Capitals 4, Flyers 6
Scoresheet - Wash Post
I can't decide if this was a offensive let down or a goaltending one, but the Flyers didn't have much trouble scoring when they wanted to as they outlasted the Caps offensive punch to end the Capitals point gaining streak. The Flyers were able to get timely goals, the Caps weren't. And in a game where the Caps should have been tougher in net, it just seemed like there were too many loose pucks, bad rebounds and missed saves.
Alex Ovehkin didn't let $124 million slow him down much as he was back at it again today with the hitting and the scoring. Ovie scored his 33rd of the year. Also on the scoresheet were Alex Semin, Mike Green and Micheal Nylander. Chris Clark got the nod to return, but looked really rusting. Truthfully, he didn't look 100%. The Caps also got Tom Poti back as well.
The Caps came out so strong in this game, but a couple of soft goals and it just seemed the Caps couldn't keep those Flyer garbage goals from going in. Brent Johnson came in for relief after Kolzig was pulled and he played spectacular. Johnny robbed two goals right off the sticks of the Flyers. Kolzig continues to have a roller coaster of a season. One game he is 3 minutes from a shutout, the next he can't stop a beach ball.
This one left a bad taste in my mouth, because the Caps looked as if they were the better team. They were tough on the boards, winning the one on one battles, but just couldn't find the back of the net and turned the puck over too many times. The Caps power play was abysmal going 0 for 5. Special teams was a sure let down in this game for them. The Caps better pull it together and tighten it up as the Ottawa Senators come to down and they won't be taking the Caps lightly.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Breaking Down the Deal
The Capitals sure turned some heads with their offer to Alex Ovechkin. $124 million over the next 13 years, the wealthiest contract in NHL History. Ovie will be paid $9 million in the first six years, the the price jumps to $10 million for the remaining seven. However, this isn't the first time the Caps have paid the most for a single player (at the time Jagr's contract was a load to swallow too).
The contract also includes limited movement. When Ovie turns 27, he will hand George McPhee (if he is here in 5 years) a list of teams he would not like to be traded to. Apparently, in case the Caps hit the fan and have to move one of the biggest stars in the NHL.
The Caps leave themselves a little cap room too, under the current configuration the Caps have roughly $13 million in Cap space. With Ovie's hit next season, that still leaves $7 million for the Caps to play with and stay under the cap ceiling. The Capitals will have to say goodbye to some good talent at the end of the season.
So, who do you hold on to? Who do you part with? And what can you offer Mike Green who suddenly is making himself just as invaluable as Ovie in a Capitals' sweater? The list of RFAs includes Shaone Morrison, Steve Eminger, Tomas Fleischmann, Eric Fehr and Brooks Laich. Good chance that more than one of these players will be in a new uniform next year. Not to mention the UFAs that include Olaf Kolzig and Donald Brashear (Quintin Laing and Frederic Cassivi are also free agents at the end of the season). If the Caps miss the playoffs, look for some major moves by McPhee to keep the players he does want. Based on Ted Leonsis comments talking to Scott Laughlin on XM Satellite Radio the core of this team is Ovechkin, Green, Alex Semin and Nick Backstrom.
Also consider this, what team in the NHL has the means to make that kind of deal if they wanted to lure Ovie away from the Caps? Could he have made more? Any other team would have taken a significant hit. Would have Montreal ponied up the dough? New York? Are you glad that you don't really have to answer those questions because Alex Ovechkin will be a Capital for a very long time? Yea, me too.
The deal is big, but manageable. The Caps do leave some cap room to play with. They may also be betting that the cap hit will grow over the years. In any case Ovechkin is the new face of the Capitals organization. When people think Capitals, Ovie will be synonymous with those thoughts. A happy thought for sure.
There is a lot to read about the deal this morning and these are some of the interesting musings:
On Frozen Blog
Japers Rink
Washington Post
Washington Times
Toronto Sun
The contract also includes limited movement. When Ovie turns 27, he will hand George McPhee (if he is here in 5 years) a list of teams he would not like to be traded to. Apparently, in case the Caps hit the fan and have to move one of the biggest stars in the NHL.
