Saturday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jul 3, 2010 8:13 AM EDT
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Be sure to check out this morning's edition of Japers' Rink Radio (live at 10:00, archived soon after 11), with guest Corey Masisak. Good people talkin' with good people - tough to beat that combo.
- GMGM on free agency so far. [CI; Peerless on the same subject]
- Welcome to the organization, Dany Sabourin, and here's hoping we don't see you in D.C. after September. [Dump n' Chase, Patriot-News, LDN, Stack the Pads, Hockey Chronicles, The Goalie Guild]
- Milan Jurcina (pictured) is the first Cap to sign elsewhere, inking a one-year, $1 million deal with the Islanders.
- Actually, Kyle Wilson signed with Columbus earlier in the day, but he was more Bear than Cap.
- Ditto Alexandre Giroux, who signed a one-way deal with Edmonton. [Lowetide]
- The Caps were "difficult to read" on Day One of free agency (and that probably didn't change much on Day Two). [USA Today]
- Eric Belanger did a spot on NHL Live! (the exclamation point is part of the show's title - I'm really not all that excited by the phoner). [NHL Live!]
- A bit more on Caps draftee Stanislav Galiev. [RMNB]
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Considering that McPhee pretty much did what he said he was going to do before FA started, we may have to take him at his word. Of course, that doesn’t mean some blockbuster trade could drop into his lap, but I doubt it. I guess the team as it stands is good enough to make the playoffs. So he’s going the route of waiting until the trade deadline? More and more, it seems it might make the most sense.
On a separate note, I found Caps/Rangers game six on NHLN to watch over my breakfast. I missed most of the Caps scoring, but watching them on both the PP and the PK is so different from this year, it’s amazing. Then again, it was the Rangers, not the Canadiens.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
What?
“We feel that what we have at center ice in Johansson and Fleischmann and Perreault, they can do the job for us,” McPhee said. “Signing anyone else would really only get in the way, if not this year, then certainly next year.”
From CI.
If the first part of this is actually true, then Johansson is the second coming of Nicky, and immediately. Flash and Matty P can not “do the job”. (Did Fleischmann go to Hogwarts? He’s cast his spell over everyone in the org!)
The “get in the way” part I don’t fathom either. Get in the way of what? Some kind of on-the-job training for Johansson is my guess. (What gets in the way, IMO, is last minute Trade Deadline roster shuffling, which jostles team chemistry at an inopportune time.) Anyway, seems we are back to a re-building mode this coming year, what with this situation at 2C and Kid Goalie World. Not that I mind that, it’s kinda fun to watch, but I am putting my Cup Parade plans on the back burner. Again.
Step back from the ledge, man.
Uh – what? I remember a couple of teams lately winning with kid goalies. Some kid named Cam Ward and some other kid named Antti Niemi. The old wisdom about needing a top goalie to win the Cup just hasn’t been true lately.
I don’t see how seeing how the young guys fare before running out and throwing money at the biggest name is “rebuilding”. That’s smart cap management.
Remember, the Cup is not won in July. The biggest splash in free agency is not necessarily the best move or the one that will get you over the top, because injuries and freakishly good/bad performances can change a team’s needs midseason. It’s now Day 3 of free agency, and there is time left. It will not hurt us to kick the tires on the kids in the regular season, and trade for what we really need when we get into December – January – February – March.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
by gotsparkly on Jul 3, 2010 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I wish more fans would remember this point. Too many spinning heads, especially at CI.
Remember, the Cup is not won in July.
Capsfansince1979 point about FA signings in yesterday’s clips also provides a measured perspective I appreciated.
Did you know
Of the 12 top free agent contracts from last year, 7 of those signed players did not play in the playoffs and 3 finished in 8th place.
"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 3, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
“The ledge”? Hahahahha. If anything the Caps ever did brought me to, or over, “the ledge”, I’d be long rotted-away meat by now. Ha! Good one!
But you’re quite right about Kid Goalies. There is no law that says that Kid Goalies can’t take you all the way.
“kicking the tires on the kids in the regular season” is another way to say on-the-job training, which is another way to say “re-building”, IMO. Which I find quite entertaining to watch and I heartily applaud the notion. How else are you going to see what you have?
