Sunday Caps Clips: Happy Independence Day
by EmilyB on Jul 4, 2010 8:58 AM EDT
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PrintYour savory red-white-and-blue brunch links:
- The 2010 Free Agent Frenzy is reaching the Morning-After phase, with assessments, analysis, and a packet of Goody's Headache Powder.
- GMGM keeps his eye upon the donut. [Masisak]
- A rebuttal, and a proposal for Uncle Ted. [OFB]
- Mike Colligan takes a look at twelve signings that happened - and one still pending. [Hockey Writers]
- Could the next spin on the Great Wheel of Tomas Kaberle end up pointing at Washington? [Leafs HQ]
- One last fond farewell for Alexandre Giroux and Greg Amadio. Thanks, gents. [Tim Leone]
- Not enough free agent action yet this year? It's not too early to start making your UFA shopping lists for 2011. [Forwards (with a distressing number of Caps on the list), Defensemen (with just about the right number)]
- Icethetics is ranking the NHL's shoulder patches/secondary logos. The Weagle is leading Ottawa's "O" logo by a margin of about two votes to one. [Icethetics]
- Agent Steinz asks the questions he knows we want answered - what is @TheHornGuy's opinion on VuvuzelaNation? The term "brown noise" comes into play. [DC Sports Bog]
- Finally, happy 38th birthday to Mike Knuble, and happy 234th birthday to the United States of America.
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Sometimes I wish Ted wasn’t the owner he is – not in how he runs the team, not the ownership part of it, but how he interacts with the fans. To put it simply: he shouldn’t feel that he must comment on every little thing regarding the team. We on the internet like to nitpick, we like to overreact and exaggerate every minute detail ad nauseam.
Be a silent owner and let the team’s performance do the talking. There’s no reason to have a soothing voice anymore telling us everything’s going to be alright.
I understand his ties with AOL and his openness and welcoming of technology have in part made this community I’m posting in right now, but most of me is just absolutely tired of it. I stopped reading his blog about a year+ ago, and the little ‘feud’ going on only reminds me why I did so.
Honestly, sometimes I can’t wait for the Wiz/Caps redheaded stepchild effect to really get started.
I firmly maintain that OFB is reacting with his heart, not his head. Frustration at watching other teams get “better” around us while we sit and do nothing is the emotional reaction, and it’s understandable. But – time will tell whether these teams are actually better, or whether they’re just better on paper. Some of the GM’s have lost their minds, and I see an opportunity developing there. For heaven’s sake, it’s only July. A lot can happen between now and then. Yeah, the Caps did something at the deadline – and it didn’t do SQUAT for them.
That said, I do agree with one thing – I’d like to see more snarl in the lineup. It’s too relaxed and sweet-tempered, IMO. They aren’t tough to play against. Playing it cool is one thing, but it was just a little too cool in the playoffs. But – I wonder how much of that comes from not really having enough adversity during the year. The Caps were so good that nothing was a serious challenge. You got to see what the Bears were really made of in the Final against Texas – the Caps had no such challenge. This lineup is not all that different from the one that won eleven out of twelve to squeak into the playoffs at the last minute.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
This lineup is not all that different from the one that won eleven out of twelve to squeak into the playoffs at the last minute.
Never looked at it that way. That’s a slightly frightening/eye opening way to look at it.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Jul 4, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
If they think AV at 4.25 for 6 years and a NTC is a good deal for the Caps to sign then they definitely are not thinking with their heads.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Rob Parker on Jul 4, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
These long term deals with NTC’s remind of the 4 year deal the Caps had signed with Nylander.
I recall an earlier post by someone (I believe it was on Japers) that talked about the possibility of signing AV to a long deal. The conclusion was that it would probably look great the first year (or two) but after that, it would result in making it difficult to keep some of the free agent guys on the Caps who are core players.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Plus that dumb wager on this year’s results misses the whole point of not handing out big contracts. GMGM didn’t go land the big fish because he didn’t think they would help now, he sat out so that he wouldn’t screw himself in the future. Just looking at next year’s results doesn’t say much about the wisdom of his strategy.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 4, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think the Caps had a few challenges, which they failed to overcome. I am thinking of games 5, 6, and 7 of the Montreal series. They played horribly in game 5; well in game 6; and diffidently in game 7. They lacked a sense of urgency and killer instinct. in fact, in recent years they are a poor playoff team at home. So I do agree with you that this team is not all that different from years past…still too pleasant to play against and lackadaisical.
