Friday Caps Clips: Thrashers @ Caps Game Day
by J.P. on Apr 9, 2010 6:40 AM EDT
in Caps Clips
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Previews of tonight's game against the Thrash from Vogs, Peerless, CSN Washington and NHL.com, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner Bird Watchers Anonymous for coverage from the other side of tonight's match up.
- To refresh your memory, this is the last of six meetings on the season between the two Southeast Division rivals, with the Caps looking for the sweep after taking the first five by scores of 5-4, 4-3, 8-1, 5-2 and 2-1.
- Don't miss Japers' Rink Radio tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM with special guest John Walton, play-by-play broadcaster for the Hershey Bears. Sure to be a good time.
- Notes from yesterday's practice. [WaPo, CI, CI, TSN, Caps In Pictures]
- How to get up for tonight's game. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- Is there a number one goalie in town or is it #1A and #1B? [WaPo]
- On Jose Theodore's Masterton nomination. [Corey Masisak, DCEx, RtR]
- THN picks the Caps. [FanPost]
- A look at the first-round scenarios. [CI]
- The Caps are chomping at the bit for the playoffs to start. [WaPo]
- We're still talking about Alex Ovechkin's empty netter in Pittsburgh? [D.C. Sports Bog]
- The Presidents' Trophy will be on display this weekend (and it's fine to touch it, given that the Caps have already won it). [Capitals]
- This, however, you can't touch. [Capitals Outsider]
- Hey, .500... good to see you again. [D.C. Sports Bog (and I admit I slept on it as a FanShot earlier)]
- The case for AO for Hart... [PHT, Ed Frankovic, RMNB]
- ... but what about Sidney Crosby? [Puck Prospectus]
- The WaPo Live karma connection. [CSN Washington]
- Behind every good man is a good woman. Fact. [Hockey Mom]
- A little numerology for you. [CapsBlog]
- Brendan Morrison talks about "the coolest goal ever scored." [ESPN]
- The newest member of the Caps organization, Dustin Stevenson, talks about how he became the newest member of the Caps organization. [Keen's Korner, Steiner's Stall (h/t sk8 on both links)]
- Finally, happy 46th birthday to Rick Tocchet.
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More Coffee for JP
so it’s one of those mornings for you too? Second bullet point, last line should read “after taking the first five by scores…”
No bullet on Crosby getting his 49th and 50th goals before the 50th was credited to Guerin after the game?
And not to be nitpicky, but the Bird Watchers Anonymous link heads to the SBN game page.
Caps365 also had a video on milestones/Theo’s nomination.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 9, 2010 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re not lying. The interviewer’s is pretty impressive too
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Best. Picture. Ever.
"I’d like to take the credit but dig mama, there’s no "I" in "revolut" …in "team."
by Bald Pollack on Apr 9, 2010 7:35 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That’s not even the best Bradley pic. This one is.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 9, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
agreed. . . Spartacus – should be added to the every growing list of nicknames!
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Apr 9, 2010 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
The funny thing about those two pics, he’s got the same expression on his face of rage/anger/fury just with some blood for highlights in the second one.
Hahahahahhaha… talk about avatar material….
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 9, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
completely
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Apr 9, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Goooooooo Stamkos!
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Fools bet.
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
This is hockey related.
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Stamkos has two games to score 2 or 3 goals. The TBL have nothing to play for but that award and pride.
Not so foolish.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Hey, it’s just one girl’s assessment.
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Yep. You’re entitled to it. Just so long as Sid doesn’t win, right?
Gonna be funny either way.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Exactly, personally I think everyone will turn out a winner!
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Except Sid. I never want him to turn out a winner. He has a nasty habit of it though.
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
You ain’t alone. How on earth does it make sense to bet against the two best players in the world?
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Because thats all Stamkos and the TBL have to care about right now. Thats it. Nothing else.
The Caps and Pens have bigger goals.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Look, if you win, I’ll be happy just because it means Sid didn’t. But I’m fully rooting for AO and I think you are crazy.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Not the first time I’ve been called crazy. I am a hockey fan in Nashville, you know.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
The Modano video on PD is adorable. Istill think it would have been awesome for him to be a Capital, but damn what an ending!
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Same! I just hope he doesn’t Favre it.
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Unless it’s with the caps :D
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I’ll watch it later, but he’s a classy guy. Great way to go out. Like you said below, just don’t Favre it.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Or Mats Sundin it: Delay your decision indefinitley, sign a deal with Pokerstars and then come back and suck for the remainder of the season
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 Apr 9, 2010 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll watch it later, but he’s a classy guy.
I don’t know if the girl he dumped a couple of days before their wedding would agree.
Great video. Looked like a great night in Dallas and the script couldn’t have been written any better the way it turned out.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Apr 9, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I think there’s a very good case to be made for Henrik Sedin. There’s always a case to be made for the player who wins the scoring title, and Henrik is the current points leader, albeit by a slim margin of one. A stat that supports Crosby is the 28-point margin he holds over Pittsburgh’s second-best scorer. No other team depends more on its leading scorer. Sure, the Sabres need Miller like the Coyotes need Bryzgalov, like the Devils need Marty Brodeur – I believe that’s obvious. I prefer to give the Hart Trophy to the NHL’s best player period. I think Sedin, Crosby and Miller qualify that way, too, but if you keep it simple, the only answer to the question, “Who is the NHL’s best player?” is Alexander Ovechkin. It’s Ovie for the Hart for the third straight year.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Corey raised the point on WaPo Live yesterday that we probably wouldn’t be having the discussion we’re having if AO doesn’t miss 10 games this year and that he thinks it’s a threepeat (based on conversations with other writers).
"I’d like to take the credit but dig mama, there’s no "I" in "revolut" …in "team."
I hate this conversation going around now about the Caps record in games where Ovie doesn’t play. That pretty much has NOTHING TO DO with how “valuable” he is, which is considerable in pretty much every metric.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Not only that, but let’s look a little closer at those games:
Wins: FLA, FLA, NYI, MIN, FLA, PHI, FLA
Losses: NJD, NJD, CAR
In other words, one win over a playoff team that might not even be a playoff team and two losses to the only legit team they played sans Ovi.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If you’re going to raise that issue about Ovechkin, then it applies to Crosby as well, but in reverse. The Penguins are 5-9-1 without Evgeni Malkin in the lineup and scored only 31 goals in the 15 games (Crosby was 3-9-12, minus-3 in those games he played without Malkin in the lineup).
If you've read this far...seek help.
The problem is that people seem to think the Caps have such a great team that OV can’t be that valuable to the team.
This argument is total hogwash, because it means that the best team in the league can never have a Hart winner on it, because the team as a whole is so good, even without its top player.
By that kind of logic, you have to look for a great player on a crappy team every year.
You had me at no problem.
I don’t see how Boudreau could (or should) be considered this year. It was a Top 5 team coming into the year, so finishing first should give him a gold star? Meh.
That said, last year’s juggling of injuries all over the place and still finishing where they did was worthy of some consideration.
"I’d like to take the credit but dig mama, there’s no "I" in "revolut" …in "team."
I agree. I hate that reasoning, but BB doesn’t get to complain before Babcock (not that I think BB would) – that’s probably why Babcock hasn’t won that award . Poor guy, especially this year, I think he did some great work holding together an injury riddled team (albeit with Howard) and the pressure of the Olympics.
Great stat from Nate Ewell about Ovechkin:
The Capitals have a better record with Ovechkin as captain (.821) than they did when he was out of the lineup (.750)
So, even if the Capitals were a winning team when Ovechkin was out, they’re even better with Ovechkin as Captain.
based on conversations with other writers
This is what’s always important to note. Does anyone have any idea how many voters there are? We’re always concentrating on what we see and hear, but how many of them do we have no idea how they’re thinking?
"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."
Here’s my take on voting for a goalie for Hart – anyone who votes for a goalie in the top spot had better have five goalies on his/her ballot; if you believe that having a separate award for the best goalie (sorta MVP/Cy Young in baseball) doesn’t essentially render a goalie ineligible for the Hart, then I don’t see how you can’t find five goalies who are more valuable to their respective teams than the top skater.
You want to vote for Ryan Miller? The rest of your ballot should have Bryzgalov, Nabokov, Luongo and Brodeur (or something similar) on it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 9, 2010 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I just think there are seasons where a goalie’s play is so far superior to every other goalie’s that he deserves the recognition. Like Hasek carried the Sabres in the 90s (and got the recognition for it), I would throw it Miller’s way. Even if the Sabres had Fleury in net, I doubt they make the playoffs.
Right, but can Miller really be said to have carried the Sabres more than Bryzgalov has carried the Yotes? Miller has been great and deserves the Vezina, but his play hasn’t been head and shoulders above that of every other goalie this season.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I wonder how much the Olympics will affect this debate?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I don’t think the Sabres are a playoff team without Miller. Tippett has the Coyotes built to succeed with an average goalie. Just look at their W% when LaBarbera is in net, compared to Lalime for the Sabres.
Miller is better, and more valuable to his team. I honestly have no idea who the third candidate for the Vezina should be.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Vokoun.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I wish. No way, though.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Why not? You asked who the other candidate would be.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
16th in GAA, 22nd in wins, 6th in shutouts.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Florida is also the one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL.
25th in G 5/5, 28th in total goals (198), 28th in GF/G (2.48).
BTW, the only two teams worse than Florida in GF/G and total goals?
Calgary (Kipprusoff) and Boston (Rask).
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but the Vezina is for best at his position, not who was the most valuable to their team (which can be exclusive of each other).
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
But you just made the argument that Rask shouldn’t get nominated because he has fewer wins and is therefore less valuable to his team.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
With what Rask has around him, he pretty much has to be perfect every night. If he gives up more than two, Boston is DONE.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s only started 38 games.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
And he’s played in 44 overall. That’s still a pretty significant sample size, no?
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Significant, yes, but its not 70gp like the other candidates have.
I’m not saying he should be dismissed, he’s been great. But he shouldn’t win, and he shouldn’t get votes before Miller.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
You left out the .925 save %, the fact that he plays for an awful team, and the fact that he’s 3rd in the league in shots against.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
This was to Chris Burton, not YLM.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Florida’s PP is also 29th in the league, ahead of only Toronto. They’re converting at 10.5% on the Road (dead last), and 17.7 at home (21st).
Speaking of PP, how long before PHX’s awful PP comes back to haunt them? 28th overall in the league, 13.6 at home (dead last in the league), and 15.9 on the road (19th)
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Phoenix is toast, unless Bryzgalov just completely stands on his head for 60 minutes a night. They’ve won two of their last 3 games in the shootout (again). That won’t fly against Detroit. They could be looking at vacation pretty quick if they draw the Wings.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I was actually surprised Chicago’s PP is so bad at home. Next to last there, and 22.1% on the road.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
This was one of my reasons way back why I wouldn’t mind playing the Hawks.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I haven’t gone back and checked on this, but I seem to remember hearing that Phoenix’s powerplay was doing significantly better after the deadline, since they acquired some significant threats up front.
