Friday Caps Clips: Holtby Holds Off Isles
by J.P. on Jan 21, 2011 6:46 AM EST
in Caps Clips
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Be sure to check out tomorrow morning's episode of Japers' Rink Radio, as Pepper and Russell welcome Caps grinder Matt Hendricks and The Globe and Mail's James Mirtle to the show ahead of Saturday night's Hockey Night in Canada match-up with the Leafs.
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's win from us, Vogs, WaPo (Carrera: blog, gamer), CSN Washington (Beninati), Caps365 video (Boudreau, players), Frankovic, Peerless, RMNB, Puckhead, KOL, Capitals News Network, WC2010, StC, Hockey Mom, Capitals Outsider, Caps 'Round the Clock, Inside Hockey and NYI Point Blank for the Isles perspective.
- Has Doc Emrick ever said anything negative about anyone? No? Well he's certainly not going to break that streak on Alex Ovechkin. [D.C. Sports Bog (with more on AO in Jersey at Alex Ovetjkin)]
- The Caps and the "Three Foot Rule." [RtR]
- Take note: you may never again see the phrase "brute force" used in reference to David Steckel. [National Post (with reactions from Steckel to The Collision at Yahoo!, and perhaps on NHL Live! today at 12:20)]
- On that whole "starting next year in Russia" noise. [Puck Daddy]
- The Caps' ratings have gotten a boost recently, and Steinz credits HBO (as opposed to the scintillating winning hockey they've played for the past month and change). [D.C. Sports Bog]
- The organization's three stars for the week ending yesterday. [RtR]
- Part II of the epic Nate Ewell piece is definitely the Odyssey to Part I's Iliad. [OFB]
- Happy 61st birthday, original Cap Ron Anderson.
- Finally, in case you missed it, Tomas Fleischmann's season is over as he has pulmonary emboli. Get well soon, Flash - we're all pulling for you. [All Things Avs]
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The Isle always play the Caps tough, it seems.
I’ll take the win, the first goal, the Backstrom ice-breaker, all of it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
How’d Holtby look? I was in a bar so I didn’t get a great look at most of the game.
I saw more of NJD/PIT than the Caps game. The Pens are really punchless without those 2 Art Ross Cs, who knew? I also can’t figure out Brodeur. It’s like he’s good for a shutout or 5 goals against this year. No middle ground.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Holtby was solid. Good rebound control, flashed some leather…
A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch.
--James Beard
Although on the goal it seemed like his glove was out of position (low) and if it had been held up high he could have gotten the shot.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
He seems to play with it always low compared to a lot of goalies.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 21, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
Take note: you may never again see the phrase “brute force” used in reference to David Steckel.
Never mind that, I didn’t think I’d ever see Dave’s actions compared to Dick Clark(e)’s, much less Bobby.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
Also, apologies to the author that AO wasn’t seriously hurt before Crosby was.
Seriously, where does Canada find these people?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I expect him on TSN by Opening Night ’11.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 21, 2011 7:28 AM EST up reply actions
F’real, though, what business does this have in an article about Crosby’s concussion?
To be honest, it always seemed like Alex Ovechkin would be the first superstar to suffer a serious injury.
There was that time when he and Washington Capitals teammate Mike Green were almost decapitated by a garage door while driving an equipment cart. And his knack for scoring big goals, delivering big hits and choreographing even bigger celebrations seemed to invite danger.
The whole article is one giant leap that would make Damien Cox blush.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t sidney crosby already suffer a high-ankle sprain in 2007-2008? Didn’t injuries limit him to 53 games? By that measure, hasn’t Crosby already been the first to suffer “serious injury?”
Because a high ankle sprain isn’t serious, I guess. It’s not career threatening, or as grave as a concussion, so I sort of buy that. But Crosby has shown his red flags as well. He’s had to miss games here and there with groin/abdominal issues, and those can be recurring and serious.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I think the leap from the Cherry-inspired “Ovechkin is going to get his for playing his flashy style” to “Crosby got his via David Steckel” is Grand Canyon-sized.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That’s where I come down on it. It doesn’t even make sense within the internal construction of hockey memes.
Flashy Russians show up their opponents, so a large boy from Saskatoon is going to hit him into next week.
Sid is quiet, self effacing, humble and a True Canadian Hockey Player…so Dave Steckel laid him out?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
"Crosby got his via David Steckel" isn’t on the other side of any canyon. Crosby doesn’t really ruffle any feathers, and Steckel doesn’t hurt people.
You had me at no problem.
Crosby definitely ruffles feathers. Every single player’s poll since Crosby’s been in the league has said that more than half the players think Crosby’s the biggest whiner in the league. Mix that with the fact that he’s one of the most talented players in the league I’d say people definitely have issues with him…mostly out of competition or jealousy.
Just because the hockey pundits don’t announce it doesn’t mean there’s no smoke.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
Crosby doesn’t really ruffle any feathers
Really? I’d argue that aside from the Sean Avery’s of the world, Crosby may be one of the most disliked star players in the league among his fellow NHLers.
But the things people don’t like about him aren’t the sorts of things that invite retribution.
You had me at no problem.
It’s on the other side of the canyon in that it implies either retribution or sinister intent on Steckel’s part.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
To his credit at least he mentioned ‘72 in his piece. If I was to put on a therapist (or analrapist) hat, I’d suggest some of these guys have that bouncing around their subconscious when they decide to post something.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 21, 2011 7:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I really shouldn’t have read that piece. But I did. Foolish move.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
That’s pretty awful about Flash. Screw hockey at this point…I just hope the guy can live a normal life.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 7:20 AM EST reply actions
He should be fine. I mentioned over at Mile High that the problem sounds genetic (speaking as someone whose spouse has had a DVT and PE discovered). Blood thinners aren’t indefinite, it’s just a matter of striking the balance between maintaining his career and general health.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 21, 2011 7:26 AM EST up reply actions
Do you think the altitude in Denver contributed to it?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
If the DVT was set off by being on a plane I imagine that this, too, could be linked to that.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Seems like it would be worse for him if he got it on the plane. At least if it was because he lived in Denver he could just move to a team at lower altitude. If this is going to come up every time he has to spend X hours on a plain then his career would be in some trouble, I’d think.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
More time spent travelling in the Western Conference? If that’s the cause, it’s serverely limiting. But in the big picture, his health is the most important thing.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Sure. If it’s genetic/hereditary, he could have (for example) just as easily taken a slash/puck on the back of his leg in the first period, not realized it and played the rest of a game on it and it could have moved up to his lungs.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 21, 2011 7:50 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah… poor guy! :-(
I hope he gets this resolved soon; he can’t play hockey on blood thinners, though… that’s a seriously “too risky” proposition.
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by IRockTheRed on Jan 21, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
When Tomas Vokoun had his blood clots back in 2006-7, they didn’t “appear” until he spent time on a plane on the way back from a road game. By the time the team got home he was in the fetal position, so it’s not something to mess around with.
Vokoun got better, obviously, and hopefully Flash will do the same – I hated to hear that.
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
Related to blood clot issues, this recent must-read from Dan Levy.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 21, 2011 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
Aw jeez. He mentioned something about his kid being sick on the last podcast he did last week. How awful.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 9:58 AM EST up reply actions
Screw hockey, yeah, but for this to happen in a contract year is doubley tough. Flash will be taking a big pay cut next year. Dare I say it - maybe he’s priced himself back into the Caps plans for ’11’12?
A thousand Caps fans felt you typing it, and willed it on there subconsciously.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
FYI, SBN’s “auto formatting” will strikethough any phrase enclosed in dashes, i.e. this
"I am ready for his provocations"
twitter
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 21, 2011 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Q for stat nerds
As you know, I have the chances for line combos and want to make some more sense out of them.
I am trying to figure out a combos’ chance of being above average, using Excel’s BINOMDIST function.
