Great news about Coach!!

This post is gold!

Thanks Tarik - you do an awesome job...

Wow, talk about grit in the playoffs, broken jaw, torn hamstring, and still putting out at a top level.

Thanks Tarik for another season of excellent coverage!!!

Tarik

You might cover this tomorrow in the paper (which I dont get since I'm in CT) but can we get a list of the players and their contract situations or at least just the restricted and unrestricted free agents?

By the way, great job this year on team coverage. As an out-of-town fan, I really appreciate any news on the Caps.

Hockey players are officially the toughest guys in professional sports. I just got such a greater appreciation for Mo, Green, Ovie, and the rest. What dedication and determination. This team is golden!

I really hope that each and every one of these young guys knows how much the true fans appreciate them. This season was a great ride, and I would not have missed any of it.

NO WONDER WE LOST!!!

MORRISON DIDNT EAT!!!

What a bunch of tough guys....enjoy the rest...you have earned it....07-08 is a success.

Why did the team re-sign Gabby... and not announce it?!?!??!!

Thanks Tarik for all the posts. I really appreciated having the quick info on all the happenings with the Caps this year. Can't wait till next year!

Really sad about Kolzig though. If he leaves he will be missed since he is a huge reason why the Caps are where they are!

Moose, check out www.nhlnumbers.com

Nice job all season Tarik. Your insights are much appreciated.

It is a very sad day in Washington. Olie Kolzig is a champions champion, and he wwill be missed. I loved this team down the stretch, but it sure was weird not seeing Olie in net for it. Seems it's time to turn the page and start the next chapter. best of luck to Olie, and you as well Tarik.

Um, this post just blew my mind.
Sucks about Pothier, though.

Holy Crap... where Do we start? I'm so hungover...

@Moose33

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=WAS

Thanks Tarik. Job well done.

I'd have love to see Nyls on the ice. From a team that couldn't find a center last year to all of the sudden we're loaded at that position... oh well.

Great season none the less.

I am glad that the Caps are attempting to keep Steve Eminger as I think he played very well in the playoffs.

@Moose33

http://www.nhlscap.com/salarynumbers/washington.htm

that is a link to the Capitals salry cap and contract obligations. The website also has info for every other NHL team as well

Morrisonn had a broken jaw?

No wonder Mike Green started a fight after the cheap shot on Mo.

Here is my exit interview:

What a season. The Caps started as the lowest of the low, and made it to the point that all of our hearts were broken in an instant during a game 7, in overtime, that six, even 2 months ago we did not think we would ever see. I cannot remember having more fun as a hockey or Caps fan. Thanks to the players for that.

ANd thanks to you all, my Caps Insider buddies (steve will tell you I'm no softie). you have all made the season more interesting, fun, and I've learned so much from all of you. Greg S., you are sometimes an encycolopedia of hockey knowledge. Mauree, I would not have watched as much this season without your help. Kim, Boo, Jill, jmu_girl, and all the ladies, no one will ever doubt that their are lady hockey fans who know the game. 828, your passion is wonderful. Puckguru, Chief, and SOmeoneelsewhoknows, we all know you are fans, just back off the personal attacks on GMGM. Yosh, Jschon, the list goes on. I know we'll keep talking this playoffs and summer, but I just wanted to let y'all know you are and have been appreciated.

now, back to the philly bashing!

I hope Olie handles his situation the right way. He has been a gamer since Huet arrived in town aside from an initial misstep, and certainly has been the franchise MVP over several years.

I hope there isn't a Lavar-esque tell-all rant coming in the next few days. Skipping a mandatory team meeting and getting out of Dodge before most of his teammates arrived is not a positive sign.

OMG! TARIK! WIthout you and your insight, we wouldn't even bet here! Thank you for your tireless work and patience with us fanatics

whoops. Keef beat me to it

That stuff just makes you love this group a little more. So much heart on this team.
Pothier news wasn't a big surprise, but Clarkie is really concerning. You don't just replace a guy like him. I guess if he's done, Brooks Laich might be a poor-man's Clark.
Wow, I hope a long summer off helps him, but it's not good news for sure.

hey Sombrero Guy, you were right about yesterday at FDR's, no half price pizza on game day. How lame.

Wondering why Mo didn't play with the lower half shield like Clarkie did when he had the broken jaw. Great season in all, disappointing end, but great season

Yay for Bruce staying on with us!

Also, ouch! A broken jaw? Poor Mo!

Tarik-- thanks for your excellent coverage!

Boy it sure is startling what a "broken skate" metamorphosed into! :-)

The Kolzig situation makes me sad all over again. In my heart, I really want to think that it is just too hard for him to face the team and the media right now, and that in a few months he will be given the proper environment to announce his decision (whether it is to retire or move on). I truly do not like the thought that he is so unhappy and disgruntled that he would just take his nameplate and things and leave in the shadows without more.

If he does go somewhere else, it will be sad to see. However, I just hope Olie knows how many fans still respect and appreciate him.

Groin replacement surgery needed for Clark.

Who is a willing donor?

I'll gladly give my brain juice to Pothier, but I'm afraid I cant give up my groin as I need it for getting off of the couch to go to the fridge and/or bathroom, in no particular order.

Corey: "Another thing that favored us was the condition of the ice," Briere said. "It was so bad that it was tough for guys like Semin, Backstrom and Ovechkin to get anything going, the ice was so bad. That was another thing that went our way."

Tarik,

Thanks for all the great work you do!

I'd give my groin tendon to Clark, but he probably doesn't want it. Being that it has its own issues and only has to support my girly 5'8 frame.

Thanks for this blog all season long Tarik, it's been great to keep up with the Caps from an informed source.
Big news in this current blog.
I thought signing Gabby to a new contract would be job #1 and I'm glad to see that's already taken care of. I too, am a little confused as to why it wasn't announced. The number of players that played through serious injuries is pretty amazing. A tough group of guys.

Tarik -

Thank you for all your indepth coverage over the season. You've done a fantastic job, and you are an asset to the Post as well as the Caps community.

Here's to next season, y'all!

Well, Clark already has a cadaver bone from his run-in with the puck last year...perhaps that's a direction to consider instead of getting a donation from a dedicated Caps fan from this blog. :-)

JSchon,

While I am a fan, I'm rather attached to my groin. Clarkie is on his own..

@Steve R

Your groin is attached to you too?

A few last comments for the year from me (maybe I'll be back for draft/FA period...)...

1. The toughness of those guys is amazing. I'm convinced now that it was his jaw he hurt late in the year that we all thought was a shoulder. You just don't pop back from a shoulder injury like he did. Also explains why he didn't look right... with not being able to eat well/sleep, you can't regain energy.

2. The qualifying offer to Emmy is a no-brainer, we knew that would happen. Emmy also doesn't have a choice, he has to sign provided it is for 1 year + 105% of what he makes now. If another team throws a bunch of cash at him, I don't know if the caps will match. He earned a lot of respect from me. I never really thought he was better than the rest of our dmen, but he and Erskine were our best tandem throught he last 3 games of the series. I'd welcome all our dmen back next year, new experience and all.

3. It was an absolute DISGRACE to see how much trash was thrown on the ice after the game last night, and quite a bit was targeted at PHI players. It doesn't matter how you thought the game was officiated/played, it's a damn DISGRACE. This is not Oakland/Cleveland/PHI/NY. I'm glad we haven't gotten a ton of bad press for it yet, but it would be a huge black mark on the face of a great series/season.

4. Brooks could step in for Clarkie. They both look identical... cept for Clarkie's messed up grill and scars.

Great season from the Caps. Successful, and gave them a LOT to build on. Now, let's sign Huet for the 5 years he deserves! Don't mortgage this team's future 3-5 years from now on the HOPES of some young kids... Lock down Huet and trade him later if we have to!

