Friday Caps Clips: Peg'd
by EmilyB on Nov 18, 2011 6:37 AM EST
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's loss from us, Caps365 video (Boudreau, players), Vogs, Capitals Voice (audio), Illegal Curve (audio), NHL.com, WaPo (gamer, blog), WashTimes (gamer, article), DCEx, 106.7 The Fan, Peerless, Frankovic, SB Nation DC, KOL, DSP, Caps Basketball, Caps Lock, Examiner and RMNB, and the Winnipeg Free Press and Arctic Ice Hockey for the view from the other side.
- Let's all wax poetic about Winnipeg, shall we?
- WashTimes. [Ain't it Grand, Eakin, Hamrlik, Walton/Woods, Neuvirth, Fehr]
- Cody Eakin talks about coming home... [Caps365 (video), NHLPA.com (video), Winnipeg Sun]
- Eric Fehr talks about leaving home... [Capitals Voice (audio)]
- ... but he's not far from returning to the ice. [Winnipeg Sun]
- So. Alex Ovechkin. What's the deal? [Globe and Mail, WashTimes, Alex Ovetjkin (and again)]
- His fantasy owners are getting nervous too. [NHL.com]
- Maybe he just needs to drop Gillette and grow the beard back. [Sick, Unbelievable]
- For the time being you can stick a fork in the "Meat and Potatoes" line. [WaPo]
- Mike Knuble will keep on keeping on. [CSNW]
- At least Alexander Semin listened to Coach. For a period or so, anyway. [WashTimes]
- Somehow, the Caps had five top goals last week. [CSNW]
- Mike Green is keeping busy with his charity work, and signing autographs for Kid Rock. [DC Sports Bog]
- Quick. Name the two Caps players you most associate with video game supervision. If you named Jeff Halpern and Tomas Vokoun, you'd be ... right! [RMNB, ESRB]
- Rockin' the Rainbow. [Puck Buddys]
- Lists, we haz 'em:
- Roman Hamrlik makes the bad kind of Top Ten list... [Hockey News]
- ...and the Caps are judged to be lacking in prospect depth. But hey, they beat out the Jets! [Hockey's Future]
- Elsewhere in the organization:
- The Hershey Bears are working their new call-up forward into the lineup and getting ready for games at Syracuse and against Albany. [Patriot-News]
- Joel Rechlicz is all about the intangibles. And the fists. Don't forget the fists. [Ibid]
- Here's Dmitry Orlov and the Bears working on their madd metric football skillz. [PA Puck]
- The South Carolina Stingrays unveiled a spiffy new scoreboard and an even spiffier new third jersey. [South Carolina Stingrays, Caps OT]
- A Philipp Grubauer third jersey would be pretty sweet. He's digging his time in Charleston, even if travel in the E is kind of a bummer. [DCEx]
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I fear that soon we’re going to hear a John Walton sign off that sounds like…
“…good morning, good afternoon, good night nurse!”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 18, 2011 6:47 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I thought it was “HelllllllllLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOO Nurse!” and “Goodnight, everybody!”
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 9:02 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Pretty good road trip so far….
by Obi wan Knuble on Nov 18, 2011 7:10 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
This is the worst road trip since Napoleon took a walk to Moscow.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 18, 2011 8:16 AM EST up reply actions 9 recs
These guys need to start taking their own pillows and blankies with them on the road. I was thinking that right now I’m glad they don’t have to play but 18 games against the West (wait, Winnipeg is still in the East: so three extra games in that far-away Central Time zone).
What is the expiration date on the “it’s still early in the season” alibi?
When will Bruce be starting Laich in goal?
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 7:12 AM EST reply actions
When will Bruce be starting Laich in goal?
When he stops celebrating shooting wide on a 2-on-0?
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by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 7:27 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Not playing to the whistle again.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.
by Bald Pollack on Nov 18, 2011 7:30 AM EST up reply actions
Haha…I thought I was the only one who saw Brooksie patented wingspan go up after that shank
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No kidding, what a horrible sequence that was ending in the goal on the other end.
Oh and hi everyone!
hi sk8! Good to have you back
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Doubt that Brooksie will start in goal tomorrow night. If he did, he’d probably be too tired to QB for the Skins on Sunday.
by creasemonkey on Nov 18, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Big Joe Finley article, for those interested.
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And guess who Finley’s defensive partner is — none other than Shaone Morrisonn, the very person who used to be Green’s defensive partner. What a comedown!
Unless one could comment that the fact that Morrisonn was Green’s defensive partner for such a long time was a testament to the lack of depth on the blue line for the Caps.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Somewhere, in the distance, you can hear a lawnmower scream…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
The Caps are two points ahead of 12th-place Montreal. Let that sink in a moment.
If you've read this far...seek help.
That is bad. (And it seemed that last night, the Caps were trying to become contenders in the Nail sweepstakes, without help from Colorado.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
And get two great picks for the price of one. So now we can get Nail and defensive help.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
eh. Standings are still so unreliable at this point because the number of games played varies so much. If they did standings by points percentage, that would be one things, but NHL standings don’t take into account games in hand. By that metric, they’re 4th in the East
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Neuvy and Varly have combined to go 7-11-2/3.30/.889 so far this year. Throw in Holtby (AHL, obv) and it’s 11-15-2/3.07/.891. Wheeeeeee!
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My fantasy team is not happy with this. Thank God for Quick.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
Neuvy’s been hung out to dry so many times by this team that he probably has permanent clothespin-shaped marks in his sweater.
by creasemonkey on Nov 18, 2011 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
While true, Neuvirth is not at all blameless for those numbers.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Anybody have a picture of Wideman tripping and falling on the puck last night, i think that sums up the week thus far (he did break up 1 of the many odd man rushes)
Mike Green is keeping busy with his charity work, and signing autographs for Kid Rock.
You left out the part about having a contest with him to see who’s got the shittier facial hair, yeesh.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.
___
I tweeted it, but methinks Greener’s going for “Colin Farrell”:
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___
I’d appreciate it more if he went with the Crockett:
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.
by Bald Pollack on Nov 18, 2011 8:21 AM EST up reply actions
I wonder if even Halpern’s still got faith in the team. You have to wonder if there are a few careless whispers going around the locker room that the Young Guns have too much freedom; 90 is just about the only top-2 line player playing well these days.
Of course, one good game, and Wham!, we’ll all feel better again.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 8:45 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
19’s still doing pretty well, even if his linemates aren’t and he hasn’t gotten a point in a few games.
by jopierce on Nov 18, 2011 9:44 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
whoosh?
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Young Guns havin’ some fun. Crazy ladies keep ’em on the run. Wise guys realize…..
Damn you, Gouldy! Of all of the crappy 80’s songs you could have picked to get stuck in my head…!
by creasemonkey on Nov 18, 2011 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
There’s about 5 options up there, between my post and Jedi’s. And they’re all great…
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
Well, the Roman Hamrlik experiment sure has been a peach. He’s a liability every time he touches the ice—at evens, on special teams—with opposing RW’s blowing around him like the breeze. Collins can’t be worse at this point.
