Tuesday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jun 1, 2010 6:36 AM EDT
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- Hey, in case you haven't heard, the Caps will be playing in not one, but two Winter Classics over the next few years, starting with January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh. Catch up on any of the coverage you might have missed over the holiday weekend. [Masisak, Ted's Take, Puck Daddy]
- On Winter Classic wardrobe selections. [OFB]
- In other news, the salary cap might increase by as much as $2 million next season, which is particularly sweet news for teams that already have a few big contracts and may be looking to add
Anton Volchenkovanother. [DCEx] - Evgeni Malkin calls Alex Ovechkin the "Russian Canadian." I think he meant it as a compliment. [Puck Daddy]
- Experience matters when it comes to winning in the spring. [Dump 'n Chase]
- Eric Fehr is one heck of an actor, but, as noted in the comments here, given the lack of screen time for F-16 despite his obvious talent, one wonders if Bruce Boudreau is the director. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- Andrew Gordon and Andrew Joudrey get some love from back home as they play for the AHL's biggest prize. [Halifax Herald (more on Gordon here)]
- The Caps need a prolonged playoff run next season if for no other reason than Karl Alzner's playoff beard. [AHL.com, YouTube]
- Finally, per the HHoF, on this date back in 1976, "In the NHL Amateur draft held in Montreal, the Washington Capitals used the #1 pick overall to select Rick Green." Green played 845 NHL games (only three players from that draft played more), won a Cup and was a key piece in the Rod Langway trade.
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If the cap does increase by $2 mil, what does that mean for Chicago? Can we still get Patrick Sharp?
by Kolzilla on Jun 1, 2010 7:19 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
well, it gives them a little more breathing room, but they still have to clear a bunch of cap space, just not as much as before. Looking at the numbers here with the extra 2 mil, the Black Hawks have 14 players at something around $55.5 mil, leaving them $3.3 mil to sign 9 players. Sharp’s cap hit is right around $4 mil, so if we could sign and then trade Flash and some prospects/picks that would still give them more room to work with.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
What passes for excitement today: waiting ’til 11:00 to find out whether the next Wrap is Perreault or Poti.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If I told you, it’d ruin the suspense.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think its a combination of the two…“Perreualti”
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like a sports car.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 1, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hopefully it’s more small and quick than lumbering and butterfinger-y.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 1, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
It would have a high clearing percentage though
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
And stays flat on the ice road.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
AHL All-Star game is in Hershey next year too.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Trying to decide which All-Star game bears the least resemblance to its sport, NFL or NHL? I’m going with the NHL since they at least still have to tackle in the Pro Bowl.
I'd go with NFL
Far more people who make it play in the NHL allstar game. the NHL game isn’t that much different than the NBA all star game.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
'76 draft
another nice pickup by the isle’s in that draft. ken morrow in round four…
rick green, another in a line of caps defenders who went on to win cups after leaving the caps…gord lane, rick green, larry murphy, bob rouse, scott stevens, sergei gonchar…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Hey Mike Liut went 56th in that draft!
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Just as a sanity check, is this roughly the ideal 2010-11 roster everyone else is looking at?
(as always, capgeek lines aren’t real lines)
AUTO-GENERATED CAPGEEK.COM LINES
FORWARDS
Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Alexander Semin ($6.000m)
* Center, 2nd ($3.000m) / Mike Knuble ($2.800m) / Brooks Laich ($2.067m)
Jason Chimera ($1.875m) / Dave Steckel ($1.100m) / Matt Bradley ($1.000m)
* Eric Fehr ($0.771m) / * Boyd Gordon ($0.761m) / * Tomas Fleischmann ($0.725m)
* Quintin Laing ($0.500m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Green ($5.250m) / * Blueliner, Steady ($4.000m)
Tom Poti ($3.500m) / * Jeff Schultz ($1.715m)
Karl Alzner ($1.675m) / John Erskine ($1.250m)
John Carlson ($0.846m) / Tyler Sloan ($0.700m)
GOALTENDERS
Michal Neuvirth ($0.822m) / Simeon Varlamov ($0.822m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)
ROSTER: 23; CAP: $56.8m; PAYROLL: $57.416m; CAP ROOM: $0.234m BONUSES: $0.850m
Atta dinnin stick a who!
I’d probably put more to the 2C and less to the D. I also wouldn’t have Flash in the lineup and in any event I don’t think Fehr or Flash is signed for as cheaply as you have them. I’d rather see Q further down the depth chart and have at least one spot for a HER buck to prove he’s an NHL player.
I waited all year for this?
I don’t think Fehr or Flash is signed for as cheaply as you have them
He has them at their 2009-10 rates, if I’m reading it correctly. No way they don’t get some kind of raise, even the QO is going to be a bump.
Looks like he has Fehr with a small raise and Flash taking a pay cut. I’d be shocked if either guy settled for just the QO.
I waited all year for this?
Really? IIRC it’s Fehr’s first (close to) healthy season in the bigs, so it’d seem like there aren’t a lot of comparables that are going to get him paid.
If he rejects the QO then he’s basically testing the RFA market, no?
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 1, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
The comparables may not be there, but at the same time he scored 20 goals with scrap ice time and has a great frame. Some GM will see that and offer sheet him (Ray Shero… Brian Burke… those guys love those big bodies). I think we can keep Fehr, I just don’t think it’ll be for his minimum QO price.
I waited all year for this?
Fair enough; I’m in the ‘extend before the inevitable offer sheet’ camp, myself.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 1, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d like to see that for Fehr, but not Flash. Let Flash see what he can fetch. Either take the picks or take another sub-1 million dollar contract for Flash.
I waited all year for this?
Flash and Fehr...
…are probably going to get above $2 million a piece given their offensive production this past season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Fehr sign for roughly the same amount that Laich did a couple of years ago; the only thing holding off a decent-sized multi-year deal is his injury history and the resulting low-ice time. There’s a legit question about whether he can stay at the same level and healthy with more exposure.
I don’t think they’ll be able to keep both for that money unless they trade Semin. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Fleischmann traded at the draft (Boston for a 2nd rounder?).
Also, Gordon’s qualifying offer is going to be about $847,000, I believe.
Fehr’s stats increase is just about the same as Flash’s from 07-08 to 08-09. Take a look at the raise that earned Flash. And Fehr isn’t eligible for arbitration (unless I have my years miscalculated).
Flash’s stats increase is smaller than than his increase from 07-08 to 08-09. His biggest increase in leverage is the availability of arbitration. I don’t think that earns him a huge raise.
Bottom line is that I don’t see either guy getting a raise much bigger than QO. McPhee has played hardball the last couple of years with players in this situation (Flash, Gordon, Schultz) and nobody’s given any of them an RFA offer. I don’t see this year as any different.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
fehr, flash, schultz, gordon(s) all arbitration eligible according to the unofficial salary cap info page.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 2, 2010 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think Shero’s going to get into the business of signing other’s RFA’s. In fact, I believe in the past Shero’s even publically said he didn’t think the negative ramifications of taking the reputation hit and putting a target on your back for the future made it worthwhile. I’m not going to look it up though, so you’ll just have to take my word for it if you want.
Also, according to nhlnumbers.com, $772k and $725k were the ‘09-10 salaries of the two players. There’s no way young guys who both scored 20+ goals don’t get a bump in salary. Maybe not a huge one, but they’re not coming back for the same contract as last season.
I believe you about what Ray Shero said, I just think it may have been some gamesmanship. I can’t imagine that there is any GM that is categorically opposed to offering RFA sheets. I’m sure he would be cautious about it, but if he is looking at a tight cap situation and has a chance to get a 20 goal scorer with upside for about a million dollars I don’t think he’d back down just because it’s RFA. He may be worried about having a target on his back, but is there really any evidence that “targeting” guys that offered RFA sheets is a normal practice? I don’t recall the EDM young guys getting offer-sheeted after the Vanek/Penner situations. There was the small snipe between VAN and STL but I don’t think that was a big deal.
And I agreed that neither Flash or Fehr will come back for less than a moderate raise.
I waited all year for this?
Fehr would be an idiot to not at least see what’s out there. And if GMGM doesn’t put a high enough QO out there, another GM might say, “Hey, Fehr’s available for just X compensation, let’s put in an offer.”
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
A team can offer $1.5 million and surrender only a 3rd round pick.
Couldn’t blame Fehr for signing that and pressing Washington’s hand, since they’d probably match it anyways
They’d match that in a heartbeat.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
They’d match, but I can’t imagine GMGM would be too happy giving Fehr that much of a raise.
I waited all year for this?
