Sunday Caps Clips

by EmilyB on Jul 25, 2010 9:09 AM EDT in Caps Clips Comment 58 comments

Your savory summer Sunday brunch links:

Vacay edition - here's what some of your favorite Caps are up to:
John Carlson donated his time, multiple autographs, and a pint of blood yesterday. Awesome. [RMNB] [yfrog]
Eric Fehr reports he has moved on to the semifinals of his beach volleyball tournament. [@EricFehr16]
Mathieu Perreault and Francois Bouchard are also semifinalists in their charity hockey tournament. Their "DeCastel Construction" team takes on "Aborigine" today at 4pm. [Tournoi À Bout De Souffle]
From a few days ago, Mike Knuble was the keynote speaker at the Players Dinner at the USGA U.S. Junior Amateur Championship tournament. And gave at least one kid inspiration. [mlive]
Coming back to Caps hockey, here's some more discussion of Nicklas Backstrom and Adrian Dater's center rankings [RMNB]
Capitals Gains and the fanball crew are talking goalies, specifically Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth. [Part 1, Part 2]

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Love the photo. Highly enjoy the guy in the crowd wearing the blue Caps sweater. What an underrated jersey.

A Capital Wasteland - Blogging about you behind your back.

by Jake Shapiro on Jul 25, 2010 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

The RMNB piece on Backs is interesting. He’s got a point: both Toews and Datsyuk play with great wingers, some amazing players in their own right.

Backstrom’s CORSI ON (17.18) is behind only Datsyuk (22.1) and Toews (18.38). Simply put, when Nicklas Backstrom is on the ice his team gets the puck to the net – a lot. And before we throw the "Of course he does, he plays with Ovechkin" argument out there, let’s keep in mind that both Toews and Datsyuk played with better linemates statistically over the past 3 years. So they too had help yet are ranked ahead of Backstrom on Dater’s Top 10. This means we can’t discount the play of Backstrom’s wingers if we are not ready to do so for the others

"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 25, 2010 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

From Capital Gains I:

The Capitals have absolutely done themselves well in drafting goaltenders. Varlamov and Neuvirth are both just 22 years old and should develop into a solid tandem. They will not only be sharing the crease duties for Washington for years to come, but should also push each other as they battle for the starting job.

I guess it depends what he means by “years” to come. If he means it in the most literal sense, more than just one year, I could agree. I don’t think this is the year GMGM decides which to ride with, though I know plenty of people here disagree. I expect GMGM to milk their RFA years as long as he can and keep quality, cheap goaltending in our nets. But at some point you can’t continue to tandem them when they are ready to play full time. Look at MON, at some point we’ll have to make a move (and luckily by then Holtby should be ready to come learn the ropes). I think both of them re-sign with the Caps after their current contracts end, but for one of them it’ll be the last deal they sign in DC.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

Do you think that McPhee wants to hedge his bets with Varly and Neuvi—not trade either of them away until he knows for sure which turns out to be the best?

Sort of like Hasak vs. Balfour on the Hawks, who traded the wrong one away in 1991 (assuming of course that either of our guys could turn out to be as great as Hasak). When I read up on Hasak and Balfour’s rookie years, it appeared that it wasn’t clear at the time who would be the better goalie and that Hasak simply needed more time to develop.

by capsyoungguns on Jul 25, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

If we have a Belfour/Hasek situation then we can’t go wrong. I’m skeptical that we are anything near that though. I think GMGM just wants to get the most out of his assets before moving them and the longer he gets to watch the two goalies the more likely it is he’ll choose wisely. Though I do suspect that when either of those guys leaves it’ll be the other team that decides who they want, not GMGM telling them who they get. Like with Carey and Kolzig, it might be a “you can have either of the goalies” situation.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Even trading away the most dominant goalie in history, the Hawks came out with a pretty good consolation prize; Eddie the Eagle was no slouch. If the goalie we keep turns out as well as Ed, then trade one for whatever you can get and don’t look back.

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jul 25, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Z, then post.

