Thursday Caps Clips: What If?
by J.P. on May 6, 2010 6:43 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Interesting question - if the Caps and Habs had to play their series over again, who wins? [BtN]
- Grades from Professor Masisak are in for the Caps forwards and defensemen. [CSN Washington, CSN Washington]
- Brendan Morrison, by the tens. [Peerless]
- Another review of the forwards. [MD Pro Sports]
- If I'd have guessed which Cap made the list of "Playoff Shining Stars and Choke Artists"... I'd have at least had the first name right. [Puck Prospectus]
- In defense of Bruce Boudreau. [Dump n' Chase]
- The team feels bad for letting down the city. Don't take it so hard, fellas - this city's plenty used to being let down. [Bog, Bog]
- What went wrong and where to go from here. [Inside Hockey]
- And the Caps Selke goes to... well, not the guy I would've picked. [RtR]
- Some draft deets. [CI]
- Five questions the Caps must answer this summer. [Homer McFanboy]
- A few words from Alex Ovechkin and his old man. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- C-A-P-P-S Capps! Capps! Capps! [Bog]
- Hey, the Caps are still winning... sorta. But not really. Cool story anyway. [Bog]
- Finally, happy 60th birthday to Bob Gryp.
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Georges Laraque is elected President of Haiti, and in a backroom deal, along with representatives in Washington who want to see more success in the nation’s capital, convinces Gary Bettman to nullify the Canadiens first round win over the Capitals. You’ve got $1000 of your beer money to bet on the series. Who who do you put your money on if I offer you even odds? All rosters the same, Markov uninjured.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Has the first series already happened in this scenario?
To be honest, I don’t have a lot of faith in our coaching staff to actually adjust to MTL, even though they were insanely lucky (and we insanely unlucky), but I think the whole “luck” thing has me thinking DC this time. I just don’t think that whole “perfect storm” thing could happen again.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 6:54 AM EDT up reply actions
You want to talk what ifs. What if the Caps had got through the first round and played the Flyers who are turning out to be the frauds everyone thought they were? One week later and it ain’t getting any better.
Related: must make the Devs feel pretty super about themselves.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Do you think part of that was not being able to solve Boucher? Or the fact that he played a great series, similar to Halak against the Caps? Now that Boucher has been outted as the career back-up he’s been pretty much his entire career, I wonder if Devs fans have similar feelings that Caps fans do. What if?
I dunno – didn’t watch much of NJ/PHI.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Philly was just a bad matchup for NJ. They have the top end D to neutralize NJ’s few scoring threats and protect Boucher, and they have the offensive depth to give the Devils D trouble. And they just seem to have Brodeur’s number.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
PHI’s kind of walking wounded with Carter and Gagne too. If they weren’t around that whole series I doubt the Flyers get by the Devils.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
I think in a lot of ways, that lost could be considered to be just as bad, if not worse than the Caps loss to Montreal.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
/that loss
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think so. A lot more people saw that upset coming and the talent disparity is way way smaller between NJ and PHI, despite the standings points. Everyone knew Philly had a ton of talent, it was just a matter of whether they could put it all together.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
But I will agree that it’s a worse omen for NJ than it is for the Caps. The Caps’ window is still open, but another first round exit is confirming that the era of Brodeur dominance is at an end (at least in the post season). NJ looks like it needs a much more overhaul than do the Caps.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s why I think its worse. When you’re looking at a team that’s getting to be, if not already at, the end of a line/window, its pretty sobering to sit there and admit that major, immediate changes are going to be needed very, very soon.
And Sweet Lou will be 68 years old in October…he’s no spring chicken.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Lou is overrated as a post-lockout GM. He can cobble together teams that do well in the regular season, but I’m becoming more and more convinced that he doesn’t have what it takes to build a legitimate contender anymore. The game may have passed him by.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, much like its going to hit Detroit hard in the next year or two, you just can’t add pieces at the deadline any longer like you used to. In the world of the salary cap, you actually have to start building an organization, and not grab either fading stars or big time guys at the deadline to put you over the top.
At some point, everyone has to rebuild. Both of those teams have been contenders every year for close to the last 20 years, and you just can’t do that any longer. Its why the salary cap system was invented, and why it works. The talent is more distributed evenly among teams.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
See I don’t think Detroit is in the same position. They are no longer replenishing their system with older stars like they did in the late 90s/early 200s, they are restocking through the draft. They may not be as dominant as they have been, but I don’t see them dropping off nearly as much as NJ in the next few years. NJ is fucked when Brodeur retires.
Plus, Holland seems to have a better idea of how to build a successful team in the post-lockout world. The trap simply isn’t as effective anymore, and in reality it was only so effective in NJ because they had a world-class D corps to implement it. The drafting and team identity that Holland has imposed is more suited for current NHL than Lou’s overwhelming emphasis on lockdown defense and mistake free hockey.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
But that team is OLD. I believe them and NJ are the oldest teams in the NHL, and all their big stars, like Datsyuk, Franzen, and Zetterberg are 30, 29, and 28, and those guys all have either a ton of miles on them already, or seem to get hurt every single year (Franzen).
Detroit’s average age is 30.3. And who do they start replacing the golden oldies with? This is a team that hasn’t drafted anyone good in the first round since Yzerman. Seriously. Go look it up.
The only teams that lost more games than Grand Rapids this year were Adirondack and Springfield.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a team that hasn’t drafted anyone good in the first round since Yzerman.
And on the other hand they just keep winning despite that. They develop players as well as anyone else and 28-30 is really not that old. Sure, they may not dominate the west as they had but I don’t think they are poised for a NJD style collapse either.
I waited all year for this?
They develop players as well as anyone else and 28-30 is really not that old
Most hockey players peak in their late 20s. Those guys are either there, or past it.
And it doesn’t seem to me like they’re developing players all that well. Their AHL team stinks. The Walleye barely made the playoffs, and half of that team is Chicago’s. They’ve struck gold a few times in the past, yes, but i’m just not convinced in this day and age you can keep dealing draft picks for older veterans at the deadline cosistently and still win. Its just not that type of game any longer.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
And if you’re just good enough to barely make the playoffs every year, but not good enough to contend for a Cup, you risk sliding into that whole “perpetual mediocrity” thing. They needed a massive surge this year just to MAKE the playoffs.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
But they didn’t sneak in as an 8. They were still a 5. They weren’t as bad as you make them out to be and you’re ignoring the injuries that killed them early in the year.
I’m not putting too much stock in the AHL team not being good. Different organizations take different approaches. HER has dominated but that hasn’t translated to the NHL. Teams like the Kings and the Blues routinely get ranked among the best prospect pools but their AHL teams aren’t anything special. I’d be interested to see how AHL success correlates to NHL success.
I waited all year for this?
I find it interesting Nashville’s AHL team performs almost exactly as our NHL team.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
The Capitals just finished one of the best regular seasons in NHL history. That’s not a coincidence.
