Thursday Caps Clips: Sarge in Charge
by J.P. on Jul 8, 2010 6:45 AM EDT
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Reactions to Jeff Schultz's new contract. [Vogs, Masisak, El-Bashir, Hockey Independent, Frankovic, PHT]
- In addition to inking Sarge, the Caps signed winger Kyle Greentree and defenseman Brian Fahey to bolster a depleted Hershey roster. [Patriot-News]
- The team also placed Michael Nylander on waivers for the umpteenth time. C'mon, Islanders... you know you want him to help get you to the salary floor.
- Former Cap Joe Corvo has
crawled back tosigned with Carolina, leaving money on the table to do so. What a guy. [Lord Stanley's Blog, Puck Daddy] - With the skaters the Caps boast, Justin Bourne thinks it's time to go big or go home in net (we still lean go young and go cheap). [Bourne's Blog]
- Chatting with Philipp Grubauer (who will be at Development Camp). [Sport1 via Google Translate]
- Stan Galiev is also goin' camping. [Telegraph-Journal]
- "Journey to the Dream" with the Caps' two first-team All-Stars. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- David Steckel, Chris Clark and others are going to Baghdad. Damn fine Americans, those boys. [Sabres]
- Masisak does Vegas. [CSN Washington]
- Random Alex Ovechkin jersey sighting of the week. [@AdamKilgoreWP]
- Speaking of "random" and "Ovechkin," he's apparently cut a track for his lady (and has his name on his sweatpants). [Alex Ovetjkin, Bog]
- Caps Heat Maps. Full of win. [Jumping the Glass]
- Chris Tanev - the one that got away? [Vancouver Sun]
- Monumental layoffs? Ouch. [WaPo]
- Good deal alert - $35 for $15 at Bar Louie. [Living Social (commercial)]
- Finally, happy 47th birthday to Mike Ridley, happy 55th to Greg Smith, and happy 59th to Leif Svensson.
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Sarge isn’t great, he’s not going to be a HOF’er, he’s never going to win the Norris, he’ll never get 50 points in a season…
What he is, is effective with all of his awkwardness. Nothing more, nothing less and he is paid accordingly.
Good to have him in the fold for 4 more years.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
by JSchon on Jul 8, 2010 7:10 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’m just glad Bourne isn’t running the Caps.
I read his blog entry last night from the link on the sidebar, and I didn’t thinkg y’all were saying he was right, based on all of our previous discussion here.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I don’t entirely disagree with the sentiment – as you know, I was advocating snaggin Vokoun last spring to make two runs with him in net. But at this point, I don’t see “the guy” to whom Bourne refers as being available.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
OK, but that was then, and Vokoun’s not a free agent until next summer. Would you advocate going after him this trade deadline as a rental if he were available, if our goalies are underperforming?
Bourne’s not making a trade deadline argument, he’s making a July 1 free agent argument. If he’s making his point in a vacuum, sure, I might agree with him, but it’s not a vacuum, so he’s advocating the Caps get rid of one of the kid goalies, even if he didn’t say it in so many words.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Talk to me in March – a lot will be known by then, I’d think.
I liked the idea of Vokoun last year b/c it would give the Caps two shots with him. I do think that he would have been better than Varly and Theo last spring, but that’s neither here nor there now. Obviously what I’d be willing to give up this season is somewhat less, since it’d be a shorter-term rental.
Bourne’s saying that with a roster like the Caps have, going with two kids in goal is a real gamble. And it is. But he also neglects the fact that part of the reason the Caps can have a roster like the one they’ve got is because they have two ~$821k guys in net. He also doesn’t make a suggestion as to whom he’d think the Caps would be better off with, so it’s a bit of a fail there as well.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He also doesn’t make a suggestion as to whom he’d think the Caps would be better off with, so it’s a bit of a fail there as well.
Hence my point about the vacuum. Based on what I’ve been reading, general opinion seems that it’s not like there was anyone out there who’d make it worth either keeping Neuvirth in Hershey for another year (because he’d be the likely casualty in a non-trade version), or making a gamble on trading away one of them.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Also interesting since the Stanley Cup was JUST WON A MONTH AGO, by a team with an “unproven, kid goaltender”. It’s almost like he didn’t bother to watch the playoffs. And as far as “becoming the Flyers”, Varly and Neuvy are both better individually than any goaltending tandem the Flyers have put on the ice since the lockout, EC champions or not. Get outta here with that garbage.
by wittcap79 on Jul 8, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I went back and read his earlier blogs referencing the Capitals. Really he just went with his earlier theme right after they were knocked out in his piece An Ovy-Centric Look at the Capitals Chernobyl.
But somebody’s to blame. And we’ll find out who they chose to pin it on with their off season summer moves. Which starts today. Hey, maybe they’ll trade for Carey Price.
But then did lay blame with Ovi and BB. He made some good observations, but his tone is quite snide. I get the feeling that he doesn’t care for the team that much.
Washington is the first team I can ever remember watching that’s worse when they try harder.
This one got to me—a grain of truth—too many sticks gripped too hard in frustration.
In regular season contests where they don’t care to put themselves out too much, they let the puck do the work. They dish to whichever uber-talented linemate is the most open, and they seem to be entertaining themselves like a cat with string by playing keep-away from their opponent.
This was a totally different Capitals team. When they needed offense, a huge red flag was the way they switched to "don’t worry, I got this" mode. To not be able to identify and rectify this problem is a look at the lack of leadership coming from inside that dressing room, which is on both Boudreau and Ovechkin. If your captain is the first guy opting out of the team’s tic-tac-toe-n-go style that got you this far when the going gets tough, you can’t expect your other young gunners to do anything different than the same thing.
Although I think he overstates his point here, I think a case can be made that Ovi feels that his job is to put the team on his back and carry them through the fire. I don’t see it as a lack of leadership but rather a shifting of leadership direction. Perhaps what Ovi needs to do is point fingers and demand more out of other players. To make them understand that he can’t do it alone.
"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 8, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
part of the reason the Caps can have a roster like the one they’ve got is because they have two ~$821k guys in net.
Bingo. And some other ELC types, which are starting to disappear.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
When I first started reading Bourne’s blogging on THN I liked it because he was a good and funny writer with some interesting insights on life coming up through the ranks of minor league hockey. However, now that he is trying to analyze the NHL game I always come away wondering if he even watches the NHL. He either latches onto the same pre-lockout cliches that don’t apply anymore or is just flat out wrong with his observations (i.e. the Caps losing because of goaltending the last two years).
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 8, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
In his defense, he doesn’t actually watch the NHL. He’s an NYI fan.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Rob Parker on Jul 8, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Super excited to have a German guy, because I can kinda speak a bit.
Twitter!!!1
Reppin' Team Tyler yo.
This is some of the most uninformed blogging I’ve seen in ages:
Almost a week to the day that the Caps passed on signing Anton Volchenkov for $4 million and change they committed $3 million per, beginning in 2012-13, to Jeff Schultz. There’s a symbolism there that’s unavoidable, I submit.
………………….
Incidentally, last summer, the Capitals could have signed unrestricted free agent Hal Gill, who of course ended up in Montreal. Gill of course has skated prime roles for opposition who’ve defeated the Capitals the past two postseasons.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
I mean, he’s advocating the Caps’ should’ve signed Volchenkov AND Gill. Yeah.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
That article made blood come out of my eyes. I’m all ready to get Honey Badger on somebody.
Love that he mentions we need more “toughness” while negating the fact that the effing power play went 1-33 (or something to that effect)
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions
The author appears to have no sense of salaries in today’s NHL. Gill is immensely overpaid, IMO, relative to what he provides. Of course, he also completely avoids actual, you know, statistics, which show that the Capitals’ defense wasn’t that bad. Shocking!
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
Mike Green is teh suck on the defense, Jeff Schultz only does good because he is tall.
Twitter!!!1
Reppin' Team Tyler yo.
Lest I bring more stats into the mess, Jeff Schultz actually out-hit Hal Gill in that first round series (9 to 7).
Really, the assertion that the Habs’ D was tough to play against because they were physical with the Caps’ forwards is revisionist history – the Habs’ D was tough to play against because they were positionally sound and had good support from their forwards, not to mention a good gameplan. Hal Gill did not beat up Ovi – he was big, gave him little space, and had an active stick… all things that Jeff Schultz excels at.
The Habs’ D in that series had 55 hits (and dressed 7 D some night), including one fluke 15-hit game… that they lost. The Caps’ D had 42 hits. Given the time of possession and territorial dominance the Caps displayed throughout the seven games, I’d say that’s a pretty unimpressive physical domination by Montreal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 8, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
NTM the almost astronomical odds the Caps would be that terrible offensively in pretty much every aspect during the series (especially the PP). It was just a complete perfect storm.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I think there are so many people who have their own preconceived notions about how to pile on with the Caps and take pleasure in their fail because they prefer the “tough guy” side of the NHL and view the Caps as a potential usurper franchise for the traditional power.
I thought the analysis is pretty on Montreal: Montreal blocked more shots, Caps stunk it up on the power play and didn’t make adjustment, Montreal had a hot goaltender, and Bruce showed a pathological loyalty to Flash. The other knuckleheads writing whatever other foolishness they have out there ain’t enough to move me from my inseason Nats.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park.
I like how $11 million is “nearly $12 million.” And how he cherry picks the higher-priced years of Schultz’s deal, rather than using the AAV..
It’s just brutal, brutal stuff, even for him/them.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think his view falls into the realm of there’s nothing you can say or show him that will ever change his mind. He’s right and that’s all there is to it.
Schultz for Norris!
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
When OFB first showed up on the scene, I had such high hopes for them. But over the years they have descended into this wordy, all-knowing and, at times, condescending forum that reminds me more and more of a Mike Wise column on its worst day. Sports blogs need to be factual but they also need to be fun. OFB is just ponderous.
