Tuesday Caps Clips: Isles @ Caps Game Day
by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 6:36 AM EST
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Previews of tonight's fandango with the Fishsticks from Vogs, NHL.com, SB Nation DC, WTOP, Peerless, CRtC and hockey yelling, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner (and the most underrated blog on the network) Lighthouse Hockey for more coverage from the other side of tonight's match-up.
- Notes and assorted whatnot from yesterday's optional practice. [Caps365 video (Hunter, Halpern, Knuble), 106.7 The Fan]
- Remember when "Mike Green will be out until at least February 1" sounded like bad news? Well, it just got a lot worse. [WaPo, WashTimes, WTOP, DSP]
- Tomas Vokoun has been pretty awesome over the past three weeks... [DCEx]
- ... and active... [WashTimes]
- ... while Michal Neuvirth has been pretty patient. [WashTimes, DCEx, Examiner, CSNW]
- Wins are wins, but some of the play behind the recent ones is eyebrow-raising. [WaPo, Examiner]
- Still, ugly wins are prettier than pretty losses. [CSNW]
- The home-cookin' kitchen is about to close for a bit; be afraid... be very afraid. [DCEx (and again)]
- Dale Hunter vs. Bruce Boudreau - who've ya got? (Um, not in a fight.) [CSNW (video)]
- Here's hopin' the Caps' top defensive duo starts playing like it again. [hockey yelling]
- Remembering "The Goal." [Dump 'n Chase]
- Photos of the Backstrom boys. [Fredrik Etoall (h/t Malin)]
- Team Russia head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov will meet with the Sashas and Dmitri Orlov tomorrow in Montreal. [Sport-Express, via GoogleTrans]
- ♫ And the best game you can name, is the mascot hockey game. ♪ [Caps365 (video)]
- Finally, happy 20th birthday to Stanislav Galiev.
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DH32 from practice yesterday
You see how many shots they blocked [Sunday] night? That’s caring about winning and losing…when they go down and block, that’s a commitment to winning.
I know it’s not a winning strategy, blocking more shots than the opponent, but I love this attitude.
Cross check and all call.
If you’re going to allow shots, you better do something about blockin’ ’em. Nothing in the rules says only a goaltender can block shots.
If you've read this far...seek help.
And that’s what I’m not crazy about re: Dale’s system, the shots allowed. Teams seem to have an easy time tilting the ice and hemming the Caps in their zone, and it’s hard to remember a time when I saw so many Caps circle back down to the goal line extended once gaining possession. It’s taking some time to get used to.
Cross check and all call.
Over the last 16 games the Caps have been outshot 13 times and overall by an average of 30.0 – 24.3. Here is what that means for a goaltender. If the opponent’s goalie has a save percentage of, say, .915, and he has an average night facing 24 shots, he will allow two goals. Now, if you are Tomas Vokoun and face an average number of shots (30), you have to have a save percentage of .933 just to get your team to overtime (.966 to win in regulation — 29 saves on 30 shots).
In any single game, scoring chances matter, but save percentages and shot averages accoumulating over a season would (I believe) smooth the influence of scoring chances (call it “regressing to the mean”). Shots, on the other hand — over the population of games played — matter. Yeah, the Caps are 10-5-1 over those 16 games, but it says as much to how well the goaltenders (i.e., Tomas Vokoun) are playing as much as anything. The Caps need to be generating more of their own shots on goal to take the heat off the other end of the ice.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 17, 2012 8:02 AM EST up reply actions 12 recs
Truth.
And just to add, the Caps have played well over that stretch and have had a lot of leads. Teams with leads tend to get outshot. But score effect most certainly doesn’t account for this entire differential.
Getting out-shot and out-chanced isn’t a long-term recipe for success. Fin.
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Teams with leads tend to get outshot. But score effect most certainly doesn’t account for this entire differential.
This is an interesting point. I’d like to outshoot and outchance opponents, and I believe that when Vokoun cools a bit, we’ll be in trouble. However, without any statistical analysis, I have to believe JP’s point is true, just like tremendous passing yards in football are often the result of falling behind early, not of a fantastic, dominating passing game.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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It is true (generally). For example, only one team in the League has a postive Fenwick % when up 2 goals. All but three are positive when down 2. All but one are positive when down 1. When you’re losing, you press; when you’re winning, you relax (some). When a team is trailing, they get calls (in part because they’re legitimately drawing them by pressing against a team that’s relaxing). Etc.
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Just a quibble, I’m not sure “relax” is the right word. I’d chalk it up to a strategic change rather than a team relaxing (though with the Caps over the last few years relax probably is the right word). When it’s tied or you are losing the coach will tell you to press for any 50/50 puck. When you are winning the coach will say “don’t go for it unless it’s an 80/20 puck” or something like that. So teams will concede possession to make sure they don’t give up a big play like a 2-on-1. It’s not necessarily relaxing though. So in sum, relax: don’t do it.
Now I need to go find the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 17, 2012 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Fair – I was oversimplifying and meant “relax their aggression level” or something.
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’Tis why he qualified it with “often the result…”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 9:35 AM EST up reply actions
Well struck, Peerless.
Over those 16 games, Caps’ shooting percentage = 10.5% (41/389). Opponents = 7.5% (36/480). One of these is not really sustainable.
Cross check and all call.
Put another way, it’s a PDO (including special teams play) of 105 + 925 = 1030.
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Puts in perspective how ridiculous 09-10 was, with its 1031 PDO.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 17, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
I will add that if the Caps go out and add another forward or two at the deadline capable of putting the puck in the net, the style they’re playing now has a better chance of working. It’s tough to score in transition when you only have 3-4 forwards reliable enough to put the puck in the net on the rush.
If the team is doing something to concede long range shots and prevent short-range shots, then you might see high shot totals, high blocked shot totals, and low scoring chance totals. That wouldn’t be so bad, if that were what’s happening.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 17, 2012 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, and I’d love to see a heat map view of the shots against just to test that. Gabe did that for the Wild a few years back and concluded that they were conceding lots of low-percentage shots so their Corsi numbers looked bad but they weren’t giving up more quality chances.
Please, call me F&B.
That’s certainly how the Carolina game looked, but whether it was the Canes’ terrible game plan or the Caps’ great one is very hard to tell in that instance.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 17, 2012 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
Scrolled down, saw my argument in better terms. I seem to see lots of shots where they’re low percentage with not much traffic and Vokoun is able to play aggressively against the shot. If the defense is capable of being Johnny on the spot with rebounds and Vokoun playing almost exclusively the shot, I’m fine with that. See one T. Thomas and his postseason run. He was able to cut the amount of net behind him down to nothing because Boston’s D was capable of backing him up.
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Per Neil on Twitter:
Shots against (no goals): 2010-11 36ft. 2011-12 under BB: 34.7 ft. 2011-12 under Hunter 36.3 ft.; [Shots, total] 2010-11 34.7 feet. 2011-12 BB 34 feet. 2011-12 Hunter 35 feet.
