Sunday Caps Clips: The Game's Afoot

by EmilyB on Jun 20, 2010 7:12 AM EDT in Caps Clips

Your savory Pebble Beach links:

Scratch another veteran pending UFA defenseman off your Capitals Free Agent Bingo cards as GM David Poile and the Predators deal (the rights to negotiate with) Dan Hamhuis to the Philadelphia Flyers. Guess the Caps can't count on 8-2 wins over Philly next year - they'll have to settle for 6-1 wins instead. [NHL]
But don't put your daubers down just yet - the Preds also shipped centerman and team captain Jason Arnott to the New Jersey Devils. [Puck Daddy]
Speaking of trades, Ian Schultz knows that coming East may mean he'll get to try to put a dent in big brother Jeff Schultz's plus/minus rating. [Montreal Gazette]
Nicklas Backstrom was signing autographs and chatting up the next generation of målvakter (goalies) at his old SEL barn. [Arbetarbladet, (h/t Ice Warrior)]
They say success has a thousand fathers, and Nova Scotia hastens to lay its claim on native sons Andrew Gordon and Andrew Joudrey. The article is worth a read for Gordo's comments about playing in a deep, deep organization. [The Chronicle Herald]
And since we mentioned fathers, best wishes to all the Dads on their Day.

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Oh well on hamhuis. Not signed yet but I’m sure he will be. There’s still a few good options out there.

by TFG on Jun 20, 2010 7:29 AM EDT reply actions

Are people, including Chris Burton, starting to feel that Nashville is becoming a de facto farm team to the Flyers? Yet, the ironic part of it all, is that Nashville is not an incompetent team — they make the playoffs.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Jun 20, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Thing is, Nashville does reap the rewards of shipping players to Philly. Nashville gets picks and prospects, while Philly get good players who get signed to massive contracts (Is Scott Hartnell really worth $4 mil/year?)

In Lou We Trust: Now More productive than a New Jersey Devils Powerplay
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jun 20, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not a fan of trading for negotiating rights. It really puts you over a barrel in the ensuing negotiation because it raises the price for the player. Hamhuis’s agent knows that Philly will look like idiots if they don’t sign him. Philly has to offer whatever Hamhuis thought he might be offered after July 1 — they basically have to match Hamhuis’s agent’s demands, or no deal. And even then there are no guarantees.

Think of it this way — Philly is now with Hamhuis where the Caps were with Cristobal Huet two years ago.

I was surprised by the reactions yesterday, as though the Predators had sold Hamhuis for nothing. The Predators didn’t have Hamhuis anymore — at least, not for anything but two weeks where no hockey will be played. I thought a replacement-level player and a 7th rounder (contingent on Philly signing Hamhuis) is just about right for the opportunity to negotiate for a now-more-expensive free agent.

I can understand CB’s disappointment in the news that Nashville wouldn’t even try to retain Hamhuis, but I was surprised that the rest of the commenters were upset — after all, Philly basically gave something small (a role player) away for basically nothing (a UFA). Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Hamhuis hit the market on July 1. After all, wouldn’t you test the market if you were in his shoes, even if only to find out what was available? You could still sign with Philly in the end if you do that…

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Now that I’m off my phone, I can elaborate a bit more (and use commas!).

I too dislike the concept of trading for rights, but if you believe he’s a piece to the puzzle and you’re fairly certain you won’t be able to get him otherwise, then it’s the right move. Yes, you’ll be overpaying, and yes there’s that risk that you won’t get it done, but if you can win the cup because of the move, then it’s well worth every bit.

Besides, this is apparently what the Flyers do – trade for rights & sign. For all we know, Philly was on his radar all along – I mean they did go to the finals, no?

by TFG on Jun 20, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

My own personal feeling on the deal. While Hamhuis is a good defensemen, I figured that acquiring another defenseman would not be the priority for Philly. I would have assumed upgrade at goal tending would rank higher.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Jun 20, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps we’ve all been fooled and this was a strategic move to keep him away from any other team, especially in the East.

Nah, he’s not that good, though he was pretty high on my list. Still is, technically.

by TFG on Jun 20, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Is there a way to track how often players sign with the club that traded for their negotiating rights?

What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.

by Malin A on Jun 20, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hammer test the market, and I agree with most of what you’re saying, but given that last time PHI did this they signed the guys pretty quickly I’m expecting them to make a serious run at Hamhuis. It may cost, but unless they sign him to a terrible contract it makes them a much better team. Ryan Parent blows, so no, I don’t think he’s really worth anything.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 20, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

PHI want him signed by the draft.

by EmilyB on Jun 20, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

For the huge soccer fans out there a new way to enjoy the Rink. http://www.vuvuzela-time.co.uk/www.japersrink.com

by freakinandpeakin on Jun 20, 2010 9:37 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Too funny. Now I have to put that on every link I send.

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

by bagace on Jun 20, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I Lolled.

"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."

by Whiter Mage on Jun 20, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

In fact, I’m now going to do that.

"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."

by Whiter Mage on Jun 20, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

haha. I hate those things. Thank goodness they turn the croud audio down for the tv broadcasts. I can’t imagine how annoying those are for the players.

by hockeyman33 on Jun 20, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

well… that’s fairly annoying.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

For the next Game Day Thread (sigh, so far away), it’s vuvuzela time!

by EmilyB on Jun 20, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Just finished watching ITA-NZL. Love this link.

Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray,shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you'll bumble even less!

by STLSpidey on Jun 20, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

i just put a link over at NM.

Nucks Misconduct contributor.
Also on Twitter.
Still waiting for the Canucks to win the Stanley Cup.....

by missy on Jun 20, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

FWIW – I put a note out on my blog as well.

Here.

by STLSpidey on Jun 20, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

nhl.com got a article about the draft hits and misses in the southeast division.
Alexander Volchkov is the biggest disappointment. With Nolan Baumgartner and Brad Church as runner ups. Poor Sasha Pokulok doesn’t even get an honorable mention.

What can I say I’m a JP fangirl. I will follow him into the darkest and filthiest of alleys, even the comment section at Puck Daddy.

by Malin A on Jun 20, 2010 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

Only one of the ten “best” picks was made after 1996 (Ovechkin).

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Saw that as well. Guess they don’t want to give any love to Sasha S, Nicky B. Green, or Schultz.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Jun 20, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

The three worst picks were in consecutive years in the mid 1990s.

Caps had to do a complete rebuild just a few years later, at the time players drafted later than those three were really making an impact in the NHL.

It’s a pretty stark reminder of the importance of good drafting.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

well, Baumgartner has served the Canucks system quite well.

Nucks Misconduct contributor.
Also on Twitter.
Still waiting for the Canucks to win the Stanley Cup.....

by missy on Jun 20, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

How many columns will one ever read before they see a reference to “daubers” that didn’t play set-up person for Robin Williams in a sit-com (even if it is spelled differently)?

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2010 12:08 PM EDT reply actions