Wednesday Caps Clips: Caps @ Sens Game Day
by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 7:35 AM EST
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Previews of tonight's capital battle in Ottawa from Vogs, NHL.com, Peerless, RtR, CRtC and RMNB, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner Silver Seven for more coverage from the other side of tonight's match-up.
- Notes and assorted whatnot from yesterday's practice:
- Injury update: everyone skated, be it in Sunrise or Ballston. [WashTimes]
- Everyone except newly-injured Matt Hendricks, that is. [WashTimes]
- Looking for an offensive spark (after a four-goal game?), Dale Hunter puts Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin back together. [WaPo, WashTimes]
- Monster story on the captain and his (and his team's) struggles. [SI]
- Is discipline a problem for these Caps? Well, it was on Monday night. [WashTimes]
- Frustrating frustrations are frustrating. [WaPo]
- ♫ Realignment and it feels so good ♪ [NHL.com, WaPo, WashTimes, Puck Daddy, ESPN ($), OFB]
- A little ditty about Jason Chimera and Mike Knuble. [Dump 'n Chase]
- What's wrong with the Caps? Alan May knows. [CSNW (video)]
- Time to vote for the Caps' "biggest moments of 2011." (Good thing they won a playoff round - it'd have been pretty brutal to think the year peaked on January 1 and it's been downhill since.) [WaPo]
- Reviewing the 24/7 DVD. [DVD Talk, OFB]
- A calendar of dogs with their local hockey-playing owners. [Capitals]
- Get to know (if you don't already) Dean Evason. [Mount Vernon Patch]
- Notes from Tuesday's Bears practice. [Patriot-News]
- Philipp Grubauer is turning heads down in the E. [DSP]
- Finally, yesterday's Day Three of the "Dude in Western PA writes something ridiculous; world calls him on it" news cycle took to the Internet radio waves. [Puck Daddy, SB Nation DC, PHT]
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Was it the weather and all the usual sources for preview links under it this morning?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Nah. The network was having some issues during the time I normally update the post pre-publishing, so it went off as scheduled without those changes. All good now, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So Bruce got his first win last night, with Bobby Ryan scoring the GWG and Andrew Gordon in the press box. Sorry, Andrew.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Two guys with two first names. Never trust ’em…
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 7:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Archie Bunker reference deserves rec! Sadly I can’t rec from my phone.
A danger to myself and others on the ice
by can't skate on Dec 7, 2011 11:08 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Especially Corey Perry.
Signed,
Bobby “Silver” Ryan
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 7, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
congratulations to Bruce.
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Yesterday’s clips was certainly informative. I discovered that the Patrick division is reunited once again. That Crosby is a vampire (explains so much). And most importantly that Steigerwald had far exceeded his fifteen minutes of fame.
I also heard that Steigerwald does worse things than raping sheep. He’s fond of fava beans and the sheep have gone missing. You can hear the motherless lambs bleeting. We can’t let him silence the lambs.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 7, 2011 7:54 AM EST reply actions 10 recs
Nice. From @dchesnokov
#Caps prospect Kuznetsov will be Team Russia’s captain at the WJHC this year, national team coach told Sovetsky Sport.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
Tweet me. If you dare. @nicraymond
by boutros23 on Dec 7, 2011 8:00 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks to that Evason article, I have a new favorite place name – Flin Flon, Manitoba.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
Tweet me. If you dare. @nicraymond
It’s just fun to say, even if it’s produced some cretins.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
Tweet me. If you dare. @nicraymond
Their old WHL team in the 70s used to be the Bombers.
Flin Flon interestingly enough crosses provincial borders and is located in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan with the majority of the province in Manitoba.
He’d’ve never left Flin Flon if he hadn’t learned to lay on a two-hander.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
by fat_daddyo on Dec 7, 2011 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not as fun to say as “Dingelfing, Germany”, or as Locker calls it, “Dinglefling”.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
(Dingolfing, sorry)
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
Michael Farber’s SI article is fairly written, has sources, and describes the situation with Ovechkin well. I’m not an incredible fan of Farber, for I’ve always felt he ignored the Caps when they played well. It’s not surprising that this is the focus of a hockey article in SI, but the situation with Ovechkin is news and the article, IMO, is fair.
Two interesting excerpts:
“The first couple of years, anytime he stepped on the ice he was full bore—go, go, go,” says Kolzig, a teammate for Ovechkin’s first three seasons. “I think he’s gotten away from that. He’s not looking for the easy play, but he’s not taking the bull by the horns like he did. And I think Dale will probably get that back out of him.”
And a great final line of the article referencing the change from Bruce to Dale:
For Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, this could be the yawn of a new era.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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"The first couple of years, anytime he stepped on the ice he was full bore—go, go, go," says Kolzig, a teammate for Ovechkin’s first three seasons. "I think he’s gotten away from that. …"
Is it realistic to expect that from a guy in his mid-20s who has become all too aware that individual achievements mean little and regular season success even less?
To be sure, I’d love to see “Old Ovi” return, and for ~$10m/year, part of which I’m paying, I feel a sense of entitlement to it. But I think it’s fair to adjust expectations somewhat.
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I think Kolzig (and certainly others) are implicitly questioning Ovechkin’s drive and effort level, and, therefore, his interest. Milbury, of course, does it very explicitly. I, and nearly everyone else, don’t really know.
We don’t know if Ovechkin is playing as the coaches instruct. We don’t know if Ovechkin is lazy or stupid regarding hockey strategy. We don’t know if Ovechkin has already flamed out.
But visuals are what they are. His numbers are lower. His backchecking has been non-existent, while his floating in all zones has increased.
I am the guy constantly telling the :“Trade Ovechkin” crowd to shut up, but I would like to see a bit more leadership from Ovechkin, in the Crosby, Yzerman, Messier, Bourque mold. That leadership starts with effort, but not necessarily scoring, as the Yzerman career points out.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I think we can rule out “stupid.” And I think questioning his interest is dicey. Interest in giving 100% during the regular season? Sure. Interest in giving 100% for a coach and system that has repeatedly let him down? I’d buy it. Interest in winning? No way.
And therein lies the rub – he needs to be convinced that, as he himself says to millions of viewers, “Practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.” In this case, the regular season is “practice.” If he wants success when it matters, he needs perfect practice – commitment to the system, honest effort, leadership, etc.
I think we’ve seen some of that under Hunter already, but it’s a process.