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jul 25, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha. It’s cool, I’ve been burnt like that many a time. I obviously agree. Hasek was better for a while in the mid-late 90s, but Belfour was good for longer, elite in his own right, and won a Cup. He also had the consolation prize of being a sociopath which makes for lots of entertaining news all year long.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Sociopath—do tell. I didn’t find that info.

by capsyoungguns on Jul 25, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Sociopath is surely hyperbole, but he’s got a history with drugs and getting into trouble with cops. My favorite story is when he got pulled over by a cop while he was drunk driving (hammered drunk) and he offered the cop a billion dollars if he let him go.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I just found his 2000 arrest for fighting with an officer in a bar. He does seem colorful, and not in a good way.

by capsyoungguns on Jul 25, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Khabibulin should’ve gone for that approach.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought that was when he was being disorderly (and wasted) in a hotel. But the most important part is the same.

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 25, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretty sure it was a DWI but I’ll let one of the Google experts figure it out.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Arrested for “general crazy-ass behavior” at the Mansion Hotel.

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 25, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m still learning the history but I knew nothing about Belfour, except that he was the one the Hawks kept. I was quite impressed by his career too.

It was with a big caveat that I made that analogy as at this point who knows with both Varly and Neuvi how they will turn out.

by capsyoungguns on Jul 25, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

From Capital Gains II:

I was a little surprised that GM George McPhee wasn’t more active in attempting to secure the services of one of the top unrestricted free agent defensemen, especially a shutdown-type such as Anton Volchenkov, Dan Hamhuis, or even Paul Martin. It’s as if the organization has forgotten how Rod Langway meant so much to the franchise for so many years. So it may be a situation where more of the responsibility for keeping the puck out of the net will fall squarely onto the shoulders of their last line of defense, Varlamov and Neuvirth.

It was going so well until this. I don’t think anyone has forgotten how good Langway was, but that’s not really the point. For starters, Langway didn’t play in a salary cap era. Second, even having Langway and Stevens and Murphy… didn’t stop us from flaming out in the playoffs, so it’s not like the “build a ridiculous D corps” model is foolproof. You need a well-balanced team, especially in the cap era. Sure, the Caps could have pumped a ton of money into one of the FAs and it would have been a positive move for 1-2 seasons, but you have to look at where that leaves us after that. Who are we saying goodbye to so that we can get 2 years of good AV and 4 years of rapidly breaking down AV?

And I know I’m probably a minority, but I think goalies can help out D close to as much as D can hep out goalies. Of course keeping quality chances down is a good thing, but a goalie that controls his rebounds, or better yet doesn’t give them up, is going to make the D look a lot better. That’s one of the things that excites me most about Neuvirth. The puck generally seems to just stick to him.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

additionally

This is categorically false:

shutdown-type such as

Dan Hamhuis, or even Paul Martin

And I can attest to building a ridiculous D-corps not being foolproof. Oof.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d say Paul Martin has the capability to be a shutdown guy, just nobody knows who he is and he was robbed of his chance to show off on the world stage. But you’re right, neither of those guys is so good that they are going to unilaterally transform our D corps. I honestly think bringing up Carlznerson for a full year will have a bigger impact on our D than signing any of those quoted UFAs would have had. We improve two spots, keep our costs down, develop for down the road. Maybe (definitely) they aren’t quite as good right now, but that gap will be even smaller by the end of the season and over the life of the contracts handed out Carlznerson are going to demonstrate to be the clearly superior option.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I concur with all of the above, and would add that any three of those guys would’ve not only handcuffed your ability to sign Alzner and/or Carlson, but there’s a high chance that both of A and C would actually be better than this year’s FA options very shortly.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Alzner will be easier to re-sign because he won’t put up huge offensive numbers. But in two years both Green and Carlson are RFA and if we want to be in any position to keep both we had better have some serious cap space available. I’d say by that point both Green and Carlson will be better players than whoever we could have signed this off-season.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, definitely. Despite all the knee jerky fans out there, very often the best move is no move at all.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Right now if we could re-sign Belanger for 2 years I’d consider this a successful off-season. If we could trade for Weiss (or Sharp, but let’s pretend to be serious for a minute) I’d be ecstatic. Weiss is the perfect bridge guy. He’s on a very good contract for a few more years, he’s got some offensive upside but he’s a stud defensively. He can play 2C until Mackan (or MP or another prospect) is ready, but playing him at 3C isn’t a bad fit either. In fact, if he did play 3C he’d immediately challenge J. Staal for best 3C in the league (assuming that is where J. Staal is playing at that point in time).

