How Does It Feel?
Joy. Disbelief. Euphoria. Vindication. Jubilation.
All of the above. More.
Common emotional reactions to the Washington Capitals - yes, those Washington Capitals - winning the Stanley Cup. In our lifetimes, even.
As the Caps milled around the ice, joyous, on the television above the bar we were watching at, the scene in person around me was similar, but in shorts, not skates. People in red were hugging, shouting, taking pictures, texting, calling, sharing in the joy that had been largely unexpected at the beginning of the season. In the most un-"Choking Dogs" fashion possible the Capitals, the Team that Couldn't, had come from behind AGAIN to win a hockey game. To win THE hockey game, the game that was the doorway from fame to greatness, from chump to champ, from "Yeah, but..." to First-Ballot Hall of Famer.
Amidst this cacophony of happiness, I found myself strangely calm, even a bit reflective. I wasn't feeling joy, though I was happy. I wasn't feeling vindication - I hadn't believed in the team during any step of the team's journey. As the revelers danced about me, I realized what I was feeling:
Relief.
Being a Caps fan for over 30 years has more than its share of heartbreak, as much as a sport can, and long-time fans had developed a wistful fatalism as a coping mechanism for the relentless parade of playoff gut-punches. I didn't realize how deep that went until a friend pointed out how novel it would be to watch the playoffs with no dark cloud hanging over our collective heads - there will no longer be an associated sense of dread as the post-season kicks off. The Caps' playoff resume is no longer topped with "Skills: losing in the playoffs in really painful ways". It's topped with "Recent work history: Won the damned Cup."
That'll get you more offers, I'd imagine.
And as I contemplate my sports fandom without one of its cornerstones, I realize that there are fans of the team who will never develop that fatalism and who will never wear that badge of being a fan through the absolute worst of times.
There are those who would sneer at them, proudly display the scars of their disappointment or the ripped-up ticket stubs of the past playoff shames.
Some will; I won't. Envious, I'll be. Envious, and happy for them.
This isn't some meaningless attempt at altruism, this is nuts-and-bolts pragmatism - the Washington Capitals organization has forever changed. They are no longer a loser organization. They are no longer comic foils to other champions, the Generals to the Globetrotters, no matter what city they play in.
I've realized that's the source of my relief. Watching hockey will now be different for me. In the best way possible.
For lo, as I've walked in the valley of the shadow of losing Game 7's, I shall not fear. The Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Return of the 'Jerks
Ah, Sunday morning hockey on top of a parking garage. Wholesome.
Usual disclaimer - it was the first scrimmage so not a whole lot can be divined from the play. Players may have had a good game that I didn't note; I probably just missed them. Overall, I'd describe the game as choppy, not chippy.
Team Blue was in white sweaters, so if the two get confused, apologies. Team Red wore the appropriate colors.
Netminders - Holtby for BlueWhite, Copley for Red.
One of the fellas I wanted to keep an eye on was Kris Bindulis, as I'd not seen him play before. Gotta say I like what I saw. At first I found his on-ice posture to be...odd. Looked like Bambi, or that a stiff breeze could knock him over, but he turned in a good contest. He got involved, activating at one point to keep a puck in at the halfboards in the O zone, and laid a hit on Jokipakka (man, that's even fun to type.) Bindulis also bailed out Orlov after Orlov gave the puck up skating East-to-West along the opposition blueline, with Bindulis breaking up the subsequent two-on-one against. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the confidence he showed.
Didn't see a lot from Jokipakka early, but he made a nice poke check on Chandler Stephenson to break up a two-on-one against. Truth be told, Jokipakka didn't make too much of an impression. At one point Jakub Vrana ate him alive, driving past the defenseman, dekeing through his skates, and getting a shot on net.
Vrana looked active and involved. Good energy level. I'd guess he makes the team. Speaking of, Nathan Walker showed some good hands in a few tight spots.
It's an early scrimmage with unfamiliar linemates, but Kuznetsov gained the offensive zone simply by feeling like it. Effortless. Wayne Simpson isn't particularly big, but he also demonstrated some nice hands.
