. The NHL is fortunate that a great player got placed in a market that is on the cusp of being a hockey town. It has enough loyal fans and tradition to make it authentic but enough potential new heads to make it potentially blow up. Contrast that with a Kovalchuk in Atlanta (too pathetic a market for him to grow) or a hypothetical Ovie in Montreal (hockey crazy to begin with) and you see how both DC and Bettman are blessed to have Ovie with the Caps.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Suns have always pushed team and players both. I think people who haven’t lived here don’t appreciate what a brand it is. People in this town that aren’t even hard core basketball or sports fans are apt to know the names of some Suns role players. People like and appreciate Nash, but their loyalty, like most sports fans over the age of 10, is to the team not the player. Sure everyone has their favorite player/s, but when push comes to shove its team first.
You can always grow a market if you are savvy about it. Certainly you can’t lose forever, but if you run a decent franchise and understand how to build relationships with businesses and the community you can market well.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Never been to Phoenix so I didn’t know about that. Will always remember how the Knicks almost single handedly rebuilt the Suns in the awful Marbury trade.
As a hockey fan in Phoenix who roots for the Caps(?), what is your stance on the Coyotes?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Suns fans will be eternally gratefully for the Knicks taking several players off their hands. Not just Steph, but Quentin Richardson as well.
Coyotes are the other team I root for. They will always have a special place in my heart as I met my wife because of a Yotes playoff game back in ’97.
A group of my friends, including me, had season tickets for a number of years starting with the year they arrived in town. However, between the poor management of the team once Gretzky’s group arrived (not that it was run great beforehand, but there was a difference) and the move to Glendale the group, which by that time was really only 2 of my friends, disbanded.
Coyotes have done an uneven job marketing the franchise over the years. The last 2 years under Moyes were horrible. This year the NHL has definitely upped the marketing budget and has tried to better engage people here in town with a much better ad campaign and more innovative ways to get people in the seats. Part of this is due to the harm done to franchise last summer.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Your comments on Gretsky’s group are ominous for those who hope that MJ will save the Bobcats.
Got to believe the rise of the Cardinals has sucked some of the oxygen out of the room for the Coyotes as well. Weren’t the Coyotes mentioned as getting a post Olympic uptick in ticket sales? Is that true? Due to the Olympics or focused marketing post break?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
He won’t save them unless a lot of luck is involved based on what I saw with the Wiz. Why people think just because someone is good at one thing (playing a sport) means they’ll be good at another (management) befuddles me to no end.
Cards hurt a bit recently, but I have always thought the Suns hurt more. They are the biggest name in town and play at the same time as the Yotes. Other sports in town don’t help either, but the Suns are the 800 lb. Gorilla (no pun intended).
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Nashville had a 10% bump in ticket sales.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Contrast that with a Kovalchuk in Atlanta (too pathetic a market for him to grow)
I disagree. I still think the ATL market has a ton of potential, and the market isn’t the problem. If ATL didn’t have one of the worst ownership groups, riddled with in-fighting, leading to the worst GM in the league, the ATL story would have played out very differently. They need to settle the ownership dispute and fire GMDW before we can even begin to fairly evaluate the ATL market.
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.
Don’t know enough about the ownership situation to fully comment on that. It just seems to me in general that ATL lags on support for their teams and isn’t that passionate a fan base given how the Braves won. Now they have one of the greatest goal scorers in the NHL and they still can’t draw when Ovie comes to town. Don’t know how you make it work there.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Regarding your Hershey point, they’d say Ovechkin choked.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
Who/what is everyone following for deadline stuff? I’m sticking with Dreger and McKenzie’s twitter feeds
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:33 AM EST reply actions
Just refreshing tradecentre every once in a while.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
That’s really awesome they are covering the entire TSN Trade Spectacularrrrrrrreeeeee on NHL Net tomorrow. I wish I could be home to watch it.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:38 AM EST up reply actions
They stream it online I think (did that last year @ work, er…)
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
Few things on TV are funnier than McKenzie furiously working a computer in the background while his colleagues are talking on air.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:42 AM EST up reply actions
Basically the only site any computer I’m on for the past several years is allowed to show on deadline day.
This year I’ll have Tweetdeck open too.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Boss has been away last 3 trade deadline weeks in Carolina on vacation. i couldn’t be happier.
I rotate b/w McKenzie, Dreger and the TSN feeds. Especially Bob McK
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Mar 2, 2010 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
Nice. Allows for focus on what is truly important.
Bob McKenzie is the gold standard for hockey reporters IMO.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Totally. Level-headed not bombastic. And rarely jumps to premature conclusions.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Mar 2, 2010 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
And if you are talking prospects at the draft you’re a fool if you listen to anyone but him. I remember when people thought the Caps were way off the board with Mackan but when McKenzie gave his approval (even if not completely glowing) I felt confident. This year that pick looks even better.
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.
Dreger is @darrendreger? I already got McKenzie. I think this’ll be enough for me, too, since a lot of the rest of what’s out there will be rumor. Figure have Dreger, McKenzie, and @washcaps sent to my cell via SMS ought to be enough.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Yup on Dreger’s twitter.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:50 AM EST up reply actions
Official Caps tweets @washcaps will be well behind others if history serves as a guide.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I’m keeping Corey on standby.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 2, 2010 8:54 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed, but t hat doesn’t bother me so much. I’m not likely to be able to be up to the minute given my work situation and I’d rather it be reliable than fast.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Then just
tsn.ca/nhl ?
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Mar 2, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
Well, that’s because they can’t tweet anything until it’s official. The rest of the world has the unofficial version long before that.
"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."
Sure. I’m personally okay with that, because I’m going to be limited in what I can get due to work constraints unless I’m really lucky. I’m looking for a high signal-to-noise ratio in my Twitter feed for the deadline.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
You can get on the Rink during work, right?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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If I’m at my desk, which I may not be. I am today, but I’m starting a new contract that is a startup and an unholy mess, so I may be away from my desk for a lot of the day on deadline day.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Gotcha. Today could be crazy, anyway. Nashville has 24 NHL players right now and I’m guessing somebody goes before puck drop tonight.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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I was stuck at work deadline day 2 years ago well into the night. I tried to check Tradecentre as often as I could, which at times wasn’t very often, but had a friend text me about any reported Caps deals.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I ran out of work early when we got Huet and Fedorov.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
danced in the street? screamed uncontrollably in a fit of joy?
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
by ns on Mar 2, 2010 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
“SERGEI FUCKING FEDOROVVVV! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” and then I tore my shirt off and the people at work were very confused.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Mar 2, 2010 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
seems like a reasonable reaction to me.
especially since at the beginning of the day i was saying to a friend that we had someone like Huet in net we could make a serious run. and then it happened. and the SFF (Sergei Fuckin’ Fedorov), one of my favorite players, was acquired for nearly nothing.
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
by ns on Mar 2, 2010 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Just to clarify: "Sergei Fucking Fedorov "is not related to “Fucking Tom Poti.”
by patred48 on Mar 2, 2010 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs