Wednesday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jun 16, 2010 6:42 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- More coverage of the Bears' Tuesday night win... [Patriot-News, Patriot-News, Patriot-News, OFB, Caps In Pictures, Caps Snaps]
- ... and the ensuing celebration. [LDN, FOX43]
- How'd the Bears escape their 0-2 hole in the Finals? Per Jay Beagle, "We just decided to play a different game, play a dirtier system, a dirtier game. We started crashing the net, and we weren't concerned with trying to be so skilled. We kept it simple.'' How about that. [Patriot-News]
- The Bears' beards made nearly as much news as they did this week. [D.C. Sports Bog, Puck Daddy, SB Nation DC]
- Cody Eakin talks about his Calder Cup experience. [Frankovic]
- So does Braden Holtby. [StarPhoenix]
- Everyone's claiming their share of credit for the Calder Cup, from the ECHL to the WHL and the CHL.
- The trio of John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Michal Neuvirth are winners, which bodes well for the franchise. [SI]
- The Caps are leading the nation's capital out of a decade of mediocrity. [SB Nation DC]
- GMGM and his buddy Brian Burke will be on NHL Live! between noon and 2:00 today. [NHL]
- A couple of former Caps get decent odds of making the Hall, but Peter Bondra gets no love whatsoever... [Puck Daddy]
- ... even though he compares pretty favorably to Pavel Bure in many respects. [Greatest Hockey Legends]
- One man's off-season game plan. [MD Pro Sports]
- Kudos to Vogs and Stretch on another unparalleled season of Caps coverage. [Dump n' Chase]
- Only two days left to get your $20-for-$10 at Buffalo Billiards, so act fast. [SB Nation Team Pick (e-coupon)]
- Finally, happy 29th birthday to Alexandre Giroux, happy 32nd to Dainius Zubrus, and happy 56th to Tony White.
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You lost the Puck Daddy Bears’ beards link.
What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.
Thanks, IW. Fixed.
And thus ends a pretty good run of error-free Clips. I know you all noticed but didn’t want to say anything about it, lest it jinx me.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
"I told the guys that this was probably the most skilled team I’ve ever played on. But sometimes skill doesn’t win games. You’ve got to be willing to put in the hard work.’’
— Bears Captain Bryan Helmer, upon arriving in Texas with the Bears down 0-2 and calling a players-only meeting.
Skill gets you to the door, but you have to have the will to kick it down. Bears found it, Caps didn’t.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I never knew much about Bryan Helmer, but we got to see him speak and then sign autographs at the Calder Cup celebration yesterday, and I think I’d offer to hold his gear when he starts kicking down that damn door. (We also got a good look at his feet. After 18 years or so of pro hockey, they’re shaped somewhat differently than yours and mine.)
Two things that are a little different for Bryan – the a) aforementioned 18 years as a pro, and b) he’s a free agent next year and really wants to keep playing for the Bears.
After 18 years or so of pro hockey, they’re shaped somewhat differently than yours and mine.
Not to mention the junior/peewee stuff.
Whether it’s pitchers who have to adjust all the sport jackets on their throwing arms or Joey Kocur’s knuckles, the physical toll of long-term athletics on someone’s body is jaw-dropping to me.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 16, 2010 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Especially with old football players. Jim Otto looks like a human cartoon.
Otto punished his body greatly during his NFL career, resulting in nearly 40 surgeries, including 28 knee operations (nine of them during his playing career alone) and multiple joint replacements. His joints are riddled with arthritis, and he has debilitating back and neck problems.
One time, Otto nearly died on the operating table. He also fought off three life-threatening bouts of infections due to his artificial joints, and during one six-month stretch, was without a proper right knee joint because he had to wait for the infection to clear up before another artificial one could be implanted. Today, Otto is handicapped, but he says he wouldn’t change a thing if given the opportunity to do it over again. It’s detailed, proudly, in his book, “The Pain of Glory” (ISBN 1-58261-066-5), published in 2000.
Jim Otto had his right leg amputated on August 1, 2007.1
I remember seeing him on Real Sports, and it was one of the most depressing segments i’ve ever seen (along with Conrad Dobler’s).
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Saw another report last night on a different channel. Hopefully it’s not as prevalent with the NHL old-timers.
OT to this, but I left you a little something in yesterday’s OTOT.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 16, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Uh oh….hope its not like what my cat left for me in the living room ;)
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I advocate this approach over “But we were so good in the regular season, we must be doing something right!”
by David Getz on Jun 16, 2010 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
At the same time, it’s too easy to dismiss the regular season success the team has had when the failures have been in such small sample sizes that any number of factors – luck included – could play a significant role. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the team’s approach to and adjustments during the playoffs have been acceptable or that changes aren’t needed, but rather that teams don’t win Presidents’ Trophies by good fortune of their division alignment alone.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Absolutely – the emphasis needs to be on the method more than the result, something that makes this year’s playoff loss more bearable, but dampens the win over the Rangers in ’09.
I guess that’s more my issue on this. It’s simply not good enough for Boudreau to dismiss questions about whether the lines are working, whether the Capitals need to tighten up on defense, or play dump and chase more, or reign in the ice time of their best players with variations on the “we must be doing something right” line.
It’s simply not good enough for Boudreau to dismiss questions about whether the lines are working, whether the Capitals need to tighten up on defense, or play dump and chase more, or reign in the ice time of their best players with variations on the "we must be doing something right" line.