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 8:27 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
You and I are in agreement, but I will admit that, from time to time I have questioned Ovechkin’s hockey smarts. I have about as much evidence as Steigerwald does on PEDs, but I have wondered why he’s had the same move for years without adjustment and why he appears not to see the benefit of being on the half-board on the power play or the challenge of being on the point on the power play.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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It’s probably a belief that it’s not the defenders that stopped him, it’s that the puck jumped or his stick broke or he slipped, whatever, if only he had gotten it down right, he would’ve scored. Of course, if you need to be that perfect, perhaps a “simpler is better” talk would help Ovie?
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
I can’t believe that the “simpler is better” talk hasn’t happened multiple times. In the SI article, McPhee says Ovie shoots to much from the outside and doesn’t spend enough time around the net. I’m sure that’s been communicated to Ovie quite a bit. And I do think he’s spent a little more time there this season (at least earlier in the season) though not enough.
What's the difference between Crosby and Ovie?
Crosby is all over the ice, and scores in all sorts of ways. Ovie can usually be found in the same area, taking the same wrist shot he’s taken a zillion times. He scored a goal down low a few games ago, but he needs to diversify his game. He’s also carries the puck too much. He should be getting to open spots and get the puck from others. Might help the O.
I thought Semin was all over the ice?
by bigeugene on Dec 7, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Only at the fertility clinic.
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 7, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think ice helps that very much.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Well, if you want to keep the swelling down…
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 7, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
Hard to think that the players didn’t lose confidence in Bruce’s systems towards the end. Would be a natural thing because they gave everything and didn’t have success in the end.
Liked Halpern’s comments about Dale behind the bench though, interesting. But I guess if you played 19 years in the NHL you might have a feel for the game.
I agree. After the Habs series (and the losing streak last year), it seemed Bruce lost confidence in his system, and tried a new one which never really won everyone’s (including Bruce’s) heart.
by kingbonehead on Dec 7, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
I think we can rule out "stupid."
You seem quite convinced. Not that I think he’s stupid, but I do question his hockey intelligence when I see him continue to try the same moves.
It’s probably pretty easy to conflate “stubbornness” and “lack of hockey intelligence” there. But I want to be clear that I was referring to his intellect, generally, and not specifically to his hockey-specific acumen.
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And to be fair, in my post that spawned this, I was thinking “stupid” in terms of hockey intelligence.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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personally he does not strike me as the most intelligent fellow, on or off the ice.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Nate Ewell has come out and said, on these hallowed pages, that Alex Ovechkin’s intelligence off the ice really gets lost in the language barrier.
I’d say he probably knows what he’s talking about.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
I’m not saying he’s wrong, but he isn’t necessarily going to be impartial on that score, is he?
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 7, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
anyone who can make double entendres in his second language without missing a beat is probably pretty smart.
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Tough to have the access to know the answer to that kind of question and be impartial, right? You just have to trust Nate’s honesty. It’s not like he comes in here and picks a fight at every slight against a Capitals player. He picks his battle.
Please, call me F&B.
Definitely. Think of how many times a certain defenseman has been referred to around here (and elsewhere) as being…well, not the brightest lightbulb in the box.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
It’s not about being dishonest, per se. You can say what you believe but that belief can be colored by your relationship to the thing being discussed.
I don’t think Ovie is stupid, FTR. I haven’t seen a lot of evidence that he has great judgment, either.
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 7, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
eh. you can be smart and have terrible judgment.
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oh yeah. Boy, there are some real doozies in there!
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Yeah, I didn’t mean to imply they were the same. But his judgment is more relevant from a hockey standpoint than his intelligence, so even if we establish that Ovie is intelligent in some general sense, you can still be skeptical that he’s going to make the right kinds of decisions regarding his hockey career.
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 7, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
There’s a signigicant different between “being stupid” and “having terrible judgement”
"Neuvy was eating pucks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 7, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
Sure, see above reply.
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 7, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
“Stupid” players can’t make the passes I’ve seen Ovechkin make. It’s a terribly underrated aspect of his game.
There are no “stupid” players in the top 5 of this list. And it’s not like he’s had Stamkos and Henrik Sedin to pass to. For several of those years, it was Chris Clark and Viktor Kozlov. He’s plenty “hockey smart.”
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
It is entirely based on observation, but it seems there is a curious dynamic that has taken hold of Ovechkin in the last season-plus. His shots are down. Part of that is the figuring out by opponents what his go-to moves are, and they are being taken away often. But he is also passing up what for him are decent scoring opportunities in favor of a pass. Perhaps it is a case of his being captain and feeling a responsibility to share the wealth of opportunities. He has not yet seemed to master the path between being selfish when the situation calls for it and generous when called for.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I kind of interpreted that as Ovechkin maturing as a player. Obviously he still needs to learn to pick his spots, but if opponents are taking away the shot, dishing to Backstrom is a pretty attractive alternative.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Dec 7, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
His opponents knew what his moves were after his first year, it didn’t stop him from getting 65 goals.
in my eyes he’s just not executing his shots like he used to…not that I see something mechanically wrong with his shot its just that the shots he’s taking aren’t going in where they would have a year before. He’s also not controlling the puck like he used to either.
Its frustrating watching our recent highlights vs around the league. I can’t remember the last time we had a goal come from even the slot. Most of our goals recently have been right in front of the net. A goal is a goal and I wouldn’t trade a close up goal for a slapper from the point, but it says something when we just can’t get pucks into the net: it’s like they’re shooting at the goalie rather than the net.
but yes, he’s also passing a lot better and noticing when he skates in and 4 guys follow him leaving a guy open for a one timer.
Interest in giving 100% during the regular season? Sure.
Problem is he didn’t look any different in the playoffs last year than he did in the regular season; he was coasting around in the playoffs, too. We went through all of last year hoping that he was just saving himself for the playoffs, and then…
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 7, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
Which goes to my point about “practice.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Here’s my question about Ovechkin:
It’s not that he doesn’t have good intentions. He wants it all, for himself, his teammates, coaches, the fans, the owner.
But you have to imagine things came so easily for him on the ice most of his life, given his talent level, that perhaps he’s just not prepared to do what is required to continue being a top 5 player. Haven’t we all been in a situation where the realization that something that was once fun is now something you have to really work at and although you really want to be good at it, you can’t get over the fact that it’s just not as fun anymore?
This is just my theory for today.
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
Spot on. I just finished reading it and was impressed. He had more nuance about “coach killer” and he makes a good point in that some of his teammates could have heard him on the bench. I am still not about to agree that Gabby’s and Ovi’s relationship was on the skids but I can accept that it was going through difficulties. As Ovi said himself recently, they pushed each other.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 7, 2011 8:20 AM EST up reply actions
I can accept that it was going through difficulties.
