"I thought this was the hardest I’ve seen a team work this year that I’ve been coaching ... and...

"I thought this was the hardest I’ve seen a team work this year that I’ve been coaching ... and that includes the Capitals too."

Bruce Boudreau, on his Ducks' effort last night. Your move, Caps.

5 months ago J.P. 21 comments 0 recs |

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He also said 78% of goals were scored within 5 feet of net.

"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau

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by NGreenberg on Dec 15, 2011 2:21 PM EST reply actions

As a Caps fan I want to say thanks Bruce. Best thing he could for Caps fans from Anaheim.

by kovachs on Dec 15, 2011 2:21 PM EST reply actions

good for him.

by Beakers Lab on Dec 15, 2011 2:53 PM EST reply actions

Your move, Caps.

So, we’re expecting something Bruce says to motivate the Caps players to get out of a funk and perform?

No, I don't think I'll ever get over Macho Grande

by Icebat on Dec 15, 2011 2:59 PM EST reply actions

Whatever gets their asses out of their heads is fine by me

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by sami426 on Dec 15, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

If it pisses of a Cap or two, great :)

by Brainumbc on Dec 15, 2011 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Does this surprise anyone. I have seen a night shift crew at McDonalds work harder then the Caps at times.

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by Cap-O-Vens on Dec 15, 2011 3:04 PM EST reply actions

soda, everywhere.

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by RedBirdie on Dec 15, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Why Bruce?

Just seems unnecessary. All you have to do is say they worked really hard

by Jedi Mind Kicks on Dec 15, 2011 3:11 PM EST reply actions

I agree, it wasn’t professional to say that, at all. BB aside, the implications are an issue and unfortunately, this Caps team is atrocious.

by feeya7 on Dec 15, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

We loved it when he yapped for us.

by Brainumbc on Dec 15, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

So if the players continue to respond poorly and things continue/end badly this season we can cross coaching off the list as the primary issue. What then would people say is the primary problem overall, given a lot so far has been spoken about two talented Russians not scoring and a Canadian defenseman who has missed a large part of the season?
….
But as far as performing this particular Thursday night, if stats were more than just trends and wishes made rainbows, Vokoun would play exclusively on Thursdays and Fridays
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1541/splits;ylt=Al4ZqmtcXe8jlNRung4XtBivLYF

by FredMilbury on Dec 15, 2011 4:08 PM EST reply actions

Parse the comment…when he says, “that includes the Capitals, too,” that puts the Caps at the top of the list below the Ducks. Think about it, if he said, “except for the Caps,” that would put the Caps one spot ahead of the Ducks.

I read it as a compliment to the Caps.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Dec 15, 2011 4:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Now that I read the quote above, I read it as
“Of all the many teams I’ve coached, in the NHL, this year, of which there are in fact two, this one worked the hardest, at least from what I was able to see. So far anyway”

But also could mean
“You know, sometimes I may not actually coach the teams I’m hired to coach, but rather just sort of watch the games and appreciate what a great view I have from behind the bench. During those games I’m not going to really say which team on the ice that night may have worked harder than the other, or make comparisons between the Caps and Ducks. Oh, the mike is on you say?”

Or
“Man, on any given night last season my Caps team would have wiped the floor with these pathetic lazy Ducks players”

I personally think he meant:
“To me, effort is all about smell. This team didn’t smell at all like a team that tried hard. Oh sure, to the lesser senses like hearing – I may have heard some grunts and some hard checks – or taste they may have seemed to try hard. But give me my good ole smelly Caps team any day of the year”

by FredMilbury on Dec 15, 2011 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

yeah, I think there’s a ton of different ways you can read the comment. Plus, it’s Bruce, so there’s that. I’ve not been able to watch the video to see if that helps with the context.

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by RedBirdie on Dec 15, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

I am Jack’s semi-lack of surprise.

The scary part is that I don't even know if I'm being sarcastic or not

by The Moose on Dec 15, 2011 5:29 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

No

THIS is jack’s semi-lack of surprise

by Brainumbc on Dec 15, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

Not setting the bar very high, there.

Ambiance and vanity.

by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Dec 15, 2011 5:41 PM EST reply actions

What about the Caps’ win over the Red Wings this year?

a capital wasteland - art & hockey from washington, d.c.

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 15, 2011 6:44 PM EST reply actions

This is simply a comment to boost morale and win the support of his new Ducks players. Part of what makes him a great coach

by brianblack on Dec 15, 2011 10:43 PM EST reply actions

I don’t think he was really saying anything other than giving more weight (i.e. sample size) to his assessment. What says more, a) In my six games coaching this team, this was the best effort I’ve seen, or b) In the 28 games I’ve coached this season, this was the best effort I’ve seen?

by Twenty Seven Ninety on Dec 15, 2011 11:28 PM EST reply actions