Gordon killing penalties and blocking shots with a torn hamstring. What a warrior!

oh, yeah, before I forget, a huge THANK YOU to the front line guys in the Caps organization who put up with a never-ending stream of phone calls from me all season! Each and every time I spoke to my account rep, I felt like the Caps were thrilled to have my business and would do anything to make sure that I knew the Caps valued my business.

thank you for not laughing when I called and asked for 12 seats to celebrate my 27th birthday! (complete with the birthday package-yum, hotdogs!)

Thank you for somehow managing to pull together 24 seats for the last carolina game at the last possible minute when every person I knew called and said "Let's go to the game!"

Thank you for calling way back in September to make sure I got my schedule in the mail! That's when I knew that Caps cared about their fans.

Wow. You've earned a vacaction. Too bad Olie blew off the meeting. I suspect some of the players wanted to say good-bye. Hopefully they did that last night.

I also think for editing purposes, that these two items should be placed together:

*General Manager George McPhee said he plans to extend a qualifying offer to defenseman Steve Eminger, despite the fact that Eminger played so sparingly.

*McPhee acknowledged that defenseman Brian Pothier's career could be in jeopardy.

I'm just saying. Eminger looked pretty damn good for a guy who spent most of the season with a worse view of the games then I get in my seats.

Why wouldn't Mo admit to the jaw and wear a cage? I thought the rules allowed full protection when you had a documented face problem. Maybe he didn't want to wear one, but still.

Remember the game near the end of the season, this year against tamba bay? In that game we scored a goal, while the tampa goalie was knocked over, seemingly by own player.

They had a lengthly video review, and took the goal back, claiming "incidental contact" - now THAT is exactly what happened last night - the fliers player knocked our D-man into Huet. Play should have been stopped. Or at least the goal should have been reviewed. In an earlier post, Tarik said "a team spokesman said the call was not reviewable".

So .... something is wrong, either the tampa call was WRONG, or last nights was!!! But the worst thing is, is the inconsistency of the officiating. It has NEVER been this bad in all the years I have watched the NHL, even the first year of the rules changes, which was frustrating.

Just my 2cents!
joeshred

old time hockey: Mo probably did not want Downie, Cote et al knowing about his jaw

if gordon was hampered why the hell not play laing thats just stupid

@Tarik

Can we get an update on where the players will be staying this off-season, what they will be doing, who they hang out with, where they eat, what movies they see, and possibly get it all on video to post here on the blog?

Also tell Backstrom that he needs to live in the weight room...Or maybe he can train with Brashear and some of the Untimate Fighting guys.

Tarik, why is it I feel a sense of forboding when you put concerned in quotation marks like you did?

It's playoff hockey at it's finest. Our warriors went out there and did their best. For that, I think we are all proud of them. Too bad Olie didn't take the opportunity to exit this year with the same grace he's shown throughout his many years here. Not that it will tarnish his accomplishments, but it just would have been nice to leave on a positive note, and not one tainted with harbored feelings of anger or angst.

Thanks to Tarik. As a newcomer to the blog this year, it's really been a catalyst for a fan like myself to not only get great information, but to converse with others of like minds.

Thanks to the Caps organization for believing in the team, and believing in the approach of building a great team from the ground up. It was a long difficult road, but one that has a very bright future ahead.

Thanks to the players, it was an awesome year!! Looking forward to next year.

I second everyone's heartfelt comments about Olie. We shall see. I am glad the CAPS locked down Gabby. The CAPS have never had a coach for a long time (5 years?) lets hope Gabby is good for 10 to 15. Eminger played himself into an offer. Lets hope he plays more next year. I hope Clark can get fixed. Next Year folks!!!

kind of agree with you there wendel, he wasnt necessarily a detriment but he didnt provide much of anything but pk time, which laing can certainly do.

Thanks, Tarik, for your blog and your articles in the Post.

It was a wild and wonderful ride this year, and like everyone else, I'm looking forward to the future.

It's hard, however, to imagine the future without Olie being involved in the Caps organization. He's meant so much to this franchise for so many years. I hope that Olie and the Caps organization can gracefully handle the next steps.

Tarik,

Do we expect to see a qualifying offer to Green soon?

I'll cry if we loose Green.

Thanks, Tarik, for your blog and your articles in the Post.

It was a wild and wonderful ride this year, and like everyone else, I'm looking forward to the future.

It's hard, however, to imagine the future without Olie being involved in the Caps organization. He's meant so much to this franchise for so many years. I hope that Olie and the Caps organization can gracefully handle the next steps.

Those boys held up strong. I'm even more proud of 'em now.
The worst officiated series in NHL history, thats what I'm calling it.
Either way, I'm proud to be a Caps fan. I always have been, and they made it TOUGH. But not these guys. These guys make it easy. Chris Clark can have my groin. He'll put it to far better use than anything I'm doing with it. I hope that Fedorov, Cooke and Huet remain. I think Emmy showed what he can do. I don't know what he did to get in McPhee's dog house but he'll soon find out, i think. Looks like he learned whatever he was being taught, like it or not. I think that things have come along nicely and the rebuild has been a success. This team was very resilient. Captain out, #1 center out, rookies and sophmores, injuries, and they still battled back from last place. I can't say enough about them. They aught to be in round 2. I love these guys. I really do.

sound familiar? this is from a CBSSportline recap of the Caps/Lightning game from 4/3
***
The Capitals thought they had tied the score less than 90 seconds later when Brooks Laich put in a rebound, but the goal was disallowed in an unusual case of secondhand goaltender interference. Washington's Tomas Fleischmann pushed defenseman Matt Smaby into goalie Karri Ramo, who had come well outside of the crease.
***
seems the NHL better come up with a Sean Avery rule for this, eh?

@Reekie

Yeah, my friends changed their plans at the last minute and went to Hooters instead, so I met them there.

Thanks for all you do Tarik!

FFS Enough is right!

"3. It was an absolute DISGRACE to see how much trash was thrown on the ice after the game last night, and quite a bit was targeted at PHI players. It doesn't matter how you thought the game was officiated/played, it's a damn DISGRACE. This is not Oakland/Cleveland/PHI/NY. I'm glad we haven't gotten a ton of bad press for it yet, but it would be a huge black mark on the face of a great series/season."

I too was very upset at the litter thrown on the ice at the end. That is totally classless. I showed my displeasure by booing at Koharski and his band of Merry Clowns when they skated off the ice.
The ONLY time it is ok to throw something on the ice is a hat for a hat trick.

Great news about Emminger. He can hold the spot at least a season for Karl Alzner and potentially even stay beyond.

If Clark isn't coming back that is serious. He has a lot of time to heal.
Does Pothier has a history of concussions or is this just a big one?

Laing is a UFA. I would like to see him shuttle from Hershey as needed.

Could potentially be very deep at center next year: Backstrom-Nylander-Fedorov-Gordon. Wow!

Okay, so here I am, trying to figure out a season ticket plan, and i don't know if anyone understands my question, so i'll ask you guys:

If I pick the monthly pay plan (as opposed to the pay-all-now or the pay-half-now plans) and after I make my first monthly payment, I'm supposed to be able to go into My Account Manager or something and pay off the rest of my plan as much as I'd like, as quickly as I'd like. Right?

So, my question is this. Say I get my plan and make my first payment. Then I go into my account and pay off another $1,000. Does my rate-per-month go down? Or do the amount of months on my plan go down?

Say I was paying $300 per month. Would that go to, say, $200 per month for the other 10 months? Or would I simply pay $300 per month for only 8 months more, or something?

Hopefully someone here can answer my question. It would be much appreciated.

I know money is huge for these guys but could you imagine leaving this group of guys? Insane.

Sorry about how off topic that was, but it's important!