So Dale’s pushed ‘em out a foot or so. Doesn’t seem to be the answer.
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Any way to quantify number of odd-man rushes against? That seems to be the aspect in which they’ve improved most based on non-scientific observation.
Sure… but not automatically. It’d have to be charted manually.
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And given how the NHL tracks shot distance I’m not inclined to buy much from those numbers anyway (assuming Neil tracks based on NHL-provided distance and isn’t doing his own tracking).
Please, call me F&B.
Right. Insofar as I’m concerned, all of those numbers are the same.
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I think there’s a slight disconnect here in that blocking shots the way they did Sunday definitely shows “a commitment to winning” or whatever; it’s just that having to do it so often isn’t a good thing, and reasonable minds can disagree as to whether each individual shot-block attempt is actually beneficial to the team. But it’s hard to disagree that a willingness to throw one’s body in front of a shot demonstrates a degree of selflessness, give-a-shit, etc.
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I agree that each individual blocked shot may not be all that useful. Often, simply from observation, a blocked shot on the PK results in the offense just getting the rebounded puck back and setting up again. Plus, you’ve got a man sprawled on the ice who has to get back up and reset before the O takes advantage. Alls I’m really saying is that many blocked shots just delay the inevitable of another shot coming our way.
It would be pretty disappointing if the locals can’t defeat this not-so-good team, especially with NYI coming off a game last night. I suppose a loss would be palatable if we were to asume they were looking ahead to tomorrow’s encounter and some unfinished business of which we will not speak.
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Jan 17, 2012 7:52 AM EST reply actions
The Isles played yesterday afternoon, fwiw… meaning that’s, what, four in a row for the Caps having the previous day off and facing an opponent who didn’t? That ain’t bad (though I guess Montreal gets that benefit tomorrow night).
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Where are’t though, Guy Boucher?
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 17, 2012 7:58 AM EST up reply actions
Did I see correctly that Bourque elbowed someone else?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 9:36 AM EST up reply actions
Eh, it’s far less egregious than his hit on Seabrook or the elbow on Backstrom. The target was sort of falling forward and may have dropped his own head into the impact zone.
Please, call me F&B.
Not as egregious, but I still think it was bad. He came from behind Hagelin so he could have cut in sooner and hit him in the shoulder. Hagelin was bent over, but Bourque still picked his head instead of hitting center mass, which he should have been able to do.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 17, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
#needsmoreSchultzrumors
Not that I hate the guy or want him to go, but I am just interested to see a) where he might go and b) what the caps get in return and if they will improve do to it
RAMPAGE
Don’t get your hopes up too much – the Caps have shot themselves in the foot on this one and greatly devalued their asset.
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I think that is the most intriguing part of this. I’d like to think it shows that McPhee is indeed hands off. If his coach doesn’t want to play someone, he lets that happen. That does, per your point, devalue these players.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Or… they’re not really looking to move him and they think the asset (a good one, inarguably, with that contract and skillset) will outlast the coach.
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Green’s long-term absence certainly increases 55’s value to the Caps and mitigates any limitations created by his cap space.
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Or they hope for a feeding frenzy at the last hour of the deadline and get something decent in return.
I'll never put on a life jacket again
I think that’s more likely than the Caps holding out for Shultz’ value to improve via a yet-to-be-determined change in coaching and/or coaching desire to play him. You can’t expect to come back from being out so long a stretch of time in the NHL and pop right back into anything resembling game form.
In many ways it would have been better for Shultz to have signed a two-way contract so that at the very least he could be honing in on some skills he needs to improve on at the AHL level. Sure, the money would have been pathetic, but ask any player and they’ll tell you that making bank while riding the pine gnaws at them night and day.
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
The salary isn’t what is keeping Schultz from being sent to Hershey. It’s the fact that the Caps would very quickly lose him for nothing on the waiver wire.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Of course. That’s why I stated “it would have been better for Shultz to have signed a two-way contract.” That way no one could pick him up on the waiver wire, and he could have been sent down for a conditioning stint without fear of poaching.
Make no mistakes, he earned that $11 million, one-way contract… it’s just now part of the reason he isn’t getting any playing time. After all, it’s better to be playing somewhere than not at all. He could blow it up in Hershey and win a trip back, but as it stands now he’ll just sit in the Press Box, riding this out until his future is decided by someone else. No Man’s Land.
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
Two-way contracts don’t work that way. All it means is he gets paid the same here and the AHL – he still has to clear waivers.
Failure is always an option.
Yup, two-way/one-way only refers to salary. Waiver status is determined by age/years played.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 17, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
Damn you, EA Sports!!!
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by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Players ought to have “Turbo” buttons that fans can activate through applause.
Also, the winners of fights ought to go scot-free while the losers serve five minute penalties, and the teammates of the winning fighter should all be magically refreshed as though it were the start of the game.
Unleash the Apathy.
by D'ohboy on Jan 17, 2012 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
000
And every other thing the announcers say should be “WITH THE PASS!”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Imagine the cap shenanigans if two-way contracts were waiver exempt. “Okay, your NHL salary will be $5 million, and your AHL salary will be $4,999,999.99. Don’t worry, you’ll be back up come playoff time.”
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 17, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Ehhh…his value has certainly dropped by spending so much time in the press box, but the team isn’t going to increase his value by playing him in a system he isn’t suited for. I still believe that if he’s on the block there’s a GM out there that’s blinded by Schultz’s size and plus/minus from a couple years ago.
When Tomas Kundratek is getting your minutes, your team isn’t going to be dealing from a position of strength. At all.
The Caps would be wise to just hold Schultz.
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I agree with this. One of the most important things to have in the playoffs is defensive depth, which is why the Caps look to add there every deadline (like with Wideman and Corvo).
One of the things I’ll always remember about the 06 playoffs is that Buffalo was wracked with so many injuries on its backline that they were down to playing Doug Janik big minutes. Same thing happened to the Caps in 89-90.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
He is so transparently not in the Caps’ plans that the return might be no more than a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick, or a 3rd/4th line forward (not both). If McPhee gets more, I can’t say I’d be surprised (he’s done it before), but it would not be expected.
If you've read this far...seek help.
And given the need for D across the league every year, the relative lack of depth in the Caps’ organization, it would be unwise to move 55 just to move him. Unless there is a legit return that can help the team in the short-term I don’t see how it makes sense to move him. If anything, he gets packaged with 28. That probably still won’t look great in terms of asset return but it at least creates the possibility that 55 would bring back something valuable.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 17, 2012 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Semin & Schultz for Clowe & Mur….oh fuck it.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 17, 2012 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
@OnFrozenBlog @TSNBobMcKenzie reports on the NHL Network that the #Caps are NOT shopping Schultz even though he’s only played in 6 of 21 DH32 coached gms
If McKenzie is right (and I don’t doubt that he is), the Caps are holding on to Schultz because they value blue-line depth more than they value anything they could get in return for him in a trade. Nevertheless, you have to wonder why Dale Hunter is trying to bring in new players to fit his system, rather than tailoring his system to the players he has.
