Monday Caps Clips: Slow News Day?
by J.P. on Mar 22, 2010 6:40 AM EDT
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Just because he's missed ten games and been suspended twice, don't count Alex Ovechkin out of the running for MVP. [WaPo]
- Jose Theodore: Money Goaltender. [A Capital Offense]
- Despite an up and down year (literally and figuratively), Karl Alzner is still HF's 26th-best prospect in the League. Michal Neuvirth places... 49th? Seems low. [Hockey's Future]
- Was the trade that brought Joe Corvo to D.C. one of the three worst of the 2009-10 season? [The Hockey News]
- Don Cherry praising AO less than one week after Mike Milbury did the same? These are strange days indeed. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- "[O]ne of the best advertisements the NHL has had going for it since the lockout -- the Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin rivalry -- has been tainted by the introduction of jingoism into the mix by outside forces who have sought to superimpose a Cold War environment into the equation, as if this were 1972 with cheers greeting Bobby Clarke for slashing Valeri Kharlamov across the ankle." Larry Brooks can be so money sometimes. [NY Post]
- On an administrative note, if you haven't taken the time to fill out the SB Nation survey we posted a couple of days ago, please do now. Do it for the kids.
- Speaking of blog administration, you may have noticed three new names on the site's masthead, as we've gone ahead and enlisted a trio of our finest commenters to help us with the thankless job of moderating. Now would be a good time to re-familiarize yourself with our community guidelines and re-dedicate yourself to helping us make this community as great as it can be.
- Last housekeeping note: we've got some sweet shirts up in the Japers' Rink Store, with new ones coming soon. Check 'em out.
- Per the HHoF, on this date back in 1975, "Washington Capitals fired head coach Red Sullivan. The next day General Manager Milt Schmidt took over as coach of the team." Amazingly, Sullivan had replaced Jimmy Anderson - who had compiled a 4-45-5 record behind the bench - and actually managed a lower points percentage than his predecessor, going 2-16-0 in his 18 games as Caps' head coach.
- Finally, happy 33rd birthday to both Tom Poti and Joel Kwiatkowski (separated at birth?), and happy 45th to the late John Kordic.
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Just thirty-second power naps while standing at the urinal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 22, 2010 7:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m not sure I needed that image this early in the morning, J.P….
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
But then you miss the shining face at the bottom of it.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Ooh, you’re gearing up for Wednesday already, aren’t you? The NHL hype machine works!
"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."
Hahaha. Not hardly. They don’t have those in the ladies’ rooms.
Honestly, for me it’s more gearing up for the playoffs. Pittsburgh is just a really good mile marker to see where the Caps stand right now and what they still need to fix. We’ll find out whether the changes to the PK stand up, and whether they help. I’m more about watching magic numbers right now than anything.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
As to your first comment, I know, but you were responding to JP, in whose restroom, they do.
My comment about the hype machine pretty much mirrors your point, though. The last Penguins game was definitely a playoff atmosphere — I think I yelled louder than at any game during playoffs last year, maybe excepting game 7 against the Rangers. I expect at least the same, if not moreso, as there shouldn’t be a blizzard affecting people’s ability to get to the game. (It can snow in late March, but I’m doubting it.)
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I don’t know how much of a yardstick Wednesday will be, really. There’s not a ton to play for for the Caps, and they’ve been on cruise control for a few games now at least.
But maybe I’m just cushioning the landing ahead of time.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
These teams don’t like each other. I expect both to come out hard for this game. Maybe we lose, but I’ll be very shocked and disappointed if it’s because we look like we don’t care about the game.
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 tend to agree on an emotional level. And three days off is plenty of time to coach ’em up.
But it’s easier said than done to just flip the switch after they’ve been playing mediocre hockey.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, I don’t like the flip the switch approach. But at the same time they are 7-1-2 in the last 10 and went 3-0-1 on the road trip. And they did flip a switch to pull out that game in CHI. They haven’t been great, but they’ve still been pretty good and PIT will have their full attention, I expect.
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.
It looked like PIT might have had their full attention Saturday night, too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Was their attention on WAS or the team they’ve faced the last two Junes?
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 meant that the Caps looked focused on their next game on Saturday night.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The Caps looked a little off against Tampa, but I’m crediting the Lightning more than I am criticizing the Caps . The Bolts have a lot of top end talent and they were billing that game as their most important of the year. And after losing four straight games, they probably viewed Saturday night as make or break for the playoffs. Combine that with a sellout crowd that was really jacked-up before the start and I don’t find it surprising that the Caps appeared on their heels for the first 40 minutes. Ultimately, they did what good teams do, they found a way to win.
Then again… TBL is in a 5 game slump so maybe we should have had an easier time with 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.
I thought they were in a 3 game slump at that point, lost to us for 4, and then lost again last night for 5, right? Or are my numbahs wrong?
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. And I don’t agree that they have a lot of top-end talent. Stamkos? Yes. St. Louis? Uh-huh. I’ll even give you Vinny (even though he has as many goals as Flash this year). Past that, I’m not buying what they’re selling right now.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I would consider Stamkos, St Louis, and Vinny as “A lot of top-end talent”. Not a lot of depth, but 3 of the top forwards in the game is on par with the Caps
Vinny hasn’t been a top forward since before he hurt his shoulder bumping into Matt Cooke.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yet for some reason Vinny completely torched the Caps all year. Much as I love Schultz, he consistently struggled with that assignment.
by Kolzilla on Mar 22, 2010 10:30 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, Vinny did burn us this year. I’m not really sure what to attribute that to. Their PP in general killed us, so that was probably part of it. I can’t put it all on Schultz though. Vinny had what, 5 goals against us? One was in the game Schultz got scratched for.
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.
Sarge was +7 on the year against the Bolts – Vinny didn’t kill him that badly over the course of the season.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
No, but this is their chance to find out whether their adjustments to the PK and a few other things work against the team that took them out last year, before the games really matter. There’s been a lot of talk lately about “oh, the last couple of games’ improvement doesn’t matter because they’re not playoff teams”. Well, this one is.
Of course, if we see the same improvements and they work, the comment will be “small sample size, it doesn’t mean anything”. It’s our job as Caps fans to be pessimistic about everything.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
But the Pens’ PP is crappy, so not sure on the PK point (and what adjustments are you referring to?).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Mostly that they’ve seemed more aggressive in the past couple of games. They’re not just standing there, they’re going after guys and using active sticks. It’s definitely more of a pain to play against.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Not sure I’m buying it – looks the same to me. I think it’s the same PK, just with better results. But I could be wrong.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Not buying it at all. Success is illusory with our PK. There’s a reason I called it playing with fire.
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 instead of ramping up for this, maybe it’s the the whole slow build over time. Don’t get me wrong, they’ll care for playing against Pitt, but there’s 10 games left, there’s more time for practices and fine tuning, and much less lineup shuffling will (should?) be done.
Besides, they’re playing Pitt and a presumed 8 seed (Boston/Atlanta) 4 times over that stretch, so if they can’t fire on all cylinders by then, then it’s time to bite your nails.
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s sort of nail biting time for me. Kinda.
In 2008, they went into the playoffs as hot as you can get, but were flattish against Philly.
Last year, they were (if memory serves) not looking great heading into the playoffs. They came out flat against NYR.
Not sure what we can expect out of the last 10 from this team. I’d like to see them gradually ramp it up and hit the playoffs firing on all cylinders again. I’m quite sure that this team, when they move their feet, execute and get pucks deep, is the best in the East. Whether they do that, well, that’s what I’m gnawing my claws about.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’d like to see them fix the PK and show that they can adjust their system a bit for playoff hockey. To that end, I’m glad we’re playing the Bruins, Thrashers and Pens each twice before the end of the season – each of those teams will be fighting for a playoff spot or a better seed. Hopefully, the Caps will come out and show that they can win tight-checking 3-2 games.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Any improvement to the PK would be greatly welcome. I’d be surprised, though; at this point, I’m convinced that it is what it is, and I’m putting all my eggs in the “better discipline” basket.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I think it’s part system and part personnel. Lately, we’ve been seeing more Chimera and Belanger on the PK. Hopefully, BB wakes up and realizes that Steckel and Poti just plain suck on the PK, but I’m not holding my breath.
Seriously though, how many times will BB keep going back to that well before realizing it’s dry?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Steckel (‘s wingspan) contributed on the PK in the not so recent past. As one of BB’s boyz, he can retain his dot/PK tag indefinitely.
I have not even that gossamer explanation for Poti. Maybe ‘clearing the puck, but not out’ is one of the New PK adjustments. ..
Jag antar parader är cool.
by redlineblue on Mar 22, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
The instant Steckel loses the faceoff, he’s a liability. He just doesn’t have the agility to do the rapid starts and stops required of a penalty killer.
The constancy with which BB stands by Poti and Steckel despite their obvious failings would be cute if it weren’t dooming our PK to mediocrity, or worse.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Pittsburgh plays in Detroit tonight, and one can only hope that given how much Detroit hates Pittsburgh, the Wings play the Pens HARD.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
there’s play hard because we’re fighting for our playoff lives, and play hard because we hate these guys with the passion of a thousand fiery suns and would run over our own mothers to take a shot at them.
I’m hoping for the latter.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Wow, I don’t know how the Corvo trade can be called one of the worst of the year. I’ll admit I was a little surprised at how much we gave up, but I think he’s starting to find his groove in the team and soon he’ll be showing us the stuff he was bragged about. Expensive trade, yes, but it can’t be one of the worst of the year.
And maybe he just hasn’t made as much of a big-name impact, but us getting Chimera seems to have been a great trade, but he fits into our system well and has helped get some improved production from our 3rd line.
Trade values can only really be appraised when there is perspective. At this point, there is none. Check back in after the end of the SCF. If the Caps win it all, every trade will have been made of gold, and all we really would have traded for Corvo is a 5-6 pairing dman on the downside of his career with concussion issues, and a guy who can’t skate, and a pick.
If the Caps exit early, then of course they traded away a heart and soul to the team dman, the future of all power wingers, for a Mike Green light who can’t play as good offense or defense. And they would have traded away their captain for an aging speed guy with stone hands. (And if Chimmer gets the SCF winning goal, we all know how that trade will play back differently.)
Even the guy writing the article knows its way too early to make these kind of judgements on trades, except for the ones where the players just fit in perfectly for both teams. But, I guess the guy has a product to sell, so needs something to talk about.
by HateOffSeason on Mar 22, 2010 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ahh—Corvo is Greenie-lite.
I’ve noticed he’s been getting major criticism by posters on CI and elsewhere. Kinda takes me back to the days when I would read harsh comments about Green.
I’m definitely in a wait and see mode with Corvo. The guy sure is fast, amazing considering he believes he is still not 100% since the injury.
by capsyoungguns on Mar 22, 2010 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve noticed he’s been getting major criticism by posters on CI and elsewhere.
Which begs the question, “why on earth are you reading the comments section at CI? Court-ordered lobotomy?”
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 22, 2010 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
He points out its a bad trade because we “gave up too much”, i.e. a “serviceable blue liner” (who was also a UFA after this year, and whom Corvo is a pretty substantial upgrade on) and a “top 10 prospect” (who can’t skate), and was a product of a system that won the Kelly Cup and the Calder Cup last year, and is putting up one of the best records in AHL history right now…I think we’re okay with giving up prospects, considering this team can win the Cup right now, and needed more O from the back end.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 22, 2010 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Right. But top 10 meant “tenth” and that wasn’t even considering the fact that they would get at least one more highly touted prospect than OO in this next draft (presumably at least their first round pick). PIT gave up their 3rd best prospect and the guy is already putting up points in the NHL but you don’t hear too much about them giving up too much. Is the second round pick that big of a deal? (Skoula and Pothier are a wash because regardless of the relative skills (Pothier is definitely better right now) neither team had room for them so they had to move the guy anyway.) OO and a Second is less valuable than Caputi, IMO, and I can’t say Poni is all that much better than Corvo, if at all.
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.
All-nighter?
If what we’ve given up is a player we didn’t expect to see for years, another player whom I’d have expected us to let go in a few months, anyway, and “basically-a-3rd-rounder,” I’m not too sad. Perhaps it’s a tad of an over-payment, but it sure as hell wasn’t Mackan or Alz or Neuvy or MP or Carlson or (wow, that’s quite a few untouchables right there)…
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah exactly. Our prospect pool is so deep that even if OO was likely to pan out, it wouldn’t have stung us that much.
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.
Pothier was a FA after this season, and I thought he was a solid guy on our blue line, which is why I questioned the move at the time. But as far as OO goes, this team is STACKED with talent on every level. One guy like OO is not going to make or break the team. Right now, the Caps can afford to give up guys like that. It’s a perk from having a great farm system.