It’s incredibly difficult for me to imagine that wouldn’t be the case at some point over a five-year relationship, professionally, personally, or whatever, especially during tough times.
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Guess I understated it just a bit.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 7, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
Well, I don’t understand this at all. You guys are being extremely ‘sensitive’ and generous to Ovi. I love – and have loved – the guy for the past 5 years as much as everyone else but right now he needs to grow up and get his lazy butt in gear. Cool it with the psycho analysis. He is friggin’ making $120Million dollars and is a grown man. In fact, I take just the opposite approach: BECAUSE he is the face of the franchise and BECAUSE he is the captain, he has to assume full responsibility for his shitty efforts and production. It can be Bruce Boudreau or Dal Hunter or Elmer Fudd behind the bench, it doesn’t matter. This is ALL Ovi. If you heard your famous brain surgeon was not performing at his top capacity before an operation, would you say “OK; cut away now and maybe the next operation you will be better?”
Go Flyers.
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by fat_daddyo on Dec 7, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
Admit it… you drooled a little bit on your keyboard when you wrote that, didn’t you?
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I’ll give him credit for being consistent in his drivel from day-to-day, even if I think he’s as wrong as the plastic surgery on Bruce Jenner’s face.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Better. Thanks.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
I would hope for the next surgery, Ovie would dish the scalpel over to Backs rather than cutting to my middle.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 7, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 13 recs
I was a fan of Dal Hunter back in the day. I was also a fan of Call Johansson, Din Ciccarrelli and Mik Gartner.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Ti Bergland was memorable. And I always felt bad for Pa Peake.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Ro Langway is in the same boat, though, so at least the company is good.
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I’m sad that Scot Stevens couldn’t stay around. Didn’t feel the same way about Jaromi Jagr.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
I was never a Dale fan, but Gartner and Calle, in particular, were class – super classy – guys. And, of course, Oatsy is up there before Dale as well. Those three plus Langway would be the top 4 franchise guys….and then there is Joe Juneau…and Al Iafrate!
Al, who smoked cigarettes between periods? (if I’m remembering the story right)
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Yep. He lit it with a blow torch while heavy metal was pumping in the background. Believe it or not, hockey used to be fun and the talk wasn’t just about cap hits and player agents.
It also used to be well nigh unwatchable. See any game from the 80s.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know, I kind of dig the lack of a hooking penalty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b5C-0Fj-as
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 sure what you mean. While I certainly prefer today’s game with its speed, there was a lot to like in terms of ‘team’ play, to say nothing of supreme individual efforts such as Adam Oates’ passing or Mark Gartner streaking down the right wing. I would say those moments are every bit the qualitative equal as the excitement of the first few Ovi years.
I liked watching Mark Ridley more than I liked watching Mark Gartner. And the stellar goaltending of Mark Liut was always a treat.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Mark Ridley was awesome, wasn’t he.
So were Keith Miller, Rich Langway, Benny Gould, and Andrew Iafrate.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW!
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
The most compelling element of hockey – that it demands that the players play on the ragged edge of emotion – has always been present, at least during my lifetime.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Doesn’t Ovechkin prefer “Ovi” instead of “Ovie”? I swear I once upon a time saw a Nate Ewell tweet to that effect. Not that I really care, but if we’re going to be snarky. . . .
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Dec 7, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Nate Ewell’s comment is what I remember (and why I always write it as Ovi).
"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
Egads I was only talking about their working relationship.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 7, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
There are so many reasons why brain surgery and hockey are nothing alike that it is simply mind-numbing to know where to begin with that analogy.
Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....
Good cled defies coherent analysis in precisely this way. It’s part of the point of it.
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I think you meant gla, but whatever.
All caps is the hallmark of insightful reasoning, of course.
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by fat_daddyo on Dec 7, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
There does tend to be a tendency towards group think whenever the same people meet to discuss the same topics. But if I were to look for different answers to the same questions I’m more leaning the other way. What we’re seeing is the result of trying too hard mentally and not seeing success.
As Alan May says in the link in Clips, the best solution would then be more ice time for Ovi:
TEAM – The Exceptional Athlete Matters.
(Brought to you from the same perennially winning team that brought you Lance Armstrong – of the neverending PED rumors)
No, I don't think I'll ever get over Macho Grande
The yawn of a new era did resonate with me. It was intoxicating to watch a swaggering crew of speed merchants light up the scoreboards around the league in the same way it was to watch the Hogs steamroll opponents: “Guess what? You can’t stop us.” The last three games have been, um, less than intoxicating, shall we say?
I keep telling myself that the highs of the regular season only made the playoff disappointments that much more bitter, though, so I’ve resigned myself to a less-scintillating approach in the hopes that it might produce a better result in the spring.
A guy can always hope, right?
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Without hope, there would be no Caps fans.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Dec 7, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
winning is the most entertaining style of hockey.
let’s see if Dale can bring it.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
After so many years of watching responsible, lunch-bucket hockey from the Caps as they tried to grind out wins, was it not supremely enjoyable to see a lethal offensive team that won by pouring on the coals?
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It was bad for my blood pressure… but exhilarating.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Dec 7, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
I fell for it hard.
I feel sure I’ll learn to love this incarnation of the Caps too, though.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
but I will love 5 goals a night Caps just a little bit more, and always will. I’m not ashamed to admit that.
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They won by sitting in a sauna?
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 7, 2011 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Not really. For ardent fans...
of one team, yea, winning is all that matters. But for more casual fans who are not diehards, winning, defensive hockey can be fairly boring. People want to see stars do their thing. I find I have a love/hate relationship with hockey because stars must work like dogs to do their thing because of the nature of the game. Can you imagine if half of Kobe Bryant’s shots were blocked—never even got to the rim? A year and half ago, the Caps had a team that was /very/ exciting to watch and very formidable. They didn’t do well in the playoffs—and so the coach and GM started tinkering: players were traded, the style was changed, chemistry was lost. Now the team is losing, fairly boring and starting over. Sad!
Not according to the media, at least when they’re talking about the Minnesota Wild or the ‘94-’95 Devils.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
Minnesota is such a bad example. It’s such a hockey-mad state that they don’t have to win, don’t have to put an exciting product out on the ice, don’t have to make the playoffs, don’t have to do ANYTHING other than say “We’re a professional hockey team!” and they sell out games. And people pay ridiculous prices, too.
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I have a good friend who is a Wild STH. He says that there is a lot of talk about how they are only getting 17,500 to the games and not the normal 18,800. People are freaking out.
