Thursday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jul 29, 2010 6:35 AM EDT
in Caps Clips
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Coverage of and opinions on last evening's Stefan Della Rovere for D.J. King trade. [CI, RMNB, OFB, PHT, SB Nation DC, Hockey Independent, Hockey Chronicles, RtR, Flashy Glove Save, DC Landing Strip, STLToday, Caps Snaps]
- Is Tomas Fleischmann's new deal a... bargain? [Peerless]
- Which will happen first in 2010-11: Nicklas Backstrom gets his 11th assist of the season or Mike Knuble plays in his 11th game of the campaign? [RtR]
- Ten things to look forward to at the Winter Classic. [View From My Seats]
- Speculating on and critiquing possible January 1 uniforms. [a capital wasteland]
- Some perspective on Douchegate... [Puck Daddy]
- ... which the Caps' owner addressed rather succinctly. [National Post, SB Nation DC]
- Heck, even Eric Belanger chimed in. [CKAC via Google Translate]
- More fodder for the "Ovie wuz robbed!" folks (of which I'm one). [Puck Stops Here]
- Cruisin' with King Karl (but hopefully he's done doing that whole D.C.-to-Hershey drive). [Caps365 (video)]
- "Unleash the Fury" live? Yep. Catch it this weekend... and maybe next season. [DCist]
- Ovechkin vs. Cros... oh, sorry, I dozed off there for a minute. [IIHF]
- John Carlson gives blood. Anyone need a pint of Real American Hero? [CSN Washington]
- Fresh off Development Camp, Bob Woods is coaching up even younger kids up in Utica. [WKTV]
- Boyd Kane and Dylan Yeo are returning to Hershey for 2010-11. [Bears]
- Speaking of the Bears, they were awfully hot throughout last season. Some might even say they were nuclear. [OFB]
- Time's running out for you to snag $20 worth of food and drink for only $10 at RFD. [SB Nation Team Pick (commercial deal)]
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I’m honored my blog made your Clips today, JP!
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
OFB’s column on the King trade could be the most excruciating column in the history of the internet.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 7:41 AM EDT reply actions
1,200 words summed up in a GIF
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Dude…ick
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
by fat_daddyo on Jul 29, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
rec’d
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 29, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Sadly, that makes me want to read it more.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 29, 2010 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Seriously…I couldn’t tell if it was for real, because it pretty much includes every “wE needz a tough guyzz!!” meme there is.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
The funny part in that 1,200 word post is that the team has still lost two of three playoff series with Donald Brashear in the lineup.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. The entire time I was reading the article I was thinking, “does he realize that Donald Brashear was on this team just two seasons ago?” He acts like D.J. King is ushering in a new era of Capitals hockey.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 29, 2010 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to mention
The cold hard truth is that only one Capitals’ club has ever advanced to a Stanley Cup finals, and among the regular skaters on that roster were the likes of Mark Tinordi, Brendan Witt, Joe Reekie, Craig Berube, Chris Simon, and Dale Hunter. Not a coincidence, I’d submit. Yes that club caught breaks that postseason, but indisputably they were tough to play against in the only season that counts.
That club was swept in 4 games by Detroit.
Further
I also never believed that George McPhee the manager who recently cited the Detroit Red Wings as evidence that hockey had moved beyond old-style enforcement (the same Wings who employed Brad May last year) experienced some epiphany uprooting him from the very style he played in the NHL. Rather, enforcers who can actually skate and play a bit are a rare commodity today, neither produced in Europe to any degree nor much available in a modern Entry Draft (which explains the buzz that Dylan McIlrath attracted last month in Los Angeles). McPhee simply couldn’t tout a commodity he didn’t possess.
Part of hockey’s healthy evolution over the past decade has included the elimination of the shiftless knucklehead in Bauers. That’s a good thing. But because our game no longer tolerates tacking in the neutral zone, or players crawling up over plexiglass and fighting fans, it doesn’t follow that a legacy component of the game — something in its very DNA — should be eradicated as well.
But there was simply no way George McPhee was going to dispatch his fineese club to Madison Square Garden this season to face the Rags and their new Boogeyman and have Matt Bradley police the evening, I don’t believe. That would have been a slaughter wish.
Holy contradiction Batman.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Lots of things going on in that 1,200 word post.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions
By my count, it’s only 1,165 words.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 29, 2010 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey, don’t give me away for the larger point.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Still reading you loud and clear.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 29, 2010 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
And, for my last point, i’d like to bring this up
"Please, the guy [Koci] has one goal in six years. He couldn’t play in the American League. I’ve faced David Koci a lot. He might be a nice guy — I have no idea. I’m glad he’s making a living. Let’s be honest if this was any [other] game he gets on the ice in the first three minutes, gets into his fight and then he sits at the end of the bench, so what good is he?
It shows what we have to get rid of to have a good game. The guys that are sitting at the end of the bench and they come out and hit a guy for the sake of ’I’ve got to run around like an idiot or I’ll never play again’ — those are the guys we’ve got to get rid of."
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to ask, and don’t kick me … is this article really worth the effort and pixels being devoted to rip it apart?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Yeah…I mean, I’m done with bashing it, but I just needed a forum to respond to it
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
,,,,
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
So the answer to that is a guy who plays 6 minutes a night and spends most of his time as a HS? How would that have prevented Koci from running Green?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
It wouldn’t. Enforcers don’t work as deterrents. But they do work as on-going concerns for opposing players during their mutual shifts, so there is a benefit, albeit minor.
And if DJ King takes an instigator or two early on when guys get liberal with our guys, it’ll send the right message going forward.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Holy crap, that was the most contradictory comment ever.
I mean that some guys (read: Koci) are gonna do what they’re gonna do, but having a willing enforcer there may deter others.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And if DJ King takes an instigator or two early on when guys get liberal with our guys, it’ll send the right message going forward.
By putting our 25th ranked PK on the ice more often?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes. Because a regular season game or two can be sacrificed if, for example, they send the message to the Nate Thompsons of the world not to go after Mike Green’s knee.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(still think there was very little malice in that)
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I still don’t think it stops Mike Duco from jumping Alexandre Giroux.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, but at least DJ can play the game a little, too.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
The think I like about DJ most is his cap hit. I don’t mind paying 600K for a guy that is going to get a handful of minutes and/or HS every night. The guys I am totally opposed to are the ones that get paid 1 mill+.
We’ll watch King all season and at the end of it I doubt it makes much of a difference one way or another. He’s not going to tie GMGM’s hands and he’s not going to get Carcillo to lower his.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yeah, all 6 and a half games he’s averaged the past two seasons due to injury. So basically I have to make it our opening game versus the Devils to see him before DJ breaks his hand in a fight again and is out the rest of the season?