My mystification with Spunky’s statement is the part that flat out says that either Flash or Matty P can “do the job for us”. I believe he is mistaken, particularly about Flash. Maybe he’s right about Marcus Johansson. Two miraculously other-worldly talented young Swedes lining up at C is possible. Johansson may indeed be the second coming of Nicky. I will enjoy watching how it unfolds.
I do not advocate making a big stupid splash in free agency just to see the water fly around. I trust Spunky not to go insane in July with my money. (Particularly with the slim pickin’s left at this point.) However, standing back and scanning the whole picture leads me to put my Cup Parade plans on the back burner. Again. Heck, I have been doing it for so many years (except for last year, damn it) . . . .
I truly don’t think we have enough information yet to say yea or nay on the Cup, is my point. It’s too soon to make that call. We’ll know more later. Right now, does it look promising? No. Did it look promising for MTL at this time last year? Not one bit. My point is that it’s hard to say now what will happen this winter.
As for on-the-job training, that’s not rebuilding, it’s a reality of the salary-cap era. The key to managing the cap effectively is in your youth movement – you’re always going to have needs being filled by kids who are still learning. In Chicago’s case, that was their goalie. Could the Caps use more veteran presence? Yeah, I think so, but not that much more, and certainly nothing that was out there this year fits the bill any better than what’s in our farm at the moment. Next year’s crop of UFA’s looks much more promising.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
in fairness virtually all “rookies” fade throughout the course of their first full NHL season. To expect that MP or Mackan will have a ton in the tank come June or July maybe a bit of a stretch which is when we all want to see this team playing through. So the fact that GMGM isn’t addressing it now is fine, we do need to see what the kids have in them at the NHL level. We don’t need to win the President’s trophy again. The main thing I will be concerned with is not addressing veteran playoff experience come the trade deadline or before and whatever holes we recognize by then also.
plagued by penguins fans at work
I wouldn’t be concerned about MP, since he’s used to long seasons already. Mackan, yes.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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by red army line on Jul 3, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
MP has had 2 long seasons at the A level, he faded after 10 games with the Caps this year and will not have as much time to build back up in the offseason. I am not hating on MP, far from it, just being realistic.
plagued by penguins fans at work
Goalie numbers
Varlamov
NHL: 51 GP, including 19 in playoffs
AHL: 30 GP
Neuvirth
NHL: 22GP
AHL: 79GP, including 40 in playoffs
Point is, they’re ready. Maybe last year I’d consider them still getting “on the job training,” but not anymore. Now, if we were talking about Braden Holtby backing up one of these guys, that would be different.
What would you rather we do? Overpay for a goalie and send Neuvirth to Hershey for yet another season, stunting his growth and forcing Hotlby to warm the bench?
Or trade one of the kids, more than likely Neuvirth, and not getting full, or even close to full value because he’s been wearing chocolate more than red?
Theodore was a stopgap – this setup with two kids was in the plans the entire time, and honestly, I don’t think it could go any better (beyond, you know, not winning the cup). Varlamov got playoff experience, Neuvirth has had one hell of an AHL career and has shown he can play on the NHL level, and Holtby will be starting in Hershey.
by TFG on Jul 3, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
"kicking the tires on the kids in the regular season" is another way to say on-the-job training, which is another way to say "re-building"
It’s only re-building if it’s most of the team’s core getting on the job training and getting thrown to the wolves as youngsters (such as what CHI and LAK did a couple years ago). But in this case it’s only a couple players really getting thrown to the wolves on zero experience. Green, Ovechkin, and Backstrom have all proved themselves to be elite NHL players (in the regular season…). Varlamov, Carlson, Alzner, and to a lesser extent Neuvirth, have all shown that they can hang in the NHL. Now it’s unclear how they’ll handle a full season, but they aren’t complete unknowns. But to say the Caps are in full on re-build when they are bringing a couple of youngsters (who are better than the parts they are replacing) and keeping the players that were the reason they won the President’s Trophy is a bit of an over-exaggeration. To stay successful a team needs to keep bringing in young cheap talent, especially with the Caps’ cap situation. And that is exactly what they Caps are doing.
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 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
“Full rebuild” is a great exaggeration, in my humble opinion. Yes, we are going with kids at goal and possibly kids in 2nd center but it would take much more to be a full rebuild.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I think someone called it “retooling” (which doesn’t mean you replace Ott with Avery or anything).
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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by red army line on Jul 3, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
My mystification with Spunky’s statement is the part that flat out says that either Flash or Matty P can "do the job for us".
