Tuesday Caps Clips: A Hole Too Deep
by J.P. on Dec 6, 2011 6:27 AM EST
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's loss from us, Caps365 video (Hunter, players), Vogs, Capitals Voice (audio), NHL.com, WaPo (gamer), WashTimes (gamer), CSN Washington (blog), Frankovic, Peerless, SB Nation DC, KOL, DSP, RLS, Caps Daily, Examiner and RMNB, and On Frozen Pond and Litter Box Cats from the Kitties side of things.
- No Semin, No Cry? Maybe. But he'll be back soon. [WashTimes]
- Storylines and perhaps a wee bit of drama upon Tomas Vokoun's return to Florida. [Puck Daddy, On Frozen Pond, WashTimes]
- And then there are the former Caps who have taken their talents to South Beach. [WaPo]
- Hey, realignment! Welcome back, Patrick Division brothers! [Puck Daddy, WaPo, WashTimes, DCEx, Nosebleeds]
- What if the Caps were to blow it up? [ESPN ($)]
- Vokoun knows that he's part of the reason Bruce Boudreau is no longer behind the Caps bench. [CSNW]
- Could Jason Chimera go for 30 this season? [WaPo]
- A bit of fall-out from Sunday's ridiculously outlandish (or is it outlandishly ridiculous) column in The Western Pennsylvania Black and Yellow Journalist or whatever. [Puck Daddy, PHT, and the author that floated the... story, initially, responds]
- More measured thoughts related to Alex Ovechkin's stuggles and the coaching change. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- The funny. It has been brought. [Backhand Shelf]
- AO on the PK - good idea or bad? (My vote's for "bad," but please do use the other Alex there.) [CBC]
- Dale Hunter brings excitement back to D.C. (Know what brings more excitement? Winning.) [Capitals Overtime, Sick Unbelievable]
- The Caps have the League's 10th-most expensive blueline (and they'd probably be getting their money's worth if their best rearguard was healthy). [Hockey Independent]
- Keith Aucoin is just a phenomenal AHL player, and being named the League's current Player of the Week is just another feather in his cap. [AHL.com]
- Catching up with Gabby. [Washingtonian]
- Finally, happy 50th birthday to Chris Valentine.
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I think as caps fans we may look back on the 09’10 president cup season and wonder, what if they didn’t make excuses about a hot goaltender, today’s team is not even on the same radar screen as the president cup team, ugh
by Obi wan Knuble on Dec 6, 2011 7:10 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I really feel like ‘08-09 or ’09-’10 were out best shots at a cup… Caps are on the downswing now.
by Murshawursha on Dec 6, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. There may have been missing pieces then, and those ultimately did us in, but at least you had the core talent working. Now we are plagued with the same problems of those years (all of which were fixable), but now there is no core talent.
Will you two relax with these overstated sky-is-falling pronouncements? It’s not. They’re in a deep funk, and they’re changing the way they play the game, and it will take time. This is playoff team disguised as something else right now. Breathe deep.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on Dec 6, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 14 recs
Playoff team, probably. Championship team? I’m selling at this point. I’ll be totally happy to fry those words up with some crow and eat them, but with the way most of the team (and Ovie in particular) is performing, I’m just not seeing it. And fuck makign the playoffs and going out in round 2 again.
by Murshawursha on Dec 6, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
as much as it pains me: do you remember the utter fucking disaster that was the Pittsburgh Penguins the same season they won the Cup? How about the damn Philadelphia Flyers, who had to go to the shootout on the last day of the season in 2010 just to even make it to the playoffs? regular season means dick.
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by RedBirdie on Dec 6, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
Bingo. Just gotta make the playoffs. The rest is a crapshoot.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you for this! More people need to realize it’s not over by a long shot and be patient. But yeah, it is still hard to watch games like last night and not get agitated.
you’d think, as Caps fans, we’d know this. We watched two hated rivals look awful, just out-of-the-playoffs awful, get all the way to the Finals. We’ve watched the Caps roll through the regular season and it meant nothing in April. We watched the Caps bust their asses to get to the playoffs and it meant nothing in April. Nothing, nothing, about the regular season is in any way a reliable predictor of playoff success.
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by RedBirdie on Dec 6, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Nothing, nothing, about the regular season is in any way a reliable predictor of playoff success.
Well, unless you are the Capitals of the past few seasons. In that case it’s predictable as an inversely proportional relation ship. ;)
So if they continue the trend, we’re going to win a billion playoff games.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Stop. Trade Ovechkin now. Fire Hunter. Dogs and Cats Living Together.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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SEND SEMIN TO HERSHEY! CALL UP KING! CHEEBA CHEEBA CHEEBA!
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If my quick math is correct, the Pens were 19-19-4 in mid-January.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
I’ve heard Hunter say just get into the playoffs and anything can happen. Main thing for this regular season is to see what you got with the players and get them playing the system and peaking towards the end of the year.
Regular season means BS.
Regular season means BS. Sounds like a great season ticket renewal strategy. Not that I disagree.
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 couldn’t watch parts of the game last night…too painful.
But I also wouldn’t call it a “lost season” – yet.
As a team, they have shown moments of brilliance in the past 4 games.
I still have faith that they can learn and implement the new systems, and with the latent talent, dominate again.
Having said that, wtf is wrong with the power play? Can it really be ALL the players are not on the same page and are borderline incompetent? I have to think its the PP coaching. Who is responsible for the PP strategy?
I’m still going with the “Hoosiers” analogy…new coach comes in with more deliberate style, loses games early on while the guys try to figure it out, has fans wondering if he’s the answer, gifted talent becomes the go-to guy again, headstrong player who marches to his own drummer and fouls too often finally “gets it,” team comes together, wins a crap-load of games, ends up winning it all.
I haven’t figured out who “Shooter” is yet, though.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Matthew Barnaby
too soon?
Ambiance and vanity.
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Dec 6, 2011 7:34 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not too soon, just not really news worthy
DWI’s in hockey are the “Chuggign Cristal and waving a gun at a nightclub” of the NBA. No one thinks twice about them.
I think it’s notable because he might get deported, he’s still on probation for the domestic violence thing.
It would have been interesting to see all of Canada in a single conference.
To that end, seems like Winnipeg got a little bit screwed. They only play 10 games a year against their Canadian counterparts. I’m guessing the logic was “Suck it – be happy you have a team.”
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
The teams that really got screwed are the ones in the 8 team conferences. 50% to make playoffs vs 57%.
The only option I see for Winnipeg is moving them to the “west” conference, and putting Colorado in the “central.” But I’m sure the Cal teams+Phoeniz would much prefer to travel to Denver.
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“Sorry you’re in the middle of a vast wasteland, here are some ticket vouchers to Nashville.”
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agree on that assessment. But, given the fact the Atlantic Division and Northeast teams all wanted to stay together intact………
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
It just seems like there are so many teams in the NE/Atlantic that are so close, that there really isn’t a good reason why Pburg and Philly should be in the same conference over Pburg and Buffalo. “We like the rivaly” isn’t a good enough argument for me to justify making the two Florida teams have to fly an extra 2-3 times the circumference of the earth more per season
If I had been doing it, I would have moved Philly & NJ and possibly the NY teams to the SE. I would have sent Pitt, Columbus, and Detroit to the Northeast. There’s no reason why a good rivalry could not have developed between Boston and Pitt, even if it’s not traditional.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Philly would be screaming about losing the Pitt rivalry. Once you realize that keeping the Patrick together was a quick way to get 6 votes, you look to minimize damage elsewhere in the East.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
Ah politics. Can’t overlook easy votes.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 6, 2011 8:31 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe there’s a thought that the Panthers won’t be in Fla long term?
by kingbonehead on Dec 6, 2011 9:18 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I think they were just trying to mess up as few long term rivalries as possible. They kept Florida and Tampa together, so if Floria left Tampa would be really screwed. I don’t think they’re planning on Florida leaving like they probably are with Phoenix.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
Being with that many old teams should also juice ticket revenue for both FLA teams, which has always been an issue. The Panthers (and the Lightning in previous years) market specifically to visiting teams.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
Not to mention all the Northeasterners that now call Florida home. The Panthers have been marketing to away fans for years it seems (though I think I saw more fannies in Sunrise last night than I had in years and they weren’t all there for the Caps…)
Well if they don’t go back to FL after every road game then the number comes down a lot. Any sort of reasonable planning has them hit TOR-BUF-MON in a row, or something like that.
Please, call me F&B.
Fuck ‘em. Seriously. They all fly charter… what’s the difference between a flight to Toronto and a flight to DC from Miami? An hour? Who cares?
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by J.P. on Dec 6, 2011 8:54 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
___
We’d be awesome NHL Governors.
“What’s that, Tampa? You have to pack winter clothes for your roadies now? Give me a moment to dredge something up out of Giveafuck Bay.”
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by J.P. on Dec 6, 2011 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
000
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 9:02 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
what’s the difference between a flight to Toronto and a flight to DC from Miami? An hour? Who cares?
You fly a lot on business?
I’d love an extra hour of sleep in a bed
Do you fly in NHL charter planes for business?
Plus, they get all the sleep they want in top of the line hotels. They get naps after their morning skates (if they even have to take the morning skate). I’d love a mid-day nap and a 4 hour work day (tops).
Please, call me F&B.
On top of all that sounding excellent, playing hockey for a living wouldn’t be a buzz kill either!
Look at me, Dustin! I'm a F%^king Icon!
they will. Maybe not the organization, but certainly their tin foil hate wearing fans.
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Considering the cushy set-up they’ve got now, they had better not. They’ll make the playoffs every year in “conference B.”
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
reality has no bearing on Detroit’s crazy fans. They’ve won how many Cups in 15 years? And they’re still convinced the NHL is out to screw them over at every single opportunity.
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Do they live in Pittsburgh? No? Then they’re right, the NHL is out to screw them over at every single opportunity.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Dec 6, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
don’t make me smake you for encouraging their foolishness!
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I sorta hate this NHL-forced rivarly between Pittsburgh and Washington.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Kinda. The playoff series really started it, but the NHL loves to fuel it. Don’t think it was a coincidence they ended up in the same conference.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Everyone associated with the Caps organization would’ve been on their knees begging for the realignment they got.
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by J.P. on Dec 6, 2011 9:58 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I bet GMGM even cracked a smile when realignment passed.
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I’m sure he’ll really be cracking smiles when we lose to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia in the second round.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
I’ll worry about that when the Caps get there. for now, I’m just enjoying that I will no longer have to scramble to find buyers for all those SE games. It’s bloody impossible to find someone willing to pay STH cost for a weeknight Winnipeg game during football season.
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I’d rather win in the playoffs than worry about you making money off of your tickets.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
most of us have to recoup at least some of our costs. I doubt more than a handful of real fans are turning a profit (brokers are another story). But it’s several thousand dollars when you factor in playoffs, and, yeah, I’d like to get at least some of that covered by selling seats.
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I was sorta joking, but I might wonder why you’re buying them in the first place if you’re concerned about the cost etc.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
because there’s no way I can afford to go to more than a handful of games if I’m not a STH. Right now, I spread the cost out over a year. I get the best games. No STH means, in all likelyhood, no Opening Night, no Penguins, no Flyers, no Superbowl. No playoffs, no Winter Classic.
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I am in the same boat as you, RB. With the cost going up every summer, and the product not getting any better, I need to have a few games sold to cover a payment here or there.