Tom Wilson bossed the game, spending a lot of time with the puck on his stick. Had a nice feed to his bro Burakovsky, had a nice backcheck late, and also had a bad turnover in front of his own net. At one point he didn't see Aaron Ness near him and accidentally trucked him.
Speaking of trucking, Hubert Labrie one-handed Devante Smith-Pelly to the ice, and Travis Boyd gave no ground (ice?) to Smith-Pelly when he tried to bully past the center to the slot. Didn't appear to be strong on his skates today.
Nick Backstrom? Good at hockey. Had a chip-along that sprung a linemate for a scoring chance that he made look like it was no big deal.
Nice to get some ice-time in today. Make sure to check out Vogs' post on the scrimmage.
Usual disclaimer - it was the first scrimmage so not a whole lot can be divined from the play. Players may have had a good game that I didn't note; I probably just missed them. Overall, I'd describe the game as choppy, not chippy.
Team Blue was in white sweaters, so if the two get confused, apologies. Team Red wore the appropriate colors.
Netminders - Holtby for BlueWhite, Copley for Red.
One of the fellas I wanted to keep an eye on was Kris Bindulis, as I'd not seen him play before. Gotta say I like what I saw. At first I found his on-ice posture to be...odd. Looked like Bambi, or that a stiff breeze could knock him over, but he turned in a good contest. He got involved, activating at one point to keep a puck in at the halfboards in the O zone, and laid a hit on Jokipakka (man, that's even fun to type.) Bindulis also bailed out Orlov after Orlov gave the puck up skating East-to-West along the opposition blueline, with Bindulis breaking up the subsequent two-on-one against. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the confidence he showed.
Didn't see a lot from Jokipakka early, but he made a nice poke check on Chandler Stephenson to break up a two-on-one against. Truth be told, Jokipakka didn't make too much of an impression. At one point Jakub Vrana ate him alive, driving past the defenseman, dekeing through his skates, and getting a shot on net.
Vrana looked active and involved. Good energy level. I'd guess he makes the team. Speaking of, Nathan Walker showed some good hands in a few tight spots.
It's an early scrimmage with unfamiliar linemates, but Kuznetsov gained the offensive zone simply by feeling like it. Effortless. Wayne Simpson isn't particularly big, but he also demonstrated some nice hands.
Tom Wilson bossed the game, spending a lot of time with the puck on his stick. Had a nice feed to his bro Burakovsky, had a nice backcheck late, and also had a bad turnover in front of his own net. At one point he didn't see Aaron Ness near him and accidentally trucked him.
Speaking of trucking, Hubert Labrie one-handed Devante Smith-Pelly to the ice, and Travis Boyd gave no ground (ice?) to Smith-Pelly when he tried to bully past the center to the slot. Didn't appear to be strong on his skates today.
Nick Backstrom? Good at hockey. Had a chip-along that sprung a linemate for a scoring chance that he made look like it was no big deal.
Nice to get some ice-time in today. Make sure to check out Vogs' post on the scrimmage.
Friday, February 21, 2014
What can the Olympics teach NHL hockey?
Nothing.
(Kinda stark. Sorry.)
Usually around Olympics time, discussions come up about the size of the NHL sheet - Olympic ice is bigger, and therefore, it is usually posited, it makes for "better" hockey.
That idea is a fallacy for one reason: Olympic hockey cannot be replicated.
It's not the rink. It's not the rules. It's not the venue. It's two things: Talent and motivation.
It's teams of all-stars, playing 6 or so games if they are lucky, in mid-season form. It's playing with your country's name on the front of your sweater, not some business. It's pride. It's personal.
THAT is what makes Olympic hockey what it is. That is what differentiates the two, and trying to compare them is a fool's game.
Both are great.
Let's appreciate them as they are, okay?
(Kinda stark. Sorry.)
Usually around Olympics time, discussions come up about the size of the NHL sheet - Olympic ice is bigger, and therefore, it is usually posited, it makes for "better" hockey.
That idea is a fallacy for one reason: Olympic hockey cannot be replicated.
It's not the rink. It's not the rules. It's not the venue. It's two things: Talent and motivation.