For example:
Backstrom-Laich-Ovechkin have seen 20 chances-for, 3 against so using BINOMDIST (20,23,.500,FALSE) I see that an avg combo would see 20 out of 23 chances go in their favor .02% of the time. As opposed to Backstrom-Chimera-Semin (3 for, 2 against) which is 31.25%.
I get confused easily using BINOMDIST true/false and just want to make sure I am on right track. Feedback encouraged. Help me help you.
Blogger for Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) and WaPo's Capitals Insider
I also log the Caps scoring chances for 2010-11. The summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
by 5ive Hole on Jan 21, 2011 7:37 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I can’t really answer that question and have never used the BINOMDIST function, but would one be using it correctly to say that the odds of a 25.2% power-play hitting a 1-for-33 slide is .08% [BINOMDIST]?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I believe that is correct.
Blogger for Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) and WaPo's Capitals Insider
I also log the Caps scoring chances for 2010-11. The summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Whoa. Mind blown.
So there’s a 0.1% chance that a guy with a career 14.5% shooting percentage over 1,021 shots on goal is going to follow that up with an 0-for-44 [BINOMDIST (0,44,0.145,FALSE)]?
I have a new best friend.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Correct. Excel has another function for that specifically, HYPGEOMDIST.
This means no more Monte Carlo sims for me :-)
Blogger for Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) and WaPo's Capitals Insider
I also log the Caps scoring chances for 2010-11. The summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Hmm… slightly different result – HYPGEOMDIST (0,44,148,1021) yields .087% (maybe just to eff with me), BINOMDIST (0,44,0.144956,FALSE) gives me .10%. What’s the different question that I’m asking it?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
FALSE tells you prob at exactly that number. TRUE is that number or less. More here.
Perhaps rounding up is at play?
Blogger for Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) and WaPo's Capitals Insider
I also log the Caps scoring chances for 2010-11. The summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
A new statistical function — SEMINDIST
predicts likelihood of scoring goals before contract expires as a function of minutes played when healthy.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 21, 2011 8:15 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I thought only SEMINDIST Crosby?
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 21, 2011 8:50 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I am a Hypgemdist, what would you like to know?
Wearing the weagle is a way a’ life
by Gould Old Days on Jan 21, 2011 9:06 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think using the hypergeometric distribution is correct in this situation. To use the hypergeometric distribution is as if he was taking a sample of 44 draws (without replacement) from the population of the 1021 shots, when in actuality the player took an additional 44 shots, which should be another binomial distribution. Taking draws without replacement is not independent, but a player taking 44 additional shots are all independent events. The outcome of one shot has no effect on the next. So the proper way to calculate this is to do another binomial distribution with probability of success of 14.5%, with 44 trials and 0 successes. This equals .10%.
I wanted to make sure that my approach was correct so I asked another statistician at work, she has a phd (meaning she’s a lot smarter than I) and she agreed that a hypergeometric distribution is not correct in this situation.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 21, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
I double checked this in SAS. .0835932% is the probability of getting 0 or 1 successes (goals). To calculate the probability of just 1 goal, you have to subtract off the probability of 0 goals (.0068985%), which equals .0766947%. So the probability of getting just one goal out of 33 attempts when the power play is at 25.2% is just .07%.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 21, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
hmm somehow I managed to write the SAS code to double check this but failed at basic rounding. The probability is .077% or .08%.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 21, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
After reading the reference material you linked to, it looks like you’re doing it right to me.
The only question I’ve got is whether the assumption that an “average” line combo sits at .500 in scoring chances for/against.
Intuitively, it would seem that would be the case, of course.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
The only question I’ve got is whether the assumption that an "average" line combo sits at .500 in scoring chances for/against.
True, we don’t know, but I feel a line that is winning more than 50% of chances is doing something right – and it’s a good place to start.
Blogger for Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) and WaPo's Capitals Insider
I also log the Caps scoring chances for 2010-11. The summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
i’d really go bayesian on this.
/Hawerchuk’d
Best advice I can give? Sniff test. I’d guess you can look at the numbers and tell if the probability should be high or low.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
Without the benefit of a 14 game win streak, the Caps are only 2 points behind Pittsburgh….puts the doom and gloom folks in perspective…
000
BUT ATLANTA AND CAROLINA ARE ONLY 6 AND 8 POINTS BEHIND US!!!!
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 7:52 AM EST up reply actions
When Semin and Neuvy were tearing it up to start the season, the Pens were struggling (I think with integrating the new D); they’ve also had some tough luck with injuries.
Philly is having the golden season thus far, with the eception of Pronger’s absence recently.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
He returned last night…hopefully not to make them even more golden.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 21, 2011 8:13 AM EST up reply actions
apparently a bunch of fighting majors in the 3rd last night in the Flyers/Sens game ….who would have ever imagined that! (haven’read the game summary on that one yet)
"Quint?"........"No."
50 PIMs of fighting majors alone in the 3rd. 16 PIMs of minors in the 3rd. A single 10 PIM misconduct penalty and 4 Game Misconduct penalties.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
I saw one point where there were 3 separate fights going on at the same time. That would have come out to 30 of the 50 fighting PIM’s in the 3rd. Looking at the boxscore, it had to have been the one at 16:13. I remember Ruutu-Hartnell, Neil-Shelley, and Carkner-O’Donnell all being involved.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Caps in 2011? Think Islanders in 1980
A very important observation from the Islanders’ broadcasters…
Howie Rose (play-by-play) asked Butch Goring (color analyst) if the 1979/1980 season, when Goring came to the Islanders, was similar to the current Caps season.
Goring said yes. Like the Caps, the Islanders lost out in the previous two years’ playoffs, but the team was so strong that “everyone” in the NHL was saying that 1980 was the year for the team to take the Cup. He said those expectations created tremendous pressure for the players, resulting in uneven play.
Their season had two bouts of poor performance: 1-7-1 (W-L-Tie) in November and 2-6-0 in February. Goring said the Caps now, like the Islanders back then, are learning how to fight through the pressure, when every loss is a body blow.
At the end of the season, the Islanders went 8-0-4, then went on to win their first Stanley Cup (three more followed the next three years).
A forecast for the Caps? Who knows. But hearing the Islanders description from a top player and seeing the stats does give us a better understanding of what’s bugging the Caps. And it gives us reason to hope…
...if nothing is properly criticized, mediocrity triumphs.
by OccasionalCritic on Jan 21, 2011 7:59 AM EST reply actions 24 recs
Awesome find. Also, welcome to The Rink.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 21, 2011 8:15 AM EST up reply actions
What’s with this optimism?
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:23 AM EST up reply actions
Clearly he has no spent enough time around here yet.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 21, 2011 8:37 AM EST up reply actions
The Islanders didn’t really have a parallel to Alex Ovechkin (at least on the wing), but there are loose (that being the operative word here) parallels, with one notable exception…
Mike Bossy – Alexander Semin
Bryan Trottier – Nicklas Backstrom
Clark Gillies – Mike Knuble
Bob Nystrom – Brooks Laich
Denis Potvin – Mike Green
Butch Goring — ???
Goring was a shot in the arm late that season at a position the Caps need help at. Where is it coming from?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Brad Richards!
…oh, uhm ..
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:26 AM EST up reply actions
Better him than Blair.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 8:53 AM EST up reply actions
I wouldn’t mind her husband skating for the Caps….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 21, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
On Sunday poor Carrie had to walk the red carpet at the Golden Globes alone while her hubby was in DC getting beat by the Caps.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I heard she also had some trouble in the girls locker room.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
How do we know that her hubby doesn’t have a Princess Leia fetish?
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I hear when he is playing on the road and without Carrie with him, he’s more a “Han Solo” guy if you catch my drift.
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
He hadn’t even turned 3 yet when the slave girl scene came out in theaters.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
While this has gone wildly off-topic, the fact he was pre-school age in 1983 doesn’t matter. People own video/DVDs and the movies have been on TV and in and out of the theaters in the intervening 28 years.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Why is Bossy not Ovechkin?
Also, based on this analysis, better keep Anton Gustafsson away from Mike Green.
