Wednesday Caps Clips: Flames Doused
by J.P. on Jan 4, 2012 6:50 AM EST
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's win from us, Caps365 video (Hunter, Caps players, Vokoun), Vogs, Capitals Voice (audio), NHL.com, WaPo (gamer), WashTimes (gamer), CSNW (gamer, blog), DCEx, 106.7 The Fan, Frankovic, Peerless, RMNB, SB Nation DC, KOL, DSP (gamer, pics), Examiner, hockey yelling, RtR, Caps by Puck (pics), Caps In Pictures (pics) and clydeorama (pics).
- Everything you could possibly want to read about Mike Green's return to the lineup from before the game. [WaPo (and again), WashTimes (and again), DCEx (and again)]
- Hopefully the win wasn't a costly one - Nicklas Backstrom had three assists before Rene Bourque did his dirt and the Caps' top pivot was "being evaluated" post-game. [CSNW, WashTimes, WaPo, DCEx, Puck Daddy, SB Nation DC]
- A couple of ex-Caps remember their time in D.C. [Calgary Herald]
- Mike Knuble talks about his surprisingly reduced role so far this season. [WaPo]
- Is it better to be lucky than good? Of course not. [WaPo]
- A look at the Caps and their standing in the standings. [Puckhead]
- If you're not quite ready to let 2011 go, here's your #6 Caps story of the year that was. [Peerless]
- Read this stuff about the future of the Winter Classic in D.C. and let's agree not to talk about it again until there's something to talk about, mmm'kay? [Ted's Take, WashTimes, Puck Daddy, DCEx]
- And speaking of Baltimore (nice segue, eh?), the Caps and The Wire. A match made... somewhere. [FanPost]
- Evgeny Kuznetsov has been turning heads at the World Junior tourney... but Caps fans will have to wait a bit before they can start cheering for him at Verizon Center. [WashTimes, RMNB, a note at THN... and a note that not all of Canada is impressed]
- Finally, Lil' Wayne is a Caps fan? Alrighty then. [WTOP (h/t Jake Shapiro)]
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For Eric Francis, all I can say is “Haters Gonna Hate”. Speaking of which, Galiev got some insults on Twitter.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
A lot of hockey players did. Shows the ugly side of people who follow the WJCs (I wouldn’t call them fans). Ovi was fairly active on twitter after the win, and so was Bryzgalov. I echoed Bryz’s question: Why Canadians so aggressive on twitter? If Canada had won 6-5, I think Russian players would still get the same treatment. I didn’t players say anything terrible about Canada; they congratulated the Russian team and some even said it was a game between two great nations.
by jopierce on Jan 4, 2012 8:02 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Very ugly. Lambert was baiting Canadians left and right and one ended up saying tweeting just about the worst thing you could imagine him tweeting. The downside of relative anonymity, I suppose…
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Lucky for him he was able to delete the tweet and make his account private in time … oh, wait.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
well I hope one of his socialist medicine death panels deems him unfit to live…
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 8:13 AM EST up reply actions
There’s a reason the hockey world (outside of Canada) hates Canada.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:07 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Eh, Americans don’t like being judged by the dumbest of our lot either. It’s just what happens with large groups of people. I personally thought it was funny, but Lambert and Chemmy were definitely trolling the Canadian Twitter contingent, so you have to expect them to act agitated (obviously that one tweet was pretty over the line, and even Canadian fans agreed on that).
Please, call me F&B.
That’s a very fair and balanced response…
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by J.P. on Jan 4, 2012 9:20 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I remarked on this at the time on twitter, but on more than one occasion it felt more like a game in Phliadelphia than a game in Calgary.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 8:09 AM EST up reply actions
The worst twitter I saw was from some dude who said he wished Kuz played for Lokomotiv. He got slapped around so much for it, the guy deactivated his twitter account.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
That’s the one J.P. is referring to, I believe.
To say what he said (and I believe he had a photo of himself as his twitter avatar), he had to know people were going to be upset and go after him. It’s the same with Eric Francis – when the Internet sharks smell blood, you’re going to need a bigger boat.
by jopierce on Jan 4, 2012 9:05 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Or that OceanMarketing guy.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
by WordsOnIce on Jan 4, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
The trolls have sharks now? Egads
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
hockey yelling seems to have compiled a nice collection of sweet, nourishing Canadian tears.
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Kuzya was clearly a man among boys
I think he means “a men among boys”.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:22 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
In all seriousness, it was impressive to see the degree of physical development that’s occurred in Kuznetsov since last year’s WJC. I’m no longer as concerned as I once was about his ability to withstand the rigors of the North American game.
Unleash the Apathy.
think he’s ready for a HNIC game?
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 8:31 AM EST up reply actions
The PXP guy on TSN asked Ray Ferraro whether Kuz could play today in the NHL. Ferraro said no. Said the NHL game was a lot different.
Does that not apply to Connolly or Smith-Pelly or folks like Hall and Eberle who stepped right into the NHL? I guess not.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I actually agree with Ferraro to some degree. I think Kuznetsov could come over and play, but I’d have been interested to see him play against a team like the Finns, who were much, much better at taking away time and space on the ice. Kuz has a very “euro” game right now.
Unleash the Apathy.
Huh? You want to see him against the Fins? The Canadians don’t take away time and space?
The Fins basically remodeled their national program to play “North American” hockey. The Canadians obviously are the epitome of that, and man for man are better players. If he can do it against Canada, he has shown enough for me.
For the billionth time, Ken Holland says that impact players at the WJC are NHL-ready. You tell me whether Kuz is an impact player in the WJC. If not even Dylan McIlrath could slow him down then what chance does the rest of the world have?
Please, call me F&B.
Any time you agree with me, I also consider it fair and balanced.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
The Canadians are usually good at taking away time and space, but they were godawful last night. There’s no useful way to judge Kuznetsov’s performance against an uncharacteristic 40 minutes and the mad scramble of the last 20 minutes.
From the outset of the tourney, the Finns took away time and space and limited scoring chances against, and typically did it for all 60 minutes. The Swedes were similarly consistent, and Kuznetsov didn’t perform as well against them.
Unleash the Apathy.
Other than a botched breakaway and a few nice passes, yeah. The thing with Canada at home is a tendency towards being undisciplined and overaggressive and that happened frequently last night. Kuz’s first two goals were the result of good breaks but also 3-on-2s given up because of Canada being caught in transition. Also worth noting that putting Kuz on the wing on Yakupov’s line was an excellent move by Bragin to get both players going at a high level.
Hard to agree with Ferraro, even if he’s admittedly still developing. Just because a player isn’t a complete product doesn’t mean he’s not ready to make the jump and begin his NHL development. He could stand to be a bit stronger, develop more hunger in the corners and cherry-pick less often but to be dismissive of the notion was puzzling. There’s a lot to work with there obviously.
To clarify, I agree with Ferraro that his game isn’t complete and that he likely wouldn’t produce at such a high rate in the NHL. I disagree, however, that he’s not NHL-ready. The kid could play in the NHL today and would likely acquit himself rather well.
My big fear is that there’s a lot of Alex Semin to his game.
Unleash the Apathy.
Yeah, his game is obviously not complete and he won’t score against NHL players at the same rate he’ll score against Juniors. Deep insight, Ray.
Please, call me F&B.
I heard that and it was just sour grapes from Ferraro. I think like any rookie coming in, we’ll just have to see how he adjusts to bigger, faster, more talented players defending him and whether or not he has at least some semblance of defensive insight when he’s in his own zone. Moving him to the wing should help a little, as they tend to not have as much defensive responsibility.
The goalie for Russia — whenever they showed his face through his goalie cage — looked to be about 12 years old.
I think there was more to it than that, however. A lot of his game right now is rather peripheral and involves skating through open ice with the puck on his stick and lots of time to make decisions. It’s classic “Olympic-rink” hockey. He looks very much like a player who hasn’t played in North America. Maybe I’m just being generous to Ferraro, but that’s what I see in Kuznetsov’s game. FWIW, it’s not something I thought as much of Tarasenko last year – he seemed to have a net drive and an ability to work in the corners that Kuznetsov doesn’t.
My guess is that Kuznetsov looks really good on the half-boards of a power play or 4v4, but struggles to score as much at evens.
Unleash the Apathy.
His assists in the Gold medal game last year came from working below the face off circles, FWIW.
Please, call me F&B.
Ok, but then we’re both being guilty of cherry-picking – I’m taking the Sweden games and you’re taking last year’s final.
Either way, this is just a handful of games. He’ll be a player in the NHL for sure. I think the question is whether he’s a 25g/30a player or a 35g/40a player, and I think a lot of that will depend on his ability to produce beyond the PP.
Unleash the Apathy.
I’m talking about the elimination games he’s been in.
Third period comeback against Finland: Best player on the ice was Kuz
Third period comeback against Canada (for Gold): Best player on the ice was Kuz
Seminfinal game against Canada: Best player on the ice was Kuz
We’ll see how Gold goes, but right there he’s stepped up and had huge games against two of the 3 or 4 best checking teams in the tournament.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
IMO—at least when he’s feeling it—he’s a more dynamic offensive player. Not as much of a pure sniper but thinks the game better.
The perimeter play and coasting won’t fly but then again he’s been double shifted often the last couple games so he’s gotten into that Pronger glide. No question he’ll have to adapt his game to NHL defenses but he’s a player that the Caps would do well to put with skilled players to integrate him in and get his confidence going. If he’s with Laich and Brouwer or something I don’t think it’ll work as well. Put him with at least one player that can push the pill around and I think he’d adjust nicely at 5-on-5.
It’s funny, watching Kuz last night I was reminded of that typo mistake malapropism and it almost seemed fitting – he was seemingly everywhere, it was like there were multiple Kuznetsovs out there. Very impressive.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
This is why you should never be near an active network connection after an emotional sporting loss… ALL THOUGHTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SHARED
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
Hahahaha…what a knuckle dragging, mouth breathing, hockey dork.
Granted, although provoked, Jenner should have known better than to attempt to spear Kuznetsov
Hey, Eric, he did more than “attempt” to spear.
only to end as a one-goal game, thanks to Canada’s heart)
Well, that and the refs, Eric. Heart and a whistle that would have startled Michael Jordan, that’s a great Canadian combination, dude.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
only to end as a one-goal game, thanks to Canada’s heart
You’d think their talent might have had something to do with this too…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
Knowing what comes later in this thread and stuff last night, not sure why people choose language like that for message board discussions and chats. Anyway, I was on twitter last night and saw some of his comments so I knew that was going to be an Eric Francis byline before I clicked on the link above in the clips. As to the hockey, doesn’t read to me or sound like he watched much of Kuznetsov’s hockey playing in this tournament since he’s been passing the puck plenty.
I’m not a fan of the celebration antics while the game was still being played. As to the postgame salute given what was happening during the game, I’m not surprised Kuznetsov did the hands to the ears move, but doesn’t mean I like that stuff.
Bringing the Ovechkin/Caps/Russians stuff into the piece was ridiculous.
Booing a 19 year old for playing a good hockey game: Not classless
19 year old giving it back and reveling in a great personal game and a team win: Classless
Got it.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Me too. I enjoyed Ovi’s response as well. To the twitterers that is.
