"I don't lose sleep at night because my salary is X amount of dollars when I think it should be Y amount of dollars. I lose sleep at night because I've been in the league five years and we still haven't won a championship. I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup. That's why I lose sleep. I don't worry about 13 months from now not having a paycheck."
- Brooks Laich, on entering the final year of his current contract
almost 2 years ago
J.P.
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That’s quite the quote, that is.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 16, 2010 3:10 PM EDT reply actions
I think it’s because he knows if you want money, you go to the bank. :-)
by marks4java on Jul 16, 2010 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Yes, Yes I think he would
While he did get paid an exorbadent amount, he could of made more elsewhere. He went to where he thought he could win it all.
Kovulchuk is doing the same thing yet we don’t bash him over and over for leaving Atl.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
He’s also not conspiring with other players to go to a certain team and not having a TV show to show him making the decision.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Guess you don’t like Lebron James.
It was overkill I’ll grant you, but was it James or ESPN pushing that show. I pose this question admitting that I know absolutely nothing at all about basketball other than it involves very tall guys and hoops—yet Lebron James has entered my consciousness despite my best efforts to keep him and the NBA out.
"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 Jul 16, 2010 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
It was actually James who suggested the show
The man is a perfect encapsulation of all that’s wrong with basketball and why I stopped watching ten years ago. And you know what, I haven’t spent one second missing that sport of pathetic boys with large egos pretending to be men
by L A Vikes Fan on Jul 17, 2010 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Kovalchuk got traded by ATL to NJD, so it’s not quite the same as Lebron leaving CLE as a free agent.
And this, folks, is why there are people with a Brooks Laich obsession. The guy is just plain awesome – it’s impossible to read that quote and not like him a little bit.
I’ll agree when he puts his money where his mouth is.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 16, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough. But until we get to that point it’s nice to see him saying the right things – and honestly for some reason I think they get something done before next summer. Probably just wishful thinking, but who knows?
I’m not saying Laich isn’t a great guy, or that he doesn’t seem to have a refreshing down to earth attitude, but we’ve all heard athletes talk like that before. That’s my concern.
Deo ac Fehritati.
by Rob Parker on Jul 16, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
This. Not for nothing, but until a few other guys in that room share that meme in the middle of July, they’re just words.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 16, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, but we’re talking about one guy’s opinion, not a whole team. Obviously I’d love it if more guys in the room shared this team-first approach (although honestly I think the guys who do far outnumber those who don’t) but I think he’s being genuine here.
And they’re just words, sure, but has he ever struck you as someone who says things just to say them without meaning them?
I’m not saying he doesn’t mean them now, but next summer when GMGM offers him 3 mill and he thinks he’s worth Ryan Kesler money we’ll see how far these words go.
Deo ac Fehritati.
by Rob Parker on Jul 16, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Wonder if the Captain uttered similar words from “the undisputed Party Capital of the World.”
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He’s not sleeping much at night either.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Hiyo!
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by J.P. on Jul 16, 2010 4:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He does—at least according to the interview he gave while in the Worlds just after hearing about Backstrom’s contract. There’s a lot more in that translated other than what I stole as my sig.
But yeah I agree that at the moment he’s trying hard to party away that nasty memory.
"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 Jul 16, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Well he did say something similar in Vegas, when asked about losing the Hart:
“You always want to win something when you get a chance so I’m a little bit disappointed I didn’t win award, but very disappointed I didn’t get Stanley Cup.”
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
Better than what he said in Vegas last year when he won it.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 16, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay this is why it’s good to have video. The writer left out the words “I hope” at the end of his statement.
“Next year, Stanley Cup will be ours, [I hope]” said Ovechkin.
But yes there is no mistaking the disappointment this year. No ambiguity at all.
"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 Jul 16, 2010 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, he’s taking the disappointment real hard this off-season.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 16, 2010 10:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hey at least he’s wearing his Caps hat on his dates!
"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 Jul 16, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Breaking it in when he faces the press after another early playoff exit, no doubt.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 17, 2010 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I know – and I get that. Sometimes they say stuff like this and mean it, other times they hold up the team for millions and hit the open market.
Maybe it’s just naiveté on my part, but every time he talks about how much he loves it here, he sounds genuine. Every time he talks about money not being an issue, he sounds genuine. I’m not concerned.
Laich has also talked about going to the bakery and being hard to play against and what not, but he’s too inconsistent for my liking in actually doing those things. Laich is a good player to have, but he’d be a much better player if his actions matched up more closely with his quotes.
This is our concern, Dude.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 16, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And would it kill him to drop the gloves — even once? Semin gets the snot beat out of him on every shift some games. It’d be nice to see Laich step up and help out.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 16, 2010 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve been on that bandwagon for quite some time. It’s one thing to go to the tough areas, it’s another thing to make the tough areas. We need a few more guys that make tough areas.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Jul 16, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
For sure. Laich needs to add a little Backes to his game.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 16, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
But Backes is a dirty player that took a cheap shot at Semin and hurt our precious Sasha!
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 16, 2010 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as he’s not Nolan Yonkman, I’d like the guys doing the hurting to be wearing Red.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 16, 2010 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Joe Finley has the Nolan Yonkman quota filled for this current camp.
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 Jul 17, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions
The Caps have plenty of players who have the physical assets, just not the mentality. (Here’s looking at you, my name).
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 16, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats definitely one thing I’ve noticed in watching the Caps objectively. I don’t think you need Jody Shelley or even Steve Ott, but you’ve got some guys who could really stand for some snarl.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 16, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s one thing to go to the tough areas, it’s another thing to make the tough areas. [emphasis added] We need a few more guys that make tough areas.
