The Southeast Division's Top Ten Defensemen
by J.P. on Sep 1, 2010 12:00 PM EDT
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Two summers ago, the Southeast Division lost one of its better defensemen when Dan Boyle was exiled to the left coast. Last summer, Jay Bouwmeester departed the Sunshine State for Alberta. This summer, Keith Ballard was moved from Florida to Vancouver in as great a distance trade as the NHL has to offer. The exodus of some of the Southeast's top rearguards has left the overall depth of Division "D" a bit on the shallow side as we await the full arrival of the next wave of Southeast studs, guys like Victor Hedman, Dmitry Kulikov, Jamie McBain, Karl Alzner and John Carlson.
Just how weak is the crop of blueliners? Let's count down the top ten....
10. Dennis Wideman (Florida Panthers)
Wideman saw his point totals and plus/minus drop off the table for the Bruins last season (down from 50 points and a plus-32 rating) as most of that team imploded, but he is still a solid defenseman with the puck and one who can play a lot of minutes (and he'll get 'em in Florida).
9. Tom Poti (Washington Capitals)
At five-on-five, Poti was among the most effective players in the NHL in 2009-10 and was just 0.01 points-per-sixty behind Mike Green at five-on-four. The Caps missed him dearly in Game 7 of their first round playoff series against Montreal. [For more on Poti's 2009-10 season, check out his Rink Wrap.]
8. Bryan McCabe (Florida Panthers)
The much-maligned McCabe turned in another decent campaign for a woeful Florida squad. Yeah, that's all I've got.
7. Zach Bogosian (Atlanta Thrashers)
Bogosian had a bit of a sophomore slump, as his goals and assists per game dropped, and his plus/minus plummeted from plus-11 to minus-18. Still, he's a young blueliner (six months younger than John Carlson, in fact) with an incredibly bright future that seems to be just around the corner.
6. Tim Gleason (Carolina Hurricanes)
Gleason set career bests in goals and points per game last season, but that's not his game. Rather, he's a hitter and a shutdown defender. Throw in that decent offensive contribution and you've got yourself a player.
5. Pavel Kubina (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Kubina spent 2009-10 in Atlanta and improved his plus/minus rating by 15 over the previous season and topped 30 assists for the first time in four seasons. Now he's back where he spent the first eight seasons of his NHL career and looks to be in a good situation to succeed.
4. Tobias Enstrom (Atlanta Thrashers)
Like fellow Swede Nicklas Backstrom, Enstrom hasn't missed a game through his first three NHL seasons. And like Backstrom, Enstrom is a heck of a distributor, finishing 2009-10 fourth among rearguards in helpers. All this from the 239th pick in the 2003 Draft.
3. Jeff Schultz (Washington Capitals)
Last season Schultz became the first defenseman since Chris Pronger a decade earlier to finish a season with a plus-50 rating or better. He was the Division's top defensive defenseman and one of the best values in the League (not to mention the highest-rated defenseman in the NHL at five-aside, by one metric). Not bad for a guy who started the season as a healthy scratch. [For more on Schultz's 2009-10 season, check out his Rink Wrap.]
2. Joni Pitkanen (Carolina Hurricanes)
During a season filled with injuries in Raleigh, Pitkanen served as the defensive backbone for the Hurricanes (despite missing a fair number of games in his own right). He led his team in ice time, earning an average of almost three more minutes per game than his previous season. And while playing big minutes for a team that was a bottom-dweller for most of the year will wreak havoc on one's plus-minus, Pitkanen made up for it by leading all Carolina defensemen - by a large margin - in offensive production.
1. Mike Green (Washington Capitals)
Once again Green proved to fans and critics alike why he is the best defenseman in his division - and one of the best in the League. He led all defensemen in just about every statistical category, served as the quarterback for the Caps' lethal (regular season) power play, played over twenty-five minutes a night, trailed only teammates Alex Ovechkin and Jeff Schultz in plus-minus, and for the second year in a row was rewarded with a Norris Trophy nomination and First All-Star Team honors. [For more on Green's 2009-10 season, check out his Rink Wrap.]
So there you have it - the top ten Southeast Division defensemen. Alright, now tell us where we're wrong.
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I don’t know if it mattered, but I thought I read something about Buff playing in back this year. Other than that, molto bene.