Everyone wants to kill the king. But the prince, he just sails along telling all the ladies, "One day I'm gonna be king."
The creator and active cheerleader of the Brendan Morrison lobby.
ALI FAROKHMANESH!
What more can I say?
by Steck It Out on Mar 22, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s wasn’t a great trade (As far as I can tell) but one of the three worst of 2009-10? No way.
Только игра! Почему надо быть гневаться?
WARNING: Irrrational defender of Semyon Varlamov
FREE ERIC FEHR
Caps Snaps - Washington Capitals Photography
LOL. Old habits I guess, and there are some rational posters. I learned to ignore the irrational ones. I found CI first and linked to Japers’ later, but lurked for a looong time before commenting.
by Theyoungguns on Mar 22, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re confusing the pantless gameday celebrations with the lack of a distinctive identity among this community of friends and people with a common interest, good sir.
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
And still scoffing the words of the esteemed Rinkmaster.
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Oops
I was on my IPhone and didn’t realize that it was avatar-less. Consider it fixed (as soon as I figure out my IPhone!).
by capsyoungguns on Mar 22, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
If there’s one thing I learned from the Corvo trade it’s that Corvo is ridiculously underrated. It’s not a big deal. The Caps may have moved a “serviceable blueliner” but they needed one that was more than serviceable; a guy that could play 20 minutes a night and not drown. They got that. Osala may still be a “quality prospect” but the fact that he’s 10th in WAS’ organizational prospect depth chart should demonstrate that they weren’t giving up the farm by any means. And a second round pick was the currency of the day. Far worse swaps were made involving a 2nd. The analysis is so shallow as to be almost meaningless. It basically comes down to the author just not liking Corvo. And even if Corvo doesn’t get any better in our system (which I think is unlikely) he’s already worth the value we gave up because he’s playing 20 minutes without being in over his head. He’s not the shutdown D everyone said we needed, but he’s certainly an upgrade.
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.
Trade analysis is often too light weight for my liking. Osala might really turn out well for the Canes in the next 3 years, but as you point out he wasn’t helping the Caps today. Same with the second, and same with Pothier. GMGM was expected to make moves to make today’s Caps a better team, and not worry as much about tomorrow’s (though I think he did a good job of not selling tomorrow’s).
we're not gonna allow someone like Downie to go after him.
That is the truth. The Caps really have no room for Osala at the moment since we have Knuble, Semin, and Fehr at right wing. And with all of Pothier’s concussion issues in the past, there was probably a limit on how many minutes per night he was going to get anyhow.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Although after next season we’ll be much thinner on the wing. We’ll definitely need prospects to step in within the next couple years.
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 supported the Corvo trade, and still do, but there have already been numerous “what the hell is Corvo thinking” moments in his short tenure
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 22, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Yup. He’s definitely had his share. But is his share worse than Erskine or Mo playing at 4D?
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 think there can be any doubt that the answer here is “no”.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Exactly. I’d love to see Corvo get better and more comfortable in our system, but even if he doesn’t he makes us 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.
As does Carlson, by shoving Erskine to the press box. No doubt that this team is much better on D than the one that entered the playoffs last year. They should beat any other team in the East.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
If Corvo scores a game-winning goal in the Finals that ultimately helps Washington win the Cup, will it be a bad trade? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. The THN writer missed the big picture (what a surprise), every move McPhee has made this season is basically for the short term goal of winning the Cup. Pothier wasn’t going to be resigned, so that’s a wash. Osala was seeing fourth line duty in Hershey, so his star was fading fast within the organization. That means Corvo was obtained for basically a second rounder in 2011, a draft that I understand is not supposed to be that strong. For a team with so many prospects, that hardly seems like a steep price to pay for a puck moving veteran defenseman who has played in the Finals and Conference Finals in two out of the last three years.
Nice recap of why the trade made/makes sense. I’m not a Corvo fan, but he is a definite upgrade.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 22, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
If you look at what was traded, I can see those who think Carolina “won” the deal. On the other hand, the point of a trade is trade things that aren’t very valuable to you for things that are more valuable. I agree with you b.orr4 that a lot of the people who criticize the trade don’t realize how far OO had fallen in the organization, how far back our pick is likely to be compared to some of the other 2nd rounders traded on deadline day and how we need D minutes.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Mar 22, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
yikes....
cherry and milbury….im going to ready my bunker before the third sign of the apocalypse.
Between Wise and warped, I choose warped.
Congrats to Japers’ Rink on the addition of three more slave monkeys to help keep the boards straight. Hmmm….meant to say congrats to the three guys who get a thankless job that doesn’t pay anything and earns you the emnity of those around you. That didn’t quite come out right either. Whatever.
Seriously, I hope the new mods don’t take so much time being mods that they aren’t able to provide the quality and comprehensiveness of their posts to date. Definitely three guys I always look for in the comments section to get a reasoned, well thought out, and usually not too biased opinion.
Mods responsibilities
Do they have comment deletion power? Or will they just be editing offending comments? Do all posts go through them?
Just curious on the mechanics. I for one welcome our new overlords…
They can delete comments. They cannot edit comments (neither can I, neither can anyone).
In reality, it’s just three more people – in addition to the others on the masthead – who can encourage people to stay on topic, can chill people out when needed, etc.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Seriously, I hope the new mods don’t take so much time being mods that they aren’t able to provide the quality and comprehensiveness of their posts to date.
We’re confident they’ll still be the same level-headed (and prolific) commenters they’ve always been, and are very much hoping that their presence alone – along with everyone else helping out – will make their new gigs easy ones.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Trust me, I ain’t spending any more time here than I already do.
By process of elimination.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Can I test the mods?
- schultz sucks cut him already
- mike knuble is old and overrated
- when are the caps going to have a third jersey
- I like everyone on pensblog, they are clever
- who won the game Saturday night?
- wanna see my bracket?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 22, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh and the caps should recall 92 for the playoff run
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 22, 2010 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions
You forgot Go Flyers.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
i thought that applies only when a post is being sarcastic…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 22, 2010 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
It does, but I thought you were being sarcastic.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
i was but dont let the mods know…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 22, 2010 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions
How much of this back-and-forth added anything to the thread for anyone other than the participants?
Don’t answer that question. Just think about it. And think next time before you (everyone, not you, dcsportsfan1) post a comment. This isn’t a chat room.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 22, 2010 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
this comment (and the community guidelines re-post in clips) set the table for one of the most readable, content-heavy comment sections in the history of the new site. everyone is at the top of his/her game today!
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 22, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
And yet just one rec…
But yes, cheers good men and women!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hi everyone. My name is Gould Old Days (“gouldie” for short — I ain’t no deity), and I have a dog and an awesome shirt. Good to meet you all.
And now let’s go back to talking hockey.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions
i for one welcome our new comment ninja overlords.
…however, i’m sad to see KPB’s watchful eye disappear into the night.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 22, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not only Neuvi being under-rated
But how about his 20 year old backup who has compiled a modest 21-6 / 2.38 / .917 not making the list.
MVP of the California Penal League
by Backhanded Complement on Mar 22, 2010 7:29 AM EDT reply actions
While you could make the case Holtby should be on there, I’m OK with him being left off; the Varlavirth situation should play out next year, Holtby will presumably get the bulk of starts with the Bears and continue to progress. Besides, that list looks like it’ll have 5, maybe 6 goalies tops (figure Bernier and Markstrom are in the Top 25), so I’d hardly consider it a slight.
It does make me a little curious if Mackan/MP crack it, though I’m not putting any money down.
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt MP is on there. Josefson is in the 26-50 segment so it’ll be interesting to see where Mackan falls. He was drafted after Josefson and had less pre-draft hype. But he was named Captain of Team Sweden over Josefson and out-performed him in the SEL (as of last time I checked). He should be above Josefson, but I tend to think he’s being snubbed. Top 25 would be a huge jump for a guy that still hasn’t had any hype at all. Considering how Bernier’s development has stalled I’m not sure he even deserves to be on that list.
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.
Has Bernier’s development stalled? He’s putting up some pretty ridiculous numbers in the AHL (2.09 GAA, .935 SV% – Manchester’s O must blow since he is only 26-20-6)
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 22, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno. I just assumed it had since he’s been the next big thing for like 3 years now. He got a look in the NHL and didn’t do anything and he got passed by Quick and maybe Ersberg. But I don’t really follow him. I just know that he was so highly touted that he was supposed to be starting for LAK by age 20.
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’s still their G of the future; he looked incredible the other night against (Dallas?). He’s an NHL goalie next year for sure.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I had thought the same thing, but looks like he is dominating the AHL. I’ve heard some whispers of him getting his shot soon, and I’d be surprised if he isn’t backing up Quick next year.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 22, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
the Varlavirth situation should play out next year, Holtby will presumably get the bulk of starts with the Bears and continue to progress
I totally agree, and this is why I don’t understand all the talk about resigning Theo. Even if he posts a .950 save percentage in the playoffs and we win the cup, I don’t think he will repeat it, and we have three good young cheap goalies. I don’t want to repeat the same mistake that we made with Carlson, playing him in the AHL most of the year then bringing him up to the NHL for 20 games + playoffs. He should have had a full year, and our goalies should next year.
Varly, Neurvy, Hotlby seem like a good goalie group for the caps next year.
I agree totally about the stupidity of the average person. Horrifyingly, nearly 50% of people are even stupider!
Hell Grapes even gave a nice fawning video montage to Teemu Selanne on Saturday. That’s right Teemu Selanne. Finnish born Teemu Selanne. I think Grapes must have been at a European pot luck Friday and enjoyed the cuisine or something.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
I wonder if it’s more seeking to provide a different voice. Amid all the jingoism (and that’s a good word for the Olympics talk) by saying “hey wait a minute” he maintains his clout as a voice of reason.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Cherry just likes being the opposite of what everyone else is saying sometimes. This is a guy who showed up to a construction worksite consisting primarily of Irish and Italian (read: Catholic) workers wearing an orange hard hat.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
OUCH.
Now that is a big slap in the face right there. Cherry’s lucky he walked out of that construction site. In some places, he might not have!
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
Or maybe, despite his blow-hard attitude, he does have a tremendous amount of love and respect for the game and realizes that anyone that can put up 600 goals in the NHL is a special player.
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.
This is probably also the case, but we’re talking about a guy who still calls Jagr, “Yammy.”
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Somehow I doubt that Cherry knew the symbolism.
And, many Catholic these days don’t either.
And for the record, I’m an Italian Catholic and wouldn’t consider something like that to be an insult.
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Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
This was probably 30-40 years ago, and I believe it was near Buffalo, NY. They knew the symbolism. Italians, probably not, but definitely the Irish.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
The Irish would.
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by IRockTheRed on Mar 22, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt the Italians would know. Only in Ireland does the Green-Orange split exist. In the rest of the world, those colors aren’t so closely associated with religious faiths.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
“Hey, Vinny.”
“Yeah, what’s up Paddy?”
“That asshole over there is wearing an orange hardhat.”
“So?”
“That means he hates Catholics.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s go kick his ass.”
Let’s end this before we go ridiculously OT.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
yes, because I can get us majorly OT on N.I. politics in about 2 seconds, without even realizing it.
and to keep this vaguely on hockey, let me just say Owen Nolan rocks.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
AO's one smart guy.
AO’s one smart guy.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
what am I missing here? Whats wrong with an orange hard hat (not a catholic…)
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 22, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
The youtube video of the goal gave me chills. It’s always cool to see a guy reach that milestone, especially someone like Selanne who has always been a favorite player of mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI_6m3ruN0s&feature=player_embedded
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Mar 22, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
we’ve got some sweet shirts up in the Japers’ Rink Store, with new ones coming soon. Check ’em out.
I dig the one with the Japers’ Rink logo on it. I think I might get that one. Now the only question is: white or red? Also, will one of the shirts coming soon be a “J.P. is My Homeboy” design?
"We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Mar 22, 2010 8:11 AM EDT reply actions
Nice.
I think we should do one with a stylized version of Pepper’s avatar. It’d make for a great caption contest… in the OTOT thread.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
“[O]ne of the best advertisements the NHL has had going for it since the lockout — the Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin rivalry — has been tainted by the introduction of jingoism into the mix by outside forces who have sought to superimpose a Cold War environment into the equation, as if this were 1972 with cheers greeting Bobby Clarke for slashing Valeri Kharlamov across the ankle.” Larry Brooks can be so money sometimes. [NY Post]
Nailed it. This made-up Ovi as the Russian anit-hero BS has really picked up speed this season and has been pretty disappointing. The media (& league?) have stooped pretty low with one their brightest talents all in the name of what? a few new football/basketball fan converts? These guys sell themselves – no mud throwing is needed to hype up their game.
You want a good story? Pay more attention to the Coyotes and their unbelievable season so far.