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
Probably want to make sure you see the pre-game warmups. Just in case.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Good call – I’m usually at CalTort chowing down. I guess I’ll just have to settle for rat-infested Verizon Center food instead so I don’t miss our new “King’s” annual performance ;o)
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
Like I said, some guys are gonna do what they’re gonna do because that’s the only way they get to or stay in the NHL. But others will think twice. There’s no way that dressing King doesn’t provide the Caps with a bit more flexibility in how to play the game on certain nights as events warrant.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Also don't forget that at it's core hockey is a form of professional entertainment
I feel JP’s points are all solid, even though I hate goons and want them out of the league. But much to my chagrin, hockey’s a business at its core and as much as I though Brash was a talentless wash-up of an athlete, I’d be lying through my teeth if I didn’t stand up and cheer every time he dropped the gloves.
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
Perhaps. But I think the point is still valid – there are other examples.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Copper and Blue has something to say about it.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Yeah, I saw that. Great look at the actual on-ice, by-the-numbers contributions goons make, though I’d imagine the Pugilists’ Union would argue that their membership makes contributions that aren’t so readily measured… such as keeping stars in the lineup. As you noted above (or below), maybe having a King in the lineup dissuades Boll/Chimera from taking AO out for six games. Obviously there’s value in that that isn’t measured by C&B’s number crunching.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Certainly. The number crunching is awesome but I think there’s an energy component that isn’t as easy to put into numbers. Numbers are awesome, and certainly JR does an awesome job with them and at appreciating them, but I think there’s more to the story in the case of a goon.
For some things, goons are gonna do what they’re gonna do, like you noted. But in that case, since it started with Ovi getting speared on the bench IIRC, does that incident happen at all if King is the one to go over the boards and “address the problem” and not AO?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Further to the point, I can see how a team desperate for every point in the regular season standings might not be wise to spend a roster spot on a guy whose presence might actually cost the team. But for a team like the Caps – who can sacrifice a win or two for the sake of the intangibles one such player brings – it’s not as tough a decision.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And that was the problem I had with the analysis. You can’t judge whether a signing makes sense for any given team solely on the basis of numbers. The player has to fill a need as well. The Rags and Flyers – why did they do that? The Caps you can see why they did it – they can trade a win or two in the regular season for an insurance policy on the stars, and that’s what they likely have done.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I want 23 players healthy and ready to go in April, not having to suffer the liberties that some players on other teams might take with them that injure them or wear them down over a season. If King can contribute to that and never play a minute in the post-season, but the Caps have a fresher squad that can win a Cup, he’ll have earned his engraving.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 29, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I like number crunching as much as the next person, but there is a saying one learns early on in data analysis. “Maslow’s Hammer” — When you learn to use a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 29, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
“But I also [hope to be] more than just that, is what the [Capitals] want. And that’s what I expect out of myself. I always come to the rink every day trying to get better. Because the game is not just about fighting no more. You have to get in there on the forecheck and be a physical presence. They see me as someone who can play the game and be a force out there, not only by dropping the gloves.”
We played Brashear 8 minutes a night and King is faster and better. He’ll get time to be an enforcer in more ways than one – he can drop the gloves and he can be a forechecking presence, just like Brash was at times.
That’s the thing that is getting glossed over a little (I think). Sure, he can punch, but if he proves to be a viable asset on the 4th line, it’s playing with house money.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. And to be honest I’m just happy if Matt Bradley’s face stays in one piece. Like it or not fighting is part of the game, and if King is around to take on the guys Brads has had to tangle with, all the better. We need Bradley out there to do what he does best – not sitting in the box for 5 minutes or worse, on the shelf indefinitely with a concussion.
Seriously. Imagine how much more offense he could produce if he wasn’t playing Enforcer Lite all the time. Paper Face needs to chase goals, not goons! I’m calling it: he’ll pick up 15+ next year.
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
I’ll take that bet; Brads doesn’t sniff 15 next year.
Care to make a friendly wager on it?
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 29, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Witness?
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t understand.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 29, 2010 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Since I can’t get in on the action, witness for a cut of the bet (old George Constanza move).
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Much as I’d like to, since I completely agree with you.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Enforcers don’t work as deterrents.
This was the point I tried to get across yesterday. This team didn’t need an enforcer last year and they don’t this year. This enforcer message stuff makes my want to hurl. 90% of the time all an enforcer does is get on the ice ice and fight another enforcer or tough guy. That sends what message exactly?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
What’s the other 10% of the time?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Playing cards in the locker room with Bobby Bonilla and Rickey Henderson
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
It barely gets noticed.
I watched a team like the Yotes last year with an enforcer have just as many liberties get taken, if not more, than I did with the Caps. I saw Prucha’s head almost get taken off. I saw several guys go after Doan’s knees. Hockey’s favorite ex-twitterer did nothing to scare other teams from doing what they are going to do.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Prucha was probably at fault. From what I saw when he was in NYR he is absolutely terrible at defending himself.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Jul 29, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
the deterrent is that we have a guy who can run your guy if you run our guy. very machiavellian. so if you’re boogaard and you want to take liberties with green or semin you may want to think twice because our guy may run gaborik. then again, if you are boogaard, thinking might be out of the question.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 29, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
The cold hard truth is that only one Capitals’ club has ever advanced to a Stanley Cup finals, and among the regular skaters on that roster were the likes of Mark Tinordi, Brendan Witt, Joe Reekie, Craig Berube, Chris Simon, and Dale Hunter. Not a coincidence, I’d submit. Yes that club caught breaks that postseason, but indisputably they were tough to play against in the only season that counts.
The issue I take with that statement is that the guys he named (even Berube, to an extent) could all play hockey. It’s hard to envision, given the Caps’ current roster, a D.J. King getting a sweater for a playoff game. I don’t dislike the deal at all, but it’s a much more regular-season-focused deal, in my mind, than anything done with an eye towards a playoff lineup.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Exactly. DJ King isn’t gonna do a damn thing for “the only season that counts”, and I’m not sure he does much for the regular season besides make the red meat crowd wet.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 29, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Great summary of the situation K_C.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Who was the goon on the Blackhawks this year? Pitt and Detroit the years prior? (And I don’t count Cooke, he’s more of a jerk than a goon). The years before that?
I’m not being sarcastic, if there is a list, someone please put it up.
I understand the line of logic that a goon during the season might deter a few hits and make for a healthier team in the offseason, but all this “You need a goon to win a Cup nonsense” is killing me (which is more an OFB/NHL GM thing than what anyone here is advocating).
"Because the game is not just about fighting no more. " D.J. King
by bigeugene on Jul 29, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I should note that I’m pretty indifferent to this trade, personally. I hope DJ works out the way they hoped.