Look at me, Dustin! I'm a F%^king Icon!
hey there! glad to see you back :)
Costs going up is another factor. I think the cost had gone up almost 50% since my first season.
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I calculated that based on the projected price for next year (what new STH’s pay this year), my cost will have doubled in five years. Wish my paycheck would go up like that.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
maybe it’s doubled for me, too. Now that I think about it, I think we’ve gone from about $2,500 to around $4,500 in 4 seasons.
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yep. that’s why, despite all the benefits of being a STH, I absolutely have to sell some games.
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hey, if Caps fans want to pay me a reasonable amount, I’m happy to sell to them, too. As it is right now, I don’t sell my “big” games and still struggle to find people to pay below-face for a lot of games.
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Are you lower bowl or upper? I’d love to be a STH but the waitlist isn’t getting any shorter. Right now, buying from the ticket exchange and stubhub are how we’re going to games.
upper center.
are you interested in Friday vs. Toronto? My buyer bailed and I need to unload them.
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I don’t think I can for Friday, but I’m not sure. How much are you asking for your games, typically?
$110ish. a little less for the dregs of the league, a little more for the Buffalos and Canadiens of the league.
I just put up two posts on Rink Rat Exchange, listing my available games for Dec-Feb.
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Are the Sabres a big draw? That always surprises me for some reason.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
so many Buffalo transplants in the DC area. and they’re very loyal to their team.
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I’m sure he’ll really be cracking smiles when welose to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia in the second roundmiss the playoffs
For the near future, I’m scared because there are five really good hockey teams in this conference with four spots for the playoffs. But in the long haul, I like this better than the SE.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
And winked.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 6, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
Understand that, but regardless of old divisions, the Caps and Pens would have still ended up in the same conference.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
Well yeah, because it makes a ton of sense geographically. It’s not like they put the Caps and the Ducks in the same division to feed off the BB story. Pittsburgh is closer to DC than any of the other teams currently in the SE division. Should they ignore that just to avoid appearances of reinforcing a rivalry that had already developed naturally on the ice?
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 6, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
Patrick Division getting back together was more of a pipe dream than the Caps playing fundamentally sound hockey. Yet, here we are looking to be back in a division with all the Caps rivals….and Carolina which is sort-of-kind-of a rival.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
forced? Oh, no. I hate Pittsburgh. Hate. Have for as long as I can remember. And judging by how some of the players (and a former coach) talk about Pittsburgh, they seem to hate them, too.
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either New Patrick or the far west. Vancouver, LA, Sharks, Ducks (assuming Bruce gets them back to where they belong), Phoenix.
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and Calgary is always lurking in the playoff picture right until the bitter end.
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The 2 rounds of “conference” playoffs is what bothers me most. Unless what we’re seeing now is the total deterioration of the Caps long term (and I don’t believe it is), we will probably manage to be in the top 4 of the NuPatrick. Will we ever get past the 2nd round? A big part of why we didn’t before the current era was having to play out of the Patrick Division.
As much as I like having even more reason to hate th Pens, Flyers, et al, again, I will miss the novelty of losing to new and different teams in the 1st or 2nd round.
by Aliceanna on Dec 6, 2011 9:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
Meh, it’s not like the Caps are getting to the Conference finals regularly as it is.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
My complaint has less to do with how far we go, and more to with being ousted by the Pens every year (again) or Philly (standing in fo the ‘80s Isles). Yeah, that will build hate, but my hate frm the old days is quite intact. I’m more concerned with tedium.
by Aliceanna on Dec 6, 2011 10:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
You need to play well to rank highly. That’s on no one but the Caps.
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
by nogoodtrying on Dec 6, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
Totally agree on that. I just like the different playoff matchup possibilities the current system allows for (despite the oddity that has kept us meeting the Rangers year after year). As it is now, there’s a good chance we meet the Rangers every single year we qualify from now on. Tedious.
by Aliceanna on Dec 6, 2011 10:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I can see that. I just want them to get there and win and I don’t see this team doing that. Realignment is a distraction (mind you, a welcome one), but I can’t get out of my head how shitty this team looks right now.
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
by nogoodtrying on Dec 6, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
As it is now, there’s a good chance we meet the Rangers every single year we qualify from now on.
Sweet! A guaranteed trip to the 2nd round!
by HockeyGoalie29 on Dec 6, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Sweet! A guaranteed trip to the 2nd round!
Yep, and back to meeting/losing to Pittsburgh every fucking Round 2. Did you enjoy the ’90s that much? (or, if you prefer ’80s flashbacks, the Islanders).
I would prefer conference matchups in the first round, and then a re-seeding in the second. I like the rivalries the playoffs build, but I also like the added interest of the possibility of different matchups, too. Not to mention there being no possibility for a Montreal/Boston semifinal, for example.
Agreed. Plus, with the way they’ve set up “conference D,” one of those perennial playoff teams gets screwed. Some 5th place team in one of the other conferences will probably end up having more points than the 4th place team in another conference too.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Wysh posted about how a team could miss the playoffs, citing the Kings as an example of a team that would ahve missed out last season. Curious, I went back and did the last two seasons for the two “east” conferences. The 8 teams that made the playoffs under the old format would have made it under the new format.
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Right, but now you’re playing different teams at a different rate. The Caps will now play Pitt 6 times instead of 4 etc etc.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
it was just quick and dirty look at how things might shake out.
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Understood…it probably will be the same teams making it, but they’ll take vastly different routes to get there. Washington is going to have serious competition night in and night out (as will everyone else in this new “D”). Detroit in conference B? Not so much.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
generally not too worried. Caps, over the last several seasons, have played well against New Patrick teams. Let’s see how things shake out under Hunter, and then we can decide if we need to hit the panic button.
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True. I still feel that it means they’ll be spending a lot more energy in the regular season than they have in the past. Then again, maybe this is a good thing.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
Ben Raby tweeted last night that based on the new conferences, Caps would still have played the Rangers in the first round.
"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
And the days go by…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 6, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
yeah, last season would have been Rangers, year before would have been Philly.
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Probably not. But they have very powerful lobbies.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Or maybe they’re planning for one of those teams to move north at some point.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
I was reading somewhere that the Kitties have a ridiculous lease deal with their arena—something like another 20 years at least, that they have to pay no matter what. Also, and I don’t know if this is true, that they actually have really good attendance, considering they haven’t been to the playoffs in over a decade.
Either way, I don’t think either Florida team is going anywhere for a while.
I’d heard that the TB ownership had a lot of money and they seemed safe, but I wasn’t sure about the kitties. Thanks.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
I believe F&B was mentioning last night that on the past weekend’s HNIC Hot Stove they were discussing how the FLA teams get a lot of fans from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal as a lot of Canadian snowbirds (retirees) from Eastern Canada flock to the Sunshine State during the winter months.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
They sure do, have met a few in the times I’ve road-tripped down there.
"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 Dec 6, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
According to On The Forecheck, Florida has the longest average travel distance with 1087 miles. Tampa Bay is second with 1013 miles. So yeah, The FL teams got screwed. Then again, it is America’s wang.
"How can you trust a man who wears both a belt and suspenders? The man can't even trust his own pants."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 6, 2011 8:11 AM EST up reply actions
1087 * 41 = 44567.
That’s almost twice the circumference of the earth.
Maybe the BOG should be less worried about Mario’s penguins and more worried about the Antarctica’s penguins!
OoOOO!!! See what I did there? Ah HAH!
It’s the average distance between Miami and the cities where the rest of their division rivals play. But they won’t travel that distance for every road game. Buffalo to Toronto to Montreal to Ottawa bangs out 4 road games without traveling a total of 1087 miles.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 6, 2011 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe that was the GM that was complaining about the extra travel?
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 8:42 AM EST up reply actions
OTF published the average distance for each team to their conference rivals. Fla and TB have 5 rivals that are 3 hours away by air, but they also have each other not 200 miles away.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 6, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
What Pierre LeBrun would have done
What Scott Burnside would have done
But I still like my BCS-based version
If you've read this far...seek help.
Four teams voted against the plan, right? Do we know yet which teams those were?
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Dec 6, 2011 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
Detroit?
Winnipeg? After all, they’re the only Canadian team in their division.
Colorado still is somewhat far from almost everyone in their conference.
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I think both Detroit and Winnipeg are in a better situation now, and Colorado’s isn’t that much changed. I wonder if Carolina might have opposed it. I just don’t see any other teams who don’t benefit other than the Florida teams.
Failure is always an option.
I really can’t see Carolina ever making the playoffs in the new alignment.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Colorado still is somewhat far from any other NHL team. Both Florida teams, Detroit, and Columbus would be my guesses. I just wonder if anyone will actually tell.
What could Winnipeg have expected? They weren’t going to split up the Battle of Alberta.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Dec 6, 2011 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
I recall reading that the Western teams were fully on board. I’m going to guess the dissenters were Tampa, Carolina, maybe Florida, and I have no clue on the last. Toronto? Just to be ornery?
by Aliceanna on Dec 6, 2011 10:00 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, we take any reason we can to get pissed off about something here ;)
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
rabble rabble rabble
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Burke told the AP he voted for the realignment.
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threw this out last night in the realignment fanpost, but I might have swapped Detroit and Columbus with Tampa and Florida.
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I’ve been thinking about it today, and it isn’t as bad for them as it looks. Yes, they play 5 more games in the NE, but they also play 7 less in the Midatlantic area. Other than that, the travel increase is just going to be involving the West, and everyone’s getting hit with that.
Failure is always an option.
New Alignment
Well, if the league’s layout in 2012-13 is this group of cities/teams, then this is a very good setup. There are possible changes coming though.
First of all, the Phoenix situation. There are several relocation scenarios for Phoenix if they can’t find ownership in the desert: Quebec, which would move them into the Northeast-Florida conference; Kansas City and into the Central conference, with Detroit or Columbus moving into one of the eastern conferences; or possibly Atlanta (which is the city that is most ready to take them now), and they move into either of the two eastern conferences. Personally, I think the NHL really wants to keep Phoenix. Losing two top-10 US markets in a few years is not a good thing.
Another possibility is that the owners decide to do a money grab and put up 2 expansion franchises. Cities that would like bid are the aforementioned Quebec and KC, but also Hamilton (you know Balsillie wants a team), Portland (backed by Paul Allen of Microsoft), and possibly Houston (dunno about an owner, but you know the Dallas Stars would love a team there.)
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 6, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
I think the most likely short-term scenario is that Phoenix moves to Quebec, which instantly makes the two easterly conferences and two westerly conferences even at 7-8, 7-8.
This still allows for expansion or relocation in the future, with far more flexibility in future realignments to simply move one team to a different conference, instead of shaking everything up like they had to do this time when a team moved.
I think you can put any Balsille wanting a team news on hold for the time being as Research in Motion is taking a pretty big hit financially at the moment.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
Portland (backed by Paul Allen of Microsoft)
Portland has the arena and the fans, but Allen doesn’t give a shit about hockey. Seattle likely has better corporate sponsorship opportunities, but as of right now they’ve got no arena.
Unleash the Apathy.
I love the Coliseum: tailor-made for hockey. What’s Allen’s beef with hockey anyway? The PDX would eat it up.
Cross check and all call.
But. . . the NHL would never let a franchise play in the Coliseum – no matter how awesome it is for the WHL.
Rose Garden it would be.
Unleash the Apathy.