Cross check and all call.
Although I’m waiting for the inevitable “why didn’t Schultz do something” on the Wheeler goal.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Those folks are too busy fapping over the falldown in the third.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.
by Bald Pollack on Nov 18, 2011 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
I was listening to the Jets’ call on the radio for that goal, and they were just stunned how easily Wheeler walked around him.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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It wasn’t even close; it made me wonder if Hamr’s nursing something “lower body.”
Cross check and all call.
I remember hearing that he was playing through an injury.
Considering cap issues and other folks injuries – it’s possible he has something he can play through – so he is.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 18, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
You’re right G&T. I think it was during the 2nd NJ game - the one at home, where he left the game due to injury. But he came back for the next practice and the next game. With both him and Oisk hurt, I was frankly worried about the health of our D Corps. I wonder — how healthy are Hammer and Oisk, really.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
The WPG broadcast kept talking about how gutsy it was for Wheeler to cut in across the net and risk getting hit by a Dman. It’s not gutsy when the Dman isn’t even close enough to slow you down with a hook.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t think that’s entirely fair. Hamrlik may look poor in all zones, but when he’s on the ice, the puck is in the offensive zone an awful lot.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
I’ll take your word that some of his advanced metrics look decent, but the man just can’t cover anything in open ice right now. He looks ok in the cycle once it’s established—he pinches well, for the most part, and gets his shot off ok—but in transition, he’s at sea.
Cross check and all call.
by bigonetimer on Nov 18, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
This is all a bit depressing, isn’t it? I watched golf last night instead of the 3P. But it’s time for a reality check and time to get philosophical.
I’m choosing to believe that we’ll pull out of this, but I’ll admit it’s a tough position. We are too good a team. I’m choosing to believe that this is one of those stretches that most teams inevitably have during the course of the season. If we look at the season so far, we can find streaks of good teams already.
- Dallas started 11-3, but has lost 3 in a row and is 5-5 in their last 10.
- Pens stared 3-4, then went 5-0, and then 3-3 in their last six
- Rangers started 3-6, before their current 7 game winning streak.
- Kings started 5-2, then went 2-7, before their current 3 game winning streak.
Yes, I’m most often looking at things half-full, but that fact is that we really don’t know how this season will turn out, and we know we have a good team. How do you choose to characterize the current season results?
10-6-1?
7-0, followed by 2-2 and 1-4-1?
9-2, followed by 1-4-1?
7-0, followed by 3-6-1?
Three wins n a row, and we’re suddenly .500 after the 7 game opening.
Problems abound, but we’re only 17 games in. Rangers had the last playoff spot in the East with 93 points last year. To get to 94 from our current 21, we need 73 points from the final 65 games. That’s about a .560 winning percentage. I think we can do that.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Nov 18, 2011 8:21 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
I don’t think anyone’s concerned with the losses for their impact on the team’s record. I don’t think anyone believes this team won’t win enough games to make the playoffs.
The real concern is in how they play the game, and a lot of those concerns have been masked by the wins. Regardless of regular season streaks – wins or losses – there’s little reason to believe right now that this season isn’t just more of the same.
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by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 8:30 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I’d say look at the 2004 Red Sox, down 3-0 every Boston fan was on suicide watch then with 1 play it all changed. You never know when that play will happen, personally I’m really hoping it’s this year for us. I just don’t want to see Caps fans go down that fatalistic hole that Sox fans were in and that’s what seems to be what’s happening.
I fail to see the applicability of the analogy. We’re not talking about turning around the results of a few games – we’re talking about turning around an entire mindset, system, culture, whatever. The Caps are more than a Bill Mueller single or Johnny Damon homerun away from being fixed.
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by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 8:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
At the risk of brown nosing, I agree with J.P. here. The analogy to the Red Sox in 2004 or the Cardinals in 2011 is not accurate. Those are four game or two pitch periods of time.
Although I choose to believe the Caps will turn it around, it’s clear that they have some work to do. They are too inconsistent now (on November 18, 2011) to make a good run at the Stanley Cup. That inconsistency runs top to bottom, across all 22 players up with the big club.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
That, to me, clearly indicates a leadership issue
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Nov 18, 2011 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
Yes. Again, no disagreement. I see it from 22 from time to time. That’s about it. Players and coaches.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
I didn’t articulate clearly. What I was going for was the Sox were constantly a loaded team that made the playoffs but couldn’t win it all and came up with new ways to lose. That’s where we are with the Caps, a loaded team that hasn’t done it in the playoffs. It’s going to take something unexpected like the Roberts steal (is that a come from behind win down big in the 3rd that propels them, someone being traded, BB getting fired) to give them a jumpstart and get them, and us, believing again.
Even if that doesn’t stand up the biggest thing I want to avoid is Caps fans turning into pre-2004 Sox fans with the immediate dive off a cliff and bash the team and assume the worst when things don’t got right.
The Red Sox were a loaded team that couldn’t get past another loaded team until 2004. The Caps are a loaded team that struggles to get past average teams that squeak into the playoffs. Still not really a relevant analogy for the team’s current problems (although it may be relevant to the Caps-Pens playoff history).
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
There’s no risk in brown nosing around here.
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That Red Sox team was evenly matched with the Yankees. They were also in the ALCS, meaning they were one of four teams left in the playoffs. It’s gotten to the point where most Caps fans would kill to even be swept in a conference finals.
Um, it happened in a SC finals, and wasn’t all that great, but a few more games in the spring would be welcomed.
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
And in a Conference Finals. But how many years ago are we talking about, either way?
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Not so many that I would kill for a repeat performance. Although I guess 4 more games would be an improvement over last season’s conference semi-finals sweep.
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, it’d still be an improvement over the last twelve seasons. sigh
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Only 12, grasshopper? You haven’t even begun to develop your playoff callous.
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
there’s little reason to believe right now that this season isn’t just more of the same.
Spot on. Sometimes, I just feel like the doomsday gets too much, although last nights 3P thread and this morning is more placid than I anticipated.
And I guess, after all these years, I’m immune to the peaks and valleys. I will hope eternal that they pull it together by March and April. And we know from our past experience that there are almost certainly a number of players on the roster now that, due to injury or trade, won’t be here by then – and a few new ones that will.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
This is the fifth year that the “Young Guns” have been together. Are they as much better now than then, than we thought they would or should be?
As a group in 2007-2008 they scored 123 goals and were a plus-29 (weighed down by Semin’s -18); they were one and done in the playoffs, but they had 14 goals and were a combined plus-2 in seven games.
Last year they scored a combined 86 goals and were a plus-76; they were out in two rounds with ten goals and plus-1 in nine games.
This year they are on a pace to score 104 goals (assuming Green doesn’t miss another game and Semin doesn’t miss any, both iffy propositions) and finish minus-24.
