I still think he gets more rope here than he gets in anywhere that matters in hockey. That's partially what will allow him to stay here a bit.
But if they get dumped this season, and sputter to a 7th again next season, he's going to ask out. This season is easy enough to see why they are where they are, and explain away. Next season? With people healthy and knowing the flaws?
He's also going to get to more or less pick his next coach. They're going to pick a guy who can get the most out of him.
I still think he gets more rope here than he gets in anywhere that matters in hockey. That's partially what will allow him to stay here a bit.
But if they get dumped this season, and sputter to a 7th again next season, he's going to ask out. This season is easy enough to see why they are where they are, and explain away. Next season? With people healthy and knowing the flaws?
He's also going to get to more or less pick his next coach. They're going to pick a guy who can get the most out of him.
Him picking his coach doesn't necessarily mean they'll end up with a guy who can get the most out of him.
We all saw what that Russian idiot Bykov did in the Olympics. By all accounts he was well liked by the players going into Vancouver.
You guys gotta be kidding. Ovies not going anywhere he's not asking for a trade he's not going to blame others, even if that may be the case. Ovie is a product first and a hockey player second. The ownership is not stupid enough to throw away the resurgent NHL hockey market in dc. Ovie would be thrown under the bus by the whole world for quitting on the team the city and the business of hockey in dc. How does that sound good to anyone? Maybe in many years as the contract gets down to 2 or 3 years left and we haven't even gotten close. But you're saying after the Tampa sweep, after only 4 seasons in an 11 season contract? Crazy talk.
So I am watching old Nashville playoff games from 2010 and 2011 and wtf. This is not the Joel Ward we signed. This kid was everywhere. In front of the next, making outlet passes.
What line was he on there? Its unreal. I think we aren't using him right. Or maybe, he just plays well in the playoffs. But how stupid does that sound
You guys gotta be kidding. Ovies not going anywhere he's not asking for a trade he's not going to blame others, even if that may be the case. Ovie is a product first and a hockey player second. The ownership is not stupid enough to throw away the resurgent NHL hockey market in dc. Ovie would be thrown under the bus by the whole world for quitting on the team the city and the business of hockey in dc. How does that sound good to anyone? Maybe in many years as the contract gets down to 2 or 3 years left and we haven't even gotten close. But you're saying after the Tampa sweep, after only 4 seasons in an 11 season contract? Crazy talk.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but they've already thrown it away.
Cheering hard for the Caps, and not because they're facing the Bruins (it is definitely a bonus though). I've been a fan since the Pittsburgh/Washington series in 2009 (Ovechkin was unbelievable, especially in Game 2; honestly, I will never forget that series). It's kind of sad to see the team squeak into the playoffs (as opposed to other years), but they've been ousted relatively quickly in the playoffs. Not much pressure this time because you guys are clearly the underdogs. That Montreal series was such a joke/fluke. It's a shame that such an awesome season ended in the first round like that.
Anyways, glad to see Backstrom back and hopefully him and Ovi can reignite some magic. GO CAPS.
I wonder who threw the rope across the river. Sjogren or Fees camp. Someone initiated him coming back - wussy. Was it George feeling pressure and wanting him just in case we make a long run? Or did Sjogren have dreams of old Bay Watch episodes and decide fake is the way to go. Playoff bonuses are paltry, but it does bode well for him - no risk really. Get back in the good graces for what should end up presumed more money than he can get in Sverige next year.
If the Bs get up 2 or 3 games and are just destroying our C's physically, maybe we see him in a desperation shakeup move. Maybe he is only here to be a B's practice drone. Who knows.
Speaking of C's getting abused, Laich needs to skip skating lessons this offseason and go to faceoff school. I think even MP is posting better numbers. But our center depth is looking good. We have Nick back, beastly Beagle, M one guy knew P, MJ available on demand, Halpern is well rested, Long stick Middie Coin is available and is obviously in the good graces with Gale; add Sjogren now in the mix, That's 7. Shiat or get off the pot.
And just drop the f'in puck already. Caps will be getting some decent odds this series for any heavy handed folk.Odds have sucked for years.
Him picking his coach doesn't necessarily mean they'll end up with a guy who can get the most out of him.
We all saw what that Russian idiot Bykov did in the Olympics. By all accounts he was well liked by the players going into Vancouver.
did not ovechkin say post olympics that boudreau would have won with his russian team or something like that? i recall he was pretty critical of the old fashioned russian way they played.
I wonder who threw the rope across the river. Sjogren or Fees camp. Someone initiated him coming back - wussy. Was it George feeling pressure and wanting him just in case we make a long run? Or did Sjogren have dreams of old Bay Watch episodes and decide fake is the way to go..
wussy? the way you talk...do you speak in real life this way? going to the loffs tonight?
the active word in the answer to your question is AGENT. he wants to get paid. he cant get paid unless his player is playing in the nhl and getting a salary that he can get his percentage out of.
agent tells the kid he wants to play in the nhl and washington is his only option. he tells mcphee that the kid is better yet and wants to come back and we should work it out. that he will come back and skate practice during the loffs to prove both his ability and his commitment. mcphee says sure. its free.