With as many goals as they’ve gotten from the back end this year, you’d think their power play was better…
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
Does anyone have quick access to their Pythagoreans? Do they have some sort of absurd record in one-goal games?
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Nashville’s 13-0-1 in their last 14 one goal games.
IDK about PHX, but they have 14 shootout wins. Absuuuuuuuurd.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
That damn Adrian Aucoin
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Apr 9, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Pekka Rinne stopped him. :D
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
They mentioned it during the Preds broadcast the other night, and its not very good even with Schneider and Wolski playing the points. Went (IIRC) 0-6 against Nashville. Its going to bite them in the ass.
Ours isn’t great, either, but it gets real streaky. Some days its automatic.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Percentage still trails Miller (and Rask, for that matter), and you left out that Miller is 13 shots against behind Vokoun (though the GP are a bit more).
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
The systems that Phoenix and Boston play push Miller ahead of the pack for me. Yeah, the Sabres score more goals, but they play a much riskier system.
There’s also that.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Either Vokoun or Rask, though I expect Vokoun simply because of the whole body of work thing.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
You really think they’ll vote for him? I think it’ll be (God forbid) Jimmy Howard.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I’m with Link in that I think a goalie can win when they are head and shoulders better than every other goalie, and Miller was playing that way in the first half. However, he’s come back to the pack a bit in the second half so I think he took himself out of the Hart running. He still gets the Vezina in my mind though.
Also, I am categorically opposed to even giving a nomination for the Vezina to a goalie who doesn’t even start half of their team’s games.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 9, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Also, I am categorically opposed to even giving a nomination for the Vezina to a goalie who doesn’t even start half of their team’s games.
Which was part of my point with Rask.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I think what people are missing entirely is that Buffalo is not a bad offensive team.
They’re 10th overall in GF/G at 2.81, they’re 8th overall in the league at G 5/5, 11th overall in total goals, their home PP is 10th in the league at 21.2%, (overall its at 16th, 17.6%).
Bottom line, Ryan Miller gets more “support” than anyone thinks he does, and guys like Miikka Kiprusoff and Tuukka Rask do just as good, with even LESS.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, good points all.
I still vote Miller.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
But why? Why Miller over Rask? Or Kipprusoff? Or even Vokoun?
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
’cuz of teh Olympics!!!1
Miller is 2nd in save percentage, 2nd in GAA, and 4th in wins. This combination is better to me than Rask’s significantly fewer wins and subsequently smaller effect on his team’s success.
Kipper and Vokoun both check in several spots below Miller in % and GAA (Vokoun is 16th there). They don’t appear in the argument, for me anyway.
I think you look at Miller, Bryz, and….no idea.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Wins shouldn’t matter. That’s a team thing, not a goaltender thing.
You also have to factor in support. Based on the fact that Kipper and Rask put up equivalent (or better) numbers than Miller with much less around them makes them more valuable in my eyes.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Boston may as well lay 4 players in front of Rask when they play. That’s how boring they are. The 5th player can float and hope for the one goal that Boston will score that game.
Phoenix traps like the Devils. It is boring, but obviously effective.
I can deal with some votes for Rask because of those obscene numbers (albeit in less games), but Kipper is below both Rask and Miller in all major statistics.
I think Rask should be a Calder finalist. And MAYBE a Vezina finalist. But not winner.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Kipper also plays on a team that’s equivalent to Boston in terms of offensive efficiency. Hell, he pretty much doesn’t even have a BACKUP. The guy’s played in 72 games this year, and over 4,000 minutes. Its just absurd that he puts up what he does cosistently with that kind of workload.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
More love for Vokoun:
He faces 34.2 shots per game (and Florida averages 28.4). Holy jumpin’….
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
You are only talking about support in terms of offense though, which effects wins, not the goalie stats. Kipper plays behind a stacked D that gives up the 7th fewest shots per game. Bryzgalov and Rask play behind stifling defensive systems that give up the 12th and 13th fewest shots per game. The Sabres are tied for the 8st most shots against in the league.
I said before that a goalie shouldn’t win the Vezina if they weren’t the clear #1 all year. And of the full time starters Miller has the best SV% and best GAA. While wins are a factor of team play, they still matter and Miller is 4th in the league there.
Miller, Bryzgalov, then either Vokoun or Kipper would be my order for the Vezina.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 9, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
And Miller did it all while his eyes were unbalanced. Imagine how good he’d be with a symmetrical face!
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 9, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Vokoun’s .925 and 2.55 while facing 34 shots a game are much more impressive to me than Miller’s .928 and 2.23 while facing 31 shots a game. Buffalo also generates 31.7 shots a game (7th overall), while Florida generates 28.4, which is only ahead of Colorado and Minnesota for dead last. You have to include offensive support into the discussion, because if the team’s down at the other end most of the time, you’re going to generally have an “easier” time. Its like when you’re talking about a pitcher and don’t include something like BABIP.
Buffalo is not this pathetic offensive team, which seems to be the general writer/internet meme.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m with you, but I’m not really involved in this debate. Regardless of the merits of Vokoun, he’s not winning it. He’s not. Luongo set a single season record for saves way back and couldn’t win the Vezina because his team’s record wasn’t very good.
As for Bryz v. Miller, CP2 swayed me to Miller.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
This logic is flawed to me. If a goalie is
A. really, really good
B. is the leader of his team
C. is far and away the best player on his team
…then he deserves to be in the mix for the MVP. Not sure why it has to be black and white. Of your list of goalies, the only that meet those criteria are Miller and Bryz. Which… is exactly why those two goalies are in the mix for the award.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 9, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The issue is that AO can never win a Norris or a Vezina.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
But a goalie can never win the Ross or Richard.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Apr 9, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
You don't think Varly is a 50 goal scorer?
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Apr 9, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he’s a 50 girl scorer.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
But a Defenseman could (and has). (Well, the Ross, anyway.) It’s absolutely impossible for AO to win either of the other two.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Without a doubt in my mind.
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Apr 9, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but there are awards that are specific for a range of positions, and the Hart which is only specified for a most valuable “player.” Goalies don’t win it too often, but I see no reason they should be excluded when they deserve consideration.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Apr 9, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
…except the BBWAA specifically says votes must consider pitchers (and designated hitters) in their voting.
by bilspacecadet on Apr 9, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
If I had a ballot
I’m torn between Sedin and Ovechkin at this point
1. Ovechkin
1A. Sedin
3. Miller
4. Crosby
5. Gaborik
I have to have Miller on this ballot, because in his absence, the Sabres are a lot closer to being a lottery team than a division champ. That is value.
If you've read this far...seek help.
If there was no Vezina Trophy, Miller would probably run away with the Hart. But there is, so for me it’s still Ovechkin. Same thing in baseball. Cy Young goes to pitchers, MVP goes to everyday players.
Agreed. There’s a separate award for the best goalie and best defenseman, so unless a G or a D puts together an historic-type season, I think the Hart should more or less be left to the forwards.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I don’t know that Miller wins the Vezina. I like Bryz, personally (especially after all that stuff upthread about how much offensive support Miller actually gets)… and I wish to hell Vokoun got some respect.
Would agree that Hart should be more or less left to the forwards, unless there is one year that a goalie is head and shoulders more valuable to his team than any other (because seriously this year – Bryz, Miller, even Jimmy Howard has done a lot).
I like Sedin’s case though. Obviously I’d hope Ovie three-peats, but I think it’ll ultimately come down to Sedin or Ovie, especially voters look at it as “if I take this guy off the team, what happens”. I’m not saying we should look at Caps’ record without Ovie, I just mean without Sedin this year, that stretch when Daniel was gone – Vancouver would’ve been dust.
I know there’s no “Best Forward” trophy, but there is the Selke, not to mention the Art Ross and the Richard are pretty much reserved for forwards, too. So though there’s no exact Vezina or Norris equivalent, there’s still plenty of hardware that G and D can’t get their hands on.
That said, I’m still not entirely sold on G for Hart, but the fact that the Vezina exists shouldn’t automatically strike goalies from the ballot.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
by SmallZ827 on Apr 9, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think AO wins the Hart unless he wins either the Richard or Art Ross.
John Anderson should do his BFF a solid tonight…
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Pull the goalie with 2 minutes left in all three periods?
"Why don't you smegging well smeg off, you annoying little smeggy smegging smegger!"
call up their ECHL goalie?
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Scratch their best players?? Oh, wait…
If AO scores, it won’t be on real shots against real players, so he should have an asterisk.
Go Pens.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
trade their franchise player for a handful of prospects?…oh, wait…
by bilspacecadet on Apr 9, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Uh… IMO that worked out well for ATL. That’s not a joke on them. A first, Bergfors, and Oduya alone looks great for ATL, but you add in a pretty good prospect as well. ATL did well for themselves. Better than they did with Hossa, and much better than FLA did with JBo.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Sure, but that’s not going to help them tonight. My point was the Thrashers are easier to play against tonight having traded away their franchise player.
by bilspacecadet on Apr 9, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno. Oduya is going to make it tougher to score than Kovalchuk would have. Honestly, I just want to see AO explode for 5 or 6 points. I’d like to see everyone battle and play well (especially the goalie) but if we lose I don’t think I’ll be too broken up about it.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
We could lose 100-15 and I wouldn’t care as long as 10 of those goals were Ovis.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
As long as he wasn’t on the ice for any of those goals against, you mean coughHartcough.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
And against a team in the Southleast!
"Why don't you smegging well smeg off, you annoying little smeggy smegging smegger!"
Via Chesnokov, “Dmitry Kugryshev has been recalled by the Hershey Bears. He is expected to join the club on Monday.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I expect that he’ll just join the Black Aces.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Sure, and it’s a reasonable expectation. if he makes the lineup, awesome (and Cody Eakin is awesome like that. What is he, a third- or fourth- round pick?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
As I believe YNC said at that time, if the Caps want to see him play, he’ll play. I’m too lazy to look it up but I think that Dmitri is a higher draft choice than Eaking.
Yes, he is. My point is that if Eakin continues as he’s going he could end up being a steal for a third-rounder.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
But he’s the 15th best scorer from that draft. And 11th best if you only count the 18 year old draftees (thus cutting the older players with more maturity and experience). Cody is a steal. Feel free to notice the skater just a couple spots ahead of Cody.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
the talent in the pipeline in this organization is mind-blowing.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Alert the Pennsylvania National Guard. Redhead riots!
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
That means he won’t play in a regular season game, right? Meaning he is an emergency only player from here out.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
The roster rules are the same once the CDR is submitted so same rules for end of regular season and the playoffs. However, CDR rules do not limit the use of players on ATOs/signed junior players that join the team after their other season is completed.
