Thursday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 6:38 AM EDT
in Caps Clips
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Now that the Caps have re-signed Troy Brouwer... [WashTimes (Whyno), SB Nation DC, HotH]
- ... and haven't yet been able to seal the deal on Karl Alzner... [SB Nation DC, RtR]
- ... should we just rename them the Salary Caps? [HotH, Caps News Network, Caps Degenerate, Corey's Corner]
- Jeff Halpern met with the media yesterday... [Caps365 (video), 106.7 The Fan (audio), WaPo (Carrera), CSN Washington (O'Halloran), DCEx (McNally: here, here), RMNB]
- ... joined Vogs for Capitals Report... [Capitals (audio)]
- ... and did a radio hit with Mike Wise. [106.7 The Fan (audio)]
- Steinz had a piece with Halpy before that multi-media whirlwind as well. [DC Sports Bog]
- Plenty of pixels on the Caps' cheap Czech stoppers. [NHL.com (Masisak)]
- Speaking of which, if you're looking for an in-depth review of Michal Neuvirth's 2010-11, it doesn't get much more in-depth than this. Unbelievable effort, really. [Corey's Corner]
- Great stuff in a one-on-one interview with Joel Ward. [CBSSports.com (Gretz)]
- Mike Green's inaugural charity golf tourney (pic, pic, pic, pic) provides us with interviews with...
- ... the event's host... [Fan960 (audio)]
- ... Alzner... [Fan960 (audio)]
- ... Nicklas Backstrom... [Fan960 (audio)]
- ... John Carlson, and... [Fan960 (audio)]
- ... Jay Beagle. [Fan960 (audio)]
- Bidding adieu to a hell of a warrior-professor. [DC Sports Bog]
- 'Round and 'round the go... 'round the table discussing the Caps' July to date, that is. [DC Pro Sports Report]
- Over the course of an 82-game regular season, some games matter more than others. Here's a look at one of the more important ones from 2010-11. [Peerless]
- Finally, in case you missed it, now-officially-former Cap Jason Arnott has signed a one-year deal with the Blues... meaning he could be available at the trade deadline, for those of you mourning his departure. [Puck Daddy]
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You really should do yourself a favor and check out Corey’s Corner in-depth look at the season of Michal Neuvirth.
It’s simply great investigative work on the level of CSI.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
I just finished reading it. Very impressive. I appreciated how it ties in with F&B’s work on breaking down the types of goals. These analyses would have been useful in the Neuvy/Varly debates but sometimes things are clear only in hindsight. I hope Corey follows through with a similar analysis for Varly.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jul 7, 2011 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Definitely an interesting read…random things I took away:
- I was surprised to see that Neuvirth got beat pretty evenly….five hole, glove side, blocker, etc. I know a keeper isn’t going to get beat glove side 45% of the time, but the fact that they were all so close intrigued me.
- His conclusion regarding Neuvirth’s rebound control. My eyes were definitely lying to me last year, because too me that was one of the stronger areas of his game.
- I’d love to see how Neuvirth’s season compared to other young keepers. Do most young NHL keepers go through an adjustment period or can we expect Neuvirth to continue to “struggle” with the close shots.
I think most goalies struggle with the close shots. There’s a reason crashing the net is a tried and true strategy. I don’t think it implicates his rebound control at all.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Often rebounds follow very good saves, too.
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To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jul 7, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Sometimes it was him unable to control a rebound or the defense allowing a forward to get that close to him. Either way, I’m going to say that along with his strong save percentages in the other two zones, show that Neuvirth can make the saves you need to but he has some shaky rebound control and can’t be that goalie who can steal every game for you.
That’s the area where I got that impression. Doesn’t seem as bad as it did when I read it last night.
I don’t agree with the conclusions or implications there. There are some bad rebounds in there, but sometimes it’s all you can do to make the first save. I’m not on board with the “shaky rebound control” conclusion, but I guess that’s the point of all this. Maybe if we get a body of data from the rest of the league we’ll have a basis of comparison.
And I don’t see what the relationship between the SV%s in the outer zones is with the SV% in the close zone. It’s all qualitatively different. You should expect goalies to make more of the far saves, I think about every goalie in the league will demonstrate that.
And the leap to “steal a game” is out of nowhere. First off, he did steal games for us this year. Second off, I don’t see how there’s any sort of connection between letting in goals from close distance and stealing games.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
That’s kind of my point of view and why I phrased it the way I did in my initial point. There’s no question that Neuvirth went through shaky games/parts of games where his rebound control was shaky…but overall I thought it was one of the stronger parts of his game and what separated him (in my eyes) from Varlamov going back another season.
Right, no goalie is going to have perfect rebound control on a season. Looking at the GA gives a bit of selection bias on rebound control, because that’s more likely to be where you find the bad rebounds. Over the course of the season I thought Neuvirth easily had the best rebound control of our goalies. I guess we’ll see how Varly or Holtby shake out, then maybe there’s a comparison. I don’t think you can make relative statements about one data point.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Terrific piece. Just an incredible amount of work that generated piles of interesting info; the man catalogued every goal Neuvy gave up for the season…the mind boggles.
This little tidbit caught my eye:
October
1. Fleischman turns the puck over and Evander Kane snipes a goal past Neuvirth high blocker side. Possibly screened by Tom Poti.
So glad Flash is gone…
Patron saint of quality footwear.
man catalogued every goal Neuvy gave up for the season
So did F&B. First.
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Acknowledging that Corey did the leg-work, it seems as though a reference to F&B for the genesis of the idea would be in order. At least, it would be required in my line of work.
Armareddon.
I think that would be proper etiquette (unless, of course, he never saw Rob’s work, which is possible).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Some asshole.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 7, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
I never saw that post, actually. The idea for this came from the Habs blog I linked in my article.
"My Sports Blog":http://myfriendcorey.wordpress.com
by MyFriendCorey on Jul 7, 2011 8:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I figured as much – you didn’t strike me as an impolite chap.
Anyway, what’d you think of Rob’s post and conclusions in light of your own?
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I felt that I may have been harsh on Neuvirth and nitpicked in some areas. There’s a few goals I labeled as bad that could have gone either way (Boogaard’s and Tyutin’s goals in particular). There’s a few goals he counted as not soft that I didn’t agree that but this is a pretty subjective study so there’s bound to be differences.
"My Sports Blog":http://myfriendcorey.wordpress.com
by MyFriendCorey on Jul 7, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
What is your line of work? If you dont mind me asking.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Actually, I’m both an analyst and a therapist.
I’m the world’s second analrapist.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jul 7, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
___
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by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
“It wasn’t the pronunciation that bothered me.”
by David Getz on Jul 7, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I feel like you’ve been waiting a long time to use that joke.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Doesnt that one go “a catholic priest and a rabbi….”
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by Cap-O-Vens on Jul 7, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Interesting that F&B comes up with 17 soft goals while Corey comes up with 22 “bad” and an additional 16 “suspect” goals.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
this Joel Ward tidbit made me happy
I just take pride on the walls and trying to get open for my d-man for that outlet pass and try to make plays off the wall as opposed to just shooting it out. It’s something I’ve been doing for a while now, and it’s something I want to bring to Washington and try to win over the fans and say, ‘Hey, I’m here to win games and I’m here to compete.’
Emphasis is mine. Very eager to see Ward in our lineup .
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
This is actually something that the Caps got better with as a team after they changed their d-zone coverage last year. In the past, the Caps would send the off-side winger flying up-ice. This often meant that there was no “reverse play,” so the forecheckers could overload the puck side of the ice. Since the Caps’ setup often hand the wing high in the zone near the blue-line, it was relatively easy for forecheckers to cut off passing lanes and leave the Caps’ defensemen isolated (think what Pittsburgh’s forecheck did to the Caps in the 09 playoffs).
Ward seems like he’ll fit in well with the new d-zone system, which drops the forwards lower in the zone and encourages shot-blocking rather than pressuring the points.
Armareddon.
Yeah, and it’s pointless. That’s just a post-hoc attempt to support your point the other day. Literally nobody talked about a D zone change until you did to try to support your trade Semin argument. It’s all been about the neutral zone and forecheck.
The only line that ever had a wing hanging was AO’s line, and that didn’t change at all. I’m sure you can find a clip of someone that kinda sorta looks like they were hanging, but it’s not going to demonstrate what you want it to. I just wonder why the D zone change hasn’t gotten any attention until this week, and I don’t want you unilaterally changing the narrative. Is the D zone change the best kept secret since Mike Green’s weight gain adventures? I doubt it.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Literally nobody talked about a D zone change until you did to try to support your trade Semin argument. It’s all been about the neutral zone and forecheck.
Put down the bong, pick up your remote control, and go watch 24-7. Or use GCL. I don’t have the time or inclination to break it down for you. Prior to the shift (which occurred in the middle of the losing streak), the Caps’ forwards used to play high in the zone to pressure the points. After the shift, the started sagging lower in the zone and looking for blocked shots instead of trying to force turnovers from the point men. They also quit sending the off-side winger flying out of the zone as frequently (although the Alexs kept doing it).
Armareddon.
That’s a little over the top.
And no, you don’t get to say “go do some research to prove my point which nobody else discussed.”
I’ve watched 24/7 at least twice through. There’s no detailed talk about the system. That’s not what HBO is in it for. They make a passing mention of “a new defensive style” but there’s no system discussion, they don’t mention what zone. There’s nothing in 24/7 that is going to settle this. But hey, why let that get in the way of a nice cheap shot.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
___
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jul 7, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 12 recs
The 24/7 reference I’m. . . referring to, is an off-handed discussion of the implementation of a new defensive zone system during one of the practices. The team was somewhat secretive about the particulars of it.
Armareddon.
“One scoop of Haagen Daas means wings drop down below the dots, two means tighter gap control in the D-zone, three means all of the above. I’ll have three scoops of butter pecan. Repeat: THREE SCOOPS OF BUTTER PECAN.”
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by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Laich: The coaches made some great changes in our systems and we’ve really been working hard in our zone and the neutral zone.
The changes that were made were to the team’s play in its own end and in the neutral zone.
"The neutral zone, we had to change," declares Boudreau. "I knew that because we based our [previous system] on total quickness. Our gaps were getting too big and consequently teams were able to get through our neutral zone. So we had to really tighten it up.
"The change in our zone coverage has been very gradual. We started bringing the guys back, and then we’ve tweaked the positioning to where it is now where we’re pretty good at it."
The reason I emphasize the second sentence is to show that two changes occurred: first, an implementation of a less-aggressive forecheck, and second, a shift in defensive (“our”) zone coverage.
Apologies for the aggro. My Vicodin wore off and I’m worried that I may have a fractured elbow. And I’m suffering through a spate of writer’s block at work. And I’ve had a shitty morning.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jul 7, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh dear… that picture of Alzner in his all orange Puma golf outfit…. mix it up Karl!