They’re not “young” anymore, and their guns don’t seem to have full clips. Yeah, it’s early, and folks are in a sour mood last December, too. But time to think about breaking them up (or letting some of it go)?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Short answer is yes. I think you’d have to look at that. But it’s compounded by contracts, I think.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Oh, absolutely. Ovechkin and Backstrom are untradeable for all intents and purposes (not that I advocate trading either one). The players in this consideration are Green (trading RFA rights after the season, or however that sort of thing works?) or trading Semin/allowing him to walk in the summer. The notion of trading Semin seems especially complicated. It would be tantamount to a salary dump. You would nothing close to value for him given his UFA status at year end and the possibility of his going back to Europe. It would free up a lot of cap to do something at the deadline though.
Clearly, it would be better if these guys — as a group — just got healthy (Green) and their head on straight (Semin and, to a lesser but not less important extent — Ovechkin). But this is the “core” of players around all else has been built. They really need to start playing like it.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 18, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t know if I really bought into it before, but I’m starting to warm to the “addition by subtraction” argument as far as Semin is concerned. He’s certainly not the only culprit, but is probably the easiest player to send off. I think the young guns are too comfortable because there haven’t been any real consequences to this point, and this mindset seems to be spreading to other parts of the team. Shipping somebody off may be the only way to send a message that resonates with these guys.
Peerless’ analysis is spot-on. Due to size of contracts and/or health issues, our Young Guns are what we got so there probably aren’t a lot of ‘shipping’ options of consequence that we have. To make matters worse, we are stuck with contracts of Hamr and Poti. Therefore, due to CAP hit, there is not a lot GMGM can do. As I see it – and I have been repeatedly blistered for saying this – I say we try to unload the onerous Laich and Ward contracts. Yes, I am aware of the “Laich is Mr. Versatility and Ward our best player this year” kind of comments. But, Laich has had 5 or so years to ‘make a difference’, and he hasn’t. Ward, although, steady due to his ‘grinding’ style is also not a difference maker. And, I submit, having witnessed the lack of hustle and visible heart from the last two seasons’ playoffs and this recent stretch of losses, I think it is ‘energy’ and ‘difference makers’ that is what we need to either: a) kick our Guns in the butt and get them giving a damn about their play, or b) add needed secondary scoring. This is not an accusation of those players merely a comment that due to the size of their contracts and the fact that we are locked into our Young Gun core, there is little else we can do.
by Wilderthing on Nov 18, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Green’s contract is also off the books at the end of this season, and frankly, I can’t see him being worth another contract at his current cap hit given his injury problems the past few years. If he’s willing to take a pay cut, I’d consider bringing him back, but it would absolutely not break my heart if we traded his rights.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Wideman’s $3.9 is also off the books at the end of this season.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
I, actually, am a big Wideman supporter – ESPECIALLY if Greener is hurt and/or traded. Who else do we have back there? I love Carlson but we need more. Frankly, despite some defensive lapses, he in my opinion has been one of our best players.
by Wilderthing on Nov 18, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
So here’s a question: would you rather resign Green at $5 million or Wideman for cheaper (say $3 mil, for the sake of arguement with the acknowledgement that I’m pulling numbers out of my ass here)? I’m thinking I might just prefer Wideman as the poor man’s Green.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Injury concerns aside, Green at $5 mil. I think the results on the ice this season, as highlighted by today’s Noon Number, succinctly illustrate why.
Factoring in injury concerns, I’d probably first consider not signing either of them and going after someone else rather than just signing Wideman.
I’d agree Green no contest if not for the injury issues. But I’m starting to worry those are not going away, which is why I posed the question.
Any ideas what someone else you’d go after? I haven’t looked too closely at next season’s crop of free agents.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
I had Semin’s money ear,marked for Suter :P
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
Green’s injury issues are troubling, but are they chronic or does he just have a run of bad luck? If it were the same injury over and over—annual shoulder surgery like Fehr, e.g.—, I’d be more concerned.
by kingbonehead on Nov 18, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
he’s got a chronic problem of blocking things with his head.
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Mike Green has a chronic problem?
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Mike Green to Vansterdam (e420)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m still holding out hope that Green returns in the near future and is able to play the rest of the season without incident before making any decisions on whether he should be retained going forward.
I’d vote for this. Still not clear why it has to be Green OR Wideman. Frankly, we need them both because of Green’s injury vulnerability. Plus, Orlov, even when he comes up, probably won’t be in their class for another year or so. My big question, though, is Carlson. I would really like him to step it up, which could put to rest the Wideman decision. So far, he seems to have regressed this year.
by Wilderthing on Nov 18, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
I can’t see him being worth another contract at his current cap hit given his injury problems the past few years.
If I’m GMGM and Green’s camp comes to me with a $21 million over 4 years offer, I fill out the paperwork on the spot and laugh.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Why? No argument here he’s worth it if he’s in the lineup, but if he’s only playing 50 games, no way I’d want to pay $5.25/year. Remains to be seen how the rest of this season plays out on the injury front, but I’m not optimistic.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
Well, it’s incredibly difficult to find another defenseman of his caliber on the market these days. The idea is you want to ice the strongest possible team come playoffs, right? There are very, very few D better than Green, and if you take a more durable but less talented option, you’re worse off (cap hits should be a wash or, perhaps, you’re paying more for the worse D).
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
But the playoffs are also a 16-27 game grind. Having Green for 8 games is good, but having a very good D for all of them might be better.
All that said, I’m all favor of keeping Green assuming the price is right.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
But the playoffs are also a 16-27 game grind.
Not for the Caps…
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Isn’t it technically a 4 to 28 game grind? Just sayin’.
That would be more inclusive for our team.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
I’d hope to make it through earlier rounds and worry about the others when they come.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe he shouldn’t have been playing in 2009, but I wasn’t aware of any injuries early in the playoffs in 2011 or 2010. And, as far as I can tell, none of them are recurring.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
I have a theory that durability and dirtiness aren’t as valuable in the regular season as they are in the playoffs:
You’re playing against one team for 4-7 games in a row. In the regular season, you get a home-and-home very rarely, so it’s usually one game and then on to the next. During the regular season, if you nick someone up, you only get the benefit during that particular game. The next team (or teams) that your opponent plays sees the benefit of your work.
In the playoffs, you see that team again in two nights, or if Yanni is in town, the next night, and every bump and bruise you’ve inflicted (or avoided) comes back to your benefit. Players that are durable and don’t get injured as easily are less vulnerable to that sort of play and should see less performance drop as the playoffs roll on. Players who are fragile, or can’t inflict damage on an opponent, become less valuable relative to their dirtier or more physical peers as series and games-in-the-series pile up.
You’d see something of a standings boost in the regular season for a player who’s durable, but you probably wouldn’t see anything for a player that can (legally or not) grind down the opposition on the boards and after the play. How much that would be, I don’t know. I have to imagine you’d see a similar benefit to hard forechecks and cycling as the D accumulates wear-and-tear, or the Fs get tired chasing the puck in the corners.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
I have $50 to Olie's autism charity or So Kids Can and a beer on the under for 50/57/107 as AO's final stat line for 2011-'12
And on Pekka Rinne's PK SV% dropping under .920 by the end of the '12 season
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 18, 2011 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 10 recs
Good theory.