Oh pls guys dont be like that!)))hahahah 6-5 and we are gonna play for gold!it was wery good game…i know its hard but…its hockey!))))
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 4, 2012 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
what’s with all the parens? Also in Malkin’s tweet about the game. Is it a Russian thing or just big thumbs on the phone keyboard?
by kingbonehead on Jan 4, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
My favorite tweet of the night:
malkin71_ Евгений Малкин
Thanks boys))))#87,11,29,45-100$ tomorow please)))))
Look,it’s nice that the Canadians made a real game of it in the third period. But while all of Canada seems to be congratulating one another on the valiant effort of their fresh-faced, rosy-cheeked kids, maybe it behooves one to remember that the Canadians sucked on toast for 40 minutes. They allowed six goals on only 24 shots for the game, five on the first 15 shots. They took silly penalties (although one Canadian commentator said of the first period calls…
Further complicating matters was the Russians’ ability to con the referees, American Ian Croft and Finn Jyri Petteri Ronn, into calling a series of penalties, especially in the first period, few of which seemed to bear much relation to actual events on the ice. But coping with diving and soccer-like histrionics — we lost count of how many Russians lay on the ice, then staggered to the bench, bent over, covering their faces — is a part of playing the European teams, and Canadians are supposed to know better than to play into their game.
The Canadians were ghastly for 40 minutes. They almost made it all the way back, but they were the ones who dug the hole that ended up being to deep out of which to climb.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Those conniving Russians, making themselves bleed on cue to get sympathy. I guess this guy considers the punches, trips, and slashes on Russians that went uncalled (especially in the 3rd) makeup penalties.
by jopierce on Jan 4, 2012 7:45 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I love how the narrative is now “BUT OUR BEST JUNIOR PLAYERS ARE PLAYING IN THE NHL!!!!”.
Are they?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 7:49 AM EST up reply actions
They’re just a blue collar team with a bunch of lunch pail players. They should be proud of how far they got despite being so clearly overmatched by the other nations in the tournament. A true underdog story.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 7:50 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
They’re positively Ecksteinian!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 7:52 AM EST up reply actions
Trendline is a bit disturbing if you are Hockey Canada. Five or six golds in a row, then a OT loss (thanks RAHJC!), then blowing a 3-0 lead in the third, then missing the gold medal game entirely.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
So, cue the coming Canadian hatred of the Caps for the next few years. We already have Carlson. And if Kuznetsov comes over, we’ll have two of the players who’ve broken the hearts of Canadians in the WJ games in recent years.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Don’t forget the third Cap to dash Canadian dreams – David Steckel.
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Gasp! Other countries are catching up in terms of good teams. Canada can bollocks off with all their complaints.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
I think that was my favorite scheme that they cooked up. It’d last about 15 seconds in court.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
Sure.
Look at the Canadian players from Kuznetsov’s draft year:
Hall, Seguin, Skinner, Johansen from Columbus.
And this year you have Nugent-Hopkins and Couturier.
I think that the only guy in the NHL for Russia that would’ve been eligible is Burmistrov.
I literally have absolutely no sympathy for reffing complaints from the perspective of the Canadian team. They got away with so much bullshit that trying to blame the refs for anything is absolutely babytown frolics. If they had been called on half their hooks, high sticks, spears, and dirty hits, they would have never left the box.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 7:50 AM EST up reply actions
Ray Ferraro on Jenner’s spear:
They could have called it a slash, but it was a spearing motion.
Then it’s a spear!!
Also – I’m left wondering what Kuz said to Jenner to cause the spear. Must have been juicy.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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source: TheJuniorReport on twitter
Canadian Boone Jenner (OHL’s Oshawa Generals) will miss bronze medal game vs. Finland. Jenner is suspended for game due to spear vs. Russia
The non-call on Kuznetsov’s breakaway at the end of the game was inexcusable. It was classic “scoreboard reffing.”
Unleash the Apathy.
Even Ferraro couldn’t justify the non-call. He was left speechless on the replay. Keep in mind, the Canadians scored their second goal within a minute of that non-call.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
The Kuz non-call was right before their fourth goal. It was 6-3 at the time.
Failure is always an option.
Hmm. Thought it was earlier. Thanks.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
The Huberdeau slash was weak sauce, but when Kuz didn’t draw a PIM on that partial breakaway Canada lost their chance to bitch. A penalty call there and the “comeback” probably never happens. How long after that did Canada score? What does another Russia PP or a PS there do to the score?
Please, call me F&B.
Canada scored their second goal within minute(s) of the non-call on Kuz.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Careful out on that limb. That play would have gotten a penalty in Mortal Kombat.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Love the planted xenophobia in the implication that the only reason the stupid refs were gulled into those calls is because they’re from the US and Finland. A good ol’ Canadian ref would have seen through the diving of the classless Russians.
And whatever the refs took from Canada in the early going, they repaid with interest in the third.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Because as we all know and as history tells us, Finns are best friends with the Russians…right?
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
They probably should, since their national anthem has two distinct sections – the dredging somber Russian half, and the sublime Finnish ending after a middle section that sounds just like war. Sibelius was a freaking genius.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I like the Finnish national anthem. You hear it quite a bit in F1 (but maybe not as much as you used to).
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 4, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
Obviously, rough end to the game for him, but he made a comment after the loss that I’m guessing he would have made win or lose.
I’ve seen it a few places, but this is the one with the quote that I found easily when doing a search:
“Canada is better,” said Krejci. "The Russian guys are really (cocky) … I don’t know I hate Russia.
So that Evgeni Kuznetsov fella is pretty good, huh?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 7:47 AM EST reply actions
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
It’s like you can predict what the narratives will be now even before they happen. The Canadian media is the best.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 7:53 AM EST up reply actions
Like most of us watching on NHLN I missed the post-game, but I would have paid cash money for a live look-in on the player of the game booing and Kuz’s egging-on. Good on him.
Cross check and all call.
classless bunch booing a 19 year old who just smoked them, thank goodness they are America’s hat and not Russia’s or they would have been conquered long ago…
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 7:58 AM EST up reply actions
At least they didn’t throw shit on the ice for the second straight year they hosted the tournament.
Please, call me F&B.
No, after the Huberdeau misconduct there was some debris thrown.
"Just so you know, this armor does not protect my feelings." - Wendell X
At least, that’s what they said on TSN.
"Just so you know, this armor does not protect my feelings." - Wendell X
I’m being sarcastic. They threw shit on the ice last night and in Saskatchewan. I’d love to know what would happen if a US city threw shit on the ice.
Please, call me F&B.
Swing and a miss for me.
You don’t see ‘Mericans throwing shitfits when the U.S. loses at basketball or baseball.
Thank goodness there isn’t a global competition for football, though.
"Just so you know, this armor does not protect my feelings." - Wendell X
As impressive as I thought he was, I’m a bit concerned about how he accumulated his points in this tourney.
Unleash the Apathy.
Feast or famine? Remind you a little too much of another Russian we know?
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:35 AM EST up reply actions
A little from column A, a little from column B. As I mention above, he seems to like skating around in open ice with the puck. That just doesn’t happen very often in today’s NHL.
Unleash the Apathy.
He said he loves to play defense a few months ago, which I found encouraging. I don’t expect him to forecheck like Troy Brouwer or anything, but if he can play positionally-sound defense and chip in 30-40 goals, I’ll settle.
I’m more concerned about his offense not translating. He seems to feast on weaker goaltending and enjoy skating against weak defensive teams.
Unleash the Apathy.
He seems to feast on weaker goaltending and enjoy skating against weak defensive teams.
Isn’t that a) what you expect from a superstar and b) what every player wants? Not sure where the problem is here or the revelation?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Not at all. I’d hope that superstars would get “up” for playing against tough competition.
Kuznetsov lit it up against Latvia and a Canada team with a goalie who couldn’t stop a beach ball. The big goose egg he had against Sweden is a bit off-putting.
I’m not saying that I’m not excited about his performance, I just think the manner in which it occurred ought to warrant some caution when projecting his NHL potential.
Unleash the Apathy.
Do you think the Caps will put him in Hershey, or more to the point, will he willingly comply? I’d much rather let him get half a season in the AHL under his belt, but at minimum 10-15 games.
He stays in DC. He was born May, 1992. That makes him 20 at training camp – the same age that Nicky and MoJo were when they came over.
Nicky played zero games in Hershey, and MoJo played 2.
Kuz likely to play zero, IMO.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Could be either, depending on where the team sees MoJo at.
"Just so you know, this armor does not protect my feelings." - Wendell X
and where Semin ends up after the season
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
I think he’s a wing. He was playing wing a lot last night and didn’t seem to be the first option that Bragin wanted taking key face-offs. I see him as a wing who’ll play a lot on the half-boards. Sound like anyone we know?
Unleash the Apathy.
Do you think it’s time to sell high?
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
No. I just think some caution is warranted before penciling him in for 40G/50A and a Hart Trophy.
Unleash the Apathy.
I suppose we may as well look at Brayden Schenn to see a top-end prospect who has some trouble translating his production.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 4, 2012 9:12 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Pic in 5…4…3…2…
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
So the message is “don’t stick Kuz on the third or fourth line and then have him break his foot and get a concussion in the first half of his rookie season.”
Please, call me F&B.
But Eakin-Perreault-Kuzntezov would be a pretty good 10 minutes per night energy line
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
Not sure there’s such a thing as selling high on a Russian prospect yet to play an NHL game.
Plus, while I hope he does sign and come over, there are still lingering questions as to whether he’ll come over to NA; until he signs and does come over.
That’s true, contract situation does carry an enormous amount of risk.
I just think the fact that Kuz has essentially elevated himself to #1 world prospect in the last two weeks has value, and that if GMGM can leverage that value into an asset without as much downside risk, it could be a solid move.
Or we could just hope he becomes the 25-40 goal scorer we hope he will be in the next few years. I’m cool either way.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
Don’t think he’s quite that far. Granlund is better, Tarasenko is better, and there’s a decent case for the younger guys like Huberdeau, Strome, and maybe a couple of others.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 4, 2012 10:18 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
I share the concerns about his hanging on to the puck and skating as not translating well, but regarding his performance, from reading thoughts from people watching him it seems like he’s been his team’s best skater every game (as a 19-year old should be).
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 4, 2012 9:07 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
He has lit up Canada twice. You can point to their goaltending, but that is still the most talented D corps in each of the last two seasons and they had no answer for him.
Please, call me F&B.
Still, I’m concerned about his tendency to disappear against the tighter checking of teams like Sweden. Canada may have oodles of defensive talent, but I don’t think their teams play cohesive defense as well as the teams from Sweden or Finland.
He still reminds me a bit too much of Semin . . . although if he comes over on an ELC, I’ll take that performance level.
Unleash the Apathy.
So you are cherry picking the one game against Sweden in this tournament to say that he “disappears” against the tighter checking teams when he has, what, 8 points in the last two games he’s faced Canada, both elimination games?
Yeah, I can see the Semin comparison. I don’t really care. I’ll take the ELC years and hope GMGM learns the lesson before UFA time if the comparisons persist.