Detroit also had to go on an absolutely crazy run after the Olympics. They finished with 102 points. Nashville, in 7th, finished with 100.
Also, Manchester (LA’s affiliate) is one win away from finishing off Worcester to advance to the Conference Finals.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
FUCK I wished we finished ahead of the Wings.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I’m not sure what your point is. DET has been one of the best teams in the league for 15 years now. They did it before Hank and Datsyuk then got old and people said “is this it?” Then Hank and Datsyuk came up and they stayed awesome. Now you’re falling into the same trap.
DET is always good. It’s not a coincidence.
I waited all year for this?
i’m just not convinced in this day and age you can keep dealing draft picks for older veterans at the deadline cosistently and still win.
That hasn’t been how Detroit worked for a while.
And yes, they needed a surge late to make it in – but that’s because they dealt with a freakish amount of injuries in the first half of the season. And they still ended up with a 100 pt season. The need for the surge has just as much to do with the West being awesome (the 7th seed had 100pts!) as it does the slow start. They look like they are done now, but I don’t think anyone really thought that they weren’t good enough to contend for a Cup this year.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Correlation there of injuries to age?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope. Lidstrom (39 years old) and Bertuzzi (35) played 82 games. Filppula (25) played 55. Kronwall (28) played 48. Draper and Rafalski played 81 and 78 games. Ericsson played 62.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well regarding the drafting, DET has drafted Sillinger, Primeau, Lapointe, Jiri Fischer and Kronwall in the first round. Maybe not superstars, but they are getting good players, and often from low first round picks. And I pointed this out in another thread recently, but DET went from 2001-2004 with no 1st round picks, and since then have only had 3. And of those 3 two are supposed to be good D prospects and the third is a goalie, so it’s not surprising they haven’t had an impact yet.
Regarding their age, they are older but it’s not like Datsyuk, Franzen and Zetterberg are washed up – they all have at least a few good years left to give time for Holland to find replacements. Plus they have consistently been able to find younger guys to step in (all three of those guys did a good job of replacing all the old fogies of the previous teams). Guys like Filpula, Helm, and Abdelkader are all young and promising (they also had Hudler, losing him hurts a bit), and then they have Kronwall and Ericsson on D. I don’t know much about their prospect pool, but it’s ranked 15th on HF, so I guess it’s not completely bare. Plus they got Howard and a couple other good prospects in goal for the future.
Contrast that with NJ, who aside from Parise and Zajac has not been able to develop any top end talent for years, and already traded away two of their best prospects in Bergfors and Cormier. Their core is the two young guys then a lot of guys who are in their mid-30s and/or just not top line guys – Elias, Zubrus, Langenbrunner, Rolston. Their D is very underwhelming, as Lou has never been able to replace the Scotts or Rafalski. And as I mentioned, they are fucked when Brodeur leaves. It doesn’t seem like NJ has anything on the horizon to replace their age, at least not as much as Detroit does (NJ is ranked 26th on HF).
Detroit is not only in better shape than NJ, but Holland has shown a much greater ability to continuously build his team and replace talent than has Lou. Detroit has been successful for so long in part by getting older stars, but also by drafting and developing players as well as any other team in the league. Lou got a world class goalie and defense in the mid 90s and then rode that as long as could. Unfortunately (for him) that ride is coming to an end and he hasn’t done much to show that he can adjust to that.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You may not have heard, but Hudler’s coming back nextg year.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Interesting. Well that only reinforces my claim that DET is in much better long term shape than NJ.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Aaaand now we’re all even happier GMGM didn’t trade for Kovalchuk…
by Danny Burrito on May 6, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Wasn’t really his fault. Dude had 6 points in 5 games.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Related: Can we all recognize that match-ups are at least as important as roster and regular season performance now?
I waited all year for this?
Given that regular season means dick, yes, though that’s a low bar.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The larger question for Ovechkin to ponder this summer is why Crosby's team has outlasted his in each of their major encounters
It ain’t rocket science… where is the Caps’ version of Max Talbot (both goals in the Game 7 Cup clincher)? Of Evgeni Malkin (the Conn Smythe winner and best player for the Pens in last year’s Caps/Pens series)? Of Jonathan Toews (the best player for Team Canada in Vancouver)?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Malkin deservedly won the Conn Smythe, but I definitely wouldn’t go as far as to say he was the best player for the Pens in the Caps/Pens series. I know stats aren’t everything, but I would give that honor to a Mr. Crosby; who ate the Caps alive just as much as Ovechkin ate the Pens.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 6, 2010 6:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Because the Pens have the best group of centers in the entire NHL?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, I would definitely point to that as a reason for their success.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 6, 2010 6:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Because the Pens have the best group of centers in the entire NHL?
Which is why job #1 for McPhee this summer is finding a solid, proven second line center who isn’t a reclamation project. It seems apparent that the Caps will never get through the east without someone who can go against Crosby, Malkin or Staal.
I don’t think it’s even with an eye on PIT that the Caps need an upgrade at 2C – they didn’t have good enough 2nd-line centers to get through Montreal. Broken record and all, but it is the number one area of concern this offseason.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well, that, and we need someone who can actually get us to the point to where we can go against Crosby, Malkin, and Staal
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Broken record and all, but it is the number one area of concern this offseason./blockquote>
Yup. For all the talk of “the caps have bad goaltending” (not true) and “need a shutdown defenseman”, this has to be addressed first and foremost. Before anything. Yesterday.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions
WTF is going on with me and quotes today??!!!
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions
OK throwing this out there
Who would be available for a package of Flash and pick (preferably 2d round, but would consider upgrading to a 1st) or Flash and one of the younger Hershey forwards (Gordon, Jourdry, etc)?
And I’d like reasonable answers when I ask available. And do you think GMGM would pull off such a trade for a 2C?
A danger to myself and others on the ice
I thought this was a brilliant plan from a terribly handsome dude.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
http://www.japersrink.com/2010/5/4/1457242/who-do-you-want-from-the
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
You know I did read that
the day you posted it, and I kind of like the idea of trading for Sharp. But he can’t be the only guy out there.
A danger to myself and others on the ice
I don’t really know, but I do know that we don’t have a 2nd round pick either this year or next year due to the Corvo and Belanger pickups.
We don’t have any 2nd round picks until like 2012 based on this year’s trades right?
Uh...yeah...Let's gets that Calder Cup!!!!
Correct – this year’s 2nd went for Belanger, next year’s for Corvomit.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 6, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
MATT LOMBARDI
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Malkin wasn’t the best player against the Caps last playoff, Crosby was. Malkin however, was the best player against Carolina and Detroit (esp. in Game 7 where Sid was hurt…)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Malkin was not the best player against the Red Wings, especially not in Game 7.
Crosby lead the league in goals last post-season, and other than the Carolina series (where Malkin completely dominated) I think Sid was — as usual — the most consistent and best player on the ice.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
Two straight years Zetterberg took him out of the finals. Without the rest of that team stepping up the Pens don’t win last year. You can’t act like Sid put them on his back and carried them.