#NeedsMoreHendricks
D-men should NEVER dress like traffic cones. ’Specially ones who are on the verge of signing lucrative contract extensions.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Jul 7, 2011 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
Well…after seeing that, I feel I’ve gotten my daily dose of Vitamin C.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
by WordsOnIce on Jul 7, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Certainly the Syracuse grads enjoy this outfit.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
MLS: If you're on crystal meth you can ref a match, just don't swear in the stands.
Aye. Needs to break it up with some blue, though.
Too bad that’s not Sarge in that get-up – the traffic cone jokes would be priceless. #notreally
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by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Hot, Karl.
(That’s for D’oh.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Rickie Fowler pulls it off better
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by Cap-O-Vens on Jul 7, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t know. That’s still pretty hideous. He can play the game a lot better, so I guess he can get away with looking like a giant popsicle.
and he can ride the hell out of a dirt bike….I think this type of fashion is great for the game of golf if you are a fan…looks great in HD with all the green
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Fowler went to Oklahoma St., whose colors are orange and black.
"You just have a sense," Holland says. "The type of player you want, the type of situation you reference for your next game, you see it."
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Jul 7, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Even though it is his go to, he still rocks other neons, purple, green, blue..etc
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Yeah, Puma can’t sell just orange shit.
"You just have a sense," Holland says. "The type of player you want, the type of situation you reference for your next game, you see it."
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Jul 7, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
personally I love the new generation of golf attire
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Exhibit A
Phil Housley:
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 7, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve got to head to work but I just wanted to say thanks for the feedback.
"My Sports Blog":http://myfriendcorey.wordpress.com
by MyFriendCorey on Jul 7, 2011 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Wait, you have a “real” job AND did that?
"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
Part time job, ha.
"My Sports Blog":http://myfriendcorey.wordpress.com
by MyFriendCorey on Jul 7, 2011 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll have a WaPo post on this later today, but looking at the 3-fwd line combos for the Caps last year, Ovi was on the top four producing lines while Semin was on half of the Top 10.
Take Semin and Ovi away and the next best producing line was Bradley-Hendricks-Steckel. With nine (9) points. Total.
"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
by NGreenberg on Jul 7, 2011 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Was thinking the same – Hendricks-Steckel-Bradley probably got a bit more time together than just about any line combination that didn’t feature an Alex, no? Maybe Chimera-MoJo-Fehr? Or Hendricks-Gordon-Brads?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Do you happen to have rate data for the line combinations? That’d be interesting.
I do…but didn’t include it in my article because I didn’t think of it (next time plz use telepathy). My article uses the last two years of data so there is both an “up” and “down” year.
"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
Take Semin and Ovi away and the next best producing line was Bradley-Hendricks-Steckel. With nine (9) points. Total.
Right, but isn’t this partially b/c Ovi & Semin were on so many different line combos? I’d imagine it was slim pickings for lines they weren’t on.
Although I guess this indicts most of our 3rd line combos
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
If this ain’t evidence to hold on to our Siberian Snowflake for 11-12, I don’t know what is…
by mechanicsville on Jul 7, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent post on Brads. I miss him and wish he was still here, but I also wish him well. I’ll be a fan no matter who he plays for.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
Well said! I will always be a fan of Matt “Professor” Bradley (his jersey was my first authentic). I don’t get the people who rush to hate on a player who leaves for another team (see: Gordon, Andrew)
#NeedsMoreHendricks
I’m just wondering, what people are you referring to? Caps fans? I haven’t read anything negative with regards to Gordon or any of the other Caps players leaving this year to go to other teams. On the contrary, everything I’ve read has been quite positive.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
There was a lot of talk on Twitter recently. Andrew Gordon tweeted that he lost a ton of followers and people were giving him crap for leaving the Caps.
#NeedsMoreHendricks
He should expect that some people will stop following him. What I don’t understand is why anyone would give him crap about leaving. It’s a business, people. Frankly, he’s great to follow on twitter, because he doesn’t over-tweet (understands that people don’t want to know everything he’s up to), yet he can be interesting when he does tweet. When he was out injured around the trade deadline, he was great to follow.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Good blogger too
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
I hope someone in the Ducks blogosphere can keep him writing.
Lacking specific evidence to the contrary, I shall blame this on Chemmy and Two Line Pass.
by CapitalCentre on Jul 7, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
That was my argument (Ive had the same argument several times re: players leaving the Caps). The opposite position is that if a player leaves they are a “traitor” (actual word used) and they should not be supported.
Most of these discussions were about Varly. Personally, I see it the way you do. If you like a player – for whatever reason, even if it is just because you think they are hot – the qualities you like don’t change based on the sweater they wear.
#NeedsMoreHendricks
Yeah, but your desire to see them do well sure does. A week ago, I was hoping Varly would win the Vezina. Today, I’m hoping he plays 82 games and has a 5.00 GAA.
But obviously I agree on the larger point.
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Agree with you here, but I guess part of it depends on who’s involved. And the Caps have a vested in interest in what happens with Varly.
Gordon’s been a AAAA player and I’ll be thrilled to see him make it with the Ducks. For one game a year, I’ll want to see him smashed like a bug, but I’ll still like him.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Yeah, let’s not kick the dog on the way out. Brads may have Professor Bradley but Varly will always have “Cleek On Me”.
Absolutely nothing, and I didn’t intend for it to come off as an indictment of Brads as much as a defense of Varly, whose attitude, to me, never came across as all that bad.
I mean, I’m sure Matt Bradley’s attitude is probably “better” than Varly’s… but it has to be. It’s probably better than Alex Ovechkin’s, too.
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I really liked how Varly spoke out on the whole BL Ovi thing at the worlds.
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Btw, I didn’t say Varley’s attitude was bad either, I just think Brads has a better one – more stable, more zen, more professional.
But he’s also older, and plays a different roll, and hasn’t had the scrutiny that Varley has had.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
Aye – that age difference (to say nothing of the language and cultural differences) make a big, uh, difference.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Brads has a better one – more stable, more zen, moreprofessionalprofessorial.
Fixed your spelling there.
"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 saw the tweet where he said he lost about 100 followers, I was one of them by the way, but I didn’t see any tweets from him saying that Caps fans were giving him crap about it and I did a quick search on twitter and couldn’t find any either. All the tweets he has gotten from hockey fans since it was announced that he has signed with the Ducks have been pretty positive. I think people and maybe Andrew Gordon himself are just assuming that the reason he lost some followers is because they hate him for signing with another team and I bet that’s not true in most cases. It certainly wasn’t in my case. I wish him nothing but the best and I hope he makes their team but I’m not going to follow him on twitter for the rest of his hockey career. That’s just my personal choice.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
but I’m not going to follow him on twitter for the rest of his hockey career
That sounds drastic. What if he rejoins the organization at some point?
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I’m really selective about who I follow on twitter. I only follow 6 or 7 people (only Caps players and prospects) and only follow them for Caps related content, news, etc not because I’m interested in their personal lives or for entertainment value. I do keep track of a few twitter accounts like McKenzie’s, JP’s etc but I only do it online.
If he rejoins the Caps in the future, I’ll probably follow him again for the reasons stated above but also, it can’t be that unusual for a hockey player to lose some followers when he switches teams. I’m sure he’ll get some new ones too. Perhaps it seemed like a big deal to Gordon because he didn’t have a ton of followers to begin with or maybe he’s just a really sensitive person and felt betrayed by it, who knows. Still, that doesn’t make the people who unfollowed him not true hockey fans or some of the other nonsense that I read on twitter. Some people just don’t get as attached to players as others and as far as some fans calling him a traitor, etc., I have yet to find any evidence of that.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
Interesting that GMGM flew out to Calgary just to meet with Mike and Nick. Wonder what that was about.
"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.
Green said in his interview that McPhee flew out to meet with Backstrom and Green at the Calgary airport and then left…possible he was out west dealing with the Brouwer negotiations or something else and possible he flew in simply for that meeting, but from Green’s description McPhee never left the airport/airport area.
Here is why it probably appealed to McPhee. Clicking on the link on Steinz’ bog takes you to a Web site featuring Kelsey’s in pre-security on the departures level at Calgary INternational Airport. But, if you click on that site’s link to Kelsey’s Web site, you find that the only location they identify is in Titusville, FL
Intrigue, thy name is “McPhee.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
Didn’t look at the bog to bother seeing if the Kelsey’s was in the airport but sure sounded that way…thanks for the confirmation. Bizarre on that website info (I’m trusting you), Kelsey’s are everywhere in Canada, ha ha.
And here’s the deal on that. The link at the Calgary International Airport site is to “www.kelseys.com.” Nice try…the link should have been “www.kelseys.ca” Sure enough, if you go there, there is a location identified on 2000 Airport Rd., NE, which I assume is the airport location.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Little unnerving to see just before boarding an aeroplane.
"You just have a sense," Holland says. "The type of player you want, the type of situation you reference for your next game, you see it."
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Jul 7, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Devising a prank to pull on Ovie.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Yeah. Ovi doesn’t strike me as the guy either Green or Backs wants to mess with. Chances are, he’d steal their clothes, lock them at Kettler for a few hours, and then leave them nothing but two helmets and Greenie’s Vespa to get themselves back home. Oh. And he’d probably ask the new guys to film it all as a team-building exercise. Russia mess with you.
Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....
by Bonzai!!! on Jul 7, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He’d have to steal their wallets, too. If they can get from Kettler to Ballston Common, they could buy some grubbies to get home.
Quand on change d'attitude ça change tout
Why do I have this conspiracy theory banging around my head that suggests GMGM is lining up 2 of the Young Guns in advance of moving a third Young Gun, and thereby pissing off the 4th Young Gun?
"The ice will show everything."
8 and 19 aren’t going anywhere, of course.
And why would Semin or Green be annoyed if the other is traded?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
If I’m reading this right, I think cuqui is going with Ovechkin as the 4th Young Gun.
And I agree with the logic, if Semin is getting shipped, George tells 19 and 52 in person—no other reason to fly to them and see them face to face, together—and gets set to tell 8….
Some people don't want to be informed. They want to find out that what they already believe in is right. --Warren Peace
Oh, OK, I get it. Yeah, I can see AO being annoyed if his BFF gets traded.
Not sure I see McPhee making a trip all the way across the country to inform 19 and 52 about it, but you never know.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Keep in mind, 8 was in town over the weekend so he may have already met with the boss.
"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.
Cuqui’s theory had already occurred to me, which made me a little nervous. Then I wondered if Ovi had talked to GMGM while he was here. I haven’t seen any reports, not that there would necessarily be any. I hope it’s not the case. I think we’re a worse team if he’s traded as salary dump. The only way it possibly making us better is if Sasha is traded for another A-1 player with prolific scoring, too, and GMGM still ships out in some way Poti/Fehr/Chimera because then Sasha would not be for dumping salary.
I do just find it extremely curious that GMGM would make such a trip. The only other angle I see is Alzner. I guess there haven’t been any NORAD sightings of GMGM’s plane on the way to Krasnoyarsk?
Are you not entertained?
Maybe he wasn’t answering his cell phone when he saw GMGM’s number.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
That’s one hell of a conspiracy theory.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Positively Canuckian…yet I can’t come up with a better reason to fly out to meet two of your guys in an airport.