I want Alzner in home reds next year... Not Hershey for you Karl.

wendel,
Got nothing against Laing, whatsoever, but Gordo is one of the better face-off guys in the league, which is probably why they played him, as long as he wanted to/was still able. However, his injury would explain the lower amount of face-off wins that we got in the post-season as opposed to the regular season.

Lee:
You lost your guru ... :-(

828:
Being a dog lover, I know what you mean about feeling like you lost your dog (snif*snif).

Steve:
I somehow scored two compliments out of the wombat comment ... thanks, wombat!

I don't know about you guys, but many of the posts today have felt like one big group hug. I thought hockey fans were crusty ol' curmudgeons?!? ;-)

Anyway, SO happy to hear that Gabby is sticking around. I will be curious to see what happens with everyone else. I can't believe all of the injuries that were out there. Do those guys rock or what?!? Just imagine how they would have played if the were 100% ... they're amazing. I am proud of them and proud to be a fan! Is it pre-season yet?

@ Drinking Partner:

From what I understood from Justine when I was renewing last year, when you opt to do the Power Pay plan, the payments will deduct each month REGARDLESS of whether or not you try to pay the invoice using the My Account Manager feature. Basically, once you choose your payment option, the way I understand it, you are locked into that choice. Things could've changed since March of 2007 when I asked the question, obviously so don't quote me on that but it's just how I understood it to work in seasons past.

Caps 423, you forgot Steckel and Laich (hopefully) and any other young guns we have hiding in Hershey

Boo: No hugs -- backslaps, noogies, and socks to the shoulder. Now excuse me, I (sniffle) have something in my eye...

sound familiar? this is from a CBSSportline recap of the Caps/Lightning game from 4/3
***
The Capitals thought they had tied the score less than 90 seconds later when Brooks Laich put in a rebound, but the goal was disallowed in an unusual case of secondhand goaltender interference. Washington's Tomas Fleischmann pushed defenseman Matt Smaby into goalie Karri Ramo, who had come well outside of the crease.
***
seems the NHL better come up with a Sean Avery rule for this, eh?

Posted by: Buttex | April 23, 2008 2:44 PM

@Tarik

Any chance you'll be covering the Mystiks this summer?

Attendance Champs what! what!

So what happens if Huet doesnt sign here? Thoughts?

Mo is a gangsta! ...
He didn't play with a cage b/c in playoffs if you disclose the injury its an open target for the opposing team. Wake up people!

Go Caps great year you did so much more then anyone expected!

From On Frozen Blog:

Lastly, the coach acknowledged that he'd had a private and very personal conversation with Olie Kolzig. He didn't offer much about its substance, but he did say, "[Kolzig's] one of the classiest men I've ever met in this game."

@caps423
laing is signed for next year
not a ufa

If we can't get Huet back we better make a serious push at someone like Theodore

With regards to Clark; Why doesn't he get surgery on it to repair it? They do that for fball players. Its not unheard of.

About Clark...I have a sinking feeling that he was pushing himself far too hard to get back, and he really didn't allow the groin injury to heal completely. He's been skating and trying to return for months now, when he should have been resting it.

uncatim:
Awww ... do you need a tissue, I mean, a punch in the arm?!? ;-) RE: BB's quote about Olie, just goes to show what a class act BB continues to be, as well. They are good guys. It would be nice if they could work together for another season or two.

Funny how this post is titled "Breakdown Day" (guess that is what they call it), but it sure feels more like "Breakup Day" to me...sniff sniff, sob, sob.

So does this mean tomorrows practice is optional?

Thanks, Tarik, for all of your great Caps coverage! And thanks to everyone here, who makes this blog the place 2b for Caps knowledge & discussion, with very little childplay.
This was one up/down/up season & a memorable one, at that!
Also, I hope Olie doesn't go away too disappointed & down, if the Caps do not re-sign him. He's been one fantastic Cap, & he's been here, it seems, forever.

how many days 'til the start of next season?

Lets get off the so called 'non call' on Flyers 2nd goal.

The real issue is that Thoreson threw a LEGAL body check because the puck was being played by the Caps D.

in all these other situations we quote, the puck was not being played so it would be interference because the check is illegal.

If it is legal contact, then it is up to the D man stop himself from hitting the goalie.

If the Caps guy checked Thoreson into the goalie and the flyers scored, it would still be a goal..same reasons.

Caps lost because they couldnt finish their chances in the 3rd

Tarik's report did not mention Dave Prior. Goalie Coach Olie?

JamesD: Still does not explain the review controversy. Seems inconsistent.

Lee:
You got your guru back! :-D (You're like Stella gettin' her groove back!) Ah, there is something to be hopeful about now ...

Boo, i will never lose the guru. Heartfelt stuff comes from Lee.

uncatim:
Olie has said in the past that he has no interest in coaching - I think he said that he does not have the patience for it. But, who knows ... anything is possible.

I think it's a bit of an insult to dub Olie as a coach already. He's got more left in him. Maybe not as a starter but a coach??? Witht he backdoor plays the flyers were making I think anyone Kolzig's size would have had more problems with them. At the same time Zilla would never have put up with all that contact from that Hartnall clown.

Lee:
I'm beginning to think that you really are an ol' softie. But don't worry - I won't tell anyone! ;-)

SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, letting kolzig go makes more sense to both. I mean, you give huet kolzigs current salary and he's a top 5-10 highest paid in the league. it'll be hard to resist that, unless someone goes for crazy lenght. it'll be hard for ottawa to do anything in goal and resign who they need to. like AP says, the only real ufa goalie out there is theodore..(and kolzig) unless you wanna throw money at fleury (rfa) which i'm not so sure about.

Thanks a bunch as always Tarik. This is the kind of insider info you just don't hear in on TV interviews with the players - we're glad you're getting the scoop.

I can definitely understand not wanting to coach. It is not however, an insult. If we still have the chance next season, go to practice and watch a great player, Fedorov, coach. I think Olie can still play, I just would hate to see him wear another uniform.

Buttex, thanks for digging that up and confirming the heartbreak of inconsistency (a hallmark of the series-- against both teams) of NHL officiating.

My prediction is Olie to the Kings. They went through many goaltenders this year, and he could provide the stability of a starting goaltender as they sort out their farm system. They also will probably pay him closer to what he wants. I don't see a true contender picking him up. He's done quite a bit for this organization and I hope he finds a situation that works for him.

I thought Olie said he would take half the salary to play 20 games next season? I think when he takes the time to think about what is best he will make the right decision. Just hope he knows what he has done for this team has been well noticed and appreciated. He still is the face of this team if you ask me. It would be a damn shame not to add him to our rafters.

I also think Dave Prior is a great coach, too. Wouldn't really want to see him go. Just looking at possibilities...

Almost five months to the next season. When asked what I am going to do until September my friends kindly suggested joining Harmony.com. Sigh. I am single but not that disparate or am I.

Any how I am looking forward to the next season. Tarik don't you dare going anywhere else. You are our guy for next season and beyond.

@Tarik

Why is Bruce looking for a house in MD?

Maryland sucks!!!!!!

JamesD, get a clue. That non-goal stinks worse than Center City.

The play should have been blown dead, plus I don't recall anywhere in my post where I said Thoresen's hit was illegal.

"If it is legal contact, then it is up to the D man stop himself from hitting the goalie."

C'mon, was he supposed to have Scotty beam him up as he was being hit?

Tarik,

Great coverage. Couple of items not mentioned in your update.

One, does Schultz expect to be fully recovered by next season from the ingrown big toe nail that kept him out of most of the playoff series?

Two, any truth to the rumor that last night everyone noticed Olie removing the nameplate from his locker because a la Bob Villa, Olie used a noisy Craftsman Power Tool that he had in his locker to unscrew the nails holding his nameplate in place? And Olie also went into the coach's office and took as keepsakes a couple of pens with the Washington Capitals' logo on them?

