Tuesday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jul 5, 2011 6:47 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- "This was already an exceedingly good team, and its brilliant general manager just made it one hell of a lot better." [Puck Daddy]
- See also: Hail! [Homer McFanboy]
- Also see also: Capology. [Red Line Station]
- A closer look at Tomas Vokoun and the man whose spot on the roster he's taking... [CBC]
- ... and thoughts on what it means for the man (men?) with whom he'll share the cage. [CRtC, DCEx]
- The new netminder gives an interview back home which Google brilliantly translates (pay particular attention to the Ovechkin/Neuvirth question). [iSport.cz via Google Translate]
- The Captain is happy to be back
in the United States of Americain North Americaon this side of the Atlantic. [Puck Daddy]- How happy? This happy. [@Matt_Leighton, and nice to see AO's baby is being babysat]
- Update: AO, the timeline. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- Jeff Schultz participated in a "dramatic reading" of the Declaration of Independence yesterday. Didn't see that one coming. [RMNB]
- The Caps have signed depth defenseman Danny Richmond to hopefully never play in Washington. [CI]
- Good news on good causes: the Dave Fay Memorial Hockey Game is locked and loaded for July 23. [Peerless]
- Finally, happy 33rd birthday to Chris Hajt, happy 35th to Dwayne Zinger, and happy 50th to Todd Bidner.
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$1.5 million?!?!?
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
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I imagine GMGM made this face when he threw his offer out there.
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From the iSport.cz interview
“I go into great mančaftu with major ambitions”
Don’t we all…don’t we all.
It reads like the Epic of Gilgamesh.
If you've read this far...seek help.
At the very bottom of the google translate page, in the list of “Related Articles,” I strongly disagree with the premise of the second-to-last related article (the top of the two “BLOG” posts).
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
They just have a different conception of what headings are appropriate and when.
And from that delightful article: “During the auction, free agents Jaromir Jagr began to grow tender, with Vokoun it was vice versa.” Czech translations are pure gold.
"...what're you gonna do?"
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jul 5, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
the Epic of Gilgamesh as it takes a detour through the ‘hood. I don’t recall “This is the bomb, right?” although it’s been a few years since I read 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
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I was just going to post this line. I’m still laughing, wow. Can we just refer to the Caps as The Great Mančaftu from now on?
"...what're you gonna do?"
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jul 5, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I just cannot picture Jeff Schultz doing anything “dramatically.”
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
The crowd must’ve complained that he didn’t emphasize words hard enough.
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by apk3000 on Jul 5, 2011 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
I should have volunteered to be part of our festivities that day. Oh well.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Wait a minute. I thought Schultzie didn’t read.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I’m sure this was discussed over the holiday, but the trade of Heatly for Havlat should show that not only would there be a market for Semin, but that his cap hit really isn’t all that prohibitive.
"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
Yup. Me on Twitter yesterday AM: “Btw, anyone who thought that Alex Semin was untradeable should be wholly disabused of that notion after seeing last night’s blockbuster.”
We discussed it a bit yesterday, general consensus being that Semin and what he has left on his contract is more desirable than Heatley and what’s left on his, and that if Semin’s moved, they need a roster player in return, otherwise the second line is inadequate.
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One hypothetical was Semin for Stoll and non-roster assets. Which would have the effect of upgrading Laich at 3C to Stoll at 3C, and replacing Semin at wing with Laich at wing. Now either Laich or Fehr is on the 2nd line. The improvement from Laich to Stoll at 3C seems to be much smaller than the dropoff from Semin to Fehr or Laich at wing on the second line.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I think your analysis ignores the larger “ripple effects” that would occur by adding Stoll in lieu of Semin. The delta in goal-scoring from Semin to Stoll would likely be around 15-20 goals. (Stoll looks to be about a 20G guy (/- 5), while Semin looks to be about a 35G guy (/- 5)).
First, adding Stoll should increase the production of both players on his wings. So if Laich and Brouwer end up on the second line, they’d both get a slight bump in scoring. Let’s be conservative and say that effect is 2 goals each.
Second, Stoll would have the effect of allowing the Ovechkin-Backstrom pairing more offensive zone starts, thereby increasing their offensive production. (Meanwhile, it could limit the number of defensive zone starts given to Marcus Johansson, thereby limiting his defensive liabilities.) Let’s say that Ovie and Baxter each see a bump in their scoring by around 3 goals each.
Third, Semin’s PP TOI will go to someone. Over the last four years, Semin has averaged 8 PPG/season. Let’s say that whomever replaces him only gets half of that: 4 goals.
Conservatively, we’ve replaced 14 goals of the goal delta between Semin and Stoll. Even if we assume that 2 of the PPGs in the previous paragraph go to Stoll, we’ve still replaced 12 out of 15-20 goals, and that’s with an extremely conservative projection. With the offseason additions of Hamrlik, Vokoun and Ward (not to mention the addition of Stoll and the consequent sheltering of Johansson), as well as a full healthy season from Wideman, the Caps are at least 3-8 goals better defensively. Meanwhile, the team has greater depth at a more important position.
Finally, acquiring a winger to replace some of Semin’s production at the trade deadline should be easier than attempting to find a 2C and have them get comfortable with the system and their linemates. For example: Niklas Hagman, David Jones, Milan Hejduk, Kristian Huselius, RJ Umberger, Ales Hemsky, Frans Nielsen, Ray Whitney, Mikhail Grabovski. . . are all UFAs at the end of next season on potential non-playoff teams. (Yes, I know that Grabovski is listed as a center – he’s not a center on a team with Cup aspirations, but he could be a darn good playmaking wing.)
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jul 5, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Lots of ifs there.
You’re going to see a bounce back in numbers from AO and Nick just from luck, so it’ll hard to be able to say how much came from easier D assignments.
I don’t see why you’d assume the 2W players with Stoll will score more because Stoll is there. Laich and Brouwer already got lots of ice and with better players than Stoll. Their scoring is what it is. I don’t see Stoll increasing their production at all.
The PP results are going to depend on a lot more than Semin.
Most of those wings suck and we’d be disappointed if they were our playoff cavalry. The Pens wouldn’t even trade for most of those guys.
Not really sure how you can say we need to ship out Semin on the one hand and then name Huselius, Hemsky, and Whitney as possible replacements on the other…
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
AO and Nick will see a rebound from luck, but getting them more offensive-zone starts and easy shifts will also help. If Nick continues to be the defensive stopper for the team, the offense of the top line will continue to suffer.
The 2C to start last year was Flash. Then it was Laich/Johansson/Arnott. Stoll is a better center than any of those guys and, over an entire season, I think that playing with him ought to bump the production of his wings by a couple of goals. I don’t think that’s a stretch in any way. (Were I using Semin for this analysis, I’d disagree, because I don’t think it matters who Semin plays with.)
I’m not talking about PP results, I’m simply talking about the fact that Semin’s PP TOI will go to someone. If you think (as I do) that Semin’s much more talented than the guys who’ll replace him, I think that halving his production is pretty fair.
Those wings aren’t Bobby Hull. They don’t have to be. They’re simply a “back of the envelope” look at who might be available at the deadline. You keep treating this as though whoever we bring in has to replace Semin 1-for-1, but you’re ignoring the fact that we’ve also got Stoll on that line. I’d love a Brouwer-Stoll-Jones, Brouwer-Stoll-Hemsky, or Brouwer-Stoll-Hejduk line. I wouldn’t be disappointed in that whatsoever.
These guys aren’t 1-for-1 replacements for Semin. That’s never going to happen. The point is that you’re taking an “eight” winger and replacing him with a “six” center and the cap space to go acquire a “five” winger at the deadline. The point of my analysis is to show that the dropoff from Semin to Stoll isn’t likely to be as large as you’re assuming it to be because Stoll will replace some of the lost production, while other players will produce (albeit at a lower rate) in the ice time that Semin vacated.
Armareddon.
If you’re going to talk Playmaking, I guarantee Semin produces more goals than Stoll with his passing. Playing with Semin versus playing with Stoll results in an increase of their offense? Not buying.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 10:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I take your point, but you’d agree that Stoll >>> Flash/Laich/Mojo.
I’d still rather have Stoll + Hemsky (post-deadline) than Semin + Johansson.
Armareddon.
So give up Semin now for less-than-value return, and then scramble to pick up the poor man’s Semin for greater-than-value at the deadline? That’s some asset management.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
That's a lovely straw-man you've built there. What's his name?
Wherein did I say either of those? Do you really think that Stoll + 1st is under value? Did I specify in any way what I’d send the other way for Hemsky?
Armareddon.
Stoll + 1st is below value for Semin, yes. It’s about as good as I think we can hope right now, but it’s at best 80 cents on the dollar.
You don’t have to specify what you’d send the other way. We both know what trade deadline costs look like. If you think Hemsky is coming back for anything less than a First + a quality asset then you’re fooling yourself. That’s going to be (roughly) what we traded Semin for!
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Semin =/= rental at this point. Hemsky = rental.
Stoll + 1st is just one example. You know I’d prefer a straight-up trade for Stastny.
Armareddon.
We can’t afford Stastny now. I would have loved that too, but it’s not an option without losing one of our core D.
Hemsky and Semin are both UFA at the end of the year, no? We don’t need either to make the playoffs, but the discussion with both of these guys is whether they’ll help in the playoffs. One chance in the playoffs with Semin or Hemsky, who do you want?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
So give up Semin now for less-than-value return, and then scramble to pick up the poor man’s Semin for greater-than-value at the deadline? That’s some asset management.
Regardless of what you think regarding this year, Semin’s gone next year. With Carlson and Green both coming up for new contracts and the likely arrival of Kuznetsov helping to offset his offensive production.
In terms of asset management, I’d rather trade him now than see him walk for nothing next summer.
Armareddon.
I’d rather give our best shot at winning this year and then deal with next year next year.
“Lose Semin for nothing” is a red herring. Nobody holds a player indefinitely. Should the Red Wings trade Lidstrom so they don’t lose him for nothing? Obviously not. We’ve gotten all of Semin’s RFA years, and now we have him signed for a UFA year. Those are likely to be his best offensive years. Losing him “for nothing” right now isn’t nearly as bad as potentially losing Varlamov would have been.
You can’t keep kicking the can because you’re afraid of losing players for nothing. At some point you have to let good players play out their contracts and take a real run at the Cup. Trading Semin kicks the can down the road a little further. We’re poised for a quick re-load, with Eakin, Orlov, and Kuger already in the wings and 2 Firsts next year (potentially a 3rd if we move Semin). That’s great for our long term success, but I think that this year’s roster is going to be the best shot this team has had at winning a Cup. Unless you get better this year, there’s no point moving a guy.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
*
And this all accepts your assumption as fact. We’ve been saying Semin is a goner for a while now and just can’t seem to get it off our hands. Until another team owns his contract or rights, I don’t think it’s a stone cold lock that he’s gone.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
There’s no way we can afford Ovie, Backstrom, Laich, Green, Carlson, Alzner, and Semin within the current salary structure.
Given my stated desire to make the team deeper down the middle, I’d rather trade Semin for a C now than wait until he leaves.
Armareddon.
Are we going to be in as dire need for a C next summer? Is there a better trade we could make for a C? Are we going to be trading for a C that has any years left under contract? Stoll is UFA after this season. Weiss has, what, two more years?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Weiss is UFA as well IIRC
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 5, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
So Stoll or Weiss is going to have to be re-signed at the same time as Green and Carlson. Sharp will be UFA!
Obviously, this is all speculation.
And, as we’ve seen, the prices for those players in free agency will be totally reasonable.
Armareddon.
Right. But you’re trading away Semin’s year now to have to re-bid on your 2C next summer. You are making the team worse right now and not really solving anything long term.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I think you’re making the team worse until the deadline, and I think even that’s debatable, since we’ll have two lines that can handle tough opponents instead of the top line.
At the deadline, you’ve suddenly got much more space than if you simply rid yourself of just Fehr and Chimera.
Armareddon.
You’re not going to improve enough at the deadline to pick up that slack. If you go into the year with one scoring line, you’re either going to make a blockbuster trade, or end the year with one scoring line. GMGM isn’t going to kill the farm with a blockbuster trade, we both know that.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I think Stoll + a pick + Hemsky is better than Semin + Johansson.
Replace Stoll with Weiss if you like. Either way, I think this team is better overall if we’ve got more depth down the middle. If we don’t get another center this summer, we’ll be right back here again on deadline day wondering where our 2C is coming from, barring a huge step forward by MoJo.
Armareddon.
Not really, no matter how much you want to spin it. Hey, maybe we can give up Orlov and a First for Dustin Penner!
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I can’t wait until Uncle Ted gets me a Poni for Hockey Christmas.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well that’s not a real world scenario. Convenient to ignore the pick (plus) that leaves to get Hemsky. At best it’s Stoll and Hemsky for Semin + a marginal value (Eakin, a 2nd, etc.).
If we get a 2C for Semin right now, we’ll be there at the deadline which line is going to score when AO isn’t on the ice. Pick your poison, obviously we know which one you’d pick.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
So, wait – you’re unwilling to take a pick now for Semin because you think this is a “window year,” but trading another pick out (probably a 2nd) for Hemsky is too much?
Armareddon.
No, I just don’t think you are upgrading the team by moving Semin for a 1st and Stoll and then shipping out a First and a 2nd for Semin. Seems like getting rid of Semin just to get rid of him, not making the team actually have a better chance to win the Cup.
And if you have a problem banking on Semin, I’m not sure how you can even mention Hemsky.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I bet Hemsky goes for more than a 2nd this year.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d be willing to bet that if the Avs’ second is high enough, that’d probably do. Nevertheless, maybe we part with a second and Perreault or something else of marginal value.
If it really came down to it, our 1st should be late enough (and we’ve got Colorado’s) that we could part with that.
Armareddon.
What about the picks/players heading the other way for Hemsky?
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d imagine that the Caps’ first would get it done. If we picked up a first in the Stoll trade, that would still leave us with two firsts next year.
Armareddon.
I don’t think the Caps’ first would get it done. That’s not a good read on deadline market value, IMO.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Apparently that’s what EDM was asking for Hemsky last year when he had a year remaining on his contract.
Armareddon.
Why do you say “apparently?” They got double that for Penner, in what was a partial salary dump.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
That’s what the rumor was at the time. Whether those rumors were true or not. . .
Brad Boyes was had for a second. . .
Armareddon.
On a complete contract dump.
And where did you hear this rumor? Does the price that Penner got make you re-think that at all? Doesn’t that set off your bullshit detectors?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Not last year. Hemsky was seen as an injury risk, while Penner was coming off a 32G season and in the midst of what looked like another 30G season.
Armareddon.
Only if you think Teubert is going to be a good player, which isn’t clear right now.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Whether he will be good or not is separate from his value as a trade asset. Based on how he’s regarded, I’d bet his trade value was pretty high. Maybe LAK saw something that they thought made him expendable (i.e. they overrated the BCCD in the draft), but that isn’t a league-wide perception as far as I can tell.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Despite being benched and public “if only he would….” comments from his coach? He wasn’t exactly at a sell-high moment.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
And that’s different from which season? Is that going to be different if we pick him up to be our poor man’s Semin? Not likely. You think it’s likely Hemsky has 4 (consecutive) rounds of playoff hockey in him?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
No. And I don’t think we need him to. I think he’s a 50% bet in a playoff series, and I think that’s good enough to get Malkin a Conn Smythe.
As I said above, if you give me one year to win with either Semin or Hemsky, I’m taking Semin every day and it’s not even close.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
You aren’t getting that. Which 2C makes 2.5? Hemsky eats almost all the salary Semin was going to make. Yeah, prorate it for the deadline, you’re still overpaying in what you ship out.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
He prefers Boris.
You’re not making the team better. It’s not a strawman. It’s the essential issue. You don’t want Semin anywhere near the team but you’re willing to make them worse off to get rid of him.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I’m not willing to trade Semin for nothing. I’m not willing to get rid of him for cap space alone.