"Because the game is not just about fighting no more. " D.J. King
I don’t think you need a goon to win a Cup at all.But this trade won’t hurt the Caps to any real degree and might help them out a little.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I would agree more enthusiastically if it was a two-way contract and we could bury him in the Bears once GM GM realizes he doesn’t provide any value. Then again, maybe placing him on waivers and getting poached wouldn’t be such a bad thing, come next spring…
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
Pedant alert
A two-way contract does not have any bearing on the “assignability” of a guy to the AHL. It just means that the guy gets one salary when on the NHL roster and another (lower) salary when in the AHL. Just the opposite with a one-way salary: the guy gets the same pay in Hershey or in DC.
I’m no expert on the waiver process, so I’m taking it on faith that King would have to go through waivers (and be exposed to claims) if the club wanted to assign him to Hershey.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
That’s what I’m saying… that could be a good thing. If he doesn’t work out in DC, send him down (which puts him on the waiver wire since he has a one-way contract). Then, hopefully someone else takes a chance on him. It seems like a bad move by us, but it’s almost like an escape clause. We couldn’t do it if he had a standard lesser-talented two-way contract players of his caliber normally command.
Regardless, this is all a little premature and pessimistic. Hopefully he works out and accomplishes whatever it is he’s been traded for. Gonna miss seeing Della Rovere in a Caps sweater a bit down the road though… he was fun to watch at Dev Camp.
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
I wouldn’t call any of the Blackhawks “goons”, but Ben Eager was the closest thing to one. He’s way more skilled than a traditional goon.
Pitt’s had Eric Godard for last two seasons, but I don’t think he ever suited up for a playoff game.
Yeah, the goon/Cup logic is idiotic. But I like this move for the regular season benefit. The Caps displayed brief stretches of the ol’ team toughness method last season, but the regular season is simply too long. It is too filled with meaningless game situations against teams that often have nothing better to do than get in our stars’ faces. And with a team like the Caps, whose disposition frequently takes on the persona of room temperature butter, DJ King is a welcomed addition in my opinion.
Nah, I’ve read a few that are worse, but I still want back the minute of my life I spent reading it before deciding “this is stupid” and closing the tab.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
The fact that OFB (apparently) loves this trade, and that column was written about it, makes me hate the trade already.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m firmly in the “not sure but keeping an open mind” camp. Do we really need an enforcer? Probably not, but I think this club can spare a roster spot for a little protection, especially at $650K. He’ll likely be in the press box a lot of nights, and will get a sweater when the Caps need to be able to throw down if it comes to that.
Although one thought did come to me in the shower: does the incident between Chimera, Boll, and Ovechkin last season happen if King is dressed in red? You know, the one that had Ovi out six games with a shoulder injury? If not, that trade is worth it, right there.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Here is a way to look at that. Alex Ovechkin’s cap hit is $116,322 a game. He missed six games with that injury. That’s about $698,000 in lost time. If, in fact, King does provide that sort of protection, he’s paid for.
If you've read this far...seek help.
He’ll likely be in the press box a lot of nights
That’s just it though. He is not a deterrent if he is in the press box. One can argue the merits of his deterrence if he is actually in the lineup, but an enforcer is 100% ineffective otherwise. So would he have prevented the incident in Columbus? Maybe… if he even dressed for that game.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 29, 2010 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Dunno ‘zackly how coaches do this, but my guess is he dresses for a lot of games against teams we only play once, and for teams who we meet more than once, the other team will know that if ’something’ happens, he will certainly dress the very next game.
Bruce keeps lists … and grudges. He remembers exactly who ran who and when.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
And even then he probably would have had to be on the ice with AO. Hitchcock explicitly said their plan was to go after AO. Does anyone think that won’t be the plan anymore?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
If there’s a guy on the other bench who might go right after Rick Nash? Sure. Mutually assured destruction isn’t necessarily a gameplan.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I guess. I just don’t think that’s how NHL coaches operate. They are going to identify the biggest threat on the other team, which is AO, and then do whatever they can to stop it.
We’ve talked about the “eye for an eye” strategy and going after the other teams’ stars, but how much do you really see that with any team?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
We’ve talked about the "eye for an eye" strategy and going after the other teams’ stars, but how much do you really see that with any team?
St. Louis does it, that I know for sure. Jackman, King, Polak, and Janssen were incessantly after Hornqvist, Sullivan, and Suter last year. Jackman literally swung his stick like a baseball bat and hit Suter in the helmet once.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
And the Blues got exactly what they deserved for playing a stupid brand of hockey that only worked when Clarence Campbell was around. They were all playing golf in April.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s a lot of enforcers, though, and a young team that wasn’t ready for the playoffs. They didn’t miss the postseason just because they played that brand of hockey – and the Caps getting one guy who will play occasionally isn’t going to make them miss the playoffs, either.
At worst it has no impact whatsoever, and it’s a cheap price to pay for a roster filler; at best it keeps the other teams on their toes a bit, allows our middleweight guys to focus on hockey and not defending each others’ honor and keeps them better rested (and less injured). There’s no real downside here.
by Becca H on Jul 29, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
There’s no real downside here.
Short term I’d agree. Though I’d feel better if King had a two way deal. Long term the jury will be out for another 3-4 years.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Why do you care what his AHL salary is?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I wanted it more likely that if the Caps sign a guy like this that they’d send him to the minors.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough. But a guy who can scrap like he can at his price might not make it through waivers – certainly not re-entry – so get used to seeing him in the press box at VC.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yep. I get so sick of the notion that toughness = wins, or some variation thereof.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
And the funny part is STL doesn’t even need enforcers like some other teams. When Backes and Oshie are the core of your skill guys you always have someone out there that can handle himself with the mitts off.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yep. Backes is pretty badass in his own right.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
But was that “eye for an eye” because NSH was attacking the STL studs? I don’t think so. That’s just STL’s game plan.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yeah, true, I overlooked that part of your comment. The Preds cut down on the funny business a shitload last year, it was weird.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Not enough.
You know I don’t buy into the deterrent effect of enforcers as much as some others do. But I ain’t gonna lie – I feel better with King in the lineup vs. PHI or NYR than I do with Quintin Laing.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 29, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Plus it’s less about the Caps going after their guys or their guys going after the Caps – it seems to me like it’s about them NOT going after the Caps (and vice versa).
