Friday Caps Clips
by EmilyB on Jul 30, 2010 7:01 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- A few more looks at the Stefan Della Rovere for D.J. King trade. [Hockey Buzz, Peerless, Ravings of a Rink Rebel, Musings of a Hockey Mom, Hershey perspective at Lebanon Daily News, Blues perspective at St. Louis Today]
- It's almost like watching a plan come together. [Peerless, and also see this comment]
- Corey Pronman gives his review of the 2010 draft. The Caps most likely benefited from the "Russian Factor." (But note that Sawyer Hannan is not Capitals property. That pick was traded to Toronto to move up to get Philipp Grubauer.) [Premium Scouting]
- Hershey has hired a few more farmhands. [Hershey Bears]
- Alex Ovechkin will be the recipient today of his fifth straight Kharlamov Trophy as best Russian player in the NHL,. It is awarded annually by Sovietsky Sport based on the votes of the Russian players. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- And Ovie is officially installed on the tallest building in Raleigh, NC along with Eric Staal, Jonathan Toews, and Sidney Crosby. Which can only mean it's nearly time for the All-Star Game. [Jamie Kellner via Flckr, link goes to the largest version]
- The SOB line keeps good company. [Puck Prospectus]
- If you were making a list of players who do the most with the least, which Capital would you pick? Exactly. [NHL.com]
- Now that Tomas Fleischmann is under contract, it's time to look at those twenty three goals he scored last season. [Jumping the Glass]
- Mackan gets mic'd. [Caps365]
- Variations on a theme: Pride and Prejudice
- Those darn Euros. [Hockey Plumber]
- Those darn little guys. [Puck Prospectus]
- Those darn uppity Caps. Why can't you be more like the Penguins? Now there's a team. [The Hockey News]
- Those darn (insert the name of the team 'everybody' hates here.) [Puck Daddy]
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Pretty shocking Tarik is gone.
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 30, 2010 7:32 AM EDT reply actions
Deep down, I was hoping the announcement would be followed by “…to be replaced by Corey Masisak.”
Does Tarik have a passion for NASCAR and MMA we didn’t know about?
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
by Jake Shapiro on Jul 30, 2010 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah, i would have thought he would have hung in there one more year…or at least split some time w/ katie or the woman who lives in FL and used to cover games in sunrise.
i think some of TEB’s best work was done in the dark days of the post lockout caps. remember many of his wapo chats from back then when he was able to provide his opinion of the team vs. just reporting as a beat writer. didnt like some of his assessments of the team at the time but he turned out to be very correct. its too bad the post didnt give him a bigger forum to express his opinion. for whatever reason, the wapo.com felt no need to have him do regular live chats despite the teams success.
best of luck to TEB. enjoy the left turn circuit.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, good luck to Tarik, but as a Georgetown alum, I hope he has a lot of patience. If he thought covering the Caps could be maddening wait until he gets to follow JTIII and his crew of over-hyped, under-performing players who have turned choking in the post-season into an art form.
under-performing players who have turned choking in the post-season into an art form.
You’re still talking about the Hoyas, right?
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I can only hope that keeps happening to the Hoyas forever.
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 30, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sadly (because I know it brings a smile to JP), as long as junior is running the team, it probably will.
Maybe they can make my day even better and somehow bring back Craig Escherick.
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 30, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Ouch because so true.
"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 30, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Tarik has posted a little something at CI:
As you have probably heard by now, my run as Caps beat writer is coming to an end after five years.
I’m terrible with goodbyes, so I’ll keep this brief. It’s been an honor and privilege to cover the hockey team I grew up watching for the newspaper I grew up reading. But the time has come for me to seek out new challenges and, equally as important, spend more time at home after living out of a suitcase every fall, winter and spring since Oct. 2005.
I’m not leaving The Post. I’m simply changing gears and will report on other sports I’m just as passionate about: college hoops (Georgetown basketball specifically) and auto racing (NASCAR and the Indy 500). I’ll also take on boxing, action sports, MMA and will help out on hockey in the playoffs and whenever else I’m needed.
Don’t worry, Capitals Insider isn’t going anywhere. In the coming weeks, Katie Carrera will transition into her new role as lead reporter on the blog and in the paper. Please join me in welcoming her. Also, if you’re not already, you can follow Katie on Twitter at @WPKatieCarrera.
Again, thanks for five great years and helping this blog become more popular than anyone fathomed when I pitched the idea in 2006. I’m excited about my new role — and the fact that the hockey team I’ll follow this winter will be my six-year-old son’s mite squad.
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.
Fitting that in the end he got scooped even with this news…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
So good.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Sir, that is 20 Cent, not Toews on the building in Raleigh.
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
Since it seems like GIFsoup is working for the moment...
Boom
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 30, 2010 7:40 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
The 1990 playoffs was a magical time. What made that goal so weird was that it was completely out of character for Langway to pinch in like that, especially in OT, even more especially since he had 0 goals during the regular season.
But it was magic. For one month, April of 1990, the Caps had the best player in the world, John Druce (he was the best hockey player in the world that month…). That didn’t happen again until 2005….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 30, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s just too bad everyone and their mother got hurt by the time of the Boston series. But I don’t think they would have beaten them (or Edmonton) even if everyone was healthy anyway.
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 30, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
it seems like langway had a plan to play his entire career as a defensive defenseman just to set up that play and take advantage of the element of surprise. i think the dmen were so stunned to see hiim get below the circles they just stood there.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I was at that game, and if the camera panned back 15 more rows at the start, you’d see my greasy teenage head in section 108 row T.
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!
Happy 5-year Blogiversary, Peerless!
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Huh….when did they start letting guys from the Penguins Fan Club write articles for The Hockey News?
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 30, 2010 7:46 AM EDT reply actions
You know, just yesterday I broke down and finally bought a print subscription to THN (it’s expensive!). Am I in for a shock?
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
by Jake Shapiro on Jul 30, 2010 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting article on the Blackhawk financial situation.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
Quick Summary w/out reading the article:
“We’re Screwed”
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 30, 2010 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of financial situations, I wonder what Boston’s going to do with Wheeler?
I would think they would rather have Wheeler for one year at 2.2 than Recchi for one year at 1.9, no? Awful.
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 30, 2010 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions
For what Blake Wheeler does, 2.2 sounds right. I’d love to see his numbers vs. Fehr’s. Sadly, I gotta go to school.
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Blake Wheeler’s a couple of years younger, first off. Second, he put up 21-24-45 last year in 81 games and 18-20-38 in 82 games this year. But otherwise, they’re pretty comparable; both are big guys who put up decent numbers without a load of ice time.
So does that mean that Wheeler’s getting 2.2 Million for the equivalent season to one where Flash got about 700+ K?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Career:
Wheeler: 163 gp, 39g, 44a, 83p
Fehr: 178 gp, 36g, 37a, 73p
Last 2 seasons:
Wheeler: 163 gp, 39g, 44a, 83p
Fehr: 130 gp, 33g, 31a, 64p
Wheeler turns 24 before season begins, Fehr will be 25.
Wheeler’s stats are marginally better, he’s stayed much healthier and by not signing with Phoenix and hand-picking a better situation in Boston he’s gotten better and more opportunities for bigger minutes with more skilled teammates than Fehr has.
Thanks to an 18 goal season, I think Wheeler perhaps was slightly underpaid at arbitration. But his one year deal sets him up nicely for next summer, provided he has a good 2010-11.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
I think Boston walks away. I just don’t see how they can afford 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 30, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe convince someone to take Marco Sturm ($3.5 million) or Michael Ryder ($4.0 million) by throwing in a draft pick?
IDK either, it will be tough, but if they get creative I think they’ll find a way to keep Wheeler if they really want to.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Sturm has an NTC, but Ryder doesn’t. His cap hit’s for 4 million, but it expires after this year.
There is going to be a lot of movement before the season begins. There has to be just logically with so many teams either close to or over the cap.
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 30, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they’ll try until the first day of the season to move either Savard or Thomas (both have NMC, so they’d have to consent). After that, I think they’d move a center. Even with Horton, they still need all the scoring from the wings they can get, so it doesn’t make sense to me that they’d move Wheeler (2.2 Million with more RFA years left).
The situation I see as untenable there is Savard, Krejci, Bergeron and Seguin at center. If they want Seguin to get a chance this year, they have to move someone. They’d like it to be Savard, but I’m not sure anyone’s buying that terrible contract.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Sturm is going to start out the season on LTIR because of the knee injury he sustained in the playoffs. From what I can see, Boston’s strategy is “we don’t have to do anything yet.”
They can also buy out Ryder because Wheeler took them to arbitration; that would clear roughly 2.67 million for this season. Or they can bury him in the minors.
Also, I’ll go on record as saying I really think it would be dumb for Boston to trade Tim Thomas. He’s been their de facto starter and most consistent goalie since the lockout. He’s put up good – though not tremendous – numbers (well, except for his Vezina-winning season, when he put up Vezina-winning numbers).
I kind of have a soft spot for the guy. He’s one of those perennial underdogs – always losing the starter’s job to Manny Fernandez and his wonky back / Hannu Toivonen / Tuukka Rask / whoever the Boston brass thinks is better, and inevitably he ends up reclaiming it through solid play and/or Manny Fernandez’s wonky back going out again.