Good problem to have.
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I always thought one of the reasons Norm Green moved the North Stars was because he said he couldn’t compete with High School and College hockey?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
Norm Green was so full of shit.
I will grant, however, that they had to play out in fucking Bloomington. And Bloomington sucks donkey balls.
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The thing with him and the sexual harassment suit reminds me a lot of when George Shinn pretty much got run out of Charlotte for the same thing when he owned the Hornets.
I’ve never been to Minnesota before, so I really can’t comment on the awfulness of Bloomington. It’s that bad, huh?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
it’s better now, just because the suburbs have really pushed out that far (but it’s still a lot of parking lots and strips malls and wasteland-ish, imo). Back then, it really was borderline middle of nowhere. It’s the southern fringe of the Cities. It’s a trek from the northern suburbs to Bloomington.
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No Blu Ray, no special features and limited music choices? I think I’m going to skip the 24/7 DVD.
It’s so tough to work around that stuff with the music. It’s what kept things like the Wonder Years and Freaks and Geeks off DVD for so very long, or made them massively expensive. Even with the Wonder Years on Netflix, when they have to substitute music (like they had to get a knockoff version of Joe Cocker’s “With a Little Help From My Friends” for the opening credits), it takes me out of the whole show, and I can imagine the same things happening with the 24/7 DVD, although they did keep the Muse piece at the end.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 8:24 AM EST reply actions
I could not imagine watching some of the episodes without the music. The preparation scene for the WC wouldn’t be the same without the music starting with Brent Johnson on the floor programming the Ipod.
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A separate view of the disc, shrouded as a shameless plug.
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by Bald Pollack on Dec 7, 2011 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Dude, you should’ve shamelessly plugged it to me. (Updating Clips now…)
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 8:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If there’s a fault I have, it’s that my appreciation of craft beer is outmatched by my modesty.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
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The disappointing part of the whole thing? The whole thing feels like a guinea pig of sorts. The film crew’s in a better position for this, the players know it’s coming and what to do with it, so not only will the overall product be (presumably) better but so will the inevitable video release just before the ’13 Classic. Boo indeed.
"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.
assuming you can stomach the changed soundtrack is well worth the time.
I can’t.
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Thanks for the hookup sir.
"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.
Danke.
"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.
Boston’s “Long Time” was replaced by an instrumental track
Unforgivable. Such a great song.
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At least that song’s not hard to find. It’s just outside of your front door, practically.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
Well, that’s the way it works, y’know? You gotta stay out of that place where you say “I don’t want no more” and thinking everyone will forget about you after you’ve been gone.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 9:36 AM EST up reply actions
I had a roomate in college who played that album all the freakin’ time, as if it was the only album he had (these were the days of vinyl, kiddies). Like Pavlov’s dog, my reaction to the first few notes of “Long Time” is instinctive…I roll my eyes and mutter, “not again…”
And by the way…great review!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 7, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Would you say you had more than a feeling for the roomate?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I believe I had that album in 8-Track format, as I recall.
And I have the same reaction, for the same reasons, to the entire oeuvre of Phil Collins.
Sorry for the OT.
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It’s disappointing, for sure, but I didn’t have HBO at the time so it really can’t be worse than watching a low res version of it with a text ad on YouTube.
by jopierce on Dec 7, 2011 8:31 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
We found a site on the internet that streamed HBO. Whee.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 8:32 AM EST up reply actions
If you are interested (ahem) in finding the TV version in HD elsewhere on the Internet, I’m sure (ahem) it’s available. It might, just might, have made it to my iPad over six months ago.
Just sayin’.
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Do tell how. My iPad would love to be encumbered by the HD TV version.
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by capsyoungguns on Dec 7, 2011 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not surprised they had to change some of the soundtrack, but disappointed. I have it on order and for some reason it hasn’t shipped yet; debating whether to cancel it and stick with the homemades.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
It baffles me, though. What are the labels or artists gaining by keeping those songs off a DVD? Compared to what they might gain by another few seconds of play when people are able to purchase and watch the DVD that contains the songs?
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by CapitalCentre on Dec 7, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
As an IP lawyer, all I can say about this debate is: you know how you feel when you’re in a party that’s going really well, and all of a sudden someone makes a kind of offhand remark about politics or abortion or something? And there’s that moment where everything could go completely off the rails?
That what this particular topic is like around copyright lawyers.
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by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I believe that what CC is saying isn’t that an IP rights holder shouldn’t have the right to get paid if their song is used on the DVD. He’s saying that what they recoup in terms of broadening their brand distribution would outweigh what they lose in the rights fees if they were to either waive their fee or take a nominal fee. In other words, he’s making a business argument as opposed to a legal one.
I disagree with him on the business proposition; gotta get paid where and when you can.
And I don’t think either of us would disagree that the 24/7 DVD would benefit significantly from having “Long Time” on the soundtrack as opposed to some generic instrumental (to drag this thing back on topic.)
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“She,” and that’s bascially what I mean. Thanks.
To clarify, it is absolutely the copyright holder’s decision whether a song can be on a DVD. But there are so many examples of DVDs that aren’t being produced (or weren’t for a long time) because the songs are being withheld that I can’t see the benefit for the songs’ copyright holders.
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by CapitalCentre on Dec 7, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
No worries.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Dec 7, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions
___
Heh. Some funny stuff over at The Pensblog, including:
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 9:03 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
Could someone with photoshop skills wants to add this photo to a sheep.
I’m just asking questions people.
Unleash the Apathy.
n/m, I have to go to a meeting, sorry.
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Yeah I did that one, and a couple more.
Go have some fun if you want: Create your own Steigerwald meme
My Pens hatred came out in this one
Lambert vs Steigerwald
Anyone listen to this? Unfortunately, Steigerwald is really tearing up Lambert on the link on puck daddy. Of course he’s asking Lambert to cite examples and Lambert has none (which he should have had before going on the radio) but Steigerwald is definitely pulling a Bill Oreilly also by not letting him talk.
It was discussed quite a bit in yesterday’s Clips (which isn’t to say it can’t be here).
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Ah, I thought maybe the discussion between them was new. Yeah no need to re-hash old topics. Just an interesting interview. It would have been nice if Lambert handled it better by pointing out Steigerwalds bias, but so far, he has not.
by Doom_and_Gloom on Dec 7, 2011 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
Lambert could have been better, but Steigerwald couldn’t get out of his own way and sounded worse than he did going into it. But hey, we got a nice twitter hashtag out of it (and I’m sure there will be some folks who do some vampire inspired signage the next time the Pens come to town), so there you go.