Please, call me F&B.
I think what’s lost in this is that if he does come over it will be at something like $1 million per……Incredibly low risk and high reward opportunity there. So for less than the team pays Erskine they get to try out a potentially high level player for years and have his rights for 7 years. Sounds good to me.
He seems to feast on weaker goaltending and enjoy skating against weak defensive teams.
He’d have been a perfect fit for the Southeast division circa 2008
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Hey stranger.
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Haha. Yes, I’ve been neglecting the rink. At the risk of getting OT i’ll keep it simple and say I’ve been traveling like crazy for a new job, and no longer sit at a desk all day. I feel so out of the loop, but should be settling into a routine by the end of February.
Coincidentally, the Capitals are still undefeated at games I have been able to make at VC (6-0), and play much better when i am in the area regardless. I’m thinking about sending Ted a business proposal to hire me full time as a good luck charm.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 4, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
And Corey Pronman said he’s been one of the best defensive forwards for Russia this tournament. I’m not that worried that his skill will translate. He can skate very well, has great hands and a sick shot. Those things generally make for success in the NHL.
Please, call me F&B.
But probably not instant success. He’s going to have to adjust.
I’m with you though. He’s got skill. Skill goes a long way.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he’s not going to score 100 points as a rookie. Hate to bring the bad news. I do think he could put up 60 as a rookie.
Please, call me F&B.
I definitely think he’d do 60 points on a bad team, or on a Boudreau-coached team. I’m not sure he’ll get the TOI to do it in DC next year.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:46 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, it’ll depend heavily on who he plays with. I’m not calling 60, just saying I could see it.
Please, call me F&B.
If Semin and Knuble both depart after this season, that could open up a lot of ice time and, crucially, PP TOI.
Unleash the Apathy.
So do we get him into the fold next season?
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And, guess who’s back finally, the Caps in Pictures blog, who had posted pictures after nearly every home game for the past 2 seasons but absent most of this year. So here’s the link for last night’s pics:
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Damned convenient the Flames are heading north to Boston so they can drop that sack of shit Rene Bourque off in NY for his in-person with Shanny. Right, Shanny?
Cross check and all call.
I almost want him to not get suspended so his dickbaggery can come against a team that deserves it.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:09 AM EST up reply actions
Except Boston is likely to leave him in a cartoon-like pile of akimbo limbs
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 8:11 AM EST up reply actions
I’m still not seeing a downside.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:17 AM EST up reply actions
Now I’ve got Always Look On The Bright Side of Life in my head.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
Really?
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Jan 4, 2012 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Shanahan’s first words…
’Back so soon?"
Bourque was just suspended last month for a hit on Brent Seabrook
If you've read this far...seek help.
Deterrence or punishment at this point
The 2 for the Seabrook incident seemed to be a slap on the wrist. Now he needs the phonebook upside the head. Would 4 games be enough?
Cross check and all call.
Leino got 1 game earlier this season for a similar (although not nearly as bad) play on Matt Read. Given how much worse Bourque’s elbow was, and his recent suspension, I think 3-4 games is likely.
Failure is always an option.
Sounds like a phoner (no indication that it isn’t, and that’s usually mentioned), but it’s possible that he waived an in-person hearing.
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Lost in the Canadian pride:
Leading scorer in Vancouver – a Swede
Leading scorer in Toronto – an American
Leading scorer in Montreal – an American
Leading scorer in Ottawa – a Czech
God bless Calgary and Edmonton for having Canadians as their leading scorer.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Jets (remember, they made it seven!) have a Canadian leading scorer too (Kane).
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Damn you Atlanta!!
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Leading scorer in Edmonton: on IR
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Vancouver Swedes...
They cheat and use telepathy!
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The league should mandate that their helmets have tin-foil linings!
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Just out of curiosity, Was playing on the same team a demand the twins made before signing? What are the odds of playing with your brother on a professional team?
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jan 4, 2012 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
Aye:
Their agent, Mike Barnett, president of international talent agency IMG, presented them with two options to circumvent the usual NHL draft process, allowing them to play together.3 The first option was for the pair to enter the 1999 draft and not sign with their respective NHL clubs for two years, allowing them to become unrestricted free agents. This option required that they play junior ice hockey in North America, which was not their intention.3 Barnett also suggested that either Henrik or Daniel opt out of the 1999 draft, in the hope that the same team that selected the first twin would select the other the following year.
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by Bald Pollack on Jan 4, 2012 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
Wow, those twins must be pretty weird guys. I love my brother and all but the last thing I want is to work with him as an adult. Playing a sport might be a bit different but I wouldn’t bend over backwards to do it anyways. I don’t know, that is creepy indeed.
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jan 4, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
They have played with eachother since the fetus…there is no way any 2 players in the NHL have better chemistry then those 2, why wouldnt they want to be teammates.
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Why? because they have been playing together since fetuses, that’s why. :P
Who knows maybe they are a better match with different linemates, but we’ll never know.
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jan 4, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
Some of their no-look-telepathy type plays are amazing though. I can’t imagine developing that kind of just innate knowledge of where another player will be without having grown up playing and learning the game together.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 4, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, exactly…I dont think they are as good on separate teams.
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In the 1999 draft, the Canucks had the 2nd and 3rd pick overall. I’m not sure what kind of maneuvering got the Canucks those two picks, but I bet they are very glad the then-Thrashers took Stefan as 1st overall.
Risky if they were playing for getting both of them from the beginning.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 4, 2012 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
^ The Canucks already possessed the 3rd overall pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft that was used to select Henrik Sedin. They then acquired the 2nd overall pick to select Daniel as follows.
The Canucks traded Bryan McCabe and their first-round pick in 2000 or 2001 to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the Blackhawks’ first round pick (4th overall).
The 4th overall pick acquired from the Blackhawks was then traded along with two third-round picks in the 1999 draft (75th and 88th) to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the Lightning’s first-round pick (1st overall).
The 1st overall pick acquired from the Lightning, along with a conditional third-round pick in the 2000 draft, was then traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for the Thrashers’ first-round pick (2nd overall) under the condition that then-Thrashers GM Don Waddell not select either Sedin with the first overall pick.11
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Pick 75 was Brett Scheffelmaier, and Pick 88 was Jimmie Olvestad
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
Hawks took Pavel Vorobiev with that first round pick from Vancouver in 00.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
Btw, perfect OSHP pic from last night.
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by J.P. on Jan 4, 2012 8:34 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
DC entry in the Barbershop Quartet competition?… Sweet Adeline….
If you've read this far...seek help.
That picture makes me want ice cream…iiiiicceee creeaaaammmmmmm.
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
Amazing!
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:37 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Borque looks determined to get even…
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 8:37 AM EST up reply actions
So bets on Bourque.
I’m going four games.
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If we’re playing The Price is Right style, five.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 4, 2012 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
If we’re playing “Price is Right” style, I’m going with three.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
by Wheeler on Jan 4, 2012 8:51 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Sutton got eight as a repeat offender.
I’m going five, only because it wasn’t boarding and Backstrom got up.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Shouldn’t, but we all know it might.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Torres got 2 as a repeat.
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Four.
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I would like to bid one dollar.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
None. Because it’s the NHL.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
He’s been to the principal’s office before… he’s going to get something…
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
I appreciate your faith in our higher powers, and I sincerely hope it is justified on this occasion
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
I have more faith in Shanny than I’ve had in anyone before in the position. I think he takes his job seriously, and he emphasizes when someone is called back to a hearing after being suspended, they’re going to be in some trouble.
He may be looking for a possibility to throw the book at someone for repeat offenses, and Bourque gave him one.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
Flowchart says 1-5. I’ll go with two.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
needs to be more than his previous suspension, no?
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
Are you trying to apply logic to NHL suspensions?
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
one million games!
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 4, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
It's....
…over 9000!!!!
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
What a piece of shit…
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Six
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
So watching the slow mo replays and knowing he’s been suspended for 2 already this season, I’ll go with 4 as my guess.
I just looked at the date of that last suspension… and it was 2 weeks before last night. That certainly has to factor in. He’s only the 2nd player to have his 2nd hearing with Shanahan this season, correct?
Failure is always an option.
Sutton, Torres (who only got fired the first time around), anyone else?
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I forgot about Torres, probably because of the fine. Sutton was the only other I could remember.
Failure is always an option.
Sutton was suspended twice and the second time was for 8 games. Torres has only been suspended once, but he was looked at three games in a row and fined after the second game (they don’t do videos/etc. after fines…). Those were his warnings and he chose not to listen, and mention was made of this in his suspension video.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
Carbomb’s on his second this season too. Third, if you count the carry-over suspension from last year.
"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
not that I doubt you at all, but I can’t recall Carcillo’s previous suspension this season.
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2 games in Oct for a hit on Joni Pitkanen. He also had to serve 2 games for pushing/shoving an official in last year’s playoffs.
"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
True, but Carcillo hasn’t had the hearing yet… although I expect he’ll be tossed into the ocean with an anvil attached. Shanny will have to point out that Carcillo was hurt on the play as well and that his supension can’t start until he is cleared to play.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
Although it hasn’t been uncommon for guys to be suspended during periods where they’re injured — just not getting paid for the time frame. Examples: Ovi last year (with hurt knee). And I even heard of a case where a guy was suspended but he was in the hospital fighting for his life at the time. (It was years ago and I think happened during a fight.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Can I bring up an uncomfortable point of discussion? Cool.
Rene Bourque skated three shifts after being released from the box for a total of 3:47 of ice time. Did anyone on the Caps say “boo” to him?
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8 minutes left in the game at that point. Is 3:47 low for a second liner?
FWIW – Nicky skated two shifts for a grand total of 70 seconds after Bourque got out of the box.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Bourque got his normal ice time, I’d have to think. My point is that he did so relatively unbothered, unless I missed something.
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We discussed it a bit in the Recap. At least one of those shifts was in no-fight-time at the end of the game. And besides, the Code is dead.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:01 AM EST up reply actions
Send Ersk out there. If he gets the instigator and suspension, who cares. We got plenty o’ d-men now. I’m sure Hunts would be happy to pay the fine.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Because Mike Green has been so durable lately.
by jopierce on Jan 4, 2012 9:15 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
It would have only been a one game suspension.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
Pending Backstrom’s eval and status update, that might not be the only thing that the team handled not at all well last night
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Also true. He wasn’t made available to media post-game because he was being evaluated… which I thought was supposed to happen immediately following the hit, so as to prevent potential further damage.
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I do not recall any instance of a Capital engaging Bourque. I wonder what Hunter did or did not say on the bench or in the locker room afterwards. Would have been nice if Erskine or Henricks engaged Bourque, but I’m not incredibly bothered that they didn’t.
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Yeah, it’s only the team-MVP to date taking a blatant elbow in the head. No need to respond.
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Well Caps fans have always wanted to be like the Penguins, so we got that going for us.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 9:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Which is nice...
