Monday Caps Clips: Flame Out
by J.P. on Mar 29, 2010 6:36 AM EDT
in Caps Clips
Email
PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on yesterday's loss from us, the WaPo (blog, gamer), Vogs, Joe B., DCEx, Ed Frankovic,Peerless, OFB, RMNB, RtR, TTT Hockey (great Flames pics) Hockey Mom and FFODC.
- Mathieu Perreault talks about his goal. [CI]
- On booing your Eastern Conference Champions. [CI]
- Deep depth sure is nice. [NHL.com]
- Pittsburgh writer humanizes Alex Ovechkin to his readers. We give him an "A" for effort. [Tribune-Review]
- The book on Ovechkin. Literally. [Amazon.com (h/t Alex Ovetjkin)]
- A look at this year's team, experience-wise, relative to last year's squad. [FanPost]
- Mike Green sporting a "Muscle Milk" headband, natch. [RMNB]
- Sure does sound like Alex vs. Sid in next year's Winter Classic, live from... Pittsburgh. [Puck Daddy]
- Uh oh... the Caps are Vegas favorites. [Ted's Take]
- Nicklas Backstrom isn't one of Stan Fischler's "Top Five Playmakers in Hockey." While that's one man's opinion, it happens to be factually wrong. [KK]
- Per the HHoF, on this date back in 1996, "Capitals' Jim Carey recorded his second consecutive shutout and the 9th of the season in a 5-0 win over the visiting Senators."
- Finally, happy 59th birthday to Hartland Monahan and happy 53rd to Eddie Godin.
898 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Sedin and Thornton I can buy, and even maybe Kane. But Gomez and Stastny? Really? I love Stastny but he isn’t one of the top 5, and Gomez doesn’t even sniff the top 10.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Mar 29, 2010 6:45 AM EDT reply actions
You have to understand pundit logic here…
A. Nicklas Backstrom is not as good a playmaker because he has the all-world goal scorer Alex Ovechkin on his left.
B. Alex Ovechkin is not the best player in the NHL, because he has such a deft set-up man like Nicklas Backstrom in the middle.
C. Therefore, neither of these guys is top-five in their respective roles.
QED
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
With Nick and Ovechkin, the result is definitely greater than the sum of the parts, but even then, Nick is on of the best, if not the best playmakers. Stan has a bit of a bias to it by picking Gomez (former Ranger and Devil) and Stastny (his dad also played for the Devils).
Sedin should be on the list, ditto for Thornton, along with Backstrom, Datsyuk, and (I know this will get me flak, but…) Crosby. They’re the best playmakers in the NHL right now… Kane is terrific, ditto for Stastny (and Iginla, and Marc Andre Savard, and Zach Parise…) but any list of playmakers that doesn’t include Backstrom and Crosby better only be a top 1 (Sedin…)
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Iginla and Parise aren’t really playmakers in the sense of being elite passers.
"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 29, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
They still set up a lot of plays, and make their linemates better… that’s what a playmaker does.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
So does any elite offensive player, and I don’t think Iginla’s really even in that category anymore. I think the question is really who the best passers are, not the players who improve their linemates the most.
"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 29, 2010 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
32 goals, 37 helpers on a line with Matt Stajan now as his set up man. When the guy plays with elite talent he looks pretty good. When he doesn’t, which is often with the Flames, he still looks pretty damn good.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s still an elite player overall, but he’s past his prime offensively, IMO. I don’t think we’ll see him return to 50+ goal form again.
"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 29, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
We’ll probably never know as he plays for the Flames. Ticks me off that such a great talent has been wasted.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
eh, he made it to game 7 of the finals.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
1 year doesn’t make up for a career stuck with average to below average linemates, coaches, and mgmt.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
But he never won a Cup!!!!!1
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’s why Ruslan Fedotenko is a better player.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Well, he has two Cups so I think he’s tied with Guerin as the best Penguin.
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.
One more and they're both better than Mario!
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Rick Nash :(
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Precisely. I’d add Marcel Dionne, et. al.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Fischler is using “playmaker” as pretty much a proxy for “passer,” not as another way of saying a guy makes things happen. Neither Iginla nor Parise are elite passers.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Right, what JP said.
"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 29, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Dan Marino was a passer. Joe Montana was a playmaker.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Who’s Marc-Andre Savard? :P And no love for Getz?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
That could be Marc Savard’s middle name for all we know
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 29, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve heard him called that… it is who i was referring to.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Or maybe I have another player in the head right now… one of Sid’s teammates…
Where the heck is my coffee????
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Getzlaaf is terrific… didn’t have enough time to put in everyone who’s a terrific playmaker, alas.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Sedin, Jumbo Joe, Sid, Nick and then either Pavs or Malkin are my top 5. Kane and St. Louis are immediately after that (for me). I agree, I don’t see Stastny or (especially) Gomez anywhere near that list. No particular oder to that list, for what that’s worth.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 7:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I love his logic for Gomez…“every year he gets 45-55 assists, and he’s the reason the Habs are gonna make the playoffs!!”
Scott Gomez has only had one season where he’s had more than 55 assists. Nick Backstrom has never had a season where he’s had fewer than 55 assists.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Honestly, I’m not sure Sid’s in my top five. I’ve got (in no particular order) Sedin, Joe T., Nick, Savard and… ok, Sid.
Don’t get me wrong – Sid sets up some absolute beauties and is the second-best player in hockey by a good bit over #3, IMO. But I think his playmaking, generally, is overrated (perhaps as much as his goal-scoring is underrated). I just have a bit of a hard time calling a guy an elite set-up man when he can’t find linemates that stick for more than a couple of games at a time. Maybe that’s unfair, but to me, part of “making everyone around him better” would entail making someone good enough that they could stick around for a while on his line.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Fair points and I think Sid’s inability to rack up assists and form a dominant line at the Olympics probably supports that argument.
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 we’re not limiting the discussion to forwards, I would include Nicklas Lidstrom. He’s an amazingly talented passer.
"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 29, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Not fair, Lidstrom is a freak of nature and absurdly good at every damn facet of the game.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much. He’s 40 and he is still top 5 in the game. Ridiculous.
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 that. Given the way he plays the game he could probably continue to play for years and STILL be one of the best in the game.
"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 29, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
and he makes it look so damn easy.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not like Joe Thornton was rackin’ em up at the Olympics either, despite playing with two elite goal-scorers that he has prior chemistry with, but he’s still an excellent playmaker and should be on any top-5 list.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Joe disappears in any big game. He didn’t disappear in the Olympics because he didn’t have talent or playmaking, he disappeared because it was the Olympics.
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 you have to at least show up before you can disappear?
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Mar 29, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I just have a bit of a hard time calling a guy an elite set-up man when he can’t find linemates that stick for more than a couple of games at a time.
That’s completely fair, but it’s not like he’s had trouble racking up the assists over his career. He’s focused more on goal-scoring this season. but the playmaking ability that got him all those helpers last year and the year before is still there.
I totally forgot about Savard, that guy is incredible in the offensive zone. I really have no idea how he sees what he does and makes the passes that correspond to what he sees.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep. After trying to come up with five better than Sid, I couldn’t. But I’m comfortable calling the four guys I did come up with better passers.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
On a consistent basis, the only player he has made significanty better than he otherwise might have been is Colby Armstrong.
Bill Guerin? He had 16 goals in 61 games with NYI last year, 19 in 72 this year, most of it on Crosby’s right wing.
Chris Kunitz? 16 goals in 62 games with the Ducks last year, 13 in 48 this year, most of it on Crosby’s left wing.
Before that, was Petr Sykora on that right side? He was a 30-plus goal scorer once upon a time… twice, actually — once in New Jersey and once in Anaheim. He was a reliable 25-goals-per-year scorer (more or less) over his career… he had 28 and 25 in Pittsburgh.
Ruslan Fedotenko? Pascal Dupuis? Shoot, Tyler Kennedy? Have these players seen their production increase as a result of playing with Crosby (whether regularly or not)?
All those guys (well, except Kennedy) are journeyman wingers at worst, good wingers (such as Guerin, in his prime) at best. They weren’t made a level of production better by virtue of playing with Crosby.
Even Marian Hossa. He had three goals in 12 games with the Penguins (I can’t vouch for how often he played with 87 that year) before getting 12 in 20 games in the playoffs (although five of those were PP goals).
As JP suggested, Sidney Crosby is in any discussion of the top-two players in the game (and there are only two players in that discussion), but I’m still trying to wrap my arms around the notion that he is: a) the best player in the game, b) because, in part, he is adept at making those around him better.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
Kunitz has been hurt this year, Guerin is old and has hit the wall.
Dupuis’ played a lot with Crosby, he’s nearing a career high.
Even Marian Hossa. He had three goals in 12 games with the Penguins (I can’t vouch for how often he played with 87 that year)
Both were injured at different poitns and rarely played together during the regular season.
I think it’s a little preposterous to think Crosby doesn’t make those around him better, he does (see Guerin’s goal against the Caps last week), but he doesn’t do it for one consisent guy on a consistent basis.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
...he doesn’t do it for one consisent guy on a consistent basis
In other words, he has not showed an ability to achieve chemistry with any wingers with whom he has been paired.
As for Dupuis, he averaged 15.7 goals per 82 games over his career before joining the Penguins. 16.9 after. This year, he gets to play more with Crosby and is projecting to 19. If that’s the best example of making others better, I’m still not seeing it.
Perhaps what Backstrom and Ovechkin have is like “Hull and Oates” back in the day, a very rare commodity.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
In other words, he has not showed an ability to achieve chemistry with any wingers with whom he has been paired.
The Penguins are very fluid, and they have to be by design, since they pay three centers $21.4 million a season. I’m not breaking news here, but that’s the strength and they plug the gaps around what they’ve got.
The Pens don’t marry wingers to centers; Crosby’s played significant stretches of the season with any combination of Kunitz, Guerin, Dupuis, Malkin, Ponikarovsky that you can think of, depending on health and game situations.
BB and the Caps use a lot of combos too, but he’s obviously got the more natural fit of Ovechkin/Backstrom.
Perhaps what Backstrom and Ovechkin have is like "Hull and Oates" back in the day, a very rare commodity.
I would definitely agree there. It’s a natural fit and beneficial to both. The Pens can’t and will probably never have that sort of 1-2 combo on the same line, ebcause their built down the middle.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
They should just trade Malkin for Frolov.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
If only LA would have thrown in a 2nd round draft pick….
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re both right to a degree. You’d think by now that Crosby would have guys getting career years playing next to him the way guys like Oates used to, but the fact is, that’s not really happening.
On the other hand, the three best forwards on Pitt are Centers, so he’s not exactly getting great stuff to work with, and he’s certainly not getting consistent linemates.
Still, I come back to a guy like Oates who could make Chris Simon a nearly 30-goal scorer. In my mind, that’s a playmaker.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
There’s definitely been a philosophy change in Sid’s mentality too, he’s obviously looking to shoot a hell of a lot more now. I think if Crosby really wanted to make Dupuis a 30 goal scorer, he could do it. But the point is to win games, and it’s a whole lot easier to do that by just having Sid score.
I think it’s telling that a lot of the consensus top 5 playmakers have an elite sniper as a winger, or at least a consistent linemate with a ton of skill. Crosby doesn’t have that. (Not complaining, just saying).
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Joe Thornton made Cheechoo a Richard winner. And a lot of money.
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.
No doubt. But Crosby’s scored more goals this season than Thornton has in the past 2.
Crosby’s mentality’s changing. I don’t think he’s as good as a pure setup man as Thornton, Backstrom or even maybe Savard….I’d still take Sid’s vision and ability and put it right there with any of them, but he’s not really in their class anymore, in my mind.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
What I see in Crosby and Backstrom is that when they’re allowed to attack and be creative then they’re at their most effective, goal-scoring wise and playmaking wise. Looking to pass is one story, challenging the D then making a nice backhand saucer to a teammate is another. And IMHO, Crosby does those latter simple plays the best in the league.
Brad Richards is a pretty good passer too. He’s been called “the best passer through traffic” before.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 29, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Another difference – Crosby is incredible at changing directions while at high speed. He’s very quick on his second step as well, using that to get through gaps that wouldn’t otherwise be available. I’d rate him as the best tight-quarters skater out of all of those guys.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
With the caveat that this was the first year after the lockout and teams were still learning how to play defense without imitating a limpet at the red line.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that’s part of it, but his shots per game are up only from 3.23 for his career prior to this year to 3.70. His percentage is up, though, to where he will finish with a career high. I wonder if there isn’t also an equipment effect. Correct me if I’m wrong, but did he not switch to a one piece composite this year? That’s not a knock, just another part of his game he seems to have recognized the potential to improve. He’s done it with just about every other aspect.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d love to see Crosby play with a pure shooter like Ray Sheppard or Mike Gartner — someone who can find an open area and just rip them. He hasn’t had a guy like that yet.
They said that about Gretzky and Hull, and that one never really worked out.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Gretzky was 35 and played all of 18 games with the Blues. They went to the 7th game of the second round before Yzerman got that freak goal.
You can’t compare the two.
Jon “Lulz” Casey FTW.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Gretz was still an assist/game player and Hull was a 40-goal “pure shooter.” The whole was less than the sum of its parts.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Sample size.
In those 18 games, Gretzky had 8 goals and 13 assists, and in 13 playoff games he had 2 goals and 14 assists. (Hull had 6 goals in 13 games in the playoffs.)
I don’t know what more you want from these guys?
At the time, everyone’s response was “ZOMG, HULL IS GOING TO GET THE MOST GOALS EVAAAAAAHHHH!!!!1111”
It just didn’t turn out that way. Neither guy produced as much together as they produced separately. The whole was less than the sum of its parts.
The expectation I’d have is that they’d each produce at a rate equal to that at which they produced beforehand.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
But both were old. It’s not like it was Gretzky/Hull in 1993.
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.
My point is that their per game production levels decreased after they started playing together. Old or not, they didn’t play as well together as they did separately.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
The whole was less than the sum of its parts.
The expectation I’d have is that they’d each produce at a rate equal to that at which they produced beforehand.
My point is that their per game production levels decreased after they started playing together. Old or not, they didn’t play as well together as they did separately.
How can I make this any more clear?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Exactly! Look at Gretzky’s first year in LA (when he was 28). Bernie Nicholls — a good player, an All-Star — scored 70 goals! Before that, his best was 46, and he was traded away midway the next season, and he never scored more than 25.
That’s what Gretzky could do in his prime — and that’s what you’d expect with Hull.
That’s what Gretzky could do in his prime — and that’s what you’d expect with Hull.
And yet, it didn’t happen, which is exactly my point. Not only did they not make each other better, they both produced LESS when paired together on the Blues.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Yes, if Gretzky was in his prime. He wasn’t — he was 35 years old! What 35-year-old athlete can do the things that he could do 4, 6, 8 years earlier? (Other than Barry Bonds, and we know why in that case.)
I don’t know why you want to compare what was expected of the guy in the free-wheeling 80s when he was young with a clutch-and-grab mid-90s when he was nearing retirement?
Dude, you’re being seriously obtuse here. I’m not saying Gretz has to produce at his 215-point rate from 1986.
All I’m saying is that 35-year old Gretz was an assist/game player with the Kings THAT FREAKING YEAR. He had 66 assists in 62 games playing for a not-very-good team. Then he went to StL and produced at a lower rate. THAT YEAR. I’m comparing 35-year old Gretz to 35-year old Gretz.
Hull had 43 goals that year, but his production didn’t increase after Gretz showed up – it went down.
How on earth are you not getting this?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I don’t know what to tell you. You’re asking for too much, looking for too great of an improvement in too small of a number of games with a guy that was past his prime.
Dale Hawerchuk was traded away from the Blues at the deadline that same year. In St. Louis, he had 41 points in 66 games centering for Hull, yet he went to the Flyers and scored 20 points in 16 games.
Shouldn’t he have done better with Hull than without him? But he didn’t — and not because the linemates in Philly were better (I remember him playing with Mikael Renberg and Sjhon Podein), it’s because he was hot for that last month and probably got a little lucky.
You’re asking for too much, looking for too great of an improvement in too small of a number of games with a guy that was past his prime.
Jumping Jesus Christ on a pogo stick. . .