I am, however, willing to get rid of him for a good 2C + some cap flexibility. I accept that this move may make the Caps marginally worse in the short run. I believe it will make them better in the long run (read: playoffs).
You disagree.
Fin.
Armareddon.
The Kings have been in the market for a goal scorer on the second line wing for as long as they’ve been competitive. Do you know why they’ve been looking for a scorer on the wing? Because Stoll has been the 2C.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
FWIW, if you split the forwards into lines based on quality of competition (Corsi Rel, which does the best job, in my opinion), Semin is playing the top competition already.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting. On the flip side, he’s getting sheltered zone starts.
Ultimately, this may say more about how opposing coaches are matching against Semin than it does about how Boudreau is using Semin.
Armareddon.
Right, and he’s still beating the minutes, badly. If the other coaches want to put their top lines out against Semin and watch him push them into negative shot differential, far be it from me to interfere.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but answer honestly:
In a playoff game against Pittsburgh in DC (last change), Disco Dan throws out Kunitz-Crosby-Neal for an offensive-zone draw.
Do you put out:
A) Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
B) Semin-Johansson-Brouwer
C) Chimera-Laich-Ward
D) ?-Halpern-?
Armareddon.
Semin-Laich-Ward. I don’t want Chimmer on the ice against Crosby/Neal.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d put out Halpern-Laich-Ward, honestly, in case Brooks gets tossed. Semin’s corsi rating aside, I’m not a huge fan of his in-zone coverage, especially down low.
Armareddon.
That’s fair, but if Letang is on the point, I want Semin covering him, because he’s the only one with the stick skills to stay with him.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s just false. The current system change wasn’t even primarily in the D zone. You’re overstating the system change. We aren’t playing a brand new kind of hockey. The changes were primarily made in the forecheck and neutral zone coverage, but you already knew that.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Dude, you’re totally wrong. They switched up D-zone coverage mid-season around the same time they changed the neutral-zone scheme. They talked about it a lot, too… Don’t know how you missed it.
Watch the team post New Years. The wings drop way below the dots and look to block shots in their own end. Well, all the wings not named Alex, anyhow.
Armareddon.
Not buying it. Find some supporting evidence, but you can’t just say “I say so.”
You did a great fanpost on the new system, and you don’t talk about the D zone at all. Elliotte Friedman didn’t talk about the D zone. Everything I heard from the Team was about neutral zone/forecheck coverage.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
That’s not how this works. When you find any reputable reference, even your own damn reference, to a change in D zone coverage this year then we can hash it out. As of now you’re just standing on an unsupported claim with “because I said so.”
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I say the system change....
amounted to CRAP. Lots of talk about the system change and we get swept—easily dominated—by Tampa. Couldn’t hold a one-goal lead in 3rd period of game three for even five minutes; gave up two goals in six or so minutes. Yea, that system change worked great. I know, the Caps need a full year to adjust to the change—wait till this year! Call me a skeptic, tho I do like the moves the GM has made.
Actually, I think the addition of guys like Vokoun and Hamerlik probably means Semin’s staying. Like it or not, last year’s team was just too young in too many key positions to legitimately contend for the Cup. Now, with the young guys a year older and the acquisition of a Cup winner in Brouwer and four guys in their 30s, this current Caps team is a ready for a long run. I bet McPhee holds on to Semin because of his obvious value even if it means losing him for nothing.
last year’s team was just too young in too many key positions to legitimately contend for the Cup
Chicago. Boston. Pittsburgh. Not really getting how the Caps were ‘younger at key positions’ than those teams.
Armareddon.
They had a rookie playing the #2C, a rookie and a near rookie as the #1 D pairing and a rookie goalie.
Not really. Keith and Seabrook were much more experienced than Alzner/Carlson. Campbell was much more experienced than Green. Sopel had been around for a while. Then up front they had Hossa and Sharp carrying top six minutes (and playing well).
The only place we are even with CHI was in net.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
They had a WCF run under their belts. Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, Campbell (another two ECF runs, too, IIRC), “rookie” Niemi who was on the older side, Madden…disagree. It’s one thing to have your Boyd Gordons inexperienced, another to have your Backstroms.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
“Experience”
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The Penguins were young as shit when they won the cup though. I’m not buying the lack of experience argument. Backstrom, Ovechkin, Green and Semin have been in the league for several years now.
They had a solidly veteran D corps and lots of veterans in the depth F positions.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
What makes you think Ward is overpaid?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Ward is paid about commensurately with his ability (~1 win over replacement). That’s mostly going to come in his own end and playing against tough lines. If BB doesn’t use him that way, it will definitely be an overpayment.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
We’ll see how he gets used. I’m more concerned with the term than the dollars, personally.
I also think it should be easier to find D than scoring, so overpaying for a defensive player is less justifiable than overpaying for a scorer. I think goal scoring is pretty clearly the most highly demanded talent on the market now. If you have a chance at 20 goals, you have 4.5 in the bank, guaranteed.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
12mil for 4years is a bit much for a 10 goal 30 assist guy, imo.
It isnt a huge overpayment by any means. I like the deal because i think he can bring a lot for the postseason, to the locker room, and to the defensive zone. That being said, 3 mil a year is a bit much for that.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
It’s all a matter of degree. Ward is an excellent defensive player and does very, very well at shot suppression against good opponents. That adds marginal goals, even if he’s not doing it in the offensive end.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
But $3m/year is likely an overpayment for that skill, and it will almost certainly be an overpayment in 3 years when he’s 33.
Armareddon.
All depends on how good you are at that skill. Ward is excellent and I think he was paid ~correctly given what the market was for adding wins.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m with F&B below – I think the market undervalues the defensive abilities of forwards and that it’s available (especially at the wing) for less than what it ought to be.
Armareddon.
Sure, I would have rather seen them sign Vernon Fiddler and someone else who can take faceoffs in the bottom six, but I don’t think they overpaid relative to the entire market.
What I’m not expecting is a ton of points.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Based on this and the Laich contract, they had better be planning on putting together their own version of the Malhotra line or else it makes zero sense. That also means Brooks is a real long shot for 20.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Agreed on that. I hope they Malhotra the shit out of that line and I hope that line does very well. If they do, Nick and AO get a lot more O-Zone starts and that means more goals for them and potentially less goals for guys that need new contracts.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
We aren’t even sure he’s a reasonable facsimile.
The Malhotra guy has to spend a ton of energy controlling really good players. The role Laich should play on the PP involves expending tons of energy (though you’d never know it by watching the Caps’ PP). I’d rather just save his juice for his D assignments if that’s the way we are using him. I’d say that about basically any defensive stopper C.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
And what are the odds that BB has the acumen to roll out a Malhotra line? I’m guessing we’ll find out relatively quickly one way or another.
Acumen probably isn’t the right word. Inclination is probably more accurate.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jul 5, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I definitely see the value in a top-flight defensive player who can chip in during the season and post-season. I just have some reservations about the contract money.
Hey, it isn’t the worst contract BY FAR. And he could still come out and score over 10 goals and make this a great contract.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
The Caps were pretty experienced at every forward position besides 3C which was occupied by Marjo. Defensively, Hannan, Green and Schultz along with Erskine weren’t exactly rookies.
But the top pair were rookies, and Arnott was hurt/playing like crap/over the hill. If you look at the two rosters and see equal caliber teams, then fine. It’s subjective and I don’t really have much inclination.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Their solidly veteran D corps was still ridiculously slow, had no foot speed (besides Hedman), and only succeeded within the 1-3-1.
Their veterans at the depth F positions is what killed us. They worked us over there.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
That Blackhawk team of two years...
ago was LOADED. What a collection of talent…they’ve traded three or four good players since and still have a very talented team.
so you’re not disappointed with how they finished? I see a lot of new found optimism around here, which is nice. Let’s just not pretend that they didn’t have a clear shot at winning the cup last year.
Their 2C was Jason Arnott.
I believe they didn’t have a clear shot at winning the cup last year.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the addition of guys like Vokoun and Hamerlik probably means Semin’s staying.
I think the retention of Laich and the addition of Halpern and Ward suggests that GMGM and BB are tired of having players who don’t follow the game plan and that Semin and his Russian partner in crime are the #1 culprits. Since Ovie can’t go, I think they’ll move Semin.
Armareddon.
Laich isn’t exactly “Mr. Gameplan.”
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Stoll >>> Laich or Johansson? If >>> means “is vastly better than,” nope, I don’t agree.
Yesterday, we did up a roster with all three on the team, and Stoll was still the 3C, not the 2C. Sure, he’s probably a better player than either Johansson or Laich right now. But vastly? No, I don’t think Laich to Stoll is a vast upgrade at 3C, and I’d rather have Johansson at 2C than Stoll as long as the team has a defensively responsible 3C who is good at faceoffs (which Laich is).
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Cut the vastly, if you like.
I still feel that if we don’t make a move to get a C now, we’ll be sitting around in February wondering who the 2C will be yet again.
Armareddon.
Stoll would make the team better. I definitely think that’s true.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope. round and round we go. the step up to Stoll is IMO greater than the step down in losing Semin
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow love the mathematical breakdown, but there really is no telling what the 2nd lines production could be with Semin MarJo and lets say Brouwer. Marjo is clearly a play maker and has the look of a winner, the 2nd line could be a monster with his abilities and Semins world class talent coupled with a gritty hard nosed player like Brouwer who has a net presence. That leaves a 3rd, defensively responsible line of say Chimmer BL and Ward.
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Sure. But a Semin-Johansson-Brouwer line will likely need sheltering defensively. Some of that could be done by the third line, sure, but some of it will be taken up by Backstrom if last year is any indication.
Furthermore, what does that second line look like for the inevitable 15-20 games that Semin will miss over the course of the season? What happens if any one of our centers gets injured? The word clusterfuck comes to mind.
Armareddon.
If you would indulge me by re-setting the discussion, just so I have a handle on the issues (and maybe to move it off the right rail), here’s how I think the issues line out:
The Caps have to trade someone in order to shed salary, which they need in order to sign Brouwer and Alzner.
The candidates to leave are Semin, Fehr or Chimera; Semin would obviously shed the most salary. (Could Wideman go?)
The Caps have the following centers (or “centers” in the case of 21) under contract: Backstrom, Johannson, Laich, Halpern, Sjogren. Not terribly awe-inspiring.
So if they’re trading Semin, it makes sense to get a C back. An established 2C probably doesn’t offer enough cost savings, though. So now we’re talking about a 3C and moving Laich back to wing (which is probably better fit for him, imo).
Not sure that makes much sense, though. In general, I don’t think you can make a living trading impact players, even ones as maddening as 28, for role players.
So how about this for a solution: Semin and Fehr/Chimera for a legit 2C?
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Which team is offering up a 2C that is on a contract that makes sense for us? If we are moving Semin to solve the future 2C issue, shouldn’t the guy be signed for more than a year? And is a guy signed for more than a year going to allow us to re-sign Carlson and Green?
I don’t think Wideman leaves, I think GMGM is going to do whatever he can to keep this D corps together.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
My analysis is long on theory, short on specifics. Honestly, I haven’t followed enough hockey in the past 2 months to really know who’s available and who’s not.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Semin and Fehr together better get more than a legit 2C, in the sense of one of the 31st-60th best Cs in the league.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
If FLA can take on the money, yeah, I think it does. Provided they can live with one less C. I’m not sure about that, haven’t looked at their roster since the deadline (other than noting their ridiculous signings).
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Their roster is so drastically different and most of the moves have been bringing talent in. Not shipping their small core out. Tallon clearly wants to keep Weiss
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I dont know about next summer.
The “2C” position has been the most wanted position for years now. He could’ve moved Weiss at the beginning of last season and for some ungodly haul at the deadline last year. With the overpayments going on right now, I bet he could’ve moved Weiss for a pick, a prospect, and a player.
Florida needs to contend and Weiss is a key component.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I’m not sure they need to contend, but clearly Tallon does. Landing them the 12th overall pick with lots of bad contracts doesn’t seem like an ideal way to run a team.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Pretty fuckin’ ideal if you’re a Caps’ fan. I like it when our division foes do stupid things.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, but if you’re a fan of the league’s continued expansion in the American sports landscape it’s more questionable. Taking them another step toward moving to Halifax isn’t ideal.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I think Tallon knows if he doesnt do something he’s out. Hence why he’s taken on all these bad contracts. If his players perform well together than i think they could make the POs and with Florida’s fast system they could attract some more people to the arena.
They fuck up? Tallon is out and all the contracts don’t mean shit to him.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Tallon’s taking on the contracts. . . BECAUSE HE HAS TO. Teams have to be above the cap floor. It’s non-negotiable.
Armareddon.
He had to have been able to find better deals than he signed. Hell, if he topped out at 2.5 million for Vokoun… at least that was a guy that could make them competitive in a game. 4.5 for Flash? Babytown frolics.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Do I think the deals were all smart? Of course not.
Tallon was over a barrel: he needed to spend beaucoup $$$$, but elite players don’t want to go to Florida. He basically had to overpay for mediocrity in order to hit the cap floor.
I’m still shocked that he hasn’t tried to pry away a couple more albatross-type contracts (Gomez).
Armareddon.
Yeah, if he can get a dowry for Gomez that makes a lot of sense.
I guess at some point he has to try to not be a lottery team, but he’s not doing it with guys that they’ve developed. He has time to see who he wants to keep and get rid of before they are going to be good, so I don’t think any of these will hurt the team all that much. I’m more upset about the potential impact it could have on the market, but JFJ didn’t destroy the market and I don’t think Tallon will do it either.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
The 31st – 60th thing is a bit too facile, imo. Bergeron played 2C for Boston, but was better than the 30th-best C in the league, for instance.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Exactly, but what else can “legitimate 2C” mean? I’d do cartwheels to have Richards or Carter playing the spot, but that wasn’t in the cards. Ideally, you’d want a C that could play 1C on a decent team, because that’s the type of player that can carry a line by himself, a la Alex Semin.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
The more I think about it the harder time I have envisioning a trade the ships Semin out and makes the team better this year.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I agree with you. He’s a darn good player, or so I’ve heard. If we ship him out, my hope is that we’d somehow grab another #1 of a team like Colorado and a player that can crack the lineup. That would work, but it definitely isn’t a short term move.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I’ve talked about getting Stoll and a First for Semin, but I don’t think Stoll helps us enough right now. Before all the signings we had the opportunity to ship out Semin and try to bring in a guy like Statsny or another guy that can carry a line by himself. I don’t think Stoll can carry a line and I don’t think anyone we can afford or realistically bring back for Semin will be able to either. If we move him, we instantly become a one-line team. We’ll be fine in the regular season and in deep shit in the playoffs.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
We’ll be fine in the regular season and in deep shit in the playoffs.
What else is new?
I am not sure it makes sense to try to move Semin now at all. I think with the added pieces Semin is a huge part of what this team can do now. I get the feeling that this is finally Cup or bust and if we dont win it this year or at least hit the SCF, GMGM is going to blow the team up.
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I agree up to a point. The issue that I see is that we cannot sign Alzner and Brouwer if we don’t move some serious coin. I think a conservative estimate is 6M in space needed to sign them both. As it stands, the Caps have 500k in space, clearing Poti for the season nets 2.8M, and assume a couple of months of LTIR for Fehr for another 500k. That MIGHT sign Alzner (but most likely not). So someone has to go.
Clearly, Alzner is the more important signing, but if you don’t sign Brouwer you lose a notable amount of the grit and toughness you worked hard to obtain. If we lose Alzner at the expense of keeping Semin, how much of a downgrade is that on D?
#NeedsMoreHendricks
I would say around $5M. $2-2.2M for Brouwer (Fehr/Knuble range), $2.5-2.75M for Alzner (Schultz range).
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
Agree with you on Brouwer, I dont think theres a chance Alzner signs for anything under 3
#NeedsMoreHendricks
I think if Alzner would sign in that range, it’d have been done already.
