Friday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Sep 10, 2010 6:37 AM EDT
in Caps Clips
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- Quick reminder: single-game tickets go on sale later this morning. [Capitals]
- The Caps have released their Rookie and Training Camp schedules and rosters. Plan your lives accordingly. [Capitals, Capitals, Dump 'n Chase]
- New England is proud of its Caps campers. [Kirk's Call]
- Remember last season when the Caps had double-digit NHL-caliber defensemen in the organization? Yeah, not so much any more. [Masisak]
- Proteau picks the East. [The Hockey News]
- Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr have joined the group of skaters out at Kettler. [Caps365 (video), CSN Washington (video)]
- Chatting up Semyon Varlamov. [Caps Snaps]
- Since we played the game yesterday with John Erskine, if the over/under for NHL games played in 2010-11 for Tyler Sloan is set at 16, which are you taking? [Peerless]
- Speaking of Erskine, 30-in-30 me. [Red Line Station]
- A fantasy look at the Caps. [Fake Teams]
- Caps OT, Episode 17, the most Swedish episode yet. [CSN Washington (video)]
- Cool preview of the new "Hockey Diaries" (which debuts tonight on XM204 at 7:00). [Capitals (audio)]
- Bruce Boudreau is filming a new Mercedes ad in which he... I don't know. Just click on the link. [Plixi]
- The Caps and the roaring twenties. [RtR]
- Philipp Grubauer bounced back from a rough first start of the season with a shutout. He'll be out at Kettler next week. [Whig Standard]
- Grubauer is one of several kids to keep your eyes on next week... [Puckhead's Thoughts]
- ... and here are some way-under-the-radar ones to watch as well. [Rink Rebel]
- "Alex Ovechkin: The Great 8" is available for pre-order. [Amazon]
- If you want to attend this year's Sneaker Ball, here's a great deal on tickets. [SB Nation Team Pick]
- לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה, Jeff Halpern. [Capitals Outsider]
- Finally, happy 28th birthday to Staffan Kronwall.
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But Sloan is also a wicked awesome wingah!!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well, Sloan is the 7D and the…(AO, 19, 22, 14, 18, 16, 21, 28, 15, 39, 17, 25, 85) 14th forward. I’ll take the over, too.
by red army line on Sep 10, 2010 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d sooner have Andrew Gordon as that 14th forward.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 10, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
And Jay Beagle. But, of course, there’s waivers to consider, so…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Shoot, I knew 14th seemed low. At any rate, that’s 1 Dman injury (very likely) and ~3-4 forward injuries (pretty common).
by red army line on Sep 10, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it would have to be at forward that Sloan goes “over.” Assuming six defensemen dressing a night, there are 492 playing slots open over the course of the season. It isn’t unreasonable to assume that the top four defensemen get 300 games. I had Alzner at 66 and Erskine at 56. That’s 422 man-games for what are for the moment the top six. 7-8-9-10 (the Caps dressed 11 defensemen in the regular season last year) split 70 games.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 10, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I have no reason to think this is anything other than a good bet. Frankly, the over/under could be 30 and I’d take the over. Injuries happen, and right now if one D gets hurt, Erskine and Sloan are both in the lineup. I’d like to think the team is going to bring in a D to address it, but they haven’t yet despite nearly unlimited opportunity.
Jeebus, that AO DVD barely looks like an NHL title.
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
Reprinted from last night…
CHI has signed ex-OIler C Ryan Potulny to a 1yr $500,000 contract.
15G 17A in 64 games last year. -21 but of course played for EDM
Not a bad, inexpensive depth singing by the Hawks.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
speaking of ov related items on amazon.com, our pal damien needs to write another controversial column with tenuous ties to the great 8 as the ovechkin project is dropping in preorder popularity…
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #322,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#70 in Books > Sports > Hockey
#26 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Biographies > Hockey
was #49 in hockey books last week. meanwhile, field hockey steps to success is up to number 10 in the same category.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Sep 10, 2010 8:16 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
lol Damien Cox
"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 10, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Solid write up by Corey on the defense, but for crying out loud, the blueline depth is really unacceptable for a team with our aspirations. It seems that the plan is to either bank on otherworldly health, or run our top four into the ice before March and then play mix and match at the deadline. With apologies to McNeill and Miskovic and Fahey and Collins, it’s pretty alarming where things are with less than a month before the real fun starts.