The expectation I’d have is that they’d each produce at a rate equal to that at which they produced beforehand.
Yes, luck plays a role, but sometimes, two great players JUST. DON’T. MESH. For whatever reason. It didn’t happen with Gretz and Hull, and it’s not because they were old.
My point is that putting a “great” winger on Crosby’s wing might produce less than you’d otherwise expect. Some guys have synergy. Some guys don’t.
Remember how great Ovie and Nyls were going to be playing together? Yeah, we all know how that worked out.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
And my response to that was — why would you expect a 35-year-old Nylander to do anything special with Ovechkin?
It has less to do with “clicking” and more to do with timing.
I agree with D’ohboy more than you here. I agree that timing plays a role—can you expect Gretzky to just jump in and mesh perfectly?—but Gretzky and Hull are all-time greats. You’d think that ~20 games would be enough for them to find chemistry. Apparently not.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 29, 2010 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Similar going on today with Heatley-Thornton. Melrose at the beginning of the season said something like “if Heatley doesn’t score 50 then this season’s been bad for him” and suggested Heater could challenge 60. Ummm, didn’t happen even with Joe T as his center.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 29, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Gomez got his stats padded by playing with Elias, Mogilny, Jagr and Niewendyk
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 29, 2010 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think Gomez’s inclusion can be dimissed immediately as a total blind homer pick.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Definitley. I don’t listen to Fischer alot, but sometimes he’ll say something stupid
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 29, 2010 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions
If you listened to him more you wouldn’t qualify “say something stupid” with “sometimes.” Stupid is the norm for that old jackass.
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.
Last week on the NHLN radio show (NHL Live?) he said John Erskine was his favorite Cap.
Just shoot me.
Nuts. Erskine is one of my favorite Caps – not because I think he is good, but rather because I have some irrational and unexplained fondness for the slow moving stick dropping oaf. Now I’ll have to come to grips with having something in common with an old jackass. Hey, wait, my wife calls me an old jackass!
ah-VEECH-kin
Do you still happen to have the CAR game on DVR (the OTL not the SOL) and do you still have yesterday’s game on DVR?
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.
Ha, even better! DVR space no longer an issue. I invested in a cheap NAS (network attached storage), put 8 TB of disk space in it. I now have almost all of the Caps games since late December archived.
So yes, to answer you question more directly, yes indeed, I have both games.
ah-VEECH-kin
I’ll email you shortly. Any chance you have the game @ VAN as well?
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 its still a pretty strong condemnation of him that he played with all those guys, and only once got more than 55 assists.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Gomez is 21st in the League in assists-per-game post-lockout among active players. What a joke.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The Gomez inclusion was hilarious. I thought it was odd that Crosby was in the top 5. As much as I want him to fail, he is very good at what he does. This year aside he has always been a pretty efficient/skilled playmaker, nothing flashy just a non-stop points getter. Top 5 today is different from the top 5 over past 4 years.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
Someone forgot to tell Stan that just because Gomez gets PAID like a number one center, it don’t mean he’s a number one center.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions
He also forgot about Getzlaf…thats a joke. Gomez hasn’t been on Sedin and Thornton’s level, well, ever.
Backstrom
Sedin
Thornton
Crosby
Getzlaf
Stastny’s right there, but I’d like to see a little more first.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions
He clearly did not watch the Olympics or he would have noticed Stastny not doing much of anything and Gomez not even selected. That’s a ridiculous list. No Backstrom or Crosby demonstrates how far his head is wedged.
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.
Agreed; but if Stastny plays to his potential he has to be a consideration for right outside that list. But no way he’s over any of the guys already mentioned except Gomez.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Stastny has tons of potential but he’s had a disappointing year and didn’t come close to giving us what we needed in Vancouver. If we are talking about “plays to his potential” I still don’t see how Stastny is above Backstrom.
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.
Right; he’s not. I already listed my top five…
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I know. Just putting a fine point on it. And I’m still groggy.
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.
No kidding; you’re up early. How’d the pickup game go?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Every Monday I’ll be up early. Trade Secrets response papers due.
Pick up game was awesome. My legs are so sore but I had a great time and didn’t let that damn Flyer Ben Rothenberg show me up. He did play solid but at least the Rink Rats were able to put enough by him for bragging rights. It’s also a testament to the fine crew here that both of our pick up games have had better attendance than any of my men’s league games since I’ve played here. Great stuff all around. I assume we’ll start planning a 3rd at some 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.
I say do it as soon as the playoff schedule is released
"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"
We’re going to do a better job figuring out who is available this time. I don’t want to be scrambling for people in the last week and then charging everyone $30 again. If Sct112 and UF are back from wherever they’ve been then our numbers will be 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.
I’ll try to make the next one. Was out of town for the first and had a game for my regular team this past weekend.
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 29, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
That would be awesome. 25 people should be pretty easy for us to reach if we plan it wisely.
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.
For sure…. 16 this time and there are 5 people who wanted to but couldnt make it this time if not more.. we’re gonna be in a good shape
"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"
Final count was 17. You, DMG, Link_Gaetz bailed late. Sct112 (1) and UF (1) were out of town.
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 am a dick.
If it makes you feel better, I had a miserable time on Saturday, and all I could think about was playing hockey.
I read that Pittsburgh article yesterday, and I swear they added to it since then. Maybe they abridged originally and finally put the full print version online (see a Corey tweet from yesterday that it had a different headline in print). Because I definitely did not read this tidbit before:
Ovechkin was the lone D.C.-area professional athlete invited by President Barack Obama to Obama’s first State Dinner in November 2009. He was also requested as a special guest by several media outlets for the White House Correspondent Association dinner in May 2009. NHL duties prevented him from attending both dinners.
"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."
Caps were @Ottawa on the night of that state dinner and Game 4 vs. penguins on the night of the correspondents’ dinner.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Definitely added to the online version.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m just trying to staple my mouth shut and avoid a muscle milk joke.
"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 29, 2010 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My young son, after trying to say “Muscle Milk’s Mike Green” five times quickly, has declared it a new tongue twister.
ah-VEECH-kin
Not as good as “knapsack strap” or “toy boat.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Or Dustin Byfuglien
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry if this been posted somewhere else but I haven’t seen it.
From The Hockey News “THE FUTURE WATCH TOP 50”
1) Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis (Barrie, OHL).
2) Jacob Markström, Florida (Brynäs).
3) Oliver Ekman-Larson, Phoenix (Leksand).
4) Cody Hodgson, Vancouver (Brampton, OHL).
5) John Carlson, Washington (Hershey, AHL).
There’s gonna be a heck of a market next year for pending UFA Tomas Vokoun at the deadline, especially with Florida having Markstrom and Salak in the pipeline there.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I could see that being resolved over the summer. I absolutely will not be shocked if/when Carter for Vokoun goes down.
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 would be a real blockbuster…good trade for both teams, though FL gets the better deal in the long run because Philly won’t win a cup with or without Vokes.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
PHI would have to clear some more cap space but at least they’d have a reliable goalie. It would come at the expense of one of their best offensive/defensive players though. I’d do it if I were FLA. PHI is going to have to make some serious moves this off-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.
Vokoun’s salary goes up to 6.3 next year. I think that would be tough for them to work out. It could take Carter AND Van Riemsdyk.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Well it’s the cap hit, not the salary, which will be the same as this year. I don’t think they move JVR, but who knows. They’ve done several stupid things I wouldn’t have done in the last couple years. JVR won’t open enough cap space to make it worth it considering his future upside.
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 if PHI wanted to make that deal, they’d have made it this year – they’d pretty much be getting a 50% worse deal if they do it this summer, because they’ll only have one playoffs with Vokes rather than two. I think they’ll continue to try to patch holes with whatever gum they can find… and continue with their goaltending being among the longest running jokes in hockey.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think deals of that magnitude are almost impossible to do in-season. So much money, such huge pieces. GMs want to take it slow and make sure they address everything. It’s the same exact situation as Pronger last year, actually (except that Vokoun has more left in the tank if they want to extend 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.
Damn that Pronger deal is awful.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, but if reports are true that they (PHI) balked at the deadline, I’m not sure that the shitshow that their goaltending has subsequently turned into is enough to get them to make the same move this summer unless they feel they aren’t just renting Vokes (i.e. they may make the move if they’re confident they can re-sign him).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You may be right. I also think the summer may give them time to talk someone into waiving his NMC. Nylander was bad, but jesus hell PHI sandbagged themselves with NMCs. Gagne, Hartnell, Briere, Timmonen. I’m pretty sure there are a couple more on there.
/may as well throw in a shot about John Carlson v. Matt Carle right here. Idiots.
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.
Richards’ deal goes up to 8.4 in 12-13. They’ll be paying Timmonen and Pronger 14.6 COMBINED next year, and Coburn is a RFA after this year. Not to mention, Leighton is unrestricted, as is Backlund, and the only goaltender they have under contract for next year is Boucher.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
You mean this joke?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Further to this point, this:
“We can’t go into next year with the same situation or a similar situation in goal that we have right now. What happened this year is really nobody’s fault. Ray (Emery) came in here and did everything we asked and was good until he got hurt. We got lucky with (Michael) Leighton, but we can’t expect to win doing things this way in goal.
“It’s already been decided that our No. 1 priority for next season is to get a goalie. We have to go out and get that player and commit to him as our guy.
“It’s probably going to mean somebody is going to have to be traded away, especially if we go after a young goalie on another team, but that’s what we’re going to have to do. We can’t keep going the way we have been. The goalie has to be the most important target and we don’t want to keep replacing one veteran with another. We want to get a guy who can be our goalie for several years…. We have to go in another direction.”
The article points to… wait for it… Carey Price.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
C’mon! He’d fit right in there with the 18 kinds of crazy they already have!
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I bet he’d love to party with the frat boys at temple.
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
Travis at BSH links to an online article stating that the Flyers are taking another run at convincing Esche to come back after his KHL contract runs out on May 1st. Apparently, Holmgren believes the Flyers are still going to be in the playoffs on May 1st. Someone might want to get him a calender.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think you can play in the NHL in the same season you’ve appeared in a foreign pro league game.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
And we haven’t even gotten to the point where it’s Robert Esche they are talking about. I like the guy, but he’s not good.
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 can – you just have to clear waivers.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Let’s take Esche off waivers just to fuck with PHI.
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.
Let’s let him pass through just to fuck with PHI.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 29, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He also suggested PHI trading for Neuvirth. What would everyone want in return? I’d take Coburn or a First round pick but I’m not sure Neuvirth would fetch either.
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.
Coburn has been dreadful this season, I think that has to lower his price. Think he rebounds as a Cap?
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Coburn also got almost all his PP time cut away by Pronger. He had a tough year but he’s big, can skate, and is already established in the NHL. If the bad year keeps his price tag down, even better. I think he’s still going to get better from where he was this 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.
No way Neuvirth gets you a 1st. Maybe Hartnell would waive his NTC? :P
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m going to pull a Drinking Partner.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Which is? Is it like a /Chris Burton’d?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Go dry heave in a trash can for 5 minutes.
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.
See? I knew this shit would happen to me!
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Mawww.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Eminger got a first from PHI and Witt got a first from NSH. If Neuvirth has another strong Calder Cup run I could see his value being very high, especially from a desperate team. And I didn’t say he would fetch a First, just that I’d move him for one. I don’t think I’d do it for a second unless it’s draft day and there is a guy that has fallen to PHI that shouldn’t have.
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.
Eminger and Witt trades are not the norm. And Coburn is better than Eminger for sure. But yeah.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t want Hartnell. Need a C. Only one I would think would be available that I would like would be Carter, and that’s not happening, at least not for Neuvirth only.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
it was snark
no one wants Scotty H anymore.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Its a shame, because before he signed that new deal, he was money.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t let Perreault see you calling for a C.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I know you’re a Perreault guy, but I still gotta be sold a little bit more before I can see him as a legit 2C.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Can they re-acquire Upshall and give us him?
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
no
we’re next in line for when Upshall inevitably gets traded again
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha Ha. That ain’t happening my friends. Maloney knows what he has unlike Poile & Holmgren.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
What a dumb trade that Upshall for Carcillo deal was. I bet PHI wishes they had some sort of hot tub time machine to go back and do that all over again.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, I lol’d so hard when that happened. Carcillo is a perfect Flyer, though. It is hilarious to me how they go out and acquire people that fit exactly the stereotype that their fans get mad about. Lappy, Pronger, and Carcillo are all douchey to the max, but Flyers fans hate people calling their team dirty.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
More than a year later and I’m still grinning from ear to ear. heck, Upshall in the press box hurt is still better than Carcillo on the ice taking stupid penalties.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
It was a locker room issue from what I can recall. They wanted to do something to shake up the room. Upshall only makes 1.5, and he’s an RFA this year.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Any word on him getting reupped, CP2? Someone could throw a lot of dough his way.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
They talked about an extension before the season, but I don’t think they were too close. Both sides agreed to table discussions until the season ended. He wants to be here and they want him so I believe it will get done.
After his experiences in NASH & PHI, he’s older and wiser and gets what an opportunity he has here. Yotes also realize they lack scoring depth. They can ill afford to lose a guy like Upshall. His partnership with Lombardi is amazing. Lombardi hasn’t looked the same without him.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
No. Upshall was getting 4th line minutes with the Flyers. He was an RFA as well.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
That torn ACL is gonna hurt, but he’s only 25.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
This is from Bleacher Report, so take it with a grain of salt
I hate to see a player with Upshall’s skill-set just flounder on a third line and play 12 minutes a game, but that was the case in Philadelphia. He never could get out of John Stevens’ dog house.
Why?
With that kind of talent you have to either produce tangible goals and assists or intangibly through grit, edge, toughness, locker room chemistry, and collective synergy.
Neither of those took place and he was shipped to Phoenix, where he may be able to harness his speed and make another run at redemption.
Daniel Carcillo, a rugged throw back who was drafted third by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, is now a Flyer. Carcillo’s value has and will never be measured by his tangibles, which is speed, shot, creativity, his ability to score, and point production. Although he can do all of these to a lesser extent.
Carcillo is what I call an intangible piece to a larger puzzle. He allows the tangible pieces and other intangible pieces to become better utilized by his mere presence on the ice.
Sturdy on his skates, strong and balanced with the puck in the corners and along the walls, tremendous vision, physically and mentally tough, gritty and ferocious is everything Carcillo stands for.
He is the perfect piece for the Flyers; a square piece in a square hole. Carcillo will allow Briere and Giroux to create jump passing lanes, and swarm like hyenas on a dead carcass.
Carcillo creates space and limits space in transition with his incredible hockey sense and vision.
He knows when to commit and when to rotate back. Giroux and Briere will have plenty of room to see the ice and make plays in space.
So, we say the untapped potential of the speedy Upshall versus the total intangible value of Carcillo.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Sturdy on his skates, strong and balanced with the puck in the corners and along the walls, tremendous vision, physically and mentally tough, gritty and ferocious is everything Carcillo stands for.
bwahahahahaha
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Has Carcillo even played with Giroux and Briere ONCE?
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Shockingly, yes. He was on the top line against Nashville. Right now he’s with Hartnell and Richards. He kinda slows them down.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
written by MarioD himself?
Question to all the people who think the Flyers should’ve signed Mike Knuble: Have you noticed that Dan Carcillo now does exactly what Knuble was doing, is a faster skater and better forechecker, takes fewer bad penalties, and costs a million dollars less?
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 29, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Hilariously, that was written after a loss to the Rangers.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
waaaaaaaaaaaait
Takes fewer bad penalties? Does someone have time to run those stats? Cause it sounds like he pulled that outta his ass.
Just a big L-O-L to the theory that Carcillo > Knuble. Not much more to be said about that.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
i don’t know how you could possibly define “bad penalties” by looking at a stat sheet, is the problem. obviously carcillo is a regular contender for league leader in PIMs.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 29, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Right; but you might could look at the penalty +/- stats? IDK. That takes penalties drawn vs. taken…
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Carcillo would have to draw a lot to make up the difference. Carcillo is 4th in the league currently with 196 penalty minutes compared to Knuble’s 57. Carcillo has played 9 more games than Knuble, but that still wouldn’t even things out. This theory like pretty much all of Johnny Ringo’s is a load of BS.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
He also calls Knuble one of the worst contracts in the league. I’m sensing sour grapes.