As people have noted, D.K. isn’t arriving until after the regular season is completed, which means unless he wows the coaching staff in practice or the Capitals push for him to get playing time, it is unlikely he plays unless there are injuries and/or call-ups or someone in the line-up falters.
Hershey’s head coach, Mark French, indicated recently that he does expect to start having the separate practices for the black aces and as noted, most likely that’s where D.K. starts.
As people have noted, D.K. isn’t arriving until after the regular season is completed, which means unless he wows the coaching staff in practice or the Capitals push for him to get playing time, it is unlikely he plays unless there are injuries and/or call-ups or someone in the line-up falters.
That was my point. I know he technically could have played for HER, like Carlson last year, but that it’s rare for a guy to come down from the CHL with no regular season games to be able to crack the HER lineup for a Calder Cup run. Maybe he wows them, but it’s more likely he’s an injury replacement, and even then I’d assume he’s behind Eakin.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Yes, it is the exception not the rule for the ATO guys to get playing time in the playoffs. But there are some examples, Joudrey played a number of games in the playoffs the year he joined the Bears and they went to the finals, but he also arrived and got in some regular season games. Perreault played in some of the games in ’08 when Hershey lost in the first round without playing any regular season games.
Geez, I like numbers as much as the next person, but that Puck Prospectus piece… it read like a fantasy hockey justification for the Hart Trophy. There is a difference between numbers informing an opinion and being a slave to them. An example of a fallacy of commission..
While empty-net goals are legitimate for the Rocket Richard trophy, since they do count on the scoreboard, they should be at least discounted when looking at a player’s offensive contribution, as they rarely affect a game’s outcome and are much easier to score. To those who say that empty-net goals require work since the team is playing short-handed, I would remind you that teams playing against empty-net opponents score roughly 13 goals per 60 minutes, twice the rate of a power-play and over five times the rate at which teams score at even-strength. It’s just not that hard for an NHL superstar to score into an empty-net.
It isn’t, but as a value added proposition, why is Bruce Boudreau putting Ovechkin out there is such situations. Precisely because of his value in producing the empty net goal.
And one of omission… under the deluge of numbers is a rather simple comparison of relevance that isn’t there. Crosby is 34-38-72, plus-22 in 40 hime games, but he is 15-17-32 in 39 road games. Neither Henrik Sedin nor Alex Ovechkin have such a disparity in home/road performance (both are better than PPG players, and both are “plus” players home and road). Is Crosby’s “value” a product of home cooking and the favorable matchups it can (should) generate?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Apr 9, 2010 8:16 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
so how many goals are scored by the team with the pulled goalie? 10%? 15%? i’m willing to guess that close to 100% of the time a team scores an ENG they win that game. so while ENG may not be hard to score (um, ask patrick stefan about that BTW), the scoring or not scoring them does impact the games.
so while wer talking about ENG not counting, then lets take away EN assists too. someone on the pens web site posted this stat. i’m assuming its correct.
OV has 5 ENG’s and 0 EN assists = total points w/out EN pts = 101
Sedin has 3 ENG’s and 1 EN assist = pts w/out EN pts = 104
Crosby has 1 ENG and 2 EN assist = pts w/out EN pts = 101
not a huge impact either way. so while the goals and points titles are based upon absolute numbers. the fact that Ov has done this in 10 or 11 games bodes well for MVP consideration.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 9, 2010 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Pulling the goalie is about winning the game, so scoring empty netters is just the death stroke for the winner and no guilt should be felt. Better to pull the goalie and try to win, like the Wild did the other night and scored 2 EN goals against Luongo in the last 40 seconds, than to lose and say damn, what if I had pulled the goalie?
I’d say that your chances of scoring that final goal do increase if you pull the goalie as opposed to not doing so. If they score on you, oh well, you probably would have lost anyway. Pulling the goalie gives you the best possible chance to win in that situation and is worth doing for that reason.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Empty net goals are NOT easy to score, and if a player scores an empty net goal, it means that his coach trusts him defensively to be out there, a man down, protecting (usually) a one goal lead. I don’t see how that is anything but positive.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Empty net goals are NOT easy to score
Just ask Esa Tikkanen.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
again with the esa tikkanen….ugh…although tecnically would not have been an ENG…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Right. But you know what I mean.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
yes, unfortunately i do…hey, did anyone ever do a history will be made parody of that play?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Here.
href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmiUYiERIBY” target="new">
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Apr 9, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
fail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmiUYiERIBY
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Apr 9, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I like this one of Patrik Stefan
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
All blueberries are blue berries, but not all blue berries are blueberries.
Signed,
Reverend Jim
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Apr 9, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And I forgot to mention that any article that includes the gimmick as a criteria for Hart consideration loses any and all credibility
Aim for the head baby Jesus
I don’t agree with that – if it’s part of the game and helps your team win or lose, why shouldn’t it be considered?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well it’s not really hockey, for one. And secondly there’s no good way of determining SO winners. It’s really hard to determine individual impact in a SO, despite how easily it looks.
Take the DAL game last night. Modano hits one, then Lehtinen hits one. DAL wins 2-0. Who gets the “SOGWG”? Modano because he scored first, which was the goal that was “one more than the other team”? Or Lehtinen because he scored the goal that eliminated any potential for ANA to win? And my biggest problem is that whether Lehtinen or Modano gets the SOGWG depends entirely on Turco. If Turco lets in one goal, but saves 2, then it’s Lehtinen. If Turco lets in 3, then it’s nobody. Even with Turco letting in zero, I’m not convinced that means Modano got the SOGWG.
So then you get back to counting all SOG the same. I guess that’s preferable, but then you are rewarding players on teams that go to the SO more often. I haven’t looked at the numbers but I’m pretty sure PIT went to SO more often than WAS did. That gives Crosby an advantage because his team couldn’t get it done in real hockey. Bully on him for coming through, but it’s simply not on the same level as doing it against actual defense.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
no b/c Penalty shots are earned on a breakaway by being fouled in a way to deny you a legitimate scoring chance.
They also count towards their respective goal total.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I just think that the results of 10 shots over the course of the season shouldn’t be that big a factor in determining a players worth, since when the sample size is that small its can largely be chalked up to luck, not to mention that other variables such as goalies faced, which would even out over a larger sample size would be very relevant over a sample of only 10, and aren’t considered at all.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Good stuff. I haven’t looked at that article yet, but I bet they count Shootout goals as more important than ENGs. That is an unsupportable position IMO. If you are going to give Crosby credit for a gimmick then you can’t discount goals that were scored in a hockey game, even if empty net. There’s a reason “the nail in the coffin” is a popular expression in sports lexicon. And it’s not because it isn’t important.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
to add to that: there are ENGs in the playoff. Aren’t any shootouts last time I checked the rules.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I think it depends. Obviously there are times when a ENG is less significant than a shootout goal – think Ovie’s ENG to end the most recent PITT game vs. his shootout goal the game before. They already had the win locked up before the ENG; they lose the extra point for sure if Ovie doesn’t convert in the shootout.
IMO, there’s no reason why voters should not discount ENGs or count shootout goals when considering the Hart. I think it’s perfectly fair to give someone more credit for scoring 50 goals if they only have one ENG vs. someone with five. But I don’t see how those things swing a vote from Ovie to Crosby here when the entire package is considered.
Excellent points to be discussed. I am not sure home cooking is the answer here because ultimately, if we want we can go back and look at each game to verify points and so forth (i.e. last night’s game where Crosby’s “50th” was taken away well after the game). However, shouldn’t the best player in the league be able to perform on the road somewhere close to as well as he does at home, after all, half the games are away from friendly confines.
Additionally, Crosby has a 4 point game last night with the return of Malkin and Gonch. . . looks like his superstar teammates messing with opposing team’s defensive matchups allow him to break lose, so in that scenario who is more valuable.
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
I definitely don’t think Crosby should get the Hart. His play when the Pens were without Malkin and Gonch pretty much proves it.
I think the main reason is that the Pens are built around 3 centers, and they have awful wingers. When Malkin is missing, the awful wingers get shifted around all the time, and that has to be difficult to deal with for anyone.
Before Malkin arrived in Pittsburgh, the Pens had a terrible year, but Crosby still managed to do pretty damn well. In Malkin’s second season, he was almost invisible the second half of the year, and Crosby had his best statistical season.
Again, as I said above, if I had a vote it would probably go to Ryan Miller or Bryzgalov. I lean towards Miller because the Sabres don’t play like the ’95 Devils (as Phoenix tends to do).
Oh, you'll love this...
I’d like to say I don’t give a rat’s ass about the Ross but if it means more hardware for Ovi and less for Sid then so be it. There, I said it and it’s petty but I feel better.
The Pens must have had a feeling that Crosby’s 50th goal would be taken away and credited to Guerin, because Bylsma put Crosby out on the power play with a four goal lead with 40 seconds to go. After the uproar over Ovie empty netter, I thought “Sonafabitch!” Now I dont care much for empty netters and Al Iafrate’s credo sits just fine with me: “Empty net goals are for homos”.
But the great part was when Sid was whistled off for interference about 10 seconds into the PP and cried about all the way to the box. Justice.
ENG’s do serve a purpose other than padding stats – it’s a mental thing for the team that just got scored on. It’s essentially a dagger. If you get an opportunity for an ENG, you’ve got to close it out, or you risk letting the other team force overtime. We’ve complained how many times about the Caps’ inability to put away teams? ENG’s are a part of that.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
The important thing of an empty-net goal isn’t the goal, it’s the several seconds preceding it. If you score an ENG, it means you survived a 6-on-5 disadvantge and gained control of the puck. Not insignificant.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Apr 9, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
And that your coach thinks you are good enough defensively to trust to protect a lead
Aim for the head baby Jesus
This too. Another point for the “Ovi doesn’t play defense” debate.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Apr 9, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s a special game honoring the last regular season game at Mellon Arena. I have no problem with trying to get the face of your franchise his 50th goal under these circumstances.
Also, the Pens PP is brutal, and they need to somehow jel before the playoffs….which probably won’t happen. They need all the practice they can get.
I totally see that – and quite honestly, if it didn’t come on the heels of the indignation Pens fans felt with Ovie waiting until 0.2 ticks of the clock were left to pull even with Sid on an EN, I probably wouldn’t give a shit.
I don’t think he meant “home cooking” in the sense of the scorekeeper helping him out. I think he meant in the sense that the home team has last change, so Crosby can get put out against weaker opponents. Does the site that computes QUALTEAM (whatever site that is) keep track of it for home vs road?
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
You may be right, I just read the statement “Is Crosby’s "value" a product of home cooking and the favorable matchups it can (should) generate?” as including both the scorekeeper helping him out in addition to last change. . . . may have misinterpreted.
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Apr 9, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
It was a reference to last change. Something has to explain the home-road disparity, and that’s perhaps the biggest strategic advantage a home team has
If you've read this far...seek help.