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Weiss is the perfect bridge guy.

Just like Lombardi for Nashville! But I’ve got bad news – supposedly Tallon took him off the block. Next choice?

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure how much Weiss ever was on the block, and he was going to cost if he got moved. Then again, he’s under 6’ and Tallon is a notorious size queen so I think he’d be available if someone really wanted him. The question is the return. Being as Tallon is a size queen, it actually makes it a little more favorable for us because he likely won’t ask for Mackan (and definitely won’t ask for MP) back. I just don’t know who he’d want from us that we’d be willing to part with.

I don’t know if I have a next choice on the trade market. If we can’t get Sharp or Weiss (which I’m pretty sure we can’t) then I’d rather sign Belanger for 2 years if he’ll accept it.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Only two guys I can think of off the top o’ me head are John Madden and Kyle Wellwood, as far as short term solutions go.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Obviously, I mean as far as remaining free agents.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Don’t like either, really. Madden was 4C last year and we already have 2 of those. I’m not sure he can handle 3C and he’s pretty old. He’s got the defensive chops, I just don’t he’s going to make a big enough difference to justify it.

Wellwood is hilarious. If he would take a one year cheap deal so he can pad his stats and go on the market, maybe. But he’s no good defensively and soft. We’ve got those guys already.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Honestly, not sure Wellwood can be real picky with who he signs with and for what anymore.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 25, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. And that’s because he hasn’t been very good. I guess for a bargain basement deal we could do worse, but I’d almost rather just throw MP into the position Wellwood would have played and see if he sinks or swims.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

But in two years both Green and Carlson are RFA and if we want to be in any position to keep both we had better have some serious cap space available.

I think the reality is that Carlson needs to get signed before July 1st if the guy we’ve seen so far is the actual JC. I’m scared of a Hjalmersson situation forcing GMGM’s hand with a guy like RAHJC, who’s pretty demonstrably better at this point in his career than Hjalmersson was for the Hawks.

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jul 25, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree. I’m not talking about exactly when the guys get signed necessarily. An offer sheet will force us to pay more than we want, but even if we extend him before he hits the market RAHJC is going to get a significant raise. Without the influence of RFA bidding Green and Carlson are going to cost a ton of money to keep so GMGM needs to (and I’m sure he is) be prepared for that.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

According to Capgeek, Green has one RFA year left after this deal is up. I didn’t know that; think we see a 1-year bridge to UFA a la Semin?

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jul 25, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know. It will depend on Green. If he wants to keep the band together then maybe he signs long term. There’s also the issue of the new CBA to see exactly what kind of deal Green will sign. Maybe he takes a Duncan Keith deal, if those are still available. I just don’t know enough about Green to know if he’s going to go all mercenary or not. Unfortunately, I also think it will be very important whether or not BB is still here (and maybe Brooks Laich too; if Brooks signs a cap friendly deal next summer to keep the crew together, maybe he convinces Green to take a bit of a haircut as well).

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Keith’s deal will be available unless they put term limits on contracts – he never hits league minimum and the downward adjustments once he gets to 30 are gradual. I think the league will have less problems with contracts like that than the type of deal we just saw get rejected.

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jul 25, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree. I don’t think Keith’s deal is the kind they have a problem with. But there will definitely be some tinkering and it will probably (definitely) influence what kind of deal Green gets.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

On the lack of moves this summer. Yes, it would have been nice to sign a 2nd line center or another defenseman.

Of course, it would also be nice to buy a new Mercedes but my budget doesn’t allow for it.

What is boils down to, is the fact that the price of the current free agents in the market was just too expensive. Prior to July 1, someone had already pointed out the financial ramifications of a long term deal to Volchenkov — a good deal early but an albatross contract later on that would make it hard to keep other guys in the future.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Jul 25, 2010 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Look at the deal for Schultz and look at the deal for any of the other stay at home defenders. Paul Martin might be better, but is he 50% better than Schultz as represented by the differences in contract?

Every free agent this year was awfully expensive. Everyone is buying into the idea that their defense was at fault. Apart from Pittsburgh, I can’t fathom making that hard of a play at defense when there are certainly other holes in your respective organization. Caps are certainly hurting at other areas beside defense, and it is money better spent there than on blueliner.

