Meditations on a Theme

by EmilyB on Jun 13, 2010 8:30 AM EDT

...and taking names.

(via Austin Statesman)

One of the singular pleasurable surprises of Hershey's 2010 Calder Cup Finals series has been the collaboration between Russian Machine Never Breaks and Bears forward Andrew Gordon. RMNB somehow persuaded Andrew to put his thoughts to ~~paper~~ pixel and "Gordo's Take" was launched right after Game One.

Gordo has obliged BearsNation with a series of thoughtful, insight-rich posts in which he reflects on the nature of winning and losing, and what it all means to him personally.

And as I read each of the posts, I noticed there was a bit of a narrative unfolding. To illustrate, I have excerpted a bit of each of his last four game blogs. Those are the Meditations.

Can you picture the Theme?

Meditation on Game Two (Stars 4 - Bears 3)

"When frustration sets in, you act differently. You become more aware of what the players around you are doing instead of what YOU are supposed to be doing. You are willing to break the game plan and skate yourself out of position in order to hit somebody. You become unwilling to take a hit, a slash, or a cross check without lashing back in retaliation. Every player has been guilty of this at some point in their careers (myself included), but the timing tonight was unfortunate."

Celebrating game-tying goal, Game Two (via www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com)

**********

Meditation on Game Three (Bears 6 - Stars 3)

"It comes down to breaking your opponent's will, and outworking them mentally before they do the same to you. You have to make them believe they can’t beat you, and then their bodies will just come along for the ride. You have to make them want to quit. Make them see summer right around the corner. At that point, a team can be broken even though there is still hockey to be played."

Celebrating game-winning goal, Game Three (via media.pennlive.com)

**********

Meditation on Game Four (Bears 4 - Stars 2)

"Where they once were filled with confidence, they now must be feeling some doubt. Where we once were unsure of ourselves, we have found strength in our game plan and our ability to execute it."

Celebrating game winning goal, Game Four (via alt.coxnewsweb.com)

**********

Meditation on Game Five (Bears 2 - Stars 1 OT)

"Knowing your opponent has the ability to come back on you deflates a team and makes a future one- or two-goal lead feel a little more nerve-racking. You never feel safe or in control even when ahead. This is the psychological warfare waged between teams over a seven-game span. You remember things from previous games, and that’s why we now have the mental edge."

Celebrating game-winning goal, Game Five (via @KCity65)

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We all hope the Caps are reading these posts.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Jun 13, 2010 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

I think that’s next year’s 3rd line RW for the Caps writing those thoughts.

In 20 years, he may be the Caps’ head coach.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

I doubt he goes right to 3W, especially with how much BB favors veterans. But I do think he is the top guy in HER to get a look in a checking role should the need arises. I hope GMGM and BB start next season with a spot or two for HER guys but I’m not confident that’s how it plays out.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 13, 2010 9:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I doubt he goes right to 3W

… but I bet he finishes the season there.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Bold prediction. The guy has wheels and clearly has the hands to play with the puck so it wouldn’t be the most shocking development. I just wonder how many rookies BB wants playing important roles. 3W isn’t the most important job, but BB requires all 3 top lines to give good minutes and produce. It depends on what he decides to do with the 4th line and how many minutes he wants them to play as well.

We’ll already have Carlznerson playing big minutes, two rookie-ish goalies, and hopefully either Mackan or MP in the lineup. Unless another HER guy is necessitated by another decent sized contract in the off-season I don’t think BB is going to want too many more rookies in the lineup. All that said, I’d love it if you were correct.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 13, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

8-19-22
28-2C-14
16-3C-21
10-15-39

Looks like if the 2C is addressed by trading Semin, Fehr or Laich would move up and there would be an opening for A. Gordon. If Steckel/Gordon are both 3C and 4C, then there’s a slot too. Otherwise, the best he could do I guess is the 13th forward.

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by red army line on Jun 13, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

You forgot Chimera.

Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov

by CapsFan2020 on Jun 13, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoops. Alright then, even less chance A Gordon gets in.

by red army line on Jun 13, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

We’ll already have Carlznerson playing big minutes, two rookie-ish goalies, and hopefully either Mackan or MP in the lineup.

I see both Mackan and MP as less likely to play for the Caps in next year’s playoffs than Andrew Gordon, Kyle Wilson or Pinner

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Mackan probably won’t simply because he either starts the year in DC or he stays in the SEL all year. I don’t think he starts the year with the Caps. MP has a better chance than A-Gord simply because he has more games and better production at the NHL level already. I have a hard time envisioning any scenario in which Wilson or Pinner are in the playoff lineup.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 14, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

So who among our RW’s are gone to make room?

(Yes, I’m guessing who assume will be gone.)