It's teams of all-stars, playing 6 or so games if they are lucky, in mid-season form. It's playing with your country's name on the front of your sweater, not some business. It's pride. It's personal.
THAT is what makes Olympic hockey what it is. That is what differentiates the two, and trying to compare them is a fool's game.
Both are great.
Let's appreciate them as they are, okay?
Saturday, January 25, 2014
A few Empty thoughts on what's not right with the Washington Capitals
(It is important to note that this post was inspired by one 30-second commercial. Which is, of course, ridiculous and I fully own up to that.)
A seven game losing-streak. An anemic offense. Inconsistent goaltending. Things are...less than wonderful with the Capitals organization. What's wrong? Below are a few uneducated guesses.
With the gift of hindsight, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis likely should have let General Manager George McPhee go at the end of the Dale Hunter experiment. Leonsis seems to be change-adverse, so no real surprise there. (See: Grunfeld, Ernie.) Caps head coach Adam Oates' preoccupation with playing skaters on their natural side also opened the door for the Fillip Forsberg/Martin Erat + Michael Latta trade, which really isn't looking so hot, to put it mildly.
Re: the defense, Mike Green is being paid like a #1 defenseman, but playing well below that level. His decisions are made just a beat too late, resulting in turnovers, and his shot, once a feared weapon, doesn't seem to be getting though traffic very much. And again, Oates' wanting natural side puck-moves has guys like the likely-too young Connor Carrick playing significant minutes - Jack Hillen's injury necessitates this. And while I prefer to let kids get experience in the A, the root of the problem is that when Hillen goes down with an injury and impacts your D corps this hard, you have a fundamental flaw in your strategy.
The forwards? Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer - both counted on for scoring, and paid accordingly - instead have become anchors to Mikhail Grabovski, who has been one of the best two or three players on the team this season. I actually like the 3rd line, whomever is centering it, as Jason Chimera and Joel Ward have also played well. The 4th line's been fun - and I love me some Tom Wilson.
Oates' endless tinkering with the lines hasn't done much for cohesion of the forward group as a whole, it seems. Erat particularly looks lost and I see his request for a trade as reasonable, honestly.
The goaltending? Erratic. Don't know that the team trusts any of their young, talented-but-inconsistent netminders. Relying on three goaltenders who are all under the age of 26 hasn't routinely been a harbinger of success, though there are obvious exceptions.
So, Oates' lack of flexibility, three under-performing veteran forwards (Laich, Brouwer, Erat), rollercoaster goalie play, Green's regression and an injury to a 5'10" puck-moving defenseman are all large contributors to the mess in DC.
If the Caps make a change, I think they need to clean house in the front office all the way down to the coaching staff, though I'm pleased with the amateur scouting staff.
Now, how likely is that change to happen? That's where the commercial comes in.
Leonsis only seems to measure success by how full the building is now, and last night was the first time in years that I'd seen the Caps advertising individual and three game ticket plans during the game. It's possible I missed a few before, but I can't recall Wes Johnson's booming voice advising me of the fantastic deals I was passing up.
That seems to suggest for the first time in a long time that the Caps aren't a guaranteed sell-out any more. THAT, more than anything else may get Leonsis' attention. A leap of logic to be sure, but the bottom line certainly gets the owner's scrutiny - and if the Caps continue on this decline to the point where ticket sales are hurt substantially, that may be the true catalyst of change.
(It is important to note that this post was inspired by one 30-second commercial. Which is, of course, ridiculous and I fully own up to that.)
A seven game losing-streak. An anemic offense. Inconsistent goaltending. Things are...less than wonderful with the Capitals organization. What's wrong? Below are a few uneducated guesses.
With the gift of hindsight, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis likely should have let General Manager George McPhee go at the end of the Dale Hunter experiment. Leonsis seems to be change-adverse, so no real surprise there. (See: Grunfeld, Ernie.) Caps head coach Adam Oates' preoccupation with playing skaters on their natural side also opened the door for the Fillip Forsberg/Martin Erat + Michael Latta trade, which really isn't looking so hot, to put it mildly.