You’re also talking about the guy who said that Laich was a perfectly acceptable 2nd line C so a certain older Swedish should find a job somewhere else and before signing BMo.
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
He’s like Ovechkin, but not as fast and less physical. He’s like Semin, but not quite so… European. He’s like Knuble, but not so defensive.
I think that makes him Eric Fehr!
RMNB sure has some great comments about Galiev, or Stas. It helps after reading the vague “I like Semin” references that got interpreted a hundred different—mostly negative—ways.
"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."
Interesting comments in the post, though things like “you can always find Galiev near the net when the team strikes” run somewhat contrary to some of what we’ve read about him previously, such as he “”http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/sports/article/1112799" target="new">has to develop more upper-body strength and be more committed to the front of the net."
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
HTML fail. But you get the point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I wondered about that part too, but couldn’t remember where I had read the draft description. Perhaps it’s part of his ongoing adjustment to the North American style this past season. It also seems to counter RMNB’s “like Knuble” description, unless it’s just that grit and determination factor.
"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 3, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
This also bodes well for Galiev:
"Like three years ago I came here in my last year with Dynamo for a Nike Bauer tournament and after when I came home I told my mom, ‘Mom I want to play in North America,’ " Galiev said. "I really like North American style of hockey."
If that means that he likes to go to the net and crash-bang a little, good!
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I think we clearly prefaced our analysis by saying that Fedor “deeply youtubed” the player, so you have to take a lot of what we said at face value. Context, please. If we hoodwinked any of you while having fun in our analysis, we apologize.
We don’t know all that much about Galiev.
We’ve performed some investigative journlism (i.e. – surfing YouTube) to further our research. Our conclusion? Galiev is one of those score-by-any-means-necessary guys.
I genuinely and deeply appreciate the discussion of anything related to our blog in the comments here, but let’s not take a playful post so seriously – especially when we’re clearly stating we aren’t the experts on Galiev. That seems … unfair. In regards to players like Dmitri Orlov or even Stanislav Galiev – since they play in Russia and Fedor has been following them – there’s a little bit more of a serious tone in the nature of his Prospect Profiles. So please keep that in mind.
Anyways, to constructively contribute to the discussion in the comments here (since I appreciate the link from the Caps #1 Blog), from what I saw of Galiev, I think he is very creative, enthusiastic, a good puckhandler, but is also extremely skinny and physically weak. In regards to our Fehr comparison, we felt that he could become a good player if he gets stronger and goes to the net with more consistency. He does show a tendency to drift there and when he does, he is more successful. He also has more of a natural inclination to go to the net as a 17/18 year old than most Russians playing in Junior Hockey. So that’s a positive.
Russian Machine Never Breaks - A Hockey Blog Focusing on The Washington Capitals and Their Awesome Russian Superstars: Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin & Semyon Varlamov.
I caught your tongue-in-cheek tone, and I promise I won’t read too much into your comments.
Nevertheless, it was a fun piece to read and a nice way to start a Saturday morning. He seems like a very promising future Caps. I enjoyed his statements about how much he wanted to play in the NHL. Clearly he’s meant to be in North America. He’s already adopted that ever popular American teen filler word—“like.”
"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 3, 2010 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
JP, I think you put it best in your tweet:
Btw, I can’t even begin to express how much I’d rather have Jurcina at $1m on the Caps than Erskine at $1.25m or Sloan at $700k.
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Jul 3, 2010 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Farewell Rooster..
According to YNC’s link yesterday, he turned down $1.3M from the KHL to achieve his NHL dream. Here’s hoping he gets his shot to stay in Edmonton.
"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
Way to stick to his dream and not just chase money. Best of luck to him in EDM (when the Caps aren’t involved).
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 3, 2010 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree. Giroux is getting older—he deserves a chance with a team that will play him in the NHL.
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Jul 3, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
RMNB is hosting a party at the Front Page 7/31
I also posted this as a fan shot. I’ve liked the blog, especially the work with Gordo’s Takes. And I’m impressed with Peter’s responses to commenter Anna – very levelheaded in addressing her issues with Miss Va as a featured guest.
Good lord. That Anna needs to get a grip
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 3, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I had linked to it in Clips as well, fwiw.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
miseenjeu – we appreciate the fanpost and for your excitement to our party. we can’t wait to meet you.