True. The RG is a pretty nice venue in its own right, and perfectly positioned near downtown…I probably would have stayed in Portland had they had NHL back then (tho the ‘Hawks were great in the late 90’s).
Cross check and all call.
Here’s a note – despite a 7-0-0 start, the Caps would have to go 5-0-3 in their next 8 to have the same record they had the day they broke their 8-game losing streak last season.
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If not, maybe realizing that the team has a .879 SV% since the streak will get you there.
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The past few years, 5-0-3 didn’t sound so bad. Now it seems unachievable.
But then again. The past 4 years we’ve dropped a turd in the playoffs as seeds in the top 4. maybe we’ll have better luck in the bottom half :) INGENIOUS TACTICS, GUYS! :)
In the two seasons preceding this one, the Caps had a total of five streaks of nine games or more in which they earned points.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Next 8 games:
@ Ottawa
vs. Toronto
vs. Philadelphia
@ Winnipeg
@ Colorado
vs. Nashville
@ New Jersey
@ Buffalo
Combined record of 105-85. No teams under .500. It will be touch to go 5-0-3.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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It might not come in these next eight games, but it would not be surprising if the Caps went on a run. They do that.
If you've read this far...seek help.
tends to come after New Years, for whatever reason. if they don’t go on a tear in the second half, then I’ll get worried.
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If the goalies stop the next 118 shots they face, they’ll be at .900 since the 7-0-0 start. It’d take 193 in a row to get to .910 since then.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Perhaps Neuvy’s struggles can fall under the sophomore slump, but Vokoun’s? Add to it Holtby’s not doing too well this year either, sheesh.
As with Bruce and the skaters, maybe the goalies have all tuned out Prior?
"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
Wouldn’t explain Holtby, since Prior doesn’t work with him.
by jopierce on Dec 6, 2011 8:25 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
That’s Olie, yes?
Different philosophies/focus from Pryor and Irbe the difference?
by kingbonehead on Dec 6, 2011 9:20 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Pryor’s philosphy? Man this net is cold. And it’s deep too.
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t know how much attention Olie gives to Holtby right now, since his primary duties are with the Stingrays. Prior has worked with Neuvy before, though.
Since November 1, Vokoun has appeared in 10 of the Caps’ 16 games. He is 3-6-0 in those appearances, 3.09, .898. But here’s the thing. If you throw out the 41 second “appearance” he had against Winnipeg on November 17th, he has not appeared in more than three games in a row since the five-game streak he had that ended on 11/23.
Is he not getting into a work rhythm? He’s on a pace for less than 3,200 minutes, which would be his lowest in a season (w/o injury) since 2001-2002.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I think Vokoun is used to playing nearly every game because many times, he was the only guy keeping the Panthers in the game. A lot of people, myself included, have observed that he seems to lose focus when he doesn’t see a lot of shots. The problem I have is that he’s not going to get that furious workload every time anymore.
He and Neuvy both need to play games and get into some kind of work rhythm…but you can’t do that with a number 1 and number 2. I just don’t see how to give Vokoun all the starts he needs and groom Neuvy for the starting position or at least a 1a/1b scenario with Holtby.
And if that’s not enough just think about all the years of playoff losses to PHI and PIT that realignment is giving us. Hooray Patrick!
Please, call me F&B.
000
There are some good things that have come out of playoff matches with the Flyers
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
No, we’re not. Only three teams have fewer wins in regulation than the Caps — Anaheim, New Jersey, and Columbus. And you league leader is Florida, tied with Boston and Detroit.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I hadn’t done the calculations but it had occurred to me that the number of regulation wins was low. So what would our record be if they still counted ties?
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Depressed? The season is far from over. We were seeded 1st in the east at the end of last season despite the horrible losing streak. Things look bleaker than they did last season based on their current play, but I’m all for squeaking into the play-offs this year. After getting a top 2 seed the past 4 years we’ve done less than nothing with it. I have trouble believing they’ll look this bad the rest of the season.
Are we going to be seeing holtby soon?
Matt Hendricks
Matt has had exceedingly low ice time, logging just over 4 minutes last night with no time in the 3rd. I thought he would be a “Hunter” type player, but seems the odd man out somehow when dressed. I know he’s struggled offensively, but with the exception of Chimera, mostly, who hasn’t? Any thoughts?
Are you not entertained?
Was just looking at the Recap thread and someone said he didn’t appear to be on the bench in the 3rd. If he got injured, I don’t know when. Still, he has not played a lot of minutes in other games either.
Are you not entertained?
So, does that mean Sasha plays on Wednesday — in place of Hendricks? Perreault & Eakin did well enough to stay in the lineup so doubt they’d be scratched.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I can’t help but wonder about his groin injury. It doesn’t seem like he’s been the same player since he got injured last year. And I’m talking about since early December since it was reported on the very first day of the month last year that he had missed a practice at the recommendation of the trainer when nursing something. Kept playing until the awful Rangers game when he sat out a week.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
No Semin, No Cry?
I remember when we used to sit in the lower bowl seats in Chinatown.
And then Greenie would make the game right making breakout passes thru the night.
Then we would hit the taps at Iron Horse, of which I’ll share with you.
"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 Dec 6, 2011 7:38 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
I was thinking last night
There’s at least one simple way to view the Caps’ struggles: they’re the same team they always were, minus Ovechkin, Semin and Green.
The keyboard is mightier.
Well, boys and girls, we haven’t been here for a while. On the bright side, we could be Matthew Barnaby today. But enough about him.
I’m buying into Peerless’ Hoosiers analogy. I’m behind the make-up of this team. I advocated for Hunter and am supportive. Keep in mind, that, if all else fails, we could end up with two lottery picks in an up draft year.
I will also admit that I’m enjoying the fact that the loud critics don’t have Boudreau to pick on anymore, so they are a bit silenced. There is no clear target of aggravation just yet. Maybe today one will pop up.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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There is no clear target of aggravation just yet. Maybe today one will pop up.
Hmmm….
"Right from the goalie out, we’ve got to be better right off the bat. We’ve got to get some big saves there. Just overall, we’ve got to get more." – Chimera
Target acquired.
EdFrankovic
29 & 30 a big problem right now RT @JapersRink Caps G’s would have to stop next 118 shots they face to be at even .900 since the 7-0 start.
Trade Vokoun? Trade Neuvirth? Send down Neurvirth and call up Holtby? Bring Kolzig out of retirement? Re-sign Jim Carey?
Need you to be more specific.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Fire Prior and Kolzig? C’mon! Need a new target for fans’ ire.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Wait, whoa, slow your roll there, chief.
The problem with this team is its coach-killing, no-longer-juicing, predictible, out-of-shape captain. We’ll have none of these non-conforming views espoused here.
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by J.P. on Dec 6, 2011 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you. Thank you. That’s what I’m looking for.
Where’s the bandwagon? Ovie is fat. Ovie doesn’t care. Ovie is lazy. Ovie sucks. TRADE OVECHKIN.
(Yes, I’m being sarcastic, but I am intrigued to see where the vitriol is directed this morning and what the solutions are.)
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
I’ll take a stab: my virtiol is directed at the team’s mental fragility. Not just one guy, but a team ethos. The minute they face a shred of adversity they collapse.
Solution? Pray.
I don’t disagree. Praying works for me. Jesus, Abraham, Mohammed, Jehovah, Vishnu, Buddha – pick your focus.
Patience is what we all need now. The primary quick fix is gone.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
They look like a team in transition to me. I’m willing to give them a longer leash as long as I see something each game, last night despite being down 5-1 they continued to fight and got back to 5-4 despite a 6-2 PP disparity. Baby steps. Remember that BB was 3-3-1 his first 7 and it looks like it was around that 7 game mark that things started to click.
You left out praying to a jug of milk. Seems to work as well.
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Dec 6, 2011 9:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Ovie’s not fat…he’s fluffy.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 6, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I wrote about this on Sunday, I think. There is clearly a curse on pitchmen for Gillette.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
No - more than that. This was my post on Sunday morning.
Circumstantial evidence, your honor. Doctors, chiropractors, George Laracque (sic). The case against Ovechkin is clear. But, if that’s not enough. I give you more.
Thierry Henry. Roger Federer. Tiger Woods. Derek Jeter. Kaka. Alex Ovechkin. That is all you need to know.
All these athletes saw a drop off in performance after becoming pitchmen for Gillette:
- After the infamous non-handball call against Ireland, Henry is now relegated to MLS, a huge drop off for a World Cup hero.
- Federer is now ranked 3rd after years at number 1.
- Woods, nuff said.
- Jeter suffered through injuries and one of his worst pro seasons ever in 2011.
- Kaka got ejected from a game vs. Ivory Coast in the 2010 World Cup, and Brazil flamed out against the Netherlands.
- Alex Ovechkin.
Your honor. If the PEDs circumstantial evidence isn’t sufficient, I offer the Gillette evidence as an alternative. The athletes I listed all suffered a career downturn when associated with Gillette. You can’t ignore it.
I am sure Steigerwald will write about this shortly and am, quite frankly, shocked he’s ignored it thus far.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Dec 6, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’ve got it! The Gilette shaving products metabolize PEDs! This is why the teams with the most facial hair end up in the Finals every year. QED.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed. Ditch Gillette!
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Dec 6, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
You know I was thinking the other day how much it was actually BB who drove the media’s interest in the Caps and helped bring about the renaissance of hockey locally. He was always good for a quote and a chuckle. You know he always had something to say.
In contrast Hunter is taciturne and to the point. He answers the media’s questions like he’s on the witness stand: say as little as possible. As much as I enjoyed Gabby’s ramblings, part of me is relieved. No more controversies out of"words" uttered by the coach. Even the so-called goalie controversy of last night’s game couldn’t get any traction: talked with Prior; Just a decision. Kinda refreshing for a change.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 6, 2011 8:46 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
You also wonder if he asked Laich and Chimera to say what they said. I’ve seen coaches do that with leaders. Use players as mouthpieces. Sometimes that works.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I appreciate Hunter’s apparent lack of interest in excuses. No griping about the officiating, no whining about bad bounces. No matter what happens this spring, I can’t picture him saying “we ran into a hot goalie”
There's no bigger burden than a great potential - Linus Van Pelt
“We had some good swings on the ninth hole, I thought our putting game was a little off.”
by Kolzilla on Dec 6, 2011 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Why? Goalies definitely get hot.
"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 Dec 6, 2011 11:27 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
And some of them are always hot, right girls?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Dec 6, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 7 recs
this has been up for 30 minutes and it’s not green?!
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I’m sure most of the ladies (and maybe some of the guys) around here would love to do exactly that.
Unleash the Apathy.
by D'ohboy on Dec 6, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m sure most of the ladies
I can’t see him playing for the ’Peg.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
No, they don't
What happens is it becomes an excuse for us not getting goals. The goalie may make an amazing save every now and then on our guys and then it seems to bring our guys down rather than be a “hot goalie”. think back to game 7 vs pittsburgh. Ovie made a decent move on a break away that gets stopped by great positioning. suddenly our guys give up. We didn’t talk about hot goal tending in that game because the team stopped playing. But that’s what happens when we say a team has a “hot goaltender”.
During the montreal series most of the shots were easy saves: unscreened shots from the point that went where the goaltender already was rather than upclose higher percentage shots. Halak wasn’t hot, he was just in position and we weren’t doing anything special to get the puck in the net.