Wearing the weagle is a way a’ life
by Gould Old Days on Jan 21, 2011 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
Andres Kallur – Marcus Johnasson
John Tonelli – Eric Fehr
Bob Bourne – Matty Perrault
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
Billy Smith – My crazy uncle who lives in the woods
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 21, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I used to see Billy almost every weekend as a kid (after he retired from the NHL). He was an awesome dude, if a bit eccentric.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jan 21, 2011 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmm.....
I remember those Islander teams… a few more guys and a correction:
Clark Gillies – Jason Chimera
Ken Morrow – Karl Alzner
Stefan Persson – John Carlson
Amazing there’s no analog for Ovechkin… and while the Islanders have had many great players in their past, Ovechkin is arguably better than all of them….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 21, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Gord Lane – Scott Hannan
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
Hmm…. actually Erskine was probably a better fit for Lane…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 21, 2011 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
I almost said Erskine but in size Hannan was more comparable and lane was probably the steadiest of the NYI defense-first blueliners at that time and I would say Hannan is more consistent than Big John.
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
I heard that too…had to watch the NYI feed – no HD – as the Devils and Rangers took up the NY HD channels…bastards.
I like Howie Rose (a face made for radio) but that announcing team seems to have already checked out…their comments on the Caps not scoring indicated that they thought that the Caps are just having an off year rather than the much publicized system change…it just seemed to me that they didn’t know a lot about the rest of the league…looking forward to the Mets season apparently. Is it just me? did anyone notice that?
"Quint?"........"No."
I’m generally a fan of the NYI announcers. More so than Locker (nothing against Joe B).
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:45 AM EST up reply actions
I think the Caps are indeed having an off year, hard to argue any other way when you look at the shooting pct.
The system change probably informs the scoring totals to a certain extent, but I think for the most partt the new system is a reaction to the goals not going in as hard and fast as they used to.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
BB's comments on MoJo
Did anyone else catch BB’s comments on MoJo’s ice time last night? To paraphrase, he said MoJo had little time in the third because BB was operating a short bench and MoJo had been struggling in the game. He went on to say that MoJo is accustomed to playing about 45 games a season, about where we are, and he’s getting a little tired out about now. If that’s the case, then how did GMGM ever expect that he would be ready this season to play a 2C/3C role for an 82 game regular season followed by (hopefully) several grueling play-off series? How will MoJo perform, then, even in a lesser role? And as has been said many times, MP is not the answer, regardless of yesterday’s somewhat surprising post. Sure hope GMGM is burning up the cell phone batteries looking for a veteran/durable 2C.
We all knew the rookie wall loomed for MarJo; GM had to know it too.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I don’t think there was anybody here that actually thought MarJo was a legitimate solution for 2C for this year.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:39 AM EST up reply actions
Right, I know that’s true, but when he has those really good games, we get hopeful. I just wonder how much/how long GMGM would try to convince himself that it was just around the corner? If the story about Belanger almost coming back was true, then that gives more insight into the thinking, although that was before Flash was traded, as well. I guess we just have to assume he’s looking.
GMGM has to know that the team isn’t set at 2C.
And the good games from MarJo (should) get people hopeful not because it shows he is ready for that spot now, but because it shows his potential to take that spot within the next couple of years.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:52 AM EST up reply actions
Speaking of 2C, Just Say No to Jason Arnott. Three points in January. Five points since December 10. Kind of sucks because he’d be a convenient solution if he were playing reasonably well.
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As others have said, he’s a last choice solution. He’s probably better than any player the Caps can put there from within the organization, barring some major strides by the young folks.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
barring some major strides by the young folks.
Or growth spurts
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 21, 2011 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
We’re going to be stuck with a pretty short list of guys that are available. I don’t know the WC well enough to really speak to that, but in the East, who’s both better and available?
I can’t see Weiss being moved, I don’t think Schremp is better, Regin won’t move (unless Murray gets really desperate and Melnyck forgets to take his meds), Grabovski won’t move, Connolly isn’t as good when you count in the probability of an injury…and all the rest of the teams are at least sort of in the hunt for a playoff spot.
I have a bad feeling it’s going to be Arnott (or his equivalent out of the WC) and hope that Semin gets hot at the right time.
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Fisher? The team would have to commit to him at 2C for 2 more years at $4.2MM, but that could be livable. We’ll have plenty of young centers on ELCs coming along in the meantime.
You had me at no problem.
Oh, yeah, I forgot about him.
He’d be a better player than Arnott. Of course, if Melnyck thinks the Sens are a quick signing or two from competing, then he’ll want to hold on to Fisher.
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You gotta make sure with Fisher that you hold on loosely.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
That’s right. He’s gotta have someone to believe in. And a lot of space to breathe in.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
I agree. Stick that three pointed Devils fork in Arnott, because he’s done.
Caps fans better root against the Kings the next couple of weeks. Because Michal Handzus and Jarret Stoll look like the two best options who might reasonably be available. (Obviously, Weiss would be awesome if they can get him)
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by Gould Old Days on Jan 21, 2011 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
Glad you posted it before I did G.O.D. because I am thinking more and more that Jarret Stoll is the guy we are looking at for 2C. Can play in both ends. Is paid 3.6 this year and next (obviously less this year), doesn’t have a NMC/NTC. We can work him for a year a bit as we net MoJo or MP85 primed for the 2C job. I don’t think I would totally be against having him here—preferable to Handzus anyhow.
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
Fehr. Perreault. Eakin. Can’t think of anyone else that would have trade value.
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Lots of other prospects yet to play an NHL game that would definitely have trade value, some of them significant(Kuznetsov, Orlov). Hard to say which ones GMGM does or does not consider “expendable”, though.
You had me at no problem.
Oh, yeah, Orlov. Forgot about him.
I’m assuming Kuznetsov is both not available – on the theory that the Caps won’t be trading Top 6 centers due to it being a position of need – and also not that desirable due to the whole Russian thing.
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Russian thing definitely factors in. Those players are generally more valuable to Washington than they are to other teams, so we would get even less value for them in trade.
Galiev is out there too, and the fact that he has played in North America for a while now mitigates the Russian Factor.
You had me at no problem.
It should mitigate, but the third round selection sort of indicates that GMs don’t agree with that assessment.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Galiev has had a solid but not stellar season, getting about a point-per-game on a team that is ridiculously offensively stacked.
He’s a little like Semin in that he’ll have a game with two beauty pure-skill goals and dangle the heck out of everyone, then sorta disappear for a game or two. Not quite as much natural talent as Semin though, and Coach Bragin was correct in leaving him off Team Russia.
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I can only imagine how much skinny little Stan would have been knocked around in those games like Canada.
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His points are fine, but his +/- is relatively terrible compared to his teammates.
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If they continue their nose dive out of contention, they’re not going to be interested in Semin since he’s a UFA and won’t help them after this year.
They need goal scoring on the wing. It’s why they went after Kovalchuk.
Wearing the weagle is a way a’ life
by Gould Old Days on Jan 21, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
Thing is, he’s already on LAK and aside from that scoring winger I hear a lot about LAK being on the market to find a 2C.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Yeah, but they’re going to be selling real quick if they keep it up.
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by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, they are in a bit of a freefall. I still have faith in them. It’s a good team.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I thought so, too, but they were terrible last time I watched them for 60 minutes.
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by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
They’re gonna have to ask themselves where they think Brayden Schenn will be next year. If they see him playing Stoll off the team, Stoll might be gone.
He’s probably 2C next year but at least 3C I’m sure. Between Handzus and Stoll they really only need to keep one, but neither are indispensable so if they can get value for them and won’t make the playoffs then they should.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
GMGM has to know that the team isn’t set at 2C.