With the caveat that we have no idea what he’s saying behind closed doors, and if he’s defending his guys and his system publicly but is all business privately, I could live with that. It’s all conjecture as to what’s going on privately, though we have the same suspicions.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 16, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I do wonder if he’s protecting his players, but maybe a little too much. He has occasionally criticized someone publicly, but very rarely.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Did it quite a bit more this year than he had previously, but I don’t disagree.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And I would add a second caveat, that just because you can change your style and have it work in the AHL, there’s no promise that move will work in the NHL against faster, bigger, more skilled and better coached pro players.
Of course, and that’s the grand experiment that is Bruce Boudreau. (And I’d add that just because you can change your style and have it work in the ECHL, there’s no promise that move would work in the AHL against faster, bigger, more skilled and better coached pro players, but it did for Bruce).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Perhaps useful to note that Coach French tried to impress upon his players early on that their style of play wasn’t working – but it wasn’t until the Captain took the team behind closed doors in a hotel on the road that the team was able to buy in and take the decision to do something different.
Translated to the Caps, I don’t know if BB ever tried to get the team to do anything differently, and I’m not sure that the Captain would have been able to convey that message effectively in this particular playoffs. He spent the whole end of the season trying to “play his game” under the shadow of fines, suspensions, the Olympic debacle, and flailing away at the Hart Richard and Ross. I don’t think he had the breathing room for the introspection he really needed to internalize the adjustments that needed to be made.
Which, in my opinion, is one of the benefits of a team captain not being one of the stars. Just sayin’.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jun 16, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I can see a conflict for this particular captain, but I think introspection depends on the player’s mentality, independent of playing ability. Take Sidney Crosby for example. Maybe within a playoff series he wouldn’t be able to adjust, I don’t know, but he sure tries to adjust his game over the offseason.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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 16, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s kinda what I was getting at. Everything piled up so quickly, AO didn’t have the chance to process. I’m with JP in thinking he should’ve skipped Worlds, but since he went, he has a few more data points. Hopefully the post-NHL awards show part of his summer leaves him some time to reflect, maybe chat with Feds about it.
I hope Ovi’s able to do some reflecting this summer, and come back determined to change in ways that will make him better. His talent is spectacular, and he’s enjoyed superstar success. But right now, I think he’s at a low point of the roller coaster, with the Olympics/Caps post season/Worlds, the fines/suspensions/injury, and whatever comes of the individual awards.
And the reputation will probably continue to take on a life of its own — among other things, Cox and Joyce are writing a book Ovechkin and dangerous in the title. (I don’t know what the book will say, but the title is certainly attention getting.)
In other words, maybe Alex Ovechkin just got the big glass of Grow The Hell Up that he really needed.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Is that what he was drinking on the yacht with those “dancers” in Turkey?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m new to posting on this site, so sometimes I don’t get if people have an actual point or they are just trying to be sarcastically funny (which isn’t always very funny and is a big reason that I think many people remain as lurkers, there seems to be a clique of snarky posters here, but that is another topic entirely). Anyway, do you actually mean that you think Ovie shouldn’t have gone on vacation to Turkey? I don’t agree with that. I do agree that Ovie needs to make some changes (develop a way to score goals other that The Ovie move described in the fanpost), improve his leadership skills, but to think he shouldn’t go on vacation after a long, hard season is a little crazy. But that probably wasn’t your point. Maybe you were just trying to be funny and I had an utter failing to get it. Or maybe you just didn’t like the near naked pics of Ovie. Can’t really blame him for the pics, it seems the Russian website that posted them is the equivalent of a tabloid. At least he isn’t caught in the US wearing a speedo like that.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jun 16, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think anyone actually believes that Ovie needs to stay home and run through the Siberian mountains with buckets on his shoulders rather than take a vacation in order to be a better captain. But there’s little question in my mind that he can improve with regards to leadership. I don’t know enough about what he does in the offseason to comment on how he can improve in that area, or whether it’s something he can even consciously work on. But I wasn’t terribly thrilled with the team’s approach vs. Montreal, and perhaps better locker room leadership could have avoided that.
I’d make a joke about inferred vs. implied here, but I don’t want to be accused of being in a snarky clique.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jun 16, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Just a throwaway punchline, that’s all. He absolutely should relax and have some fun – hell, I wish he’d done it instead of going to Worlds.
Not sure why you felt the need to rip fellow readers, but hey, to each his own.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I didn’t mean to insult other readers, sorry if it came off that way. I didn’t mean that one posting style is better than another. I just meant there are different styles and it seems at times that posters that prefer the snarky style are rather mocking of those that don’t, or don’t get get those posts. Someone will respond seriously to a post then get mocked for not realizing it was a joke, when it wasn’t necessarily clearly a joke. I should probably just keep quiet if I don’t get the snarky sort of comments, because that is my own issue, but it does cause some reluctance to post at times, and I doubt I am the only person with this reaction. I just wanted to point out that some people don’t really get that style and it can be intimidating. That is an entirely separate issue from Ovie’s leadership style and how he needs to change so probably this isn’t the appropriate place to discuss it.
A lot of it comes from familiarity. JP knew I’d get a kick out of that line, and I did. Somehow, across my 6500+ comments on this site he’s figured that kind of thing out. And the same goes for the other regulars — our senses of humor tend to run the same way, for better or worse.
It was a funny line about a guy in is 20s who has everything he could possibly want except the two things he wants the most (a gold medal and a Stanley Cup) having a nice vacation. The bare hint of a poignant truth about the man’s performance in his first year as Captain just made the line more wry. It was subtle, dry wit….