back to cool special
Lot of time before the roster freezes.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
True. And there’s still a few teams with good D depth—such as TOR and CAL and NJD—where another shoe has to fall. I also realize the value of a good bargain that George is clearly seeking, but I don’t think the trade deadline is such an opportune moment to integrate a new defender into Bruce’s system (whereas a F, should he care to skate, should be able to pick up the O and the defensive responsibilities more quickly). I think playing D in Bruce’s system is tougher than, say, MIN—partly bec of the system and partly because of personnel. It doesn’t help that the Caps are somewhat lean on shutdowny defenders to begin with, let alone NHL-quality. Sure, any acquired defender could get hurt and we’re right back to the beginning, and I suppose it’ll be interesting to roll the dice with what we have. I just don’t like having to come up boxcars on the first throw.
back to cool special
Agreed. This year almost feels like a rebuilding year, which is troubling given our “window” of opportunity with Semin likely closes this season. But, I’m trying to remain optimistic that at least some of our new young guns will step up and other gaps will be filled by April.
I think Carlson and Alzner—with properly managed minutes—will be fine, actually. It’s more about the current health back there for me: Poti has a broken melon; Nasty is getting over mono; Ersk is fairly rugged but limited…that’s half of each pair. And 52 isn’t going to get a light tapping each and every shift he’s on the ice, either.
I’m blaming my D reflux on a torn contact in my eye this morning, so…
back to cool special
This year almost feels like a rebuilding year
I think that’s a stretch, though there are certainly a lot of young guys who may be pressed into roles they’re not quite ready for. That said, the difference between this and a rebuild is that if the kids can’t hack it, the team will go out and find someone who can.
As they say, the Caps aren’t rebuilding, they’re reloading. We hope.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I agree, and “rebuild” was a bit much. I’m just not altogether convinced that we’ll go out and get those pieces if the youngens don’t perform. I agree with bigonetimer that defense seems like less of a concern. And they’ll be 4-6 types available at the deadline that won’t cost too much. Filling holes up the middle with quality vets will be expensive and I don’t see GMGM getting into a bidding war on those types of guys. I’d love to have Brad Richards as much as the next guy but even if he’s available, another team will be willing to spend more than we will. I’m sure there are lesser types available, but if Belanger cost a 2nd, what’s a true #2 center going to cost? And I appreciate that the FA market this past summer wasn’t good for centers. I think we’re just caught a bit between a rock and a hard place — we have a lot of great pieces to compete (several of whom aren’t likely to be back next year) but where we are potentially weak our quality prospects probably aren’t quite ready to step up to the level where we need them to be. That said, I am really looking forward to seeing what the new youngsters can do. Should help keep my mind on regular season hockey!
That said, the difference between this and a rebuild is that if the kids can’t hack it, the team will go out and find someone who can.
No doubt but solutions will only be as good as what’s available and feasible. I could see a defenseman being scrounged up that improves the unit but 2C seems like a much more difficult position to fill.
Defense
Toronto is loaded on defense, while the Caps have scoring coming out our ears. Some kind of exchange seems like a no-brainer to me.
One Beauchemin, please!
For all those speculating about getting something out of NJD due to the cap constraints imposed by the Kovalchuk contract… fuhgeddaboutit. There’s no way Lou helps out a conference rival in such a manner.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
I would love to see Beauchemin head our way. He’s only 30 and is capable of eating up a ton of minutes.
"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 10, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
The question is, what would we send back Toronto’s way? We can all dream of a Flash for Beauchemin trade, but I don’t see that happening.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
I’d also toss in an overpaid faceoff wizard who’s just starting a 3 year extension and a pick or two. /kneejerk
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 10, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, me neither. Even though Flash probably won’t be a very good 2C, we don’t have many options, so I’m a bit leery of trading him unless it’s part of a package for a legitimate 2C.
"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 10, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Sadly, the guy I could see going the other way would be Fehr. :(
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Don’t do it, GMGM!
"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 10, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
That would make room for Andrew Gordon to move up to the Caps this year but would leave an awf’lly big hole in the org chart for next year, when both Knuble and Semin could be moving on.