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Do you have any thought as to whether the issue is money or term (or heaven forbid, both)? After the way GMGM opened Ted’s wallet on Friday, it’s going to be hard to argue against a good wage. Even with him being RFA.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
I haven’t the foggiest idea. But I can’t imagine that Alzner isn’t and hasn’t been a top priority for the team. I’d be utterly shocked if they signed Markov without knowing they could get Alzner done. It’ll work out.
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Christ. Sorry. Coffee time!
(And you all knew what I meant…)
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agree. I think Alzner goes in the $3.5-4M range (and 3.5 would be a hometown discount)
#NeedsMoreHendricks
I don’t think $3.5m for an RFA with his experience would be much of a hometown discount.
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I bet that after a long summer, Alzner comes in on a short deal for less than that sometime in August. I doubt anybody gives him an offer sheet. And assuming they don’t, he doesn’t have much leverage. He’s not arb eligible. He can either take the Caps’ offer and play or sit out. I’m not saying anything crazy like that the ultimate contract will be less than 2 Million. But although his market rate is probably more like 3.5 Million+, especially if you get more than one season, his problem is that outside an offer sheet there’s no way to get the market to bid on him.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
When is D-Day for an Alzner deal to get done?
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then he is a UFA? That sucks
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No no no.
Alzner is an RFA and if he doesn’t sign, he sits until he signs (or he goes to the KHL!). He can’t play for another NHL club unless his rights are traded OR he signs an offer sheet with another team and the Caps don’t match.
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Ok so technically he could sit until January-beyond? And at anytime any other team could give him an offer sheet?
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RFAs have to be signed to an NHL contract by December 1 or they are not eligible to play in the NHL that season.
by sk84fun_dc on Jul 5, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you, that is what I was looking for.
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Exactly. Alzner is hardly the only good RFA sitting out there unsigned. Here’s the list of current RFAs that made more than Karl last season who are still without a deal (according to capgeek):
Tyler Bozak
Steven Stamkos
Drew Doughty
Zach Bogosian
Zach Parise
Luke Schenn
Patrick O’Sullivan
Kyle Turris
Andrew Ladd
Ryan Callahan
Blake Wheeler
Brandon Dubinsky
Josh Bailey
Mikkel Boedker
Karl Alzner
Is it safe to say that a few of these guys play for teams who don’t want to (or can’t afford to) pay them next year, and they’re just waiting for an offer sheet and compensation picks?
You typically don’t see too many offer sheets each year.
Its more plausible both sides are waiting to see what other RFA’s might get to help determine a market price.
If an RFA is hoping to use the potential of an offer sheet as a bargaining tool, waiting it out to call the bluff might also be in play.
I was just doing a mock roster on capgeek, and we could fit Alzner in at $3.5M if we get the contracts of Fehr and Poti off the books.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
So, from there should we assume that Chimera has to take a powder to make room for Brouwer? This is my best guess.
by mechanicsville on Jul 5, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Yea thats how I look at it, Poti, Chimmer and a portion of Fehr to sign Brouwer and Alzner
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The team has invested heavily this offseason in “grit” and “energy” and “leadership.” All fine qualities, but they musn’t neglect the “scoring.”
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If you add grit and energy and defense, you can free up your offensive players to do what they do best. Adding Ward and Halpern allows Backstrom and Ovechkin to get more offensive shifts. Adding Hamrlik allows Green and Wideman more freedom offensively.
If this team’s shooting percentage regresses back to the mean, they won’t struggle to score as much as they did last year. They won’t be 09-10 good, but they ought to be closer to league average.
Armareddon.
Adding Ward and Halpern allows Backstrom and Ovechkin to get more offensive shifts.
Not sure I agree with that. Halpern replaces Gordon 1:1, and Ward isn’t necessarily likely to make the lightbulb on zone starts go on above Bruce’s head. It’s on the coach and how he uses the guys, specifically Laich (or Stoll or whomever’s there as a 3C).
I do agree on the Hamrlik point w/r/t Green, or whomever his partner is.
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And with respect to Ward, it looks like a big reason Nick took so many draws was because we didn’t have a 2 or a 3 C that BB trusted. Ward isn’t a C, so he’s not going to solve that issue on any line. He’ll make the 3rd line better defensively, and tougher to play against (regardless of how “quality” he is), and will be a solid addition. But for a 3W to free up Nick and the first line? Doubtful.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Right, though if he makes the third line tougher and better defensively, maybe Bruce is more willing to start them in the D-zone, but like I said, it’s ultimately on the 3C and moreso on Bruce to utilize his third line that way.
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I’m hoping that Laich as 3C ameliorates that situation. If BB doesn’t trust his teacher’s pet, we’re totally screwed.
Armareddon.
A lot of avoidance of being totally screwed is dependent upon this team being better-coached in 2011-12.
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by J.P. on Jul 5, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not holding my breath. Clearly GMGM disagrees. Hopefully the new guys have better ears and more substantial tissue between them.
Armareddon.
Maybe GMGM can talk to BB about the zone starts. This is absolutely something the FO has to be aware of.
I’m sure he was aware. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given Marjo nearly 60% offensive zone start ratio.
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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 Jul 5, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
+77 over 69 games. 3.69 o zone draws/gm at 5on5, 35% of his total 5on5 draws. Backstrom took 30% of his 5v5 draws in the O zone (compared to 35% last year), +12 over 79 games.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I wonder about the coach’s levels of awareness. I get the sense BB is an instinctual coach. His thought process could easily be nothing more than, “90 is too green to take draws in the defensive zone,” with no deeper level of analysis. He might not be aware of to what extent zone starts affect offensive production, and how his sheltering of Johansson could affect the top line’s stats.
It’d be nice if we had reporters who could ask pointed questions about how he thinks about such things.
I would think instinct would be “hmm, maybe the best goal scorer in the world shouldnt be 60 feet from the, uh, you know, the goal when on the Power Play”
but yea to your point our media coverage is not very educated in the game.
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Ward was the real deal in very hard minutes for Barry Trotz. He’s quality.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 10:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Is a wing enough for BB to Malhotra a perhaps-otherwise-unsuitable center?
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Halpern replaces Gordon 1:1
Halpern has offensive upside that Gordo did not. If Halpy is our 3C, I’m OK with that.
It’s on the coach and how he uses the guys
Completely agree, but look at who he had as 2/3Cs last year. I don’t necessarily disagree with his overuse of Backstrom in that situation.
Armareddon.
Halpern has minimally more offensive upside than Gordon, but more to the point, I meant in terms of being able to take D-zone starts. I suppose you could slot Halpern at 3C and… Beagle/Hendricks at 4C? Doesn’t seem like an option that’s likely to end well in terms of taking on that D-zone load.
look at who he had as 2/3Cs last year. I don’t necessarily disagree with his overuse of Backstrom in that situation.
Eh, he had Steckel for most of the year and didn’t use him and Gordon together to free up Nick. Is Halpern any better as a 3C than Stecks? I doubt it.
I honestly question whether or not Bruce recognizes/recognized the impact of having Nick taking so many D-zone draws.
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I think Halpern is 10 times the 3C that Steckel is.
But then, 10 times a very, very small number is still a pretty small number.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Point being, he’s not an acceptable answer at 3C, especially given what that leaves as 4C.
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After looking at his wrap this year, I’m coming around to Beagle being an acceptable 4C, at least in a pinch. But that leaves no depth at all.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I really hope you’re wrong with your last point there…
by mechanicsville on Jul 5, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a feeling that if you play Halpern at 3C minutes, you’re not going to have his services for the full season.
Better to play him at 4C and keep him healthy for the playoffs. At that point, if he bumps up to 3C and Beagle’s the 4C who plays 5 minutes a night, fine.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
His offense is going to be more and more needed and the return on him is going to be likely zippy. I’m coming around, as well, on shipping out Fehr, Chimera and Poti (supposing no LTIR…)
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and the return on him is going to be likely zippy
What part of “Heatley was traded for Havlat and Semin is superior to Heatley” did you miss?
Armareddon.
Unfortunately I don’t think there’s anyone left on the Wild to fleece, though.
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How about Colorado?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
after getting panned in the media, do you think Sherman is going to make another trade with the Caps?
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do you think he’s ever going to pick up the phone when the caller ID shows a 202 area code?
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There are, but they’re injury risks (Bouchard), franchise cornerstone (Koivu), or defensive defensemen (Schultz, Zanon). Nothing there.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I think trading Green brings back both a larger return than Semin(he’s still RFA at the end of the contract), and hurts the team less.
It’s probably more realistic to envision a trade the sends Green out the door and brings back a serviceable defenseman(plus picks/prospects) than it is to imagine losing Semin but still bringing back a top-6 forward.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with this. Moving Green seems to be the better option. Trade him for picks and a 3/4/5/6 D man. Who would be the trading partner though?
the entire league — puck moving D man is second only to 1st line/2nd line center in terms of need.
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Yah, it’d be a blockbuster trade, likely with a bidding war.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I think trading Green brings back both a larger return than Semin(he’s still RFA at the end of the contract), and hurts the team less
On the first point…no question, though the team would be selling low right now. As for hurting the team less…maybe I’m in the minority, but this team relies on Mike Green perhaps more than any other player. Sure there was some success without him in the regular season, but it’s not even close to being the same team without him anchoring the blue line.
I’m with you completely. Even with our new defensive depth, moving Green is a very bad idea.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Agreed. As soon as you trade 52, you’re going to be looking for a way to replace him (without much luck).
Orlov!!!!
(On second thought, and all due respect to Orlov, better stick with Green)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Selling low? Ehrhoff has a $40m contract. Green would make about $150m based purely on relative skill.
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by sydtron on Jul 5, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Ehrhoff is irrelevant to any discussion about Green at this point. Any GM worth his salary knows that Green is coming off one of his worst offensive years and got hit in the head with a bloody puck after receiving a concussion (thanks Katie) earlier in the year. Do you really think that GMGM is going to get a fair return on Green at this point?
I’ve come to grips with the fact that GMGM won’t get more than eighty cents (at best) on the dollar for Semin…I’ll be irate (probably the one handing out pitch forks) if he doesn’t get a HUGE return for Mike Green. Defensemen with his talent don’t grow on trees and are damn near generational.
Green has skills, and would bring a good return, but he's....
overrated in my book, maybe even WAY overated? What’s he done in the playoffs? I think the answer is very little. He was terrible against Pitt, awful running the PP against Montreal, and didn’t exactly make a difference against Tampa. People here talk about him like he’s another Lindstrom—not hardly. I think Green would bring a very solid, top-four blue-liner and maybe more—and I’d certainly consider moving him. Maybe I’d appreciate him more if he actually used is super-duper elite puck-moving and offensive skills to actually help the Caps beat somebody in the playoffs other than the Rangers.
Posted at 9:30 PM:
What’s he done in the playoffs? I think the answer is very little.
You’re wrong.
Posted at 12:50 AM:
To be fair, he wasn’t a PPG player this past postseason — he had 6 points in 8 games. That’s more like 75% of a point per game. While injured. Which is consistent with his career postseason numbers of 25 points in 36 playoff games (.7 PPG).
Dan Boyle led all defensemen in points with 16 in 18 playoff games (.89 PPG). The next best was Ehrhoff with 12 points in 23 games. No one else kept up a scoring pace above .5 through three or more rounds. Overall, Green was #7 in PPG during the playoffs.
If that’s failure, then he’ll surely be a wonder to watch if he ever does show up.
Here’s the list of active leaders in playoff points per game. Green’s .7 career PPG would be about # 30 on this list, but he hasn’t played enough playoff games or scored enough playoff points yet to be eligible.
Lidstrom? He’s scored .709 playoff PPG during his career…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You think Green would fetch a very solid top-four guy? He’d damn well better fetch that plus 2 First round picks.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 6, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You’re not in the minority, I’m quite sure that I am…
But I think that with its new defense-focused system, this team can do without Mike Green. Green is at his least effective when he’s being physically pounded during games. It’s not secret that other teams target him for this reason. And in the playoffs, that’s magnified, and it shows. Green hasn’t been effective in the playoffs.
Green has been hugely valuable to this team, but there are other players who can carry the load now, and Green doubles down on Ovechkin’s immaturity problems. I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t have a rosy view of his grey matter.
As to selling low, disagree on that. Now’s the perfect time to sell high on Green. Mid-Summer, lots of teams that missed out on free agents still have lots of cap space and flexibility. Certainly a better return than you’d get in the Spring. The only thing that might hurt his trade value is the concussion(s?!?!). But that hurts his value to us as well.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not going to quote the entire second paragraph, but I fail to see the correlation between the new defense-focused system and Green being physically pounded. Going into last season I preached as much as anyone that Green needed to stop being a third wing and start growing up in the defensive zone, and while he was healthy he did exactly that. Obviously, his offensive numbers dropped a bit during the process, but it takes time to find a happy medium.
Green hasn’t been effective in the playoffs.
Really? I’m not smart enough to track down the advanced stats, but my eyes tell me he’s almost a PPG defensemen in the playoffs and he wasn’t in the red with +/-.
Green has been hugely valuable to this team, but there are other players who can carry the load now,
Who? The team is already putting a ton of weight on the shoulders of Carlson/Alzner. Who replaces Green’s minutes? Wideman? I loved Wideman in Boston, but he’s at best the poor man’s Mike Green.
The poor man’s Mike Green is what you get when you downgrade from Mike Green to someone else.
Mike Green has been awesome in DC, and watching him play is almost as pleasurable as watching Ovechkin play. I just think it’s time for the team to move in a different direction. A trade that brings back, say, a top-4 defenseman signed for $3MM per year plus a 1st round pick and a blue chip prospect, would be tough to turn down.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Really? I’m not smart enough to track down the advanced stats, but my eyes tell me he’s almost a PPG defensemen in the playoffs and he wasn’t in the red with +/-.
To be fair, he wasn’t a PPG player this past postseason — he had 6 points in 8 games. That’s more like 75% of a point per game. While injured. Which is consistent with his career postseason numbers of 25 points in 36 playoff games (.7 PPG).
Dan Boyle led all defensemen in points with 16 in 18 playoff games (.89 PPG). The next best was Ehrhoff with 12 points in 23 games. No one else kept up a scoring pace above .5 through three or more rounds. Overall, Green was #7 in PPG during the playoffs.
If that’s failure, then he’ll surely be a wonder to watch if he ever does show up.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree he isn’t untradeable, but his contract status isn’t the same as Heatley’s or Havlat’s in terms of term left. I think people, including those who have posted here, recognize the KHL issue with Semin means there are some extra possible considerations for a team trading for this player on a one year contract. It is hard to know Semin’s view on that topic given his history last time he played over there. A team trading for Semin before the season also has the issue that he’s on a one year contract and cannot sign an extension until January 1 or later.
I do think people have to take into account all of the issues when talking about value, doesn’t mean he has no value or can’t be traded, but there are considerations.
As to my comments in the cap discussions about trading Semin, I know my comments about not expecting him to be traded had to do with this team right now, not about whether I thought he could be traded or not.
No question those are considerations that aren’t applicable to Heatley’s or Havlat’s deals. But the point is that plenty of big contracts for skilled players – regardless of term – can be traded.
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Regardless of term and baggage. It’s not like these were guys that were model residents on their prior teams.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Didn’t say they were model residents, however, the term remaining on their contracts is not the same as one year until UFA.
Right, but that goes both ways, in terms of risk. Havlat has had his public disagreements with his coaching staff. Heatley has begged out of two different cities and now been traded from a third. Hell, Richards and Carter have their baggage speculation and they brought back a huge haul.
I can see that some teams would want to have a player locked up if they acquire him; I can also see some teams being drawn by the “rent before you buy” approach with Semin. I don’t disagree that the contract stuff is a consideration, I just don’t know how to absolutely apply it in any situation.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Agree. Question: Are there many people saying Semin’s contract is untradeable or are people commenting on the impact on the team skillset and composition if Semin is traded along with the other moves made this off-season?