Or maybe it’s just Nathalie’s pre-game cooking
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Apr 9, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
just out of curiosity, I’d love to see what the home/road splits are for some other players. You know, just to compare.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Well I couldn’t find a way to make it look all pretty, but I took a look at the top 10 goal scorers and you can see here that there’s a few that have a noticeable home bias Gaborik (58% at home), Heatly (60% at home), Sasha (56% at home), but no one has such a large percentage of their goals at home as Crosby does (69% at home).
thanks, didn’t know I could find it so easily on nhl.com!
so, just for fun, your current top goal scorers, with home vs. away goals
Crosby: 34, 17
Ovechkin: 24, 24 (ah, the model of consistency!)
Stamkos: 26, 22
Marleau: 22, 21
Gaborik: 25, 16
Kovalchuk: 20, 20
Heatley: 23, 16
Semin: 22, 17
Parise: 18, 19
Burrows: 19, 16
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
yeah I remembered stumbling across that stat list breakdown at some point. They’ve actually got a lot of good breakdowns of stats on NHL.com, just not always the ones we’re looking for.
Now for some fun, running the numbers for the top 10 points leaders:
Player home pts. away pts. % at home
Henrik Sedin 62 46 57%
Alex Ovechkin 62 44 58%
Sidney Crosby 72 32 69%
Nicklas Backstrom 50 48 51%
Martin St Louis 48 44 52%
Steven Stamkos 51 40 56%
Brad Richards 55 36 60%
Joe Thornton 44 44 50%
Patrick Kane 46 40 86
Marian Gaborik 46 38 84
so, between the Caps just plain being the superior team and the fact that the Caps have home ice advantage, it should mean that the Caps are the favorites in any Caps-Pens series. Without Crosby, that team isn’t anything offensively, and he’s remarkably weaker on the road.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I think that doesn’t apply with the Caps. He shows up and plays well against us. Always. He had at least two goals in two games (and a SO goal!) at VC this year.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Agree with you here. He will do his thing against the Caps.
The question with the Pens is whether his teammates play like they have been all season, or if they find an extra gear. If the former, the Pens probably don’t advance past two rounds. If the latter, they’re dangerous.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
that SO goal shouldn’t have counted! (stamps feet)
ok, ok. But it certainly has to have the Pens worried about playing other top-level teams, like Jersey (never mind that the Pens can’t beat Jersey in the first place) if the other team has home ice.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Interesting
In the games vs the Pens this year, both of the games in DC have gone to OT/SO, while both of the games @ Pitt have been 6-3 Caps wins. Not only that, but in both games @ Mellon, Ovie scored a PP goal and an EN goal.
@DC
Ovie – 3G, 2A, +5
Crosby – 2G, 1A, Even
@Pitt
Ovie – 4G, 1A, +3
Crosby – 2G, 2A, -1
minor correction
34+17 = 51
Crosby is 34, 15
(17 road assists)
by darwintheboxer on Apr 9, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Warning this comment contains Nylander related materials if that's not your thing press z
The Nylander quotes are from a Swedish TV show called Trashtalk, it’s also available on hockeykanalen.se_. (in Swedish).
About the future
My goal is to play in the nhl next season and I need the Washington Capitals organization help to do that. I want to be traded to a team in the nhl and the only thing I can do to make that happen is to play as good as I possibly can. I’m still a good player, good enough to play in the nhl. I still feel young when I’m on the ice my skating ability is still there and so is my feeling for the game.The start of the season
I came to Washingtons camp in the best shape of my life and with a smile on my face. I mean I’m always in good shape but I never felt so well preperd before.
I was glad to get the opportunity to play with Grand Rapids in the ahl because I realized that I wouldn’t get to play in any games with the Capitals. I enjoyed my time there and thought that it would give me a chance to play in the nhl again but it didn’t work out like that.When I got back to Washington I was told that if I wouldn’t agree to go on loan to another club they would just let me sit at home until my contract expired.
NHLPA is great but I just wanted to play
I didn’t want to just sit and roll my thumbs so me and my agent tried to work out a deal with another team but it turned out to be difficult. I think that the NHLPA is great but for me at that time it wasn’t good.
My problem was the Salary Cap, the union didn’t want to let the Washington Capitals of the hook that easily. They didn’t want other clubs to try to get away with discarding a player like that in the future.
There were different people wanting different things but I just wanted to play hockey.About the face off controversy
In the games leading up to that game the referees was kicking me out in 30-40% of the face offs. And in that game I was standing just as you are suppose too and the referee pointed with his hand anyway so I told him in three language’s Swedish, Finnish and English to just drop the puck!
I barely touched his shinpads with my stick but it was enough and I was thrown out of the game and suspended for two additional games. I guess that will teach me that the referee is untouchable.Bäckström or Jagr?
It’s hard to say which player I prefer but I have to go with Jagr because I played with him the most. There are a few players that you have a special chemistry with and Jagr is one of those. We played together first in Washington then in New York Rangers and we just clicked in hindsight we should have tried to continue to play together.Swedish Fish?
Me and my family took care of Nicklas in the beginning and tried to get him to eat something other then simple Swedish food. He saw that my other kids ate sushi and other types of fish and he started to eat some of it but only in children sized portions at first but now he likes it.
Nicklas got a bright future ahead of him and he is already a superstar.About Caps playoff chances
I think they have a really good chance of winning. I want them to win I try to keep the business aspect separated from it. I still have friends on the team Nicklas in particularly. I want him to do well he deserves it.About Ovechkin
Ovechkin and Jagr are the best players I played with. Alex is a happy go lucky guy it’s seems like he never had a problem in his life. A lot of energy always something happening with him but in a good way.About Bruce Boudreau
Bruce have a defensive type of tactic but he doesn’t want to call it that. The offense first approach is really just a way to be strong defensively. He’s very careful with details, his practices is extremely well run. Everything is straight forward with him you don’t do anything unnecessary.
I don’t care what he thinks of me what he has done for the Caps speaks for itself.
He is one of the best coaches I have had.
He and Dave King are the two best coaches I worked with. Dave King was my coach in Calgary (now in Phoenix) and he was very good at teaching his system. When I think of good coaches Bruce and Dave King come to mind.
What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.
by Malin A on Apr 9, 2010 8:41 AM EDT reply actions 15 recs
Classy stuff, Nyls.
Thanks, IW.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It seems cruel to ask the guy about the Caps’ playoff chances when jettisoning Nylander to free up cap space was one of the keys to preparing this team for a playoff run.
"He was the patron saint of quality footwear."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Apr 9, 2010 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s a lot all pro athletes could learn from this interview. I understand why the Caps handled him the way they did, but I really hope they do find a trade partner for him next season. He is a good player, he’s just not right for Bruce’s system. Maybe he’ll end up back with the Rangers. Or if Jagr goes to Edmonton, maybe he’ll go there. And wouldn’t that be ironic.
Even though he is "on loan"
Aren’t the CAPS still paying his salary in Finland? And with a cap hit still around $4.8 mill next year, seems like a tough trade to make for any other team.
Yes, and while next year’s cap hit is high, his salary is “only” $3.5m, so a team that’s not bumping up against the cap could be more interested than they otherwise might have been (i.e. this year his salary was $5.5m).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That actually might make him somewhat attractive to one of those teams with a lot of cap space, but not a lot of money to put towards another player. (E.g. the Islanders, Atlanta, Phoenix, Nashville).
I could see him replacing Robert Lang in Phoenix, for instance. Or mentoring Hornqvist in Nashville.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
Hell. No.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
He’s not a bad player. He was a point-per-game guy here and in New York until his shoulder injury, and then got demoted to the third line because of Backstrom’s emergence and us signing Fedorov. He sees the ice well, and he’s got tremendous passing skills. The one (big) knock against him is his cap hit and his salary, and Nashville has got more than enough cap space and could handle the salary for one year.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
Well he’s also not a great north/south player. But I don’t know if that’s as big a problem on any other team than the Caps. Especially NSH. They aren’t exactly an explosive north/south attacking team.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Yeah, the way we get most of our goals is from Hornqvist or Ward working their ass off in the corners or on the walls and either getting the puck in front or passing it to Weber and getting the fuck out of the way.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Love this
Me and my family took care of Nicklas in the beginning and tried to get him to eat something other then simple Swedish food. He saw that my other kids ate sushi and other types of fish and he started to eat some of it but only in children sized portions at first but now he likes it.
He makes Nicky seem like a picky toddler, which is pretty funny.
I have a C on my heart.
Haven’t you seen his chubby cheeks? He’s still shedding that baby fat!
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Backstrom and Drew Doughty are definitely the fat-faced players of the year this season.
Sort of off-topic, but did you see Doughty’s goal last night? Just imagine how good he will be when he is actually in shape.
I’m pretty confident he’s in good shape.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I just read an article about how he still has a long way to go.
Ryan Smyth banned him from drinking any soda….even diet….after a loss, and apparently that is a tough rule for him to follow. Makes me chuckle.
Yeah, I agree, my point was he can’t be that damn good and be in bad shape.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
There are some guys that look fat that play good hockey. Tkachuk, one of the guys on the Kings (Brown?), Heatley…
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I know, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t in shape.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
…Brodeur…
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 9, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Goalies always surprise me when you see them out of their gear and they’re skinny – Hasek, Miller, etc.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Green has had chipmunk cheeks a few times this season.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
My respect for Nylander grew immensely during the whole situation. He was a pro’s pro throughout the whole long, painful process. Pure class.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Brendan Morrison, Eric Belanger, Tomas Fleischmann, Michael Nylander… who should be the second line center?
(goes off and hides…)
If you've read this far...seek help.
He is one of the best coaches I have had.
He and Dave King are the two best coaches I worked with. Dave King was my coach in Calgary (now in Phoenix) and he was very good at teaching his system. When I think of good coaches Bruce and Dave King come to mind.
It’s funny that he doesn’t mention Tom Renney.
That is some amazing class. I honestly could not have more respect for the way Nyls has dealt with this. Managing to give props to BB is so impressive, and his ability to “keep the business aspect separated” is doubly impressive given how much it must have sucked for him personally. Can’t say I’m shocked the team bluntly told him he’d sit or agree to a trade.
Thanks for passing this on, IW.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
tidbit from @capsmedia on Twitter:
Milan Jurcina is on the ice skating before his teammates this morning.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
And Ping is skating again. Between the two of them, posts everywhere live in fear.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
i though juice was deadly for the glass behind the net…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 9, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Nah, but the glass behind the goals is not happy seeing Juice again.
"Ah, dinner. The perfect break between work and drunk." - Homer Simpson
In other news, BB has instructed the equipment managers to equip everyone’s helmets with full cages for practice while those two are on the ice
JUICE! Welcome home, buddy! :-) Glad to see he’s skating again, even if he’s nowhere near ready to play.
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
Morning Playoff round-up!