J.P. – thank you for your comment (really above and beyond) on our post this morning and for linking to our party in the clips a few days ago. hope you have a great holiday weekend full of non-caps news. sigh. haha.
Russian Machine Never Breaks - A Hockey Blog Focusing on The Washington Capitals and Their Awesome Russian Superstars: Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin & Semyon Varlamov.
Thumbs up or thumbs down — Pavol Demitra for two years, $3 million per year
Atta dinnin stick a who!
As in you don’t want that guy at all? Or as in, no way should that guy get even close to what Saku Koivu gets
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 3, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t want the guy at all. Never been impressed with his durability, consistency or give-a-shit-y. I’d rather the Caps go into the season with what they have and find something along the way if needed (which I certainly think it will be).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Dept at center is really a concern.
I know McPhee wants to go with the young guys, but what if – god forbid – Backstrom goes down? He hasn’t yet, but he could. What then? Who the hell could step up and center Ovechkin? Laich? Perreault? Flash?!
That’s why I always like the safety net of having a Sergei Fedorov, a Brendan Morrison. Guys may be past their primes, but they’ve produced throughout their careers. I don’t know who else is out there, but I feel like this is an important issue for McPhee to address. Just not with Michael Nylander.
I don’t know that McPhee wants to go with the young guys. I do know that McPhee’s not going to come right out and say, “Yep, we’re over the barrel on this one” at the outset of free agency.
Last year at this time we were hearing about how Brooks Laich could be the 2C, then Morrison was signed and later Belanger was acquired.
If the team’s in the same spot in February, we’ve got problems. Or we don’t – maybe MarJo is ready to be the guy. Maybe Perreault is. But there’s plenty of time to see and make adjustments that are needed.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I agree we have C depth problems, but I don’t like the “what if Baxter goes down” argument. There aren’t many teams in the league that could withstand the loss of their second best player for any period of time. It hurts that it’s also our weakest position, but there really aren’t many players that could adequately replace Baxter. Plus, we all still know AO can carry a top line. I went through the list of teams last year and I came to the conclusion that the only two teams that could have survived without their second best player for any period of time were… CHI and PHI. Odd how that works.
I waited all year for this?
How about Jarrett Stoll? 3.6 Million per year the next two years. 47 points (16 G, 31 A) last year in 73 games. 56% face off percentage. +13 was the 2nd best +/- for a forward on the Kings.
The Kings already have Kopitar and Handzus at center, and in the words of Quisp at Jewels from the Crown, “Stoll will gradually become redundant as Brayden Schenn gets on solid ground, er, ice.”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
I’d rather have Handzus, personally.
"Ovechkin, what is good in life?"
"To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their captain."
No way. Stoll >>>>> Handzus. I could live with Stoll, but I wouldn’t love it. They’d have to give us a real break on the return price to take that salary.
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jul 3, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m not crazy about Stoll but a big fat no to Handzus. He’s more expensive and basically another Viktor Kozlov. No thanks.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 3, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
For those interesting – NHL Network is doing a marathon of the Calder Cup Final games. They’re in the first in Game 4 right now.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
watching the games is pretty much the only thing that kept me semi-sane today. I never thought I’d say it, but, “Thanks, NHL Network!”
#savethekittens!
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Souray Clears Waivers per TSN
Any interest on re-entry waivers?
by JimCareyFanClub on Jul 3, 2010 12:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
man. there’s never going to be another team like the 2008-1010 Bears teams.
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That’s why it was historic. But losing Ammo doesn’t really matter. It was a perfect combination of a) the best two AHL stars and b) a ton of high caliber prospect talent all on one team.
I waited all year for this?
He’s from Sault Ste. Marie, so Grand Rapids isn’t too far from home for him. Good for him.
"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
“isn’t too far” is relative when we’re talking about anything being “near” Sault Ste. Marie!
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This has me in tears of laughter – who said we couldn’t possibly cadge Carter?
Ilya Kovalchuk Receives Offer from the Flyers
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Holmgren is aware there’s a salary cap, right?
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I don’t think he is. I hope Kovy goes there for $10 million per year for 10 years.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
….
………
I hope to god he takes that offer.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 3, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree. And if you follow the links it says the offer is similar to the other ones on the table, so it’s long term. They are going to bring him into their core at the expense of younger players that are more versatile (and just went to the Cup with them). Well done, boys. Do they know he doesn’t fight?
I waited all year for this?