Snark? He wasn’t Vezina worthy, but he was at worst, mediocre.
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 30, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
No, he was just inconsistent and bad.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
GPI W L OTL Min SO GA SHA GAA SV%
43 17 18 8 2442 5 104 1221 2.56 .915
Those are pretty decent numbers, except for the win-loss total. He didn’t play in that many games, but that’s because he was being outplayed by Tuukka Rask, who was putting up a ridiculous save percentage.
As for the win-loss record, remember that Boston couldn’t score more than two goals a game. As a result, a lot of their games were “third-goal-wins.”
Thomas was 16th overall in GAA, tied for 14th overall in Save %.
Not great, not awful, middle of the pack.
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 30, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
and he had better (barely) Save% and GAA than Luongo, for what its worth.
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 30, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Full disclosure, I might have had him on my fantasy team.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
That’s a heavy anchor for one’s fantasy team.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
me too. He killed me in the Japers league. My excuse is that I did the draft 2 hours after waking up from surgery to get the plate screwed into my broken arm.
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 30, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Watch many of their games? He was letting in softies and getting RICK all season long.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Think Olie Kolzig on a bad day.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
It’s an adjective, capitalized for emphasis.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Its worth noting that Thomas played through a torn labrum in his hip for which he required surgery at season’s end. Perhaps that had something to do with his less-than-Vezina level of production
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I did, too. And it explains a lot.
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.
It also might explain as much why the Bruins have been unable to move him. His being able to start the season on time is no certainty.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d absolutely be scared off of taking an aging goalie coming off of hip labrum surgery.
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.
They’d be extremely smart to trade him but they can’t because that deal is brutal. Even if he waived his NTC no one is going to take on that contract.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. Its a 35+ contract too, so whoever took him would be on the hook even if he retired. That’s pretty much a bonus NTC on top of his other NTC and NMC’s
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 30, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I really have the feeling that signing him to a stupid contract might have saved Boston from their own stupidity in trading him away and relying on Tuukka Rask to save them. Especially since I can see Rask turning into yet another sophomore flameout.
Sorry that fails the logic test. You act if its Thomas or Rask choice only. Bruins could have not signed Thomas and then signed another goalie for less money, shorter term, and gotten similar results if you didn’t believe in Rask.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, I think there’s a lot of context to remember about this decision.
1) The free agent market for goalies last summer sucked.
2) Thomas was having an absolutely incredible season in Boston.
3) Tuukka Rask wasn’t exactly tearing up the AHL. He put up a 2.50 GAA and a 91.5 SV% in 57 games, which, coincidentally, are rather similar to Thomas’s numbers in the NHL this year. Also, prior to this season, he had a grand total of five games of NHL experience. There weren’t many indications that he was ready to step into the NHL and immediately assume the starter’s job.
4) Boston was a serious cup contender when they signed TT to an extension, and Tim Thomas was a big part of that equation. Letting him walk at the end of the year would have been one of those things that signaled to their fanbase “OK, we’re giving up on next year!”
5) Even if Thomas signed for a cheaper, more tradeable contract extension (to the tune of, say, 3.5 million a year for three years and no NMC), there is absolutely no trade market for goalies out there this year because, well, there are several high-quality free agents still looking for jobs who would be willing to take a cheaper deal.
Anyway, my point is more that I think that if you cast your mind back to the point where Tim Thomas was seeking an extension, it made sense for Boston to sign him and not go with a cheaper option. They could have done that, but it would have been roundly decried from all corners of the hockey world.
I respectfully disagree with some of this. Being in the Boston area, I got the sense that just about everyone up here felt that Rask was ready to be a part of the team when TT signed the extension. That’s the main reason that they let Manny Fernandez go at the end of that season. I also got the sense from some of the Bruins fans I know that the TT contract was a bit of a head scratcher, because of the terms/money, and the fact that Rask was seemingly ready to take a shot at the #1 job (Bruins fans thought really highly of Rask).
After seeing Rask play in some Bruins games this past year, I also have to disagree about the sophomore slump you think he is going to have this year. He looked just as good as Varly or Neuvy did this past season, and considering the defensive the Bruins play, I just don’t see him playing horribly.
Wheeler is a tradeable asset though, and 2.2 sounds about right. They’ll sign him and try to trade him, waive him or someone else if they have to.
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 30, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not a cap article (I think it was mentioned once), but about the overall health, or lack thereof. Lots of robbing Peter to pay Paul, and they’re still losing money as a team even after the Cup run.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s pretty amazing.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Not surprising. As shitty as the team was for so long and as badly mismanaged at the same time by Wirtz.
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 30, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Darren Rovell Tweet -
Y the Blackhawks didn’t make $ RT @teammktgreport They had more than 7,000 seats with season ticket price of $15.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
This is the problem the Hawks face in the near term. Their problems are revenue, not expense (unless they’re blowing money on big office parties). For years they were managed in a tight-fisted way that alienated fans. They’ve only recently started coming back to the rink (no doubt encouraged by $15 seats). It will be a few years, I would think, before the club can further encourage fans and sponsors to spring open their wallets to provide the club with income outside of what they earn at the gate.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
The reason it’s not an expense problem is that the league has a salary cap, putting the Hawks on more or less an even playing field with other clubs
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s not entirely true. The fact that they do those “lifetime” contracts increases their total salary paid to the players.
Their average player outlay over time will never exceed the salary cap. That they choose to make commitment that extend far into the future does not affect that calculation. Now, there could be cash flow problems if they have a lot of front-loaded contracts, but that doesn’t affect the long term notion of teams playing on that even (i.e., “salary cap”) field
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Their average player outlay over time will never exceed the salary cap
I think it’s possible that some of the teams that were most aggressive with front-loading contracts might. And it wouldn’t surprise me if the Flyers get some relief from from Pronger’s contract in the next CBA and they average more than the cap over an extended period.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds a lot like the Caps. Ted has said in the past that the Caps needed to get to the finals to break even. And I think that was before the latest price increase when the Caps’ average ticket price was in the lower half of the league. Of course, now Ted owns it all,so he’s getting that rent and suite revenue that was going to Abe before.
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
And the local ticketmaster money
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 30, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
He always got a portion of that, just not all of it. And it clouds my opinion of him.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
Legalized extortion.
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 30, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
no kidding. I bought Daniel Tosh tickets and the cost went up about 50% because because of “convenience fees”. $35 tix became $52.50
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 30, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Its absolutely crazy that they CHARGE YOU to print out your tickets.
Fuck that….I just get them from Will Call.
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 30, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll pay $1.50 to avoid standing in a line.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I’ve never had a line at Will Call that wasn’t manageable. The longest i’ve had to wait was maybe 5 minutes or so.
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 30, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
And at Hershey, i’ve never had a line at Will Call.
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 30, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Good to know you’ve kicked the habit.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I do all my lines on a mirror in the bathroom, like a gentleman.
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 30, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll pay $1.50 to skip a 5 minute line, easy.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
We just paid $10 a person in Las Vegas to skip a 45-minute buffet line.
Right with you.
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!
Completely different. I would pay 200 dollars to skip a 45 minute buffet line
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 30, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Its the principle. Its my own paper, and my own ink, and my own computer.
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 30, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
And that is why I have not bought tickets to see Daniel Tosh at this point. I wonder if ticketmaster has any idea how many tickets are not sold because of their submarined fees. I’ve gotten to the final total many a time and closed the tab because I wasn’t paying $50 just for the privilege of spending $50 on two tickets.
This includes Caps games too, so thank god for the Rink exchange (and Craigslist).
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
That’s exactly what I thought—a fair number of parallels with Leonsis’ experiences with the Caps.
Wirtz said that the Blackhawks ran out of cash several times last season. Each time, he received a memo, known as an internal capital call, in which the team requested money from Wirtz Corp., the Blackhawks’ parent company, to cover operating expenses. And at the end of the season.
I wonder how many times over the past decade or so Ted has gotten this sort of phone call.
"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 30, 2010 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions
He also acquired a hefty mortgage but yeah owning it all has to help.
Elsewhere in the article it says that playoff teams have to share their ticket revenues 50/50 with the league, which I didn’t realize. Explains the higher ticket costs for the playoffs.
"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 30, 2010 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Only the top-ten earning clubs have to pay 50%, the middle ten pay 40% and the bottom ten pay 30%
Makes getting to the playoffs somewhat less profitable for small, struggling teams. I think it needs to get evened out for all teams or eliminated all together in the next CBA.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Makes getting to the playoffs somewhat less profitable for small, struggling teams.
Do you mean more profitable? If the Predators (admittedly a small, financially troubled team) only have to pay 30% of their ticket revenue, and, say, the Red Wings have to pay 50%, then Nashville would come out looking better, right? I may have missed something, of course, so correct me if I’m wrong.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Somewhat less profitable than before the current CBA, when there was no tax on playoff ticket sales.