The Caps leave themselves a little cap room too, under the current configuration the Caps have roughly $13 million in Cap space. With Ovie's hit next season, that still leaves $7 million for the Caps to play with and stay under the cap ceiling. The Capitals will have to say goodbye to some good talent at the end of the season.
So, who do you hold on to? Who do you part with? And what can you offer Mike Green who suddenly is making himself just as invaluable as Ovie in a Capitals' sweater? The list of RFAs includes Shaone Morrison, Steve Eminger, Tomas Fleischmann, Eric Fehr and Brooks Laich. Good chance that more than one of these players will be in a new uniform next year. Not to mention the UFAs that include Olaf Kolzig and Donald Brashear (Quintin Laing and Frederic Cassivi are also free agents at the end of the season). If the Caps miss the playoffs, look for some major moves by McPhee to keep the players he does want. Based on Ted Leonsis comments talking to Scott Laughlin on XM Satellite Radio the core of this team is Ovechkin, Green, Alex Semin and Nick Backstrom.
Also consider this, what team in the NHL has the means to make that kind of deal if they wanted to lure Ovie away from the Caps? Could he have made more? Any other team would have taken a significant hit. Would have Montreal ponied up the dough? New York? Are you glad that you don't really have to answer those questions because Alex Ovechkin will be a Capital for a very long time? Yea, me too.
The deal is big, but manageable. The Caps do leave some cap room to play with. They may also be betting that the cap hit will grow over the years. In any case Ovechkin is the new face of the Capitals organization. When people think Capitals, Ovie will be synonymous with those thoughts. A happy thought for sure.
There is a lot to read about the deal this morning and these are some of the interesting musings:
On Frozen Blog
Japers Rink
Washington Post
Washington Times
Toronto Sun
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Done Deal
Alex Ovechkin will be a Capital for at least 13 more years. The initial numbers were not correct, previously reported as a contract worth $54 million for six years, but Ted Leonsis struck down those numbers. The announcement was made tonight at a press conference at a meet the team party for season ticket holders. It was probably orchestrated that way.
Still up for grabs though are Mike Green, Shaone Morrisonn, Eric Fehr, Tomas Fleischmann, Brooks Laich, Boyd Gordon, Steve Eminger who are all restricted free agents at season's end. Still, this is a huge relief to Caps fans everywhere who had to withstand rumor after rumor of Ovie possibly leaving to play for a different team. If that had happened, that would have been a catastrophic mistake for the Capitals organization.
But Ovie is a Cap, and that is a good thing.
P.S. 6:59 pm: Word is circulating that the contract is for 13 years, not 6.
P.S.S. 7:14 pm: The Contract is worth 13 years $124 million. Whoa!
Still up for grabs though are Mike Green, Shaone Morrisonn, Eric Fehr, Tomas Fleischmann, Brooks Laich, Boyd Gordon, Steve Eminger who are all restricted free agents at season's end. Still, this is a huge relief to Caps fans everywhere who had to withstand rumor after rumor of Ovie possibly leaving to play for a different team. If that had happened, that would have been a catastrophic mistake for the Capitals organization.
But Ovie is a Cap, and that is a good thing.
P.S. 6:59 pm: Word is circulating that the contract is for 13 years, not 6.
P.S.S. 7:14 pm: The Contract is worth 13 years $124 million. Whoa!
Close To A Deal?
RDS.ca is reporting the Capitals closed a deal to keep Alex Ovechkin a Capital for six years at a price tag of $54 million dollars, but no one is confirming the rumor. TSN.ca also ran a story that the deal had been reached, but then quickly backtracked after their "sources" said no deal had been finalized.
One good thing that is coming from this is that the two sides are talking. While before all we were getting were "we have time" and "I haven't spoken to them" from both sides. This could also just be a first offer, a pretty handsome one at that. But the drama continues and I won't be jumping up and down until a contract has been approved by the league.