I don’t understand why you would overhaul a team that was a goalie away (more or less) from winning the Cup. Especially not with a player who doesn’t hit or play defense, and will handcuff your ability to retain cheaper, more useful alternatives like Giroux/JVR/Carter. Mind boggling. Why not find a goalie who doesn’t let in beach balls, first? They’re not expensive, ask the Lightning and Dan Ellis.
I mean, shit – I figured they’d be pleased with an ECF title and just tinker, but this is hilarious.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
And to further your point (from the above link):
The current rumor for Gagne has been a swap with the Toronto Maple Leafs for goalie Jean-Sébastien Giguère.
So many goalie UFAs still available, yet the Flyers go after a goalie on his way out?
"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
They wouldn’t. There can’t be any possible truth to that rumor. Can’t be. If they wanted to spend money on a goalie, and had money to spend, they could get either Nabokov or Turco for cheaper than 6 million. Maybe the one year term is what they like, but I don’t get it.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
And then Toronto takes one of the big names left on the market for half as much? Why would PHI help Toronto? Makes no sense at all.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Does a team that made it all the way to the SCF need all these changes? I think they may be overreacting a little.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
I really didn’t think Kovy was going to ask for so much money because I always had the impression that the most important thing for him was being part of a winning team but after seeing all these defensemen get deals for $5 million or more ( I still can’t believe Gonchar is going to be making more money than Green and as much as Keith) he is probably thinking that some teams should be more than willing to pay at least $10 million for one of the top goal scorers in the league.
I can only imagine how much money guys like Doughty and Weber are going to be asking for next year, $7-8 million?
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
Doughty is still an RFA (I’m less sure about Weber) for quite a few years. He won’t be seeing any of those insane salaries unless another team gives him an offer sheet.
#savethekittens!
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“Some of these teams that are signing these guys to this money are going to regret it,” he said. “Some players have nice reputations but their actual play on the ice isn’t where people think it is.”
What I’d give to know which guys GMGM is talking about.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Adam Oates on the PGA Tour
Caddying (assisting) for Bret Quigly
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ap-attnational-notebook
Obstreperously Avatarless
If kovy signed for 5 million, could we afford him and the other guys we need to resign (assuming flash wouldn’t be coming back)?
I’m always late to the party on wkds.
Speaking strictly on aggressiveness, not talent, the Caps had Erskine, Poti, and ShaMo last year. Erskine sat out when games counted most and ShaMo is now in limbo. And we’ve got two young goalies as well as Carlzner. Last year ShaMo’s job was to pummel anyone who tried to harsh Carlson’s mellow. Who’s going to maintain order versus the Eastern Conference teams that have been hardening their noses this off-season?
A lot people are placing hope (and GMGM is speaking similarly at least) for improvement at 2C on draftees and MP.
Assuming the young guys can give as good as they get, or if they can’t, who is coming up from Hershey on D this year that will not be a significant level in skill?
I just look at the roster today and think if we don’t get a 2C or a 5D this off-season we probably should look for a 6F tough-guy cause I think we may need him in the arsenal afterall.
By tough guy, what do you mean? I am not too crazy at the idea of an enforcer, but would be delighted if they got a veteran d-guy with lots of experience.
"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 3, 2010 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
If Shelley (1.1m per yr for 3 YEARS!) and Boogaard (1.625 per for 4 YEARS!) got what they got, I cant see us going after an enforcer, they raised the bar.
I see those contracts, laugh, and then think “Poor Scotty! has someone talked him off the ledge yet?”
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Yes, anything right now is an overpay of some degree.
Decent tough guy means hands and ability to keep the other team looking over their shoulder a little, that combo usually means top 6 money. It’s left field of what we’re saying the team really needs, I’m just looking at what we have now and what it could mean.
As many have said, a (tough) 7ish D does little for the team so we’re all on board for something better barring the cost consideration.
By dropping our veteran 3C’s and infusing so much youth… I think the Caps need something for the start of the season even if we also pick up a renta-2C at the deadline. We’ll see if this is true or not pretty quick if the roster doesn’t change by the start of the season.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
53 | 28 | 21 | 4 | 60 |
|
Florida
|
52 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 59 |
|
Winnipeg
|
55 | 25 | 24 | 6 | 56 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
52 | 23 | 24 | 5 | 51 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.9.2012 at 9:25 AM EST)
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