As for small teams versus large teams in this CBA with the tax, I don’t know ticket price differences, but I think it probably comes closer to evening out, since the larger teams tend to charge more for playoff tickets.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
OK, gotcha. And yeah, Nashville (the only team I can speak to accurately) charges relatively little for playoff tickets, compared to regular season tix.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting. Thanks. Good to know. Without re-reading the article I recall the Hawks having to provide subsidy to the smaller, more struggling teams despite the fact they were not turning a profit. Owning a team is financially complex, but at least they have a dedicated owner.
"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 30, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the top-ten revenue-producing clubs have to pay into the sharing pool to be split out among the small clubs first and then the rest of the league. These dollars are only part of all that goes into that pool (players’ escrow being another, larger source).
I just don’t believe that they’re not actually turning a profit. They only said they had to borrow from the parent group, which is probably true, but without being able to see their books, there’s no way to tell exactly why. One reason could very well be that the Hawks pay up to the parent corporation and then have to borrow back down. Seems like a lot of unnecessary movement, but when you’re trying to make it look like you’re struggling while being one of the top-earning clubs (who also got themselves in salary cap trouble), you probably have to do something.
It’s kind of like what movie companies do. The guy who was in the Darth Vader suit for the three original Star Wars movies, David Prowse, has not seen a dime for his work in ‘Empire Strikes Back’ because Lucas offered him a percentage of the net profits of the movie. Thanks to creative accounting, LucasFilm has claimed that in 30 years, arguably the best Star Wars movie has never turned a profit. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were similar shenanigans here.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Have you ever noticed before the opening credits of a film, you will see sometimes several production companies credited with “producing” the film? That’s another way of engaging in “creative” accounting. The money moves around so that a studio could say, “uh, no, we didn’t make money, that was Impossibly Sleazy Productions (also credited in the film). So even though your contract is with us… sorry.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s funny but I made they same analogy below, but you said it much better.
BTW sorry for my delving into my pit bulldog side yesterday. You made good points.
With regards to your first follow-up post, I concur with you that there is something systemic in the Caps mindset on how to finish out a team—an attitude that definitely hurt them against the Habs. Perhaps it is the fallout from being able to score so easily then suddenly in the last three games, nothing. True for Ovi as well. The players needed to make better on-ice adjustments as well as the coach.
"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 30, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
No hard feelings about yesterday. I went off on way too many tangents and should have stuck with just talking about why I had Ovi on my list where I did.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. It’s hard to let go of an argument sometimes. I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Hey at least Ovi is on your list!
"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 30, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
This screams smokescreen to me. Forbes said that after the 2008-09 season, they had an operating profit of $20M. While last year, they paid a bunch of that out in salaries, I’d be shocked if they didn’t bring in a ton more.
The article also says that they made improvements to their facilities. Since they don’t share their books, this could mean anything. If those improvements cost them $10M, they could claim it all in one year or amortize it out over several, depending on what they’re getting at. It makes sense that they would say this right as they’re raising ticket prices to help soften the blow, I think the backhanded complaint in the article about how much they have to put in the revenue sharing pot was a nice touch. I don’t believe the Blackhawks are actually not profitable.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I don’t really know what to make of all that. I’m not really a financial type person but I find it hard to believe a team that successful isn’t turning a profit.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with both of you. I’m not a financial person either, but I do know that there are a lot of ways to still make money even if the entity is technically in the red. So much is about accounting. Or else why are movies still being made.
"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 30, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Washington Capitals. They have one of the league’s biggest stars in Alex Ovechkin(notes), whose on and off the ice incidents this past season garnered some negative press and turned fans and some media against him. The Caps also have an owner who isn’t afraid to say what he feels. Combine that with a fan base accused of hopping on the bandwagon post-2005 and you’re going to have some fans that were overjoyed when the Montreal Canadiens eliminated them in the first round this past postseason..
how many times do we need to post this?
2003-04 Attendance Overall
25 Capitals
26 NY Islanders
27 Blackhawks
28 Predators
29 Hurricanes
30 Penguins
2002-03 Attendance Overall
18 Capitals
19 Hurricanes
20 Panthers
21 Bruins
22 NY Islanders
23 Devils
24 Blackhawks
25 Penguins
26 Ducks
27 Sabres
28 Thrashers
29 Coyotes
30 Predators
2001-02 Attendance Overall
13 Capitals
14 Sabres
15 Senators
16 Kings
17 Oilers
18 Panthers
19 Devils
20 Lightning
21 Flames
22 Penguins
23 Blackhawks
24 Hurricanes
25 Bruins
26 Predators
27 NY Islanders
28 Thrashers
29 Coyotes
30 Ducks
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 8:37 AM EDT reply actions 6 recs
What’s inaccurate? The fan base has definitely been accused on bandwagon hopping.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Yeah…it happens to every fanbase, particularly when they’re successful.
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 30, 2010 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps the Caps gets accused of having bandwagon fans more often than other teams because this is the first time that DC could legitimately be called a hockey town. (Not that DC hasn’t had many diehard fans from the team’s inception). Places like Pittsburgh and Chicago are simply in another cycle of fan interest.
"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 30, 2010 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
right, but why continue to single out the caps when the the pens, sabres, blackhawks have has their issues. why not include that statement in the pens recap? thats my point.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Because the Pens don’t get accused of that by fans of almost every other team. It doesn’t make any sense, but the Caps are the only team I have heard accused of it regularly.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Personally, I’m going to be very interested in how this ends up playing out when it comes time to have a lottery for Winter Classic tickets (and I’m betting there will be a lottery). It will be interesting to see if the team gives the same weight to the just-on-board STH’s as it does to folks who have been STH’s since the 1970’s (full disclosure — I have an interest in this since I’ve been a partial STH since 1984 and a full STH since 1997). I’d like to think the club has a measure of loyalty to those folks who were loyal when the club was awful. If you want to call that selfish, you may, but I’ll bet I’m not alone in that.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Eh, I imagine your reward is a prime seat location. I think length of STH status is a bad way to judge fan loyalty – if there is some reason to try to judge it.
Friends of ours have had upper 400 seats in the corner for more than two decades. Over the course they managed to move down to the first row. Great view and comparatively not expensive. We’re jealous.
"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 30, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
We’ve used them a few times. They are great seats.
"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 30, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Cheaper than the end seats with a better view. What’s not to like.
Caps Snaps - Washington Capitals News and Photography
I’d also wait to see how many of the STH take their prime locations and resell to Penguins fans.
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!
Not us. But fandom vs capitalism should be an interesting battle.
"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 30, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Living in the 314, I’ll be on the side of capitalism in this one. I have zero concerns about finding two to three tickets.
The key will be to learn from all of you which sections to target and whether anyone that has tickets in the Caps’ sections but can’t go and is willing to sell
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!
I don’t think I’m going to be able to go, so I’ll likely have two to sell.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
She was talking to me dude. Get in line.
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!
I’m too old for that. But I’ll bet I can out bid the youngster.
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!
BTW, this is what the Rink Ticket exchange is for, y’all know.
http://z6.invisionfree.com/capitals/index.php?act=idx
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Read my mind. Are those usually for cost or a mark-up? Are they cheaper on average than Stub Hub?
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!
People here usually ask for cost or a little more; rarely at face value.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Sounds like the place. I will be there.
If I can pull off the December 1 (in STL) and January 1 exacta, I’ll be a happy camper.
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!
Do you know how difficult are STL tickets to get? My fiancee and I might drive down to St. Louis when the Caps visit.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
Should be relatively easy. They don’t sell out every game, but plan early for Wings, Hawks and teams like the Caps, B’s, Canadiens, etc.
No problems with a mid-season Blue Jackets or Thrashers game.
And no problem the more you are willing to pay.
I passed on a share of season tickets this year that I bought for the past six. I’m not concerned in the least about attending the games I want to attend. At this past season’s Caps visit, there had to be 500 or more fans in Caps jerseys. It was awesome.
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!
Sounds good. Convenient away games are rare for me. Champaign is 2.5-6 hours from St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville, and Columbus, but all of those teams being in the West makes for few away games out there, and coupling it with planning the trip and personal schedules makes it almost never possible. I think the Dec 1 game may actually be doable.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
That game has come up on this board before.
If, as we get closer, there’s a group of people coming in, I can organize something pre-game.
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!
What do ticket prices typically look like?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Lower bowl, mid-level will get you into the low $40’s, as I recall. We were mid-level lower bowl in the corner end where the Blues shoot 2x and our season ticket price was $38 per.
The have club seats that are lower bowl at the top, just in front of the suites that cost around $120 per, but those include all you can eat. Great location might justify that, if you only go to a game or two. I’ll drop an easy $40 for two people on food at a game. I’m not a drinker at hockey games, but beers cost $7.50.
Upper deck you can get into the $20’s.
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!
Nashville > St. Louis! October 16, people.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
What day of the week is the game?
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
oohh, good news for Nashville.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Yeah. I’m guessing it’ll be a sellout unless the Titans have a home game the next day.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Clearly Nashville is not playing fair in this. They must have bribed the schedulers to get the Caps on the weekend.
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!
I think I can suck it up on a Wednesday night and drive the 15 minutes to Scottrade for the game.
My luck – I’ll have a business trip, or my son will have a high school hockey game that night.
I went to the Caps game last year, but missed the previous three for youth hockey trips. I had to sell the tickets each time. They don’t tell you this stuff when you think about having kids.