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
by ns on Mar 22, 2010 8:35 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
The media (& league?) have stooped pretty low with one their brightest talents all in the name of what? a few new football/basketball fan converts?
I don’t think it’s a strategy to convert non-fans. I think they do it because they know the established fans eat it up, one way or another. The haters want to read to see which player the author hates on; the fans read it and send tons of hate email over the slight to their star. Either way the author gets tons of page views and looks great for their editor.
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.
You want a good story? Pay more attention to the Coyotes and their unbelievable season so far.
You bring up a really good point here. The ’Yotes, for a team on the verge of bankruptcy, is having a fantastic season and telling the NHL just where to put it. I like it.
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
Good column, but I have to take issue with this:
The season is too long. Games rarely are distinctive from the ones preceding and following.
Written like a columnist who must find something interesting to write about. Me, I’d be happy with 180 games a year, year-round, one every other night. I just love watching hockey.
Maybe the Olympics skewed it for everyone. Maybe the Olympic hiatus created collateral damage, after all. Maybe the problem is not that the NHL shut down for two weeks, but that it re-opened for business, instead.
Look Larry, I know the team you’re paid to watch is terrible, but if you’re that bored of watching hockey, I’m sure they can find another writer to finish the season out. Wait, what was that headline again?
NHLNew York starved for appealing teams
Oh, right, I forgot. Both New York teams are terrible. So the whole league must be boring this year. Riiiiiiiiiiight, I forgot — the sports world ends at the Hudson.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
You pretty much nailed exactly why I thought that article was just Brooks in full on hack mode once again. While he never acknowledges, it’s pretty clear that it’s not a coincidence that Brooks is complaining about a lack of compelling hockey stories while the Rangers are out of the playoffs and have a very slim chance at getting in.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 22, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
THN on Corvo
Lumping that trade in with the “worst of 09-10” smacks of someone who did just enough research to know less than nothing. We traded Carolina:
- A UFA #4/5 defenseman who, despite being a great human being, had never been able to consistently play big minutes;
- A prospect who took major strides backward this year and looks slow even at the AHL level; and
- A second-round pick that will likely be toward the bottom of the round.
If you consider the fact that moving Pothier was likely necessitated by salary cap considerations, we really just moved a semi-busted prospect and a second-round pick for a guy who can move the puck quickly out of our own end and will help take the pressure off Mike Green.
In a weird way, I actually liked watching the Tampa game with Erskine and Poti on a pairing together, because it served to illustrate in boldface why we acquired Corvo. Every time the puck came into our defensive zone with Erskine and Poti on the ice, it was an adventure. Even if they got possession of the puck with time and space, they still turned the puck over, or simply banged it off the glass and out to neutral ice, followed quickly by TB just dumping it back in and starting the whole process over again. It was like watching the Pens series from last year in microcosm.
If the Caps lose in the playoffs, it will likely be a combination of two factors, one of which will be a hot goaltender, and the second of which will be either A) a team that forechecks aggressively and pressures our defenesmen into turnovers, or B) a team that frustrates us by trapping effectively and takes advantage of their power play opportunities. Corvo’s ability to move the puck quickly out of his own end, either by skating or passing, makes both of these outcomes less likely (although I am a bit concerned that his aggressiveness might be problematic against a good trap).
Parenthetically, this is why I only really fear two teams in the East: NJ and Pitt. NJ plays the trap like no other and, although I think he’s lost a step or two, Brodeur can still steal a series. With Martin back and Kovy, Parise, Langenbrunner and Elias, their PP will probably be decent enough to score against our craptastic PK. Pittsburgh is the only team in the East that can put up the kind of consistent forechecking pressure that makes guys like Erskine and Poti look like clowns trying to put out a fire, and Fleury is good enough to hold serve. Philly can forecheck, but their crap goaltending and inevitable lack of discipline will be problematic against the Caps’ offense/power play.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 22, 2010 8:40 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
If you consider the fact that moving Pothier was likely necessitated by salary cap considerations, we really just moved a semi-busted prospect and a second-round pick for a guy who can move the puck quickly out of our own end and will help take the pressure off Mike Green.
and didn’t GMGM mentioned Corvo was a guy they would like to hold onto past this season? Can’t say the same for Pothier.
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
by ns on Mar 22, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
or B) a team that frustrates us by trapping effectively and takes advantage of their power play opportunities.
Sounds like at least one team the Caps could end up seeing in the first round… but I’m still not really afraid of them. At this point no other team in the East besides PIT has any business beating us in 7. Marty isn’t what he was, and I just don’t see us being frustrated by the trap for a best of 7 series. If BB can’t get that adjustment through then there is a huge problem.
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.
Remember “going to the net” last year? Or the PK . . . basically since he arrived? Boudreau has qualities as a coach, but I don’t think making major adjustments is one of them. He has certain ideas about how the game ought to be and who ought to play, then he rides them into the ground. I have yet to really see us adjust to playing against a good trap, FWIW.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
He has made some adjustments though. Relatively consistent lines are something new to this half of the season. Before that he was using something akin to that Rangers (?) line generator I think.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
…crap, hit send too soon. Too early in the morning.
I agree with you though, he doesn’t change easy, but I think he is learning what it takes to be a coach at this level. He has a great system that works with the players he has. But coaches, like players, especially ones that have toiled in the minors for a long time, have a learning curve on that stuff. He’s been successful enough so far that I’m willing to let him learn for a bit more. If things start to stagnate, I’ll get pissed though
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
Exactly. That’s a little bit of a concern. The concern is mitigated by the fact that there’s only one team in the league that can trap well enough to contain us right now, but unfortunately for us they are going to be in our bracket.
I agree that BB hasn’t made adjustments to a point, but it’s hard for us to make that claim definitively from where we are. PIMs are down, net crashing is up (though I may be willing to credit that more to Knuble than BB), and we don’t really know what his other “adjustments” are. I think part of the problem is that our team is so good that we just expect to win. So sometimes when BB makes an adjustment, it just looks to us like “the Caps decided to start playing.” Examples could be the EDM and CHI games. We think they just looked flat in the first 40, but maybe CHI and EDM were doing something to actually thwart us that needed adjusting. I dunno.
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 definitely agree. Look — read the guy’s book or watch him game to game, and you realize that he’s no chess player out there. But Boudreau’s best skill is something that many other coaches lack: the ability to motivate stars. Compare him with Tocchet in Tampa or Sutter in Calgary — those are teams with stars that underachieve.
If you’re consistently getting the most out of Ovechkin, Green and Backstrom, then who cares what systems you run? I’ll spot him some tactical failings because he’s a big reason why we bring a bigger, badder, scarier set of players out there most nights.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m with you. Getting your players to play hard and go through walls for you is probably more important than the exact dynamics of your system. Obviously you have to have some sort of coherent plan (hear that Bykov?) but ultimately if the guys play hard you’ll win and if they don’t you’ll lose. Especially with the skill we have.
Not exactly related to this comment. Or at all. But the last few days I’ve been thinking about the future of the Caps. In light of a post Mirtle did a while back about how teams spend their cap space (very top heavy) I’ve decided that what I want to see is for GMGM to lock up AO, Baxter, Green, Carlson, Schultz, and Alzner for the long term. If we have those 4 D and AO/Baxter we will be scaaaaaaaaary for many many years. Then GMGM needs to just keep suitable goaltending in the pipeline and a constant supply of RFA talent that is cost-controlled. I figure he could afford ~50% of the cap on those 6 guys and still be able to make it work. Thoughts?
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.
Somewhat related, I suppose: I think that Ryan Kesler may have priced Brooks Laich out of Washington’s long-term plans, which makes me a sad blogger.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
We’ll see. If Brooks is still playing well then, I think they’ll find a way. GMGM tends to show too much loyalty, not too little.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I do agree on that point. More of a comment on how big an overpayment I think that Kesler deal is. Don’t get me wrong – I love the guy’s game. Just not quite that much.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I do. I think Kesler’s deal is fair. Jordan Staal made that market, and I don’t think they’re wrong. He’s a pretty good goal scorer who does everything else very well. His ability to keep opposition goals off the board is as valuable as his ability to get them on there for his own team.
And I’m with KHTAD below. Laich’s a wing, and hopefully in another year and a half when he’s up the team has a good sense of his relative defensive skills. And he never fights. I don’t think Laich’s in that same class, and I think people know it (or are starting to realize it).
And hopefully Laich’s market makes Fleischmann’s market.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe I’m underrating Kesler (much more likely than that I’m overrating Laich).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nah, I think they overpaid a little bit with the expectation that the cap would rise in coming years and they want Kesler through his most productive stretch as a player. They can re-evaluate after that, but they have a pretty good offensive player with some size, skating ability and monster defensive qualities. Add in that he’s something of a pest and the contract is closer to being fair than not given the term.
Back to the under/overrating thing, maybe you do underrate Kesler, but I don’t think you’re wrong about the contract being a bit expensive. That’s pretty close to 1C money (the Savard deal springs to mind).
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 22, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Think Kesler’s value went up during the Olympics? I’m not answering that question, because I can’t go back through the data at the moment, but I’ll bet it didn’t hurt.
Brooksie’s never going to be an Olympian.
"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."
Not true. Once Brookslaichistan is granted its independence, he’ll be there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 22, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
That’s a winner. But any opinion on the actual question?
"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."
I think that the Olympics helped, for sure. Guaranteeing a win, ratcheting up the hate, backing it up with a beauty of an empty netter in a huge game, etc. all helped his Q rating.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
you don’t need the Olympics when you live on Olympus
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Kesler > J. Staal, agree?
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
And where does Mike Richards fit in the equation?
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Go Flyerz!
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually, I was seriously asking the question.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think Richards and Kesler are pretty equal, all things considered. I’d take Kesler, but its kind of a wash. RK is bigger, for one.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I disagree. The defensive aspects are a wash, but Mike Richards is a much better offensive player, this year not withstanding. He’s a little smaller, but he does everything else that Kesler does just a little bit better and he’s an excellent playmaker on top of everything else.
I hate Richards, but I respect his game. I’m of the mind that this year was an unfortunate outlier for him and he’ll revert back to a point-per-game type guy going forward.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 22, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Of note: Kesler is only a +1 this year on a team that has a +50 goal differential. Based on that statistic alone, I doubt he’s getting as many Selke votes this year.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
And I’d be willing to bet he plays the toughest competition every 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.
True. He has the highest qualcomp of any forward on the Canucks, and he’s not doing that with anyone great next to him (he also has one of the lowest quality-of-teammates ratings).
But then again, the folks who vote for the Selke award aren’t exactly the types who frequent behind the net.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
I agree on order, but not with the implication that Richards and Kesler are that close.
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Both wholly understandable.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 22, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And where does Mike Richards fit in the equation?
He’s underpaid for his talent level (although this year has not been great for him)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. And to J.P.‘s point I’d say that Richards has better offensive upside than Kesler but right now might not be as good defensively. As much as I hate him, I’d probably have to take Richards long term. Especially given their respective contracts.
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 we’ve had this convo before, but of all the players we hate, I think Crosby and Richards were the two players we’d kill to have on the Caps, and I stand by that. I despise Richards as an opposing player, but there are few, if any, players in the league (who aren’t already Caps) I’d rather have than him.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Richards as the Caps’ 2C? Are you kidding me? I don’t know who I’d rather have either.
we're not gonna allow someone like Downie to go after him.
I could name a few, but it’s a short list.
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.
Who? Weber? Miller? I’d take both of those guys over Richards, but as far as forwards go?
we're not gonna allow someone like Downie to go after him.
Toews, Getzlaf, Stamkos maybe Kopitar but there may be some fanboy stuff in that choice. Maybe Datsyuk and Zetterberg but they are getting older. Ditto Marleau.
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 love Kopitar, but he’s not anywhere close to Richards on D. Neither are Getz and Stamkos.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Of course not. But he’s nowhere close to any of those guys on offense.
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 look at the caps needs and Richards seems to fit most of them. He’s a top six center, good defensively, great on the PK. He’s got a solid offensive upside and a lot of sandpaper. Kopitar would nice, but he doesn’t fill the gaps as well.
we're not gonna allow someone like Downie to go after him.
I don’t think Richards gives you a guaranteed offensively dominant line. I think you put any wings with skill with Getzlaf/Kopitar/Stamkos and you have a guaranteed dominant line.
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.
Disagree, Kopitar is very underrated defensively. He came into the league and was immediately the top C for the Kings, playing every scenario and taking key faceoffs. Despite the big minus numbers in past years, Kopitar is very good defensively and has a significant size advantage on Richards, and he uses it well.
And this year he has a better DGVT than Richards, and while the Kings PK does better with Kopitar on the ice, the Flyers PK actually does worse with Richards on the ice.