Definitely, but where is McPhee going to find the answer? No doubt he’s going to try, but with so many teams still in the playoff hunt and centers being the most valauable commodity behind defensemen, not many teams will part with a top pivot. Richards was the obvious choice, but with Dallas leading their division there’s no way they’ll move him. Something has to be done, though, since the Caps chances of winning a Cup are next to zero if Perrault AND MarJo are your #2 & #3 centers.
and if you take a look at CapGeek, we’ve got to wait a while longer to build up our cap space before we make a trade, unless we’re gonna send out some salary in a trade
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Hmm, I thought I read a clip yesterday that said the Caps had over $5 million available to them in cap space right now.
It comes down to what GMGM is willing to move — Kuznetsov? Alzner? Neuvy/Varly? FLA loaded up at the draft last year so they’re at least 2-3 years away — would they want to add Kuznutz/pick to that list in exchange for Weiss? San Jose is in desperate need of defensive help — trade Alzner/pick for Pavelski? Maybe you could get Fisher for a 1st/Eakin type trade but it will be extremely difficult to get a legit 2nd line center without giving up very valuable assets.
I think you’re right but the point (and an obvious one) was that there are plenty of guys who are “available”, it’s just at what price. And given Peerless’ great description of the uneven window of development for our players/prospects, I personally think GMGM should pull the trigger on a legit 2C even if that means giving up valuable assets (including Alzner).
Picking up a 2C and getting rid of Alzner solves one problem but just creates another. You get better in the front end but lose half of what is quickly becoming (if not already) your current best D pairing (imo). Not gonna happen. And I don’t say that just b/c I bought an Alzner jersey this year and I’d be so mad.
"And then they’ll look at guys in my situation, that could play three good games in a row and have one bad shift, and they’ll say, ‘Well, that’s why he’s been in the minor leagues his whole career.'" --Matt Hendricks
I wouldn’t move Alzner unless we are getting back a stud with the prime of his career ahead of him.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I’d agree with most of this (and what others have said) but re: this -
If that’s the case, then how did GMGM ever expect that he would be ready this season to play a 2C/3C role for an 82 game regular season followed by (hopefully) several grueling play-off series?
Unfortunately the only way to get a guy prepared to go from a 45-game season to an 82+ game season…is to have him play an 82+ game season. GMGM most likely knows he needs another 2C and if you want to bring MarJo along and have him ready to fill that role down the line, you need to get him acclimated to the number of games regardless. I wouldn’t be surprised if MarJo’s TOI went down a bit for awhile and then back up toward the end of the season.
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Oh, I understand and agree with that. I’m just wondering for this season where he’s really going to be by the end of it. I think having him here rather than Hershey was the right plan for his development, but I think I had unrealistic expectations of what he could do for us in the playoffs. I am very excited about him as a Caps player and so enjoy watching him go!
It’s funny that he’d be showing the wear and tear now when for the last few weeks BB had consistently been upping his ice time. He sure wasn’t playing him like he was worried about wearing him out, and Mackan sure didn’t look tired.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
He’s also been nursing a foot injury for quite a while. After the Winter Classic he was still wearing a boot on his foot. It might be that his foot is finally healed enough where he can start eating more minutes, but BB just pushed a bit too hard against Philly.
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by iwearstripes on Jan 21, 2011 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Macken had a boot on his foot? how did I miss that?
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Dunno, the thing came up almost to his knee. I’m not sure if he had it on right after the game, but he had it on back at the hotel.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jan 21, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
It doesn’t help that BB skated him like crazy against the Flyers.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jan 21, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
I woke up with the flu kicking my ass this morning. But luckily for me Center Ice is showing replays of the games from last night.
Watching the DET-STL game right now.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:24 AM EST reply actions
Watch the COL/NSH game, just for Colin Wilson’s goal.
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 8:30 AM EST up reply actions
昨日、そのゲームを見た。
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:31 AM EST up reply actions
Riiiiiiiiiiight.
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
(he saw that game yesterday)
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Also, fuck Gaborik.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:36 AM EST up reply actions
I figured you enjoyed that. At least I remembered to start him this time.
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 8:37 AM EST up reply actions
My goalies say hi, at the very least.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:39 AM EST up reply actions
Nabokov Pool
Here is the waiver order as of today, via Left Wing Lock. Who snags Nabokov?
I’ll go with SJS.
New Jersey
Edmonton
NY Islanders
Ottawa
Toronto
Calgary
Buffalo
Florida
Columbus
Los Angeles
San Jose
Carolina
Atlanta
St. Louis
Minnesota
Anaheim
Chicago
Phoenix
Colorado
NY Rangers
Montreal
Nashville
Washington
Tampa Bay
Boston
Pittsburgh
Dallas
Detroit
Philadelphia
Vancouver
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Columbus.
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by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
NJD, then they trade ’em to Detroit for a bag of pucks or something fishy like that.
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USA beat Canada because more kids in the US are playing hockey and the USA hockey system is producing better hockey players to compete with the Canadian youth hockey system, not because Ray Bourque got his fuck on in Boston. -Killer_Carlson
Exactly my thinking. I’d claim him, and then work out a trade.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 8:53 AM EST up reply actions
someone was saying you couldn’t trade him unless he goes back to his original team
Suspend Colin Campbell!
You can’t trade him without putting him back on waivers. If they put Nabokov back on waivers, the Red Wings would have the first opportunity to claim him, except if a team below them in the standings tried to claim him and didn’t get them because a team yet lower than them tried to claim him. I.e., if NJ and Columbus put in a claim, NJ would get him; if NJ subsequently tried to trade him, Columbus would have top waiver priority for him.
So it would be pointless to try to pull the move suggested because anyone you would want to trade him to could just pick him off the waiver wire.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
There are apparently some funny rules here. Section 13.20(b) of the CBA says “a Player who has been acquired by Waiver claim shall not be Traded to another Club until the termination of Playoffs of the season in which he was acquired unless he is first offered on the same terms to the Club(s) that entered a claim when Waivers were requested originally and the offer has been refused.”
So New Jersey acquires Nabokov on waivers, but both Columbus and, oh, Tampa put in claims. NJ then gets Nabokov to waive his NMC and tries to trade him to the Red Wings. They have to put him on waivers again to trade him; neither Columbus nor Tampa makes a claim. New Jersey can then trade him to Detroit, but only after offering to trade him to Tampa or Columbus and having them refuse.
And in all of that, from what McKenzie said last night, I think Nabokov can choose not to waive his NMC to the team not involved in the the trade (NJ and DET in this scenario) and effective get suspened (effectively voiding the contract).
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"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Well, isn’t that a lot of horse shit.
These waiver rules are maddening.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
I think Columbus is a good bet. High waiver priority, two inconsistent goalies (one of whom is on an entry-level deal presently, but is pretty much waiver-proof due to his excessive extension) and a GM who needs to make the playoffs this year if he wants to keep his job. Nabby is cheap, and helps out in one area that team is really hurting.
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Wouldn’t be surprised. Watching DiPietro last night made me very glad I am not an islanders fan. I dunno how they survive that stress.
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by RockinRed4Life on Jan 21, 2011 8:39 AM EST up reply actions
agreed
he is a good handler of the puck but the chances he takes are absurd. I suppose if you are an Islanders fan you have bigger fish to fry than DiPietro’s playing the puck. On the other hand, he got the puck up ice pretty quick on some of those Caps changes. You take the good, you take the bad. . . . I for one want the stay at home goalie who only plays the dump in wraparound.
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by Lunatic Fringe on Jan 21, 2011 8:54 AM EST up reply actions
I for one want the stay at home goalie who only plays the dump in wraparound.
Najeh Davenport would have been a good goaltender.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 8:57 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I’d guess Isles, and if they don’t, Tampa’d be my #2.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 21, 2011 8:57 AM EST up reply actions
why Tampa?
Roloson is probably better than Nabby at this point and Dan Ellis is a serviceable backup.
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by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 8:58 AM EST up reply actions
Because Roloson is really only very good against the Caps.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 21, 2011 8:58 AM EST up reply actions
If I recall correctly, they chose making a trade for Roloson over attempting to sign Nabokov because they felt the latter would never clear waivers.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
If Tampa went after Nabby, that would give them four veteran goalies on the payroll. Doubt that’s happening.