Maybe just checking in with Nick, since this would appear to be his only summer stop in NA? Dunno.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Or he could have made a trip to Western Canada for other reasons and added a stop in Calgary to his itinerary; see above where I speculated maybe to do with Brouwer?
FWIW, GMs fly over to Europe to talk to players and prospects, not outrageous to think he made the trip just for this, but he could have been traveling out west to meet with an agent/player/someone else or be visiting a place he used to live like Vancouver, for example.
a certain someone without a contract lives in the Vancouver area…..
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
Who? Interesting that he didn’t try to talk to Alzner considering he was at Green’s golf tournament.
Actually if you are referring to KA, I believe he’s living in the Calgary area during the off-season based on his twitter updates and he was at the golf tourney, as the orange above demonstrates.
I really need to focus today. too many things pulling my attention away from Karl’s crazy orange get-up.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I think that makes the most sense. If you’re going to be in the neighborhood, might as well touch base with a couple of cornerstones, if for no other reason than to remind them to stay in shape.
I have a tough time seeing a long flight just to let them know of an impending trade (although of course that might have been on the menu, metaphorically speaking).
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Surprised no one’s done the “Top 10 Reasons GMGM Went To Calgary For Lunch” schtick yet.
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He went to negotiate with Will and Kate…
by DerwoodCapsMom on Jul 7, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Pissed off that he didn’t get a golf tourney invite from Greenie.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
I am by no means paranoid, but I find it curious that GMGM travelled so far just ‘cuz. Maybe it went like this…"Boys, tell Karl to stay cool, he’ll get paid and be playing in DC for quite a while."
by mechanicsville on Jul 7, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Sloan lives in Calgary area and was at the tourney…Beagle lives in Calgary area, trains with Alzner and was at the tourney…
Well, Sloan lives in Calgary area and was at the tourney
Awkward.
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Sloan get a nice fat buyout (well, fatter than my paycheck) and he doesn’t have to go to practice knowing that his job come game time is to up the team NCC/60? Yeah, poor Tyler Sloan. I hope he wrote GMGM a nice note for that $700,000 he made last season.
I am, however, going to miss his glasses.
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
Maybe his old lady’s a nag and he just needed to get out of the effin’ house for a couple of days.
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by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
High praise. I doff my tinfoil hat to you!
"The ice will show everything."
by cuqui on Jul 7, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So Habs fans want to drop a $4.7 Million offer sheet on Karl Alzner, eh? Bring it.
CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR
FORWARDS
Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Mike Knuble ($2.000m)
Troy Brouwer ($2.350m) / Marcus Johansson ($0.900m) / Alexander Semin ($6.700m)
Chris Bourque ($0.525m) / Brooks Laich ($4.500m) / Joel Ward ($3.000m)
Matt Hendricks ($0.825m) / Jeff Halpern ($0.825m) / Jay Beagle ($0.512m)
DEFENSEMEN
Roman Hamrlik ($3.500m) / Mike Green ($5.250m)
Karl Alzner ($4.700m) / John Carlson ($0.845m)
Jeff Schultz ($2.750m) / Dennis Wideman ($3.937m)
John Erskine ($1.500m)
GOALTENDERS
Tomas Vokoun ($1.500m) / Michal Neuvirth ($1.150m)
BUYOUTS: Tyler Sloan ($0.233m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,742,628; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $557,372
With this roster, the Caps start the season with enough cap space to call up Keith Aucoin or Ryan Potulny or Patrick McNeill or Brian Fahey immediately if necessary. If the Caps can avoid some injuries, then after a few games Bourque can be replaced with Eakin. Alternatively, after about 30 games without a callup, the Caps can afford to upgrade to Sjogren, and they’ll still have cap space for a callup. (This also requires having nobody on LTIR).
By the trade deadline, if they can stay healthy, they may bank enough space to be able to trade for a moderately priced veteran (perhaps even up to $2 Million) if they need one.
If this is the worst case scenario, that ain’t so bad. Bourque ain’t ideal (sorry Winterion), but does anyone think that this roster would have trouble making the playoffs if healthy? Alzner getting a big offer sheet means that Chimera and Fehr will both have to go, but we knew that anyway. The only other thing it means is that the Caps may have to put out a team that’s not their best for a while. But by the playoffs, they could have some of that flexibility back.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
And by “bring it,” you mean “please don’t bring it.”
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This. A third line with Bourque (not subbing for an injury) is terrifying.
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
If our “worst case scenario” involves having to play Chris Bourque, or Ryan Potulny, or Keith Aucoin, or Kyle Greentree, or Boyd Kane for 1/2 a season on the 3rd line until the team can afford someone better, I don’t see that as crippling. And one alternative is to shift Laich to wing, put Halpern at 3C, and put the call-up on the fourth line centered by Beagle.
Look, it’s not something the team would want to do. But the point is that the team doesn’t have to move anyone other than Poti, Chimera, Fehr or King, even if Alzner gets a ridiculous offer sheet. The team is basically set. They’ll get Alzner in. And come playoff time, whether that 12th forward is Sjogren or Eakin or one of the guys listed above or someone they acquire by trade, the Caps can make that choice then — if they can clear Poti and Fehr completely off the roster and then stay moderately healthy. If Alzner gets a big offer sheet, then the big risk is injuries.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Luckily, Habs fans can’t. And I don’t think a team with PK Subban as an RFA next year is actually going to be throwing bricks through windows just for fun.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah, because I definitely wouldn’t mind Subban if we were to lose Alzner. He’s a kid but he’s becoming less “Mike Green lite” and more “if he turns a corner, he could be a fairly complete D man”
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
I guess we’ll see if we have the quality of leadership required to rein in the personality this year
Suspend Colin Campbell!
the personality stuff is just the Canadian media being really goddamn bored because Crosby was out.
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
yeah, but it wasn’t as visceral as it was this year. They flipped out about so much shit because he doesn’t have a very Canadian personality. He’s kind of like Kovalev in that respect.
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
No Poti, Fehr, King, Chimera. Is that right?
Risk is that 3rd line wing, I guess.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Poti is definitely not going to be ready opening day, and Fehr is up in the air (shoulder injuries heal as they do… nothing you can do but wait.)
I fully expect the Caps to put King on waivers and then bury him in Hershey. Chimera would have to be moved somehow to make this work.
That said, the Habs (nor anyone else) is going to drop $4.7 M on Alzner. It’s too much. Besides the Habs have 2 D-men still out there as RFAs (Gorges and Picard). They need to get those done first… If Alzner comes in where he should (about 2.8M give or take a few), then you can drop Chris Smith and replace him with Chimera…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 7, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Boudreau said on the Fan yesterday that Wideman, Fehr, and Poti would all be ready for camp. I have a little trouble believing it about Poti, but that’s what he said.
Did he say for which team’s camp Fehr would be ready?
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No reason to. No need to fire up Varly for next season.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Did Ted say anything negative other than “the player had demands regarding his role” [paraphrasing] that the team couldn’t meet?
I know Rovnak made a reference to “Varlodiva”, which I’m not sure what it’s in reference to.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
From Ted’s Take:
Players want to be comfortable in a stable and high quality environment–and play with team mates that are committed to winning; and to play for a loud and proud fan base and within a stable franchise. Real winners want to compete for a Cup; and aren’t afraid to play on a team that is deep with talent.
You think players would disagree that the guys they want to have on their side when they’re trying to win the Cup are ones who want to have the best chance to win even if it means some personal sacrifices?
It is strongly in the Caps’ interest for Poti to be “ready” for camp. If he isn’t, he’s tough to move.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
If he’s healthy, waivers/Hershey. If he’s not, LTIR. Obviously the former is marginally preferable, but it’s not like the Caps were going to be banking much of anything by not using LTIR this year.
Or am I missing something?
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I’ve been singing that tune regarding banking space…given the roster even with one subtraction, unless it’s #28 being traded, not sure how people envision this roster banking cap space at the start of this season.
As to Poti to Hershey, wait and see, but seems unrealistic to me if he’s healthy enough to be cleared to play.
Agreed. Probably should’ve just typed “waivers.” If he doesn’t clear, obviously no Hershey. And if he does clear, he’s probably done – no way the Caps would put him on re-entry and risk taking the associated cap hit if he was claimed going that way.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The closer you are to the cap, the more helpful it is to bank a little space — at least until you get to the point where you can bring in a couple of injury replacements.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think either of us is asking why one wouldn’t want bank space, but more a question of how one realistically sees this roster/team banking cap space from the beginning of the season. Even with Poti gone (not LTIRd) or someone else gone, this team is still at the cap.
that’s just the point I’m trying to make. You can’t be “at the cap” — not with only 12 forwards. You must have some wiggle room for injury replacements, or you can’t really play a season.
If anyone’s on LTIR, you’d better have $1.2 Million in cap space (not counting the LTIR guys) just to be sure, in case you need to call up two league minimum guys. You won’t be getting any more cap space as long as someone’s on LTIR, so you’d better start the season with what you need.
But if nobody’s on LTIR, you can start banking the small amount of space you do have. Now you can take a chance with a little less than $1.2 Million in cap space. You could try it with $800,000 in cap space, and hope that you don’t need to call up two guys at the same time until midseason, when that $800,000 becomes $1.2 Million in space.
The fact that banked space grows, but cap space in an LTIR situation doesn’t, means you can risk going into the season with less real cap space as long as nobody’s on LTIR. So that’s why I’m saying the Caps can be tighter up against the salary cap if nobody’s on LTIR.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I know you want a roster situation where cap space will bank; I understand your point. I simply don’t see a version of this roster where cap space will be banked at the start of this season, unless a big trade happens; not just one player being moved (unless it’s Semin).
Are you saying you think the Caps will go into the season with 12 forwards and literally $0 available to call up another?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess I’m not understanding what you mean when you say that no cap space will be banked then.
By my figuring, the absolute minimum cap space they can have available when the season starts is Holtby’s salary, $637,000. If a goalie goes down, you have to be able to replace him (though I suppose you could use Sabourin at league minimum). They’ll bank at least that, if nobody’s hurt.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Open question: How viable / advisable is it to buy out Poti? I looked at the Capgeek numbers the other day and it seemed as if it might open up enough cap space for signing Alzner without losing Fehr.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Viable but extraordinarily unadvisable – the Caps can’t take a(nother) cap hit of dead space. Also, buying out a guy shortly after his new deal kicks in is pretty ugly PR.
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I’m just guessing here, but if an offer sheet was to be extended to Alzner the time to do it was prob right after the Brouwer announcement, giving the Caps the least amount of time to make the moves necessary to match.
"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. Offseason limit would be a problem, even with the 10% cushion.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions
least amount of time
How much time do teams have exactly to make the match?
I root harder for the doomed.
Sorry, that was worded awkwardly.
The original team has seven days to match.
I meant putting the original team (in this case, WSH) under the gun almost immed after they are up against the salary cap cushion.
