2009 Washington Capitals thread

[greech 4]

I remember Johnny way back in his Worcester Ice Cat days, even though I wanted the B's to win I was glad to see him play well last night.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

So Fedorov and Green are slated to make their return tonight (take warmups at least I believe)

Johnny couldn't practice after tweaking his hip in the game wednesday, but thinks he will be fine, but because he didn't practice, starting goalie not decided for tonight yet

This is tentatively what the lines were at yesterdays practice

Washington Forwards (just a guess)

8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 25-Kozlov

21-Laich, 91-Fedorov, 28-Semin

33-Giroux, 92-Nylander, 15-Gordon

87-Brashear, 39-Steckel, 10-Bradley

Washington Defensemen (just a guess)

3-Poti, 52-Green

27-Alzner, 23-Jurcina

26-Morrisonn, 62-Collins

Goaltenders

1-Johnson, 60-Theodore

[interpathway 9]

The injury-riddled Capitals welcomed back forward Fedorov (three assists), who had missed 16 of 17 games because of a sprained ankle, and defenseman Green (goal, two assists), sidelined 11 games by a shoulder problem. Semin and defenseman Tom Poti returned from injury layoffs in the previous game, a win over Boston on Wednesday.

But no scenario was stranger than the series of events that led to the lanky Brett Leonhardt sitting on the bench in uniform during the first 10 minutes or so. Leonhardt, a Division III goalie in college and a Capitals Web site employee for about a year, signed an amateur tryout contract before the game after backup Jose Theodore injured a hip flexor during the morning shootaround.

If Leonhardt had actually played, he would have tied Ben Bishop of the St. Louis Blues as the tallest goalie ever to see action in an NHL game. Instead, Leonhardt simply became an instant celebrity.

"Every dream come true," Leonhardt said. "Growing up in Canada, playing since I was 4. It was just very surreal. It was a blur, went by real quick."

I believe this is the first time in NHL history that 2 goalies (Leonhardt and Varlamov) made their NHL debuts, but neither of them played a single minute. Could this have ever happened before??

Semin's goal was a beauty.

Anyone know what penalty was taken by the Sens that recieved a 10 minute misconduct and 2 minute PP (Ovie's goal)?

And Giroux's chance in front of the net where he flipped it high was the single greatest act of on ice patience I have ever seen.

GREAT GAME BOYS! Great to see Greenie back, obviously (1 goal and 2 assists). Federov too (3 assists).

[HattrickSwayze 3]

If it's the penalty I think it was, it was right after the Caps scored and Chris Neil got a unsportsmanlike for something. They didn't show it, and I don't remember them talking about what he did. Must've lipped off or hit the wrong person after the goal?

[armada 0]

Good to see that no one lost the touch during injury break. I was hoping not to see Varlamov at this stage and time but who knows what will happen in the next few days.

[interpathway 9]

Chris Neil got a unsportsmanlike for something. They didn't show it, and I don't remember them talking about what he did. Must've lipped off or hit the wrong person after the goal?

That's what I figured. Just wondering if anyone got anything concrete from the TV feed...

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Actually according to the box score, it was C. Kelly who got a 10+2 for misconduct, so it was just served by Neil. I wondered why Neil looked so calm in the box.

On TV, they were showing the Caps celebrating, and then Beninati said "Well it looks like the Caps will be right back on the power play." They showed Neil in the box, and that was it. Maybe they were going to show a replay, but forgot after Ovie scored??

[interpathway 9]

Congrats Backskie, 100th career NHL point!

edit: I'm listening on the radio....BUT BROOKS LAICH DROPPING THE GLOVES? Wow I wish I could be watching this...

Ryan O'Bourne fighting? Thought he was better at scoring goals on his own team...

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Varlamov's first win in the NHL. The capitals future is almost here and its looking mighty good.

[interpathway 9]

Wow Varlamov....Wow.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Dang, 32 saves in your NHL debut, against the Canadiens no less. That's pretty awesome.

EDIT: Just saw the highlights. Is it just me or is Varlamov really quick?

[Law Goalie 147]

Extremely - in fact, he's a little *too* quick. He's notorious for overplaying certain shots simply because he gets there so fast.

Phenomenal athlete, and starting to adjust to the pro game, but he really needs some good coaching.

[interpathway 9]

Don't worry Law, Dave Prior will handle Varlamov quite well.

