Tuesday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 6:32 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- This week's installment of Vogs' weekly off-season update. [Caps365 (video)]
- Every NHL team's organizational depth chart between the pipes. Awesome. [The Goalie Guild]
- A look back at one of those goalies' - Semyon Varlamov's - disappointing 2010-11 season. [CI (Carrera)]
- "Good Sasha, Bad Sasha," with stats and pictures. [RMNB]
- Could John Madden be the key to unleashing Nicklas Backstrom's fury? [KOL]
- Hello, Winnipeg. [Ross Hollebon]
- David Poile's not the type to speak ill of someone who's no longer with us, so he steps up and shoulders the blame for perhaps the worst decision in Caps franchise history. [CBC (Friedman)]
- Speaking of general managing, NHL.com has some mock drafts up with the Caps taking Alexander Khokhlachev, Nicklas Jensen and John Gibson. (Click on the names for the mocks.)
- Profilin' Memorial Cup-winning Caps prospect Stan Galiev. [THW]
- The Bears have re-signed Boyd Kane. [Patriot-News (Leone)]
- Finally, happy 28th birthday to Milan Jurcina and happy 45th to sorta-former-Cap Stephane Richer.
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For my money, Friedman’s “30 Thoughts” is the best column in hockey (well…except for this one, of course).
If you've read this far...seek help.
It’s not easy to be pithy and profound in the same sentence. Loved the comment about Thomas’s style—can’t be taught. And Lucic on Craig’s list looking for tickets—yeah sure.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 7, 2011 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to be all old-geezer-y about it, but take a moment and realize that you get that column weekly, timely and for free. It wasn’t so long ago that the only way you’d get something like that would be when the latest Hockey News (for which you had a paid subscription) arrived in your mailbox, and by then half the items would be out-dated.
I <3 teh Interwebz.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
It wasn’t so long ago that the only way you’d get something like that would be when the latest Hockey News (for which you had a paid subscription) arrived in your mailbox
Which I had to walk to. Uphill. Both ways. In snow.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
For at least five miles too.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 7, 2011 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions
with no shoes
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Whoa… I forgot where I was for a moment. Revised:
It wasn’t so long ago that the only way you’d get something like that would be when you sent your private jet to pick up Friedman and have him brought back to recite his 30 Thoughts to you as you sipped aged scotch fireside in your reading room (the one on the first level, not the second).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
with a string quartet playing softly in the corner and the late afternoon sun coming through the window, spotlighting the reader.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Just don’t fill out any of his surveys or he’ll jack the price up from a string quartet to The New York Philharmonic
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Neil’s piece on Good Sasha and Bad Sasha is a fun read too.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
Thanks. The key word is “fun.” I wouldn’t go measuring the NHL with The Sasha Index just yet…
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Loved your graph. Lots of peaks and valleys. Perfect visual of trending Sasha.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 7, 2011 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Brilliant. Hits the high notes…a measure that makes sense for the player. A clean visual representation. And the right graphics. The Sasha Index will be fun to track next season. There should be a SashApp to cue it up on all our smart phones and iPads and such.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 7, 2011 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Sasha Two-Face pic put the thought of Semin flipping the puck once he enters the offensive zone to decide whether he’s going to score or commit a stupid penalty.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
Hopefully it all eventually leads to two Sashas, one Cup.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
The Goalie Guild is totally awesome. Love following his tweets during games, too.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
And the first thing I noticed…“Washington” is no longer last on the list of teams. “Winnipeg” is.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Whoa.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
No change to NHL.com yet. thrashers.nhl.com still up and running, including a fan appreciation video! That’s a bit ironic.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Yeah, I was pleased when I realized that the other day…I wonder if Winnipeg fans/Canadians will feel slighted on nhl.com when a drop down menu does not show Winnipeg unless one scrolls down…maybe they’ll figure out a way to still list Winnipeg first, lol.
dammit. I liked being able to scroll to the bottom of any list and easily find my team!
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
But the only comment about Varly?
Rumors are swirling that he might get offered big $$$ to play in the KHL next year
For possible trade purposes, is that better or worse than mentioning his injuries?
"I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." - Michal Neuvirth, 02.06.11.
Like a proverbial turd in a toilet bowl.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jun 7, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was going to draw that same connection, but couldn’t have done it so eloquently.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
does anyone know how Neuvy got the “Great Deceiver” nickname?
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
yeah, sorry that wasn’t clear. in the GG depth chart, that what they call him. I thought maybe it was a shot towards the stats guys who claim Neuvy is legitimately below average, since I know he’s thought very highly of by the GG guys.
For someone with pretty high expectations, The Great Deceiver lived up to them.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
The open palm of desire
Wants everything
It wants everything
It wants soil as soft as summer
And the strength to push like spring
A broken laugh a broken fever
Take it up with the great deceiver
Who looks you in the eye
And says baby don’t cry
Further to fly
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
http://thegoalieguild.com/2011/05/michal-neuvirth-the-great-deceiver/
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
merci
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
And first use:
http://thegoalieguild.com/2009/06/the-great-deceiver/
Note the date – nearly two years ago.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Predictions for the suspension for Rome? Tough to know how the wheel of justice is going to spin on this one.
I’ll hedge and say 2 to 4 games. I think it could go higher, but I’m not sure Rome has a history.
I think Murphy has to suspend him, given the prominence of the situation and the gravity of the injury. I agree with Buccigross’s tweet this morning that, even if you think the hit wasn’t blindside, it was most certainly late and most certainly up high. I know the injury shouldn’t matter to the suspension, but we know in most cases (see Pacioretty, Max) it has an impact.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
2, max. Not what I’d like, but what I expect.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
If I was a national writer, I’d write a post just to use the headline “When In(dicting) Rome”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
“Rome is Burning” sounds nice, but probably trademarked.
“You Can’t Suspend Rome for Only One Game” is probably a stretch.
“Rome, Rome, how many games to suspend you, Rome?”
“What Rome-ing charges will the Canucks pay?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
“Rome-o and Julien”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Damn. So obvious and I missed it.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Wonder how many of those Horton heard last night.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
I’m thinking Horton wasn’t hearing anything last night. Figure he was kept away from random sound and light.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
At the hospital last night, Horton thought he was still in Vancouver.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I thought I saw that somewhere earlier. Is that serious and not a bad joke? Geez.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Horton hears a who?
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jun 7, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
“Hopeless Rome Antic”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
JP should write for a living.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
1 game, max. SCF baby.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
And why is there all this talk about rule 48? Was this a hit that people thought used to be legal? Horton traveled almost the entire distance from red line to blue line without the puck. Isn’t that a late hit in any era?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Yes.
This has been another edition of “Simple Answers to Simple Questions.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Unconfirmed report that Horton is done for the duration of the series.
If you've read this far...seek help.
if he isn’t, I question to quality of medical care he’s getting.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
This is why I think Rome’ll get more than 1 game.
"...what're you gonna do?"
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jun 7, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I read this morning that instead of making the call to take Luongo out after the second period, Vigneault asked him after it was 5-0 if he wanted to stay in. Lou told him he did (what goalie would say “no coach, take me out of the Stanley Cup Finals”) and then proceeded to let in 3 more goals. Was he worried that if Schneider came in and played well, a goalie controversy would do more damage to Lou’s head?
"I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." - Michal Neuvirth, 02.06.11.
oh god I hope so. Watching him lift the Conn Smythe would be worse than watching Malkin lift it.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I don’t think his rep would let him win it anyways, though I’d put him in the lead.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Luongo’s rep wasn’t gonna let him get the Conn Smythe, and Kesler’s rep is going to win it (despite the fact that he only had one really great series). And now one bad game (in which Luongo was far from being the only terrible player) amidst three series’ worth of stellar play is gonna bring back the “playoff choker” label for Luongo.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
But if he wins game four, that all goes away. From what I could see (take with a grain of salt because I was barely watching the third period), those last three goals happened because Bobby Lou had already checked out of the game. Should have let his coach pull him earlier.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
The entire team checked out.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s not entirely fair to blame Luongo. When the team is giving up one timers at the top of the crease (like the Recchi goal, which followed a terrible battle for the puck in the corner) there is a lot more going wrong than just bad goaltending.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Disagree. They clearly follow his body language and aura, even when he’s on the bench!
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey all, saw a still from a Boston broadcast that someone tweeted, Burrows stat line including 0 bites, anyone care to post it here, to share with all? Thanks in advance
I just posted the photo below. Missed this.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Am I the only one who thought that Recchi’s finger in the mouth was funny, but it jumped the shark when Lucic did it?
Yeah it’s getting a bit tired. Also, hello, Claude!
The NHL ruled on something and (the Canucks) decided to make a mockery of it. It’s totally up to them. If that’s their way of handling things, so be it. We can’t waste our time on that sort of stuff. We have to focus on what we have to do. Last time I looked, we’re down two games to none, and all our energy has to go towards that.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
From a THW mock draft
26. Washington Capitals
Connor Murphy, D, US U18 (USHL)
Even though Jonas Brodin is still on the board, the Capitals go with Murphy because of his size (194 lbs) and pedigree (father played in the NHL).