As if his position wasn’t already clear, this was such a dishonest way of trying to evaluate the signing. How can someone who blogs as much as he does not know that AAV is the only relevant number in that contract? He obviously does. But he ignores that, ignores the next two years of the deal, ignores age and, as always, refuses to give any credit for what Schultz has already done. There’s simply no chance that 2.75 for a top 4 D is a bad investment. There’s also no way that 4.25/6 years/NTC is a good addition for the Caps.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Rob Parker on Jul 8, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Caps should have given that contract to Joe Finley. Clearly.
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 8, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
He comes with a carton of cigarettes!
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Well he does mention dick and asses in his post…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Looks like he felt he had to bring the “moar hitting!!!” heat today after letting the intern write a downright reasonable post about why big spending in free agency isn’t wise for the Caps.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 8, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, so here is a comparison you can make…
Two defensemen, both re-signing with their current teams, one signs on July 1st and gets four years and $11 million. The other signs on July 7th and gets four years and $11 million.
One is Jeff Schultz, one is Derek Morris.
Discuss…
If you've read this far...seek help.
Not entirely apples-to-apples, of course, since 55 was an RFA and DMo was a UFA. But I certainly know which I’d rather have in 2010-11, and I sure as hell know who I’d want in 2013-14.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And that’s really the point… term. Some four-year deals are good four-year deals, because that $2.75 million that looks big now will look good later — it will be less of a share of the cap, invested in what will (or we hope to be) a better defenseman. Other four-year deals are an albatross in year four, because that player is no longer a producer.
But I’d wager if you polled Caps fans today, they’d go 70-30 in favor of having signed Morris over Schultz. The Schultz contract is as much a “futures” deal as a contract.
If you've read this far...seek help.
And the majority of people in this world are dumb sheep. Your point?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
His point is that the Schultz contract is as much a "futures" deal as a contract.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’ve always thought of you as something of a smart ass.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
…and if I wasn’t clear (and I didn’t mean to be), I have no problem whatsoever with the Schultz contract. His signing is a matter entirely apart from the Caps needing to fill the holes they have. No sense creating another hole by waffling on his deal.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Oh, I know. No big. I was more making the point that I wouldn’t worry about 70% of Caps fans being in favor of signing Derek Morris, because at least that percentage of people in the world are dumber than a box of rocks anyway.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Not a lot to discuss...
Bourne just isn’t that bright or well informed. He thinks and writes based on “his gut” and has no delay between a “brain fart” and posting a blog apparently. Also he sure doesn’t let facts get in the way of his opinions as has been said.
I’ve said it before, his major qualification for anyone reading his blog is his daddy was a member of multiple Stanley Cup winning Islander teams. Not sure is that’s really a true qualification but that’s all I see that gives him the basis for readers to feel he is an informed guys….
Oh on the topic – Peerless the reason I strayed was I know sarcasm when I see it but my answer by season for the next four of who I think is worht his deal and who I want:
2010-2011: Jeff Schultz
2011-2012: Jeff “Sarge” Shultz
2012-2013: Jeff “Reach” Schultz
2013-2014: Jeff “The Beast” Schultz
by markbona-capsfan99 on Jul 8, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
No contract for Jeff “Mr. Nasty” Schultz?
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 8, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you might be confusing Bourne’s post with OFB’s.
by David Getz on Jul 8, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think you’re selling Justin Bourne a little short. I don’t think he’s great as hockey writer when he’s evaluating talent or when he says things like “X player would be a good fit on Y team,” or “Y team really needs an X-type of player.”
Where Bourne excells, however, is in talking about hockey from an ice-level point of view. Or talking about the dynamics of a hockey locker room. How hockey players gear themselves up for games. How hockey players deal with long travel. His work on Puck Daddy during the playoffs was stellar, I thought, and made me more of a fan of his than I already was.
"Ovechkin, what is good in life?"
"To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their captain."
I agree with this assessment. One of the pieces I liked the most by him was when he talked about crazy hockey parents and how that plays out with the kid and the team.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
The one on what it’s like to play on a team that’s really committed to line matching was quite good.
Definitely a good read, though I disagree with his assessment regarding wings in the D zone. The days of the Ws hanging out by the points are over. Almost every team has the wings collapse below the top of the face off circle at some point, and generally the weak side wings are patrolling the high slot. They are much more defensively involved than they have traditionally been.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Everyone's entitled to an opinon right?
This is just mine. While I definately find OFB much, much more banal than Bourne, and as you say his “background” pieces like the ones you guys cite are FAR better than anything I’ve seen in the past year at OFB, my issue with him comes in articles and posts like today’s.
Who wouldn’t want a better goaltender or any other player at any position than what they have. It’s a statement that is a truism to me.
However here in the real world every team has a salary cap to deal with and that usually means choices. Further, do you really feel the Capitals were basically bottom fishing when the gave Theo, a former Hart and Vezina winner $4.5M the past two years and were willing to reportedly give Huet $5+M for a two season deal? I don’t and I think they were the best avaialable that the Caps could afford under their Cap at the time. So it’s the lack of what I feel is any real thought and presentation of the basis for the initial statement that cause me to dislike his style and posts by and large even though he’s clearly far better than OFB for my 2 cents and he’s not a total waste of time.
My point is when it comes to analysis and judgement you basically have a guy who hasn’t accomplished a lot on his own and as such I’d expect to see more effort put forth in explaining his positions and the bases for them. Until he does that I’m probably always going to feel the way I do…just one persons opinon and we all know what they are like.
by markbona-capsfan99 on Jul 8, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you there. I think his longer, more thought out, explanatory stuff (like F&B’s example of the post on kids and crazy parents, or the line-matching one) is better because he develops his points. When he’s just posting snippets on his blog, I feel like he’s just shooting opinions out there without a ton of analysis.
Wow...
Positive affirmation from DMG and you’ve never even attempted to collect on the Bruce Boudreau “bobblehead” I’ve been saving for you….
by markbona-capsfan99 on Jul 8, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. I didn’t like the Ovicentric look at the Caps collapse, especially when he basically said nothing after the Habs did the exact same thing to the Pens and the Pens stars were even more invisible. I liked him a lot at first but have cooled on him a little. Basically he’s a writer where you have to know when to use his opinion and when not to, IMO. Player/personnel issues I don’t take much stock in, but the behind the scenes stuff can be insightful.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Damn, I knew I had a bad taste in my mouth after I read his Ovi-Centric piece and now I know why. As you point out, he was quick to slam Ovi’s leadership and the Caps’ failure to adjust to the Habs defensive play but glossed over the Pens’ similar problems 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 8, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I knew I could count on you to make my favorite ridiculous “WHY DIDN’T THE CAPS GET THIS GUY///!!!???” and “SHZULTZ DOZNENT HITTT!!!” arguments.
Best part of that article is how they say the Caps COULD have had Volchenkov! And signed Hal Gill last season! And Hal Gill only makes 2.25 million!!!!
Incidentally, last summer, the Capitals could have signed unrestricted free agent Hal Gill, who of course ended up in Montreal. Gill of course has skated prime roles for opposition who’ve defeated the Capitals the past two postseasons.
Something for you perhaps to meditate on during our encounters with the Atlantic division this coming season: for the grand sum of $6.5 million dollars the Capitals this fall could have dressed Gill and Volchenkov in their sweater.
The Habs this season will be paying Gill $2.25 million.
Yes. So lets throw a ridiculous contract at a guy who hasn’t played more than 70 games in a season since 2006. And maybe we should also have signed a 35 year old fossil who makes John Erskine’s skating speed look like Apolo Ohno.
They’re the worst.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Not a surprising reaction, to say the least.
So absent an unlikely trade, we’re all set on the blueline. Excited yet?
About seeing Green, Schultz, Carlson, and Alzner all skating on our blueline next season? Yes. Yes, I am excited.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Damn, and then there is this barb:
There are PR flacks and new media about our town all so adept at producing pretty numbers about our pretty hockey players during our oh so pretty regular seasons. As if such numbers mean dick in game 7s. We’ve become a town of hockey accountants. We’ve become numbed by numbers.
Such malice. Such contempt. Such a reminder of why I read over here.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Seems like a pretty veiled shot at the Rink, no?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions
That was my line of thinking as well. Just vague enough to claim innocence if confronted about the remark. Though it seems we all agree that the regular season means phallus.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions
“PR Flacks” sounds like a shot at Ewell too.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Page hits, nothing but page hits.
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 8, 2010 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Or maybe Vogel? He always writes good (or bad, in OFB’s opinion) stat analysis posts over at Dump and Chase.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
They obviously are aware of what’s going on over here. Whether or not that was a veiled shot at the Rink (I’m sure the Rink was included in the accountant group, doesn’t he know we’re fucking lawyers?), they certainly have seen the statistical defenses of Schultz. But instead of trying to address them they literally ignore the evidence that says Schultz gets the job done and continue to bitch about him not hitting.
/can we get a Japers’ Rink v. OFB pickup game?
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
/can we get a Japers’ Rink v. OFB pickup game?
Only if you play on Lock 7 of the C&O Canal.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
And only if the prize for the winner is a mug
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t you need at least six on each side?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 8, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
If I coach, do you mind if I preach defense to win this one?
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
you mean mean nasty stupid penalty taking defense?
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 8, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I only told dinasaur to take liberties because no one’s going to hit a girl.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
And she has no problem doing it!
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
See my sig.
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
by dinasaur on Jul 8, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I may be a weird girl, but I’d be curious to be involved in a checking game just to see what it’s like.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
One weekend when dinasaur was still in college, we went up to watch her play. One of the girls on her team (was probably their best player) was pretty agressive on the ice and ended up in the box effectively because she checked someone.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Yes. Bodychecking is a 2m minor in women’s hockey. I was watching a college women’s hockey game at one point this year and some girl took that penalty, and the commentator chuckled and noted that it was a pretty good bodycheck (it was; in a men’s game nobody would have blinked twice).
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Correct (not that you needed validation).
Watch girls olympic hockey and you’ll see the difference.