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?
Any contract that has Mike Knuble making just 1M more than Carcillo is fine by me. Gramps doesn’t come into any discussion about bad deals, ever. Ludicrous.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Mike Knuble has more goals (26G) than Carcillo has points (20pts). Math not a strong suit there, I guess.
You know who has a surprising amount of points (at least I found it surprising) in the category of PIM thugs? Steve Downie, 21G/24A, 202 PIMs, +15.
I like the Washington Capitals.
He gets a ton of PP time and plays with two highly skilled guys. He was also a first round pick and skill was never the question with him. Doesn’t really shock me.
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 know, the Lightning are going to be a really fun team to watch next year.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
They should have been this whole time.
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 need a solid goalie almost as bad as Philadelphia.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Niitty has some potential. More than Leighton, anyway.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
You folks aren’t enjoying Saw ’10?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Ha, I informed all the people at the blood drive of their latest woes, people couldn’t believe their luck.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Maybe Tokarski is the answer?
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I enjoyed a ton watching the WSH-TBL game when Backstrom did that Superman PK routine. That was one of the most “fun” games I’ve seen all year.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
What those don’t tell you is that St. Louis is bouncing pucks off his stick into the net and he happens to have touched a puck on a shift that Stamkos scored.
Can you tell I don’t like Downie?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
IW, you don’t happen to have the whole list (or scans of the team page)? I’m curious as to who they placed where this year.
"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 29, 2010 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve got it, hold on a sec.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions
hmm
Looks like me and IW have a different list; mine has Varlamov at no. 2, Markstrom at 9 and Carlson at 10?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Disagree with the HF list in a big way. Carlson has been playing Pro all year, and put up huge numbers. In the WJC, Pieterangelo had much more talent around him but Carlson played the much better tournament. Pieterangelo may have had more points but Carlson was a rock defensively and came up huge for Team USA in all three tough games (CAN, SWE, CAN) while Pieterangelo was a bit of a disappointment in the gold medal game. (And Carlson’s team won so he must be better!) I also think Hodgson should have fallen a bit more than he has considering all that back trouble. I’m also fundamentally opposed to having 4 goalies 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.
d'oh
His is the Hockey NEWS, mine is Hockey’s FUTURE.
/embarrassingly retrieves more coffee
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Chris Burton’d once again!
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
by Ovechwin on Mar 29, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
dammit
Quiet you
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve got the magazine. You want the Caps team list?
1) Carlson
2) Alzner
3) Neuvirth
4) Johannson
5) Perreault
6) Holtby
7) Delly
8) Orlov
9) Gustaffson
10) Osala (d’oh)
I have a C on my heart.
Mille grazie.(sp?)
"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 29, 2010 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Rest of the overall top ten:
6) Jordan Eberle
7) Nikita Filatov
8) Colin Wilson
9) Luca Sbisa
10) Brayden Schenn
Alzner is 18, Neuvi is 30
I have a C on my heart.
Cool, thanks. Assuming they can get Filatov back here….
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a hard time putting Filatov anywhere. He surely still has all that skill but I can’t help seeing red flags all over his experience with CBJ. Maybe I can just attribute it all to Hitchcock, but I doubt it.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Alexander Semin had a rough couple of years to start here, no?
/just sayin’
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Yup. I’m not writing the kid off yet. But I don’t know that you want to use Semin as the example to sway me…
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.
Della Rovere and the Colts may be facing off against Hodgson and the Battalion for Round Two of the OHL playoffs, depending on the outcome of Brampton’s Game 7 against the Kingston Frontenacs.
That game is tomorrow night.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
And Hodgson’s back is healed and he’s playing 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.
He played and scored as recently as Friday.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
But it’s not his back. It’s his foot. He’s 3-3-6 in the playoffs so far.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Damn. That guy has the Eric Fehr bug. I’m a little more concerned about the back but Peter Forsberg says maybe I shouldn’t be.
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.
Not sure who I want to win that deciding game. The Frontenacs are the higher seed and they lost their sniper (Rangers (!) prospect Ethan Werek) to an ACL in Game 6. So it’s either bad-foot Hodgson or bad-knee Werek to face the basically healthy and very well rested Colts in the next round.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Comment from WTOP’s Dave Johnson on sports report. They played the clip of the third goal, and Bruce’s comments that Theo was fighting the puck. Johnson said that was the difference between us and an NHL goalie. Theo was fighting the puck — we’d be fighting for our lives if anyone were shooting something at us at 90 mph.
by miseenjeu on Mar 29, 2010 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
So does that AO book appear to be Cox putting a whole bunch of stories together, or might this include actual participation by the subject?
"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!"
It’s Damien Cox. At some point you’ll hear about how the Leafs haven’t been in a final since 1967
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 29, 2010 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions
And fighting should be banned!
“Alex Ovechkin manages to be one of the games most exciting players. He brings speed, skill, shooting hitting. What he doesn’t have to do to bring fans out of their seats? Fight. Alex Ovechkin is a sign to the NHL that they can move beyond the barbaric days of yore into the modern era. Sans fighting.”
/Did I nail it?
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I’m mostly sure he’s been spending time with Ovie throughout this season. I saw something about that on Twitter a while back. But it’s Twitter, so season to taste.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Is anyone else kind of creeped out by that Muscle Milk promo we keep hearing? “Drink… and evolve.”
You had me at no problem.
.
They’re missing out by not using Malkin as a spokesperson. “Muscle Malk”
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The ads on TV I’ve seen for it are funny… in the same way that “Stepford Wives” and “Mommie Dearest” are funny….
Yikes…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
We have this testimonial as to the wonders of Muscle Milk…
“uh, yeah… I drunk that there Muskle Milk… I done growed a third arm with eight fingers on my hand and another foot. Now I kin kick the dog all across the yard whilst I pick my nose and my britches at the same time….”
Muscle Milk… Drink, and Evolve.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the idea that the Caps will be playing in the Winter Classic. I hate the fact that it will be against the Penguins and doubly hate that it will be in Pittsburgh. I am so tired of the league force-feeding us Ovechkin and Crosby and the by-product of Caps-Pens. The thought of a weeks long lovefest on the greatness of Pittsburgh sports and the splendor of Lemieux and Crosby and the inherent Ivan Dragoness of Ovi already has me visibly ill.
by b.orr4 on Mar 29, 2010 9:01 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
You’ll feel better when the game’s over and the Caps beat them.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i have a hard time believing that heinz field will be the venue. NFL regular season ends the week of jan 1-2. clearly they can work around the steelers regular season schedule but how excited do you think the steelers will be having to play the last two games of the season on the road.
however, the first round of the NFL playoffs are the following week. no way they tear down that rink in time to replant sod and get that field ready for nfl football in a week. i just dont think the NFL or the steelers allow that, particularly when there is a perfectly good baseball stadium right next door.
better yet, we have an iconic stadium not being used at that time. called RFK and would be PERFECT for a hockey game. intimate setting, tons of history. they could put some lipstick on that pig for one weekend worth of games. i know the weather is iffy, but worth a shot.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 29, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I would loooove to see a Caps game at RFK. No it doesn’t have all the newest stuff in the lux boxes but as anyone that’s been to a DC United game knows, you can get the movable section of seats bouncing, and with a ton of cheering Caps fans on national TV, how great would that be.
RFK is an absolute craphole right now, despite the Lot 8 repaving. If it’s anywhere in the DC city limits, it’ll be at Nats Park (where there’s upkeep both from the team and the city).
"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 29, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
i’m pretty sure that rfk could be dolled up enough to host this event. besides, the nhl doesn t care about parking lots or amenities, they want impressive venues w/ history. rfk is just that. imagine the tie ins to redskins games of the past. the bouncing seats, etc. nats park, not so much.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 29, 2010 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
And with July to December to work on getting it fixed up, in between DC United games, that should be enough time
You guys been there recently? The place is riddled with broken chairs, rats the size of cats, and the bouncing seats that people are enamored with are slowly claiming Barra Brava members. The Sports and Entertainment Commission is doing the barest of bare minimums 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 29, 2010 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
you sure they are not cats? like i said, there should be plenty of time and incentive to spruce the place up for a weeks worth of activities.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 29, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
And the team will have to eat the costs to do so. If I’m Ted, I choose profit (with a bare expense) over sentimentality.
"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 29, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
RFK is a complete joke but it’s still a terrific fan stadium, at least when you’re out at the field. Once you’re inside it gets a little dodgey. Still, the seats are on top of the field and it’s a monstrously loud stadium.
It’d be a great venue, but it’d be horrible for the bluebloods and other VIPs that show up. Plus, it’s falling apart and that is going to show on TV. Would be a PR nightmare for the NHL.
President and sole member of the Erskine lobby.
It was great seeing the Nats there. Sometimes I wish they had just fixed up/renovated RFK instead of building a whole new stadium. Great site lines.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Those movable seats are awesome. Nuff said. An RFK game would be amazing, saying it can be fixed up.
by hockeyman33 on Mar 29, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree on the timing of the NFL. Normally, it takes a couple of weeks to get the rink up and running perfectly and the Steelers already have a home game scheduled for Dec. 23rd. Plus, once they take the rink down, the field is usually in pretty bad shape for a few weeks because of all the heavy equipment running back and forth and the weight of the actual rink itself. I believe I read somehwere that the groundskeeper at Fenway said it took a month to get the field back in shape after this year’s WC. As far as playing in DC, RFK or Nats Stadium would both be fine. Anything but FedEx.
couldnt do fex ex for the same reason although pretty likely the playoff game issue wont be a problem but you never know. no to nats park. baseball stadiums just dont work for the nhl rink. unless it fenway or wrigley, no reason to put it in a baseball park.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 29, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I went to Fenway when the Caps played the Bruins back in early February and the field was awful. There is no way that the Steelers would be ready to play in Heinz Field less than a week later. You have to assume the Steelers make the playoffs and could possibly host a Wild Card game. Throw that in there and the chances of a Winter Classic at Heinz Field seem slim.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
they didn’t exactly have a lot of incentive to rush to get the Fenway field ready for another event though. Makes more sense to wait until weather starts warming up to work on a baseball field that won’t be in use until April
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 29, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Heinz Field doesn’t seem to be such a great field anyway, aren’t there always complaints after they host high school championships or something?
"Ah, dinner. The perfect break between work and drunk." - Homer Simpson
T’would be nice if they could just “split the baby” distance wise and play in Baltimore. And because I only live 5 minutes away is a pretty huge factor in that.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha me too. I’d love to pop on over to OPACY for a Caps game. It beats the hell out of the typical hour drive I normally have to make.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
quick OT
What can I get with my 90 point card thingee?
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Something worth 90 points?
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Fake moustache or moustache comb.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
What about a fake moustache comb?
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Getting OT from the original OT, let’s work it back to hockey.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
At espn zone…
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
You can play games in the Arena upstairs. Lots of games. 90 points is a nice size card.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’ll have to wait to use it. Stupid work.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I know. I RSVP’d, won a card, and am not even using it…
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
And riding the Metro can be a pain, especially from Greenbelt (parking at CP is a pain in the ass).
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, it would almost have to be PNC park (Pirates, Baseball) if it were in Pittsburgh…I would think.
"I am ready for his provocations"
by PaintDrinkingPete on Mar 29, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
You are forgetting the fact that PIT will have a first round bye 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.
pfft
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I had this conversation with Hooks Orpik the other night. Both of us think this is stupid. Alex/Sid is going to be ratings gold no matter when they play it. They don’t need to add a layer of gimmick onto those games. Use the Winter Classic as a platform to air games that won’t have the same hype build up. It’s like wasting a silver bullet.
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. Put a dog out there and you’re cooked. This year’s would’ve been disaster if not for Fenway, and there are no great ballparks left, are there? This time around, they’re going to have to use the players and teams to sell the event, and there’s nothing guaranteed to do that except Alex/Sid and Caps/Pens.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think the NHL just isn’t being creative enough about it. There are some great options out West, but they won’t go there for whatever reason. DAL/MIN in an outdoor game would be great. Ford Field with a UM/MSU game piggybacking would be great. Mile High Stadium could be great (though I’m a little concerned about how the Avs have been drawing lately).
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.
DAL/MIN would be cool from a hockey perspective, but I don’t think that would get very good ratings.
"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 29, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
How does everyone underestimate the MIN market? No matter what venue you picked, the game would sell out, and the entire state would watch the game. I bet MIN/DAL would do better than BOS/PHI did, although no NBC exec would accept that wisdom.
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 not underestimating the MIN market as much as it’s not wanting to gamble on it when there are such better options. There’s very little calue in trying to “spread the love”, they are trying to get the best ratings for the game and little else.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
The real issue is that any game involving MIN wouldn’t draw outside of MIN unless they played the Red Wings, BlackHawks, Pens or Flyers.
NBC’s trying to get national ratings. What are they gonna do to advertise?
“See Mikko Koivu, Josh Harding and the Minnesota Wild take on Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets!!!”
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I get your point, I just don’t think the options are so narrow. Maybe a WC playoff Cinderella produces some excitement; maybe SJS breaks through in the playoffs. It’s not like SJS doesn’t have an exciting team that fans would enjoy watching, the NHL just hasn’t bothered marketing them at all. As NHL fans we feel like it has to be DET/CHI/PIT/PHI/NYR, but that’s because it always is DET/CHI/PIT/PHI/NYR. Gotta start branching out at some point right?
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 still think NJ/NYR should play.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
If you are going for a NYC rivalry it’s NYR/NYI all the way, hands down, without a doubt, case closed, period.
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.
No way. NJD have a great rivalry with the Rags, and they have Parise and Kovy and Marty.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think you could do Devils/Rags. Problem is (same as NYR/NYI), you’re only in one market then.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
They have Kovalchuk now, we’ll see about next year.
And trust me. TRUST me. I lived on Long Island from 1990-2006. NYR/NJD doesn’t even begin to touch NYR/NYI. If you are going to relegate yourself to one market, you pick the hottest rivalry you have in that market. That’s NYR/NYI. I don’t care how much better NJD has been than either team over the last 15 years, they don’t draw as well and they don’t have the same rivalry juice. I can’t explain why because it doesn’t make a ton of sense, but it most certainly is the truth.
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 agree that they should start branching out, but IMO the stakes of the Winter Classic are to high for the NHL to risk a ratings disaster.
"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 29, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought the ratings were just one slice of the pie. They had below-expected ratings for PHI/BOS but still cleaned up financially because of all the merchandise etc.
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’s true. But the exposure the game affords the NHL is pretty important. It’s the one NHL game of the year beyond the Cup finals that casual fans are likely to tune into, and unlike the Finals the NHL has the luxury of choosing what teams get to participate.
"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 29, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you suggesting the NHL doesn’t choose which teams participate in the finals?
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.
Well-played.
"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 29, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Average fans won’t tune in without a marquee draw. Dal/Min would be great for hardcore fans but I would fully predict a ratings disaster.
I think the west coast game is a tough one because NBC wants the games to air early in the afternoon, which would be late morning for West Coast venues.
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 29, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s my thinking. Obviously if it were in Minnesota they could fill a stadium of any size, but I don’t think most non-hockey fans would tune in on the telly.
"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 29, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Dal/Min wouldn’t even be great for hardcore fans. I’d find that matchup pretty GD boring, history aside.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Dallas/Washington? ;)
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you overrate the MIN market at least from a pro hoceky perspective, Pittsburgh’s/Buffalo’s local ratings crush Minnesota’s. I would have no problem putting Minnesota in the classic at some point, and they will be, but their team is just not good at this point. The NHL wants ratings and ratings only, and Pit/Was will get good ratings.
Pittsburgh’s/Buffalo’s local ratings crush Minnesota’s.
That’s ’cos all the Wild fans are at the game.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s no way to overrate the MIN market. They haven’t even had a good team and they sell out every game. And see my comment above, it’s not just TV ratings. Merchandise is a huge part of it and MIN would no doubt support the game in that way.
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.
exactly
If they ever iced an above average team that place would go berserk. They haven’t done a lot of things right but they’ve got the best fan base of any expansion team, easy. There’s a reason they call it “The State of Hockey”.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
imagine if they were above average AND scored goals.