Was it just a guess that the pedigree would matter, or have they been paying attention to GMGM for years now?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
From Pronman
38. Connor Murphy, Defense, USA Under-18-USHL
Connor Murphy missed most of the season due to a back injury, but his play since his return has helped his stock rise quite a bit. He doesn’t have a true standout tool besides his hockey sense, but he has a decent all-around game. Murphy can move the puck at an average level, making quick decisions with and hitting his targets well. His offensive potential is average, but he’s not a slouch either, as he’s been used on the power play and has the ability and wherewithal to pinch in and get involved. He thinks the game at an above-average level, showing very impressive defensive positioning and stick work. On the other side of the puck, he picks his spots on when to rush up or come in lower from the blue line, but usually he does it at the right times. Murphy projects as an average to solid-average physical player as despite his good frame he doesn’t really take the body all that often, although he is strong and if a puck carrier tries to go through him they usually end up without the puck. His strength is also apparent when he brings the puck into the offensive zone, as he protects it at a notable level. His skating is below-average in regards to his speed and acceleration and I’ve seen him get turned around numerous times by the opposition. However, he has good balance and the stride is decent and with work in that area, the tool could get a little better.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
And on Brodin
17. Jonas Brodin, Defense, Farjestad-SEL
In a class that boasts a prospect as high-end as Adam Larsson, Jonas Brodin is the smartest defenseman coming out of Sweden in this draft. Brodin is a true plus thinker on the ice, consistently making advanced reads on defense, and showing good poise with the puck and executing calm, quick breakouts. While he isn’t a good stick-handler by any means, and if anything I’d grade that tool as a 40, his puck-moving skills are above-average. He consistently shows the ability to execute crisp, accurate passes and can execute well on lengthy attempts. Brodin also is a solid to above-average skater, with a great first step that can close on his assignments quickly. Brodin is very conservative in nature though in how he approaches the game. Despite the fact he has the speed to rush the puck up, he doesn’t attempt to do so. In regards to his physical game, he isn’t physical involved much although it isn’t exactly never, but with a skinny frame and a need for strength, that tool at the moment grades as fringe. Brodin has never wowed in the counting statistics department and won’t be a flashy offensive player, but is definitely a defender who can influence the possession game and log big minutes in all situations.
Projected Peak GVT: 5.8
Statistical Comparable: Henrik Tallinder
Ranking Explanation: Brodin may not be a well-rounded prospect or one who excited with impressive offensive tools, but his high-end combination of intelligence and puck-moving ability make him more than deserving of this ranking. In comparing Brodin to Bartschi, it was a defenseman who primarily got his value through the possession game and a forward who had a good all-around skill set minus the physical game. The possession games were about a push—Bartschi is better with the puck, but Brodin’s hockey IQ is a level higher than Bartschi’s. They both skate at about an equivalent level—Bartschi is slightly better, but due to how close most of their skills are, the difference in physical tools made an impact in the evaluation despite the fact that Brodin isn’t particularly good in that area and Bartschi is well below-average. Bartschi’s shot tool is impressive and that was a possible argument for him, but as discussed with Armia, I’m skeptical of a player’s whose value is derived from mid-distance scoring, and since we’re still dealing with above-average skill sets, the positional market gap still exists as well in a close debate.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
No shock, but judging by these write ups I’ll take Brodin.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
IIRC Pronman rates tools on the 20-80 scale: skating, vision, shot, physicality, hockey sense. What is your ranking in terms of importance? Ideally from a 1st I’d look for hockey sense, skating, and either vision or shot (taking a strong shot/vision over okay shot and vision), with physicality last.
I’d take Brodin too. I like smart defensemen.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
For everyone I take skating and hockey sense as the two most important. Then the third place finisher will depend on the role for the player. A forward needs great hands/puck skills. That might be less important for a stay at home D (though they need to be good enough to move the puck out of the zone). A scorer needs a shot, a passer needs vision. But ultimately everyone has to be able to skate and think, IMO.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
(Gord Murphy’s kid, for those who didn’t know.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Gord Murphy — is that the guy on F&B’s avatar?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Priceless
Courtesy @damospin from @mjomlew
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Jun 7, 2011 9:25 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Interesting line from Galiev:
"My first two seasons I was more of a playmaker, I didn’t shoot a lot of pucks, and coach [Gerard Gallant] told me I had to shoot more. I started scoring more goals: 37 this season and 15 last."
I hadn’t heard about that transition. I figured age/better ice was a big reason he scored more, didn’t realize he was consciously trying to be more of a shooter. I’m still scared by the ghosts of Bouchard and Kuger, but Galiev is starting to convince me he may be hands down the best pro-prospect of the three.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
More from his coach:
"Galiev always had the skill and the talent level, but the work ethic wasn’t always there," said his coach Gallant at the Memorial Cup. "He really took off after Christmas of last year. He’s been one of our harder working players. He backchecks, he finishes checks, he does all the things that he has to get better at."
"You see that kid in a pair of shorts and he’s got the NHL body. It’s a matter of getting a little bit more beef on him. You see his hands on the puck, he’s really strong.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It’s a great article.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
2009-10 2.6 shots per game, Sh% 8.5%
2010-11 3.3 shots/game, Sh% 17.2%
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
His true number is almost certainly somewhere in the middle. Next season is going to be fun to watch him. I think having him in top line role for his team will tell us a lot.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
His true number is almost certainly somewhere in the middle.
Agree. I was just illustrating that his increase in goal scoring prob not due as much to taking more shots as it was everything going right for him.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Eh, it has to be a little bit of both. Obviously the shooting% helps but if a guy is also changing the way he plays, and getting stronger, and refining his skills, there are a lot of moving parts. Too many, at this point in development, to just say it’s on the Sh%. Until the guy really finds his game and settles in I think it’s difficult to pinpoint things. Like I said, next year should tell us quite a bit.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
No doubt, but an increase in SOG of more than 25% isn’t nothing, and if it was at the urging of his coach to shoot more, all the better in that it shows that he listens (I thought his favorite player was… nevermind).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Also hoping they give him a shot to play center, though SJ will still have lots of depth in that area next season (even if Huberdeau jumps to the NHL).
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 7, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d like to see him at C as well. I think he probably gets a chance next year. He’ll be 20 and in his third year with the team. I bet he and Phillips get the 1-2C. Unless he goes to NJD, I bet Huberdeau is in the NHL next year. He may even do it with NJD.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I’m still scared by the ghosts of Bouchard and Kuger, but Galiev is starting to convince me he may be hands down the best pro-prospect of the three.
Isn’t he simply by process of elimination?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I guess. I just didn’t think there was any “hands down” about those guys. I thought they’d all max out in the NHL. Since Bouchard has basically collapsed and Kuger didn’t even get a playoff game, I guess Galiev has to win. But now I think he might actually wear an NHL jersey.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It is nice to read quotes like that from a coach after being drafted rather than leading up to a draft and some of the comments were evident from watching his season, but still, it is his coach talking. Anyway, agree, he appears to have the most upside of the 3 at this time…Still waiting to see how he looks during dev. camp.
Yeah, you expect the coach to support his guys, so it’s a tenuous balance reading their quotes. The coaches do have the most exposure to the kids and see what their work ethic is like on a day to day basis. It can be hard to parse the truth, but if a random scout says “he has great work ethic” isn’t that usually coming from discussions with the coach?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
No, I don’t think that they get info./draw conclusions on those topics primarily from coaches…scouts see plenty and hear plenty in their travels around a League. I’m not knocking the article or the comments, just noting context and they do hold more weight than if he was eligible for the draft later this month.
Who do they hear plenty from? I’m sure they see a lot on the ice, but they still end up talking to staff.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
They talk to staff, they talk to other scouts, they observe from being around certain clubs and events. I’m not saying they don’t rely on comments from the coaches, but they get their info. from watching some of these kids on a regular basis, from games that are blowouts to games at the end of a tough stretch of hockey to what they hear from being around the rinks as much as they are.
I particularly liked the quote about him having an NHL body (though he needs more muscle as Stan himself said). Though upper body strength isn’t nearly as important as lower body, I always thought his shoulders look really narrow which may limit the amount of quality weight he can put on above the belt. Hoping I’m wrong.
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 7, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
via wyshinski
HackswithHaggs Joe Haggerty
98.5’s Tony Mazz has a well-placed source at MGH and says Nathan Horton has a “severe concussion” and will not be back in Stanley Cup Finals
Should we revise the polling on Rome’s suspension?
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Least shocking news of the day. You could tell that was a severe concussion from the start.
I still say 1 game max, it won’t matter. 100 games isn’t enough. You just took out one of the top scorers of a team in the SCF. He’s the 6D. They’ll downgrade to another 6D and hide him all series. Vancouver already wins this trade in a landslide. I know that VAN has been the best team all year, but it’s shitty to see them win a Cup in such a dishonorable manner. I’d rather see a team win where you could tell kids “that’s how you should play the game.” I have nothing against the VAN jersey or fans, but I can’t root hard enough against the guys taking the ice.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
Agreed. Bunch o’ filthy divers.