… that does not improve from being explained.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I know this is fantasy and just the room-mother, den-mother, team-mother in me coming out, but I kept thinking what the Caps needed to do after game 5 was to all gather sans coaches/families at Ovi’s or Knuble’s and have a Come to Jesus meeting, a “we’re-about-to-blow-it-something-has-to-give” meeting.
I had visions of them sitting in a circle, randomly, looking each other in the eyes, and having Ovi or Knuble tell the guys that each one is going to turn to his teammate on his left and tell him one good thing and one thing he needs to change/do better in his game (and not along the lines of “Sasha, you need to bury those shots,” but something less obvious) to win the series against Montreal. All would be written on a flip-chart! At the end, Knuble or someone, would sum it all up, reinforcing this is for all of the marbles, and that each player has to make some sort of change if the team were to win. I know they talk about “just going out and playing their game,” but either it was not working, period, or they were not playing it well enough together as a team.
The reason I had this fantasy is I get tired of hearing when asked if the captain or Knuble or anyone said anything in the locker room, "Well, no. Everyone knows what needs to be done. We’re all professionals and anyone can stand up and say something. It doesn’t have to be me . . . " or somesuch. Maybe they do say it, but don’t want to tell us they say it, but sometimes certain things need to be said out loud, in front of everyone, to really take hold and have meaning, and be real. Otherwise, people just go around rationalizing what they hear individually and contrary views are dismissed.
Touchy-feely, I know, but sometimes organizational process in and of itself results in . . . results.
Easy to say in retrospect, but after Game 5 they were the best team in hockey and were up 3-2 in a playoff series. Teams in that position rarely feel the need for a “players only bitchout meeting.”
It’s been said here before — the Caps would have been better off going down 0-2 against Montreal than going up 3-1.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
As they’ve been down 2-0 and 3-1 before, you’d think they’d have learned from something like that, since the core talent and coach are still there.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 16, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
And yet, give me one example of a team publicly having a “players only meeting” to “sort things out” when they were up 3-2 in a playoff series.
I’m not saying it wouldn’t have done any good. I’m saying its unreasonable to ask it of them. Hindsight is 20/20. I don’t think they thought they were in trouble based on one bad game. I’m not even sure they should have thought they were in trouble.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think we’re talking about two different things; my contention is that being in that position before and knowing what they had to do to overcome it should have been enough motivation to close the Habs out, regardless of whether a closed door meeting happened.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 16, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with this 100%. I’m limited just to whether Ovi or Knuble should have called them all in together at that time.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
This is more or less the whole point of the message conveyed in the Helmer comment. There seemed to be an utter ignorance or lack of acknowledgement that perhaps the Caps needed to change their approach. They just tried to do more of the same (an in a sense, that Game 6 54-shot barrage might have reinforced that ill-conceived notion) instead of recognizing that perhaps — for this opponent in this situation — something different had to be applied. It isn’t about a speech in a locker room or a “players-only” meeting, it’s about having the ability to critically analyze what you’re doing and assess if that needs to be adjusted. Hershey made adjustments that the whole team seemed to buy into, the Caps did not. You could say that the Bears were in a more urgent situation where they had to do something to stop the bleeding of being down 0-2, and you’d have a point. But the Caps made few adjustments in 180 minutes of hockey in the last three games that left them outscored 8-3 and 0-for-14 on their own power play.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 16, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I’m very late to the party with this comment (and yes, I’ve had the benefit of hindsight, Helmer’s quotes, this discussion and entirely too much time on my hands) – - but if the coach is saying they’ve had 14 or 15 guys every night, with five or six passengers, after game 5 of a 7 game elimination series – - something (I don’t know what) isn’t right.
This, after all, was the {Franschetti] playoffs. That’s part of the program for NHL hockey – - that you play the season to get to the playoffs. If they’re not showing up for the be all and end all of NHL hockey – - when are they going to show up?
I’m not sure. When the Caps failed to win game 5, I knew that they were about to lose the series. Maybe that was 25+ years of pessimism, but I think it was clear right away that something was going to have to change.
by CapitalCentre on Jun 16, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I would like to ban the “chill, we’re still up” meme in future playoff seasons. I really don’t care that these are unrelated events….as they keep happening again and again…and again.
Choking since 1985.
But you can’t tell people what not to say, unless they’re violating TOS. The range of perspectives is what keeps the discussion going.
by CapitalCentre on Jun 16, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Or at the very least not have people belittling the people that see a problem as Chicken Littles.
I waited all year for this?
Yes. If your team is shooting 100 times per game and scoring only a single goal per game with the average regular season GA/gm then something has to change for your team, even though they’re playing great, because at the end of the day it’s all about results.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 16, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
The Bears almost suffered that same problem of sample size against a team that had more than a passing resemblance to the Canadiens — somewhat limited skill (certainly compared to their opponent), content on playing a counterpunching game, taking away the middle of the ice, preventing the kind of whoop-de-doo kinds of plays that fueld 60 regular season wins.
The Bears looked very different in Game 6 than they did in Game 1 (the two games I saw in person). In Game 1 they tried a lot of cross-ice and stretch passes that never found their mark. They tried a lot of 30-foot shots that never got to the net. They let the opponent use that ability to break up passes and block shots as the basis for their own transition game that created a fair number of 2-on-1 and 3-on-2 opportunities (thank heavens the Stars couldn’t shoot, either).