"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.
That’s my biggest complaint with Lambert’s performance. “Steigerwald couldn’t get out of his own way.” You should be able to make the guy look like an ass, all Lambert did was keep the phone line open long enough for Steigerwald to dig himself deeper. I’d like to think I could have done better… and more entertainingly.
Please, call me F&B.
Lambert didn’t sound incredibly prepared, but my guess is that he’ll be ready next time for a similar attack. Steigerwald was clearly prepared and ready to make Lambert look bad from the outset.
As much as a buffoon as Steigerwald is, he was prepared, and he stuck to his guns. He admitted he had no facts, that it was just his opinion. He really didn’t lose me in his attempt to make sense until he started talking about Russians and women with jockstraps and moustaches.
I really wanted Lambert to ask him whether this means that Malkin also has such tendencies. I would also have liked him to cite the stats on Malkin that Gould Old Days posted here.
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Yeah, I think Lambert took him lightly and didn’t expect it to go like that.
I also agree that it was the part when he went after AO’s mom that got me. Until then I thought he was fine just repeating “it’s my opinion blah blah blah.” He’d probably say that Malkin doesn’t have the same suspicion because his mom wasn’t an elite Russian athlete so presumably has the proper genitalia.
Please, call me F&B.
Which is weird, since by virtue of the fact that Alex Ovechkin exists on this planet, his mom’s reproductive processes must have been working just fine.
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Or he’s adopted! Where’s the birth certificate?! Someone get the birthers on this…
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Are we sure Alex Ovechkin isn’t a Muslim?
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 7, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
What’s that symbol on his shoulder? It looks remarkably like a crescent moon. I’m not saying anything, I’ve just heard whispers.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions
The more you know…
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by D'ohboy on Dec 7, 2011 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
that explains how Ovie has an East German mother but was raised in Russia! Steigerwald was on to something after all.
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Clearly, Mamma Ovi was taking so many steroids when she had her son that they have just recently cleared Ovi’s system 26 years later.
by kingbonehead on Dec 7, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
I think Lambert just isn’t used to doing radio. He’s a columnist first.
But yeah, should’ve prepared more.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
by leacha on Dec 7, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, r-lam went into it like he does his normal work. Radio is just about being boisterous and making sure you are the loudest one.
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That’s a great point. Lambert should have said – “If his mom was on steroids and had a moustache, wouldn’t that have impacted her ability to have children?”
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I would pay good money to hear you debate Steigerwald. It would have to be on HBO though, so as to not restrict language.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 7, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Now be fair, D’ohboy. “Does your mother know that people suspect you rape sheep.”
He’s from a rural area with plenty of access to farm animals, we all know the stereotypes about hicks around sheep (certainly as pervasive as the theory that Soviet women had mustaches and dongs), and there hasn’t been any definitive evidence against it…
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 7, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Why does Steigerwald wear kilts?
Because sheep can hear zippers.
Unleash the Apathy.
by D'ohboy on Dec 7, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 9 recs
I couldn’t listen to all 28 minutes. Going to have to find a way to get that on MP3.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, listening now and steigerwald linking Ov’s steroid use to his mother playing basketball in the olympics when roids were apparently “rampant.” He’s really sounding like an idiot.
He’s really sounding like an idiot.
Most likely reason for that? Because he is an idiot.
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Do people know that John and Pens play by play announcer Paul Steigerwald (Steiggy) are bros.?
I havent been on the boards much since John’s salvo, so forgive me. John used to be a respectable Pittsburgh sports media figure, but evolved into a curmudgeonly, unlikeable jackass. Paul is far more affable and while given to rampant homerism (Sid is his maker, I hear), generally pleasant and conciliatory.
Do people know that John and Pens play by play announcer Paul Steigerwald (Steiggy) are bros.?
Yep. And apparently there’s a third brother who might be the most loathsome of the bunch.
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David Booth
David Booth is going to have an MRI after the knee-to-knee hit he took last night. Not surprised, and I would expect Porter, the Avs guy that was teh guilty party, to get a date with Shanny.
Here’s a screen grab of the impact, which is ugly. If you can find video of the hit – which a cursory search failed to turn up – you’ll see that he pretty blatantly stuck his knee out in order to make contact.
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Looks bad for Booth. Without video it’s hard for me to say anything about the hit, but taking your word for it I think there has to be a suspension. Intentional knee on knee hits need to be punished as harshly as anything. Do you know what point in the game it happened?
Please, call me F&B.
Intentional knee on knee hits need to be punished as harshly as anything.
I so agree. I saw a kid in a HS game come across the blue line and have his knee shredded by a kid who stuck his knee out. Surgery and then nearly a year of rehab.
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10:55 in the first. Porter got 5 and a game for kneeing.
The VAN feed had the definitive angle on the replay (which is where I got the screen grab).
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It was ugly. Watched the game last night. Of note. Varly got hit for 6 goals against & got pulled in the 3rd…oh, well. Guess the argument that we should have kept Varly might be mute.
For what we got for him? I make that deal every day of the week.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Especially when you factor in GMGM’s comments that Varly was headed to Russia if he hadn’t been traded.
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Varly wanted the money and he wanted the money now….saw a report that he was moving his family to live with him in Colorado…
A lot easier to do that when you are making $2 mil+ a year as opposed to 700k
Guess the argument that we should have kept Varly might be mute.
I think anytime someone offers you a mid-to-high 1st and 2nd for a largely unproven goalie, you take it (yes, even for “my boy” Tuukka). That being said, once the question is Neuvirth vs Varlamov, well, Varlamov, as bad as his numbers are, they are still better than Neuvirth’s.
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by red army line on Dec 7, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
I thought the Leafs traded Tuukka in part for Raycroft?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Yep. The Leafs front office is fun to watch, even if the team always isn’t.
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by red army line on Dec 7, 2011 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
From the screen grab it doesn’t look that bad to me, Porter’s shoulder is pretty much directly over his knee, and it looks like he’s making primarily shoulder contact.
Then you watch the video… and see an obvious, intentional knee on knee hit. Ouch.
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by iwearstripes on Dec 7, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
My very first reaction was: “That’s not so bad – looks like he’s trying to line him up and misses,” but then you see the slo-mo and how far out his knee was. Terrible hit and certainly suspension-worthy.
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Such a dirty play… one of the things I’m glad to see Ovi has mostly eliminated from his game. Super dangerous for both the player giving, and the player receiving the hit.