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!
Direct flights from Norfolk to Nashville for $80 on Southwest, too! Perfect, since my dogsitters (parents) live in Norfolk ;)
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
That’s the price of a lower bowl ticket!
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I know. We have great prices, actually. Relative to what I’ve seen elsewhere.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Saturday.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Are we still on for that? Dec 1 is a Wednesday – what day is October 16th?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
10/16 is a Saturday – and 2 days before my birthday. Hmmm.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I’ll split a hotel room with you.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Double hmmmm.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
If any of you decide to travel down for the Preds game let me know, I can probably provide advice/find some ticket deals. And who knows, might even be at the game.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Is it a plus or a minus if you are at the game?
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!
You’d have to tell me! I won’t heckle too much. You, anyway.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
This sounds like a good idea. My wife has been bugging me to go to Nashville for a long time.
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Jul 30, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Much cheaper than what you’ll find on Stubhub. I’ve sold several times on the Rink Exchange, but in this case it’s hard for me to justify selling for face or slightly more when you can probably unload them for 3-5x their value elsewhere.
I’m a capitalist at heart. I wouldn’t blame you in the least.
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!
Let’s stay in touch here or on WWF. Mrs. Spidey needs to decide if she is going to go or not. That’s my 3 tickets versus 2 tickets dilemma.
When do they go on sale?
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!
Living in the 415. I’ll have fantastic seats. On my extremely comfortable couch. In a heated room.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Same here in the 480. Though I doubt I’ll need to turn on the heat since it will likely be 70 degrees outside. I’ll also have better food.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m kinda hoping the Caps will throw some kind of a New Year’s Eve bash for the Caps fans who came up for the game.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Thrown by JR and Ovie perhaps!?
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
Hell no. AO better be in bed by 9! The game is at 1pm the next day!
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Wouldn’t that be the most bad ass thing ever? Host the party, stay all night, then score a hat trick against the Pens.
That being said, maybe we can have the scratches throw it. Aint no party like a Lumberjack party!!
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
Here's the deejay
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
which means no goal scoring the the first, followed by a hat trick, right?
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.
Good point.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
But your rent in the 415 must be through the roof, no?
I’m a big SFO fan. Huge. (really)
Loved wearing a winter coat to a game at AT&T a few summers back. (not really)
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!
yeah, but the view from his deck is worth whatever he’s paying in rent! It’s gorgeous.
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.
My rent is a St. Louis mortgage. But from a DC area perspective, it’s pretty much what you’d expect for a two-bedroom.
Oh, and we’re moving next month. To a house a half mile away. With a better view. (I’m not sure how that happened, but we’ll take it!)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
A better view? Wow!
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
And the previous tenants absolutely destroyed the place. Landlord needs 6 weeks for basic repairs to floors, walls, ceilings (!), and fixtures. It got so bad he almost had to evict them. I don’t know how people can live like that.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They had a toddler and an infant by the end of their time there, but from what I hear that was hardly the cause — they were bad tenants before the kids came along.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
you’ll be posting pictures of you and Baxter with your new view, I hope!
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.
I find it very hard to turn down requests from nice ladies
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
But your rent in the 415 must be through the roof, no?
I’m a big SFO fan. Huge. (really)
Loved wearing a winter coat to a game at AT&T a few summers back. (not really)
I’m planning on driving the 9 hours from the 314. Not far enough to pass up.
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!
capitalism vs. capitalism, even
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Jul 30, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
based upon what i’ve read, every full season ticket holder will be able to buy seats. they have been alloted 25K seats or so which is more than the number of full season tickets the caps have. the interesting part will be whether the best seats go to the long time STH (selfishly i hope so) or will seat locations be random. i’m not sure how many seats will be put of for auctions after the STH have bought their allotment.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t care if I’m in the upper deck, to be honest. Of course, my mind will likely have changed by the second intermission when my feet have turned to blocks of ice.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I went to a Steelers game one year in December, sitting in the upper level, with the wind whipping in. It was miserable, and not just because the Browns were on the field.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
You really needed to say that? Oh, I know, you’re just trying to get us Caps fans to put our tickets on the market so there are more for Pens fans. :-)
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Haha, I’m in either way (BALLIN’!), so it doesn’t matter to me.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Do you SB Nation folks have a suite?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Lower deck isn’t much better. I was in the student section for a Pitt – VT football game a few years back in November and I was numb before the game started. Getting the wind off the river is just horrible. Whose genius idea was it to have the open end of the stadium face the water?
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
It was great for a Bon Jovi concert in high summer :)
I’m not too concerned. I figure that’s what layers are for.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Layers did not help. It was so cold I never had the chance to open my jacket to show my VT gear. So, I guess the cold saved me from heckling and beer wearing for sitting in the opposing teams student section, so perhaps I should be thankful. But damn was that cold.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
I assume by that you mean you were far enough away you couldn’t hear the band.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
The folks who wanted this view…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s a nice picture, but man, does the ketchup front-and-center ruin it, or what?
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Every time the Penguins cross the red line the bottles will light up and dump over.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Every time the Penguins cross the red linethe bottles will light up and dump overanother player shows his dong on the internet.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I would expect that the people with the best seats at Verizon get dibs on the best seats at Heinz Field. Doesn’t really matter to me, the price is going to be outrageous anyway and I hate that I’m going to have to pay face value for them.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
My problem is that my friends and I have 3 seats next to each other under 3 different accounts. If we all can only buy a single ticket, we might be scattered about. I contacted our ticket rep about it to see if anything can get worked out with seat placement.
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 30, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting. Did you guys start out that way, or were you able to split the seats out from 1 account to 3? I have three seats all under my name, but one of the guys wants his seat in his name so he has his own account. I’ve asked our rep about it and we can’t seem to get a consistent answer.
we started out with just two, and moved from 404 to 407 to add a third seat.
I wasn’t able to get a straight answer, more of a “we’ll have more information next week” kind of thing.
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 30, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
based upon what i’ve read, every full season ticket holder will be able to buy seats. they have been alloted 25K seats or so which is more than the number of full season tickets the caps have.
Is this true? In the past visitors have gotten 5,000 to directly sell, and it’s not like the demand in Pittsburgh won’t be there to the point the NHL needs the visitor’s help to sell out.
I have no doubt the Caps have 25,000+ people who would go, but I don’t think it does (or should) work like that.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
yep. ted negotiatied that as part of the deal along with being able to host the game in the near future. he knew the NHL wanted the caps and made the most of his leverage. the pens will get slightly more seats i think (30K) plus 10-15K for the league/sponsors etc. i think it’s very fair when you are talking about a 60K plus seat stadium. give the home team a few more seats to sell but also give the visitors an opportunity to buy in too. the bummer is the large amount to sponsors who will most likely fill the seats with folks who couldnt give a shit about either team. i understand the need to grease the guys who pay the bills, but i’ll be dissapointed if those are the guys with all the center ice seats….
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Given that it’s Heinz Field, I’m planning on bringing a pair of binoculars.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I’m bringing a bottle of Hunt’s ketchup
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
eh, some of us are younger and had to wait until we go through school and found decent enough jobs that we had some leftover cash to buy season tickets. I’ve been a Caps fan since I was in middle school, but it wasn’t until I finished grad school that I had that sort of extra cash laying around.
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.
Same here. I manged to go to 5-10 games a year before taking the STH plunge. Thank goodness for $10 eagles nest seats during my college years.
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 30, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not being on a bandwagon…. the easiest marketing to get fannies in the seats for games is to win, plain and simple. Put a winner on the rink/court/field and more and more casual fans will come by.
And yes attendance was that bad in 2003-04 after the fire sale, if not worse. There were some weeknights when the building maybe had 3 or 4 thousand folks total.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 30, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Especially in a town like D.C where there is so much to do. If they arent winning, might as well spend your entertainment money on other things.
I think it’s humerous that people judge a sports town by how well you fill the seats when you are a bad team. If you are winning and you cant sell out, then it’s a problem. In D.C, we dont have that problem.
And remember — that Caps team was worse than bad. They had given up and were selling off their assets.
Who wants to see a hockey team that has publicly conceded?
The late 1990s and very early 2000s numbers are more accurate measures of the fanbase at that time. They’re not great but they’re not terrible. The fanbase is much stronger now.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
After reading this article about Eric Alexander
• Scoring a highlight-reel goal in the first scrimmage: “The first goal I scored was probably the nicest of my life. (Caps GM) George McPhee said it was the nicest goal that’s ever seen scored in development camp history. I don’t know where that came from, the move I did. I got the puck, did a fake shot and toe dragged around the defenseman. Then I went backhand on my goalie, short-side high.”I’m wondering is there video of the goal somewhere?
Pft why play a small French guy when you have a Svensk viking.
John Kordic
Over my long Capitals-watching career, they made many regrettable acqusitions (duh!). However, two that really made me cringe were Kordic (7 g, 0 pts, 101 PIMs) and Randy Holt (123, 16, 525). Kordic was on a downward spiral and ended tragically. Holt was just a crazy man; of course he played when most teams had to have their resident crazy man, but it was disgusting to have to watch it.
It’s all wrong, but it’s all right.