Christ, this is a state that sells out the HIGH SCHOOL tourney. At Xcel Center. Hockey is the only thing that gets them through those miserable winters.
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 agree, they have a great market, and they would support the game, no doubt, but so will Pittsburgh. I would wait till they have a good team to give them a game. Nobody outside of Minnesota wants to watch the Wild play.
They’re getting better. They’ve got several great forwards, a solid D core and an underrated keeper. I was surprised to see them do so poorly this year. That Lantendresse deal was so underrated.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
And they finally stopped trapping. If Havlat and Burns didn’t have such a bad year things may have been different, but they did.
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.
A lot of that was adjusting to a new system and Brent Burns doing an unbelievable fade-job.
Also, Havlat isn’t a first-tier star, but he’s got that kind of responsibility in Minny.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Something else to address — The Wild’s trading year. Giving up Kim Johnsson hurts now, but Cam Barker’s demonstrated the ability to be a 40+ point guy. He desperately needs some development in the D-Zone, but I think that’s a good gamble on Minny’s end. He still has tremendous potential and a lot of physical tools.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Except that was the logic to have PHI face BOS and it didn’t exactly work 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.
Plant the goal posts, please.
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, okay Boston-Philly was a bad pick. But Pittsburgh-Washington is still the best choice in my mind in terms of ratings and quality of hockey.
Especially because even if the teams do underperform (as BOS and PHI both did), you’ve got a safety net with those two players on the marquee.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You won’t get any argument about quality of hockey, or even ratings. My original point was that PIT/WAS is going to get ratings whenever they play it. If the NHL is actually scared of ratings for the WC then I guess it makes sense to do that, but I’d rather they just schedule all 4 PIT/WAS games on Sundays during the second half of the season and let NBC hype the hell out of the traditional games. Let someone else get in on the WC treasure chest.
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.
Plus, as far as quality of hockey, the WC games have been sub-par because of the ice and being outside dealing with the elements. If you want to preserve the quality of PIT/WAS then keep them inside.
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 definitely a problem, but I meant more quailty of the teams and players involved. If they really want to get a true Heinz Field experience then the ice should have huge puddles and large chunks missing in random places.
And you should have to attempt the shootout with a shot on the empty net from the far blueline shooting into the open end of the stadium.
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.
Minnesota is so fucking COLD in January. Brutally fucking cold. I love hockey, I love Minnesota, but no way am I sitting outside on Jan. 1 in that state!
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
dude
Minnesota is crazy about hockey. The X is tied for tops on my list of arenas to visit.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m with you. Let me know when we’re going.
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.
Will do; wanna hit the United Center on the way back? :)
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I do! I went to Chicago last semester but it was in the midst of a long CHI road trip. I was very disappointed.
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.
When do they release next year’s schedule, anyway?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
IIRC August or September.
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.
late July :)
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 don’t think they’re in a position to be creative, to be honest. They need a slam dunk (or, for a more fitting metaphor, an empty netter without Patrik Stefan shooting it).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Fair enough. I may be preemptively bristling at the hype. But if the Caps are defending champs, I guess bring the hype on.
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 only problem is what you do next year if you’ve used up your best matchup. I think the NHL could go another year without using the not-so-secret weapon if they believe the Rangers will be contenders. Using Caps/Pens this early might be a sign that even just an annual game was too much.
"Ah, dinner. The perfect break between work and drunk." - Homer Simpson
This year’s would’ve been disaster if not for Fenway, and there are no great ballparks left, are there?
Well, there is that stadium up in NY.
Right, but they have a college football game already on the schedule.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
They really missed their window on the New York stadiums. It’s a shame.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Camden Yards! But in all honesty I can’t see the NHL risking it being a 55 degree day in the greater Washington area on New Years Day
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 29, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Which raises the question of how arm it can be to still have good ice. They played an outdoor game in Las Vegas didn’t they? I can imaging it being any colder than 45 degrees there.
Humidity is a bigger problem than heat. Las Vegas is desert—no humidity. In the mid-Atlantic, there’s a pretty good chance of rain around New Year’s, which would present a greater challenge for making and maintaining ice.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Anyone have a scouting report on the Panthers? I didn’t see our first game with them; are they dangerous or will they play dead?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
Apparently their snore inducing
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 29, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
The one thing I’ve learned is that’s absolutely impossible to predict how a team that shouldn’t have anything to play for will actually perform. Look at what Toronto did in Pittsburgh yesterday.
The players on any team that’s out of the playoff chase have a great incentive to play hard now, as they are playing for the jobs in 2010-11. Being in the NHL sure beats riding the bus in the AHL from Lowell to Erie….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Coffee, black… you will need it.
If there is a more boring team in the NHL, they have no fans because they’ve all passed out. Or live in Edmonton…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 29, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
With Booth out for the season, the game will probably just come down to Vokoun. I wouldn’t expect them to lay down, though – they like to win a lot late in the season and almost make the playoffs. It’s sort of an annual ritual with them.
The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn from the crow.
Yeah, Chris — if you’ve never had the chance to see Tomas Vokoun, pay attention to that guy. He’s pretty good.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Was there something in my tone that somehow suggested he wouldn’t already be familiar with Vokoun?
Would you prefer that I warn him about the ever dangerous Kamil Kreps (definitely one of my favorite names to mispronounce)?
The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn from the crow.
(it was snark directed at Chris)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
quiet, you
I go through enough about that deal without people reminding me. We got some great, maybe even elite players with those picks though.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Would have preferred the Caps play someone like LA in the WC, let a young Pacific team get showcased. Quick, Kopitar, Doughty, etc. I’m not thrilled that the only excursion from the northeast corridor for this event thus far was CHI-DET @ Wrigley (an excellent choice, mind you.)
So far, it’s been..
2003 Heritage Classic (MON @ EDM)
2008 Winter Classic (PIT @ BUF)
2009 Winter Classic (DET @ CHI)
2010 Winter Classic (PHI @ BOS)
2011 Winter Classic (WAS @ PIT) (speculative)
Also, why not bring the Heritage Classic back, too, and have it as an annual outdoor game between two CAN teams? Doesn’t have to necessarily exclude them from the WC (I would have preferred MON vs. BOS instead of PHI vs. BOS for the historical rivalry, for example) and it’s not like they’d have any trouble finding a place to play outdoor hockey in Canada.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
As long as NBC has broadcasting rights (or any US network for that matter, I’d imagine), it will be 2 US teams. It would be too hard to promise ratings and generate advertising revenue if the network couldn’t at least promise 2 major US markets with high viewership. Not saying that’s “right”, but it is “true”.
I’ve heard rumors that the Heritage Classic may return to feature Canadian teams, but the real issue is that there are far less suitable outdoor venues in Canadian cities (with NHL teams) in which to hold the event.
I won’t complain at all if it does turn out to be Washington @ Pittsburgh…but I do agree that the Pens had their turn, and NBC and the league should do a better job at “sharing the wealth”. Granted, locations like Phoenix and Florida couldn’t possibly host a WC, so that does mean that teams in colder climate cities will always get a bit of preferential treatment, but let’s face it, a lot of teams want to be a part of this, and Pittsburgh was just there 3 years ago.
"I am ready for his provocations"
by PaintDrinkingPete on Mar 29, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Wonder if any hats were thrown when Sid scored his shootout goal yesterday.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 29, 2010 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
One time in Nashville fans threw hats after Arnott assisted on a goal that would’ve been his third—pretty funny. He teed it up and it was obviously deflected, but no one saw. He had a hilarious look on his face…
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I saw that
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 29, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Wonder if any hats were thrown when Sid scored his shootout goal yesterday.
There was one or two thrown (not more than that, near as I could tell). And then Errey ranted about why not to do that.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
RE: The booing
I was more than a little disappointed by the boos in the phone booth yesterday, though I can’t say I’m too surprised. It’s indicative of a fan base comprised of… less than weathered fans. Most true fans (very poor terminology there, but most of you can understand what I mean by it) know that there are a laundry list of reasons not to boo your boys at home. Not to mention how ridiculously, historically, good the Caps are this year. Not to mention that we were beat up yesterday. Not to mention we were an inevitable lock to have home ice til the cup, and likely the whole way. This was just so far from a moment to boo your home team, which I’d say there is almost never a reason to do, I couldn’t really believe it was happening.
This is a PA to anyone who booed yesterday, and believe me, I am sure that the majority of us weren’t booing and wouldn’t boo, as, in general, we are the informed, true fans. But in the chance some of you were booing yesterday, I have this to say to you:
Act like ya been there, man. This team is special.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
It’s indicative of a fan base comprised of… less than weathered fans.
One day those Habs and Yankees fans will grow up and become… more than weathered fans.
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.
There are bandwagon fans in every stadium that has a winning team, and there are real/more devoted/more informed fans around them facepalming when they boo their first place team. This team happens to have a pretty large proportion of the former. It’s a fact of life. You just hope they shut their mouth and don’t lean.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
My point is that fans everywhere boo. It’s not a “new fan v. old fan” or a “smart fan v. ignorant fan” thing. It’s just people, man. You don’t have to like it, but there’s no need to go slandering your own fan base for doing it.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Rob Parker on Mar 29, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I agree with this as well. Don’t forget that “fan” is short for fanatic – people don’t always react rationally to sports. The emotional investment (as well as the financial one) lead people to express themselves in ways that don’t always make sense from a detached perspective. It’s the way it is.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This is true. I tire of the bandwagon fan tag because I came to hockey and the Caps just a few years ago. Everyone has to start somewhere. And it is not in my nature to boo. I am more of a cheer or slump in my seat in dismay kind of fan. But given the amount of attention I’ve paid to this team and how much hockey I have learned I’m not going anywhere. I am a Caps fan or fanatic for life.
by capsyoungguns on Mar 29, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I was watching the teevee and giggling uncontrollably. Losing to Calgary. They just got stomped by the lousy Bruins. What else could you do but laugh – it’s too absurd.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Knuble’s postgame interview summed it up – just not the Caps’ day.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
During the second intermission, our small group in 413 discussed it and all agreed that there was no doubt they could have scored three in the third. How many times have they done it this year?
Oh well.
"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."
Bingo.
"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 29, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I strongly disagree...
I can’t imagine a situation that would cause me to boo this team in the next 2-3 weeks. This is like the beginning of a war, when the two sides are lined up, looking at each other across a battlefield, waiting for the bloodbath to start… Every single game of the season has emotional weight with players, to varying degrees. There’s no coincidence that “playoff hockey” has a distinct look and feel to it. I can understand what it’s like to sit in the room and have nothing to play for against a team (not to mention an extremely physical one) who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Your professionalism gets your fired up to play, your love of the game, but that doesn’t always match another team who is playing like their kid is kidnapped by terrorists.
You have to cut these guys slack and look at the big picture. If you were really selfish enough to boo yesterday because you paid money to watch these guys play and their effort was not up to your standards, then you need to think about why you love sports and this team. Teams lose, teams get scored on. This team, more than any in recent hockey memory, still had a chance to come back and win yesterday, even from a 4 goal deficit. They came out flat because, comparitively, that’s how they should’ve come out, all things being equal. If they came out hungry I would think they are insane. These guys are just… guys. They are not machines. And when you expect them to show up to a dogfight against a pitbull like CGY in this exact situation, depleted roster, clinching home ice, historic season, 2 weeks left… you are expecting too much. It’s game 7 to them… it’s a practice to us.
All of that being said, this team has a tendency to turn it off and on, and not showing up for a period is never a good thing (even if it is inevitable), but was it bad enough to boo? When we are about to clinch the East? When we’re going to stroll to the president’s cup? Because you paid money and you feel that you aren’t getting enough value? Sounds like a real fan to me.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Look, I didn’t boo. I’m not saying everyone should boo. I’m arguing a different point than the one you are. Booing isn’t a sign of an idiot fan base, it’s just a sign that some people are pissed off and expect more and will express it that way. It happens everywhere. You ever sit in a traffic jam and hear people honk their horns incessantly? It makes no fucking sense but they are still going to do it. Sometimes people just need to vent, and if that’s the case, booing is a pretty innocuous way of doing it. It’s better than throwing pennies on the ice.
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 wouldn’t boo, but I’d understand it if a guy in my financial situation that paid to be there felt like he had to boo after spending the money.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
This topic again? Fans boo. Get over it.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
More to the point, “seasoned” and “weathered” fans boo. Have you ever been to any kind of sporting event in Philadelphia?
If anything, I’d expect the “less weathered” fans to be more likely to give a polite golf clap for the effort, and the crusty old farts to boo their lungs out.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Apparently my point is getting a bit lost, and maybe I didn’t present it the right way.
Essentially it is this: there is no way this team deserved to be booed yesterday, and it was done mainly by the fairweather fans. This is all I meant.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I understood what you meant and respectively disagree.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Right. Trust me Bushwood, everyone understands you.
Essentially it is this: there is no way this team deserved to be booed yesterday,
Yup. that’s a fair opinion. I think people can legitimately go either way on this. My take is that fans like to boo. It’s fun, and it’s often the only fun you’ll have that night. So people did it. But I think everyone agrees that you are entitled to feel this way.
and it was done mainly by the fairweather fans.
This is where you’re drawing the heat. Fans of original-six teams boo when their team lays an egg — even when their team is really good. We just haven’t seen any indication that the booing in DC was lead by “fairweather” fans. I know plenty of “since the 1970s” Caps fans who I fully expect were booing their hearts out yesterday.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I know plenty of "since the 1970s" Caps fans who I fully expect were booing their hearts out yesterday.
If I was at the game with one of my lifelong caps fan friends and they were booing, I would tell them to shut the front door… in a meaner way than that. Are you booing because they played poorly and you feel like they deserve it? Or because you paid money and you feel like you’re not getting value? For any reason I can imagine, it shows a lack of understanding, judgment, compassion, sportsmanship…. and more.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s important to have compassion for millionaire athletes when they aren’t even trying?
"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 29, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
In last night’s situation, yes. And I think “they aren’t even trying” is a little overstated. 4-0 is bad, but it wasn’t actually 4-0 bad, as it rarely is. The EV goals of that first period was probably closer to 2-1.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
What I’m saying is fans who booed yesterday were misguided at best, and selfish, stupid, douchebag bandwagoners at worst. Simply, they did not understand the situation the team and the players were in.
And that if you put 100 fans in a room who watch every game, or who have rooted for the Caps since they were 8, or have genuine emotion invested in the Caps, I’m arguing you wouldn’t hear a boo, because these people realize that that was the last time and place you would ever boo them. This, in my mind, is the difference between a true fan and a fairweather one. Feel free to disagree.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I just don’t see any evidence of the correlation you’re making. Like I said above, my experience says the opposite is true. Nobody’s harder on their team than the folks who have been there forever.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. And I was pissed yesterday. I just express it in a different manner.
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.
Yea, I guess this is what it comes down to. My hope is that our fans are thoughtful and mature enough to realize what is going on, and that booing is not constructive in any way, nor is deserved by the players. It just simply wasn’t warranted in my onion. Clearly there are people who disagree.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Our fans spend hundreds of dollars on “Crosbiatch” jerseys and similarly themed apparel – they aren’t thoughtful and mature enough to realize what is going on.
Of course, that’s only a small number of folks and not representative of the entire fanbase… just like the booers.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And the “whoop whoop”ers
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t put much hope in the possibility that 17,000 people assembled only because they enjoy a sporting event are “thoughtful and mature.” I wouldn’t put much hope in sports fans doing only what is constructive or deserved.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Any crowd of 17,000 people is probably dominated by idiots.
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.
Exactly.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Any crowd of17,000people is probably dominated by idiots.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 29, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You don’t have to like it, but there’s no need to go slandering your own fan base for doing it.
Any crowd of 17,000 people is probably dominated by idiots.
So… I guess this is what I was trying to say, but I wanted to make it more constructive, because I tend to get flack for coming of as a prick in my comment…
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
What I’m saying is fans who booed yesterday were misguided at best, and selfish, stupid, douchebag bandwagoners at worst.
I made a general comment about humanity, you called the boo-birds stupid, douchebag bandwagoners.