This, of course, is especially true when the system he’s using is generating negative results in terms of shot and scoring chance differentials.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
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by Wheeler on Jan 17, 2012 8:27 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
The whole situation makes perfect sense to me.
Signed,
/D.J.King
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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the Caps are holding on to Schultz because they value blue-line depth more than they value anything they could get in return for him in a trade
That would make sense (as I mentioned above).
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Butt-hurt reporter is butt-hurt after butt-hurt Varly butt-hurts him.
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by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 8:04 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
I read the first couple paragraphs of that and thought, yeah, being a pro athlete means having to face the music with the press when you really don’t want to. But on the other hand, being a reporter means having to endure the difficulties of dealing with very competitive people who have had a really bad day. Both have chosen their professions. Neither one is a cake walk, but neither is a forced march, either. Sometimes, there is a disturbing sense of entitlement on both sides of the mic.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 17, 2012 8:08 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
Saw this last night… There are few things in this world that read as bad to me than a blog/article/entry filed by an entitled reporter that feels slighted.
After Varlamov rudely declined comment, I asked veteran goalie J.S. Giguere — the definition of a class act in the crease who witnessed the awkward exchange — to speak for Varly
/golf clap
by Yoshietree on Jan 17, 2012 8:08 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
The gratuitous, cliched NBA/NFL shots were awesome, too.
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Dater? I want a warning before I click.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Dater’s blog, but not Dater (he’d never say something bad about Varly and yield an inch of “we won the trade” high ground).
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Dater did say on twitter last night that “this is Jiggy’s team rest of the way.” Usually a first for a backup goalie is considered a bad trade.
The Varly trade may work out well for them next year, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
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That would be the Varlamov who has allowed at least four goals in eight of his last 21 appearances? The one who is 36th (of 45 eligible goalies) in GAA and 39th in save percentage? Yes, those rankings are at the moment higher than Michal Neuvirth (43rd in both), but there are those draft picks to consider. The Caps don’t have to draft Ron Francis to win that trade at this point, they could draft Lou Franceschetti.
If you've read this far...seek help.
The focus on “winning” the trade in this case is a little silly anyway, as if it’s a zero-sum proposition. The Caps unquestionably made a good trade – they moved an asset that they may very well have lost for nothing (I guess only Varly and GMGM really know the answer to that) and parlayed that into two good assets. Regardless of what those assets turn into, trading a possible nothing for two somethings is, uh, good.
As for COL, they’re the ones who have to weigh whether they got a decent return on the two assets they gave up. And, frankly, I couldn’t care less… after this year. The Caps did well; the Avs could still do well. “Winning” the trade is for columnists and fans (not mutually exclusive groups) to argue about.
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by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 8:57 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sports does a better job than most in determining winners and losers. They do it by winning and losing. But I agree about the whole not caring about Colorado’s side of it after this year. I won’t have to root for them to lose every night.
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Is it the Caps’ option to determine whether the COL second rounder is in the 2012 or 2013 draft?
Cross check and all call.
Varlamov trade:
Added Colorado’s first in 2012 draft
and
Either Boston’s second in 2012 or Colorado’s second in 2013 (Washington’s option)
IIRC, GMGM hates second round picks more than he hates Finnish players. Trades them all the time.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
Sounds like you are writing about Brian Burke’s rep regarding 2nd rounders, lol, but yes, McPhee has traded the 2010 (Belanger deal), 2011 (Carolina/Corvo deal) and 2012 2nd rounders. In 2009 second round Caps pick was Orlov.
2012
Caps own all their own picks except: 2nd Traded to NJD in Arnott deal
Added Colorado’s first and either Boston’s second in 2012 or Colorado’s second in 2013 (Washington’s option) in Varlamov deal
Added Winnipeg’s 4th round pick in 2012 in Eric Fehr trade on July 8 (Paquette also traded to Washington in the trade)
I view it as more about the playoff bound Caps and trade deadline moves than about not wanting second round picks. He does try very hard to not trade a first round pick and when he did this summer it was at the draft, not at the deadline.
Still early days yet, but Brouwer has been an acceptable in exchange for a first, imo.
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For a late first round pick, Brouwer has been better than acceptable. Most players picked where the Caps were picking won’t yield any NHL value for 2-3 years…
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Good to know.
They haven’t had a lot of success with them either recently, as evidenced by Kugryshev (gah) and Mestery (double gah) in 08, Josh Godfrey and Theo Ruth (although they did flip him for Fedorov) in 07, went 1 for 3 in 06 with Neuvirth, Bouchard, and Seabrook, swung and missed on Bourque and Yunkov in 04, punted on Maxime Daigneualt in 02, missed with Nathan Paetsch in 01, shanked on Pettinger and Cutta in 00, got the golden sombrero in 04 with Sivek, Lupaschuk, and Stephens (though two of those were flipped for Jagr, and Yonkman, and crapped the bed on Jomar Cruz in 1998.
Other than Neuvirth, you have to go back to almost 1996 for a Caps 2d rounder that made an “impact”, and that was Jan Bulis. And before that you have to go back to 92 and one James F. Carey. Any farther than that and you’re digging up Johnald Druce and Stunning Steve Leach.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
It’s amazing how a young goalie is inconsistent when you are too cheap to get him a goalie coach. The fact that the Avs made a huge investment in him but won’t back it up with a proper goalie coach and depend only on Giggy is amazing to me. Although somehow despite not having a coach, G.G. recently listed Varly as one of the top 5 improved goalies technique-wise from the end of last season. He said Giggy has a big influence on Varly and Varly improved in:
Quieter footwork, better glove placement, not as hyper-active, reading plays better.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
True, they don’t have a goaltending coach, they have a goaltending consultant, Kirk McLean. Other than the terminology, I’m not sure how it’s different than the Caps and Prior…Prior isn’t at practice/games/with the Caps every day, see Neuvirth’s recent comments and Whyno’s coverage.
I know you follow the Avs and Varlamov more closely than I do, do you know if McLean has been with the team at all since the season started?
It’s more than just using a different terminology, McLean really isn’t present much. He has been with them a few times, but not much that I know of. He’s shown up a couple times after Varly had some bad games. Last I heard of him was being at WJC to watch the Avs Finnish goalie prospect. Before that, last I heard he was with the team was when the team played in Vancouver on Dec. 6. McLean lives in Vancouver. Here’s an article that G.G. wrote recently about the situation.
I think it’s ridiculous that a team with two goalie coaches apparently left a struggling Neuvy all alone without help. Couldn’t Olie come up and work with Neuvy while Prior is on the road? I thought I recalled Olie saying he would be with the Caps when Prior traveled right after he was hired.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve read that before and I know GG has been focused on this issue with the Avs for awhile now.
I think Prior spends a little more time with the Caps goalies, but I really don’t think it’s all that different than McLean is all I’m saying. I think Irbe was present a bit more because his job description was a bit different, less scouting, etc.