Re: the defense, Mike Green is being paid like a #1 defenseman, but playing well below that level. His decisions are made just a beat too late, resulting in turnovers, and his shot, once a feared weapon, doesn't seem to be getting though traffic very much. And again, Oates' wanting natural side puck-moves has guys like the likely-too young Connor Carrick playing significant minutes - Jack Hillen's injury necessitates this. And while I prefer to let kids get experience in the A, the root of the problem is that when Hillen goes down with an injury and impacts your D corps this hard, you have a fundamental flaw in your strategy.
The forwards? Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer - both counted on for scoring, and paid accordingly - instead have become anchors to Mikhail Grabovski, who has been one of the best two or three players on the team this season. I actually like the 3rd line, whomever is centering it, as Jason Chimera and Joel Ward have also played well. The 4th line's been fun - and I love me some Tom Wilson.
Oates' endless tinkering with the lines hasn't done much for cohesion of the forward group as a whole, it seems. Erat particularly looks lost and I see his request for a trade as reasonable, honestly.
The goaltending? Erratic. Don't know that the team trusts any of their young, talented-but-inconsistent netminders. Relying on three goaltenders who are all under the age of 26 hasn't routinely been a harbinger of success, though there are obvious exceptions.
So, Oates' lack of flexibility, three under-performing veteran forwards (Laich, Brouwer, Erat), rollercoaster goalie play, Green's regression and an injury to a 5'10" puck-moving defenseman are all large contributors to the mess in DC.
If the Caps make a change, I think they need to clean house in the front office all the way down to the coaching staff, though I'm pleased with the amateur scouting staff.
Now, how likely is that change to happen? That's where the commercial comes in.
Leonsis only seems to measure success by how full the building is now, and last night was the first time in years that I'd seen the Caps advertising individual and three game ticket plans during the game. It's possible I missed a few before, but I can't recall Wes Johnson's booming voice advising me of the fantastic deals I was passing up.
That seems to suggest for the first time in a long time that the Caps aren't a guaranteed sell-out any more. THAT, more than anything else may get Leonsis' attention. A leap of logic to be sure, but the bottom line certainly gets the owner's scrutiny - and if the Caps continue on this decline to the point where ticket sales are hurt substantially, that may be the true catalyst of change.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Quick thoughts on the Perreault trade
The Caps traded Matheiu Perreault to free up cap space yesterday, receiving a 4th rounder in 2014 and big minor leaguer John Mitchell in return. The writing seemed to be on the wall for the diminutive and talented pivot when Coach Oates started playing Eric Fehr and Martin Erat at center. Brooks Laich and Marcus Johansson both can fill the 3rd line center, as well.
The purpose of the trade - in which it can be argued the Caps did not get full value for Perreault - is to enure that Tom Wilson, Michael Latta and Connor Carrick can make the team. Carrick makes headlines because he never was considered as a favorite to make the big club. Wilson is noticeable because he was, and delivered with his preseason play. Latta - he's kind of forgotten in the mix. Jay Beagle and he seem to be in competition for the 4th line center. I'd prefer the edgier, nastier player be given the spot, as my well-known unhappiness with Washington's lack of nasty players in favor of 'honest' players hasn't been assuaged this off-season.
Perreault always struck me as a tweener - great hockey sense in the offensive zone, but never seeming to connect with any other coach than Boudreau, whom he is re-united with.
All in all, it's a necessary trade for the Caps, and a chance at a new beginning for the Drummondville native. It's easy to get caught up in the 'who won the trade' discussion, but this seems to help both clubs just fine.
Empty Thoughts
- Really impressed with Tom Wilson.
- Where is Erat going to play if Laich is healthy and plays Tuesday nigh? Center the 3rd line? 3rd line left wing?
- How many games will Connor Carrick sit? It appears that he's in the press box tomorrow night, which isn't surprising. How many games of being in the press box will make sense for his development? Regular playing time seems a premium for he and Tom Wilson - how will the Caps' coaching staff juggle that?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Things were going too well, I guess...
Darren Dreger - seemingly the only Canadian media member who has actually reported on something other than the Phoenix Coyotes or the Canadian Olympic Team - is all over a change that may seem small at first, but has league-wide implications: the ouster of Paul Kelly as NHLPA Executive Director.