Being up 3-1 is a series is not truly a “we’re in trouble” sort of challenge so much as a killer instinct thing, and killer instinct is something they don’t show.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
And – a thought occurs to me – I wonder how much of it is that they’re afraid to take penalties because of the problems with the penalty kill? Fix the PK and they have a bit more freedom.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Fixing the PK though may require more than system changes, it could require personnel changes and we all know that hasn’t happened. Until we see a changed product on the ice though we are left to wonder if there are any changes to be made. Carlzner may be able to help with a full season, but we all agreed that the forwards are playing to soft of coverage on the PK. BB has taken more of a Frank Sinatra “My Way” approach to his system. Then there are the player favorites and ice time problems…..blah blah blah.
The goal of this post season should be: out-work, out-smart, out-hit and out-desire/want it more (for lack of a better word).
Hate them all and make them wish they didn’t get into this series.
plagued by penguins fans at work
The “snarl” they exhibited in 3rd periods last year is a pretty good example of that. All too often they played so-so, got themselves into a hole, and it wasn’t until that desperation 3rd period did that snarl come out. Yea, we won the games, but rarely did we play a full 60 minutes.
Every time the Swedish Swashbuckler scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Jul 4, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I also think the Caps came into the playoffs thinking that whatever happens they could rally and score at will. There was a sense of expectation, beyond confidence, that ended up being maddening frustration. The team was just so much better than the year before with relatively few changes.
I don’t know if snarl, veteran playoff experience, or something else is what’s needed, but I hope that the team struggles a bit more and figures out during the regular season how to adjust their game to different systems. The skill is there—obviously. I just don’t think they were challenged enough during the regular season by the teams in the East beyond a few games here and there, including ironically enough ones with the Habs.
"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 4, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
What is happening so far is that the top teams in the Eastern Conference are approaching free agency in very different ways. The Flyers, who despite making it all the way to the SCF this year, are trying to make drastic changes to their team, the Pens and Devils are just replacing what they lost, the Caps seem to be happy just resigning all the RFAs (for now) and I have no clue what the Ranges strategy is. I guess we won’t find out which approach worked best for several months.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
The Rangers were not a top EC team. They missed the playoffs.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 4, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
But they missed by a hair. The struggle for 7th and 8th and reshuffling of the final four teams was just weird.
"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 4, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Right, but saying they’re a top EC team is a stretch.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 4, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
True in that they were hardly likely to go far had they survived the playoff bubble.
"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 4, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
They would have gotten us.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha. Boy do I wish they had squeaked in.
"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 5, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I realize that the Rangers are not one of the top EC teams but the Senators, Sabres, Bruins, Canadiens’ strategy seems to be similar to the Pens’ so including them was redundant and the only team making some odd moves are the Rangers and they were on the bubble until the very end last season. The rest of the EC teams are making so many changes to their roster that it’s anyone’s guess where they are going to end up in the standings next year.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
it’s a quiet day here so let me ask what people think of Kaberle. Seems like in that link they are overselling him to the Caps. Strikes me as if he is their Semin-esque player—the Leaf’s fan trade bait favorite.
"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."
No. No. No. A thousand times no. Kaberle would not be the best puck mover one the Caps and he does not have the kind of game that I want to be mentoring the kids. He’s overly soft and not actually that much more defensively reliable than what the Caps have. Also, I don’t want the Caps to be peppering the other goalie with muffins.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 4, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Thank you. I was surprised when the piece said “best puck moving defenseman”. Between the lines I heard defensive liability and not a hitter thus he needs to go. Now I can add muffin shots.
"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 4, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I haven’t quantified this but I’m guessing a case could be made that he’s worse defensively than Green, Poti, Carlson, Schultz, and Alzner.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 4, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
A very reasonable case. I tiptoed around the fact that I don’t think he’s defensively solid.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 4, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Fact is he’s pretty shitty. He’d be the worst defensive defenseman by far on quite a few NHL teams, and for sure on Washington and Nashville.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 4, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, I sure got my answer. Thought the piece was a bit of hyperbole, since I think Green is one of the best puck moving d-guys across the league, but I clearly was waaaay too measured in my judgement.