And if PIT faces CHI in the SCF this year it’ll be a third straight year Sid is taken out of the finals by an elite two-way center.
I waited all year for this?
Hmmm, BMo definitely had a hot start and tailed off, but the tailing was not quite as significant as I thought it was (or as it seemed to be). Though it was still a rather significant drop.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
Two goals in his last 37 games. You just can’t get that low a production level out of the player who is nominally your number two center. That position is the Caps’ biggest hole, and unless McPhee has a rabbit up his sleeve, it will be their biggest hole next year. For all the firepower the Caps have, they might have the weakest group of centers, collectively, of any “contender” in teh NHL. And if folks think Mathieu Perreault is going to drop into that slot and somehow solve the problem in 2010-2011, I think they’re dreaming.
Here’s one for you. If you leave Brooks Laich out of the equation, the Caps have NO centers from this year’s parent roster under contract for 2011-2012, except David Steckel.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Like I said, significant. At the time of the final half of the season it felt like negative production (or at least literally none). I guess it’s one of those “you’re never as good or bad as a streak says you are” things.
And the Caps’ center issues are terrible, to say the least.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 6, 2010 7:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Further to that point, if you look at 50-point C’s from this past regular season, the Caps had one. Totals, by team:
ANA (2)
ATL (2)
BOS (2, not included: Savard)
BUF (2)
CAR (2)
CBJ (2)
CGY (0, not included: Jokinen or Stajan)
CHI (2)
COL (2)
DAL (2)
DET (1)
EDM (0)
FLA (2)
LAK (1)
MIN (1)
MTL (2)
NJD (1)
NSH (0)
NYI (1)
NYR (1)
OTT (2)
PHI (3)
PHX (1)
PIT (2, not included: Staal w/ 49)
SJS (3)
STL (1)
TBL (2)
TOR (1, not included: Stajan)
VAN (2)
Admittedly, the 50-point cutoff is arbitrary and there are guys included here who probably aren’t full-time centers (and others not included who are), but it does look, to the surprise of no one, as if there was a rather gaping 2C hole that was never properly addressed.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 6, 2010 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
And if folks think Mathieu Perreault is going to drop into that slot and somehow solve the problem in 2010-2011, I think they’re dreaming.
Tp that point, if anyone would feel comfortable pitting MP against the likes of Crosby, Malkin or Staal, raise your hand. Didn’t think so. Perrault needs another season in Hershey and about 10 more pounds of muscle before he can play regularly in the NHL.
I’m not quite there with you on the Pens fetish. If the Caps’ D’s can handle Sid, Geno and Staal, a guy like Perreault can do his thing. If the Caps’ D’s can’t handle them, it doesn’t make much difference who the 2C is.
That said, I can’t envision it being Perreault next year.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I want to believe he’s the guy, but I need to see him up here more before I can really get behind that notion.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions
If that happens, I will eat my hat. And then throw it at the TV.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
If that happens, I will eat my hat. And then throw it at the TV.
I’m not gonna ask how that happens…. in that specific order.
by Scofield on May 6, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If that happens, I will eat my hat. And then throw it at the TV.
Phillies fan, are ya?
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on May 6, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t know if it’s a fetish as much as it is an obsession. That team haunts me in my dreams. Imagine if you could pair the Pens centers with the Caps wingers?
4and a half goals a period!
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
Does that leave Backstrom centering Kunitz and Geurin?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’d still leave Ovechkin and Backstrom together. I think Crosby/Laich/Semin would be a better fit.
Or just for shits and giggles…Ovechkin/Malkin/Semin?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Love that Chimera/Staal/Fehr line though
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
well, the original idea was Pittsburgh’s centers and Washington’s wings. If we Boudreau’d it (making the fourth line the “third” checking line), Backstrom gets to center Chimera and Fehr, and Staal gets Bradley and Gordon (or maybe Fleischmann?)
If you've read this far...seek help.
While we are at it, what if we combine the Caps’ regular season with the Pens’ post season?
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I can imagine Perreault handling Sid and Geno and Staal. Just not dominant-style Sid and Geno and Staal who use size/body to their advantage.
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 May 6, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Finally, happy 60th birthday to Bob Gryp.
And a shout out to his wife Polly and the kids, Iron and Vise.
Seriously, though… -24 in 27 games in 74-75? Good heavens that team was bad.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Don’t forget his Chinese cousin Kung Fu.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And his brother, NoSlip
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Not really a fan of his uncle The though.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions
So how long until a lurker joins the site with a punny Gryp user name?
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Ovechkin Gryps Semin?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Gryp Ovechkin’s Semin?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
His father went by the name of Death.
His old man also had a sister, Getta.
by EmilyB on May 6, 2010 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And that was only the 12th-worst per-game +/- on the team.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
back in the day, caps players would sign autographs after warm ups and sometimes between periods as they left the ice. i’m am the proud owner of an original bob gryp autograph. still have it (and not in a shoebox by my desk). in the back of my first hocky book “Tough Guys of Pro Hockey”.
proud to have the signature of a guy with such a distinguished career. wore three numbers in two years as a cap…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Richards took out Krejci? Hearing its a clean hit, but man…that’s two guys Richards has wrecked this year for considerable amounts of time. Where’s the questions about his “style of play”?
I guess I just forgot he’s a good Canadian boy for a second…
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:01 AM EDT reply actions
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I have no problem with that hit. That was the Jagr hit all over again, only with less spectacular air.
by DrinkingPartner on May 6, 2010 7:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah…DK had his head down…no question.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I definitely thought you just said Donkey Kong, at first.
by DrinkingPartner on May 6, 2010 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha….only if he’d been hit by Billy Mitchell instead of Richards.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Ugh, no thanks, then we’d get a whole fucking book and movie about how awesome it was. Christ, were those annoying.
by DrinkingPartner on May 6, 2010 7:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Except when AO hit Jagr AO’s team scored. When Richards hit Kreijci Kreijci’s team scored. My only problem with the hit is that it was stupid because it took Richards out of position, but it was clean. Secondary problem with the hit: just fucking paves the road for PIT. Could they be any luckier? Holy Fuck. OTT with no Michalek or Kovalev. MON with no Markov. BOS with no Kreijci or Sturm. FML.
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on May 6, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And Jordan Staal and his magical healing tendon. (Which will give him trouble for the next two seasons ’cos it will never heal properly.)
Did Pittsburgh pull a Chicago/Brian Campbell there?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I don’t know. Just seems to be a rash of people returning in ridiculous short amounts of time.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I watched the game last night. Pittsburgh (or with any luck, Montreal, but I kind of doubt it) is thanking Richards for that. Richards is a frickin’ idiot. Sure, he made the big hit and injured the guy, but, gee, didn’t keep Boston from scoring on that play. Gave Boston the momentum in the game. Threre’s a guy I’d like to see someone do some damage to.
Sig temporarily on hiatus to ease the pain.