That Butterflies and Black Aces article is outstanding. So well written.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Enjoyed the article, and funnily enough I had some of the same ruminations when Cam Janssen twitter’d that he and King would fight this season. The pre-arranged tilt leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but if it’s organic, it’s exciting, which is a conundrum.
I remember Kordic, too. First guy I ever saw get tossed during warmups. He was indeed a madman.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Now the Caps can be “Disney on Ice” meets WWE. It’ll be awesome.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I’m torn on the utility of an enforcer. I fell squarely among the enthusiastic crowd when the Caps announced they would go sans enforcer last year, and that the PP would do the enforcing. And I echoed the thoughts of CP2 after the King trade: the presence of a tough guy does not dissuade the agitators from going after the skill guys. If goon fights goon, and they then retreat to the bench for the duration, what does it prove?
But after last year, I’m not so sure.
I think the culture of hockey might be such that the players buy into an illogical premise: “hey, these guys have a tough guy, we can’t take liberties…if we do, [insert name] will fight…” Never mind that he’s going to fight the guy on their roster that is around only to fight. It makes no sense, but people buy into nonsensical propositions all the time. Witness, for example, the existence of Las Vegas. The paradox is deeply rooted in the human condition, and I’m starting to feel like this may be one such example.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I think its the fans not the players who buy into the proposition.
In a similar vein, the concept of deterrence assumes human beings will make a rational choice. Obviously, this doesn’t always happen in life in general, much less in a passion fueled game on skates that occurs at an extremely fast pace.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
In my mind, King’s presence does a few things that make the team marginally better:
- It gives the team one less reason to play John Erskine. (Now the team just needs someone clearly better than him to be the 6th D)
- When Erskine does play, it gives Erskine one less reason to take a major and leave the team with 5 D for a good chunk of the game.
- It lets Bradley and Chimera focus on playing a skill game of tough forechecking with some counterpunch scoring. They don’t have to be the enforcers.
- It lets Alex Ovechkin focus on playing a skill game. He doesn’t have to be the team’s enforcer.
- It gives anyone who is inclined a little more license to be a pain in the ass to play against, an agitator. (Now the Caps just have to get someone other than Ovechkin who’s inclined to do that)
You notice how many of my bullets have anything to do with the behavior of players on the other team…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Alex likes his (self-appointed) enforcer duty. It entertains him.
I do like the aspect of restoring order to the fourth line and allowing Brads and Chimera to forecheck and cycle. Brads is in a contract year, too.
Maybe King will inspire a little grittier play from more of the other players, like knuble’s influence has worked on Fehr and Laich.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I do like the aspect of restoring order to the fourth line and allowing Brads and Chimera to forecheck and cycle
And yet this is precisely my concern with the signing as well. Let’s say the skill forwards are Ovechkin, Semin, Knuble, Fehr and Laich/Flash (one of whom may be the 2C). That’s already 5 or 6, enough for three lines. Add in Andrew Gordon, who I’d like to see make the team this year, and all of a sudden the big question is where do you put King? Who comes out for King? I fear it’s precisely Chimera or Bradley who sits on the bench that night.
Or, if if something like Chimera-Steckel-Bradley is your checking line, maybe you get a Frankenstein fourth line like King – B. Gordon – Fehr. What the hell would the role of that line be?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d love to see AGord make the team, but I think his role will be anchoring the top line in HER and tagged as the first injury callup.
His time will be next year, when UFA Armageddon sets in.
Speaking of injuries, the Caps were damn lucky last year. The only lengthy injury was to Gramps.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
the lack of injuries was a nice contrast to the prior season, when the the injury call ups started getting injured! Yikes. Really remarkable that the Caps were able to keep playing high level hockey through all of that.
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.
If they play Flash at 2C (and I think they will), I see the lines shaking out like this:
AO – Backs – Knuble
Laich – Flash – Semin
Chimera – ??? – Fehr
King/Gordo – Gordo/Stecks – Bradley
[King, Gordo, and Steckel sharing HS duties as situation indicates]
Now, if they get a legit 2C and push Flash to 2L, then you’ve got cascading LW impiclations, and a logjam, which would have to be alleviated by trade (potentially in the transaction that brings the legit 2C) or demotion.
I don’t see a spot here for A. Gordon, abviously.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Even with Flash at center this worries me because I don’t see Fehr as excelling in a third line role. It’s why I prefer the idea of having Semin on the left and Laich on the 3rd line, so Fehr can play on the 2nd. But then how do you fit Ovechkin, Semin, Laich, Chimera and King all on the left side?
I wish Brooks Laich was a better center. I wonder if he’d be a decent 3C, and the problems we’ve had with him playing center mainly stem from his poor fit at the pivot of the 2nd line
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
So that would be
AO – Backstrom – Knuble
Semin – Flash – Fehr
Chimera – Laich – Bradley
King – Stex – B. Gordon
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the top two lines. Not as enamored of the last two. The third line has to become a real checking line, and I think Laich and Bradley are out of their elements there; Brads is only a grinder, and I don’t think Laich has the defensive chops to anchor a real checking line.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I’m reasonably certain that Chimera doesn’t either.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the looks of that for the same reason you mentioned. Eric Fehr fits best on the 2nd line. Bradley’s name looks a little funny on the 3rd line, though.
by mechanicsville on Jul 30, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
In that scenario, you’ve definitely got a logjam on the left side. One you’d need to alleviate with a trade, I guess. And the prime candidate here would be Laich in return for a 3C, I guess.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Fehr getting 2R minutes. I just don’t think it’s going to happen this year. And if MarJo is the 3C, hopefully the third line is in reality another scoring line.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I can see why you say you’d like to see Fehr on the 2nd line, but am puzzled about your saying you don’t see him excelling on the 3rd. He played mostly 3rd line mins last season and excelled, to my way of thinking. Do you mean excel even more?
I really mean the defensive stopper line. I’d rather see him on a scoring line.
Looking at just RWs, I think of the Bradley line as the stopper line. The Knuble, Semin and Fehr lines last year were all trying to score.
Well, with King on the left all of the sudden you have a dilemma. You can’t put King on the stopper line. And any line with King on it is no scoring line.
Which is a long winded way of saying that the other options at LW are all better players than King, and there’s a real skill cost to putting an enforcer in the lineup.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice post. As usual, I should add.
Your points make sense, and I hope it turns out that way (and also that the team gets the upgrades you mention). If Erskine gets to take a seat most nights, I’ll think it’s more than just a marginal upgrade.
On your final point, the main issue I’m mulling is whether hockey players respond logically or not…
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I believe most of them do, even the agitators, but within a certain logical framework of their own. Steve Downie and Dan Carcillo are logical when you think about where they’re coming from. Their logic isn’t yours or mine, and it often isn’t very effective, but they are predictable.
Sean Avery isn’t logical — he’s just an ass.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
hard to believe he only played 7 games for the caps. remember a few times he was escorted off the ice with no jersey/pads after a good brawl. he was a mess on and off the ice. very sad.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
There was an upside to Kordic on the Caps… in those 7 games, the Caps went 5-1-1 and had no trouble doing anything they wanted to on the ice. No one was going to mess with them.
It was sad to see what happened to Kordic, but Poile gave him a shot when few teams would.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 30, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the shout out for the auction J.P.
If anybody can make it, and wants to meet up, email me at the address in my SB Nation profile. The auction is “silent” and there is lots of stuff, so it’ll be a good chance to score some cool items for less than you normally would be able to.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
Thanks for the shout out for the auction J.P. Emily!
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 30, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Full item lost PDF available here
http://aidensauction.com/images/Aiden_Items.pdf
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 30, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
That is an impressive list of items. Wow.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
No kidding! And given a modest turnout, a great chance to score some awesome stuff ont he cheap. Just sayin….
And we’ll cut them slack for spelling Michal Neuvirth wrong.
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 30, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
No Mike Green bobblehead, I see… ;-)
And I don’t think they’ve announced but the Islanders game bobblehead almost has to be Nicky, wouldn’t you say?
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Oh, those were supposed to be seperate items. I donated Islanders game tix, & a couple bobbleheads.
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 30, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, gotcha.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
but a certain Real American Hero bobblehead will be up for grabs.
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 30, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Ian White settled with Calgary before his arbitration. 1 year, $2,999,995.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
They must know something the rest of us don’t about Ian White.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Jordan. Its Darryl Sutter.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
JordanPeerless. Its Darryl Sutter.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Sarry Duttler
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 30, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Sutter can tell the owners he got White for less than $3M.
Kind of like pricing something at three payment of just $19.99, instead of selling for $60.
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!
doesnt include tax and shipping/handling?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
The PP piece on the Kings signing Poni was excellent. Combined with the Hawks financial issues article I really think Ted needs to help Rocky out and save him some money by taking Sharp off his hands.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
....
He gets asked about Talbot. His reply is decidedly un-douchey.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
There’s no need to answer to it. Every person has the right to say something. The ice will show it all.
Epic. Can’t help but like the guy.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
The ice will show it all.
Keep your head on a swivel, Max. (Yes, we’ve been over that. I’m being snarky.)
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I basically said this two days ago, what’s the big deal?