Well when you give Sloskine multi-year extensions you make your own bed, you know?
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 1, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m all for dumping on the Sloskine extensions, but realistically there isn’t much chance it hurts the Caps on the ice. Sure, Ted has committed money to two players that don’t deserve it, but when push comes to shove GMGM can waive either of those players and lose them for nothing or stash them in HER.
I waited all year for this?
Well, you’re never happy giving a big raise, but having Fehr at $1.5m would have to be considered palatable.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Agreed, 1.5 wouldn’t be a terrible deal. It would just suck to lose the negotiating leverage. I think that absent an RFA sheet GMGM could keep Fehr for 1.25 or maybe less.
I waited all year for this?
I’d do 2-years/$2.5m in a nanosecond. I doubt Fehr and his representation would, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I wouldn’t do that unless it bought me more than one extra year.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Flash and Fehr aren’t going to be that cheap. The likely starting price is probably at a million each.
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
I have them at the CapGeek default — the only RFA I gave a raise to was Schultz (I just wasn’t thinking about the forwards). but the Cap should go up a bit too, so it kind of evens out. I wasn’t worrying too much about the salaries for guys who will make about a million or less.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Winter Classic
After reading the comments on the Puck Daddy article on the Winter Classic, I’ve come to these conclusions:
-The vast majority of fans (and by fans, I mean commentors) have no problem with the Caps playing in the WC. In fact, most think it’s a good idea.
-The vast majority of fans have a huge problem with Pittsburgh playing in the 2011 WC.
-Despite what Caps fans think about how Ovi is treated, Sidney Crosby has got to be one of, if not the most disliked player(s) in the league.
1. I’ve generally found that your observations are true, anecdotally (of course) as well.
2. You actually made it though the comments on a Puck Daddy article? You are a patient soul sir.
by d_fens on Jun 1, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
From the NHL’s perspective, I see no reason for them NOT to jump on the Crosby/Pens bandwagon for as long as they can. Remember, these spectacle games are being promoted to non-hockey fans and guys who watch it now and again as much as the hard-core fans.
Who do you want the Caps to play in 2011 if not the Pens? It has to be an American team. It has to be one who will likely be competitive. It has to be someone with a couple of All-Star quality players that they can promote. It can’t be the Bruins or Flyers. It would have to be a team with a good rivalry.
The Rags are the only team that might be worth it for the NHL even without star power. But NYC is probably going to get a game in the next couple years (before it comes to DC) so the Rags might not be an option.
I waited all year for this?
Only team other than NYR is Philly I think. Judging that Philly’s “big” matchup would be PIT’s 3rd, I could see Philly-BOS this year, then Philly-WSH, then Philly-PIT.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Sidney Crosby has got to be one of, if not the most disliked player(s) in the league.
You really needed to read Puck Daddy comments to ascertain that?
Call me naive (or clueless), but it surprised me. Obviously, I knew he wasn’t liked in certain cities, but I thought that his reputation from his first couple of years had been repaired, particularly in Canada. Plus, I just assumed that after the beating Ovechkin took this season from the press and the league, he had become public enemy #1 among fans.
Crosby’s hated because he cries and plays dirty. Ovie’s hated because he hits hard and is a little too flamboyant for some. but Pronger? Pronger is hated because he’s a coldly calculating asshole who would break his own mother’s neck to win a cup. There’s something profoundly disturbing about Pronger, imo.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
by RedBirdie on Jun 1, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You know, being a jerk on the ice is one thing, but being a jerk after the final horn defies easy description. Too bad the league doesn’t issue fines/suspensions for that kind of behavior. Someone needs to steal Pronger’s trophies and melt them.
"It's always good to have vikings."
You can get fined and/or suspended for being a jerk after the game is over. They just wouldn’t do it over this. It was juvenile and what not, but it’s gamesmanship and it’s the SCF. Emotions don’t just go away when the final horn sounds; it’s an emotional and heated atmosphere and neither of the two guys involved are known as model citizens. “Move along, nothing to see here” is my opinion.
I waited all year for this?
Yeah, I know, but you’d think that after a loss a team would just want to get the hell off the ice, but then I’ve never been an elite athlete (or one of any kind, either). And it probably doesn’t really piss off the players, but the fans will be out for blood. It’s just childish, and while I’d buy excusing it from a kid, what it really tells me is that this 35 year old isn’t someone to be respected.
And I’m sure if he was on our team, I’d probably learn to ignore it.
"It's always good to have vikings."
You know, being a jerk on the ice is one thing, but being a jerk after the final horn defies easy description.
Even when you’re in an ongoing contest (i.e. seven game series)?
Whenever stuff happens in that context, I chalk it up to gamesmanship. If it’s July or August, that’s another story.
Crosby’s hated because he cries and plays dirty. Ovie’s hated because he hits hard and is a little too flamboyant for some.
Really? He cries and plays dirty? Come on.
People hate Crosby because he was anointed by the NHL as the second coming before he ever did anything as a pro. He whined and cried his first season — and has been pretty good ever since.
People don’t like Ovechkin because — like Crosby — everyone wants him on their team. He’s not dirty, but sometimes he plays stupid and gets caught up in the moment a bit.
People have reasons for hating on both players (starting with: they are both better than you or anyone else on your team) but to say that Crosby doesn’t whine and cry anymore isn’t true either. Can you imagine the outrage if AO had snapped his stick on the post because he was annoyed at being shut out?
I waited all year for this?
Frankly, I’m amazed that more people don’t “go Hunter” on goal scorers who are celebrating goals. Your team just gives up a huge goal in a huge situation and you have to stand there watching as people celebrate in front of you…
It must be completely frustrating.
I think the reason (Psychology 101 here) Crosby whined a lot in his first season or so is because he had spent his entire life dominating other players. All of a sudden, he’s not the best anymore. He’s just pretty good and his hard work (and I think everyone has to agree that he works hard on the ice) isn’t enough. And he just turned 18 and he cried. And whined. And looked like a baby.
And that’s going to follow him for a while.
Ovechkin had it different. He spent a few seasons when he was 17-20 playing with men in the Russian league. Even though he had more talent than anyone there, he wasn’t as good as they were yet, and was never asked to be the face of the team or the best on the ice or lead.
You may be on to something with the development thing. I also think that, while all Captains talk to the refs, Crosby’s facial expressions and body language scream “whining!” to people watching on TV. You can’t even hear what he’s saying but it just looks like he’s whining.
I waited all year for this?
it’s also the way he conducts himself after games. The hat incident last season, the complaining about the boarding penalty and sorta-cheap shot towards Montreal after Game 7 this year. He doesn’t come off as gracious, and mostly it comes off as whining.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I cut him some slack, personally. He has tons of pressure on him all the time, and doesn’t help that at times Geno is unreliable.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, I stand by my statement that he cries (or whines, if you prefer) and plays dirty. There are plenty of recent example of both.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
It’s about how you define “dirty.” Everyone does it differently, and (not coincidentally) their definitions usually correspond to exonerate their favorite player and condemn those they don’t like. AO has a small handful of high-profile hits that people want to paint as dirty, but Crosby doesn’t. On the other hand, Crosby has waaaaaaaay more stick fouls (leading the league with slashes this year) and is notorious for the Scott Gomez-esque retaliatory bitch slashes because “how dare you hit me.” Some people (myself included) consider stick-work just about the dirtiest thing you can do. So while it’s not likely to seriously injure anyone, you could still fairly call it “dirty” and be turned off by it. AO is more likely to hurt someone, but Crosby more frequently acts in a petulant and dishonorable manner. For the record, I’m not calling Crosby dirty (and have basically lost all interest in any debate that tries to label any player “dirty” or “not dirty” because it’s so subjective). Also for the record, Malkin has by far the dirtiest record out of AO/Crosby/Malkin.
I waited all year for this?
Also for the record, Malkin has by far the dirtiest record out of AO/Crosby/Malkin.
Disagree. Malkin’s no saint but his hit list of leaving people injured is a lot less questionable than Ovechkin.
Just because people didn’t get hurt doesn’t mean the play wasn’t dirty. Not pointing out anything specific, just a comment.
"It's always good to have vikings."
But what do you mean by “extent of the mis-deed?” Sounds like you are talking about the result, not the actual act.
I waited all year for this?
Malkin hacks and slashes people. Ovechkin leaves his feet and/or hits people into the boards from behind with more regularity.
That’s what I’m talking about.
Oh man. You’ve been hanging out with your commentors too much. AO is top ten in hits every season and he has a small handful of hits that are borderline or worse. Every time it’s close it gets blown out of proportion. Trust me, if he left his feet and/or hit from behind all that regularly it would be an even bigger deal than it already is.