"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
Got it, thanks. Just a matter of self preservation, if I were an opposing GM, I’d think twice about messing with McPhee’s RFA brood.
/not in the game
I root harder for the doomed.
An offer sheet would have to be more than $4,624,872 for the caps to be over the 10% limit.
Committing that salary plus the draft picks seems risky for a guy with 130 games experience so I’m hopeful it doesn’t happen.
playing around on capgeek, and assuming Poti and King are gone and Beagle makes the 4th line, here are the scenarios:
Caps can trade Chimera only and be under the cap as long as Alzner signs for less than 3,582,372.
Caps can trade Fehr only and be under the cap as long as Alzner signs for less than 3,907,372
Barring a bigger trade, what they sign Alzner to is going to have a major impact on the team and its cap flexibility all year. If GMGM needs to play tough here, so be it.
$4.7M would be a LOT for Alzner. IIRC, RFA contracts have about a 40% from UFA deals. That means we’re talking about a $7.8M defenseman on a UFA deal. Not a lot of guys out there in that territory, and they tend to have bigger boxcars than Alzner puts up, going from memory.
Alzner is good, but he ain’t all that sexy; he’s young, so there’s stalled development risks and injury risks associated with him; and he didn’t have a great end to the playoffs.
I would be very surprised if he got offer-sheeted this year.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
It took less than 130 games for me to figure out that Karl Alzner is not the kind of hockey player you let walk. I believe it’ll take more than that much money to pry him away.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, I meant its more risky for another team to pay that much + give up draft picks for a 130 game guy. The caps know exactly what they are getting in the locker room and in how he plays in their system.
Truth is, another team would only have to offer above 3.9 to make the Caps hurt. That’s where they’d need to trade multiple players or a higher salaried guy.
The 4.7 only creates an immediate need to trade.
Regardless I doubt he gets offer sheeted and I’d be shocked if GMGM doesn’t match.
Are you just assuming Perreault won’t sign back with the Caps?
"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’m not factoring him in any plans that involve the bottom two lines.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Perreault will likely sign with the Caps and start the season in Hershey.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 7, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I would be very surprised if the Habs were willing to offer the top end of the $3,134,089 – $4,701,131 bracket (1st and 3rd picks for compensation). Cap geek lists the Habs at $8,304,490 cap remaining for this year, plus next year they have Kostitsyn, Moen, Darche, Spacek, Gill as UFA and Eller, Yemelin, Subban, and Price as RFA. Offer sheets have to consider current + future situations, so what are they going to do? Offer Alzner $4.7M for more than 1 year and let everyone know they’re cutting people lose next season?
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
A 21-player roster? It would be a way to go, but there are two wild cards sitting out there that will likely have to be dealt with. the first you hint at — the Caps will need more than seven defensemen over the course of the season. 11 dressed for them last season, none of whom, it is worth noting, represent players traded out of the organization. All 11 finished the season in the organization (no replacement or substitution effects). Where the other defensemen coming from, and what will they cost?
The second is the effect of any trades. The Caps had the flexibility last season to add a Dennis Wideman at the deadline with his annualized cap hit fitting comfortably. But bumping against the ceiling could leave the Caps with the problem they had when they couldn’t make trades because of Michael Nylander’s cap hit (before he was sent other places).
And, I’m not seeing where Chris Bourque gets third line minutes over a Matt Hendricks, although either of them on the third line is a weak link. Frankly, I can’t see Bourque on this roster, certainly not immediately. He’s been out of the NHL after getting shots with two teams and not being able to stick.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I wonder what the implications would then be for Carlson and Green. I see Alzner’s AAV as Carlson’s floor, and Green coming in higher than Carlson.
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To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jul 7, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Regardless of whether it’s likely to be a high or low pick?
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Well…at 4.7 million it’s a 1st and a 3rd and $4,701,131 is a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd.
Short answer is yes, regardless of where the pick is. MON is probably going to be somewhere in the 18-23 range in what has been described as a deep draft. Even if the pick falls a bit further I still take the picks as I think it puts the team in a dangerous spot for the work that needs to be done next year. Forgetting any line-up with Bourque penciled in as starting on the 3rd line makes my eye twitch.
Personally, I’d rather the on-ice disasters be in our bottom-six F’s than our top-pair D.
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You, of all people, with the first-person reference…if you live long enough, you can see almost anything.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I let ’em slip every once in a while. Usually (but not always) alcohol-related.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Don’t know if I can agree with the implication there. Without Alzner my top 6 look something like:
Green – Hamrlik
Alzner – Schultz
Wideman – Erskine
No one on that list looks nearly as out of place as Chris Bourque on the third line of a Cup contender.
And who’s #7 when someone gets hurt?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m not sure how keeping Fehr/Chimera and Hannan instead of Alzner makes sense.
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Shame me, gag me, ban me whater…but I just think that Alzner at 4.7 million is not a smart move. I know that defensive dmen are undervalued when compared to their offensive brothers. But if Alzner is worth 4.7 million what are Carlson and Green worth?
Not gonna gag you – not into that. Other options remain on the table.
Seriously, though, it’s not crazy at all, but I think for that compensation, you’d match up to that $4.71 number.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Even though I’d take the picks…I think we can agree that either way it’s certainly a less than ideal situation for the team. FWIW, even now I’m waivering. I don’t want to lose Alzner, but at the same time I have no doubt that Carlson’s contract will be for more than Alzner’s…and 4.71 is a pretty high starting point.
Fehr+Hannan+draft picks+cap flexibility+not throwing your D salary structure out of whack
Not saying its an ideal or the better answer, but its not the craziest idea written on these boards either.
Definitely not the craziest idea, but if we’re talking “Hannan and Fehr” or “Alzner for $4.7m,” how much cap flexibility have you gained (other than the fact that it’s two guys instead of one and, obviously, the out-years)?
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Your right – its odd Hannan hasn’t found a club yet and its probably because he’s looking for for a significant salary.
And/or term (probably the latter, really).
I think Martinek might have taken his spot in C’bus…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
to be fair, it’s Alzner and Bourque/Aucoin/whoever or Hannan and Fehr. You still need a 12th forward
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Realistically they can…and will be. But filling out the rest of the top 6 is gonna be wicked hard. Green’s getting a raise, Carlson is going to get better than Alzner numbers. I’m not a math/cap genius, but it seems like filling out the rest of the D corps will be hard.
Why is Green getting a raise? Another season like last year and he won’t.
Semin may be out, Kuznetsov may be in. Etc.
It’s a long way off yet, and while I know it’s on everyone’s mind, I file it under “Bridges To Be Crossed Upon Arrival.”
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A lot easier to file in “Bridges To Be Crossed Upon Arrival” when the team isn’t right up against the cap. Team’s current salary requires more long term planning than it did 2 years ago.
Obviously true. But if they could fit a $4.5m Brooks Laich in this year, they can fit a $4.7 Karl Alzner in next. There’s no way that calculus didn’t take place prior to inking Laich (and Hamrlik, fwiw).
Alzner will get done. He’s staying.
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If you’re GMGM what’s your breaking point?
/I think you’re right that he’s staying and I think the deal gets done for atleast ~$1million less than the hypothethic 4.7.
I think if Alzner signs an offer sheet in that next compensation range, they can walk. But up to that $4.71, they match. That’s how I’d play it, I think.
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The STH survey has arrived. I’m in the process now, and hoping there’s a place where I can vent about some minutiae that drives me nuts.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Dear Ted,
The game would be great were it not for all of the other fans. Could I have the arena to myself? Ok, at least a luxury box to myself?
Also, would free beer kill you? And not that Miller Light crap. Free Pliny the Elder.
Cheers,
D’ohboy.
Armareddon.
Free Pliny the Elder.
Just got a bottle of that and some Salvation. Epic, epic beers.
/OT, sorry
Did the survey, but it didn’t seem there was a lot of room to vent.
#NeedsMoreHendricks
I know it’s off topic… Do you know a place to buy that beer around NOVA?
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jul 7, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
So… possibly the best beer on earth for free? Might as well ask.
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It’s all about the Season Ticket Locker Room section of the Caps’ website though. Unless your gripes are about the layout there.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
Yeah, that was a disappoinment. They managed to hit one of my gripes, though. Has anyone ever used the Savings Card?
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Once (at Front Page). Make it say, 15% off the merch at KCI and/or VC and I’d probably use it more.
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by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Dear Ted,
Here is some help with Google search.
TMYK
P.S. Tell Chimera I said ’sup.
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Tomáš Vokoun
My first reaction was 1.5 mill for elite goaltender. Wow. Then came the memories of the lockout season when Vokoun played for my favorite Finnish league team, HIFK. 
He dominated the regular season with a .940 save percentage before failing catastrophally with a .846 sv.pct and a 3.51 GAA in the playoffs, causing a first round exit. I went through some old newspapers and found headlines such as “Star goaltender flops for HIFK.” I’m not saying this will happen again, he’s more experienced now and has played extremely well in international tournaments under high pressure. And he really is a top 10 goaltender in the NHL. I’m just a bit cautious of a terrible deja vu that could happen.
How about “he had a couple of bad games”? He gave up 12 goals in four games. Meh.
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Don’t sell Luongo short. He doesn’t need 4 games to give up 12 goals!
by mechanicsville on Jul 7, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
What do we figure the Finnish league is equivalent to, the OHL? Meh, it happens. Maybe his defense played horribly.
SM-Liiga is way, way better than the OHL. That’s not even a comparison.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 10:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe an almost AHL level? I think some Euro leagues might be better than the AHL actually.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I could be mistaken, but I think the general consensus on world pro leagues goes something like NHL, KHL, SEL, AHL, SM-Liiga.
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I think the best players in the AHL are better than the best players in the Finnish league (as those guys are the guys destined for the NHL), but top-to-bottom, I imagine that the SM-Liiga is better.
It’s probably splitting hairs, of course.
Actually, the best guys in the AHL are usually journeymen like Giroux and Krog who can’t put it together at the NHL level.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jul 7, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Further to that point, Vokoun’s teammates included several NHLers, including Olli Jokinen and Marek Zidlicky: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0012222005.html
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Marke Zidlicky? That explains the GAA!
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 7, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jarkko Ruutu racked up 215 PIMs in 50 games… in the freakin SM-liiga.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jul 7, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I will update the fanpost at lunchtime but may make some observations here. Also, I added a FA invite this morning.
As I expected, Peerless gets another camera chance with Kugryshev.
As far as I know the Caps still retain Nick Larson’s rights, but as an NCAA prospect he has yet to attend a Capitals camp. Kuznetsov is the only other unsigned prospect not on the roster, but he wasn’t expected to attend camp this summer.
All 4 2011 draft picks are on the 19 player roster released.
Of those listed, Sjogren, Grubauer, Anderson (returning to juniors), Eakin, Flemming, Stevenson, Mitchell and Orlov are under contract with the Capitals.
I don’t think more was needed, but just more confirmation that Dunn and DeSimone are not going to be signed by August 15, when the Caps rights to the 2 players expire.