EAST
Washington vs. Philadelphia
New Jersey vs. Montreal
Buffalo vs. Boston
Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa
WEST
San Jose vs. Colorado
Chicago vs. Nashville
Vancouver vs. Detroit
Phoenix vs. Los Angeles
Can someone volunteer to post this tomorrow and Sunday? I will be out of town with limited ’net access.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
personally I’d prefer Boston, but I can deal with this.
Who do you think has a better chance of upsetting – Montreal or Ottawa (although I suppose OTT wouldn’t really be an upset).
Montreal.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Boston could upset. They’ve done well against BUF in the regular season. It all comes down to Miller time.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
This is another reason I’m OK with Chicago-Nashville. Does anyone trust CHI’s goalies? Anyone?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Niemi’s more solid than Huet, and will probably be their #1.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Niemi’s more solid than Huet
And?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
.913 SV%, GAA 2.23. The latter number is more a product of the number of shots allowed by CHI / G, but the former is better than Rinne’s .910.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Yeah, not by much though. Rinne’s considerably more consistent and has been the best goaltender in hockey statistically since the Olympic break (except for wins, I think).
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Sure, but what I’m getting at is that CHI’s goaltending isn’t as terrible as some people think it is. That’s all. They’ve got issues, but if you say that CHI has issues in goal, you might as well say that WSH does as well because they haven’t settled on a #1 yet.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I dunno. CHI’s goalies are seriously protected. As CB hinted at they are pretty inconsistent and throw up stinkers pretty regularly. One or two stinkers can lose a playoff series. Their numbers are good because of the D corps and system that they use.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Duncan Keith would make me look decent in goal.
At the end of the day, F&B, you trusting Niemi or Rinne?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Rinne of course. I’ll take the guy with two good years over the guy with one. And Rinne’s good years have been better.
In other news, Steve Mason can suck it.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Not to mention Rinne’s play since February. Mind-boggling.
FUCK, Rinne should’ve been a Calder finalist.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Those do all look pretty enticing. Not a bad egg in the lot; except maybe Buff/Boston.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Unless Boston pulls off the upset, the Caps advance, and the Caps get Boston in Rd 2.
That would be sweet.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
two weeks of checking in with marioD would def be entertaining.
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 9, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
OOH. Yes, that would be
funmind-numbingly irritating.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, that seriously changed. MTL, why so faily? Suddenly they scare me a little less.
This could be interesting, though – there’s a decent chance we get Philly in the first round and Boston in the second?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Boston getting two points out of Buffalo is an interesting development.
Now the Rangers really need 4 points out of the Flyers games if they’re going to make it.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Yup. The Rangers have to take both games, one of them at least in regulation.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Actually, update based on nhl.com’s playoff clinching possibilities:
#6 Boston Bruins (idle) would clinch a playoff berth…
* if the New York Rangers lose in regulation to the Philadelphia Flyers
#7 Montreal Canadiens (idle) would clinch a playoff berth…
* if the New York Rangers lose (in regulation or overtime/shootout) to the Philadelphia Flyers
#8 Philadelphia Flyers would clinch a playoff berth…
* if they defeat the New York Rangers
En effet, NYR must take at least one point out of tonight or they’re done.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Correct.
If the Rangers only get one point, then their only option is to win game two with the Flyers, hope the Bruins lose their final two, thus tying the B’s and qualifying based on total wins.
Oddly – this means that, if the B’s lose tomorrow to Carolina, the Caps could be in a position to “choose” their playoff opponent or at least provide the Rangers with an option to take it. Not that they would, but there is a scenario where the Caps decide they want to face the B’s more than the Rangers, and allow the B’s to get at least a point on Sunday.
Watching more games on Slingbox than anyone else!
Pending what Montreal does against the Leafs on Saturday, of course. I expect them to get a couple of poinsts, but I expected them to get at least a point out of Carolina last night.
Odd night all around, with Boston over Buffalo and Florida (!) over NJD…only the Pens did the expected.
I would not be surprised to see the Caps tank on Sunday if it allows them to avoid the NYR, though.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Kinda fun stuff.
Of course, I expected the Pens to come out flying – their final game in the Igloo and after getting lit up by their rivals the previous game. If they had dropped that oneor even taken it to overtime, their playoff chance would be seriously questioned.
I do rather like a scenario like the current one, though, where there’s some shot of the Caps getting Philly in the first round, advancing, and getting Boston in the second round.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Eric Staal is hot at the right time of the year. He’s going to lead his troops to yet another surprising defeat over the EC power Boston Bruins. Is there no obstacle the fearless Eric Staal can’t overcome?
/lost bet preview’d
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Excellent. You forgot about his good looks and being the best captain in the NHL, though.
I still have one question on our terms, however.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Does my end have to be a serious, thought out argument that could theoretically hold water or can I talk about Green’s hair?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
No it has to be serious. It has to be an argument that could be taken seriously to prop up Green > Weber. There can be some snark or backhanded stuff but it has to be ambiguous enough that it could be interpreted as a legitimate argument for Green. Green’s hair does not count, but you could say something about his fan outreach attempts via his suhweeeeeeeeeet website. Is that clear enough?
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
OK, got it. Afterwards, I’ll jump off a cliff.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I got your back, unless someone gets to these before me. :)
I think I heard a collective sigh of relief coming from the whereabouts of Phoenix…
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 9, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
much appreciated! :)
well, that sigh you heard was coming from Detroit, because CP2Devil is having a blast (I hope) at Frozen Four!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Speaking of, that was a hell of a beatdown by Wisc on RIT last night.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
and a hell of a beatdown by BC on Miami. I had to stop watching. I’ll be cheering for ’Socsin on Saturday.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
That one hurt.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Apr 9, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea, that one was awful, and I thought Miami looked better in the first, they just completely collapsed after the PP goal at the end of the period
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Did you see their history against BC? God that has to be painful. Throw in last year’s lost to BU for good measure and they have been dominated by Boston.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Yea last years finals were just awful, they had that game won. And this year they were head and shoulders better than every team except for Denver during the regular season, but thats what happens in a one and done tournament with a 2 week layoff between games.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Talent-wise they are not head and shoulders above BC or UW. Both of those teams “underperformed” during the regular season or we wouldn’t be saying Miami was head and shoulders above them. That UW is scary good.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Oh yea, but Miami was a clear #1 in the polls for 90% of the season before Denver passed them. This was actually supposed to be a rebuilding year for Miami after last years frozen 4 run.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Yea, that made me sad. For having 3 potential teams to root for when this all started, I really could care less who wins on Saturday.
Except wait, BC? I hate them.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Apr 9, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
“We’re built as a playoff team. We’re warriors.”
— Danny Briere
No kidding, he actually said “we’re warriors.”
At least we know which one is carrying the bayonet.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Apr 9, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
We are lions!
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
We claw with our fingernails for that inch!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
UNLEASH THE SISSY!!!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Apr 9, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I rec this. My monitor is feeling abused at the moment. goes to find a monitor cleaning wipe
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Aw, did you snarf Smarties again?
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
Kevin Allen ranks the FA defenseman, with Hamhuis 2nd (to Paul Martin). My question is this: would the Caps be interested at this price (or would fans, for that matter)?
He could have the most suitors because he’s only 27, and he still has some upside. He’s probably going to land somewhere near $4.5 million. The Predators also would like to re-sign him, but he would have to give them a hometown discount. Certainly he knows he would be a hot player in the free-agent market.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
No, not at that price. No chance.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
A million less and a traded Poti and I’d say abso-tively.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
And KA is usually quite good, but this ’graph is a bit of a head-scratcher:
5. Joe Corvo: If Washington goes far in the playoffs, Corvo’s value will go up. He’s already looked better playing on a high-octane offensive team. His power-play abilities are attractive for a team looking to improve that area.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Right, I didn’t get that one either. Allen’s usually rock solid, as you say, but the Hamhuis financials seem off.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Well yeah, but even I don’t think Hamhuis is worth that much.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Between Green, Poti and whatever they pay Schultz, there’s no way they’ll invest another $4MM+ into another D.
Hamhuis is a nice player, but he’s best cast as a second pairing guy. $4.5MM is too much for that.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
You really need to dump Poti, Hamhuis or no Hamhuis. Right?
I think DH could play on the top pair somewhere, but not Washington. Green/Schultz is too good to screw around with.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
We don’t need a Top-2, we just need another top-4.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
But not at 4.5 mil.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Definitely not at 4.5, but absolutely at 3.5 or less.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Would love to get rid of Poti and upgrade the second pair.
I can’t really construct a reasonable scenario where it happens though. He’s getting older (34 next year) and makes a pretty good pile of dough ($3.5MM0. You’d be talking about one of the bottom feeders with cap room, a whole in their D, and the ability to pay an expensive #4-5 D for a year.
The Calgaries of the league would want to send back a bad contract, which GM would hopefully have zero interest in doing.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Send him to Columbus. They need a puck mover who can play on the powerplay, and Poti fits the bill. They could also use some veteran help with their defense, as right now, their most experienced D-man is Mike Commodore.
Hell, I wanted us to do that last summer before we started trading other pieces to Columbus.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
Well, the Chimera trade made sense for CBJ at the time it happened. They needed to get some veteran leadership and Hitchcock would never be able to use a player like Chimmer properly.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Sure. You can rationalize it. Just like you can rationalize Ruth for Fedorov. But in retrospect is there any doubt who won either of those trades?
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Maybe, but I’m okay with him posting that. Let some other team pay him large amounts of money – that way their cap’s tied up and we don’t have to deal with him.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I’m also not positive that Corvo has looked better playing for us than anywhere else, unless they mean his +/-, perhaps…
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. I disagree with Allen’s numbers, though. Not a chance in hell Nashville pays him that, or any other team thats already good.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree with J.P. Not at 4.5. At 3 it’s a steal, and he should make more. At 3.5 I’d love him but we probably have to move Poti to fit that, and I don’t see that happening.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
The knee-jerk response here is that as a comparable, use Rob Scuderi and the contract he got from the Kings. It’s a $3.4 million cap hit. He’ll go for something under $4.0.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Scuderi? Are you comparing salaries or talent level?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
More info on tonight, this time from Corey:
@cmasisak22 Scratches for the #Caps tonight: Knuble, Poti, Steckel, Bradley, and Erskine. Theodore in net.
Poti’s a scratch. Cue confetti from the Rink in 3…2…1…
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I’d rather have Poti in than Sloan.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Sloan is getting his “you’ve been a good solider and you’re not getting playing time starting Monday” games.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
by RedBirdie on Apr 9, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
He’s also been pretty good the last couple of games.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
agreed. When F&B praises him, you know it’s not just the TSlo fangirls imagining things!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Praises him in public, even. The viewing party on Tuesday was a TySlo love fest by pretty much all involved.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Yup. I don’t mind, there are only two more worthless games to go. Get him his reps.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
tonight will be tyler’s 40th game of the season, which is a big deal should the caps go the distance. i’m guessing he would have played one of these last two games anyway, but i would be surprised if BB was not aware of the games played this year when deciding on whether to play him.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 9, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s 41, isn’t it?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I Googled. According to nhl.com, it is 41.