@Monty

about the name plate...Olie took it down, to take it home, polish it up, maybe try out some frames...and be ready to go next year.

we should not read too much into it.

Wendel

Laing is UFA next year according to NHLNUMBERS. Do you have some other info on a contract extension for him?

Please share so we can get NHLNUMBERS updated.

JamesD-

The Goalie Interference rule is written broadly enough to state that the basic idea behind the rule is to make sure the "actions" of an attacking player do not interfere with the goalie. It is up to the referees to determine what "action" means, direct or indirect. I'd go deeper into it, but it won't change the fact that the season is over. E-mails to nhlofficials.com may help them hold an emergency "What is Goalie Interference" session using film from our series (the Kozy one was much more of a blatent screwup than this one). Again, season's over. Team is poised to make a huge impact next year as a 1 or 2 seed.

I still want to know why that tactic is not used more often. Set a guy in front, check crease-clearer into goalie, pass puck back for goal. It's a sound strategy. GET ON IT BB!

@GJ -- I agree, I see Olie going out west. I see Theodore coming here if he and Huet are not resigned by there clubs.

I'd say lets go after Emery, but he comes with too much baggage and not worth it.

"*McPhee said the future assistant coaches - Jay Leach and Dean Evason - has not been determined."

Tarik, you may want to correct your typo there. Future "of" assistant coaches. Future assistant coaches is a bit off. Thanks so much for your awesome coverage of the team all season long. Looking forward to a bright future.

Incase you guys haven't noticed, the same comment about the 2nd goal has been posted several times in several of Tarik's entrees. I think someone is just trying to have a go with us over and over again. . . We all know what coincidental contact is we saw it with Laich. Lets leave it at that. We don't have to live with the thought of winning games with a little assistance of the two guys also wearing black and orange stripes ;)

FIRE McPhee !!!!

This idiot is the worst GM in the NHL.
BB deserves better and so does the team.

Yay, Chief is back!

You cant review a penalty call

I a very concerned about our lack of dance team/cheerleaders.

You can never have enough hot chicks running around...

@Tarik, and word on the potential for some off ice entertainment?

@ chief

To the contrary, I think McPhee and Leonsis get a lot of credit for staying true, and creating a sell-off that led to a great deal of talent blossoming all at once. The real test is if this series carries over into next year for all the young guys.

Who would have thought Semin would grow a pair and play like he cares? I thought he'd be another cash driven russian sniper with no heart. And Backstrom went from pass-first and scared to showing he can score (which I think he demonstrated at times in the regular season). I think we'll see what happened in Pittsburgh happen here- the "other" first round pick becomes a super star in the following year. Let's just hope it doesn't take an Ovie injury to happen!

Chief, can it already with the fire GMGM. We get it.

You can review a goal

The second game in Philly I sat in a section of fans that I think cheered more for the ice girls then the Flyers, it was actually pretty funny. I think they are extremely cheezy. Let's not go the WWE root like most teams have been.

"Insider" is the ONLY way for me to keep up with my Caps. Tarik...you're the man! Thank you for all your up-dates.

Which goal-scorer is joining the Caps to help out Ovie?
Which mean-tough-as-nails-in-your-face-don't-mess-with-me winger will join the Caps next season?
Which two experienced, tough, don't-you-dare-stand-in-my-crease D-men will be coming to the Caps next year?
Olie is gone, so his $4 mill. can go to Huet. So, who will back up Huet next season?

The issue wasnt weather or not the puck crossed the line.

The issue is whether or not there should have been an interference call made.

So if they go upstairs and review and say..you know what, that was interference so 'no goal' but we cant put you in the penalty box because we arent allowed to review that call.

Now the other team is looking and saying, well if there is no penalty, why is our goal being taken away?

The puck arrived to Morrison and Thoreson took the body. Morrison's momentum took him into the goalie.

A legal body check

Get over it. Im all for the Caps but man, some of the fans whine incessantly about officiating, its annoying.

Thoughts on Kozlov? He was able to get the puck deep but nothing nearly as rewarding as what he was able to pull on the last few shootouts of the season.

GJ,

Semin is playing thanks to Ovechkin, NOT the coach, GM or Ted.
BB demonstrated that he's the best coach since Wilson. DESPITE GM choosing Cassidy & Hanlon.

GM has yet to win a post season round in 10 years. He's a bonafied LOSER.

Some good news and some bad. Those guys are increadible for playing through their injuries. Glad about Eminger too. I'm sure we will hear at some point what this means for Olie and our goalie situation.

With regards to coaching, It goes without saying that BB did a fantastic job. However, Leach and Evason dealt primarily with the speacial teams i believe? IMO, there is MUCH room for improvement there so if they were to not be back, i think that might not be a bad thing.

@JamesD:
'If it is legal contact, then it is up to the D man stop himself from hitting the goalie.'
Oh really? You know how ridiculous this sounds, don't you? So you're saying that Thoreson in no way interfered with the goalie? Let me quote you the rule on goalie interference:
"If an attacking player establishes significant position within the crease so as to obstruct the goalkeeper's vision and impair his ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal wil be disallowed"

shaggy,

"within the crease" that is why this rule is not applicable in this situation, they were not within the crease on the play.

Caps Fan in SC

I would be shocked to see many major adjustments to the lineup, and if we see any I'd put money on Feds and Cooke being brought back before any other new wingers.

Of course, that's provided we don't lose both Fehr and Laich.

I'd also be surprised if we make many changes on the D. Green/ShMo will probably be resigned, and if Emmy doesn't find a new home, he'll be back. We'd have to trade/waive any others to get rid of them, and it's not worth the damage to our cap, especially when there are not many available defenders that would improve the team that much. There's something to be said about playing with the same guys two to three years in a row.

Chief -- honestly, do you know what a GM does?

Semin is playing BECAUSE of GMGM (and thanks to Ted's money). Who do you think was the GM when Semin was drafted? Who was involved with getting Semin back into the US after the lockout and onto the roster? Oh, that's right...GMGM.

His job is to form a team. The players he assembled (whether they played above or below their potential isn't HIS job) won the Southeast.

Let your personal vendetta go.

My Flyers friends here in PA actually feel it was coincidental contact. I thought that was big of them to actually say it so I didn't have to :) But I will accept the loss just because I don't want to win games by 1. I wanted to win by 4. hahaha. Anyway, everyone has the right to their own opinion of the play which is exactly how the refs felt as well. I guess checking the D into the goalie when they clear a puck is legal, take note BB.

Shaggy

JamesD is right about his analysis. What we are faced with is a flawed rule that prevents defenders from checking attackers into the goalie but not vice versa. There is no clear definition in the rules that you can not, as an attacking player, check the defender into the goalie provided the check is legal. which, it was.

It is up to the ref to determine what an "action" is. We have seen in the past that action can be interperated as direct or indirect, and whatever -ski it was last night felt action was only direct. It's up to him to decide, and he was right in his call, just as he would have been right had he called it the other way.

jeff dc

Semin is playing because of Ovechkin, NOT the Midget or AZAMAT.
This EXCUSE for a GM has reacted every step of the way. In no way has he demonstrated the ability to "build" anything, just replace & fire.
Absolute DISGRACE.

Capies

It won't be legal next year. If it is, there will be a mid season change when goalies start dropping like flies with leg injuries. Teams will take note of that and design plays to produce the same result. The NHL has to be very careful with this one.

Nah it will be legal but goalies will be able to where pads even bigger next year. HAHA

Chief, 2 simple questions:

In your opinion, did this team show improvement between last season and this season? Why?

In your opinion, will next season be better than this season? Why or why not?