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 5:21 PM EST up reply actions
Me too, but my idea of the right price is a bit less that $5.5 million… I’d say around $4 and I’d be happy.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
If you think that he’ll sign for anywhere in the 4’s, you’re absolutely nuts.
by RCheli on Nov 18, 2011 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And if somebody else wants to pay that premium for ~50 games a year, I’d be fine with letting them.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
I should note that I’m also factoring in the fact that whoever he went to would have to send something back for his rights.
I have zero qualms paying Mike Green $5.5 million if this whole injury episode ends up being a fluke. My issue here is the money can be better spent elsewhere if he’s going to spend a ton of time injured.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
Where are you pulling the 50 games a year from? 70 (+12 AHL), 82, 68, 75, 49 reads his GP log in the NHL.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
I’m pretty much taking last year’s total and this year’s pace. Agreed he didn’t have problems before last year, and like I said, if last year and the early part of this year turn out to be nothing but blips on the radar, I’m fine paying him $5.5. But his issues to far this year have me worried, and if he ends up having problems that plague him the rest of his career, I’d rather spend the money elsewhere.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 6:08 PM EST up reply actions
For the record, he’s on pace for 38 this year, though of course it’s early enough that that should be taken with a mountain of salt.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
The best comparison is Markov, and he signed for 5.75. I’d be very happy with Green’s current cap hit.
by wickedwitch on Nov 18, 2011 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
True…but I was assuming (and this was unwritten…sorry) that they won’t do this and, besides, if Ovi’s offense is topping off, we will still need Semin’s explosiveness THIS year. As stated elsewhere – heck, EVERYwhere – this is hardly predictable. But, again, who else – and what else – do we have to pick up Ovi’s much-needed slack?
by Wilderthing on Nov 18, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
This is rediculous, it's time for a new coach.
It really was time for a new coach after MTL.
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
there’s little reason to believe right now that this season isn’t just more of the same.
During the regular season, this was always going to be the case no matter what. Nothing they could do in the regular season was going to completely make people expect something different in the playoffs. Until we get there, and either do more or the same as we have been…nothing can sway the opinion or narratives regarding the team.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Disagree. There are things they can do – little things – that could sway my opinion.
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Maybe your opinion, but not 95% of the fanbase or the media. Even if they could sway your opinion slightly, I don’t believe you could honestly say they could do something in the regular season that was going to make you fully believe playoff success was going to follow.
They’ve been the top offense with the top PP, they’ve had top 5 D and PK. Not much else they can do in the regular season to calm the nerves over them coming out and laying an egg in the playoffs.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
Even if they could sway your opinion slightly, I don’t believe you could honestly say they could do something in the regular season that was going to make you fully believe playoff success was going to follow.
You’re right that they couldn’t fully convince people that playoff success will follow because people will believe it when they see it. But they could do a hell of a lot to convince people that the mindset and character of the team has changed to make playoff success more likely.
Really though all I want from the regular season is for the Caps to not convince me that nothing has changed. Unfortunately that’s exactly what they have done so far.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t believe you could honestly say they could do something in the regular season that was going to make you fully believe playoff success was going to follow.
Agreed. But they can do something in the regular season that would make me fully believe playoff success wasn’t going to follow… and they’re doing it.
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Hahaha…well played. I almost think at this point they could do anything in the regular season and we could see it go either way in the playoffs. This team has both sides, good and bad, to it ready to pop out at any time it feels like.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
Stringing it all together at the same time would be a good place to start.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
I think the bigger issue is that it looks like the same crap as the past two seasons. They’re expecting to flip an on switch, but the fact that they turn the switch off in the first place is troubling.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
Um – hope springs eternal?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Some other “streaks” to consider:
2008: 3-4
2009: 4-3, followed by 3-4
2010: 3-4
2011: 4-1, followed by 0-4
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 8:50 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
So heading into Toronto for a HNIC game, Bruce makes the comment (per Whyno’s tweet):
Boudreau on Ovechkin: “You know what, I don’t want to talk about Alex tonight. Everywhere we go, people ask me the same question about Alex. I just don’t feel like talking about him tonight.”This coming a week after “Benching-gate”. Think that might be picked up by the Canadian press this weekend?
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
yes; and spun into a tale about Sydney Crosby
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Nov 18, 2011 8:51 AM EST up reply actions
When talking to Canadian media, it will get picked up, but anything he said would.
“Bruce says Ovechkin is fine, but is he really?”
“Bruce’s non-response telling on Ovechkin.”
“Bruce says Ovechkin needs to change things. Is the superstar done?”
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
I thought it would be more like,
“Will the Caps’ troubles force them to trade Semin to the Leafs?”
“If the Leafs can’t beat a fading Capitals team, when will Burke fire Ron Wilson?”
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
by apk3000 on Nov 18, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I can’t decide if this is “You guys have been asking me the same 3 questions for 4 years now” or “I’m really pissed off at that under-performing shitbum right now.”
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Seems more the former. He’s got no more answers to that question.
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Agree with that assessment; the video shows him as just tired of the question not angered by it. But I fear the timing of remark (right as the team is headed into TO to play on HNIC) is going to cause it to be jumped on.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
hadn’t seen the video, thanks for the context.
Everything anyone says in Toronto is jumped on, particularly someone like Bruce who is a Toronto product leading a “glamor” team.
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Three more trips to Canada this year will produce a lot of fatigue — never mind the travel, but of questions like this.
not exactly missing wrangling the Canadian press corps, eh?
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It’s all very predictable and redundant. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a ton of fun to be somewhere where hockey matters that much — but it takes a lot of patience, especially for Bruce and Ovi.
How much does Ovechkin listen to the press? He seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t really take media criticism to heart.
It’s a little difficult to compeltely ignore it, isn’t it?
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
I imagine everyone is curious about what is being said about you.
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I can’t buy in at all to the fatigue factor and the road trip whining – take a look at the Rangers and their early season schedule and where they are in points now. If there is a problem then the Caps need a 25 game road trip.
Believe he’s referring to the Canadian Press and their incessant whining desire to learn about all things Ovi, not the travel itself
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
There are always outliers. That reasoning is akin to “My grandfather smoked 3 packs a day all his life and died at 100! Lung cancer being caused by smoking is a myth.” Looking at the overall win loss patterns of teams, travel does effect them.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
I think it’s a combination of the two that wads up into a big ball of frustration, as in…“Guys, you’ve been asking me that for years now, and if I had found a way to solve that problem, I’D HAVE $#@%IN’ DONE IT BY NOW!!!…I just haven’t found the key to fit that lock.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 18, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
Nothing like a good dose of mid (early) season angst…
Still, last night looked an awful lot like the team that took the ice last spring
Seriously though Hamrlik is horrible.
As in god-awful…
Bring back Tom Poti!
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t you mean Pom Toti?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Applejack, hot milk, honey, and sprinkling of nutmeg and clove — the Pomme Toddy!