That being said, I still think a good 66% of the people at any given Caps game have next to no idea of what’s actually going on. But then, I don’t mind being an elitist prick, and I think my sig makes that quite clear.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I agree with you completely, and looking back on this conversation… I guess it was my naivete that lead me to believe that lifelong fans weren’t stupid enough to also boo. I think that sums it up.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
My original post was meant to point this out and how they were wrong, not that it didn’t happen.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve seen new and seasoned fans boo at all kinds of sporting events. If fans, new or old, don’t think their team is putting forth effort a sizable number of them will boo.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
And we are. A real fan would see how hard the team had worked in so many situations, do you agree?
You’re arguing that a real fan would (exclusively) cut them slack because of that prior hard work.
I’m not saying a real fan has to boo, but certainly a real fan could. Why does the team get to used past effort as an excuse to fall back on? Oh, we played hard for you earlier, we don’t feel like showing up today, sorry. That’s fine, but a real fan has just as much right to boo that if that’s how they want to react.
There is no way to say that all the booers were fairweather. The team absolutely deserved to be booed after that period (and after that period alone). The boys flat out didn’t show up. You don’t get to do that when you make that much money. Win or lose, you at least play. They didn’t play.
So we disagree, but your point is taken.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
While I agree that booing yesterday’s performance was unwarranted in light of the season on the whole, I wouldn’t chalk it up entirely to bandwagon fans. For the fans that may not make it out to a ton of games for whatever reason and spend a not-insignificant amount of money on a Sunday afternoon at the arena, they have every right to voice their displeasure with a sub-par effort. I cut them some slack.
Bronx cheering Varly was effing stupid, though, no doubt about that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
At least it wasn’t ALL HIS FAULT!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
THAT is much more ridiculous than the booing and/or mock cheer…. yet it happens every game, and irritates me more w/ each time it happens.
The guy who leads it, or at least I suspect does, is a jerk too.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him at events and he comes off as pretty obnoxious.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
He was at the Mike Knuble thing, bragging about being a Skipjacks season ticket holder and all around being a dick.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
to get back (somewhat) on the booing topic… would he be appropriate to boo those that participate in that cheer after they do it??
by Scofield on Mar 29, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ok, that’s the guy I was thinking of. It makes you hate that cheer even more.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Definitely.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Would be nice if we could come up with our own cheer to denounce that cheer.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I just usually try yelling in their direction.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I personally don’t like the "all your fault’ cheer myself. But when I really dislike it is when they do it in close games when the score is like 2-1. It’s probably not really all his fault at that point. Something 7-0, makes more sense.
I like the Washington Capitals.
It should start at 3, if we’re winning.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I cannot agree with this statement more. When you teach a kid to count you don’t end at “one”. You at least go to three. You’re legitimately counting after you get to three, in my book. And the key is the Caps need to be winning.
I really think it’s a cheer that shouldn’t be done every single game. There are times when it could be funny and clever, but pushing it every game is too much. If the Caps drop 7 on Tim Thomas…and you count those 7 goals at him, it could be funny. But when it’s Manny Legace, it doesn’t come off as clever.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Didn’t they “All your fault” Turco a couple weeks ago?
I also hate “who cares” especially when the other team just went up a goal.
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 it’s who cares who scored the goal, not that the goal was scored. Either way stupid.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Baltimore trash, that explains it.
Yes, I am from there as well.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
You want to be grouped in with this guy? Go ahead.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Just didn’t want all of the Baltimoreans throwing hate my way.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Oh jeez! You’re so terrifying!
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
If you get me started on hating my city, I can get pretty nasty. I take pride in my roots. Also why I get pissed at people who hate on me because I root for, say, the Caps. I’m from here and root for the teams closest to me. Don’t hate me because I live here.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I don’t!!!! I just hate the skipjacks douche.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Oh I know…it was a general “you” not specifically you. haha Sorry, I had to deal with Douchebag Sabres fan this weekend. Happy happy joy joy.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
We can all agree that everything from Buffalo sucks.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
….except Ryan Miller?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
But still. I can never hate Ryan Miller.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Except chicken wing soup apparently.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Oh I had to hear about how the best thing I made for the party was a Buffalo Chicken pot pie thingy. It was the biggest hit and he had to rub it in.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
It was the biggest hit and he had to rub it in.
Isolate that…
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Getting way OT.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
“Bronx cheering”? Um, what happened?
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Respectfully, that’s a load of crap.
What the Caps did in that first period was insulting to each and every one of the fans in the Booth. It wasn’t about the losing, it was about the lack of any effort whatsoever. It’s fine if you’re having a bad game, but at least pretend to care.
It’s wholly unrelated to the team’s record (or, if anything, their record makes it a bit worse since you know they had given any effort they could have done so much more). It doesn’t matter how many games they win, nothing gives them the right to crap all over the fans like that. Above all else, at least try. There was none of that in that first period.
If the team’s going to “play” like that through a period, they deserve anything the fans choose to throw at them (figuratively of course). If that manifests itself as booing, fine.
Let it be pointed out, fans booed after the first, not after the second or after the final buzzer. They weren’t booing the loss. They were booing the absence of the team.
by brs03 on Mar 29, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
And, to add, 100% agree about the Bronx cheer.
Fans too stupid to realize that 1.) Varly and Jose are different players or 2.) you don’t do that after one goal (and not a soft one at that), etc., should just go away. That was truly embarrassing.
There were 18 guys (give or take) that deserved to hear it. Varly wasn’t one of them.
I know the booing was discussed ad nauseam in the recap thread, but I absolutely agree with you. The booing was uncalled for. Poor way to motivate and unrealistic expectations if fans expect fabulous games at every outing. We’ve been to nearly every game and have seen some marvelous hockey from our guys and have been witness to an amazing season.
Everyone has bad days and I don’t know why we expect athletes to be any different. I hope that the guys take some lessons from this game, primarily how not to let another team dictate the physicality. It really seemed to throw them off in that first period. I don’t know much about this team but if we don’t see them for another two years I’ll be delighted. I didn’t like their brand of physicality—it’s not the hitting, but how they tried to start fights with the Caps throughout that first period. And Belanger and Chimera seemed pissed off to me, especially after the boarding of Chimera. It struck me later that these two coming from the Western Conference have met this team far more often than the rest of the Caps and I would guess don’t like them much.
I take heart in the fact that the guys got workmanlike in the second and dominated the third. It may not have paid off on the scoreboard but it showed how they best dictate a game—by keeping the puck in the offensive end. Had either of our goalies been on top of their game and the puck not taken so many weird bounces, the game would have been different. Not that the Caps deserved to win and they need to make their own luck, but I would have been far more worried had they collapsed—they fought to the end at least.
by capsyoungguns on Mar 29, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s a difference between a bad game and a no-effort game, though. One’s excusable, the other isn’t.
When these guys get paid what they do, when those fans pay what they do for tickets, they’re entitled to see effort. That doesn’t mean a great game, that doesn’t mean a win, but it means the team gives it an honest go. That is why there was booing.
The 2nd/3rd, that effort was exactly what they wanted to see. The 2nd wasn’t perfect for the Caps, obviously, and the score didn’t change in any huge way, but the team started playing like they gave a crap. That is what the fans wanted. Heart. Energy. Emotion. Or any other similar euphemism for effort on the ice.
Just asking. . .
If you went to a restaurant and got absolutely GOD-AWFUL service, would you leave a tip? Would you say something to the manager?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Well said. Even if the service and food is usually excellent, wouldn’t you still be pissed?
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 anything, wouldn’t you be MORE pissed? Higher expectations?
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s certainly an argument there.
/How’d Cornell do this weekend?
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 can’t tell if you’re seriously asking or if you’re mocking me…if the first: we lost. If the second: bite me. :)
In other news, Miami’s game last night was ridiculous. Won in double OT!
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
It was the second. I know damn well how UNH/Cornell played out. And I’m glad it did. Not even just because of how I feel about Cornell, but they play such boring hockey and UNH loves to skate. Turns out RIT didn’t really care who won that game, it wasn’t going to matter to 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.
A buddy of mine who goes to RIT says the place is going nuts.
"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 29, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I bet. I know someone who was at Bemidji last year and he said it was just insanity. Life came to a screeching halt for a few days out there.
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 figured, you and your Colgate ways. But um yea, RIT’s on fire. Should be an interesting Frozen Four.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve got extra tickets if anyone wants to go.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I hear DET is lovely this time of 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.
I think my little bro and some of his frat brothers (all Miami kids) are going…I’m totally jealous.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
That would be so fun to go if your school was in it. I went last year in DC and it was awesome, even without a rooting interest. That BU/Miami game was one of the best games I’ve ever been to.
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 just hoping for 3 good games. If I had to choose I’d probably pull for the Red Hawks to win, but I don’t dislike any of the teams. Doubt the final will be able to match last year’s in terms of drama.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt we’ll more than a handful of sporting events with that level of drama in our lifetimes.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
After last year I’m probably rooting for Miami as well. Can’t really root for BC and I only have a mild rooting interest for Wisconsin. An RIT upset would be sweet but I’m not counting on it at all. The long break could really hurt them (I think that happened last year as well).
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 rooting for RIT because I like rooting for the underdog. Mildly rooting against Wisconsin just because one of my aunts tutors their players and I really don’t like her.
"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 29, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha. I like the underdog aspect for sure (seriously D’oh, I don’t just root against your teams). I just think you take an underdog who is hot and then make them sit for a couple weeks and think about what they’ve done and what’s ahead and it’s real tough.
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.
Even without the break I can’t see them hanging with Wisconsin. Then again I didn’t think they’d make the FF.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t expect them to win either, but this way if they do win I can act smug and claim I believed in them all along.
"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 29, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Miami’s my rooting interest this year, in memory of Brendan Burke.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
agreed, we had a blast up in the nosebleeds last year, cheering for our adopted Bemidji :) There’s just an energy surrounding Frozen Four that’s unlike anythign I’ve ever seen.
Seriously contemplating quickie trip to Detroit for at least the semis.
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
Let me know if you decide to do it.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
will do! gonna depend if Mr. B can get the time off.
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
pissed I missed the Miami game yesterday. Fucking Jiffy Lube forgot to but my coolant cap back on. Nothing like driving through the Eastern Shore in the rain and having your engine overheat. fuckers.
But at least Michigan lost.
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
Amen to that!
Any sport, any day, any opponent…it’s a good day when Michigan loses.
by MR Laughlin18 on Mar 29, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I would, but I also understand that in the restaurant biz you don’t have employees from competing restaurants trying to trip your server or dumping too much salt in the soup. Sometimes the other team has a good game at the same time ours has a bad one.
Just shoot me.
This is the problem: the Caps are so good that they shouldn’t ever get beat like that. The other team was playing back-to-back. They should have been exhausted. This is the second time in about a month that we’ve lost at home to a non-playoff team that’s playing the second of back-to-back games.
That’s a lack of effort, not the other team coming out and beating you.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
So good they “shouldn’t ever” get beat like that? It’s gonna happen and yesterday it did.
Just shoot me.
The Caps lost 5-3 after losing the first period 4-0.
Taking each period, which periods do you think reflected the Caps’ true talent level? 1, 2 or 3?
Look, I didn’t boo. Shit like this happens sometimes, even to great teams. The Flames got ludicrously lucky bounces.
On the other hand, I can understand the rationale of the fans that did boo. The Caps just plain stunk up the joint for an entire period. They put 4 shots on net in the first, then woke up and put 30 on net the rest of the way. I can abide not winning, but not trying?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I don’t believe they weren’t trying. Maybe not hard enough for all 60 minutes, but I understand they’re not going to be unstoppable for all 60 minutes of all 82 games and I can resist taking it personally.
Just shoot me.
If they were trying in the first period, then why did they suck so unbelievably hard, then come out and play actual hockey in the 2nd and 3rd?
Again, I didn’t boo, but the people who did really didn’t bother me. In fact, I didn’t even hear them.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
And if you do a crappy job at work, does your boss not reprimand you?
If you forget to take out the trash/clean the dishes/what have you, does your wife not nag you?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
No comprende. I’m retired, so I have no boss other than my wife, and she nags me no matter what I do.
Just shoot me.
by OldPhil on Mar 29, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
But you should be able to understand what he’s getting at…
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that first period was not chock full of anything you could describe as “effort.”
Not unless you believe the team all had issues with their skates, or with energy, etc. that all got fixed by the time the second rolled around.
They were lazy. It happens, and it’s not enough reason to stop being a fan, but if a fan wants to voice their displeasure for it then the lazy ones deserve to hear it.
Well yes I would leave a tip, but then I waitressed in college so I know first hand how damn hard it is and how bad I was at it. I’m much better at desk work. I leave a lot for great service.
by capsyoungguns on Mar 29, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
So athletes are providing a service? The minute that happens, it doesn’t become sports or entertainment anymore, no?
"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 29, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s entertainment that happens to come in the form of a sport. What if you went to the theater and the actors all flubbed their lines and the sound/lighting were off? Or if you went to a concert and Axl Rose/Billy Corgan got trashed, cussed you out and then left the stage halfway through the set?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Or if you went to a concert and Axl Rose/Billy Corgan got trashed, cussed you out and then left the stage halfway through the set?
That implies I still live in 1992.
Seriously though, it’s still a sporting event, which may or may not be entertainment to people. I throw down money each year for the team, and have never felt the urge to boo or throw pizza boxes. Losses happen, poor efforts happen. It’s not a service-based industry. Maybe I’m wrong in seeing it that way, but the minute it becomes a service, you lose the rooting interest in it, IMHO.
"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 29, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That implies I still live in 1992.
You don’t? (I was just trying to go for something universally recognizable.)
I was using it as an analogy to show that our behavior toward people whom we give our money (and we do ultimately give our money to the Caps players, as well as Ted et al.) is based somewhat on their performance.
Again, I didn’t boo, but I don’t have my undies in a twist about it either.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Sounds like we’re both pretty much on the same page of it. I didn’t/don’t/can’t fathom the urge to. Maybe it’s the soccer fan talking.
/puts ‘Use Your Illusion Part 1’ on in the tape deck
"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 29, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
/pauses “Operation: Mindcrime” long enough to read this post.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 29, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yes, but unless they’re playing a contact sport in the kitchen while preparing the food, there’s a big difference between playing a game and food prep. I do expect a 4-star restaurant to be good every time, but it’s unrealistic to expect any team to win or even play well every time. The Caps have the best record in the league; to me, that’s a 4-star restaurant serving it perfectly every time. Sure, if it’s the one game I went to, I would be disappointed, but I would never boo them. I have been to games (we are not STH) where we have paid dearly for 5 tickets and where I was disappointed for one reason or another, but that’s life, things are not perfect; get over it. You think the team does not know they did not play well? They need the support of the fans now more than ever. I’m going with the 3 musketeers motto until the end.
Montreal fans during the Habs’ heyday used to boo the team when they weren’t winning with enough style. Not losing, mind you, just not winning in an acceptable way. When the Montreal fanbase sneezes, they lose more history and hockey knowledge than our fanbase has squared.
If you want to complain about ignorant things that our fanbase does, here’s a better list:
1. Booing the Ref at every penalty against the Caps, regardless of how warranted said penalty was.
2. Calling for a penalty every time an opposing player has the audacity to play defense against one of the Caps.
3. Thinking that we’ve got a better view of an offsides play from the nosebleeds than the linesman has on the ice.
4. Repeatedly calling the linesmen referees. They’re not. They’re linesmen.
5. Confusing the linesman putting his arm up for icing for a ref putting his arm up for a penalty.
6. Favoring Erskine over Schultz because “he hits.”
7. Thinking Quintin Laing “just needs a chance.”
8. Yelling “SHOOT!” for all two minutes of a power play.
9. Leaving or returning to your seats in the middle of the play.
10. Paying $$$ for a ticket just to sit there and play solitaire on your iPhone.
I could go on and on with these. It just seems to me that we don’t have a very knowledgeable fanbase. Booing is really the last thing that annoys me. It at least shows that they’re paying attention, as opposed to throwing hats for a shootout “hat-trick.”
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 29, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
11. Referring to Mike Knuble as “Mike Nooble”
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh man, I’ve never heard that one before. Yeesh.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
In other news VC Leaners has received a whopping 1 photo, the original one. Maybe the problem isn’t as wide spread as I thought?