I think there was a general impression among many to the tune of “Semin makes $6.7m, is inconsistent and a flight risk and thus is untradeable.” I’ve never thought that to be reality (well, the “untradeable part of it”), but others have and likely still do.
In other words, more “he would be impossible to trade” than “they can’t afford to move him.”
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Ugh I just typed out near a thousand words on why the Heatley-Havlat trade has nothing to do with Semin. Its mind baffling to think that deal is comparable to a Semin trade.
I want Semin traded, no mistake, his cap space is needed and his point production could be accounted for. But I still think his contract is a hindrance to trading him. Not many teams are doing a “Try it before you buy it” mentality and rental players, which is what Semin would be, go to playoff contenders and teams that want to be in the dance which I don’t think many of those teams would be interested in him. Perception is he’s an inconsistent soft Euro sniper who is also a Russian Flight risk. Oddly enough Heatley and Havlat don’t have any of those monikers beyond Sniper.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Breaklance, do you think it would be easier to trade him at the trade deadline as opposed to preseason? Say an average team (Carolina, Dallas, Calgary, Toronto) is in position to grab a 5 or 6 playoff seed. Wouldn’t they be in the market for a talented winger (as opposed to the Caps, who always seem to be looking for grit at the deadline)?
Wouldn’t this be a chance to get more in exchange for Semin than we would be able to get (if anything) this preseason?
probably Heatley
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I don’t think Semin IS a cancer. He’s just sort of a weird dude who’s frustrating on the ice. Heatley, IMO, is a legitimate cancer risk.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Jul 5, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. Besides the challenges of getting him to the U.S. when we first signed him, I can’t think off the top of my head of anything he’s done that can be described as cancerous. But, much more is swept under the rug in the NHL than in the NFL or NBA so nobody outside the locker room really has any idea.
Sounds like VAN thinks Pinizzotto has a good shot at making the team: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Pinizzotto+more+than+mere+pest/5050339/story.html
Of course, if he was everything he was described as being in that article (spoiler alert: the second coming of Brad Marchand), I’m sure the Caps would’ve been happy to re-sign him to the deal to which VAN inked him.
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Pinizzotto is the classic late bloomer
He’s a “late bloomer” because he is 27 years old playing against skaters 5-7 years younger….
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
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Some of the Bears/ex-Bears this weekend signed contracts that will pay them very, very well for playing in the AHL. I’m impressed.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
I think it is great for Pinner. He gets $275K for playing in the AHL. A huge raise over last year.
by CapsFanSince1979 on Jul 5, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
We went and got our version of Sean Bergenheim; the ’Nucks got their version of Brad Marchand.
Both teams getting a version of a player that burned them in the postseason.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Hopefully the Caps got their version of Dwayne Roloson as well.
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I’m still hoping for the Caps to get their version of Guy Boucher…
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 5, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Let’s see how Boucher and his fabulous 1-3-1 does now that the entire league will have the off-season to figure it out.
I think the only guy who couldn’t figure it out was Boudreau.
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Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
After spotting them an early series lead, Boucher seemed to stump Dan Bylsma quite effectively in the first round.
Remind me… Bylsma win any special accolades this post-season?
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I don’t think that’s a fair assessment – I think Pitt’s luck eventually ran out. They were running on fumes without Crosby and Malkin.
Armareddon.
They had Staal. What more could a team need?
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by J.P. on Jul 5, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
the very definition of playoff leadership
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I’d say that they were going along as expected before hitting some bad luck, actually.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont know if I can agree that Byslma was stumped, I just dont think he had the talent to beat TB and in shined through….DiscoDans aggressive forecheck was certainly how TB should be played.
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Bylsma was also bringing an AHL team to bear against an NHL team.
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Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
They were missing what, two players? That was an NHL caliber Pens team.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but those two players were Crosby and Malkin, former Hart and Conn Smythe winners. It wasn’t a huge surprise to me that Tampa won that series.
What was PIT’s shooting%? Something like 5%, when league average is above 8%. I can buy a small drop in sh%, not a 3% drop on account of two players.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I like how you just non-chalantly write off the best player in the league and another superstar as “two players” and not “foundation of the team”
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Because my point is that they’re only two players.two of eighteen. I’m selling that two players are going to affect shooting percentage that much. The Penguins minus those trip are still better than the Panthers our Oilers—they should shoot better as well.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
They’re the setup men for a lot of players though. It’s 2 of 18, but 2 of the best in the game are missing. You don’t think the Caps would suffer if Ovechkin and Backstrom were out? Or Backstrom and Johansson?
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Do you think we’d suffer so much we’d score less than any team since the trap era?
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely. Backstrom is the single most important player on the team — is it any surprise that his struggles coincided with the Capitals scoring struggles?
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I think you’re severely underestimating how deep both Pittsburgh and Washington are. The Oilers were icing about ten replacement level talents last season. Not buying that teams led by Staal/Neal/Kunitz or Semin/Laich would be even close to that bad. There is a lot of parity in hockey, but not that much.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think the 1-3-1 is some genius strategy – it’s just a slight variation on the trap. The league won’t take long to figure it out, and really BB has no excuse to be stumped seeing as how he played TB 6 times this season and has faced many teams trying to trap the Caps.
Boucher may not be an incredible strategist (we’ll see how he adapts to teams adapting), but he’s been able to get his team to play disciplined hockey in the playoffs within two different systems. More than we can say for BB.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 5, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating:
BB’s continued tenure plus the bevy of roster moves suggests that GMGM (who has proven to not be an idiot) clearly believes that BB was giving the players the right game-plan to beat the 1-3-1 and that the players failed to execute.
Armareddon.
No doubt. But looking at the players that are leaving, it seems a bit odd. I wouldn’t peg Bradley and Gordon as the guys that were blowing assignments and not carrying their weight. We’ll see who goes out, but it looks like they are just adding depth and keeping their guys at this point. I won’t be shocked to see Fehr go, he’s an easy scapegoat, but I don’t think that’s going to really remake the team.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
But looking at the players that are leaving, it seems a bit odd
It’s not all that odd if GMGM believes that his top 6 can get the job done if the team has a bottom 6 that is capable of wearing down the other team and can still be trusted to take the tough defensive assignments.
I don’t think Halpern really changes that. Ward is a 3rd line upgrade and Brouwer should be as well. But it’s going to come at the cost of at least one of Chimera/Fehr or Semin.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I stand by my thoughts…GMGM is comfortable with his top 6. I don’t see Semin going anywhere unless it’s a steal on the same tier as Varlamov’s. Realistically the only moves that make sense are Fehr and/or Chimera for prospects/picks in return.
You and I will disagree on Halpern for now. IMO GMGM completely transformed the bottom 6 with just the additions of Halpern and Ward.
I don’t see Halpern completely changing the bottom 6. He’s basically a Gordon with a little more offense but more miles. It’s just much better value at $825k than $1.3M.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 5, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Well it comes with a wild card…Gordon’s wonky back. Halpern might have more miles but he isn’t quite as “one awkward hit or landing” away from being out of the lineup for weeks like Boyd is.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 5, 2011 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Halpern is a better player in all facets of the game with the exception of face-offs and if forced into the position due to injury is a much better candidate for 3C than Gordon will ever be.
I’ll mostly buy this, but we’ll see what he has left in the tank. I’ll at least consider him Gordo’s equal at basically everything, and far cheaper. His FO % was still quite good last year, no?
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 5, 2011 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
The Caps extended and offer to Gordo and before FA they still had some interest in Brads.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I don’t remember hearing anything one way or the other about Gordon, but I am positive I read something from Bradley’s agent saying no offer was made.
And he’d probably be correct. The Caps were beaten by Tampa primarily because the Lightning third and fourth-liners outperformed their Caps counterparts. Look at who McPhee let go; Gordon, Bradley, Sturm, Arnott. Primarily third and fourth liners. And look at who he brought in; Ward, Halpern and Brouwer. He’s not replacing his skill guys, he’s replacing his gritty players (even though Brouwer can play in the top six). I think the message is that to beat a 1-3-1, you’ve got to work harder than the other team and the new guys have earned a reputation for a willingness to do that. Now we’ll see if he’s right.
The TBL 3rd and 4th liners beat our top 6 head to head. It wasn’t just the bottom lines getting worked.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
The point is that our bottom six contributed virtually nothing on the score sheet. With the games as close as they were, if they could have tallied a few times it might have made a difference in the series. At the very least, they could have made Tampa’s top guys work harder in their own zone. Instead they did neither.
That’s not really the point. Those guys aren’t relied on to score, they’re relied on to play D. Ward wasn’t brought in for his scoring. If you think that playoff goal scoring run is sustainable…
The top 6 got outplayed. If you want to find a problem in the series, you can’t just blame the bottom 6. Pretending like fixing the bottom 6 solves a problem is misguided.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I guess my point over the whole year when it came to BB was that one of two things was going on:
1) Boudreau was simply an idiot who didn’t understand the game (which I never really believed)
or
2) Boudreau couldn’t figure out how to get his players to execute the gameplans and systems that he devised.
These moves suggest that GMGM thinks it was the latter as well, and that the players who’ve been brought in are an attempt to get a group of guys who’ll do whatever the coach asks them. This is why I agree that Fehr’s likely gone and why I wouldn’t be surprised to see Semin leave.
Armareddon.
It’s just that one big extension that was handed out for a guy that was just as guilty in not executing or following the game plan that makes me curious…
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Laich’s had his issues, but the guy’s got a reputation as someone who’s willing to do the little things. Perhaps that reputation is undeserved, but he does block shots, win faceoffs and is less prone to horrible penalties.
I’ll admit though, I haven’t watched Laich with an eye toward systems execution. Usually when he’s out there on the 2nd line I’m busy watching Semin and chuckling to myself as he freelances his way through yet another shift.
Armareddon.
Laich has a reputation for doing the little things right, but he disappeared against MON when we needed a guy to crash the net. He gets all this credit for “crashing the net like Fehr won’t do” on the PP but he really isn’t exactly Tomas Holmstrom 2.0. He made sloppy turnovers throughout the TBL series, including costing us a big goal (but you only heard about Fehr’s turnover). And despite being one of the guys you should have seen dumping and chasing to break the 1-3-1 he wasn’t any more committed to that than the skill guys either.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
he disappeared against MON when we needed a guy to crash the net.
I still put much of the blame for that on Semin, who was shooting from everywhere. It’s hard to get to the net when your linemate is just chucking bombs.
Armareddon.
Not really, that’s far too kind to Laich. The Semin Lobby is going to remind you that Semin still got off 44 shots and that if they were screened some of them go in. The truth is somewhere in the middle, both guys carry their fair share of blame. PP collapsed, and Laich is on PP1. He wasn’t exactly causing tons of havoc in front of the net.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Less prone to horrible penalties? In the ‘10-11’ season, only Semin had more minor penalties (27) than Laich (22).
1) that’s a pretty huge gap
2) not all penalties are created equal – Semin takes a disordinate amount of offensive and neutral-zone HHT penalties
Armareddon.
I know that’s the perception, but shouldn’t we look at the numbers if we are trying to compare Semin’s and Laich’s PIMs?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Maybe, but until you look at it it’s a little disingenuous to state it so authoritatively. Or is BL21 the king of the good penalty?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
There are no good penalties.
Well, almost none… http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2011/3/8/2037088/the-league-of-extraordinary-statisticians-good-penalties
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No, but the fact that Semin has led the regulars on the Caps the last two years in penalties/60 isn’t a good thing. Still, he balances that out by drawing almost as many as he takes. But then, so does Laich.
Armareddon.
Fs should be drawing more than they take due to the nature of the position. I view both Semin and Laich as net-negatives in that department.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
The years before that, he was exactly even. This wasn’t a good year for Semin’s penalty drawing.
Brooks Laich used to be a massive net positive at penalty differential (took half as many as he does now, drew twice as many as he does now). I’m still trying to figure out what the hell happened there.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that’s more than likely just noise. A couple of double minors either way (which is pretty much just luck) can swing it pretty hard when you don’t take many PIMs.
Armareddon.
It’s been persistent for two years, now. If it were a one-off thing, I’d be less concerned with it.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Semin got jobbed regularly last year on penalties. He clearly has a reputation that’s hurting him.
"...what're you gonna do?"
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jul 5, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
For every time Semin got “jobbed” (is that short for jizz-lobbed?), there were several times where he probably deserved a penalty and didn’t get one. The guy loves to use his stick instead of moving his feet, particularly against a guy who has just stolen the puck from him.
Armareddon.
Eh, I don’t know; you might be right, although I doubt the ratio is that high. I think its rare he gets away with anything really overt, whereas I’ve seen plenty of players get away with overt penalties against him. He does use his stick a lot, but he’s also 7th in takeaways among wings, so he’s effective in that respect.
"...what're you gonna do?"
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jul 5, 2011 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions
No question about it. The guy has been tagged as a diver, or at least “soft on his feet”. He should have drawn a lot more.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Laich’s Breakdown*:
Interference: 4
Tripping: 4
Interference w/ Goalie: 3
Hooking: 3
Slashing: 2
Roughing: 2
High Stick: 1 (double-minor)
Holding Stick: 1
*Box scores for 10/23 and 1/26 weren’t working for me, but 1 minor in each
by Yoshietree on Jul 5, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Semin’s Breakdown*:
Hooking: 8
Tripping: 6
Interference: 4
Slashing: 3
High Stick: 1(double-minor)
Holding: 1
Puck over Glass: 1
Cross Check: 1
*Same caveat as Laich bad boxscore 11/14, one minor. Should be noted that, much like his scoring, Semin’s penalties seem to be in big clumps with droughts (sp?) in between.
by Yoshietree on Jul 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
I guessed that. He was also clumpy as a scorer, IIRC (12 of his 28g in four games). Was wondering if when he wasn’t scoring, he was hooking people in the o-zone more.
Only counting his minor penalties…remember he had several games with multiple penalties:
24 PIM: No G or A
6 PIM: Had one G
12 PIM: Had one A
14 PIM: Multi-points
0 PIM: Had a hat-trick
In the four games that Semin had more than one minor (counting double minors as two infractions) he put up 1G 4A E.
I didn’t realize that Semin did not have a single two goal game last year.
by Yoshietree on Jul 6, 2011 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well to be fair, he can’t really get rid of the top-six forwards like Backstrom, Semin or Ovechkin and expect to get anything close to fair value in return. McPhee realizes he’s stuck with those guys in all likelihood.
I doubt the word “stuck” comes to mind when McPhee thinks about Backstrom and Ovechkin. Semin, maybe.
Pretty sweet bunch of talent to be “stuck” with…
by mechanicsville on Jul 5, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he has a chance of making their NHL team, without a doubt. Hell, if Hendricks hadn’t came along I imagine Pinner would have had a better look with the Caps as well.
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As of July 3rd, this my analysis of what I see as the best and worst free agent signings.
Top Ten Signings
1. Varlamov & Giguere (Avalanche)
9. Joel Ward (Capitals) – If his contract wasn’t so large, this would be near the top of the list. The Capitals have a strong long-term future on the blueline. Ward will need a couple more seasons to fully blossom, but he’ll be an elite defender soon enough.
Ten WORST Signings
2. Roman Hamrlik (Capitals) – $7 million for this over-rated geezer?
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
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I would also put the Varly trade for a 1st and 2nd as the #1 worst, for now, but that could change if varly is healthy, its not a free agent signing but it was highway robbery by GMGM
by Obi wan Knuble on Jul 5, 2011 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions
What about #2?
2. Tomas Vokoun (Capitals) – Hard worker and gets much more shutouts than people realize, he’s a starter with a fair bit of juice left in him. Add all that and nabbing him for less than $2 million, and the Caps walk away with one of the best steals of the year.