I waited all year for this?
I never said it was frequent, but I do believe it’s more frequent than Malkin’s mis-deeds.
I’m not saying AO’s dirty, just saying IMO his track record and damage done is worse than Crosby or Malkin.
Exactly. And when we talk frequency should we focus on “mis-deeds per game” or “bad hits per hit.” It’s very different depending on what you choose. AO probably has more “mis-deeds per game” but he hits so much more often that it’s not a shock. His “bad hits per hit” is almost definitely lower than Malkin’s just because of how many more clean hits he throws over the course of a season/career.
I waited all year for this?
Malkin has two slew-foots, a kick, and at least two bad hits from behind (Mitchell and Semin) with a couple more questionable elbows. Aside from a shot to the balls (and maybe even including them), a slew-foot is the single dirtiest thing you can do. And Malkin did it twice to Mara in the same game, completely away from the puck. There is simply no mitigating factor there. Maybe he has an excuse for kicking Lecavalier, but I don’t remember hearing any. I’m not sure what AO or Crosby has done that’s worse than a kick or a slew-foot.
And if you want to look at just injuries, Willie Mitchell has missed more time than all injuries caused by Ovechkin combined.
I waited all year for this?
Except for Heward, who’s playing career is over. But that wasn’t a dirty hit; it was an unfortunate one caused by Ovechkin actually not trying to hit Heward from behind and Heward doing something really odd that made him extremely vulnerable.
Well when Heward and Tocchet said it wasn’t dirty I’m not sure how someone else is going to argue that it was. I’d also point out that Heward was barely an NHL player at that point anyway. It’s not like that hit cut short the career of a 28 year old.
I waited all year for this?
The point is that the man is still having major concussion problems. He’s not playing at all. Saying that he was barely an NHL player at that point does not change the fact that Ovechkin ended his career—whether it was going to be in the AHL or hanging on in the NHL.
Where did you read that he is still having major concussion problems? Because I haven’t seen anything like that (and haven’t really looked).
I waited all year for this?
From August. I misread the article slightly—his symptoms did abate in May, but Heward says, “I was okay after six months in my doctor’s eyes. But not in my eyes. I still have symptoms.”
He also just announced his retirement yesterday.
I could be wrong, but I thought Mara attempted to take Malkin’s legs out on him earlier or hit him up high? I don’t remember exactly what it was, but I thought there was some sort of provocation there. Not that it excuses Malkin’s actions (it doesn’t — especially twice) but I thought something ramped up in the lead-up to that.
The Mitchell hit was bad, and I don’t even remember the “questionable” Semin hit, not saying it wasn’t dirty just not even notable in my mind.
IMO, put Ovechkin’s record beside Malkin’s and AO is the one that stands out negatively. I know you think he has even less bad hits than what I’ve admitted to Malkin having, but that’s just the way it goes I suppose.
Malkin also has the benefit of having his record completely ignored by the media. With the way every single hit (legal or otherwise) by Ovechkin is scrutinized there is no way that the kick, slew foots, or hits from behind would have gone without comment if they were done by Ovechkin instead of Malkin. Hell, Campbell played in the first round of the playoffs, but how much more did you hear about that hit than the one on Mitchell?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
malkin is ignored by the media in general.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Except when he was voted for the Conn Smythe. And when he won the Art Ross and was a 2-time MVP finalist. The media coverage of Malkin is as consistent as he is; they always give him props when he dominates but ignore him otherwise.
Sure he doesn’t get as much press as Crosby or Ovechkin, but he’s also not as good of a player and he can’t speak English.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
clearly the ross isn’t influenced one way or another by the media, and to an extent neither are the MVP finalists when you’ve got a guy leading the league in points. i think the english is the biggest factor, personally. you’re not going to get as many high-profile articles written about you when you’re not speaking to the media. semin slips through the cracks at times for the same reason.
I would agree with Natty.
However I’d point out that almost every day Malkin meets with the media and has been willing to answer questions in English and even appear on TV a couple times. Semin, to me, appears to be un-willing or at least not very accomendating speaking English, I wouldn’t associate Malkin’s efforts with Semin’s any longer.
Obviously you have a point his English is still limited and he’s not a great subject beyond the basics, so that might be why his media coverage isn’t vast.
Perhaps, but given the canned quotes 95% of the league gives every night, anyone could write enough cliched quotes to give you a story given the result of the game.
I’m not sure what AO or Crosby has done that’s worse than a kick or a slew-foot.
Maybe slew-footing Rich Peverley and getting suspended for it?
Excuse me then. Procedurally if he would have done it after a suspension this season, he would have been suspended for it (which is why the NHL is dumb).
I dunno. The NHL both times suspended him for “reckless play” which says to me a combination of everything, no single incident.
Then again, I don’t know how they reason other suspensions in press releases.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Except that those slew-foots aren’t apples to apples. AO and Peverly were actually battling for a puck and both guys went off balance. It wasn’t a clear-cut blatant slew-foot. There are at least mitigating circumstances that allow a benefit of the doubt. Not so with Malkin’s; that was blatant.
I’ll give you these questionable AO hits: Heward, Gleason, Peverly, Campbell, Briere. Those were the bad ones. Throw in the Gooch hit because I know it upsets you so much. That’s 6 hits in 5 years of one of the most physical players in the game. Not really all that bad. Malkin has 2 Slew-foots (same game), a kicking suspension (Olymics), and at least 3 hits from behind that would make the AO haters freak out (Semin, Phillips, Mitchell). I don’t see how AO is clearly the one that stands out negatively, especially when you consider that in general he’s the more physical player.
I waited all year for this?
please don’t forget Malkin’s lovely hissy fit where he jumped Zetterberg when the game was nearly over last season.
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add this one on malkin to AO’s questionable hit list. far more blatant than the slew foot on peverly.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
and this one against ryan wilson. ovechkin didn’t have his balance like he did on the slew foot of malkin, but the slow-mo shows him bringing his left leg up sharply before the rest of his body begins its fall. if you don’t read intent, then you can certainly admit AO could’ve avoided it.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh. That clip isn’t enough. It’s slow-mo with both guys off-balance. I don’t like the other one you posted, against Malkin, but this one is part of the AO haters looking for something to condemn. Yeah, his left leg comes up but you can tell that even before that both guys are pushing and off-balance, and ice is slippery.
I waited all year for this?
i think there are a lot of red-tinted glasses going on in the analyses of these hits (as i’m sure there are for malkin and pens fans). there was a similar play on the mike green tripping 2-minute minor in game 6 against the habs, where the other player initiated the contact but green whipped his leg through and chopped the guy’s skates from behind. i can’t honestly decipher intent on a lot of the hits we’re talking about—i’m not comfortable labeling “dirty” or “not dirty” for any of them. the bottom line is the player should be responsible for an action that could seriously injure.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
the bottom line is the player should be responsible for an action that could seriously injure.
So literally every single play? There’s a reason there is a “follow through” exception for high-sticking. I personally don’t like it, but there is some logic to it. My point is that players are not responsible for all actions that could seriously injure.
I waited all year for this?
within the rules of the game. easy enough distinction.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL. Have you not been paying attention to this entire season? How does “within the rules of the game” actually clarify anything?
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jun 1, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
well there’s a rule for slew footing and a rule for tripping. there’s also a rule that says following through on your shot is an exception to high sticking.
the rule for slew footing looks something like this:
any player who uses his feet to knock an opponents skates out from under him with a kicking or leg dragging motion from behind (“slew footing”)
i don’t see wiggle room there.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe not in this particular case, but I’m talking more broadly. What is boarding? What is a hit to the head? What about “responsibility for an action that could seriously injure” in the case of Cooke and Richards? There are too many examples for you to really think “within the rules of the game” and “responsible for an action that could seriously injure” actually define an applicable standard.
I waited all year for this?
the rules are written more nebulously for boarding, though. a slew foot is never within the rules of the game, a hit that sends a player into the boards occurs once every minute of game action.
in the case of boarding, it’s the referee’s job to parse the rule and decide for himself whether an action crosses the line, particularly if it is a play that could result in serious injury. the standard fits fine with the current NHL worldview, it’s just difficult to execute on a case-by-case basis for the types of calls you’re singling out.
And on the ice, at live speed, the difference between a trip and a slew-foot can be very difficult to define and observe. There are a lot of semi-slew-foots that arise out of two players battling and one or both losing balance. It’s not as clear as your block quote makes it sound.
I waited all year for this?
Even that is not black and white.