I don’t even think he makes it there. There’s too many teams below them that either have terrible goaltending (like CBus and Toronto), or terrible teams that could use him as an asset for the deadline (which is only about a monf away now)
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
And lest we forget, the West is tighter than a pair of skinny jeans. I mean, the Jackets are in 13th place, have the same amount of points as the Kings, and are only 5 points back of 8th. And Calgary is only three points behind them in 14th.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions
Hey even if he’s just for the Caps, that’s 12 points for them and a 24 point standings swing
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
If I had a choice between Rolly and Nabby, I know who I’d pick.
/if it didn’t bankrupt them.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 21, 2011 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
That would give them 4 goalies signed to NHL contracts…seems like a lot.
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Trade Rolo to TOR, quick! His effectiveness is almost expired!
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 21, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
He is going to start getting traded to the next team to face the Caps everyday.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
This hypothetical situation makes me wonder: Which player has been traded the most times in his career?
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
I figured Sillinger had to be a candidate, considering he’s played for every team ever.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
the Isles
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
Ottawa might put in a claim…. Toronto has Giguerre, but he’s open to waiving his NMC in order to go to a contender.
Would not surprise me if he ended up with Calgary or Columbus either….
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 21, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
Why SJS? Their injuries? I think many teams are in a similar boat, and at least SJS has two NHL-caliber starting goalies on the roster.
I don’t think anyone claims him. Unless they want to screw with Detroit. So perhaps…Chicago?
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by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
Didn’t SJS sign a college kid to an amateur tryout contract in order to dress a backup last night?
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because Nittimaaki went down with a groin pull in morning skate and they couldn’t get an AHL goalie to Vancouver in time. I’m not sure how serious Nitti’s injury is.
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Chicago is in their own version of cap hell.
George Malik posted (and updated and update and updated) this last night—and it’s been updated a couple times this morning—on who might go after Nabby, and the ins-and-outs of how the Devils could claim him and then promptly put him back on waivers, allowed Detroit to finish the deal. Worth reading.
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If Chicago claims him and Nabby doesn’t come over, then they can suspend his contract and it goes off the books, right?
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by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
I think so. Assuming, of course, he falls to the way to Chicago, which I don’t think he will.
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ummm
I think Dean Lombardi might get in some trouble:
“When the guy in Toronto making the decisions on the goals, in Ottawa and the one tonight, wanted the G.M.’s job in L.A. and was not happy about not getting it, you have to assume you are going to get those type of calls.”
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
The league could always use a little more controversy and interesting stories (that don’t involve someone’s brains turning into mush).
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
To Lombardi’s credit, the refs blew that call. Hanzal’s stick was nearly at face height when he hit the puck. However, you just don’t say stuff like that.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
He should get credit for spouting ridiculous conspiracy theories just because it probably was a high stick?
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Contributor at Five For Howling.
No, I’m only saying that the refs (and especially the review officials) clearly blew an easy call. What Lombardi said is still extremely stupid, and he deserves whatever he gets for it.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I have no doubt it it was likely a high stick, but it wasn’t an ‘easy call’ as you suggest. If it would have been the ref on the ice who would have made it. Second, the video replays were inconclusive. We got the Kings broadcast last night and every angle they showed it was impossible to tell. Toronto took as long as I’ve ever seen them take to review the call.
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Contributor at Five For Howling.
It really was that easy of a call. I saw an angle on NHL.com where it was an easy call. Hanzal’s stick clearly hit it, and his stick was near the face of whichever dman was right there. If it’s on NHL.com’s replays, the review officials had it. http://ht.ly/3HFxN – look at :44, 1:05, 1:27 and 1:42. Each shows Hanzal’s stick at face height hitting the puck. The on-ice officials missing the call is bad, but not terrible – it’s easy to miss things at game speed. The review officials missing it is inexcusable.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
As I stated I saw all of those replays last night. I was watching the broadcast live. Nothing about that call is ‘easy’. Even Jim Fox said the call isn’t a “simple” one and he was being a total homer all night last night. An ‘easy’ call would be something so obvious and totally definitive that no one could disoute it. There wasn’t a replay that was. Even the AP photo that everyone is jumping on today doesn’t come from a perfect angle. Like I said its probably a high stick by an inch or two, but this ‘easy’ business is hogwash.
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Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
An inch? His stick was over 5 feet off the ice. That’s a foot over the cross bar. Easy call.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Ok. You are right. Easy call. The rest of us watching and even the Kings announcers who admitted it was hard to get a good angle on the play were all blind. His stick was so far above the crossbar it was laughable.
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Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
Way to answer facts with sarcasm.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Facts? That the goal height is suppossed to be 4 feet?
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Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe he was thinking of how high the nets are in midget hockey?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
Seriously, that’s no goal. Can it be seen obviously from a single still photo in a replay? No. Is it obvious if you watch the replays, know the relative heights of the players and the crossbar? Yes.
You had me at no problem.
Not disputing that if you were to triangulate everything you’d see it was a high stick. My point was if you have to do that it isn’t an ‘easy’ call.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
All you have to do is watch the replay, especially the one from the side.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Sooooooo what you’re saying is you’re an expert?
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Jan 21, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t need to be an expert to see what I’m talking about.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Jan 21, 2011 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Fair enough, it’s not easy. But “easy call” isn’t really where I set the bar for the NHL. They should have gotten this one right. If it were the Caps getting jobbed, I’d be pissed.
You had me at no problem.
What would you have suggested Toronto do differently?
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
Uhm… What are you asking me here? To re-write their review procedures? I have no idea how they do things up there, but I’d change whatever the hell made them let that goal stand after a lengthy review.
This isn’t like having the puck under the goalie’s glove, where you truly don’t know where it was, or if it crossed the line. You can see the puck clearly the whole way, and while the exact height from the ice can’t be determined via direct measurement, it can be interpolated.
You had me at no problem.
Ok, you want them doing mathematical calculations on plays involving high sticks. I’d be fine with that is they could find the correct data points needed for such calculations. Unless you can do that its still inconclusive video evidence.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions
They’re already doing mathematical calculations on plays involving kicked pucks. They’ve got the experience and the technical proficiency. Yes, I’d like to see them use math more broadly if it can increase the number of plays they get right.
You had me at no problem.
I’m fine with that.
The glove issue you mentioned earlier will also probably get solved eventually with a system like tennis uses. It’s not foolproof, but its probably good enough to use for the rare instances when a goalie covers the puck around the goal line.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
Is the issue
A) whether the puck was above crossbar height when it was struck, or
B) whether a part of the stick was above crossbar height when the puck was played?
If it’s the puck, I think it was close. You can probably infer that it was above crossbar height from the relative heights of the players involved, etc, but I’m OK with the league not overturning calls based on inferentially derived evidence.
Hell, sometimes calls go against you, get over it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
It’s where the puck makes contact with the stick. (Rule 80.3)
Hell, sometimes calls go against you, get over it.
Exactly.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
It’s easy to say that when a call didn’t just go against you. When something like that happens in a tight playoff game that you end up losing(perhaps a game 7 against the Flyers), you don’t just shake it off like water off a duck’s back.
You had me at no problem.
Actually I do. At this site I made comments about people whining about the officials in that very game.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
I meant “you” in an indefinite sense, but I hear you on bad calls. I try not to complain about reffing in general, because it will always be imperfect. It just riles me up when they miss stuff that they had a chance to get right.
You had me at no problem.
It riles me rarely, if ever. Replay has allowed for even more goal calls (and calls in other sports) to be correct. In addition, expectations of officials to make the perfect call every time whether they be on/off the ice is an impossible expectation. In addition, most plays I see complaints about are similar to the one last night. A play that isn’t an easy one. I got no problems with guys ‘missing’ those.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
If this one wasn’t an easy call, what would be? This is pretty much as clear a case of a goal scored with a high stick as is possible. If you’re going to go with the “inconclusive” argument here, then the rule shouldn’t even exist.