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by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 5, 2011 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree completely, i almost crapped my pants when i heard they signed him saturday for next to nothing
by Obi wan Knuble on Jul 5, 2011 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Ovechwin told me the news at Nats Park. I’m pretty sure Davey Johnson heard me go “THE CAPS SIGNED VOKOUN?! FOR 1.5?!”
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by RedBirdie on Jul 5, 2011 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Ward is totally going to be a top-4 defenseman soon. Waitaminit…
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
How on earth did Vokoun play 57 games last year and have a better SV% while shorthanded (.925) than at evens (.919)?
And yes, I know that PK SV% isn’t repeatable (his numbers in 2009-10 made a lot more sense) or a reliable measure of actual talent, etc. Just an oddity on Vokes’ part over a relatively large sample.
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Puck luck. They had the lowest Sh% against when on the PK (sub-8% I believe).
"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.
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Pretty crazy. Wonder when the last time a goalie with that many games played have a better PK Sv% than his ES Sv%.
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You leave him alone!
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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He can’t…they’re attached at the hip.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Tim Thomas the year before over 43 games played have: EV .913 v .919 on the PK, but that’s it since lockout.
"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
Thanks – I now has more information.
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I Have To...
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
kitty’s got that Mike Green had too many cheezburgers puffy face going on. No Cheezburger for you.
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Isn’t the Sh% the same as one minus the SV%? So it was 7.5% with Vokoun on the ice, right?
Florida keepers faced 417 shots and allowed 40 goals on the penalty kill. That’s a 9.6 shooting percentage. Since PK SV% is theoretically not repeatable, we’d expect it to be just as likely that the backups’ SV% are higher than Vokoun’s than that Vokoun’s is higher than his backups.
Vokoun allowed 21 goals on 280 shots, for that bright and shiny .925 SV% and 7.5 Sh% against. The backups allowed 19 goals on 137 shots. That’s almost the same number of goals on less than half the shots, and it comes out to a .861 SV% or a 13.9% Sh% against.
That’s a hell of a chasm. Over a pretty decent sample size (417 shots) Vokoun sure got a lot luckier than his backups.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Decent sample size is somewhat debatable. Florida faced fewer minutes shorthanded than any team in the league. Just 716 PIM, in comparison with the Caps’ 926.
Seems Clemmensen and Vokoun split almost all of the games.
In terms of 4v5 stats (GP/GAON : GAON/60 : SAON/60)
Vokoun (57/17 : 3.49 : 49.7 )
Clemmensen (31/14: 5.61 : 42.4 )
And for comparison:
Neuvirth (48/21: 4.88 : 42.3)
DGB on the Brad Richards Circus
Sample
3:26 pm – The Rangers’ presentation on the value of loyalty and long-term commitments turns uncomfortable when Wade Redden shows up halfway through to repair the office photocopier.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
Link here...duh.
http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2011/07/behind-scenes-of-brad-richards-bidding.html
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty solid salary for a copier repairman…
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
And he’s paid pretty well too…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
JP on the Tomas Vokoun Non-Circus
Sample
3:26 pm – Vokoun’s presentation on his value to the team turns uncomfortable when the Ameritel triplets show up halfway through to repair the office photocopier.
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by J.P. on Jul 5, 2011 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
If that made him uncomfy, imagine how it will be at breakfast when Johannes Brahms comes crashing through the wall of the kitchen, followed by Al Koken trying to sell him replacement windows as part of the repair.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
0000
We need to ‘shop GMGM’s head on Smokin’ Al’s there.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m working on it….
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 5, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if theres any sort of competition between Brooks and Al as to who sells the most windows?
/OT
#NeedsMoreHendricks
It’s a Window Nation/Thompson Creek fight to the death.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s to provide a counter balance to the unreal awesomeness that is Brooks Laich.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
On Hamrlik
I know alot of people are not a fan of this signing…but I would just like to throw out a stat that totally shocked me…that he was +6 last year? I mean I know Carey Price had an unbelievable year but still him in the black on a team with that few NHL defensemen has to be impressive. Maybe he isn’t totally washed up after all. I agree with McPhee, I think he and green would be a good partnership. thoughts?
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I’m hoping he gets paired with Green as well. Green could use a dman who knows how to move the puck well as his partner. Might save him from getting hit so much in his own end.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
I really don’t think Hammer is a puck mover at this point in his career…I think he was forced to be last year when the Habs lost Markov. I think hes best served in the back end.
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by hankthetank5503 on Jul 5, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions
But he can handle the puck…Green is the puck mover…if he is paired up with a Vet that doesnt have stone hands or a lead ass it should free him up a ton
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And I am looking forward to seeing what Hammer can bring, I do think we could have brought in Hejda cheaper tho.
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
Hamrlik can reliably handle the puck under forechecking pressure and hit the outlet pass. That’s all I ask of him. I don’t care that he’s not capable of lugging it up the ice. That’s what we’ve got Green, Wideman and Carlson for.
Armareddon.
This. It’s not so much about pulling a Scott Gomez and creating the entire zone transition yourself. It’s being good enough to hit a teammate in stride, or make a lateral pass without bogging down the breakout.
Good puck movement between/by your blueliners makes the offensive rush that much smoother, and reduces your turnover numbers.
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There is the good and the bad in that. He might be a good partner for Green, but I’m not sure I like the idea of his getting all those minutes. Is he a 22 minute a night player at this point in his career (what he averaged last season)?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Well that won’t all be ES. Green will get a lot of special teams time and that’s where he’ll make the difference in TOI from Hamrlik, if they play together.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Right. As I pointed out before, the Caps had six D that averaged between 17:15 and 18:23 in ES TOI last season – the ice time split at evens has been and should continue to be pretty, um, even.
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I think he blocked a hell of a lot of shots last year too, which is always awesome.
EDIT: Yep…led Habs in blocked shots with 192. Was 4th in the entire NHL behind Girardi, Zanon, and Giordano (and Giordano had 193).
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
maybe he’ll finally teach Green how to block shots with something other than his head.
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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What’s interesting to me is that Carlson finished 14th with 160.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
MTL was using him a bit beyond his means at his age. He and PK Subban lead the team in Ice time (min 45 gp just to exclude Wisnewski who played half the season). His skill level should of had him on the 2nd pairing playing 20-ish minutes a night not 22+ and with the Caps he’ll most likely be on the 3rd pairing getting 18 minutes which should utilize him best.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Sorry if this was discussed yesterday, but I find it shocking that there are still contracts filed with the League that violate rules like the 100% rule, etc. Among other violations/contract rejections in the past, I know Eric Staal’s contract several years ago was rejected and had to be re-worked, I think due to when an NTC kicked in, but don’t recall the specifics. I know Martin Erat’s contract was rejected, I think it was an 100% rule violation. Typically, these contracts are reworked and refiled and there are no issues, but still surprising.
More surprising is that the Philadelphia Flyers after the Pronger, how does the 35+ rule work saga, would not quadruple check contracts before they are filed and understand all the rules.
I’m not sure which contracts specifically you’re targeting, but I totally don’t understand a contract like Brad Richards’. I assume the “signing bonus” doesn’t count as salary for purposes of the calculation of the maximum amount the annual salary can drop. I call BS on that.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Guessing he’s referring to Talbot’s contract, which I believe violates the “bright lines” the NHL negotiated with the NHLPA in the wake of the Kovalchuk fiasco.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
You know what happens when you assume [blushes].
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jul 5, 2011 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m referring to the Talbot contract, which from what I have seen reported on numbers and news over the weekend violates the 100% rule.
Yeah, I facepalmed when I saw the Flyers effed up again. That said, that they apparently have no grasp whatsoever of the CBA brightens my day quite a bit.
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they have no grasp of the CBA, and still seem to keep winning. I hate 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
Winning what?
#secondplaceisfirstloser
#idloveforthecapstobefirstloser
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exactly. I’d take the crushing heartache of losing in the Cup finals in June over the crushing heartache of losing to yet another inferior team in April.
#waytoodepressingtothinkaboutinJuly
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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#dowereallyneedhashtagsforalloftheseissuesorcanwejustusetheawesomeneedsmorebradleytagforeverything ?
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
#don’trainonthehashtagparade
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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Too funny on marginal dollars. I think I might have finally figured out the answer to my own question about the Richards deal, which is just nuts. The drop from year 6 to year 7 is $6 million, or 1/2 of the first two years’ salary. Wow. Didn’t see that coming.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
5pm today (eastern) is deadline for player-elected salary arbitration; Troy Brouwer is only RFA eligible of Caps 4 RFAs.
For NYR, Larry Brooks reports that it looks like Dubinsky and Callahan will both file for arb. according to their agents.
Crushes the dreams of some fans around the NHL wanting to see one of those players sign offer sheets.
we can cross our fingers that the Rangers walk away from 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
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If Brouwer doesn’t opt for arbitration, does that say that he’s close to a deal with the Caps or that his agent has been getting feelers from other teams about an offer sheet?
I’d say it is the former — they probably threw a number at him and told him they needed to clear cap space for it first.
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Except there’s a chance a deal comes up that they need to use it. Imagine if they went over the cap by already signing Alzner and Brouwer and didn’t have the room to sign Vokoun?
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But going over the cap by a few million hurts GMGM’s trade leverage for whoever is leaving. They may have a deal in principle pending the trade, but I wouldn’t sit on that for too long if I were GMGM.
That said, given the Belanger affair I don’t think either Brouwer’s or Alzner’s camp will come forth and say they have a deal pending a trade.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
When is the trading deadline?
Sorry if this question is ignorant — and I assume that it is (as I’m the one asking it). But is there a hard deadline on trades at this point in the year? Or is the only deadline the fact that each club has to be at the salary cap by the start of the season (or 10% above or whatever). I only have a finite number of fingernails left to chew, and I want to be able to pace myself until the ultimate drop dead date for Alzner/Brouwer.
Still worshipping at my Joe Juneau shrine. And a 4.0 in engineering, too.
I believe it is always 40 days before the end of the regular season
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by Sombrero Guy on Jul 5, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled with the return the Caps got for Varly, but I also don’t necessarily buy that it the theft by McPhee that many make it out to be.
I think its a great deal for the Caps given the extenuating circumstances, but if you think about it from the Colorado GM’s perspective, even with the KHL rumors, you have to think the Caps would have matched anything less than an offer sheet which would compensate a 1st and a 3rd.
By trading a 1st and a 2nd for Varly’s rights, the Avalanche eliminated the possibility of being left without a quality goalie if the Caps matched the offer sheet. The Caps would have 7 days to decide if they wanted to match, and I would bet that McPhee would use a solid 6+ of those day just to screw with someone trying to poach his players. How many quality goalies will be left on the market on July 7th?
The trade also allows Colorado to lock down Varly for less than it would have cost to win him with an offer sheet, saving them bare minimum of $384,088 in average cap hit (assuming it would have taken a 1st and a 3rd in compensation for the Caps to let Varly go)
IF Varly can stay healthy, this will be a simple case of win-win for both teams. Caps get solid value for an asset they’ve developed, and the Avs get a potential franchise caliber goalie.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
I actually hope that Varly does do well (after the upcoming season) so that it doesn’t look like GMGM completely ripped off Colorado. As Homer points out in the bullet above, we don’t want the rest of the league declining to do business with GMGM for fear of being fleeced.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
I doubt GMGMs are going to be super intimidated by a GM who really kind of lucked into Vokoun, has little cap room to sign two more pieces, and has yet to win a Cup.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I don’t think anyone is really interested in offer-sheeting RFAs nowadays due to a sort of gentleman’s agreement that must have been put in place.
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Agreed, but I’ve never understood this. Isn’t this collusion? But I guess it works both ways. GM’s may tell their RFA’s not to sign an offer sheet with another team so that they have time to clear cap space to get the RFA under contract.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jul 5, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not so much collusion as it is respect, I think. Also, compensation sucks, and I think a fair number of offer sheets get rejected just because players like the team they’re on.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Also, it’s something that GMs tend to hate, because it messes up whatever salary structure they’re trying to build. When you attempt an offer sheet, you risk derailing a professional relationship with the team you’re targeting. So, you have to choose your spots wisely…and you better not have any talent on your own team that could offer sheeted in the near future, ‘cause karma’s a bitch.
Also, everyone is vulnerable to being offer sheeted. nobody wants to become a target.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Very true that offer sheets are rare, which is why it took a deal like Colorado offered to get a young high end goalie prospect who was still a restricted free agent.
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by Sombrero Guy on Jul 5, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re right that this is the rationalization as to why Colorado didn’t just offer sheet him. Caps match days later, and all the goalies are gone. But given that they apparently didn’t even find out what Vokoun wanted in terms of salary term (allegedly), you have to think they missed an opportunity to maximize value and retain their first-round pick, a critical asset for a team in that position. And even if the Caps had matched the offer sheet, one must wonder whether they would have been just fine immediately trading Varly to Colorado for the deal they ultimately got.
If Varly blossoms into an elite, healthy goalie, it’s not a terrible deal for them. But given that they could have presumably signed Vokoun (currently, a better goalie) and simply kept their picks, and that they evidently didn’t even seriously pursue that option, you have to question it.
You’re right that this is the rationalization as to why Colorado didn’t just offer sheet him. Caps match days later, and all the goalies are gone.
And then McPhee turns around and offers him the player, but for a higher return (hey, you got a guy named Ryan O’Reilly who seems really cool…..).
Just thought of that.
I doubt Vokoun signs with the Avalanche for 1 year 1.5 million. He made it clear that the opportunity to play for a legitimate cup contender was the reason for the agreed upon discount (along with diminishing opportunities to sign elsewhere)
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by Sombrero Guy on Jul 5, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of which, it’s $544,872.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Teach a man to fish my friend (you don’t want to keep answering this every day for the next 2 weeks).
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Brian Bilello must go!
by Bald Pollack on Jul 5, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
We will be regardless, if by nothing else than our own projections.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
So if the tools are there for others to find it you don’t want to perform a public service? OK then.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Brian Bilello must go!
by Bald Pollack on Jul 5, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Hardly, I just want to win the offseason in Rink Behavior.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Brian Bilello must go!
by Bald Pollack on Jul 5, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
CG is blocked on my work filter sometimes….didn’t know if the person in question had the same problem.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Word.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Brian Bilello must go!
by Bald Pollack on Jul 5, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I assume that doesn’t include the 10% overrun teams are allowed until opening night?
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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Injured players
Recently whenever GMGM has talked about injured players who may or may not be ready to start the season, it seems he means more than Poti and Fehr. He has said Poti by name, and then proceeded to talk about players, plural. Is there someone else who may not be ready to start the season, besides these 2? GMGM said something about players (again, plural) having off-season procedures. Besides Fehr, for sure, who would that be if not Poti?
Are you not entertained?
No, it’s generally accepted that it’s Fehr (related, they said Wideman’s good to go, just needs to get back in shape, etc.)
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Right about Wideman, but even after those 3 GMGM still seems (to me at least) to be referring to someone else who might have had some off-season procedure. I’ve been trying to figure who that might be, if anyone.
Are you not entertained?
Brouwer had a shoulder procedure, but there’s no indication that he’ll miss any time
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Buy or Sell
Joel Ward — 15/20/35
Vokun — 50 games started
Hamrlik — top 4 minutes as a defenseman
Eakin — 20+ games in the NHL
by RCheli on Jul 5, 2011 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
sell
buy
buy
sell
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Buy Buy Buy 52-Hammer
Sell
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This was all regular season.
I did not realize that Ward was already 30, which I think is a good thing because his game seems to be more on smarts than on speed.
And Hamrlik with more ice time than Green, Alzner, Carlson, and Wideman?
Then Sell on TV, Yea I think Ward is going to be productive here, and I think Hammer ends up with Green being our top pairing.
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Depends on what you mean by “top four minutes.” Bottom pairing defenders around the league frequently get less than 15 minutes per game. I don’t think any of the Caps’ top seven defensemen will average less than 15 minutes per game. I predict the Caps D TOI is going to be very flat. It’s going to be hard to say, from the TOI alone, who the top 4 are.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
In an ideal world, you’re right. But you rarely, if ever, see that. You see 28-25/20-20/15-12. I don’t know who that 15-12 is going to be.