Yeah Jeff (dc)! pay attention to Chief, not every executive in the league who is lauding everything GMGM has done with the Caps. The Caps won the SOutheast in spite of GMGM, not because of any personel moves he made! Federov, Cooke, and Huet? GMGM had nothing to do with it! Getting Semin to come back two years ago, and then signing him and Ovie to extensions, that was not GM. Listen to Chief! He knows all!

Leeguru -- I hope you know I'm just screwing with him. In a few months I'll create another post containing all the brilliant nuggets he contributes. :-)

Jeff, you do not believe in the all knowing CHief?

That was a great post the last time you did it. You need to do it for Pcukguru too

Caps obviously improved.
The manner in which they improved may be debated but they improved.
When AZAMAT declared the "rebuild was over" early in the season and predicted a post season appearance, I doubt he envisioned being in last place around December.
So the reactive Midget had no choice but to fire Hanlon and "hope" for the best.
The fact that they turned everything around is not good reason to retain this LOSER but even better reason to FIRE him.

I do not think the Caps are in position to be better next season as of today.

The thing is...I feel there is a difference between Puckguru and Chief. To me, Chief and someone who knows are essentially the same, and while Puckguru at times resembles them he's a bit different. He obviously cares about the team and DID admit when he was wrong about his initial criticisms of BB. So, while it would be fun to cherry pick some of his comments, he has made a few good ones. Chief? Not so much.

Whats the point in asking Chief anything? He's a loser playing a broken record. GM's drafting has obviously paid off. The rebuild is so far successful. Who cares what a fool like Chief thinks?

The Caps had a great season...to come from dead last in November to having to win 11 out of 12 and still needing a little help to get into the playoffs is an amazing feat. Then with as beat up as they apparently were to force game 7 in a physical series. What a great group of guys. I love Kolzig but it seems kind of a shame that he might go out on this note seeing as he has the reputation of being such a class act.
Great season guys. Can't wait for next year!

@uncatim,

Yeah, I thought about the Uphsall/Cote issue, but depending on the injury, if he wore a cage, he could protect his face from further injury. If you've ever played contact hockey, you know that your face gets smacked around just from hard checks. Sure Cote might take some extra jabs at him (if he got a sweater...) but that couldn't possibly be more damaging than a face plant into the glass.

Oh, well, he has a summer to repair. To paraphase Jules from Pulp Fiction: "He doesn't need [to mess up] the way [the man] eats."

What is Goaltender interference?

Well, someone had better decide pretty fast because it seems that the Phlyers have figured out the loophole and intend to exploit it all the way to the finish.

We paid the price. THey need to be told -

Watch your back Cary Price!

Glad to see that being in last place around December, Firing a Coach & making the post season thanks to Canes screwing up = Success.
Oh, and getting eliminated in round 1 (game 7)by a team with 4 D-men, is something to be proud of.
Great Success.
10 years away from winning a round, what a plan.
The Flyers go from 30th place, and back to winning in one season. That's success!

@JamesD

I agree with you about the call, buy you're arent a WAS fan... Which I believe you claim...

You named the the checker(Thoreson) and you call the checkee(Morrisonn) the Capitals guy.

Go root for Flyers...

JamesD, thank you for cementing my consistency comment.

"Now the other team is looking and saying, well if there is no penalty, why is our goal being taken away?"

That is precisely what happened to the Caps a few weeks ago. (Maybe I should be a lawyer)

I'll be watching eagerly to see how the series with Montreal is reffed. Will Filthy continue to get away with clutching, grabbing, and overembellishment? Stay tuned!

OK, I have to ask, why does Chief call him AZAMAT? I don't get it ...

dogdaze:
Unless the Habs won't stand for it, the Flyers are going to eat Price for lunch!! I have not watched them enough to know how they would react to someone tackling their keeper, but I have a feeling I am going to find out.

the NHL has announced the Refs that will work the 2nd round. Guess what? The 2 a-holes that worked the game last night are in. The league is saying the goal last night should have counted I guess.

IN:

Paul Devorski
Mike Hasenfratz
Marc Joannette
Don Koharski
Mike Leggo
Bill McCreary
Tim Peel
Kevin Pollock
Dan O'Halloran
Kelly Sutherland
Don Van Massenhoven
Brad Watson

OUT:

Kerry Fraser
Eric Furlatt
Dave Jackson
Greg Kimmerly
Dennis LaRue
Dan Marouelli
Wes McCauley
Chris Rooney

>>>"The puck arrived to Morrison and Thoreson took the body. Morrison's momentum took him into the goalie.

A legal body check

Get over it. Im all for the Caps but man, some of the fans whine incessantly about officiating, its annoying."

It doesn't matter if the body check was legal. See Rule 69.1:

"Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an
attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease."

Gee..I would think a legal body check sending a defending player into his goalie would be impairing by contact a goalie's ability to defend his goal, don't you? Funnily enough, no where in the rules does it say contact has to be legal or not, so the NHL explaination completely contradicts their own established rules. Bad calls are one thing--they happen every game and the refs are human--but the amount of bad calls this series that have led to game-changing goals has been horrendous. The Caps have gotten screwed more in that scenario (see Games 4 and 5 in addition to Game 7), but the Flyers have experienced it, too. It's a shame and a sham--the teams should determine the outcome of the games, not the guys in stripes.

What's really scary is now the NHL has sent the message to other teams that this is a legal way to run over goalies and clear the net.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=361384

NEW YORK - NBC Sports and the National Hockey League today announced that they have extended their partnership through the 2008-09 season with NBC exercising its option on the NHL. The joint announcement was made today by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics.

Since NBC stands for Nobody But Crosby, why does this suprise you birdie?

What is 8 inches long & hangs in front of an a**h*le?

Gary Bettman's tie!!

@boo
I believe he means the guy from the movie Borat. I guess chief thinks there's a resemblence? maybe we should get a pic of chief

ha ha ha, Leeguru. On the gymnastics boards, we call it Nothing But Crap. its fairly obvious that the problems in NBC Sports are not unique to any particular sport, but very much a systematic problem at every level.

I never thought I'd be saying this, but for once I'd have preferred Kerry Fraser to advance over Devorski or Koharski. And I have chanted "Fraser sucks" many times.

Start the conspiracy theories, I guess the NHL wanted the Flyers to advance, or perhaps the league just thinks arbitrary interpretations and call everything half the game/put the whistles away for the other half is quality officiating.

Bettman is lucky he has Crosby, Malkin, Iginla and Ovechkin to sell the sport. The integrity of the league does not do the job well.

Borat movie was funny. Ted does look like azamat. LOL

chief is the worst kind of idiot, one who can't admit he's wrong despite the facts. how did the flyers go from 30th to winning a playoff series? well, lets first admit they barely made the playoffs for one. and they won their series by the slimmest of margins. however, take a look at their cap situation. they got good cause they went out an payed for it. signing danny briere to a long term big dollar deal? that will come back to bite them when he turns 35 in a couple of years. in two years they will be in cap hell with all their money tied up in 5 players. thats how they got good. by mortgaging their future. the caps will be in a better long term position because they didn't sign long term big dollar free agents last year (nylander excepted). they will be in a better position to compete long terms even with ov, green etc's contract.

by you go ahead chief, keep disputing the facts. they are not facts if you don't believe them...

capfan 1

The fact is that Philly went from 30th to post season win in 1 Year.
You go ahead and speculate and make up BS excuses.
Fact, is that you and nobody else can predict the future, so go right ahead and attempt to rationalize being a perennial LOSER.

@JSchon

So in order to be a Caps fan I have to wear my red blinders?

Get real. I just cant take when people start looking at officiating for the reason teams lose games. Someone said we would have won 2-1 in regulation if the Flyers 2nd didnt count. How can you be so sure. If they dont score that goal, Downie might not see the ice and might not get that penalty. Remember, the Flyers did hit the post and came VERY close in that period to taking the lead.

If they dont score that 2nd goal, it probably goes into OT tied at 1 and if the outcome was the same we would probably hear from some people here how the Semin's penalty shouldnt have been called.

It really is a vicious cycle with some of the fans in DC. Its the same with the Skins and Wizards. As for the Nats though..they are a different story.

The Caps turn-around was just as dramatic as the Flyers. They were 15th in the east, we were 14th (they were worst in the league, we were 4th worst). The big difference is that they did their turn-around in a season - we did it in HALF a season!

crbdcap:
That explains it - I never saw the movie, so that's why I didn't get it. Thanks for the clarification!

@JamesD

Why are you arguing with me about the call? I agree with you...

I have never blamed any loss on the refs.

I'm just calling you out for knowing the Flyer players name and not the Capitals player name...

Smells trolly to me...
You might live in MD, but I bet you're wearing your Flyer underoos underneath your mock turtle neck.

@ Capsfan

Surely Philly might have some money tied up in vets in a few years, but they do have young guys in the system

I think I read that Carter is an RFA at the end of the year, they will probably re sign him.

They did sign richards to a long term deal

They have a few young guys on D that will carry the load

But they do have Claude Giroux in the system. He is like a rugged Alex Semin.

Actually Schon,

Im wasnt even sure I spelled anyones names correctly when I posted.

Half a season is correct, however it was a desperation move to salvage a season that paid off.
Be careful how you determine a success, Philly's success was the result of being proactive, Caps "success" was due to reactive desperate measures, not something that looks good for the future.

BREAKING NEWS!
Olie peed in his locker this a.m before he left.

That situation doesnt look good.

Tarik -- thanks for the wonderful coverage of a wild season. Can we have one last chat this week? Please?

and schon

who could forget who thoreson is?

Its not every season that a guy damn near has a testicle removed from a slap shot..you tend to remember those names.

In my post, I didnt know if I was spelling names correctly and I couldnt remember if Jurcina was involved in that goal, as he has tended to be in a lot of Flyers goals.

Actually, I don't really care about your team affiliation.

You could be a Penguins, Flyers and Hurricanes fan for all I care.

Just was making an observation. Besides, everyone agreeing in here makes it kind of boring.

I'm another who thinks GMGM unquestionably should've been canned long ago for many good reasons.
I agree with the observation that he is reactionary, (bad), but also the well-covered ridiculous process that got us here:
Throw away anybody who would cost us anything (see, has any talent) trade for the highest draft picks we can get, and cross our fingers that we can *pick* an entire team.
It doesn't take a genius to make most of the picks GMGM made with the high picks he had.

But you can't Pick an experienced defenseman can you George?

That requires a little legwork doesn't it? Congrats on Pothier with the pre-existing concussion history.

Ted's "family first" attitude in marketing, management personnel choices (or non-choices) and the players he puts on the ice does play a role too.

Did Anaheim make the Finals pre-Pronger, when they were owned by Disney?

We do want a Cup

Right Ted?

FFS..
Thanks for your comments. I agree, but don't you think we're lacking...shall we say "toughness"?? I mean, our guys don't exactly crowd the crease, do they? And our D-men don't exactly clear the crease, do they? Huge disadvantages there.
Our PP umbrella was more like a circle, with nobody screening the goalie, nobody in the crease.
I'm sure BB was aware of that all year, yet we never were able to fix it.
So, what's the answer?

Chief:
Success is not always clean and pretty, but it's always good. Frankly, success that is realized through adversity is much sweeter than success that is easy to achieve. As much as I wish we had made it further, I would not change anything that happened this season. The highs were about as high as they could get, and they came often. We were counted out (over and over again), but we persevered. Cinderella stories are rare ... we were fortunate enough to be a part of one.

Boo

Good for you. I'm certain the players feel great about their success today.
Keep living in your fantasy world.
Meanwhile Philly is getting ready for round 2.
It's been the mo for the Caps people to do "just enough" to make fans happy and it seems to have worked again.

Tarik on Washington Post Live. Lots of info.

We gave up a lot eh? Matt (7 points in like 65 games) Pettinger, Brian (career 3rd- or 4th-liner) Sutherby, and some bum defenseman (from Notre Lame no less!) for 3 key pieces that got us into the playoffs and revitalized hockey in a football town. Care to check your sources?

Tarik what kind of journalist are you?
Don't jump to conclusions yet about Kolzig

Maybe that was too harsh. You've done an excellent job all season but I don't think any of us can jump to conclusions about Kolzig

>>>"Be careful how you determine a success, Philly's success was the result of being proactive, Caps "success" was due to reactive desperate measures, not something that looks good for the future.

Philly's success was due to buying a bunch of players--some of them young, some of them not--to reconstruct the team quickly and locking them into long term contracts. The Capitals' success was due to drafting and building a young core (Ovechkin, Green, Backstrom, Schultz, Semin, Gordon, etc.) that will spend the prime of their careers here, and then acquiring select but necessary pieces to get them over the hump (Nylander and Poti, then Huet and Federov, to replace an erratic Kolzig and an injured Nyls).

One requires patience. The other is reactionary. No mystery on which is which.

JSchon: I missed Tarik. Anything major?

Patience. That's just plain funny.
Go sell crazy somewhere else.

Results are all that matters, seems to me that Philly is yielding those results not Washington.

Tarik...

1. Huet and wife(Swiss), according to Tarik, arent in any rush to sign a deal with WAS. They have only lived in Montreal and LA, they would like to live a European type city, which excludes Arlington I think. I hate it when Bob is right. NEWMAN!

2. Fedorov, going back home to LA to decide his future. Tarik thinks he'll get more than $3M per season on the open market.

3. He thinks Green will command $4M to $5M.

4. He thinks the CAP's will look for more North American Hockey players in the draft. 2 way forwards. 1 1st round and 3 2nd round picks in a very deep draft.

5. He says Chief, on the blog, needs a teddy bear.

Maybe sign an assistant with defensive experience, that might help. I don't know much about Evason or Leach. BB knows offense, so get a guy who can teach the defense.

To everone who read my goofy posts and tolerated my pension for complaining pre BB I salute you. I enjoyed our time together and look forward to the future. I only hope we can keep this team together. I've been a Caps fan since 1974 and a season ticket holder for most of those years. There was something different about this team and I find myself very sad today. This team was so determined and so resilient and just plain awesome to watch. I'm very sad but inspired by this bunch of young guys with a few old guys like me sprinkled in. Have a great summer and I hope all of you stays healthy and happy. Best wishes.

PS - I still wished I had hit that net.

Chief:
I you can't concede that the Caps are in a MUCH better place now than they were at this time last year, then I guess that we have nothing to discuss.

GoUnited:
Tarik's has hinted for months now that he knows more about the Olie situation than he is at liberty to say. I doubt that what he is reporting is because of a nameplate, only. My guess is that, with Olie's permission, it will all come out soon.

Thanks, JSchon. Not quite what I wanted to hear. Anyplace is more European than LA.

@Jschon

Thanks for that info!

boo,

Read my entry earlier and you will see that I said it's Obviously an improvement over last year.
That being said, the manner in which this group has been able to improve is not in their best interest.
Meaning, the improvement was essentialy the same as a Hail Mary.
Good luck improving on that.

Has there been any word on if the Caps will be extending their affilation with the Bears....

I heard Wise on sportstalk 980 this afternoon speculate that BB contract was worth 1-1.5mill a year. He got $500,000 to fiinish out the season. He's going to be able to buy a BIG house in Maryland for sure!

I say Huet, move to Georgetown Area... The French Embassy is on Reservoir Dr.

DC is a close to European as it comes. Does anyone know anyone at the French Embassy? I'm going to email them.

Chief

What's the difference between exiting in round 1 than in round 2 (where Philly will exiting) beside revenue for Ted? The goal is to win the Stanley Cup and the Caps are in a much better position to that in the near future than Philly, by far, so I don't understand any of your arguements. You are so pessimistic, it's crazy.

The one thing I do agree with you on is the satisfaction that we got this far and not being more upset about not going onto round 2. Even if they came back from the cellar to make the playoffs, they had a real chance to advance to the second round last night and didn't. Do I blame them completely for that, of course not. They were kids with no playoff experience but they had their chances and couldnt deliver. They will learn and will be much better next year (see Penguins, Pittsburgh).

You need to relax on the bashing though.

I would also recommend Old Town Alexandria for Huet and his wife. Can we put together a color glossy packet for Huet on most European real estate in the DC area?

Chief - the Caps are built for the long run... the Flyers will just aquire more free agents and try to run it that way. They are screwed - along with the Pens in a few years.

I don't care about the call - I care about all the non-calls in the 3rd and then they decide to call a penalty in OT. What about Steckle's penalty in the 1st that put us down 2 men... that was a penalty and some of the others last night weren't. If you are going to call penalties, call all of them... don't pick and choose.

It does not matter anymore though... season is over and the Caps need to "work around" the rules... just like Avery did. Leaders make the rules - losers follow them. Not saying Avery is cool - just saying what he was doing - by definition was by the rules.

The Caps had a GREAT year. Chief - fans are happy because there is hope. Things are being done and our youth is looking promising. GM does not play in the games... and to be honest... Talent is never enough - you have to have character and heart to make it... and right now, I don't think anyone would argue that our young Caps have heart. That is something to be proud of.

Oh, Boudreau is moving to MD because his kid has been selected to be the goalie for team Maryland Hockey.

moose

Sorry if the truth hurts you, it's much better than living in a dream world that has become AZAMAT & Midget's agenda with hockey in Washington.
The difference between winning a series and advancing and losing need not be explained to someone that could care less.

I could add to comments about last night, but that's over. Lots of people have commented on Tarik's excellent coverage this year. I have two things to say about that:

(1) With all due respect, I thought Tarik's coverage for the first two-thirds of the season was decidedly too negative. Even when the team was improving. For example, if the Caps were 0-3-3 over six games (making up a general example), you would report this as a "six game losing streak." If they had been 3-0-3, you would report this as .500 over six games instead of a "six-game point streak." It's a slight difference in tone but it means something. That's just a little negative. I think that shifted a bit late in the year, but it's just a comment.

(As a side note, it will be interesting to see how a scoring change would alter the league -- three points for every game, either 3-0 if you win in regulation or 2-1 if you win in OT. Then teams will play to win in the 3rd. I'd like to see that -- it will spread out the standings a bit.)

(2) The second comment is FAR more important, and it's more about the Post's coverage, and I hope the editors will read this. THE CAPS ARE NOW THE BEST AND MOST EXCITING PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM IN THIS REGION, AND THEY WILL BE FOR YEARS TO COME. The Nationals? Wizards? Please. Redskins? People love the Redskins but they are nowhere near as good. Play this up in the paper. Build a fan base by expanding your coverage and MAKING people pay attention. Even on the website -- go to the Redskins front page or the Nationals front page and look how fancy it is. The Capitals front page just has links to Tarik's story and the schedule and the Insider -- nothing fancy. I hope by next season, the Post will boost coverage of the most exciting hockey team in the league. No more game stories on page 5D. Let's give the BEST TEAM IN WASHINGTON the press attention it deserves.

I think if I thought the Caps sucked as much as some of these people, I would root for another team. Maybe the team that wins the president's cup each year?

@Chief
I've read some of your posts, what do you think the solution to the caps problems are? I dunno if I missed that post along the way or am just not sure of your views. Is it get rid of gmgm and hire another gm? just curious

828:
You're right - HOPE - that's the reason. And I don't think any team has more heart than the Caps right now.

Chief

what are you talking about? what truth? So living in your world where it could end at any point and where the Caps are doomed forever is a better world to live in? Maybe if it was true I would consider it. How about you keep living in your hopeless world, I'll just live in the real world and we'll leave it at that.

Geez, I go to class and the "discussions" return.
Chief sounds like my dad (an old Isles fan), always complaining about management, coaches, players, the guy selling beer, the waterboy, etc, etc, ad nauseum. My dad's nickname? Chief. Coincidence, I think not. Dad, please leave the board, you're embarrassing me.
OFB reported that Olie's nametag isn't off his locker at Kettler, even though he went there this morning. So we can hope, right?
After finals, I'll get on the full color Europe/DC comparison guide, complete with real estate guide, if somebody can get it to Madame Huet. Maybe she'd feel better living near the Swiss embassy (location?).
I'm beyond excited for next year. When do they release the game schedule?

Let's go Caps!!!

I've got an old 80s song stuck in my head, "The Future's so Bright I Gotta Wear Shades"

Everyone, Chief will continue to goad you without ever using facts to back up whatever personal vandeta he has against the management of the caps. The rest of us can be happy (not content) with this season and the promise the future holds. He cannot. Notice that as the season wore on, and the boys were playing better and they moved up in the standings, we did not hear from Chief that much.

Hey guys! Stopping by to read up and catch up on what everyones feelings are
Mo's one tough cookie eh?
I just got two teeth drilled yesterday and my jaw hurts from that let alone a broken jaw... he deserves a long term deal for sure.
Green will be signed no worries.
BB was signed... not sure if longterm was a good idea or not yet... you guys know my position on that, but he didn't change up the lines and game plan with the cycle and that seemed to work against the flyers for the last 3 games so credit given where its due, nice adjustment BB...
I know the flyers are playing the HABS tomorrow, but i'm still upset that this series is over... i really am.
I hate the HABS and i expect this series to be more of a festival of lights then an all around hockey war... it really sucks

Hey on a side note I didn't get to tell you guys I saw Pierre McGuire again and he saw me and clearly remembered... he started off all shifty eyes and my friend literally pointed him out and said, "whos that bald guy that keeps looking at you?" when i noticed i started cracking up and let him have it again... (i was drunk again) and he again did not like what he was hearing and started yelling back at me again and we went at it for a good 2-3 mins of obsenity yelling... he actually called me an "F-Head" hahaha and i returend the call of questioning his sexuality and his loyal support of homosexual viewers...
on the upside and this is on a very low upside since the flyers won, I'll be able to harrass Pierre for another round haha, I'll make sure i do it everygame for you guys... i'll bring up how you guys hate him too next game and see how he responds and let you guys know...
Still hated the series ended last night, it's almost like a dream really.

didn't = did about BB sorry

Walking home from the King St metro last night, tired, drunk and still reeling from the loss... I though about walking into Johnny Rockets in Old Town in my Dale Hunter shirt amd singing "Don't Stop Believing"...

I decided to get one last drink at Murphy's instead.

Chief,
We were one goal away from beating the Flyers...one lucky bounce our way and things would've been different.

Regarding the trash on the ice last night that was posted by "FSS Enough".....well, most of it was directed towards Hartlett who gave a taunting bye bye wave to the Caps fans after the handshake. Of course he has defended himself by saying that the wave was to a few Flyers fans in the stands. Those who saw it know the truth. He shared his wave througout the arena and did it in a way that was obviously meant to incite anger. Proof positive is that one of the coaches had words with him as he skated off and made it clear that this lacked any class...which is correct. And yes, while I regret it now, the act did stir something in me and I threw an empty water bottle at him. Of course, I paid the price by being removed from the building by security. And yes, I apologize. But I hope that this does not give Hartlett any slack in fans recognizing what he did and the price that he should pay next year in taunts and in the Caps players making him pay. I am a peaceful man....really. It is just this hockey thing that makes me crazy.