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!
Drives me NUTS that they can’t hit – it’s not like they’re going up against 6’4", 250 lb guys, it’s women checking other women.
by Becca H on Jul 8, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Look at lacrosse as well. Different rules. Girls wear the goggles. No helmets and no shoulder pads.
We men don’t want to risk our women getting disfigured, I guess?
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!
Agreed. Seems stupid and outdated to me.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
The only reasoning I can think of would be for international play – women on the North American teams are just bigger than, for example, the Chinese women. It’s just fact. And checking in that case would probably be dangerous.
Still…grr. That can be such a huge part of hockey, it’s strange to watch a game without it.
Meh, that’s a racial stereotype. There are size differences among different ethnicities regarding men as well but when you reach the highest level of your sport those things tend to be minimized. The bigger issue is that the American and Canadian women are so much better skaters than everyone else that if you let them hit they would destroy the rest of the teams physically, not just on the scoreboard.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
It can be a racial stereotype, sure, but I’m not trying to stereotype an entire race. I’m just referring to what I saw at the Olympics – the Chinese women’s team was just a lot smaller. Doesn’t mean every Asian woman is smaller in stature, but the women on that team were tiny compared to the Americans.
The bigger issue is that the American and Canadian women are so much better skaters than everyone else that if you let them hit they would destroy the rest of the teams physically
Another argument for it not to be in international play, sure, but what about women playing in local leagues?
Whether or not women came up with those rules, I’d like to think they’re in positions that if they want to change them now they can.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I wish it was up to the women, but I think it’s still men making the decisions.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
I’m sure in some situations it is, but if enough women in a league said “Hey, we’d like to add hitting as a rule” and the overwhelming majority were in favor, how do you say no unless you have a valid reason(as a clarification, are there insurance issues that Men’s leagues cost more to insure than womens)?
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Well there is no checking in almost any men’s league because of the insurance issues. I doubt the insurance at the youth levels is any different for boys and girls. If it is, it would be at the older youth levels. You can’t even hit until Pee-wee so it’s not an issue before that.
I guess there may be leagues in North America that could allow hitting, but I was thinking you meant the IIHF level. I don’t think the women could just say “we want hitting in the Olympics” and get it.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
FULL CHECK HOCKEY this Saturday in Laurel at the gardens ice house.
I’m not playing this year but the pro division is usually pretty good. Last year the Washington Power (my team) played some great games against a team from the Czech Republic and London.
Itan Chavira will be there too.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
I know you weren’t trying to stereotype, just clarifying. The SUI team was much smaller than the other teams, especially the predominantly-NHL teams, but they were able to compete. I’m a noted anti-size-queen, so maybe that’s just why I come down like this.
What do you mean about local leagues? I think in youth leagues it’s not an issue at all. Once you get past Bantam it becomes a problem though because the guys are basically through puberty and some of them are very physically mature and it can be a safety issue. I wouldn’t kick girls out of the Midget/Varsity leagues, but the natural course is that the girls usually withdraw at that age on their own. As the girl’s leagues develop that will be less and less of a problem. I would prefer the leagues stay Co-ed until at least 14, but that’s up to the powers that be.
As far as women playing in local Junior or professional leagues, I just don’t think it’s possible. Remember when one of the women players tried to jump on Brayden Schenn? That didn’t work out so well.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
I could see a female goaltender (Manon Rheaume or however it’s spelled, lols), but I find it hard to imagine a female position player in the NHL.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
A female goalie is the only possibility. I’m sorry, but there is just no possible way that any woman could survive in the NHL. The USA women’s National Team lost to a boys High School team in Minnesota a few years back. The physical difference is just too much to overcome for any female regardless of how talented you are. There is going to be a guy that can catch you, and when he does it’s game over.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Hell, I remember when the Sports Junkees played that women’s professional team in a game a few years ago, and beat them pretty handily. And they were all guys close to their 40s who hadn’t played football in a thousand years.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
That should be “women’s professional football team”
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I never heard about that but I can believe it. I never knew there was women’s pro football. I bet any of the elite HS basketball programs could dominate the hell out of any WNBA team.
My college club team dominated the women’s varsity team, but those women were obviously not anywhere near elite level (neither were we).
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Agree – and I’m not even sure female goalies would work. Ultimately you’re going to get run over by guys who are a lot bigger and stronger, and someone will get hurt.
Well sure, if you have guys like Jeff Schultz. But if you had a big crease clearing defenseman you could protect her.
An aside, I’m just going to say BCCD for big crease clearing defenseman now. It comes up too much to keep typing it all out.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
I prefer “Neanderthal”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Got it. Yes, clarification is good in that case (and I couldn’t think of another example but the SUI women is a good one).
By local I meant university teams and whatever type of hockey women play in North America at a higher level – not kids. And I agree that it’s not really possible for women to play in men’s leagues (past a certain age). All of my rabid feminism can’t argue against the fact that women are, by nature, smaller in stature and muscular build. The genders have different strengths.
(I was talking about SUI men.)
If a university league wanted to allow hitting they could, I just don’t know where the push would come from.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Me! I volunteer.
And…yeah, you did say compared to predominantly NHL teams, didn’t you? Got it. I’m caught up now. But I’d say the difference in size between the Swiss men and, for example, the US team is not as big overall as it was between the US women and the Chinese women.
(That was also one of the few women’s games I got to see, which is why I use the Chinese women as a comparison – they liked to schedule them during other things…Olympic bastards.)
I don’t really know about the size difference. You could look at the rosters and figure it out, but my point was that you can overcome size. SUI had to be one of the smallest teams there and CAN was the biggest but SUI not only hung in there and gave a good fight, they were the better team on the boards and the face off circle where you’d expect CAN’s physical superiority to show up.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
If you play competitively with boys, you get checked. Not that I’m incredibly proud, but my kid has decked several girls on the ice. If you are there, you get hit.
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!
If you’re going to play with the boys, you play by their rules.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
YLM?
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!
Nope. Not when discussing children.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Good man. I didn’t read it that way, but fair enough.
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!
Did I say something wrong? I wasn’t implying anthying other than one rule for a co-ed team. As just showed up below by F&B, that’s why eventually you have to have single sex teams and rules.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
No…it was almost a “thats what she said” type of thing". No worries.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought that might have been it. Just checking.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
No worries.
I just play a game everyday to see if I can anticipate when YLM will jump in.
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!
And that’s why the ladies generally leave the boys leagues by high school. That’s when it starts to become a safety concern. We did have a girl on the Club team at GMU but it probably wasn’t the best idea.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
You still see a few girls out here in high school hockey, but not a lot. If they are still playing at high school age, they are probably with one of the two girls teams in town.
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!
Depends where you are. In states where you don’t have to include the ice in front of hockey there are HIGHLY competative womens teams.
How far did Manon Rehume (SP?) make it. She was pretty bad ass.
My coach has us do checking drills so that we’d know what do to when we got hit. There are times in games where I know when I’d hit somebody if it were allowed, and I’d like to throw a check… but I’m ok with not getting hit back.
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
Everyone should do checking drills. It’s one thing I think youth coaches ignore too much. Not just because hitting is TEH AWESOME but for pure safety. Learning to take a hit is how you learn to protect yourself when you catch an edge near the boards.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Definitely agree. It’s about learning how to get hit just as much as learning how to properly hit someone – which should also get taught, so that you don’t elbow someone in the face because you’ve never checked anyone before.
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
Oh, I’m playing S@H shutdown D for this game.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Oh hell no. There will be no trap.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Blocker first, questions later!
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
Please, “waffleboard.” /JoeB’d
"Ovechkin, what is good in life?"
"To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their captain."
I thought Emerick was the “waffleboard” guy?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Numbers really are meaningless over there. Apparently we dropped $12M on Schultz ($11M), he earns $3M a year ($2.75M), and Volchenkov signed in NJ for $4M “and change” ($4.25M + NTC). That “and change” is worth an extra $1.5M over the life of his contract. Ask Chicago if that sort of stuff matters.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions
$4M "and change" ($4.25M + NTC)
Technically, an NTC is a lack of change.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
They probably wouldn’t like these Volchenkov-related numbers, either: 5-9-14. That was Crosby’s stat line in the first round against the Sens.
Guess who was assigned to him in that series?
by Becca H on Jul 8, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Chris Phillips, the real defensive conscience of Ottawa’s top pair?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 8, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Green-Schultz… Phillips-Volchenkov.
Which had more suckitude in 2010 playoffs?
discuss…
If you've read this far...seek help.
Green-Schultz, by virtue of the Norris finalists production relative to expectations at the offensive end of the rink.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well, he does have a cup-winning goal so he must be doing something right!
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 8, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Every day of the week I take Phillips over AV. Not even close.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Aye. Talk about a guy who’d be a nice fit with MG52…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Translation: they have stats, I have my eyes. Tough to have a reasonable discussion with people whose only evidence is contained in their own head.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 8, 2010 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Sounds like you should have a radio show (I keed).
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 8, 2010 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Unfortunately with lying eyes, you just can’t hide them. And it turns out your smile is a thin disguise.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Well done.
The sad part in this whole ABS (Anybody But Sarge) discussion is that those who feel that Green can grow and become more improved in his defensive end don’t give that same type of leeway to Schultz, and the two are four whole months apart.
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
I’ve long thought that this board was perhaps a little harsh on OFB, and I enjoy reading some of his articles. But … this is crazy talk. “We don’t need no steenkin’ numbers – well, except the ones that support our case.”
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I used to think we were tough on OFB over here but they have consistently gone downhill and I think they deserve everything they get at this point.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Rob Parker on Jul 8, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s pretty much where I am at this point as well. That place has devolved to such a huge degree. They started losing me with the oogling over Ms. Virginia and it’s basically been downhill ever since.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
You don’t like hot chicks, cigarettes, and BCCD? What kind of man are you? You must be some sort of spineless accountant.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
I was getting myself all riled up over this article…but decided it would be better just to slink back to our “little” corner of the interwebs, where facts and logic aren’t the enemy.