I know this is a down year for Richards (but really, do we know if last year or this year is more of the aberration?), but I still don’t think Kopitar is far behind Richards defensively. He just doesn’t get the same love because Richards plays in PHI and not LA and SHG are sexy.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 22, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Are you talking players in general or the market of 2Cs?
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
oh
Lots of players I want before him, then. Too many to list.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Count me among those shocked at how much Kesler got.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 22, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
really?
Maybe I overvalue, but I think he’s really, really good.
On the other hand, David Legwand is in his price range. Ugh.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he’s really really good too, but 5 million a year for a Center who has never scored 30 or more goals, and never averaged a point per game seems to be about a million too much per season. I know he brings more the table than scoring, just saying I thought it was about 20% overpayment on the Canucks part.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 22, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
If Laich was a legitimate Selke-candidate center with playmaking skills and some serious agitator chops, I would agree with you. The points are comparable, the goals are a little better, but the package as a player is not.
I don’t see them as anything like comparable in anything but basic stats.
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by Knee high to a duck on Mar 22, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough, and good points, but I think that those basic stats tend to weigh quite heavily (more than you or I would weight them, for sure) come contract time. We’ll see.
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Basic stats tip the scales far too heavily, for sure.
Interesting dynamic to watch going forward — does any non-essential piece of the powerplay that gets significant time price themselves out of WSH? Brooks is a fine player, but I’m not convinced he does on the PP better than, say, Eric Fehr.
On another team, he’s probably a 2nd line winger who kills penalties and gets some PP time. On this one, he’s playing with Alex Semin, who’s far better than most second-line teammates you’re going to get on any other squad. He’s also getting some pretty good 5-on-4 minutes, sometimes out with the four young guns as the front-of-the-net guy. I could see him going to another team and not distinguishing himself as well as he has here.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 22, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. He’d be wise to look at his role here and be realistic about what he can and can’t do as a player. If he goes for the money somewhere else, he’s likely going to find himself in a role for which he’s not as well-suited and may be setting himself up for, well, less success.
But Brooks is wise. He’ll do what’s right.
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I never believed in players taking home team discounts, but if there’s one guy who might, it would be Laich. He seems far more invested in the future of the franchise than any other player on the team.
What do you mean by “never believed in players taking home team discounts”? Do you mean they don’t or shouldn’t? I think there are plenty of examples of guys that did do it, even if it’s rare.
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.
Sid could’ve gotten more than he ultimately signed for in PIT, for example.
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And Lidstrom’s been taking hometown discounts in Detroit for years now.
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But then it wouldn’t have matched his b-day (8-7-87 = $8.7M)!
"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."
The beauty of Sid’s deal is that it also limited what Malkin could make (since they obviously wouldn’t pay him a penny more than Sid).
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Like what Lidstrom did. I think Malkin may be leaving PIT after this contract. I’m not sure he’ll match Sid’s contract discount and I’m pretty sure he won’t accept less than Sid.
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.
And that money could probably be better spent elsewhere at that point, with J. Staal at 2C.
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Agreed. I don’t think he’d light the world afire at 2C but he could handle the minutes and be decent enough. It will be interesting to see for 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.
What do you mean by "never believed in players taking home team discounts"? Do you mean they don’t or shouldn’t?
Probably worded that poorly. What I meant is that I don’t believe players should take home team discounts because their careers can be cut short by injuries in a flash and the teams rarely show the same loyalty to them that they show to the team. If you were talking about a couple hundred thousand dollar difference, then I would say stay and play where you feel more comfortable. But if you’re talking a million a season more for a few seasons, a player would be crazy to pass that up.
Gotcha, and in general I agree. Especially with the NFL. Those guys should be as cut-throat as they can in every negotiation. But in the NHL the contracts are guaranteed now. So even though you can get a career ending injury, if you can extract another year or two from the GM in exchange for a “little” cut in annual salary it may make sense long term. Especially if you want to be part of the nucleus of a team that’s going to compete for the Cup annually.
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.
From the perspective of getting a longer term for slightly fewer dollars, couldn’t agree more. Hadn’t thought about that. Since Crosby was mentioned, I wonder if he’s going to be so generous next contract seeing how he basically has put the Penguins franchise in the black and allowed them to make huge profits with their new building.
This is something Caps fans are going to have to get used to. Lots of very good players, having amazing offensive stats (probably system enhanced to some degree) and moving on to other teams because we can’t afford them.
It hasn’t happened yet, but there will come a time, I think 2011/2012, that we will have to decide whether or not we want to keep Green or Semin.
I was going to do a FanPost on the 2011/2012, but I didn’t want to be a Debbie Downer.
As much of a Semin fan I am, I don’t think there’s any question about who stays.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
You could see this in 2011/2012…
Ovechkin $9.5M
Backstrom $6.9M
Green $7.5M
$23.9M for 3 players
Leaving $34.7M ti sign 20 players or $1.735M per player.
I foresee a young lineup full of *M*aster*P*ieces and Mack[an] daddies.
I also don’t see Backs getting so little.
And, frankly, Green getting so much. I think those numbers are reversed, if anything.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
So little? I still think that Toews/Kane set the market on Backstrom, no matter what he’s done since.
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He’s worth it.
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by Steck It Out on Mar 22, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Backs has outperformed both of them, and is currently on-par with an $8.7m/year man.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
As good as he is, there’s no way that Backstrom is presently on par with Sid.
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But as we pointed out last year and yesterday goals!= assists. Sid is a more valuable player than Nick this year, both as the team’s primary offensive threat and as a better goal scorer.
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by Knee high to a duck on Mar 22, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Just to keep the thread nice and tidy.
JP: I don’t see Backs not making more than Toews/Kane.
KHtoD: Yeah, that’s true. He’s not going to get the same contract “The Kid” is, thankfully, but that’s not to say he’s not going to get close to that.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed that Nick will make more than T/K, but I think he’ll be a lot closer to them than he is to Malkin/Crosby.
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I think $7.5M is going to be pretty close to the number based on Greens stats.
If Mike Green is once again part of the Norris Trophy final three for 3 years straight, shouldn’t he get top 3 pay?
Not if he’s not an all star and isn’t even one of the 7 best Canadian D.
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.
Swap Boyle for Pronger and I agree.
And F&B was being snarky.
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Laich to NSH FTW!
/rosterbated’d
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Booooooo.
"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."
Allow our Preds fan the unrealistic dream that David Poile might some day be allowed to acquire a player entering his prime.
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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That hurts, JP, it really does ;). If only because truth hurts. Did Poile have the same problem in WSH?
Every day Hornqvist goes without being re-signed is a day my heart sinks lower.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Allow our Preds fan the unrealistic dream that David Poile might some day be allowed to acquire an offensive player entering his prime.
/Langway’d
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.
In fairness to JP, we’ve never acquired a defenseman in his prime-they’ve all been drafted. And then traded away in their prime (Zidlicky/Zanon).
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I know. I was just correcting him because Langway is the big exception to his point (which is generally true).
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 should’ve put a 25-year statute of limitation qualifier on my comment.
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I don’t even know that it’s necessary. The way he ran both organizations is ridiculously similar. Two completely different eras but he went about team building in the exact same way. I’m not sure if that’s to his credit or detriment.
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.
Credit, because Nashville will win a Cup about 5 years after he leaves. He’ll have stockpiled so much talent that another GM can convert it to a Cup-caliber balanced team with good moves.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
....
This may be true, and I hope it is, but the Caps didn’t have a self-imposed cap. Until Brett Wilson shifts his ass into gear we likely won’t be contenders; although I’m so impressed with our progress this year. We’re on the way to the 2nd best year in franchise history.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
But once you get a new owner (sounds like I’m talking to Redkins or Orioles fans), you can do well. Polie will keep you running decently on the self imposed cap. You won’t win a cup, but you should be in the playoffs and hopefully come close once you’re allowed to spend real money.
I agree totally about the stupidity of the average person. Horrifyingly, nearly 50% of people are even stupider!
So you’re from the Max Talbot school of prognostication?
Counterpoint: Detriment because he failed to win with the Caps and it looks like he may be making some of the same mistakes and not investing heavily enough on offense given the focus of the current era.
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.
Deal. But Poile won’t move what it’d take.
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.
In a vacuum, which Pred would it take to get Laich off your roster?
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know that we want a roster player. It would probably take a pick, which Poile won’t move, or maybe one of those shiny defensive prospects, which Poile also won’t move straight up for Laich. I could do Laich and a 2 for one of the young D. But that depends on whether we need D, and what other prospects are in your system by the time Laich is FA again.
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 DP refuses to offload a D prospect for a player like Laich, I’ll be pissed. We have entirely too many. Hell, we have more than you’re ever allowed to dress at one time.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. But they are almost all bluechips and Laich isn’t a guy that you trade away a bluechip D straight up for.
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.
Yeah, I get the feeling Laich is a guy benefitting from his teammates, but I don’t know. I don’t think he’s a 25 +/- goal guy every year.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Hard to say. Laich has gotten better every single year in just about every facet of his game. I’m still not quite sure where his ceiling is. What I do know is that every team needs guys like Laich, and you can’t have too many of 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.
Maybe, but Kesler does have better name recognition and is a crucial part of that team. Maybe I’m just rationalizing though because by the numbers Laich is right there with Kesler and will be better soon. He’ll never be the D stud that Kesler is though. Hopefully he takes a bit of a discount to keep the band together and hang out with Green some more.
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.
Yup. And don’t forget, one day the salary cap will begin to go up again. And if you’ve locked up legitimate stars to long contracts (as opposed to the one-year-wonders or aging Prongers of the world) then you win.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully we’ll see how that strategery plays out over the next year or two and we can see the sub first-rounders pan out.
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Subtext of F&B’s comment: don’t give in to the temptation of signing #28 long-term.
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Amen. Flash is 75% of Semin for 50% of the price. With some prospects coming up the pipe, the Caps will be fine without Semin.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re under-selling Semin, there. Flash will never strike the fear of God in his opponents. Nor will he (can he) take over a game when the chips are down. And they’re both inconsistent. I’ll give you that last one :-).
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
RE: Semin. I am sure we will be able to curl n drag ourselves out of any long term contracts with him.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Mar 22, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that Flash ain’t 75% of Semin.
I also agree with Gouldie that the Caps will be fine sans Semin.
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That was subtext?
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.
It was implicit. I inferred it.
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Not anymore – systems are more important. Just ask Barry Melrose. He came back and thought it was all about motivating people, not X’s and O’s. The problem is, all these players have been brought up with systems play, and if a coach doesn’t have a good one, they’re likely to just tune out everything he has to say. If you listened to the interviews with TB’s players after Melrose left, you’d have heard a bunch of players who generally thought he was clueless and coaching as though it were still 1994.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Yeah, that’s what the Bykov dig was getting at. You can’t just say “you have skill, go play!” and expect to win. But if you have a great system with every contingency planned for in Xs and Os but the players don’t like you, well, then you’re Ken Hitchcock and out of a job.
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 part of Hitch’s problem is that he tries to implement his system everywhere, when in reality, his success in Dallas was due in part to the fact that he had players that fit into that system rather well.
Jere Lehtinen is a great Hitch player, Nikolai Zherdev? Not so much.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
He also had some success in PHI. I think a bigger part of Hitch’s problems were that he refused to adapt after the rule changes. You just can’t suck the life out of every game and be successful anymore. Coincidence that his regular season and playoff success dropped in a big way after the lockout? Maybe. But I just don’t think that’s a winning model anymore. He had several years to build it in CBJ and only got out of the basement when he had a hot as balls goalie. He got PHI into the playoffs the first year out of the lockout but that was a good team and they lost in the first round.
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.
It’s probably a bit of both – personnel and post-lockout playing style.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
It’s hard for a coach to get guys to adjust to the trap when you’re playing against one every three or four weeks, particularly with so little practice time during the season. But when you get into a seven game series, unraveling the trap becomes easier and easier. Coaches can develop specific schemes and players learn what it takes to beat the trap when they’re playing against it every other night. I think that’s why NJ has such regular season success with somewhat limited talent, yet seems of recent to flame out in the playoffs (since winning the Cup in ‘03, they’ve gone out in the 1st or 2nd round in five straight seasons) When it comes to the trap, familiarity really does breed success.
Beating a trap is simple. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. You don’t have to practice a whole lot to get it done, you just have to make a commitment to doing it. Every player in the NHL knows how to get the puck in deep and go forecheck and chase it down. That’s how you have to play at ES, and then you have to make your PPs count. The Caps have the personnel to do that, but thus far they haven’t shown the will to do it. Hopefully we just avoid a trap altogether when the playoffs come around.
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 Caps have the personnel to do that, but thus far they haven’t shown the will to do it.