/ducks
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t pay much attention to the Talbot/Ovechkin conversation from the other day, sorry. My 0.02: it doesn’t matter (the comment).
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Same here, just casting a line like I was playing football in Iceland.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess the ice will show it all his blood, I guess.
/DJ’d
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I guess Indecisive DJ is my favorite Caps meme right now.. I guess.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I guess the ice will show it all his blood, I guess.
/DJ’d
Don’t know why or how anyone thinks King will do anything to Talbot. King/Rupp or King/Godard.
But if King wants to take a stupid penalty as a measure of revenge for a guy’s sentiments that he doesn’t like a player on his team, by all means.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
This whole thing is incredibly overblown. Wow.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
It has devolved. But that was a natural result of the timing of Talbot’s remarks—made them media perfect. Because that little PR event was otherwise unbelievably dull. I mostly fast-forwarded through it.
"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 30, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s July. What else have we got?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
If Max Talbot was a basketball player, and he said such things about Michael Jordan, Jordan likely would have responded the same way Ovechkin did. Then he would proceed to light up Talbot for 40 every time they played, and after every basket Jordan would glare at him or smack talk him. Jordan used the most innocuous little comments as inspiration. He’d turn them in his mind into the highest of insults, then use that to fuel his performance.
Ovechkin’s response was very “Jordanesque.” I don’t think he’ll forget.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Good, because Ovie needs a reason to turn it on against the Penguins already.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Agreed. I thought the response was awesome.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
So you say, but can you provide a specific example?
by MikeBrady on Jul 30, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
C’mon, yesterday’s over with.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he’s just bustin’ balls :)
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Well-played.
One specific example of awesome retorts:
Patrick Roy (on Jeremy Roenick talking shit): “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear him. I had my two Stanley Cup Rings plugging my ears.”
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
That is the awesome retort of all awesome retorts. Even though JR is the man.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
shows good leadership, eh?
/justbustin’balls
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 30, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
DJ King
I’m rewatching the Caps v Pens snowmaggedon game on hulu and it has changed my thinking on the DJ King trade. I was initially meh but this was a good one if only to get Orpik and others like him to think twice about any of the after the whistle slashes and other nonsense that Ovi has to deal with. If King’s presence stops even a little of that, King deserves a sweater.
It's the Caps . . . First team to 4, wins.
I’m not sure anything is going to get Orpik to stop attempting to removed body parts with his stick. It’s what he does, and as long as the refs continue not to call it, he’s going to keep doing it.
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.
Having to answer to King rather than Brads might make all the difference, If King plays this role, i’m all for it. If Orpik spears Ovi so King fights Goddard, I’ll puke.
It's the Caps . . . First team to 4, wins.
Did Goddard even get a sweater that night?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Nope. Godard only faced the Caps once this year and played a whopping 1:12. But when the Caps didn’t have an enforcer, better to have 4 skating lines of forwards. King’s presence might mean Godard’s.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
If Orpik spears Ovi so King fights Goddard, I’ll puke.
Unless he commits a Cooke-level crime, Orpik’s not going to fight King.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
That would be a disaster.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
It would be a disaster but If Orpik thinks he might have to, King will have served his purpose.
It's the Caps . . . First team to 4, wins.
Mr. King...
I’ve just finished watching all of his Mr. King’s fights ….. he’s a certified bad a**…. Team player with fists to back it up …. go us ….
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 30, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
....
He certainly knew how to run a bus boycott
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 30, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Certianly better than....
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 30, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Not showing up, but is it Don King?
I would have gone with Billie Jean King.
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 30, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I Lol’d
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 30, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
actually it was Larry King …
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 30, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Too many Kings. And I didn’t even mention Derek King or Kris King.
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 30, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
The Bruins signed Blake Wheeler to the 1yr, 2.2m deal.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
which means
That they are $2,187,771 over the cap before signing Tyler Seguin. Whooooops.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Drop Mike Ryder and they’ll be clear.
Say, doesn’t NYI need to pick up a couple million to meet the floor? Ryder’s got an expiring contract they might like.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Unless they made a big move I didn’t hear about, Weight and Needee together don’t even cover half their deficit.
Winterion Game Studios
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The cap floor is $16M less than the cap limit, right? So the cap floor is $43.4M. I think.
Capgeek has the Isles at a payroll of about $39M, which includes about $4.5M of bonus money. I think they can include the bonus money in their cap number if they choose? If that’s the case, they only need to take on 4-5 million in salary.
Weight probably gets in somewhere in the 2’s.
I should note that they currently have 22 players under contract, so they’re going to have to pick up some pretty hefty salaries and demote some minimum-salary type(s).
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
The Isles are indeed making about $39M, but they are $24,868,433 under the cap.
That means they’re $8,868,433 under the floor, or nearly $9M.
If Weight got his 2 million, that 22/23 contracts and about 7 million to go to field a valid roster.
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I think they can count their bonus money if they want to?
Or am I wrong about that?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I thought they did by default, but that your team was allowed to go over the cap by a certain percentage to pay bonuses.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
I had the bonus cushion explained to me thusly: you can forego counting potential bonuses against your cap, if you want to, but if you do so, and you pay the bonus out, you have to count the money paid against next year’s cap.
Not completely sure that you can count a potential bonus if you want to, but I think so. If you don’t end up paying it, it becomes surplus money next year (?)
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Note also: the Isles are coutning something like $4.7M of Alexei Yashin’s buyout against their cap this year (!). Their actual payroll is way low.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Yeah, haha. Who would have thought that would have turned out to, in any way, be a benefit for them?
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
The payroll today is a direct result of the gross mismanagement of the past, of which Yashin is a prime example. But, yeah, I hear you.
Unbelievable how many guys they have on the roster that earn at or near the minimum (11, for the record).
How many points do they get this year?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
They’re buying out Brendan Witt, which gives them an extra roster spot and $1.3M more to count towards the cap.
Really? With their blueline depth? Woooooooooooow.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Brendan Witt was a minus player in the AHL, forget the NHL. He’s done.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I think one other team has to find the cap floor, too, but I just drew a blank on which one it was.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Avs and Thrashers are currently below the floor as well, according to Capgeek.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Aha! The Avalanche are who I was thinking of. Thank you.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
The Avs also have a couple of young, good RFAs they have to resign in Chris Stewart and Peter Mueller. They’ll meet it, easy.
Right now they have $5M to go to hit the floor and 3 roster spots. Stewart and Mueller are probably worth between 3 and 4 million of that.
It’s kind of sad that we even have to be discussing how much these teams have to spend to reach the salary minimum though, right?
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I just like how Nashville and Colorado specifically are so competitive without paying through the nose; whereas Toronto and Edmonton suuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh man, Edmonton is such a mess. There are guys up there I like, but I kinda feel bad because they’re just run so terribly.
I made a prediction a couple weeks ago that Toronto would finish higher in the standings than Montreal this upcoming year, I’ll expand that to say they’ll be better than Colorado too. They relied VERY heavily on Craig Anderson last year and while they’re young guys are getting better, I’m predicting a slight step backwards for them on the short run. Still, for dollars spent on salaries per win, COL and NAS were definitely the gold standard last year. I have no reason to believe Nashville won’t still be. If Barry Trotz ends his career without ever having won a Jack Adams, it will be a travesty.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’ll buy Colorado taking a step back, but I’m selling on Toronto. Relying on Phil Kessel and Kris Versteeg for all your offense is probably not a good idea, in my mind. They’ve got a good defense, though, so it would entirely shock me if they made noise like it would if Edmonton did.
If Barry Trotz ends his career without ever having won a Jack Adams, it will be a travesty.
I’ll rec that. Talk about consistently doing way more with way less. I think he’s overlooked just because he does it every year. No fanfare whatsoever, just win.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d say more between 4 and 5 million. Stewart’s coming off of a 64 point season and will probably be looking for Eric Fehr or David Perron money – at the bottom end – and Mueller was dynamite for the Avs before his concussion took him out. Mueller also made 1.7 million last year, which would mean that he’s probably looking for something over that – 2 mil or so. That combines to make 4-4.5 million or so between the two of them. Add in another role player at league minimum, or a few hundred thousand above that, and they’re right at the floor.
You’re probably right. I almost always undervalue players.
Do you think the Avs would swing a trade for Ryder though if Boston can’t get themselves out of this cap trouble and they can get him for cheap, like maybe a late-rounder and a questionable prospect? He can probably compete with Hejduk for 2nd-line duties.
Even better, if they take him from a Boston team that desperately needs to deal somebody to get under the cap and he plays decent, but the Avs are struggling, they can always trade him closer to the deadline and basically turn a profit by getting higher picks than they spent.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
The av’s won’t trade for Ryder, all the talk here in Denver is they’re planning to just stick it out with what they have for at least the next two years…
I’ve considered the possibility of the Caps picking up a C from Boston, either Bergeron or Savard. One of them has a bad contract, and one of them is on an expiring deal, can’t remember which. But the expiring guy might be a candidate for the Caps. Maybe.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Bergeron is expiring. Savard is on an untenable contract.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Bergeron’s is $4.75M for the upcoming season and Savard’s hit is just over $4M until 2017.