"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 4, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
**Mike Green is fantastically good at being an offensive defencemen. But don’t kid yourself – he’s not a puck mover. He’s a shot that can make the occasional pass. Think Souray, McCabe. Very good at what he does. Best offensive defenceman in the world. Not a puck moving defenceman.
Mike Green is not a puck mover!!!!1 (go Leafs?)
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Kaberle for Semin? They have got to be kidding.
Best puck-mover? No, guess again. Kaberle as our PPQB? No…guess again. Kaberle as best all-around defender? Hell no, what in the blue blazes?
This guy is confused.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 4, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I look around the league and see very, very few candidates for taking the guy.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Jul 4, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
also
HAHAHAHAHA:
Kaberle becomes the Capitals best all around defenceman by a fair margin
Just proved his incompetency.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Jul 4, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Kaberle has been the runner up for the Norris the past two years, right?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 4, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh man, I just read the whole piece and that guy has to be on crack. It’s bad enough that he says that Kaberle would be the best puck mover and the best all around Dman on the Caps. But then he justifies it by saying that Mike Green is not even a puck mover! He’s freaking insane if he thinks the only thing Green has is a shot. He obviously has never watched him skate or seen how important he is to the Caps break out (which involves puck moving, oddly enough). Here’s a hint: moving the puck can involve passing OR skating the puck up the ice.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 4, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Got the idea from Copper'n'Blue
How about Mike Mottau as 6th D to go with Carlson/Alzner/Green/Schultz/Poti? He could likely be had for not that much money and not that long term and his numbers are pretty decent:
He skated more ES ice time per game than anyone else in NJ last season, while playing decent competition. Technically, he finished 3rd out of 6 D that skated more than 40 games and ended the season with the Devils last season, but the dropoff from Colin White (1st) to Mottau (3rd) is 1/3 the size of the dropoff from Mottau to Salvador (4th). He finished smack in the middle of the QTeam ranking for the Devils, so he wasn’t being carried by superior teammates. Or rather, no more than anyone else for the Devils was. He finishes 2nd for New Jersey in terms of Relative Corsi for DMen, right behind Andy Greene, who got far more favorable offensive zone starts (59.0 for Greene, 44.2 for Mottau). Finally, he takes .7 minors per 60 minutes on the ice, or about one every 4.6 games, but he draws .5 minors per 60 minutes of even strength ice. Given that he’s a D man who plays tough competition starting in his own end a lot, that’s not a bad penalty delta.
If we could get him for a decent cost and term, I’d love to have him skating for us instead of Erskine.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 4, 2010 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Good research. I would prefer a guy like Mitchell who can be a second pairing guy and maybe push more than just Erskine down the depth charts, but if that’s not feasible then I like the idea of Mottau for the 3rd pairing.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 4, 2010 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Mulligan
A distressing number of Caps are free agents when one was considered the No. 2 best GMGM Reclamation Project by Pepper?! Can’t believe a team would pass on that! lol Just joshing with you all about that selection, but wow, what a difference between living in a moment and viewing it in hindsight makes.
I think George realized the mistake he made on BMo with his line “Some players have nice reputations but their actual play on the ice isn’t where people think it is.” But I say this five days into free agency. He could prove us wrong again.
So as of right now this is our team?
Ovie-Backstrom-Knuble
Laich-Gustaffson-Semin
Fleischman- Perrault- fehr
Chimera-Steckel/Gordon-Bradley
Green-Schultz
Carlson-Alzer
Poti-Sloskine
Varly
Neuvirth
Doesn’t look too bad. We need another D-man, but I like the idea of giving Perrault and Gustaffson a shot now.
Gustafsson isn’t even sniffing a spot on the Caps right now. You probably mean Mackan.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 5, 2010 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Has Gus even gotten a spot with an Eliteserien squad yet?
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I had meant Johannsen, but I had forgotten about Mackan
I always confuse Johannsen and Gustaffson, sorry about that
Perrault
My impression is that they think MP will move into the 2nd spot. For what it’s worth, hockeysfuture.com also likes him as a #2 center.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
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