Rant
If we must, Cimmy and Fehr will be buried in the minors just like Poti will be. GMGM is trying to win. Sadly that is how it is going to be. Alzner was a 4th overall pick. We will not let him slip through our fingers for a late 1st or even 2.
Alzner and Carlson as a pair are more important than most players on our team, with the acception of Ovechkin/Backstrom/Laich. The two of them will cement our back line for the next decade.
Everyone forgets we still have one of the strongest groups of draftees yet to crack the NHL. In no particular order: Eakin/Orlov/Galiev/Kuznetsov/Holtby are on the top of most lists of players to watch. Yet we have no room for them yet.
Wait, what? Fehr and Chimera would never reach the minors, because they’d be claimed off of waivers.
Not if you put them there before the season starts (no waivers)….
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Tell that to Chris Bourque (claimed by the Pens 1 day before the ’09 season started)….
"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.
If NHL 11 is at all accurate there is a final non-waiver date which is earlier than the first day of the season.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
If NHL 11 is at all accurate…
Bwahahahahahaha
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by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
CBA Article 13, Section 2:
The “Playing Season Waiver Period” shall begin on the twelfth (12th) day prior to the start of the Regular Season and end on the day following the last day of a Club’s Playing Season.
BOOM. Waivers start 12 days before the season.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Uh… players who have to clear waivers cannot be re-assigned pre-season unless that player clears waivers during that 12-day waiver period before the start of the regular season.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You can’t put any player who has to clear waivers to be re-assigned in the minors at any point without having that player clear waivers (with the exception being rehab stints and whatnot).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, “O Lord, bless this thy hand grenade, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy.” And the Lord did grin. And the people did feast upon the lambs and sloths, and carp and anchovies, and orangutans and breakfast cereals, and fruit-bats and large chu…
Skip a bit, Brother…
And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.
Amen.
Right. One… two… five.
Three, sir.
Armareddon.
by D'ohboy on Jul 7, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
My mistake then, thanks for the clarification! So basically trading Fehr and Chimera are the only “great” options?
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
In no particular order: Eakin/Orlov/Galiev/Kuznetsov/Holtby are on the top of most lists of players to watch. Yet we have no room for them yet.
I think you’re overvaluing the Capitals prospects. All of those guys have the chance to be NHLers (though Galiev would surprised me a little), but none of sure things, or even close to sure things. As a whole, the Capitals’ prospect pool is probably average to above average.
Regarding roster space, are any of those guys NHL ready? And if they are, are they better off in Washington than in the AHL, KHL, juniors, what have you? I don’t think so, and if they’re not good enough to be on the Caps, it’s not an issue that there isn’t roster space.
Kuz is a bluechip guy if the Caps can get him to the NHL, Orlov looks like a solid bet to reach the NHL and Eakin looks like a guy who will pan out and get at least a few games. My impression from the scouting stuff I can find on Twitter and around the web is that the Caps have a system in the mid-teens and I’ve seen it as low as 20. Graduating guys like Carlznerson and the goalies will do that, but it’s not a particularly strong pool.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Kuz being the only probably impact guy has, well, an impact there.
Two first-rounders next year will hopefully add to that list, though.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Yeah, in that sense prospect pool rankings can get pretty volatile. The high profile guys move on relatively quickly.
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To help with basic Timeonice functions.
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Jul 7, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
And I doubt the Caps would sign either to a long-term deal. Two of those kinds of contracts is enough for one team.
Montreal signs Willsie…rumor floating around that he would return to Hershey didn’t make a lot of sense.
Au revoir, Brian. May you have plenty of individual success that doesn’t translate into success for the parent club.
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by winterion on Jul 7, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
000
This is going to take some getting used to (h/t Whyno)
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 7, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions
Nice skinny jeans.
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 7, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
As someone who doesn’t appreciate skinny jeans on men, I have to admit that those are respectable. (And positively conservative for a Russian!)
yup they are
I have no idea why, but jeans have gotten tighter over the last 10 years in the fashion scene
Hope Varly has success in Colorado. But not next season.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep. Hell, I hope he has statistical success this season but that the team is a lottery team.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jul 7, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Colorado, and going back a few days, what happened there with attendance/fan interest? I know the team slumped and some of the fan favorites left, but it still seems like it was a massive impact – was there more to it, or was it just a perfect storm?
bad teams+lockout+really high prices=fans leave. at least, that’s my understanding of the situation.
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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Yup. No one goes to see shitty teams.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 7, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
More than that.
1) Economy and house prices collapsed in Denver
2) Nuggets got a lot better
3) Team got crappy and uninteresting – the fans were spoiled by Sakic, Forsberg, Roy, Blake, Bourque. Not really interested in Stastny, Duchene, Jones, O’Byrne.
4) High ticket prices – a couple years ago it was way more expensive to go to an Avs game than a Caps game.
5) General lack of interest from the ownership group – Kroenke doesn’t care about hockey – the Nuggets are his baby
6) Crap-tastic marketing.
Armareddon.
5) General lack of interest from the ownership group – Kroenke doesn’t care about hockey – the Nuggets are his baby
That sounds familiar…
"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.
Vokoun in the Caps’ fold has me used to it (and quite comfy) aready.
by mechanicsville on Jul 7, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
He just wanted to wear a logo that looked like an "A" once more...
If you've read this far...seek help.
The Kings are going to the black and silver for their primaries? Awesome.
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000
That will be what…a dozen different jerseys for them over the last few years?
Seriously though, it’s a good call, although these jerseys were spectacular.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 7, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Love those jerseys. I have a retro Kings shirt with that scheme.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jul 7, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
000
I’m assuming it’s going to be this one and the black one?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jul 7, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes – the black one actually isn’t 100% the same as last season, it now has a waist stripe so it matches the whites.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh and last season’s home (the black/purple with the current crown logo) is becoming the alternate
Blogging the NHL (and the Caps) at The Breakaway Goal Blog and on Tumblr.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Eazy Approves
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
These were hard as nails back in the day
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
Flyers going the young 3C route this year
While Couturier has an outside shot of making the opening night roster, Schenn seems almost a lock. The chances of him being in the lineup are "probably pretty good," according to general manager Paul Holmgren. He makes sense to be the third line center and some have already even penciled him on a line with Wayne Simmonds behind Danny Briere’s line and Claude Giroux’s.
After observing MJ90 last year – and granting that Schenn looks to be the better player – I don’t understand why you would willingly swap Richards for any rookie. Just don’t get it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
1) Schenn is probably not a locker room pestilence.
2) Schenn could be as good as Richards, if not better, in a few years.
3) Schenn + Couturieir developing into good centers would make Philly pretty stacked through the middle
4)Giroux is good enough to carry the 1st line (idk about this but maybe)
5)Holmgren is stupid
6) Holmgren isn’t stupid and is going to get a king’s ransom in a trade with the Leafs.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I think it’s awfully optimistic to think Schenn passes Richards or Carter. I’d say at best he’s going to reach their level.
I don’t think they were banking on Couturier falling to 8, but maybe. They knew they’d get a player, I don’t think they could plan around what position that player was going to be. In any event, they already were stacked down the middle, so they are hoping their two prospects bring them back to how stacked they already were.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Fair enough. With trades like these it’s tough to judge who won/lost because of the prospects involved. The Flyers obviously win long-term if Schenn gets to their level or passes them.
With respect to Couturier, they’ve potentially secured their middle for many, many years. Even though both M. Richards and Carter were 26, they seemed to be looked down on by the organization. They got pretty damn lucky that they just got two potentially equal centers in the deal while also ‘cleaning up’ the locker room. Wayne Simmonds doesnt hurt either.
In the short term, the Flyers will probably fall pretty flat (and use another one of Chris Pronger’s last years. He’s probably a bit livid about these deals). Holmgren probably staved off a Stanley Cup for another 3-4 years.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Even if Schenn is an equal or better long term, the Flyers could lose by messing up the timing of the development. They won’t have the D to compete for a Cup by the time Schenn is in his prime, barring a serious influx of D talent to the organization. Pronger and Timmonen are old, and getting older quick. Now was the time to load up. The Fs might be better in 3 years (more likely closer to equal) but where is their D going to come from?
Obviously PHI isn’t destroyed by the trades, but I think they are looking at best case scenario replacing what they shipped out. I’m not big on Couturier’s ability to score in the NHL; I think he’ll be another stud 3C/adequate 2C, not that it’s terrible to have those guys.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Well I think that’s the crux of the whole thing. They just traded away the heart, albeit misguided heart, of a championship caliber team.
They did actually load up with getting Bryz. ..then for some reason traded Rich and Carter away. I don’t fully understand it.
The question is, where will they finish in the divison? With the way the rest of the East beefed up(Read: Buffalo, New York, Islanders, Panthers) they could have a difficult season
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Honestly I’m sour grapes on everything Philly did. They’re going to struggle to make the playoffs, and then proceed to beat the Caps in 7 games.
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
They won’t struggle to make the playoffs. The division will be a dog fight, but that’s a playoff team.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I think the loss of Richards and Carter and being undersized down the middle is going to have major ramifications for guys who were getting softer minutes.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
I think it’s really going to hurt Briere. That guy is going to have a hard time if he has to play against a line that will force him to play D. Richards/Carter/Giroux (and even Powe) made it so Briere never really had to play D. I don’t think Giroux will be able to handle all those tough minutes (and if he does you’d think his production will suffer), and that Betts will stay healthy. Behind Briere you’ll have a rookie 3C, and as good as Schenn is, I doubt he’ll get anything but murdered by tough NHL minutes this season. We already saw how it works out when the only two Cs you have that can handle tough opposition are your 1 and 4 Cs.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
To your last point, amen.
Regarding Briere, he’s either going to be the 1C or the 2C, and with no Richards behind him, he’s going to have to take some tougher minutes. Can’t see any way around it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Exactly. And if I’m playing PHI I try to get a line out there that will make them play D, every time. Don’t just try to hold the fort with Briere on the ice; he’ll eat up your checkers. Put a two way line out there and make him get the puck out of his own end. I’d rather use a checking line on Giroux, not even make him use his D skill, and try to keep your head above water. Then use the rest of your lineup to destroy their other three lines.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I’d love to see Laich go up against Giroux, Baxter up against Briere, Mackan against Schenn, and then find the 4th line some minutes when you need to. Maybe give them a few shifts against Giroux, but I don’t think we’ll see the 4th line aggressively matched this year.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Would you consider the Caps projected (by some) third line of Ward-Laich-whoever to be a two-way line or more of a defensive shutdown line?
I’d personally call it more of a two-way line, especially if Fehr or Brouwer is on it. If you put a guy like Sjogren on the third with Laich and Ward, it probably approaches more of a shut-down line.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Jul 7, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they’re going to be Corsi monsters provided they can get a decent winger out there like Fehr to help out.