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Watching Henrik Sedin grab his head after a clean shoulder-to-shoulder hit with Ference was hilarious – such a divey dive.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
There was a post-whistle mini-scrum late in Game 2 where he (or his brother… whatever) flopped in as embarrassing a manner as I can remember.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think this is the one to which you’re referring
by Fro_ on Jun 7, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
great soccer play though
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jun 7, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Is there a team, either now or in recent history, that combines the over the edge play of a Burrows/Torres/Lapierre with the equal parts limberness and shamelessness of diving of the Sedins and others that the Canucks possess?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 7, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hard for me to remember a team where I hated the role players and disrespected the skill players as much as I do with VAN.
And “Derek Zona is the Alex Burrows of SBN” will forever be sealed in my memory. Love that line.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I wanted the Canucks to win just because I’ve got too many relatives in Boston who would lord a win over me all year, but I’ve come to really loathe the Vancouver players. Now I see why the rest of Canada hates them. And talking about the Sedins, I haven’t seen that kind of disappearing act since Houdini. It looked like they shrunk to a collective 5’6" once the heavy hitting started.
I’m just waiting to hear how badly they are hurt. I assume that has to be a huge factor.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
In their defense a bit, they probably are facing the toughest matchup of their playoffs so far, as Bergeron is better than either Bolland, Pavelski, or Legwand (I’d say), and Chara isn’t too far off from Keith, Suter, Weber, and Boyle.
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
The Canucks are the Italian National Soccer Team of the NHL.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jun 7, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
They should just start calling themselves “Gli Azzurri.”
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jun 7, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Totally agree with you here on the entire post. At least you could tell while he was still on the ice that he wasn’t paralyzed in any way. But he made no attempt to move anything other than his arms or legs, so you knew it was bad.
Novel concept – when issuing suspensions, don’t necessarily suspend the guy who committed the infraction (although you take his corresponding pay – yes I know there’s no pay in the playoffs), suspend a guy of equal importance to the team. So for Vancouver, a forward with comparable skill/stats. Yeah, I’m just being emotional, but I hate how it won’t even affect the Canucks next game.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Maybe fine the team…against the cap?
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Even so, how does that deter anything in the post-season? There’s no satisfactory solution in a case like this. I vehemently disagree with punishing people for acts of their teammate, but I do see the disconnect in punishing Rome after he has already altered the series.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Can’t screw ‘em now, screw ’em later? They already fine coaches for what their players may do (<5 min instigator, for example), so there’s a precedent of punishing the team.
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
It just seems reactionary and devoid of any real ability to address the wrong. Unless you think VAN ordered the hit, fining the team is just an emotional balm.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I don’t think anyone on VAN ordered the hit, but, and this is strictly my opinion, there’s a team culture of doing whatever it takes to win, even if that means crossing the line. They’re not exactly remorseful about being dirty.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
And yet, you could say basically that exact same thing about every team that has success in the playoffs. And it’s part of the reason I want the Caps to be more difficult to play against. It’s a fine line, for sure, but “doing whatever it takes to win” is one of the most applauded attributes a player/team can have in this sport.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I’m not sure it should be applauded when it come to the Canucks.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I don’t even like the guy on the team that I like as much as I used to:
Before Wednesday’s Game 1, the usually laconic Vancouver Canucks centre tried to say he’s a true Canuck during an interview with CBC’s Scott Oake.
"We love our hockey up here," the American said. "I say ‘we’ cause I almost feel Canadian."
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Don’t suppose he’d like to return that silver medal, though. Because it’s not like he’d have been on gold medal winning Canada.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Although he is as good as a handful of guys that were on the Canadian team.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Maybe not, but he, Parise, Suter, and any three of the goalies deserved to be, I think.
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
The top two goalies for sure, maybe not Quick. Parise and Suter for sure, but who knows with how that team got picked. Lots of deserving players were left off. Funny that Steve Yzerman went to GM TBL just months after telling MSL and Stamkos they weren’t good enough for Team Canada. And then they went and finished right up at the top of the scoring list. But yeah, whatever decision Stevie Y makes must be the absolute best and infallible decision.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Stevie Y can go eat a porcupine.
and Stamkos should get the hell out of Tampa and go to a real hockey city where the GM will respect his talents! If anyone but Yzerman was running that team, you know that would be the narrative.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Wow, that Silver medal did a lot to allow me to stomach his diving and other antics, but that comment just undid a lot of the good will.
Boychuk smoked him good in game 2, we’ll see if that slows him down all series. Hard to read too much into yesterday’s game. I’m sure nobody in VAN would say they played at their level.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I’m absolutely positive that I would hate Ryan Kesler if he played in the East and I had to watch him against the Caps four times a year.
I’m actually certain that I would hate pretty much that entire team, and I said so after the game this season. They’ve been disgusting.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 7, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Canucks ain’t hockey players. They’ve been clowns. They’ve been goons. They’re the freaks in a fuckin’ sideshow. They’re nothing but a bunch of criminals. They ought to be in jail, that’s all there is.
Cheapshots and diving is killing this sport. It’s draggin’ it through the mud. If things keep up the way they are, hockey players’ll be nothing more than actors, punks.
With all that said, I do wish the Caps would be a little harder to play against and would work the refs a bit more…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
This has always befuddled me in terms of suspensions. Let’s assume that the act was illegal. The Bruins have been deprived of the services of a critical player for the rest of the series, and the bargaining is over whether the perpetrator gets one or two games?
I’ve always been of a mind that, especially for episodes of this nature in the playoffs, if a player deemed injured by an act against the rules is out for an extended period, then the perpetrator of the act sits out an equivalent number of games (subject to medical review by the league). You could argue that it would deprive Vancouver of a player with the stakes so high, but Boston is deprived of their second leading goal and point scorer in the playoffs for the rest of the series, and a fourth liner gets a game?
As for this “Horton bears responsibility for looking up argument,” I looked at that play a few times, and it seemed to me Horton might have been looking for a return pass.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Right, and he traveled almost the entire distance between the red line and blue line. You don’t really expect to get hit at that point. He knew nobody was close enough to finish the check when he passed the puck, so he didn’t need to be looking all over the place. He went to cut up ice and look for a puck in the high slot. Rome came out of nowhere to charge him.
I don’t like punishing by injury, it’s too much like punishing by luck, but I think in a playoff series it makes a lot of sense because of the incentives involved in a best of 7.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I don’t like punishing by injury, it’s too much like punishing by luck
I don’t like punishing the injury because it doesn’t mesh well with what I believe the purpose of supplementary discipline should be, namely to deter similar actions in the future. Punish the action severely and you let everyone know that these hits won’t be tolerated. Punish the result and you let everyone know that these hits won’t be tolerated… sometimes.
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Exactly. That’s the legal instincts kicking in. You don’t really send messages about guiding behavior when you wait to see if the guy gets up or not.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Down Goes Brown had an interesting take on a related incident:
If you ignore the result and just focus on the act (which you can’t, but stay with me), I thought the Torres elbow was even worse than Rome.
Late in a blowout, guy with a history of headshots intentionally targets a player’s head with an elbow. But he just misses, so no big deal?
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
of course it’s no big deal. he missed. no harm no foul!
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I agree with him – it’s gotta be the action that you’re penalizing and not the result, otherwise things will never change.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Save us Shanny-wan Kenobi, you’re our only hope.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Yeah, no big deal. Torres may be the biggest head hunter in the league this side of Matt Cooke. I absolutely hate this guy and wouldn’t shed a single tear if he were banned from the game forever.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
but he’s doing anything to win. even if he ruins some guys career. And what would he care? He’s going to get his name on the Cup.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Right. There are a number of reasons to punish someone – retribution, reformation, deterence, incarceration – and each plays a role. But deterence has to be far and away the most important here.
Incarceration? Maybe for a Matt Cooke, but you’re not really worried about taking a guy off the street here.
Reformation? Absolutely – punsih the guy and hope he learns his lesson.
Retribution? Not really – it’s not about making the offender feel the pain in and of itself.
Deterence? Bingo – send a message to the League about these types of hits.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(Btw, I’ve often linked to this BoA post when this topic comes up – well worth the read.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But if you shoot a guy — with the intent to kill him — and just get his arm, you go to jail for less time than if you were successful. Punishing the injury happens everywhere.
No one’s arguing that it doesn’t happen (and, frankly, the criminal justice system is irrelevant to this discussion – there, incapacitation plays a much greater role).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
As well as issues of assumption or risk, the gravity of loss of freedom, the idea of social compact versus private agreement, etc. I personally hate the application of criminal law to the sports world, but I wasn’t going to bring it up and I’m usually out-numbered on that front anyway.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s taking something you’ve said, re-wording it to make it sound like my idea, and currying agreement.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
But why not?
If a guy skates in at the blue line with the intent to crush a guy against the board misses him. Are you going to suspend him because he missed?
Because of the things I said. Assumption of risk, private agreement, loss of freedom, and I’m sure a litany of other differences.
What is your example trying to demonstrate?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I’m not a lawyer, so I don’t really know the specifics of your argument. But mine is, unless you have a much more thorough penalty process — real hearings, with evidence, whatever — and not just something over the phone where they’re just told whatever has already been decided, you have to go with the end result and less with intent.