Hot goaltender is what happens when you’re not tough offensively, the Goaltender doesn’t do everything either, a lot of it is the defense stepping up and not letting opportunities happen and the offense letting the defense have it’s way with them. So Hot goaltending = bad excuse for bad offensive play.
The Caps generated 90+ scoring chances on Halak in the final three games and scored 3 times. These aren’t floating wristers from the point, these are hard shots from the slot.
Last year, Varlamov and Neuvirth both had .920+ ESsv%, and stopped around 87% of scoring chances against (I think Varly a little higher, Neuvirth a little lower).
Halak stopped what, 95%? That’s not on the shooters. Considering he Halak’d the Pens right after, I’m even more inclined to say that it’s not on the shooters. At least, nowhere near 100%. They could’ve been a lot better, we know that. But at some point you just can’t do much more.
We didn’t talk about hot goal tending in that game because the team stopped playing.
You’re applying the label to one shot. That’s not how it’s normally used…? FWIW, the Caps did score 2 goals, which is about one less than normal. I absolutely buy that a team playing poorly can score 2 goals, especially when the game is out of reach.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
a scoring chance is just measured by where the shot is taken from, not whether or not the goaltender was in position to make the stop before the shot even occurred. It’s a combination of defense restricting where the shots are coming from and the goaltender’s positioning.
I highly doubt any goalie can stop 95% of shots from the slot, regardless of screening or positioning.
I think I see what you’re ultimately trying to get at—just because you ran into a once-in-ten-years type of deal (guesstimating), you shouldn’t get complacent and stop trying to improve. I agree with that completely. I feel like if you react too much, though, it’ll be counterproductive (see Philadelphia).
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 Dec 6, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
Not a fan of the way you seem to portray BB’s critics as reactionaries in need of a scapegoat, but whatever. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean his negative effects left with him. A lot of my (and others’) complaints of BB were related to the culture he instilled in the team – lack of accountability, discipline or attention to detail – and that’s going to take time to change. That’s why I’m not so upset about these last few games, not because I just haven’t found a new scapegoat.
Frankly the shit goaltending the Caps have been getting worries me more than how the team is playing while adjusting to a new coach.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 6, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
What I’m most worried about right now is whether everything will come together in time for this team to make the playoffs. With regards to the goaltending, I don’t see anything that tells me the situation will last for a long period of time. Seems like your standard cold streak. I’m sure both goalies have been through it before, and I’m confident two goalies of their talent will pull through fairly soon.
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 Dec 6, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
Hadn’t been bad lately. Last night got out of control fast. Put another way, you know things are whack when Karl Alzner is a) taking a penalty, b) it’s an aggressive penalty, and c) it’s in the offensive zone.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That was only the second time this season the Caps allowed more than five power plays, the first since the Edmonton game on October 27th. They are averaging 4.0 minor penalties/game.
If you've read this far...seek help.
toss out the Edmonton game. it was a disgrace to professional officiating.
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Well, I for one think the instigator on Erskine was borderline at best. Sure he wanted to go after the guy for nailing Halpy (and I’m no fan of guys retaliating for clean hits), but it’s not like he jumped him. Both players got sticks up then willingly dropeed the mitts. Clearly Ersk was the aggressor but didn’t meet the other criteria for instigator penalty.
Brouwer call was a joke and an instance where the refs should have huddled up to discuss. Thinking the back ref saw what happened. Then again, had he seen it he may have called a holding the stick penalty on the Cats.
Getting a bit tired of the stick chopping penalties. Ovi was also lucky not to get a penalty for playing with a broken stick. He appeared to break his blade in the corner and skated all the way to the bench w/ a broken twig.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Clearly Ersk was the aggressor but didn’t meet the other criteria for instigator penalty.
It likely meets the definition as in the rulebook, but it definitely did not meet the definition of how the instigator has been called for the last (number of years since its introduction).
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
If there’s a silver lining, at least the problems on the ice are fixable and/or teachable. I’m still feeling pretty positive.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 8:43 AM EST reply actions
Really? Cause I feel the opposite actually. I called for BB to be fired after the loss to Pitt because I felt the issues could be fixed (and weren’t), and then again after the loss to Montreal cause that could really have been fixed. But what we’re seeing now? I don’t think you can fix Ovechkin/Semin playing like shit and one of the best goalies in the league in Vokoun playing like he’s not wearing pads. You can’t really fix talent not showing up, or worse, talent that doesn’t exist anymore.
I’m talking more in the vein of bad defensive breakdowns and bad goaltending. I don’t think it’s a “structural” problem or anything like that.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
I agree, there is a lot that can be fixed in terms of strategy and gameplay, esp. on the PP, PK, breakouts, zone entries/exits… the list goes on and on. Those are coachable things. But even with those things fixed, this team isn’t winning anything important until Ovechkin/Semin starts regularly notching multi goal and multi point games. I basically see this team as the same that played Montreal, except this time around there is no Ovie/Semin.
I don’t think you can fix Ovechkin/Semin playing like shit and one of the best goalies in the league in Vokoun playing like he’s not wearing pads. You can’t really fix talent not showing up, or worse, talent that doesn’t exist anymore.
Then why do you bother watching? Sounds like we’re going to lose every game.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I’ve actually been encouraged the last few games…..see positive steps every few games and see the team starting to get the new “system” a little more each time.
You see glimpses of the team getting the forecheck and cycling the puck from time to time and they look dominant doing it. Just going to take a little time to get used to scoring from there instead of the rush.
I am right with you. I’m just on a bit of a mission this morning poking the doomsdayers.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Well I watch because Im a fan
I’m squarely in the camp that this is a lost season and the current core is fatally flawed, but I’ll still watch hoping I’m wrong.
Like the previous poster alluded to, the Caps are going nowhere when they carry $16mm in dead weight. Luckily Semin is on a one year deal and comes off the books this year but Ovie is here past the end of the decade.
At some point, it’s no longer a slump. The question is no longer if he’s MJ or Kobe, but if he’s Vince Carter. And I know I’m going to get jumped on with the sarcastic “trade ovie!!!!1” comments but my biggest concern is that he’s playing himself into untradeable status, and I’m not talking about the franchise player / MVP kind of untradeable either.
by Strong Side on Dec 6, 2011 11:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
For those that have waited to read the whole series in succession, the whole New York Times series on Boogaard is now online.
Articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-boy-learns-to-brawl.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-blood-on-the-ice.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-brain-going-bad.html
Video:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/boogaard-video.html
by discuit on Dec 6, 2011 8:51 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I hate to come back to this — because I seemed to be the lone voice a couple of months ago — but I just don’t think that fighting should continue in the NHL. I understand its appeal (I love a good fight), but it includes an inordinate amount of extra shots to the head that are unnecessary and not part of the game.
At the least, get rid of it in juniors or other non-professional leagues, because obviously Boogard’s problems didn’t start the minute he stepped on the ice for an NHL (or ECHL or AHL) team.
I completely support getting rid of it in Juniors. These kids simply can’t make an informed decision about whether or not they want to engage in the behavior, and chronic trauma to developing brains is even worse than chronic trauma to developed brains.
In the big leagues…I’m torn.
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by fat_daddyo on Dec 6, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Happy Birthday Chris Valentine
This O-Pee-Chee card of his was one of the first Caps cards I remember owning.
I miss O-Pee-Chee. Didn’t they get bought out by Bowman?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
ahahahahaha his name is “valentine” and he’s a bachelor. Whoever wrote that was a real card…
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Dec 6, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
…and, In Francois! (sp?)
Ambiance and vanity.
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Dec 6, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
According to Wikipedia, they were bought out by Nestle, but Uper Deck ended up taking over their hockey card licensing rights.
The 1994-95 hockey season would be the last for O-Pee-Chee as a full company, though the Topps marketing arrangement would keep the name alive. In 1996, O-Pee-Chee was bought by Nestlé Corporation. In 1995-96, Topps included O-Pee-Chee cards in its signature product as a parallel set. It would do the same in 1998-99 when it returned to the NHL market after a two-year hiatus. Later that year, O-Pee-Chee was re-introduced fully, as Topps used the company name for its Chrome set. One year later, O-Pee-Chee would once again have a base brand set.
O-Pee-Chee cards would continue to be produced through the 2003-04 hockey season. Prior to the start of what would have been the 2004-05 season, the NHL and NHLPA did not renew hockey-card licenses with the Topps Company (as well as In The Game or Pacific Trading Cards). Instead, the hockey market entered an exclusive five-year agreement with the Upper Deck Company to produced licensed NHL cards.
In 2006, Upper Deck entered into an agreement with O-Pee-Chee to revive the O-Pee-Chee brand. Upper Deck’s initial O-Pee-Chee Hockey product was released during the 2006-07 season.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 9:19 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
you can still find O-Pee-Chee, albeit the Upper Deck produced packs. I bought some as stocking stuffers the past few years.
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The team has no confidence playing in front of Neuvy – the killing goal was the 2nd. From that point, it’s like they knew that Neuvy wasnt going to pull up his socks and shut them down. Remember when 2-0 or 3-0 was nothing for this team to overcome?
Play Vokoun for the rest of December, and call up Holtby. Stat.
Here’s the thing. Does Neuvy have to clear waivers?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
I suspect there would be multiple claims.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Yup. He’ll last about 5 minutes on waivers. Stuck with him for now, unless you want to deal him or Vokoun.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
do they have confidence in any of their goalies lately?
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Several issues here. First, Neuvy has to clear waivers and there is no way he clears. Second, it’s not like they’ve been lighting the lamp with Vokoun, either, so we shouldn’t pretend that he’s even close to being a true #1 goalie. Third, Holtby won’t save the team (dear god, I sound like a broken record). The whole team needs to stop playing like crap. Everyone needs to stop playing like crap.
by jopierce on Dec 6, 2011 9:36 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yeah, Vokoun sucks because they don’t score when he’s in net.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
Apropos of nothing, I’m starting dislike Wideman to the same degree scotty hockey dislikes poti. It’s almost visceral at this point. There’s just something about his demeanor on the ice that agitates me.
And I never thought I’d be pining for poti’s return but there it is.
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by ChrisAm on Dec 6, 2011 9:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions
/slaps forehead
There’s the problem. Thank you. No Poti. If only we had Poti . . . .
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Dec 6, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
At least we know the hammer isn’t the problem
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Dec 6, 2011 9:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Wideman is the equivalent of playing blackjack and doubling down every single time. High risk, high reward. I don’t dislike him but I’m not fully comfortable having him take a lot of minutes outside of the power play.
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I would love to see him off the PK. He really hasn’t looked good there.
Failure is always an option.
Yeah, his skillset is a mis-match on the PK. Hell, I trust Erskine or Orlov more on the PK than him.
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Wideman’s skill-set seems like a mis-match to playing defense.
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Move him to wingah!
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by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
It’s not really apropos of nothing – it’s apropos of him being a shitty defenseman.
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Eh. He’s neither as good as he was to start the season, nor as bad as he’s looked lately. He’s out of his depth trying to be a #1/#2 guy. Right now he looks egregiously bad because the PP is garbage. Overall, I still think he’s a net positive. He’s going to make mistakes, but he’s also going to score a lot.
Unleash the Apathy.
by D'ohboy on Dec 6, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He’s been terrible on the PK. But I do agree that 52’s absence has forced him into a role in which he can’t succeed.