In Game 6, the Bears did a fantastic job of working the puck deep, winning battles in the corners, and getting pucks back in front for scoring opportunities. There were more, and better quality, scoring opportunities for the Bears, and there were few opportunities for the Stars to capitalize on turnovers or blocked shots.
The Caps never made those sorts of adjustments to the game the opponent insisted (and was allowed ) to play. It was the definition of insanity… doing something, failing, then doing it again expecting a different result.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 16, 2010 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Needless to say, I agree. And the adjustments French made are similar if not identical to those I’d like to have seen Boudreau make. I’d kill to have heard Brooks Laich say, “We just decided to play a different game, play a dirtier system, a dirtier game. We started crashing the net, and we weren’t concerned with trying to be so skilled. We kept it simple.”
Actually, strike that – I’d kill to have seen the Caps decide to play a different game, play a dirtier system, a dirtier game and to start crashing the net, not be concerned with trying to be so skilled and keep it simple.
Ultimately, the Caps failed this year, and that’s on Boudreau. But a guy who has had the success he’s had didn’t suddenly forget how to coach when he got to this year’s playoffs or when he got to the NHL level, etc.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And it’s hard to say exactly what you should change and what you keep the same. After losing three in a row, the Stars switched away from Climie for Krahn, and we all think they’re crazy for that.
Well, the Caps’ power play was the best in the league during the regular season by a sizeable measure — 25.2% compared to 21.8% for Montreal, the second best in the league. That 3.4% difference is the same as between Montreal and the Rangers, who were # 13 in the league. So you can understand if Boudreau just figured that whatever they had been doing before was so successful, it was bound to get back on track. The risk in making changes is that you end up with something like switching Climie for Krahn — the wrong move that actually makes things worse.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, one PP adjustment would’ve been sitting Mike Green, who couldn’t even shoot the puck. And Bruce did change up the PP, moving AO around all series when it wasn’t working.
The odds of the Caps’ PP going 1-for-33 were astronomical. But it happened. I’m still at a total loss to explain it, and I’m sure Bruce is too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And that’s really the bottom line. If the Caps had just increased their PP efficiency by 5%, they’d have won the series.
Agree that the odds were astronomical no matter what the flaws with the coaching schemes or what the Canadiens were doing. But I have to believe that a failure on that massive of a scale has to do with more than just luck. There was something we were doing wrong to make that happen. Whether it was gripping the sticks too tight or what, I don’t know. Maybe it’s one of those things where, if we’d had more veteran presence with guys who had been there before, it would have been different. I don’t know.
There was something we were doing wrong to make that happen.
They were playing against Jaroslav Halak.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I also think a lot of the Caps PP success in the regular season was from outstanding individual efforts rather than systematically breaking down a PK. MON obviously was not going to let us beat them like that and I’m not sure we knew how to make the switch.
I waited all year for this?
Relating to Kewibr’s FanPost—seems like a ton of PPGs for AO were on the rush, whereas in 2008-2009 he was burying the long one-timers and wristers through traffic too. I can’t remembering seeing Green make his patented backdoor top-shelf play in 2009-2010, nor passing to open up the seam through the slot.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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 16, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Tx Stars just signed Krahn to a new 2-way deal so that might’ve been part of their thinking? But they also were content to watch the team slog its way through long bus rides and multiple airports on commercial flights while the Bears were flying charter practically door-to-door.
They had just lost 3 straight at home. They needed a spark. And I can’t really blame Krahn all that much for the epic doodoo his team took in Game 6.
Plus, Texas was at the end of a playoff run after playing back to back 7 game serieseses (and having to come back from down 3-1 against Hamilton). I think they were just gassed.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Krahn kept the Stars in it when the Bears were outshooting the Stars 17-4 in the first. It was almost criminal the way Hershey was getting looks. Krahn had no chance on Carlson’s goal; he was down from having to stop the first shot, and Carlson had an open path right down the middle. On Alzner’s goal, Pinizzotto was doing a Holmstrom in front of Krahn. Goals scored in two ways I didn’t see at all from the Caps in seven games against Montreal.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 16, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
But a guy who has had the success he’s had didn’t suddenly forget how to coach when he got to this year’s playoffs or when he got to the NHL level, etc.
Boudreau won in Hershey
Woods won in Hershey
French won in Hershey
What’s the common element here?… Hershey
Reminder to self… Send a note to Ted: “Add ‘chocolate aroma’ to ventilation system at Verizon Center.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 16, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Boudreau also won in Mississippi.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ulysses Simpson Boudreau
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought shoo fly pie was Amish?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah…misread your quote….thought it was in reply to the “Mississippi” comment.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Uh, shoo-Flyer pie?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 16, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oooh.. a real groaner.
Oooh.. a real groaner.Yeah, you get Rec’d.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 16, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t know the Bears existed back when BB won it, so can anyone tell me whether that Bears roster could be considered “stacked” like this one? Maybe coaching teams that have twice the talent of the next best teams, then trying to coach a team that can only marginally outtalent the others doesn’t lend itself well to success.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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 16, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Mike Green, Eric Fehr, tomas Fleischmann, Brooks Laich…
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3189443847863069807#
I mean, I don’t know how good they were considered relative to other teams.
Okay, time to stop being lazy…hmm, there were 3 teams that finished about 10 points ahead of the Bears and a few others right around the same, just over 100, point total.