Sanctuary…
Judging from all externals, including Japers’ joining the SB family, four of the best other Caps bloggers joining the site, and this site being voted the best hockey blog on the internet, I think OFB is the “little” corner, and they’re the ones doing the slinking.
Activity and accolades are good indicators. I’m a huge believer in free expression because it lets the best ideas and methods rise to the top. And this is what that looks like.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
I personally like:
We’ve become a town of hockey accountants. We’ve become numbed by numbers.
I’m signing up for 82 exhibition games here in 2010-11, but I’ll be referencing no such numbers. Instead, I’ll go to games and tally the number of times our rearguards plant opposing players on their asses when they encamp in front our goalies, or otherwise exact a heavy price in our end. I don’t expect to need a calculator.
So the numbers other people like, the ones that directly relate to out-scoring the opposition, are no good and shouldn’t be relied upon, but the number of times our D hit someone is more relevant? This guy is a fucking joke. Maybe he should read what their intern wrote yesterday. And interns? Really? You guys need help spewing out that hack bullshit?
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Rob Parker on Jul 8, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
And less traffic (says Alexa).
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 8, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Momma Always Saiys "Stupid Is As Stupid Does"...
We’ve become a town of hockey accountants. We’ve become numbed by numbers.
I’m signing up for 82 exhibition games here in 2010-11, but I’ll be referencing no such numbers. Instead, I’ll go to games and tally the number of times our rearguards plant opposing players on their asses when they encamp in front our goalies, or otherwise exact a heavy price in our end. I don’t expect to need a calculator.
Oh and don’t also forget to then tally up the number of really stupid penalty minutes those “throwback” rearguards amass while playing a 1980’s style game in the 2010 NHL. What an umnitigated schmuck…as has been said it’s all about page hits because if it was about hockey he would have posted another picture of Miss Virginia or some sappy story about “Pond Hockey” and how it’s doing in the ratings on cable TV…
by markbona-capsfan99 on Jul 8, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Did you also post this comment over at OFB, because there is a comment there that is almost verbatim?
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Wasn’t him. But the poster did get permission.
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 8, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Was the poster related?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
…perhaps.
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 8, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet it gets edited or deleted. Given their stories of comment manipulation I don’t even bother trying to engage them in a discussion. They don’t really seem like they have any interest in debating their view points.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Seriously? They deleted almost 2/3 of their comments? That’s insane.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Theo60 actually runs the site.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 8, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
They should just make life simple and disable the comments completely.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Then how else would they accept the adulation they so rightly deserve? There has to be some mechanism for them to receive praise and positive feedback!
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like
You got a response:
@ Ursus Veritas: Outscoring the opposition is not what the Caps do in the playoffs, which is the only time that matters and is point of this superb article. Our D-men scare no one. What forward do you think thinks twice before taking on Schultz? I doubt anyone. The most telling statistic for the Caps is the penalty kill percentage – which clearly shows weak defense, both from the rearguards and our forwards. I am pretty sure the Caps ranked around 27th last year on the PK in the regular season! This failure offsets a lot of the pretty regular season power play goals (many coming against the weakest teams in the league anyway). I’m paying a lot of money for my season tickets and am fed up with this organization’s failure to make even the slightest change in personnel and strategy. It’s really a joke. All I see is more of the same – home-ice in the first round (that is if Tampa doesn’t come on with a proven Cup winner like Yzerman running the show) and one and done.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Uh… how does hitting relate? Exactly? On the PK, specifically? You can’t go around hitting people on the PK, that’s a separate issue entirely. Talk about avoiding the issue.
And technically, the Caps did outscore the Habs in the playoffs. Further, when you consider that the Habs scored 3 (1 in OT), 2, 3 (plus an ENG), 2 goals in the games they won, it wasn’t really our D that let us down terribly. MON also only scored 1 PPG in each of the wins, except game 5 where they scored 0 PPG. Not a terribly accurate description of the Caps problems against MON, and certainly not one that vindicates the Schultz hate/blood lust, even if it were accurate.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Rob Parker on Jul 8, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
And even accepting that the Caps D isn’t a powerhouse, how is Schultz the focal point of the blame? It’s like blaming Backstrom because we have weak C depth. Shouldn’t the guys that are actually not good be blamed for our D? Scapegoating Schultz really makes no sense, especially considering he plays zero role in our PP, which was our biggest failure. Ultimately, even if Schultz is never a top pair guy, he’s not going to make 2.75 look like a horrible contract, and so using his extension as an excuse to pile on Schultz and the Caps D is entirely dishonest and misguided. Could the Caps D get better? Sure. Does losing Schultz make us better by subtraction? Not in any way.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Rob Parker on Jul 8, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
OFB wants Brooks Orpik
This Brooks Orpik - note him intimidating Max Lapierre behind the net when he dared venture near it. That’s some effective defense.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 8, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
ok, now that I’m done laughing about how “proven Cup winner….Yzerman” is somehow going to get Tampa home ice……he 9or she) does know that Stevie Y himself is not actually playing, right?
actually, the ranked 25th on the PK. Get the facts right.
Unfortunately, NHL.com doesn’t show PP goals against individual teams. But given how they played this season, my guess is that the number of power play goals doesn’t fluctuate nearly as much as this guy claims. The Caps were remarkably consistent against all divisions all year.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
The Yzerman comment is downright ludicrous. Just because the guy won Cups as a player doesn’t mean squat. Totally different skill sets. Bobby Clarke won Cups as a player. How many Cups did he win as a GM?
Since OFB is DC-centric maybe an MJ reference would be more appropriate.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Well, in fairness, The Great One proved that with a little time a really skilled player can turn any franchise into a 100 point contender. Gretzky did that, right?
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
yeah, Gretzky did that as soon as he stepped aside and let an real coach do the job :)
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Yes, by hiring a real GM who then get lucky enough to be able to hire a real coach.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Who were both proven NHL winners and HoFers?
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Yup. I believe Dave Tippet’s careers numbers were so amazing that he was a 1st ballot guy. I mean he’s right up there in Caps history with Bondra & Langway. And Maloney’s numbers in the tri-state area were off the charts. All those Cups he won with the Rangers…
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Yes, that quote was pathetic.
I like that site because they truly seem to love hockey, but I always end up disappointed because they don’t seem to know much about it.
When OFB first started up, it was an excellent blog because of that love of hockey. They also had EmptyMaybe doing the game recaps and occasional hard analysis. Since he left, the quality of content has slid badly, probably because the remaining writers have tried to pick up the slack.
At least they made me aware of Pond Hockey.
It’s just a different place with different opinions, which is fine. I’m ok with that. I just think the quality of writers (and just as important, the commenting community) is better here.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
What about when numbers show that the two teams who made it to the SCFs had talented defensemen, not just hulking oafs?
People bitch and moan that we don’t have anyone like Pronger, but the fact of the matter is that 29 teams in the NHL don’t have anyone like Pronger. The guy’s a likely first-ballot hall of famer for a reason.
Hal Gill didn’t make it to the SCF, neither did Chara, nor did Volchenkov, or any of the other guys being bandied about here.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, Hjamlmarsson. Only one of those guys could be called a real physical D with a straight face, and Seabrook brings a lot more to the table than just hitting.
Pronger, Timonen, Carle, Coburn. Only Pronger is really noted for his physicality, the rest are most noted for their skating.
Keith, Green, Doughty.
Keith, Chara (blatantly undeserved), Lidstrom, Lidstrom, Lidstrom, Niedermayer, Lidstrom, Lidstrom, Lidstrom.
Getting the point?
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
You know would be a semi-valid point, though?
Hal Gill makes $2.25 million. John Erskine and Tyler Sloan make a combined $1.95 million.
Sloan I can live with, as he’s the cheapest of the bunch and offers a nice ration of stopgap lineup filler in case of injuries. Erskine…yeah.
Hal Gill has always given AO some trouble, but I wouldn’t want him on the Caps.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
The real problem with that combination is Erskine’s contract. I like the guy, but he’s really a No. 7 defenseman being paid a bit more than $1 million a year. Never liked that deal.
Despite the questionable quality of his play, Sloan’s a bit more versatile, decent enough in small/emergency quantities, and is a small cap hit to sit on the bench instead of a valued prospect.
I like Erskine at 1.25 better than I would Sloan at league minimum. Unless the guy’s playing forward he’s a liability. And Erskine’s term makes the total dollar amount swallowable. Basically, I don’t think having Erskine on the team kept us out of the Hamhuis, Martin, and Volchenkov hunts.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Considering Erskine and Sloan could be moved to HER without a problem I don’t think either guy stood in the way of any acquisition.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
That, I don’t get. Erskine is just as much of a liability in D as Sloan, no? But more expensive and he can’t fill in at forward in a pinch.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I think Erskine’s better at D than Sloan, but his skating is a big issue, which is why we didn’t see him in the Montreal series. He’s fairly limited in the kinds of opponents he can face, the coaches have to handle his minutes, his physical style of play virtually guarantees that he’s not an everygame player since he wears down quickly without rest. All of which makes him an effective 7th man—somebody who can fill in a good number of games and perform mostly dependably.
Sloan, on the other hand, is more mobile and therefore can keep up with most teams. The problem is that he’s erratic. He’ll make a good to great play (like when skating toward the bench after serving penalty, but then jumping in the play halfway across when he saw the opposing team taking advantage and drawing a penalty that the Caps scored on—just completely a heads up play), but then he’ll do something painful (like sending a clearing pass to nobody or worse, an opposing player with no Cap in the vicinity). Part of that is due to the fact he’s inexperienced at the NHL level, while Erskine’s been around longer and knows how to play within his limitations. Sloan’s not the kind of guy you want on ice everygame, but because (a) he plays forward as well as defense, and perhaps better; (b) he’s a small financial and cap burden; and © he’s not supposed to be playing every day….I don’t see the problem of keeping him around to mostly warm the bench. He shouldn’t be playing 50 games a season like Erskine did, but I’m not sure Erskine should be playing that many games, either. Both should be on-roster depth, and both are capable of playing that role. Erskine is just more consistantly good at it, while Sloan is more versatile at it. (Also, my impression is that I don’t think the coaching staff protects Sloan as much as they protect Erskine when they play him. Sloan’s quality of compeition is higher than Erskine’s although John’s ATOI was about a minute and a half higher)
That said, I don’t think having both at that combined price tag had anything to do with not picking up a free agent. I just think that Erskine is overpaid for his role while Sloan is what a 7th D-man/utility player should get.