It was almost the epitome of everything wrong with the Flyers. Richards sells out and kills a guy at one end, while the other team is going back down the other end and putting one away.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve said it before: at the behest of their fanbase, the Flyers are a team that would rather be tough than win the Cup.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
by D'ohboy on May 6, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wonder if, at the behest of their fanbase, the Caps are a team that would rather be entertaining than win the Cup.
Unfair and inaccurate , I know. Just the first thought that popped into my head.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I would buy that if it was something that they inherently tried to “force” every single year, but I don’t think that’s happening. Especially since they added relatively “non-entertaining” guys like BMo, Scott Walker, Eric Belanger, Mike Knuble et al. over the last two FA/Deadline periods.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Plausible, actually. And although I disagree with that priority, I can understand why some people would accept 41 entertaining sellout games as opposed to a run of up to 28, with no more than 16 of those at home.
by CapitalCentre on May 6, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I dunno. I could make a strong argument in favor of that. I think I could also argue that there is a strong contingent of Caps fans that would rather be more Russian than win a Cup. Rocking the wrong kind of Red on that one…
I waited all year for this?
We were less Russian this year. But still lost in Round 1. (Okay, we replaced one of our Russians with a guy whose parents and grandparents had lived in the territory of the former Soviet Union; i.e. Knuble, our Canadian/American of Latvian descent.)
No, we don’t want just any Russian. They have to be GOOD Russians who’ll help the team.
Rocking the Red since 1975
They’re pretty much the NHL’s version of the Raiders. Stuck in this mentality and culture built close to 40 years ago in an environment where it can’t and doesn’t work any longer, and they still do it year after year after year. All they need is their own “Commitment to Excellence”.
It almost makes you want to just collectively grab them all and start shaking them…THE 70s ARE OVER!!!!
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions
They don’t lose to Pittsburgh every year
/facepalm
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
So… Boston — a team that is somewhat offense-challenged already (this series notwithstanding) — loses their top scorer from the regular season and third leading scorer of the playoffs. And they have a 3-0 lead on the Flyers.
In Pittsburgh, it’s smiles all around.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Hopefully the Pens start looking forward to their next round opponent and forget about finishing out this one.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
I was saying this to Mrs. YLM last year….I don’t think there’s ever been a team that seems to have gotten so many breaks, and had so many things “just go their way” as Pittsburgh does. Its like they’re shooting craps in Vegas and just keep hitting “7” over and over and over again. At this point, its more of a wonderment to me than something that’s completely and utterly frustrating (although its that too at times)
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Crosby is a winner, pure and simple. His teams find ways to win.
:shrug:
I just think we’re going to have to be the ones to change that.
by DrinkingPartner on May 6, 2010 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Sidney Crosby was born with a horseshoe in his mouth and rainbows coming out of his ass.
It’s not fair.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Did you read the genuflecting article in this week’s Sports Illustrated?
It ruined my evening last night.
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
You read Sports Illustrated?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes. I renew it every year as part of some kid’s magazine drive. Lately, it’s been my own kids’.
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
no, I try and avoid all things involving Sports Illustrated and hockey, unless Steinberg is doing a epic smakedown on Jim Kelley
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I don’t read anything Michael Farber writes (I assume he’s the author). Maybe he’s Sid’s godfather?
Sig temporarily on hiatus to ease the pain.
Yes — it’s Farber. Link below.
If he’s not the godfather, then it’s relation by blood.
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
it’s certainly a rather unholy love affair.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
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Linky link?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Alone at the Top
The title alone is enough to make me gag, even though I have always admitted Crosby is a good player.
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
I know this horse is tired of getting beaten, but at this point I have to grudgingly give Crosby the world’s best player title.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I would just like to see a fair comparison of OV and Crosby against the Habs.
After three games, Crosby has 2 points, no goals, 0 +/-, 5 hits and 0 PIM.
After three games, OV had 5 points, 2 goals, +4, 13 hits and 0 PIM.
Just once — let me see an article that says the Candiens are winning despite Crosby’s disappearance.
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
Won’t happen. Closest you’ll see is something along the lines of “The Habs are showing that their defense and Halak are the real deal – all credit to them” with nary a mention of maybe possibly being wrong about AO “choking.”
(And I know you meant the Pens are winning…)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Just once — let me see an article that says the Candiens are winning despite Crosby’s disappearance.
Crosby hasn’t disappeared though. Last game was a 1-0 win (basically) that the Pens scored a goal on a power-play that Crosby drew and screened the goalie on. He didn’t have a point on the play, but he had a hand in it.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
let’s be honest, though. If any other elite level play had Crosby’s stat line through 3 games, all of hockey would be going “WHY IS HE INVISIBLE?!?!?!”
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I’m not sure about that. People only really question invisibility of superstars when a team’s losing, for the most part.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Agreed.
-Two assists in a winning Game One.
-Nothing in a losing Game Two.
-Having a big influence in the only goal of note in a winning Game Three.
If that’s invisible, I question whether you’re watching the same games I’ve been.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
I’m certainly not – I haven’t watched a single second of hockey since the Caps were eliminated.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Don’t blame either of you, I’d do the same and have in the past.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
Ive watched
just not the Pens. I’ve disliked them for so long it’s become like a polictical affiliation.
Long before Crosby. I disliked Mario and Jagr too. Even having lived there for a long time. Still can’t stand the Pens.
Now the Western Conference games have been a blast to watch.
A danger to myself and others on the ice
Same here. Although, if Boston and MTL end up playing in the Conference Finals, I may check out a game or two.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
ugh, the Bruins-Flyers was on in the bar the other night. It was like torture. And Mr. B has the damn Wings games on.
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He won’t have those on much longer! Huzzah! I
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Thank God.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
seriously. I can’t take the moping for much longer.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
And “nothing in losing Game Two” is incredibly generous. That’s straight out of the Semin Lobby. He was downright bad in Game Two. If by “Nothing” you are referring to his defensive coverage on the first goal, then Ok, he did “nothing.” But his 4 turnovers on one play that led to the nail in the coffin surely wasn’t “nothing.”
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on May 6, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This…is why no one mentions Sid having an abysmal Game 6 against Ottawa. His teammates brought them back and they won the series.
Although somehow if other guys score in Game 7 and Ovie only ends up with 1 assist I bet there is still talk about him not “showing up in the big game”.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on May 6, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
He also had a big hand in Cammalleri’s insurance goal in Game 2. Funny how Ovechkin goes without a shot in Game 1 and we see stories about how he is showing a trend of choking in big games, yet Crosby is a -2 with a bad turnover leading to the game sealing goal and all we hear is “he may not be scoring, but he’s doing all the little things the team needs him to do to win.”
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
my point exactly
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From the article, this seems pretty homoerotic
After the behind-the-net romp with Spezza, Penguins general manager Ray Shero asked Lemieux, the team’s co-owner, “You ever do that with your feet?”
Lemieux replied, “Are you kidding me? With my hips? Nowhere close.”