And our point is that if you go with the result you’ll never curb dangerous hits and ultimately someone is going to have their neck broken or will be killed.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Then what you have to do is for every questionable hit that doesn’t result in an injury have a full investigation and allow players to defend themselves before a punishment has already been determined.
You don’t have to do anything. If that makes you feel ok, then you can advocate that. High sticks are punished whether or not they are intentional. Maybe I wouldn’t be trying to suspend guys for a missed hit, but if a guy smokes a guy from behind and the hit player manages to get up, I’d still suspend it. Whether it was evil or reckless, that message needs to be sent and that line needs to be drawn.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
But that’s not what you and JP were saying. You’re saying that if a player attempts a dirty hit and misses, he should still be penalized. Or that the same hit regardless of whether or not an injury occurs should be penalized the same. And none of those have ever happened, either in real life or in sports.
Don’t care about “real life.”
Do care about fixing what’s wrong with hockey.
Fin.
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by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
An elbow to the head like Torres attempted, that should be penalized. A missed hit where there is a legitimate chance the guy pulled up is different. And when talking in very mushy hypotheticals it’s hard to nail down examples. My point stands: punish the act and not the result.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Honestly, I’d kind of like to see the league cut down on reckless stick-swinging and call more unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for it, particularly after the Ballard/Vokoun incident last year.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
It would have been an interesting storyline in an already interesting story if Ballard had been given a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct on that play.
I was totally against penalizing him. That would have been silly to me.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
The only penalty that would not have been silly would have been an unsportsmanlike conduct similar to when a player fires a puck after the play is done, but it rarely happens and would have been quite interesting if it had been called.
Right, just seems like a poor time to try to set a precedent like that. There is little, if any, deterrent value because nobody would do that on purpose. The guy’s goalie was on a stretcher, why try to send a message there?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
There is little, if any, deterrent value because nobody would do that on purpose.
Well, nobody would hit their own goalie on purpose. Players still do swing their sticks on purpose out of frustration.
All I’m saying is that after that incident, it would make sense for the NHL to quietly say “if you swing your stick at a goal post, we’re going to call you for an unsportsmanlike,” just because the act itself is reckless.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
If I ran the League’s disciplinary system, yes – attempted bad hits would be punished as sternly as successful ones. Punish actions, not results if you want to change behavior.
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But then the guy could say, “I knew that he was going to move” or “I missed in purpose”. That’s a dangerous precedence to punish unsuccessful intent.
I’d much rather be overly punitive here. Let’s not forget that what we’re talking about is the health and well-being not only of human beings, but of the League’s product itself.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And you aren’t putting anyone in jail. You aren’t taking away their livelihood. You aren’t materially altering the rest of their lives. I’d rather err on the side of a false positive in this context, where I wouldn’t come down like that when we are talking about criminal sanctions.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
You aren’t taking away their livelihood.
You are taking away not insignificant amounts of salary, though, which has to be considered. It’s a big part of the reason the PA won’t stand for stiffer suspensions.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
Not really that significant when you consider league minimum is over half a million.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
*
Unless you get suspended for over half a season, in which case you certainly earned it and I have no sympathy.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
A one-game suspension requires a player to forefit 1.2% of their salary. For someone at league minimum, that’s nearly a $6100 fine.
For a person making 40,000, a comparable fine would be nearly $500. Two games is nearly $1000.
I don’t think it’s insignificant, either way you look at it.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
Further to this point, I’d like to see the NHL scale the disciplinary fines as a percentage of player salary. Peg it at half a percentage point of a player’s annual salary.
Then again, the PA would never, ever, ever agree to that.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
Are we actually debating whether to use a punitive measure because the players might find its effects “significant?”
It won’t work unless they do!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
This really nailed it for me re: punishing intent and the burden of proof. I think all of us would rather live with the possibility that a millionaire lost a couple of game checks than the possibility that a preventable death or maiming marginalized the sport to the level of MMA status. We don’t all want to go the way of Brashear.
Really? Almost all of the season (or even career) ending injuries this year were from bad hits or collisions in the game. Outlaw fighting and you haven’t eliminated anything related to those injuries other than on-the-ice retaliation.
"Neuvy was eating pucks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
by SeattleCapsFan on Jun 7, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m not saying that the most injuries are done due to fighting, but every injury because of a fight is one that can be eliminated easily.
And I’m also not saying I’m against fighting.
Then I have no idea what you’re saying.
"Neuvy was eating pucks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
by SeattleCapsFan on Jun 7, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
So… the best way to eliminate fighting-incurred injuries is to eliminate fighting. Makes sense. Not sure what the point is, but it’s hard to argue against.
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by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well, I think that we’re all looking at ways to decrease injuries in the NHL, mostly the head-shot kind that are not as easily diagnosed or easily treated. Well, a lot of head injures are caused by fighting and many careers are ended because of it.
How many counts as a lot for you? I’m sure it’s a significant minority compared to people that were hurt on dirty checks, or even clean ones.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Right, but you can get rid of all those fight-related head (and hand) injuries without all this back-and-forth.
This seems out of left field. I’m not even sure where fighting came from, or what back-and-forth you are talking about. You could do a lot of things to negate injuries, why focus on fighting?
And again, what is a lot? I can think of fewer than 5 careers that were ended by fighting, and that’s being very liberal with my definition (like I’ll even count Fedoruk on that list). Kypreos is the only guy I can think of whose career literally ended by a fight.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
This is the problem with message boards — I often “post” messages in my head but not on the computer and then come up with a reply (to, yes, an unposted message) and then it looks strange.
My point was — and one that I was missing — was that head injuries happen all the time and it has been and will continue to be difficult to police everything. Whether it’s on-ice (penalties) or off (suspensions), there is going to be a huge gray area.
However, there is one large part of the game that does cause serious injury that can be regulated and it hasn’t been, and there doesn’t seem to be much call for it. And that’s fighting.
As far as career-ending concussions due to fighting, Adam Deadmarsh was one I remember. Stu Grimson. Boogard was out with a concussion when he died (though that’s a stretch, I know).
And I’m sure that there are other players whose careers ended because of the number of concussions they sustained while fighting. Matthew Barnaby said that was the reason he retired in an interview just a month ago.
Although when you consider that Barnaby only had a job in the NHL because he was a pain in the ass and would fight, I’m not sure how sympathetic I am. Guys like Deadmarsh and Kypreos were at least justified beyond their ability to exchange in face-punching contests. They were an actual loss to the game. I also thought Deadmarsh had concussion issues before fighting.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Barnaby was ten times the player that Nick Kypreos was, and that’s coming from a Leafs fan. His role was pretty much exclusively as a fighter.
Deadmarsh may have had previous issues, but his career was KOed (get it?) by one last fight that he couldn’t come back from.
And I bet that concussions are much more common in fighting than in your standard hard check and maybe even in a dirty check from behind.
I must be confusing Kypreos with someone else. I thought he was a stay at home D.
If Deadmarsh already had concussion issues, I’m not willing to blame fighting. (D’ohboy should weigh in here. I’m sure he kept close tabs on Deadmarsh’s entire career. Winterhomer.)
I don’t know how you can support that statement. Even if you can show that as a percentage there are more concussions from fighting, as an absolute number there is no way it’s true.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I would never say absolute number because there just aren’t that many fights any more, and most of them are nothing more than two guys grabbing onto each other. But I think that a lot of players get really hurt fighting, whether it’s a blow to the head or something else (like Hall in Edmonton).
If the NHL is serious about concussions, and they should be, then fighting should probably be eliminated.
Not unless ending fighting prevents more concussions than it causes. There’s at least an argument that allowing more self-policing would reduce concussions.
If the NHL was serious about concussions, and they should be, then hitting should probably be eliminated.
(And nevermind that the major injuries from fighting are almost all hands/wrists or Todd Fedoruk’s jaw.)
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
That argument doesn’t fly, because other sports (football, rugby) are full of hitting and there are rarely fights and retribution.
Which argument? None of the other sports have guys playing with weapons at all times.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Weapons? Is that the stick or the skates? Because the use of a stick as a weapon pretty much would mean a 40-game suspension now.
Stick is a weapon. People use it as such all the time. 2 minute penalties are not enough of a deterrent, even a 5 isn’t. Back in the day if you used your stick like a cheap shit you’d get grabbed and have to fight. Now the instigator protects guys who want to do cheap shit with the stick.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I’m not sure it’s the instigator. I think it’s just the nature of not dressing goons, and if you do, giving them minimal TOI.
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Personally, I’d like to see the league open fighting up. I think the instigator penalty (and its idiotic enforcement in today’s NHL) causes injuries.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly. When gutless punks can throw elbows out and not have to fear getting punched in the face the problem gets worse, not better.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Of course not. They were just handled in a different manner. And it was a lot harder to be a Patrick Kaleta type where you run around throwing cheap shots and never have to answer for yourself. I’d like to see a return to the world where Patrick Kaleta has to fight after a scumbag move.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Can you even believe the commentary from the PHI announcers? At least twice accusing Sandstrom of diving, when it’s pretty clear he ate a crosscheck to the face.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
What is the reason for the likes of Dave Brown playing in the NHL? Not just 20 years ago, but today there are still plenty. Kaleta, Cooke, et al, at least have some talent.