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Here’s the deal about Wideman since his days in Boston:
He’s gifted offensively. He’s got a phenomenal shot. He’s generally OK defensively, but he makes occasional GODAWFUL mistakes, and those mistakes tend to come in bunches. I think you’ve just got to ride out the bad stretches.
Unleash the Apathy.
Wideman needs really controlled minutes. Give him Mike Green TOI, you’re giving him wayyy to many chances to make the right or wrong decision. Reduce his ice time and play him in mainly offensive situations, hopefully he’ll have less chances to make defensive errors. . .and he can actually focus on keeping the puck in the fucking zone.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I don’t think the amount of ice time is the problem. Caps without Green have been trailing a lot, so you expect the puck movers to climb up there, but Wideman is still below Carlson and not all that “high” in 5v5 ice time (BtN includes 6v5 situations, too).
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by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
Dude, i’ve been saying this for weeks now. I HATE WIDEMAN. He’s not high risk high reward. That’s a serious understatement and doesn’t take into account what really goes on.
Wideman never has all of his shit together. He can make great defensive plays, he can weave a little bit of magic in the offensive zone, he can lock down his defensive assignments, he can facilitate some great breakouts. They problem is, he rarely ever does all of it at once. You never know what you’re going to get with Wideman. It’s a risk the Caps take predicated on the fact that he has the possibility of changing the game positively. The fact is, he rarely affects it in one, net good or net bad, way. Most of the time, he affects the game in a handful of ways. . .and most of them lead to the Caps giving up goals.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I know this is somewhat of a running joke in here, but having the FLA for the game last night (Bill Lindsay is a terrible homer on the scale of Bob Errey by the way) and you saw more than one highlight of Mike Weaver and how well he positions himself as a D-man on man to man coverage. I wish some of our D-men would do the same.
I was also hoping they’d take notes on how to score on a power play. It seems like years since it’s been effective.
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IS anybody still bitching about Campbell’s contract? Cause he seems like the real deal in FLA.
by Murshawursha on Dec 6, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Well he was never going to play regularly on the first defensive pairing in Chicago.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
And they were cap strapped to the max. Had to be done.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
And now the word is CHI is looking for a replacement for him…
I remember the talk in the off-season about whether Montador is an elite offensive player because of his participation per goal on ice (or whatever that metric is). I guess not…
And Campbell’s K still sucks, it’s just not cramping FLA because they aren’t a cap team.
Please, call me F&B.
There was actual discussion in the off-season if Steve Montador was an elite offensive player? Excuse me as I wipe away the tears…
I like Montador and would be happy to have him on the Caps at a reasonable rate—aka cheap— (I remember hoping GMGM would pick him up a couple deadlines ago), but that still makes me laugh.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
___
“The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner. Now I am the master.”
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by J.P. on Dec 6, 2011 10:57 AM EST reply actions 7 recs
Hypothetical: Would you trade Ovechkin (contract and all) for Fleishmann right now?
Neither would I, but don’t lie, you thought about it for a second.
Nope. Not for a second. Anyone that does is nuts.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Do you think an accountant looking at Ovi’s contract – size AND length – and would tjem compare it with his offensive numbers would be “nuts?”
And what, praytell, would you do when Fleischmann regresses to the mean in the second half, which he always does?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
Or gets hurt. More downy soft wingers are not what this team needs.
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Dec 6, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
I mean, for the love of Mary, go back and look over some of the archives on this very site. I don’t think people miss Flash all that much. Hell, I’d rather have Hannan back.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
I’m really starting to get pissed at this pining for “Flash” or this notion that we traded away too many skill guys. The only skill we traded away was the ability to win faceoffs and Flash – who will get hurt and/or revert back to the mean soon enough.
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Dec 6, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
I’m less pissed than I am incredulous.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Dec 6, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, and that’s my point. We have skill guys. They’re just not playing skillfully right now ;-)
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Dec 6, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
And what do you call Ovi’s performance the last year and a half? I would be happy if he even reaches the ‘mean,’ which might continue to drop and drop. Again, not counting ticket revenues, concessions, etc., and even if Flash does fade, I am pretty sure the points per contract favors Flash at this time.
Are you interested in some land in southern Louisiana? Because, if you are, do I have a deal for you?
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Yes. I do. Because that accountant would be fired for not considering merchandising, ticket sales and other factors.
By the way, the GM has to consider that to.
I will wager that McPhee hasn’t even considered it and won’t for some time.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Perfect corollary: TBL had a deal on the table where they were sending Lecavalier to the Leafsin December 01. The deal was DONE, except someone on TBL’s side asked for some more time to sleep on it. Wisely, they pulled out of the deal, and held their core together, and won a Cup in 04.
You don’t just “deal” your big time star player unless there are extenuating circumstances.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong….I don’t want to trade Ovi and, of course, I agree that his name and role are bigger than just these numbers we are kicking around. But, there ARE extenuating circumstances….namely, GMGM has a lot of money tied up in guys who are not producing – Ovi, Semin – and a bunch of fat, long-term contracts to guys who, if they do put up some points, will be modest at best, i.e. Laich, Ward, Chimmy. In short, those ‘extenuating’ circumstances are that if this team is as bad as its current status indicates and if Ovi continues to stink up the joint, we are going to need new blood fast, and we don’t have much money to do it with.
There are no extenuating circumstances the merit consideration of trading Ovechkin for Flash or anyone. We are nowhere near that point. Not even close. Millions of miles away.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Dec 6, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Y’know, Flash has gotten hot before. We’ve seen it happen. What then happens? He cools off and makes you want to tear your hair out.
I’ll also point out that FLA is a team for whom everything is clicking right now. The Caps are perhaps the diametric opposite of that right now.
Ovie for Flash, please. That’s crazy talk. And it’s not to say AO is playing well, because he’s not. But Flash is who we thought he was.
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To repeat, no one is seriously talking Flash for Ovi trade. My point is twofold: Flash’s points would look awful nice on this year’s CAPS – regardless of his “reputation.” I didn’t like the Hannan trade then and I like it even less today, obviously. And, two, there is an AWFUL lot of money and time invested in someone who is not even in the top 50 points producer in the league, regardless of his name and reputation.
The Flash for Hannan trade was excellent because we traded from a position of strength for a position of need. Having an extra 20/30/50 guy who disappears in the playoffs would have done what for us? Having Hannan improved our defense substantially (yeah, yeah, everyone talks about his bad line change against TBL — guess what? You don’t get swept in the playoffs because of one line change.)
Flash is absolutely not the answer on this team, and you need to look past who has the best boxcars to understand why teams are successful.
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Especially because Flash was a free agent afterwards. If we truly wanted Flash again, we could have easily re-signed him.
I’m not spending $4.5 million dollars on a player with term on a player who has a recurring health condition that ended his last two seasons.
Remember: He has blood clots. These do not go away. He’s on blood thinners.
That Flash trade was great. Flash should’ve been benched in the MON series- in fact, he was so bad that BB finally did!- and Hannan became a very important defender for us. The year before Flash lit it up and then completely fell off. Seriously, watching Flash in the fall is like listening to a siren call of disappointment.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Lash me to the mast. I have Flash on my fantasy team and love getting the points. Key word is fantasy. Do not want on the Caps.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 1:03 PM EST up reply actions
Here is the list of players for whom I would trade Ovechkin straight-up without hesitating:
Here is the list of players for whom I would trade Ovechkin straight-up after consideration:
Gretzky between 1981 and 1988
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
No love for early-mid 90s Jagr? Or mid-80s to early-90s Lemieux?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
You’re asking Caps fans to have love for Jagr and Lemieux?
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I hate their guts. But they’re two of the best players ever.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
I have more passion anti-Jagr than anti-Lemeiux.
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I get that, because of what happened with him here. But I still think the guy doesn’t get his just due as being one of the best players ever.
Look at his stats. Dude put up 282/408/690 in toto from 95-96 to 00-01. That’s the HEART of the Trap Era. He averaged 115 points a year. And he was STILL dropping 120+ points with the Rangers in 05-06.
It’s one of those cases where enough people hate the guy, mostly through his own doing, that I just don’t think he gets enough credit for being as great as he was.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Hell, what about in his prime Bobby Orr?
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
If Pittsburgh comes calling saying they’re offering Crosby straight up for AO, I am signing yes so hard I break the table.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
I beat you by seconds on that. Right with you.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I almost wrote that but thought I’d get rabid raccoons jumping all over it. Good to know there are some other people who can see the writing on the wall right now.
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
We all love (or at least like) Ovechkin. But his contract is beyond bad. And he’s no longer in the discussion for best player in the NHL. There are plenty of players for whom I’d consider a trade (though not straight up). But these are all players that aren’t getting traded, so it’s a moot point.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
I would say Patrik Berglund but the Caps would have to throw in a 1st with Ovie to make it worth it.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
My SBN (after a refresh) has mine listed first.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
Then I’m not refreshing. :-)
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I’m not trading for Crosby. I know he’s a much better player than AO right now, but I still hate his guts. No more Penguins stars. It helps that there’s a high likelihood that Crosby’s career gets cut short, but even if there wasn’t, I don’t want to root for him.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
The only player I would trade Ovechkin for right now is Crosby. Frankly, the Penguins might demand something plus Ovechkin.
Since that will never happen, we can move on.
The only thing remotely close to that was when the Red Sox and Yankees came close to a Williams for Dimaggio swap, which was agreed to and then the Red Sox backed off.
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Really? Because considering contracts and the fact that this is a salary cap league, I’d trade for Crosby, Stamkos, and Toews. I’d think about Kopitar, RNH, Seguin and a few others.
by Ginga on Dec 6, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not completely sold on RNH or Seguin (not sure where their “mean” is, only 30 games of good play). I’d add Giroux.
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by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
No way I’d do Giroux unless he was the centerpiece of an Eric Lindross sized haul.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
Really? He’s one of the league leaders in points (was up there last year, too), does it PvP (last year, a lot with Carter, this year, a lot with Jagr), is awesome at both ends of the ice and can play PK, is younger, and is on a total steal of a contract.
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by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
He is all of those things, but he’s not face of the franchise material.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
What is that supposed to mean? Who is Philly’s “face,” then?
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by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
Right now? They don’t really have one. Not every team does.
Ovechkin pulled this team from 13k fans a night when the lockout ended to the robust numbers we see today, more or less by himself. He is this team for better or worse.
You simply don’t trade a player like that for a guy who is 65-117-182 in 233gp, even if he is having a great year and is cost controlled through 2016.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
more or less by himself
Um, your timing’s a bit off. The sellout numbers we see now didn’t really start til the end of the 2007-08 season. Hell, there were games in winter of ‘07 where I practically had to pay people to go with me. If you’re going to give anyone single-handed credit for the Caps’ popularity, it’s gotta go to Bruce and the winning (regular season) record that he created.
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by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 6, 2011 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sure, I’m oversimplifying.
Here’s the fundamental question: can you imagine a Caps franchise this resurgent absent Ovechkin?
He means more to the franchise and the city than numbers. You don’t sell a player like that without a gigantic return.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
who cares? are we winning games or getting endorsement deals?
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
by smutsboy1 on Dec 6, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Right now, neither.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
You crazy. I’d flip him for Sid on a New York minute.
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by fat_daddyo on Dec 6, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I won’t lie.