In the good news department, Kolzig is spending more time with Hershey and South Carolina than I guessed he would when it was announced he would be joining the team. I know recently he was with Hershey the weekend of the 3 in 3 including the outdoor game and the 2 home games.
I think a young goalie needs more coaching than an older veteran like Vokoun. G.G. said the same in the article I linked above. I agree with you that Prior has additional duties compared to Irbe, but Neuvy is still a young guy that needs the help. Personally I feel that’s it’s more important to the Caps right now to get Neuvy playing well so he can be depended upon when needed versus having Olie spend tons of time with AHL and ECHL goalies.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
It’s amazing how a young goalie is inconsistent when you are too cheap to get him a goalie coach.
Yeah. That’s it.
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by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
To expand on that a bit, Varly wanted to be “the guy.” He wanted the money, the title, the chance… and he’s under-performed. At some point, there has to be accountability on the player and not excuses about how much help he is or isn’t getting off the ice (same goes for Neuvy, btw).
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I’m not denying he has been wildly inconsistent. Obviously to expect him to take over as #1 and play 50 games after his previous limited experience was too much for what he is capable of currently. Seems like right now he is better in a platoon situation. Actually G.G. was saying from the beginning that it was wrong to hand him the starter position because he hadn’t proven himself. They are fortunate that Giggy is a steady veteran and performing very well.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
Yep. And I’d add that you’d hope that your veteran G (Jiggy there, Vokoun here) would act as a bit of a goalie coach for the young guy, at least providing some support on the mental side of things.
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not as hyper-active
My observations of Varly, granting of course that they are neither as expert nor as frequent as the Goalie Guild’s, have been the opposite. Varly has consistently looked extremely active in his crease to me.
I halfway suspect that he has worn himself out with all the herky-jerky motions and the bag of tricks it takes to get him through his working day.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
He has had bad games and games. I suspect it’s the bad games where he is scrambling around a lot more because he isn’t positioned well. I’ve seen some very good games for him and he is quieter in the crease, one in particular was the last time he played against the Kings, he actually outplayed Quick. Keep in mind that the comparison is to the end of last season. Goalie Guild did think he was learning from Giggy in those things I posted that you disagreed.
I would disagree that he is worn out physically. Perhaps mentally (struggling with frustration now) but not physically. He actually has been remarkably healthy this season.
Dater was on Marek vs. Wyshynski last night and seemed pretty down on the trade, which surprised me.
It wasn’t anything that he said, just sort of the way in which he said things like, “While you know, this team doesn’t have a first round pick this year.”
I’m assuming he’s still going to hold that the Avs won that trade, but maybe that polish has worn a little.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
Interesting, because in his first impressions of the deal when it was made, he opined that the Avs GM “pretty much staked his job on it.”
Doesn’t sound like a slam-dunk win.
If you've read this far...seek help.
That’s not Dater’s blog, it’s the Denver Post Av’s blog. Dater and Mike Chambers have been splitting Avs duty and a local college hockey team coverage this season. Chambers is usually much more reasonable and a breath of fresh air compared to Dater, until he posted that.
It reminds me of all the reporters trashing Mike Green because he didn’t speak on exit day after the Montreal loss because he was too distraught and had to wait a few days to talk to reporters. I don’t care for reporters making themselves part of the story that way. To me it’s not really news that the player wouldn’t talk to the reporter and posting a blog like that it’s going to make a player more likely to speak to the reporter in the future.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
It’s Dater’s blog as in “The blog on which you usually read Dater.” Didn’t mean to imply ownership or anything like that.
I do agree that the reporter comes off as more of a bitch than Varly here. Dude had a shitty night, doesn’t wear the C… let it slide.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It seems like a situation better addressed speaking directly with Varly and the team PR staff instead of writing a blog like that. I’d also give Varly some slack because his English is still not perfect, he wasn’t trained to speak hockey cliches in English from a young age like most hockey players, so he might not want to be interviewed in English when he’s upset about a bad performance.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with JP and others, I laughed when I read the entry last night becasue Chambers tried to make Varlamov look bad but succeeded at making himself look petty and silly.
Doesn’t mean I agree with Varlamov not speaking, but it’s not like the first time a goalie has chosen not to speak with reporters after a loss.
As to Varlamov and his English, etc., Chambers actually addressed that in the blog, didn’t he?
He addressed it but dismissed it as being a reason in favor of the arrogant entitled athlete option. I wonder if Varly might have spoken if he could have done it in Russian. Earlier this season Avs played at the Stars and Varly had a bad game (5 goals allowed I think) and he spoke to a Russian reporter afterwards. He said pretty harsh things about his play. He wasn’t interviewed in English though.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I agree.
Then again, I’m used to him not talking after games here.
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This true. I don’t know why the Caps let him and Semin get away with rarely speaking to the press.
Varly actually frequently speaks to the press post game in English now. Lots of post game interviews on TV, the radio, Avs website videos, quotes in the newspaper. It’s not like he never speaks post game. It sounds like his redial was a one time thing. Also he spoke multiple times on the Lokomotiv thing in English, including months later. That’s got to be more difficult than taking after a bad game.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 12:11 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Opps stupid swype on the phone. redail should be refusal.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jan 17, 2012 12:13 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Some of the comments are great, btw.
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joe mack 12 hours ago
sounds like you are the one who got his feelings hurt
DaterHater 11 hours ago
Someone ask Dater if the Avs still win the trade.
derpity_doo 10 hours ago
Nobody cares Mike. Boohoo. Do your job and cover the team. I don’t care how difficult your job is after losses. Yeah Varly, show some class and help me get quotes on the website about how bad you were. Why don’t you go and talk to Hejda about his ridiculous drop pass in the first period instead?
Eh, they neglect to offer a third option of how the interview might have gone – player takes responsibility and acknowledges he needs to be better. But I largely agree with the post.
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I hadn’t seen any specifics, though you’d think a betting man might put his money here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
DC United loses at least 1 player per calendar year to this kind of injury, and they all go to Germany to see one doctor about fixing it. If this is the injury I’d be interested to see who he plans to have fix it
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 17, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
I had a Sports Hernia repaired about 26 months ago. If this is in fact the case he’s off the ice for 4-6 weeks. With that time frame, and the inital hit in NJ that seemed to really cause this, it would make sense.
Look at me, Dustin! I'm a F%^king Icon!
As I wrote last night, I think the estimates don’t mean much yet given the surgery is today. Who knows what they will actually find and how his recovery/rehab will go, plus there’s the LTIR and what happens between now and then aspect.
Having said that, from my view, 4-6 weeks is optimistic in the it’s possible if all goes smoothly, they don’t find anything else, etc. Ryan Potulny recently returned from double sports hernia surgery about as quick as I recall seeing a hockey player return, especially without playoff games involved.
Some stories about Potulny’s surgery and return.
You think GMGM is over-selling with “4-6 weeks”? GMGM, per Whyno: "It will now eliminate the unknown. … With this procedure, we know when the player should be ready."