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by iwearstripes on Dec 7, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
I’ll screen cap it later, as I swamped this morning, but #SidneyCrosbyisaVampire got picked up by Express, in the Blog Log. Express also has a big feature on the Caps today.
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The Express coverage is by Reed Albers, who used to run Capitals Kremlin but now writes for Kings of Leonsis. He also does a ton of reporting on local NoVa high school sports.
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There could be a really cool fanpost by anyone who wants to track that whole thing from the beginning through getting noticed…
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by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
Oh brother. Not only is Gormley at CSNWashington giving credence to an E4 rumor, they mention Semin being out with “a mysterious shoulder injury.” Did he not see him get hit by Staal during the Pens game? Sheesh.
"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
Unreal. He and Ek are probably tight, given the PHI connex.
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“If that seems too good to be true for Caps fans, well, it is.”
Would I be in the minority for not liking the idea of this trade? Granted the picks and the “prospect” aren’t elaborated on, but Semin/Holtby for Iginla/Butler just doesn’t do it for me.
Iggy ain’t the player he once was, not by 7000 rows of big green peppermint trees.
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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 7, 2011 10:31 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
And he’s got another year on his current deal.
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Yeah. I really want no part of that deal whatsoever.
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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 7, 2011 10:34 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
And by deal, I mean Iggy’s K. I don’t know much about Butler.
"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 7, 2011 10:35 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yeah, we already have Ovechkin filling that role.
You think Iggy outscores AO this year?
Please, call me F&B.
Depends on if Hunter can get the PP unfucked. If not, then yes, but Iggy hasn’t driven play for years. He used to be amazing at that.
Actually, he and Hossa are (were?) two examples of wings who are difference-makers on D. Ovie could learn something from that.
"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 7, 2011 10:42 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Isn’t Iginla playing toughs with Olli Jokinen, though (anyone with Dobber access?)? Iginla hasn’t seen soft minutes in three years.
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by red army line on Dec 7, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Fantasy hockey 911 (indexed here) gives you game by game lines, but doesn’t appear to track minutes.
At this point I’d be worried about holly jolly Olli outscoring Ovechkin at this point. I’ll be happy if he puts up 20 because it looks like it’s going to be a long, shit year for Ovechkin. Even guys who are making their NHL debut are capable of shutting him down.
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I’d murder for a straight up Iginla for Semin trade. The guy is going to put up 30 easily again this year and isn’t a disaster on defense. Moving Holtby along with it is terrible, bringing Butler makes it a toxic waste ejection by the Flames.
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I think I’d be happier if the Caps could pry Jeff Carter out of that shitshow in Columbus rather than overspend for Iggy.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, if we’re shopping Semin I’m dumping him and a pick for Carter in a damn heartbeat. Even a first; even if he does have some extracurricular issues he’s still someone built to dominate the east.
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Even if he has a million-year K with a NMC.
Gah.
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Yeah, but it’s a good value contract.
And a NMC isn’t worth the toner that’s used to print it out; watching the Flyers over the past 2+ years has edified us to at least that extent.
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He’s got 10 years left at a cap hit of 5.2 per. That’s pretty great, especially for a guy who’s only 26 and plays the most valuable forward position.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
He’s only played 16 this year. Last six he’s played 80, 74, 82, 82, 62, and 81.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Here’s the thing.
I’d say our most valuable trade chip at the moment is Colorado’s first round pick. Would you deal that in part for Carter? Bet CBJ would love to have two top five or top ten picks.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
What about the Caps first and the Colorado second round pick?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I’d consider that. The COL pick has the potential to be a real home run. I wouldn’t trade it for anything short of a young, can’t-miss stud.
Please, call me F&B.
You wouldn’t consider Carter a “young, can’t miss stud”?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn’t move COL’s pick.
gonna’ need it when the re-rebuild begins…
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by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Having three players tied up in long term contracts until at least 2020 (and in Carter’s case 2022) is rather daunting.
It would have to be commensurate salary moving to CBJ along with the pick…that’s a pretty hefty price to pay for even someone like Carter.
I also think the Caps need to hang on too that pick just from an organizational perspective. Outside of Kuznetsov, who is no slam dunk to ever wear a Weagle, the cupboard is pretty bare of high end talents.
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Wasn’t he also the one behind announcing. CalleJo was the new asst coach?
As much as I would like to swap Semin for Iggy, I can’t think of any way it makes sense for either team. Therefore a perfect hockeybuzz rumor.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 7, 2011 10:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yep. I don’t believe he’s admitted he was mistaken, either. not that I want an apology, but it dinged his credibility.
by jopierce on Dec 7, 2011 10:39 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Of course….even if the Caps were to include Neuvirth, that still wouldn’t be enough $$$ going back the other direction. Isn’t Neuvirth’s salary $1.1?
The money wouldn’t even be the concern there. Now you’re out Semin and two goalies who are supposed to be the future of your organization.
Then again, the whole rumor was stupid to begin with so talking about it more could give Gormley some page hits, which is probably what he wanted.
by jopierce on Dec 7, 2011 10:56 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Roster info./ injury info.
Ok, so if Hendricks is out day to day, Caps are at 12 healthy forwards IF Semin is healthy. In the speculation dept., was Semin healthy or does he have a shoulder injury and if at all questionable for tonight’s game, I was wondering whether there might have been a recall from HBH for today just in case, maybe Potulny?
Lines at practice yesterday according to Whyno:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin
Brouwer-Johansson-Halpern
Chimera-Laich-Ward
Eakin-Perreault-Knuble
Per @andystrickland
Jaroslav Halak is expected to be back in net tomorrow vs Anaheim #Blues #Ducks
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by BradleyFightingVehicle on Dec 7, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
B-Mo with two goals and two assists in the Flames’ 7-6 win over the Canes last night. Guess he’s not done.
Who would you bump out of the lineup to put BMo in?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
No one. Darryl Sutter got fired last year when B-Mo was in his first season with the Flames. He’s a GM killer.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 7, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Ottawa info/updates: Kuba now on IR
from erinnicks
“Kuba out 3-4 weeks with shoulder injury. Rehab — doesn’t require surgery. #Sens”
I think he could be a useful defensive pickup at the deadline if Ottawa’s out of it, especially seeing as he’s in the last year of his deal and defensive depth is always a plus.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
erinnicks Erin Nicks
According to Hunter, Hamrlik and Semin are game-time decisions. Expect the latter tonight, but not the former. #Capitals
I go back to my earlier comment, if Semin is a game time decision, is there an extra forward in Ottawa just in case??? Didn’t sound like it from the practice updates.
more from Ms. Nicks:
Ottawa scrum gathers around Semin after practice. PR pipes up, “Hey guys – he doesn’t speak English!” #Capitals
Ottawa scrum gathers around Semin after practice. PR pipes up, "Hey guys – he doesn’t speak Englishto anyone but Tarik!" #Capitals
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"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Worth your time: http://www.coppernblue.com/2011/12/7/2617430/cycling-the-puck
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 12:20 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
(In case the “worth your time” didn’t make it clear, it’s not Zona.)