I have never considered it.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. I didn’t even think about it.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Dec 6, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
There wasn’t enough for me to think about it, what with all the laughing going on.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 6, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
It depends. If the goal is to finish first or second in the conference during the regular season and lose in the first round of playoffs, then Flash would be better for the Caps this year assuming he can keep up the production all year but if the goal is to get past the second round of the playoffs, then I think Ovi gives us a much better chance to do that so no I wouldn’t want to replace Flash with Ovi at any point. I mean, this is a guy who was so awful in the playoffs two years ago that was replaced in game 7 against the Canadiens by Scott freaking Walker, the guy with 5 points in 22 playoffs games. No, thank you. I’m glad he’s having success with another team but I don’t want the guy in a Caps sweater ever again.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
Someone with photoshop skills needs to turn those sticks into lightsabers.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 6, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
2 thoughts:
1) I think Neuvirth should have been pulled after the first period last night. He was playing crappy (let in at least 2 real softies, including 2 goals within 12 seconds), Vokoun was rested, and this team needed a wakeup. That, and some accountability. But perhaps Coach knew things I don’t.
2) It’s kinda a pity the Caps won’t be in a division with the Bolts anymore. It looked like they were developing a good rivalry.
Agreed 100% I’m confused and disappointed as to why he remained in the game.
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Dec 6, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
The only defense I have is that he was showing faith in Neuvy, who’s confidence has to be non-existent right now.
I see it as an acknowledgement that the team is not very good right now in many phases of the game, including goaltender, and the only thing to do is work through it. There aren’t really any quick fixes.
Also, the team was playing at a decent effort level, they were just piss poor in their D zone coverage. They didn’t really need a spark, Vokes hasn’t been great, so why play the goalie-change card in that situation.
They’re gonna lose their share of games while they get this worked out. Myself, I’m OK with a reaction that isn’t all knee jerkish, juggle the lines, change the goalie, yell at the officials and the team, and all that.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I was neither surprised nor thought it was warranted. Goalies, especially young ones, need to figure out how to play through adversity, how to figure out a way to stop shots when things aren’t going your way. It’s like a pitcher who finds a way to win on nights he doesn’t have his best stuff.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I see your point, but at some point you want to give your team the best chance to win. I think 3-4 of the goals allowed were questionable/soft. Yes, there were defensive breakdowns in front of him, but he compounded those mistakes by being out of position or going on adventures outside of the crease.
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Dec 6, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
I completely expected him to be pulled and was a little surprised when he wasn’t. He did finally calm down (or else the rest of the team picking it up helped him), so I guess the coach knows what he’s doing. ;)
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
So the general consensus around here seems to be that Erskine went after one of the Panthers are a clean hit to Halpern? In the heat of the moment, I didn’t see it that way, it appeared Halpern took a headshot. But I admit I haven’t gone back to review the hit. Did anyone else see it like that?
Tu ne cede malis
In real time I thought, “good on Erskine.”
After watching the replay, I thought “weeeeeell, maybe didn’t need to fight right there.”
Calling it borderline might be a little generous, but I’m going to do it anyway. It’s a fast game.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
I had no issue with Erskine getting an instigator – except that the NHL hasn’t enforced the instigator that way, which is the proper way. But why did he get the misconduct?
Failure is always an option.
doesn’t instigator come with an auto 10?
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I thought that was only in the last 10 minutes of the 3rd. Or is is a Game Misconduct in the last 10?
by Murshawursha on Dec 6, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
Might have just been using it as an excuse to try to get something going. Hendy tried to get one of the Panthers to go right off the faceoff at the other end of the ice right before that.
As for the hit, I couldn’t tell in real time, and don’t remember seeing the replay.
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#Caps lines all shook up: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin, Brouwer-Johansson-Halpern, Chimera-Laich-Ward, Eakin-Perreault-Knuble
Um, wow. I guess I like the care bears being back together but I hate the 2nd and 4th lines. It’s basically two 4th lines.
Sure Halpern and Knuble aren’t switched? So weird. I’m on board with the care bears though.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Switch Halpern and Knuble and you’d get something resembling a 2nd. Knuble deserves top line time though.
Failure is always an option.
they could even flip Semin and Knuble/Brouwer occasionally, if they did that. I bet Knubs gets on Line 2 fast. I can’t see Halpy lasting there long.
Moving Halpern to wing on the 2nd line? It makes zero sense. They’re taking away the only valuable asset he’s brought to the table so far, which is his faceoffs. Meanwhile, Knuble gets to skate on a line with a guy who isn’t physically capable of cycling in the NHL and a guy who will get lit up in the faceoff dot.
Is there an actual rule that the center of a particular line at that moment has to take the FO unless he gets kicked out? MoJo is better at the skating and passing that a center has to do, Halpy is better at the FO. Maybe that’s the reasoning?
No, there isn’t. I’ve seen that used before. Halpern just doesn’t belong on the 2nd – faceoffs and defense are his only real strengths.
Failure is always an option.
I agree. It really sorta is like there are two 4th lines. Or, if you consider the CLAW line to be 2nd based on ice time, more like two 3rds.
I’d say the CLAW line is our de facto 2nd line given that they usually get more ice time than our “nominal” second line with its normal cast of characters.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Truth (though not by much).
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
And Hendricks apparently hurt. Anyone notice anything last night?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Nice. Rumor has it he was on the ice 4:22.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Nothing that left an impression. I had the FLA feed last night and don’t remember them saying he was off to the dressing room at any point.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
Nobody mentioned it, but on the radio post-game show, they said he wasn’t even on the bench in the 3rd.
000
I wish Hendricks had gotten more playing time
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We don't have an outhouse
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
just my observations, so take it with a grain of salt, but in the two morning skate/practices I saw last week, Hendy looked like he might have a nagging ankle issue.
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Chimera-Laich-Ward
God yes whatever you do KEEP THIS LINE TOGETHER.
IF this team does anything in the playoffs, THIS line will be central to it, offensively or defensively.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
just clone that line. And clone Knuble and St. Karl.
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Gonna guess Halpy is there to take FO’s if 90 gets tossed?
Eakin to the 4th is where he needs to be if he’s going to be on the team.
Re Knuble, if you’re going to reunite the Care Bears, and CLAW is sticking together (and I think they should), then one of Brouwer or Knuble is the odd guy out.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Re Knuble, if you’re going to reunite the Care Bears, and CLAW is sticking together (and I think they should), then one of Brouwer or Knuble is the odd guy out.
I’d like to see them both on the second line and have Eakin-Perreault-Halpern on the 4th.
TEB reports that he is hearing Hendricks is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
Failure is always an option.
Man, do you know who’d be good for a call-up? Mattias Sjogren. Too bad he decided not to be patient and wait it out.
FWIW, technically speaking Sjogren can be recalled from Fajerstad (sp?) to the Caps. He was loaned back to the SEL so he’s under contract and from what I understand of the rules and what has been reported, he can be recalled. (It doesn’t happen often, and I’d be surprised if it happened under these circumstances – McPhee and Winter’s comments included -, but see Dallas Stars and Wandell for an example of a team needing to recall a player from Sweden in the middle of a season.)
I would say that Sjogren definitely left the Caps prematurely. I figured he’d be the next callup if anyone got injured, especially if a long road trip was happening. Granted, the current road trip is a short one and doesn’t involve long flights so someone could fly in from Hershey if needed.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Boy, I’m glad no one asked Burnside for his re-alignment plan:
Carolina
Florida
Nashville
New Jersey
N.Y. Islanders
N.Y. Rangers
Tampa Bay
Washington
LeBrun basically had it decently:
Florida
New Jersey
N.Y. Islanders
N.Y. Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay
Washington
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Burnside’s the worst.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
Anybody speak Swedish around here?
Snart har Washington Capitals bytt bort Alexander semin. Trust me.
One of my friends just told me they saw somewhere he’s going to HER… Selling, personally. I don’t think he’d clear waivers.
by Murshawursha on Dec 6, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Although google says that translates to “switched off…” Maybe there’s a trade in the works?
by Murshawursha on Dec 6, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
I just google translated that. It says “Soon the Washington Capitals will switch off Alexander Semin” I’m going to assume that means trade. That comes from a Swedish reporter, as retweeted by Nick Backstrom’s brother. KBackstrom tweeted back “Interesting times ahead.”
Do these guys actually know anything? I have no idea.
Tea leaves read that Semin could be traded because of the scratch, but it would have to happen soon. Like in the next day or two.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
Not saying it’s Semin but I am still waiting for GMGM’s early season trade to happen (Clark & Juice for Chimmer, Flash for Hannan etc). I still have a feeling it will be this week.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
The Semin and Hamrlik “injuries” made me think a trade was going down over the weekend, but I was incorrect.
yeah, I was thinking that at first. Still the most remote of possibilities but I’d be shocked if either were moved.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
Here’s a hypothetical situation (and probably very clueless on my part):
Suppose we have been aggressively shopping Semin for a trade and there are no takers because of his salary hit. In the meantime, we are desperate for some fore-checking forwards and puck-moving D which we can’t afford.
If we sent Semin to Hershey, he would for sure be claimed on reentry waivers.
Aren’t we then splitting his cap hit of 6.7 with the claiming team for the remainder of this year? This would free up some space for perhaps two younger talented players with upside (which Dale may be intimately aware…).
I know we would eat alot of cap space, but between 8 and 28, we are right now anyway….
Am I totally clueless?
If we sent Semin to Hershey, he’d be claimed before he even got there – in other words, prior to re-entry. We wouldn’t be responsible for his cap hit at all. If he cleared and then got called back up, that’s when he’d have to clear re-entry waivers – and then the cap hit would be split. Unless I’m remembering the waiver rules wrong, which has been known to happen….
Failure is always an option.
maybe Semin going to Hershey is just a conditioning assignment?
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How long does a player have to be injured to get sent down for conditioning? Also, if that’s the case, then wouldn’t he skip re-entry waivers?
Failure is always an option.
no idea how long you have to be injured (sk8?), and conditioning assignments are entirely separate from waivers.
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Semin ain’t going to Hershey. First, he wouldn’t clear waivers going down and you lose him for nothing.
If he were to clear waivers, by sending him down you are eliminating any possibility of a trade this season as he would have to clear waivers on the way up and it’s really unlikely he would. Then we’re on the hook for 50% of what remains of his salary.
Either way you lose a player of value for zippy. Not gonna happen.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 6, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Which you immediately need to spend anyway because the Caps would have two fourth lines without Semin.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
by apk3000 on Dec 6, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
You mean, Alex Semin of the 5 goals, 5 assists and minus 4? Yeah, that guy is KEY to this team having some offensive punch this year.
Unleash the Apathy.
Theoretical punch.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Dec 6, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
I rarely remember dreams, but I had a scarily accurate dream that I thought was real until I woke up the second time this morning, as it continued through my second sleep period. In this dream, Semin was traded to the Blues for Berglund, Crombeen and Porter. I doubt this will ever happen, but I was terrified to it’s accuracy.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Waiver Wire News from Bob McK
WPG claims Ben Maxwell from ANA and Patrick O’Sullivan (PHX) clears waivers.
Tomorrow’s Clips, Today! Whyno has the Caps reaction to realignment.
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Are you sure that’s not today’s Clips today?
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silly me, I was looking for Whyno, not WashTimes
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(We stopped citing to individual authors, fwiw)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
first the loss of “What We’re Reading” and now no individual author citations? Too many changes! Bring back to old format!!!!! I’ll start an online petition if you don’t!
I kid, I kid.
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I must have been out of the office, why again did we lose my beloved “What We’re Reading?”