Not sure Bergeron’s worth that, but my team has no dearth of centers and not enough cap space for that.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Bergeron’s a helluva player. I’d take him in a heartbeat at that deal. Much like Jon Toews and Mikko Koivu in his defensive abilities.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much; he plays the toughs and outscores and outshoots them. If he got any PP time, he’s a 70+ point player.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I was hoping you’d chime in.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
The real knock on Bergeron is the concussion; another one may end his career, so giving up assets for him is a huge risk.
On the other hand, I’d do a Semin-for-Bergeron swap so fast it’d make your head spin.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Hrm. I only remember Savard being concussed, but I’ll defer to you.
If you think about it, Semin for Bergeron makes a helluva lot of sense. Too much sense, really, for it to ever happen.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d give the Bruins Fleischman for Bergeron instead. It at least would give them another offensive threat who can do either wing (preferred) or center. And give them cap relief as well.
Rocking the Red since 1975
As is referenced below, the Bruins have to agree to this trade, too. There’s zero chance they take Flash for Bergeron.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, all our cheaper guys that would offer them cap relief are either not available (JC, KA, or the goalies) or not really what they’re looking for (Steckel) or injury prone (B Gordon).
Wonder if they’d do some combo of Flash, Gordon and a pick?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
With their goalie situation, I can’t imagine they’re interested in either of the goalies and there’s no way they get KA27 or JC74 in a Bergeron deal.
I don’t think they need a PKing 4th-line center, they’ve already got one. If the deal involves Flash, it’s also involving a high pick or some other asset (a recent draftee they’re high on?). I can’t see how the two teams make this work without adding extra players on both sides if it’s not a straight swap of Semin → Bergeron plus a throw-in on either end, depending on how the GMs value the particular players.
I’d throw in another scoring winger if they sent back a D that could play the 4-5 role for a reasonable price. I dunno, this trade ends up getting sketchy in a hurry.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
and Savard’s hit is just over $4M until 2017.
Everytime I see that contract and the one for Tim Thomas, I ask myself what medication Chiarelli was on when he did those deals. And then I laugh when I hear the so-called “experts” call Chiarelli a great GM.
Because he swindled the Leafs in the Rask/Raycroft deal and the Kessel Deal. But swindling the Leafs (especially the JFJ Era Leafs) is a little like taking candy from a baby.
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 30, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I am just not convinced Brian Burke is anywhere close to as good a GM as Leafs fans would have you believe. Sure, he built Team USA really well, but its obviously not the same.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Did pretty good in Anaheim and Vancouver, no? Especially Anaheim. That team is/was loaded.
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 30, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Thomas is a complete head-scratcher.
Savard had just completed 4 years of being better than a PPG player, but he was already old-ish, so it made no sense to lock him up at the money they’re paying him.
Hard to believe the B’s had such a dominant season just two years ago…
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Hard to believe the B’s had such a dominant season just two years ago…
Which makes me so nervous about this coming season for the Caps. Penthouse to the outhouse seems to happen failry often in the NHL.
I definitely think the Caps outperformed their true talent level last year, as far as their 121 reg season points go.
And I don’t see that they’ve gotten markedly better this year. In fact, as they’re not going to have the bump that BMo gave them at the beginning of the year, I think the best case scenario is that they’ve treaded water, while several other teams have gotten better.
I can see them dropping 15 regular season points.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I definitely think the Caps outperformed their true talent level last year, as far as their 121 reg season points go.
Yeah, I doubt they’ll have another 14- game winning streak. Combine that with the fact that virtually every team in the SE has improved and I think they’ll be in the 105-110 point range next season. Which may not be a bad thing.
The B’s, like the Caps, shot the lights out that season. The difference is that in addition to scoring on way more of their shots than you’d reasonably expect, Tim Thomas played out of his mind. You get great bounces on offense and a goalie tacking on a .941 SV% for the season and you’re going to rack up standings points.
Move forward a year, subtract Kessel, add injuries to Savard for significant portions of the year and dial back the goaltending to merely very good, and put the shooting percentage back to the mean and you have the B’s of last season.
We’re not subtracting our best scoring threat and knock on as much wood as you can find that we don’t face significant injury time for our 1C and that our goalies don’t drop .015% SV%. I’d say that the Caps are more like a 107-113 point team than a 121.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess Chirarelli must have assumed that Thomas was a “low mileage” old guy so there’d be more left in the tank than for a normal guy of his age since he became a regular relatively late in life.
As for the Savard deal, methinks he signed him for too long a time.
(I wonder if these uber long deals that Detroit has handed out will leave them with some albatross contracts in a few years.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
did a whole bunch of GMs get whacked int he head at the draft and think it’s 2002 all over again? they are aware that this little salary cap is still in effect, right?
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.
They can exceed the cap by 10% until the season starts and, thanks in part to the salary floor outpacing some teams’ profits, there will be GMs willing to take on players getting paid more than they’re worth because they have to.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
which means That they are $2,187,771 over the cap before signing Tyler Seguin. Whooooops.
Just sound fiscal management. if it’s good enough for federal government, it’s good enough for the Bruins.
With Sturm’s starting off on LTIR, so it’s not as bad as it appears
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
That’s true, but they still have to sign Seguin. Even if you back out Sturm’s money, they still won’t have enough money for his max contract.
What’s the max rookie contract? $1.5M or so? Plus bonuses, of course.
Getting rid of Sturm’s cap hit puts them about $1.3M+ under the cap, so, yeah, you’re right. They’ve got some trouble.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Much higher. Taylor Hall just signed for $3,750,000. Have to believe Seguin’s going to want the same.
Jeez. I stand corrected. They’ve still got some work to do.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Just looked it up on Capgeek. It’s $3.75M “cap hit”, but only about $1M of that is salary and signing bonus – the rest is in potential bonuses. So, with the same deal, they could use the bonus cushion to get Seguin into the fold and have just a bit of room left over. If he hits his bonuses and the rest counts next year, they’re in better shape because Chara and Bergeron come off the cap next year.
They’re still screwed this year when Sturm comes back, of course.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
The building looks great except for the fact that a huge metal rod is going though Ovi’s face.
Caps Snaps - Washington Capitals News and Photography
Mirtle tweet –
The Oilers have appointed Ralph Krueger associate coach.
1st good move that tean has made in awhile. The Swiss are going to miss Ralph.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Have they found a position for his brother Freddy?
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 30, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Toronto. His truculence will fit in nicely.
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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2 minutes to Krueger for slashing.
"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 30, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
And there is an Elm Street in Toronto.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 30, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Sometimes the obvious joke is still the best one.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I hated myself a little bit for doing it, but I know someone else would have anyway.
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 30, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
TEB with some stuff on King and Flash. Keeping busy on his last day. You can read the whoel thing at CI, but here are the highlights:
In order to get King, McPhee had to part with prospect (and projected agitator) Stefan Della Rovere. The GM said he had not soured on Della Rovere, he simply felt he couldn’t wait for the 2008 seventh round draft pick to mature into an NHL player – which, of course, is never a guarantee for some 20-year-old prospects. McPhee felt the Caps needed an intimidating presence on the Caps next season.
“We’re prepared to go into the season with the team we have,” McPhee said. “We think it’s a really good team with good balance. But if something happens between now and then and there’s an opportunity to get better, certainly we will explore it. But I can’t say we have anything going right now.”
On Flash’s $2.6mil contract:
“If we had to go beyond that number in arbitration, it could have been an issue where we’re walking away or moving the player,” McPhee said. “We’ve done reasonable deals with all of our players and we didn’t want to be in a position where we were giving someone more than was deserved. We made that clear to them. They were comfortable with that number and we were comfortable with that number.”
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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Translation: McPhee had to grit his teeth and do some soul searching before agreeing to pay Fleischmann that much money. That is one of the most tepid statements about a player I’ve ever seen from him.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s remarkably forthright, for McPhee.
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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If he’s truthful that he might have walked away from anything higher, that would make JP way off on the over/under walkaway number. Actually surprises me. Then again, he did say walk or trade.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
he also said “it could have been an issue where we’re walking away or moving the player.” as usual, trying to to tell what his real intentions were. But still, one of the few times where reading between the lines is pretty easy.
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.
He just gave us a glimpse of the cluebat that was sitting on the conference table when flash and his agent walked into the room…
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Jul 30, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec’ed for making me laugh. Cluebat.
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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Cluebat and Clue-by-Four are two of my favorite expressions. If players like Frolov had to wait as long as they did for contracts this year, what did Flash think was going to happen if the Caps walked?
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Further translation: “I cant say we have anything going right now” = “I’m not telling you what my plans are.”
“had not soured on SDR” = “We’ve soured on SDR”
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
“had not soured on SDR”=“I told the dumbass to to start fights in training camp and he did it anyway.”
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.
"If we had to go beyond that number in arbitration, it could have been an issue where we’re walking away or moving the player," McPhee said
And that is how close the Caps came to moving Flash. If his agent just had a little gunslinger in him and gone to arbitration, Flash would probably be on a different team and the Caps would have almost $8 million in cap space.
…but they would have also lost a valuable asset for pennies on the dollar. Better the Caps solve the “Fleischmann Stiuation” on their own terms.
by mechanicsville on Jul 30, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Niemi award tomorrow?