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 7, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m just glad it’s not that guy who said Ryan Whitney was the next Larry Robinson.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
I must have missed that one. Pretty hilarious. Unless, of course, he means “Just like Larry Robinson Ryan Whitney has played a crucial role in the success of Team Canada on the international stage.”
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 7, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I never knew that Ryan Whitney was being projected as the next assistant coach for the Devils.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 7, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
The player that jumps out is former Canadien Larry Robinson. Looking at Whitney and Robinson in comparison to one another over the course of their seasons from ages 22 to 24, we find an eerily similar early career path.
Ryan Whitney
Age 22 68 6 32 38 85
Age 23 81 14 45 59 77
Age 24 76 12 28 40 45
Larry Robinson
Age 21 36 2 4 6 20
Age 22 78 6 20 26 66
Age 23 80 14 47 61 76
Age 24 80 10 30 40 59
It is very possible that the Anaheim Ducks are getting the next Larry Robinson in this deal. Robinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995 for his accomplishments on the ice. It seems Bob Murray misled the media when he said the Ducks would be sellers. When a deal like this comes along, a change in direction is worth it.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
Should’ve known I hung that curve a bit.
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If you’ve ever wondered what someone means when they talk about “puck support”, that’s the article to make it clear to you.
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Pretty cool article. I notice that the center spends a lot of time on the wall. It makes me appreciate Nicky even more considering his size and the fact that he usually keeps control of the puck despite the fact that guys twice his size are trying to plant his face into the first row of seats.
Nicky’s not as small as you think he is.
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True. But, by and large, I think he is – on average – smaller than the typical d-man. Plus the fact he has to keep his eyes on the puck and, somehow, simultaneously find someone for an outlet pass to an open man all the while someone is trying to smash you into pieces. If it were a chicken shit like me, I would be focusing on trying to protect myself. I think he has a real skill – and courage – in this regard.
I saw somewhere the average D is ~a couple of inches taller than the average F.
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by red army line on Dec 7, 2011 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
The Chara Factor.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Dec 7, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You’re late. It was on here yesterday or the day before. But, you do have that commute.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I figured someone had to have seen it. It wasn’t adequately marked, in any event.
Please, call me F&B.
We’ll get some highlighters next time. What color would you like?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Same for me. Too funny.
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by capsyoungguns on Dec 7, 2011 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
It was in the Clips, mothertrucker…
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J.P. – you have my permission (FWIW) to smack him.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Only people like Elliotte Friedman (who skips the boring video-heavy stuff) – the dummies just jump right into the comments.
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#jewishhockeymafia
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by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Minor NHL trade (from Bob McK)
DAL trade Kyrs Barch & 2012 6th-round pick and acquire Jake Hauswirth & 2012 5th round pick from FLA.
(Hauswirth being the player the Caps sent to FLA to attain Wideman).
The Kitties get a little tougher.
I liked Hausworth when he was a prospect, and thought he fit in the Steckel mold for a bigger pivot. Hope he gets a long look in Dallas.
Cross check and all call.
Poor Hauswirth’s becoming hockey’s version of Robinson Checo.
A well-traveled pitcher, Checo never was able to fulfill the potential that he showed in the minor leagues. He played for at least 13 teams in four different countries during his 12-year career.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
Both players, incidentally, were at one point Caps’ property (Barch was drafted in the 4th round in 1998 by the Caps.)
Barch also has the third-most games played of anyone drafted in the second round or later by George McPhee, with 263. He is behind Johnny Oduya (408) and Matt Pettinger (422).
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
Matt Pettinger always wins in the end.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 7, 2011 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
New Lunchbox up on the front page. I think it’s a pretty decent one (for May’s insights, not mine).
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did he threaten to beat anyone up? (I can’t listen at work, sadly)
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I cannot comment, but this needs to be corrected, from SBN’s realignment article:
If the season ended today under the new conference setup, the Capitals would visit familiar foe and top Conference D seed the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. That would be a rematch of last year’s first round, as well as the first round from 2009, Washington’s only playoff series win in the Alex Oveckhin era.
I’m, like, 99.9% sure the Caps have won two playoff series during the “Ovechkin era.” I know there’s a ridiculous amount to alcohol consumed during the spring, but I’m pretty sure I remember the Caps playing (showing up and shitting the bed?) in the second round in 2011.
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The way Neuvy is playing I agree, it’s time to go all-in with Vokoun.
Although I agree Hershey is no option for Neuvy, isn’t he now subject to waivers making the point largely moot?
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.
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It’s day-to-day. Not week-to-week.
Source: 3 weeks ago.
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Only brainiacs actually read the Clips, as it turns out.
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by fat_daddyo on Dec 7, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Just heard Alan May speculate on radio (am980…I don’t know which show) that Green’s injury could be a “head injury”. I interpret that as concussion. May said that his recovery seemed spotty and with a groin injury he would expect him to be on the ice more. He mentioned that Green had been hit with a puck to the head in the Detroit game before the ankle injury. I do remember the puck hit him near his ear I think? He was careful to say he had not heard anything to that effect, but was suspicious.
obviously Alan May is plugged in more than I am, but, really? Groins can be a bitch……just ask Tom Poti.
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it’s because they couldn’t find a suitable neck for him to bit, isn’t it?
on a more serious note: yikes. given how they usually handle injuries, how serious is this?
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by RedBirdie on Dec 7, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
you’d think so, but they let Letang back in a game, what,a week ago? Forgive me if I don’t trust them one bit.
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Inevitable.
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 7, 2011 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
As hard as it is to type this….12 points in 8 games, following a serious injury. Wow, just wow. You got to respect that, no matter who it is.
4 against an Isles team that rolled over and died. Nothing wrong with 8 points in 7 games besides that though…although we kept him off the scoresheet.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Dec 7, 2011 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
“[T]ook a hard hit and wasn’t feeling 100%…” That ain’t a coy way of saying he has the sniffles. Gotta think it’s something to do with the noggin. Even if they’re being extra double cautious, that’s a bad sign.
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If it was any other body part, you’d think they’d be sure to mention it.