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’m too poor to go to games right now, and you’re not marketing well enough.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Maybe they still think it’s the “V Cleaners”?
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
You should become the marketing guy then.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I gotta figure out how to post there. I could get you billion. Maybe I can get your email and then have you post ’em.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
That’s what I’m going for. Email them to me, Ovechwin (at) gmail (dot) com
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’m hoping having a blog dedicated to the problem will motivate them to make an announcement.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’m just wondering if anyone will go and look at it. I hope so. Anyhow, I’ll def. bust out my camera phone at the next game.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
At the very least I can vent my frustration in a semi-productive way.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Also screamers—I mean really high pitched screaming. And conversationalists. At the Caps/Pens game two guys talked about everything but the game and then were confused about who scored. I had to turn around and tell them. At least they were Pens fans.
by capsyoungguns on Mar 29, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
10. Paying $$$ for a ticket just to sit there and play solitaire on your iPhone.
This. Last time I went some woman spent the whole time directly in front of me texting and turning her head every which way. I missed a goal.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I text/tweet a fair amount during the games. Usually during stoppages, but not always. And often I go straight from work and am still wearing a tie. People must think I’m an asshole. Not that I’m not, of course.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
hey, sorry about calling you a tie wearing, text-during-the-game ass hole at the last game. didnt know it was you.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 29, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Wait, is this blog not your job? Or is this just like a side thing
by hockeyman33 on Mar 29, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Believe it or not, I’m sucker enough to do this as a “hobby.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Time consuming hobby, eh?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Your wife must be a saint.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Ha, At the Pens-Caps watch party we saw “Mrs. JP” and thought for a few seconds you had groupies.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Hey, not saying you can’t!
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I have groupers.
It’s not as cool as groupies.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I’ve heard a good dose of penicillin will clear that right up.
by mechanicsville on Mar 29, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
There are two people in my section, not sure if they’re full STHs or not, but they’re at more than 50% of the games. . .
Anyhow, one plays solitaire on her iPhone THE. ENTIRE. GAME. She only looks up AFTER the Caps score. The other dude seems to be playing some sort of word game on his iPhone, only looking up occasionally to yell “HIT HIM” at totally inappropriate moments.
Another one that kills me – yelling “SET IT UP!” on the power play . . . a good 15 seconds after the Caps have set up.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
What? That actually happens??
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
haha great list. By any chance do you sit near 407?
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 29, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
hah. there is a guy behind me in 407 that list ma have been written specifically for
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 29, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
12. not standing up when i need to get to my seats in the middle of the row, just doing the leg lean. you deserve to have a little beer spilled on you.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 29, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I like D’ohboy’s list, but am reserving my right to yell “Shoot!” in the power play, and I’m looking at you, Nick Backstrom.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
He said “for all two minutes of a power play.” I’m certain you save it for when he actually has the shot. Or the tic-tac-toe has gone two tics too many.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. There’s a guy in my section who yells, “SHOOT” at anyone with the puck, regardless of the situation. It’s annoying as hell, particularly when it’s Green or Ovie and they’re going to shoot right into someone’s shin-pads.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
How would seat distribution work for a game in Pittsburgh? Would the Caps get an allotment to sell to their STH or would only Pittsburgh STH get a shot, and the rest of us would have to resort to buying from re-sellers?
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
In the previous WCs both team’s STH’s got a chance at tickets before it went general admission.
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.
so I guess that’s a plus. I’m going to continue to hold out hope that the game is in DC.
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
on booing
There is not team in the NHL that deserves to be booed at home less than the Washington Capitals. I understand that it was a rough period for the team on Sunday afternoon, against the Calgary Flames no less, but in the course of a season it’s going to happen to a team. There are going to be games where the other team just happens to play better.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
Thats the bad thing about an 82 game season. Can’t win all of ‘em, and some fans don’t realize that. Esp. when points matter this little for the Caps. Pres trophy would be nice, but the Caps don’t need points by any means and don’t deserved to be booed after how well they have done this season.
by hockeyman33 on Mar 29, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m pretty sure every single person that booed is fully aware of the fact that teams don’t go 82-0-0.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That cannot be stressed enough. Citing the record and saying “that should be good enough for everyone” is a cop out.
People boo when the team acts like they don’t care. It’s not about whether the bounces go their way or maybe they run into a hot goalie or a team that is on fire and so they end up being overpowered. It’s not about them losing the game. It’s about them at least giving a crap, regardless of the position they’re in on the scoreboard.
You mean when my NHL 2010 team goes 82-0-0 and goes fo’, fo’, fo’ fo’, it doesn’t translate to the real thing?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 29, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
The difference between effort and results seems to be lost on him, but good on him for figuring out the formula for page views, I guess.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The connection between effort and results seem to be lost on you. The Caps came out flat, but the score, as any 4-0 score would be, was not totally indicative of the effort. If you replayed that period with the same effort it’s rarely going to be 4-0.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Please. The Caps were outshot 13-4 in the period. The effort was awful. The results were worse. Maybe not “4-0” bad, but real bad.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And by the BWBW definition of “efforts and results” basically all results are luck-based and not indicative of the effort. You can always point to bounces and say “it wouldn’t have been so bad” or “it wouldn’t have been that good.” Just because the Caps maybe wouldn’t have been down 4-0 after one doesn’t mean they played well or tried hard. They could also have been down 6-0.
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 being said, the Flames did get ridiculously lucky on a couple of those goals.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Sure, but they were the better team. That happens sometimes. They also had a couple more odd-man rushes they didn’t convert.
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.
Effort is a two way street… the Caps came out with average intensity, and it happened to look paltry in comparison to the game 7 effort by CGY, who had every reason to bite and scratch their way through every shift. As a result, they got some bounces and scored four times, and we boo the best team in the league as we lose our way into home ice advantage til the finals. It just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. But I understand that some people felt it was warranted…
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
“Average intensity” is being very charitable. I would go with “No intensity.”
"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 29, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m saying that it’s easy to say zero intensity because that’s what it felt like, but when looked at in the light of CGY’s effort, it’s really not zero.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 29, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I got in an argument with an older gentleman at the game yesterday about whether or not it was appropriate to chant USA at a Caps game. Thoughts?
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Only when John Carlson is on the ice.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Mar 29, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’ rolled.
"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 29, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly? The further we get from the WJC and Olympics, the less relevant I think it is—especially considering how few Americans are on the roster.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
But I’ll reverse course ifwhen Carlson scores an OT winner in the playoffs.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I was rec’ing for the funny
"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 29, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Understood.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
The core of his argument was that this was the caps and not the national team, therefore it was inappropriate. My argument was we live in the Gorramn US of A and therefore it is always relevant.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Did he counter with the argument that Firefly was canceled a long time ago and you should move on?
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Mar 29, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I understand your position, but I lean toward his side.
I actually find it sort of silly to play the Star-Spangled Banner for every game, and O Canada when a Canadian team is visiting, even though nearly everyone on the ice at every game is Canadian, and from several other places, too. I do understand that the anthem is for the fans’ benefit, but this is a very international city, so someone’s always getting left out.
Not that I’m abandoning my nation or proposing that we stop singing our national anthem before sporting events — it’s a nice old tradition for all pro sports. But when analyzed, it doesn’t really hold up.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow…I had this same conversation the other day. I never understood why we sang the anthem before sporting events. Why not throw in the pledge of allegiance while we’re at it. It’s kind of a silly tradition. Not saying I don’t love my country, but I never understood the tradition.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
same here. We don’t play that national anthem before the ballet or a concert, so why a sporting event?
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
If I find some time to kill today, I might do some investigating into where the tradition started. I’m intrigued now. haha
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
started around WWI, I believe. I just ran across of reference to it (in the excellent baseball book Crazy ‘08), but I’m not 100% certain about that. I’d be curious to know more
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 found this nugget from a music appreciation site:
First Performance at a Sporting Event: Baseball Opening Day in Philadelphia, 1897
Blame Philly.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
it always comes back to Philly, doesn’t it?
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
Or that site could be wrong. I found an article with this blurb:
It is generally accepted that its first appearance during a sporting event was the 1918 World Series. To demonstrate major league patriotism, baseball teams had the players march in formation during pre-game military drills while carrying bats on their shoulders. During the seventh-inning stretch of game one, when the band spontaneously began to play the “Star Spangled Banner,” the Cubs and Red Sox players stood at attention facing the centerfield flag pole. The crowd sang along and applauded when the singing ended.
So we can throw in Chicago and Boston, too.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I kept reading the article and we can officially blame Canada…
Even though by 1934 some ballparks had public address systems, it still was not played at every game. The coming of war in the late 1930s changed all of that. During the 1939-40 National Hockey League season, the Canadian anthem was played at games in Canadian cities as Canada was already at war. Then the practice spread to Madison Square Garden and from there it was transferred from hockey to baseball.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Philly is also the irthplace of the tradition of fans keeping the foul- and home run-balls. The owner of the Athletics had a ten-year old child arrested when the kid refused to give back a foul ball. The case made its way to court and the judge said (paraphrasing here) “You want your test case, Mr. Owner? Here’s your test case. The kid keeps the ball!”
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
And isn’t Chicago the birthplace of throwing the balls back after the opposing team hits a home run? All traditions must start somewhere.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
according to Crazy ’08, balls, foul and homers hit by either team, were always thrown back until that Philly case.
I think we’re drifting waaaay OT. Anyone want to move to OT and discus the evolution of baseball practice?
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
Mother’s Day was also born in Philadelphia.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
started around WWI, I believe.
That was my understanding too. Now it’s part of the sporting aura, and I think it helps get fans involved in the game right off the bat (which is why I wouldn’t want to see it happen at the ballet, etc. — you don’t want the audience to already be comfortable yelling at the performers).
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as it’s Bob or Caleb singing, I’m all in favor. Hearing them sing the anthem and staring at the flag gets me fired up for the game.
All the other anthem singers just suck the life out of the arena. That Sasha girl is pretty cute, though.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
The sax guy was awesome. Of course he didn’t sing. Please tell me someone else remembers the guy from this past Rangers game? I was cringing the entire time. I think I might have buried my ears a bit too. It was horrendous.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
.
I wish we had someone as cool as Charles Prevost-Linton in Montreal and his poodle hair cut.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
When is it wrong to chant USA? I chanted USA when Carlson scored against CAR and a bunch of people at Mr. Days gave me weird looks.
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.
a bunch of people at Mr. Days
Now I’m giving you a weird look for admitting that you went to Mr. Days.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Well Hooks ran late and we weren’t going to get to see the game at our original destination. I knew the game would be on at Mr. Days so we went with that. Turned out to be $2.50 pint night and we got to keep the glasses so it worked 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.
It did work out. (And he did start an unanswered USA chant).
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
HEY-OOOO
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 29, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, really. I went there to try to watch a game once and the sheer number of collared shirts drove me away.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I went there to try to watch a game once and the sheer number of POPPED-collared shirts drove me away.
A little edit here.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Don’t forget SO MANY BROWN FLIP FLOPS!
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually went to their companion place, Mr. Nights
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Probably people who don’t even know what the WJC is….let alone that JC scored the winning goal.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 29, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
This guy also had a cowbell. I’m almost glad the game was such a disaster because he didn’t get a chance to ring it too much. I like my hearing and would like to keep it…
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
not a fan of that cheer at any time, much less that a Caps hockey game.
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
does anybody get the idea that...
…prospective playoff opponents will be watching the tape of yesterday’s game? Lucky bounces, afternoon start, “desperate” team, sure… but it sure felt like we were being pushed around—even "bullied—for the first period of that game. Our superstar is one of the most physical players in the league, but I’m thinking that we are seen overall as a finesse team that doesn’t like to be hit. I see that as the M.O. for any team coming into Verizon in the postseason.
Its pretty much guarenteed that the Caps play better than they did yesterday when the playoffs start. As much as I hate it when they don’t try so hard, it happens to every team. They’ll have motivation come playoffs
by hockeyman33 on Mar 29, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
It certainly will be the MO for the opposing teams, but we’ll see how well it works when the Caps are playing with playoff intensity too. Sure seemed like the Caps dominated the game once they woke up yesterday, even if the score didn’t reflect it. The 3rd period was pretty close to constant pressure.
Morning Playoff Match-ups
EAST
(p)Washington vs. Boston
(p)Pittsburgh vs. Montreal
(p)Buffalo vs. Philadelphia
(p)New Jersey vs. Ottawa
WEST
(p)San Jose vs. Colorado
(p)Chicago vs. Los Angeles
Vancouver vs. Detroit
(p)Phoenix vs. Nashville
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 like it. Let Pittsburgh and Montreal knock the hell out of each other.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think Montreal can knock the hell out of anyone. Hell, there’s a chance they’re not even going to make it — after the top 5 teams in the East, it’s a whole bunch of yech.
Top 5? I’d say top 4 at most and probably only 3.
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.
Ottawa is hella streaky.
In last 25 games Snes are 15-9-1, 5 straight losses, 11 straight wins, 5 straight losses and now 4 straight wins.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’m not buying Brian Elliot in 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.
No faith in Leclaire?
Yea me neither.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I was trying to make the East look better, guys!
Ottawa isn’t good, but I can see them sweeping as series just as easily as being swept.
What with their being streaky maybe? Although they aren’t playing NJD every night on these streaks.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Just a quick question and this has to do with the Caps. Do you buy Theodore for the play-offs? How about Varlamov? I’m really not so sure about those guys either.
We’ll see if Theo can keep up his hot play, or if Varly keeps improving. The main difference is that the Caps only need average goaltending, and OTT can’t win with just average goaltending. Theo will either give us great goaltending or bad goaltending. Varly is at least average, even lately, IMO, and he’ll probably keep getting better. I don’t think goaltending is as big an issue for us as it is for OTT.
Also, anyone have a word on Michalek? Is he done for the year or going to return?
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 are hoping he’s back in time for the playoffs last I heard.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that the Caps can go deep with average goaltending. It’s just a bit disconcerting that with 8 games left in the season, we really have no clue as to who will start in the playoffs. Theo has been hot, but it looks like he might cooling off. I just don’t want to win every playoff game 6-4. That will not bode well in the later rounds.
I don’t think he’s cooling off at all. He had one shitty game. He’s won something like 17 out of 20 — that’s pretty amazing.
There’s winning games, then there’s playing well. He’s been doing both recently, but that type of game is disconcerting for a guy who has the streaks that Theo does.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Look, Theodore has been amazing, but so has the Caps offense. I’m not trying take anything away from Theo, as he has been terrific, but he didn’t look all that great yesterday and for a guy that relies on confidence as much as he does, those kind of games can really hurt. I would like to see Varly get back into a groove and see him in the playoffs. As much as I like Theodore, can anybody sit here and say that Theo might not perform the same way he did last year against the Rags? I’m not convinced that he can perform like this in the playoffs. I really wish we could’ve made a deal for Vokoun.
It’s one period of poor goaltending. Step away from the ledge.
by mechanicsville on Mar 29, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
One period of poor goaltending cost us a game 7. I agree it’s not a time to panic, but I would like to see some assemblance of consistency before the playoffs start. Roll your guy Bruce for better of for worse. I don’t see how alternating Varly and Theo is going to help us come playoff time. We need to stick with one guy.
Huet wasn’t that bad.
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 knows that.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Oh well. Let’s call up Neuvy for the playoffs. Maybe Bruce can alternate all three for the first round and see who he like the best.
Neuvy has been hurt and not on his game of late. He’s not really an option.
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.
Just making sure. It’s hard to tell sometimes. Unfortunately I don’t think Holtby is an option right now, but I’m intrigued to see what he could do after a few days of NHL practice. He’s the one goalie in the system that has been squarely on his game all year (or if he hasn’t been, he’s ridiculously good). Being on your game is the most important thing for the Caps right now.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I do. My comment was my way of dismissing any claim that Varlamov cost us game 7 with his first period. One guy showed up to that game wearing red.