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Hunter said in his press conference that he didn’t see the play. Buy or sell that he was that oblivious to it? I know what Hunter would have done in his playing days…
A lot has changed since then. Also, I missed the hit entirely myself. I had to see it in the replay. I had no idea it was as bad as it was till then. I think it’s possible to have missed it at the time. Unless Nicky specifically said something, which he might not have done. when he was right back out playing near the end of the game, I thought he was fine.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
Hmm. I doubt it, I’m guessing that either Nicky said something on the bench or the team doctors told Hunter what happened. No freakin’ way Hunter isn’t aware of what’s going on with 10 minutes remaining in the game. Especially given that Backstrom only took one shift after.
Yeah, I’d say I’m underwhelmed by the team’s response.
Sell. Sell. Sell.
The hit was in the neutral zone right in front of the Caps bench.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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I’ve talked to a few people who were at the game who didn’t see it, and Mackan says he didn’t see it. I can buy Hunter not seeing it at the time.
Failure is always an option.
There was plenty of time after no one (except, thankfully, one referee) saw it for everyone to be made fully aware of what had happened.
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I’m sure Hunter knew what happened soon afterwards, but that doesn’t change him likely not seeing it when it happened.
Failure is always an option.
My point is that if they knew what happened soon thereafter, there was opportunity to do something about it. But… crickets.
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Not that I recall, no.
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Nope.. no replay of the penalty.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
Can confirm no replay on the VC board, though the Rinker who was with me last night saw it, came home and immediately looked for a clip to confirm how nasty it appeared to be at the time. There was a lot of booing after the hit, at least up in our neck of the woods.
by DerwoodCapsMom on Jan 4, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
I imagine that Hunter would have tried an elbow to the head like that in his playing days in retaliation or not.
by kingbonehead on Jan 4, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
Sigh…and here we go…
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--BB, 2009
by nogoodtrying on Jan 4, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
I can’t help but think that if Hendricks or Ersk had started a fight and Calgary somehow ended up with 3 goals thereafter and won, we’d be talking about how wrong of a time to fight that was with only 8 minutes left in the game and a two goal cushion.
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
You might have. I wouldn’t have. I don’t think two points are as valuable as sending a clear message that if you cheapshot a star, you’re going to be beaten to within an inch of your life.
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Haha I agree. It would have been nice to see that piece of shit eat it, but two points…and a momentum keeper. Totally worth it.
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
It may not be totally worth it when it happens again. Obviously, no frontier justice at that point was going to make the hit on Backstrom go away, but if there’s any deterrent effect at all to fighting in the game (and if there isn’t, why does it exist?), you’d gotta do something more there.
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if there’s any deterrent effect at all to fighting in the game (and if there isn’t, why does it exist?)
there isn’t, and maybe it shouldn’t
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed and agreed. But even if deterrence doesn’t exist, retribution does.
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“Vengeance is mine” quoth the lord. And then he shot that guy right in the freakin’ face.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Right. Rene Bourque won’t even stand for a clean hit on his teammate. No way the Caps should stand for a flying elbow off the top rope. I wanted to see someone on the Caps go all Tuco on that guy.
Please, call me F&B.
Then don’t even bother throwing off the gloves. Bull rush him. Put your helmet in his sternum and drive him to the ice or into the boards. And before you do, back up some so you can take a good running start.
Because fighting is voluntary, and he can just say no. But getting run isn’t voluntary. So that’s the only justice that’ll actually work. And that’s what we should be doing, right?
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
Yes. Just look at what he did to TSlo after a clean hit. Someone should have just charged him, handed him an ass whooping he can only hope he has the cognitive ability to relay to his grandchildren, and then hit the showers. I could literally care less about PIM, voluntary acceptance of the fight, or any of that. Elbow to Nick’s head = fists on your eyeballs.
Please, call me F&B.
He should not, in that instance, have been given the opportunity to back out of a fight. If he wants to turtle and let Erskine beat on him, fine. Instigator/suspension for Erskine? Fine.
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I just want to be clear what we’re talking about here. When the question is “why didn’t anyone do anything,” it has to be clear that in this situation, “anything” is either running the guy or punching him while he turtles or both.
And yes, I’m firmly in the camp that doing something like that is counterproductive. I don’t think it deters shit. It’s too easy to turtle effectively and avoid any real punishment.
There is, in today’s NHL, no consistent way to achieve justice. Let’s all just get over it and watch people playing hockey. And hope that Obi-Wan-Shanahan gets punishments right, because he’s our only hope.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
“Anything” could also be challenging him and having him actually answer the bell for his filth.
Does it deter anything? Probably not.
Does it provide real retribution? Probably not (though if Bourque turtles there, he’s shamed himself League-wide).
Does it tell your teammates that you’ve got their backs? Absolutely 100%. And that’s pretty important.
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Does it send a message to other “players” like Bourque around the league to keep it clean or suffer (or have your teammate suffer) the consequences? Maybe, and perhaps that’s most important of all.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
Well, that would be the deterrent effect and I tend to agree with Gouldie – these pieces of excrement are going to do what they do, regardless of who in their brotherhood of dirt has gotten beaten down before them.
Maybe someone thinks twice before doing it to a Bruin, but I don’t think there are many teams that are going to intimidate to the point of actually changing the behavior of a player hell-bent on being filthy.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The Bruins (and the Ducks before them) really had the best deterrence strategy: centralize as many scum bags on your own team so there are fewer to cheap shot your talent.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Then we are relying on the Shanahammer to be the enforcer, yes? This seems like a pretty good opportunity to send a message. There appears to be no grey area on this hit.
Elbow to the melon – check
Away from the puck – check
Repeat offender – check
Injury suffered – check
At some point it just comes down to respect between players. Think the NHLPA would ever send a note to guys like Borque to tone it down? Probably not…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
Sure, the League has to do what they have to do with regards to the offender, but none of that will make a difference in the Caps locker room or for them on the ice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
No, not in the locker room, but hopefully on the ice where they won’t have to deal with such shit because there is a true deterrent.
Personally, I think Shanny should come out with a fixed suspension grid like the NFL and MLB have for failed drug tests. Something like, your suspension doubles with every comparable offense.
Perhaps a player might think twice if he knows it’s 8 games if he pulls any further shit on the ice.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
Well, the suspension worked for Cooke. His PIMs are way down, he hasn’t had any suspensions, and he seems to have changed. Maybe longer suspensions are more of a deterrent than 2 or 3 game ones.
This is what I’d expect. You don’t have to have a guy jump him. Just have someone come up, shove him, do something to show that your team won’t stand for this shit happening.
Chimera’s rub-and-tug shows that the team won’t stand for it?
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by J.P. on Jan 4, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed. Just wanted to be clear that just having “someone come up, shove him” isn’t enough in my book.
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Semin comment.
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by Bald Pollack on Jan 4, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
Last time Mark Staal gave him a little rub and tug, Semin erupted
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either way I certainly wasnt Happy with the Ending
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"Anything" could also be challenging him and having him actually answer the bell for his filth.
Yes, I saw Chimmer skate up to him after a whistle late in the game. Gave him a bump and said a few things.Yawn. That wasn’t the time for bumping and chatting.
OK, so Chimera asked for a dance, and Bourque turned him down. What was supposed to happen next?
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
Beat. The. Shit. Out. Of. Him.
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by J.P. on Jan 4, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
In the time it takes Chimera to get his gloves off, Bourque is in full fetal position.
And now Jason Chimera is hitting him in the back of the helmet. With his bare hands.
That’ll learn him!
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
… and Rene Bourque is shamed as the biggest piece of shit in the League because he did dirt and didn’t answer the bell, a guy who makes Matt Cooke look as honorable as Sir fuckin’ Lancelot himself. That’d be fine with me.
More than that, it would show every single guy in a red sweater that they’ve got each other’s back in a way that they’ve seldom demonstrated it this season.
Know why Matt Bradley is a legend around here? Because he bled for these guys. He basically did the hockey equivalent of taking a bullet for the President down in Tampa. Etc.
Matt Hendricks – who was on the ice when Bourque got out of the box (and ran Vokoun) – could’ve been that guy last night. But… crickets.
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by J.P. on Jan 4, 2012 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
See Bourque’s reaction to Tyler Sloan’s hit on Langkow. That would have been adequate.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
Yup. I think this is the only option. And protective equipment is now so good, anything short of of the full Ronnie Lott, the full Dick Lane ain’t going to work.
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by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
they had a perfect opportunity when he went straight to the crease after coming out of the box…I was really upset by the lack of action taken by our boys although it doesnt surprise me a lick…we discussed this when Miller got ran by looch … I mean if you arent gonna make a guy pay for a blatant cheapshot on NB19, when do you sac up and make someone pay.
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Yes, I saw Chimmer skate up to him after a whistle late in the game. Gave him a bump and said a few things. I would have liked to see Ersk get a shift with him on the ice.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
I saw Chimmer do that, too.
Weren’t the Caps on the PK twice immediately after the PP ended? I think by the time we the game was back to evens it was under 5 minutes to go in the 3rd. I guess in a 3-1 game the team didn’t want to risk being down two men at a time. I’d have liked to see it, but I understand why it didn’t happen.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Jan 4, 2012 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, I saw Chimmer skate up to him after a whistle late in the game. Gave him a bump and said a few things.
Yawn. That wasn’t the time for bumping and chatting.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Chimmer doesn’t want to risk those silky mitts on Bourque’s skull.
But yeah, if you aren’t going to go after a guy who takes a cheap shot at your top guy, who will you take on? Not sure if any of these guys remember, but Bourque was the same guy who jumped TySlo after he destroyed Langkow with a legal check.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
What was up with Chimera and Jokinen. They got tangled up at the blue line just before Glencross’ goal, and when they untangled, Jokinen was yapping up a storm (apparently directing himself at Chimera shouting “YEAH! YEAH!”). I thought Chimera might kindly refer Jokinen to the scoreboard after the Wideman goal, but alas, it did not come to pass.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Chimmer did. They “bumped into” each other towards the end of the game.
Also, why wasn’t that penalty a major? They showed Ovi making his case to the ref on TV, but still only a minor.
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
No, and that really pissed me off…Also fresh out of the box he drives the net, almost scores, draws a ticky tack call, and runs the Vokeswagon with a little help from granpa slippers…RAWR
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Who on the Caps do you want to say boo to him that would be playing defense with a two-goal lead?
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
There were 17 skaters that I’d have been happy with if they stood up for one of their teammates after he was cheap-shotted. Pick one.
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I mean, I’m just inclined to disagree here. I’m happier with the two points, with how things have been going for this team lately, I want the team to do everything in it’s power to get those two points.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Flying elbow and a superstar top 10 point leader on your team by somebody your team has history with has got to garner some retribution.
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I obviously disagree and don’t think any one regular season game is worth more than sticking up for a teammate (and they had a two-goal lead with very little time left and could have done something and still won).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I don’t necessarily disagree with you in most situations, I just think back to what my coaches always told me growing up (“Let it go, the scoreboard is how you really hurt them!”), and while if it happens with, say, 10 seconds to go, then I’m all for it. I just don’t know anymore how I feel about retribution fights. I don’t think they cull anything anymore.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
"Let it go, the scoreboard is how you really hurt them!"
That’s “the Caps are talented, but soft and easy to play against” talk. Hasn’t really worked, to date.