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
Yeah, I see they’re looking to move him back there, which makes no sense to me given that a) the Thrash are already pretty solid back there, b) they aren’t good at all up front, and c) Buff is better as a forward. But we shall see…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, it kind of sounds as viable as Steckel was for 3C.
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 1, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
With similar results (stupid fast fingers).
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 1, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t Green break the record in 2008-2009? That article is from 2/15/09 — I remember because it’s my birthday.
"Inglewood Jack! Inglewood Jack!" - Coach Jules
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Sep 1, 2010 12:06 PM EDT reply actions
Brain cramp corrected. Thanks.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That was my addition and my brain cramp, sorry kids – don’t want JP taking the bullet for my stupidity (at least not today) ;)
Combined with the second shooter thread in the Clips, that would be a bad thing.
"Inglewood Jack! Inglewood Jack!" - Coach Jules
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Sep 1, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d put him ahead of Schultz, and behind Pitkanen.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 1, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I could see that, but Enstrom really isn’t much defensively, to the point where he barely got any SH TOI for the Thrash. I like his game, but it’s far from complete (which isn’t to say Schultz’s is, of course).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I like my defensemen to contribute some offensively.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 1, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Sarge had as many points as Bogosian.
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Bogosian’s also 20 years old. And on a terrible team.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 1, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Enstrom’s PDO was a sustainable 100.2% and Bogosian had a 99.4%. Meanwhile Schultz led the league in PDO at 106.9%. Serious stat inflation for Schultz there.
Enstrom played against middling competition with middling teammates, which doesn’t tell us much more than Schultz playing decently strong competition with strong teammates.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Just because I’m not familiar with some of the stats… what is PDO?
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Your teammates’ on ice shooting percentage plus your on-ice goalie’s sv%. It regresses strongly to 100%. For the best players it’s a bit higher, but not too much, maybe 101.5% or so.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah… ok. Would I be correct in assuming that Schultz’s might have been high due to Knuble and Backstrom both having high shooting percentages? Mainly thinking that because I know the Caps save % weren’t too high.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
At even-strength they were. The Caps were an absolutely dominant team at both ends of the ice at five-aside.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yep, evens. The Caps’ D was really killed on special teams, not even strength. The only thing the Caps could have done better at ES is pretty much allow fewer shots.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
But PDO just takes into account 5-on-5, not other ES situations (assuming that we’re referring to the stats at BtN).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So no 4-on-4?
I could see how Schultz’s would be incredibly high – I wouldn’t expect any of the Caps 1st-liners to repeat those shooting %. And he did seem to have a lot of time with them.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
But PDO just takes into account 5-on-5, not other ES situations (assuming that we’re referring to the stats at BtN).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Do other sites have a different way of doing it? I hadn’t heard of that stat before, which is the main reason I’m asking so much.
And “So no 4-on-4” was meant to be a statement… my bad.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Heh. Just bustin’ chops.
I don’t know if the stat is tracked elsewhere to include 4-on-4 and 3-on-3, but lots of places incorrectly use “ES” as a proxy for 5-on-5, so I thought I’d clarify. Obviously 4-on-4 is even strength; 5-on-5 happens to be even and full strength.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Okay, sorry for the confusion. Seems like in a lot of places they informally describe it using ES, but really its creator said 5-on-5.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
If I understand what you said about PDO correctly, Schultz’s PDO would be expected to drop this season by 5% or more. Is that accurate?
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Yep. Then again, pretty much the entire team had a high PDO, so maybe they were doing something funky there. At any rate, my money would be on a much lower PDO. You need a true dynasty to maintain the Caps’ team PDO of 103.7%.
So yeah, I think Schultz is too high. Not too much—again, I think the list is good, but I’d switch 3 and 4.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
The SVPCT on that list – is that ES sv% when that player is on the ice? If so…. how does Erskine have 94.7%? Bit surprising.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Yes. Erskine I’m finding had weird trends throughout, like making Backstrom’s Corsi% better. But as much of an accomplishment that is, I don’t think he deserves to be on this list.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. Theo was .924, Neuvirth .925, and Varly .929. That’s pretty sweet.
Just 5-on-5 (or is it evens? One of the two)
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
just out of curiosity, how do those ES sv% compare to the rest of the league?