One with indisputable video evidence and the puck and inch or two higher most likely. I don’t get why people are acting like the puck was so far above the cross bar that it was patently obvious.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
"Toronto never saw the puck conclusively hit Hanzal's stick"
All this debate about the height the puck made contact with the stick. According to TSN, Toronto couldn’t determine if it hit Hanzal’s stick.
Murphy defended his team’s decision during the Kings’ broadcast on Fox, saying there was no conclusive replay to overturn the goal. He said the crew in Toronto never saw the puck conclusively hit Hanzal’s stick, while all the on-ice officials agreed on the goal call.
If it was really a matter of height, tough luck for LA. Looked high to me, but those calls happen sometimes.
my interpretation of what murphy was saying: toronto wasn’t disputing that hanzal’s stick hit the puck…but because toronto didn’t have a good video shot of hanzal’s stick hitting the puck, they couldn’t be conclusive about the puck’s height at the point of contact.
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 21, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
Jewels from the Crown. Looks high to me. I don’t know which replays were available, though.
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by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
It looked high to me too, but not to an “indisputable evidence” standard.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
i think this is one of those situations where the right call was pretty obvious, but the longer the toronto crew discussed it, the easier it was to reach the conclusion that indisputable evidence wasn’t available. “let’s make sure we get this right” leads to a ton of incorrect calls in the replay booth.
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 21, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
looked high to me too, and i thought it was an easy enough call to get right last night as i watched the game (sorry CP2). at first glance that pic at JFTC is misleading because he followed through in an upwards direction with his stick. but really that only means the puck might have been even higher when he made contact.
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 21, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
I just disagree that it was an ‘easy’ call. I guess my definition of ‘easy’ and indisputable are different than others. I think your comments above are probably right as to what happened in Toronto because that is pretty much what happened in my own house. we both thought it was likely a high stick, but weren’t 100% sure and replays weren’t conclusive to us.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 21, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
i’m definitely with you that incorrect calls happen and fans are better served assuming they’ll lose a handful and get a handful in their favor every year (and i agree the kings lost the game for a variety of reasons besides this goal). but yeah, we disagree about the ruling, i see it as a clear high stick.
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 21, 2011 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
They’re also well served to remember that not all the calls for and against are going distributed equally. They’re going to have some random variance in either direction – they may lose 5 goals in one season and only get one back. It doesn’t mean the league is out to get them, just that the cookie didn’t crumble in their favor this season.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jan 21, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
My thought regarding the pic is that the puck was falling and I couldn’t tell if he got the puck with the shaft or the blade?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
he hits it directly with the heel of the stick.
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 21, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
*
the heel of his stick blade.
i quit. :)
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 21, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Funny how Dean fails to mention the power play fest his team got throughout the game and how his players have been severely underperforming. All the replays I saw were inconclusive and that was from the Kings broadcast. I have no doubts Marty’s stick was over the crossbar by an inch or two, but please put away your tin foil hat. Those look much better on Wings fans.
Wonder if I’ll run into Dean at Saturday night’s rematch. Good times.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
They’re doing a mock ASG draft at the intermission in the St. Louis game, Ovechkin made it to the 5th round.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 8:53 AM EST reply actions
That makes him a top 10 player… not too shabby.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 21, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
The captains don’t count… I suspect Lidstrom might be picked ahead of Ovechkin, but no way Staal is picked ahead of him.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 21, 2011 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
Has anyone heard/seen anything more definitive about Fehr’s shoulder? There was mention of him having an MRI from which they would know more — whether potentially season-ending.
Also, does anyone know where a video of the collision can be found?
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 21, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Not on NHL.com, they never provide replays of dirty hits.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
by Rob Parker on Jan 21, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn’t put much in the “season-ending” rumors. Just sayin’.
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He tweeted that he would be at the Front Page fundraiser last night during the game. Was he fist-pumping after the win?
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
He’s only got one bum shoulder.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
and for that, I’m sure his wife is extremely thankful!
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RtR's "3-Foot Rule"
I read this and it really struck home after watching a DVD of the Caps’ 1988 7th game OT win over the Flyers (I was trying to get some good feelings after the OT loss on Tuesday). Back then, it seemed nearly every rush into the offensive zone was unopposed at the blue line…the defensemen backed up, giving the forwards plenty of room to create plays early. However, once along the boards or near the net, the defense could hook, hold, interfere, tackle, whatever, because of the officiating style in the “old days”. Now the defense opposes entry into the zone much more closely, leading to all the turnovers you see unless the forwards dump and chase it.
It’s all wrong, but it’s all right.
I liked RtR’s post and your follow-up and generally agree with it. Here are two more thoughts:
1) Hockey became more disciplined (at all levels) starting in the early 90s and nowadays teams are more likley to “play right” than they did in the 80s. In the 80s back-checking was optional and defensemen couldn’t really step up at the blueline when forwards weren’t hustling back. Hence defenders then had no choice but to back up. Today, there is usually a third forward back which allows defenders to take more chances standing up skaters at the blue line.
2) Semin’s desire to “play beautiful” is high-risk/high-reward. It obviously leads to more chances for and against than standard dump-and-chase. I prefer dump-and-chase on the smaller North American surfaces as it’s much safer – if you turn the puck over the opposition has to work the entire 200 feet of the ice. It’s Canadian percentages hockey at its finest (or what they call a “battle of field position” in football). I wish Semin could appreciate D&C more and adjust his game accordingly when we have leads we’re trying to protect.
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Playing tonight!
Via teh WashCaps twitter – I guess the Caps brass can’t wait to see him play either.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
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Hmm.
The centre had 39 points in 30 games with the Broncos, and last played during the World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo. It was at that tournament that he hurt his hand.
Eakin said his movement isn’t as restricted now.
“It’s pretty loose now. It’s heat before a game and ice after, so it’s starting to feel really good,” he said.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Not this season.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 21, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
And that is one unfortunate logo and jersey, I must say. Hopefully their play is prettier than their sweaters.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I half expect Rudolph to show up, or that elf who wanted to be a dentist on that jersey, too.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 21, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
I was watching the Penguins/Devils game last night on the NHL Network (I don’t get Center Ice and usually am stuck with whatever’s on Vs, NHL Network, or the Blackhawks), and everyone’s favorite announcer, Paul Steigerwald, was doing the play-by-play.
Anyway, for the most part, he’s a moron, but last night he said something really interesting. The Devils were on the power play and Kovalchuk was playing back at the blue line and he couldn’t understand why he and Ovechkin played there with a man advantage.
His point was, when you have someone as gifted offensively and with such a great shot as the two of them, by having them play in the defense position, the opposing team (and goalie) have a much better idea where you are. They know he’s going to take a shot from around the same spot all the time.
If he’s playing up as a forward, he can be anywhere (well, almost) and it’s harder to anticipate the shot.
They have a really good quarterback in Green on the power play. Why can’t they just have Green/Carlson at the point and Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Semin/Laich as forwards?
I don’t think you’ll get much of an argument here. And lately, BB has been playing Ovi at forward during the first half of the PP, then moving him to the point for the second half.
AO and Kovalchuk also have the best shots from the point. I’d imagine they’re the hardest, so that generates rebounds, and forcing the PKers to respect the point means that there’s more space available down low. The backdoor play then opens up as well.
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by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Not that I’d use either of them at the point…just I can see some reasoning as to why.
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by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
I guess, but while Ovechkin’s got an incredibly hard shot, back at the point, it’s not very accurate. Nobody’s shot is accurate there.
Tough to get it accurate when guys are always in the shooting lanes, and unfortunately Green and AO aren’t too good at getting pucks through without having them blocked.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Did a freeze frame of it, you can see the warning label and it looks like a tin of Copenhagen.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jan 21, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
I think you got the company right… pretty sure that it’s a warning label on the side.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jan 21, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
You can’t buy Swedish tobacco products without a warning label. His snus brand of choice used to be Göteborgs Rapé lingon berry, but I’m sure if it still is.
For me Peter Forsberg is not just my favorite hockey player he is the reason I fell in love with hockey.