And retribution fights may not do anything with regards to the offender, but you’d better believe it means something to the guys in the room. And which matters more – sending a message to a guy you won’t play again all year, or sending a message to the ~20 guys you’ve got another 40+ games with?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
To that point, how do you like John Erskine’s toughness now? I thought that’s why he was in the lineup. I’m sorry but it’s Erskine’s job to be that guy, he’s a #7/8 D who’s best assets are strength and toughness.
I thought Hunter would at least bring a mentality of being tough to play against and am disappointed in what I’ve seen on that front.
Agreed and I’m sure it’s not lost on DH. I would expect GMGM to take some steps to make this team harder to play against in that regard.
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Looks like 4 was a victim of Crisco (bench shortening). According to his shit chart, didn’t see a shift in the last half of the third period.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Should be shift chart
/Milbury’d
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You’re tracking his bowel movements?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It’s not lost on me that required two slashes.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
SI or someone ran an article about athletes and their digestive tracts (literally, this is kind of on topic) suggesting that athletes digestive systems, like their other systems, worked more efficiently, causing the need to go more often, and chronicling some of the most famous “blowouts” in sports history.
I wonder how true that is.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Ha. I think it was ESPN the Mag, actually.
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Gretzky wrote about pissing himself during some game in his biography (the one with Rick Reilly). I believe it was during Canada Cup 87.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
It’s not like there isn’t visual evidence of this, either. Just think back to last year’s 24/7 series when Deryk Engelland took on Toronto’s Colton Orr. He was not coming to a teammate’s defense in that instance, but after he gets stitched up and returns to the locker room at the intermission, he gets a fist bump from Kris Letang (a guy teams probably try to target) and the first thing Bylsma says when he comes into the locker room is to single out Engelland. It seems to matter.
If you've read this far...seek help.
It obviously matters to hockey players.
I’m at a loss to explain why nothing went down from the Caps last night.
Then again, when Lucic ran Miller, no one did anything either. They at least had the decency to be shamefaced about it.
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in defense of the players, i’m still not sure exactly how many of them knew how blatant the elbow was. I bet a dime to a dollar if they showed the play on the big board, something would’ve happened.
How long was Backstrom doubled over at the bench? Why was the captain arguing for a five-minute major if no one saw it? Like I’ve said a gazillion times in this thread, I’m fine with no immediate reaction – I buy that no one on the ice really saw it. But there was plenty of time to figure out what went down… and if no one did, why’d Chimera talk to him at the end anyway?
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Maybe he wanted to tell him to show some respect, like that gallant Scott Hartnell did to the Iron Chancellor, Mike Rupp?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not saying that the players had no idea what happened—I’m saying, those moving pictures are worth a million words. The elbow looks devastating and dirty in slow-motion. If the players saw what we saw, they’d be livid, and I bet they’d go after Bourque. I think Nicky saying something to the effect of, “Yeah, he got me good” might be slightly less convincing
That elbow looked devastating and dirty in live speed as well. It was extremely blatant the way he hung his elbow out there.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 4, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
If I recall, after Ovi was finished talking with the officials, Sutherland skated back over to him on the ice to tell him something else. Would officials tell players they better not retaliate, or else risk a GM (or something else)?
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__
pic by Clyde seems relevant to this whole discussion. Have to think his teammates that missed the hit at least noticed this.
Well to be fair to his teammates it can’t be easy for them to know if he is really hurt or not. I mean he spends most of his time whining and complaining, and is always hunched over in games pretending to be hurt. He is such a little fake artist.
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 4, 2012 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
Ovechkin: "It was head shot. It was kind of on purpose. I tell the referee, ‘He goes like straight in the face with an elbow. So why give him only two minutes?’"
Are we really going to continue to pretend no one knew what had happened at the time or very soon thereafter?
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So Brooks Laich on 106.7 w/ some Neil Greenberg “love”. Says he’s aware of his #fancystats and that they are interesting. He was about to say stats are for losers, but holds back.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Funny, advanced statistics probably helped him get his current deal – doubt it was those 16 goals.
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Truth.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
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I’m sure his agent is a big fan of such things. I can understand how a guy who’s played the game for years before such stats became available would not fully embrace them. It’s not like they would ever make a movie about sports stat nerds heart=throbs.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
[Lil’ Wyane] also teases his participation in an upcoming ESPN “real sports show,”… called “The Sports Rap” featuring sports journalist Rob Parker and retired NBA player Jalen Rose.
Congrats F&B! Talking about the Caps with Lil’ Wayne… sure to be riveting.
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by Laich It Or Lump It on Jan 4, 2012 9:16 AM EST reply actions
Fo’Realz?
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The 29-year-old founder of Young Money Entertainment named D.C.’s hockey team among his favorites, along with the Packers, the Lakers, the Red Sox, Manchester United, LSU football and USC basketball.
Jesus, just name it ‘Frontrunner Enterprises’ and get it over with.
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by Bald Pollack on Jan 4, 2012 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I would do some pretty crazy things to talk hockey with Wheezy, although I might think of a few other adjectives before “riveting.”
Please, call me F&B.
will you be auto-tuned as well?
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 4, 2012 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
I will build a turtle fence.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
But you would have to promise to work in a Mr. Carter/Jeff Carter No Relation joke…
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Speaking of saying silly things on twitter and the WJC game last night; I laughed at this one by THNRyanKennedy:
So yeah, tide’s kinda turning here. Pity the fans who left early.
Sorry but “pity” isn’t the word I would choose for someone who voluntarily chose to leave a hockey game with time left and missed out on a possible comeback. Not an easy ticket to get either, so uhm, yeah, no I won’t pity those fans.
Maybe it’s pity like Mr. T pity – I don’t think Mr. T really pitied them fools, did he?
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I always thought he felt benevolence
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
“I have endless empathy for the fools.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m a mean person. I mercilessly mock opposing fans who leave early (coughRangersFanscough)
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I only leave early if I have to work the next day and the game is way out of hand. The last time I left early was a game before the lockout and the score after 2 periods was Ottawa 8, Caps 2. The Caps ended up losing 11-5…
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, and as a follow on, a few weeks later, Ottawa came back for the return game, and it ended as a 0-0 tie. Only one I’ve ever seen in my lifetime (and it can’t happen anymore…)
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
OnFrozenPond George Richards
#FlaPanthers announce they have finally and officially signed C John Madden
Boom!
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought you couldn’t sign people after a certain date?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
RFAs can’t be signed after December 1 for that season.
UFAs can be signed at any time; have to be signed before the trade deadline in order to be eligible to play in the playoffs. If played overseas after the NHL season started have to clear waivers.
Madden is UFA and didn’t play overseas this season.
Ah. Thank you for ye olde clearup.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
If he’s in any kind of shape, that’s a good sign for them. Dammit.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Why? Can he tend goal?
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by nogoodtrying on Jan 4, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
No, but Jacob Markstrom sometimes can and not consistently without a decent backup to shoulder some of the pressure.
FTFY
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by nogoodtrying on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Clemmensen’s a fine goalie. Just because he doesn’t fit the most pressing need doesn’t change the fact that Madden’s a good signing for them.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I consider Madden low-risk/low-reward. It’s not really an impact signing (if he was an impact player, he’d have been on an NHL team prior to January).
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I consider him low risk / medium reward. Also, may be a case where an older player not playing an entire season ends up helping him; he has been skating.
Agreed that a half-season should work in his favor in the long-run, though I’d think there’s be a little ramp-up to game-speed that cuts the other way.
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I mean, if he’s the player he has been over his career, he’s a decent piece. He’s not be-all-end-all, and I wish someone like Phoenix had him instead of Florida.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Why would you think that, at 38, he’s going to be the player he has been over his career?
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Jagr ruined it for everybody.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Nothing to do with Jagr. Completely different player. Jagr can still shoot and skate, he’s going to be successful. Madden’s playset is much more about being smart on the ice and getting to the right place, which is something you don’t forget and doesn’t require the skill that Jagr’s been able to (/bleh) maintain.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Half a year off helps. Also, his way of playing doesn’t really age the same way that scorers and shooters age. Owen Nolan was successful later in his career. I agree with sk8 on it being a low risk-medium reward signing that I think is a good mood for Florida.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
He’s likely better than the guy who’s spot in the lineup he’ll take, but I can’t imagine that’s going to be a big upgrade, hence “low-reward.” But I don’t think we’re disagreeing much.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I understand it isn’t easy to turn off emotions, but it’s interesting how often I hear about press box cheering with Russian ‘journalists’.
Of course, reading tweets last night from Canadian ‘journalists’ I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn there was cheering going on if Canada had completed the comeback.
For those who have had media credentials, are there no rules one has to agree to in order to get the credentials? I recognize there are standards and expectations, but nothing signed with some basic rules? Does it vary by venue/team? I know there are a few people here who have had credentials at times.
Different bodies have different credentialing rules. I believe I heard stories of Russian journos wearing Team Russia gear in Vancouver.
For the Caps, there’s nothing specific about attire or actions, I don’t think (their credentialing policies focus more on the outlets being credentialed), but I think there’s a general understanding that you act with professionalism and not like a fanboy asshole.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It baffles me how some journalists throw out blatant bias. Whether you truly believe it or not, don’t throw it out there.
Unrelated (I think), one of the local journos has Facebook pics of him up wearing a jersey in the stands of Citizen Bank Park from last weekend…
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Personal facebook account? In the stands as a fan? I’m ok with that if the journalist paid for the ticket and went as a fan.
Tagged in someone’s album. Not sure on the ticket status or whether it was gameday or what.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I tend to agree. I don’t know why journos (see Francis below) pretend that they don’t have rooting interests or magically turned them off when they became professional writers. I’d wager that 100 out of 100 sports journalists got into the profession because they were die-hard fans at some point. That doesn’t end.
All I ask is that they turn it off when they’re on the job (if that job involves objectivity). It’s really not impossible or even all that difficult to do.
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I think Joe B. does a pretty good job of making whichever team he’s calling for sound good, without running down the opposition.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
But that’s on-air vs. off-air. Apples-to-oranges. Not to mention, it’s an analyst who played for the team and is employed by its broadcast partner – I don’t think anyone expects absolute objectivity there (or, frankly, would want that).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Regarding Kuz 2nd hatty
Not going to skim comments to find already discussion have too much to do this mourning, but completely typical canadian homer in RMNB’s twitter posts
Who goal sucks when the game is 5-1 and you already have 2 goals in that game? Gee idk, any of the supremely talented scorers who want a hat trick. That comment is essentially like saying the playoff game where Sid and Ovi had hat tricks was a terrible game because both players selfishly carried their respective teams. Oh wait, can’t be true because Sid is canadian, he was so pious getting his hatty trying to come back even though his last goal with less than a minute left in the game with a 2 goal deficit and Ovechkin was just padding his stats like typical.
Un-be-lievable. How does a guy with 6 assists in one game get called selfish? Its not like Russia is the only team in the tournament piling on goals with both Canada and USA putting in landslide wins in the tourney too.
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.
Maybe if Canada had worked harder to stop him from getting a hattie, they wouldn’t have this conversation.