I think what he may be trying to say in part is that you can give a guy an accidental nudge with your skate and he, off balance already, could fall and you’d get nicked for slew-footing. Alternatively, you can try to slew-foot a guy but he’s turning and doesn’t have balance on that leg, and doesn’t fall.
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by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorta. A few months ago I was battling in front of the net at a men’s league game. The D was wearing himself out trying to move me and eventually somehow got himself twisted all the way around me. When I stood up straight to brace myself the basic effect was a slew-foot. I never took my foot off the ice but from the way we were tangled my knee and thigh took out his entire balance from behind when I braced myself. He was bitching to high hell for a call and I was saying “if you had just left me alone it wouldn’t have been an issue.” I’ve also been in numerous other quasi-slew-foot situations in practice throughout my youth. It’s really not as easy a call as natty makes it out to be; especially if you want to keep “slew-foot” as a particularly egregious penalty that deserves extra condemnation (which I do).
I waited all year for this?
This leaves out the game ejection and suspension AO got in 07 (after leaving penalty box and borderline Matt Cooke/Mike Richards’ing a Swiss player), the Gleason hit was bad being as he lead with the knee.
You don’t see how I see it, I don’t see it how you do…Probably just the way we look at things and remember it. Natty B mentioned a possible slew-foot Ovie did to a Penguin, I can’t even recall it. Then again, I wouldn’t have remembered the Mara/Malkin incidents. Surprisingly, your memory on the issues is better than mine, I definitely give you that.
But it’s probably one of those viewpoint things we won’t agree on, nor change each other’s mind.
This leaves out the game ejection and suspension AO got in 07 (after leaving penalty box and borderline Matt Cooke/Mike Richards’ing a Swiss player
I completely disagree with that characterization. That hit is more like Willie Mitchell on Toews. He stepped out of the box and the guy skated right into him without looking. He didn’t chase him down from behind and target the head.
I waited all year for this?
I havent seen the replay in a while and can’t view yt’s at work…Will re-watch later and let you know if my recollection was off.
And not intended to be critical, but this is why you probably shouldn’t get in the middle of these arguments. It’s to be expected that periodically we’ll find ourselves rehashing why we dislike someone (and I may have indirectly started this one, if so, I’m sorry). This is a Caps blog, so we’re biased. You’re a Pens fan, so you’re biased. You won’t win this one.
"It's always good to have vikings."
ovechkin’s starting to rack up the slew foots himself. a blatant one from the pens series last year that wasn’t called, the peverly slew foot that drew a fine, and then the one near the end of this season (forgetting the team). the whole “this guy is dirty, this guy isn’t” debate is my least favorite on japers’ rink.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
this guy is dirty, this guy isn’t" debate is my least favorite on japers’ rink.
Yeah it’s dumb. Everyone has dirt on them, some people can just admit it.
True, and in addition to that people seems to hold players to unrealistically high standards. The number of people who have played hockey in a remotely competitive environment honestly say they never did anything that could be construed as “reckless”, “dirty”, “irresponsible”, “unsportsmanlike”, “disrespectful”, or any other term you want to use is very, very small. Then factor in these guys are playing in pressure-packed, ultra-competitive environments, and take their record of hundreds of games and thousands of minutes players and the fact that every game is on TV now, and so many people use their DVRs and can upload to YouTube and, yeah, it’s easy to make anyone look like they’re a dirty player.
by David Getz on Jun 1, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Exactly. Which is why going to the ultimate “dirty or not dirty” label is pointless. It’s also why J.P. calls dirty hits the Rorschach test. People see what they want to. I wouldn’t consider Malkin or Crosby “dirty” players; I reserve that tag for the top 1% of dirty in the league. I’m just frustrated by the way the MSM frames the debate.
I waited all year for this?
I basically see it as a, icicle-shaped bell curve. There are a few guys you can point to as irrefutably dirty, and a few who are particularly gentlemanly. 95% of the guys in the league are more or less as dirty as one another.
Agreed on your bell curve, DMG. Though it’s probably less pure gentleman than pure evil in that curve.
I was not trying to put Ovechkin on the stake here, I don’t blindly see intent in everything he does or would associate him with like Carcillo/Downie or anything in that top 5%. JP’s point is right, people see what they want to see. Goes for more than questionable hits too.
From an example in this very thread, people that don’t like Crosby see him break a stick over the goal and see him as a whining, petulant crybaby that didn’t get his way.
People that do like Crosby see him as frustrated about the play and brush it off as something a lot of other players have done from time to time and not a big deal.
Ovechkin probably does a similar thing next season, and the people on Side A will go to Side B and vice-versa. Odd how that works out and how we see (and perceive) what we want.
“Dirty” may not be the best way to describe Crosby’s game, but is maybe “disrespectful” the right one? The examples you cite are exactly that. How dare you hit me? Or how dare you stop the puck when I’m trying to score? I usually think of him as simply a spoiled brat, and that hasn’t changed in five years.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I think guys that are that hyper-competitive are wired that way. Crosby’s no saint, and I won’t argue/defend his every move, but considering the abuse he takes versus what he dishes out, I wouldn’t say it’s out of sync. Sure he slashes guys back and you shouldn’t do that away from the play, but there’s a lot of lead-up in any situation.
Crosby talks to the refs a lot too, but in every sport show me a superstar (and captain) that doesn’t. Won’t find one. He’s cut down a lot in this area too over the years, even if it’s still a little too much for my tastes.
Both Ovechkin and Crosby live under microscopes that would crush ordinary people. Frankly, I’m surprised they don’t snap more than they do. Already, we’ve seen what the weight of negative publicity and criticism did to Ovechkin after the Campbell hit. He was clearly a very different player the last part of the season and not in a good way. I won’t be shocked at all if a similar change comes over Crosby. These guys, after all, are human and the constant personal shots have to eventually take their toll.
by b.orr4 on Jun 1, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
but Crosby more frequently acts in a petulant and dishonorable manner.
maybe that’s the language I should have used, instead of “dirty.” Guess that’s why you’re the lawyer :)
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I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jun 1, 2010 9:54 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
AGGH! they screwed it up AGAIN. seriously, how much better would it have been if the beginning of the commercial had been an extended look at kopecký getting in carcillo’s face, only to reveal carcillo’s hit on the rewind. that’s how the NHL commercials always look, and none of the youtubes get it right.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah you are definitely right. Also, if you go to the BSH recap the look on Kane’s face as he is watching it is priceless. I love it.
(Also, a MarioD imposter on BSH? Priceless.)
I waited all year for this?
WHAAT? “MarioDi.” that’s hilarious. hell of an impression, too. would i get banned if i started a CapsFan76 account?
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that this is really news, but Chris Pronger is kind of a douche.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:04 AM EDT reply actions
Pronger was asked about both incidents in the locker room by a writer from the DelCo Times and by Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly, who had the following transcript of the snippy exchange:
What happened?
“I couldn’t hear him, I don’t speak gibberish,” said Pronger, who picked up a misconduct penalty at the very end and got into it with Eager.
Where’s the puck, Pronger was asked.
“It’s in the garbage,” Pronger replied. “Where it belongs.”
You shot a towel at Eager when he complained?
“So what,” Pronger replied.
You’re collecting pucks now?
“Why not? What’s wrong? It’s sitting there. What else is gonna happen to it? It’s sitting there. Sure, why not. You got a problem with that?”
Are you gonna sell it on eBay?
“I don’t know. Apparently, it got him upset. So I guess it worked, didn’t it? It’s too bad. I guess little things amuse little minds.”
I mean….WTF?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
“total dick” doesn’t even come close to describing the guy.
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He may be a jerk, but he’s also a magician. Just look at the way he’s made Kane and Toews disappear in this series (no points and a combined -5). Say what you will about him, but there’s a reason he’s in his third SCF in the last six seasons.
Yeah he’s playing incredible hockey right now. But he’s also starting to show his age. He is much more vulnerable in open ice than he’s ever been and I thought especially toward the end of game 1 he was showing the wear from all those minutes. That said, this isn’t his swan song and he’s going to make PHI a very tough team to beat in the playoffs for at least 2-3 more years.
I waited all year for this?
Agreed, and while I have to believe that if the Caps had acquired Pronger last summer they might be playing now, I probably still wouldn’t make the deal that would have sent Carlson, Varly and a #1 to Anaheim for him.
I agree. It’s tough to watch right now and think what might have been, but long term the cost of that trade will become more apparent and we’ll be able to see how it pans out. Pronger is playing like a beast right now, so there isn’t any buyer’s remorse. I do wonder if PHI is starting to kick themselves about the Eminger/Carlson trade, though. Having either Sbisa or Carlson would be pretty damn nice for them. Having both would mean they aren’t playing hockey right now but would have one of the scariest young D corps in the league.