Sloan’s the sort of guy who is perfect for a team tight against the cap because he’s cheap,he’s an ideal swingman when the roster is tight, and isn’t going to grumble about the lack of playing time. But that team isn’t the Caps.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
With RAH and KA coming up and the dollars and term that Hamhuis, Martin, Michalek, Volch (and Gonch(!)) commanded, the Caps were never in those hunts to begin with. But on the main point, F&B has it: Sloskine are waivable, so not a cap burden in that sense.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
More Piling On - Why Not?
Hence the high-pitched clamor among so many Caps’ fans this summer for McPhee to sign a true, experienced shutdown rearguard.
He has refused to. Again
Some salient facts to consider: First, “shutdown” defensemen are extremely hard to find. Teams that have one almost always hold on to them, getting rid of them only in the direst circumstances. Take a look at Chicago: I suspect they’d part with one of Toews or Kane before shipping Keith out the door.
And when they do trade them, there’s such a huge demand that, even when the league knows they have to make the trade, the price is very high.
Which brings us to free agency. Given the above, “shutdown guys” rarely get to free agency, and when they do, they get P-A-I-D. In a capped environment, that’s significant.
Finally, “experienced” guys might be redundant in this analysis. After all, how do you know a guy is a shutdown defender? Because he’s shown it over the course of time, during which time he’s piled up the “experience” part of the equation.
In the end, it’s one thing to want a great defender. It’s another to consider the availability and the costs – opportunity, cash, cap space and assets – of acquiring one.
I recall the ’90’s when the typical rant on Sportscall was that “the Caps need a scorer!!” Same thing applied there. Lazy writing at the end of the day.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
by fat_daddyo on Jul 8, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
I thought the usual rant on Sportscall during the 90s involved Bernie Streeter’s Arby’s Restaurants?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
So rec’d.
I keep thinking that one of the biggest problems with so many Caps fans is that they have a tendency to get their thinking stuck in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The phrase “these aren’t your father’s Caps” simply hasn’t gotten through their heads, and I’ve told more than one that if that’s what they want, they need to go root for the Flyers.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Hmmm. Sportscall as in Ken Beatrice?
Did he ever talk about the Caps? Did he know the height, weight, junior team, birthdate, and first girlfriend of every hockey player?
I couldn’t stand him.
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!
Really? Beatrice was MONEY. Loved the guy.
Kornheiser pretty much made his name here trashing the guy.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll give him credit for patience, but he was so holier than though and never liked to be disagreed with.
I couldn’t stand the conversations about the fourth round left tackled from Georgia Community College who might compete for the last special teams spot on the Seahawks.
Ugh.
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 used to fall asleep in my dad’s car listening to him…I have no idea how I managed to do that considering how grating his voice was.
The soundtrack of my childhood is pretty much my dad reading a book every evening while listening to Beatrice on the radio.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds about right for me, too – either at home listening on the radio or in the car, waiting to get out of the hellaciousness that was the Capital Centre parking lot.
Oh God….worst parking lot in the world. Took us so long to get out of there that we would be fast asleep by the time we were home. And we were only like 15 minutes from there.
Even when we left with like 5 minutes to go in the third (that was our designated leaving time) it would STILL be a mess trying to get out of there.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I did like how it had cool names for the lots, like “The Eagle Lot”
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Until your half-drunk uncle can’t remember if he parked in Eagle or Liberty Bell or whatever the other ones were. That was fun.
True but OT story, briefly: I parked at BWI for a 2-week trip, during which time the airport revamped their designation system for long term parking. So, if you had “Green Lot, Stop H” marked on your ticket, for instance, you were left trying to figure out if you should go to Lot A or B, and Stop 8. Or something like that. I’ve never seen so many annoyed people in my life.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
That place is the site of the greatest documentary movie ever, but that’s OT.
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 8, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Heavy Metal Parking Lot.
They also did a Neil Diamond Parking Lot there too.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
My dad had it down to a science. We were in section 108. To exit we went across the concourse and out the press entrance. The car was strategically parked near there, and, zoom, we were gone.
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!
Our route out of the arena was designed to go by as many TVs as possible so Dad really didn’t have to miss any of the action.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The OFB folks should just come out and admit they’d rather be Flyer fans.
by cuqui on Jul 8, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Likewise. The Alzner and Nylander maps are spot on.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Semin’s was the most accurate, unfortunately.
by DrinkingPartner on Jul 8, 2010 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Except the path to the penalty box should have been from the offensive zone.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jul 8, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
That was exactly my quibble when I saw it!
Also, Poti’s should just circle behind the back blue line as he tries over and over again to clear the zone.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Brooks Laich’s looks awfully similar to Knuble’s doesn’t it? Or it should…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Him too
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Loved that. I saw it last night, and I’m glad it made today’s clips.
(A non-joke version would be interesting too, of course.)
by CapitalCentre on Jul 8, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m leaning Stas instead of Stan for this Galiev kid…here’s a scouting report I hadn’t seen. Sounds like he needs some time in Grandpa Slipper’s woodshed, but I’mma keep my lyin’ eye on this one.
More norrissey, less morrissey
Or just a whole lot of poutine and a good weight program
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
its the patented Mike Green-Kyle Wellwood Weight Program!
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Not surprised about the layoffs with Monumental. Ted needed to do a top to bottom overhaul of the operations that Pollin was running, anyway. I think you’ll see a leaner and meaner organization there going forward.
If you worked for WSE and knew your job overlapped something with Ted, you probably should have been looking for a new job since Thanksgiving. The bigwigs won’t suffer for long, and I’m pretty sure the lower level jobs won’t overlap because each team needs its own dedicated sales and operations staff.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I lost my Caps Services Rep already. He sent an email recently saying he was switching over to a Wizards-related gig in WSE. He was good shit, hated to see him leave his full-time Caps position.
Write Ted a note about the guy. Better than giving a tip.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t really interact much with my rep. What kinds of things do you deal with?
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
He was really good about remembering specifics related to my account, even from conversations we had months prior. I have three seats in my name, but two of them are really “owned” by friends. Pat was cool about letting them call him to talk about the account, when needed. He was always very responsive and accessible.
There’s a lot more work to be done on the Wiz side of the house. Selling Caps tix is easy now, with the team being one of the best. With the Wiz you have:
A star player who is suspended and may or may not play.
A guns in the locker room scandal.
An oblivious coach who let this happen in his locker room.
And a team that had a dramatic improvement last year, winning 23 games (as opposed to 19 the previous season).
Sounds like a hot ticket to me.
The Caps reps know their folks are going to re-up without much effort to sell. The Wiz will take a lot more effort.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
The Wiz won’t take that much effort. If they are a .500 team they will be selling out or close to it. That’s just the nature of the beast in DC.
Now, making them into a .500 team…that’s a different story. Why Ernie Grunfeld is still the GM really boggles the mind. But this is OT.
The only pro teams that will have winning records in DC between now and July 1, 2011:
1) The Washington Capitals
2) The Washington Kastles (team tennis…woo!)
That’s pretty much it.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Teams with .500 or less records making playoffs in NBA East -
09-10 – 1
08-09 – 3
07-08 – 3
06-07 – 3
Just sayin’
Teams with 25 or fewer wins making the playoffs in the NBA:
09-10 – 0
08-09 – 0
07-08 – 0
06-07 – 0
The Wiz are going nowhere this season, but at least they are now owned by someoene who knows the model for building a consistent winner. In 2012-13, they should be well on their way…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
My biggest regret about the merger is that Susan O’Malley wasn’t still working for Abe when Ted took over. I would have paid to see her walking out of the Wizards office with all her belongings in a cardboard box. I’ll never forgive her for selling all those tickets for Games 3 & 4 of the Finals to the Detroit travel agencies.
So is it just me or is Ovechkin looking a tad thicker than he usually gets during the offseason?
Oh, and what’s with the “turn the camera off” guy hanging out in those pics?
Looks like the usual off-season stuffing to me.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I saw a picture of him last offseason that made it look like he had a gut. I’m not sure if it was that or if his torso and abs just make it look that way under his shirt. His upper arms do look a bit thick, but nothing to be concerned about in his case. If it were Green, I might worry more.
"Nylander's cap hit ($4.875 million) is greater than his salary ($3 million)."
So if another club picks him up then Ted pays 1.5 mil towards his salary, correct?
So the real question is.. if a club picks him up.. is his cap hit 3 million for that club or 4.875?
Pretty sure cap hits don’t change over the life of a contract. Not sure if that applies here though.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
So even when a team picks someone up on waivers, the cap hit is the same no matter which team.
Hmm.. so which teams out there are at the floor that could use a descent center?
Pretty sure cap hits don’t change over the life of a contract
So since the salary is divided in half between the two teams if someone gets picked up on waivers.. then the cap hit is divided in half as well?
This only happens when it’s a waiver split mid-season, as far as I know.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah that happened with Avery. Dallas is hitting 1.9 on Avery’s deal, and the Rangers are hitting the other 1.9. But that was on re entry waivers, so I dont know if its different or not.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s no split unless he’s put on re-entry waivers and someone claims him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This situation reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where George’s boss didn’t want him to finish his contract so they kept making it hard on him to stay at the office (closing up his bathroom, jacking up the heat, etc).. heh
I heard they did catch Nyls carrying a rascal through the streets while trying to get away from a gang of angry seniors.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Cap hit stays constant over the life of a K. Salary paid by the Caps or acquiring NHL club.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ouch. A club that drafted up the contract always pays the cap hit even when a player is scooped up on waivers? That’s ridiculous! Penalized for a player that is no longer there. Geez.