From their “fun facts” about the Stanley Cup:
To have one’s name engraved on the Stanley Cup certain requirements must be met. A player must have at least 41 games played with the club or one game played in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, in 1994 a stipulation was added to allow a team to petition the Commissioner for permission to have players’ names put on the Cup if extenuating circumstances prevented them from being available to play.
Watching more games on Slingbox than anyone else!
I don’t think “healthy scratch” is an extenuating circumstance.
"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."
And I certainly don’t see TySlo in a SCF game (not the rinker).
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
That is a strange rule, btw. You could play every game of the SC playoffs, conceivably 21 games, and for some reason or another be scratched from the finals and not get your name on the cup. It would never happen, but I guess I don’t understand why the rule is restricted to the finals and not to the playoffs (save an exception for a 1 game AHL call up or something).
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
That’s an extenuating circumstance if ever there was one.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
It depends on if you pissed your teammates off and got yourself benched or something. I can think of numerous possible but absurd scenarios for this. This happens to be one reason I love hockey, the random little intricacies and idiosyncrasies of some of the rules are quite fun to play around with.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
Haha, I get confused all the time with all this SCF talk…I didn’t even do that on purpose!
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Apr 9, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait, there are rules for getting your name on the Cup?
Signed,
P. Pocklington
"I’d like to take the credit but dig mama, there’s no "I" in "revolut" …in "team."
by Bald Pollack on Apr 9, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
My question is, what about Juice? IIRC, he and clark were at 39 or 40 games when they were traded. If he was healthy now Juice would definitely pick up enough games. How extenuating does a circumstance have to be?
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
The HOF web site talked about Ted Green of the 1971 B’s who was injured in pre-season, but was such an “integral part of the team” that he had his name put on the Cup.
In my mind, the petitions would be used mostly for back-up goalies.
Watching more games on Slingbox than anyone else!
I think the back-up goalie gets his name on because, technically, he was dressed for those SCF games.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I could see the Caps requesting a special exception for Chris Clark if they win the Cup, and I hope they do. Clark was the captain during a lot of the lean years and was traded just as they got close to the top.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
It feels like tempting fate to say so, but I agree completely.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Apr 9, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
very doubtful to add a guy who was not on the team when they won the cup. exemptions are for injuries mostly. i could see them putting in for Q Laing as he missed a bunch of games with a busted face and all and will fall a few games short.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 9, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think that happens and I don’t think it should. Sure it sucks he was gone but the team winning the Cup this year will have almost nothing to do with him.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
Really the only contribution he made this year was his departure, allowing Chimmer to come to WSH. It really pains me to say that, but unfortunately it’s true.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Apr 9, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Jonathan Warner interviewed Chris Clark prior to the Columbus game. It is really hard to listen to a man’s heart breaking on the radio. Chris kept his brave face on until Jonathan asked if he’d be rooting for the caps in the playoffs. Chris said yes, but it will be hard if they go all the way. “I’d like to think I was part of that,” he said.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
so expect to see tyslo in on sunday too…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 9, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Which is fine with me. Hell, I’d like to see him get 30+ ATOI
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I haven’t seen the complete lines, but this sounds like an audition for Gordon and Walker, no?
The default would have to be Bradley and Steckel come next week, I think.
Watching more games on Slingbox than anyone else!
No Poti? PK goes 100%. Book it.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 9, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If that’s a jinx, you’re so buying a round for the house at the next Rink party.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I already know how the top line is going to shake out. The SOB line is going to spend all game force-feeding AO the puck. I don’t think Semin will shoot once. He’ll get a breakaway and do the Mighty Ducks breakaway wrap around but wait for AO to join the rush.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
And I guess AO will try to be a team player and pass to Semin and Green all the time. Hence, no shots…at all. But pretty passing.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 9, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Trophies...
There are superstitions about the Stanley Cup, of course. I don’t know if there are the same rules about the President’s Trophy, but me I’ll follow the same protocol.
1) Look all you want
2) Take all the photos you like
3) Do not touch unless it is handed to you by someone who has won it (meaning the Caps players.)
Whether it makes any sense or not, I don’t know. I do know that many hockey players follow rules like that. The first time Ray Bourque ever touched the Stanley Cup was after the Avs won it in 2001.
Let's go Caps!
but the caps have already won the presidents trophy…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 9, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I think this applies to fans.
You can touch it if a Cap hands it to you, or if a past winner has, but not on your own.
Besides – you don’t want to leave fingerprints on the birdbath!
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
If I want to touch the presidents trophy I will.
I don’t even want a picture with the Cup until the Caps win it though. That’s not out of superstition but just respect for everyone that’s ever won it and the game of hockey itself.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
If I want to touch the presidents trophy I will.
probably not be able to because it’ll be roped off like all the trophies were at the beginning of the year. :-)
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
Borderline. but not OT because it applies to tonight’s game.
Today a handful of 501sters will be patrolling the streets around Verizon Center before the Washington Capitals vs. Atlanta Thrashers hockey game to promote “Star Wars: In Concert.” This multimedia extravaganza, featuring a live symphony orchesta playing music from all six “Stars Wars” films synchronized to clips and narration by Anthony Daniels (the voice of C-3PO), plays at Verizon Center July 17, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"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."
HAHAHAHAHAHA. AWESOME. President Obama must be psyched to have stormtroopers patrolling his capital’s streets.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
The geek in me is going with my camera tonight. Unless I forget, of course.
"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."
My camera and I will be there! Yay 501st Storm Trooper!
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
Emperor's Royal Guard
They should really bring in guys dressed like this, more fitting for rocking the red:
I like the Washington Capitals.
Star Wars love to OT, please! (BTW, it’s the 30th anniversary of the greatest sequel ever)
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
You should anyway – the Presidents’ Trophy will be on display tonight during the game after the presentation. It will also be at KCI tomorrow per the Caps’ website, but I’m going to be down in Fells Point and probably on a boat in the harbor.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
you going to channel the insanity of the olympic opening ceremonies thread and sing the boat song?
lucky, I’ll be stuck in boring as dirt Charlotte. Wheeeeeeee
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I am assuming you are in Charlotte, NC.
You can go catch some ECHL playoff action tonight as the Charlotte Checkers take on the Toledo Walleye.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/Charlotte-Checkers-tickets/artist/806449#
Hockey is hockey…right?
I Laich the professor.
resident master jinxer
TONIGHT?!?!?!?! Do they play tomorrow, too?!?! Mr. Bird is from…..TOLEDO! We went to Charlotte during Olympic break and saw Toledo beat them a bazillion to nothing. It was great. here’s my chronicle of our ECHL adventure (it’s a little Stingrays-heavy)
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
ok, looked it up, game 4 is Sunday at 2. I soooooo want to go.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Haha, I figured you would be aware of this :)
Yes, tonight. You should go, and give us another tale of ECHL hockey!
Figured we can find something for you to do while in Charlotte.
I Laich the professor.
resident master jinxer
Actually, I didn’t know until you mentioned it. And I looked and they play Sunday at 2 (not leaving DC until 5 tonight, unfortunately). I’ve already been on the phone to ask someone to PLEASE drag themselves away from the crying poop machine and go pick up tickets. It’s a newborn, he’s not going to do anything exciting in the 30 minutes it will take to get tickets.
And since we’re off to go see the baby, we’ve got cameras, so I’m going to document the heck out of this adventure!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I have my camera, I had no idea what 501sters meant, but I’m pretty sure that whoever can get a picture of a Stormtrooper WITH the Presidents’ Trophy is the real winner of tonight.
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
Probably the best description of the caps..
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
by Amacaps on Apr 9, 2010 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 12 recs
Who’s that in the 25 uni?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
that’s got be to an old picture.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
sorry, meant really old. Like last season old.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
My god I love Ovi’s facial expressions. Someone with more time than I should do a compilation/montage of all of his faces.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Apr 9, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve got a bunch of good ones.
Matt Bradley gets some great looks, too, as does Mike Green (when he doesn’t have his mouth hanging open like a fish!)
Up Next: getting Ovi blowing a bubble with that wad of bubblechaw in his mouth.
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
oooh, like the “Many Faces of Sasha” poster?
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Caps have no excuse not to win tonight. Kubina, Antropov, and White are all out, and Pavelec is in the net.
"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 Apr 9, 2010 12:14 PM EDT reply actions
If it devolves into alternating line rushes – and it could well do – they might lose a 7-6 type of game, but only if they just don’t care.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Backstrom & Semin are taking me to a championship
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Anyone know what they’re supposed to do with Civic Arena once the Pens are done there?
Seriously, they can’t blow up that house of horrors soon enough. I’d like to have the GIF bookmarked so I can watch it over and over again.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
maybe some Photoshop pro’s around here can include the current Pens lineup being exploded with the Arena?
I Laich the professor.
resident master jinxer
Eh…too hacky. And not really prescient in these unsettling times.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d like to volunteer to press the “BLOW IT THE HELL UP” button. I’ll even pay my own expenses.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I want one of those cartoon plunger things like Wile E. Coyote used.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Congrats to Aucoin
Aucoin indeed named AHL MVP.
per Tim Leone
I Laich the professor.
resident master jinxer
Congrats!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
I have a problem with Theo's Masterton nomination.
My problem isn’t that I don’t think he deserves it, he does for sure. Looking at the list of previous winners, I think its fair to say many of them would prefer going through the struggles they endured before knowing the pain of losing a child.
That said, obviously, it took Theo some time to cope, and to handle the psychological burden that came with this tragedy. I’m a bit worried about the impact on him of this becoming a mainstream story again. I don’t want him being dragged through an emotional roller coaster again, it would just be too painful.
If he’s OK with it, I’m OK with it, but if it were me, I wouldn’t want to relive the pain every time a reporter wants to write a human interest piece.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
I’m not sure Theo wants to forget the pain and loss, and the publicity around the Masterton nomination likely won’t open some fresh pain he hasn’t already felt. I am certain that his prime concern is not himself but his wife and daughter, especially his wife and her struggle to deal with this. At the same time, I think that opening up to TEB and the Post about the tragedy helped him greatly.
He’ll never be “over it”, regardless of how much time has elapsed.
Agreed. My only concern is that it wasn’t really all that long ago, and while he’ll obviously never get over it, it seems he’s been able to cope with it. I’d hate to disrupt the progress he’s made.
Of course, he could look at it as an opportunity to ensure his son’s life, while short, will have called attention to the cause, and helped to improve outcomes for many more children going forward.