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
it’s because of Google, not anything JP/Rink management did.
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On the citations? Just makes our job a little easier. And most of the sources really have one or two writers (Whyno, Carrera, McNally…), so it was largely unnecessary.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Made the most sense when it was “(Masisak)”
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
Craig Custance calls the Capitals a "loser"in realignment. I thought of this last night. He’s right, IMO.
Washington Capitals: From a strictly competitive standpoint, things just got harder for the Capitals. They’ve spent the past couple of seasons feasting on the Southeast Division, winning four consecutive division titles under Bruce Boudreau. Those days are gone. As one of the conferences with seven teams, the Capitals will be playing six games against contenders like the Flyers, Penguins and Rangers. The good news is that it rekindles Patrick Division rivalries, which may be enough of a trade-off for the increased degree of difficulty.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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we go through this every year, and every year, the result is the same: if we measure by winning percentage of points available, the Caps do better against the Atlantic than the SE.
this year is been such a clusterfuck so far, I don’t think any conclusions can be drawn.
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this year is been such a clusterfuck so far
He plays for Minnesota.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 6, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Right, but you also have to consider that there isn’t a whole lot of competition for that 1 seed right now. It’ll be much more tough to win the New Patrick simply because those other teams are going to rack up points as well.
Please, call me F&B.
does winning really matter? Being #1 seed hasn’t exactly done the Caps any good. I like pretty banners as much as anyone, but playoffs are the playoffs and home ice doesn’t seem to help the Caps one bit.
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If the Caps aren’t winning with home ice, can they really afford to give up that slim advantage you get with the last change and whatnot?
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
(not unless they get a lot better)
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 Dec 6, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
keep in mind that Bruce isn’t exactly master line matcher. home ice or no, he threw out there who he wanted out there, damn what the other team put on the ice some nights.
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But they actually show up for their games against old Patrick Division foes. The only reason we lost is because the team that plays in the Waffle House Center RBC Center is still in the division.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Hadn’t seen these quotes, from Vokoun’s interview with the Miami Herald (vid on Puck Daddy):
Int: You a little surprised your not starting tonight or did you know about that?
TV: They told me after the game on Saturday so I knew it for some [period] of time and, honestly, it’s always disappointing when you don’t play. But it doesn’t really, you know, I could relax more yesterday, have fun with the kids, and enjoy my day today too. Like I said, you know, once you get to my age I’m not going to dwell over one game here or there. You know what, just like for the team, it’s a long season and, honestly, you know it’d be nice. I played against the Panthers in Washington, so I’m home, I can enjoy, be with the kids.
Int: So you already got your win.
TV: Yeah, [laughs] I already got my win.
Int: And your shutout.
TV: Absolutely.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 12:37 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I don’t know about anyone else, but I loved watching Flash play last night.
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
On Weiss’s goal, at least 4 Caps enjoyed watching him play also.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Hasn’t he played well (sans injury) for 2 teams since leaving DC?
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
He is also getting soft minutes and hasn’t played a full year with FLA. I would expect a dropoff come the 2nd half.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 6, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, Ryan Lambert from Puck Daddy on the radio w/ the buffoon who wrote the Ovi article.
Steigerwald is the worst kind of Bill O’Reilly radio bully. Talk loud and don’t let the other guy get a word in. Unfortunately Ryan is not fairing too well.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
shame. I really really hoping Lambert would deliver a smakedown and perhaps tell Steigerwald to go eat a fucking porcupine.
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Really? I think Steigerwald’s prattling on makes him look silly more than anything.
"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 Dec 6, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
I love this big fish in a small pond. I hope Jim Rome invites him on his show.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Well apparently posting comments on a message board is the same as “hearing whispers” according to Steigerwald. Awesome.
"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 Dec 6, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve heard whispers that he likes to rape sheep.
I’m just asking questions people.
Unleash the Apathy.
by D'ohboy on Dec 6, 2011 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Oh for sure, but Ryan could have nailed him on facts and he’s letting him go on and on. Seigerwald keeps referring to the Dr. who he admitted had not affiliation with Ovi.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 6, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
According to my buddy @adater – Lambert said “Prove to me Sidney Crosby is not a vampire.”
That’s awesome.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Now Steiger is associating Ovi’s potential PED use to the fact that his mom played basketball in Russia in the 1970’s. Holy cow, what a tool. I want to jump through the radio.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
I buy that Sid is a vampire before I buy that Ovie was juicing.
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I think the fact that Steigerwald is pretty much just tried to link AO’s mom to the doping of the East Europeans of the ’70s is reason enough for Lambert to stay out of the way.
"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 hope she shows up on his doorstep and drop kicks him.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
Tweet me. If you dare. @nicraymond
I so desperately need a replay of this online.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
#SidneyCrosbyIsAVampire
"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.
Per a tweet from Neil:
“Nothing I said is based on facts” – Steigerwald. And we’re done.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Dec 6, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
#SidneyCrosbyIsAVampire
best hashtag since #needsmoreBradley
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I totally believe it. Let’s start talking about this, because then it’s whispers.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
myself and Spidey have already stuck it on twitter, and several people are running with the “Sidney Crosby is a Vampire” meme, but without the hashtag
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DGB wins.
DownGoesBrown Down Goes Brown
Suggested new nickname for Sidney Crosby: The Human Twilight Reel. #SidneyCrosbyIsAVampire
Failure is always an option.
by timmyv38 on Dec 6, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
@draglikepull
Crosby never had a concussion, it was a convenient cover story for why he’s “sensitive to light”. #SidneyCrosbyIsAVampire
by snowburnt on Dec 6, 2011 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
That hash tag has really taken off. Waiting for it to trend.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
YOU are responsible for the hashtag? Genius! Kudos to you and Spidey!
And you doubted when I said you were a Twitter natural!
by Aliceanna on Dec 6, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
BP suggested it, we ran with it.
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Steigerwald is trending on twitter in the US
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Yeah, part of the problem is that this is exactly what he wants. Publicity. No one knew who this clown was and now he’s a trending topic.
Me thinks he’s going to up the ante with his next column “Tom Brady is a Tranny”. Evidence: his mom is female and he grew up in California and you know how THOSE people are.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
#DoesJohnSteigerwaldRapeSheep
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 6, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well it’s on a message board, so Mike Wise can now say he “hears whispers” of it.
"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 think we all now know why the last Winter Classic was moved from the afternoon to the evening.
#CrosbyisaVampire
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 6, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It’s all starting to make sense now. Vampires cannot move across running water, hence Crosby plays a game….on ice!
The game in which he was dangerously injured took place on a half-melted rink during rainfall. His superhuman power had been sapped by these combined water-related factors, allowing a mere mortal, David “The Garlic Clove” Steckel, to injure him significantly.
by bigeugene on Dec 6, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Wow, listening to this Steigerwald radio thing, I doubt Ovechkin cares in the slightest bit for the libel of himself and the “guilty until proven innocent” aspect of the PED accusation. But, if I were Steigerwald, I’d be watching my back for the big scary Russian to come after me for the way I talked about his mother. Holy shit, this guy is a dirtbag.
by Aliceanna on Dec 6, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
lawyers of the board, does what Steigerwald said qualify as slander or libel?
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As a journalist, I can tell you that what he wrote in the column is potentially libelous. Libel is written.
I don’t think what he did is a crime. Not a crime to say or write stupid things (unless it somehow leads to some harm, which this odds are won’t)
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 Dec 6, 2011 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe. But I think he hurt his own reputation more, thanks to the PD response. I have a hard time fathoming that Ovechkin’s reputation was really hurt all that much—I mean, who would follow that line of reasoning, save someone who already hates Ovechkin and thinks he’s a dirty player?
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 Dec 6, 2011 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
Or reckless disregard for the truth.
The problem is proving harm. I doubt Ovechkin suffered much harm from the rantings of an idiot.
P.S. Not a lawyer.
Wow, y’all, way to seize on one word that was totally not the point of my post! I should have said “potentially libelous.”
My actual point was that I think Alex would be far more bothered by the insults hurled at his mother than anything this yahoo says about him.
Hey, Alice. Sorry. I don’t think anyone was jumping. Just throwing out info. Yep, you’re right, don’t mess with his Momma.
I agree Ovechkin might be more upset about dragging his mother into this. His job isn’t in jeopardy but what about potential commercial endorsements? We can’t prove someone won’t take him as a client as a result of what’s being said about him. But at the same time it’s not difficult to imagine Ovechkin’s agent trying to negotiate a deal and being turned down with no reason given. Stuff like this yellow journalism trash piece can impact future earnings from potential commercial endorsements.
In some states (including Virginia, where Ovi lives), if the statement is one that would prejudice a person in his profession or trade, you do not have to prove damages (it is called defamation per se).
/this comment does not constitute legal advice
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 6, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
It is incredibly super-hard to sue a journalist for writing something.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
And Steigerwald just dropped an S bomb on the way out. What a joke. Something tells me next segment will be devoted to bragging about how well he did.
He also belittled Ryan because he’s only 28 and not 142 like himself.
To summarize:
When you write a column, you are expressing your opinion and facts don’t matter
Message boards are sufficient source material for forming an opinion
Steigerwald thought Mark McGuire was on steroids and that makes him an expert
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Leone’s Hershey update includes this:
The Hershey Bears got another encouraging sign on the injury front when Kyle Greentree and D.J. King skated on their own before Tuesday’s practice at Giant Center.
"I’m doubtful that either guy would be available for the weekend," Bears head coach Mark French said, "but nice to see them both back skating."
Hockey talking heads offer guesses on who said no to realignment
Pierre LeBrun guesses NYR. Bob McKenzie thinks Tampa.
I’ve seen a few suggest Tampa and it makes some sense. Seen some other suggestions when reviewing the chatter here, Carolina seems like a possibility.
Based on reports, not Detroit, not Toronto. Based on Lamoriello’s comments, I’d say not NJD.
Pros and cons for Florida so who knows.
I’ve read a couple of sources hinting at 26-4, meaning 4 teams voted no. I’d wager Winnipeg may have voted no, based on only getting 10 Canadian match ups. I think logic suggests Tampa, and yeah, Carolina may be a possibility.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I actually think WPG would have voted yes. My reasoning is that geographically and timezone-wise they are closer to teams in the American Midwest (Minny, Chicago, St Louis) than they are to teams in Eastern/Central Canada (I live in Toronto —driving from Toronto to Winnipeg is about 23 hours. It would take longer from Ottawa or Montreal). And despite being in the old Smythe division with the Nucks, Flames and Oilers, they never really developed a big, major rivalry with any of the Western Canadian teams. Less so with the three Central Canadian teams. If rivalries are based on geographical closeness, I could see the Jets developing one with Minnesota in years to come.
That may be so but I lived in FL for 15 years and saw how many Ontario and Quebec license tags you see on the roads during the winter season. Seems like they’d welcome all those snow birds flocking to the ice palace to see their home teams.
Don't put your beer in the microwave, eh. It'll boil.- Bob McKenzie
Been away from the internet a lot of yesterday and today and didn’t get to see most of the game last night, any reports on whether Green skated yesterday or this morning at Kettler?