It’s hard to measure the impact of a guy like this because it’s not always what happens but what doesn’t happen because of him. But it’ll be interesting to see if guys really do target Ovie or Green or Semin as much as they have in the past now that a legit enforcer is back in town.
one needs to only look back a few years the game in the garden when brash got tossed after fighting orr (was that the game he fought shanny too?). anyway, took about three seconds after brash was off the ice for orr to run at ov.
thankfully, there are but a handful of teams where this type of shenanigans are bound to occur, we happen to play them more than a couple of times this year…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 29, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. Orr, Boogaard, Shelley, Cote, to a lesser extent Carcillo and Downie, these are the guys the Caps are facing on a regular basis this year. And don’t forget guys like Eager, who is now in Atlanta.
Is awesome at faceoffs.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
If King can go on the ice with the 4th line in the waning minutes of a game that is over, and prevent this, then he’s worth every penny.
That made me sick to watch.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Not me. I saw Steckel squaring off with Konopka and I thought, aw, Stecks, please turtle quickly.
A guy like Steckel doesn’t need to drop them with Konopka.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Then they won fourteen in a row.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Konopka is now on the Isles BTW.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Get Crosby and Valabik on the phone!
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
by fat_daddyo on Jul 29, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
it’s less about the Caps going after their guys or their guys going after the Caps – it seems to me like it’s about them NOT going after the Caps (and vice versa).
Personally, I’m hoping that maybe knowing there’s an enforcer on the team will make it so a certain skilled player won’t feel like it’s up to him all the time to go after someone after they got his teammate. Especially if the league has pegged that certain skilled player recently with a couple of suspensions so they’re monitoring all his hits a little too closely now.
"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 29, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree with you, and as I’ve said I don’t really hate this trade; time will tell if it’s a trade to affirmatively like, though. If we are going to bring in a guy whose best skill set is his right cross then I’m glad it’s a guy that can skate and only collects 600K.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Agreed. Very low-risk, low-to-medium reward, at least over the next two seasons or so.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Look at the trade in context. It’s a $637,500 insurance policy on a $55 million roster. And while the Caps have skill players in spades, they do not have this kind of player. He might get 50 games at eight minutes a night, but this move neither breaks the bank, keeps a prospect in Hershey (despite the Steve Pinizzotto fans), or move another player of consequence off the roster or to the press box. What is the problem here?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 29, 2010 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
This is the kind of explanation and reasoning that should calm everyone down. I, for one, appreciate it.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
If you look at “The Plan” in the way the Caps rebuilt their roster, one thing they have done with little exception to the rule is draft for skill and acquire other role players by other means. Erskine, Bradley, Chimera, and even Mike Knuble did not come through the Caps system. This move is firmly within and consistent with that theory of roster building.
If you've read this far...seek help.
The second part of the “calm down” reasoning is that Della Rovere was not going to make any impact on this roster in the next two seasons. None. So they’ve added something they didn’t have, which at worst is a wash and at best, provides that protection Peerless referenced.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This explains how I feel about the trade. Prospect with questionable NHL future for guy with similar skillset who can and will play in the NHL this year, for cheap. Seems ok to me.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Unless you purchased an SDR practice jersey and drove up to Barrie, Ontario to see him play. (poor Ovechwin)
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 29, 2010 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Poor Braden Holtby. He and Delly were BFF in Hershey. Now they are long distance besties.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Buffalo fire fighters?
A danger to myself and others on the ice
by can't skate on Jul 29, 2010 10:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
We all go through this, and it sucks. I have Sami Lepisto and Viktor Kozlov jerseys, for example.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
This just proves how old school and legit I am. Or something.
Twitter!!!1
Reppin' Team Tyler yo.
by Ovechwin on Jul 29, 2010 8:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
O.G.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
You and DP can have a “departed prospects party” and he can wear his Casavant jersey.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Interesting thing, this. Here is a selection of prospects the Caps have traded…
Tim Kennedy (6th round 2005) traded to Buffalo for a 6th in 2006, which became Mathieu Perreault
Oskar Osala (4th round 2006) traded to Carolina for Joe Corvo
Ted Ruth (2nd round 2007) to Columbus for Sergei Fedorov
Stefan Della Rovere (7th round 2008) to St. Louis for D.J. King
Somewhat mixed success.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 29, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Mixed?
I’d say the Caps pretty much win that list in a landslide. I guess if Ruth, SDR and/or Osala become something then it might change but right now it really looks good for the Caps.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
It’s the Ruth trade that gives them an advantage. One is a draw (Osala, who might have had trouble cracking this lineup, for a player no longer here), and the SDR/BJK trade is way too early to evaluate
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 29, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
SDR/BJK is way too early, for sure.
Kennedy for MP is probably early, though Kennedy has at least proven to be an NHL player.
I still think Osala for Corvo was a good trade despite Corvo’s underwhelming play. Osala couldn’t get off the 4th line in HER and then couldn’t stick with a CAR team battling for a top-5 pick. I think the fact that Osala’s skating is going to keep him out of the NHL and that GMGM was able to address a need (even if it didn’t work out) makes it a good trade. When you can move a marginal player for a player that is legitimately an NHL player in a position of need, it’s a win.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
We will miss the draft pick more than we will miss Osala.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I’d suggest it’s a photo finish with the way this team drafts.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t forget Lepisto for a fifth round pick in 2010. This trade definitely weights the balance back towards more mixed results.
Well, who did that 5th rounder become?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Caleb Herbert.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. Again, far too early to tell.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Definitely too early. Even on the Sami end of things I’m not sure how things end. He’s going to have to fight for a ice time again this year in PHX. Yotes have a couple of young guys who are looking to crack the lineup.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
But with Delly they have a much better idea of where he is and is going than they did with Kennedy (drafted and traded same day, I believe) or Ruth. Jury still very much out on Osala.
So the only loser (i.e. prospect given up who turned into something) so far there is Kennedy, who was still largely unknown.
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And we got MP as a result so we may have ended up with an NHL player anyway.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Right, but that was somewhat lucky – trading a future NHLer for a 6th round pick is rarely going to work out favorably, so while the pick (MP) was great, the trade was not.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Right, but given where Kennedy was drafted it wasn’t clear at all that he would become anything, just the same as it wasn’t clear when we took MP or SDR. It was a late round pick for a late round pick. Somehow, both ended up being exceptional late round picks.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yup, which was my point on Kennedy vs. Delly – the Caps have had years post-draft to evaluate Delly’s progress, while they had hours on Kennedy.
But Kennedy they’d scouted and obviously spent a pick on with the hope that he’d be an NHLer. And they were right. So they gave up that guy hoping they could find “him” again a year later. And they might have.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Good point. They obviously saw enough in Kennedy to take him.
Also a good point that SDR had two years of evaluation and especially in this recent D camp didn’t stand out. Looks like your sources were on the money regarding SDR, or at least GMGM agreed that they were on the money.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I was in Toronto so it wasn’t very inconvenient. We even were free that night. Just to clarify.