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 took the Huet remark to be the snark in your response, but you can correct me on that.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
That’s why he was pulled after three. To leave him in there would have hurt his confidence.
by capsyoungguns on Mar 29, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Top 5 PP, top 10 PK, legitimately insane fans. They’d be tough for anyone to play in the playoffs.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
It would be especially bad for the caps though. Theo and Montreal scares me.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Much better. I don’t really want us to get roughed up by Philly in the first round.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Mar 29, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
The Caps can’t get into a hitting game. It happened yesterday, and it didn’t work favorably. Philly did that two years ago and took the Caps off their game. Plus there’s always the risk of injury. I’d much rather have them face Boston. There’s absolutely nothing there that I can see stopping the Caps
by hockeyman33 on Mar 29, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Just to play Devil’s Advocate, who would you rather face in the postseason Rask or Boucher?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Boucher, but I don’t want to face the Douchebag Brigade, either.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Understood. Just showing there is a plus in playing the Flyers as well.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I disagree. While in the 1st it seemed like they hit too much, in the 2nd and especially the 3rd it was finishing checks, but staying focused on playing as well. I liked the play, intensity, and urgency from most of the players. Seemed like a transition to playoff-style hockey right there.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 29, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
.
pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleasepleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleasepleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleasepleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Marcus Johansson
Färjestad won game 6 at home against Skellefteå 2-1. Game seven will be played in Skellefteå on Tuesday. Färjestad is the defending champion and they have made it passed the quarterfinals ten years in a row. The biggest reason that they won last year was b/c of Jonas Gustavsson aka The Monster.
This version of Färjestad haven’t had that high level of goltending but now at least it look like they have decided that Robin Rahm is their guy he took over when the number one goalie got injured, again. He been pretty solid in his first playoff performance and in the games that FBK have lost it haven’t been b/c of him but rather total breakdowns as a team. Game 5 in the series were one of those games and you could tell from puck dropp that they were determent to bounce right back and prove that they are a good team.
“A good game, we give ourself a chance to win. We put it all out there, we are more desperate and we had decided to win every battle out there. We played much better today, we pulled it toghter when everything was on the line I think that is a good sign going into Tuesday’s game.” Marcus Johansson
Marcus played c and were on the ice for 14 minutes and 18 seconds. That’s a little more icetime then in the previous games his TOI been around 13 minutes. He played on the second pp unit and was on the ice for Färjestads 1-0 goal. He played on the third line with Dragan Umicevic and Lubos Bartecko (the guy that met Ole-Kristian Tollefsens elbow in Vancouver). There been a lot of line shuffling going on in Karlstad lately but they found each other pretty well on the ice. The line were ok but they spend to much time in their defensive zone for my liking. Marcus had a couple of nice offensive rushes, some nice set ups (and 2 shots on goal) that didn’t result in anything on the score sheet. He had three hits most on the ice. It was a low hitting affair for a playoff game.
He didn’t make any gleering mistakes and when he had a semi-bad giveaway he worked hard to catch up to the puck and solved the situation.
He had no time on the PK a little bit surprising cosidering that he is good at it. He didn’t see the ice in the final minutes of the game
Färjestad dominated Saik in the first period the only time Skellefteå sustained pressure in the offensive zone were when they played PP. Throughout the game Saik looked a bit soft they weren’t willing to go into the dirty areas and their skating looked slow. They didn’t show up until they were down 2-0 and Johan Forsberg made it 1-2 with the goalie pulled but it was to little to late. Forsberg btw have 6 goals in 6 games in the series with Färjestad during the regular season 55 games he had a total of 9 goals.
Bad pp saik and bad skating too slow they looked scared and it wasn’t until they were down 2-0 that they started to play a bit better. The second period was a bit more even but that was more due to the fact that FBK stopped their aggressive forchek then that SAIK played better.
SAIK can play much better then they did in this game and I’m sure they will preform better on Tuesday. They are usually a strong skating team, not that you could tell in this game. The only thing that were up to their normal standard were the faceoff numbers (45-25 to SAIK). Färjestad have really poor F-O numbers this season they also been one of the worst teams in the third period. Skellefteå have many young players that are expected to take big responsibility’s; Adam Larsson is only seventeen but still get a lot of ice time at critical times as do Tim Erixon (Calgary prospect) and David Rundblad (St Louis prospect).
After 6 games, 396 minutes and 50 seconds 14-15 in goals and 3-3 in games
3 of the games have gone too ot, and they played 36 minutes of ot.
One of the game announcers said that Marcus and David Rundblad would play in North America next season. I couldn’t confirm that anywhere else though. In all interviews with Johansson I have read he always says I got a contract with Färjestad and I intend to play it out, I don’t know if there is any substance to what the announcer said just throwing it out there.
by Malin A on Mar 29, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 9 recs
Great report, Ice Warrior. Can I borrow it for the Farm Report tomorrow?
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
WARRIOR SAYS
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Great stuff. How physical is the SEL normally?
And Larsson, Erixon, and Rundblad on the same blueline? Crazy skill there.
Sounds like a hell of a series.
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.
Makes sense, but I would draw a distinction between “physical play” and huge hits. May be a minor 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.
The big ice cuts down on the amount of board play as well.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I guess that depends on the team and style though. Isn’t the Swiss league on big ice? But Team SUI was bad ass on the boards, and Finland is always one of the more physical teams. I don’t know enough about European pro leagues but I know that the Swedes that come to North America are usually pretty adept at handling physical play. I just wonder where that skill developed if they don’t play like that in the SEL.
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 the Finns play on NHL-sized ice, but I’m not 100% sure on that.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I think I read it’s somewhere between NHL and International size.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
During the Olympics they said it was NHL-size, I believe. Then again, I was watching the BBC feed.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 29, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
The Olympics were played on the small ice, and I assume the style of play was altered because of it.
I think it’s difficult to say that the Swedes who come over are able to play more physically, because maybe it’s only the guys who are willing to play that game come to the NHL — everyone else stays in Europe or they play a season or two in the NHL, can’t hack it, and go back.
That’s true, there is some selection bias there. I understand that the smaller ice was a factor in how the games were played, I’m just curious as to why SUI was so ready for that style of game if they don’t play like that in their home leagues. Could just be great coaching, wouldn’t shock me.
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. Also, Mark Streit was playing otherworldly at the Olympics — he was playing 25 minutes a game regularly against the other team’s best.
And his D partner was awesome as well. He should get a look at the NHL. Team SUI was a classic case of the whole being more than the sum of the parts. It was great to watch.
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.
Mark Streit is one of the most underrated players in the NHL.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 29, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn’t realize how good he was in his own end until very recently.
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.
When you play for the Islanders, you don’t really get much press. That whole organization is such a debacle.
Somehow they’re going to screw that up, I just know it.
But even in MON I thought he was just a PP specialist. He clearly can handle his own end.
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 he was all offense, too, but maybe he just didn’t have to play the role of #1 blueliner in Montreal.
Streit was drafted in ’04… as a 27-year-old!
Last season on the Isles, playing a shutdown role I believe, he was a +8. The Isles as a team were what, -40? Crazy for Streit. Should’ve been a Norris finalist IMO.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 29, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s right up there with Lidstrom in terms of guys on the blueline I enjoying watching play the game.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t go that far.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Why not? He’s a pleasure to watch play.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don’t think he’s so good as to put him in Lids’ category of watching, is all. Streit is in the same demographic as quite a few NHL defensemen, Lidstrom may be the only player in the league you can say has no real peers. Duncan Keith can’t approach him, neither can Mike Green, Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, whoever. They will eventually, but NL is all by his lonesome.
Streit you can group with tons of other above-average D. I don’t enjoy watching him any more than say, Brent Seabrook. But to each their own I guess. I love watching Stamkos, but I’m guessing you don’t. :)
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you may confuse talent level with my pleasure. No doubt Lidstrom is a better player than Streit.
I actually enjoy watching Stamkos play, just as I do his teammate Martin St. Louis. Just don’t like the team they play for.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
No, I was trackin’ with ya. I was just saying that he isn’t that way for me.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Keep in mind that I still believe watching Rod Langway play defense was one of the greatest sports pleasures of my life. What I like to watch in games doesn’t always track with what others like.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I wish I was older when I watched him so I could appreciate it 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.
I’d probably pay to watch Jason Chimera skate around in circles.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
For sure, I’d also pay to watch Ovechkin bomb shots from all of the ice at an empty net
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
by kingzman264 on Mar 29, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Ralph Krueger been coaching the team for over ten years so he knew exactly what he had to work with and they had nothing to lose absolutely no pressure.
And his son is on one of the NCAA teams I watched this weekend. I just forget which one.
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 probably forgot because he plays for Cornell. His name is Justin.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
In the playoff it’s usually a lot more physical. I watch a couple of games in the Djurgården-Brynäs series and it was absolute war out there so I’m a bit surprised.
Djurgården with Marcus Krüger (Chicago prospect), Jakob Josefsson (New Jersey) and Patric Cehlin that is old enough to be drafted this year if the scouts think he is big enough. But even though Djurgården won the series I think that Brynäs young players outplayed Djurgårdens.
Brynäs line with Rödin (Canucks), Järnkrok and Silfverberg (Senators) were awesome and that Järnkrok=Ironhook and Silfverberg=Silver mountain make it even more awesome (and they play “Ironman” when he scores).
Järnkrok have been called the new Bäckström he is a bit small but he’s only 18 so that can still change. He is so entertaining to watch and he’s already top two in face offs.
Järnkrok=Ironhook
Awesome hockey name. We need this guy.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
does one of our fearless blog masters mind bumping the Saves for Kids post back to the front page? pretty please?
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
Done. Didn’t add much yesterday, did we? Sigh.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
eh, saving it up for a big couple of games this week? (I hope). and thank you! I’ll get revised numbers up shortly.
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
An Open Letter to Dean Evason
Dear Dean (can I call you Dean?),
Did you watch the game yesterday? Did you watch as Calgary’s penalty kill pretty much shut the Caps down for long stretches, giving up a quasi 5v3 goal and a fluky goal to Mathieu Perrault? Did you see how they stood the Caps up at the blue line and forced us to dump the puck in, then pressured the guy with the puck if he didn’t have full clean possession? Did you see how they didn’t just collapse into a passive box?
That’s how a PK is supposed to look. Maybe you could try that out?
Yours,
D’ohboy
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 29, 2010 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Let’s not short-change Matty by calling that fluky. It was all hands and awareness.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
In my opinion, that was the ultimate, “right place, right time” goal. Maybe not fluky, but not a set play, either.
Put another way, that’s not one I’d blame on the penalty-killers.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Right place right time, but had to have the incredible skill to score reaching backwards on his backhand from behind the net!
But I’m probably just gushing.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Bears need to bottle whatever-it-is they’re drinking and send a case or three to the Caps. They work the whole game, every game this year.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I know he’s had a stacked team, but French appears to be doing a damn good job down there. Best PK, best PP. I just hope the guy doesn’t get a job offer somewhere else.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Hopefully “promote from within” is all the rage now and he gets to sit in HER for a few years at least. Sucks for him but that’s my selfish Caps fan perspective.
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 let French get hired to another NHL team. No. And also hell no.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
If Gabby stays…
Maybe they can fire Evason and replace him with Frenchy.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Didn’t BB used to coach French? I think French was one of the up-and-coming coaches BB names in his book. I’d love that set up. Clear the old guard, time for the BB regime.
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 can’t produce much worse of a PK, so for that reason alone I’d be all for it. I like Dean, but its not about like or dislike. Its about results.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s done a pretty good job at coaching the team to be one of the best faceoff groups in the league.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I don’t disagree. My frustration at the PK has simply reached the breaking point.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s been 84% effective over the past six games, FWIW (obviously a small sample).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Problem is of the 6 teams they played only TB has a good PP.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoops 5 teams. They played the Canes twice.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Mar 29, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Woods was also a Bruce player. The man inspires loyalty in “his boys” at a level that’s simply remarkable.
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
And returns it.
Also, wasn’t there a blurb about Woods that Bruce had to beg him to Hershey from Mississipi because of his wife’s secure teaching job? And I imagine he had to think about it again when he got the promotion to DC. Not that it’s a problem to find a teaching position, but given the insecure nature of coaching, and the low salaries in the minor leagues, I understand 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."
Evason’s name has come up as an assistant coach potentially ready for a head coach gig. I’d have to poke around for a link.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
There was a FanHouse article last week pimping him among “Assistant Coach of the Year” candidates, and I do recall another mention or two of him as possibly getting a shot at some point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
To be fair, I have no idea how the Caps structure their practices and how much autonomy Evason is given. I just know that he’s “responsible” for the PK, and our PK has sucked for years. Part of it’s personnel, but much of it’s the system we play and our inability to execute.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Autonomy is a good point. I doubt BB said “do whatever the hell you want.” I’m sure there were some parameters but I don’t know what they are. If Evason has full control and BB hasn’t done anything to address our weakness then there’s a problem. Maybe BB is just waiting until the off-season. Learning a whole new PK at this point is not realistic.
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.
Another interesting BtN article from Gabe.
Having a great FO% versus a poor one can make the difference between three wins over a season? That’s actually a lot – as much as all but the most elite players on a team.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 12:02 PM EDT reply actions
did not expect Washington to be sitting at #2! Awesome.
3 wins is the difference for some teams between playing golf and hockey in mid-April.
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
For sure, that’s a 3-6 point swing in the standings. Not just the difference between playing golf and playing hockey, but also potentially home ice for some, or all rounds.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Per the WashCaps twitter:
A feature on Quintin Laing will air in the 5 p.m. newscast on @nbclocaldc WRC-TV4
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
and an update on Laich at CI.
“I hate missing hockey games,” he said. “I can’t stand it. I love to play hockey and I love to play for the Capitals. I don’t ever want to watch from up top. With that comes streaks. If I hadn’t been healthy scratched by Glen [Hanlon] three years ago, I would have been somewhere around 400 games. It’s almost a pride thing to play every single day whether your bumped and you’re bruised to play through it.”
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
Also the quote about not wearing a visor:
Maybe if I had a visor, this wouldn’t have happened. But I don’t know. I don’t see myself wearing a visor. They get in the way a little bit."
Um, Brooksie, it doesn’t bother your captain at all, maybe you should talk to him about 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."
Haha….you can almost feel the hatred coming through the page with this quote:
If I hadn’t been healthy scratched by Glen [Hanlon] three years ago, I would have been somewhere around 400 games
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That line stood out for me as well. He’s so intense about playing every single game, he’s still mad at a guy about sitting one out three years ago! Imagine how mad he is about missing two!
I like the Washington Capitals.
Yeah but the last three he has missed were due to injury…you can’t be mad at anything but the situation. I like that he still has a chip on his shoulder because Hanlon sat him for a game. It just shows the dedication he has to the game and this team. He wants to play.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
New Puck Daddy: Will voters get on board Mike Green for Norris?
Chara’s all but out of the Norris hunt this year, and there’s a sense that the field is open for the award. Whether Green wins or loses will be a product of two factors:
1. If the fact he’s playing for an offensive powerhouse is seen as a numbers-inflating knock on his candidacy. It’s something that didn’t hurt Paul Coffey in the 1980s, but has evidently changed with the times — see the knock on Ovechkin in some corners.
2. If he has overcome the negative opinions that have dogged him in all-star snubs, a Team Canada roster rebuke and his runner-up status in the Norris voting last season: That he’s immature as a player, and that there’s no ‘D’ in Mike Green.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
And my word, if Dan Boyle is even mentioned in the same sentence as “Norris Trophy” again unless its “no way in hell” someone is getting a porcupine.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
DEoSNet PLay defense!!! Go PE3NS!
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I got no problem with the trophy going to Keith. He’s in the same ball park with Green as far as Offensive GVT (13 to 16), and is more than double Greener in DGVT, plays against tougher competition with worse teammates.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s Keith’s this year. Whether Green gets the respect of being runner up again or not isn’t a big deal to me.
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.
Frankly, I don’t think Green deserves it this year (unlike last year). Keith does. So what’s the question? Will voters have Green in their top three? Will the majority of voters vote incorrectly and, if so, is it another rebuke of 52?
This would be a far more compelling question if Green was putting up the monster numbers he put up last year (and yes, I realize the points are the same and +/- is much better), but I really don’t see it as much of an issue this time around.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think its only a rebuke to Green if he either doesn’t finish in the top 3, or if he finishes 3rd.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to say, all the "The Haircut! Booooo individuality! Down with personal expression! stuff was amusing. Because I do wonder how much of the mainstream hockey media’s reluctance to embrace Green has to do with his refusal to confirm to “hockey standards.” Ovie can get away with it because he’s that much better than everyone else and he can play the “I’m Russian” card.