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I think if you look around the track record for players returning after this kind of surgery should not inspire optimism. It looks like players need an off-season before they can really fully recover and get back to form.
Please, call me F&B.
the article I referenced below states that the mean time to return to full competition was 8.7 +/_ 1.7 weeks post surgery
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity"
by caps_shutterbug on Jan 17, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
+/- 1.7
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity"
by caps_shutterbug on Jan 17, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
I think it also will depend on how much of a buyer McPhee wants to be at the deadline. If he wants to add 2-3 pieces as has been his MO, Green will get the rest of the season to rehab.
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 17, 2012 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
Along with all the unknowns simply because it’s the Caps and the not so great track record for realistic disclosures, I find it strange that he’s including the 4-6 week projection and eliminating the ‘unknown’ before the surgery is completed.
I do think, as Vogel has noted, the timing is good in terms of what the Caps will know about Green’s situation before final decisions have to be made with the 2/27 3pm eastern time trade deadline.
That was my instant reaction as well
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 17, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
Sounds like a single based on recovery time. If it’s a double (and to tie in with an above comment), some info on the procedure done by frequent DCU hernia doctor Ulrike Muschaweck.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Which DC sports team has the Most Valuable Players? That would be DC United, a team being pushed out by the city. Help Keep United in DC so they can receive a fair deal on a lease and help develop a path to build a stadium with local investment and incentives.
by Bald Pollack on Jan 17, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
I think it was probably the prequel to the girls
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 17, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Here is an article from Medscape about the surgery http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/559881
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity"
by caps_shutterbug on Jan 17, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
Via McNally:
D-man Mike Green will have surgery to repair “basically” a sports hernia today, according to GM George McPhee
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Katie:
GMGM: “It’s basically a sports hernia but there are a couple parts to it. One was a tendon issue, one was a little tear in the stomach.”Jesus, Mike… you’re not supposed to eat the wings AND the bones…
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by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
He’s been having hernia-like symptoms
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 17, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
I spoke with his surgeon and he sang this to me…“the foot bone is connected to the leg bone…the groin is connected to the ab muscle….”
I'll never put on a life jacket again
“The red thing’s connected to my wrist watch…”
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 17, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 9 recs
If he tore anything, it might not have shown up via MRI and waiting it out never materialized. Though if it still keeps occurring over a couple of weeks, he should probably have had the surgery (an apparent inevitability) last month. Oh well, what’s done is done.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Which DC sports team has the Most Valuable Players? That would be DC United, a team being pushed out by the city. Help Keep United in DC so they can receive a fair deal on a lease and help develop a path to build a stadium with local investment and incentives.
by Bald Pollack on Jan 17, 2012 8:51 AM EST up reply actions
forgive me, but since this is abdominal surgery, is it correct to assume that he had yet another injury and this one is not related to the groin?
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If it’s a sports hernia caused by the groin injury, then it is all related
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 17, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
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It’s the ol’ Donovan McNabb Special. That, and throwing the ball 5 yards into the dirt.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
And...
It’s actually great news for Caps fans. Not only has Dean Evason come back from a a sports hernia surgery, but our former Blueliner Milan Jurcina came back from a DOUBLE sports hernia he suffered playing for Slovakia at the 2010 Olympics.
And the real silver lining is this – Juice has gone on to play nearly 100 NHL games since, and most impressively has increased his production by a factor of 50.0%!!! (0.258 post-surgery vs. 0.171pts/gm pre-surgery). I am officially excited again.
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
That means Green will go from 0.66 pts/gm to 1.32 pts/gm? Awesome.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 17, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Actually a 50% increase from 0.66 pts/gm is 0.99 pts/gm.
I’d be happy with the difference of a .087 pts/gm, from 0.66 to 0.747 pts/gm.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
Ha ha… that would be nice as well. Just trying to use a comparable surgery to provide a little context for us all – though the time he’ll be out may seem bad, this is the best news we could have been given regarding his condition and may be a blessing in disguise.
At the very least, thank goodness his injury isn’t of the Tom Poti, pelvic-cracking nature.
"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak
Mike Green Math.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 17, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Bourque’s debut with the Canadiens was delayed by a five-game suspension he received for elbowing Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom in the head on Jan. 3. That incident will add some spice to Bourque’s next appearance Wednesday night when the Washington Capitals visit the Bell Centre.
The Capitals were upset because they thought the Bourque hit was a cheap shot and there didn’t appear to be an opportunity to exact retribution.
“Thought.”
It’s one of those things where it kind of sucks because we’re not able to play (the Calgary Flames) again this year," the Capitals’ Troy Brouwer told the Washington Times after the incident that has sidelined Backstrom indefinitely.
Time to walk the walk after talking that talk…
[Link, btw]
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Walk the walk, over and over again. I’d like to see Erskine in the lineup. The 6th dman doesn’t play much in the third period anyway. Then Hendy, then Brouwer…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 17, 2012 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
How hard is it to teabag on skates?
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 17, 2012 8:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But Brouwer lamented the suckitude and now he gets that chance!!!
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Let’s hope he takes the opportunity to put his fists where his mouth is, or something.
Please, call me F&B.
BREAKING: Capitals sign Clarence ‘Screaming Buffalo’ Swamptown, Ross ‘Mad Dog’ Madison, Andre ‘Poodle’ Lussier, Gilmore Tuttle, and — hold the phone — Ogie Oglethorpe. All are expected to be in uniform in time for the game in Montreal against the Canadiens on Wednesday.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 17, 2012 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Who needs them? We got King Karl to drop the mitts now.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Islanders vs. Penguins 2/11/11 I believe.
Fill bleachers with AHLers and brawlers
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
Will they be represented in court by Sam “Small Print” Lyman?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
I’m actually a buyer here. The situation is just too obvious for someone not to step up — probably Hendricks. Bourque ain’t going toe to toe with Ersk. The caveat is if the league sends the message that they will look harshly at any premeditated retribution though I think that’s unlikely in this case.
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 17, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
Just have to be cool about it. See: John Erskine handing Aaron Asham his beating. Erskine waiting for his chance picked his spot, and delivered what Asham had coming.
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I’ll buy too. It took Erskine 5 min. into the Pens game to go after Asham, and there’s no way that wasn’t retribution for AA going after Beagle in their previous game.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
And to his credit, Asham answered the bell. Wonder if the time comes if Bourque will do the same.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Considering his fight history, I’d be surprised if he did. Maybe if it is Hendricks or Brouwer, but not Erskine.
Failure is always an option.
If he doesn’t, them make sure one of their other guys does. Bourque didn’t have a problem throwing an elbow at our skill guy. Maybe they can make PK do the turtle/leg drag again.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 17, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
If he doesn’t, them make sure one of their other guys does.
Eh, not really the same now that he’s been traded.