As long as its what’s best for Theo and his family, that should be what’s most important.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
He accepted his award at Nationals Park with no obvious ill effects. He waited to talk about it until he was ready, and I think the positive coverage from the media and support from the fans has really encouraged him.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I don’t think any of us know what exactly his mental state is. It feels a little weird to speculate on it, IMO.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Tonight's Zebra Corps
Referees
40-Steve Kozari
11-Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen
86-Brad Lazarowich
97-Jean Morin
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
DGB on Kerry Fraser’s retirement.
Kinda disappointed that he had to buy into the Canadian anti-southern NHL teams stance. I know it’s a popular meme these days, but et tu DGB?
Let’s see how well it’s worked out: TBL, Cup. CAR, Cup. ANA, Cup. DAL, Cup. Add in a FLA Cup loss, ANA Cup loss, CAR Cup loss, DAL Cup loss and the southern expansion teams don’t look so terrible.
In that same time period all of Canada has 4 Cup losses, zero wins. Even more hysterical? Three of the four Canadian Cup losses came against Southern expansion teams (VAN losing to NYR was the only loss to a “respectable market”). Jealous much (add in COL’s success after “stealing” another Canadian team and it’s even worse, though I don’t think Denver counts as a southern expansion city)? In fact, the last Canadian Cup win was the very year that Fraser blew the Gretzky high stick.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 9, 2010 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Not to mention his team has been worse than all those southern teams for several years. Funny.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
extremely funny that the only team worse than his favorite team is…..another Canadian team!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Exactly! Hysterical.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
His Tuesday column on best NHL Comebacks was great:
March 4, 2010 – Lee Stempniak records a goal for the Phoenix Coyotes in his return to the NHL after a 16-month absence.
Everybody's rockin' out on Telephone Road
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve noticed that DGB sometimes bases his jokes on old memes that may or may not continue to be relevant. A good example is the Wellwood fat jokes. When he stays relevant and current, he’s hilarious, but when the joke gets stale or loses the grain of truth at its base, it falls flat.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
The Wellwood fat jokes won’t ever get old, IMO. Neither will his ripping on Toskala. It’s all about comedic judgment. Sometimes his shots at Fraser are funny, sometimes they aren’t. On the whole he’s hysterical so I’m not going to stop reading him. It’s just disappointing for him to buy into that shallow attack on the southern teams with the “look how great that’s worked out” crack.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
They got old for me when Wellwood showed up at training camp having dropped at least 20 pounds this year.
I don’t plan on stopping reading him either, I just find that a joke isn’t funny when there isn’t a grain of truth behind it.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
There is no truth behind the Brodeur and Tkachunk fat jokes either, but those are still funny.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 9, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t actually think they’re funny.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
shrug I just don’t appreciate humor that isn’t based in truth. it is what it is.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
So did you laugh when he said:
Do you think Alexander Ovechkin will hit the 50-goal mark this season?
74% – Yes
15% – No
11% – Only if it turns its back to him first
I completely disagree that AO is a dirty hitter or would only hit someone from behind, but that’s some funny shit.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 9, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My favorite was the one about head shots.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I laughed my ass off when I saw that. Humor doesn’t have to be completely true to be funny.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 9, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, the Wellwood jokes pretty much orginated at DGB, so I include them every now and then as a bit of a nod for the long-time readers.
That said…
They got old for me when Wellwood showed up at training camp having dropped at least 20 pounds this year.
… and he’s already gone back to his old ways.
(And even when he was in the best shape of his career, he was still 181 lbs — that’s not exactly lean, considering he’s only 4’3".)
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 9, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Uh-huh. 4’3", eh. I’m assuming that’s an exaggeration, else he’ll score by skating through everyone else’s 5-hole.
Okay, if he has gone back to it, then I see why you do it. it’s just that humor with no truth behind it falls flat for me.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I think a lot of absurd humor has no truth, but tons of exaggeration. There’s always a jumping off point, eh? :-)
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, it’s humor with a little bit of truth to it. Wellwood’s been lazy and out of shape since he came into the league — it’s already got him waived twice, and will probably see Vancouver let him walk for nothing this summer.
(On the other hand, making fun of somebody for actually being fat — as in, obese — wouldn’t seem all that funny.)
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 9, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Can we get some Martin Brodeur jokes about hooking up with his brother’s sister or whatever?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Wow, Steve Sullivan has some height company.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I’m going to switch to a “Kyle Wellwood is short” meme.
Don’t say I never listen to my fans.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 9, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Let’s see how well it’s worked out: TBL, Cup. CAR, Cup. ANA, Cup. DAL, Cup. Add in a FLA Cup loss, ANA Cup loss, CAR Cup loss, DAL Cup loss and the southern expansion teams don’t look so terrible.
In that same time period all of Canada has 4 Cup losses, zero wins.
Just for sake of clarity, my comment about the success of southern US teams has nothing to do with how they do on the ice. I think we’d all agree that in terms of off-ice factors (financial success, TV contracts, etc), the southern strategy hasn’t worked out the way the NHL hoped it would.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 9, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
But I don’t think its been unsuccessful enough to take a dig at it just yet, do you? Nashville’s never missed revenue sharing, and the move the team debacle wasn’t the market’s problem. Carolina has won a Cup and attracts a ton of attention in their area. Dallas hasn’t had many problems, which leaves the Lightning and Thrashers. I think its a bit early to be saying ‘experiment failed’. Not saying you did, persay, just throwing it out there.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Well, I guess it may be too early to call it a definitive failure… but not too early to say that so far, it hasn’t gone ther way they must have been hoping.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 9, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure. I think everyone hoped for more in Atlanta especially, but there’s still a chance to turn it around. I just wouldn’t make it the butt of jokes, is all. However, I’m overly sensitive towards the subject having gone through all sorts of shit about moving, ownership, and attendance. Just keep doin’ what you’re doin!
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I don’t know if that’s entirely true. The southern teams aren’t all as financially sound as the NHL would have hoped, but I think that a large part of the “southern strategy” was simply to expose more fans to the game. The financial success will follow (at some point… right?) but it was never a short term financial goal.
DAL did an amazing job growing youth hockey in the Dallas area and you’re seeing more competitive hockey coming from Texas. The US WJC team has had players from Southern CA and even Las Vegas in the last couple years (and so did the Spokane Chiefs when they won the Memorial Cup). I wish I could find the article but I read some quotes by a CHL scout that said that CA would be the hockey hotbed in the US within the next decade. That has to be seen as a success of the southern strategy, right?
And I think it’s also disingenuous (to say the least) to ignore the role that PHX’s horrible lease deal has had on their financial situation. It’s not a simple matter of “they can’t get fans to go to games.” Bad management and/or bad arena deals are almost always behind the struggling financial teams, regardless of geography. EDM, CGY, and OTT have all had recent financial troubles, but nobody would ever conclude that it’s because of the geography.
Thanks for coming by to respond though. I do appreciate it. I just disagree with the entire way the Canadian media has framed the PHX/southern strategy issue so I was disappointed to see that line from you.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
I don’t know if that’s entirely true. The southern teams aren’t all as financially sound as the NHL would have hoped, but I think that a large part of the "southern strategy" was simply to expose more fans to the game. The financial success will follow (at some point… right?) but it was never a short term financial goal.
True enough. But even on that note, if you went back in time and told Gary Bettman what the national TV picture looked like in 2010 he’d probably hang himself.
When all this started, the NHL a distant #4 in the “big four” sports and looking for a way to move up. In 1994 they had SI declaring them ready to pass the NBA. Fast forward to now — they’re not even in the discussion any more.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 9, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s true, but I’d be willing to bet that two “work stoppages” had more to do with the failure of the NHL to advance in terms of US popularity than the southern strategy did. It’s in the best interest of the NHL for hockey to be a popular sport in America. All of America. Not just the Northeast and upper-Midwest. Without the southern strategy we’d still have the lockouts and the attendant TV problems, but the NHL would still be irrelevant to most of the country. Obviously that last line is begging for a pithy comeback, but the reality is that there is more interest in hockey in California and Texas now than there was 15 years ago. Those two states alone make the strategy pretty successful, IMO, and if they could get FLA that would be the cherry on top. I’m not sure how much you follow American athletics, but TX, FL, and CA are three of the highest athlete-producing states in the country; especially for football, which seems to be the most natural sport for the NHL to pull fans from.
Could it have been done better? Yes. Is Gary Bettman an ass? Yes. Does that mean the southern strategy has been a failure or was a bad idea? No.
Personally I think there are two serious problems facing the NHL, neither of which are directly tied to franchise location. The first is that there aren’t enough quality owners to run all the teams. The second is that the NHLPA is in shambles, but that’s irrelevant to this conversation. I think if we had competent ownership groups in FLA, TBL, ATL, and PHX there would be a lot less complaining about the southern strategy.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
That’s true, but I’d be willing to bet that two "work stoppages" had more to do with the failure of the NHL to advance in terms of US popularity than the southern strategy did.
I’d argue that the biggest failure of Bettman et al was their complete inability to react to the drop is scoring and excitement after the mid-90s. It took them over a decade to react in any meaningful way, and even then it was with baby steps. That’s a whole generation of potential fans lost to dull, plodding hockey.
Then again, I couldn’t figure out a way to blame any of that on Kerry Fraser. So I went with the southern markets thing.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 9, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh. There’s a lot of truth to your point. We could pick apart Bettman’s tenure all day long. Inability to apply even punishment standards. Fixing games for PIT. Not figuring out how to force CI to carry more HD. Not figuring out how to schedule the playoffs so that people can watch more than 2 games a night. You’ll never get me to stick up for Bettman, but the southern strategy is low on his fuck up list.
And obviously Kerry Fraser singlehandedly led to all NHL refs ignoring blatant penalties, whether it be high sticking or interference.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
SE teams not located in Washington are ranked in attendance 20, 23, 25, and 28. I don’t think this is an anomaly.
If you've read this far...seek help.
No but I don’t see how that negates my point. Those teams haven’t even had a generation of fans yet. It’s too soon to make any conclusive judgments on the merits of those markets.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Two have won Stanley Cups, another has been to a Final. It hasn’t helped
If you've read this far...seek help.
None of them built stable teams. You can’t expect a whole lot when you follow up your Cup performances with two straight non-playoff years. CAR is the only one that isn’t in some sort of ownership or arena mess.
Plenty of teams that have won Cups have gone on to have attendance woes. Each of the last two Cup champs have had their own attendance issues in recent years. How would people be talking about NYI if they weren’t far enough north to count as a traditional hockey market?
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Their attendance was much better around the times when they won those Cups, so it did help, just not in the long term. It’s not really different from markets like Boston and Chicago that had terrible attendance until recently when the teams got good.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 10, 2010 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions
FanShot pointing to a must-read from the NYT
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
getting through it now. So far, WOW.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Bruce Boudreau, a likable, schlubby, moon-faced man who is in many ways the epitome of old-time Canadian hockey culture — a lifer who spent most of his career until then playing and then coaching in the minors, where he was sometimes known as Dirt, for his lack of hygiene
Who you callin’ “schlubby?”
If you've read this far...seek help.