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
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They were all front page on NHL.com (top-30). Among all goalies, too (the first four or five IIRC are small sample guys).
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Top 7 are all 12 games or less, 6 of them being 3 games or less. Of goalies who played 20 games or more, Varly was 7th in ES save % and Theo was 19th.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Vokoun, who’s the best since the lockout by ESsv%, averages a bit above .930 or thereabouts. Hiller, Luongo, and Thomas also clock in high (can’t explain the last one) among goalies with a 4 year sample size. Rask is high with three years, Varly with two.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Thomas is a good goalie. Blame Boston for giving a goalie that’s 35 a ridiculous contract.
"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 Sep 1, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Screw Miller. For my money, the best goaltender I saw all of last year was Vokoun.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 1, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Darn it, good pickup. I must have misread the numbers the other day when I was looking them up.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
shallow on the blue line doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Tom Poti, if only you weren’t completely worthless on the PK! Is there anyone else who is so dominant 5-on-5, and so bloody awful 5-on4?
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
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Also, it goes without saying, but eff Joe Corvo.
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by J.P. on Sep 1, 2010 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
if you had to pick one: Corvo or Sloan?
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Equal salaries? Corvo by a mile. But If I could have either of those contracts on the Caps right now? Shit… Corvo.
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by J.P. on Sep 1, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Corvo here.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
by Rather Bengt on Sep 1, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I think I’d take Sloan, just because I would rather have him in the press box than Corvo on the ice after last season. But if I had to play one – Corvo.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Plus Sloan’s NCC and CORSI are way higher.
"Inglewood Jack! Inglewood Jack!" - Coach Jules
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Sep 1, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know what NCC is, but wouldn’t Sloan’s Corsi be boosted relative to Corvo’s by the fact that Sloan was on the Caps while Corvo was a Cane for most of the year? It’s not like Sloan was putting significant shots on goal.
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
He was referring to a joke from a previous day’s thread(s).
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, NCC was Nacho Chip Consumption and CORSI was repurposed to Chips Over Refined Salsa Index.
"Inglewood Jack! Inglewood Jack!" - Coach Jules
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Sep 1, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
What? No Robert Svehla?
…I am sure the Panthers still take him out of the deep freeze and dress him for games when needed.
Seriously though, good list J.P. and as you said it really shows you how weak the SE Divsion is when it comes to Quality D-Men. And how playing in places such as ATL and CAR have made Enstrom and Pitkanen a tad underappreciated .
In five years time, I expect to see the top slots on this list taken by Green, Hedman, Bogosian, Carlson and hopefully Alzner in the lower half of the top ten.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
How far down do you go in any other division before you would see “Joni Pitkanen?” It’d be one of those “after the jump” slots.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I think a healthy Pitkanen is a nice two-way player. But yeah, he’s no other division’s #2… or #3… or…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I wouldn’t be surprised if RAHJC is on this list come next year.
"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 Sep 1, 2010 12:24 PM EDT reply actions
Shoot, I’d put him in it right now instead of T.Poti.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
Poti is very good on ES though. It’s only on PK where his numbers drop.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
There are some players that I like a lot, Eric Fehr for example, that I will defend even to the point of being ridiculous… and there are players that I dislike, Tom Poti for example, and trash them even to the point of being ridiculous.
I can not wait for TP to take a hike to another team.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
Understandable. I’m not a fan of Poti’s, but I appreciate what he does on ES. He seemed to pair especially well with Carlson, so I wonder if we might see that again this season. I wouldn’t expect Poti to be here for too much longer though, and I don’t think I’ll miss him too much.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Can you acknowledge that Poti increased his play during the playoffs, or does your dislike extend that far? A lot of other caps players didn’t meet that standard on increasing play in the playoffs. I’d take Poti in the Montreal series over Mike Green.
No, I take the body of work. Poti is a 12 year vet and during his tenure with us hasn’t played to his contract and still makes mistakes that a rookie would make. If he the puck on his stick and has to make a clearing pass, 9 times out of 10 it will find the opponents stick.
Poti is my whipping boy.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
by JSchon on Sep 1, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think that’s a little much for a goalie as young as RAHJC.
"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 Sep 1, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that’s a little much for a goalie as young as RAHJC.
is there anything he can’t do? :)
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Oof. Got caught up in the goalie discussion in the clips thread.