Less talent back then. More acceptance of outright thuggery, I guess. I’d love to see Kaleta and Cooke have to share the ice with Dave Brown.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Seriously. If my options are an NHL where Dave Brown has a contract, and an NHL where Matt Cooke has a contract, I’ll take Brown every time.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait… you’d rather have a guy with little or no talent who crosschecked guys in the face over a guy with a decent amount of talent who elbows a guy?
To be clear, I prefer the entire Brown package to the entire Cooke package
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
The Sandstrom analogy was a bad one because Brown didn’t do it with the gloves (even though Brown was more of a fighter than a stick guy), but there was a general sentiment in hockey that Sandstrom was one of the dirtiest players in hockey with his stick, etc. Some on the board will recall his head butt of Bobby Carpenter. He was similar to Kaleta and some of the guys mentioned above as cowardly. It’s too bad that Brown used the stick instead of his fists to make the point. But in either case, many believed the Brown shot on Sandstrom was an example of the game policing itself, which is the principal argument of fighting proponents (and a legitimate one).
Yeah, YouTube has a few clips of Sandstrom clipping people. Hard to tell with the quality back then but it looks like there was a good one of him getting Carlyle in the head with his stick. I did know he had a bit of a reputation as dirty with the stick, but I was too young to remember too many examples back when he was playing. Most of what I know about him is from video games.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Your League product comment is the part that boggles my mind. Teams have tens of millions of dollars invested in these guys, yet they waiver on eliminating head shots, suspensions, etc.? Is the fear that people will stop watching if there’s less chance of decapitation?
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 7, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
*
But not because of analogies drawn to the criminal code.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
One could argue that incapacitation should play a much greater role in NHL discipline policy in the playoffs, particularly since bad blood between the teams leads to things like the finger taunting (which was kind of awesome) and Raffi Torres trying to take off guys’ heads (which is less awesome).
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
That’s a fair point in this context, but gets a bit over-protective, IMO.
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I only thought of it because the refs started handing out misconducts like Oprah last night. “YOU get a misconduct! And YOU get a misconduct!”
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
by Wheeler on Jun 7, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
As for this "Horton bears responsibility for looking up argument…"
That’s ridiculous. Players need to protect themselves from events that might occur up to the fringe of legality and maybe slightly beyond. That hit was far beyond that.
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I visited the Canucks SB site last night and a lot of the posters were regurgitating the " he shouldn’t be admiring his pass" line as a defense for the hit. Of course, it completely ignored the reality that Horton was actually looking to receive a return pass in the slot when he got blindsided.
I figured ‘Nucks fans would say that, but Nucks Misconduct has usually been pretty reasonable in my experience. I’d like to think the day after the sane posters would have retaken the site and wouldn’t be justifying that hit. I haven’t checked, though.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It was pretty much a litany of “that’s a clean hit”, “it wasn’t late”, “this is why the NHL sucks”, etc. I was tempted to ask them how they’d feel if it was Henrik Sedin absorbing that hit from Boychuk, but figured it wasn’t worth the effort.
No way Sedin would take that hit. He’d have flopped before Boychuk got close.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Are they always like this? Or is this “playoff mode” for them? Maybe this time the east coast bias is keeping people from realizing they flop around so much.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
they flopped their way through the regular season.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
100 games isn’t enough.
Come on now. That was a bad hit with an even worse result, but that was far from the worst hit we’ve seen this season, much less ever. But I agree that Rome is going to get off easy and unfortunately is likely going to skate again this series.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t mean for the act, I’m saying there is no way to make it even given the loss Boston suffered.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Boston can suck it. Screw those jerks.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup. And yet I’m still rooting for them. My Boston friends will be insufferable and I’d still rather deal with that than see Burrows, Torres, Lapierre and the clown crew raise the Cup.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You and Becca might need your own support system.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
I don’t like the Poti deal…
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but then you are punishing the result. Or are you going to go down the road that hits on star players should be punished more harshly than hits on grinders?
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m just pissed that there can be no justice. I’m pissed it’s gotten this far. I’m not actually saying that Rome deserves 100 games, he obviously doesn’t. But no matter what happens, VAN is the clear winner in this transaction and it is going to have a real effect on the competitive make up of the rest of this series. It’s just shitty.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Yeah, well shit happens. Particularly in the playoffs.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, but things could have been done to prevent this situation. Prevent the incentive for Rome to go head hunting on a more valuable player, etc.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Yeah, it really is about incentives. I’m just not sure how to change them without screwing things up massively in other ways.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 7, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Start by removing layers of regulations. Not adding layers of regulations to cover the mistakes you’ve already made. (What governing body am I referring to?!)
I’d go with Gouldie and allow people to fight someone after a borderline hit without fear of the instigator. I’d also punish any hit that was from behind or targeted the head, regardless of whether the guy got off the ice under his own power. I think those two are a good start.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So we’re back to they should have suspended Burrows. Because everyone said oh you can’t do that because it’s the Finals, so that pretty much said you can do whatever you want in the wild, wild west. Nice job, Murphy, just like your boss. Shanahan’s got some serious work cut out for him.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Burrows is irrelevant to this play, IMO. This goes back to the NHL’s long history of terrible application of supplementary discipline and inability to consistently crackdown on dangerous hits to the head.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s both. The hit to the head is the main issue, sure. But if you don’t suspend when there are suspendable offenses, who’s going to take you seriously?
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Yeah, it’s both. Would suspending Burrows have changed what Rome did? Likely not. But having a more systematic and consistent punishment for dangerous/dirty play might have. It’s not just the Burrows hit. There were lots of dangerous hits all post-season. Would suspending Torres for targeting Seabrook’s head in the first round have made a difference? Maybe. At the very least it wouldn’t have sent the message that it’s OK for Torres et. al. to continue to go out there trying to brain their opponents. Judging by the elbow Torres tossed last night, I think he’s internalized that message. (Though maybe not, since he’s always been a head hunter. Though maybe so, since he hasn’t been punished nearly as much as he should for head hunting. And his vicious, dirty hit on Michalek several years ago is still applauded as a play that turned that series around. Oooooh, yey, a tough ol’ Canadian boy takes off the head of some sissy Euro in the neutral zone and it changes the course of a playoff series. Yes, that’s exactly the kind of behavior we want to condone in our sport.)
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I don’t think anything will teach Torres. Much like nothing will teach Cooke (or Ruutu or Kaleta etc)
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Well at least pretty ‘em up a little bit. How ya’ like me now, chinstrap.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I am fully behind this line of thinking.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Oooooh, yey, a tough ol’ Canadian boy takes off the head of some sissy Euro in the neutral zone and it changes the course of a playoff series. Yes, that’s exactly the kind of behavior we want to condone in our sport.
Well when all of the Canadian hockey world considers Bobby Clarke a Summit Series hero…
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Might that source be Dr. Mark Recchi?
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
I’m pretty sure Dr. Nick could have accurately made that diagnosis.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not for nothing, but the team certainly made sure to get that info out there for the public to chew on and spit out in advance of Rome’s hearing this morning…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Can you blame them, since it so clearly matters?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Absolutely not – savvy move. It’s just an interesting note, as an observer of these things.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Looking at the Goalie Guild depth chart reminds me once again that the Caps shouldn’t use their first round pick on a goalie this year. Lots of first round goalies littering the bottom of the depth charts. Chet Pickard has fallen all the way to last in NSH’s system. Oof.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
JLikens has been posting frequently as of late.
If I were to issue a conclusion, it would be that although some teams over or underperform in the playoffs relative to their regular season results, this appears to be mostly the product of normal statistical variation. There isn’t much support for the idea that there exists an ability to perform in the playoffs that is independent and separate from the ability to perform during the regular season.
Predicting playoff success, P2
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
So any interpretations fans/media make about “playoff players/teams” is just trying to apply a narrative to normal random occurrences in our lives?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
___
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
How, then, does one explain decades of consistent performance below that which their regular season results would suggest? That isn’t “normal statistical variation” as it is “suckitude bias.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
His sample only goes back to 1988, for one, and some team has to come up short, right?
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
If you guys are hungry for more prospect profiles, ILWT has been compiling reports from different sources for many players, some high, some low.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
Anyone interesting so far? Like, anyone we’ve talked about?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Just copying from here…most guys I haven’t heard of. I suppose many are “trade up to select” candidates.
Rasmus Bengtsson, Ryan Strome, Sam Jardine, Nick Bligh, Ryan Murphy, Combine—Days 1 and 2 recaps, Dillon Simpson, Magnus Hellberg, Jonathan Huberdeau, Gustav Bjorkland, Zachary Yuen, Peter McMullen, Zac Larraza, Matt Killian, Interview with Kirk Luedeke (Bruins Draft Watch), Couturier vs Huberdeau, Larsson
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 7, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll have to look at these later…Interested in reading the Jardine write-up..
A couple of relation notes:
Peter McMullen is the grandson of former Devils’ owner, the late John McMullen; headed to play at BC.