As I tend not to be an alarmist, I won't be predicting gloom, doom, and lockouts at this point, but I will admit it has me worried. Kelly, from all appearances, was different than his predecessor Bob Goodenow in his approach - more willing to work with the league as opposed to turning any contact between the two into a pitched battle.
Ken Campbell of The Hockey News has more thoughts on this, and certainly has a better idea of the individuals involved in this latest shuffle in NHLPA leadership. Seeing Eric Lindros' name prominently displayed certainly gives me pause, and though I have no insight into what happened, Lindros' history of occasionally butting heads with those he perceives as not working strictly in his interests creates some apprehension in me.
Hopefully, this is all pointless hand-wringing on my part, and the NHLPA finally gets their house in order and the negotiations regarding the next CBA can work without either party calling for a stoppage.
Short Shifts
A new feature in which DH chimes in briefly on any issues of the day.
The Pheonix Coyotes? I don't see them moving. Basille is too disliked by the league, and the solution that several have pointed out seems like a sure-fired way for the league to get what it wants - the NHL buys the team, then sells to Reinsdorf.
Will the Caps make a move? Dunno, but if so, I'm guessing they package a young defenseman not named Green, Alzner, Carlson, or Schultz and add a pick to it. I'd prefer the target to be a veteran two-way presence, which seems to be the consensus amongst observers fans as to what the Caps could use to strengthen the squad.
As I tend not to be an alarmist, I won't be predicting gloom, doom, and lockouts at this point, but I will admit it has me worried. Kelly, from all appearances, was different than his predecessor Bob Goodenow in his approach - more willing to work with the league as opposed to turning any contact between the two into a pitched battle.
Ken Campbell of The Hockey News has more thoughts on this, and certainly has a better idea of the individuals involved in this latest shuffle in NHLPA leadership. Seeing Eric Lindros' name prominently displayed certainly gives me pause, and though I have no insight into what happened, Lindros' history of occasionally butting heads with those he perceives as not working strictly in his interests creates some apprehension in me.
Hopefully, this is all pointless hand-wringing on my part, and the NHLPA finally gets their house in order and the negotiations regarding the next CBA can work without either party calling for a stoppage.
Short Shifts
A new feature in which DH chimes in briefly on any issues of the day.
The Pheonix Coyotes? I don't see them moving. Basille is too disliked by the league, and the solution that several have pointed out seems like a sure-fired way for the league to get what it wants - the NHL buys the team, then sells to Reinsdorf.
Will the Caps make a move? Dunno, but if so, I'm guessing they package a young defenseman not named Green, Alzner, Carlson, or Schultz and add a pick to it. I'd prefer the target to be a veteran two-way presence, which seems to be the consensus amongst observers fans as to what the Caps could use to strengthen the squad.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
In The Dark
Tarik El-Bashir has this little snippet about Nylander's agent, Bill Zito, not having spoken to any KHL teams. There's no overt reason to believe he's putting up a smoke-screen.
So, is Nylander to the KHL dead? Likely. Very likely.
Those looking hoping he still might make the jump may want to remember that Nylander negotiated his contract with Washington without using his agent. And Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers didn't like that at all. (Funny looking back at that situation with hindsight, hunh?)
Unlikely that Nylander plays anywhere but Washington in the 09-10 season, in our opinion, but Nylander's deal with Washington was likely news to his agent, as well.
"For a year I've been hearing the [rumors]," Bill Zito told me earlier today. "Michael called me a couple times and asked, 'Have you talked to these guys?' In the past it's been Yaroslavl, then it was Moscow, then it was St. Pete. We haven't spoken to them, and anyway, he has a contract with Washington."
So, is Nylander to the KHL dead? Likely. Very likely.
Those looking hoping he still might make the jump may want to remember that Nylander negotiated his contract with Washington without using his agent. And Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers didn't like that at all. (Funny looking back at that situation with hindsight, hunh?)
Unlikely that Nylander plays anywhere but Washington in the 09-10 season, in our opinion, but Nylander's deal with Washington was likely news to his agent, as well.
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