I do agree with the premise, if a guy runs one of your skill players and won’t answer for it, the only deterrent is to do the same to their skill players. The message being sent boils down to “an eye for an eye” and you’re letting the other team know that you’ll respond in kind to a cheap shot to a star player. But what message is running a Habs player gong to send?
by HockeyGoalie29 on Jan 17, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
I totally agree. Just target Bourque. It doesn’t even have to be a fight – just run him, hit him constantly. We have enough heavy hitters on this team to make life tough for him. Punishing the other Habs players doesn’t make sense – although I’m fine with going after PK just on general principle.
Failure is always an option.
just run him, hit him constantly.
I’d so much prefer this to the pseudo-retribution doled out in most of these pro forma ‘Fights’. Just single Bourque out on every shift, from every position, for every kind of shitty treatment you have a good chance of getting away with.
....when the truth is if they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it.
--GMGM
Professor Orlov needs to teach everyone his patented hip check. There will be scoring after each period of play.
by jopierce on Jan 17, 2012 3:48 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
“Thrilla in Manila”
“Rumble in the Jungle”
…“Fandango with the Fishsticks”
Should take its place among great taglines.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Two of those will be remembered a lot longer. Although one Caps-Islanders game has its own Wikipedia entry.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
000
It’s all Bob Mason’s fault (sorry for the crummy video).
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Flagged.
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by CapitalCentre on Jan 17, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
Whoever that defenseman was who went to break up the pass left poor Kevin Hatcher out to dry.
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.....My tool shed!!!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Supposedly (according to Wiki), his pad strap broke on that play, but even so, that’s one he’s got to have. Even if he’s got to stop it with his friggin’ teeth.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Who’s supposed to be in goal tonight for the Isles? Nabby? Pretty sure they sent Poulin back down after yesterday’s game.
That'll make your weagle wink!
"You're the boss, apple sauce" - @GreenLife52
It’s probably going to be who isn’t injured at 6:59 pm.
by jopierce on Jan 17, 2012 9:21 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
Chico! Chico! Chico! Chico! Chico! Chico!
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions
Potvin using Bengt Gustafsson’s leg as a stick, mutant league hockey style.
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.....My tool shed!!!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 9:40 AM EST up reply actions
I Gather the Photo is from OSHP, but...
…you’d think there’d be an entire website dedicated to One Sad Islander…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
TJ at Alex Ovetjkin has a translation of the Coach Bill visiting Russian players article.
The head coach of team Russia was in Montreal on Monday for Canadiens – Rangers (4:1) game. He flew in from Winnipeg, accompanied by the chief Russian scout for the NHL Igor Kravchuk.
Damir Khairetdinov: My colleague, SE correspondent in Washington, expected to see you this weekend, but you didn’t visit Ovechkin & Co. Why?
Zinetula Bilyaletdinov: I just didn’t have such an opportunity yet. But it’s okay, Washington will be visiting Montreal on January 18th. I’ll be at the game and will try to meet with Ovechkin, Semin and Orlov.
DK: When do you plan to visit North America next time?
ZB: I can’t tell exactly when right now. (A little later, Kravchuk said that the second visit tentatively scheduled for the 20th of February, and it will be in the U.S. for the most part).
@si_vault
From a couple days ago, but a cool pic nonetheless:
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Which DC sports team has the Most Valuable Players? That would be DC United, a team being pushed out by the city. Help Keep United in DC so they can receive a fair deal on a lease and help develop a path to build a stadium with local investment and incentives.
by Bald Pollack on Jan 17, 2012 10:33 AM EST reply actions 6 recs
You know the photographer wanted to drop a loogie on him…
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 17, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
Would be better if that was Corvo on the ice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Would be better if it were the entire Bruins roster in the fiery depths of hell.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 17, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Close enough, they were in Raleigh…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
PSA: Just put up cheap tickets to tonight’s game in the RRTE if anyone’s interested.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
A lot of recalls due to injuries around the League. Just saw Ottawa recalled 1 forward and 1 dman, are there new injuries for some Sens after the weekend games?
Brian Lee has an LBI and Karlsson got elbowed pretty harshly by Kane. Not sure if he’s hurt, though.
That'll make your weagle wink!
"You're the boss, apple sauce" - @GreenLife52
Oh no, it's O-jay
Tonight’s refs:
Stephane Auger (15); Dan O’Rourke (9)
Too bad VC doesn’t have a great cheer for the referees like the fans at Hershey.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
I hope his groin explodes on the VC ice.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 17, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
An exploding groin comment and it was ignored? We are slipping.
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
Karma’s a bitch. For that comment we’ll end up having another d-man’s groin explode, and Auger will call a penalty on us for the play.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jan 17, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
I suppose not.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jan 17, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe the MPD can chase his Ford Bronco slowly over to Virginia…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
what did the Caps do to deserve such a fate?
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It’s not the Caps.. the NHL is punishing Auger by making him officiate many Islander games…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
onto important matters...
Who was the Panda in the mascot game?
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
Pax, the Mystics’ mascot.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you.
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
How is their mascot not some sort of Attendance Champion Monster?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
It is, everyone goes to see the pandas at the zoo.
"Money talks. I listen."
by apk3000 on Jan 17, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
How much longer will the WNBA survive?
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
Didn’t see any specific Caps mentions after skimming, but the latest 30 Thoughts by Friedman is online. link
If Suter goes to the Flyers, I may kill someone.
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 17, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
BTW, a guy in our section (100) took Carlson’s delay of game puck to the melon during Sunday’s game. Guy was down for the count. Had to be hauled out in a stretcher. Not sure if anyone here know’s who he is but I’m wondering if the guy was ok.
Was not a hard shot but he wasn’t looking and it looked like it hit him on the left side of the face.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
I’ve been wondering about him too.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Jan 17, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
As was I. I checked on Twitter to see if maybe one of the beat writers had any more info during the game, but saw nothing. Hope he’s ok.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Jan 17, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
I have seen people asking, but haven’t seen anyone provide an update. There was an EMT there for awhile, but the time between seeing an EMT there and getting him on the chair and out of the seating area was was too long. While I wasn’t right there, it didn’t look like they were responding with the urgency I would have liked to see. I’m not sure how long it took for the initial EMT response. I saw someone comment that they saw the Caps doctor go up and check on him. I hope that is true, but I didn’t see it and specifically looked a few times to check.
Not the first time that I’ve been unimpressed with the response time regarding a fan injury at the arena.
Like others, hope he’s ok.
Yes, I was sitting in the next section and saw the Caps doctor go check on him because it took so absurdly long for the EMTs to come. It was actually disturbing how long it took. Then it took forever for them to carry him down the aisle, get him strapped in and carried up the stairs. I believe the penalty occurred at 5:49 or so of the first period and he was still be carried up the stairs when the first intermission began. His family left with him and none of them came back again that I noticed.
I hope the poor guy is ok, he looked really out of it.
Reminds me of a time I was at a Caps/Pens game in the late 70s. I was 12-13 years old with my dad and our seats were behind the goal, pretty high up — probably about where Goat sits. Four Pens fans were behind us, drunk and obnoxious, right off the bus from the ‘Burg. About midway through the game, a puck comes flying off the ice, shoots right over our heads and hits the loudest one right in the nose. His nose just exploded. Now, as an adult, I can be sympathetic and hope the guy didn’t have any lasting effects. But as a kid, I remember being pretty happy that those four were gone for the rest of the game.