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh man.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I wonder why Farber hasn’t tried to give him a kiss yet. C’mon Mike….
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I refuse to be assimilated
NO NO NO! I have maintained and continue to do so, that Ovie is still the best player. Crosby is fortunate to be both lucky and talented, lucky to have played for better TEAMS with better coaching.
Now there’s an image I did not need to see this morning. What is he, the offspring of Rainbow Brite and My Little Pony?!
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
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HEY, you said it first!
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
Regarding RtR’s Caps’ Selke Winner. My very first post here at J.R. was the following
Caps finish first in the East.
They have a season record of 5-3 against the Blue Jackets.
Green wins the Norris for improved defensive play and maintained offensive play.
Ovechkin wins Richard and Hart.
Steckel gets the Selke.
Part of that was a joke (I bet you can guess which), and part of it was serious.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
Was that from the prediction thread before the season started? I don’t have the heart to go back and read mine, but I know it did not include losing in the first round.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s from the “Going on Record” thread.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 6, 2010 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Here’s the link if anyone’s interested
I predicted the fans would turn on Eric Fehr, and this:
Nothing surprises me about this team any longer…
I honestly wouldn’t be shocked with anything that happens this year, whether it be a first round failure or winning the entire thing.
Who knows with this team any more….I’m just gonna enjoy the ride/blockquote>
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions
What player will uninformed fans turn on next?
If we remove “uninformed” from the criteria, I would say Poti wins the scapegoat award for the regular season and Flash wins it for the post season. My thinking when I posed the question was that a player would unfairly receive a Schultzian level of criticism, but I feel there were perfectly valid critiques of all the scapegoats this season. Poti, Sloan, Flash, Semin… Regardless, I nominated Clark, so I pretty much fail at my own game.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the Flash stuff started brewing around mid-season. Especially once his offensive game fell in the terlet.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Heh heh….yeah you could say his offensive game was just gone in a Flash…heh heh
/Chip Chipperson’d
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Been using “Flush” since day one… I have never liked him, never will. I just can’t stand looking at him, much less is play…
Sounds like Flush makes your flesh crawl.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL IT’S LIKE HE’S A TOILET, AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT GOES INTO TOILETS, HA HA HA!
"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 May 6, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Those blue hockey puck things?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Like the ones that Mites and Squirts use?
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
10 points in November (14 GP)
12 points in December (13)
15 points in January (15)
12 points the rest of the regular season (25)
1 point in the postseason (7)
Yeah, the wheels came off the wagon.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Wonder how much of that had to do with Ye Olde Olympics?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions
9 points in 25 games (including playoffs) after the Olympics. A 29.5-point season pace. Stellar.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Let’s never play the Olympics again, k?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
lets win three stanley cups before the next olympics and let the boys have fun in sochi…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
In all seriousness, it doesn’t really sound crazy or dumb to me any longer idea that the Pros won’t or shouldn’t play in the Olympics the more I think about it.
The World Junior Tournament is a million times better.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I can’t be convinced that the Olympics aren’t at least partially to blame for some of the Caps’ flatness.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
hasnt seemed to affect the pens or sharks or blackhawks or canucks. those guys had players who played more olympic games than ov, semin and flash….
sorry, its not an excuse…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on May 6, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Tomas Fleischmann isn’t at the level of most of the game’s big stars. And the guy was also coming off a pretty major injury that kept him out for a few monfs. I’m sure he was pretty gassed by the end of the year. Its pretty obvious, though, that there was a massive dropoff in his production before/after the Olympics, and it seems to not be a coincidence.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
And Ovechkin was expected to carry Russia straight to gold. Again, you can’t convince me that the Olympic failure didn’t affect his play.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
I’ll say this: if it DID affect his play, thats a problem IMO.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
From his perspective, as much as he cares about the Olympics (enough to go to Sochi in 2014 regardless of what the league does), and how devastatingly bad they went out against Canada, its tough not to argue that affected him a lot.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
It certainly could have, but I don’t think thats a good thing. These are separate instances and you can’t afford to let a tournament exclusive of the NHL affect your mindset in the NHL.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I think in a lot of ways its more important to him than the Stanley Cup.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it can be chalked up to coincidence, or at least a trend. In the past 3 seasons (his only “full” seasons) he has scored a lot more in Oct-Jan than in Feb-June. Composite numbers for the 3 seasons:
38g, 45a, 83pts in 133 games pre feb (per-games rates of .29, .34, and .63)
17g, 23a, 40pts in 106 games post feb including playoffs (per-game .16, .22, and .38)
That would seem like it points to conditioning, no?
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Coach BB is notorious for giving Ovie longer than usual shifts in order to help him achieve his personal goals of most goals and points. It obviously didn’t work this past season, but could the cumulative effect of bad time management be behind Ovies’ drop off in numbers in the latter part of the season?
He didn’t even play much in the Olympics. He already sucked by then. Lubos Bartecko was higher on the depth chart than Flash for Team CZE. Lubos Bartecko!
I waited all year for this?
Who???
I was hoping to see Erat and Fleischmann together because that was pre-deadline.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Lubos Bartecko is Mackan’s teammate on Farjestads BK. He got freight-trained by Ole-Kristian Tollefson in the Olympics.
Here’s a video of him from a few weeks later – he was still having trouble putting his thoughts together.
http://www.youtube.com/user/studioFBK#p/u/4/bW2L2gjCZ_U
After the Olympics, especially after the suspension for the Campbell hit, Ovie wasn’t the same player. His pride and ego were bruised for failing to carry Russia to the gold medal, and that affected his play. By the time the playoffs came around, he wasn’t the confident brash player that intimidated the opposition, his Caps teammates felt this lack of confidence, and the overall resulting bad vibes and karma set them up to fail.
Fleischmann is, at the moment, sort of the poor man’s Max Afinogenov. And if he ain’t Afinogenoving, he ain’t be getting a sweater, either.
I’m not much of an Afinogenov fan.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I was fairly impressed with Max this year actually.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Not if someone signs him to another one year deal. I go back and forth between wanting him on the Preds but Trotz would kill him.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Flash deserved every bit of hate he got. I don’t see how that’s scapegoating.
I waited all year for this?
plus flash had plenty of negative sentament left over from last season. dumping on flash was nothing new.
Exactly. It definitely wasn’t out of nowhere. If anything people gave him the benefit of the doubt to start the season and he looked good but he never put enough together to turn the crowd.
(And keep fighting the good fight*)
I waited all year for this?
I’m going to peruse that thread off and on today. Already, it’s fascinating. Close to a winner here:
54-20-8, 116 Points Jose Theodore is going to use the tragedy in the offseason to regain the form he had when he won the Hart. [ed—snipped the part that was way off]
by mikee_hockey on Sep 30, 2009 7:17 AM EDT reply
Sig temporarily on hiatus to ease the pain.