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
Right – if you have that line together, I hope they’re eating up minutes against the top line and doing well with the minutes, even if they’re not as likely to score on a given shot.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d play them like Nolan did his old first line. Never, ever match up 1st for 1st line if you can — 3rd line gets as much ice time as possible and you throw your 1st out there to slice up the easy minutes. There’s enough goaltending and defense now that I think they can rely on Corsi alone to will their asses to a victory.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
I’d like it if all three top lines could handle defensive responsibility, and with Johansson continuing to develop, I don’t think this team is that far away from that ideal.
I like the idea of playing the 1st line as much as possible (whenever it’s well rested), playing the 2nd line as much as possible in the remaining time, and then using the 3rd and 4th lines selectively.
I think getting your best players a little extra TOI makes more of a difference than a lot of the line matching that goes on in the NHL today. I hate the idea of letting the other team control who you play and when, which is what happens too often with line matching.
I don’t take this philosophy to an extreme. I like the idea of giving the 3rd/4th lines more defensive zone starts and shifts against tough competition than the top two lines. But I think that gets taken to an extreme.
Ovechkin, just by virtue of being Ovechkin, makes his own defense. Teams have to be extra conservative when he’s on the ice, and it hampers their offense. The defensive component of his GAETAN score is actually quite good, and I’m convinced there’s more to that than his own defensive play or that of his linemates. He draws shutdown lines who can’t score, and they’re so busy marking him that they don’t try very hard. They’re just trying to break even. The Caps should take full advantage — get him out there as much as possible!
(which is not to say that his long shift lengths are in any way a good thing)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate the idea of letting the other team control who you play and when, which is what happens too often with line matching.
I know that’s the common logic, but I’m not convinced it’s true anymore. VAN is one of the most aggressive line-matching teams, but if you look at their TOI, you see Kesler and the Sedins as the top 3 Fs in TOI, right as it should be. Somehow with all the matching Vigneault got his studs on the ice the most.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
That’s only because they got a buttload of special teams TOI. At ES, they’re not that high.
Armareddon.
No, the top ES ice in VAN goes Hank, Dank, Kesler.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, but is that a problem? Does it matter where the minutes come? Don’t you also want the best players on the ice for special teams, especially the PP?
We talk about how our D are relatively even, and then the special teams sets Green apart. Is that a problem? Should it be different for Fs?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Looking at the QComp differences (not a large spread), it doesn’t look like Vigneault did all that much player matching, but rather much more zone matching (extreme differences).
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
So he doesn’t care who you put on the ice, but if the puck is in the O zone it’s the Sedins and if it’s the D zone it’s Malhotra. Regardless?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I wouldn’t say he doesn’t care, per se, just that the spread that you normally see in a team’s QComp is smaller than normal (Malhotra still leads that, though) and that the zone start spread is massive (Sedins in the 70s, Malhotra at 25).
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Ovechkin, just by virtue of being Ovechkin, makes his own defense. Teams have to be extra conservative when he’s on the ice, and it hampers their offense. The defensive component of his GAETAN score is actually quite good, and I’m convinced there’s more to that than his own defensive play or that of his linemates.
I’d describe this as the “just get it out of the zone” effect. Lines matched up against Ovie are content to just keep their head above water. Dumping the puck out to neutral ice is a small victory. Dumping it deep and getting a change is Germany over France in 1940.
Armareddon.
Damned right. I think that’s exactly what it is. And if I have any tool in my toolbox that makes the other team not even try to score for a while, I’d be an idiot not to use it as much as I can.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d call them more of a defensive line. If I really thought they were two-way I’d think harder about putting them on Briere.
I don’t buy Laich as a playmaking C. I don’t buy Ward as having more than replacement level offensive skill (or not much). Even if it’s Brouwer or Fehr with them, neither of those guys is going to singlehandedly turn a line into a scoring threat. I think that line is going to be made for tough defensive minutes and they’ll probably chip in on offense.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Exactly. I doubt the Caps have a true “two-way line” though I suppose Semin-MarJo-Brouwer could be one when Semin feels like it.
Could be. If you wanted to break up AO and Nick you could probably concoct one, but I wouldn’t want to do that.
You could also just make the “two-way” line Ward/Laich/Semin. Semin makes any line he’s on a scoring threat (most/some nights). I obviously don’t buy Laich as a legit 2C, but you could do a lot worse than Ward/Laich/Semin if you really really need to put together a line with stopping and scoring power.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
So that leaves Brouwer/MarJo/Fehr(?) as the 3rd line and 8/19/22 as the 1st line? Hm.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t really like it.
Would rather see LW/Laich/Ward get the toughest minutes, first line the next toughest, and then hope MarJo and Semin can carve up the soft minutes.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
My personal opinion is actually to give Semin and MarJo the harder competition than AO and Backstrom – AO is a better offensive player than Semin and Nick is a much better offensive player than MarJo.
I don’t think there’s a scarier matchup for opponents than AO/Baxter against their weaker players, especially if they can win the OZone draw.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’ll be a lot easier to match Mackan on the fly this year. Until he can win draws he’s going to have a hard time being a true tough minutes guy. I think he’s got the D skill, but if you can’t win a draw it doesn’t really matter. Look at how PIT had to use Staal/Crosby.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
That depends on how much he can start in the OZone and how much the PP reverts to normal shooting rates. If he stays on the point, I doubt it.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
54/62/116…heard it here first
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Wager time! If that’s your O/U line, I’m taking the under for any charity bet up to $50. I also accept beer bets.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll send a case of any Dogfish Head beer to the underprivileged children’s charity of your choice if Ovi hits those numbers…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
50/57/107 and Ill take the over for $50 to so kids can…and a playoff pregame drink next april
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How are we going to judge the bet? If he hits the goals or the assists the other, it’s a push? We both kick $25 to So Kids Can? I’ll still take the under on that, if so.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
yup 25 bet on each to so kids can… I got over 50 and over 57
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Do we have a rink book keeper…or is that on RB
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
If we’re going to ask RB to do that, it should be to Olie’s autism charity (I don’t have a problem with that, either).
Until then, I’m going to put it in my signature.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
oh…I thought she did some SKC stuff here…is Olie’s charity going to be the Rink preferred charity…if so I am ok with that…
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I think she said something about doing that one this year, but I don’t have an issue with either. Charity for kids is charity for kids, y’know?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Lets stick to the Rink charity…which ever that is this year..
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We did SKC last season. It was suggested that, in honor of Olie’s return, we do Autism this season.
I’m not bookkeeping on the friendly wagers kept during the off-season (Gouldie….), but if you e-mail me (in my profile), I’ll stash those e-mails in my charity folder so you can be added to the list once I get the kick-off post up in September.
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
Will do, thank you.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
The bad guys have a say in this too, and they’re going to put their stoppers out against Ovechkin as much as they can.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, it’s not a perfect match, but BB definitely has some control. Especially at home.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
They’ll fight harder to control what they do against Ovi. Which opens up some opportunities for the other lines.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
With his natural hockey sense, Johansson is going to be the anchor of a pretty good defensive line one day. Perhaps not this year, though I’m hopeful for the end of the season. And Semin can play pretty good defense when motivated. Brouwer-Johansson-Semin has the makings of developing into a pretty good two-way line.
If Kuznetzov replaces Semin on that line next year, that’s a step backwards in defensive awareness in the short term because Kuz will be a rookie, but potentially a step up in the long run because Kuz is pretty responsible too.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Like F&B says above, Mojo will have a tough time being a defensive stopper until he can at least approach 50% on the draw.
Armareddon.
He won 271 and lost 398 last year, a differential of 120+. If he can improve his percentage from 40.5% to 45%, then even with a few more total faceoffs, his differential should be below 80.
Other than faceoffs, I thought he played pretty well on defense during the regular season last year. I would feel comfortable putting him out there against tough opposition even if I knew he was likely to be at about -1.0 faceoff win per game.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 7, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d probably feel comfortable if he had a W that could help him out on the draws so that a) he could cheat like a mother and b) he doesn’t necessarily have to take the D zone draw.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I suspect that’s why Laich was attached to Perreault or MarJo at all times.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh, if Laich is a 2/3 W and Mackan/MP were the 2/3C then by definition (almost) Laich had to be attached to them. But yes, I do think that was by design.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I don’t remember Laich playing too much time on the “3rd line” (aka away from Semin), which is why I brought it up, but yeah.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, he’s a 2W. Those two Cs flopped, but you’re right that it was generally Laich and Semin if Laich was on the W.
Man, I hope we didn’t just give Laich money that Semin earned him and then in the next step ship Semin out the door. That’s the kind of fuck up that would make me start wondering if GMGM needs to be here.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
You and me both; that was my immediate fear when negotiations were going on.
Let’s put it this way: I’d rather have Sturm and Handzus for almost exactly the same money as Brooks Laich.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I have the Caps, Pens, Bruins, and Flyers as just about locks barring catastrophic injuries to their stars (and as we saw, even then…). Any team (Devils) can be sunk by awful coaching and awful shooting luck, but I think those four are as close as you get to locks. Add in the Devils, Lightning, Habs, and Rangers (Man, I hope Dubi and Cally take ’em to the cleaners) and I think at least one team expecting to make the playoffs in the East is out.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think the east will be much more competitive this year. So even with the spending spree that leaves FLA …
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Tomas “Point Per Game” Fleischmann shall lead them.
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I don’t see FLA making it this year. They could get lucky and make it, but I think it’s much more likely that they miss with ~88 points.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Situation normal!
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Jeez, really? 88 points? I’m not disagreeing, mind you. I haven’t looked at their roster as a whole, just going off the thought that Jovo and Flash on the team means you are dooooooomed…
I guess they still have Weiss and Booth, though.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I think they’re better than they were, but the players they added weren’t particularly good. They could luck into more points, for sure, but that’s roughly where I have them finishing. I think it’s going to take ~91* for the 8th seed in the East, so they just miss.
*number pulled out of thin air and gut instinct.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree with you on the 91-ish number, and based on the same analytical tools.
After FLA’s 72-point debacle last year, with no Vokoun, I’m not as rosy as you are, but I’m routinely wrong on these sorts of things. See, e.g., NJD of 2010-11.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Right, once Lemaire took over they were balls-hot as well as a great outshooting team.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I was so happy they had that avalanche of bad luck/coaching… and then Larsson fell into their lap. Arg.
Man, I wish Bettman took away their first this year, that choice option is BS.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 7, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
FWIW, I didn’t think they were a legitimately 72-point-bad-team last season. They had some truly horrendous shooting luck on the PP (If I recall correctly, they were shooting better at ES than on the PP for a while) along with some other bad puck luck that I don’t expect to be sustainable. Clemensen is better than your average backup and Theo shouldn’t be a disaster, either.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
And of course, you are assuming Tallon doesn’t trade away all his performing players for Jack Skille.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Um. Yes.
That.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I had forgotten about their PP woes, but I recall thinking it was way too bad to continue.
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I think they’ll follow a similar trajectory to Atlanta last season. Start off hot for 15 games then plummet back to Floridian levels.
There are several teams which will contend for the last 2 spots, among them TOR, FLA, WPG, CAR, and, I predict, PHI (maybe NYI). I think FLA finishes just out this year, with TOR being among the teams that make it
Of Washington, Pittsburgh, Boston, Philly, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Buffalo, Montreal, who do you see missing the playoffs to make room for Toronto or Carolina?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
It only takes one, right?