Do they do the elaborate warning labels with the dead fetuses (feti?) and such?
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
Is the lingonberry tobacco product balistically similar to that of grapes?
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
With Flash out for the year and UFA next year, what does everyone think he will get on the open market? Would anyone mind having him back next season at the right price? Preferably as a winger and not a center…
by JimCareyFanClub on Jan 21, 2011 11:30 AM EST reply actions
I remember someone asking about this last night; Steinz has video of Hendy’s very enthusiastic hug for Holby after the game.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I love Hendy’s enthusiasm about everything. I dunno where it is now, but for awhile that video of him energetically giving everyone on the bench a high-five after the caps scored with a huge grin on this face was floating around. He wasn’t even on the ice for the goal.
Guy plays with a lot of heart.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 21, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
The reference to the Billy Smith led Islanders can be comforting but reading the recap from last night:
we’re still left wondering where the explosive offense and dominant team of the last couple seasons is
it seems that variations on this theme are being written far too often.
Others:
1. (insert young gun) is due for a break out game.
2. Is this the breakout game that (insert name) has been waiting for for?
3. It’s only (insert month), games only matter in April,May,June
4. Power play sucks (and has since well before the MTL series)
Were it just one or two of these, it would be easier to ignore. But with each game it becomes harder and harder to believe that we are “due” when there really has been little evidence recently to believe that the wondering will cease. I hope, but I’m not sure I believe right now.
Wait for it.
Just like the Caps’ luck was incredible last year (through 82 games, that is), their luck could conceivably be just as poor, right? It’s not quite as poor right now as it was good last year, but it ain’t great. It was pretty average from what I can tell in the two preceding seasons.
Sometimes, we just need patience. In hockey, unfortunately, the bounces can not go your way for entire seasons, without any significant regression to the mean. Take NJD for example…division champs, add Kovalchuk and Volchenkov and Arnott, change coaches, and now they’re a lottery team? We can all agree they’re not that bad. Just some fickle percentages that don’t like their logos, or Brodeur slept with Lord Luck’s wife, or whatever.
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by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Or they lost a shitload of talent, particularly on the blueline, and got little or no compensation back for them, and frequently replaced their lost talent with bad contracts, and then their goalie’s age started to show.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
by Rob Parker on Jan 21, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
You seriously think NJD is as bad as their record? Or that goalies normally fall of a cliff when they decline? Sell.
Losses: Parise (injury), Martin (who only played 22 games in 2009-2010), Mottau, McAmmond, Rob Niedermayer, Bergfors (deadline), Oduya (deadline), Salvador, Pandolfo.
Additions: Tallinder, Kovalchuk, Volchenkov, Arnott
So basically what, 1LW, 2nd pair D, 3rd pair D, and 2 bottom sixers for two top-4 D, a 1LW, and a 2C?
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 22, 2011 3:39 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve learned not to get into “as good/bad as their record” with stats guys. Basically no team in the league is as good or as bad as their record. There is always an identifiable degree of luck. But I do think NJD is a flat out bad team. I’m not just talking about the losses this off-season. I’m talking about the losses over several years. They simply haven’t been replacing talent with talent for years now. They weren’t as good as their record this year, and may not be quite as bad as the record this year, but they’ve been flirting with collapse for years now. And yeah, I do think that when age catches up with goalies, especially goalies that rely on reflexes, the results can look like dropping off a cliff. I think Brodeur has started to show cracks for a couple years now but he was always in a defensive system that protected him. McLean came in, didn’t have the team playing great defense (and didn’t have the great D around that he was used to when he was a Devil), and didn’t get much luck. But if you think you’re going to convince me that NJD is so unlucky that they should be a playoff team or something like that, you’re barking up the wrong tree. (I’d also disagree with your relative characterizations of the players lost and gained, but it’s not particularly relevant in that it wouldn’t change my conclusion even if I agreed.)
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Steckel on NHL Live right now. I tuned in just to catch the end of his response to (what had to be) a question about the collision.
The question was to the effect of, “we’re not going to ask you what happened, but how are you dealing with the abuse?” Pretty well handled all around.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
His responses in this piece (from today’s Clips) were also good – he’s handling it well, that’s for sure. Not saying anything stupid but clearly pointing out that he wasn’t trying to hit Crosby at all let alone in the head.
…now if someone would just confront him about his vicious hit on Eric Fehr, the goon.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
That piece was terrific. I commented earlier that it was nice that finally someone spoke up for him. Nice timing to coincide with the NHL Live appearance. If I believed in conspiracies…. (actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if Caps PR decided that enough time had gone by and it was time for Steckel to get his due).
I was actually a little bit surprised the Fehr collision didn’t come up in the conversation.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I’d bet they don’t want to make him feel worse than he probably already does. Poor guy, I bet that sucks.
Of course, it was Eric Fehr who broke Knuble’s face earlier this year………
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Heh. Pay it forward.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Jan 21, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ratings
Late to the party I know, but regarding the boost in the Caps ratings since the WC, I’m not sure I disagree. Frankly, I don’t really know how much HBO had to do with it, since I’m really not sure how many people who weren’t already following the Caps actually watched it, but the actual Winter Classic itself may have had a lot to do with it.
The game was so hyped that even the most casual fans seemed to catch the buzz about it (as was evident by the ratings for that game), and the Caps didn’t disappoint their fans either, coming out on the winning side.
I’ve often said that it is hard to watch this game and not become instantly hooked on it, the problem seems to be just getting people to actually sit down and watch one…and the WC accomplished that feat for quite a few people I’m sure. The NHL, for all their faults, have really done a great job producing and promoting the WC as a showcase for the game. It may not mean nearly as much (being a regular season match), but it really does have that “Superbowl” feeling to it among hockey fans and the media…and how many current NFL football fans got thier first taste of the game watching the Superbowl as a kid? I know I did — Bears vs. Pats in ‘86 is first real memory of really getting into a football game, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
"I am ready for his provocations"
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by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 21, 2011 1:19 PM EST reply actions
Grr. ’86 shoulda been Bears/Dolphins, but whatevs. Spilled milk and all that.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I know I did — Bears vs. Pats in ‘86 is first real memory of really getting into a football game, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
That was the 1985 season. Giants beat the Broncos in the 1986 season.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
But the game itself occured on January 26, 1986, so he wasn’t wrong.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Technically, he’s right, but It’s still the 1985 season. No one ever calls them the 86 Bears.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
Ratings of gone up for 1 of 2 reasons:
Either because the Redskins Suck or Because of THIS GUY
Blank this Blankburgh Team - AO
000
Is that really our guardian?
He looks like a giant fucking chicken.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously, he reminds me of Chicken Boo from Animaniacs.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
...
When you find youself in danger,
When you’re threatened by a stranger,
When it looks like you will take a lickin’, (puk, puk, puk)
There is someone waiting,
Who will hurry up and rescue you,
Just call for Super Chicken! (puk, ack!)
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
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He’s got that, “yeah, I’m comin’ for YOU, Slapshot” look about him
If you've read this far...seek help.
Love the wings.
The arms probably should be in sleeves or something. Or brown. The white arms is the part that looks chicken-like…
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
I like his NHL-themed belt.
This ol' earthquake's gonna leave me in the poorhouse
Box Seats Blog
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 21, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously Slapshot on steroids.
Some of the other ones are worse, though…
Photography: I Rock the Red
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E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
i kind of like "the oiler"
sort of like juggernaut, only more wasteful of natural resources.
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 21, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
What disaster is he going to solve by spraying oil everywhere? Maybe the day coastal sea life threatens to rise up and punish mankind for their wasteful ways.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
by Rob Parker on Jan 21, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wintery Weathery patterns? Why more y’s?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jan 21, 2011 5:33 PM EST up reply actions
I’m disappointed overall. I know it must have been tough to come up with something “original” for each of the teams and I was never into comics…though I do/did play City of Heroes…but, to me, most come off as almost lazy. Some of the user heroes on City of Heroes seemed better overall. Better characters, better back stories, etc. Again, I know those users didn’t have to base their hero off of NHL franchises, but still, I expected more.
