Open Letter to Allan Walsh, Agent for Tomas Vokoun

by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 8, 2011 11:10 AM EDT

Dear Mr. Walsh,

Having been a Capitals season ticket holder and fan for over a quarter century, I was very excited when Tomas Vokoun signed with the Caps in July, 2011. In fact, what made it even more exciting was that the Caps would be getting a proven, world-class goaltender on the roster for the first time since Olie Kolzig was the starter here. Truly great news for a team coming off a very strong regular season, but that had yet another disappointing playoff run.

This brings us to tonight, opening night, when the Caps are preparing to play the Hurricanes. Yes, I am sure your client is disappointed he is not going to be starting the game, and yes, he let it slip out to the media in advance. A minor faux pas, to be sure, but certainly not one that's going to affect his time here in Washington.

The reasons why Michal Neuvirth is starting are truly known only to Coach Boudreau, but they may be based on the performance of both players in the preseason or last year's results against Carolina (Neuvirth was 1-0, Vokoun was 0-2 with an .867 save percentage). I suspect a lot of it is how each of them fared last season against the Caps first two opponents, where Neuvirth was better than Vokoun against Carolina and Vokoun was amazingly good against the Tampa Bay Lightning (2-0-1 and a 1.26 GAA.... well done!)

What is the most disappointing thing to me as a Caps fan during this is that there is no real controversy here, at all, and would not be if not for your careless and ill-thought out remarks to the media. The media are always looking to find a story, and by creating one, you might be impacting the Caps chances to win this season. I find this to be reprehensible. If you want to look out for your client, the least you can do is help enable your client to be successful. Trying to create controversy in his own locker room is no way to help your client. If you were my agent and made disparaging remarks about my employer to the press, I'd fire you on the spot.

What is most compelling though is that Vokoun has handled this very professionally. After his slip up, he was showing his kids around the practice facility, introducing them to his new teammates. He was being a family man, and he was being a professional. It is a shame the same can't be said for his agent.

Mike L.

Caps Season Ticket Holder since 1985-86

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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I second this open letter.

I’m disappointed too that Vokes won’t be in the net tonight, but I can see the strategic reasons for starting Neuvy against the Canes and Vokes against TB. I hope his kids can stay here through Monday so they can see their dad play in his first game as a Cap.

by capsyoungguns on Oct 8, 2011 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks. I posted some numbers over in the Clips page that show the stats from last season. In the stats that mean something Vokoun had all sorts of trouble with Carolina last year, but was outstanding vs. Tampa Bay to the tune of a 1.26 GAA against Marty, Vinny, Stamkos, etc.

On the other had, Neuvy played only one game against the ‘Canes, but we all remember it as he was perfect (and robbed Eric Stall). And we’d all pretty much like to forget how Neuvy did against Tampa last year….

If I’m the coach and presented with these two goalies and these two games, it’s a no-brainer. Neuvirth is better against Carolina, he gets the Canes game, and Vokoun is astonishing against Tampa, he gets the Bolts game.

Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)

by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 8, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

The Numbers...

So they can be found easily:

VS. Carolina:
Neuvy: G:1 1-0-0 GAA 0.00 Save Pct. 1.000
Vokoun: G: 3 0-2-0 GAA 4.66 Save Pct. .867

VS. Tampa Bay:
Neuvy: G: 2 1-0-0, GAA 3.00 Save Pct .917 (and 4 playoff losses)
Vokoun: G: 3 2-0-1 GAA 1.26 Save Pct. .954

Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)

by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 8, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Very interesting stats.

by capsyoungguns on Oct 8, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

they aren’t staying, he said they had to go back home Sunday for school Monday.

by vtcapsfan99 on Oct 8, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t Monday a holiday for most schools (Columbus Day)?

Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)

by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 8, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s in CI about his kids going back. Maybe his kids are at a fancy private school or something.

by vtcapsfan99 on Oct 9, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

lots of schools no longer observe Columbus Day. Montgomery Country kids are in school Monday.

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by RedBirdie on Oct 9, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

From my experience, in a lot of the US, Columbus Day was never a school holiday, especially the further South one goes.

by sk84fun_dc on Oct 9, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Having said that, I’ve posted my thoughts elsewhere and asked Whyno on twitter (he did not reply), but while I’m not surprised Walsh said something, I wonder whether it was Whyno calling the agent or Walsh seeking out Whyno. My assumption is Whyno called him, but it’s only an assumption.

by sk84fun_dc on Oct 9, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I amazed so many of you haven’t thought about the travel. His family had to return or plan on missing Tuesday as well. We have trouble with the lateness on school nights and we only have to cross the Potomac.

Your assumption seems likely to me. I would expect a reporter to be be looking for the story, not waiting around for an agent to comment.

by capsyoungguns on Oct 9, 2011 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I know this isn’t 100% directed at me, but in simple terms, people have to remember that teams aren’t required to cater to a professional athlete’s family situations. Sounds cold I know, but it’s reality. I think back to last year and the SJS player, Ferrero, who set up the Sharks visit to the National Archives and was sent back to the AHL before the visit.

I like a happy family story as much as anyone, this one just didn’t work out.

by sk84fun_dc on Oct 9, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It wasn’t. But I 100% agree with you on the business aspect versus family situations.

by capsyoungguns on Oct 10, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

It appears it’s still a holiday in Fairfax Co. But not a holiday in Richmond, VA.

Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.

by CapsFan75 on Oct 9, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Also Vokes was great at the STH party when he signed my son’s Vokoun jersey with an amazingly precise and beautiful signature. He took his time. It’s either a Czech goalie thing (Neuvy’s last year was also carefully done) or he was touched to see a jersey with his name.

by capsyoungguns on Oct 8, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

Well said, and very true.