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Jun 13, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Which ‘09-’10 RW do I predict won’t be a RW for the Caps next year? Alex Semin, but only on a technicality:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-$4 Million 2C-Fehr
Laich-Belanger-Gordon
Chimera-Steckel/Gordon-Bradley

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Would anyone be upset if they traded Semin + 26th pick to Boston for their #2 pick.. which would turn into center Tyler Seguin? If GMGM could do this, he’d be a hero.

by shaiba8 on Jun 13, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think Boston makes that trade because of the cap and since Semin only has one more year, and I’m not comfortable in hinging the Caps’ playoff hopes on a rookie center who could very well hit the wall in crunch time.

by red army line on Jun 13, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Elliotte Friedman is of the opinion that the Caps’ championship window is open until the end of Ovechkin’s prime (another five years, roughly) and in those years, Seguin is going to fill a bigger need (2C) cheaper and provides a lot of the same things Alex Semin does.

I don’t think BOS makes that trade, but it’d look pretty good from where I’m sitting. Center depth locked up until the end of Seguin’s RFA years, at what probably amounts to better production/cap-number.

All that said, indications are that BOS isn’t interested in moving that pick unless they’re getting EDM’s 1st and the right to select Taylor Hall. Everything up to this point has completely ignored the BOS cap-situation; they’re in dire straits. There’s no way they can take Semin without sending some serious salary back the other way and it’s probably salary that we don’t want.

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by Knee high to a duck on Jun 13, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

There’s also the fact that Edmonton could draft Seguin instead of Hall, which screws up the plan of trading for a pick to draft Seguin.

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jun 13, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t Patrick Sharp $4m?

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by winterion on Jun 13, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, how about that!

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I just don’t see how A-Gord jumps Chimera on the depth chart. As is, I think Chimera needed more ice than he was getting. He’s not being adequately used as a 4W.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 14, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Gordon plays RW, Chimera LW.

Gordo would be trying for time against Knuble, Semin, Fehr, and Brads.

But he’s fearless, and is great at making lots of traffic ‘round the net, and is pretty much the entire key to the Bears’ pp. These are factors that should work in his favor.

by EmilyB on Jun 14, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

And he is capable of actually scoring.

I like having Jason Chimera on the Caps. I don’t like having him on any line other than the 4th.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 14, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Why are you so sure A-Gord is “capable of actually scoring?” Haven’t we seen enough guys turn prolific AHL scoring into an NHL pumpkin? I’m nowhere near sold on A-Gord as a scorer, even secondary, in the NHL. Dave Steckel scored 30 in the AHL. And that’s not even talking about the most glaring example.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 14, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I’ll put it this way. i don’t know if A-Gord can score in the NHL. But i do know that Beast can’t.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 14, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough, but I also know that Beast can skate better than 95% of NHL players and is one of the best forecheckers the Caps have seen in years. I just think giving him 10 or fewer minutes a game is not using him to his full potential.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 14, 2010 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d be astonished if Beast wasn’t higher than top 30 in NHL skating ability. He’s not just unbelievably fast, he gets to that speed in a very short number of strides.

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jun 15, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

If he doesn’t end up coaching hockey, I think he’d have a hell of a career as a corporate trainer/motivational speaker.

I’m always down on how athletes don’t speak well and give off an impression of being undereducated, whether or not it’s true. Absolutely not the case here. I’ve been looking forward to Gordon’s posts, and wouldn’t it be great it he would do that on a recurring basis next season?

"It's always good to have vikings."

by gfcaps fan on Jun 13, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

If this guy doesn’t make it as a Cap (or anywhere else in the NHL), I agree w/Gould, he sure sounds like a future coach.

by Ernie5 on Jun 13, 2010 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

"We have guys we think can play in Washington next year," Capitals General Manager George McPhee echoed. "It’s always nice when you have good young players coming into your lineup. It gives the team lots of energy and all the younger players are less expensive, so it helps you on the salary cap."

(from CSN)

Well I know of three—VarlyCarlsnzer—but I sure am interested in the others who will get a look-see. I do love A. Gordo’s observations.

"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 13, 2010 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

I can imagine a world where either Pinner or Kyle Wilson elevate their game and make it to the Caps. And they also have this playmaking center up there who’s a little small, but shows some potential.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Pinner and Wilson are long shots, especially for next season. I could see it happening but Pinner needs to round out his game (though his skating and energy are great, and supposedly he’s solid on the PK), and Wilson needs to bulk up/fill out his frame. After A-Gord I think Beagle is next in line to get a cup of coffee in a checking role. Bouchard will probably be the call up if a scoring wing goes down and MP will be the scoring C to come up if the need arises (and he’s not already on the team).