You follow the Caps – we don’t have a 15/12 pairing last year, we won’t this year.
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by Whiter Mage on Jul 5, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
(To that point, see above – six guys averaged b/t 17:15 and 18:23 of ES TOI last year.)
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Last year was a bit of an aberration because of the Green/Wideman/Poti injuries. I mean, who would have predicted Erskine would play in 73 games last year?
Right, and Erskine wasn’t in that group of six. Still, I’d expect a pretty even balance at fives.
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Really?
First of all… doubtful.
Second of all… when the Rangers and Oilers bury guys like Redden and Souray in the minors, I think their “third pairings” are by default more expensive.
If the Caps are in a position to have those players in what is nominally the third pairing, good on them – they’ll get plenty of ice time to earn their keep.
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But Redden and Souray don’t effect the cap. That’s the important number. (And it’s not like the Caps aren’t going to do the same thing with Poti.) $6M for those guys is not good.
Disagree. Vehemently. Both guys are on perfectly acceptable contracts commensurate with their abilities and what will likely be asked of them this coming season.
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Also, I can’t think of many (if any) third pairs who are better. You get what you pay for.
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by The Ghost of Bebop on Jul 5, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
If they are overpaid as a third pair then they are also over-qualified. It just means we have a deep D corps.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Going back and looking at our D-Corps from two and three years ago, then comparing it to the D-Corps today is just . . . hilarious.
Shamo, Juice, T-Po, B-Po, T-Slo. . . yikes.
Armareddon.
Of those, B-Po healthy and Shamo are the only ones who’d come close to seeing any game time. Maybe T-Po in his prime.
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I still miss Juice.
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Yes and no. You have to keep your salary under control by matching up your higher-priced salaries with equal lower-priced ones. With Alzner getting a big raise, the only bargain is Carlson. So you have a lot of money in their defense (and an expensive Erskine as the 7th defenseman).
It’s worth noting that once Alzner’s signed, the Caps – even with Carlson on his ELC – will probably be in the top-10 for highest average D salary in the League, but not at the top.
They’re also at the bottom w/r/t G’s. Giggity.
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I think that you have want to get as much production out of your highest paid players (so as to actually make them worth it), get production out of your cheap players (to free up salary) and then fill out the rest. The rest is the challenge, because you don’t want to pay too much.
Right now, the rest is Hamrlik and Schultz, and that’s a lot of money.
I agree that Hamrlik is a bit of a puzzler as a signing, but think it’s way too early to say Schultz isn’t going to outproduce his current contract. For that matter, Hamrlik really should as well.
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The only reason why Poti is being “buried” is because of his health and the possibility he may be done. If Poti was healthy, I doubt we see Hamrlik signed or Wideman traded for at the deadline. That’s completely different than what happened with Redden or Souray. Write “Nylander,” and you’ll be more on point.
The Capitals, by hook or coinkydink, have arguably two legit second pairings making up their blueline. Of course it’s going to be more expensive.
And their top pairing—even with Alzner new contract whenever that may come—is probably one of the cheapest first pairings in the NHL.
With Green being healthy, I don’t see Carlson/Alzner maintaining their top-minute roles from last season.
Though I do hope it flattens more. I’d like to see them get less TOI overall, because the alternatives have improved.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Greens will get PP mins no doubt, but 27-74 were awesome against top lines…you cant argue that.
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And Hamrlik with more ice time than Green, Alzner, Carlson, and Wideman?
Depends on total TOI or on TOI/gm, I think.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he would relieve Green of a lot of pressure, Why dont you think they are a good pairing.
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Multiple reasons, the biggest being I don’t think Hamrlik can play top-4 minutes, and I don’t think Hamrlik’s puck skills are as good as everyone seems to assume. I also don’t think his defense is good enough to allow Green to do more offensively.
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He was playing top 4 minutes in Mon? Also I am not saying he has to go end to end, I just think he has more Puck handling skill then any other D 52 has been paired with which should take some pressure and hits off MG.
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He was playing top 4 minutes in Montreal because of injuries. I don’t want him with Mike Green, and I’d rather he play on the third pairing, have all of our pairings get time, and have Hamrlik on our second PP unit.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
At 5on5 he was top-pair by TOI last year and 1D the year before that (and the year before that).
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Irrelevant. I don’t care what he was doing in Montreal, I’m saying in DC, I don’t want him top 4. I would like him to get 18-20 minutes a night on a third pairing getting some PP time.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I think he is better defensively than Wideman, and probably Shultz, that makes him top 4.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Hamrlik is not better defensively than Schultz. Wideman? Yeah. I’d put our pairings at 52-55, 27-74, 6-44, play all of them equally at even strength, unless you need to shut down someone, then put 27-74 out to match.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Hamrlik has been better than Shultz up until now, if Shultz is back to 09-10 form he will probably be better than Hamrlik this season, so you really know.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Sorry, it’s Schultz. But I’m not selling Schultz short because of one down year.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I hope 10-11 was the down year and it wasn’t “09-10 the up year”
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Multiple reasons, the biggest being I don’t think Hamrlik can play top-4 minutes, and I don’t think Hamrlik’s puck skills are as good as everyone seems to assume. I also don’t think his defense is good enough to allow Green to do more offensively.
He was playing top 4 minutes in Montreal because of injuries.
He was top pair on a pretty good hockey team. He played tough assignments. He logged lots of PPTOI and a decent amount of PKTOI.
I’m saying your expectations are too low.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not my expectations, it’s that I’d rather he not be in that situation when I think we have guys who can do the job better.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I can see you three guys who can do it better, but not four.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Hamrlik is 37. I don’t dig his contract but he’s a clear upgrade over Hannan — does that mean top 4? Probably not. Barring Green leaving, expect to see 52-55 and 27-74 get top 4 minutes with Hamrlik and Wideman taking up the least (ESTOI, at least)
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I’m not sure he’s a “clear” upgrade over Hannan. I think he moves the puck a bit better on the outlet, but I’d prefer Hannan defensively.
Armareddon.
I used to poopoo on Hamrlik some but after seeing more games I think he’s every bit that Hannan is with slightly more puck skill.
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(based mainly on when it was statistically stated that Hamrlik was the best D man in the league last year, I had to see exactly how BS the stats were and they weren’t — he had a monster year last year, all things considered. Still don’t want him taking top 4 minutes, however)
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I agree with this. I don’t think the third pairing should get normal third pairing treatment – we don’t have necessarily a “weak” pairing. But at the same time, I don’t want Hamrlik with Mike Green playing 25-30 minutes a game.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Hamrlik with Green at ES would only get around 18 minutes per game. Figure a couple minutes of PK time, not much in the way of PP time, and you are only talking 20-22 minutes of ice per game, not 25-30, even as partner to MG.
That doesn’t do anything to the “He should play with Mike Green” argument.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
If that argument is based on the amount of ice time (which you have said a few times) then yes it does. As many people have pointed out ES TOI is relatively even, but it’s at special teams that Green racks up the extra TOI. You don’t have to play Hamrlik in every situation just because he is Green’s ES partner.
Hamrlik can very easily be Green’s partner while only playing ~20 minutes compared to Green’s 25+. That’s what has always happened when Schultz was Green’s partner.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 5, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d rather have Hamrlik play fewer ES minutes and rack up some PP time.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I’m also pretty sure I don’t want Green playing 25+ minutes a night.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 5, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d hope so, as well as Carlson’s continued emergence. I just don’t trust BB.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Last year after the trade deadline, had everyone been healthy….
which they weren’t, so I guess that doesn’t count….
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 5, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Green’s 5v5 TOI has been creeping up, but it’s still not hitting 18 per game. He’ll be “top pair” even at 17 flat or a bit less.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
sell, 5/10/15
buy
sell
massively sell
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I don’t think Eakin will see NHL time this season unless there are quite a few injuries.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
Disagree. His uber-cheap contract makes him desirable, if he can play.
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There are contracts just as cheap where the players are more experienced. No reason to bring Eakin up when he still needs a lot of development.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
Not really. Only if the injury situation gets that bad. I would put Beagle and Sjogren at the top of my list for who to call up.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
By that logic, we should never bring up Holtby. A spot or two in the bigs is not a big deal for a young forward. He could probably use the confidence boost, and a few days of seeing what the NHL level is like probably helps his development, as long as he’s not there for an extended period of time where he’d be consistently outmatched.
Regardless, he’s a kid, but I don’t think our players are all super fragile egos.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
That does not follow my logic at all. Holtby is clearly #3 on our depth chart, while Eakin isn’t even close to that. I do want to see Eakin in the preseason, but my opinion is that he should spend the entire season in Hershey, except for maybe a call-up in case of injury.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
when he still needs a lot of development
Therein lies the rub – I said “if he can play.” Obviously if he’s not ready and it’s not going to help his development to be here, he won’t be.
But whose contract is as cheap that can conceivably provide the same thing Eakin can if he can play? I suppose Sjogren is in the ballpark (though nearly $300k more expensive), but who else? Aucoin? Greentree? Bourque? Potulny?
If Eakin is able to play here, his cheap contract is another reason why he very well might.
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The only way I see him up is if the Caps lose Halpern and one of the centers due to injury. If Matty P comes back at a reasonable price, I have to believe he’s the first call up. Then Beagle, or you flip them according to need. I’d put Aucoin next because he has some NHL experience. Maybe Eakin is 4th on the list, but I think this team will have to be hit hard with injuries if he’s up here for 1/4 of the season.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jul 5, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Perreault is expensive and will have to pass through waivers
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
OK, thanks. I wasn’t sure what his deal would be like if he comes back.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jul 5, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually, as of now, we don’t know what Perreault’s cap hit will be; some players sign lower cap hit contracts in return for a one way contract or in return for multiple years or a higher salary on the AHL side. If he signs his QO, then yes, he will be more expensive compared to many, but not all.
Good point. I’d like to see him under 700K. It’ll improve his odds of seeing some NHL action this year.
Still, it’s hard to imagine him declining the offer sheet to sign something cheaper. It happens, but it’s rare. Maybe if they give him an extra year or two…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not rare from what I have seen. Sure, QOs being accepted happens, but a raise on the AHL side with a small cut on the NHL side can work out for a player like Perreault, especially if it increases the recall opportunities because of cap issues.
From memory, pretty sure Patrick McNeill did this just last season.
All of those guys you listed except maybe Greentree can bring more than Eakin at this point. In a year or two, I don’t think it will be the case. Eakin is certainly not physically ready for the NHL just yet, and he might not be mentally ready either. There’s no point in trying to bring him along faster than he needs to be – we have plenty of depth forwards with the recent additions.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
All of those guys you listed except maybe Greentree can bring more than Eakin at this point.
How can you be certain of that?
Eakin is certainly not physically ready for the NHL just yet, and he might not be mentally ready either.How can you be certain of that?
Awful lot of assumptions here…
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On the first part, I might be wrong, but I doubt it. On the second part, I know you’ve seen Eakin and how he isn’t physically developed yet. Is that really an assumption on my part?
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
Yep. You’ve seen Cody Eakin. You’ve seen that he “isn’t physically developed.” But you’ve never seen him play against NHL talent. Not sure how you can assume he’s not ready to play against those guys without seeing it or seeing more from him.
Would you have said Marcus Johansson isn’t physically ready at this time last year? How about Jeff Skinner?
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If it’s true that Schenn was the most developed prospect in the CHL, and if it’s true that Eakin schooled him in the playoffs, then I’m sanguine about Eakin’s prospects in the NHL this year.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jul 5, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Aucoin doesn’t really bring anything. Bourque is a non-starter. Potulny? I’d rather see Eakin than Potulny. What’s the point in bringing up any of those guys, who you signed exclusively to play in Hershey, when you can give a guy who you think is going to be an NHLer a taste?
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Aucoin scores .5 ppg in the NHL. You can do a whole lot worse with an emergency callup.
I ain’t saying I want Aucoin playing in the playoffs. But if I have the option to play Aucoin for a few games and maybe bank some cap space, I’ll take it.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because they are physically ready and don’t need more development. I do think eakin will be an NHLer, but he needs to develop first. Bringing him up early could potentially cause a problem with that – it won’t with any of those other guys. I doubt we’ll see any of them for more than a handful of games.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
Have you seen Eakin play? Last year he was physically more ready than Johansson. It’s not like he’s a preteen finally putting on some facial hair.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Yes, I have. I saw quite a bit of the Memorial Cup. Unlike Mackan, he has never played against pro-level players – such as SEL players.
My mind is all twtisted like a peanut.
Eakin performed well in camp and in a couple pre season games last year, right?
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by Sombrero Guy on Jul 5, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
but there’s a large gap, IMO, between “a taste” and “20+ games”. I buy that we will see some Eakin this year, I sell that he will get 20+ games.
Caps have two forwards who can freely move up and down without passing through waivers who count in this discussion: Sjogren and Eakin. Sjogren makes 900K, Eakin makes 637K.
Yeah, I think we’re going to see Eakin sometime. Especially if one of the forwards has a minor injury and you’re not sure whether he’ll play or not. Eakin is the perfect insurance for that situation. (If someone’s truly out, then you can bring up Aucoin, Bourque, Greentree or Potulny for up to 10 games as an emergency replacement. That’s 40 games among those four, and I bet you see the team utilize that resource a bunch too)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I need waiver rules reexplained to me if Sjogren can move up and down without them.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
He’s just like any other rookie
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
If it’s defined as an emergency replacement the 10 games until waivers clock doesn’t start, so if it’s a true emergency replacement with no one like King available to put in and making a recall instead then it’s about cap hit and player contributions with no waiver concerns (unless the player requires re-entry and of this group, I don’t believe any will require re-entry waivers although I need to confirm that as fact.)
The catch is what do you do when, say, Eric Fehr isn’t sure he can play, and he’s your 12th remaining forward? If you bring someone up and he does play, then it’s not an emergency situation since you can complete your roster without the call-up. But you might want a body with you in the trip, in case Fehr can’t make it. That’s one situation where calling up a waivers-ineligible player like Sjogren or Eakin is really helpful.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
A 5/10/15 line might just make him the worst FA signing of the offseason… in the entire league.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jul 5, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Joel Ward isn’t in the league because of his stellar offense.
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by sydtron on Jul 5, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
he’s also not getting paid 3 million a year to put up 5/10/15. I’d expect something close to 15/15 or so.
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by Sombrero Guy on Jul 5, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s going to be paired with Laich who isn’t exactly a playmaking pivot. The only way the 3rd line has some offensive oomph is if Fehr is on it and I don’t think he’s going to be playing with the Capitals next season (much)
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You assume GMGM will get the Brouwer deal done…Ward could be with 90-28
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I’d expect something more like 10/20.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll admit, I don’t watch too many Nashville games. I watched him in the playoffs this past year when he was at his best ever, and it looked like he benefited from parking his butt in front of the net. I think there’s a good chance he see some time occasionally on the 2nd PP unit as a front of the net presence, and I think that’s why he’ll chip in somewhere between 10 and 15 goals. I’ll be even more thrilled with the signing if he can provide the Caps with solid time on the PK. I said “buy” to the 15/20/35 line, but I only think he can hit that if he gets some minutes on the 2nd line and power play.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jul 5, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
His deal will be a disaster if he gets used like an offensive player. For max value he should be playing mostly defense. And I don’t doubt he will.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Buy. (I think injuries will mean he gets more TOI.)
Sell. (I think (hope) that the team will aim to keep him fresh and sustain Neuvy’s development by splitting time pretty equally.)
Sell. (I think he’ll get a good share of TOI at ES, but he’ll still fall in the bottom-pair on this team. This is, of course, barring a trade.)
Buy. (See aforementioned injuries.)
Armareddon.