[MLSman 22]

Varlamov will be a stud for sure.

Man...Mike Green is so underrated. It is amazing to see how much better the D is when he is running the show. His pre-game interview was spot on with respect to the game strategy. They collapsed in front of Varlamov and gave him great rebound protection. Green no doubt is a top 5 defenseman in the league. Poti was also much more aggressive. With Green in the lineup they are a different team.

I think O'Bynre will spend the next two days in an ice whirlpool. Giroux just about broke both of O'Byrne's ankles on that move in the 3rd. That was a serious "modsquad annual skate" pickup game move. Sick.

[interpathway 9]

Mike Green top 5? I'm not a huge Mike Green fan with respect to his defensive intelligence. Top scoring defensemen for sure, again, this year...but ever in the running for a Norris; doubtful.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Extremely - in fact, he's a little *too* quick. He's notorious for overplaying certain shots simply because he gets there so fast.

Phenomenal athlete, and starting to adjust to the pro game, but he really needs some good coaching.

That's the book on him, great natural instincts, but needs some coaching to get the technique aspect down

[armada 0]

You can clearly see the skill and athleticism that he poses but he had me scared shitless all night with his twitch antics. It's only a matter of time with Varlamov now. Caps are looking really good for the future.

[Cavs019 708]

.....they are a completely different team with Semin in the lineup. OV is OV, but I haven't seen a guy with a scoring touch like him in a very long time.

[interpathway 9]

The best part about Semin (and Backie too) is the way they kicked it up in the playoffs last year. Semin was scoring at least a goal per game, assisting, and creating havoc in front of the net both during and after the play. Nickie picked up his finishing ability by potting 4 in 7 and was a hassle to work against for the Flyer's PKers. Looks like these boys have kept their playoff abilities going from last year, just compare their stats now (through equal numbers of games) to any of their previous seasons in the NHL. Backie had 14 last year, with 10 already. Throw Varlamov in the mix and put some shades on, the future is bright.

[Cavs019 708]

How do you keep Semin/Backstrom/Green long term without becoming Tampa Bay 2.0?

[interpathway 9]

Well 1) we don't hire Barry Melrose.

Haha I was actually wondering the same thing, how the hell are we going to afford them all? Semin's contract is up after next year...and he is ALREADY getting $4.5 million per. Surely if his numbers continue at this pace that will need to be raised. Backstrom will be free from the bounds of his rookie contract after next year (I believe) and he too will understand how much he can garner through the free agent market. Hopefully they are loving life here enough to want to stay, but there are of course no guarantees there.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

How do you keep Semin/Backstrom/Green long term without becoming Tampa Bay 2.0?

Well, Green is signed for 4 years at $5.125 mil per

Kozlov will be gone this year, nylander (if not traded) after next year. Semin is signed for 2 years, backstrom is signed through next season.

Poti will be gone, as will Pothier.

There are young D-men like Finley, Carlson, Godfrey, Dovgan etc in the pipeline who will be cheaper, as well as Osala, Perrault, Bouchard (younger brother of minnesota's Bouchard) etc.

They will recycle out the players who are fillers (Brash, Bradley, kozlov, juice etc etc etc) and bring in younger players.

To me, the core players they will keep are Ovey, Semin, Green, Backstrom, Laich (yep, I think he is core), Alzner, Varlamov.

If you use the ken holland model (from a thn article a while back) they spend 2/3 the cap on the top 1/3 players, and 1/3 on the remaining 2/3.

Take the current salaries that will be gone by the time they are up for renewal

Fedorov $4 mil

Kozlov $2.5 mil

Poti $3.5 mil

Pothier $2.5 mil

Brash $1.2 mil

Nylander $4.875 mil

That's $18.5 million coming off, so they should be fine

[kosydar 0]

If anything I'd say that they'd be more like Ottawa than anything. Backstrom, Ovy and Semin are Heatley, Spezza and Alfie, the three superstars that are all forwards and the core of the team. Then they have Green and Alzner (if he reaches his potential) who are Redden and Chara, both good but never the best players on their team. Ottawa had to choose who to get rid of, and they chose wrong. Hopefully Washington figures out a way to get everything workable.

[interpathway 9]

So who is going to get a Leonhardt jersey with me?

[minwookie 0]

So who is going to get a Leonhardt jersey with me?

A true fan spending $100+ dollars to sport the rare!