Here was my prediction:
[ed—snipped the part that was way off]
by Laich It Or Lump It on Sep 30, 2009 7:51 AM EDT
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Looks like I was smart enough to not make any predictions (though it would have been the same as always – and correct: My prediction? PAIN!)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m pretty sure I didn’t because I was smart enough to know I was too stupid to try. (There’s a “duh” for you.)
Hey, Ovechwin came real close on this one:
Prediction you wont find anywhere else: Ovechkin will fight someone.
Sig temporarily on hiatus to ease the pain.
Here’s my bold prediction:
Dave Steckel doesn’t score against Tampa and Tom Poti enjoys a full season of groin health.
Calder Cup gon' get Perreaultwned
Good prediction. You gotta be careful when you go against the groin.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I Poti enjoys his full season of groin health on another squad next season. Cinco De Mayo should only take place once a year.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
The only thing close to being as good to Corey’s grades on CSN?
This red velvet cake yogurt I’m eating. Yum.
They're coming.
Corey Masisak: better than yogurt.
That would look nice as the header on his resume.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Not just any yogurt; red velvet cake yogurt.
But along with the #needsmorebradley plug, his reviews of Semin and Flash’s play (to name a couple) are well done.
They're coming.
Yeah, good stuff. I’m still working my way through both of the articles. The best part is that they serve as Cliffs Notes for Rinks Wraps.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions
(And, going forward, in writing them… I mean, uh…)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Corey’s writing is a great as ever.
Does this mean Semin gets a new nickname: “Grade G”?
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s a joke in there about G and such, but this is a PG rated blog…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
If the Caps and the Canadiens played each other in 10 series in a row starting tomorrow....
…..I would still pick the Caps to win 11 of them.
If the Caps and the Canadiens played each other in 10 series in a row starting tomorrow….
They’d be exhausted for training camp in September…
;-)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Dont know about the rest of you
but i’m bloody excited for todays rink wrap. hope the rating scale includes O+, B-, AB-…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on May 6, 2010 8:40 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Anyone see Byfuglien’s third goal interference? Thoughts?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Complete bullshit that it was called a goal, not that it changed the game.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 6, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree. Glad that guy was on defense for our series.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Somewhere Mike Knuble is doing his own version of the Walt Pizza Toss.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
That sure looked like a familiar play where Ovechkin knocked down an oak tree Hal Gill and put him, Carey Price and the puck into the Montreal net…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I. Hate. That. Game.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Three words.
Tin. Foil. Hat.
And, yes, I think I’m buying one.
Sig temporarily on hiatus to ease the pain.
Here ya go...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Proper-Folding-and-Wearing-Tin-Foil-Hat-/270574316308?cmd=ViewItem
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess I’ll be putting my tinfoil hat back on…
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Seems like the refs don’t mind Luongo getting run over this playoffs…at all. All over the place against LAK too.
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 May 6, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
If Gifsoup wasn’t broken, i’d so post that Pronger GIF right now…
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
They look like pylons, they skate like pylons…
They should rename the team to the Housleys.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nice. I totally agree.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
by Rather Bengt on May 6, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
If Fisch saw that, he’d literally be mocking Travis Hughes for days about that
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on May 6, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
As Promised
Marcus Johansson, in a Fight to Survive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7yy5Co8L50
Mackan is the sturdy fellow in the #90 Reebok shirt with the refined born-pugilist technique starting at about the 1:06 minute mark. He’s grown his hair out a bit, and I think it suits him.
His opponent was “Elite boxer Claes Almskog from Wolf & BK BK 25.” I can’t fault him for having worse form than the expert, but this is good training for them and he should take it a little more seriously.
I’m with you on the boxing tournament.
thanks for the info (as always). agreed, would have liked to see him locked in, less smiling and joking. oh well, what can you do with these mercurial european forwards??
he’ll never be as good as a nice Canadian boy like Crosby!!!!!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Here’s an interesting stat a friend pointed out to me. I haven’t verified or seen where he got it, but it seems easily calculated.
Jokinen Pre-Zednik Incident:
05-06: 82 GP, 89 pts, 1.09 ppg
06-07: 82 GP, 91 pts, 1.11 ppg
07-08: 58 GP, 58 pts, 1.00 ppg
Jokinen Post-Zednik Incident:
07-08: 24 GP, 13 pts, 0.54 ppg
08-09: 76 GP, 57 pts, 0.75 ppg
09-10: 82 GP, 50 pts, 0.61 ppg
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 6, 2010 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Wow… you’d think that wouldn’t have an effect, but seeing a teammate getting cut that bad has got to have some sort of effect.
Of course, it could also be the fact that Oli isn’t getting any younger (No one here is, except maybe F&B).
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Thats…odd.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Best B.S. Explanation for Why the Caps Lost
I got this via Twitter from Behind the Net, as I assume some of you did as well.
It’s at least worth a chuckle.
If you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at.
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
the left one off. " The caps Promo Staff thought golf umbrella’s would be a great “thanks again fans” gift, thus cursing the team to the golf course as well"
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
I thought that was the best one I’d seen. :-)
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
I played a few years of PIHA with the guy that raced the Caps Car. He’s a great driver. Also, he has excellent choice in his personal automobiles =]. (We both drive an RX-8)
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
awww :(
my first car was a mazda mx-6. I loved it.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
GM of the Year
Didn’t see it mentioned, but the NHL is announcing the finalists for it’s new GM of the Year award. It will come out at 12:03 on NHL Live. My guesses are McPhee, Don Maloney and maybe Stan Bowman.
DAVID POILE
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
also
the NHL has too many awards.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
For real.
“The David Wideman Award for most inopportune time for a broken stick goes to….Nicklas Lidstrom!”
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
by Hooks Orpik on May 6, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
David, Dennis, who gives a f—
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
Actually, the Dennis Wideman award goes to the biggest shootout failure. That’s Andrew Ladd this year
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 May 6, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Submitted for your consideration…Alex Semin.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on May 6, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
That one is a finalist for sure. I think a lolward show might be funny
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 May 6, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Any award named after Wideman has to relate to a hilarious shootout failure. Haven’t seen Ladd’s, got a link?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Alexander Semin—who shoots wide, man!
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 May 6, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Patrick Eaves.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Don’t know but it couldn’t be this bad.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Ha, awesome. Wideman would be proud.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I laughed my ass off watching that live.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
LOL. The Patrick Thoreson Award for taking one for the team goes to…Denis Grebeshkov!