According to PD, anyway.
That’s the one I’m really looking forward to.
Wheeler is interesting, but the B’s have the LTIR cushion to fall back on, so they’ll be OK for the present.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
I’m thinking its going to be “More ATL Bound Players” kinda money
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Jul 30, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Any truth to the hockeybuzz.com rumor that they are changing their name to the Atlanta Thrashawks?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Haha.
I just wonder how Atlanta is going to deal with the dreaded Stanely Cup hangover.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Saw over at SCH that the club might sign him and trade him to a “team that needs ’tender help [paraphrasing]”.
I can’t come up with a team off the top of my head that would trade for Niemi at, say, $3.25M. The Flyers might like to have him, but they’d have to give away Carter next, in order to get under the Cap.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
http://stlouis.sbnation.com/2010/7/29/1594017/blues-made-right-call-by-dealing
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
To summarize – We had 2 guys who can box. We only believe we need one. We chose the hometown guy because he plays to the crowd like Hulk Hogan and because he’s stayed healthier.
My favorite quote from the piece.
you can’t count on either to fill up the stat sheet with anything but penalty minutes.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I feel dumber having read that. It didn’t really say anything.
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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Sadly, that’s roughly 95% of blogging/journalism these days.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually the fact it didn’t tells you all you need to know.
I’m done talking about the deal. The Blues had nothing to lose. The Caps, especially if Bueress becomes an NHL guy, had little to lose. I just think it makes little sense.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Repping for Jose and the Morrison(n)s
Also, German shepherds should come from Germany.
http://alexovetjkin.blogspot.com/2010/07/ovechkin-talks-about-vacation-and-team.html
I (heart) Ovi more and more.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I find the idea of Ovie impulsively calling his dad and asking “Can we get a puppy?” hilarious.
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.
Katie is a rarity – a sports journalist who actually knows something about hockey.
Truth mixed with snark. I missed Steinberg while he was on vacation.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
What vacation? I think he’s posted something every day this week.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
i met Katie through a mutual friend a couple years ago for a couple beers at RFD. She is definitely a big hockey fan, and seemed very knowledgeable. I think she’ll be able jump right into the job and impress.
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 30, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I had her confused with Lindsay “Jeff Schultz” Applebaum
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 30, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Applebaum taking over as the beat writer?
You know [Capitals Insider] has to agree to the deal, too, right? Heh.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 30, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
good to hear. I always thought she did a fine job in her limited fill-in roles for Tarik.
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.
Bust FA Types
Saw this over at OTF, discussing the types of players that teams pick up on the FA market and that turn into busts – Drury, Blake and Souray are the examples given.
The article concludes by asking who’s going to be this year’s FA bust.
My vote went to Gonchar.
Vote!
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
The only way Gonchar’s a bust is if he misses a lot more time to injury.
He was still 3rd for defensemen in points/game and 15th in TOI and I think he should be about able to hold those numbers reasonably well for the next season or two. And it’s only a three year contract, so that doesn’t make huge bust contract status for me.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Gonch can still shoot it, so as long as he continues to get prime PP time, he’ll get his points.
It’s the other end of the rink I’m thinking about. His legs looked shot last season, and if he loses another half a step, he’s going to get abused back there. Note that last year his +/- ON60 was negative .71 and is +/- OFF60 was positive .31…so the Pens were a goal per game better with him off the ice. I don’t see that getting better as he ages.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Note further that both numbers were the worst among Pens defenders that played more than 5 games.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
While that is all true, which defenseman from that team was also playing:
A- the most minutes
B- the toughest minutes (QCOMP and the eye test)
Gonchar is slowing down, I wouldn’t want to play him 24+ minutes a night any more, but he can still acquit himself decently in his own end and is arguably the best PP defenseman in the game, even at age 36.
It’s an overpayment but Ottawa especially in Year 3, but not a bust to me.
Here’s a q for you: gun to your head do you take:
1- Gonchar, 36, three years at $5.5 million
2- Campbell, 31, six more years at $7.140 million
(I realize the question was only for this year’s FA’s, just curious to something I just thought up.)
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Gonchar’s ATOI numbers are inflated by his PP time. His ES TOI was 4th among regular defenders.
His ES QualComp was third among regular defenders (including Leopold, of course), so he was getting second pair matchups, essentially.
As for best D to have run your PP…well, you know who I’d take.
Gun to my head, I’d take Gonch over Campbell. Campbell’s K is just too horrid to stomach.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
His ES QualComp was third among regular defenders (including Leopold, of course), so he was getting second pair matchups, essentially.
This is where the advanced stats can fool you. Leopold’s numbers are for 81 games, which include his Florida time.
Gonchar was in no way shape or form seeing 2nd pair minutes with Pittsburgh.
ES TOI (playoffs):
Gonchar: 18:22 (first on team)
Leopold: 14:45
As for best D to have run your PP…well, you know who I’d take.
Thought you’d say that — and I can’t disagree.
But let me offer this in hope’s to put it in perspective of how good Gonchar’s been on the PP: since 2007-08 Gonchar’s scored 7 points less than Mike Green despite playing 60 fewer games.
A little more: Gonchar has 175 PP points since the lockout (in 322 games). Niklas Lidstrom has 170 PP points in 396 games.
It’s tough to be better than Lidstrom at anything, but Gonchar has been when it comes to running a point in the past 5 years.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Gonch has been a great PP QB. And he’ll still be a good one.
Good point about the Leopold thing.
At the end of the day, he’s just not good at keeping the puck out of his net any more…so three years and $5.5M is way too much.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Agreed, definitely too much money and it only is worse as it goes on an his skills naturally decline.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Jul 30, 2010 4:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Here’s a q for you: gun to your head do you take:
1- Gonchar, 36, three years at $5.5 million
2- Campbell, 31, six more years at $7.140 million
I’ll take the slap in the face over the kick in the groin.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Can I use Derek Boogaard for his salary?
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Salary aside; when’s the last time an enforcer got a four year deal?
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Orr?
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Happens to the best of us friend.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 30, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
D J King uses Derek Boogaard’s face as a speed bag….
John Carlson - Believe it or not I'm walking on air .....
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 30, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Derek Boogaard :p
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Biggest bust free agent? Is there any doubt?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
The Lightning have just signed Dominic Moore to a two year deal.
There goes one more option for a third-line center.
another top ten from Dater
This time on NHL defensemen. While less fail-y than his list of pivots, this list has Sergei Gonchar on it. And Zdeno Chara and Tyler Myers ahead of Shea Weber and Mike Green. Oops.
So who are the top ten d in the league, I guess, and/or how would you change this list? Discuss!
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
I’m staying out of arguments about top-ten lists for a while.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Haha, well played. Seriously, though, I’ve enjoyed your points, and I’m sure I speak for some others when I say feel free to jump back in. I think we all know Nick Lidstrom is better than Zdeno Chara.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Well… yeah. I think he’s giving Myers and Doughty too much credit on potential. I agree that a few years from now, those two are likely going to be at the top of the list, but until then, I can’t put Duncan Keith below Doughty. It’s amazing that there are two defenseman who do belong on the top ten list (because they absolutely belong in my opinion), but not that high.
And, yeah, Chara is not better than Lidstrom.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you. Can’t put Doughty tops when I’ve seen what Keith can do. I’d probably go something like this:
Keith, Doughty, Lidstrom, Weber, Green, Pronger, and then its a wash.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Timmonen and Phillips don’t get enough credit
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Hear hear, nor does Markov.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t click through, but if Suter is behind Gonchar and Seabrook I’m going to laugh.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Or Myers, for that matter. Kid is going to be really good really soon, but he’s not elite yet.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Suter’s not on the list, man. He’s got Chara and Myers ahead of Weber, too. And Seabrook is tenth.
Suter should be on there before Seabrook and Myers, homerism aside.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
You know my stance on the situation.
Keith is also the best defenseman in the league right now, hands-down, bar-none. Doughty hasn’t shown me he’s better yet. He’s very good, but he’s not better than Keith.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 30, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Keith is also the best defenseman in the league right now
For a second I thought you meant Seabrook
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 30, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
You’ll get no argument out of me.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d agree that Timmonen should be above both Gonchar and Seabrook.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Please do. I promise I won’t ask for any examples.
"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 30, 2010 4:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dater’s criteria for ranking defensemen appears to be this…
1. If the defenseman is younger than 25, grade on potential.
2. If the defenseman is older than 30, grade on reputation.
3.. If the defenseman is Mike Green, hold your nose.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 30, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Holy crap, the Ducks just signed Wisneiwski to a 3.25m deal for one year.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Aaaaand he’s been traded to the Islanders.
by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 30, 2010 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
that’ll help their meet-the-cap-floor issues a bit.
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.
Pronger
Chara
Pronger
Orpik
Pronger
Myers
Pronger
Komisarek
Pronger
Sutton.
Crease clearing defensemen ftw.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
You forgot Joe Finley.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 30, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
50 | 24 | 15 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
50 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 56 |
|
Winnipeg
|
53 | 24 | 23 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
50 | 22 | 23 | 5 | 49 |
|
Carolina
|
53 | 19 | 25 | 9 | 47 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 8:30 AM EST)
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