So no way in hell it was George? This doesn't cost George dick! George will never admit he caved
That Russian Oly coach seemed to be "Boudreauing", using Ovi a ton. Over a few decent players, IIRC. He did seem quite the idiot to me.
I wonder what the odds are on the coveted John Druce award. Sure we usually fizzle out before one can even be born. I suspect Ward is getting even money.
My candidate, I am going to take Danny Noona.... err Jay Beagle. Backup candidate, MP
Got a real good feeling tomorrow, as oppose to overconfident in previous years we're like the dangerous unknown this year because the B's aren't going to know what to expect from us.
Got a real good feeling tomorrow, as oppose to overconfident in previous years we're like the dangerous unknown this year because the B's aren't going to know what to expect from us.
I also think that we've been playing "playoff hockey" for some time now. The last time we entered the post season being battle tested was 07-08 with that amazing run. Sure we lost to the Flyers but that was b/c we didn't know what we were doing the first 3 games. The rest of the series the ice was heavily tilted in our favor and it could have gone either way (in fact I think the Caps deserved a better fate in that one)
The pressure is off..house money. It will be interesting to see how the Caps come out. They split in Boston then the Bs may well start to feel the heat.
Thomas was in god mode last year thru the entire playoffs. Let's see if he can duplicate that again. The Caps have done pretty well against the Bs since 07-08.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrwarden
Right now, about 25 total seats, all singles.
Well there goes Brooklyn's attempt at trying to paint a disastrous picture RE: Caps attendance.
Caps compete hard and win this round then there will be no way anyone can get tickets for round 2.
Again...its the playoffs. All it takes is one great play, one player getting hot, or an unknown hero stepping up to catch the imagination of the fans and the city (fans and media alike)
This kind of stuff happens to almost every team the wins the Cup. Sure it hasn't happened to the Caps all that much but who's to say it can't? I think we are long overdue.
Ted is a good guy and there is nothing more I'd like to see than the arena going back to the 07-08 year at the end and playoffs.
Got a real good feeling tomorrow, as oppose to overconfident in previous years we're like the dangerous unknown this year because the B's aren't going to know what to expect from us.
Of course, they have no clue how to prepare for our secret weapon - Sho-gren.
Glad there is hockey tonight... this layover feels way to long... i haven't turned on the TV once in 2 days, even started a new book (haven't read anything since... Da Vinci Code few years back)... damn... maybe its good that we are out early every year, my productivity is better.
Is it just me or are the stars aligned? The Caps have no chance. Just ask any hockey writer and any hockey fan (save those few from DC). A 7 seed, playoff choker, versus the defending champs. There is no buzz here in D.C., no brash behavior, no bold predictions, no outlandish hope. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the Caps are already teeing off on the first charity golf tournament of the season. But they’re not. In fact, despite the gloom and doom predictions and supposed mismatched seeding the Caps appear to be pretty much the same team that won the Eastern Conference 2 years running. But what about that 7th seed. Well, it could have been a coaching change, over 200 man games lost to injury, spotty goaltending or poor seasons by the big names. Of course, now Dale Hunter has had the team long enough to be accepted as coach, and the Caps are healthy.
But what about Ovechkin, the guy that is now a has-been. His time-on-ice dipped below 20 minutes per game this year after never being below 21. His shots totaled over 200 fewer than 3 years ago. However, when you examine his last 30 games, he is scoring at a 50 goal pace (without Nick Backstrom), his shots and TOI are back to career norms. One may even get the impression that he is tuned up and rested. Don’t tell the experts.
It’s a great thing I don’t know better, or I would think that the Caps are a healthy, rested, streaking, #1 seed masquerading as a #7, with 29 points in their last 22 games (108 clip). The only thing they lack right now is the pressure of being the defending champs from a hockey crazed town.
So no way in hell it was George? This doesn't cost George dick! George will never admit he caved
That Russian Oly coach seemed to be "Boudreauing", using Ovi a ton. Over a few decent players, IIRC. He did seem quite the idiot to me.
I wonder what the odds are on the coveted John Druce award. Sure we usually fizzle out before one can even be born. I suspect Ward is getting even money.
My candidate, I am going to take Danny Noona.... err Jay Beagle. Backup candidate, MP
Caps always find a way to lose. I will watch every game but expect the worst possible outcome.
They go thru streaks...when they are "on" they seem to come out of the gate and get the first goal or three (happening lately) and then I really feel the confidence of the team from afar. So as of now I expect the best ESPECIALLY with Backstrom back.
I really didn't realize that...77% is an awfully high number ..perhaps regular season success DOES apply to playoffs?? Across the board at every playoff round the % is greater than 50
Do Hamrlik tshirts exist? I mean I know he isn't like a top player or anything I was just curious to see if any one has seen one in the proshop or anything.
I know I can make one on NHL.com but I really don't want too.
I'm a Bs fan but was extremely excited last year to get the Habs first round because he was on the team and now we get him first round again on a different team. I would really like to own a Tshirt with his name on it.
I approve of this message. Lots of people overlooking the Caps which really reduces any pressure they will have..and lets face it...pressure isn't always good for a mentally fragile team.
After a topsy turvy season, they look playoff ready. That comes with no guarantees, and I can see round one going either way, but it shouldn't be a laugher. As recently as 3-4 weeks ago, that wasn't so clear.