I thought Nylander’s contract was over at the end of this past season. We gotta deal with one more year of this crap?
No – the Caps would have no cap hit if another team took Nylander.
And his NMC was up, so the Caps can put him wherever they want (and thus not have to deal with the cap hit).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I hear the LHL is starting up with teams in the Sea of Tranuqility, the Sea of Storms and, of coure, Tycho Crater….
Actually, since he has no more NMC, Nyls may end up playing in Hershey (or at least being assigned there). The Bears would be happy to have him as he’ll help win games at that level, and the Caps will still be paying his $3M.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Overpriced? I’ve honestly found it cheaper and with better variety in Hershey than in DC. Something about no shipping costs :)
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
I guess it depends on where in Hershey you get it. I went there and did that lame little “hershey kiss factory” thing. They tried to charge us 10 bucks for a tiny little novelty plastic gear-shaped container with maybe 30 kisses in it.
Caps weren’t hurt by Nylander (much of) last season, nor will they be this coming season. He has one more year on his contract, but with this final season, there’s no NMC, so he can’t say “no” to the team whenever they want to move him.
One of the following will go down:
1) Picked up on waivers by another team (unlikely)
2) Traded (not happening)
3) Sent to the minors (possible)
4) Sent to Europe (likely)
In each case, no cap hit for the Caps.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Would be great for the Isles to pick him up. Not doing anything this year anyway and he helps them get closer to the floor.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions
well, if you were ted you might say you were hurt by having to pay a salary for a guy who sat at home and then played for someone else. we are fortunate ted has been willing to pay the freight for nyls instead of insisting that he play out his deal. it was a no brainer but there may be other owners who wouldn’t be willing to take that hit in the wallet.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Yeah, I don’t really feel bad for sports team owners.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t doubt that at least up to this point, he’s lost a decent amount of cash turning this team around without owning the building they play in, but you need cash to lose it in the first place, which certainly separates him fro me. :)
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
i’m sure he’s “lost” a lot of money, meaning he spends more than he takes in. but i’m pretty sure the franchise value has increased since he’s owned the team, which is the key. like owning a house, it’s all outflows until you sell and (hopefully) make your money then.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Gotcha. He could make a shiny penny if he sold the team. I just remember him making a post on his blog at the end of the year when Bruce took over as coach.. he said he lost 5 million dollars from that season.
Ouch
5 million to him isn’t the same as 5 million to us. Heh, Ted is unique, he likes to try to relate to us with his blog, his appearances, etc, but considering some of the things he’s checked off on his big “to do” list…
14. Net worth of $100 million, after taxes 
19. Create $1 billion in value with an outside investment
24. Own a jet
35. Give $1 million to Georgetown University
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Goes to show why he’s more successful than me. His goals are higher… my todo list consists of
3) get the toilet to not clog up just ONCE
5) replace the upstairs bathroom faucet
18) spay the dog
You know, I’d like to give $1m to Georgetown University, too. Maybe Ted can give me the million.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Please, let’s not go there. I won’t say how much it was when I went there, but let’s just say it’s less than it costs to go in-state in Virginia now. Maybe even for one semester.
Ouch.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Really? I hate to get into it but last I checked, one year at Gtown was about 30k a year.
You’re really telling me VA in state costs that much full time?
Maryland is getting ridiculous. When I went to UMBC 10 years ago, tuition was about 6k a year. It’s up to almost 10k a year now in state.
Funny.. as bad as California’s economy is, their tuition is still pretty reasonable.. cheaper than most. I remember when I moved to LA in 2003, the cost to go to community college was 12 bucks a credit. When I was there it doubled to 23 bucks a credit and students were up in arms. Spoiled brats. 23 a credit??!?!? They have no idea how good they had it.
No, I’m telling you that I’m old.
Georgetown, like most elite schools today, costs in total, including room and board, over $50k/year (website says more than $55k, but includes travel and incidentals). Tuition alone is about $40k.
For comparison, I looked up the tuition at George Mason, which is about $4300/semester.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Heh. Old fart. Wow. Mason is a private school too isn’t it? That’s not bad at all for a private school (Mason that is).
No, Mason is public.
"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 8, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
OT-age.
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 8, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, sorry about that. I’m done. Still want the million, though.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
No worries, we’re all in off-season mode.
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 8, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I went to Georgetown last year and the tuition is $40,000 per year. And the facilities are much worse than Northern Va. Community College. Everything is old and falling apart. Anyway I saw Leonsis around campus at least 3-4 times. He is always being honored at some lunch or speaking to some class or something.
I was just impressed with your flashy graphic-laden comment.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Just supplying the source in case you wanted even more check marks.
Man, those are pretty check marks.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re having a good graphic week, TFG. The Wink as gif and now checkmarks in comments….
More norrissey, less morrissey
Who knows, maybe I’ll drop a decent comment soon.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
per forbes in nov 09 the caps were worth $183M. ted bought them in 99 for $85M. operating income in 09 was -$5M.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
It would be interesting to see what formula they use for determine the worth.
And how much that would plummet if you took Ovechkin out of the equation
read all about it here. note that forbes web guy must moonlight w/ MSNBC based upon the logo..
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/31/hockey-values-09_Washington-Capitals_312495.html
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
you might say you were hurt by having to pay a salary for a guy who sat at home and then played for someone else
But again.. that only happens if he’s picked up mid season though right,, otherwise the taking team pays the whole salary?
if someone had selected him on the way down through waivers, they would have taken his salary and cap hit. same as if a trade was made. only if the caps put him through re-entry waivers (i.e. try to call him up…not likely) would the caps split the cost with the new team. so barring a trade, the caps will pay his salary this year. they could work out a loaner with another team who may agree to pick up some of the cost, but i doubt that.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
if someone had selected him on the way down through waivers,
I’m confused. What do you mean “on the way down”? I thought if he was just straight up on waivers before the season started and taken before the season started, the taking team would get the salary AND hit
Regular Waivers and Re Entry Waivers.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
El Correcto.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions
if you have a veteran guy on the nhl roster and want to send him down to the minors or just get him off the big club roster he needs to clear waivers. any team can claim the guy and they would assume his salary and cap hit. if you want to bring him back up to the big team (re-entry waivers) you split the cost with the new team if claimed. i think the same rules apply whether in the off season or regular season.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Caps weren’t hurt by Nylander (much of) last season
Early last December, when that whole drama had gone on for a couple of months, everybody was freaking out about it. It’s funny how perspective changes. And a good reminder that the world will look different next spring than it does now.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Caps weren’t hurt by Nylander (much of) last season
I don’t agree entirely – I think it prevented Karl Alzner from being here. But who knows.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 8, 2010 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That was part of it.. the other part was Alzner had to play enough games at the AHL level to be in Hershey over the Olympic break. A 20 year old defenseman doesn’t need 2 weeks off mid-season.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
They weren’t in much danger of that, though, and if he’d been here the whole time, he could have used the break.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The way he played last season in the AHL and NHL, I don’t think he needed the break. Besides, he’s still a kid. He can have a break for the 2014 Olympics (if the NHL goes, and if he’s not on Team Canada…)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
This is it. His salary will not count against the cap this year any way you look at it. This is just an attempt to save some actual cash dollars.
Poor Nyls. Nice guy, wish it had worked out.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
It still can! Anyone have Sather’s number?
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by winterion on Jul 8, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So Rec’d. Just tell Slats that Nylander is Jeff Schultz in disguise.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
If you haven’t read what Stecks and Clarkie are doing on their summer vacation, I hope you will. I’ll admit I don’t know anything about Chris Butler, but I really like his attitude.
Avery’s going on that trip too. But because he’s not saying something stupid, i’m guessing it will go unnoticed.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps it’s a personal favor to Gary and the intention is to leave him there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hell….even HE wouldn’t do that to the insurgents.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
That should be “even I”. Stupid mornings.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
After yesterday’s discussion and some of the info dropped by Vogel in his writeup of the Schultz contract, I thought this +/- stats breakdown would be of interest. My favorite column is “Current Team.” That’s a whole lot of the career leaders playing for the Caps right now.
And look at the games played column. It has taken the young guns, Schultz and Fehr much less time to rack up a lot of plusses than it took the Caps’ greats of the past.
And of course, I’m happy to see #19 so high up there on that list. But “Robert?” Who ever called him “Robert?”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Almost as funny as “Joseph Reekie”
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I bet his Gould’s mom called him Robert when he was in serious trouble…. I know I’m in trouble when my mom uses Michael…. even more serious when the middle name comes in….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
One thing that sticks out on that chart though… almost every player (including Langway) has at least one shot on goal per game… except Schultz who has over 100 fewer shots on goal than games played… The only other names on the list whose Games Played is higher than shots on goal is Shaone Morrisonn and Joseph “Joe” Reekie…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 8, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
That was just Reekie’s game, same as it’s just Schultz’s game.
For Morrisonn to have played the minutes he has with the players he has played with and not have more shots and more points is inexcusable. Fun fact — Schultz has only 6 fewer points as a Cap than Morrisonn in 130 fewer games. And when you factor in the fact that ShaMo had more minutes per game than Jeff Schultz through most of that time, and that ShaMo was playing next to Mike Green for two years, those stats are even more striking. That guy was much worse in retrospect than I think we realized.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
…still better than Juice.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
How’s this from Puck Daddy in the meantime?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
No, we’re not falling for that one again.
by CapitalCentre on Jul 8, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
How does ahl teams usually handle the veteran rule?
Do teams just avoid signing to many veterans or do they go after the best players and deal with the eventual problem when they get there.