Eh, I’m bummed, but its the nature of the business, still don’t think the caps need an enforcer, still think they could eventually use Delly. Maybe they think Kuznetsov can handle the goading of opposing goalies or something.
Twitter!!!1
Reppin' Team Tyler yo.
by Ovechwin on Jul 29, 2010 8:52 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I still think Bruess can be that “pest” type of player down the road.
Though my “give ’em hell” line in Delly – Eakin – Bruess is gone now. Phooey.
"Imagine if you go see Mrs. Universe, then you end up having Mrs. Iowa. Then you might get those kind of boos." - Miguel Batista
by Steck It Out on Jul 29, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Bruess is a better hockey player than Delly. Less of a pest, but a better hockey player.
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I’ve heard it the other way. Don’t know who to believe at this point.
Twitter!!!1
Reppin' Team Tyler yo.
Believe me. Because I’m right (and informed by people who are also right).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 29, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bruess is a better hockey player than Delly. Less of a pest, but a better hockey player.
He looked that way to my uneducated eyes at development camp. The fact that Bruess likes being a pain probably made SDR expendable.
The calming down part was in reference to the acquisition of an enforcer, not trading away Della Rovere.
We get attached to everyone connected with the team around here, but I at least understand that there are only so many roster spots to fill and you have to give in order to get.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
but this move neither breaks the bank, keeps a prospect in Hershey (despite the Steve Pinizzotto fans), or move another player of consequence off the roster or to the press box.
Not true. First, let me say I like this trade, so I am really just arguing semantics on one of your points — the roster spot — rather than arguing against the merits of the trade.
We traded a non-roster player in SDR for a guy who will be in the lineup more often than not (IMO). So someone who would have otherwise been in the lineup — Perrault, MJohansson, Steckel/Grodon — won’t be. So he WILL take ice time from someone who we currently had “penciled in”. But again, I don’t really have a problem with that so it’s a bit moot.
If he’s dressing, he’s dressing at 4L.
4L last year was either Gordo, Q Laing, Sloan, or Chimera.
Now, if he pushes Gordo or Chimera to the pressbox, it’s a downgrade in utility. But the other guys, not so much.
Plus, there well may be another move forthcoming, because there’s a bit of a logjam at the bottom of the roster at the moment.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Somebody will get injured two weeks into the season and it won’t be a problem.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
But there has also been talk of perhaps working Johansson or Perrault into the lineup at LW if they can’t work out at C. This is BB we’re talking about after all, guys could play pretty much anywhere. My point is, given the roster that we had at this time yesterday, it was safe to assume that Gordon,Steckel, Perrault, and Johansson were going to be fighting over 3 rosters spots. now they are fighting over 2 (2.5 tops). QLaing and Sloan (as a forward) are non-issues, cuz they weren’t slated for the lineup this year anyway.
Here’s its tally sheet: zero Cups won, one playoff series won (barely), zero opponents intimidated. (Ever.)
So if we have never intimidated anyone (Ever) then that means Dale Hunter never intimidated anyone. If Dale Hunter never intimidated anyone, then intimidation is impossible, so why try?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Jul 29, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I’m sure that they feel we didn’t beat Montreal last year because we weren’t “tough” enough, and not because the PP was putrid.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, I would imagine that’s referencing the post-rebuild Caps. But even then you’re talking about teams that skated out Brashear for the fighting end of this and Ovechkin for the, you know, hockey end of things. Does DJ King bring more? Hard to imagine.
King might well bring more than Brash, no? I couldn’t pick King out of a lineup and I knew zero about him before yesterday (and only marginally more now), but he’s younger and cheaper than Brashear was. And when we got him Brash could skate a little bit and forecheck some. From the scuttlebutt I’ve seen, King seems to fit that same bill, with a lot fewer miles on his tires.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
And cheaper on the wallet.
"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 29, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I would expect him to bring at least as much overall, but in terms of intimidation because of fighting prowess? I’d be surprised.
In just the last two weeks we’ve learned that the head coach and the GM want Big Joe Finley in a Hershey Bears’ sweater this autumn
LOLZ. Actually, guys, the Caps Brass wanted Big Joe Finley in a Caps jersey probably by last autumn. They didn’t use a 2005 First round pick on a guy that might crack the AHL roster in 2010-11.
And if Schultz’ skating is so bad that he can’t be a legitimate NHL D, then what does Finley’s skating qualify as? That’s the single biggest inconsistency those guys have failed to address.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Jul 29, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I’ve given up. It’s like trying to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
by gotsparkly on Jul 29, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Shorter OFB:
ThE Capitalz will now win the Stanly Cup in the 3rd Round by TKO or submishion!!!!!1
"Because the game is not just about fighting no more. " D.J. King
by bigeugene on Jul 29, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
...
I’ve heard they’re pushing management to get after this guy
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
So who is this new 2C we got yesterday? DJ King? What’s the skinny on him?
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
...
I’d be more happy if it was this DJ
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Excuse me mister bouncer man … I’m with the DJ
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
You know she’s a big hockey fan. Still married to Valery Bure, the lesser achieving of the Bure brothers.
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!
Related: one of my fave hockey cards ever
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by J.P. on Jul 29, 2010 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They’re like a super-nutty, gigantic christian scientist family or something, right?
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Who also play a part in their own winery.
Related: Must be a Russian thing.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
From whence I got my signature.
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 29, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
One thing is for sure, December 1st is going to be a “must see TV” night for Caps fans when they visit the Blues…
“The bottom line is, the next time we see each other, it’s going to be a dandy…It will definitely make SportsCenter top 10. Me and Kinger, we loved each other and we respected each other. But when it comes down to it, we’re going to kick the hell out of each other, whether it’s in Washington or in St. Louis. I’m going to be doing some bobbing and weaving, I know that. But we’re going to kick the hell out each other, and afterwards we’re still going to respect each other. I’m going to miss him. We were great friends, but something needed to happen for both of our careers. This is my town, my team and I’m excited to be the guy. I’m ready for it. I want to be a leader on this team. I’m going to lead on and off the ice.”
— Cam Janssen
If you've read this far...seek help.
It really does annoy me that a player has already pencilled in a fight. Doesn’t the league frown upon that sort of behavior?
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Not when STL announces a sellout for that game.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Heh. Too bad we proably have to dress King for that game so Janssen doesn’t go after Bradley (or someone else) again, because I’d love the disappointment when we didn’t.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I don’t mind it, especially in this case, where a player is describing a positive, mutually-respectful relationship. I remember the days when Stu Grimson and Bob Probert were the reigning heavyweights in the league. The hype leading up to their games against each other was amazing, almost as if it were a prize fight. And the fights lived up to it.
It really does annoy me that a player has already pencilled in a fight. Doesn’t the league frown upon that sort of behavior?