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 9:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
that actually sounds pretty damn good right now
Cross check and all call.
by bigonetimer on Nov 18, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
He’s already back judging by the clearing attempts on the PK last night.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
or Calgary. Wherever he is.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
M&G is as frustrated with Hannan as we are with Hamrlik, and not as if Hannan at least has good #fancystats so far like Hamrlik does.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
Based on the WaPo article on breaking up the Meat and Potatoes line, it sounds like an indictment of the Alexes more than anything.
The first part being that he wanted to distribute responsible players who are performing well throughout the lineup a little more evenly, rather than load up on the one line. "I think we were throwing all our eggs in one basket," Boudreau said.
Now we’re throwing all our eggs in one basket by having Chimera-Laich-Ward on one line?
The other aspect is to try to help spark Semin’s offense. Boudreau said he is "trying to put a little more experience" with the Russian winger, who has just three goals and eight points in 16 games this season.
That speaks for itself.
Look, I get what Boudreau is trying to do here. But I’d much rather see him go with the care bears on one line, meat and potatoes on another and then have Knuble-Johansson-Brouwer to destroy really easy minutes. Wouldn’t that make a lot more sense?
Personally, I think the way the lines were to start the season made sense. I am not a fan of the Care Bear line – it needs a grinder. BB needs to stick with line combos that are working, and not break them up constantly.
My mind is all twisted like a peanut.
I hearted 22-90-20 the minute I saw it—I think it’s time to get Gramps out of the dungeon anyway and he does well with Mojo. And that leaves Halps with Hendy and Eakin, which is probably the right spot for the youngster now.
Cross check and all call.
by bigonetimer on Nov 18, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m perplexed by 22 on the fourth line. Is he being punished? It just makes absolutely no sense at all.
He dares speak out, and therefore must be repressed.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
This is one of the mysteries of the current season. I’d be comfy with 8-19-22.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Same. I’d like to see 8-19-22, 28-90-20, 25-21-42, 26-15-85.
My mind is all twisted like a peanut.
by timmyv38 on Nov 18, 2011 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
It’s possible he’s lost enough steps that Bruce feels he can’t keep up on the top two lines. Or that Brouwer/Ward are the longer term solution. Or that someone needs to be the new Fehr.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
That’s possible, but it’s hard to believe the coaching staff wasn’t able to determine that in training camp but suddenly after 10 games knew that he’s toast.
And he started off slow the last two seasons as well.
In fairness to Brouwer, he’s been pretty good on that top line.
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No arguments there. Maybe you even go with 8-90-28 and 20-19-22. The point is, Eakin is not a top six guy and the meat and potatoes line seemed like its sum was greater than the whole of its parts.
Agreed on all counts. If it was me, right now I’d lock in what works and figure out how to unfuck the rest of it. That means 25-21-42, 26-15-85, 27-74, 29 and go from there.
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by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You’d really go 8-90-28? Seems like a defensive liability.
I’d prefer:
20-90-8
28-19-22
25-21-42
26-15-?
I’m not enamored by 85 or 50 right now. Perhaps Sjogren? Not sure. Where’s Tyler Sloan when you need a D/W swing player?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
You’d really go 8-90-28? Seems like a defensive liability.
I would pair Ovechkin and Semin together in the hopes that they hog the puck in the offensive zone and maybe even regain some of their creativity which seems so lost right now.
And if they lollygag and freelance too much? Give that line less ice time and play the other three, which will all be relatively strong two-way lines.
Of course, that last part will never happen under BB.
Did I say I’d go 8-90-28? (I mean, I did… but not today.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think someone is trying to keep Knuble’s minutes in check so he has something for the post season this year. He’s not a young man and playing on the first and second line is going to take it’s toll. I’m ok with Knuble getting 10-12 even strength minutes and a couple of PK minutes each night now so that he has more gas in the tank come April/May/June
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
I wish I believed they had the foresight and self-restraint to implement such a strategy.
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by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 10:23 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
Let’s get Mike Rizzo over from the Nats. He’ll count innings minutes and shut people down without emotion.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
he’ll also hunt down shitty refs and scream at them.
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That game was Fugly, and Sasha getting the Player of the Night made me vomit, but “Hey Hey Goodbye” in November is a little recockulous. I hope we pound them Wednesday.
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and if we pound them Wednesday please Caps fans don’t do that crap back at them. Show a little dignity
by Beakers Lab on Nov 18, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
That was a wasted comment, You know its coming.
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You think those fans were still watching the ending of last night’s game when they started singing that? Bah, they turned it off end of the second period at the latest.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
Haha…I think F&B turned his shit off in the 2nd period
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sure seemed like all of us in the 3rd period thread had the game turned off.
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we were in the acceptance stage of grief by that point.
by Beakers Lab on Nov 18, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
The game was so done at that point they were singing while they were walking to their cars.
by kingbonehead on Nov 18, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno… Aren’t things like that part of what adds into home ice advantage? Given that it wasn’t obscene or over the line, I’m not really opposed to a little “hey, hey, hey, goodbye.”
Then again, I am a Maryland student, so anything not involving cussing out 10-year-olds seems mild in comparison.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
I’m ok with Semin getting it since his goal was just about the only bright spot on the night.
I wonder, do the players use those gift cards, or do they donate them (I’d like to think they donate them.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
There’ll be the usual “It’s all your fault” stuff… which some fans do even at the empty net!
Blaming the empty net for a goal is pretty harsh.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
Ovechkin is building a house of cards in his living room with them. The project has run out of supplies recently though…
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Nov 18, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
Outside of the goal he was atrocious…JW42 and Halpy played much harder last night
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And Ward made a brutally bad decision that led to a goal. Last night was the first time I thought to myself, “Wardo had a bad game” (to which, btw, he’s perfectly entitled once every 16 times out).
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Honestly he could have done more on Kanes first goal, and turned the puck over on his second…He had some real hard working shifts tho…which is more then I can say for our PIM leader…bottom line is picking a player of the game last night is like finding a shiny turd.
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There’s still a lot of hockey left, hopefully they are playing the right way come April. Btw is there a reason why Gabby broke up 27-74? Seems like 74 is lost out there without his partner.
What say you, hockey gods???
With the absence of Green, they’re short a right-side defenseman. Of the remaining guys, Alzner is the one who’s most comfortable switching sides.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
"I think there’s a sense that other teams key on him all the time," said Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, whose team faces the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday. "But that’s the same with every good player on every team, they find ways to key on him and it’s up to us and him to find ways to get around it. It’s just the way nature goes and hockey goes."
And a bang-up job you’re doing so far!!
Easy solution for teams keying on Hamr. Get him on nacho duty when Green is healthy.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
I was thinking get him prepped for LTIR myself.
It isn’t even anger-inducing. It does not seem to be worth that kind of emotional investment. It might not even be disappointing any more. It is expected.
-Peerless 5.6.2011
Let’s see…
1) Advice on proper nutrition from Tom Poti
2) Advice on going into the corner with Pronger from Mike Green
3) Shoulder conditioning from Michael Nylander and Eric Fehr
That’s a start…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
Btw, two goals in the last 168:50, one of which was probably offside.
Killer.
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No question.