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 17, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Bourne on the Bob/Bryz situation in Philly as it impacts Lavy:
At this point, Peter Laviolette has his hands tied. Worst-case scenario for his career: he allows Bobrovsky to take over the starter role and makes his GM look like a jerk for the Bryzgalov contract. Y’know, that guy who’s able to fire him.
[…[
Things look good in Philly this year, but if you’re in Laviolette’s shoes, this could start to get ugly soon.
How long do you have to keep playing a lesser goaltender to appease your boss when you’ve been hired to win?
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I’m pretty sure at some point Bryz will bounce back and not look like a Humangus big disaster contract. But right now I’m pretty sure the GM knows the score and would rather win than look good. Besides, that deal had the owner’s fingerprints all over it (which might even be worse for Lavy).
Please, call me F&B.
Agree with you regarding Snider’s role in the acquisition of Bryz and also that it makes it that much more of a lead pipe lock that he’ll get his chances to play his way out of it.
Holy run ons…too lazy to edit, however.
I do think that any guy with $50M coming to him would get the same chances, though.
I’m also not buying Friedman’s speculation that hte Flyers will look for yet a third G option, for the record.
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I think Bryz will bounce back and not look like a Humangus big disaster contract for a while, but then afterwards he’ll look like a big disaster again.
There’s a very long time for him to look bad in…
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 17, 2012 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
Someone in the Flyers front office should have taken 10 minutes to Google up Bryz and LaBarbera’s stats before spending a zillion dollars on the guy.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
Wasn’t there an awesome “Flyers glad they got Bryz, not Vokes” article floating around last time the two teams played? I’d love to see their respective numbers since that game…
… so here they are:
Vokoun: 7-2-0/1.91/.940
Bryz: 2-5-1/3.96/.863
Someone else can do the math on how much each guy’s gotten paid since then.
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by J.P. on Jan 17, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And even if Vokes shits the bed completely or backstops the team to a Stanley Cup, he’s someone else’s problem after this year. Win/win.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
Vokoun’s been paid about $164K, Bryz has been paid about $975K – if you go by 9 games and 8 games, respectively. As long as my math’s right, that is.
Failure is always an option.
because this is fun:
Cost per win during those games:
Vokes: ~$211K
Bryz: ~$3.9 million
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never mind, I fucked that math up big time.
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I actually would think there would be more carping out of Detroit, since Vokes was pretty sure the Caps were closer to getting a Cup than the Wings were, and if those people have ever forgotten a slight, perceived or real, it’d be news to me.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
I thought Vokes turned down Detroit because he’d have a better chance at starting here.
Failure is always an option.
Partly.
“Looking at Washington’s lineup compared to Detroit, they are comparable teams,” Vokoun said. … He later added: “My belief is this team has a better chance to win than Detroit does. And they showed a lot more interest, so that was the key for me, too.”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
they have too many other things to worry about. Like how the NHL refs are trying to screw them every single night.
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Bettman!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
You've been warned!
You’re the boss, applesauce.
by SethB on Jan 17, 2012 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You know, there would be a market for tinfoil hard hats.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
He’s been so bad lately that I actually just dropped him on my fantasy team. It’s been almost a week and nobody has picked him up.
/OT
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Jan 17, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
More speculation (?) that Green suffered a concussion in the NYR last season. TEB is usually quite good, so I’m inclined to take him at his word, but I can’t be sure he’s not basing the assumption that it was a concussion on KC’s various pieces from last year.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
The guy can’t play healthy in this league and it’s only going to get worse as he gets older.
Probably the best case is to qualify him for one year and then say good bye.
It isn’t even anger-inducing. It does not seem to be worth that kind of emotional investment. It might not even be disappointing any more. It is expected.
-Peerless 5.6.2011
I’m still willing to wait, considering he hadn’t had any injury issues whatsoever until early 2009 (from juniors, through AHL and NHL).
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 17, 2012 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
You mean the Derek Stephan hit? I don’t think there was ever much doubt…
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 17, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
SWhyno Stephen Whyno
Rene Bourque to @CanadiensMTL site on #Caps: “I’m sure they’ll be a few guys probably coming after me tomorrow.”
I’m pretty sure he’s right there. Maybe this means he’ll accept an invitation to fight?
Failure is always an option.
Depends. I don’t think he should answer the bell against Erskine (weird to think that 3-4 years ago, Erskine was around a middleweight and now he’s a legit heavyweight in the “current” league) but if Hendricks or Brouwer asks him to dance, he should answer.
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
Totally agree. The other who I think he should answer, if it comes up, is Chimera. If Bourque faces off against Erskine, he’ll get pummeled – talk about a mismatch.
Failure is always an option.
How about we bring up Recher for one eventful 2 min shift (seriously, his fights last that long).
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
The evil inside me thinks
Just bring someone up from UFC and knock his ass out.Leave his teeth and blood on the ice. I don’t give two fucks about this guy. Bourque is a head-hunting, gutless dickweed and the sooner his knees are broken the better.
Now, if you really want to know how I feel I’ll stop holding back.
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
Just station Hendy in the crease:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZl5zts-C9E&feature=youtu.be
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
His new teammates say they’ll have his back. This could be fun.
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=612233
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Hopefully the team packs its mini-windshield wipers with their visors.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m of the mind that all this pre-game press is in part to get the officials to keep an extra eye out on the Caps for retribution (or maybe I’m just a paranoid fan).
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
There’s at least one situation right now (not Crosby) where a club is very frustrated with a player’s recovery from a concussion, because they think he’s ready to try and he won’t. The team in question believes the issue now is more psychological than real.
I’d love to know which situation that is.
Please, call me F&B.
30 Thoughts? I love how he manages to be interesting without revealing his sources. Which would, obviously, be even more interesting, but it somehow doesn’t come across as the maddening “I know something you don’t know,” which is a fine line to walk.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Pronger?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
Not a chance. Pronger’s a mess right now.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Definitely not. Pronger would want to be in there.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
What about JM Liles? Burke isn’t the type to mince words.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Every player currently listed with a concussion:
Marc Savard, Brayden McNabb, Kim Johnsson, Joey Hishon, RJ Umberger, Radek Martinek, Alex Plante, Simon Gagne, PM Bouchard, Guillame Latandresse, Mike Mottau, Aldo Montoya-the Portuguese Man O’ War, Michael Sauer, JVR, Ian Laperriere, Pronger, Kurt Sauer, Nick Peterson, Sid, Letang, Tony Lucia, James Marcou, Alex Steen, Andy MacDonald, Victor Hedman, Taylor Ellington, JM Liles, Colby Armstrong
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Gagne or perhaps Mottau would be my guess. I’m certain it’s not Umberger.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 17, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
Y’know, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was JVR, just based on how eager they seemed to get Giroux back into the lineup after his concussion.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
JVR is said to also have a torn abdominal muscle and may need offseason hip surgery.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Yikes.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
wow. I worry when guys that young need hip surgery.