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 13, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Beagle’s NHL skills may have peaked. Still, he seems like a capable fill-in for 4C in a pinch. Of course, I’d rather have Steckel and Gordon

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

IIRC Leone said on Japers (two shows ago I think) that Beagle could be ready and that Pinner was 6 months or so behind in development but most likely would get a look. I kinda expect MP to get a long look again and I hope to see A. Gordo, just because I love the way he thinks and writes if nothing else. And I goofed—I meant Neuvi, not Varly.

by capsyoungguns on Jun 13, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Just my opinion, but I think Pinner and Gordo are probably the next two to make the leap to the Capitals on offense only because of the following couple reasons. Gordo has really improved on his strength, speed and forechecking and has a very strong accurate shot now. He’s immovable in front of the net, constantly tips in goals and rebounds, and he’s seen his goal totals in Hershey improve every year: 16, 21 to 37 this year on the top line. Plus, he just has those intangibles now where when he’s on the ice, great things happen (a la Mike Knuble). Gordo was actually on the ice for all 3 GWG’s in Texas (Thanks Emily). I really feel like he’s the next logical guy to take the next step if he’s resigned this offseason.

Then with Pinner, if you get past the absolute unnecessary penalties he commits – because let’s be honest – he can get caught up in the emotions of the game, the guy has great speed, is a tenacious penalty killer and hustles all over the ice.

Mathieu Perreault just needs to continue to get stronger and be able to play consistently at the NHL Level. He’s got incredible moves and his forechecking translates to the NHL level, even though he’s so undersized. Another person to consider is Chris Bourque who did make the team out of camp, and is one of the leading scorers in the playoffs. He’s been fantastic and he has replaced Alexandre Girioux on the first line. And sadly, no matter how much I love him, Keith Aucoin is just viewed by the organization as a tweener.

For me, I haven’t seen much out of Beagle during this year’s playoffs that really impresses me though I love him as a player. He’s not that great of a forechecker or a penalty killer – which would be his primary roles in DC – so I’m not sure he’ll make the leap. It’ll all depend on what the Caps do during the Summer and who impresses in camp. But it should be competitive in September, that’s for sure.

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by ioland1 on Jun 13, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Really interesting analysis—thanks. I haven’t watched the Bears over the season closely enough to say which player may be ready to come up, but I’ve really enjoyed Gordo during the playoffs. I’ve loved watching him and I’ve loved reading him. What I know about Pinner comes from others, but I’ve heard how great he is at getting under the skin of an opposing player and so on. As for Matty, I’ve been a fan of MP ever since he came up for that extended look. I know he plateaued out some but he’s such a fun player to watch with that dynamic quality he brings to the ice.

by capsyoungguns on Jun 13, 2010 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Neuvy/Perreault?

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by caps123 on Jun 13, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Oops I meant Neuvy, not Varly. I agree MP is likely.

by capsyoungguns on Jun 13, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s clear that Carlson, Alzner and Neuvy will be with the parent club, and I think Perrault and Aucoin will be competing to win one (and perhaps both) of the vacant center slots. More intriguing: I look for Chris Bourque to replace Tomas Fleischmann. Bourque has more dimensions to his game than Flash — being good on both the PK and PP — and his speed & playmaking ability could make the 2nd/3rd line a more consistent offensive threat. Perhaps most important, Bourque’s tough-guy attitude and history of playoff success (at the AHL level, of course) could give the Caps some needed mojo for the playoffs.

by tfirey on Jun 13, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

As big a Bourque fan as I am, and as awesome as this would be to see, he still needs to prove he can play at this level. I’d agree that it’s too early to write him out, but replacing last year’s Flash with last year’s Bourque is a serious downgrade.

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by winterion on Jun 13, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Bourque is a UFA, and I really believe he needs to go to a worse organization, or to one with serious cap problems. Chicago, and obviously Boston are possibilities, as are the rest of the Southeast Division teams. I just don’t see him playing for a Cup contender that has money to pay proven players.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s still RFA (I think this might be his last year), so I’d imagine the Caps aren’t going to simply let him go for nothing. I also imagine that at this point he’d rather play for an NHL bottom feeder than spend another year in Hershey, but who knows?

"It's always good to have vikings."

by gfcaps fan on Jun 13, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Huh — I thought he was a UFA already. Shows what I know…

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 13, 2010 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Caps already let him go for nothing once…

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 14, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Flash has a history of AHL playoff success as well. I could see CBo getting a chance, but it won’t be at Flush’s expense.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 14, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

BB has been saying the same thing these past few weeks, naming players he really likes (Gordo and Pino) as well as mentioning the “culture of winning” that has impressed him about this year’s Bears.
If he’s not in the Caps lineup next spring, at least he should be brought in for pre game speech.