"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 Sep 1, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Carlson was better than Poti for the games he was in, plus playoffs. That said, Poti should get the benefit of the doubt here as he’s been playing well at the NHL level for awhile and Carlson has yet to play a full season.
If Carlson plays like he did the last 10-12 games of the regular season and the playoffs for the entire season, he moves onto this list, and in the top 5.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 1, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
If Carlson plays like he did the last 10-12 games of the regular season and the playoffs for the entire season, he moves onto this list, and in the top 5.
Not only that, he’ll win the ROY and make us all forget about Willie Mitchell.
My Top 10
1) Green – Back to Back Norris nominations speak for themselves.
2) Enstrom – A defensman getting 50 points on a team in the Southeast that isn’t Washington. Not bad defensively, but he will get better
3) Bogosian – Established himself as a quality two-way NHL defenseman last year…could emerge as the top defenseman in this division in a couple of years
4) Pitkanen – Great playmaker, needs to be a little bit more responsible in his own end
5) Schultz – I don’t think there is a smarter defenseman in the division than Sarge. Knows the game, studies opponents, knows his limitations and plays within them.
6) Kubina – Can really bring it from the point. May have the hardest shot from the backline in the division other than Corvo.
7) McCabe – Anyone who can play a full season for a dreadful team like Florida and end up with only a minus 4… not to shabby
8) Gleason – The most fearless defenseman in the division. Needs to watch his legs when playing the Caps…
9) Oduya – Helps round out a very solid backline for the Thrashers. Wish the Caps still had his rights…
10) Hedman – Is ready to step into a major role for the Bolts.
Wideman and Carlson probably belong on this list too, but they haven’t been in the division long enough. I expect next year Carlson will be in the top 5, and likely Wideman will be in the top 10. Poti gets an honorable mention, to be sure, and so does Ohlund…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
I can understand why he wasn’t in your top ten, but I think Hedman will be there by the end of the season.
Matthias Ohlund deserves some love, in spite of a down year for him last season. Solid, even at nearly 34.
is it cold yet?
His contract is nuts. 7 and 25.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 1, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Should it be?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 1, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I think once in a while I enjoy limiting the discussion to talent.
Choking since 1985.
by macvechkin on Sep 1, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know that everyone is assuming that Poti is gone after this season, but based on his numbers and the lack of veteran defensemen on the Caps, should he be let go? Maybe he doesn’t get resigned at $3.5, but at $2-2.5 million for a couple more years, I think he could be a valuable presence. Particularly as the young guys like Carlson and Alzner grow into their roles.
We’ll have to see, I think. Like I said above, all the Caps had high PDOs, so this season might have been a high outlier for some of them. If Poti continues his play and his on-ice sv% and sh% return to normal levels then it’s probably a good idea.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Poti knows that he’s not going to get $3.5M next year after seeing the free agent market this year….that said, a lot of whether he is back next year will depend on what the Caps do this season.
If the Caps win the Cup, Poti may decide to retire. If they don’t win the Cup but get close to it (conference final or further) then he may take wharever the Caps offer, even if it is at the low end of the $2-2.5M indicated. If the Caps flame out like they did last year, he may try a different Cup contender for the $2M….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 1, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope Poti retires from the Caps, but why would he retire? How old is he? 32? 33?
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
he’ll be 34 at the end of this season.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
He’ll get a few more 1yr contracts. I don’t see him retiring unless he suffers a horrible injury.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
Someone who came off a horrible injury (who a few playoff teams fawned over) just got a two-year deal. Stranger things have happened.
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
True, but my point is that there is little chance Poti retires after this season SC or not.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
I didn’t say he would retire, only that he may retire…. to a big plastic bubble free of allergens.
I would not be opposed to the Caps extending Poti for a couple more years, but not at $3.5M. The market value of a player with Poti’s skills and talents is now about $1M lower than that…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 2, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
he’d have to be replaced by someone external to the organization, imo. I don’t get the feeling there’s anyone ready to step into his role. And another thing to consider: of the 5 “regulars” on D (assume Erskine and Sloan and going to split that 6th spot), the next oldest guy is Mike Green. It may be a matter of trying to keep that veteran presence (warts and all) around for another year or two. And I get the impression he’s well-respected in the locker room.
or I could be completely off base.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I agree. $3.5M for Poti? or $4.25M for a guy like Volchenkov?