The caveat here is during the regular season. So far, under Boudreau, they haven’t played a trapping team in the playoffs. I’m pretty confident that if he ever got into a seven game series against the trap, Bruce would get his team on the same page as to what needs to be done to beat the trap.
The Caps have shown in brief flashes that they’re willing to play that kind of game and still win. You’re right, they don’t show it often enough and you can question how dedicated they would be to it over a longer period of just a game or two.
But for the first two years after the lockout we saw flashes of what this team has become. It took some time for it to develop and I have no doubt that we can develop a consistent trap beating game too.
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why was moving pots necessitated by salary cap considerations? he is a UFA at seasons end as is Corvo.
so given that they both are UFAs at seasons end, the difference is basically that corvo can play top pair minutes and is better on the PP than Pots. given last years playoffs, this was a key consideration, yet subtle. the cost seems a bit steep at this point, i would agree. but the caps know better about osala’s value at this point than anyone.
fact is, the caps are not rebuilding and at the pace he’s on, osala may not have cracked the caps lineup in the next year or two and then he’s an RFA. an its doubtful that a late second round pick makes an impact on the caps in the near future either. the canes are in a rebuild mode so having prospects and picks are going to help them more than us.
if the caps win the cup w/ corvo, obviously this was a great trade. if they dont, maybe we’ll be like ottawa wondering why we traded that laich dude for a guy who never helped us win the cup.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 22, 2010 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions
without checking the numbers, moving without moving Pothier the Caps may have been over the Salary Cap after adding pro-rated cap hits of Walker, Corvo and Belanger. Had more to do with this season than next.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 22, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I never want to see Erskine in ourzonelineup with Crosbyforecheckingdressed for the opponent, ever.
My humble edits.
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Yet another parenthetical statement on this topic:
Watching Erskine and Poti flail about against TB is yet another reason that I’m pissed at the “Eminger-ing” of Karl Alzner. Poti frustrates me in particular because of his inability to play like the veteran defenseman that he is. His body and stick positioning were poor against TB, just as JP had pointed out earlier. At this point, it’s not a mistake; it’s just Tom Poti. He’s 33, and he’s not going to learn/improve.
Alzner may make mistakes, but at least he’s capable of learning from them. If he had been with the Caps all season, I have to imagine that he’d be at least a serviceable penalty-killer out there. Instead, he rode the Hershey – DC roller coaster until his confidence was sapped.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Alzner’s PK numbers on Behind the Net look pretty good as is, but he had relatively little ice and weaker competition. But you know I agree with you so we don’t really have to get into it. Only disagreement is that I think/hope this didn’t really sap his confidence. I have faith in his mental toughness. This is a big off-season for him and if he gets stronger he should easily be top 6 out of camp.
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.
Man, I hope so. As much as I’m glad that I’m able to say, “I told you so” with regard to Carlson beating Alzner to the show full-time, I’d still prefer to have both of them up here, if only so I never need see John Erskine or Tyler Sloan in the lineup again.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
One thing I’ve fastidiously tried to avoid is getting into a Alzner v. Carlson battle or hitching my wagon to either. I love both and think both are going to be studs. I am shocked by Carlson’s rapid development but I don’t think that necessarily takes away from what Alzner brings. I also think J.P. is looking good on his prediction of Alzner as the new Schultz.
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.
That means that we should see Alz up here permanently next year and that he’ll have a quiet year or two, but start putting up +/- in droves when he turns 23 or 24. Which I’m perfectly happy with.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with both of you. Carlson is more the exception than anything else.
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by Carl Putnam on Mar 22, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
What a year for Carlson. Early on, I said something to the effect of, given his meteoric rise to the top of the OHL, and his subsequent success in the A last year, I’m expecting him to trend the same and be here by the playoffs this year! I’m just amazed-out-of-my-pants that it actually happened.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
He seems to be taking it mostly all in stride too, and just keeps working on his game.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Let’s see how he handles the crucible of playoff competition. If I were playing the Caps, the very first thing I would do is commit to putting a bloody pounding on Green and Carlson. It rattled Green the first time it happened; we’ll see how Carlson handles it.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
We’ve got a more experienced Green, Corvo, and Carlson, now, though. No team will have enough to go ’round.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
although I think he’s lost a step or two, Brodeur can still steal a series
I disagree with this. Brodeur hasn’t looked great in the playoffs since 2003. Even in his prime, when did he ever steal a series? He had an incredible D corps in front of him and a team that played their very disciplined system to a T. When I think of a goalie stealing a series I think of Giguere against DET in 2003 or Theodore against COL in 2008, not Brodeur racking up 16 save shutouts against lower seed teams. Shocking as it may be, Brodeur is towards the end of the list of reasons why I think NJ could give the Caps big problems.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 22, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate the NJ Devils. I hate the trap. I think they play boring, spirit-crushing hockey. I think Brodeur has benefited a lot from the players and system that was put in place around him.
That being said, I still think he’s the greatest goaltender of all time (this, coming from an Avs-era Patrick Roy partisan, no less). Sure, he’s a ways removed from his last great run in 2003, but honestly, which other goalie on a playoff-bound team scares you in the least?
Brodeur could steal a game or two from the Caps, and the Caps’ inability to play against the trap could lose them a couple more, particularly at the Rock.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
but honestly, which other goalie on a playoff-bound team scares you in the least?
Ryan Miller, if I were a Caps fan.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
That being said, I still think he’s the greatest goaltender of all time (this, coming from an Avs-era Patrick Roy partisan, no less).
Nope. Roy won the Calder Cup as a 19 year old AHL rookie, then the Stanley Cup as an NHL rookie. Had more years in between his first and last Cup victory, won in at least two different eras (and certainly one more era than Brodeur did), matched up against Brodeur in 1 SCF when Roy was aging and Brodeur was in his prime. Brodeur had the number 1 scoring team in the league on his side and a 3-2 series lead going home. The Avs won, as you no doubt recall. Both teams were great teams, but when push came to shove the Avs won games 6 and 7. Roy has the Conn Smythes (the only player in NHL history with 3 of them) and, although his teams were obviously also very good, was more responsible for carrying at least two of his Cup teams (both the MON teams) than Brodeur ever was.
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.
by Rob Parker on Mar 22, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Top Prospects 26-50
Karl Alzner 26th, Cody Franson 29th:
Now in his second full season of professional hockey, Alzner has spent much of the 2009-10 season shuttling between the Washington Capitals and their AHL affiliate in Hershey. A combination of size, mobility, and smart defensive play, the 21-year-old has all of the tools to be a shutdown defenseman at the NHL level. The only real impediment for him is playing for an extremely deep and talented Capitals organization. Expect Alzner to join the Capitals on a full-time basis as soon this fall.
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I thought Franson was slower. I didn’t realize he was noted for his mobility. Alzner will never have the offensive upside that Franson has, but anyone who is around here regularly still knows how much I love Alzner.
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 mentioned it the other day, but I think in two years Franson leads the blue line in points. He has ridiculous offensive skills. He’s not a road cone on defense, but he doesn’t use his huge frame like he should and obviously pays too much attention to offense which is why he’s paired with Hamhuis.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
You think he has more offensive upside than Weber or Suter? That’s a scary thought. Good luck keeping all those studs together. If you have Weber/Suter/Franson/Ellis/Blum in your lineup I could see your D out-scoring your F lines.
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 thing is he already runs a better power play than either of them. Weber’s out there, obviously, to put the fear of God in the goalie, but Franson does it all. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s taken over one of our PP units. He leads the team in +/-, too. I’m convinced if he had played all year he’d be in the Calder conversation.
Unfortunately, with the ceiling of those guys, we’ll never be able to afford them all in their prime. You forgot about Olivier-Roussel and Josi. :(
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I just don’t know anything about those guys so I can’t comment much. I know the other 5 are blue-chippers and that’s enough to set you guys up on the blueline for the longterm. It should also be enough to bring in some bluechip help up front to give Wilson someone to play with. Guy has been on fire since the Olympic break.
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.
Yeah, I’d like to see us flip a bluechip D for a good forward. Hornqvist and Wilson are the future of our top line, and we need another winger for that. I keep coming back to Radulov— he’s the shooter on that line, PH crashes the net, Wilson sets everything up- lethal.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
you know
47-33-27 is a (very) light version of 8-19-22. Cool.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Except that you hate Radulov.
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.
His guts, yes. His play? Never.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
What’s happening to the San Jose Sharks? They look absolutely dreadful. As a Caps fan they are the team that would scare me most coming out of the West if they could get hot, so this is a great development, but wow.
by Kolzilla on Mar 22, 2010 9:02 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
They are rounding into playoff form just in time. I have no idea what has happened because I haven’t watched them play much lately, but Nabokov hasn’t been putting up good numbers, that’s for 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.
They’re just getting the collapsing out of the way early, which might favor them if they’re not the top seed and stuff. who knows. All I know is NSH is on friggin fire.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to mention PHX too … good lord!
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
It was pointed out that five of Phoenix’s nine straight wins were via shootout. Caps have already beaten them. Wouldn’t mind that matchup, but they could have difficulty getting out of the West.
"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."
If Phoenix makes it past the second round I’ll eat my hat. I don’t think they get out of the first round. There’s no shootout in the playoffs.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I could see PHX winning a round, especially if they get another inexperienced team like LAK or COL.
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 want a NSH-PHX first round— assuring a non traditional team in the 2nd round! Haters galore!
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve been saying the same thing about Pittsburgh all season, but all you need in the playoffs is one lucky bounce to win in OT.
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I think Nabokov’s Olympics experience, and the fact that it came at the hands of Thornton, Heatley, Marleau and Boyle, is a big factor. How can the Canadians on that team possibly trust their goalie at this point? And how can they compete every night if they don’t trust their goalie?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 22, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha. Dan Boyle has one good Olympic game and it ruins his NHL goalie. Now that is just desserts. And seriously, who thought Thornton was going to compete every night come playoff time anyway? He’s the prototypical regular season player at this point.
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 the Sharks have no faith in Nabokov because of the Olympics then they never had any faith in him to begin with.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 22, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I fear the Red Wings.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I’m torn between wanting to see them make the #8 seed so they can wreak havoc in the Western Conference, versus fearing the possibility that they could actually WIN the Western Conference… Again…
You had me at no problem.
which is sort of the topic of today’s What We Learned at Puck Daddy. Or, why everyone seems to be tanking to avoid the Wings in Round 1.
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Don Cherry praising AO? Really?
I didn’t think so, he just stated the obvious – that Ovi is not a coward and that he didn’t want to hurt Campbell. Ovechkin will have to become a Canadien citizen first, and then Don will be praising him 24/7/365. Ovi don’t need anyone’s approval – he is the best anyway. GO CAPS!!!
It's a Magic Number...!
And it keeps getting smaller.
Conference
Caps = 106 + 20 = 126 max points
Penguins = 90 + 20 = 110 max points
Magic number = 110 – 106 = 4 + 1 = 5
A Penguin loss to the Red Wings tonight will drop our magic number to 3. New Jersey has 88 points, and a game in hand on the Penguins, and they do not play tonight, so the Penguins will continue to hold our magic number for the time being.
League
Caps = 106 + 20 = 126 max points
Blackhawks = 97 + 22 = 119
Magic Number = 119 – 106 = 13 + 1 = 14
Chicago plays western conference 2nd place (!!!) Phoenix tomorrow. A loss there will propel Phoenix to 99 points and 1st place in the west, but Chicago has two games in hand on Phoenix, so our Magic Number will remain in their hands and drop to 12. (Phoenix maxes out at 115 points).
What an accomplishment for Phoenix if they do this! I have to say: go ’Yotes!
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If Pittsburgh has 90 points with 10 games left and Buffalo and New Jersey have 88 points with 11 games left, don’t all three of them have to lose before our magic number drops to 3?
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Yeah...
…I’m not a numbers geek.
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by IRockTheRed on Mar 22, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
The easiest way for me is to think of each team having a separate number, an “out” number or some such, and our “magic number” is just whenever each other team’s number hits 0. So, a loss from Pittsburgh drops the number for Pitt down to 3 and leaves Buffalo and Jersey at 5. A win from us drops all three numbers. Just how I make it fit in my brain.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Yeah; I got the western conference side right, but the part I failed to see with my foggy brain this morning was the 11 games left for Buffalo and NJ.
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by IRockTheRed on Mar 22, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
The other wrinkle is the tie breakers. 5 points are required to clinch against NJ and Pitt (since, if they won out, they would have more wins than us) but two wins would clinch against Buffalo (since Buffalo would only be able to match us in wins if they were to win out, and we win 2 games, forcing the next tiebreaker, which is Head to Head, which we win).