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
The Patrick Thoreson Award for taking one for the team
Okay, this made me laugh.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
The "Pat Tillman Friendly Fire Award"
Finalists:
Patrick Hornqvist (H/T Shea Weber)
Dennis Seidenberg (H/T Nathan Horton)
Tomas Vokoun (H/T Keith Ballard)
Winner… Vokoun in a landslide
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on May 6, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ow, Tillman – too soon, bro! ;)
But yeah, Ballard’s an idiot. What if he made team USA and took out Miller?!?!11
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
If they’re figuring in postseason to date, I’d vote for Chiarelli.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on May 6, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
The same guy who got laughed at all year long. Interesting how things work out.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on May 6, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Indeed… the B’s are playing great. The Pens should be happy the Caps lost otherwise they’d be dealing with Boston right now. Dunno if the B’s would be up 3-0 on the Pens, but a 2-1 B’s lead might have happened. (The Caps would be up 3-0 on Philly the way the Flyboys are playing…)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn’t the NHL giving an award to Don Maloney kinda be like congratulating themselves. He did a helluva job admittedly in some really weird circumstances, but the group making the award are also his employers…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 6, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
congrats to GMGM, and the others. not the least but surprising, but nice to see them recognized. I assume this is Maloney’s to lose?
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
In between that and Tippett’s presumed lock on the Jack Adams, this feels more than a little redundant.
They're coming.
Other than four somewhat ineffective deadline acquisitions, extending Tyler Sloan, failing to adequately address the 2C question and lucking out of perhaps the worst mistake of his GMing career… how can GMGM not win for his work over the past 365 days?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 6, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Glad to see DP recognized.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I know Vogel is a team employee, but his article is sticking in my craw. Many of his examples of coaches who experienced multiple failures before success had to move on to new teams before doing so, and Bowman is the only one mentioned from the modern era. As for the players liking Boudreau, didn’t Patrick Kane cry when his coach was fired? This is a business, too. I don’t want Bruce canned, but I was hoping for a little more analysis.
in the face of adversity, never, ever blink
The Boudreau Defense?
Cant buy that he made the right adjustments on the power play, especially with 52 seemingly lost. Now we find out the he had a bad wrist, yet at 1 for 15 Bruce is trotting him out there, and at 1 for 25 and at 1 for 30 etc. WHY? Carlson was a legit option on the power play and he was barely used. Maybe there were some tactical adjustments he made but he stuck with the same group of guys who got it done in the regular season but were not getting it done against the Canadiens and it killed us.
Oh right we were just unlucky….
Interesting
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has called for the Caps to get Holmstrom.
By the way, in terms of centers to trade for, what do you guys think about Derek Roy as a possible target?
by DC_Determination on May 6, 2010 11:13 AM EDT reply actions
where would Holmstrom fit in?
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
We already have him. His name is Mike Knuble.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
that’s my point. Holmer’s a great guy, hilarious, a beloved teammate, but there’s not a spot for him on the Capitals next season.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Yup. Unless he finds a time machine to make himself at least 10 years younger and a Center, no want.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
never mind that he doesn’t want to leave Detroit. oh, minor details!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
So, you’d want something like this?
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Holmstrom-Belanger-Semin (yeah, making a lot of assumptions about that line)
Laich-Steckel-Fehr (eeeeek, Stecks, third line)
Bradley-Gordon-Chimera (I think Chimera’s more valuable as a 3rd liner)
jesus, there’s a lot of holes to fill next season….
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I’d want something like
OV-Backs-Knuble
Holmstrom-(new 2C)-Laich
Chimera-Belanger-Fehr
Bradley-Gordon-Walker
That’s my unrealistic dream scenario, since we’d have to get rid of Semin to free up enough cap space to get a good 2C and have a chance at Holmstrom. But how kick-ass would that be in the playoffs?
Dude, Holmstrom and Laich is rather redundant. Thats like the slowest line evah.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I think Holmstrom and Knuble on the same line would be slower.
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t be such a Homer.
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 May 6, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Skating != speed, though they are correlated. His skating is really nice (he has this personal trainer who’s apparently super) but he’s still not that fast (like Backstrom, like Lidstrom, not too fast but smooth).
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 May 7, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I definitely agree that Chimera is better on the 3rd. He should have gotten way more ice against MON.
I waited all year for this?
mmmmmmmm, Chimera-MP-Fehr would be a wicked 3rd line.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Good gawd. In some sort of sick karma/parody, the Hershey Bears have so much free time they are actually golfing during the post-season. In a team-building thing. http://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_15026191
The Manchester Monarchs are one win away from being the Bears’ ECF opponent.
Over in the Western Conference, the Hamilton Bulldogs look to go up 3-1 over the Abbotsford Heat tonight. In another example of how hockey players are not like you and me, read this:
The Hamilton Bulldogs expect to have Ryan White back in the lineup tonight when they meet the Abbotsford Heat in Game 4 of the American Hockey League’s North Division final.
White was injured Sunday afternoon at Copps Coliseum when he was struck with a puck. He returned in the third period after receiving more than 20 stitches to the gash in his face. And he played part of the first period in Tuesday night’s 3-2 win over the Heat in Abbotsford, B.C.
Extreme dehydration forced him out of the contest, however, and the Dogs had to win without one of their key leaders.
“He hadn’t been able to eat for two days,” said head coach Guy Boucher right after Game 3. "We’re making sure we feed him different ways. We tried with shakes but he was throwing those up.
“You should see his mouth. It looks like a grapefruit. With those extra two days, he’ll be okay.”
As a reminder, the Bulldogs are Montreal’s farm team.
The other Western Conference hopefuls are the Chicago Wolves and Texas Stars. Chicago leads that series 2-1.
Not a clip, but one of Eliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts
If an NHL coach was the White House press secretary on Nov. 22, 1963, he would announce John F. Kennedy as “day-to-day with an upper body injury.”
Line o’ the day.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on May 6, 2010 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Al Michaels would say “he’s out with a head”
However long the night, the dawn will break again
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on May 6, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree.
When I ask my Dad (69 years old), if he’s having a good day, he always says “Any day that starts with your feet hitting the floor is a good day.”
Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!
Just posted a fanshot with a link to the article.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I thought it was in poor taste, to be honest. Can’t imagine an American making that joke.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, me neither… (lowers head in shame).
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
In your defense, there’s a difference in the reasonable expectations for decency between an anonymous commenter in an often-irreverant blog’s comments and a prominent (inter)national writer in an article. Nice pull, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I dunno… enough time has passed that it just seems to me the equivalent of “except for that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?”
If you've read this far...seek help.
This would be OT on the Brads post, so I figure I’d do it here.
I followed the link to +/-ON/60. Guess who has that GAON/60 of 1.65, best on the team? Quintin Laing (playing against easy competition with horrible teammates).
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
Also playing the fewest games and spending the second lowest amount of time on the ice per game of that group…
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on May 6, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
If this were a Panthers blog, or if I were a Panthers fan, my username would be:
Babytown Froliks.
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 6, 2010 12:40 PM EDT reply actions
If this were a Thrashers blog I’d find an easier place to mention:
Who’da thunk Chris Chelios would still be playing for a Cup after the Capitals were removed from contention? (the Calder Cup, but still, the guy is 48)
If there was ever the poster child for an athlete not knowing when to hang ’em up, it would be Chris Chelios.
If it’d been Ovi, Backstrom, or even Semin tuning up in Hershey (not happening anytime soon) I would have felt lucky to be in any AHL arena where not just the seats, but the whole experience is closer to the players.