Poti was brought here to move the puck and produce points, he hasn’t done a great job of that. I think that Green and Carlson cover the scoring needs from the blueline and Poti’s replacement should be a guy Scuderi or someone who is more defensive minded naturally, unlike Poti.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
no, he hasn’t produced points. The emergence of Mike Green as the best offensive d-man in a generation kinda negated the need to have Poti QB the power play. He’s changed his game accordingly. Look, I know you deeply, deeply loathe the guy. But a Tom Poti who isn’t recovering from shoulder surgery, who isn’t fighting recurring groin issues, is a quietly reliable ES defenseman. One could do a lot worse.
Just get him off the damn PK.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
by RedBirdie on Sep 1, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Even if you forgive Poti for the PP stuff, which is fair to a degree (though he has still stunk when he did get chances), he still needs to give us more offense at ES and cut the rookie mistakes.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I just get tired of JSchon acting like Poti is worse than Wade Redden. He’s far from perfect, but he’s not the worst defenseman in the history of hockey, either.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Poti might actually be worse than Wade Redden. Wade Redden is killed for his contract more than his actual play.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Disagree here. Redden lost a ton of skating ability the last several years. He still thinks he can pinch and recover, but he can’t recover, so he just pinches and gets burned.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
I’m not acting and I never called him the"worst defenseman in hockey". I just don’t like him, just like people dislike me.
I get tired too of people saying the “Poti is the calming influence on the ice”, it makes me sick. He is one of the most nerve racking players to watch.
For every Poti apologist out there… there are the few, the proud, F-N Poti bashers… I am one and proud of it.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
Bully for you.
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 2, 2010 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
$3.5M for Poti? or $4.25M for a guy like Volchenkov
Volchenkov’s contract is bad because of the term, not the cap hit this year
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Boudreau and McPhee seem to love the guy. And barring the acquisition of some blue chip stay-at-home d-man, which we all know aint GMGM’s style, I think he renews at around $3 Million per.
What, do you mean through trade? Because Schultz and Alzner beg to differ.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 1, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Boudreau also loves Flash, who is rumored in almost every trade rumor involving the Caps. Boudreau also seemed to have it in for Fehr, who just got a 2 year deal. They traded Clark, our C, in the middle of the year. I don’t take much stock into trying to read GMGM or BB.
4th Floor, is next, swimvare, undervare, Eric Fehr...
I know it’s waaaay after the fact, but I think TB was wrong not to re-sign Kurtis Foster and let him go for nothing, after the season he had: 8 G’s and 42 points, with 3 G’s and 29 points as a righty on the #1 PP unit with Frodo and Stamkos.
Amazing.
For what Foster got from the Oilers….it would have been nice if the Caps could have landed him at that amount. Foster’s been through hell, but that shows what kind of character he has…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 1, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
He’d have been nice, but I was looking through his advanced stats and he wouldn’t be our S@H, so he’d be a bit redundant. Coming cheap, though, I don’t think I’d mind.
by red army line on Sep 1, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
His Cap hit is very small and the guy is clearly better than Sloan and Erskine.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 2, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
So this is what they mean by the SouthLeast.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
Fire-wagon hockey, yeee-hawww boys!!
I think the top 4 could make a fight for a top 5 position easily in other divisions though.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
The Atlantic is pretty stacked. Pronger, Timmonen, Staal, Michalek…
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
And Paul Martin. And Milan fucking Jurcina.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The Pacific is loaded too. The Southeast probably has the best set of forwards among all the divisions considering two of the top five sets of forwards in the league play in the Southeast (Washington and Tampa). On defense, it’s a little thin.
In terms of goaltending…the Southeast is pretty thin, I suspect, but there is a lot of potential in the division (Varly, Neuvy, Pavelic…)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 2, 2010 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
An Atlantic team has gotten to the conference finals in 5 of the last 7 seasons.
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Sep 2, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
50 | 24 | 15 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
50 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 56 |
|
Winnipeg
|
53 | 24 | 23 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
50 | 22 | 23 | 5 | 49 |
|
Carolina
|
53 | 19 | 25 | 9 | 47 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 8:30 AM EST)
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