I waited all year for this?
I do wonder if PHI is starting to kick themselves about the Eminger/Carlson trade, though.
If Philly doesn’t win the Cup this year and then goes on another extended SCF drought and Carlson becomes the kind of player we all think he will be, that trade will become the eternal stain on Holmgren’s GM tenure.
It’s about the window too. So we have Carlson for perhaps the next 10 years or whatever. Who may get a career-ending injury in training camp? Who may get disgruntled or fat and lazy? Who may leave for the money?
I was for the Pronger trade because of the window for the pieces we have now as far as competitiveness for a Cup. When Pronger retires we still may have Carlson, and presumably he will be better.
If we win a Cup in the next couple of years and in 5 years, then GMGM definitely made the right move.
If we don’t win a Cup at all within the next 5 that’s not to say he made the wrong move in this particular case though.
Well, it’s not guaranteed that Philly would have chosen Sbisa or Carlson if they kept the pick. My guess is that they wouldn’t have, because they decided Eminger was going to be a better guy to have than either of those two prospects still on the draft board. Usually when teams trade picks to move backward, they’re not targeting anybody who’s expected to go at that point.
Yeah, they did…I was just responding directly to Fehr and Balanced’s post and didn’t check to see who they actually drafted.
Although…would you have made the previous rumored trade with Alzner instead of Carlson?
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by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately for them, the other portions of ice time are going to the puu puu platter of Coburn, Krajicek, and Bartulis
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Coburn was awesome last night. Bartulis actually played pretty well also. Makes me wonder why Parent had been getting a jersey for the last month.
I waited all year for this?
Didn’t see the game. Alls I know about Coburn is that it seems like every time I watch him, he shits the bed terribly, like that godawful turnover in Game 1.
Looking at last night’s Ice time:
Bartulis – 10:45
Carle – 23:53
Coburn – 21:53
Pronger – 27:52
Timonen – 24:28
Krajicek – 11:05
Looks like they did a pretty good job of hiding their two worst holes.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
As little as Bartulis and Krajicek played last night, they were both still -1’s.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
CHI got the Hossa line out against them on the 1st goal.
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Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
They did a decent job of hiding them but every time they tried to put that 3rd pair on the ice Q put out Kane. Almost all of Kane’s good shifts came against that bottom pair. It’ll be even easier to hide them in PHI when Lavs controls the match up.
I think what you see with Coburn is what a lot of Caps fans see with Schultz. He can be quietly effective all game but there is one awkward gaffe that sticks out. Last night Coburn didn’t have the awkward gaffe so it just looked like a very solid game for him.
I waited all year for this?
I’ve always thought Laviolette was a great coach.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Not according to Ken Campbell:
Game 2 could not have been more different than Game 1, but the result was the same and the difference came down to enormous blunders by Flyers coach Peter Laviolette and goalie Michael Leighton. After playing his Nos. 5 and 6 defensemen a total of just 7:44 of ice time in Game 1, Laviolette gave Lukas Krajicek and Oskars Bartulis a combined 21:54 in Game 2. Even more inexplicably, he had the two of them out on a faceoff in the Flyers own end against the Blackhawks’ most dangerous line from Game 1. Predictably, the two defensemen couldn’t contain Marian Hossa and Troy Brouwer in front of the net and the Hawks scored.
With all due respect, it’s Ken Campbell.
And the home team has last change. Not much he can do there.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
How exactly is it a good thing for Parent to only skate :41 and have Pronger play 32 minutes? I’m pretty sure every team, especially an SCF contender, thinks they should get more than 7:44 from their bottom pair.
I waited all year for this?
What I don’t understand is that if Laviolette isn’t going to play them, dress only 5 defenders and add an extra forward — a PK specialist or a guy for the PP. Don’t waste a spot in the biggest games of the season.
Well he benched Parent and did play Bartulis. I can’t understand how anyone would advocate dressing 5 D. That leaves you with no leeway if someone gets hurt and you are totally boned if one of your D takes a PIM. You have to have at least 6 D.
I waited all year for this?
In principle I agree with you, but I’d rather see players used or have a purpose than just sitting on the end of the bench.
Ben Eager plays less than 4:00 for the Blackhawks each game, but you know what you’re getting from him when he’s out there. When you dress 1/3 of the defense and don’t play them at all, you’re just putting your team in a bad situation.
Hahahahaha. Shit, I can’t say I wouldn’t act the same way if I were trying to win the SC.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 1, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
...
The whole thing sounds like a “lighten up, Francis” situation
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Pronger’s a smart guy. He has some reason to be doing all of these things. Generating some heat and taking it so his teammates don’t have to.
I mean, picking up game pucks…in two games…is a little obvious, isn’t it?
But does he really NEED to though? What’s the point of having Carcillo if you need Pronger to be your number 1 tool/pest?
Yet another reason why the Carcillo/Upshall trade was a really stupid trade to make.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s his game.
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Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
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by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Carcillo’s or Pronger’s?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Both, I guess.
And to Carcillo’s credit, he’s got some skills. Not a lot, but enough to get a sweater regularly.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Yet another reason why the Carcillo/Upshall trade was a really stupid trade to make.
i haven’t been observing all that closely, but i’ve been left with the general impression that carcillo has been gangbusters during these playoffs. you really think upshall would be an upgrade for that team?
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Well Carcillo was healthy scratched for a few games in a row… obviously not that gangbusters.
I waited all year for this?
ahh..
and this is why i qualify my statements when i don’t know what i’m talking about!
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 1, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not your fault. If all you’ve done is listened to the media you’d think Carcillo was actually a difference maker. In my experience, true difference makers don’t become healthy scratches.
I waited all year for this?
I just didn’t see where he was “needed”. They already had Downie (whom they dealt), and they already had a thousand goons on the team already. What was the point?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you. I liked the move a lot, because I root against PHI. They had all the toughness they could need, I would have kept Upshall.
I waited all year for this?
Downie would have provided everything else DC did, and more, and they got rid of him in the Carle deal.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
So they could have Carlson, Downie, and Upshall instead of Carle and Carcillo?
I waited all year for this?
And Eminger!!!!@
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Carcillo had a couple big goals in consecutive games against NJD and all of a sudden he’s a playoff hero.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I couldn’t believe the amount of coverage NBC was giving Carcillo last night. They made it a point to ask both coaches about his impact on the game and also to ask Duncan Keith about his thoughts on Carcillo after the win. What’s their agenda here? And is it really true that Quenville was intentionally hiding the Keith/Seabrook pairing from him out of fear of injury? Come on.
In NBC’s defense, he is kind of a “personality” in a series where there really aren’t that many
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
That last line is the funniest part to me. “They are specifically keeping Keith and Seabrook away from Carcillo!” Like those guys have never been hit before. How’s this for a thought: Danny Briere had 4 points last game and his line was by far the best PHI line (and probably the best line overall in game 1), maybe CHI should put their best D pair against that line!
I waited all year for this?
So gangbusters he was scratched for two straight games?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Upshall was also leading the ’Yotes in scoring before he got hurt.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Uh, yes. Upshall, when healthy is a real solid 2W. He would’ve hit 30g with the Coyotes if he didn’t tear his ACL. Much better skater and goal scorer than Carcillo, and not a dick, either.
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by Chris Burton on Jun 1, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Not a dick like Carcillo, but he can agitate a little and is by no means easy to play against.
I waited all year for this?
Absolutely. That was a mind boggling trade then and now. I’m glad Scotty’s with the Coyotes.
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by Chris Burton on Jun 1, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not sure. Upshall is still in his first deal with Phoenix so its not like Philly was trying to dump a contract.
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by Chris Burton on Jun 1, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Carcillo expires this year (Restricted), as does Upshall
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Upshall is also restricted.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, but the trade was last year.
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by Chris Burton on Jun 1, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it was in a long-term sense. I don’t think they expected to re-sign Upshall so maybe that was a factor. They did trade for McLaren that same deadline but then he failed his physical and never played for PHI. Maybe they needed to move Uphsall to open cap space for McLaren. Even in that case it was a poor decision.
I waited all year for this?
The fact that they wouldn’t be in a position to re-sign Upshall is an indictment on Holmgren. If Hartnell didn’t have that ridiculous deal it’d have worked.
Then again, they won the East. Fuck, I don’t know who’s a good GM anymore.
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by Chris Burton on Jun 1, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
It could be a dressing-room thing too, since that’s one of the most volatile rooms in the league, but it still doesn’t make sense that they would dump one of the more popular guys in the room
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly, they LOVED Upshall; both fans and teammates. Maybe they wanted to break up the party core, but I don’t know if that’s true or if it makes much sense if it is true.