Dillon Simpson is the son of former NHLr Craig Simpson; just completed his freshman year at UND.
Just FYI, I’ve come to know the guys over there, they’re the best. They’ll give you detailed, in-depth reports on players you probably wouldn’t get reports from otherwise.
DownGoesAvery. Check out the hockey blog that's shaking the world: Down Goes Avery and on Twitter (@DownGoesAvery ).
by DownGoesAvery on Jun 7, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Just a thought, but is anyone else looking at Brad Marchand and seeing what Chris Bourque could have been?
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
by Wheeler on Jun 7, 2011 10:25 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Not Chris Bourque, specifically. Just a good hockey player that is a pain in the ass to play against. Why do you see Bourque, height?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Yep. I even thought as much when I saw them go head-to-head back in ’09 during the Providence-Hershey series.
What a waste of good genes.
Armareddon.
Understand why the focus is on the hit, but the dumbest thing from last night, IMO, was the post-game comment (or comments) from a Bruins player/players that they wanted to win for Horton after the hit…uh, right, it’s the Stanley Cup Finals and you didn’t want to win the game before the hit???? I don’t think so…
SlavaMalamud Slava Malamud
by SWhyno
Sport-Express reports: Bryzgalov NOT talking to SKA at this moment, is looking at Philly, TBL and Washington. No further details.
One of these teams is not like the others….
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
More from Slava Malamud:
Correction: Sport-Express report mentions Toronto, not TB. “Toronto, Philly favored in Bryz sweepstakes, but Wash in it, too.” Fascinating
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Not really. They could be, just like anyone, but goaltending didn’t get them eliminated this year and it didn’t keep them from the SCF last year.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I disagree about this year. Their team GGA in the playoffs was 3.19, with an 894 save percentage. That is not good at all.
And while Boucher and Leighton played very well in last year’s playoffs, they were both performing way above their head.
So you clearly didn’t watch the Boston series. Their team was dominated. Go back and look at how many soft goals there were. A few, sure, but not enough to change the outcome of even a single game in that series. The Kreijci line absolutely dominated PHI.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Right and they played a seriously offensively anemic team in Buffalo in the first round and still put up mediocre goalie numbers.
There were more soft goals that series, but it still didn’t cost them. And, again, a whole lot of that has to do with the D being porous.
And since when did “offensively anemic” mean “9th in the league in goals per game”?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
They were missing Drew Stafford and Derek Roy and Pominville missed a lot of the series with injury. They were anemic in the playoffs.
They missed Roy all year! They missed Stafford for 20 games. Pomminville for 10. Only had Boyes for 21. So now “anemic” means “because RCheli says so and their past reputation tends to corroborate my assertion in a way that most people won’t think to challenge even if they did end up scoring at the 9th best rate in the league.” I remember reading basically this exact argument at PPP last off-season. I guess this year it’s BUF’s turn.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
The original argument here was that the Flyers need goaltending. Okay? And they need someone better than Bobrovsky or Boucher or Leighton. And while they can hope that their goalie goes on a hot streak like they did last year, the more prudent thing to do is to get someone that is an All-Star caliber guy.
they need someone better than Bobrovsky or Boucher or Leighton… the more prudent thing to do is to get someone that is an All-Star caliber guy.
(Sidenote: nice SEO work there…)
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That guy just pulled numbers out of his ass.
And I’m not saying that they need a big-name goalie. They need a better goalie.
Well you did specifically say they have to go after Bryz.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Sure. But he’s not only a big name, but he’s better, too. There are plenty of big name guys that aren’t worth it. I mean, Cam Ward is a pretty big name, and he’s not worth it.
He’s better than what they have, though. So now what do you mean? Isn’t a discussion of whether he’s “worth” it going down the line of thought I discussed below?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Maybe. But Philadelphia allocates their salary really badly, and they can fix it because, other than one or two contracts (Pronger and Briere), their expensive guys are ones that other teams would be willing to go after.
They have the money if they’re willing to part with excess parts.
Cam Ward’s a pretty damn good goalie.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That guy just pulled numbers out of his ass.
Not sure I agree. The idea is that, as far as we can tell, having, say, Bryz instead of Bob means a handful of goals saved over the past year, which isn’t all that big, and that the Flyers’ problem this year was not goaltending by an means.
And I’m not saying that they need a big-name goalie. They need a better goalie.
Couldn’t everyone use a better goalie? Boucher is an established NHL-caliber goalie (think Neuvirth on aggregate…not a knock on the latter, but praise for the former). Bob is still unknown, but his totals look promising and he may not be all that far off from Varly (though I think he may be 2 years behind Varly). That’s not fantastic, but it’s not terrible, and wasn’t really so different from our situation this past season. I’m dead serious.
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting point. The Flyers’ goalie situation is somewhat comparable to the Caps except that they had the benefit of using a tandem which I think helped by not overworking either Varly or Neuvy over the course of the season.
I think Bob has promise (and he does remind me of a less experienced Varly), but that he got worn out by the grind of the season. Sort of the way we worried by how much Neuvy had to play back in October and November.
I do think that the Flyers goalie situation (or how it was handled) during the playoffs was abysmal. None of the three seemed confident for a decent stretch. I agree it’s not why they lost. But it certainly didn’t help.
The grain of sand that has become a pearl for us is that the media is now going to be all over the Flyers and how they need to acquire a top goalie for the upcoming season. I got thoroughly tired of that Caps meme this past season.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 8, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it more prudent? How much money are they going to have to allocate? How much does that impact the rest of the roster? Is that a net positive move, lateral, or backwards? How far behind average are the goalies they are going to ice next year, specifically Bob? How much better than average do they need if they can stack their lineup again?
It’s easy to say the Flyers need better goaltending. Everyone and their brother has said it. But the fact is this year and last year they succeeded or failed regardless of the goaltending. They won with bad goaltending, they lost because their skaters weren’t very good this year. You have to go beyond “they need a better goalie” and consider the ripple effect in a cap world.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
There is a two way dynamic in that which perhaps uniquely worked to Boston’s advantage in that series. They might have dominated because they know that even if they allowed more frequent breaks the other way, and Thomas allowed the odd goal or two, what they had in goal was a lot better than what the other guys had. If Thomas allowed an extra goal or two, they might have felt they could more than make that up with the weaknesses at the other end of the ice.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Maybe, that stuff has been posited for a long time and lots of players swear by the effect a goalie has on the team. But at the end of the day, that kind of domination isn’t goalie fueled. If PHI was worried about their goalie they’d have played tighter in front of him. They were letting quality chance after quality chance after quality chance. Maybe there was an impact on their vigor in the counterattack, but I don’t think it explains the in-zone domination BOS was able to carry.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
and adding a goalie like Bryz is going to cost them, both in terms of money and having to jettison players to fit under the cap. the cost of Bryz? a top d-man? a scorer? You add Bryz, you lose somewhere else.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
OK, let’s connect some dots here and nip this in the bud.
Toronto supposedly wants Bryz. Who’s Toronto’s GM? Brian Burke. The same Brian Burke that flat out waived Bryzgalov from the Ducks after trying his darndest to trade him. The same Brian Burke who is ol’ chums with George McPhee… who didn’t put in a claim for Bryzgalov, despite the Caps arguably needing a goalie and Bryz arguably being a good fit.
Bryzgalov won’t be a Leaf. Or a Cap.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Bidding war tactics?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Likely. But they’ve created an alleged market that is very easily debunked.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, but with the goalie market in the state it is, they have to try something, no?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Speaking of market… if Vokoun and Bryzgalov were asking for the same deal and you needed one, whom would you pick?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But if Giguere retires, Toronto could be a great fit for him. Gustavsson’s health issues make him unreliable, and I don’t think Reimer’s ready for 50-60 games.
"I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." - Michal Neuvirth, 02.06.11.
I agree with the masses that this is likely an agent/budding war move.
I disagree about Burke/Bryz in terms of their history and a possible future in Toronto due to that rltp, I don’t think there’s any problem there from what went down at that time…at that point and time, there wasn’t a spot for Bryz as a starter and Burke in one of his crazy moves, I actually believe him when he says that he told the player he’d put him on waivers if there wasn’t a trade available.
Has there ever been any follow-up to indicate there are any issues in the relationship between Burke and Bryz?
Burke could have held on to him and made him miserable…there weren’t any cap issues for the time at that point and time if I recall correctly.
What’s interesting regarding Bryzgalov is his not wanting to re-sign with Phoenix with the unknowns. Has there been any info./rumors as to what Phx/GM Maloney offered?
I thought it was simply he didn’t want to go to Winnipeg. Now that it isn’t an issue, would he re-sign in Phoenix, or are they looking elsewhere?
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
My understanding is that Bryzgalov is still uninterested in a multi-year deal with Phx due to the continuing unknowns.
Would there be fewer unknowns if he was made aware of the fact that Kansas City has a lovely parks system?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Has there ever been any follow-up to indicate there are any issues in the relationship between Burke and Bryz?