A shape shifter who controls a sonic scream and telescopic sight
/blech
Hey, the Penguin can project ice missiles from his hands and travels on a frozen ice sheet. I’ll take a sonic scream and flight over that. :-)
Photography: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
According to the PD interview, the idea supposed to be a kid’s superhero drawing based on teams come to life. So yeah, I can see how the Guardians would be a 10 year old kid’s approach to creating mascots.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
Awww, no fun
kcarrera The #Caps will not put in a waiver claim for goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, I’m told.
Then again, we’re talking about GMGM
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
And so it begins…..
@FriedgeHNIC: Avalance announce Peter Forsberg to practice with team
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
tomorrow’s tweet:
@FriedgeHNIC: Avalanche announce Peter Forsberg’s feet fall off
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
by RedBirdie on Jan 21, 2011 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Did you know that Dominik Hasek, soon to be age 46, was last week’s "Best Goaltender" in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League? He was 3-0 with two shutouts and a .966 save percentage. For the season, Hasek is 18-17-3 with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage
Forsberg just wants to see if he can die on the ice before Hasek does.
October. Esteban and I explore the blue reefs beyond the peninsula.
Forsberg is only 37 yrs old, younger than Alfredsson. This year there are 24 players who will be 37+ as of Feb 1st, per hockey-reference.
For me Peter Forsberg is not just my favorite hockey player he is the reason I fell in love with hockey.
Call me when he’s listed in the Avs lineup. I’m tired of this story.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Sure I can do that, if you promise to call me when Caps fans stop obsessing over Sidney Crosby because that’s what I’m sick and tired of.
For me Peter Forsberg is not just my favorite hockey player he is the reason I fell in love with hockey.
by Malin A on Jan 21, 2011 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 14 recs
You and me both Malin.
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
That wasn’t meant to be directed at you. It does, however, have some of the same characteristics. Player brings attention to himself for some reason, and we all react. Heck, I’m not even sure it’s directed at Forsberg; I feel bad for him that he had his career derailed by injury. It’s probably directed at the media/league.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Preach it.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 21, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
Awesometown.
Population: 11
Mayor: Malin
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m in the “it’s Peter motherfuckin’ Forsberg” camp. To me, he’ll always be the guy with the unbelievable vision and one of the most amazing natural talents I’ve ever seen.
He’s on a very short list of players that I would go full-on fanboy mode for on the Caps, but I don’t think it’s actually the right move for the team. If Connolly is too injury prone to be an effective solution, Forsberg may as well just hope on an iceberg as far as our chances of acquiring him are concerned.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jan 21, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
I’m in the "it’s Peter motherfuckin’ Forsberg" camp. To me, he’ll always be the guy with the unbelievable vision and one of the most amazing natural talents I’ve ever seen.
He’s so similar, to me at least, to Fedorov in that yeah, I’d be a full-on fanboy and not give a crap what’s left in the tank – it’d be Peter motherfuckin’ Forsberg in a Caps uniform just like it was Sergei motherfuckin’ Fedorov in a Caps uniform.
Plus, having Tre Kronor down the middle in Nick, Foppa and MoJo would be bad as fuck.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 21, 2011 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
As an unabashed fan of many Swedes who have rocked the red at one point or another, I have to give this my Rec’sson.
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 11:24 PM EST up reply actions
Hasek get bored with his Czech beer league again? I had no idea he was back in professional hockey.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Varly goes with Vogs to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
As we wandered through the international section and the IIHF portion of the Hall, Varly spotted a large photo of himself taken at last year’s World Championship. That was pretty cool, and he was excited to see it.
that’s gotta be cool and weird.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
We’re never going to be over the Crosby/Steckel thing. I have no idea who asked the question (had to be someone in the Toronto media), but during a conference call:
bmcnally14 Bruce Boudreau on Steckel/Crosby collision “If it was reversed…nobody would be saying a word. It’s bc it’s Sidney Crosby, quite frankly.”
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
It’s so ironic. After that whole “slewfoot” thing so many people were saying something similar…that if it hadn’t been Crosby who did it, no one would be making it into a thing because that kind of play happens a million times a year. Those same people seem to be awfully vocal when Sid’s on the receiving end.
I really do wonder what would be said if the roles were reversed, but my guess is Bruce is correct (and had Ovie been on the receiving end I’d bet it would get almost the same attention as Crosby’s injury is getting).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
The story wouldn’t have this kind of legs if Crosby had concussed Steckel, but it still would’ve been a big story, and certain people would have been gleefully clamoring for Sid to get fined or suspended, while certain other people would be defending Sid’s hustle for trying to get up ice after the puck.
You had me at no problem.
Oh, good point. Then let’s say if it had been Steckel on Kennedy or someone like that.\
…also if a 5’11" guy was able to concuss a 6’5" one I think there would be serious questions about how he got up to Stecks’ head :P
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
he left his feet, he’s diiiiiiiiiiiirty!!!!!!!!!
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
left his feet? He’d have to jump from a stool.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jan 21, 2011 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
while certain other people would be defending Sid’s hustle for trying to get up ice after the puck.
I can think of a certain #44 for the Pens who would be defending Crosby to the hilt if the roles were reversed. Funny, though, while Crosby and Orpik are screaming about responsibility and head shots and in Orpik’s case “payback”, I don’t remember either of them coming down nearly this hard on Matt Cooke after he purposely almost took off Savard’s head.
Orpik can go fucking choke.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 21, 2011 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
Bruce is a very smart guy. He’s completely right. And going back to my conspiracy theory earlier, this is indeed probably why Caps PR got Steckel on NHL Live today. I wasn’t thinking at the time about persecution by the Toronto (read any Canadian) media because the team is in town.
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Bless his heart – he’s just saying what many reporters (every non-Pens fan) have said. But I wonder if he’ll get a call from the league for saying this? Can his words be misconstrued that he feels Crosby is getting favorable treatment? I don’t think that’s what he’s implying, but that’s not to say how Bettman and Co. will interpret it.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I don’t think it implies favorable treatment. All it says is that when something happens to the league’s meal ticket, some folks won’t let it go. Can you imagine what would happen if Sid were to do something like have a minor automobile accident?
"It's always good to have vikings."
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
That’s my point. Can an NHL coach say what everyone outside the league already knows: That Crosby (and Ovi) are the League’s “meal tickets” and therefore get special attention when something happens to them? I agree that they do, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard an NHL coach or GM actually admit this.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
…right, but he’s not saying Sid’s getting special attention from the League (especially since it’s not like the NHL so much as fined Stecks for the hit). He’s saying the media is paying extra attention to it because of who is involved. The NHL doesn’t care if you attack the media.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
the NHl probably loves that Bruce attacked the media. Adds more fuel to the fire, keeps the story alive for a few more days, keeps increase page hits at nhl.com
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Damn Canadian born coach conspiring with that damn canadian media!
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
over a Canadian-born player! damn these Canadian conspiracies!
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I would say it’s enough to make you see red!
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
wait, am I seeing socialist Canadian red, or commie Russian red? I’m so confused!
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
by RedBirdie on Jan 21, 2011 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The former ;)
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 21, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions
Breaking News
@Todrick: Crosby is skipping the All star game because he heard they have to shake hands at the end
"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking your potential." - Liane Carlos
From Darren Dreger
$50,000 fine for Lombardi’s comment. Ouch!
"Alex Ovechkin! Do you know how much that Russian would pay you to be picked first? And think of the afterparties! C’mon James you have to use some forethought here!" - TSN sportsanchor Darren Dutchyshen to James Duthie on who he would pick first were he all-star game captain.
Waiver claims are possible up to 12:00pm., I believe.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
as of 7:30 left in the first
TBL has not had a shot against FLA since 14:41. 3 total shots for them. down 1-0
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
http://www.japersrink.com/2011/1/21/1949228/ot-hockey-1-21#comments
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
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