Love that he calls a “suite” a “suit”.
Great read.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
et tu, NYT?
For every player like Sergei Federov, who became a mainstay of the great Detroit Red Wings
Oh well. Great ink for Alec….
Jag antar parader är cool.
I.M.G., the huge sports, entertainment and media company that also represents superstars like Tiger Woods and Maria Sharapova, seems to think that Ovechkin, with his personableness, his intelligence, his oddball glamour (not so much Crosby-wholesome as slightly Eurotrashy) is an exception, with the potential to break out of hockey’s traditional, limited niche and become an international star like Yao Ming or Ichiro Suzuki. When I visited I.M.G.’s New York offices, an entire room was dedicated to building "brand Ovechkin." Whiteboards were covered with lists apparently resulting from brainstorming sessions discussing Ovechkin’s "mythology" and "iconography."
These are guys whose existence depends on their making the right marketing bets. Get the feeling the NHL should learn something from this?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Dunno. I have been supremely unimpressed with IMG’s handling of “Brand Ovechkin.” They announced the partnership the morning of November 1, then that evening he got hurt in the Columbus game. IMG was nowhere to be found in either of his suspensions, and they IMO left him hung out to dry in Vancouver, and “Brand Ovechkin” got more than a bit dented.
I’m not arguing that AO needs ‘handlers’ or PR flacks hanging about and telling him what to do (not that he could be told) , but I didn’t see anyone providing guidance to him in these matters and mostly just his coach and Caps PR sticking up for him, from the other side of the continent.
Not. Impressed.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Best Link of the Season
I loved reading this piece. Thank you. It takes the NYT to craft such a well-balanced article on our Ovi, while we get the regurgitated pulp by Wilbon and Wise. Thank goodness for Tarik at WaPo.
My favorite line: “There are now so many celebrated Ovie goals on YouTube that connoisseurs can argue over them like stamp collectors comparing the 1840 British Penny Black, say, with the 1868 Franklin Z-Grill.”
by capsyoungguns on Apr 9, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
ok, who else laughed when they read this, and really want it to happen? From Puck Daddy‘s afternoon clips:
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly will present Alex Ovechkin with the Presidents’ Trophy in a pregame ceremony at center ice. Ovechkin will then strap a metal chain around it and wear it like a medallion, causing Don Cherry to ignite his television on fire … with his mind.
but, come on, we all know Semin’s the Russian with the bigger bling
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Didn’t AO buy Sasha his bling, though?
Or was that for Green?
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 9, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Deputy Commissioner?
Is that because Bettman knows he’d be boooed off the ice if he set foot in Washington, DC?
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
PENALTY EQUALITY NOW!!!
NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!!
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Because it’s the Presidents’ Trophy. It’s a milestone on the way to bigger and better things.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 9, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Tons of Caps love on the tops of the season. BMos in between his legs goal on Miller at 8th best goal of the year, Ovechkin on King Henry at no 3. The OT-lose to Phily as the 4rth best game of the season, and then Ovechkin’s hat trick comeback agianst the Pens as the best. The comeback without Ovechkin on Chicago as the 5th best comeback victory of the season.
Great year for the Caps, and to self promote myself check out my fanshot where I make Caps centric versions of the “Memories Will be Made – What If” nhl commercials.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
I just watched the best saves one, and man, did I see Detroit get robbed 5 times? Wow.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 9, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Ponikarovsky suspended two games.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Yea, he was ejected from the game for boarding. Really really stupid when they were up 7-3 in the game.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
And now he’s not available to the Pens in their two remaining regular season games. Sorry, poniboy!
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Video on puck daddy.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I’m just shocked that a Penguin was called, let alone suspended, for anything.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Seriously? Errey is blaming that on the turn? More evidence for J.P.‘s Rorschach theory of NHL violence. I mean, technically Bailey may have been turning, but Poni was looking at the numbers the whole time. The turn didn’t really factor into it.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Errey’s an idiot. But you knew that.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 9, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bailey was trying to make a play with the puck and was ridden into the boards. This wasn’t a case of a player having already moved the puck and then turning into the boards to draw a penalty
If you've read this far...seek help.
More hullabaloo around Kabanov.
Definitely do not want him in the first round. But part of me hopes this drama around him to keep building so he hopefully falls to the third round. I’m not too confident that it will, and it would totally suck for him, but it could be another steal for the Caps.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
“I removed him from the team because we thought Kabanov would help us, but he brought only confusion to the team,” Vasiliev told Sovietsky Sport. “Kabanov came and thought ‘Here I am, a star from Canada, who will save all.’ But it’s the team that wins rather than an individual player.”
This makes him sound like a primadonna, but given Russia’s hockey management it could just as plausibly mean “Kabanov came back from North America and refused to buy back into Russian style hockey”.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 9, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Or what his agent said: the KHL is treating him as an object lesson in what happens when you buck the system.
Or, he could be another Russian diva.
Definitely would not pay a first round price to find out, though.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Maybe GMDP gambles on him to lure Radulov back in the fold and since we have Grebeshkov???
Nah.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
No more Fighting Sioux? Such a terrible decision. Does anyone else remember something about Engelstad making a term of the lease for the arena that UND keep the “Fighting” part of their name? I though I read something where the arena was leased for $1 a year but the lease went to market value if they changed the name.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
I remember hearing that as well. I believe he put the terms into his will. He also had Fighting Sioux logos built into everything in the arena, so good luck getting those out.
Very disappointed that UND caved and is changing their name. Just another example of why the NCAA is a terrible organization.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 9, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Jeff Carter is playing tonight. That was quick (too quick?).
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Philly needs a point to lock up the playoffs, so you gotta pull out all the stops.
But not ideal, I would say. Hopefully he doesn’t reinjure it.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Would you rather play the Rags or Flyers?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
So in that sense you’re glad Carter’s back.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I dunno. Rags sweeping PHI out of the playoffs would be nice.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
I kind of like the way Philly matches up with NJD and BUF, so I’m hoping they get to the 7 or 6 seed, with a chance to eliminate one of those teams. The Rags would fold like preacher in a card game if they get one of those teams.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Me, too.
Then Boston, then Philly, then Montreal.
I’d rather face a mediocre-to-bad set of skaters with a good goalie than Philly or Montreal.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Frankovic is a homer... or just bad
As for Green, I find it mind boggling that he is not running away with the Norris. It seems the only reason is because some guys named Yzerman and Armstrong, who have spent the vast majority of their management careers watching Western Conference teams, didn’t pick #52 for the Canadian Olympic team. Others point to #52’s disappointing 2009 post season but they seem to forget the guy played with an illness and a separated shoulder. His two main competitors appear to be Duncan Keith of Chicago and Drew Doughty of Los Angeles, and both played for the Gold Medal winning Team Canada in the Olympics. Keith, who gets the benefit of being paired with Brent Seabrook on a nightly basis, has had a super year but his numbers, in more games, are still below #52’s. Doughty, who is just in his second year in the NHL, has been really good but he is 17 points behind Green and he is +19 while the man Boudreau calls "the One Man Breakout" is +35.
Doughty’s a +19 on a team that’s +21. For him to not be able to see why Green is not a slam dunk for the Norris makes me doubt whether this guy watches hockey.
Sometimes “I find it mind boggling” how these guys get their jobs.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 9, 2010 4:57 PM EDT reply actions
lol x2
It seems the only reason is because some guys named Yzerman and Armstrong, who have spent the vast majority of their management careers watching Western Conference teams, didn’t pick #52 for the Canadian Olympic team.
Fail. Olympic snub does not an NHL season make.
Keith, who gets the benefit of being paired with Brent Seabrook on a nightly basis
Epic fail. Its the other way around, Frankovic. Keith makes Seabrook look good. I’m assuming he’s only watched one Hawks game this year?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Well I think he agrees with you on the first part. His complaint is that so many people look at Doughty and Keith making the Olympics and Green didn’t so they say “well they must be better.” Can you say he’s wrong?
Keith does make Seabrook better, but Seabrook is a pretty damn good wing man. I love me some Schultz but this year Green/Seabrook would have made a better pair than Green/Schultz and definitely better than Green/Shamo (which was the first half of the season).
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
I don’t think Seabrook is a bad player. I just don’t think its a case of ‘Keith getting to play with him’. He’s certainly not Ryan Suter.
As for the OLY thing, I think its bullshit people give the Olympics any bearing whatsoever on anything to do with the NHL. Just compare Green and Keith’s NHL body of work by itself.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Stamkos can't win the Richard because he didn't make the Olympics!!!!1
I agree, and I think he does too. But you know people are.
I don’t think he was saying Seabrook makes Keith, just that Keith has an advantage in playing with another great D.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
I love how that guy points out that almost half of Green’s points are on the PP, but ignores the fact that all those PP points make his huge +/- all the more impressive. He also points out that Chicago is great defensively while the Caps aren’t while again ignoring the implications for each players’ relative +/- numbers.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 10, 2010 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions
For him to not be able to see why Green is not a slam dunk for the Norris makes me doubt whether this guy watches hockey.
Then you clearly don’t read him very often. Ed regularly brings great insight and knowledge to his recaps. You can disagree with him that Green is a slam dunk, but I think your criticism goes too far. He and Corey are far and away the best Caps journalists.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Yeah, but even you can see the Green/Norris argument is a little faulty, right?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I think Green should win the Norris this year. I just don’t think it’s a slam dunk.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
I’m not categorically opposed to him winning. But I don’t think he’s a lock like Tippett is for the Adams, either.
Which team suffers more without Green and Keith, the Hawks or Caps? I’d have to say the Caps, because the drop off to Jeff Schultz is a lot greater than the drop off to Seabrook/Campbell/Johnsson.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Insight is something I rarely read from either of those guys. Great quotes, specialty pieces, run of the mill journalism, sure. Link something they’ve written that made you rethink a conception you had of something caps related. Not trying to be a dick, I’m actually curious. I will give him a chance.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 9, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Insight is something I rarely read from either of those guys.
And given your stance on what constitutes analysis or insight that’s not going to change my mind one bit.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 9, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
I’m sorry if I favor articles based in statistical analysis that I haven’t see before, thoughts that others haven’t written about 1000 times, and objectivity when writing about hometown issues.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 9, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Potentially a homer, but not bad.
He watches (and has watched) plenty of hockey, as his bio will attest.
He understands the game, and I have to agree with him that the numberical case for Green’s Norris candidacy is overwhelming. The card the naysayers have been playing rests almost entirely on a “my eyes tell me he’s a bad defender” type of argument.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Just finished ranking the top 50 +/- NHL players for my Trade Value column. That was fun.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Haha. I have him ahead of Mike Green, for sure.
Green is ahead of Daniel Sedin and behind Ilya Bryzgalov, while Semin is with Jeff Carter and Tobias Enstrom. I’ll leave no’s. 1-4 up in the air as to create suspense ;).
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
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