I looked to me like when Russia was on the PP as the 2nd (I believe) came to a close, they had a ton of zone time and could have peppered Canada with shots on goal but I don’t think they fired a single shot on goal- Kuznetzov had plenty of opportunities it appeared to go for a fourth and passed…
If not for my procrastinational tendencies, I'd probably start an "Alan May for President" campaign... I think there is a chance he might well be my Messiah...
A little run-in between Ovechkin and Blue Jackets winger/agitator Derek Dorsett on Saturday went mostly unnoticed: Dorsett ran Ovechkin, Ovechkin got in his face, the two received matching minors, then everybody went home to celebrate New Year’s Eve. But now Dorsett is accusing Ovechkin of spitting on him during the fracas.
According to the Columbus Dispatch:
“I haven’t told many people this but he spit in my face,” Dorsett said. "That got me a little more mad.
“That’s why I was yelling at the ref so much and yelling at him in the penalty box. I find that pretty disrespectful. That’s probably one of the most disrespectful things someone can do, especially a guy who is the best player in the league. It’s classless. He’s supposed to be a role model for the game. It’s unbelievable.”
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I dont buy it .. I have seen spitting incidents in sports and the spitee always loses his shit…completely justified, If someone spit in my face I would go nuts…
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Someone should explain to Dorsett that when people are speaking exuberantly, as they are prone to do if they’ve just been run by an opposing player, saliva may exit the mouth inadvertantly.
by jopierce on Jan 4, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Weird accusation. Weird timing.
My money’s on two dudes getting into a heated discussion, foaming at the mouths, and some spit accidentally flying.
I mean, this clearly wasn’t Robbie Alomar.
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Agree.
In related news, this ties in to two topics here, this one and the WJCs. I forgot to post Sutherby’s second blog entry when it was posted about his WJC experiences; he doesn’t mention Svitov by name, but he does write about the incident. Worth a read, IMO.
So this article is 3 years old?
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 4, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
WJC U20 Remaining Schedule (eastern times listed):
Jan 4 Wed
1pm Latvia – Denmark (relegation round)
5pm USA – Switzerland (relegation round but USA can’t be relegated after win yesterday, playing for 7th place)
9pm Czech Repubilc – Slovakia (5/6 place game)
Jan 5 Thu
3:30pm Canada – Finland (bronze medal game)
8pm Sweden – Russia (gold medal game)
From 19’s brother on Twitter:
Nicky gonna do a concussion test this morning but hopefully it was just a Migraine he got after the elbow hit yesterday #caps
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::sigh::
I hope something good comes out of this season – namely improvements that prevent concussions.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
Yes.
There are a bunch of triggers; a blow to the head can easily be one of them.
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0000
I thought there was only one?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
If that Trigger was a migraine trigger, I bet Roy Rogers would have been really sad. :-(
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Not if he had those delicious hamburgers to fall back on.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah. Backstrom has said in some interviews that getting hit in games can trigger them for him.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 4, 2012 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
Follow-up:
Test done and the dr couldn’t tell today but a small concussion/migraine. Have to wait for tmrw and a new test #caps
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It’s like Shroedinger’s concussion. “Couldn’t tell today”…couldn’t tell what? That he has a concussion and a migraine, concussion or a migraine, or neither? Have to get a new test so it seems inconclusive, but …
Ah, adventures in ESL.
Hope Backstrom is ok. Caps next two games are in SJS and LAK before returning to DC for some home games, if any questions/concerns, hope he stays home and doesn’t make the California trip.
Random OT, but the game I recall Backstrom leaving early due to a migraine (I think there was at least one other time this happened), was the Caps game in LA in January 2010.
You are correct. I believe it was on New Year’d Day. And they lost that particular game.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
January 2, they lost 2-1 after giving up a SH goal.
They lost all their games that week after they traded Captain Clark to Columbus.
The next game was January 5 against Montreal, and Captain Ovechkin led his team onto the ice.
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Yes, that’s the game I was referring to above as the game Backstrom left early with a migraine. It was a Saturday day game.
Question I was asking was whether there was another game he left early with a migraine as I thought that wasn’t the only one.
There was one out in California—it might be against the Sharks.
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by capsyoungguns on Jan 4, 2012 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
Ugh. Have tix to the SJS game on Sat – my 15 yr old son’s first NHL game, and my first in-person Caps game in about 30 years. Would love to see NB19 on the ice, but only if he’s okay obviously. At least we both have jersey options other than NB19…
You had me at Ovechkin.
by norcalcapsfan on Jan 4, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Have fun! Understand wanting to see Backstrom in person, but I’m hoping they are cautious with him.
Given the Caps record at San Jose, I hope you see something that hasn’t happened in a long time, a Caps win.
Thanks – telling myself they’re overdue for a win in the Tank, but SJS is playing pretty well these days. Sharks are my semi-local team so I follow them almost as closely as the Caps, which may take a little of the sting out of a possible Caps loss (just a little tho).
You had me at Ovechkin.
by norcalcapsfan on Jan 4, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
They haven’t won in the Shark Tank in about 15 years, IIRC. They also haven’t done well against the Kings either, as in no wins (either here or in LA) since Boudreau was hired as coach.
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I believe I keep hearing 1993 for the last win at the Shark Tank, but I don’t remember the month. Regardless, that’s at least eighteen years.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
It’s sad how bad I understated how long it’s been since a win. Let’s see here.
18 years ago was when the original “Mighty Ducks” movie came out (as in earlier that month) so there was no Anaheim Ducks team
18 years ago, Dmitry Orlov, Cody Eakin and my younger daughter (and a niece and a nephew) were all two years old.
18 years ago, Alex Ovechkin, Troy Brouwer, Mike Green, Jay Beagle and my first born were all 8 years old. And, in fact, Mike Green and Jay Beagle had just celebrated their birthdays. Wonder if the lobbied the parents to take them to “Mighty Ducks” — my first born did.
18 years ago — Bill Clinton was campaigning for his first term as President.
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I know they won in LA Ovechkin’s rookie season; don’t believe they have won there since then, but it’s not many games.
I know Nicky has said in interviews before that hits that jostle his head can trigger migraines…even minor hits. fingers crossed
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 4, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Wouldn’t you rather he do a concussion test than not after this, even if it was just a migraine?
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
Of course. What would imply that I feel otherwise?
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I have a friend in Minsk, who has a friend in Pinsk, whose friend in Omsk has friend in Tomsk with friend in Akmolinsk
His friend in Alexandrovsk has friend in Petropavlovsk, whose friend somehow is solving now the problem in Dnepropetrovsk
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 4, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
So disappointed you couldn’t fit Krasnoyarsk or Yakutsk in there.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Irkutsk maybe, but Yakutsk no way. Can you tell I played Risk?
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 4, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
And in Minsk, my name is cursed / when he finds that I rec’d you first.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
by Wheeler on Jan 4, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
A gem from Mr. Francis: “Amazing how tough it is for fans to understand journalists don’t care who wins or loses a hockey game. Last team I cheered for was Hartford”
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You’d think that Ron Francis would cheer for the Hurricanes or the Penguins, given that he left Hartford a long time ago.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
I think he meant Eric…
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 4, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I know. I was being purposefully obtuse.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
Uh… me too! Go Canadaz!
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 4, 2012 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
We understand journalists, we just don’t understand you.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
Wilbon acknowledges he can’t be rational when it comes to Chicago teams. TK says he can’t be objective towards certain people he knows.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
They’re columnists, though. I think they’re a bit different than reporters that work closely with one specific team.
I think that’s a farce and that both groups write about a mix of opinion and fact.
Please, call me F&B.
Of course they do.
And columnists exist under that myth of objectivity as well – while they provide opinion, those opinions aren’t supposed to be colored by their allegiances but rather their experiences and insights.
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Well, one uses facts to back up their opinion and the other writes about facts and uses other people’s opinions.
Look, I think it’s silly that if you cover a team for 8 months out of the year and you forge tight relationships with the players and coaches, if they then go on and win a championship, you should be allowed to smile and clap your hands and cheer them on. It’s ridiculous to expect that journalists suddenly have no feelings or rooting interests.
So regarding Francis being a “journalist” rather than a “columnist” how is “Kuz is a bad teammate” a fact?
Please, call me F&B.
Opinion informs how you portray “fact.” Unless the recap is literally just a condensed copy of the play by play sheet there is going to be some opinion in there, right?
Please, call me F&B.
And opinion guides the questions you ask of the subjects, how those questions and answers are presented, and so on.
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"...journalists don’t care who wins or loses a hockey game..."
U.F.B.
Utter F***ing Bullshit
If you've read this far...seek help.
Succinct.
Does it even make sense for them to pretend to be objective? Does that pass the sniff test? Quick question – are more people going to read a journo’s work if the team s/he covers is shit or if that team’s winning and advancing deep in the playoffs? Journos absolutely have a vested interest in the teams they cover.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It really isn’t that hard to ferret out fact from opinion. Journalists who aren’t “pundits” or opinion writers too often (for my taste) engage in such practices as saying so-and-so has to do this or that to keep his job or to make the playoffs or such. That is not a “fact,” it is an opinion. It might be informed, it might be along the level of what Cheerless would spout, but it’s an opinion nonetheless. And as for the specific instance of the game in question, using verbs in a pejorative way as Cam Cole did (in the piece I referenced above) is a dead giveaway…“conned” the referees? Puh-leeze. A journalist is never going to admit to having a rooting interest, but don’t play readers for idiots, either. We know they have them.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Well, then, we should just let the robots write all of the gamers…
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 4, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
Not a bad idea. Robots need love too.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 4, 2012 6:51 PM EST up reply actions
Right, if for no other reason than it makes their jobs MUCH easier, and probably more enjoyable. Lot easier to get quotes from players when they are winning then losing.
And even if this joker was totally objective about the outcome of this game, he knows his readers are not. He knows he has to feed red meat to the lions. Not going to bode well for him if he called the Canadians “chokers” or said the Russians are the best team in the world.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 4, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
Love K_C Wire tie in … also assuming this was directed to me … I read ya loud and clear.
Read this stuff about the future of the Winter Classic in D.C. and let’s agree not to talk about it again until there’s something to talk about, mmm’kay?
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Ha. Not directed at you, I’m just tired of the talk in general.
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I made it in the Clips. That’s totally going on my CV.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 4, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I haven’t had a chance to watch the recording of the Finland Sweden game; anyone have a link to the late in the game Finnish goalie gaffe leading to the goal?
I watched it live, and I really don’t blame it on the goalie as much as the defensemen. He went back and played the puck, and you need to have better support. His defensemen were just standing there waiting for the puck, when they should’ve been more proactive.
Here’s the goal (and the shootout): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFHNx9Au8Kg
Look at the defenseman just let the Swedish forward control the play.
Save 56 of 58 shots, end up as the villain. Although golden boy Granlund losing the puck in the shootout has gotten as much attention.
TSN’s recap, in the list of related videos between the recap on left and far right highlights, lists a VOD link. That may work.