I am not aware of any publicly documented information that would lead to that conclusion, no.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Thanks for the reply. No doubt the circumstances behind Bryz being waived and the Caps not claiming him has been covered, both rumor and fact online, and Bryz is a character, unique individual; I just didn’t have the same impression/understanding as you related to the Bryz/Burke rltp.
and McKenzie supports JP’s view re. Toronto…
TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie
@
@JapersRink Agreed on both counts. Bryzgalov and Leaf goalie coach Allaire have no use for each other. It’s a non- starter.
by sk84fun_dc on Jun 7, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Whoa. That’s a bit of a holy shit moment for me, personally.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
wow, congrats
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I wondered if it was when I saw it.
Bob McKenzie follows you on twitter for hockey coverage? You done made it, son.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 7, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh. I wouldn’t go that far. He probably follows me for my craft beer tweets.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I thought it was the potato chip tweets, personally.
:: pours a little out ::
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Good news! Got a bag of the same ones today and they all made it into my tummy.
/OT
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Kevin Bieksa on the hit, via PD
“I saw the replays. I couldn’t tell by the replay if it was late or not. But obviously it was shoulder-on-shoulder. There was nothing dirty that way. There was no a shoulder to the head or an elbow to the head. I guess it was the impact [that injured him].”
“The hit itself was a clean hit in my mind. It was shoulder-on-shoulder,” he continued. “I hope there isn’t [as suspension]. But the League’s done a good job so far.”
Couldn’t tell if it was late? Couldn’t see any head contact? I’m not sure Bieksa actually did watch the hit again, to be honest.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
it’s a play he sees on teevee 80 times a year.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
shoulder on shoulder? Funny, I didn’t know “jaw” had been re-named “shoulder”
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Right, because everyone gets a serious concussion from a hit to the shoulder. Like that old song, “the shoulder bone’s connected to the head bone.”
Right, because everyone gets a serious concussion from a hit to the shoulder.
See? That’s why I was holding my head after Ference hit my shoulder.
Sincerely,
D. Sedin
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
There was head contact on the hit, but I still think the majority of the damage to the head came when his head nailed the ice on the fall. So in that sense, yes someone can get a serious concussion from a hit to the shoulder.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the way that Horton hit the ice head first that could have been a completely clean, shoulder to shoulder hit on a player with the puck and he still would have had his brain scrambled.
But Bieksa is way off on his description of the hit. Not surprising as he is talking about a teammate.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Does Horton have a better chance to defend himself as he falls if he isn’t hit right on the chin with initial contact? If Rome doesn’t jump into the hit?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Who knows. There are tons of what-ifs with any specific hit. Point is that it is entirely possible to get a concussion from a clean open ice hit, and saying “he got a concussion so it was a dirty hit” isn’t particularly fruitful analysis.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
No, but I don’t think I said that. It was a dirty hit, and it resulted in a concussion. And it swings the balance of power in this series. And Aaron Rome was a BOS scoring chance waiting to happen. Hopefully his replacement is even worse.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It won’t be. It’s going to be Tanev and/or Ballard. They are both better than Rome.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
But for some reason not dressing… it would be great for Ballard to have some redemption, but I don’t want to see him help VAN win anything.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It’s similar to the Boudreau-Fleischmann lovefest – there are better options but he has a total hard-on for an ineffective player.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting. I thought it was more Ballard being in the dog house than a love for Rome.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
A little from column A, a little from column B.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Precisely.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
slightly OT, the Olympic tv contract should be announced very soon according to the updates I am seeing from Darren Rovell and others.
Buccigross John Buccigross
"NBC/Comcast keeps the Olympics…Four Games Deal"
Interesting as some people were starting to speculate that NBC might lose the deal…anyway, relevant for sports fans and for hockey fans going forward…good and bad
darrenrovell darren rovell
AP says that NBC/Comcast has won the Olympic Games for 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2020
Everyone’s already apoplectic over the time differential between Sochi and the US (particularly the East Coast, of course). Here are your bidders for 2018 – France, Germany and South Korea.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
What, Brad Richards’ next contract?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
no, the salary cap for next season, as proposed by the Philadelphia Flyers. now they’ll certainly be able to afford Bryz without decimating the team and the Pronger contract won’t bite them in the ass!
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
by RedBirdie on Jun 7, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Doesn’t he wish.
Olympics 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020. Hitting the up button a couple of times would have answered that.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
He wants a ton of money, and to go to a city where Hockey isn’t always in the local spotlight. I’m not really sure how many places can accommodate that. Seems like one or the other has to give, no?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
and presumably he also wants to have a legitimate shot at winning a Cup. Narrows it even further.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
NYR
LA (?)
BOS
WSH (stretch)
PHI
That’s my list. Top four are set in goal, the last doesn’t have the money.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
NYR, BOS (now that they are good) and PHI definitely have hockey in the spotlight. Athletes in those cities, especially high paid ones, get tons of public attention. I could see LAK being a fit if Lombardi wants to fork over the dough. But he’s got his own cap pitfalls to negotiate right now and I’m not sure how rich the team is, in reality.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
(psst — snark)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
possible 4 games remaining in NHL playoffs and a 4 game suspension for Rome…glad the NHL took this seriously, but if this was the Pronger situation from a few seasons ago, does anyone believe he’d get more than 1 game? The player involved made this easier for the League, IMO.
Looks like Ballard’s in now.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup, gutless. You finally react and you throw the book at a 6D to show people you are doing something after you turn a blind eye to shit all playoffs and even in this series cop out with a gutless excuse as to how Burrows didn’t deserve to be suspended.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I hope we stop seeing these type hits, but if another happens and it involves a name player…precedent set, I hope.
I hope. If it’s a dawn of a new day, then Ok. I’m just pissed that it got to the point where a 7/8D gets to hurt an impact player, take him out of the playoffs, and then the league decides to send a message. There were plenty of hits leading up to this that could have set the standard.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
If the series goes less than seven, I assume that carries over to opening night next season, no?
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Yes.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Buccigross John Buccigross
“NBC/Comcast keeps the Olympics…Four Games Deal”
Interesting as some people were starting to speculate that NBC might lose the deal…anyway, relevant for sports fans and for hockey fans going forward…good and bad
Four games for Rome. I said two to four. I’m actually surprised it’s four.
Done for series. Coincidence? I think not.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
A four game suspension feels about right. It’s probably for the best on both sides, because if Rome was on the ice again in this series, I think there would be a guaranteed fight-likely-brawl once the puck dropped. There’s no need to turn up the animosity further.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Regarding the talk about posters over at NM higher up in the Clips, they all agree with the suspension for the most part and are fine with it.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have loved if that puck went in. I also love how Eddie O was saying that was blatant goalie interference on Sedin. He couldn’t have possibly been rooting harder for Boston last night.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I fucking loved that play.
He couldn’t have possibly been rooting harder for Boston last night.
Me either!
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 7, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Well it’s much more obnoxious when it is the TV analyst who is openly rooting for a team and skewing all of his observations and analysis.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, he was just as skewed in game 2 when Vancouver won. Unless he changed allegiances after game 2…
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Maybe it’s just that Edzo sucks at his job.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn’t listening to the volume during Game 2, but last night his bias went far beyond just praising Boston over Vancouver (which they completely deserved). He was actively calling for penalties on Vancouver (like calling for a GI penalty on Sedin in the above clip) and praising dirty hits by Boston (a Sedin was hit without the puck and clearly after the whistle on an icing call and Edzo called it a good clean hit).
But I would be willing to buy that he is just terrible at his job.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 7, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
This wouldn’t be the first time I disagreed with Edzo’s definition of “a good clean hit.”
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Edzo was rooting for the Rags in the series against us. But if he sucks, where does that leave Pierre McGuire?
Pierre blows?
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I think McGuire gets overly excited, especially on TV, but I don’t him as much as I used to, and certainly not as much as I think others do. Especially on the radio (which I haven’t listened to in months) he’s really good.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Much better on Radio.
My critiique is that he wants everyone to know how much he knows and how connected he is. He is related to Scotty Bowman, which is how he got into the NHL as a head coach.
And he loves the active stick thing. So does Edzo…
I think it’s probably the Dan Bylsma love affair that I find most vapid.
He definitely has his love affairs, but I don’t get the impression that he’s trying to show off. I think he really just loves hockey, like a sick amount. I can appreciate that.
The only people that don’t like an active stick are the people that don’t have one.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Judging by yesterday’s pics and his improved defensive stats, I think we can conclude that Mike Green has gotten the active stick message…
by JPN888 on Jun 7, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Anything to make sure Mike Green stays active.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 7, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
wyshynski Greg Wyshynski
“Per Murphy: Rome will be allowed on the ice for a Cup celebration.”
Does anyone have an issue with this? I don’t.
Might be a quick celebration if the ’Nucks close out in 6.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
No, I think that’s the right thing to do – don’t take away something the guy’s worked most of his life for because he made a bad spur-of-the-moment decision.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yes, pretty much where I stand on this….reason I hesitated was thinking back to the Domi/NJD incident a few years ago. At some point, if it’s a non-hockey play and blatant, I think maybe I’d change my mind, but tough to figure out where that line is.
Agreed. Dude goes into the stands to fight a fan? I’d keep him off the ice for the celebration. But most of what happens on the ice is probably going to fall in the “spur-of-the-moment” stuff.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
She’s talking about the elbow to Niedermayer’s chin totally away from the play.