At the same time, they could have Rinne and Hasek in net at the same time and the Caps should be able to score on a long 5-on-3 with Future Norris A and Future Norris B in the box.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Agree; unbelievable to see a lengthy 5 on 3 with Suter and Weber in the box and nothing to show for it.
Clearly…we needed Rinne to be in the box too.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Best goalie ever and worth the contract! Honest!!!!
FTFY.
....when the truth is if they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it.
--GMGM
by redlineblue on Nov 18, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
Did that guy get banned yesterday or not?
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
That non-call just highlighted for me how otherwise excellent the linesman are at making those calls. Even with all the speed all the skates and sticks to look through and they usually nail it.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 18, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
The Jets broke a lengthy losing streak… that seems to be the bigger story.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
This time…not for a lack of shots. And to be fair, we had numerous chances that should have been buried last night. Early on Ovechkin and Brouwer on a 2 on 1, Brouwer took too long to settle the pass. Ovechkin did the same thing on that bounce on the PP (even being a tough angle it was open if he shoots it faster). Of course, we can’t fail to mention the 2 on 0.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
On that 2-1 with Brouw, I was shocked Ovi didn’t let that rip—that was right down his sight. Small solace in a beautiful saucer to 20.
Cross check and all call.
by bigonetimer on Nov 18, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah I meant to ask it as a question to the board at large…do we prefer Ovie shoots there? Or did he make the right play and Brouwer just didn’t finish it…thereby bringing up the question of why the best goal scorer of the last 6 years isn’t taking that shot? (Much like his attempted slap pass to Federov in the waning moments of Game 7 against the Flyers).
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
I at least want him to fake the shot in order to freeze Pavelec. Pavelec knows he’s not shooting well before the puck leaves Ovechkin’s stick.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
Did he? I saw it as him staring Ovi down until until the pass, and then TB20 just couldn’t get the puck up a bit.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
I feel like every time Ovechkin makes a nice pass to set up a teammate when he had the chance to shoot and the teammate doesn’t bury the chance…it just makes opposing teams overplay Ovie to shoot even more.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
I still say it was absolutely the right decision. If Federov looks up/for that pass we win and move on.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
Urgh… just don’t bring up Tikkanen…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks. Now I can be sad again until I can flush that memory again.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t ask too many things from too many people, but just in case Bruce is reading this, can you please just go back to the lines that were scoring goals earlier in the year?
Why is Mike Knuble on the fourth line? How can you possibly break up that 3rd line? MP85 scores goals and keeps the puck in the offensive zone, put him back on the forth line with 26 and 15. 90 and 22 have chemistry, reunite them with Semin. And that “umbrella” looking power play is horrendous.
Exit question: what the hell are 8 and 19 doing lately? Nick gets the puck on the right halfboard on the PP and just sits there with the puck and doesn’t move his feet for a second. He’s creating zero scoring chances. Nick, start skating.
Bright side: no epic third period collapse this time ’round.
What? Oh.
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by EmilyB on Nov 18, 2011 12:02 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Second period is the new third. I think the guys are still on east coast time and therefore their second period meltdown occurred when their third period ones usually do.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 18, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
With the 8:30 start, they had to keep the collapse on schedule, so it went off in the second.
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by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Eakin on the point on the PP????
Was I seeing things last night? I missed most of the NJDs games and didn’t see the Dallas game, but I did see the Nashville game; anyway, I’m still catching up. What was that experiment for last night?
There are some players, like Bourque, who are successful on the point on the PP at the minor league levels, but I don’t recall Eakin playing the point on the PP in juniors (Emily please correct me if I’m wrong) or in his short time with Hershey.
Eakin on the point on the PP????
Was I seeing things last night? I missed most of the NJDs games and didn’t see the Dallas game, but I did see the Nashville game; anyway, I’m still catching up. What was that experiment for last night?
There are some players, like Bourque, who are successful on the point on the PP at the minor league levels, but I don’t recall Eakin playing the point on the PP in juniors (Emily please correct me if I’m wrong) or in his short time with Hershey.
Eakin was at home, we were going to lose no matter what, so Bruce was trying to get him a point.
by wickedwitch on Nov 18, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Bruce was trying to get him a point
The Caps PP is the last place I’d put a guy if I want to get him a point….
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 18, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 9 recs
The Caps PP is the last place I’d put a guy if I want to get him a point….
The point on the Caps PP is the last place I’d put a guy if I want to get him a point….
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 18, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of which, guess who’s biz-ack on the PP point lately? Change under this regime is defined as trying something for a few games then probably abandoning it.
They’ve been pretty consistent about putting Wideman and Laich out there on the PP1. PP2 is Carlson and I think Hamrlik.
Of late…Ovechkin has been seeing some time on the point again. It’s had people worried.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
and specifically someone mentioned on the broadcast the other night that ovechkin had been lobbying for more point time on the power play and was now getting it…
….to which BB shot down in the next day’s press conference. Said that he was playing forward from the half wall, and the play they set up just caused him to switch places with Laich.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
I interpreted that as rotation.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
I saw Ovechkin on the point on the 5 on 3, which I’m kind of fine with.
There was a mention earlier on about him lobbying for point time, but that only happened during that game, as far as I recall.
I really, really want Green back because that’d give us Wideman/Green on the points again.
to be clear, I have no issues with Ovechkin on the point in an extended 5 on 3. Much more room to get off that one timer.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Really, do others think that’s why they put him on the point on the PP because he was at home? Putting him out on the PP, fine, but on the point?
Honestly, I think that was him rotating up to cover a pinch (and good on him for having the wherewithall), but yeah, getting some PP time seemed an obvious hometown plug for the kid. Rather he see some PK time than PP if he’s gonna get some special teams time though.
Cross check and all call.
...
And to think how Cap fans complain about attendance at our Optional Skates:
James Mirtle
Bit of a different look at Leafs practice… optional skate, meaning nobody on the ice.
<
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
by bagace on Nov 18, 2011 1:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I have no problem with the Leafs. My point was more about how Caps fans (and certain WaPo columnists) overreact to their lack of attendance.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
No ice time today….only team meetings. Hopefully they can dissect their problems on video and come up with some solutions tomorrow.
Maybe Bruce will take them bowling… Wilson used to do that with the guys when they got in a rut.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
I actually think that sounds like a good idea. Something to get some team camaraderie going and maybe put some smiles on their faces before getting down to business.
Spot on. Right now, I think the biggest problem with this team is that they’re not having any fun.
The rookies, who are just glad to be in the NHL, have been playing well. Everyone else, who is feeling burdens of responsibility, is playing tight.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Totally agree on them needing to get some joy back in their game.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
BB: Guys we are going somewhere here in Toronto that will let you know how the fans currently feel when watching us.
Where you ask? here is where we are going.
i’ve been thinking about that recently specifically regarding ovechkin, that you don’t see him smiling and laughing on the ice anymore. maybe some of that is due to his lesser productivity, or maybe it’s something of a cause in itself.
I noticed that last week. He also isn’t tweeting anymore. Maybe the PR heat is getting to him. Maybe he is still processing the deaths of his uncle and the Lokamotive team. But he has definitively lost the spring in his step if not the joy in his game over the last month.