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by red army line on Jan 4, 2012 11:52 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Could Carlson’s recent drop-off be related to his playing man-to-man? The stats could prove me wrong, but he and Alzner seemed to play better shut-down under Boudreau and the zone scheme. Recently, Carlson, in particular, seems to be on the ‘wrong’ side of the net a lot. 2) It also seems peculiar to me that Schultz has been sent to press box at the same time Carlzner have been slumping when he is second on the team with ES goals against.
I’m thinking it’s more of a judgement issue. Listened to the PreCap (could be yesterday’s or the one before) which had Johnson talking about the man-to-man system. Said it wasn’t completely man-to-man, that it incorporated quick decision-making depending on what was happening in the game at that moment. Since I’m not really a systems person—still learning—I’m not sure which adjustments he’s talking about. Is it a switch to a more zonal approach in certain circumstances. I’d have to listen to it again, but found it interesting.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 4, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
It is definitely interesting…and I am not complaining. Our team GA is pretty good so, presumably, it is working. Perhaps the ‘lop-sidedness’ I have observed the past couple of games is part of the learning curve. It is also noteworthy (at least to me) is that you can see the d-men (especially Carlson) giving visual (and I am sure, vocal) instructions and assignments for coverage when the play turns back into the Caps zone. I don’t recall ever seeing that so much under the zone. Perhaps another reason why Dale and Johnson went man to man was to force one of the forwards to go deeper (they HAVE to under man-to-man). Not coincidentally, one of the criticisms of the Caps forwards during BB’s reign was their slowness in getting back to their defensive assignments. Regardless, I really like our D.
There’s no precedent for what GM Dale Tallon did here: Spend copious amounts of money on a disparate collection of veteran players, some of whom won a Stanley Cup together with the Chicago Blackhawks and others that were significant role players on other teams. Combine them with holdovers from a lottery team last season, shake and pour out a division leader with 47 points in 39 games.
What we all underestimated what the Blackhawks Factor. Kris Versteeg leads the team with 38 points, acting as the major offensive cog for their top line. Brian Campbell has 31 points in 39 games, acting as the offensive engine Tallon sold him as when he traded for him (18 power-play assists!).
[Emphasis mine]
Regarding Campbell, that’s a .8 PPG pace – or roughly 65 points in a full 82 games. He scored 62 points once (in 83 games) split between BUF and SJS. Over the course of his career he’s been a ~.5 PPG player. And he’s played 60-some games in his last two seasons.
This would be another reason that the Cats’ golden season probably doesn’t last much longer.
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Have you seen their schedule for this month?
@NYR, @Jersey (back to back), VAN, PIT, BOS, @COL, @CHI, @WPG, PHI
Holy schnikes and a half.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
And they open up February with the Caps, Jets, Ning, Caps again, LA and Jersey.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
my bet is that FLA ends its season fighting for one of the final playoff spots. The ’Peg ends close to where the Thrash did last year.
One team that confuses me in the SE is TBL. What the hell happened to them?
yea, strange, esp. with Stamkos looking like he very well may run away with the RR and a 50+, maybe even 60+ goal season.
besides their top line and Hedman, they’re paper thin. And now Hedman is hurt. And Rolo sucks. Volia. TBL misses playoffs.
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Son of Rolo is no longer son-aged.
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 4, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
He is, however, Sun-aged, in that he is roughly the same age as the Sun.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
And the implosion will be equally epic.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 4, 2012 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
Awful defense mixed with terrible goaltending combined with a dash of opponents figuring out Boucher’s systems.
Unleash the Apathy.
Goalie has been a major problem for them. They caught Lightning in a bottle (heh) last year with Rolo, but the thrill is gone away.
And they weren’t great during the regular season last year. They got hot during the playoffs and made a little run, which raised expectations to an unreasonable level this year. They just weren’t that great.
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104 points is nothing to sneeze at.
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Did they really have 104 points last year?
Cripes, that’s a lot better than I thought they were.
I stand corrected.
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IIRC, they got off to a pretty torrid start, then faded as the Caps got better.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
I stand corrected, it was 103.
2010-2011 conference standings. The top 5 were bunched up tight.
1. Washington, 107
2. Philadelphia, 106
3. Boston, 103
4. Pittsburgh, 106
5. Tampa Bay, 103
6. Montréal, 96
7. Buffalo, 96
8. NY Rangers, 93
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Damn, I thought they finished in that 95 – 96 point range.
My memory sucks.
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once the Caps reclaimed the #1 spot in SE, they held off the Bolts, but barely. the entire top tier of the East, save the caps, had a shitty last week or so, allowing the Caps to slide into the overall #1 spot, iirc.
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The Flyers, who at one point, had a pretty sizable lead on the rest of the EC struggled during the latter part of the season and not only fell out of first in the Conference but nearly lost first in their division as well.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
The conversation above about which Krejci, reminds of something else on the topic of hockey journalism, twitter, the internet…
If an article is on NHL.com (or any site) for more than 3 weeks with a factual error and that error is pointed out, it’s ok to make the correction, but it should be noted as edited/corrected with an updated time stamp or at least, a note at the bottom.
Example of a recent change with no note of correction/edit:
As of some time on January 3 and now:
One other notable on the roster is Daniel Krejci. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defenseman had 3 goals, 7 points and 40 penalty minutes in 19 games with HC Most in the Czech 2 league this season.
Before – Bold added to show change (note, date time piece was posted: 12.06.2011 / 12:57 AM)
One other notable on the roster is Daniel Krejci, the younger brother of Boston Bruins center David Krejci. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defenseman had 3 goals, 7 points and 40 penalty minutes in 19 games with HC Most in the Czech 2 league this season.
Changed sometime on January 3 (or late on January 2) without any indication that an edit/correction was made. The reason this came to anyone’s attention is that many others were citing this information and it was incorrect. One of the Boston writers (IIRC, Haggerty) was correcting people that evening based on what he was told by David Krejci and magically there was the change in the December 6 piece.
On Kuz-
Love the guy’s talent, but I thought going full Theo Fleury on the celebration for his third goal (midway through the 2nd period) was a bit…much
He’s also nineteen. People do stupid shit when they are nineteen.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
You mean like toss the family china out into the road at 3 AM, garnished by a lawn mower?
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 4, 2012 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t see it, but a hat trick? at WJC? against the Canadians? I’d be a little crazy, too.
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I didn’t think it was too much, but again, I’m completely biased.
However, there was some serious shit going on in the shootout between Finland and Sweden. Refs had to stay between the benches and tell them to cut it out.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
“That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done in my hockey career,” Armia, a first-rounder of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, said. “I don’t know what happened there.”
“Players ‘cellys’ have been an ongoing sidebar throughout the world junior. Friberg rode his stick vs. the Swiss. Czech Republic goalie Petr Mrazek did a fist pump after thwarting a Canadian penalty shot in the first period of a round-robin game, ….”
I felt so bad for Granlund when he flubbed that shot. It’s one thing to take a shot and miss or have the goalie make the save, but to not get a shot off completely? Man…
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
He has a world championship and Finnish league championship. Wouldn’t feel too bad for him. He should’ve done more during the actual game. Anyhow, this is what he tried to pull in the shootout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlSbwxoOJ3w
It was too much, but, like others have said, he’s 19.
I would hope that before he gets to the NHL, someone would tell him that if he does that here, he will take a ton of abuse from the opposing team. I’m also a little surprised he wasn’t whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Just show him the clip of what happened to poor Artem Anisimov.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
And then say it will be even worse. Anisimov’s celebration was over the top. Kuznestov’s celebration would result in a beatdown of epic proportion.
If it was an OT goal, that’s a different story. As it was, it made the game 4-1 (right?) with 30 minutes to go.
4-1, correct. And like you, I agree: It’s all about context. The Fleury celebration is one of the best of all time…because it was exuberance over a series winner. Doing it with 12 minutes left in the 2nd period… a little tone deaf.
But god bless Kuz. He’s gonna be fun when he gets to the show.
Especially when he gets on Milbury’s radar.
Speaking of which, boy I cannot WAIT for Coach’s Corner this Saturday night. And I almost never say that.
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
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.....My tool shed!!!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 4, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sure Don Cherry will praise Kuznetsov for most of the time, lamenting that a) he isn’t Canadian, b) he won’t be playing for a Canadian team, and c) he plays the game the way it should be played.
Right?
I’ve been wondering myself. I keep checking the news feeds, but so far, nada.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
NHL has nothing new on Carcilly as well. Standby to standby.
"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
May be. I don’t follow all of the feeds to be in the loop. I’m just following Whyno, checking here and the NHL site.
"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 have Shanny on my twitter feed, and he’s not posted a video of either Carcillo or Bourque.
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$908.82!
See? Why go anywhere else when I can get all I need right here from you. You’re the WalMart of webinfo..and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
;)
"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
can I at least be the Target (Tar-jaaaaaay, because I’m classy like that) of web info? :)
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$908.82!
Shanny video just popped up. 5 games!
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$908.82!
XM Home Ice usually gets these around 4:30-5 (I know because I usually hear them when I’m going home)
"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
Anyone know the best place to look at statistics on the likelihood of a team converting at 6 on 4 at the end of a game (ie, on the PP and with a goalie pulled) versus 5 on 4?
Cross check and all call.
Don’t know where to find that, but I would be interested in what you find. I’ve felt (with zero stats to confirm) that it’s better to be on the PK 6 on 4 with the ability to ice the puck than down 5-4 and not allowed to ice the puck. Probably wrong but would be interesting to find out.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Yeah I agree. The question posed was why CGY, down 2 goals, chose not to pull the goalie to create a 6 on 4, after Green got called for interference at 15:39, in order to increase their chances of scoring. My impression was that there was too much time left, and the risk of getting a shortie scored against them outweighed the benefit of an (additional) extra attacker while on the PP.
Cross check and all call.
JP just tweeted the link to this great piece by Buzzing The Net’s Neate Sager: WJC2012: This why they think we’re sore losers; Calgary columnist writes hit piece on Kuznetsov. Really good stuff in there.
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by RedBirdie on Jan 4, 2012 3:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
nice late afternoon lol
Considering Canada more or less played like Tim Tebow that game (not showing up until the last 15 minutes), there’s a good reason that they lost.
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Great line:
Credit him for turning that piece around in time considering it must have been hard to see the computer screen through his tears.
What also gets missed in this narrative is how shabbily Kuz and his teammates were treated last year after they won the gold. The whole brouhaha about not being allowed to board the plane amidst accusations of excessive drinking that was exacerbated by many compliant folks in the media. How many times has Kuz been asked questions about that incident over the past year. I’m sure beating the Canadian team was especially sweet.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 4, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Just watched all the Locker room videos posted on the teams website today.
I thought today’s round were surprisingly enlightening. I don’t know if it is because the reporters asked better questions, or if the players were feeling looser, but learned some things for once.
One of the things that came through in each of the player interviews is that none of them – other than Ovi from a distance – saw the hit on Backstrom, and none had seen the replay. They were worried about his potential injury, and disgusted at the idea of the cheap shot, but the outrage one might expect was not there. I think if any one of them had seen the maliciousness in real time, they would have stepped up. There would have been fire and passion to defend their teammate similar to fans who observed the replay on television. But the moment for that passionate reaction passed, with some not even realizing Nicky was hurt.