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The team in question believes the issue now is more psychological than real.
umm yeah psychological problems are real. Player comes back before they are mentally prepared from an injury and plays tentatively and puts themselves at a greater risk of re injury.
by Beakers Lab on Jan 17, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Andy Macdonald?
He’s had a few so could be a bit shell shocked.
It's not that I hate people, I just seem to feel better when they're not around - Hank Chinaski
And he’s smart enough to know better than to endanger himself.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 17, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurned. You think that one up in the quiet room?
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 17, 2012 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Congratulations, you are now just as clever as every braindead guido on Long Island.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 17, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I know you are but what am I. Classic.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 17, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Toothpaste U and its mighty rival, Halitosis College.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Ithaca Is Cavities.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
by SmallZ827 on Jan 17, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
000
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
head/concussion injuries as of today
Marc Savard 2011-09-19 on injured reserve and is expected to miss the entire season post-concussion syndrome
Brayden McNabb 2012-01-14 on injured reserve concussion-like symptoms
Joni Pitkanen 2011-11-28 out indefinitely concussion/knee surgery
Jaroslav Spacek 2012-01-17 questionable for Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh head
Mark Olver 2011-10-05 on injured reserve head
Radek Martinek 2011-10-22 on injured reserve concussion
R.J. Umberger 2012-01-17 on injured reserve concussion-like symptoms
Philip Larsen 2012-01-01 on injured reserve concussion-like symptoms
Alex Plante 2011-12-27 on injured reseve facial laceration/concussion
Marco Sturm 2011-12-21 on injured reserve head
Simon Gagne 2011-12-27 on injured reserve and is out indefinitely concussion
Guillaume Latendresse 2011-12-15 on injured reserve and is out indefinitely post-concussion symptoms
Pierre-Marc Bouchard 2012-01-05 on injured reserve and is out indefinitely concussion/groin
Al Montoya 2011-12-21 out indefinitely concussion
Mike Mottau 2011-12-30 on injured reserve concussion-like symptoms
Michael Sauer 2011-12-06 on injured reserve concussion
Jesse Winchester 2011-12-21 on injured reserve concussion
Ian Laperriere 2011-09-18 on injured reserve and will miss the entire season post-concussion syndrome
Chris Pronger 2011-11-20 on injured reserve and is expected to miss the remainder of the season post-concussion syndrome/left knee surgery
James van Riemsdyk 2012-01-13 out indefinitely concussion
Zac Rinaldo 2012-01-17 will miss Tuesday’s game against Minnesota head
Kurt Sauer 2011-09-19 on injured reserve and will miss the entire season post-concussion syndrome
Nick Petersen 2011-10-03 on injured reserve concussion
Kris Letang 2011-12-05 on injured reserve broken nose/concussion
Sidney Crosby 2011-12-06 on injured reserve and is out indefinitely concussion-like symptoms
Robert Bortuzzo 2011-12-09 on injured reserve concussion-like symptoms
Andrew Desjardins 2012-01-17 questionable for Tuesday’s game against Calgary head
Andy McDonald 2011-10-14 on injured reserve concussion
Alexander Steen 2011-12-28 on injured reserve concussion-like symptoms
Victor Hedman 2011-12-28 on injured reserve and is out indefinitely concussion
Colby Armstrong 2011-12-18 on injured reserve concussion/foot
John-Michael Liles 2011-12-23 on injured reserve concussion-like symptoms
Sami Salo 2012-01-08 out indefinitely concussion
Nicklas Backstrom 2012-01-04 on injured reserve head
It isn’t even anger-inducing. It does not seem to be worth that kind of emotional investment. It might not even be disappointing any more. It is expected.
-Peerless 5.6.2011
by macvechkin on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
It would be interesting to see how many were from illegal hits to the head (whether or not resulting in suspension) as opposed to unfortunate occurrances in the normal course of play (i.e., puck to the head a la Mike Green).
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Remember when “Mike Green will be out until at least February 1” sounded like bad news? Well, it just got a lot worse.
Frankly, that article was good news for me. Did anyone really expect him back Feb. 1? At least now we have a time line and an event (the surgery) that could possibly end, for the most part, this nagging injury. Maybe not, but I feel more hopeful now that something concrete is being done about it. I’d all but given up on him for the season.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Jan 17, 2012 3:04 PM EST reply actions
From Greenberg
Using the year before the injury as a baseline, defensemen saw their games played increase by more than 25 percent from their baseline during the season following the disclosure of the injury. In addition, they experienced a 38 percent bump in time on ice and 15 percent more points over the course of the season.
It's not that I hate people, I just seem to feel better when they're not around - Hank Chinaski
Fair point. I meant it solely in terms of the projected return date.
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I’ve been wondering…. if Schultz (and maybe Erskine) are stuck in the press box for the time being, how has Patrick McNeill not merited a call-up? He seems to be a good puck mover, which is what we want, right? I’m just shocked that he’s never even made his NHL debut…. seems odd.
Blogging the NHL (and the Caps) at The Breakaway Goal Blog and on Tumblr.
by thebreakawaygoal on Jan 17, 2012 3:06 PM EST reply actions
It’s pretty funny to read that Sidney Crosby is being helped by CAPS (computerized assessment of postural systems).
Rebuilding Sidney Crosby’s brain
Tu ne cede malis
I’m not sure how I feel about this.
WaltonCapsJohn Walton
Unless I missed the addition previously, it would seem we’ve added two new banners to the rafters on F Street tonight. http://pic.twitter.com/exdo07co
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
silliness. take them down
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
I'm pretty sure I know how I feel about it
It isn’t even anger-inducing. It does not seem to be worth that kind of emotional investment. It might not even be disappointing any more. It is expected.
-Peerless 5.6.2011
by macvechkin on Jan 17, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
never mind the silliness of such banners in general. The fact that letters had to be shrunk so small offend my design sensibilities.
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empty accomplishments
It reminds me of my students telling me, “At least I come to class.”
Well darling, you have acheived nothing and wil be graded accordingly.
The banners are the grade. The Eastern Conference regular season standings are not graded in my book and so will not be shown on the report card.
Sorry for my clumsy, teacher metaphor. :)
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
I’m waiting for last year’s “First Round Champions” Banner myself.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
“Frequent Henrik Lundqvist Recurring Nightmare Appearance Champions”
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 17, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
“Took the Penguins to 7 games in 2009 Champions”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah that’s just asking to be made fun of.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously, this is the worst thing they’ve done with the banners since they got rid of all the older ones and made them all uniform.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
what are you? A uniformist!
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
I loved that old white Patrick Division Champions Banner. That and Yvon Labre’s banner were the only ones up there for years.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 17, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, I know precisely how I feel about this. No banner should ever be hung that includes the phrase “Regular Season” is how I feel.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Jan 17, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
Written by Scott Pronger, I believe.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 17, 2012 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
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