My mind is all twisted like a peanut.

by timmyv38 on Oct 8, 2011 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

The numbers, one has to admit, are based on a rather small sample size.

Okay, yes, Walsh was a little outspoken, but I see his point. I really don’t care about the numbers; those can be played for the other 81 games of the year. For Game One, you start your #1 guy. Tomas Vokoun was named the #1 guy for the Caps, and should be in net tonight.

Vokoun was humiliated this summer when he had to settle for millions below market value for his services, and came to the Capitals for a chance to show he’s still an elite #1 goaltender and get one more good contract next offseason. He didn’t do it to be on the bench for the first game of the year.

I think it IS a controversy where there shouldn’t be one. Vokoun should be, and by all accounts is, the #1 goaltender for the Capitals. He should be starting tonight. After this, there will be nightly questions and analysis of who’s in net and why, when goaltending should not be something this team is worrying about.

I’m a big fan of Boudreau, but I don’t like this decision. Walsh could have been more tactful, sure, but he’s simply taking a public stand for his client.

www.sadtrombone.com

by Martyvburen on Oct 8, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

The fans and the media are the only ones creating this so called controversy. There are plenty of teams that have had two #1 quality goalies and have spit them without who started each individual game being looked at. Look at Detroit in 07-08 when they won the Cup. Hasek started game one but Osgood played more games. So who was #1? It didn’t matter, Hasek was hot going into the playoffs so he got the start but then played poorly and Osgood came in and took them to the Cup. Vokoun is a great goalie but then so is Neuvy. As for him wanting one more good contact he isn’t getting that. He could have made more on a poor team but his numbers have been going down each year and he isn’t getting any younger. This very well could be his last year and he could be the next Marty Turco. For all of the hype around him he looked horrible in preseason and there really weren’t many teams who wanted him as can be seen by the fact that he was calling teams trying to get a deal instead of teams calling him. I think his agent need to get over himself a bit and realize that while he is the #1 he won’t be playing the 55-65 games he had been playing and get over it.

by icehammer97 on Oct 8, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm going to hold judgment on picking Neuvy for the home opener

I was completely shocked with Neuvy’s start. Sure, he played well in preseason, but Vokoun flew all of his family in for the opener. There is symbolism in the opener and Coach BB knows that. Maybe he looked at the stats (cited above), or he is simply rewarding Neuvy for showing up early and playing well in preseason.

It does bother me a bit — but I’m not being too harsh or rushing to judgment.

by Dougeb on Oct 8, 2011 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Dear Football Fans coming to Hockey and the Vast Majority of DC Sports Writers

DC is a city that loves a QB controversy, so I’m gonna go ahead and let all you guys know, in hockey, you need two good goalies, rather than one good QB. They aren’t equitable positions. At all. you play in goal the player who you think gives your team the best chance of winning, and often that’s not who your supposed starter is.

This is an issue about a non-issue. Vokoun was probably presumptuous regarding his starting the opener, but if I’m a fan of a team (And I am) and I see my coach start the goalie who has the lower chance of winning, I’m going to be furious. BB handles things wrong and may not be the best goalie coach, but I’m not going to question the decision.

This season to the Caps isn’t about game one, anyway. In fact, it’s probably not going to be about their next 82 games, unless disaster strikes. This season is about games 83+. By virtue, It’s about if this team can play 98+ games.

If Neuvirth starts game 83, I’m more worried.

"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."

by Whiter Mage on Oct 8, 2011 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Totally understood, but I disagree about the reasoning for Game 1. I mean, for the first Rangers game of the season, does it matter if Marty Biron (or whatever warm body is their #2 goalie) has better splits against the Islanders? No. You start Lundqvist for the first game of the season. The Penguins start Fleury. The Canucks start Luongo. So too with Vokoun. He’s earned it.

I’m actually less worried if Neuvirth starts Game 83, because that means he’s proven himself to be better OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON. Game 1 means the #1 goaltender.

www.sadtrombone.com

by Martyvburen on Oct 8, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Since when?

"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."

by Whiter Mage on Oct 8, 2011 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

He’s earned it.

Not based on his play since wearing Red

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by Cap-O-Vens on Oct 12, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Opening Night 2007-08

Caps goalies are Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson. Obvious who the #1 guy is.

Guess who starts (and wins!):

http://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/200710050ATL.html

And yes, there’s John Erskine with the Game Winner….

Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)

by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 8, 2011 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

And next...

OK, so Neuvy gets the start against the Canes because he was stronger vs. them, and Vokoun vs. the Lightning, because he was stronger against them. What happens in the third game (vs. the Pens). If I recall, Neuvy was 2-1 vs. Pittsburgh with a .977 sv% and a 0.67 GAA last season, with two shutouts. His only loss was via a shootout when he gave up the only 2 goals he allowed the Pens in three contests last year.

Does Neuvy get that start too, or do you go to Vokoun?

I don't know, maybe it was the roses...

by Jalabar on Oct 9, 2011 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

I’m calling Holtby up for yucks.

"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."

by Whiter Mage on Oct 9, 2011 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions

You get Bylsma to badmouth Vokoun and then start him.

My mind is all twisted like a peanut.

by timmyv38 on Oct 9, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Win!

Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)

by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 10, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Walsh at it again

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/131428898.html

by icehammer97 on Oct 9, 2011 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

And the NHL video explaining the suspension

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=127216

by icehammer97 on Oct 9, 2011 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s pretty easy. Bruce very may want to give Vokoun the start in two out of the first three games. Well, guess what??? You get home vs. Tampa and @ Pittsburgh….still upset about opening night? I doubt it.

by SA-Town on Oct 10, 2011 8:27 AM EDT reply actions