"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."

by bagace on Jun 13, 2010 12:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Someone on JR Radio I think was saying Pinner probably needs another year to be ready.

by red army line on Jun 13, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

It was Tim Leone during episode 9 starting around 33:30 into the show.

by freakinandpeakin on Jun 13, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I remember. I should have read further down before writing. That was a good show full of great Bears talk.

by capsyoungguns on Jun 13, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for posting this, YNC, and calling attention to the narrative. A. Gordo writes well, and has a very mature perspective.

by miseenjeu on Jun 13, 2010 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

I agree, kudos to YNC for calling attention to it. We’ve been very, very lucky to have him over at RMNB for the last few weeks. And his words are very inspirational. I think the one thing that me and Peter have been surprised about is how little he actually talks about the goals he scores or his overall impact on the club. It’s always about what the team needs to do to win. He goes out of his way to praise the heart and soul guys on the lower lines. This guy is the ultimate professional and we’ve been happy to show why this former 7th round pick has come so far in his career.

One other thing we found out during this, is that he and Sidney Crosby crossed paths a lot in Nova Scotia. It’s worth checking out:

http://www.wcha.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/011807aaa.html

Growing Up With “The Next One”
Sidney Crosby, the latest sensation in the NHL, grew up just minutes from Gordon.

“We played on a few Team Nova Scotia select teams growing up. I’ve been playing against him since I was maybe 9 or 10 years old and played with him and against him on-and-off until he was 14 and I’d just turned 16.”

Gordon and Crosby were two of the top players on their midget team.

“He was number 9 and I wore number 19. After the [Air Canada Cup], when they announced the MVP of the tournament, they said ‘Number 19, Sidney Crosby.’ We were sitting right next to each other and both slid our chairs out, looked at each other, and I slid my chair right back in. It was funny, I still bug him about that when I see him in the summer time. It was a typo, I should have won that award!”

“I don’t get to talk to him much during the winter. Not much to say to him during the season anyway. What exactly could I say to a guy who’s in the middle of leading the NHL in points as a 19-year-old? But in the summer when we’re both home, we hang out, maybe play a round of golf, and take ice time together.”

So what did Gordon teach Crosby?

“Yeah, I wish,” Gordon says with a laugh.

Russian Machine Never Breaks - A Hockey Blog Focusing on The Washington Capitals and Their Awesome Russian Superstars: Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin & Semyon Varlamov.

by ioland1 on Jun 13, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

They even look a little bit alike. They carry themselves in much the same way.

by EmilyB on Jun 13, 2010 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Great article. The kid’s had his head on straight since he was a teenager. Amazing.

"It's always good to have vikings."

by gfcaps fan on Jun 13, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Tim Leone’s report from today’s practice includes this curious note:

Hershey’s last home Cup clinch in 1980 was in Game 6 against New Brunswick. Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau played for that New Brunswick team.

BB said on WPL that he didn’t travel to Texas because he was at Giant Center for games 1&2 and, well, we all know how that worked out. Wonder if he’ll test the hockey gods on Monday.

"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."

by bagace on Jun 13, 2010 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Confidence, Bruce! Go to Giant Center.

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by winterion on Jun 13, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

He needs to learn confidence from Gordo’s blog:

Where we once were unsure of ourselves, we have found strength in our game plan and our ability to execute it.

"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."

by bagace on Jun 13, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to imagine that GMGM will go out and sign/trade for a legit, veteran 2C. Sharp would be great but what do we send to Chicago? They will need bodies (and cheap ones at that) in return. Hjalmarsson is RFA and they back but that’s still only 5 Dmen under contract. We could send Erskine and/or Sloan along with maybe 1 of the Hershey guys. I know we wouldn’t want to lose a prospect but some point it is put up or shut up. We could also work a deal including Flash with either Erskine or Sloan. Flash is due a raise but I think he will get something around $2M so sending him along with Erskine and Sloan would still only equal Sharp’s $3.9M. Thoughts?

I think Matty Po or Coiner could come in to play the 3C. Sadly neither of them really do much to help the PK which is something I think you want in your 3C. Maybe they bring Belanger back as he definitely helps the PK and is great on faceoffs. Or we could try and trade Chicago for Bolland. He impressed the hell out of me with his defensive play and he is great on the PK. Maybe we get him and put Matty Po at the 2C.

FYI… I offer up Erskine and Sloan as trade bait for Chicago because I think GMGM is going to go after Michalek this summer. He has been described as the “poor mans” Volchenkov and he is a rightie which would give us 3 righties (Green, Carlson & Michalek) and 3 lefties (Alzner, Poti and Sarge, assuming he is coming back). GMGM could also go after Lombardi to solve our problems down the middle. I know he is really quick and has good hands but I don’t know much else.

by PKLords76 on Jun 14, 2010 1:25 AM EDT reply actions