All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again

by sydtron on Jul 25, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I read the RMNB article on centers, and then I went and looked at faceoff stats. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Backstrom has improved his FO% every season (46.3%, 48.7%, 49.9%) – along with many of his other stats. But I hadn’t realized just how bad Malkin is at faceoffs. His career high is 43.3% – and that was his rookie year (‘06-’07). Since then, he’s had 39.3%, 42.4%, and 40.0%. That makes me wonder if the Pens would indeed target BMo or another center with 2C ability and move Malkin to wing.

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

The conventional wisdom is they might try Staal as center on Malkin’s line (with, presumably Talbot or Kennedy there – which would leave Kunitz/Dupuis for Crosby).

If this happens, the thinking is they may look to sign a rugged 3rd line center like Madden or Belanger —though they only have about $1.5 million and would only want to do one year, so who knows what that may buy.

At the deadline they’ll look to acquire a winger and then probably go back to the unique 3 centers of strength down the middle.

SB Nation PIttsburgh

"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 25, 2010 5:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I could see them doing something like that, but I don’t think they can get a 3C with $1.5M. They could afford BMo though, and he is better at faceoffs than any Pens center except Crosby.

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Price wise you’re probably right, guess I’m holding out the hope a lot of these UFA’s buckle in September when they’re still not getting much interest.

I highly doubt they’re looking to add a skilled center that doesn’t bring much defensively though.

SB Nation PIttsburgh

"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."

by Hooks Orpik on Jul 25, 2010 7:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

RMNB has a good article on Flash’s upcoming arbitration – and he even uses J.P. as a source. I’m getting a bad feeling about how much he’ll be awarded.

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

I probably should have posted the link…. http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/07/25/tomas-fleischmann-and-that-looming-july-28th-arbitration-date/

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I just read that, and you’re right, it doesn’t look good for GMGM.
Since Vanek’s $50M contract was awarded while he was an RFA, can that be used for comparison in Flash’s arbitration? I didn’t realize how similar their numbers were last year:
Vanek: 28 25 53 +9 16:27 ATOI
Flash: 23 28 51 +9 16:02 ATOI
Vanek’s currently making $6.4M. If it’s included in his agent’s comps, yikes.

"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

by bagace on Jul 25, 2010 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Vanek’s numbers at the time were much better than Flash’s have ever been though. That contract started ‘07-’08, and Vanek’s ‘06-’07 numbers were 43-41-84. Seeing how past seasons are taken into account, I don’t think Vanek can reasonably be used as a comparable, and using Pavelski would be questionable.

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

They can’t use Vanek’s post-contract seasons. Just the seasons leading up to the deal. Flash doesn’t sniff that.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Good to hear. My fear was that they could say that the parties anticipated a drop-off in Vanek’s play down to what it is currently, so his contract dropped from $10M to $6.4M.

by bagace on Jul 25, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If a player had similar numbers in ‘08-’09 to Flash’s this season, and they signed as an RFA, that could be used, correct? Just trying to make sure I know what’s admissible.

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Anything in the “platform” years, the years right before they signed the contract, is admissible if the guy is a comparable and signed an RFA deal.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Would it have to be comparable in the years right before the contract was signed?

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The 2-3 years prior. It’s not just a one year comparison.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty much what I thought… think I have a grasp on the idea then. Thanks!

by timmyv38 on Jul 26, 2010 5:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Even though Vanek isn’t admissible, I’m still scared by the MacArthur award and the Pavelski and Steen contracts. Especially the Steen deal. I can’t see Flash coming in under 3.

Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman

by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 25, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

The Pavelski deal doesn’t bother me as much, because Flash’s past numbers don’t match up to Pavelski’s. But Steen… that is a likely comparable.

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Vintage?

Channel surfing, and Caps/Pens game 2 from last year is on NHLN under Vintage Games. I don’t consider one year old to be vintage.

"It's always good to have vikings."

Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.

by gfcaps fan on Jul 25, 2010 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

That’s not even 6 months old yet. Seriously, NHLN? That’s like calling Carlson and Alzner veterans.

by timmyv38 on Jul 25, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Carlson and Alzner being veterans! I’ll really feel old when that is the case.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Jul 25, 2010 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

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