This is the only thing that F&B has said in this thread that I agree with.
It doesn’t take away from the shiny, sigh-producing jewels that are the Laich quotes. Forget the AAA Guy thing! At the very least, that Brooksie quote proves that he has a long and very productive career after hockey as a motivational speaker. (See also “Mike Eruzione”.)
I love the attitude, but it’s not very meaningful. Put your money where your mouth is next off-season, that’s my only response.
Deo ac Fehritati.
Kinda funny (or sad), but saying “putting your money where…” to put down how a player honestly feels about his paycheck in his list of priorities seems oddly missing the point. Obliquely.
Put your money where your mouth is next off-season
Just like Marian Hossa!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 16, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
He can’t make it come any faster any more than we can.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 16, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually he can. He can go right to GMGM today and say “I love it here. Extend me for 5 years at 2 million, right now.” Obviously that’s way under market value (and a pay cut from what he makes now) but the point is that he’s eligible for an extension as of today, and if he was willing to forgo the opportunity for a raise he could get GMGM to agree to an extension for basically the same as he’s making now. Presumably he isn’t doing that because he thinks he’s going to make more next summer.
Deo ac Fehritati.
Great idea
Brooks should do this right after you go into work and ask your boss to cut your salary in half so you can hire another guy and ship some extra units next year. Come on man, walk the walk. :)
by L A Vikes Fan on Jul 17, 2010 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Well I’m unemployed, so a job would be nice. Second, I’m not out there talking about how I don’t care about money. But the day I find a job that makes me not care about money, I’ll walk it. Unfortunately, I’ll never be a pro hockey player. And you missed the point that Laich can in fact do something about all this.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Hater.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 17, 2010 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Q: Why are you here again? [He’s come to summer development camp the past three seasons.]
A: I like coming back and meeting the kids.[….]
Spoken like a leader.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
now you know why I think so highly of Brooks Laich
Team objectives superced personal goals….
by shotfromthepoint on Jul 16, 2010 3:24 PM EDT reply actions
everytime a microphone is put in front of Brooks...
he speaks awesomeness….
by shotfromthepoint on Jul 16, 2010 4:45 PM EDT reply actions
Laich's long-lost brother
A Capital Wasteland - Blogging about you behind your back.
by Jake Shapiro on Jul 16, 2010 4:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wow. Some of you are tough. I just read the Q&A at CI and got annoyed by the posters who were arguing over whether he would be frank about how they needed to sign a FA for 2nd line center. I pulled out this quote—minus the money part—to argue that this was the most significant part of the Q&A. I thought his response regarding FA nonaction was clever as he threw the question right back.
I don’t doubt his word at all. Or that his feeling of frustration and of unfinished business is shared by the rest of the team, at the very least by Ovi and Nicky. I take this quote to mean that it’s not about the money for him. It’s about playing hockey and winning the championship.
He may not have the raw talent of his superstar teammates but he brings a lot of intangibles to the team, starting with his drive and work ethic and focus on team-first attitude. I am a complete nut for Brooks—despite my “geez I could be their mom thus inappropriate” crush on Ovi and Nicky.
"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 Jul 16, 2010 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
We all want a championship, no doubt – but it starts with the right attitude, and that’s about as dead-on as you could ever hope to hear from a player. Substance and “prove it” concerns aside, when a player says the right thing, it’s a good thing in my book.
+1 for #21.
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by winterion on Jul 16, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think we need to make a captain switch...
I <3 Laich, he needs to at least talk to Flash…
"If I was being paid thirty-thousand dollars a year, the very least I could do was hit .400." - Ted Williams
You know, lest I sound too harsh, I wanted to preface what I’m going to say here by offering that I love Brooks Laich. I loved him helping the mother and daughter change a tire after game 7. I love his passion for the game of hockey, his character, and the way he plays. And, yeah, the rest of this interview is pretty solid.
But honestly, this is the standard line for any athlete who a) is in a contract year and b) hasn’t won a championship yet. If LeBron James said this last year (and I’m certain he did) everyone would have rolled their eyes.
The points in Paragraph I do buy a lot of good will. But this is a pretty standard line.
Funny I don’t hear many people quoting his “standard line”. I understand the mistrust and us having “heard it all” before…but Laich’s one guy I’ll take at his word until proven otherwise.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 16, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. I heard Semin say the EXACT same thing last week….oh wait. No, no I didn’t. Brooksie is family around here and when a family member says something like this, really, we have no other reason but to take him at his word and appreciate it!
Damn it feels good to be a Caps’ fan.
Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....
Yeah, but a year ago everybody knew LeBron was a self-centered guy. I’m pretty sure for the past few years everybody knows Brooks is a pretty grounded guy with the right mindset. It might be the standard line, but when Laich says it I will take his word for it and believe him until proven otherwise.
After reading the above, please remember that I am pretending to know anything about hockey.
by Laich Button on Jul 17, 2010 3:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure a player of Laich’s quality will never lose sleep about not playing in the nhl. Hes a great player with better leadership and un-questionable grit. IF he hits Free Agency I’d 100% sure he’d be gone on Day 1.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
There is – zero – chance he makes it as far as 12:01am EDT on July 1, 2011 without a paycheck and a personalized locker awaiting his gear.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I like having Laich, Knuble, and Bradley on our side.
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Jul 17, 2010 6:11 PM EDT reply actions
At no point in that quote does Brooks say he won’t take the money and run nor is he promising he won’t take a contract elsewhere. What he is saying is he’s thinking about the last three playoff exits and how this year is more important RIGHT NOW than FA. He may use his contract status as a background, but that is all he is saying, he just frames it well.
Every year without a Cup adds wonder and awe to its eventual arrival.
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