He’s thinking too much out there too. Maybe he should look to pass a little less and just start firing shots again to get his confidence back.
Or guys start finishing his feeds.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
I think he should skate down the left wing, enter the zone, then cut to the middle and fire shots from the high circles. It would have the effect of using the D’s legs as a screen and also catch them off guard, plus it would be fun.
In all seriousness, he’ll start having more fun when the team starts winning and he starts scoring again.
_______
Next home game, I want someone down at ice level to bring this sign:
Guaranteed to take his mind off of whatever he’s stewing on. Have you ever tried not to think about something?
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Take the rink rats bowling, take them bowling.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
by Wheeler on Nov 18, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
-Laich would throw a gutter ball
-Semin would step on the foul line
-Ovi would roll the ball down the left side of the lane all ten frames
- Evason would grab his own ball bag
- Hamrlik would revise his impression of the 10 pin like he did last night against Wheeler
- And, of course, Schultz would not be able to knock down any pins
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 18, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
- First three frames would be spare, strike, strike.
- Next four would would be spare, 8,7, spare.
- Last three would be gutter, gutter, gutter, gutter, gutter, gutter.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Nov 18, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Laich would throw a gutter ball
…and celebrate as soon as he released the ball, assuming it was a strike.
by Murshawursha on Nov 18, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oduya question from yesterday – trying to catch-up and I saw that someone asked a question about the Caps and Oduya.
Oduya attended at least 1, I think 2, development camp(s ) while on the Caps reserve list after being drafted. The Caps did not sign him before the required date and he became UFA and signed with the NJDs soon after the same summer.
Most believed the Caps chose not to offer him a contract before their rights to him expired. However, there was one article in a NJ paper leading up to his first game against the Capitals, which made it sound like he chose not to sign an offer from the Capitals and to become a UFA and then signed with the Devils. I tried at the time to try to get some information to clarify that, but I wasn’t able to get any additional information.
I think replacement search is already underway. Candidates for our new head coach??
How much more time can BB have?? It’s the same thing now for a few seasons the talent is enough to win on most nights.Even on those nights its sloppy half the time.This team neads a new head coach.
Who could it be?
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
I doubt an active search is on. However, GMGM would not be doing his job if he didn’t carry a short list of possible new coaches around in his man purse fanny pack sock.
If this team sputters its way through Christmas, I think they’ll find a new coach under the tree.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 18, 2011 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
And, if past performance is any prediction of future returns, there will be not a lick of evidence there is a search until the announcement is made.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
its hard not to like BB.But I am done thinking that he is the coach to lead this team.The Underachieving on all fronts, and with all the talent.Its inexplicable and its on the head coach.
The Caps are a grossly Underachieving bunch!! Thats all there is to say right now. Things need to be shaken up now so its either players or the coach.I love this team as built so I say the coach has got to go.Sooner rather than later.
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
Because I’m curious… if “thats all there is to say right now,” why do you go on to say more?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Because I’m curious… if "thats all there is to say right now," why do you go on to say more?
I guess the rest didn’t need to be said right now!!
My question to you J.P. is where do you stand right now on BB. My guess is that you’ve become a pretty powerful guy in Capsland even moreso than you may think.If you were for firing BB and let it be known the pressure would clearly wratchet up!!
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
I’m on record on this matter – http://www.japersrink.com/2011/5/6/2156955/on-boudreau
But since they didn’t make the move over the summer, I’m in favor of a little more patience right now… but not a ton. More importantly, though, they need to have the right guy lined up as a replacement before they make any move. I don’t think I’d fire Boudreau and then go on a search for his replacement with some interim stopgap in place.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 19, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
There are some eerie similarities in how things are going now as they did in 2007…
The team is pretty listless and not showing much
They’re losing to teams they should beat
Thanksgiving is coming up
The opponent the night before Thanksgiving is Atlanta well, now it’s Winnipeg, but it’s the same team…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
In the division lead…whoops, we’re supposed to list similarities.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
Restless locals becoming increasingly sure that the coach, while a great guy and all, has taken the team as far as he can…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Actually, I think Bruce can still stay on, but something has to change with the lot… a trade might do something… or maybe having a couple of big name players spend a game in nacho-land. It’d get Semin’s attention, I suspect, if he were a healthy scratch and Perreault was in his place.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn’t following the blogs so closely in 2007, but I noticed Ted’s blog today was decidedly fatalistic – for him. The heading “Thud” is telling enough, but then he linked to Kings of Leonsis “When it rains it pours”. When the owner calls out the young guns in his blog and pretty much sums up the teams flaws, it would not be a stretch to expect some changes coming…
Ehhh…Leonsis is a hands-off type of owner, right?
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
here’s a quick list of who coached last year and aren’t NHL head coaches, I wouldn’t take any of them
CRAIG RAMSAY (unemployed)
MARC CRAWFORD (unemployed)
CORY CLOUSTON (Head Coach in WHL)
JACQUES LEMAIRE (fossilized?)
TODD RICHARDS (Asst Coach)
there are the old recycled coaches who weren’t in the NHL last year which don’t really make me happy
Guy Carbonneau
Craig MacTavish
Do the Caps go with another coach with no NHL experience? I’d say that’s very doubtful midseason, but possible…
Mike Keenan
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 18, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Hang on, isn’t Ramsay Kevin Dineen’s assistant in Florida?
Actually, Carbonneau isn’t a terrible choice. I loved him as the Habs’ coach and think that Gainey jumped the gun on firing him (though Martin making the Eastern Conference Final the next year probably invalidated that point…not really. I still like Carbonneau).
What about going the way of the Pens and bringing up the Hershey coach?
Believe Muller is head coach of Milwaukee, Nashville’s AHL affiliate. If my understanding is correct Caps would need explicit permission from NSH front office to talk to Muller.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, Ramsay is an asst to Dineen in Florida.
Carbonneau had been coaching the Q team he owns or partially owns (I believe) late last season, but stepped down from the coaching position this summer.
Kirk Muller is the other ex-player, ex-asst coach often mentioned for head coaching positions. Reportedly he didn’t interview very well this summer for some of the head coach openings. He’s the head coach for Nashville’s AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.
Here's another
Kirk Mueller. He’s coaching the Preds’ farm team in Milwaukee right now.
Cross check and all call.
I don’t think it is usual to hire someone outside the organization during the season, e.g. another teams assistant or farm coach. You’re probably limited to the unemployment line.
It isn’t even anger-inducing. It does not seem to be worth that kind of emotional investment. It might not even be disappointing any more. It is expected.
-Peerless 5.6.2011
No, in 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife.
Yes, in the 9/11 connection, etc.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
(Btw, that was more of a shot at my own lame misuse of “ironic” – didn’t mean it to come off as rude to you, sk8)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
We could steal Bob Hartley away from Switzerland. He’s currently coaching the team Circles is on.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 18, 2011 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
And here’s the crazy thing about Hartley.