It also turned the series around and gave NJD a ton of emotion and momentum to come from behind to win the series. Ass.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I know the play – that’s why I said “most of what happens.” That would be a tough call.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ok, my bad. Thought I was clarifying. I think what Domi did was so egregious that even if TOR had won and gone on to win the Cup I think I’d be fine with telling him to sit in the owner’s box for the celebration.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I’d have to think about it a bit. It would make me throw up in my mouth to see a guy who did that happily hoisting the Cup a couple of weeks later. Of course, not as embarrassing as if Gary Bettman had to hand the Cup to Chris Clark, but still pretty bad.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So it is not new for NHL people to be consulted before some of these suspensions are finalized, but if Burke was consulted, I sure hope other GMs were spoken to as well. Just because Burke formerly was in the position of League disciplinarian does not change that he is a former employee of the Canucks and is the GM of Toronto.
Sounds like Shanahan was involved in the decision, which is not surprising.
I believe Burke was consulted because he suspended Claude Lemieux in 1996 playoffs when he was head disciplinarian.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
I know the historical reason they talked to him, but I don’t agree given the 15 years later aspect, his history in that 15 years and his current role. If they spoke to a number of GMs, then fine, but shouldn’t speak to him in the context of his history in that role, IMO.
Personally I don’t have an issue with them consulting Burke (and no other GMs), even 15 yrs later.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
And it was much more vicious than the Rome hit.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
and discipline from 16 years ago and not during the finals…still don’t see the connection…who was in charge when the suspension for Milbury was handed out…
Right, I’m with you. I guess I can see why they talked to him, I just don’t think the situations are all that similar. I’d hope they asked more than “how did you deal with all the heat from suspending a guy in the playoff?” I also wish that wasn’t a concern of theirs.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
@DarrenDreger: Talked to Brian Burke. He says his discussion with Mike Murphy was entirely procedural. He was not asked for opinion on Rome hit.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
woot. My ignorant speculation (below) was correct
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Found the tweet:
@FriedgeHNIC: Murphy: Brian Burke was consulted, because of his experience in suspending Claude Lemieux in 1996
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
It’s entirely possible that this consultation was in the nature of “we’ve already decided what we think of the severity Rome’s hit and generally what we want to do about it, and want to talk to Burke about the logistics of how that was handled last time.” If so, it’s particularly innocuous. I think this is no big deal.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 7, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank you, JP
Richer. RICHER! I kept thinking it was Sylvain Turgeon who camp to camp for a couple days and promptly retired—but when I looked him up there was no mention of it.
It was Richer, wasn’t it… Thank you. It’s been bugging me for months.
We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?
…but then I’d be weak and feel shame.
We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?
by bilspacecadet on Jun 7, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I recall being disappointed, frustrated at the time, but then learning about his depression issues, understood a bit more what happened.
Is that what it was? Good to know. I had always thought it was a case of, “Have I sunk low that I have to play for the Capitals? F it—I’m retiring.”
We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?
by bilspacecadet on Jun 7, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Question (for my hockey trivia edification): What player, in a single season, had a) the largest gap between goals and assists with b) more goals than assists?
The largest one I can think of is the gap of 24 between Peter Bondra’s 52-goal, 28 assist season. Adam Graves also had a 38 goal, 15 assist season, which is the next biggest I can remember. Anyone know of a bigger gap?
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
In 75-76 Reggie Leach had 61 goals and 30 assists.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 7, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Joe Malone had 44 goals and only 4 assists — in 1917-18
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Of course, after the introduction of the forward pass, such lopsided statistical totals went by the wayside.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
Yea. You didn’t specify time frame so I figured I’d throw it out there.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
54 goals, 101 points and a minus 27! holy crap
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
70 goals, 39 assists, 31 differential is the largest one; still smaller than McDonald’s 66 goal, 32 assist, 34 differential season.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
D’oh.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
You made me do the math :)
looks like he had a 31 pt differential in another season…he might win the title and the record for most appearances in the top 10
I’m confident Gretzky and his crazy record season is the record the other direction, but I think Adam Oates’ goal assist differential during that same 1990-91 season as Hull’s 41 above with the Blues is a candidate for non-Gretzky assists minus goals honors. I guess I’d have to check Oates’ stats and Ron Francis’ stats.
WHL/BIke Ride./Fundraiser and DK King, among others…so much one can do with this quote – I know it’s not the same, but I think they’ve ridden a bike plenty the last few years :)
"…Guys like D.J. King and Darcy Hordichuk rode the entire thing. They stuck it out and that’s not an easy ride. Guys who have never really ridden bikes did really well."
http://www.whl.ca/article/players-embark-on-whl-ride-for-the-kids
Read something the other day which made it sound like Caps prospect Garrett Mitchell might right in a stretch of this, as well.
Colby Armstrong’s tweets made it sound like it was pretty rough on the old undercarriage.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
Colby Armstrong once played with a guy who made it pretty rough on Boris Valabik’s undercarriage…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 7, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Colby Armstrong is an undercarriage.
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 7, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Winnipeg’s harsh reality check when it comes to NHL tickets in 2011 continues. They’re not going to be happy until ever season ticket owner can show proper documentation that his or her family has lived in Winnipeg for 3 generations or more.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
It’s a minority no question, but the situations like the Richmond ticket broker buying tickets simply to try to re-sell them is not something I’m a fan of in general.
I think it’s reasonable that the purchased will need to be there in person to select seats, etc. If it is a worthwhile investment, the brokers can still send someone to Winnipeg to do that in person.
Chatting with a friend who lives there and ended up on the wait list, sounds like the way they allocated tickets during the Manitoba Moose pre-sale was an issue, too, before they even got to the main sale. I think they did the right thing giving Moose STHS first dibs at purchasing tickets, but there’s no easy answer on how to set limits, etc.
Did they not go with the simple “how many Moose STs you have, that’s how many tickets you can reserve”?
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
no, they allowed Moose STHers to purchase the max (which I don’t know how many that was). So, if I had 2 Moose season tickets, I could purchase, say, 8 (or whatever the maximum per account) Winnipeg seats.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I’m shocked, shocked that the Moose STHs decided to go for the quick scalping bucks then.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
It’s not all about going for scalping bucks. While you could buy an extra ticket or two to certain AHL games, locking in those seats at STH for the NHL is a deal and might be needed; in some cases, people might have purchased tickets for friends. In some cases, yes, I’m sure (actually, I know) extras were purchased solely for profit purposes.
I don’t think so and one can make arguments that some people might want to add a seat in this scenario. Sounds like they capped it at 4 seats max and gave partial season AHL package holders access to the presale in later rounds after the full STHs.
I know it’s the end of the day and no one’s reading any more, but oy:
DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
Coyotes trade Bryzgalov’s rights to Flyers.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Sounds like his salary request was completely unreasonable. Hopefully he forces PHI to move some serious pieces if they want to sign him.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
oh, I hope Bryz [Franceschetti] the Flyers real good.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
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Hope that “Caps and Leafs” silliness drove (and continues to drive) up the price.
What boobs the Flyers are.
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so far, it’s cost them Clackson and a 2012 third round pick. Conditional pick TBA. And then I hope it costs them many many many millions of dollars and the loss of a couple of key pieces (please, hockey gods, please let the cost involve Briere going to, say, Edmonton)
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Briere has a NMC, no way. Hartnell, Leino, Versteeg, Carle, Coburn. It won’t be a stud, it’ll just be one or more support pieces. For this year they may not be too messed up, but it’s gonna come, especially if Bryz gets term. Last year of JVR’s ELC.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Well, I like the move. If they can sign him, dump some salary (probably Versteeg, who will be playing for his fifth team in a little more than a season and maybe Matt Carle), this is worth it. As much as I hate them, they have a really great core of players ,and adding Bryzgolov means that have a legitimate #1 goalie for the first time since… Hextall?
I wouldn’t mind some of their support players. I like me some Versteeg, Carle, and Coburn (who I bet can “save” Green).
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Pass on Versteeg (between cost and salary), not a fan of Carle, I would take Coburn. I think Coburn is the best value there in terms of what you’d have to give up to get him and his contract status. I also think he’d be a great partner for Green.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Could somebody confirm (or deny) a story I’ve read (third hand)? There is a report that the Caps are letting Irbe go since they don’t want to pay Irbe what he’s worth. I’m hoping that particular story is wrong.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Sounds more like a story from 2001 than from 2011. I can’t imagine the goalie coach makes money on the scale of players—and surely not more than either of his goalies, right?—and that’s relatively little, right?
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure that Irbe makes less money than any of his goalies but the Caps do have a budget.
About that story, if true (and I have my doubts), apparently Irbe had told a grandparent of one the campers at a goalie camp that he was leaving and also stated his opinion of certain players. It true, it sound very unprofessional of Irbe to discuss his leaving the Caps with a camp parent (or camp grandparent) prior to it being announced by the Caps, not to mention stating opinions of certain players.
As for Irbe leaving, I’ll believe it when it’s announced or reported by a reliable source, as opposed to third hand rumor.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
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