I bet Eakin comes up due to injury, has a phenomenal first few games running on adrenaline, and sticks for a bit before cooling down. I bet he gets 20
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Buy—he’s going to get plenty of TOI with guys who can put the puck in the net. He’ll probably get pushed up a line or two a few times if the team is struggling as well.
Buy—he’s durable and a good goalie. Put another way, he needs to start a few more games than Neuvirth did this past year.
Sell—if we’re talking TOI/gm. Hamrlik needs less and less TOI at his age. I can think of three better PP options, three better PK options, and the ESTOI will probably be fairly even. I could see him 4th in TOI though: all it takes is one injury to Carlzner or Green.
Buy—one forward at least is on the way out (I think it’s two). Jay Beagle played 30 something games last year as a call-up. I think Eakin isn’t all that far off the NHL, and his cap hit is pretty small.
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by red army line on Jul 5, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Rec’d for generating lotsa good discussion.
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by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jul 5, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Ward 12/15/27 (which would still mean he’s contributing)
Vokoun 55 starts
Hamrlik will be #2 or #3 in minutes on the Caps D
Eakin 0 NHL games, wins the AHL Rookie of the Year
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 5, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
No way is Eakin getting zero NHL games. It’s unpossible.
The team thought so highly of him that when they reached their decision to send him back to junior, they gave him a little “going away gift.” At the next (and final, for Cody) training camp practice, he found a red sweater in his locker and he spent the day centering Alex Ovechkin and Mike Knuble. It was a small gesture, but really showed the regard they had for him.
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Selling on Ward. I think he tops out at 30 points and hopefully BB figures out that he can play against top lines in tough starts and beat – or at least keep his head above water – the minutes. He probably gets zero PP time and defensive stoppers as linemates, so I’m selling on his offensive production.
I’m buying on Vokoun. I think he’s a workhorse goalie that’s better than Neuvirth this year (next year? Maybe a different story, but Holtby should be a lot closer to ready at that point).
Selling on Hamrlik. Pending health I see Green, Carlson, and Wideman getting more time and Alzner making more ES minutes and PK time.
Selling on Eakin. I think he’d have to wear some pretty damn big cowboy boots to make this year’s NHL squad, even at the bottom lines. How many people buy that he’s as good as Jay Beagle in his own zone this year and ready to take NHL faceoffs? I definitely don’t. I think Sjogren takes his NHL spot.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Depends on salary shipped out, but yeah, I do. I don’t think the Caps paid him 900k a year to play in HER.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, and I have been since before the Vokoun signing. Who and for what, I don’t know.
#hereshopingtheothershoeissoft
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t understand this comment…Sjogren is on a standard ELC two-way contract; pays 900,000 in the NHL and an AHL salary in the AHL. The 900,000 was the max salary allowed for him based on the CBA rules, although they could have given him some performance bonuses. Typical for FA players to receive this type of deal when signing their ELC.
If Sjogren shows he’s ready to make this team, they’ll find a way to get him on the roster, but even with his experience, I think it’s useful to see how he adjusts before slotting him in just based on his contract.
The misunderstanding is mine – I thought he was paid 900k either way.
If that’s not the case, I don’t see him making the team on that K.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
1) maybe
2) No, I think we want to give Neuvirth more experience, bring up Holtby for some stretches, and give Vokoun some rest for his weary bones
3) As far as I see it, the Caps have 6 top-4 defencemen. Their bottom pair will be in the top two quartiles of top defensive pairs in the league.
4) I’d love that.
__
From PensBlog’s lovely send-off of Max Talbot:
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by J.P. on Jul 5, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 12 recs
Close enough
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
Well, that depends on what month it is, and how the refs are feeling that night.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Way to earn 2-5, Ohlund. That shit needs to get out of the game, fast.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I could watch that all day, and probably will.
I root harder for the doomed.
by bigonetimer on Jul 5, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gee, when Crosby’s deal runs out and he signs a big FA deal with the Rangers, will The Pensblog show Steckel’s hit on him as a send off?
If you've read this far...seek help.
is the pope catholic?
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
Only if they are shooting them at one another.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 5, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Since the gif doesn’t have audio, I’ve decided to soundtrack this:
skateskateskateDOUCHHHHHEEEEE
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 Jul 5, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What stands out to me on the Ovi hit is how it’s so obviously a push to his upper arm/shoulder, causing him to land on his back, yet Talbot grabs his helmet like he was hit in the head. Looking for a call??
"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.
Talbot also grabs his head only after he looks up to see who hit him.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Kornheiser is off today, but somehow I didn’t turn off the station. Amazingly, Caps are getting some decent air time this morning.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
I don’t listen to Tony for sports. I listen for Tony.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Which is kinda like saying, I ride elevators for the music.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 5, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not even close. Tony’s show has evolved away from sports over the years. There’s still plenty of sports, but also plenty of other stuff. Maybe it’s just all the angst that makes me love him.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
I enjoy his sense of humor and his use of language. It’s also a community type thing in which there’s a ton of memes and inside jokes which crack me up.
I enjoy Tony Kornheiser. I’ve moved away from sports talk for the most part and just listen to NPR. It makes me feel… cultured.
NPR: Seeking out the world’s most inaccessible jazz since 1971.
(hat tip, Colbert)
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by winterion on Jul 5, 2011 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bring me up to speed
Just back from a 10-day vacation with no internet. The odd glance at USA Today, particularly around 7/1, told me of the following moves, and my initial reaction:
1. Traded Varly to the Avs for a 1st and 2nd. Not horrible, turning a first rounder with flashes of brilliance but also with health issues into a 1 and a 2 is pretty decent asset management. I guess it’s Neuvy’s team now, eh?
2. Re-signed Brooks Laich for something like 6 years at $4.3M AAV (?). Bleh. Too much money.
3. Signed Halpern for a year and a million bucks. If he’s the 3C, I don’t like it. If he’s the 4C, and B Gordon is out, I can live with it.
4. Signed Roman Hamrlik. Not sure what to make of this one, really. I guess Hannan is gone, then? I don’t hate it, and I guess you can never have too many NHL D.
5. Traded with Chicago for Troy Brouwer (sp?) who is I believe a RW. See below for reaction.
6. Signed some guy that I can’t remember, also a RW. Why all the RW’s? No C’s? Weird, no? Brouwer, IIRC, is a hard-nosed third line type, so maybe with Halpy GMGM is going for a grittier presence on the ice in the bottom lines?
Anyway, have I missed anything, and what’s the general consensus?
Much to do at work, so I’ll check back later for input. Thanks.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I still feel like I’m making that up when I type it.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 5, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
do you keep pinching yourself? I’m not going to believe it until I see him out on the ice in a Caps sweater. ANd even then, I’ll probably be like “Nah, that’s an impostor.”
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 keep thinking about what he might have cost if, as many pundits suggested, the Caps had traded for him at the deadine. It might have cost the 26th pick in the June draft for a rental (since Vokoun would have had his chance with a contender), if not more, which means the Caps would have neither Vokoun, nor Brouwer at the moment.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I’m not sure what’s more amazing. That Vokoun signed for $1.5 million or that he and Hamrlik turned down longer and more lucrative contracts to come to Washington. As a Caps fan, I’m not used to this kind of respect.
it is very weird. It’s a little like living in the twilight zone.
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
Oh, c’mon… Tom Poti left money on the table to stay!
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by J.P. on Jul 5, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m guessing everyone wants to come here because Bruce is the easiest coach in the league to play for. And the Caps are the most over-rated.
Good point. Vokoun and Hamrlik are actually disrespecting the Caps by coming here. Bastards.
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Hooo-lyyyyyy sheeit.
Well, all right then. How the hell did that happen? Is he hurt or something?
Couldn’t resist peeking, and glad I did. Vokoun??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA that. Is. AWESOME!
Vokoun. Wow. OK, screw work, I’m gonna read the thread and catch up on Vokoun.
$1.5MM?? Mother of all that is pure and holy. Didn’t Bryz get like $7M? I take back all the negative thoughts I had surrounding GMGM.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
1.5 is also what FLA’s paying Jose Theodore this year. And I believe less than what the Flyers are paying Michael Leighton.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
so, yeah, that’s pretty much the reaction most of us had, and most of us are still having. VOKOUN! FOR 1.5! AH HA HA HA HA HA!
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 remember, if you’re Adrian Dater, it shows the Caps are “desperate”, Vokoun is a “mercenary” and it shows the Caps are “declining”
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Two things I do each time I wake up:
First, giggle uncontrollably at the idea that THOMAS FREAKIN’ VOKOUN is a Capital. For 1.5!
Second, thank god that I am not Adrian Dater.
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 particularly liked Dater’s line that the Caps have no idea what they’re doing with their goaltending. Let’s see, get a potential lottery pick and second rounder for a guy who was leaving for the KHL, pick up a top-five goalie for peanuts and have maybe the best goalie prospect in hockey waiting in the wings. You’re right, Adrian. McPhee doesn’t have a clue.
Dater’s gonna hate.
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by winterion on Jul 5, 2011 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I was killing time before a wedding reception, and had to show my twitter feed to other people to verify I wasn’t seeing things.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 5, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Brouwer is a righthanded shooting LW, a la Ovi, per Ed F.
And welcome back.
I root harder for the doomed.
Brouwer’s listed at both wings in multiple sources. I’d much rather he be a LW for us, though. Doesn’t make much sense to sign Ward otherwise.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Brouwer said he plays both sides but feels more comfortable on the left.
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Sooooo…Laich to 3C, Brouwer to 2L?
Ward to 3R, with Chimera at 3L? Shutdown line? Not sure I buy Chimera in that role, to tell you the truth.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I have Fehr at 2L, Brouwer at 3L, with both interchangeable in NHL 11. Salary cap probably doesn’t hold for that, though.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Has Eric Fehr ever played on the left side?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He ends up on that side from time to time, usually taking inexplicably sharp angle shots.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
Looks like your number 6 is Joel Ward.
Also, in terms of depth/players in organization:
Returning: Sean Collins and Chris Bourque re-signed, 1 year, 2 way contract
Signed for AHL/depth: Danny Richmond on D; F; Ryan Potulny; along with some other AHL signings
Leaving:
- Boyd Gordon signed 2 year contract with Phoenix
- Matt Bradley signed 2 year contract with Florida (former Caps also signed with FL, Fleischmann and Theodore)
- Marco Sturm signed 1 year contract with Vancouver
- Andrew Gordon signed 2 year contract (2nd year one-way) with Anaheim
- Andrew Joudrey signed 2 year contract with Columbus (Alexandre Giroux also signed with Columbus organization)
- Steve Pinizzotto signed with Vancouver
by sk84fun_dc on Jul 5, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thanks, particularly for the info on guys who departed.
I don’t know much about Ward, but my general impression is that I’ve liked what I’ve seen.
Godspeed, Gordo and Brads.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Oh, and we bought out Tyler Sloan.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
OK, so I read the thread and did some supplementary reading.
Looks like Brouwer is RFA and has to be re-signed, and the Caps are now strapped for cap space, with Alzner still yet to sign to an RFA deal.
I’ll assume this means that Hannan and Arnott will not return.
Someone on the roster is going to have to go, even if Poti goes on LTIR for the duration of the season. Can’t see Brower and Alzner both signing for $2.875M. I’ve seen Chimera and Fehr mentioned upthread. I’ll add that if Poti is going to be healthy, could Wideman be a candidate? The Hamrlik signing would make more sense in that light.
Other thoughts:
I see the Caps bought out T-Slo. Yippee!
The speculation here that MarJo might be a “soft-minutes” 2C looks set to pan out. Given the cap issues and the guys yet to re-sign, I can’t see the Caps adding another C. I really dislike Laich as 3C at his cap number.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Ironically, things being what they are now, I wish we hadn’t bought out Tyler Sloan. We’re paying for him anyway, and we could have put him in Hershey with little risk, and if he was claimed, it would have been a better cap situation anyway.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Yeah, I don’t really understand the Sloan buyout… It’s not like the team saves a ton of actual dollars in the buyout. Why not stick him in Hershey? I guess it must be loyalty. They want Sloan to land on another NHL team instead of playing in the AHL?
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
That is the only thing I can figure, unless they thought Sloan would be a negative influence in Hershey. It’s baffling, and if it’s a “good soldier” move, it’s about to get awkward with Poti/King…
Maybe they don’t want to use a developmental team roster slot on him?
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Flash got 4 years and $18MM from FLA.
Not sure I can do justice to my complete incredulity at this move. Good for Flash, nice guy and all, but that is crazy.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Enjoy Minnesota, Heatley. Hahaha.
For HAVLAT?? Must have been horrible in the room.
Sorry for the serial non-sequiturs, though.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Heh. Yeah, trying to digest all the craziness at once is weird.
Christian Ehrhoff? Holy hell. Wisniewski? Even worse.
And Philly…Max Talbot?? Not sure what that’s all about. And Jagr…at least it doinked PIT, so that’s something.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
With Talbot, Philly also continues its curious tradition in the front office of displaying a yard ape’s handle on what actually constitutes a legit NHL contract. I don’t care that it was a 125K mistake—it’s beyond comprehension.
I root harder for the doomed.
US/Canada. WJC. New Year’s Eve. Edmonton.
Boom.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Group A, hosted in Calgary, features the defending gold medallists from Russia along with Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.
Group B, hosted in Edmonton, will feature Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland and the United States.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I love the way hockey is taking over the entire New Years holiday
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
College Football shot its own self in the foot on that one. There’s a bazillion bowls now, and the only real “important” one on the first is the Rose Bowl.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
This came out Saturday, so it may be old (new to me):
Re: COL acquiring Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Reactionaries around the league and even in Colorado immediately screamed that Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman and adviser Joe Sakic got swindled like Madoff investors.
This pair may give the Avs a significant improvement in the nets. If not, the Avs are no worse off than they were.
They Avs are very much worse off cause they gave up a first-round draft pick next year (which could be lottery pick) and a second- round choice in 2012 or ’13 (WSH choice).
Incidentally, WSH could end up with 3 picks in the Top40 next year, in a draft class many are calling one of the better ones in recent history.
"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
The Avs just got he supervisory pimp slap by one George McPhee…
"Can you smell what the Arnott is Cooking?"
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 5, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Woody Paige is insane.
There are a bazillion goalies out there, apparently – pay one, don’t give up assets for ’em.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And by “respect her privacy,” you mean “email them to you.” I dig.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And by “email them to you” you mean, “the one’s where she’s over 18 not the one’s from junior high”.
Tough to run the Rink from the joint.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 5, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone’s never played Monopoly. Jail is the best place to be sometimes.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
This came up second in my google search for Woody Paige Daughter
Something tells me it’s not her, or I’m really disappointed.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Sasha Artemev, olympic bronze medalist.
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
What, a guy who willingly ate dog food on TV is level-headed?
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Brian Bilello must go!
by Bald Pollack on Jul 5, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn’t able to keep up with all of the discussion on this over the weekend, but I take it you disagree with my assessment that the Avs didn’t have much of a choice if they wanted to acquire a goalie with Varly’s ceiling
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled with the return the Caps got for Varly, but I also don’t necessarily buy that it the theft by McPhee that many make it out to be.
I think its a great deal for the Caps given the extenuating circumstances, but if you think about it from the Colorado GM’s perspective, even with the KHL rumors, you have to think the Caps would have matched anything less than an offer sheet which would compensate a 1st and a 3rd.
By trading a 1st and a 2nd for Varly’s rights, the Avalanche eliminated the possibility of being left without a quality goalie if the Caps matched the offer sheet. The Caps would have 7 days to decide if they wanted to match, and I would bet that McPhee would use a solid 6+ of those day just to screw with someone trying to poach his players. How many quality goalies will be left on the market on July 7th?
The trade also allows Colorado to lock down Varly for less than it would have cost to win him with an offer sheet, saving them bare minimum of $384,088 in average cap hit (assuming it would have taken a 1st and a 3rd in compensation for the Caps to let Varly go)
IF Varly can stay healthy, this will be a simple case of win-win for both teams. Caps get solid value for an asset they’ve developed, and the Avs get a potential franchise caliber goalie.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 5, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
They gave up a 2012 first rounder, correct? Are we on “this is now 2012 time” yet?