And to be clear, I want F-16 to stay.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Yeah, I’m just having a hard time thinking of another player that Burke would want back. Semin makes too much $$$. Perhaps Laich? The thing is, I don’t think Laich scored 20+ goals on another team unless he gets bucketloads of PP time.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Maybe small, speedy, scoring North American winger Kessel needs a small, speedy, playmaking North American center…
by red army line on Sep 10, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Lou has to move money. There’s no way around it. He’s not in a position of power. If the only people offering him anything that might help the team are EC contenders then what is he going to do? Give up a prospect to make sure his spare parts go out west? Who is he trying to move that is even a difference maker? I agree he’d never give Zajac to an EC contender, but he’s not parting with Zajac at all. You think he’s quaking in his boots at the thought of Bryce Salvador coming back to haunt him?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I don’t think he’d trade Salvador to the Caps, no. Not unless he thought the return would make his team better. On the other hand, I definitely think he’d trade Salvador in the conference. Just not to the top 4-5 teams.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Whatever return he gets isn’t going to make his team much better. He’s over a barrel and he doesn’t have anything quality that he can move. When GMs are over a barrel, nobody helps them out. Simon Gagne fetched nothing close to what he should. Same with Ehrhoff. Same with Heatley. Lou’s options are going to be extremely limited and if GMGM offers slightly more than someone else how is Lou going to turn it down? Bryce Salvador isn’t special. Not special enough to give up some return because you’re afraid of seeing him on the Caps. I honestly don’t think there is a team that Lou would refuse to trade with except for his own division.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Proteau
Several folks listed Proteau as one of their favorite hockey writers the other day. To them, I have this to say:
8. CAROLINA HURRICANES
The Canes are another team I think has the wherewithal and top-end offensive talent to carry them to a playoff berth – and the second half of last season proved it. That said, I’d imagine coach Paul Maurice’s charges need to put pedal to metal from the start of the season on; that so-so defense corps might not hold up for the entire campaign.
The Canes underperformed during the first half, then overperformed during the second half. Their true talent level, however, is still that of a non-playoff team barring huge forward steps from Sutter, McBain, Drayson Bowman and Zach Boychuk.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
To me, they’re just in a weird “not rebuilding, but rebuilding” phase. It wouldn’t surprise me if they snuck into the playoffs, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they completely bottomed out.
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 10, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
When they over-performed though it was without Cam Ward, who only started 5 games after the Olympics. Realize that Legace and Peters cobbled together some decent performances, but their save % was still under league average and much under what a healthy Ward should bring to the table.
I imagine that 6-12 in the East could be really close (again) and not much difference between the teams that sneak in the playoffs at the very last day and the ones with a long summer — I’m thinking NYR/Philly in a shootout.
To me, Boston at #2 is much more egregious than Carolina at 8. That said, Carolina probably isn’t in my Top 8. They’re definitely ripe for a fall after their hot finish to the year.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Sep 10, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Inside the Division, I just don’t think they’re as good as Tampa and Atlanta are.
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 10, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Boston at #2 is perfectly defensible and, in fact, probably quite prescient. As much as they overperformed two seasons ago, they underperformed last season. They play in a weak division, and they acquired the scoring depth they lacked last year. They’ve got two excellent goalies, though one is rather overpaid. They’re deep down the middle. Their one weakness could be their lack of depth on D, but the addition of Seidenberg will help there.
Carolina, on the other hand, is likely the fourth or possibly fifth best team in their own division. They lack scoring depth, defensive depth and their #1 keeper (Ward) has serious injury red flags.
Like I said, unless their young players take major steps forward, this is a team ticketed for the lottery. I just can’t see them beating out Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, and the Rangers.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
5th-best probably overstates the case a little, but I don’t see the Canes as superior to either ATL or TBL, so, yeah, 8th is a tough pick to justify in my mind.
Boston is an interesting case. Placing Sturm on LTIR gets them under the cap for the moment, but by less than the minimum, and leaves them with only 12 F on the parent roster (as per CapGeek). So they’re going to have to do something else in the short term. And when Sturm is ready to return, they’re going to have to do something yet again.
Being that tight to the cap all year is never a good thing. If injuries break badly for them, they could have real trouble.
Finally, the thing that struck me most was the Washington pick.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Washington ran away with the conference last year, and arguably the only significant piece they lost was Jose Theodore. Picking them to repeat for first doesn’t surprise me in the least.
I’m also in the “Boston-as-number-two-doesn’t-surprise-me” camp. They’re going to be a lot tougher this year. As for their cap issues, I think that their hope is that, by the time Sturm comes back, Michael Ryder has a whole bunch of goals from playing on a wing with Savard or Bergeron, and they can trade him away.
I’ve said my piece on Washington already, so I’m not going to rehash it.
Rregarding Boston and Ryder, hope springs eternal, but it’s not a plan (as has been pointed out before by others here).
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Ryder, shmyder. That team endured a slew of injuries next year. If Horton plays as well as he did in FLA and some of their forwards can stay healthy, they’ll have little trouble running away with the NE.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Knew what you meant.
Boston can also stick Seguin in the minors and make their cap problems disappear, so I suppose they’re not as screwed as they might be.
That whole NE division is boring as hell.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
The North Least Division. There, I said it — making fun of another division besides ours.
(Actually, last year, up to March, the cumulative W-L records of the NE and SE were about the same but then many of the SE teams tailed off, like Tampa and Atlanta and Boston and Montreal got hot.)