I waited all year for this?
Everyone loves Upshall.
:(
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So in a span of about four years, are we going to get both red and white classic throwbacks or do you think they’ll opt for something like they did with Detroit and pull out some sort of ancient Washington minor league team jersey?
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
....
I think he’d look more like this guy:
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Peerless posted on the need for blueline experience last season. Now Vogel is doing it this season. So my question is whether or not GMGM should be putting a higher premium on experience than talent. Should he sign a guy (or trade for) that is really a 5/6 guy hoping that his experience will be the difference come playoff time? Or does he look for a guy that has more talent and hope that they will have/accrue enough experience by the time the playoffs come around? Does he target attractive FAs like Hamhuis and Seidenberg (both relatively young) or look for a guy like Sopel? The first two are probably both better players, but Sopel has quite a bit more experience, including this year’s Cup run (and he’s played pretty well of late). It also makes me a little nervous about relying too heavily on Carlznerson; sure, they are very good for their age and are studs in the making, but is it really a wise policy to rely on them for anything more than 5/6 minutes (especially when your top pair has less than 600 combined games going into the season)?
I waited all year for this?
We posted on it last summer as well.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Experience on the blueline, is darn near a must. Someone needs to mentor Green on the ice. Not to mention it couldn’t hurt Carlznerson to have a guy who’s been there done that.
Up front I don’t think experience is as important. More net presense and balace is the key. They need to move a wing for strength down the middle. Flash and picks for Sharp is the dream of the off-season….
Yeah I’m with you on the Sharp dream, but it’s not really likely I don’t think.
So when you look for a D in the off-season, are you looking for experience or quality?
I waited all year for this?
Experience over quality, IMHO.
The fact of the matter is they aren’t going to drastically improve the blue line by picking up a UFA. So is it worth it to try to trade for a big improvement? Probably not, and I’m just not sure how many teams are going to trade a top pair dman which is the only way the caps get markedly better.
I believe going experience over quality could pay dividends for the pieces of the puzzle we already have. Green needs someone to help him grow up (mainly on the ice). It would be nice bonus if they could be somewhat multifaceted too. Other then Green/OV there is no one else who can run the point on a PP. But I really haven’t looked at who might be available yet.
For me, it’s experience in a landslide. I’ve been wanting a mentor on the blue line for quite a while now, and that certainly won’t change with the (hopefully) increased youth movement of Alzer/Carlson. You’re looking at potential d-corps that features Green (25 in Oct), Schultz (25 in Feb), Alzer (22 in Sept) and Carlson (21 in Jnauary). Your stable, veteran mentor types are Poti and Erskine. Blech.
I really don’t want to see, for instance, the caps bring back ShaMo or Jurcina; I have nothing against those guys, but we’ve “been there, done that”. Bring in a real veteran to help lead the group, not another Capitals retread. Sopel is an interesting option, particularly if he comes out of this season with a Cup. I’m totally down with a “past-prime” guy like Aaron Ward, Hal Gill, Darryl Sydor, Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Sean O’Donnell. We don’t need to bring in a top 4 guy, IMO, nor an 82-games guy. We need a guy that can teach the younger players some of the tricks of the trade, and that has experience with long cup runs.
Do not want Aaron Ward. He’s washed up. That’s the pitfall you have to watch out for with “experience.” Foote and Blake are either retiring or staying where they are, so it’s a non-starter. Did Sydor even play this year? I could do O’Donnell; I think he’s one of the most underrated D in the league.
I waited all year for this?
Foote re-upped, and agreed on O’Donnell (at $1.25m, worth giving it a shot).
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 1, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
The specific names are mostly just examples of the types of guys I would be interested in, off the top of my head. In every case there are going to be arguments against acquiring ANY veteran that fits my criteria (washed up, not moving teams, etc). But that’s the kind of guy I want the caps to get, whether it be during the offseason or at the deadline. Don’t bring me freakin Joe Corvo or Milan Jurcina.
And for the record, Sydor seems to have played 47 games for StL this year, with no injury noted as a reason for not playing 82. So I am guessing he got too old to keep playing.
Sydor is even more washed up than Ward.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 1, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
If the cap is going up about $2 million as has been rumored/said, then I would expect the Capitals to heavily pursue a Poti replacement—a veteran who can anchor the blueline for the next few seasons while Alzner and Carlson mature. Plus, we don’t know how Poti is going to be after his eye injury.
A week or so ago, TSN reported the rumor that the Capitals were preparing a big offer to Volchenkov (they’ve since removed it from their site), so I would expect them to go after FAs of that level.
Is Stephane Robidas one of the d-men we’ve talked about here? "cos he just had shoulder surgery.
http://twitter.com/KatsHockey/status/15183797410
OUCH! Stephane Robidas & Trevor Daly of #Dallas Stars underwent shoulder surgery in Apr. 12 wks of rehab cuts it close to training camp
The Hershey Bears Hockey Blog has a good, in-depth preview of the Calder Cup Finals:
http://hersheybearshockey.blogspot.com/2010/06/bearsstars-series-preview.html
Caps Snaps - Washington Capitals Photography
Founder of the Eric Fehr Fan Club.
I agree with the point at the end of the preview. I’m thinking Hershey sweep. I’m telling people here to get tix for games 3 and 4 cause I don’t think there’ll be a Game 5.
Climie’s rebound control is unbelievably bad, don’t take my word for it, you’ll probably see it yourself in a few days. He rarely is able to freeze the puck.
In the two games I saw, Texas scored primarily by timed ownage of the real estate right in front of the goalie and getting the puck up high. (Not quite dirty goals).
I knew Jamie Benn played with the NHL Stars during the past season. I just didn’t realize he played ALL 82 GAMES!. He must have been pissed when he saw his name on the clear list in March (no vacation for you, youngster!)
"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."
22 big-league goals for him in those 82 games. But none against the Caps, and Varly was in goal for the one game we played against the Stars. So he didn’t get a look at neuvy.
And he’s only 20, why would he not want to play more hockey?
Looking forward to it!
Caps Snaps - Washinto... Hershey Bears Photography
Founder of the Eric Fehr Fan Club.
Lidstrom re-signs with Red Wings
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
Dammit.
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by Chris Burton on Jun 1, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
And they’ll be one and done next year too, if they even make the playoffs.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know about that. They can make a run with the current personnel, I think. Anyone with Lidstrom/Rafalski/Kronwall and Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Franzen is a dangerous squad.
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They needed a superhuman effort just to make the playoffs THIS year….I can’t see that happening again.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they led the league in man games lost to injury.
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Wouldn’t that be symptomatic of how old they are?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Lidstrom didn’t miss any. Zetterberg had his shoulder separated by Ohlund and Franzen tore his ACL, so I don’t know.
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Jason Williams fractured his leg this season as well, missing 8 weeks. Holmstrom missed time due to injury. Kronwall was out for a long time with a minor MCL tear. Lilja missed most of the season with brain issues from a hit the previous year. Those are a couple more off the top of my head.
That squad was the walking wounded this season. As much as I bitched about Zetters and Dats and Lidtsrom not stepping up when they needed to (and frequently, they didn’t), the Wings were losing guys at an astonishing rate.
#savethekittens!
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Lilja
Specifically was out because of this – February 28, 2009:
How hard, exactly, is a punch that makes your brain bleed?
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really hard? but, yeah, brain bleeding, for months on end…..something I’d like to avoid.
#savethekittens!
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Well
there are certain spots. Like hit in the temple with a cricket ball or baseball is likely death.
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Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe, but I’m not sure it’s the case. They also had two long seasons before this season and finally have a long off-season of rest. I don’t think there is necessarily a reason to think that age and injuries are intimately connected. For example, Lidstrom played 82 games and Kronwall missed a ton of time with an ACL injury. I’m not going to go through all their injuries, and I’m not saying that age doesn’t play a factor in injuries at all, I’m just saying there is definitely an element of “dumb luck” to the DET injury situation this year.
I waited all year for this?
Not only were they the oldest team in the league this year, they were the only team in the league with an average age over 30 (30.3). The closest was NJD at 29.1
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
And Carolina at 29.3
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not arguing that, I’m just questioning whether or not the age really was the driving factor for their man game’s lost. (Look at CAR as well, old team but the biggest injuries they faced this year were Staal and Ward.)
I waited all year for this?
I don’t think it was age, personally. The number of major injuries suffered by the Wings’ players was insane, and not all those players were “old.” For a while, it didn’t seem to matter what someone’s age was, they were dropping like flies. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it.