Nah, the league is too busy programming their TiVOs so they don’t miss it.
Don’t forget — “the league” is hockey fans too…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 29, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Except for the really short guy in charge.
Signed,
Canada
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
i just hope janssen has enough respect for dj to man up and fight him and not run him like he did to brads…poor Q Laing…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 29, 2010 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions
yup, and i read the quotes from janssen after he blindsided brads and continued to pound a clearly outmatched and submissive Q Laing. there is a distinct difference between what janssen says and what he does.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 29, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I tweeted this last night, but those two have actually tangled before, in juniors (I believe) – it’s on YouTube.
Ah, gracias. I can’t see blogspot and wordpress sites at work so I hadn’t checked that one out. Foiled again!!!1
on the ice, off the ice, he's going to lead...
With his elbow, from behind and off his skates.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 29, 2010 9:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Andrew Ladd signs with Atlanta, 1yr, 2.35.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
I think its more Mason Raymond and Matt Moulson, but really, Ladd isn’t the same type of player as those three.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Then Fehr set the market, ‘cos VAN used F16’s K to negotiate Raymond.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Interesting, hadn’t heard that.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d take Ladd over Flash in a hearbeat. Love that guy’s game.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Oh, so would I, for sure. I was just pointing out that they’re not really comparables.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
No, because Ladd plays with balls.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I totally read that the wrong way initially.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Q: Why do women stretch just after they’ve woken up?
A: Because they don’t have balls to scratch.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
by fat_daddyo on Jul 29, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pretty much. And a heart.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Two more (perhaps lesser) points on the trade:
1. It sends a great message from management to the room – don’t worry about who’s gonna do the “dirty” work; worry about playing hockey.
2. If you believe some of the rumblings, innuendo, etc., it sends a message to the prospects about what will and won’t be tolerated off-ice in the organization.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Can you remind us what he allegedly did off-ice?
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
No, not really. Just heard some whispers.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Off-ice issues? Hmm. Somehow I missed that part.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
No, not really. Just heard some whispers.
you tease.
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 29, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Okay now I’m intrigued.
"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 29, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
to point 1, this team won the president’s trophy without a dj king in the lineup. sure, not optimal to have brads out there policing the ice, but the team fared pretty well with that lineup. presuming king doesnt have any impact in the playoffs, i’m not so sure this was a message to the caps locker room as much as it was to the other teams locker rooms (rags, philly, TB) about taking liberties with the caps.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 29, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
There were definitely regular season games in which the Caps got pushed around. And certainly they weren’t a tough team to play against, physically (well, perhaps cardiovascularly). Does one guy change all that? Not really. But when Matt Bradley can worry more about forechecking and less about getting license numbers on the guy who just ran Semin, the Caps are a better team.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I will feel much better playing Western conference teams this year if he is in the lineup. Less chance of one of our better players being injured by a goon.
i guess that makes sense if, in fact, brads (or erskine’s) play really suffered due to the added burden of having to be on call to throw hands if things go sideways. MB10 actually had more points and less PIM’s last year than the year before when Brash was on the bench (in four fewer games). maybe we want brads to be on edge…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 29, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure he still will be – but properly slotted as a middleweight rather than having to potentially chuck knuckles with a heavy. Having King gives better definition to Bradley’s role, which can’t be bad.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Depends on whether someone’s hurt or not. I think it’s one of Gordo or Steckel.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Maybe, I’m just going by last year’s depth chart which saw Matt Bradley get pushed out of the lineup when Scott Walker was in.
Well, DJ King’s a LW and Brads is a RW, so it’s the left side that gets bumped.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Agree. Brads plays 4R and King would presumably play 4L, so it’s hard to see them swapping one for the other.
Also depends on who’s playing 2L and 3L, which is informed by who’s playing 2C. If it’s Flash at 2C, then it’s most likely Laich at 2L, Chimera at 3L, and then you have a spot for King or Gordo at 4L.
If Flash is playing 2L, then Laich is pushed down to 3L, Chimera to 4L…and King to the press box.
I would say this trade mostly confirms our suspicions that Flash starts the season at 2C.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
They had to wait for Flash’s arbitration/signing. Once he was back in the lineup, they could proceed with the rest.
Any more dominos yet to fall?
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I don’t think goons care which side they play on
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 29, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Aren’t we jumping ahead? The Caps have only 12 roster forwards under contract at the moment.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I think we’re assuming that someone else is going to get either signed or brought up from hershey.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Here’s how I see it at the moment
AO – Backs – Knuble
Laich – Flash – Semin
Chimera – ??? – Fehr
King – Gordo/Stecks – Brads
(Sloan)
The ??? could turn out to be MarJo or MP, or someone else via trade.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
2. If you believe some of the rumblings, innuendo, etc., it sends a message to the prospects about what will and won’t be tolerated off-ice in the organization.
What’s their excuse for keeping a certain Mr. Finley?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Nobody would actually trade for him?
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 29, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
....
I would
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
BP & you are like John Winger & Russell Ziskey today. You keeping showing how clueless Captain Stillman is.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe we’ll be able to surprise him again while he’s using a telescope to look in the women’s shower.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Worst part is you’ll probably have to go out and save the whole OFB crew when they wander into Philly by accident.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not even sure the EM 50 Urban Assault Vehicle can help them at this point.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe not, but BP and you do deserve a rec'reational vehicle for your efforts.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
As much attitude as he has on-ice prolly can’t be turned off when he’s not skating.
Is my guess.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Gotcha. I was just caught totally by surprise by the fact that there have been whispers about SDR’s off-ice stuff. Had no idea.
Was just wondering how many other people had heard about it.
Had you?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Love at first (sound) bite
From Tarik’s entry on the King trade:
When told what Pittsburgh’s Max Talbot had to say about Alex Ovechkin yesterday, King shot back, “Wow. I guess that’s not going to be happening too much longer, I guess.”
Ok, I like the guy already…a lot.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
Ok, I like the guy already… I guess.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Ok, I guess I like the guy already…I guess.
"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 Jul 29, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Ok, I guess I like the guy…Trevor Bruess
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I hope he is not always that indecisive.
“Wow. I guess I should hit this guy, I guess.”
“Wow. I guess I should pass the puck, I guess.”
“Wow. I guess I should join the rush, I guess.”
“Wow. I guess I should forecheck, I guess.”
“Wow. I guess I should fight this guy, I guess.”
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 29, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
He and Schultzy are gonna get along just fine.
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Schultz is used to his type. His brother is a scrappy bastard, too!
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I was just looking at King’s penalties for 2007-8 (the only season he played much, and they aren’t that bad when you take out the fighting penalties. He had 100 penalty minutes in 61 games, but 70 of those were from his 14 fights. 30 non-fighting penalty minutes in 61 games, with an average TOI of 5:36.