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by red army line on Jul 7, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I forgot about Tampa, so it probably takes at least two.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless I’m miscounting, you’ve listed 8 teams, no?
Caps, Pens, Bruins, Flyers + Devils, Bolts, Habs, Rags…
The only team I can think of that’s in the discussion would be the Sabres, so I agree with you that someone is going to miss the dance and be awfully disappointed. But absent some real bad injury luck, I don’t see it being the Flyers.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I totally meant to write in the Sabres. Good catch.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they needed to unload salary after signing Bryz?
Getting rid of both Richards and Carter was overkill, of course…
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Yeah, they didn’t need to move that much salary. They could have kept both and moved other guys. Leino, Versteeg aren’t around. Hartnell would be more attractive for them to move (but more difficult). They have some D that could have gone. If they wanted to stay loaded up down the middle and kept Bryz, they could have done it.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
I’d bet my shoes that Giroux can eat 1C minutes. Giroux at 3.75 is up there with Carlson and Subban on their ELCs for most excess value on their contracts, I think.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I actually looked at Giroux’s numbers and he could probably take higher competition and still do pretty well.
The thing is that Philly often runs 2 forward lines at about equal TOI. They even ran 3 lines at roughly equal TOI a few games last year. Now that they dont have Carter or Richards, they might need to have a definite 1 line. . .although. . .they could probably get away with a Briere line and Giroux Line.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Giroux is a straight-up gangster, 4th in F for qual comp (But Versteeg wasn’t with the team that long, so more like 3rd) and in the clear top-competition set with Carter and Nodl. Richards trailed that group by a bit and Giroux absolutely murdered his numbers. Just fuckin’ killed them. Add that he might be their most talented offensive player as well and there’s a real good chance that Giroux is a top-5 player in the league next year.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Hah, yeah those are some of the numbers I looked at. . .very very surprised by how good he was last season.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Always is. I probably hold Giroux in higher regard than most, but those are Datsyuk/Zetterberg numbers.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
They are, but it’s one year’s worth of them. He’s been on the up-swing, no doubt, but you can’t deny the context. His context is going to be much, much different this year. He won’t be under the radar at all and he won’t have anywhere near as much protection.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
He didn’t have much protection this year, unless you mean qualteam stuff. But yeah, I still have every confidence he’s going to destroy his RFA deal.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean he had protection in the sense that when other teams game plan for PHI they aren’t saying (anymore) “shit, we have to figure out how to stop Carter, Richards, Briere, and Giroux.” Now they just have to figure out how to stop 2 lines, one of which is undoubtedly an offense-only line. Add in that BOS just gave all the contenders the blueprint to dominating the Briere line, and it’s even less fearsome. It’s a lot easier to focus on shutting down Briere/Giroux than the lineup they had before.
Lavy is going to have to be on top of his line-matching game, I think.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Although looking at what he did against BOS really has me scratching my head. He let Julien get Kreijci out against Briere for the first two games, in PHI. You’d think at least in PHI he’d be hiding Briere from the Kreijci and Bergeron lines.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Yeah, I thought that was really stupid. With Giroux and Richards anchoring two lines, no need to use Briere PvP.
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by red army line on Jul 7, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
That’ll be interesting to watch, for sure. Giroux’s underlying numbers are fantastic, but IIRC one of his wings was Carter most of the time, who’s a stud in his own right.
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by red army line on Jul 7, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s why I think Giroux is going to nosedive and him and Nash are going to destroy next year. I wouldn’t be remotely surprised to see Nash get the Ross next year.
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
Chalk me up here. Nash may do 40/40, but he’s not going to sniff the Ross.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
underestimating Carter. You’ll live to rue this day.
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Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
I don’t foresee a Caps/Blue Jackets Finals so I find it unlikely ;)
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 7, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not underestimating Carter at all. I think Nash is overrated.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Overrated in what aspects of his game?
Some people don't want to be informed. They want to find out that what they already believe in is right. --Warren Peace
I think he gets cut a ton of slack for being on a bad team. He’s a good player, well rounded, but he’s a 70 point guy and he’s talked about like he’s a 90 point guy, IMO. He gets so much credit for his D, but I don’t think it’s as good as a lot of other guys. I think CBJ stunk and needed to use him in D situations because he’s so much better than the rest of the team. He’s a W so his ES defensive contributions aren’t as significant. Internationally, his stats are padded by World Championships (thanks, Columbus!), and in the Olympics he got more favorable ice time and was out-scored by 2/3 of Canada’s shutdown line (maybe 3/3, can’t find Morrow’s numbers right now).
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 7, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I thought he had a quiet Olympics as well.
He’s got all the tools to be a PPG+ player. CLB has taken its sweet time building up the roster to give the guy some support, so it’ll be interesting to see if they’ve done enough this offseason to sniff the playoffs.
Some people don't want to be informed. They want to find out that what they already believe in is right. --Warren Peace
Yeah, he’s not a bad player. He could hit 85 and I wouldn’t be shocked. I don’t think he’s a 100 point player though. If you’re talking Art Ross, you’re talking 100+. No way Carter adds 35 points to Nash’s total, I don’t think.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Yep, selling the Ross. Just too many good shutdown units in the league for a guy on a one line team to rack up enough bling, Corey Perry be damned.
Some people don't want to be informed. They want to find out that what they already believe in is right. --Warren Peace
Good point, hard to control for that.
Welp, this ought to be a litmus test for that, then. I still have no doubt that he can do it, but perhaps I’ll temper my expectations some.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Just noting that his (Richards’) presence wasn’t pestilential during the run to the Cup finals, same as it wasn’t during the early part of the season when Philly was on fire last year.
WRT Schenn’s ceiling, I’ll go back to something someone else here pointed out: the Flyers D has to win now. Why kick the F can down the road at least a couple years, given that’s the case.
I think the actual answer is “Ed Snider”, fwiw.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Thats a good point. They did still succeed with Richards in the locker room. It could just be the view of the front office? Idk.
The problem with the Flyers D having to win now is that it’s uneccessary. If they hadn’t traded Richards and Carter away, they’d have a pretty stacked F crew, a good defense, and a top flight goaltender. They’ve never had all 3. I was afraid of that team. I’m not afraid of the newly neutered Flyers.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Just noting that his (Richards’) presence wasn’t pestilential during the run to the Cup finals, same as it wasn’t during the early part of the season when Philly was on fire last year.
Winning allows you to overlook a lot of things that become more evident and problematic when the winning stops. (Might want to bookmark that quote from me for use at some point within the next year or so…)
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by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think he was a dick to the media, but otherwise was fine. And who cares what the media thinks? Why do they get to judge character, when it really is how teammates feel about you?
Not sure that he was fine otherwise. If he was fine otherwise, they wouldn’t have shipped out their captain.
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Edmonton shipped out Smyth b/c they didn’t want to re-sign him to big bucks and had to rebuild. Pens shipped out Jagr as part of a rebuild. Caps shipped out Clark because he was broken and sucked. This isn’t remotely the same.
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Because he was a fucking disaster of a leader.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nuh uh. He went to SJS and they gave him the C right away and they went on and had stellar playoff success.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Fine. Then make someone else the C. Don’t trade the guy.
Same with Richards. If he was such an ass to the press (and it seems that he was) and wasn’t really a great spokesman for the team, have someone else do it. But don’t trade the guy.
At least PHI got close to fair value back. BOS got totally hosed.
I don’t think you can say “just strip the C and keep him around” unless you are closer to the situation. You don’t know that Richards would take it like Marleau and not throw a bitch fit.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Marleau wasn’t the first player to lose his captaincy and be good about it.
Haven’t people been saying similar things about Ovechkin here? That he’s the obvious best player on the team but not really the best option to be captain.
People say a lot of things here. You’ll have to be more specific. I’ve always said that it doesn’t matter what the fans think about the Captain or locker room issues. We aren’t there, we don’t know. In an atmosphere of rampant speculation, the locker room stuff is too much for my taste.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Look, I’ve said that, too. In fact, I’ve said that friendship and camaraderie in the locker room is completely overrated.
I’m just saying that other players have lost their captaincy, and if Richards would’ve stayed in Philadelphia, it wouldn’t have been the worst thing.
There are times when the stripping of the C means something more. Keenan took away the C from Trevor Linden, although that was probably only one of the reasons why that soured. Ron Francis lost the C in Hartford and was traded two months later, though Francis said he would’ve been happy to have stayed without the C.
I’m just saying that other players have lost their captaincy, and if Richards would’ve stayed in Philadelphia, it wouldn’t have been the worst thing.
Funny, the people who actually were close to the situation apparently felt completely differently. So you can go on wondering why they did what they did and that Richards obviously wasn’t a detrimental presence, or… you can look at what went down and connect the dots. Your call.
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Mike Holmgren.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Right. The guy who pulled the trigger. The new captain. And others, I’m sure.
There are mounds of circumstantial evidence that even the Casey Anthony jury would be able to convict on. Mike Richards was traded because he was a problem in the room. Not sure how anyone can see it differently.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I saw some speculation that there was conflict between Pronger and Richards, specifically regarding how the room should be “run”. So there’s that.
The BSH guys, I think, were all pretty unequivocal that Richards wasn’t a “cancer”, though.
Plus, there’s the incalculable Ed Snider effect.
But, yeah, someone, be it Snider or Holmgren, figured Richards was wrong for the team, that’s for sure.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
“I don’t think there was necessarily a rift, I think we just needed more life in the locker room. It all has to do with your play on the ice. If you’re playing well on the ice, there’s never any questions as to who’s doing what or is there a rift, does this guy like that guy, and all of the rest of the stuff that gets thrown out. If you play well on the ice, nobody wants to write about that because everything’s going good.”
That’s Pronger. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Richards and Carter as dudes – more like “it was ok when we were winning, but now… not so much.”
As for Holmgren’s opinion, let’s put it this way – why would they trade a guy who’s entering his prime as a seemingly prototypical Flyer and perennial Selke candidate when their window is closing (see Pronger, Timonen) if not for off-ice issues? Granted, they got a decent return for Richards, but he was clearly the best player in the deal and not a guy you trade because of his play.
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Much less trade two guys that fit that description, and both are on incredibly cap friendly long term deals.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Eh, I’ve never been much of a Carter guy, and could see moving his ~$5.3m cap hit if you want Bryz and his ~$5.7, but I guess your point is “sure, move one of them, but if you’re moving both, it’s because you’re trying to change the culture,” and I agree with that.
Good thing they brought in Mr. Character himself…
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my brain is mush today. I should stop posting, but I can’t.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
it’s the whole “But how does he/she treat the waitress?” thing.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
the idea that if the person your dating/friends with/whatever is nice to you but a complete dick to waiters/service staff/those general positions, they are probably, deep down, a dick by nature.
A guy who has been combative and asshole-ish to the media (and I’ll cut him some slack here because this is the equally combative and asshole-ish Philly media we’re talking about) from day one is probably an asshole and combative with most people.