SportsClubStats.com’s analysis has the caps a 100% chance of winning the east. In simulating the rest of the season 100,000,000 times, the Caps failed to take first place every time…
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Mar 22, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Only New Jersey and Pitt have to lose to drop our Magic Number to three.
We have the first tiebreaker (wins) on the Buffaslugs. We don’t on Pitt and Joisey so we need the extra point on both of them.
And while it isn’t likely, we could still wrap up the #1 seed in the East before any other team in the NHL earns a playoff spot. The Buffaslugs winning in Carolina last night though made that one tough.
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Technically we don’t have the first tiebreaker on Buffalo, because in this hypothetical situation where we’re tied at 110 points it’s because Buffalo won out, and we have the same number of OTL as the Sabres so in that scenario we’d either have the exact same record (50-22-10) or the Caps would’ve gotten some of their points through OTL in which case the Sabres would have the tiebreaker. But we have the H2H tiebreaker, and Buffalo’s not winning out, but in that case New Jersey and Pitt losing drops our magic number to 4, not 3, because we’d still need the 110 for Buffalo, if not the 111.
The easiest way to do this is just to beat Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Calgary, and then it doesn’t matter what anybody else does.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
You’re right, on that. My mistake and I was about to correct that. We don’t have the wins tiebreaker on the Buffaslugs, we have the Head-to-Head Matchup, 6 points to 2 points.
And with the third tiebreaker being Goal Differential. Being +80 right now means that nobody is beating us on that one. The only team that could possibly come up against right now is San Jose.
And from looking at the schedule, should Pittsburgh take any loss tonight, a regulation win over them on Wednesday eliminates them. A regulation loss tonight for Pittsburgh means the Caps can take any win on Wednesday to eliminate them from the Eastern Conference #1 seed and President’s Trophy race.
Joisey hosts Columbus tomorrow night (in a cure for insomnia)
The Buffaslugs host Montreal on Wednesday night.
Joisey hosts the Rangers on Thursday night.
If everything breaks right, we won’t need the Calgary game on Sunday and can get the job done on Thursday night in Raleigh.
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Indeed, this table of faceoff winning percentage versus the number of faceoffs taken per game suggests that Carolina would be better off letting a winger take the draw than letting Eric Staal continue to flail away
Gotta love some of the names in the bottom chart. Absolutely hysterical.
As bad as Flash is at face offs, he’s still in Eric Staal territory Country!
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.
Anyone have any idea why Malkin sucks so bad on draws? Obviously he’s a big, strong body with phenomenal hands… does it just come down to him not wanting it bad enough, or is there something more to it?
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There was a while there where Crosby had the knock on him for not being very good at draws, either. Maybe it’s coaching?
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Crosby is one of the top guys in the League in draws now, so I’m gonna throw that out the window.
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Right, because the coaches spent all their time making Crosby good and never focused on poor Evgeni!
But seriously, I don’t really know. When most teams play the ol’ matchup game, are they trying to get their top line out against Pitt’s top line, or against the Malkin line? Maybe Malkin’s always facing off against the cream of the crop.
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Faceoffs are weird. I was a C as a teenager and I was pretty good, but it always seemed like a total crapshoot. I’d have games where I’d literally win every faceoff I took, and some where I just flat-out missed the draw 9 out of 10 times. The puck bounce has to do with it, the opponent has to do with it, the Ref’s timing has to do with it – I know there are people out there like Brind’amour and Steckel, but I think it really is more luck than skill.
If you’re going straight for the puck. Obviously, tying up the guy’s stick, or just taking a step forward and kicking the puck back are different situations that directly affect the stick usage. I think the skill is in reading the situation.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I should point out that winning the FO with a kick was mis-draw, so it was only stickwork in my league/age-group.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
but I think it really is more luck than skill.
This may be why the range is really between 45-55% and anything above or below is amazing or horrid. There’s not that much difference. I’d also argue that when you take skill out of the equation, the remaining factor isn’t luck, but effort.
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.
GAS?
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.
This is why I think of faceoffs like rebounds in basketball. Those that are good at both work at it in practice, but also put forth the effort needed to win the puck/ball when it counts.
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by Carl Putnam on Mar 22, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Indeed. I win a lot more faceoffs when I actually bother to focus on it
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 22, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Seeing as how the best of the best of the last 15 or so years is 60%, and the worst of the worst is right around 40%, I’d have to agree with the crapshoot idea.
That being said, winning faceoffs even 52-48 can give your team a boost.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Some guys consistently win in the high 50s year after year, though, so clearly skill and effort enter into the equation. Also, I tend to notice guys like Backstrom tend to have the ability to dig in and win facebooks at key junctures.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Mar 22, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Win facebooks, huh? Is that like having the most hot-girl-kissing-you pictures in your album?
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Apparently I need more caffeine in my life.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Mar 22, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Part of that is him cheating at just about every dot.
Not saying he’s the only guy who does it. BMo does it a TON and it drives me nuts. Part of lining up for a face off is being square with the other end of the ice. Ref’s have stopped tossing guys when they’re closer to facing the linesman than their opponent.
Refs/linesmen start picking their arms up more often to toss guys like they did in the 90s and you’d see a dramatic turn of events in FO%
But he’s strong enough up top to win draws. That’s not really an excuse.
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 Boyd Gordon is strong enough to dominate the dot, so is Malkin.
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Gordon and Steckel can get bullrushed from time to time, but it rarely seems to push their numbers below 50. Seems like Backstrom does even better against that when he gets a chance to be mean Lars.
My guess is it’s just some technique or form issue. He should be better at it, but he ain’t.
It could be because of lack of pride, though. NHL10 says a player lacks pride if they perform poorly on faceoffs. Going to go with that so we can start a narrative about Malkin based on some bizarre in-game commentary.
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Exactly. I really have no idea what the deal is. I was never a face off specialist and definitely never had real quality face off coaching. I think a lot of it really is just getting in there and battling. Taking sticks to the face and ribs and making sure you dig that puck out.
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.
does it perhaps have to do with Gordon and Steckel knowing that the way to stick in the NHL is to be face0off wizards? They’re not Malkin. Steckel isn’t getting million dollar contracts for getting the puck in the net. I have to wonder if Gordon and Steckel have busted their asses to excel at that portion of the game because its a way for them to stick, where Malkin doesn’t worry about it as much because he has so many other things going for him.
As for Crosby, give it to him, the guy hates to lose at ANYTHING. Getting massacred in faceoffs by the same guy over and over and over again really pissed him off, and too his credit, he didn’t sit back on the rest of his skills, he went out and worked on his faceoffs. He’s probably that hyper-competitive guy no one can stand, but he doesn’t care because he wants to win.
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So much of winning faceoffs is the “give-a-shit” factor. Watch Backstrom – there are times when he hardly even bends at the waist. Other times he digs right in. You’ve really got to want it more, as cliche as it sounds, and maybe Geno doesn’t.
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cg could play a role
Malkin’s shoulders are way the hell off the ground; almost any C in the league has a natural advantage getting their strength under his and on the puck. Even Stecks ‘starts lower’ than Malkin.
I also recall reading that NA faceoffs are very different from euro tactics, and that ‘translation’ was one of Backstrom’s hurdles in this regard.
Too tall + lost in translation + GAS ?
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by redlineblue on Mar 22, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Even Stecks ‘starts lower’ than Malkin.
just an observation, and hockey folks, correct me if I’m wrong, but Steckel seems quite good at getting down low given his height.
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Gordo and Stecks have essentially the same style, and both get down about as low. I can’t remember the last time I noticed Brindy taking a draw, though, so can’t really remember what he looks like on FOs.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Brindy gets low and gets his shoulder under your body and loves to use his shoulder to just torque you away from the puck.
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.
He takes a wide stance.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
You are correct. And Brindy is amazing at doing that as well, although he is one of the biggest faceoff cheaters you will ever see.
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 cannot figure out how those little chicken ankles support that body.
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I was waiting for you to bring that up. My man.
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by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Jerred Smithson in the top list? WTF?
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Since we’re talking draws, I might as well link back to this post.
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14 comments!
Oh how far you’ve come.
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.
From the Theo article:
Taking a look at Theodore’s playoff history, I am filled with confidence that he will be more than capable of carrying the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup victory this season.
Don’t mean to be a killjoy, but weren’t we relying on Theo last year as our starter? Look what happened. I’m not saying that I have no faith in him, because he’s having a hell of a season. But…ehh…I’m not overly sure.
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What more can I say?
Relying on him? Yes. “Filled with confidence”? No.
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Pretty much. He’s had a hell of a year, and I’ve been more than impressed with his season. I’m not ready to say that he can steal a playoff series for us, though. It’s going to take a lot more than Theo’s goaltending. I’m comfortable with him going into the playoffs, but not totally ready to say he can lead us all the way to the Cup.
Everyone wants to kill the king. But the prince, he just sails along telling all the ladies, "One day I'm gonna be king."
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by Steck It Out on Mar 22, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Who would Theo have to “steal” a playoff series from. I’m of the mind that he just has to “not lose” us a series. Average goaltending on this team will be enough to win 4/7 from anyone. MAF agrees.
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.
Its not about stealing a series, its about stealing a game. Its very difficult for a goalie to steal a whole series. Just ask Lundy and the Rags. As you point out, it is mostly about not losing the series. Theo needs to steal one game, and not lose the others.
we're not gonna allow someone like Downie to go after him.
I don’t even think Theo needs to steal a game until the ECF at earliest.
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.
He might, if only to keep us from going past 4-5 games in a series. The Caps seriously cannot come out and go to seven games in their first series again.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I agree with that, but if the Caps go 7 in the first round there will be much bigger issues than “Theo didn’t steal us a game.” None of the 8 seed contenders should be able to take us past 5 if Theo doesn’t give games away.
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.
Theo’s biggest issue beyond his athleticism is his terrible rebound control. The defense this year has been a bit more competent about getting the puck out on a rebound. Theo himself has better about getting rebounds pushed well away. I’m fairly confident in him only because you have to be. Varlamov isn’t quite back yet. Don’t have much of a choice.
President and sole member of the Erskine lobby.
16-0-2 since Jan 13th doesn’t give you a little more confidence than just “because you have to be”? I’d have to look up the stats, but I don’t recall him having a similar run leading into the playoffs last year.
The part of the article that caught me was this:
I must emphasize here that Jose Theodore has never once enjoyed home-ice advantage as a playoff starter. The major prevailing trend of these playoff runs is Jose Theodore throws the team on his back and upsets a higher seeded team in round one, draining his overachieving team in the process and setting up a rout against a much better team in the second round.
This time around he’ll be on the favorite throughout the playoffs. Should take some pressure off him.
"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."
playoff match-ups! HUGE shake-up in the West!
EAST
(p)Washington vs. Boston
Pittsburgh vs. Montreal
Buffalo vs. Philadelphia
New Jersey vs. Ottawa
WEST
Chicago vs. Detroit
Phoenix vs. Colorado
Vancouver vs. Los Angeles
San Jose vs. Nashville
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Wow. All the matchups in the West are awesome.
Everyone wants to kill the king. But the prince, he just sails along telling all the ladies, "One day I'm gonna be king."
The creator and active cheerleader of the Brendan Morrison lobby.
ALI FAROKHMANESH!
What more can I say?
by Steck It Out on Mar 22, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
um, no
Not really, no.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Which one don’t you like? I personally would love to see it pan out like this. You afraid of another meeting with SJS in the post-season?
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.
Ding ding! I’ll take anyone but the Sharks. We don’t match up well, and for f’s sake I just want to play someone besides DET/SJ.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re not even a little confident given how poorly SJS is playing?
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.
nope
Their power play will annihilate us, we suck at the HPP, and the Sharks won’t suck all the time—they’re too good. Perfect storm for us getting rolled.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Damn. Then you better hope they find their groove and overtake PHX again.
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 they will. Don’t think PHX sustains this.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed that its not probable that the winning streak goes on much longer, if at all come Tuesday. Same could be said for the Preds. Have no clue what the Sharks will do. Yotes could finish anywhere from 1st to 5th.
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by Carl Putnam on Mar 22, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I should clarify, the Preds can’t sustain this for long either, but I do think we’re better built for a run than Phoenix.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
You’ve made that abundantly clear over the past couple of days.
Funny how when I look at the stats I don’t see a better built team. If anything, I see very similar teams. Both have forward depth, but no elite level scorers. Both have above average defensive corps who contribute offensively. I think the NASH blueline is slightly better defensively and the Yotes blueline is slightly better offensively. However, they do differ in one area and that is goaltending. Bryz & Labarbera > Ellis & Renne.
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by Carl Putnam on Mar 22, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, you lost me at Labarbera being better than someone.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Yeah, that threw me for a loop.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Even though you know he’s not going to see any ice? I don’t see how it changes the analysis at all. When you have a guy like Miller, Bryz, or Vokoun (the way they are all playing this year) you don’t really have to talk about the back up at all.