Lots of decent players it seems. No game-breakers like Giroux/Aucoin/Carlson, but a ton of depth it looks like.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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 16, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
They were even better the year they lost to Carey Price.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
8 current caps played for Hershey during that playoff run:
games played, goals, assists, pts
Tomas Fleischmann 20 11 21 32
Mike Green 21 3 15 18
Dave Steckel 21 10 5 15
Brooks Laich 21 8 7 15
Eric Fehr 19 8 3 11
Boyd Gordon 21 3 5 8
Jeff Schultz 7 1 3 4
Tyler Sloan 2 0 1 1
How much of that can be attributed to the fact that the Bears lost the first two games, whereas the Caps built up a 3-1 lead? It’s probably very easy to think you don’t have to worry about the defensive system and that it’s all on the goalie when you lose game 5.
"It's always good to have vikings."
To me, if you really want to pin blame on Boudreau it’s that the team wasn’t mentally ready from the start for game five. That falls directly on the entire coaching staff.
Agreed. It also falls on the team’s leadership – two guys wearing letters who supposedly lead by example made awful mistakes in the first 10 minutes leading directly to the 2-0 hole that the team was unable to overcome.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Teams don’t win the President’s Trophy with good fortune…you have to be good, but that means being good at regular season hockey, which is a different game.
Choking since 1985.
The Caps as a team had a crazy high shooting percentage, which we can’t really attribute to skill unless we see it stay consistently high. Generally it fluctuates by a few percent every year from its “true” value, and this year was quite high compared to the other teams post-lockout. Hence “luck.”
Also, 14 game winning streak which especially towards the end was seeming lucky.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 16, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t argue that there is some luck involved in getting 120 points vs. 110 points.
I don’t think that was really the precipice of the argument, though.
Choking since 1985.
Whoops, yeah, misread JP’s comment.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 16, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
He didn’t say it in so many words, but Leone pretty clearly implied that if the Caps had gone deep in the playoffs, the Bears probably wouldn’t be hoisting the Calder Cup.
Had the Caps won Game 7 against Montreal, the Bears might have gone through the rest of the playoffs without Carlson, who they never expected to get back following his March Washington recall, and Alzner.
Bears were struggling against Albany (three OT wins) and the Manchester series was pretty much all defense.
"It's always good to have vikings."
You had a long day yesterday, it’s okay. You can make it up to everyone with the report and photos.
"It's always good to have vikings."
by gfcaps fan on Jun 16, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So what is the point of the AHL age limit? Is it protectionism for older AHL players who would lose a roster spot to a 19 year old? It just seems weird that at 18 and 19 you can play in the NHL but not the AHL
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
That’s only if you’re drafted out of the CHL – Euros and USHL draftees can go to the A (see Carlson, Neuvirth, etc., but not Alzner, Eakin). The rule protects the CHL (the reason they allow Euros into the AHL at an earlier age is so teams can bring them to North America sooner), but it protects the kids a bit too (though a bit paternalitically, IMO).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I don’t really think you can use the “protects the kids a bit” argument, or else they wouldn’t allow them in the NHL either. It’s all about the money.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Canadians will make the argument that keeping the kids closer to home, schooling them, etc. is protecting them (as is keeping them away from the plumbers that populate the AHL). I said “a bit” and “paternalistically” – obviously I don’t buy it, but the argument is made. Often.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But why should the AHL be concerned with protecting the CHL? It seems like the NHL teams would rather have guys like Eakin play in the AHL and take the next step, rather than spend a year rteading water in Juniors.
It also seems like the AHL would rather have greater access to guys that are 18 and 19 and not quite NHL material, but still recent 1st and 2nd round draft picks that would be exciting to see.
And as others have said, I’m not buying the “its better for the kids” argument, as long as 18 and 19 year olds are allowed in the NHL
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jun 16, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
The AHL isn’t concerned with protecting the CHL, it’s an NHL rule (in the CBA). As to why the NHL cares, in part it’s because the CBA was negotiated between management and the union and that union is comprised of hockey players with jobs who would rather keep younger, cheaper talent away from the NHL as long as possible, lest they be replaced – same reason the NBA and NFL players unions have fought to keep adults out of their leagues as long as possible (see Maurice Clarett, etc.). Also, another year in the CHL means another year before the clock starts running on a guy’s contract (see Della Rovere this year). So it works out for the teams, ultimately.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And also the AHL is seen as a developmental league, not the real show. The CHL is a developmental league as well. If the guy needs development, keep him closer to home, etc. If he’s ready for the NHL then there’s no real reason to hold him back. You don’t see many 18-19 year olds stay in the NHL when it’s clear they aren’t carrying water.
I waited all year for this?
A potentially avatar-worthy photo of Matty P. over at OFB.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Not so fast. There will be even better avatars available as some of the folks who went to BearsCon yesterday start uploading their pix. Pretty much all of the Bears had gotten a shave, but a rather alarming percentage have pornstaches now. Roo’s ’stache should really have its own agent.
Whoa, Roo
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
by boutros23 on Jun 16, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Going for the Lemmy look.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jun 16, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pic also shows how nice the 2008-2009 championship rings are. Most of the boyz were wearing ’em.
And I’m thinking “Eau de One Night in Binghamton.”
...
I’ve seen that look before…
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
or …..
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jun 16, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gotta rec for Lemmy…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 16, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Cue the ’70’s porn movie soundtrack…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 16, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
That might not be you, but apparently My Name is Earl.