In his four full seasons, he lost in the conference finals three times and won the Cup once, his team getting at least 105 points every year (this is pre-3-point games). In his fifth year, he was fired after a not very good 31 games.
That’s a quick trigger, no?
by RCheli on Nov 18, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Keep it in the family!
Bengt-Åke Gustafsson is available (now that he was let go by the Moscow Oblast).
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
Isn’t Peter Bondra jobless too?
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Nov 18, 2011 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
Bondra’s never been a head coach before. I’d like someone with some experience at some level.
Gustafsson would be a great choice, considering his experience with the Swedish nationals… but there is that issue with his son…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
And the fact that he’s never coached in the NHL.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
My mistake; I thought he coached for the Slovak team, but he was GM.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Nov 18, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Ted Nolan?
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
Was just a thought…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Davis Payne
He isn’t with the Blues anymore.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
Payne is also, by most accounts, a good tactician. But he didn’t do a heck of a lot with his time in St. Louis.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
Not sold on that. Blues were a top-3 Corsi team for the majority of the year, and continue to be one of the best shot differential teams in the league. Bad special teams results and poor goaltending create more leaks than a coach can plug.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Nov 18, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, Neil had him as a top-five team weeks ago – the underlying numbers were very, very good.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This was the case last year, too, even adjusted for schedule difficulty and back-to-backs. Then they got injured and Halak sucked.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
I have $50 to Olie's autism charity or So Kids Can and a beer on the under for 50/57/107 as AO's final stat line for 2011-'12
And on Pekka Rinne's PK SV% dropping under .920 by the end of the '12 season
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 18, 2011 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
I thought Rob Parker was spot on when he pointed out that Vyacheslav Bykov is highly underrated and would be a perfect fit for the Caps. If I’m not mistaken, Parker believes that nobody has ever gotten more out of Ovechkin and Semin or led his team to better clutch performances. And if I remember right, Parker also pointed out that you get a nice bonus — Bykov is a great judge of talent and has always made sure to help pick the best available players for his teams. Although maybe I’m getting the wording slightly wrong on some of these.
(And yes, that guy who you’ve seen at the music store turning to his companion and saying loudly “here’s that Spice Girls album you’ve been looking for” was probably me)
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
Rob Parker said all of this. I seen him.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
Fehr and Balanced promptly beat up Rob Parker.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Nov 18, 2011 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Sic your brother Peter on him.
It isn’t even anger-inducing. It does not seem to be worth that kind of emotional investment. It might not even be disappointing any more. It is expected.
-Peerless 5.6.2011
I’m surprised this is the first Peter Parker joke I’ve seen round these parts.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 18, 2011 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
*Saving up a Dave Parker one for a rainy day.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.
by Bald Pollack on Nov 18, 2011 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
Y'all would be cooler...
… if you were Parkour…
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 18, 2011 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
And isn’t the other brother Paul?
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
Fehr and Balanced is Rob Parker’s raging bile duct.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 18, 2011 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Any ideas of who they are? Yesterday someone mentioned that they needed a tactician rather than a teacher. Are there any good tactician’s available?
Good point. I am one of the last to pile on Bruce but watching the teamwork and hustle of the Pens (gasp, I hate to even type those words) or Dallas, I think someone else needs to pull our guys together. I don’t think the old-school disciplinarian type, but more of a rigid tactician…. like Blysma.
Is there a team, besides maybe a tired Detroit squad, that didn’t outhustle the Caps?
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 18, 2011 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
It was the Auger show in EDM, so I don’t think evaluating hustle means anything.
Still, 3 out of 17 is really bad.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 18, 2011 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
Tampa. They were only in it because Vokoun spotted them 4 goals.
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Nashville…for 55 minutes.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
Now up to 5 games out of 17 where the Caps weren’t outworked and outhustled.
That is terrible.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 18, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
I thought I was only supposed to come up with one. We should have beaten the Isles…but Vokoun vomited all over the ice.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
I was going for more of a total number.
And we’re still over 50% for being outworked.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 18, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think we’ve been outworked in over half our games. We’ve had games where we were outworked (if we’re thinking majority of the game) and still won…and we’ve had games where we have outworked them and lost. The troubling part is the spots where we are letting our focus lapse in both cases. Sometimes the other team is going to play better, we like to forget that sometimes. It’s the key times when we absolutely cannot be getting outworked that have burned us quite a bit lately.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
I do. I think some of the puck luck in the wins have papered over the underlying flaws in how the Caps played.
And I really can’t say that aside from maybe Nashville that I can’t really think that the Caps outworked or matched the level of effort of the opponent in a loss.
The only thing the team can absolutely control is how much effort they bring to each game consistently over 60 minutes of play. I’m not expecting them to win every game, but I would like to see a higher, more consistent level of effort.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 18, 2011 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
When you talk about puck luck hiding flaws in wins you have to acknowledge that bad puck luck has also contributed to losses. AO, in particular, has had horrible puck luck this year.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Nov 18, 2011 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The best available tactician coach out there right now is Keenan. I don’t think the Caps should hire him, but he’s by far the best out there…. there aren’t more than five people alive right now who know more about the tactics of the game than Keenan…
Al Arbour is also a master tactician… but he’s 79 years old and not likely to come out of retirement.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 18, 2011 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Becca’s Recap last night:
Unlike last year, when the team was trapped in the losing streak from
hell, the losses they’re accumulating aren’t of the “they played hard
but just couldn’t get the bounces” variety. They’re not losing despite
their play, they’re losing because of it; this isn’t bad luck, it’s
bad hockey.
Katie Carrera on CI earlier today:
Unlike when the Capitals struggled last season, there is a different
feeling about this stretch of 10 games as they’ve gone 3-6-1. These
losses can’t really be boiled down to bad bounces, unfortunate or
uncontrollable circumstances. Many of these defeats have been a
product of Washington’s bad habits.
Great minds rip off the Rink think alike?
Release the Mackan!
Huh. I, uh, agree with both of them.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’ve known for a long time that the best way to get J.P. to agree is to re-package something he already said.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Nov 18, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
Second only to “buy him alcohol.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
JP always seemed like a Michelob Ultra guy to me.
(please don’t ban me)
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
I’m white trash, and I’m in trouble.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
In fairness, if you flip the timeline around it looks like Becca copied CI.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Nov 18, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 9 recs
Yeah, but only an idiot would do that.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 18, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Everyone knew it was a BeccaRecap night
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 18, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
as Sam Carrier tweeted, an article on Carrier on the Q website (use google translate or something else as it’s in French)
http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/article/samuel-carrier-un-l-ment-cl-au-succ-s-du-drakkar
Dilemmas
@SCavelli (Samantha Cavelli)
My #hersheybears are playing the crunch tonight. I would wear my #caps hoodie but as of being a syracuse crunch ice girl I dont think I can
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Is she afraid of being Fined?
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 18, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
CnB put together a list of the top 100 2012 draft prospects at the moment by using the ranks from several sources. Yes, it’s Zona, but with minimal commentary.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
I think I would wet myself if Babs was behind our bench.
Cross check and all call.
by bigonetimer on Nov 18, 2011 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
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