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
Pooping himself as badly as he did in the playoffs last year didn’t really help him out much (even if he was ill/injured)
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m sorry, aren’t the awards for the current regular season? Any voter who even thinks about last year’s playoffs needs to turn in his voting card. Whether or not you think he’s deserving this year, I want a real hockey reason for it.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Tell that to Ryan Miller after his Olympic performance wins him the Vezina.
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 have given it to him before the Olympics. he hasn’t done anything since then to make me think different. Vokoun would be the other choice in my mind. Bryz comes in third.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I think I’ve got Bryz 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.
I don’t for 2 reasons. First, is the eye test. Miller looks a tad better in terms of reflexes and being able to get to pucks almost no one else can. I’ve seen both enough to feel ok picking one over the other. Second, the numbers favor Miller. Higher save pct., Lower GAA.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I’m mostly going on Bryz carrying a team to a ridiculous and unexpected season. BUF has been a playoff contender for years now. I won’t be upset if Miller gets it 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.
Bryz has been great, but its been everyone. Heck Labarbera has looked great in the net for Yotes. Yotes are definition of a team and Bryz has been a great goalie , but not the best in the league. To me the Yotes reason is as worthwhile as the Olympics thing with Miller. Miller has been the better goalie period. That is all that matters to me when talking about the Vezina.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
You definitely watch more PHX so I’ll take your word for it. Miller it is.
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.
Speaking of Vokoun; he’s not getting the start tonight. Whee! 6-1 Preds!
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Arnott going to be back tonight?
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
He didn’t travel with the team. There’s some rumblings that retirement could be on the horizon if this concussion is bad. Depending on how he bounces back; my fantasy advice to you could change.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn, that’s awful..
Keep me posted.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Will do. He was badly concussed in the 07-08 playoffs, concussed during last year’s playoff push which really derailed us, and now Sami fucking Pahlsson slew-footed him and his head bounced off the ice.
There were articles last year with his wife begging him to stop playing. I can’t ever get too mad at his captaincy, dude has heart. Right now they’re “saying” he doesn’t want to rush back, and I can see that. I can see him playing tomorrow, thats a huge one against LAK for 5th place. No reason to play the Panthers, we can take them with one arm.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly, if I were him I’d hang the skates up. He’s got a Cup, he’s got nothing left to prove as far as his game, he’s had a nice career. Go hang out with your family and make sure you can recognize your kids and play with them when you’re 45. I know Roenick’s wife also wanted him to retire after his face got destroyed by that slap shot but he stuck around trying to win a Cup for a few 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.
As much as I hate it, I kind of agree. He has kids and a wife, obviously, and he’s done what every NHLer dreams- GWG, SCF. He wanted to prove something in Nashville, but he doesn’t need to prove anything else to me. If he takes one more of those concussions soon after this one, it could be bad news.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
He just needs to use Bradley’s helmet. Even Bradley hasn’t been actually concussed with the shots he’s taken this year.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
And with Booth done… Man, I feel for him.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Booth, Horton, and Weiss are great players. Another team I have no idea why they’re so bad.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Well Booth missing almost the whole year couldn’t have helped… Horton also missed a good chunk of games.
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.
Supposedly Horton was for sale this year. Love him on the Preds.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. Just because he’s theoretically available doesn’t mean FLA actually wanted to move 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.
I’d give a 1st and a roster player for him. Not a good one, but an NHLer for sure.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
No way they take that. They’re not the Caps circa 2004.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. He’s a core player. You don’t give up a player like that for a First (which will be mid-round at best) and a spare part.
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.
Which is why we would never get him. We have exactly two tradeable assets.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
only 6?
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
Well, our season high is 7 so I don’t wanna get too ambitious. I’d guess more if we could actually score on a man advantage.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s a David Poile team, I think 6 is really ambitious.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Yeah. We scored 7 against TBL and 6 against OTT, I think thats the only times we’ve gotten that high. The TBL game was redonkulous.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Well…it only took 3 comments…
It should go to a defenseman who actually plays defense. Keith.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
The PD comment section is a wasteland.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
But on something like this, they’re especially hysterical.
For example:
Tyler Myers should win it, Because he PLAYS DEFENSE… Leads all rookies in Blocked Shots, Minutes Played, Decent Offensive Numbers, Has manned the Point on the Power Play since day 1, but more importantly, HE PLAYS DEFENSE !
He wont win it though, but the Calder is a nice prize as well !!!
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
lulz
LEADS ALL ROOKIES, YOU HEAR ME?!
Cody Franson for Norrisss Trophee e’s from a small town and lead rookies in +/-!!!!11
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Two great ones back to back here:
I have been a Caps fan since I started watching hockey in 1987. That being said, people are out of their minds if they think that Green should win the Norris. Here’s why: 1) bad positioning leads to many hooking, holding, and tripping penalties, and always at the worst time (see yesterday’s game against Calgary). 2) he is physical and hits in certain situations, such as when the forward don’t see him coming, but in front of his net, the most important area on the ice, he is a straight pu$$y. Go watch the tapes from the Pens playoff series last year; you will see goal after goal with Green just standing there as a Pens forward rammed one home in his face, and he never even touches them. 3) turnovers in transition, whether it is a terrible pass that is intercepted, or him trying to dangle and getting stripped. 4) his instincts are very good in some instances, but his timing on pinching at the offensive blueline is amongst the worst in the league. He routinely gets caught standing on the blueline as the attacking forwards head the other way towards another odd man rush. Plus minus is a good metric to grade people in the NHL, but it is not dispositive. Doughty’s plus minus isn’t nearly as good as Green’s, but I don’t think that you would find many NHL GMs that wouldn’t rather have Doughty, especially after his Olympic performance. Green is the best offensive d-man in the world, but the Norris is for the best d-man overall, and there are plenty more worthy than Green.
I like how that guy pulls in the Schultz Doesn’t Hit Meme into an attack on Green and:
Just because he’s a Crapital I wouldn’t vote for him. Plain and simple. That’s same reason why Crap fans don’t vote for Cindy, just because he’s a Pengwhine. See the logic here?
“Pengwhine” is so full of win
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
sometimes I wonder if the commentators at Puck Daddy aren’t all bored “Onion” staff writers.
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
Yes, Mike Green’s “many hooking, holding and tripping penalties” have him at a whopping 152nd in PIMs (54). Move over Konopka!
I like the Washington Capitals.
@John C:
It’s a shame more Caps fans aren’t like you. Wysh and Co. can’t take off their red-colored glasses for more than 2 seconds to see the truth.
Green has talent, no one is ever going to deny that. He’s a one of a kind player in a system that maximizes his success, playing for a team that has other, even more dangerous options. You can’t gameplan for Green because you have to gameplan for Ovie, Semin, Backstrom, etc.
Why don’t we put Green on Florida and see how “well” he does.
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
He’d win the MVP trophy every year.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Mike Green would not be Mike Green without Bruce. But, yeah, he’d be a damn fine defenseman in Florida, too.
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 haven’t watched Green much this year but two games I saw he was dreadful in his own zone (was the sole cause of his team giving up 5 goals in 2 games) and two games where he looked completely comfortable defensively making zero mistakes. I can’t make a fair call based on 4 games, but if its a 50/50 split of those kinds of games then he shouldn’t win the Norris. If those two games are just flukes then he should win
This is for DEFENSEMAN, right?
How could it not be Drew Doughty, the 20-year-old made of steel and sporting the positronic brain?
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
More lulz:
Amen, John C – “but in front of his net, the most important area on the ice, he is a straight pu$$y.”
He is frequently caught out of position leading to odd man rushes, and when he is in position to play D in front of the crease he is not good.
The Caps already have enough forwards…
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
It sucks that these guys get to vote on the Norris trophy.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I think I would like to have a “positronic brain”
I want to be your honey but I got a sweet tooth
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 29, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
$10 says that commenter has no idea that the award is for the best all-around defenseman.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Caps yamaka!
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
oh, yeah, I hope everyone has a wonderful Seder tonight!
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
Chag sameach!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 29, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Post number two over at Verizon Center Leaners is live.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I can’t wait to contribute after tomorrow’s game. I’ll get the cell all charged up and ready to snap away at the leaners of 421!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I hope it isn’t another Backstrom :(
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
does anyone have the link handy to the article on the Penguins from Thursday or Friday that charted their goals for and goals against top-10, middle-10, and bottom-10 teams this season? Figured I ask before diving into the clips threads from those days! I’m trying to set up something similar to see how the Caps fare.
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
found it, and now have a nifty fan post (if I do say so myself) up. Check out how that Caps have fared against the top-10 teams, middle-10, and bottom-10. Hint: they’re really, really good.
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
Wacky. From THN’s Power Rankings:
Bizarre stat of the day; Steve Downie is plus-15 and nobody else on the Bolts is a plus player.
Yeeowch.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
Can’t get scored on when you’re in the box, I guess.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Mar 29, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Whats more bizarre is that Stamkos has a really good shot at the Richard and he’s NOT a plus player. That doesn’t tell me good things about his defense.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
That was the same argument against Ovechkin originally, wasn’t it?
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
TBL is a better team than those Caps teams 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.
I look at that roster and am somewhat baffled at why they’re not better. Maybe they need a new power play coach; it seems like you or I could coax a top 10 PP out of Vinny/Marty/Stamkos/Ohlund/Hedman/Downie/Tanguay/Malone.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think Niittymaki is THAT bad. He could be a goalie on an 8 seed.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
The Bolts currently have the #8 powerplay in the league. Also, Stamkos leads the league in powerplay goals with 20, which also accounts for his lousy plus/minus rating.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
hmmm
shows what I get for not looking crap up; I thought it was worse. Does Stamkos play the point at all?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
No.
He sets up in the same place every time – top of the circle on his off-wing, then waits for the pass from Marty for the one-timer. Like clockwork.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
well its effective
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know, I didn’t really follow the Caps till this year. Did Ovechkin ever sport 90 points but a -1?
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
06-07, Ovie had 92 points, but was a shocking -19.
The following year, he went 112 and +28.
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
and people rip on ovie’s defense….
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
Sorta OT, maybe
But Juice crossed the street in front of me when I was driving to the rink on Saturday. He was carrying about 20 bags of groceries, which seems remarkable after having double hernia surgery.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
His physical therapist is Laich.
I like the Washington Capitals.
by bigeugene on Mar 29, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He’s also 6 foot infinite and 20 bags to him are like 4 bags to us.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Very true. We were going to holler at him out the window, which I suspect he would have genuinely enjoyed, but the light turned green and there was a line behind me.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
A loud “Welcome Back” I’m sure would have gone over well.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea, way to miss a golden opportunity!
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
injury updates – answering the Mystery of Shaone Morissonn
Defenseman Shaone Morrisonn was also back on the ice after having four wisdom teeth removed on Friday. Why the odd timing? Inspired by the playoffs mostly. The bottom right tooth became infected recently and there was concern that if Morrisonn waited too long for the procedure he’d absolutely have to have it done during the postseason. Oral surgeons don’t like to mess around with infections like that. So why not get it out of the way now? He did so and looked pretty good for someone who had been under the influence of pain medication all weekend. Morrisonn said he’s been "popping Tylenol like candy" in the days before the surgery.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
ugh, poor ShaMo. What’s up with him and that mouth?!
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 approve – get the work done during games against CAR and CGY, two patsies the Caps should have no trouble handl….oh, wait.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I approve – get the work done during games against CAR and CGY, two games that don’t matter whatsoever
Fixed.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Well he bit Ryan Callahan. Ryan Callahan’s blood is like a Komodo Dragon’s saliva. Any contact and a nasty infection is sure to result. It’s just a matter of time.
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 29, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hey, that was never proven!
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
Anyone think the Flames can knock the Avs out? Just four points difference.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
No. CGY blows. They got up to play the Caps but they’ve been fighting for their season since the break and haven’t had any inspiration.
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.
Colorado is going to get steamrolled by CHI or SJS. Book it.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Assuming CHI doesn’t flip the switch, anyway.
by DrinkingPartner on Mar 29, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah the way they are limping in they are toast.
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 SJ gets any ’keeping whatsoever that series would be 4-0 with scores of 5-1 every night.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Does it even matter if Joe Thornton returns?
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.
probably not
The Avs hardly have any defense in the first place; that would be a total massacre.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have gone with:
“Probably not. Joe Thornton wouldn’t do shit in the playoffs anyway. They’d be better off with Marleau at 1C.”
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. He should be ashamed of himself, really. Its a shame he’s locked up and Marleau isn’t. Wait, no its not.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Fact-checking is neat-o.
The Avs hardly have any defense in the first place
The Avs goal differential: +18 (after a 4-5-1 stretch of play), Avs goals against: 207
Nashville’s goal differential: +1 (after a 7-2-1 stretch), Nashville goals against: 210
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 29, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Some of it may be good goalie bad goalie. I don’t trust them to not fold in crunch time. But good points, and shows that things hardly are as they seem to the naked eye.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions
did you really just write that? Can I commence with the laughing? You know you’ve just doomed poor Nabby to being the worst goaltender in history, right?
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 can I say, I hate San Jose!
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Heard this on sportscenter this morning…..Crosby had scored ZERO goals without Malkin in the lineup until last night. That was TWELEVE GAMES without the other best player on the team…….and people argue he deserves the Hart because he’s doing more on a weaker team? If he had no malkin, he’d have many fewer goals. Malkin is the one making the rest of his team better, not Crosby.
Case closed. Hart=Ovechkin (or backstrom, he’s really upped his game this season, hard to not be excited for the 8-19 line for the future)
Chris Clark done for season, h/t to Becca on Twitter and @Aportzline…
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
Groin? Wrist?
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.
knee
If you had Twitter, you’d be about 75% more informed. ;)
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
Follow me on Twitter
Now Cycling like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone needs to open an F&B parody account if he doesn’t oblige.
To be or not to be. That's not really a question.
Follow me on Twitter! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes!
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
by Ovechwin on Mar 29, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ha. When you have a twitter parody account you know you’ve made it.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
((( Clarkie )))
All that and an injury to rehab.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Laich doesn't look so bad. Quite good for getting smashed in the face.
Только игра! Почему надо быть гневаться?
WARNING: Irrrational defender of Semyon Varlamov
FREE ERIC FEHR
Caps Snaps - Washington Capitals Photography
Here’s the Caps Insider post on Laich with the video interview with Bubbles.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/laich-my-face-just-went-numb.html#more
Только игра! Почему надо быть гневаться?
WARNING: Irrrational defender of Semyon Varlamov
FREE ERIC FEHR
Caps Snaps - Washington Capitals Photography
With that eye all filled with blood, he’s about 75% of the way to rage-infected zombiedom.
. . . that could definitiely be helpful in the post-season.
"A stack of ones, a video camera, and a toothbrush."
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Mar 29, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
@nateewell, ftw: “Sad how much better the guy who took a puck to the face looks than me.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If Gordon is healthy then he’ll be on the fourth line.
So what does that mean? To me it looks like that means either Fehr sits and Chimera plays 3W or our 4th line is Steckel/Gordon/Chimera. No way you can take Chimera out of the line up, but sitting both Bradley and Walker doesn’t sit well with me. I think we only need one of Steckel/Gordon and I don’t see Steckel being sat.
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.
Sit Flash, put Chimmer on the third line, put the Gordo-Stecks-Bradley line back together.
Ugh. I wish.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Mar 29, 2010 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
“Sit Flash” is right as rain… but ain’t happening.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
z
If you haven’t read Derek Zona’s article over at Copper’n’Blue, it’s definitely worth a look. I think everyone here will see some familiar circumstances and descriptions.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 29, 2010 9:51 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Japers' Rink
Related FanShots on Japers' Rink
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Who are the Non-Smythe candidates for the Devils, Kings?
- End is near for Rick Nash, Blue Jackets as trade discussions set to resume
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Driven DeBoer delivers Devils back to NHL's elite
- Driven DeBoer, fired by Panthers, delivers Devils back to the land of elite in just one year
- Bruins acquire son of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque
- Bruins add a Bourque: Chris Bourque, son of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, acquired from Capitals
- Shinnimin named CHL's Player of the Year