An amusing fact about his TOI – it was brought down by a game against the Kings where he played 2 seconds… and got a 5 minute fighting major. Looks like he took on Ivanans in the 1st and didn’t come back on.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Well, he took minors at a pretty terrible rate that season – I wouldn’t expect much discipline.
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http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/41292
King started and pretty much owned that fight with Ivanans.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=29517
It’s not too often that we see good ole’ sign and trades in the NHL. These shouldn’t be confused with what we see the NBA where players will sign with their original team strictly for financial purposes. In the NBA, a player can often be signed to a more lucrative contract if they sign with their current team even though a trade has already been orchestrated.
In this particular case, Capitals GM George McPhee wasn’t willing to pull the trigger on the D.J. King deal unless he was coming to Washington with a signed two-year deal in his back pocket. Knowing King was going to be an unrestricted free agent after next season, McPhee wasn’t going to part with a prospect of Stefan Della Rovere’s caliber just to have King for one season. This is especially the case when Washington has another tough guy prospect that may only be another year away
Armstrong targeted SDR as the player he wanted in return and was willing to take whatever steps necessary to finalize the deal. The Blues really liked SDR’s leadership capabilities and feel he’s made a greater commitment to conditioning himself over the last few years. At the end of the day things worked out pretty well for King who was looking for a multi-year deal all along. His $625,000 salary for this coming season was likely higher than what the Blues were looking to pay him anyway. King will also be paid $650,000 in 2011-2012.
I do find it interesting that the Blues did not tell King which team he was going to be traded to while they were negotiating his two-year deal.
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Strickland had a major case of overrating Delly last night on twitter.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Was King due that kind of a raise per the CBA? 625/650 seems high for a guy who’d been hurt most of the last two years.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
No. But it’s only a few rubles over the minimum. People caught up on dollars here are nuts.
And Strickland, in that piece, refers to him as “King Kong.” Nice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
the sign and trade is very interesting. I wonder if they at least told him it was a playoff team he was going to.
#savethekittens!
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feel he’s made a greater commitment to conditioning himself
Reading between the lines (and I know, it’s hockeybuzz), it would seem like the “off the ice issues” JP alluded to would pertain to Delly’s willingness to keep himself in shape?
I do find it interesting that the Blues did not tell King which team he was going to be traded to while they were negotiating his two-year deal.
You think a guy like King asks a lot of questions when they tell him he’s going to get a 2-year, 1-way extension? I don’t. He signed that contract as fast as he could get a pen in his hand, before they changed their minds.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
And what? They tell him it’s DC, and he sez “No way. That Ovechkin is a douche.”
/not hardly likely
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More likely he’d go “Oh sweet, a chance to win something.”
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
“I guess it’s a chance to win something I guess”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 29, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Last offseason i was clearly against an enforcer in our squad, but a year passed and my opinion shifted a little bit. I still think that this team would be fine whithout that kind of player, but you have to look from a standpoiont that all GMs have to operate from- the business standpoint. Hockey is entertainment first and who doesnt like a good fight? Well, i do!
Can somebody name a good caps fight from the last year? They were pathetic!
If i can see players like Carcillo and Downie lie in their own blood after a fight, then thanks GMGM for that trade and that cap hit.
My reaction is that you shouldn’t put too much stock into what GMGM says to the media. When he said they didn’t need an enforcer, that meant (given yesterday’s trade) that he couldn’t find one he liked at the right price, and they were going to go without one.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Can somebody name a good caps fight from the last year?
Erskine vs. Laraque
Erskine vs. Thorburn
Erskine vs. Thornton
brads v downey was a pretty good scrap not even counting the run up to it…
fight of the year for sure was poti v gomez
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 29, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Poti/Gomez was a good fight because of the timing and emotional charge involved, but in terms of actual fighting prowess, those two were basically pillow-fighting.
Last year there was one player, and one player alone, who was capable of winning every fight he got in, and that was John Erskine. Next season, there will be two.
Oh, and yes, I know winning hockey fights isn’t what matters, but I’d at least prefer that the high volume mitt-droppers on the Caps have a fighting chance.
I see it this way: Will it help us in the playoffs? Probably not directly. But, having one in the regular season is worth a little entertainment now and then for us, gives us a weapon to put in if we think there’s going to be a problem, and frees the rest of the guys to play hockey and let King worry about taking numbers. Will he sit in the press box a lot of nights? Likely. But we can afford that. It doesn’t hurt us any, and if it discourages incidents like the Chimera / Boll / Ovi incident, sign me up.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
top ten building blocks
So my new Winging it in Motown friend is at it again, and this time he’s compiled a list of the top ten players he’d select first if building a team. While not quite as fail-y as the last bit about moving the Predators, he has Henrik Zetterberg and Jon Toews before Sidney Crosby, and Shea Weber before Alex Ovechkin. You’re all well aware I’m one of the bigger Weber fanboys on earth, but thats ludicrous.
Anyway, interesting subject, though not a very good article. Discuss!
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Gee any Central Division bias there?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 29, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, and even with the huge Central bias he left out Duncan Keith. I’d probably put Keith before Weber. Whoooooops.
I didn’t really post it to rag on the guy, though, the list is obviously horrible – more for a discussion starter.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
No love for the Sedins either
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Keith was a notable omission, but the biggest one was Doughty. To be that good at that age as a defenseman? That’s something special.
I agree, and I think that Drew Doughty is more balanced than Keith or Weber. He reminds me of Lidstrom, style-wise.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I questioned why Doughty made the Olympic team…
I don’t question it any more.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Same here. Second best defenseman on the team during the tournament, easily.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Same here. I figured “Maybe I’m missing something. Better give this kid an extended look.” He’s scary good.
In fact, he’d probably be the first defenseman I’d take.
Yeah…he’d lock up the number one D spot for at least 10+ years.
Dude isn’t even 21 yet.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s interesting that you said what you said. Both here and at PPP when I said the kid should make it I got the impression that most of those who stated he shouldn’t hadn’t seen him play very much. I think if he played for an Eastern team a lot more people would have been on the Doughty bandwagon.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
He also has Mike Freaking Richards before Ovechkin too, which I think just made my eyes bleed
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Off the top of my head, my list (skaters only)
Crosby
Doughty
Backstrom
Keith
Toews
Sedin
Ovechkin
Weber
Stamkos
Carter (could go a lot of ways with this last one)
I nearly left AO off all together, but decided in the end the heckling wasn’t worth it. My theory is that the best way to build a team is down the middle and from the back. Wings should be the last thing you add.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
So would Keith before Toews.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I know that, all other things being mostly equal, C > W. But Ovechkin is a generational talent. You don’t build around normal wings, sure, but he ain’t no normal wing.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
by SmallZ827 on Jul 29, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yep, it’s ordered.