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, I’m with you. Treatment of service staff is one of my litmus tests for people.
I don’t, however, think that a contentious relationship with the media is on the same level. Lots of people have bad relationships with the media and it isn’t all because they are dicks deep down. Hell, I’m sure lots of dicks have fine relationships with the media.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Pronger, for one.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think you have to dig all that deep.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 7, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
he’d probably proudly wear a shirt that said “ASSHOLE” if you gave it to him.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I think when discussing pro athletes and the media that covers them, the dynamic of the relationship is completely different Add in that it’s Philly’s media we’re discussing, even more so. Some guys who are perfectly fine people just do not handle that kind of attention and pressure that the media generates well.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 7, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. And the interest of the media isn’t always to provide an honest and objective glimpse into the players’ lives and personalities. They have their agendas and respond in predictable ways when players obstruct those agendas.
(Obviously that doesn’t apply to all journalists*)
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Definitely not all journalists. Plenty of good ones out there.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 7, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
“I’m excited to play here, where [Patrick Roy] played. I’m very happy I’m here to play for Colorado. I remember watching the Detroit vs. Colorado games. *They were my favorite club, it’s true.”*
If you've read this far...seek help.
Everything from Varly since the trade has been such standard boiler plate material.
Classic agent template:
“I’m extremely excited to be joining [your organization] with its rich, storied history. I’m looking forward to wearing the same jersey as [your organization’s] legends such as [insert former players(s) here]. The fans in [your city] are the best in [your sport/league] and I look forward to many years of success playing at [your arena].”
Classic North American agent template…
FTFY
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorta reminds me of Bull Durham….
1) We gotta play ‘em one day at a time.
2) I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ballclub.
3) I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things will work out.
4) Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Sometimes it rains
-Crash Davis
"Can you smell what the Arnott is Cooking?"
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 7, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Sometimes it rains
Sounds like the Winter Classic
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 7, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
“We got us a natural disaster.”
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
“OMG you get white balls in batting practice???!!!”
"Can you smell what the Arnott is Cooking?"
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 7, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Wonder how many blinks after he utter ’it’s true’
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jul 7, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
This isn’t surprising given his age and the publicity that Colorado-Detroit used to get in Russia. Malkin said essentially the same thing today.
Armareddon.
But are we to believe that Varly was rooting against The Russian Five?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Maybe he was all emo and angst-ridden and rebelling against societal norms.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
“The Russian Five may light the lamp behind the goal, but they will never light lamp in my heart.”
by David Getz on Jul 7, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Surprised he didn’t love the Ducks with Mikael Shtalenkov or something.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The use of they makes me suspect Varly was perhaps trying to say Detroit was his favorite team. We know how Varly can get a bit jumbled in English.
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
Too late. The narrative has taken off:
Semyon Varlamov says it was his childhood dream to play for the Avalanche as he answers questions after being introduced by the team.http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/10122/watch-avs-introduce-semyon-varlamov
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
eh, I could be wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time I was blindly off-base today.
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
Listen to the podcast by Goalie Guild. Varly clearly says it was his childhood dream to plays for the Avs. He also said “this is my favorite club. That’s true.” Reporter: why is that, because of Patrick Roy? Varly: Yes, Patrick Roy was my favorite player in the NHL.
Varly did pretty well with his English. He had some trouble understanding some questions though. Some of the reporters were smart enough to reword the question until he got it but some of them just kept repeating the same question or using other difficult words instead of simplifying.
Frei piece on Sherman (Avs GM) and the Varlamov signing…
Last pgh:
"There was no commitment like that," Sherman said. "These people have to earn their ice. What I pointed out was that there was an opportunity to earn the net. You look at our depth chart at the time we were talking, I think I could say that with a lot of confidence."
I promise this is hockey related: Oh, John Wall. Bad Choice. Very bad choice.
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
Alright, so how long before he hits the trifecta?
You’re dead to me, John Wall. Dead to me.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Oh if I see Black and Yellow on him he will move below Casey Anthony on my list
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Did you see the previous picture of him in a Flyers hat? That was actually worse, imo.
by mch on Jul 7, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Three choices here: 1) he’s dumb enough not to know where his bread is buttered, 2) he’s egotistical enough not to care, or 3) he resents the Leonsis PR Machine and is acting out against it.
I don’t think this will impact any amount of butter on his bread.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 7, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
4) It’s really funny to me when people get up in arms about a local athlete wearing another city’s hat, when hats as fashion choices are chosen as much for color or style (old school, in this case) as for anything else.
Half the people who wear sports hats in public have no ties to the team on it one way or the other.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
by smutsboy1 on Jul 7, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
And the vast majority of athletes aren’t playing for their home town. Unless they are wearing a hat of a rival in their own league, what’s the big deal? Just because the Wizards sign his checks he needs to be a Caps/Nats/‘Skins fan now? And then he’ll have to switch allegiances if he changes NBA teams?
Obviously, this is all speculation.
That said, if he rocks a Pens lid he can get gonorrhea and badly ingrown toenails for all I care.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you can run and tell that homeboy
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A few years ago, Lebron wore a Yankees hate to an Indians/Yankees ALCS game in Cleveland. That rightfully rankled some folks.
This is a picture of John Wall wearing a Rangers hat in his car during the offseason. Non-story.
Fair point. I didn’t really care about the Lebron stuff, and I don’t care that much about this. There’s very little an NBA player can do to make me care more or less about them.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Jul 7, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think that’s a fair point on Lebron and, ideally, you’d want “your guys” embracing your community, no? I mean, it doesn’t matter much, but it’s kinda cool when Chris Cooley is at Caps games, Ovi and Nick are on the sidelines for Skins games, etc. Mostly trivial, but not entirely.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah. Frankly I’m with all of you about not really caring much either way, particularly when roundball is involved. But it would be like seeing Chris Cooley at a Caps/Pens playoff game wearing a Crosby jersey.
I’m not up in arms about it, and if it was almost any other player it wouldn’t mean much. Ted likes his darling boys. OV being the Caps version, of course. He wants them to play nice and support each other. And when your owner is as visible as Ted is…personally, if I wanted to wear hats with pretty colors, I’d go the NFL route.
Maybe by wearing that lid, Wall’s actually dissing the only team the Caps can beat in the playoffs.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 7, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I dont think any Wiz should dis any team in any sport that makes their respective postseason
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
I was really contemplating a new RWB Wall jersey before seeing that
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
Or how about the red hat wouldn’t match his white shirt?
"Can you smell what the Arnott is Cooking?"
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 7, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, unless he’s been a lifelong fan since 1994, it’s not as bad as a certain someone who grew up in Ohio and is a Cowboys/Yankees fan.
This sig is brought to you by... Frungy, The Sport of Kings!
It’s not like they have pro football and baseball in Ohio.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
I had this post all typed out and then realized your were snarking.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
this would match his outfit much better
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
I think my brother had that in 1989.
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
Just thinking Brouwer was in town when his deal was finalized….so is it safe to assume that KingKarl will head back to the Capital when both sides are close…
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
10 & 5 Game Partial Packages
I don’t have the money or time to be a STH, but I’ve been getting partial plans for the past few years. I was wondering which of this year’s packages people think are most compelling and whether people have recommendations on sections to sit in (i.e. sections with good and fun neighbors).
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
every section has awesome people, and every section has that guy who screams “SCHULTZ, YOU SUCK!”
I think there are pros and cons to every package. Opening Night is always so much fun, plus you get Philly with that one. The Labre package is very east-heavy, so if you want to see Boston, NY, Jersey, that’s a good one. And the last two packages each have a Pittsburgh game.
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
Smirnoff Ice does terrible, terrible things to people.
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
Makes them miss the days of Zima…what?
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 7, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
About all it’s good for
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jul 7, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
How dare you insinuate that J.P. drinks Smirnoff Ice! (You don’t, right, J.P.?)
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Only when he gets iced by Bald or Gouldie….
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
Is that the same guy who yells while standing up the whole game in section 412? That guy is hilarious.
Like she said, every section has one (mine was in Sec 432).
"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.
which one? So many idiots in 432. Fortunately, balanced out by the fact that 432 has some of the most kick-ass people on Earth.
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
433 was pretty terrible last year with leaners.
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
The choice (and slight price difference) between “Mezzanine End – Attack – 405:412” and “Mezzanine End – Defend – 422:429” is new this year, right?
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
yes.
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
Make me reminisce about the album ’Mezzanine" from Massive Attack .. what a phenomenal album…
"Can you smell what the Arnott is Cooking?"
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jul 7, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Ted is Putting In Mini Suites
About eight of them, nestled at the top of the upper bowl. Seat about 4 people (chairs plus bar stools). If you purchase one, you get access to all events at the arena, not just Caps.
Still worshipping at my Joe Juneau shrine. And a 4.0 in engineering, too.
…and a pair of binoculars.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
No binocs needed. Will be awesome seats … if you are independently wealthy. It’s the first big move since he has taken over the arena, as far as I can tell. Actually, I thought the arena for Caps’ games went down a bit last year, but I digress …
Still worshipping at my Joe Juneau shrine. And a 4.0 in engineering, too.
Matt Halischuk, Nick Spaling, Cal O’Reilly, Chris Mueller.
I was most interested in what was going to happen with Cal O’Reilly. I have a feeling he’s going to be really good.
When I'm mourning the death of a loved one, the first thing I do is read Roger Ebert's Tweets.
Makes you wish Caps had waited a few days to sign Brouwer to use this as a comp.
And vice versa, why would he sign for under 2 mil given what Brouwer just got???
GP G A Pts +/-
240 39 54 93 12 Simmonds
238 49 54 103 8 Brouwer
Is it just me or does Brouwer look exactly like Kesler in that picture?
by mc43342 on Jul 7, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I had that exact thought earlier. I hope he plays like Kesler.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 7, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
NHL Equivalency rankings are out for the 2010 draft (what we’re reading). Kuznetsov comes in ranked 4th. Pretty incredible showing. Last year Mackan had jumped up a good bit, this year Kuz jumps up quite a bit more. With another year of seasoning and physical growth I think Kuz could be a 70 point player as a rookie. Crazy possibilities if it breaks right.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
So now add Lumberjack to the list of players coming back to DC in the summer. What’s going on here?
"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.
Just an average night on twitter in the life of Alex Ovechkin...
ovi8: Ill be back to dc at 4am… My plane is delayd!!!!now I’m with my boys in colorado….
ovi8:Have now chiken wings and …gues?ahaah
ovi8:I can’t says this but u guys right,…..its so good!!mmmm hahahah
Blogging the NHL (and the Caps) at The Breakaway Goal Blog and on Tumblr.
Twitter @breakawaygoal
Capitals Development Camp Coverage from The Breakaway Goal.
by thebreakawaygoal on Jul 7, 2011 11:07 PM EDT reply actions
Should it trouble me that the man on whom my favorite sports franchise depends, who is signed to be part of that franchise into the next decade, is completely insane?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 8, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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