I know they showed a clip during a break or intermission last night, but no sound, so don’t know if that was from yesterday or another time.
thanks for any updates
I'm hearing whispers...
that Sidney Crosby is a vampire.
by mch on Dec 6, 2011 1:23 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
Yeah apologies for the size. Made sure not to forget the subject line.
by mch on Dec 6, 2011 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not the size. It’s just there’s two things I hate. Penguins…
And Vampires.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
____
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
things that cannot be unseen
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real vampires have fangs. MS Paint fangs
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$631.76!
by RedBirdie on Dec 6, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Someone came up to you and literally whispered that in your ear right
by ShahofToronto on Dec 6, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
Just as an FYI, we are now five days away from the 1-month anniversary of this Boudreau quote on Mike Green:
"Yeah I’m pretty confident [it’s not serious]. I talked to him already about it. It’s a day-to-day thing, not a three-week day-to-day thing. It’s an actual day-to-day thing."
And he’s not even traveling with the team.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
At least not the dreaded KC doublecussion.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
Too games for Tootoo.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Goddammit, today is one of those days I love the internet.
There’s now a “CountCrosby” Twitter account.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
the pic is fantastic
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000
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
IT'S NOT LIKE I'M GETTING ANYTHING DONE TODAY, ANYWAY
We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?
by bilspacecadet on Dec 6, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Some good ones from Twitter
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 6, 2011 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
At the end of his rant just now, Steigerwald basically said that Ovechkin’s mother was East German.
#OvechkinTeamGermany
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
He’ll fit in well with Stefan Ustorf.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 6, 2011 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
He’d get better coaching than he does on team Russia.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
He had another one? Nice.
"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 mean, Oveckhin’s mother was an olympic athlete…and if you google East Germany Olympic Athletes, you come up with steroids.”
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Did he really say that?
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Dec 6, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
Along with saying something about the Russian female basketball team having mustaches, wearing jock straps, and using steroids.
by mch on Dec 6, 2011 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
412.818.9564
apparently is his mobile ph, which he just handed over like a pooch to one of his posters posing as “Russian media.” Could he really be that daft?
Cross check and all call.
Don’t troll the guy. Just let him wither away.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 6, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ovechkin is just like Germany. . . Starts off with a strong Blitzkrieg, then peters out into Götterdämmerung.
Unleash the Apathy.
Gets repeatedly fire bombed?
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Slaughterhouse 28.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 6, 2011 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Which will ultimately fall short of Antwerp. I can just see Crosby’s quote now:
“Nuts.”
Unleash the Apathy.
Wait, the Pens are playing the role of the Allies? Hang on now, I don’t dig it.
The Battle of the Bulge is currently ongoing, the Caps are the encircled forces at Bastogne, McPhee gets to say “Nuts” and then the Caps roll up the Conference all the way to Berlin (or within sight of Berlin, which we stupidly cede to Stalin, played here by Detroit.)
That’s the script, buddy, and don’t you forget it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Via JP, Commodore wins the internets today
commie22Mike Commodore
Every player has been tested for roids multiple times every year since new CBA. Ovi never failed. Argument over. Steigerwald = #dipshit
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 6, 2011 2:33 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
wow…..did he really call him a dipshit? Even on twitter, that’s pretty intense.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
Yep he got a follow outta me for that. And these:
Great point. RT @felixpotvin: @commie22 Ovi’s also been tested at the Olympics and the World Championships. Hilarious claim.
If he is a vampire then I want to know how I can become one RT @THEAnderson51: @commie22 But can you confirm or deny Crosby being a vampire?
by mch on Dec 6, 2011 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
eh, maybe they’re not on roids but I’d assume it’s like every other sports league that has something like 2/3rds of the league blood doping or using some variation of steroids.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
I can’t remember the last time I heard of a hockey player failing a drug test.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Dec 6, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
oh, the infamous propecia!
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Speaking of which, if Crosby wants to juice up his playoff beard, he knows he can use Gillette.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 6, 2011 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Riiiight. So, 4 or 5 years ago, then?
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Dec 6, 2011 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
more than that. Wasn’t it back in 2001, during the lead up to the Olympics?
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Yes, just a different Olympics.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Dec 6, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
Audio of Lamgerwald, all 29:49 of it.
"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 Dec 6, 2011 2:36 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Hope they kept in Steigerwald calling Lambert a piece of shit at the end.
Quality broadcast, that.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Anybody know if that part actually went out over the air?
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
We should ask the three people who actually heard the radio broadcast.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
“…He does it by the eye test. This guy is a scientist, ok? He’s a scientist.”
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
He may not be a scientist but he did sleep in a …(I forgot the hotel name)
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
I actually don’t mind that a ton, there are noticeable changes. Thing is, AO doesn’t exhibit any of them.
Please, call me F&B.
I think this is it. I’m completely prepared to believe that any athlete has used PEDs. But I’d like to see some sort of evidence. Rafael Palmeiro, back when he was in denial mode, had gone from a twiggy little guy to a pretty big guy; the before an after pictures were pretty dramatic.
Not sure we have that with AO. And we also don’t have hair loss, acne or massive cranio-facial changes. At least that I’m aware of, or a spike in production/performance that is otherwise inexplicable.
His mother is Russian and he went to the Olympics and he’s not scoring like he used to, that’s pretty thin gruel.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
The thing that kills me about the PED thing with Ovie is that the parts of his game that have dropped off significantly (shooting skill, puck-handling skill) aren’t things that are readily affected by the PEDs that Steigerwald is insinuating.
Unleash the Apathy.
This is making me weep for humanity.
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Dec 6, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
Lambert doesn’t exactly sound wonderful either, but Steiger just sounds stupid.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Lambert doesn’t sound all that prepared. I can’t really say I blame him as this was probably organized on the spot. But I think the whole “Prove my brother is a loathesome homer” thing from Steiger makes him look really dumb, because as Lambert points out, that’s exactly what Steiger did with Ovie.
I mean, I can’t blame Lambert, but he’s definitely not prepared for this. Steig’s just sounds absolutely stupid.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I think Lambert was trying to measure his words carefully. Honestly, he could’ve rhetorically ripped steig a new asshole. Listening to the guy speaking was actually very difficult. . it was on logical fallacy after another. I would go so far as to say that he has little to no actual knowledge of logic.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I really, really wish that when Steigerwald was asking Lambert whether he’d ever been in a sports locker room, Lambert asked him if he’s ever been in a Turkish prison.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
I wish Lambert would break out some stats-talk: “small sample” and “eye test” (especially when the rumors themselves are largely due to Ovechkin not producing the same numbers as before!)
(that is, lots of people wouldn’t know any better since they don’t see enough of Ovechkin to tell that he’s lost a lot of his game)
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 Dec 6, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
Worth the listen! For entertainment purposes only.
He's a better skater than Nick, but he's big in the back[side]...BB
by Backeez Got Back on Dec 6, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, Lambert does not come off well. I don’t know if it’s nerves, preparation, or what. But he definitely isn’t doing a great job holding up his end.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 6, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He sounded very out-of-place in the radio medium, I thought. Definitely didn’t articulate his points right away, or terribly well.
Fortunately, Steigerwald is an idiot blowhard who was incapable of exploiting Lambert’s weaknesses fully.
I personally think Steigerwald sounds more reasonable in this audio than he did in the column. As funny as the “Sidney Crosby is a Vampire” line is, it’s not good arguing. And Steigerwald even took it easy on that argument it was so easy.
I just wish he had done some research before going into this.
“Is AO’s PP time declining because he became Tyler Kennedy?”
No, it declined because PPs all over the league are declining over the last several years.
“Why else would his numbers decline?”
Why are there several articles about the coaching staff trying to get him to adapt his game.
And if “it’s out there” is good enough, well, it’s “out there” that Steigerwald rape sheep. I’ve heard whispers. They’re just out there.
Please, call me F&B.
Right, Lambert should have brought the facts.
Ovi has played in on or more IIHF tournaments every year since 2002, execpt for 2009, and never failed a test.
Ovi has never failed an NHL drug test
Ovi was never linked to the chiropractor who claimed to have provided PED’s to Caps players
Ovi never demonstrated the type of physical changes that guys like McGuire/Sosa/Bonds (in fact, we can probably all agree the only PED’s he was on last year were performance enhancing donuts)
There are many, well documented reasons for Ovi’s decline including philosophy changes, injuries, defensive adjustments, poor linemate performance, dissapointment, lack of conditioning, etc.
I think if he had brought that to the table, Steigerwald would have had nothing to say…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Ovechkin is already serving a 10-game suspension in his mind.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Dec 6, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
So if the tests don’t matter then why would AO have stopped doping for the 2010 Olympics? That’s the entire basis for his argument, that AO stopped doing PED for the Olympics and that’s why his game has fallen off a cliff.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 6, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not to mention why didn’t he start doping again after the Olympics.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Dec 6, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
I think the question is not whether Ovi’s decline is due to no longer using PEDs but more like what type of PED/HGH cocktail is Chimera on?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
It would have to be a mix of three…
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 5:21 PM EST up reply actions
I just started the segment, but not a good start for Lambert (shocking).
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
Steigerwald sounds much better until he brings in the Russian thing and slanders the entire country.
Please, call me F&B.
I mean, I don’t think Steigerwald sounds better in terms of intelligence, just in terms of control of the situation. It’s like saying the Grand Wizard has control of the Klansmen.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
by Whiter Mage on Dec 6, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
In fairness, it’s Steigerwald’s arena.
by Murshawursha on Dec 6, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I think it’s hilarious that Steigerwald says “the thing that bothers me more than anything is that you dragged my brother into it and called him a ‘loathsome homer.’” Two minutes before that Steigerwald not only reiterated his accusation of AO, but extended it to his mother!
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 6, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I think I found Steigerwald's update profile pic...
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Dec 6, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
Lambert should have said “Look, there are whispers, they’re out there. Just ask around. I can’t be the first person to say that your brother is a loathsome homer. I talk about it with my friends and colleagues all the time. They’re on message boards.”
If that’s enough “evidence” to accuse someone of steroids then it’s surely enough to say someone is a loathsome homer.
Please, call me F&B.
is “Ovie is a steroid user” is a “whisper” on the internet, than “Bob Steigerwald is a loathsome homer” is being shouted from the highest mountains on all seven continents.
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$631.76!
by RedBirdie on Dec 6, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Here’s a Great Moment in Homerism featuring Errey and Steigerwald.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCVzniSBhrQ&noredirect=1
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Dec 6, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Is Steggy a homer?
I think Steigy brings Errey down but they both do suck.
They are by far the worst.
As for Steigy and Errey, I find them unlistenable and put Lange and Bourque on the radio during telecasts even if the delay doesn’t match up exactly.
One thing that upsets me with Errey is I have listened to him on HNIC and he is really good on there. He calls out the Penguins when needed, had very insightful things to say. Then when he gets on Root it’s like they make him dumb it down, that or Steigy just takes the goodness out of him.
Steigy is a homer and bland at times.
Staggy is brutal… he’s a blatant homer and he can’t even tell the players apart from one another.
I like Errey but can’t stand Steigy. It seems Steigy’s rubs off on Errey with how much he can be a homer.
And that’s what Pens fans think.
Please, call me F&B.
Nope can’t finish it. Listening to someone who I think is a fool stutter, and listening to someone who is a horrible d-bag, be his horrible d-bag self. Not my idea of a good time.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
I may be into masochism. But I’m not that into masochism.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 6, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
I know a lot of people here use Twitter and often want to post multiple tweets here for the masses — this site lets you enter the URL of a single tweet and aggregate the conversation onto a single page. Might be useful.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 6, 2011 5:29 PM EST reply actions
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