Choking since 1985.
by macvechkin on Jun 16, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Should also be noted that the Giroux autograph line was easily the longest, though MVP Chris Bourque’s was also impressive and the Holtby/Carlson table was a little bit ridiculous as well.
Andrew Gordon’s was not the longest, but it was the slowest, as he was having a fine time chatting up BearsNation. He’s a little surprised at his new blogging fame and was planning to begin his long drive back to the Maritimes today.
We went through GMGM’s rink wrap yesterday, but I’m wondering where coaching moves fit into the grand scheme of things.
My sense is that Irbe was a great pickup for us. His Russian is key for Varly, but I’d guess he also helped Theo with positioning and not committing too soon.
With our comments about the Hershey attitude and fortitude, I’d guess that none of it is news to Bruce, and that he’s said all of those things at one time or another. And with the PK and defense, what is the relationship between player skill sets and coaching?
So, I’m guess I’m wondering, if the coach is saying the right things, but not getting through, or the coach isn’t using the resources he has in a fashion that makes sense – - what does the GM’s role become?
So, I’m guess I’m wondering, if the coach is saying the right things, but not getting through, or the coach isn’t using the resources he has in a fashion that makes sense – – what does the GM’s role become?
Find a new coach?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Resources
I’m not sure trotting out virtually the same group of players who went 1 for 30 something on the power play in the playoffs constitutes the best use of player resources. 12 minutes a game for Fehr? Flash playing like he should be scratched for an entire series, only to be benched in game 7 for a gritty veteran winger that your team specifically picked up because he in fact has kicked down some doors with energy, and effort.
IMO, BB’s use of player resources was a big reason we got to see AO partying on a boat in Turkey rather than skating aginst the Hawks.
by Direction 87 on Jun 16, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions
A Jeff Schultz and +/- article.
Since Jeff Schultz is a restricted free agent this summer and he only made $715,000 in 2009/10, he might be a good candidate for an offer sheet.
Hands off, Mr Nasty is ours.
What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.
But he doesn’t move his feet or hit people!!!!!!!!!!
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Remember that time when he got skooled by Dubinsky? LOL!! Go Flyers!
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jun 16, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Eh, I don’t buy it. I just can’t imagine a contract that makes sense for the team offering it, especially considering the compensation the Caps would get, and isn’t matched by the Caps.
Totally agree. Only way it happens is if a team isn’t serious about acquiring him but rather simply driving up the price to screw the Caps, which is something geeks on the Internet (like us) think we’d do, but which the good ol’ boys in suits wouldn’t.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 16, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How would Washington react to a $3 million a year offer sheet for Schultz? Using last year’s cap figure, that is near the top range of a second round draft pick in compensation. I would think that he was worth more than that this year – if he was paid for his performance.
by PuckStopsHere on Jun 16, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
They’d begrudingly sign him, I’d think (all the more reason to not let it get to that, of course).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You think so? The compensation for an offer sheet of that size would be a first and third round pick. That’d be a pretty good net for Schultz
"Ovechkin, what is good in life?"
"To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their captain."
PSH said “near the top range of a second round draft pick in compensation,” so I was going by that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
My reading comprehension skillz are not great. And I was looking at old numbers, apparently.
Here’s the actual ones: http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=34760
Schultz is definitely worth more than a second round pick, especially considering how well we’ve done recently with second round picks.
"Ovechkin, what is good in life?"
"To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their captain."
Or Joe B/Craig L… Kolbe… Tarik… Corey… crazy blogger with the scary cousins
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 16, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
“Create New FanPost” link right on the sidebar —>
by EmilyB on Jun 16, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Goat?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
What were your expectations of them?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Regurgitate opinions of others which lack any insight whatsoever. Demonstrate a relatively weak understanding of the game.
10!
Choking since 1985.
by macvechkin on Jun 16, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
GMGM is on NHL Live at the moment. Now, we all know how you never play poker with that man, but he’s sure making it sound like they want to go with the kids at C (Johanson, Perreault). Of course, he didn’t say 2C, but add them to the mix and we’re heavy on centers, but still without a proven one on the second line.
"It's always good to have vikings."
MP needs to be given the keys to 3C and allowed to grow at the NHL level and I’d love to see MJ be good enough to step in (somewhat skeptical that he’s ready though).
If you play your kids – Alzner, Carlson, MP, Neuvy, Varly and perhaps MJ – all season, they will be seasoned by the time the playoffs roll around. Who cares what seed we are.
Choking since 1985.
they will be seasoned by the time the playoffs roll around
Or burnt out?
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 16, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Seasoned with chocolate…time to be a bit cautious, I think.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 16, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
GMGM always says he’s happy with whatever he has at the time. He was “happy with Brooks Laich at 2C” right until the minute he signed Brendan Morrison. I wouldn’t read any significance into these quotes at all.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Well, yeah. Hence the “poker” caveat. Hell, the fact he said anything at all is more than anyone usually gets out of him. Normally, I’d expect something totally non-committal with no names attached. He’s being evasive on the goalie issue, as if anyone thinks he’s really going to attempt to re-sign Theo.
"It's always good to have vikings."
But that’s the wrong signal too. “Hey George, how are the Caps at 2C?” “I don’t want to talk about it.” Doesn’t sound great, does it.