Many AHL teams don’t care about winning nearly as much as Hershey. For a lot of teams, it’s not a problem because they’re not going to spend that much money.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
From what I’ve gathered, the difference is basically NHL owned AHL teams and privately owned AHL teams. NHL owned prioritize with development first, while Hershey for example is all about the W column.
Given Hershey’s success and the talent this team has just dying for a call-up, I’d say they do a pretty good job of both. Whether that’s a product of scouting, coaching, or just luck, who knows.
The Caps scouting seems great, given the ready of sources they draft from and our relative position with respect to prospects. Then again, it could be dumb luck! Evidence favors the former.
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“Great” might be a bit of an overstatement. They’ve had their share of misses in the draft – Kurgyshev (sp?), Baby Gus, Finley, and one horrible year which I can’t remember off the top of my head, for example.
They’ve had some real successes to balance that out, of course.
On balance, I like the Caps FO and the work they’ve done.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
2005 was horrible with Finley and Pokie. Mestery was also a bad one I believe in the same round as Kuger.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Ah, 2005, Mestry, and BabyGus. Moments that are quite possibly indefensible.
Not grabbing Bryzgalov off waivers is another I can’t get over.
From top to bottom, their 2005 draft was a failure. They selected two players in the first round, neither of whom have an NHL game between them. In fact, only one of their selections has even made noise at the AHL level. The only player to suit up in the NHL from this draft remains the one pick they traded away, just one round after drafting him.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Pokuluk. Jeez, I’d forgotten about that one. Good call.
Interesting about Mestery – he was drafted right at the tail end of Round 2…why is he considered such a disaster? I don’t see a whole bunch of guys drafted after him that are sure things?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
It’s a little more absolutest than I generally like to be, but if you pick a guy in the second round and then two years later don’t even think highly enough of him to offer him a professional contract…well, you shouldn’t have drafted him.
With Mestery it’s frustrating because there were so many issues with his skating from the get-go. It’s not like he’s a guy who just dropped off or who struggled with injuries.
Oh, I’m right with you on Pokuluk. When you draft a guy in the first round, he absolutely has to have a real shot at contributing.
It’s the same reason I put Kurgyshev (incidentally, drfated immediately prior to Mestery) in the disaster category. He’s just lacking the makeup to be a pro hockey player, and they should have known that. I mean, the guy can’t even get in shape, for crying out loud.
I just didn’t know enough about Mestery – if he was always a guy that never had a shot, it’s a wasted pick, so I’m on board with that critique.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Kuger is OK for a second round pick, IMO. At least he’s producing in the Q. He may have some issues, and may not seem anything close to a sure thing, but at least his issue, conditioning, can be addressed. When Mestery was picked he was considered a “project” and the two main knocks on him were that he wasn’t a good skater and didn’t have terribly good hockey sense. I don’t waste a 2 on a guy like that. The draft is too young to know what guys panned out after him, but surely some of the prospects picked after him at least have a better chance. There are a handful of guys that were picked soon after Mestery that may not be great, but are preferable. Really, though, with those two late 2nds I wish GMGM had packaged them and moved up. Earlier in the 2nd there was Kristo (actually right before Kuger), Hamonic, Stepan, Josi, etc. Plenty of talent went earlier in the 2nd that would be preferable.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Pokuluk was a reach, but he had a chance until he had injury problems.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
He never had a chance! You don’t reach for a guy from Cornell. Ever. Especially not a D or a G.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Well played.
"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 8, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Hi 40 years ago
And I don’t think he was a reach, considering he was a 3rd round pick (14th overall though). He also was drafted by BOS and not MON, which is interesting.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
I’m not sure I follow. Do you mean that because veteran players with a lot of experience are expensive to sign teams don’t usually get over the limit and therefore the problem doesn’t come up that often?
That’s exactly what I’m saying.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Zherdev to Flyers - not a done deal yet
According to The 700 Level, the Flyers have not made an offer to Zherdev (yet). Reportedly, one is “pending”.
I gather from the tone of the article that Gagne will be traded in time to get them under the cap ceiling – it’s just a matter of when, to whom and for what return.
Incidentally, this somewhat informs the discussion, above, about the relative worth of high end D and high end wings. On a team with Pronger, Timmonen, Coburn and Carle, the Flyers are keeping all their D and dumping a F.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
And Zherdev is yet another headcase on a team full of headcases.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Fine by me. I like Gagne and never liked Zherdev. Just another reason to dislike that franchise. Another reason I love the move is that it will hamstring them with their free agents next year. The move makes zero sense to me.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Gagne is a total class act and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him. Zherdev is a poor man’s Semin, good luck with that.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
Heh. I invite you to survey the Pens’ page at Capgeek.
Bearing in mind that Gagne has a cap hit of $5.25M.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Yeah, his cap number doesn’t work.
The Pens are looking in the bargain bin of Afinogenov and Kariya.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Maybe Afinogenov should be one of those guys that just signs one year contracts every season?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Of those two, which do you want more?
I’d be tempted by Kariya.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Kariya for me too.
He’s waiting another month or so to make 100% sure he still wants to play, then his agent will be letting a few teams know to see if there’s interest. I hear Pittsburgh’s one of those teams, but it’s not like they’re having a press conference with his jersey tomorrow or anything.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
It’s a bit of a wash in my mind. Maxim gets you more offense and isn’t on the downside quite yet. Paul gets you more defense and a guy who is more durable.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
It’s probably close. Afinogenov is the opposite of a Shero/Bylsma winger. They’ll sacrifice pure skill for the guys like Kunitz or Fedotenko that will make the right play: hit, positionally sound, dump to the corner, etc.
But then again you get the Russian connection with Afinogenov and Malkin (who I believe did play on a line for a while at Olympics and/or WC) and maybe the positives outweigh the negatives.
Also Max took his cheap contract last year, and I doubt the Pens commit to a long or expensive deal, so perhaps he’s not interested in signing, only listening.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Hooks, I checked out the link to Ron Cook’s story from your site.
You drinking the Kool Aid on Martin and Michalek? Those contracts scare the crap out of me.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’m cised that defense should be a strength, on paper the top five guys look pretty good.
The money doesn’t scare me too much; hey you can’t take the cap space with you and since literally every important guy is locked up for the next 3+ years it’s no big deal. I also anticipate that Crosby’s next deal is like a Backstrom/Richards type lifetime contract that will lower his cap hit and provide more relief. Unlike the Caps — who will have to spend more soon on Alzner/Carlson/Green/starting goalie that emerges, the Pens’ core has maxed out money wise so spend spend spend.
The term is risky, but I suppose it’s one you have to take with UFA’s. The Pens gave Gonchar a five year deal (at age 31) and by the end of it they would have made it a seven year deal if he would have had it. Martin + Michalek are both younger and, IMO, have less miles on them.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Not sure what Hooks thinks, but I thought the Pens were the one major player in FA who did it right. As a Caps fan, I was not pleased.
They addressed the major needs they had on the blueline by acquiring good talent in their prime and kept Cooke without overpaying him. They didn’t try and re-sign a diminishing star like Gonchar to a long term deal. Nor did they overpay a pedestrian D-man a la the Leafs last year with Finger.
Shero corrected the mistakes he made last offseason.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
My thoughts are:
- I’m glad the Caps were not in the position of having to do that.
- Given that the Pens were, they did it well.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just making sure! I hadn’t looked but I was hoping (…sorry :P) that the only way you guys could trade for him would be if someone of equal value went to the Flyers, and obviously they can’t afford that since the point of the trade is to dump salary.
Honestly, even if the cap numbers worked out I can’t imagine a scenario where the Flyers make a trade w/ the Penguins – at least not of that magnitude – unless they were really desperate.
Neither side would do it, but if the Pens traded Kunitz ($3.725m) they could have just enough space to bring back Gagne.
The two teams have traded before. There’s Hamhuis, but also the Tocchet/K Samuelsson/Wregget for Mark Recchi deal. I believe NJD and NYR have never, ever made a trade, so PIT/PHI may trade more than they should!
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Holy cow. Chris Kunitz makes $3.275? Well, they won a Cup with him, so who can complain?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Anaheim gave him that contract. And the Pens dumped Ryan Whitney ($4.0) and got Tangradi.
So basically they spent Whitney’s cap room on Michalek….Not that they could have known back then that’s how it’d play out, but that’s definitely something to like. For me anyways.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Whitney for Mchalek is a win for the Pens, no doubt. Michalek is very good, if he’s healthy.
Re. Kunitz, he’s a nice guy to have on your team, don’t get me wrong. I just had him pegged as a guy in the 2’s – you know, RFA years, etc.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Can’t see how they’d afford him.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, I got it all figured out.
Flash and Steckel to Philly for Gagne and Carter.
THEN, Gagne to Pitt for Staal.
Boom, 2C and 3C problems solved. Philly’s cap problems solved. Pitt gets a scoring wing for Crosby.
How am I not working for an NHL front office?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
/HF Boards’d
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
How am I not working for an NHL front office?
Because you live in Mississippi?
by David Getz on Jul 8, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, yeah. That.
Well, when Jackson gets an NHL franchise, I’ll be ideally positioned. I’ll comp all you boys tickets, so be ready.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Me neither. I just don’t get it.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Mike Ridley....
loved him, one of my all time favorite Caps!!! On another note, does it make anyone else feel old to hear he is 47??? Geesh!!!
Fourth-most goals in franchise history, if I’m not mistaken.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Holy crap. They really did need a scorer.
Rids had 41 in 1988 – 89. Sounds great, until you realize Mario had 85. Ah, the pre-trap years.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Haha…Rob Effing Brown had 49/66/115 that year.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Mike Vernon went 37-6-5 that year with a .897 and a 2.65.
Alain Chevrier played 49 games that year and went 21-19-4 with a .869 and a 3.83.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s what playing on a line with Lemieux will do.
Although Brown was talked about as one of the best junior players in the history of the WHL.