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 was mainly responding to his assertion that JL > Ellis. I agree, its mostly immaterial, but he threw it out there.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think that’s what he was saying, but maybe I misread. I thought he was comparing the tandems as a whole, in which case I agree with him because Bryz is the best of the bunch.
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.
OK, either way, its not real relevant to compare tandems in the postseason. Obviously, Bryz is better than Rinne. I’m not that delusional.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Right. That was the point I took away.
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 was comparing tandems, in part because NSH plays both their goalies consistently. Also, because injuries happen.
I’m amused that Labarera was seemingly dismissed out of hand. I’ve seen him play a bunch this season and he’s looked great. His GAA & save percentage are outstanding. If Bryz were to get injured no one on the Yotes roster will panic.
Sean Burke needs to get some press for the job he’s done with the PHX goalies this year.
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Just for clarification’s sake, we now have a clear no. 1 goalie…
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, but I have to believe if Rinne looks bad in a game Trotz might go to Ellis. Maybe I’m way off base. Thoughts from NSH, Chris?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Its possible. Ellis was superhuman in his only playoff series. He’s really in the doghouse right now after the SJS debacle, but if Rinne is truly off I can see it happening. As F/B points out below, JL has had problems when given the 1 job, Ellis can handle it.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
And for further clarification’s sake, Labarbera has been a decent back up before and FAILS when given the No. 1 job. If Bryz goes down you sure as hell better be panicking.
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 understand. However, he looks different this year. He’s not the guy I saw play for the Kings or Canucks.
He’s physically stronger, reflexes have been improved, technique is good and he’s not letting in softies. His play on Benn yesterday late in the game was a perfect example of a play that in the past I think he gets scored on.
The fact that he’s been so outstanding in the shootouts also shows me that he does fine under pressure now.
Sean Burke needs some press for the job he’s done this year.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
With all due respect to the fact that you’re the PHX expert ‘round these parts, I’m not sold. Labarbera just has too much history for me too be convinced. Burke may well have done a great job, and should get some credit, but history’s a bitch. I mean shit, Theo has lost one game in regulation in 2010 and I’m still nervous about going into the playoffs with 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.
Quit hating on my WinterHawks alums.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I haven’t even gotten started. Ference is a chump. The Hossas are born losers. Larry Bohonos? More like Larry Boho… nevermind. Braydon Coburn is a poor man’s Jay-Bo, complete with the inability to live up to his potential. Mark Messier likes men that look like boys. Other than that you’ve got a bunch of lesser-known-siblings that would give GMGM a semi.
Cam Neely is a stud though.
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.
Lonny. Lonny Bohonos. Jeez.
What about Mike Vernon?
Mark Messier likes men that look like boys.
Who do boys like they’re girls. Always should be someone you really love…
/Blur’d/
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Saw Lonny Bohonos when I was at Syracuse and he was on the Crunch. Definitely a name I haven’t thought of in 15 years or so.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I get what you are saying and it certainly has merit. History, with both those guys gives reason for concern.
When I watch JL this year I feel more comfortable than when I watch Theo play. JL’s reflexes with his glove especially, look better than Theo.
I realize its a very small sample size for JL this year, but I think a lot is the coaching he’s been getting. Doesn’t hurt that he’s playing in front of a team that is responsible defensively.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I understand you disagree- I just feel that the intangibles tilt our direction. Not a big deal, and I’d love to be able to find out.
Our fourth line has JP Dumont on it— typically a 60 point scorer. It may well be the only fourth line in the league that can ice that kind of scoring. The second line has around 55 goals, but is capable of shutting a team down. The teams are even, yes, but I want Patric Hornqvist as my 3L over Taylor Pyatt. I think NSH’s depth > PHX’s depth, but as I said, it is close.
Also, in regards to the goaltending, its not as great of an expanse as earlier in the season. Additionally, Dan Ellis is a better backup than Labarerbra, I think. Haven’t seen much of JL, TBH, though.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
JL – He’s started 11 games and played in 15. He has a .928 save percentage.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 22, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe the Sharks are sucking because they want to avoid Detroit (that and they want to tank TPA’s dominant regular season).
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 22, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
They also tanked some Gomez Likes Boyes and would have tanked Hide the Selanne if I didn’t have a bye week.
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’d like to see Nashville make it into the finals, just to thumb their nose at the NHL and everyone else who expected them to have a crappy season.
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by IRockTheRed on Mar 22, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Sometimes it’s nice just to land someone different.
So, what’s your ideal scenario for Nashville given existing parameters? Where do they end up, and who do they get in the playoffs? What are the other matchups and how do they shake out?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
In a perfect world, I want to beat Phoenix in the first round, Colorado in the second, and crush Detroit in the WCF— completely exorcising all our demons. But that ain’t happenin’…
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Probably not, no. So let’s assume that NSH gets PHX in the first round. This means that SJS takes the division and is 1-2 with CHI, dropping PHX to 4th. NSH is 5th. VAN – LAK looks likely, unless DET pushes up to 6th, dropping COL to 8th and LAK to 7th. If we assume that scenario, and that CHI wins out by virtue of having two games in hand:
CHI – COL
SJS – LAK
VAN – DET
NSH – PHX
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I’d take the Sharks – they’re working on getting their early playoff exit done super early this year.
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by snakegriffin on Mar 22, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
East Conf
Buffalo vs Philly is the only series that wouldn’t have a clear cut favorite, me thinks.
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
I’m curious to see in Philly can even hang on to a playoff spot given their goaltending. but the rest of the east is so bad too, it might cancel out.
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As I said below, ATL / BOS / OTT / MTL / PHI is a crapshoot. NYR and down likely don’t make the dance, and the only question in the top four is who wins the Atlantic Division. With a 16-point lead in the Eastern Conference, the only questions left for WSH are (1) can they hang on to the President’s Trophy? and (2) who ends up in the eighth seed?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Worth noting: Atlanta has won four straight and is now just one point back of Boston. I wouldn’t count on WSH/BOS remaining as is. It could easily be any of ATL / BOS / OTT / PHI, depending on who slides and who climbs in that time. I think the top four are pretty well set unless NJD catches fire real soon.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
ATL is probably the team I’d most want to face. They’re worse than the Caps in virtually every aspect of the game. They’re an offensive team with a style similar to the Caps, but they’re nowhere near as talented offensively.
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by The Ghost of Bebop on Mar 22, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I almost think ATL would be too easy.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
We’ve still got two games remaining against them this season, and in April, too. Plus, we also have two games remaining against Boston, and both are at home. So we could theoretically “help” them into that spot.
Not that I want to see that happen. I’m just pointing out that we have a pretty big hand in their playoff chances.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
That’s actually pretty interesting to note. Though, as you allude, I doubt the Caps try to do anything but win.
I like the Washington Capitals.
Time for Matt Yeats!
Bring him in for the two games against the Thrashers. Then, unleash fury against the Bruins. Done and done.
by bilspacecadet on Mar 22, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Somebody ought to dig that guy up.
His play at the end of the 2003-2004 season was vital in getting us position to win Captain A.O. in the Draft Lottery.
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If the Caps win a cup during AO’s captaincy, he totally gets his name on the trophy, right next to JL Grand-Pierre.
by bilspacecadet on Mar 22, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The thing about Philly is that Brian Boucher is their starting goalie. That’s a reason they may drop to 8th, and a reason they might not be such a bad draw in the 1st round. But whatever, they’re still Philly.
Heh. Remember the last time Alex Ovechkin faced Brian Boucher? It was pretty great.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
I want Boston, for purely personal reasons. I desperately want Boston.
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I’d like to get Boston too, but I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion yet. The bottom half of the East is a crapshoot, and one of the teams in the mix will just miss the playoffs. The West is kinda similar – in each conference you’ve got one team in 9th seed with a reasonable shot (although ATL’s is better than CGY’s, I think) and the chances of the teams in 10th and below are very slim.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
The difference being that in the West a good team will miss the playoffs and in the east a weak team (at least one) will make the playoffs.
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 there are a couple of weak teams in the East that will make the playoffs when they shouldn’t.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Multiple teams in the East will make the playoffs with negative goal differentials.
You had me at no problem.
as things stand right now, Montreal is a -2, and Boston a -5. Scary. by comparison, out West, the two worst goal differentials of playoff teams are Detriot at +1, and Nashville with +3.
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
The Rangers are toast. It’s down to Boston and ATL.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Agreed, NYR’s toast. The question is, given how OTT has been sliding lately and PHI’s goaltending situation, do both BOS and ATL make it and one of them slide out? That’s why I say ATL / BOS / OTT / PHI; MTL is pretty steady (7-2-1 L10) and is getting Cammalleri back soon. I don’t think MTL slides out, it’s just a matter of where they end up.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
According to Sports Club Stats, it’s basically a dead heat for the second seed, but the B’s are big favorites over the Thrash for the 8th seed.
I understand the algorithm doesn’t account for injuries, declining play, hot streaks, etc. So I’m handicapping Boston and Atlanta as a dead heat, as well.
Going to be an interesting stretch run.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’m going to boldly put Philly on the bubble too. They’re 4-4-2 in their last 10, and Boston (5-4-1 in L10) has 1 more game than Philly remaining, and trails Philly by just 3 points.
The Bruins are certainly the most vulnerable, but things could look much different on Wednesday morning.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Mar 22, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Philly is in. This is more a commentary on how sucktastic the rest of the “contenders” for the lower seeds are than anything. One of ATL, or BOS will lose enough to keep Philly in the dance – note that those two teams have the toughest remaining schedule.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Been a while, but here’s the return of the leader board post!
Points
Ovechkin, 97
H. Sedin, 95
Crosby, 88
Backstrom, 88
Stamkos, 83
Semin 13th, Green 20th
Goals
Ovechkin, 45
Crosby, 45
Stamkos, 43
Marleau, 41
Gaborkik, 37
Semin, 8th, Backstrom 17th
Assists
H. Sedin, 67
J. Thornton, 65
Backstrom, 59
St. Louis, 59
B. Richards, 59
Green 8th, Ovechkin 9th,
Plus/Minus
Ovechkin, 42
Schultz, 36
H. Sedin, 33
Backstrom, 32
D. Sedin, 32
Green 7th, Semin 8th, Poti, 10th, Knuble 13th, Morrison 15th, Fehr 21st
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damn
All those Caps in the +/- is absurd.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, it’s simply insane. Team team +/- is +66, 25 points better than 2nd place.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Until the trade deadline, every single current Caps player was at least +3 (QLaing). Every player with a minus was lacing ’em up for Hershey, except for the person with a team-worst minus-4 (Clark), who got sent to Siberia Columbus.
Our new additions are Belanger and Walker (plus-one), Juice (even), and Corvo (minus-one).
Hope they are taking notes.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
If Columbus is Siberia…. what about Omsk in the KHL? Is it the Columbus of the KHL?
And then there’s Edmonton…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 22, 2010 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven’t been commenting as much as I usually do, but congrats to BP, Gouldie and Knee high on the new mod jobs.
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Mar 22, 2010 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
J.P tweeted a link to this article by Jay Feaster at THN. He says:
It is not a reach to say no organization has enjoyed as much success in the post-lockout era, top-to-bottom, as the Caps. While Washington took a couple seasons to get back into the NHL playoff picture, the Bears captured their ninth Calder Cup Championship in 2005-06 with Bruce Boudreau at the helm.
It’s worth the read. If only to see that the following guys who have put on Caps jerseys for at least a game this season also won a Calder in Hershey:
Mike Green, Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann, Eric Fehr, Jeff Schultz, Dave Steckel and Boyd Gordon in 2006; Mathieu Perreault, Tyler Sloan, Keith Aucoin, Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Alexandre Giroux, Quinton Lang and Michael Neuvirth in 2009. That’s FIFTEEN players!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Great article and Jay Feaster is a guy who knows the AHL. He’s a Harrisburg, PA native and I believe he lives full-time up there now, so I’m guessing he’s seen a lot of the Bears over the last couple of years. What McPhee has done to rebuild this organization since the Great Selloff is pretty amazing and if the Caps win a Cup this year, they’ll become the poster child for how franchises should be built.
Did anyone see this?
A rumour at the trade deadline had Washington offering winger/centre Tomas Fleischmann, defensive prospect Karl Alzner and a pick [for Tomas Kaberle].
Wow. Just… man, I am glad that deal didn’t go down.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
Sounds like a load of BS to me.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 22, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, we don’t live in a universe where Kaberle is worth that much to GMGM.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
or to anyone
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed. Waaaaaaay too expensive for Kaberle, GMGM ain’t stupid.