#savethekittens!
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You tried making this argument before when we were talking about their long term prospects, and it is no more accurate now.
Ericsson, Filpula, Franzen, Lilja, and Kronwall are all young and missed serious time with injuries. Lidstrom, Bertuzzi, Draper and Rafalski all played at least 78 games. Age and injuries weren’t correlated this year.
And yes, they needed a huge push to get to the playoffs, but they ended up with the 5th seed and over 100 points. They didn’t just squeak in. Plus, the fact that they were able to make that big run once they got healthy should say something about how good the team still is when they aren’t devastated by injuries.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And they were out by the second round, where they needed 7 games to beat Phoenix and were blown out in 5 by San Jose.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
107 and 113 pts respectively. Certainly better than losing to an 88 pt team in the first round.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
salt, meet my still open wound.
#savethekittens!
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Still didn’t win the Cup or come close to doing it. Doesn’t matter who they lost to.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
So are you now switching your argument to “Detroit is not an elite team”? Because that I agree with. But I don’t agree with your original argument that Detroit will struggle to even make the playoffs, or that they are not a dangerous team when they do get there.
And when you are evaluating a team’s prospects for the next season, who they lose to in the playoffs does matter.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Well yeah, I don’t think they’re “elite” because of how old they are.
Can you honestly say they’re going to be better next year than they were this year with the same cast? I can’t see them getting through any of the top tier teams in the West right now (at least in the playoffs).
I just don’t think there’s enough gas in the tank there if they have a lot of injury problems again to make a huge run down the stretch like they did this year, which is why I think they’ll struggle to make the playoffs.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
At this point, I don’t think they’re good enough to win the Cup, nor seriously contend for it, and what’s the point of that? I’d rather have them start breaking everything down and adding kids for the future.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think they will be better, or that they are a top contender in the West. But that is much different from being a solid playoff team. I can see them not being quite as good, but still hitting 100 pts if they don’t get destroyed by injuries again. I also think that they have enough experience and talent to make serious noise in the playoffs, especially since we have no idea what Chicago and San Jose are going to look like next year.
Basically, for Detroit to NOT make the playoffs, they have to have serious injury problems to key players again, AND you have to expect that all the young surprising teams in the West (LA, NSH, COL, PHX) don’t hit any speed bumps in their development. I don’t see that happening.
Their core of forwards is not that old and are still extremely productive, so they are solid there. On D Lidstrom and Rafalski are aging, but still excellent players. They are veterans that know how to handle big minutes in a long season, even at their age (plus they have a longer offseason now and no Olympics). Plus they have solid depth with Kronwall, Stuart, and Ericsson, so it is still an above average D corps. The big question for me is in goal: what is Howard’s sophomore year gonna look like?
I think you are latching onto the age and their great second half run too much and ignoring the reason why they were even able to make the second half run – they are a damn good team. They didn’t win all those games through luck or smoke and mirrors. And Ken Holland is the best GM in the game, you gotta trust him and give him a shot to keep them competitive before blowing everything up just because the team “only” made it to the 2nd round.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It becomes a problem, though, when 2nd round becomes their ceiling.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Which we can’t really tell yet. I mean, Thornton decided to wake up from his spring hibernation for 5 games. If he doesn’t, then DET-CHI, and DET would have made that very competitive, I think.
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Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not convinced it is, nor am I sure how anyone can say that it is the ceiling of this core after one year failing to make the finals. Holland has found young talent to replace aging stars and kept the Wings at the top for over a decade. Do you think a 2nd round exit is a sign that he can’t do it anymore?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Its not a sign that he can’t do it any more, but more of a sign that they’re slipping into “perpetual mediocrity” where they’re not good enough to win a Cup, but just good enough to make the playoffs every year.
What “young talent” has he found recently? They traded away Leino, Cleary is already 30, and other than Helm at 22, Ericsson, Eaves and Filippppppullllaaaa are the youngest guys at 25.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Except that he already went through a “DET is slipping into perpetual mediocrity” thing in the early 2000s. Not only did he add veterans to win Cups, but he aligned them to rebuild into another powerhouse at the same time.
I waited all year for this?
Pre salary cap.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
The salary cap makes it harder to keep his players and add expensive veterans, but drafting and developing isn’t any different. If anything, DET’s method of slow-cooking prospects is even better suited to a cap-era system because it keeps prospects cheaper for longer and makes them more NHL ready when they do finally make the jump.
I waited all year for this?
But they had one of the worst teams in the AHL this year. Where are all these slow cooking prospects coming from if they’re trading them all away?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
If you hit 1 of every 8 draft picks that’s probably even, at the NHL level, as hitting 1 of 8 and getting 5 of those almost there but not quite.
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Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
They haven’t “hit” on a first round draft pick since Kronwall in 2000. They’ve only had 4 first round picks total in the last 10 years, and none of their draft picks from 2006-2009 have played a single NHL game, with the exception of Shawn Matthias, who never played a game for them.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Plenty of teams have had NHL success without dominating AHL guys. I have no idea what their organizational philosophy is in the AHL, but I don’t think a poor AHL record is necessarily a condemnation. Abdelkader, Helm, and Ericsson all just made the jump. Would HER be as good of a team without Aucoin, Giroux, Helmer, and some of the other career AHL guys? Obviously the Caps prospects were a big help, but those prospects are not enough to make the Bears a dominant AHL team. Maybe Grand Rapids just doesn’t spend a lot on AHL veterans.
I waited all year for this?
Eh, how many prospects have they really traded away recently? And I’m not sold on AHL success mattering so much for NHL success. Detroit hasn’t had a great farm team since they became a power house in the mid 90s, it hasn’t seemed to stop them. They have great European scouting as well. How many times do you hear of a great Red Wings prospect before they actually show up in the NHL?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
But wouldn’t it be kind of a problem if none of the guys they’ve drafted in the last 4 years have ever played an NHL game?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really. It’s hard for a 22 year old to crack Detroit’s lineup. You say they haven’t hit on a 1st round pick since 2000, but they also haven’t missed yet either – all their 1st rounders are too young to tell (although Kindl is close, he’s still only a 23 year old Dman). Franzen, Howard, Hudler, Filppula, Flash, Kronwall – all took at least a few years to crack the DET roster. Nothing that they are doing now is out of line with how they’ve operated for 15 years. It may fall apart now, but I’m not betting on it.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
He doesn’t need to stack up a bunch of stud 22 year olds because he already stockpiled a ton of sub-30 talent: Franzen, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Hudler, Howard, and Stuart, just to add to the guys you mentioned.
They always let prospects stew in their system for a while. Detroit doesn’t need to hit home runs with 18 year olds because they have an older and experienced core. They just need those guys to be able to step in and be key guys in their mid 20s when the previous core starts to age. Just like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Franzen, etc. did/are doing.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Re: "Blown out in 5"
It’s like they were marginally worse four times (four one goal losses IIRC). It’s not that they’re bad, and they’re probably still borderline elite next season too. It’s that they were almost good enough, but, “almost isn’t good enough.”
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Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
That series was quite a bit tighter than 5 games would indicate.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jun 1, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it could be argued that guys like Lidstrom, Draper and Rafalski all contributed less in ‘09-10 than they did on 08-09, and probably will continue to slip. Don’t forget Osgood too. But I don’t think injuries/ages were tied, at least this season.
The big question isn’t age, it’s if they have enough to compliment that. As long as Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen all stay healthy, that should be enough skill to form the back-bone of a playoff bound team.
The big question is goaltending. If Jimmy Howard puts up anything remotely close to what he did this season, they qualify easily. If they get another Osgood performance, they’re in deep trouble.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jun 1, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Second to Edmonton, if memory serves.
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Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
(note name change)
by red army line on Jun 1, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
well, that should keep the tin foil crowd happy for about 5 minutes.
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Quote by Bykov on Ovie:
We expected a lot more from Ovechkin, but he arrived tired and with an injury. Our doctors did everything they could.
from Twitter @dschesnokov (sorry can’t link to twitter at work)
Here’s the full quote by Bykov from Sov Sport using going translate:
From Alexander Ovechkin we waited more productive game. But he arrived weary and injury, explained the coach. Our doctors have done everything they could. Against Alexander all teams played very hard. But he behaved very well, and in any case can not say, they say, with Ovechkin was not the proper frame. If we saw it as a different attitude to matches, Sasha would have sat on the bench. A defeat, though tragic, is not an evaluation of performance.
I can’t believe that the Russians are keeping Bykov as coach. There’s a quote on SovSport that said they thought Bykov was satisfactory. I guess they missed how badly the team played in the Olympics and Worlds.