Last night I just truly felt kinda sad for Chelios watching him skate- at almost 50 the guy hasn’t found a rewarding enough transition out of hockey and is now a full-time minor league – even assuming he’s happy as a clam to be out there every shift.
David Poile, George McPhee, Don Maloney GM of the year finalists.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
I'm a gonna kill Caps guest services
I just got an e-mail with an offer for a discount on Hershey tickets! After I already bought them!!!!!!!
Sig temporarily on hiatus to ease the pain.
I wish I could break down plays as well as Rudy Kelly.
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on May 6, 2010 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Looks like Rafalski graduated from the Tom Poti School of Stick Positioning and Doing Other Good Stuff Too.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on May 6, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
That’s an awesome breakdown. Rec for pointing it out, rec for the actual post.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on May 6, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Re: the goalies comment in the Volchenkov post
I think at some point you have to give Neuvirth a shot in the NHL. You can’t keep relegating him to the AHL with occasional injury call ups. I say give it to the rookies until the deadline and pick up a Biron-type guy if we need one (or go all in for Vokoun).
I waited all year for this?
Do we have what would be needed to get Vokoun and Weiss (as a #2 center) out of FLA? Obviously the discussion would have to start with Semin. Would they be interested in Flash (cheap, can score enough to help them make the playoffs)? What more would we have to throw in? A first and a prospect? Or even beyond that? I honestly have no clue how highly other teams might value our “spare parts” like Flash. Many Caps fans hate on him, but other teams might be excited about his solid scoring and upward trend (regular season only), and his affordable price tag. Especially a team that is just trying to MAKE the playoffs, as opposed to one that improves their in-playoff resume. And Bruce obviously loves him, LOL.
I don’t think that’s enough. Semin would be a start, but mostly because we’d need that cap space to make it happen. Semin won’t have a ton of value to FLA because they want to rebuild and Semin may leave after only one year. Flash could be a throw in but won’t be worth much. Semin, Flash, a First, and maybe Bouchard or another mid-level prospect might open discussions, but I don’t think it would be enough. I know that I, as a Caps fan, would LOVE it if we got Koun/Weiss for Semin/Flash/1st/Bouchard. That’s a good sign that it isn’t exactly fair or I’m totally mis-valuing one or more players involved.
I waited all year for this?
Kinda my thinking as well. On the one hand, I think about how great that kind of trade would be for us (thus making it bad for them). On the other hand, I see 65+ goals going their way, plus additional “non-nhl” assets in a pick and prospect. But I suspect the prospect part would have to be one of Carlznerson to get sniff. And even then, I think we might have to give up more.
Agreed, I’m not willing to part with either of them. Which is probably why a trade like this will never happen, cuz Florida likely makes one of them a requirement in this hypothetical.
Either bring him up and let the baby goalies duel it out, or try and trade Neuvy for someone(s) of value. Spending another season in the A seems like a waste, both for him and the Caps.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Yeah the trade option is also there. He literally has nothing left to prove in the AHL. I understand taking it slowly but at some point you have to give him a chance. There may be some teams interested in him and we might be able to get a “help now” player in return. I have no idea though. Goalie prospect trades are tough to figure out because the valuation is all over the map.
I waited all year for this?
I dunno…it’s not like he’s been languishing in the AHL forever. He’s only been there 2 seasons, right? And he has seen time with the big club during both seasons. The NHL is littered with quality goalies with over 100 games AHL experience.
What do you mean littered with?
Neuvirth has put up great numbers in the AHL. Health has been his only issue and that will exist regardless of where he plays. GMGM may be concerned that two rookies with health questions is not the way to approach the season, and I could buy into that. But at some point you have to say “sink or swim” with Neuvirth. He has an AHL Calder Cup MVP award, has put up great numbers, and is on his way to another Calder Cup. How long can you hold him down?
I waited all year for this?
Well, just a quick look at some of the younger goalies in the NHL shows:
Dan Ellis 140 AHL games
Jimmy Howard 186
Chris Mason 146
tuuka Rask 102
Pekka Rinne 145
That was mostly just looking at younger goalies, not the older ones. Of course I also found plenty of instances of younger guys without much AHL experience (mostly europeans though…not guys who have been playing in NA)
Backstrom 0
Halak 69
J. Hiller 0
Niemi 0
Price 22
S. Mason 3
Having said all that, I agree that we go with the 2 young goalies UNLESS we can pick up either (a) a very cheap veteran BACKUP (read: journeyman) or (b) A bonafide #1 (read: Vokoun).
That’s a good point. I think there are some differences with Neuvirth’s situation but I don’t know the details of the other guys enough. Price is the only other guy with a Calder Cup MVP on that list, IIRC. Howard stayed in the AHL so long because he sucked in his chances in the NHL so DET never trusted him. Neuvirth may not have blown off the doors in the NHL but he looked like he could handle himself, especially after he had some practice time with the big club. I just want him to get a real look not an injury look at some point. I don’t know how much more he’s developing in the AHL. But goalies are weird, so who knows. It’s hard to go too slowly with them so maybe being conservative is the right approach.
I waited all year for this?
damn, should have read your post before I typed mine.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Jimmy Howard also shit the bed on several NHL call-ups, which is why he got stuck in the AHL for so long. Detroit fans weren’t thrilled to see him start the season with the big club, although I’m glad whatever clicked finally clicked for him.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit in a tin-foil hat
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
If you haven’t listened to BB on Fan590 (see Fanshot), you may want to. He talks a little bit about both goalies. The questions were "Does this organization need a stud goaltender?, "It looks like your team may be ahead of your young goaltenders, your team may be ready to win and you don’t know if your goaltenders are so there’d be some risk in putting one of them in there." How far down the road can you go with two young goaltenders before you have to make a decision?" Part of BB’s answer to the last question, "…no timeline but you probably have until the trade deadline next year…"
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
You knew it would happen, it’s just a matter of whether he gets any ice time. I wonder who he’d replace (barring injury).
I waited all year for this?
Of course we knew it would happen. He might even get in ahead of Cody and Dmitry, because his natural role is more of a grinder 3/4 liner and Cody-n-Cougar are ’leet skill guys, plus Cougar needs to work on his conditioning.
It’s been a while since I’ve actually looked at the Bears lines to see who he would replace.
Plus I’m unclear about the ‘clear day roster’ and the rules about playing reassigned junior prospects in the playoffs.
Carlson was included on the Hershey clear day roster, and:
Teams may also add signed junior players or players on amateur tryout contracts, only after their respective junior or college seasons are complete.
FYI, I’m now in Taiwan. This is a crazy case I’m on. I haven’t even been able to read the front page reliably, much less the comments.
I miss you guys.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
How are the protests going over there?
But grace can still be found within the gale. With fear and reverence, raise your ragged sail.
by Steckel Me Elmo on May 7, 2010 5:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn’t know. That would require time to check the news.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on May 7, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions
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