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Jeff Carter out a month. Flyers so screwed. Flyers! Devils! Game One on Versus as the Brian Boucher and Daniel Briere lead Philly into New Jersey!
Um, yeah.
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Wow. Carter’s not as important to the Flyers like Richards is (defense? what’s defense?), that’s a big loss for them.
The East is not a very good conference this year, is it?
No, no it’s not. I guess Richards is a little more valuable because he’s the C and all that, but Carter is the better offensive player (marginally) and he’s not much worse defensively. I think PHI’s strength is that they can roll out both of those guys; either one going down is brutal for 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.
True.
Look, as much as I hate the Flyers, they’ve been really hurt by injuries this year: Emery, Carter, Leighton, Gagne, etc.
Yeah it’s pretty much, IMO, similar to how Detroit started off this season. Tons of injuries to key players. But obviously MUCH worse timing for Philly.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
The players DET lost are much better than PHI’s.
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.
True but still in terms of how important they are to the team I think its comparable. I.E. Main goalie and the backup plan after he went down and top forwards in Gange and Carter.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
Of course, but they should have seen that coming to some degree. Gagne always gets hurt. Emery is inconsistent even if healthy so while the injury hurts him, it’s not like they lost a really dependable guy. Leighton… they didn’t even want him playing to start the year. Carter is the one that sticks out, but every team takes injuries over the course of a year. Does he have an ETA yet? Is he going to be back for the first round of the playoffs? If not, he won’t play until next year.
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.
Sounds about right. Kovalchuk missed about that much IIRC.
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.
and it’s apparently a non-displaced fracture, which helps. once the majority of the healing is done, the skates are so tight around the feet that he’ll probably feel fine. The only potential worry is taking a shot to that spot.
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Not getting into the Carter vs. Richards debate but I think the combination of loosing Carter AND Leighton makes it improbable the Flyers get past the first round this season. Not that I’m complaining now that I’ve been a full fledged 100% Caps fan for over 5 seasons….
by markbona-capsfan99 on Mar 22, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
What happened? That really sucks for PHI. Let me go grab a tissue…
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.
by Rob Parker on Mar 22, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m playing my tiny violin.
Yeah, btu what happened?
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Get on Twitter already, dude!
He broke his foot. I hate the Flyers, but Carter’s one of my more favorite players.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
So now the Flyers can’t score goals or stop them. And they just lost a home and home to Atlanta. And Holmgren still has a job. Amazing.
I would have fired him after all those NTCs.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, Rinkers. What would you pay Patric Hornqvist next year?
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What’s his current income, age, and last 3 years of production?
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.
713,000, 23 years old.
07-08: 53gp, 23g,11a IF Stockholm
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d try to get him to sign for 1.5 and go up to 2.25 if you have to. Poile isn’t really in a position to let goal scorers walk.
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 a little concerned someone throws an offer sheet at him. I’m thinking 3 yrs, 2M.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone might, but it would be kinda dumb IMO. NSH has the money to match and if you want to pay enough that they won’t match then you give up a good pick.
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 always fear guys without a real history who have a much higher goal total than assists. Scoring goals is as much luck as it is talent with most guys (the superstars are an exception, of course), and to me he’s just a shoot-at-every-opportunity player who has been a bit lucky at times. (This is coming from someone who’s seen maybe 5 Preds games this year).
But I wouldn’t pay him too much — 3 yrs/$2 million per?
Yeah, I was kind of going that way, though $2m per seemed a little high. I’d maybe go $1.5m on a multi-year if you went that way, and that’s being a little generous, since you’re likely giving up a QO on it.
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
He doesn’t shoot at all from beyond the circles—almost all his goals are using some lightning quick reflexes around the net. He eats rebounds for breakfast.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
BTW, I’m planning on using Brooks Laich as a “peer” for Hornqvist- both wingers, net-crashers, and in the 25-30 goal range.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Brooks Laich has no peers!
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
/puck bunny’d
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s not puck bunny’d, it’s a fact of life. Chuck Norris wears Brooks Laich PJs to bed.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Yet Laich insists on wearing those Shea Weber briefs.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t want to know how you know what briefs Brooks Laich wears.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I thought it was Iron Man underoos …is this headed too far OT?
"If you close your eyes in the NHL, you'll take one upside the head." - Alexander Semin
by mercurialwinger on Mar 22, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
If you have to ask, the answer is nearly always going to be “Yes.”
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by EmilyB on Mar 22, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Brooks Laich, on the other hand, is incredibly productive for his salary.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Good stuff. Did Eriksson just sign a new deal last year? How did DAL let him get so much money?
Also, when’s the top D pairs post going to come out? Now I’m intrigued.
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.
Hopefully tonight or tomorrow- unfortunately, school first, and its been my first foray into advanced stats—which has been treacherous.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, he went from 1,666,000 all the way up to that # and is signed through 15-16. Maybe overpayment, but not much. 63 points is pretty stellar.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah and he’s getting better. Was one of the best players on Team Sweden and has steadily produced for DAL.
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.
nice work! And I too was surprised at what a relative bargain Laich is. And wondering just how big of a raise he’s in line for when the current deal expires….
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Just read your article
One thing that’s missing here is that Brooks Laich is not a top line player on the Caps and is behind Ovie and Semin in goal scoring. Plus a lot of his goals are goals where he is going to the bakery complementing the efforts of the higher paid stars on the PP. You’d like to be able to pay Hornqvist like Laich, but Brooksie is a complementary player who takes advantage of a good opportunity.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
right, but
I was looking at people a) playing the same position, b) putting up “similar” numbers (mainly goals). Their respective roles mattered little.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
A question, sirs...
J.P. et. al. I just re-read the posting guidlines/community rules and I have a question specifically about rule #10. “Libelous, slanderous or otherwise defamatory statements.”
Doe this include and apply to ALL statments, includig those involving the Pittsburgh Penguins in general and their Team Captain, one Sidney aka “Cindy” aka “The Canandian Diving Champ” Crosby in particular?
If not shouldn’t the rule be clarified in this era where such august bodies like the NHL BOG seek to clarify rules on hits to the head/hits from behind, etc."
by markbona-capsfan99 on Mar 22, 2010 1:51 PM EDT reply actions
We’re going with more of a legal definition of those terms, not merely petty, immature and childish name-calling (which people’s own dignity should prevent them from posting).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I appreciate the clarification as I’m sure others who might not be as erudite and mature as you and the other bloggers on the masthead here at Japer’s Rink do as well, kind sir. It’s nice to know we can basically fire away as we get ready for Wendsday evening’s contest.
by markbona-capsfan99 on Mar 22, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s not exactly what I was saying, but do what you’ve gotta do, I suppose.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Just a word of caution though… Only high-brow humor is appreciated.
And don’t even think about mentioning that certain things might not be on the total up-and-up unless you have indisputable concrete proof.
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Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
Really, really good dick jokes are also acceptable.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 22, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
To clarify, the jokes must be really, really good; the dicks can be mediocre.
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And don’t even think about mentioning that certain things might not be on the total up-and-up unless you have indisputable concrete proof.
Nice try. Cast your line elsewhere sir!
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Already worked bub!
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Everybody Wang Chung......
Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™
Move onward sir!
"I know I was the best CIA agent the CIA ever had, but I thought I told you honkies from the CIA that Black Dynamite was out of the game!"
by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
New THN power rankings have the Coyotes in 1st and Preds in 4th…Wow.
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Hard to argue with putting a team on a 9 game winning streak in first and another on a 6 game winning streak in 4th… Though I suspect you were merely alluding to the wonderful surprises both have been all season long and how neat it is to seee them still there with just 10 games left in the season.
by markbona-capsfan99 on Mar 22, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
It depends on the writer’s protocol for the rankings. No way NSH or PHX are better than some of the teams they’re ahead of, but if he’s ranking on recent performance then his has it right.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
and those scary red Wings lurking in 6th…..guess they’re not going to miss the playoffs as I feared
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
New ESPN power rankings, too. It appears that the Caps fanbase’s collective inferiority complex is well-know. ‘Yotes and Preds fans among us will also likely enjoy this week’s ranking.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
by RedBirdie on Mar 22, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What must the Caps do to earn 1st place in the THN Rankings? First in the Conference and more points than the Eastern Conference winner ain’t enough?
Guess it will take a Stanley Cup win to earn that honor.
Rocking the Red since 1975
If you look at the column for last week’s rankings, the Caps were #1 (and I believe they had been for a while). Phoenix is just really really hot so they gave the top spot to them for the week.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 23, 2010 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Was there an update on Walker’s status? Did I miss it? Thanks for any info.
I like the Washington Capitals.
He tweaked his knee and is day-to-day. That’s all we know.
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Um, yeah. Not sure I’m buying the “knee” part of that. Kind of like when Green got clobbered by Pronger and developed the “flu”…
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Maybe he was “Belak’d”, a la Brash last year. Get stung by a punch, tweak your knee as you fall to the ice. Walker looked like he fell awkwardly.
are we sure the brashear injury wasn’t also a “knee” in quotation marks? possible a tough guy like brash didn’t want it known he’d suffered a head injury in a fight?
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 22, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn’t surprise me. Brash certainly took a heavier punch than Walker, so I’m more likely to waive the b.s. flag on his “knee” injury. But, Walker’s got the concussion history so it might not take much to ring his bell.
No, I’m pretty sure, watching how Brash fell in that game that injured him, that the knee was the primary point of injury.
Of course, he could also have had his bell rung, too, but that knee hurt just watching the fight. It sortof collapsed awkwardly underneath him… owwies.
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Scotty’s supposed to do Caps on the Fly tonight, I don’t guess he could do that if it was his noggin, yes?
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I think @WashCaps sent over an announcement via Twitter that Walker will not be at Caps on the Fly, but Carlson will be there in his place.
YNC, you know we’re going to want to hear more from you about this. I know you’re up to the task. I really want to hear what SDR has to say about the whole thing. How much was he selling it and how much did he just get caught with a lucky shot before he was ready? Pretty ridiculous all around.
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.
better yet, I can’t wait for Ovechwin and beta’s first hand report.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Apparently Beta exposed some, um, flesh to PPPers- but thats OT.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
whaaaaaa? she did WHAT?!?!
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Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [wrong] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
meet me in thread OT.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 22, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing first- or even second-hand yet, but I had the fight video last night and I thought Delly did a nice job of not escalating, being as how his teammate Rinaldo had just gotten done boarding the other guy. I am also still looking for video of a massive but clean hit Rinaldo laid on the Wolves about midway through the first period of Game One. The Colts had come out a little sluggish but that hit got their blood pumping and they hung eleven goals on two goalies in that game.
And actually he sold me pretty good and i was hoping he wasn’t hurt.
Anything more I’ll save for the Farm Report, playoffs edition, tentatively themed: First Blood.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Question for CP
I just read Adrien Aucoin is 5 for 5 in the shootout for the Yotes. I am surprised. Anything he does in particular that makes him so effective?
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
Saw that last night. Looks to me like he just goes high glove. Nothing fancy, just smooth and accurate.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
D’ohboy is right on all counts. Its a think of beauty.
Vrbata has also used the same move his last 3 times and scored all 3 times. He goes to goalies left and moves to puck to his backhand and then lifts it top shelf after the goalie goes down.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Speaking of Aucoin, check this out. So rec’tacular.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Malkin out tonight
Guessing it’s the foot he injured by blocking a shot?
That’s two out of the last three he’s missed. Bad news for the Pens.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
They are battling for the division so they could use him, but can’t afford to wear him thin at this point in the year. Tough spot for them but I’d probably give him as much rest as he needs. I bet he plays Wednesday though.
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.
Kordic
Such a tragedy… but an astonishing stat line for the Caps:
7 Games: 0-0-0 101 PIM. Yes, really 101 PIM in 7 games, an average of 14.4 minutes a game, which over 82 games would have been 1183 PIM.
The interesting part of that though is that the Caps went 5-1-1 during those 7 games. He was part of the reason as people were afraid of the Caps knowing that Kordic was playing and was completely out of control. Anyone messed with any of the top players and Kordic would go ballistic on the opponents…. it was astonishing to watch in person. It was almost like Slapshot happening live at the Cap Centre…
Let's go Caps!
On the “Capital Offense” article on Theodore’s playoff career. It sounds like Theo’s teams have generally been the underdogs in the playoffs and were lucky to go past the first round to start with. And Theo was greatly instrumental in getting him past those first rounds.
I saw the one series writeup. Where he had the flu. And the defense just wasn’t working. And the forwards got injured. (What ever could go wrong, obviously did, in that series.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
so who else saw the crosby tussel at the end of the pens/detroit game?
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=63651
He looked very frusturated, at a un-aware zetterberg. Seems to be a common theme with crosby and his “fights”- unsuspecting victims(see below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c53DZ9iHrJE&feature=fvw
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