Yeah, I’m not sure anything Bykov says is relevant. The guy clearly is above his head when he plays against teams made from NHL players. The second quote is less condemning, but he still needs to look in the mirror before calling out AO.
I waited all year for this?
was there something about renewing Bykov as the head coach? Last I saw his term was up in August or so. No need to fire him 3 months before he’s done.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
From SovSport:
The Board assessed the FHR performance of our team at the World Championships in Germany, as satisfactory. After the meeting, federation president Vladislav Tretiak said Vyacheslav Bykov should remain at the helm of the national team. And that other candidates for the post of head coach are not even considered.
Does Russia just not get it?
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I conditionally disagree with that statement. If he was injured, depending on what it was, he shouldn’t have been playing in the WC, and GMGM would have said so.
"It's always good to have vikings."
That’s sort of what I was thinking. BB said after game 7 that there were no injuries except Poti, and then we learned about Nicky. So either BB didn’t want to say anything about Ovi either (maybe he didn’t want to use it as an excuse) or Ovi didn’t tell anyone he was injured. And maybe if they knew he was injured, they felt it wasn’t serious enough that he could still play in the WCs.
The Russian Federation would have had to insure his contract, which I assume means he would have had to pass some kind of physical. So either he wasn’t injured, meaning they’re lying now, or they lied to the insurance company.
"It's always good to have vikings."
That’s such an obscene amount of money. How long do you think that covered, just the one World Championship or a longer period of time? Do they get some sort of refund if it’s unused? Just think about how much Russia paid to insure all those NHL guys. They couldn’t even buy themselves gold.
Think about the guys who played without a contract. Kovalchuk, for example. That’s a big financial risk for love of country.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I think Afinogenov also didn’t have a contract. The people that claim Russian players are all about money are wrong. I think those guys probably were still insured, just for a much smaller amount.
I Don't Believe Bykov
IIRC Ovi started strong: 5 goals, 4 of which were game winners, then a couple of assists, then no points in the final two games—against the Canadians and then the Czechs.
He may have arrived weary and disappointed but I don’t believe he was injured. I believe he was injured during that physical game with Canada (Perry’s spearing of him etc.), and it seemed to me as if he was playing injured in the Czech game.
Losing three teeth to a high stick in the final, ultimately disappointing gold-medal losing scrum was just—well ugh!. Good thing he got a puppy. Everyone needs the love of a good puppy.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract, "because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jun 1, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Salary cap increase...seriously?
So instead of cutting into the 20% the players are losing to escrow, we’ll just increase the cap by $2M so we can let teams like Chicago and Philly off the hook after fucking themselves.
Why play anything smart in the NHL?
Choking since 1985.
They must have some kind of choice, or they wouldn’t keep giving more and more back to escrow.
I think the cap should be adjusted every 3 years and let escrow take care of the rest. You obviously can’t maintain any kind of continuity if the cap is going to fluctuate by 4 or 5 M a year.
Still – this pisses me off. The cap should not be going up unless the escrow amount is expected to be 0. All they are doing is bailing out teams that mock the system, and it’s time the Caps should start taking advantage of this instead of trying to play it straight.
Choking since 1985.
Sorry Mac, but that’s just not how the CBA is written. Escrow is unrelated to offseason cap increases and decreases. It’s there for a different purpose.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2010 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Just read this in the Caps latest Ice Chips email that was just sent out RE: Winter Classic…
Every Washington Capitals full season account holder will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the event. Details on ticket availability and pricing will be sent to full season-ticket holders when they become available. Other fans interested in attending the 2011 Winter Classic are encouraged to sign up for ticket updates on WashingtonCaps.com.
"I am ready for his provocations"
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jun 1, 2010 3:25 PM EDT reply actions
In happier Caps news, Ron Weber will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this fall for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster. CI had the relevant bits of the press release up as well as an article from 1997 on Weber, his devotion to the Caps, and the less-than-lovely way he was shoved out the door. He was a great radio guy, remains a truly wonderful person, and it’s so exciting to see him honored.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I’ve posted more goodies in this fanshot
this is such a wonderful honor for him, and I can’t for the season to get here so he can be properly congratulated.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Washington will not retain the rights of defenseman Oscar Hedman (fifth round, 132nd overall in 2004), blueliner Eric Mestery (second round, 57th overall in 2008), center Joel Broda (fifth round, 144th overall in 2008) and Benjamin Casavant (seventh round, 20th overall in 2009). Hedman becomes a free agent while the other three players will return to the pool of eligible players for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
Oof. Mestery hurts. That second round pick really could have been used on a good player. I hated it then and hate it more now. The second round is not the time to take a project player. They should have traded up and gotten a surer thing rather than wasting a 2 on a project. Dumb.
I waited all year for this?
On the other hand, does that mean we won’t miss the second rounders from this year and next that got traded away at the deadline?
Humor, folks, humor.
"It's always good to have vikings."
That’s a silver lining if ever there was one. I can’t think of any great 2nds GMGM has recently; Neuvirth is the one guy that I have any strong affinity for. I can think of a lot that didn’t work.
I waited all year for this?
As I’m doing draft research; the second round might be the biggest crapshoot round in the whole draft. There is no way in the world to tell what you’re going to get, much moreso than it would logically seem.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
The second round is tough, but only because there’s a chance you get something good. A 2 is a crap shoot because you could get Mestery or Weber. A 6 isn’t a crap shoot, it’s just crap. And the 2nd looks like a great place to focus on D… just not Mestery.
I waited all year for this?
And the 2nd looks like a great place to focus on D
GMDP agrees with this. Weber, Franson, Josi, Klein, Sulzer…
As for the rest, that was my point – the extremes are greater than any other round.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
The Perreault lobby would like to remind you that he’s a sixth rounder.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I’m sure that Broda will land on his skates with another team but I’m sorry to see him move on. After I started paying attention to his team, I liked his attitude and he always seemed a little older and a little more grounded than all the other 20-year olds.
Clearly he wasn’t part of the Caps plans, but I hope he does well wherever he goes.
That was my impression from your reports. I hope he does well, too.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
Sorry ladies. Let me just come along and bust your bubble. There’s a reason the Caps showed no interest in him despite gaudy goal totals. Someone will give him a look, but I think he’s heading for Dubuc’s career path.
I waited all year for this?
Beast.objective
FTFY
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
"You’re still just trying to find the best players, the most talented players," says McPhee. "I just think we’ve gotten better at it. I don’t think the philopspohy has changed as much as our scouts are an experienced group now. We’ve done well late in the first round drafting Mike Green, Jeff Schultz, Semyon Varlamov, Marcus Johansson, John Carlson and Anton Gustafsson. We’ll continue to take the best player who is sitting there, and we’ve just done a better job of determining who the best player is."
I’m with GMGM right up to that last name…
NHL Network, please.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
Definitely. There is speculation on teh Twitterz…
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
They broadcast the memorial cup, I want me some Bears on my TV.
Caps Snaps - Washinto... Hershey Bears Photography
Founder of the Eric Fehr Fan Club.
Slightly OT, but does anyone know what ticket packages the Caps usually have? i’m moving back to the DC area next month and want to get a package. I can’t afford season tix, but I’d like a 10 game package or something. I’ve never paid attention to it before because I’ve never been in town long enough to go to multiple games.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
I moved back last year and, like you, was looking for a 10 game package. Unfortunately, I found out they no longer sell new 10 game packages. The only option is full season or a “3 pack”, which is just 3 game tickets in the same seat at face value.
I ended up getting a smaller package sold by a season ticket holder on Craig’s List. 2 seats to 12 games @ $40/ticket. Looking it up, the STH paid $33/ticket, so she made a little money on the sale and we were able to go to 12 games at a reasonable price. The ads started popping up in August, and I picked up my set of hard tickets the week after they were mailed out to the STH (second week of Sept, if I recall).
I ended up buying seats to a few other games during the season, mostly off of Craig’s List (the Capitals Ticket Exchange prices start at face value). And don’t forget the Rink Rat Ticket Exchange for single games at reasonable prices – Sometimes even free if there’s 2 feet of snow on the ground (thanks again, Boutros23 – I still owe you a beer :-) .
I’m still on the Caps waiting list, but a coworker who’s a STH said they were told that the renewal rate was 98% this year, so I’ll probably be doing the same thing again this year.
"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."
yep, 98%. And they told existing ticket holder who want to add tickets to their accounts that there are about 200 seats available in the 400s. the odds are long.
the Rink Rat exchange is a great place ti find tickets from your trusted JR buddies :)
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
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