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 7, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
The release mentions he took and ‘passed’ the ImPACT test, so by my read the organization isn’t trying to hide the reason they are holding him out. I don’t think they are avoiding anything, but are taking the precautions they didn’t take almost a year ago.
Maybe they are… he took a solid shot in the knee in a collision with Kunitz. He practiced fully today. If he had any head symptoms would they put him on the ice? (If he had a sore knee would they put him on the ice?)
Maybe they are just trying to throw people off the scent since everyone will assume it’s a head thing.
Please, call me F&B.
I had yesterday’s replay of the game on and saw the hit. Wasn’t anything remotely near the head. Though he did react the same way. Doubled over and skated very gingerly to the bench. I couldn’t tell exactly what it was, and they didn’t show any replays of it (even though it was a Pens broadcast) right away because it was away from the play that was in progress.
even DCist is now in on the Steroid accusations that the Sheep Rapist is peddling. Although they come down on the “Steigerwald is an idiot” side, even though it’s a mild “Steigerwald is an idiot” at best.
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Something I’ve been thinking about: Steigerwald’s work here is irresponsible due to the overwhelming paucity of evidence in his case. It’s not like AO even fails the eyeball test (as did, say, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds).
But it’s not like we have any way to conclude definitively that AO is not on PEDs. I feel like we’ve collectively made the leap from “Steigerwald is a moron” to “It can’t possibly be true”. It could be true. But we don’t have anything to suggest that it is and in this country it’s untoward to suggest bad behavior without at least some sort of tangible evidence, even if it’s just that a guy’s head is now the size of a Volkswagon.
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We [well, not you or I but the collective “we”] can prove it — he has never failed a drug test and takes them repeatedly. Olympics, world championships, NHL, etc. I am not saying it does prove it, because maybe he only uses them on days equidistant between his random and unannounced PED tests. However, given substantial evidence that he does not, and no evidence that he does, the evidence is not in favor of it. Similarly, I can’t prove there is no invisible pink unicorn blocking the shots that hit the crossbar and making the same noise as a puck that hits the crossbar would, but there is literally no evidence to suggest that there is.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
but there is literally no evidence to suggest that there is.
You’ve obviously never played goalie…
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 7, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
Haha, no, the psychologist couldn’t find anything wrong with me, so I got to wear the regular pads.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
Your loss. I passed the “spot the pink unicorn test” with flying colors.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 7, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
Those were the same arguments made in defense of plenty of other people…like, say, Marion Jones, if I recall correctly.
As for the pink unicorn argument, no one has ever seen one. We’ve seen plenty of athletes on the juice.
Note I’m not saying I think he did it.
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Marion Jones also missed a random drug test and had her ban overturned thanks to Johnnie Cochran. She had eye-witnesses, including her ex-husband, come forward and say they had seen her inject steroids. She had the doctor who gave them to her admit it. Wikipedia
None of those things have happened with Ovechkin.
I heard that Steigerwald took steroids to improve his typing speed. He can take all the tests he wants now, it won’t convince me he never took steroids.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
Well, yes, and I thought Jones had used PEDs well before her admission.
I don’t think the same about AO.
Just saying that never popping positive on a drug test is a pretty thin defense at this point.
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But what other standard are we supposed to apply? Never testing positive is the minimum level of evidence for him to say, “I’ve never used steroids.” I agree that it isn’t an absolute. But until there is a perfect test, which he then fails, or someone credible comes forward and says they gave them to him, or saw him do it, I can give no credence to “He takes steroids.”
It’s just appeal to ignorance at this point. (No offense directed at you, I’m not saying you’re committing it.)
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
If you can tell that it’s pink then it’s not invisible.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 7, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That’s the paradox — Invisible Pink Unicorn.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
I think you’re right. If he had basically come out and said “yeah guys, there are a ton of athletes who use PEDs, and I’d bet on Ovechkin using them, too,” well, that’s much more solid reasoning than “I’ve seen posts on message boards, and at second glance, the evidence is totally obvious.” I guess what we really need to know is how good international PED tests are.
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by red army line on Dec 7, 2011 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
In general I agree that it’d be nice to know how good the tests are. But Steigerwald first said that AO probably quit PED because of the upcoming Olympics, but in the interview he said that AO passing tests is irrelevant since he doesn’t trust them. If the tests aren’t reliable because players can pass them whenever, why would AO bother quitting for the Olympics? (And, of course, why hasn’t he picked them up again.)
Please, call me F&B.
Didn’t Laraque say players are led to believe international testing >>> NHL testing? (which still means he’s ignoring the other international tourneys AO has done)
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by red army line on Dec 8, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
That’s the problem with anyone, especially someone in the media, making such irresponsible accusations about any athlete. It leads to people asking the valid question of whether that athlete had ever had used PEDs. Yet no athlete can prove definitely that they hadn’t. All that athlete can do is point to the test(s) that affirm that during a particular window in time that he or she hadn’t. And all we outsiders can do is look for other signs indicating use in the periods outside the window. We can use the smell test.
Personally in Ovi’s case I consider the smell test to be pretty strongly in his favor, starting with the fact that he shows no obvious physical indications, at least to the eye. Second, their use really doesn’t help him get the damn puck n the net. Third, the timeline makes no sense if he was on them and then went off. Doesn’t fit when his game went south and doesn’t answer the question of why he hasn’t started using them again at this time if they did help his game. Fourth, and for me the strongest reason, is that he is one of the most tested among the NHLers because of the frequency with which he participates internationally, which did include at least one random test that I know of (prior to the Olympics).
So I don’t feel a need to ask this question—at this time. But unfortunately any google search henceforth is going to link Ovi’s name with this jackass, which is what he wanted in the first place.
However, I don’t believe NHLers are necessarily drug-free. They just use legal substances: to speed up the process of recovery, to numb the pain, to help with inflammation, and so on. They are a battered and bruised bunch each and every night.
End of my mini-rant to your honest and valid question. I’m just incredibly pissed off at the traction this story has gotten.
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by capsyoungguns on Dec 7, 2011 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting… DCist usually doesn’t run anything unless it has to do with fixed-wheel bicycles, bands you’ve never heard of, cars not yielding to bikes, the availability of bike parking at a club to listen to bands you’ve never heard of, or some combination of those things.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 7, 2011 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I blame this on Martin having to listen to me bitch about the Caps a lot.
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It’s reported that CGY’s backup goalie Henrik Karlsson is out for 8 weeks with an MCL injury, Kipper’s backup is now someone named Leland Irving.
Leland Irving? Sounds like members from The Millonaire’s Club are now NHL backup goalies.
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