No, he’s got to say “everything’s golden, we got 121 points with the team we have, we really don’t need anything and I’d be just as happy sitting pretty with what we’ve got.” Nobody believes it, and it doesn’t really drive the price down, but “I don’t want to talk about it” or, even worse, “we definitely need one of those because the players we have aren’t getting it done” sure as hell would drive the price up.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not saying what I mean very well. I tend to expect him to say something like, “we’re evaluating everything” (as he’s actually said regarding the goalie situation) or, “we like our team” (he’s used that before at the trade deadline). Non-committal and no specific players mentioned. That’s been his style. But you are correct that he’s not going to say anything that would affect what they could get or have to give up in any trade.
"It's always good to have vikings."
That’s a good point. He could easily have said “we’d like to try Brooks Laich there” like he did last year. The fact that he called out MP and Mackan is really interesting.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Ovie Vegas Par-tay!
Hosting a pre-awards party with JR. I hope we get to see if the dance lessons paid off.
http://alexovetjkin.blogspot.com/2010/06/ovechkin-to-host-pre-awards-party-on.html
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Dress Code: DRESS TO IMPRESS
I take it Semin and Varly won’t be there? :)
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
by apk3000 on Jun 16, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Varly will be there working the door, screening out all those fat American chicks.
Choking since 1985.
.
Actually Semin, other than his hairstyle and occasional ripped jeans, usually looks pretty decent. Varly is the real offender.
But Sasha showed up at a wedding a few weeks ago in jeans and a t-shirt.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
that was just probably a case of Sasha being Sasha and doing what you least expected. Or maybe he lost more than his sticks while traveling to Russia and was left to forage for clothes out of Ovie’s suitcase as YNC said below.
He got dressed how he always gets dressed, it just turned out today it was jeans and a t-shirt. Not much else he could do about it, really.
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jun 16, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I once saw him wearing a tux while walking his dog.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 16, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
…
Seriously? Because that really sounds like something he’d do.
by CaptainAwesome on Jun 16, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Another Varly pic
A little longer in back Varly and you are rocking a mullet.
Too bad Theo wasn’t able to take Varly under his wing fashion-wise.
Photo reminds me how much I’ll miss Theo next year.
out with the old, in with the Bjork
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I will miss Theo, but I think it’s time to give the youngsters a chance. I did appreciate how Theo got along with Varly and tried to help him out. Theo was a good teammate, which was especially impressive because it was during a difficult time in his personal life. I wonder how Varly and Neuvy will get along next year as they compete against each other.
This is conjecture, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Theo also helped out Neuvirth. Neuvy sounded ready to jump off a ledge in early January (after being pulled twice). By the end of January, he was sounding a lot more level headed – and his comments about Theo’s streak and being glad he could help out couldn’t have been more gracious.
Theo’s a good mentor, I think. He’s got a really supportive mentality, which is good when you’re working with the younger guys. It’s like he always had their back. Competitive, yeah, sure he wanted the starting job. But for the short periods when he didn’t have it, he said nothing negative and helped out a lot. Neuvy/Varly seemed to appreciate that a lot. I’ve seen so many positive and classy quotes about Theo from both of them.
Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.
by caps123 on Jun 16, 2010 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Competitive and wanted to play, yes, but he also wanted to share some of the benefit of his experience. Theo consistently said he wanted to be pushed to play better, and he always wanted to practice hard.
I thought so too. I’m trying to recall the exact timing/wording, but I remember Neuvy talking about how much Theo had helped him. It was during the streak if I’m not mistaken. Perhaps it was about the same time that he made his remark about keeping Theo’s streak for him—Neuvy was as you note very gracious .
"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 16, 2010 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Me too.
"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 16, 2010 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Ice Warrior has a picture pending that shows Lars Backstrom has been spending /way/ too much time with the Russians, sartorially speaking.
Not to worry, I keep those picture for my personal archives only.
What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.
Didn’t you learn anything in Kindergarten?
You’re supposed to share your toys. Don’t just hoard them up in one pile and hit whoever tries to come near them, or your teacher will call my parents and ban me from arts and crafts.
…
I mean…you know what, just share. :)
by CaptainAwesome on Jun 16, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re on to something there. My teachers always said that I didn’t play well with others.
What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.
When I’m finished with the translation that goes with the pic. Don’t expect to much though it’s small pic and Malkin (from earlier in this thread) look stylish in comparison.
What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.
But Malkin has chicken legs.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
There is nothing about that man that isn’t ugly.
It’s kinda sad.
by CaptainAwesome on Jun 16, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
At least with a DJ, I can wear my really nice earplugs.
Signed,
P. Roy
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 16, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Bet you Sid won’t be there. He’ll be in his hotel practicing his acceptance speech and then in bed by ten so he’s ready for the Awards Show. That’s what real captains do.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if Sid arrived with an entourage at about 2:30am? ‘Cos that’s how he rolls now, biyotches.
He was at a karaoke bar with his team after the playoffs…apparently he sang. Didn’t know he had it in him.
Actually he sang “When I think about you I Touch Myself”
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jun 16, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
or even better … " I don’t want no short short Man"
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jun 16, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Or maybe, “Baby got Back”
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 16, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Homie got Haunches?
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 16, 2010 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Olympic Gold Medals don’t stay shiny on their own, you know.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 16, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Just for giggles (and its a really slow day), here’s Bill Simmons’ Running Diary of the 2007 Draft
Observances range from the mildly amusing:
Anyway, Chicago GM Dale Tallon is “proud” to introduce tiny Patrick Kane as his No. 1 pick. This kid looks like an altar boy. I’m not kidding — he actually looks like an altar boy. I hope his tremendous upside potential involves puberty. More importantly, what the hell happened to the NHL? As if things weren’t already bad enough, the league’s No. 1 overall pick is an undersized American who looks like the third singer in a boy band? Can we start sending them FEMA money or something?