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.....My tool shed!!!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 5, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the 1st is in 2012 (i.e. next draft).
The 2nd is in 2012 (which is Boston’s second) or 2013, Caps’ choice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The 2nd rounder was overpayment, Varley was definitely worth a 1st rounder this year. Vokoun was the last good goalie around and there’s no guarantee he would have rather have gone to Colorado instead of stay with Florida. Phoenix signed Mike Smith to be “their starting goalie” and Philly imploded their team to secure Bryzgalov.
Given the need for a goalie, Colorado went out and secured one. Will it pan out? I hope, Varlamov has shown every indication that he can be an elite goalie if he can just stay healthy. Jiggy is mostly broken down but he can still show flashes of brilliance.
Would I have wanted GMGM to make a similar trade? Never in a million years, but, after what Thomas did you can imagine a GM wanting to show that he, too, saw the Stanley Cup Finals and that a goalie made a difference for once.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
AHL announces divisions for 2011-12 season:
http://theahl.com/alignment-p171563
Note: Andrew Gordon signed with Anaheim, Syracuse’s affiliate…if you are a Hershey and AGordon fan, just one more reason to hope he makes Anaheim’s roster.
The AHL is a mess due to the locations…there are also a lot of rumors about Charlotte moving next year…and the rumor is that’s part of why they were the team to move. Not sure about the move but this isn’t going to help them in terms or operating costs.
And the Toronto/Hamilton/LE/Rochester/Grand Rapids division to a good extent is ‘western’ in name only.
Interesting. Charlotte just got an AHL team.
I suppose you could move Syracuse to the North, Grand Rapids to the Midwest, and Charlotte to the Eat.
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
Divisions are more of a joke in the AHL than the NHL, which is kind of impressive.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Eakin
Is Cody Eakin going to be in Hershey this year or is he going back to Kootenay?
Wow, so now Konopka, Neil, and Carkner all on the same team. A combined 119 fighting majors between the three over the last two seasons.
First rule of Ottawa Senators training camp?
Don’t talk about Ottawa Senators training camp.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jul 5, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
Cluster has a new “second” favorite teams. CusterS has a lot more to be excited about this season.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
What the-
"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
Dunno, but I tweeted it with surprise.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
What’s bizarre is that Kolbe just hosted the Caps Report a couple of weeks ago while Vogel was away and the staff gave him a plaque honoring him for his 1000th game as a Caps broadcaster. He sure sounded happy on the show.
Steve Kolbe, a Towson resident and member of the committee, said Campbell “is a good man” but that the last nine months have taken a toll on the organization.
“There are a number of important matters that are about to come about,” Kolbe said. “We need good leadership who can stand as a valued and valuable partner with our legislators to oppose these issues.”
Going to say he’s replacing whoever Campbell is on whatever committee he is a member of.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
Whether they replace Kolbe or not, whoever fills this position is only the third radio PxP Caps guy in their history, no?
"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
bummer. Whatever grief he may have taken over his work, he was relentlessly (in a good way) enthusiastic and cheerful at the various off-ice Caps events I’ve attended. He and Ron Weber sharing their stories was one of my favorite pre-game chalk talks. What a hoot.
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
huh. wonder if they found someone else and that’s why Kolbe wasn’t renewed.
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
From the same source (a 106.7 guy):
@Bill Rohland: Kolbe has already had conversations with the Caps and will be applying for new job. I think it’s a HUGE mistake if they don’t re-up him.
"The ice will show everything."
Meh, that’s one broadcast guy sticking up for another broadcast guy. I don’t know too many teams that haven’t won a Cup because their play-by-play guy left. If the franchise can survive Ron Weber leaving, they can certainly survive Kolbe’s departure.
He is good except I hate the way he calls non-cap goals
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And John Walton quit updating his blog and recording the Old Barn in April. I’m not sure what to make of that either. In past years, I’m pretty sure both the blog and the Old Barn continued through the summer, at least in some capacity.
I wouldn’t mind hearing Walton call the Caps.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t recall the OBS going into the summer, unless maybe there was a special related to the Calder Cup wins; maybe 1 much later in the summer leading up to camp time. As to his blog, in its different forms, always been hit or miss in terms of updates from what I recall.
I asked Walton about the Old barn last spring:
Bagace: @jwaltonhockey One question for now: What happened to the Old Barn Hockey Show? My Tues/Wed commute has become quite dismal lately.
25 Apr
jwaltonhockey: @Bagace Off for the summer, in talks for next season.
25 Apr via TweetDeck
"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 just checked the podcast listing — they kept going all summer last year, except for a vacation 7/12 to 8/9.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
More GMGM advertising fun
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 5, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
New content up on the front page, friends.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Just because you added a new combo meal, doesn’t mean we can’t go with our regular order!
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
Please to enjoy all of our scrumptious offerings.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
you’re just trying to increase the rink’s overall time wasted reading posts/24 hours (TWRP/24) by offering us the online equivalent of poutine.
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! They moved it to a weekend night (Sat would be better, but hey, it’s progress):
The 2010-11 full season ticket holder party will return to Six Flags America on October 14, 2010 from 6pm until 9:30pm.
"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.
Gah! Sorry about that. Caps just sent the link to that webpage. Silly me to assume it was for the current year.
"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.
it’s always a weeknight because Six Flags does HalloScream on weekends.
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
Here’s a great look at paying for goaltending and what you can expect, from Eric at BSH.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
GMGM: “So one year the narrative is ‘grab a G on the cheap – Niemi and Leighton took their teams to the Finals.’ Next year we hear ‘you need an elite goalie – Thomas and Luongo were the last men standing in net.’ Cheap or elite… elite or cheap… Fuck it, let’s go with one guy who’s both.”
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by J.P. on Jul 5, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 12 recs
Isn’t that the best way to go about it. Unlikely that it’s a sustainable model, though…
I like the “take a goalie in the 4th and hope 25-50% of them continue to pan out” approach.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
It’s a new way of doing business. Revolutionary, really.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Kinda like TARP…Terrific Asset Relief Program
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 5, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What team would take Poti at this time?
Assuming that he will not be able to contribute / fit onto the Caps roster this season, who would trade for an career-threatened injured D? Someone who needs to meet the cap floor, like the Islanders, maybe? Would we have to give up a pick in addition, like Poti + a 3rd for a 2nd back, to make the deal work?
I like TP3, and would be happy to see him back on the ice in Red, but somethings’ got to give.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Hershey
Just being realistic.
If he ends up playing well down there and is fine, he’s either insurance if one of the Caps D has season ending injury, or he plays himself into a trade to another NHL team at that point.
If Poti is send to Hershey, he’s going to stay in Hershey. Don’t want to risk re-entry waiver claim and be on the hook for half his salary. He’ll be effectively Redden’d.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Agreed. He ain’t coming back after that.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Toronto just took Lombardi.
Anyone want to send Poti somewhere with a dowry? (Doesn’t make much sense — not with the Caps willing to put guys in another league and pay their salary there)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Was this already reported or is Ryan Whitney breaking the Yandle signing?
yanwhitney6 Ryan Whitney
Keith Yandle becoming a very wealthy man by signing his new deal with the Phoenix Coyotes for 5 years 26.25 million. yfrog.com/hsljjtij
If that’s the actual deal… I guess it’s just another reason that twitter is awesome. Players reporting the deals before the reporters!
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 5, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
That Yandle contract scares the shit out of me for what it means about John Carlson’s next contract.
Armareddon.
Keeping Carlson and Green both is going to take some serious limbo skills.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Wideman’s contract expires, for whatever that helps. And Poti’s either retired or healthy by then. (Or in Hershey, but that’s not likely.)
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Perhaps. I dunno, just seems to me like Green is going to be too expensive to keep.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Fine by me. Green is more important. As for who replaces Semin’s production, it’ll take a number of guys (who likely won’t replace it entirely), and let’s hope Kuznetsov is legit.
Let’s hope Kuznetsov leaves the KHL. You know that after the Varly debacle, Russia will do everything they can to keep the kid.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that too. The KHL almost always loses out in power struggles it seems, but this is one where having Kuz in-hand could make it more difficult. Hopefully he wants to play in the best league in the world.
You think Carlson will take the step from ~40 points to ~60 points by then?
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I don’t think he gets the PP time to get to those totals with DualJowls52 and Wideman on the roster. I can see him pushing ~35 or ~40 if the team has a really good shooting year with him on the ice, but I don’t see him getting Yandle numbers.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
So would I. But then he would get better than Letand/Suter contract numbers with the way the market is trending.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I meant boxcars. If his agent is smart, he’ll get those numbers.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok. I think he’ll fall short of Yandle’s boxcars because of the Caps’ depth on D, but if the contract inflation continues. . . man, his deal is going to hamstring the team.
Armareddon.
Depends if the inflation continues with salary cap increases, etc. I’d say Carlson’s deal is among the least likely to hamstring the team.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Well, hopefully GMGM starts negotiations like, now. A Letang deal where he gets less than $4m AAV is a great one for the Caps going forward.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Why would the Yandle contract scare you? 5.25 million for a guy who finished 5th in the Norris voting, and was 3rd in scoring for d-men seems pretty appropriate. I like John Carlson, but I’m not sure we can reasonably expect him to make that leap next season given his use on the team, and the presence of Mike Green, Wideman and Hamrlik to take away some of the PP time.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
Because if you’re watching the salary inflation that’s been going on this year, Yandle’s contract just set out a new marker for what a young, offensively-minded RFA defenseman will cost. A few years ago, Mike Green got a similar contract after a much, much more productive year. Given that NHL contracts are often based off of comparables, if Carlson has a “hot” year, he could make damn close to Yandle money. Even if he doesn’t, he’s in line for $4m+. That fundamentally alters the Caps’ salary structure next year.
Armareddon.
Green signed his contract after going 18-38-56. Yandle was 11-48-59. Sure, Green had more goals (on a much better offensive team), but I think saying that his year was much, much more productive is a bit of a stretch. When you consider how much the cap has risen since 2008 when Green signed his deal, I think Yandle’s deal is actually right in line with Green’s deal more than it is a new marker for offensive Dmen.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 5, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Well he still led all D in goals with 18, but he exploded with 31 goals the next season making GMGM look like a genius with the new contract. I actually remember reading debates among Caps fans immediately after the deal was signed about whether the Caps had given Green way too much money after just one good season.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 5, 2011 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
Tomas Kaberle agrees to 3 yr, $12.75 deal with Carolina!! Done.
Carolina gets the other Kaberle brother now.
That should be fun. He’s immediately the best D in the Southeast.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
When I think of Kaberle I think of Ovi brushing him off like a gnat while bull rushing past him to score the ENG that completed his hatty against Toronto this year. I’m looking forward to more of that now that Ovi gets to play him six times.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Jul 5, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
from also-ran to Stanley Cup Champs to another also-ran in 4 months!
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
As much as I think Kaberle blows goats, that’s actually not a terrible deal in terms of dollars or term given some of the contracts that have been handed our recently.
Armareddon.
Kaberle is stone-cold terrible in his own end, but he’s still good at getting the puck up the ice once his teammate gets it and he’s still an elite passer from the blueline. CAR could do worse.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Gleason is a badder dude than anyone the Caps currently employ on the blueline.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s D re-signing announcement hour…Columbus re-signs Methot for 4 years (3 of which are UFA seasons based on current UFA rules)…interested to see the numbers on that deal.
Bahahaha
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 5, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
OTOH, as we’re snickering over here, he just got traded to the defending champs. Even if he’s #7D, he just went to a better team.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
And he just made them a worse team.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 5, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
oh, that’s just the best news I’ve heard today! Make Boston slightly easier to play again
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, but Corvo to a contender? I don’t like seeing him happy.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Boston sports fans are not exactly a forgiving lot. They’re going to make him miserable.
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
Boston got Fleeced
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Word out of Carolina is that he had a “soft” trade request. May have been sad that Cole left, as they were apparently best buds. On a related note, my respect for Erik Cole just dropped a bit.
It’s not that I thought that Cole had good taste, but hearing that does make me a little more squeamish about him. His request to be traded falls in line with those making the rounds to which I am party, though not based on Cole’s trade. Overall, it seems flighty of 77 to want a trade from the team (and the city) you’d not wanted to leave the year prior.
Hell, I’m just glad he’s gone. Let BOS deal with his confidence and motivation issues. I’m sure they’ll get a kick out of his not-quite-win-at-all-costs mentality.
Dingos are involved. Best not to ask.
Corvo to Boston, eh?
Real winners want to compete for a Cup; and aren’t afraid to play on a team that is deep with talent.
Coer. Corazon. Cuore. Cердце. Coração. Corvo. The heart of a champion.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
We had to give up Oskar Osala, Brian Pothier, and a 2nd round pick for Joe Corvo in 2009.
Boston gives up a 4th round pick for Joe Corvo in 2011.
Why did we pay so much for so little?
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 5, 2011 4:36 PM EDT reply actions
Salary dump this time around. Corvo didn’t HAVE to go anywhere at the deadline 2 years ago.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Jul 5, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve said it before…I hope I never get on your bad side. You sure know how to dig in for a long fight.
by Yoshietree on Jul 5, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
After I see about four F&B posts in one thread, I just get out of the way and pity the fool who stands toe to toe.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
‘course, D’oh gives better than he takes.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 5, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Because, realistically, he was playing pretty well at the time. From the outside, he looks passable in his own end and pretty good in the offensive zone. Once under a microscope, you realize he’s unreliable and inconsistent all over the ice.
What’s odd though is that he actually had a good 2nd half of last season ( the usual Carolina late-season push). So it’s odd to see him go for so much less this time.
Good lesson in inflation at the deadline vs. inflation at the FA period.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I know this deal and the player involved are being made fun of…but I’m pretty sure Corvo is an upgrade on the blueline for them. They’re not very deep.
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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 Jul 5, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
In the same way we’re deep enough at center and the Canes can win the Cup.
That’s both a dig at Chara’s crew and a reminder every team is flawed, but some timely play (read:luck) and fortunes can change drastically for the better.
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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 Jul 5, 2011 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Whyno is reporting that Brouwer is not going to be going to salary arbitration
I think that’s a good thing, because the Caps only need to give him what they want… but does that mean that he’s still able to be offer sheeted?
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 5, 2011 5:59 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but I see it as a good sign that the two sides are close. You’d think the only reason to go to arbitration is if they’re so far apart they need a mediator to settle things – my guess is the delay has been more about dust settling from free agency and trying to figure out our cap situation than it is about Brouwer wanting too much or the Caps lowballing him.
Plus it’s probably better not to start off a relationship with a new guy by going into a hearing and pointing out why he sucks…
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Money comment:
I don’t think building your team full of ex Leafs is the way to go Carolina..
Maurice
Tlusty
Ponikarovsky
Brent
Kaberle
I think GMJR picks up on affinity and runs with it. Already got one Staal? Get another! Wait, a B.Sutter hits the market? We already have one of those, so collect the next in the series! Jiri knows Poni? Sounds great! We’ve had a Kaberle before and it worked out okay… give that man some money and fly his ass to RDU!
Dingos are involved. Best not to ask.
These two are pretty green: waffles, Leafs beat Sens
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by red army line on Jul 6, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
On those Canadian blogs comments go green at 3 recs. Of course Americans have to work 66% harder to get recognition in the hockey world.
"...what're you gonna do?"
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jul 6, 2011 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is the greenest thread, but not as good as the others.
"...what're you gonna do?"
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Jul 6, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Ha, I remember reading that. Nice find.
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by red army line on Jul 6, 2011 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
In other (Ex-) Cap related news
The boy sure does get around.
"Some days I just sits and thinks. Some days I just sits and watches the Caps-I'm retired."
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