The other interesting insights today were on Ovi as captain. They were all straightforward on Ovi’s character in the room, and Brouwer’s refusal to compare Ovi and Toewes was honest and interesting.
Haven’t seen the videos yet but that’s pretty much where I am, too. A lot of hand-wringing around here over no retribution for something most of these guys – and most of the people in the arena in general, for that matter – didn’t see. Had they been looking at it when it happened, I’d imagine the reaction would have been different.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Interesting. Unlike for example the shame the Sabre’s felt at their lukewarm reaction after Lucic ran over Miller. Everybody saw that happen.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 4, 2012 6:31 PM EST up reply actions
They should have been ashamed. Had the Caps all been staring at Backstrom and seen the hit and done nothing, I’d be a little pissed. Not seeing it… meh. I don’t care that they didn’t go after Bourque after it happened. Get the two points, move on.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Beagle said he said it happen live. From Whyno:
Jay Beagle saw it right from the bench. Calgary Flames forward Rene Bourque lifted his right elbow up into Nicklas Backstrom’s head, getting a deserved penalty on the play.
"It was uncalled for. Obviously it was an elbow, a cheap shot," said Beagle, who returned from a concussion last week. "It could’ve resulted in a serious injury. It’s uncalled for."
I think someone on the Caps should have done something to him. It seems like Erskine kind of wanted to but he didn’t get another shift.
"If I had got a chance to get on the ice I would have said something to [Bourque]," said John Erskine, who only took four shifts in the contest and did not play in the final 16:28 of the game. "It’s a tough call, you want to do something but you don’t want to get sucked in and take a penalty because right now every two points is huge for us."
I’ve been watching the Avs this season and one thing I’ve noticed is they don’t let players run their goalie or hurt their skill players or rookies without some retribution. I don’t know if it makes a difference and prevents anything from happening, but I think I see Vokoun get run more often than Varly or Giggy.
Jay Beagle saw it right from the bench. Calgary Flames forward Rene Bourque lifted his right elbow up into Nicklas Backstrom’s head, getting a deserved penalty on the play.
"It was uncalled for. Obviously it was an elbow, a cheap shot," said Beagle, who returned from a concussion last week. "It could’ve resulted in a serious injury. It’s uncalled for."
link
At least one person saw and that’s enough. They had time to do something about it but chose to do nothing. I don’t think it’s possible to overestimate how important it is to have each others’ backs on a team. That’s at the very core of what a team is, or any group for that matter. To lose that or worse not have that in the first place is a really bad sign.
by Malin A on Jan 4, 2012 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
However I do think it is very possible for fans to overreact to something like this.
by DonnieKnutts on Jan 4, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Bourque suspended five games for his hit on Backstrom. Watch Sheriff Shanny lay down the law.
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I fear Slava is right:
@SlavaMalamud
Despite #Caps fans’ cheering Kuznetsov on, his performance at #WJC is kind of bad news for them. Stock rising high in KHL, big offers 2 come Kuznetsov’s immediate future w/ #Caps is transparent: entry-level deal, replacing Semin in team’s top 3 scoring threats. In KHL, though…… it may take about $6-7M/yr to keep Kuznetsov in Russia and more teams may be willing to pay it now. Including his native Chelyabinsk.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I think some of us (raises hand) have noted the possibility when the topic comes up for discussion. Fact is unless he signs a contract very soon to stay in the KHL, it’s same as it was before, wait and see mode.
The longer he waits, the more he will see. Talk about your catbird seat.
I may have to cheer for Sweden.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
It’s all about what he thinks is more important, playing in a legitimate League with the best players in the world (and a guaranteed contract) or making big money right now.
Ultimately I think he’ll choose the former, based on this interview where he basically says if the best Russians were in the KHL he’d never come over here. That tells me he wants to play with the best, guys he’s grown up watching.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
I’ve read the interviews, heard comments, but as has been noted in the past and is being noted again now, fact is on a monetary level the NHL likely won’t be able to compete given his status and the NHL ELC rules. And there are appeals to staying in one’s home country, too.
I hope/want him to come over, but combine money and staying home and it could delay a transfer. Hopefully it doesn’t.
One other issue will be the NHL CBA situation with it expiring in September. Most doubt, and I agree, that it will not have a big impact the ELC contracts (more just some smaller issues like the Dec. 1 waiver issue impacting European based players signing ELCs after the season starts.) Still one more factor that could delay things depending on timing, advice by agents, etc.
He has Ovechkin as an example of playing for less for a few years. The difference for the Caps is that they’re going to have to give him max bonuses that they probably wouldn’t want to with the 26th pick.
That’s if he really wants to play with the best.
"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."
I am discussing this in the context of the Caps being willing to offer him he max ELC. If they aren’t, it strengthens the case for him staying in Russia if he’s inclined to do so. All am I saying is that it is wait and see.
Yes, Ovechkin and Malkin signed ELCs and came over. Yes, they played for less than they would have had they stayed in Russia. Each person is unique.
I’m not saying he’s staying in Russia, just that there’s no absolute here either way.
I think this is a fun discussion to have, particularly in light of GMGM’s recent trend towards max salary and little/no performance bonuses.
There is little doubt in my mind Kuz gets full ELC salary (~$900K off the top of my head?). The past week has convinced me that GMGM bucks his recent bonus trend, and we see a final number somewhere in the $1.6-2.8m range after bonuses. Whether or not that is acceptable to his camp is a discussion that nobody here is really qualified to have. It’ll be fun to watch though.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
Staying in Russia for the money would be incredibly short sighted. His long-term earning potential is much higher if he plays in the NHL, as is the security of his contract and investments.
Unleash the Apathy.
You don’t know that. If he can get a $6 million contract in the KHL right now, it will take a while for him to catch up in the NHL.
Let’s just say after 3 years in the NHL, he’s a 30-50-80 guy. Is that a $6 million contract here? Can the Caps afford him, Ovechkin, Laich, Backstrom, and Green in 4 years?
Contract and investment security though, I’m not sure you can beat the NHL.
Remember when Orlov was promised that apartment?
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
Orlov was already one foot out the door. He made it very clear he was outtathere, early on.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Agree that the relative skill (and symbolic importance) are different, but my point was to the larger culture.
D’ohboy’s says it better below, but I’ll take North American contract law and political context over Russian every day of the week. But then again I’m not Russian.
"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux
1. Contracts in the KHL aren’t guaranteed.
2. Much of the “value” of KHL contracts derives from the tax breaks and other perks given to athletes.
3. The ability of the KHL to keep paying out large contracts depends on the economic and political stability of Russia.
4. The relative lack of economic and political stability in Russia means that points 2 & 3 can’t be taken for granted.
5. Endorsements, endorsements, endorsements.
6. At the risk of seeming callous, “if it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going.”
Unleash the Apathy.
If he plays in the KHL for another 3 years, say, at $5 million a year and then decides to come to the US, it is still the minimum for him?
Are you asking if he’d still be subject to the NHL ELC contract rules, yes based on the current NHL CBA.
The CBA is written so that the ELC maxes are based on draft class. He’d have to wait until he qualified for UFA and as a Russian prospect for now that would be never since there’s no transfer agreement, rights to Russian prospects don’t expire for NHL teams. When that will change, who knows.
Rights don’t expire for Russian prospects at this time, I can’t say I’ve looked into the details, but I assume that means if older than ELC max age, it would be a one year ELC.
I read some translated interviews where Kuz mentioned how he and his wife were going to stay with Ovi for several months when he came over. He seemed to have it all planned out, I think he even mentioned getting a car. Maybe he’ll change his mind but it did sound like he was seriously thinking about coming to Caps to make those sorts of arrangements. Ovi also said he has talked with him a lot about playing against the best in the NHL etc.
more slava
“Ovi began as a top dog w/ the Caps? Never was a 2nd fiddle or an understudy. Why should I be?” – a valid question Kuznetsov may ask himself. With Ovechkin signed until the end of Rick Santorum’s second term, will Kuznetsov want to be an eternal 2nd fiddle?
Seriously, Santorum's second term?
I’d stay in the KHL if that’s the case.
It's not that I don't like people, I'm just happier when they're not around - Hank Chinaski
It is obviously not a money question with Kuz and it never was. Everyone knows he can make more money in the KHL. Does he want to play in the best league in the world or not? Does he want to compete against the best on the biggest stage?
Please, call me F&B.
Why is it not a money question. Someone throws enough money at you it can change your mind for a year or two or more.
He has said plenty publicly and I’m not saying he isn’t coming over, but I think it’s reasonable given the situation with the KHL and his status and how they have woo’d him to date that they will woo him to stay.
He already knew he’d have a bigger money offer from the KHL. Everyone already knew that. It’s not like this is a new development. He’s been courted by the KHL for a long time now. I don’t think the dollars are changing much, relatively speaking.
And I still think he’ll be here next year. Dude loves fucking up Canadians and you just can’t do that as often in the KHL.
Please, call me F&B.
Stay at home, shorter season, more money and play in the second best league in the world vs move halfway around the planet, play a longer season for less money but against the best players.
We need to tell him he’ll be playing against Canadians every day.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Hah. I was thinking of posting something along these lines and then “poof” your post appeared. It’s all a matter of finding the right motivation, isn’t it.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 4, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions
It’s possible he’s 100% decided already to come over, but the combination of the KHL negotiating leverage and the NHL CBA restrictions means for now it’s wait and see.
My comment was more tongue-in-cheek given the recent World Junior events.
You’re right. Until he signs no one can know for sure his intentions. He has made comments that can be taken either way—commitment to the KHL or the NHL—which I think is just plain smart. No need to burn any bridges.
He’s been pretty definitive though in his desire to make the jump directly to the NHL. He comes across to me as an incredibly competitive athlete with a strong ego—hopefully wanting to play against the very best will be motivation enough. If he’s good enough then the money will be there—both in the short term and in the long.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 4, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
And you can forget … he gets to play with Ovi ….
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by TheFuryUnleashed on Jan 4, 2012 9:19 PM EST up reply actions
*can’t forget …
Be Utterly Facinating @ http://www.thirstdc.com
by TheFuryUnleashed on Jan 4, 2012 9:19 PM EST up reply actions
He seems like a pretty competitive guy. I don’t think he’s going to be happy just sitting around reading headlines about AO and Kovalchuk and Malkin. He has more time off, but it’s not a real job. It’s hockey. More games is going to be fun at his age.
Please, call me F&B.
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![Via Traktor Chelyabinsk's website, here's Evgeny Kuznetsov graciously accepting a handmade hat from some of his fans.
The Traktor fans were aware of the NA tradition of the hat trick,and in honor of his strong performance at World Juniors, they made him one of his very own:
"It is known that the ocean [overseas leagues - ed.] has a tradition: after the execution of a hat-trick fans throw on the ice caps. Hat-trick in a literal translation - "hat trick". Kuznetsov played in the World Cup just two such trick: in the group stage, he scored 3 goals in the gate the Latvian team, and in the semi-finals three times, struck the gate of Canada. These two points are noted."
More awesome pix at the link.](http://cdn3.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/235874/kuzya20130112_small.jpg)
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