My personal feeling is that Boston will win the NE. While they played over their heads in 2008-2009, they had everything go wrong for them last year. Regression of the mean will mean an improvement.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Yeah, it’s not like the North Least can beat a President’s Trophy winner…
Please refrain from the general daft nature of comments like that.
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 10, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Like I said, unless their young players take major steps forward, this is a team ticketed for the lottery. I just can’t see them beating out Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, and the Rangers.
None of those listed teams really had what you’d call, as of today, a good off-season. In fact, they all might be worse off on paper at the start of this season than last we saw. MTL’s going with the Carey Price express, NYR’s yet to sign M. Staal, Ottawa lost Volchenkov for Gonchar, Buffalo was Buffalo. Carolina didn’t do anything either, but the same young players they’ll have this year played reasonably well in the NHL down the stretch.
After Washington, who knows in the East. I’m not sold on Tampa’s D or G this year (and their coach is an NHL unknown) and Atlanta’s forwards aren’t scoring machines, especially without yet unsigned Bergfors.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Carolina finished 8th, would be surprised if they finished 13th. It’s a big jumble in that part of the standings to begin with. As Philly and NYR can tell you, not much of a difference at all.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Sep 10, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
After Washington, who knows in the East.
That should read Southeast, of course. But I guess the Caps have practically clinched a top 3 seed in the East.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Sep 10, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that seven through thirteen in the EC is a huge jumble. On the other hand, the difference between Carolina and those other teams in that jumble (NYR, Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo, Tampa) is that they weren’t hot garbage on ice last year, and they didn’t take substantial moves backward in the offseason. The Rangers getting Boogard was dumb, but they’ll eventually come to terms with Staal. Ottawa getting Gonchar is a clear upgrade over Volchenkov. Price is still a damn good goalie and Montreal suffered through some horrendous injury problems last year. Buffalo has Miller. Tampa had a great offseason.
Carolina’s big offseason pickup was Joe Corvo. I just don’t see that pushing them over the top. They’ll live and die by what their young players do, and none of them looks (yet) like a difference-maker.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Rags are already over the cap and still have to sign Staal. Unless they are seriously going to put Redden in the AHL I don’t see how it happens.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Every season this happens, and every season, teams manage to figure a way out of cap danger. The Rags will do the same this year. I don’t think they’re going to be great, but I have a hard time envisioning Carolina surpassing them, the Habs, the Sabres, or the Sens.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Given the fact that every year you see at least one team surprise everyone (usually on the backs of surprising young players and/or a hot goalie – both of which CAR may get) and make the playoffs and the overall crappiness of the Eastern Conference I honestly can’t say picking any Eastern team to make the playoffs is egregious. Sure, FLA and NYI are huge long shots, but picking CAR to finish 8th isn’t so bad as to ruin the reputation of a writer like Proteau.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 10, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Carolina, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay are going to suffer by cannibalizing one another. Those three teams might split their games against one another, and they could once more finish within three points of one another. It’s why I don’t think that there will be more than one SE team going to the playoffs this year.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 10, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
That, combined with getting the crap pounded out of them by the Caps.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Out of them.. or into them?
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
by jordanDC on Sep 10, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Facepalm.
Seriously Adam, have you been paying attention at all this off-season?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 10, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like Proteau….just took a minor penalty
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 10, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAH!!
"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 10, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
CAR didn’t have a great off-season, but neither did most of their competitors for the low playoff seeds. TB and ATL improved, but NYR, OTT, and MTL all remained the same at best. I don’t think CAR will make the playoffs, but I don’t think it’s outrageous to pick them as the surprise team to squeak in – there is at least one every year. Who would have picked OTT to finish 5th in the East last year, or PHX and COL to make the playoffs?
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 10, 2010 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry to repost (if I am)
Not sure if anyone ever saw this article, I was on vacation during this time and so I didn’t catch it, on Brendan Morrison. He reports that the PP never made any adjustments during the Montreal Series.
waiting for the trade deadline now
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Hey – why didn’t he stop at my house? I was home!!!
He's a better skater than Nick, but he's big in the back[side]...BB
by Backeez Got Back on Sep 10, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Caps OT – Viking Edition!
Backstrom’s English just gets stronger and stronger.
"Do you see my fist? It was fists like these that built quaint Canadian cities out of the harsh Canadian wilderness, etc. etc."
by SeattleCapsFan on Sep 10, 2010 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
Just like his game.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I see what you did there.
"Do you see my fist? It was fists like these that built quaint Canadian cities out of the harsh Canadian wilderness, etc. etc."
by SeattleCapsFan on Sep 10, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
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