I used to live in Kamloops BC (1998-2001)and they have Brown’s number hanging from the banners there at Sport Mart Place or whatever the arena is called now. But even locals will tell you that Brown was a major headcase but talented junior player.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
On a related note, AO ought to be third in franchise scoring by the end of the upcoming season.
Going to take a few more years to catch Garts and Bonzai, but it’s still impressive.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
So no word on whether Nylander cleared waivers yet, eh? There’s actually a goofy part of me that legitimately thinks a team desperate to hit the cap floor would take his low(er) salary, high cap contract.
One can always dream.
Since Ted is on board with eating the salary in order to get rid of the cap hit, it’s only of minor interest?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’d like to see the Isles claim him, partially just because I want the guy to get an NHL gig and prove some people wrong.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Indeed. At the same time I’d also like to see him do some circles in a game against the Caps. It would just feel.. right.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
booooo
http://twitter.com/kausatoday/statuses/18050569796
@kausatoday
Anaheim’s Ryan Carter was placed on waivers today, and Washington’s Michael Nylander cleared waivers.
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Fun Caps-tastic stat for the day
Mike Ridley is on the NHL’s Top Ten list all time in what statistic? Free “Kovalchuk to teh Caps!!!” bumper sticker for the winner.
I cheated and looked it up, so I won’t spoil it in case someone knows off the top of their head. Definitely surprised me…
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 8, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m shocked after looking it up. And a few others in the category surprised me too.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I’m shocked as well. I think it had more to do with what he wouldn’t do than what he would do.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Penalty shot conversion percentage or something esoteric like that?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Being the best player in NHL history named “Ridley”?
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow. That’s crazy high.
I’ll go with Gouldie, and say it’s because he only took shots when they were too good to pass up.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
now that you mention it, that aspect of his game kind of drove me crazy.
Of course, I’d kill for Mike Ridley and Kelly Miller in their prime right now…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, why shoot when you can dump it into the corner and start the cycle?
Miller would make a great 3C.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
(psst — Miller was a wing)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Funny you mention the word “kill” One of those guys used to be pretty damn good at killing something.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I will gladly admit I was a Ridley fan and yes he held on to the puck way too long at times. But then I was Joe Juneau fan also and he would drive me crazy doing the same.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
“Put a trade offer on the table and I’ll let you know if I like it. Try Edmonton and your ass is grass.”
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I agree with him.
“You signed me to the goddam NTC. Make me an offer, and then I’ll consider waiving it, or just release me.”
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!
god knows I wouldn’t want to waive my NTC only to find out I’m going to Edmonton or Columbus.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Offensively, Gagne was pretty much the reason they got out of the ECF, the way I remember it. Some thanks he gets.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I’ll trust your memory because I couldn’t stomach the idea of watching two teams that had to cross their fingers and sacrifice a couple chickens on the last day of the season to make the playoffs duke it out for the Eastern Conference title. which may make me a bad hockey fan.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I just remember game four, getting out of the car for dinner with maybe the score tied, maybe PHI was ahead. Get back in the car to discover OT and within seconds Gagne scored the game winner. (We were driving a rental in Michigan, so I had XM and could listen to the game. Unfortunately it was the PHI feed.)
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I’m right there with you…I was still a little pissed off and only watched the West rounds 2 and 3.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 8, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
In the latest installment of “As Illya Turns”, LA says they’re out again.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=5363951
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
I thought Kovy was announcing on Versus tonight at 9:00, no?
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!
There’s still time.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Nothing else on on then, right?
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 heard ESPN wanted to simulcast it.. or something?
by TFG on Jul 8, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope – they are showing the Division III Men’s Pairs Synchronized Swimming Finals Live from Lubbock.
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!
“My choice is the team that made me the best offer and made me feel at home. They showed me a cartoon of my teammates and I just laughed and I loved it. I watched the cartoon again and again. It was Guy Family, or something. But anyway, this team is dear to my heart. I choose to sign with…Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams!”
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
sign him for 3 year $12 million!
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Man, if he was 20 years older, he would have been a great defenseman.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
by Whiter Mage on Jul 8, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that’s a very sweet list! I can’t wait for Monday!
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Jake Hauswirth looks like Ron Weasley
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
from the remarks on Dmitry Kugryshev:
returns to his third Development Camp hoping to make a positive impression as he enters his first professional season
Keep hope alive, Kuger.
nothing quite says “Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Player” like a curly mullet.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
man, what I wouldn’t give to work for the Caps and spend all day designing stuff like that.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
you edit, I design! We’re a two-fer!
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Is there anyone missing who we’d want to see there? I’m actually surprised to see Braden Holtby on that list. I thought he earned himself a few days off
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
probably wanted as many goalies as possible.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
isn’t that what #80 is for?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Nycholat's back in Chocolatetown
John Walton tweet -
Breaking news: Lawrence Nycholat is back with Hershey for 2010-11, bolstering the blueline in Chocolatetown for next season.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
He’s the new “Piece”
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
You have to love what Doug Yingst is doing this offseason. If I liked any other AHL team, I’d really hate that guy.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
No question. I’m surprised no one’s tried to bring him in as an NHL GM yet.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 8, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I echo these sentiments:
http://rockthered.net/2010-articles/july/an-appeal-to-doug-yingst-regarding-byran-helmer.html
Hey, looks as if Fehr signed for two years per his own Twitter and @capsmedia. Don’t have details on the $$ yet.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
oooooooooooooh, yay! My favorite Manitoban with question tastes when in comes to entertainment options.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Well…more than I hoped for, less than I feared. Probably about right for his production this year. IF he can keep it up.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’m surprised it’s that high, and scared for what Flash gets. Hopefully it’s not much higher but keeping Flash under 2.5 per is going to be very tough now.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
With Ovechkin, Fehr, Laich, Chimera, Semin, and Knuble under contract, I don’t think there’s that much room in the top nine.
I think Flash gets moved.
You and me both.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
…which is cause for weagle-shaped confetti.
I didn’t even think about it that way, D – I was just thinking in terms of roster spots and cap space, but you’re right, Flash isn’t exactly a 4th line checker. And considering what he’s asking for, I could see the Caps either walking away from an arbitration ruling or accepting it then trading him ASAP.
There’ll be space for one more wing when Laich moves to center. Betcha it happens.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Betcha Laich underwhelms as a C.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
I’m pretty sure that I’m going to get jumped on for this, but I don’t think Laich has the offensive chops to play on the second line of a competitive team, center or otherwise. He gets a huge amount of his production from playing with the young guns on the PP – in fact, the only guys who get fewer goals per 60 at ES are Scott Walker, David Steckel and Brendan Morrison.
He’s also way down the list in Points/60, considering that he got top six minutes with top six teammates, including a metric shitload of ice with Alex Semin.
Adding to that what I saw with my own eyes: not great on defense, doesn’t seem to create much offensively and not especially tough to play against and I’m no more than tepid on Brooks.
He seems to be a great quote and I have a nebulous feeling he’s a good locker room, but I wouldn’t weep if the Caps decided his next K were too expensive (well, maybe one sympathy tear for the Rabbits, but nothing for Brooks the player).
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 8, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I tend to agree, including that you’ll get jumped. I don’t like him on the PP1 and I think he’s a solid complimentary player but he’s not really a top 6 and he shouldn’t be a staple like he is.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
I agree with you. Look, he’s good, not great in any forward position. A tremendous asset to have because of the flexibility it gives you. But I’d rather see Mr. Average At Everything moved down a line. Laich-Steckel-Bradley was a great 3rd line in the playoffs 2 years ago. Wouldn’t mind seeing that again,
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
but then you’ve got Steckel on the third line. and we saw how that worked out.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
That’s line 3a. Chimera-Belanger-Gordon is line 3b.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2010 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Laich essentially got moved up to 2nd line by default (since Fleischmann, last year’s incumbent 2LW was out with thrombosis at the beginning of last year). But, overall, he did well enough there so he didn’t get bumped from that slot.
Laich does have the skill set to be either a 2nd or 3rd liner and seems good at offense but is weaker at defense.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Just because a high percentage of the women here wants to jump him doesn’t necessarily mean that they will jump you for saying what you are saying.
Believing in and being convinced by stats and logic>Jumping Brooks Laich.
I wasn’t actually worried about it from the women, more like the people who voted and commented (although there were a lot more voters than commentators), with great vitriol, for giving Brooks the C back in November.
I was probably overplaying the reaction in my head.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 8, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
My jump comment wasn’t intended to be taken serious.
No doubt that the “Brooks Laich have almost mythical leadership quality’s” group is pretty big and vocal. And I don’t doubt that he has some of those quality’s but if he was “the” leader it’s a bit strange that he at 27 years of age don’t have a letter on him and as far as I can tell haven’t had one for an extended period of time in his previous career either.
But obviously there are examples of great leaders that never had a letter.
Now that the Caps signings are out of the way.
GMGM can work on the Flash trade.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 8, 2010 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That was fast. Kind of a no-brainer, we all knew it would get done, but glad to hear it’s out of the way. As you say, now Operation Flashectomy can commence.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
by fat_daddyo on Jul 8, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d like to think that committing $2.2 per to Fehr makes a Flash jettison more likely. Of course, I fully expect to be disappointed.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 8, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Why I love Wyshynski, even though his commenters stink:
First, it’s clear from all reports that the Devils aren’t dropping out of this thing until Kovalchuk stays or goes. Which stinks, because the sadist in me would love to see all NHL suitors drop out in an epic collusion … save for the Atlanta Thrashers, leaving Kovalchuk to decide between the ATL, the KHL and sailing the Caribbean for a year until this all blows over.
I’m totally with him on this one.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
Me too, though I have no interest in seeing the KHL take a legitimate star from the NHL. That’s the first big feather in their cap.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
It’s not the point of making the KHL a choice, it’s that it’s turned into a soap opera, even if it isn’t NBA level bad. Do you want to win or do you want to make $100 million? You suck all the air out of the room, people are going to start hating on you.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
by gfcaps fan on Jul 8, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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