I’d rather have a good-to-great C than a generational winger if I were starting to build a team.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Definitely. You’d be a lunatic to pick him first but a lunatic not to pick him after your center.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
I think Weber is a better Captain than Ovechkin
Ovi’s attitude is what moved him down the list. He’s an electrifying player, but his leadership is a risk. I know for certain that Weber would be an awesome guy to have in any locker room under any system; I’m not so sure that I can say the same about Ovechkin, considering how much Boudreau and Leonsis cover for him. If I were to compile my top ten players in the league, I’m not sure Weber makes that list at all, but for guys that I want to build a team around, I’m comfortable with that ranking.
Doughty and Keith were tough omissions and thinking more about it, I should probably replace Joe Thornton with either of them (Keith to be sure). Doughty is a rare talent to be as good defensively as he is at his age, but Keith is a better and more established defenseman and leader. If I’m making this list the same time next season, it will probably be downright criminal to leave Doughty off, but I want to see another year out of him before I say that I’m building a team around him.
Honest question, why is this being discussed here?
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 29, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
because we discuss everything.
I do take exception to “I’m not so sure that I can say the same about Ovechkin, considering how much Boudreau and Leonsis cover for him.” examples?
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
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We are an equal opportunity hockey discussing forum, my friend :) Feel free to join in the discussion, offer opinions, try to sway people. It’s all in fun – but just beware that we’re big on examples, stats, etc. to back up arguments around here (and you’re already off to a decent start, I just like to warn people before they get attacked).
Unless that Weber is Pete Weber, and instead of “better captain” its “better bowler” or “better broadcaster”, I don’t buy it.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m perfectly willing to admit Ovechkin is the better player, etc., than Weber, thats a no brainer (albeit hard to compare), but I’d say that from what I’ve seen of both, I’d rather have SW6 leading my team. Its hard to quantify, sure, but there’s a couple reasons.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going for overall….not better captain. I think what makes a “great captain” is pretty tough to define
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, okay. You made it sound like it was who the better captain was.
At any rate, the captaincy jury is very much out on Shea. There’s no doubt that Nashville was his team from the Olympics on, though.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I was trying to stretch it into a Pete Weber/Pete Weber joke.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Aha. Nice effort, if faulty execution.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
his leadership is a risk
Because he lacks the mental toughness that makes the heart of a true champion fill with a burning desire like a warrior in a foxhole that you’d got to battle with any day.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
by fat_daddyo on Jul 29, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because when the Capitals were eliminated by the Canadiens, he could only rally about nine of his teammates to join him in a stick raising to the fans.
I think there’s a systemic attitude problem in the Capitals organization that keeps them from being better. I don’t know how much of that is Ovechkin and the idea that he’s too selfish and how much is with a coach that I don’t think is good enough to get them through the Finals, or how much is with an owner who feels that blogging about Max Talbot’s comments or about how the Capitals have “nothing left to prove” after winning the Presidents Trophy, but I know that I think it’s a problem that reflects on Ovechkin and puts him farther down my list of people around whom I’d build a team.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 29, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe that’s why they only went 16-1 after they named him Captain?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Because when the Capitals were eliminated by the Canadiens, he could only rally about nine of his teammates to join him in a stick raising to the fans.
Not fair to pin that on his leadership, I don’t think.
Your other points, however, are interesting – though I’d tend to push more of the ‘blame’ to Boudreau instead of AO. By all accounts, Ovechkin is a perfectly capable captain, recklessness aside.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
If we’re only talking about problems I see with the Caps, being an outsider, than Boudreau is way higher on the list. Hell, Ovechkin’s attitude or leadership aren’t top five.
He is a very capable captain for the Caps; my concern is that the Caps are an underperforming team being coached by a guy I don’t like and there are questions from the Olympics and elsewhere about where Ovechkin fits as the centerpiece of an entire team.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 29, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, well everyone else made him the centerpiece of the Olympics. He wasn’t the captain but certainly has served as the scapegoat of Team Russia’s failure. You shouldn’t make an evaluation of his captaincy on that basis.
Why don’t you like BB?
"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 29, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
what don’t you like about Bruce? We’ve analyzed him to death and everyone here is pretty much in agreement that the guy be to stubborn to the point on stupidity, but I’d still put him really high on my list of “coaches I want coaching my team.”
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
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I can’t say that I would.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think I would either
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
The goal is to win the Stanley Cup, and from what I’ve seen of Boudreau, I’m not convinced he has it in him.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup. Like i’ve said, if this team doesn’t at least make the Conference Finals next year, some serious questions have to be axed.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s already worth asking those questions.
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 29, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I think those questions are being asked. Bruce has got to be feeling some anticipatory heat this upcoming season.
"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 29, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
to each their own. But he took a team that sucked, outright sucked, and turned them around in a matter of weeks.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
And hasn’t shown he can put them over the hump yet. It’s not to say that he can’t (or won’t), but there’s enough to suggest that someone else may need to be brought in to do so.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
and I agree that the team really needs to get past these game 7 flame-outs. but to say that Bruce is “a guy I don’t like” without any support examples? I’m stuck wondering if he doesn’t like Bruce because of his goofy commercials (lord knows Mike Babcock would never say “I’m getting a garden salad!”) or he has some sort of legitimate critique of Bruce’s coaching. Forgive me, but what our new friend has posted so far doesn’t lead me to believe he has a reasonable critique supported by actual evidence.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
lord knows Mike Babcock would never say "I’m getting a garden salad!"
When you’re used to champagne, tasting beer could get a little unsettling I guess. Otherwise, I got nothing.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 29, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
My evidence is the Capitals’ playoff performance over the previous seasons.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 29, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Bruce has an extremely short leash for me.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 29, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
yup
From an outsider’s perspective the lack of adjustments against the Canadiens was downright astounding.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 29, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree on the playoff adjustments. He’s on a short list for me too. But that has nothing to do with why this poster doesn’t like BB. .
"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 29, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean “short leash”
"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 29, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
this is perhaps the most telling point for me not putting BB on my list of coaches that I really want to coach my team. I would say that why he could turn around the team so fast was probably in part due to his being a players’ coach and for willing to implement a system that suited his players better. But he hasn’t adjusted that system when he’s needed to, and that’s not a sign of good coaching in my book.
I realy hope this season he doesn’t just cruise and bank on the Caps’ talent again.
by Vinn on Jul 29, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Me neither.
Could def live without BB behind the bench.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I would like Jacques Demers, if only for the comedy.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 29, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions