CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
- Feb 27, 2002
- 64,759
- 19,627
No true Caps fan hates Ovechkin. No true Caps fan would ever want him to request a trade. Fans who came on board when he was drafted and who will bail after he's gone, sure.
No true Caps fan hates Ovechkin. No true Caps fan would ever want him to request a trade. Fans who came on board when he was drafted and who will bail after he's gone, sure.
Good stuff Kuzy, sounds like you had a good time.
We've had past players call out players - but never Ovi.
Ovi doesn't really need to be vocal. That's why Orpik got paid so much money... why Laich got paid so much money... etc.
Caps aren't a young team. This group has been together for awhile - especially the core. They know what they need to do at this point and what the goal is.
Pretty sure there have been rumors of players on the roster calling him to the mat behind the scenes, then the mysterious comments from Laich after his trade, refusing to say much, alluding to the fact that's it's not a good idea to dish on the Captain. I wouldn't expect much to get disclosed until he's out of the league honestly, if there's anything worthwhile to dish on at all.
That Laich story is hearsay from a member on this board and not really confirmed beyond that.
Great write up, E4K.
I wonder if Carlson needs a stiffer flex stick? Do they come in high and low kick points like golf shafts?
E4K.... um.... get down to Kettler more often! Or take over covering the team for the local media outlets. Great work. I am overdue to take the tyke for a visit....
Brett Connolly: Good replacement forward, has size and underrated puck skills. Doesn't have the hockey IQ to be a top 6 winger, but he's just fine in a bottom 6 role.
Daniel Winnik: See Brett Connolly, but left handed.
OT: Today I got Trotz and Holtby's autograph. Got to take a picture with them + Beagle. All 3 were very friendly to me and the other fans in general. I wish I'd had other autographs, but the other players looked like they didn't want to be bothered.
Funny, you know. Winnik and Connolly with all the games lost to scratching have 7 goals between them. Let them both play and they are both sitting at 5. Its easy to see that Trotz and MacLellan are letting Sanford and now Vrana play and sitting Winnik and Connolly because they know what they have.
Autographs. You may find in the end getting to chat with a player or coach for a few minutes turns out top be a better memory in the long run. From my work in the music business I have mass amounts of autographs and none of that has much value anymore. Loretta Lynn sent me a letter many years ago which I cherish but its not an autograph. I am really curious what Beagle is like. He looks huge. Like tv doesn't do his size justice.
Addition...I am always impressed by the players that tap the hands of the fans leaning over coming and going off the ice. Awareness of the customers always impresses
Day 2 at Kettler
Team overview: The focus of today's practice was odd-man situation and special units. The team practiced 2vs1, 2vs2, 3vs2 and the PP/PK. For the 2vs1, the forwards almost never scored because they were overpassing. Kuzy in particular was guilty of overpassing on many plays. Those who scored (Eller, Connolly and Ovi) looked for a pass and surprised the goalies with a shot at the last second. Each of the odd-man situations started by using a D partner in transition. Our transition in practice is nearly seamless, it's definitely one of our strengths now, we're not just putting the puck off the boards hoping someone on our team picks it up.
Andre Burakovsky: He truly is a one dimensional player. When you watch him skate and shoot the puck, you'd think he's one of the best players on the team. Then, you watch him attempt to defend and he looks like a Junior player. He only knows one direction, North. He's ineffective in the East-West direction because he's not a very good playmaker. I'm not sure what we can do with him. I think the Tre Kronor line was very beneficial to him because he could develop the rest of his game by playing with two of the smartest players on the team.
It's sad if true, but I remember his rookie year and even last year. He was our best possession guy, he was even considered to be our second C. I think his problem is he's young and listens what the coaches tell him to do. if he like Kuznetsov decided to stick on C despite the coaches' decision, he could've developed better.
I've mostly had the time to chat with Trotz. I told him briefly my story, to which he answered: "Wow, you traveled a long way buddy! We'll try to win tomorrow for you."
After the frustration of missing the game on Saturday, these words really cheered me up. On the picture I have with him, he was grinning from ear to ear. This guy breathes happiness and is very charismatic. I thanked him and I wished the best for him and his family.
I've been pretty hard on the guy the past few months here, but after meeting him, I have a hard time criticising him. I've seen all the work he does to prepare for games, and I believe he is doing his best. I don't want him to go anymore. This man Barry Trotz will be in the hockey hall of fame, and I'll be able to tell my kids that I once met one of the best coaches in hockey history. He deserves everything he's got, and he deserves to win.
I'm going back home tonight, but I'll come back to DC for the playoffs, that's for sure.
We are not accusing players/coaches of being bad people or unlikeable or whatever.
Trotz could be a nice guy but we're talking about hockey decisions on and off the ice. It's not personal.
We are not accusing players/coaches of being bad people or unlikeable or whatever.
Trotz could be a nice guy but we're talking about hockey decisions on and off the ice. It's not personal.