To the tragically creepy
5:07: Cool, even the NHL draft has the “Top Prospect Who’s Plummeting And Looks Like He Might Puke” factor in their draft. This year, it’s a Russian winger named Alexei Cherepanov, who looks like the Russian mob will be waiting in his hotel suite tonight if he doesn’t go top eight. The best adjective for him right now is “squirmy.”
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 16, 2010 1:44 PM EDT reply actions
Can Ovie Learn from Helmer?
Thoughts to ponder ….
Shortly after Hershey arrived in Texas on June 6, 37-year-old defenseman Bryan Helmer, the Bears’ captain, called a players-only meeting.
"I’m not a big guy to do stuff like that,’’ Helmer said Tuesday night.
"I told the guys that this was probably the most skilled team I’ve ever played on. But sometimes skill doesn’t win games. You’ve got to be willing to put in the hard work.’’
The Stars were taking away the middle of the ice, forcing Hershey to shoot from the outside. Giroux had little room to move.
Pure skill wouldn’t be enough. The Bears had to change their identity. The flashy extra pass for the highlight-reel goal was out. Cycling the puck and staying back on defense were necessities.
"We just decided to play a different game, play a dirtier system, a dirtier game,’’ Hershey forward Jay Beagle said.
"We started crashing the net, and we weren’t concerned with trying to be so skilled. We kept it simple.’’
Hershey’s hard-nosed approach began to pay dividends midway thru Game 3. The Bears scored five straight goals to win, 6-3. There was a pulse.
John Carlson, Hershey’s 20-year-old blue-chip defenseman, scored the game-winning goal in Game 4, a 4-2 triumph. Giroux, moved off the top line to skate with Mathieu Perreault and Beagle, got his scoring groove back in OT of Game 5, a 2-1 Hershey victory. The Bears swept Texas in Austin.
"There was no doubt in the locker room. We weren’t intimidated by having to play on the road,’’ Carlson said Tuesday.
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jun 16, 2010 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
Good lord, this is awesome but absurdly expensive:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hershey-Bears-Lou-Franceschetti-1980-Calder-Cup-Jersey-/110536674906?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bc7fce5a
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jun 16, 2010 3:02 PM EDT reply actions
If you want me to pay 15 large for a jersey, don’t write the item description in rainbow Comic Sans. Please.
by EmilyB on Jun 16, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Comic Sans is the worse thing to happen to humanity since cancer.
/OT’d
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jun 16, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
*worst
/shoulda-looked-before-I-hit-submit’d
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jun 16, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Seems to be an awful lot of money in Hershey that I wouldn’t expect. The AHL is auctioning off game-worn jerseys from the finals (both teams) and the prices are pretty nice. I can’t tell if these are supposed to be charity fundraisers or for-profit for the league/teams. If it doesn’t say, I’d guess it’s for profit.
The one that I don’t get is why you’d auction off the Cup-winning puck. Wouldn’t someone actually want to keep that?
"It's always good to have vikings."
The one that I don’t get is why you’d auction off the Cup-winning puck. Wouldn’t someone actually want to keep that?
Just make sure you bid anonymously, as Pronger may want to take it from you, by force if necessary…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 16, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Since it’s an EBay auction, the money may come from anywhere (unless you mean there’s a lot of money in Hershey as a merchandising vehichle). The AHLAuthentic link makes it sound like a for-profit venture for the AHL.
Some great quotes by McPhee on CI. Despite his reluctance to commit to names I believe I can safely name three of them. I’m just not sure which is the fourth, other than it’s likely a forward.
As he and his staff refine their game plan for the offseason, job No. 1, he said, has been to identify the Bears who are ready, or are on the cusp of being ready, for a promotion.
“I don’t want to talk about anyone individually because you want everyone to be hungry when they come to camp,” he said. “But the expectation is that three or four players here are going to be on our team next year.”
"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."
My bet is Perrault, A. Gordon or Bourque. And I mean that he’d set aside one right wing slot for those three to compete for.
Incidentally, I think RW may be an easier path for MP to use to crack the NHL lineup than C.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Semin — on a technicality. Really, it’s Flash:
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Knuble
Semin – $4 Million 2C – Fehr
Laich – Belanger – MP/CB/AG
Chimera – Steckel/Gordon – Bradley
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting. Did Semin start out as a LW?
"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 16, 2010 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Your lineup is a little different, refreshingly so, from what many like to post. I’m intrigued. Also with Belanger included. I know it all comes to money and contract years, but I hope he stays. I liked him in the playoffs (and not just because he showed no fear of on-the-job dentistry).
"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 16, 2010 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Semin’s “preferred” position is LW, but when he plays RW each 2—>1 line or 1—>2 line change BB can have the Care Bears out for like 15 seconds.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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by red army line on Jun 17, 2010 5:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought about A. Gordo but also wondered about Matty. A. Gordo seems to be nonplussed with his newfound fame as a blogger, but I certainly have developed a crush on him. Agree with you on the likelihood of the first three—despite McPhee’s commitment issues in his statements (I love to parse his statements).
"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 16, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
During the celebration last night, they HWBM’d the Perreault high stick from the Bridgeport series, and the line at the end was “What is Nygel (the ref) wasn’t blind”
Loved it!
Twitter!!!1
Reppin' Team Tyler yo.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
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