On another note....amidst all of my 15 years of being a die-hard Caps fan....this was the finest season ever....yes, even better than the end result showdown with Detroit that seems like ages ago now (goodbye Olie - and thanks). So, my gratitude to the players who showed heart when it would have been easier to play golf. And to Ted Leonsis who I do actually believe is one of the few owners who actually cares and understands the concept of what a team can do for the otherwise rigors of life and joy of a community. It has been a great ride....and I am in line for the next one that I know we will be a bonus deluxe extra long foray into the world of Lord Stanley.

And may Hartlett burn in hell.

Too bad for Boudreau, because if anyone thinks this guy (or any other coach) will be able to improve upon this past year, they are sadly mistaken.

AZAMAT needs to relieve GM of his duties, take whatever positives he's managed to run into and run.
That's because sticking with a GM that can't build anything will only lead to failure. Again.

Jeff

really pal, get a grip

go away now please

Don't stop believing !!!
Rock the red !!!
One bounce, one goal, one non-call.
Is the answer Jesus ??

who is hartlett??

Vogel and Leinhart were joking today about running a "goaltender interference" play on the PP. Knock the puck into the shin pads of the defender, then plow him into the goalie, with somebody else ready to shoot.

See guys, Chief has nothing. Let him rant. He'll go away. He always does.

think eyechip meant hartnell...

chief, you need Jesus

anyone watch the tom poti interview on capstv? who was the d-bag who asked the first question? that was awesome poti just ignored him and was like no.

Sorry, I typed Hartnell....but my spell check is a bit overzealous. And I have had two beers in hopes of swathing the pain of the loss.

So, may Hartnell burn in hell!

I agree with anon

Jeff...its time for you to go home.

'its like a dream' 'im sad to see the series end'

really man, your first posts were so confrontational but now so you dont get people angry at you, you get all lovey dovey on here.

go away

@Jschon,

DC has a heavy immigrant population, but I wouldn't say its especially European. The fact that the city is laid out like Paris doesn't mean its French.

Of course the most "French" city in the league is Montreal, and I'm guessing they ain't signing him back.

@ capscla

didnt see it, what was asked?

JamesD - that is the first time I have ever agreed with you.

I have a reliable source that tells me that #8 has a partially separated shoulder. He's been playing with it for awhile. Can you imagine what a stud this dude must be. Just throwin' it out there. I believe my source.

Not much left to say.
The Caps indeed improved upon last year.
The rebuild is over
Firing a coach and being dead last in the league was a minor obstacle.
Pissing off one of the Caps most recognized players is no big deal.
Expecting a better showing next season is a sure thing. HAHAHA

@ jmu_capsgirl

Here is a good link for the"DC is just like Europe" full color glossy for Mr/Mrs Huet: http://visitalexandriava.com/

828

Its just annoying. The kid makes no sense. He needs to just go away. Now I know anyone can post here but the whole 'its like a dream' thing he has going is super annoying.

Doesnt' Montreal have a blog?

Well, I always thought his ways were suspect.

JamesD
"been around the leaque for a while can you talk about what you've seen from this group since coming here at the deadline?" or somehting on those terms. this guy had no idea who poti was.

@ Lee

exactly.

He says he is sad the series is over?

Well I know that if the situation were reversed, no matter how many internet love connections I made on another team's blog, I would be completely happy the series was over and my team won. Id be looking to the next one.

Must have been a bandwagon reporter asking that

Either that or it was Mike Wise in his infinite wisdom of hockey

HAHA go away Jeff

Princeton's day care is missing you

Via "onfrozenblog.com"

Corey on his blog has this grotesquely troubling quote from Flyers' center Daniel Briere:

"Another thing that favored us was the condition of the ice," he said. "It was so bad that it was tough for guys like Semin, Backstrom and Ovechkin to get anything going, the ice was so bad. That was another thing that went our way."

Not good to hear that the Verizon center may have impaired our Caps!

So perhaps the big question....how much will Green sign for? And will he come back? I hope the connection to Bruce and his growing legacy in the organization will motivate him to be reasonable and not let the likes of the Rangers or other big market teams to snap him up.

And may we all be on hand when the new buff and weight grown Backstrom gives Hartnell a lesson in etiquette!! (I know I am obsessing about him but I still so pissed about his actions last night.)

@Lee (Leeguru)

Thanks for the kind thoughts. I have really enjoyed reading all of the posts and blogging (is that a word?) with everyone. I am so passionate, or if you ask my family they will say obsessed, with hockey at this point. It is nice to be taken seriously.

Not sure what it is about this team. Maybe it is my maternal instinct? Maybe it is the fake redhead in me? But there is just something so refreshing about this group. I hope that we continue to discuss during the playoffs and off season. Already looking forward to next season.

eyechip, its cool. I'm just listening to The Capitals Report for the day. Mike and Brett were joking about his death and resurrection at one point, where he hits the boards and goes down, acting like he's dead, then as soon as he sees the puck, he's good as new. Ever since Game 1 and the camp he set up in front of Huet complete with bonfire, marshmallows, and a tent, I've personally wanted to deck him, and he's probably a good 6+ inches taller than I am.
Let's go Caps!!

Okay everyone this is my last post for a while. Have to make dinner and help kids with homework.

A few things that I have taken from the playoff series.

1. We need to have a goalie next year. Hopefully Huet or Theodore. Please God not Emery.

2. Anyone else notice the face of Nicky when he gave looks to Flyers during the last several games. He really looked mad. Like I am going to kick your butt or even better score twice on you now mad. Think Nick may have officially joined the don't make him mad fraternity.

3. Ovie is a brilliant man first and foremost.

4. Utility grinder lines are especially important in the playoffs. And we have two good ones :)

5. Brooks Laich is amazing and will probably be an A here someday.

HAS ANYONE had a good day? Considering the results of last night's game.

On the interference non-call.

As much as I hate to say it, and I thought it was a missed call during the game, I don't think that it was.

The attacking player NEVER touched Huet. The attacking player didn't impede Huet's ability to cover the net while the shot was coming. The puck hadn't been played yet out to the shooter as it was still behind the goal line.

The only time a goaltender interference call is reviewable is when there is a resulting goal. Since no shot was made while the "interference" occurred, it is not a reviewable call.

It sucks, but there it is.

So the strategy is to check a D-man into their goalie, and then have someone shoot the puck. Given that scenario, I could score 60 or so.

That's what I alluded to in my post last night vis strategy. But do we want to be like Philly?

Zman,
Think about next year and just try not to smile...

Thank you for the encouraging words. I think I am clinically depressed over last night.

Greg S.

It is the same scenario as in the Tampa game. The Caps had a goal disallowed because Flash pushed a d-man into the goalie. No goal due to "incidental contact". Not that it matters now.

@Tarik

Fantastic job this year! I loved reading your posts here, and in the paper. You're a fair journalist (fair as in as unbiased as you can be), and told us what you could as soon as you could. I hope to see you around here for a long time.

They said that because the puck touched Mo (not necessarily that he touched the puck), he was fair game for a check. That he went into Huet was immaterial and accidental.

By the way...what did everyone think of Mike Wise's article today that actually quotes and agrees with a Flyers fan forum posting that we should be grateful to them for tunning our team into 'men"? Personally I find it offensive. While we may have youth on our side....the Caps should be given more credit....they are certainly not kids who had a brave run. They worked for it as "men." And why Mike Wise would give any coverage to Flyers fan who is ultimately dissing the team by calling them "figure skaters" is beyond me.

And did I mention that I just heard that Hartnell is personally responsible for Global Warming and the current gas prices? And that I truly hate him?

Bearswoo

If memory serves, and I'm an old fart so it doesn't too much, wasn't the puck basically on the way at the time of the interference? I'm not sure that the total scene is the same. Here, the puck wasn't on the shooter's stick. In fact, no one had it.

And, yes, it is moot. We had chances that we didn't capitalize.