One good thing that is coming from this is that the two sides are talking. While before all we were getting were "we have time" and "I haven't spoken to them" from both sides. This could also just be a first offer, a pretty handsome one at that. But the drama continues and I won't be jumping up and down until a contract has been approved by the league.
What Ever Happened to Johnson?
Ooooh right, he's in Hershey. Looks like Frederic Cassivi will get a chance to play some in a Caps sweater. Brent Johnson is rehabbing a twisted knee in a Bears uniform after looking to get back on the Caps bench as Olaf Kolzig's back up.
Speaking of the standings, the Capitals have registered 13 points in their last 10 games. That is the most in the Southeast Division (Carolina 9 pts., Atlanta 10 pts., Florida 9 pts., Tampa 6 pts.). The Southeast is more like the Southworst. Not a single team in the division has more goals for than against. If the Caps can take advantage, a playoff trip is possible if the status quo continues.
Speaking of stars, the NHL named Olaf Kolzig the third star of the night.
Speaking of the standings, the Capitals have registered 13 points in their last 10 games. That is the most in the Southeast Division (Carolina 9 pts., Atlanta 10 pts., Florida 9 pts., Tampa 6 pts.). The Southeast is more like the Southworst. Not a single team in the division has more goals for than against. If the Caps can take advantage, a playoff trip is possible if the status quo continues.
Speaking of stars, the NHL named Olaf Kolzig the third star of the night.
Caps Start Home-stand With A Win
Capitals 2, Avalanche 1
Scoresheet - Wash Post
Bruce Boudreau celebrated his 53rd birthday with a win. It was a lucky bounce that was the game winner and the best gift Boudreau could ask for. The Caps slip past the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 to start their 5 game home-stand with an important win.
Dave Steckel was just looking to put a pass to the front to Quintin Laing on a semi 2 on 1. But a back checking Avalanche defender ended up tipping the pass past Jose Theodore. It's Steckel's fourth goal of the season and turned out to be a game winner in a very defensive game. Donald Brashear broke the scoring open for the Caps tipping a Brooks Laich shot past Theodore early in the third period.
The Caps just outworked the Avalanche who played Detroit the night before and it showed as the game wore on. Olaf Kolzig was a big part of adding to Colorado's offensive woes. While Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green didn't score, the Capitals were able to find scoring when there seemed to be none. Theodore played solid for the Lanche and it took a lucky bounce to help the Caps. It takes me back to when all those little bounces used to go against the Caps, it's nice to see some hockey karma.
Shaone Morrisonn also played well early getting 3 or 4 good scoring chances early when the Caps were swarming. Even though he didn't find the scoresheet and was a -1, Morrisonn is quickly becoming a presence defensively on the ice. Morrisonn, late in his shift and heading off for a change, quickly had to back check on a broken play that sent an Avalanche player in alone on Kolzig. Morrisonn busted his butt and was able to knock away the puck with out taking a penalty.
Steve Eminger got his second straight start of the season with Brian Potheir and Tom Poti out of the lineup. He is looking better so it seems the rust is starting to fade. Still, his speed looks a little off, probably due to his leg injuries. But Emmy did get a few good hits off, and played solid defensively.
More important than just the win, the Capitals have jumped to 13th in the Eastern Conference with the two points they earned tonight. Leap frogging Toronto, the Caps pull even with Florida at 41 points and are poised to make that jump again. It puts the Caps just 4 points behind 8th place Islanders and a coveted playoff spot. But more work needs to be done. The teams don't get any easier, Philly comes to town next, then Ottawa and Edmonton. The Caps must continue to work hard and pick up those standing points every night.
In some side news, Glen Hanlon isn't begging for work anymore. The Capitals have hired Hanlon as a scout based out of DC. It wasn't going to take long for Hanlon to get a job again in the league and it was nice to keep Hanlon in the fold in some way. He is probably sleeping better at night now. Also in Hershey, it's good news for Eric Fehr fans as not only is he back skating, but was in uniform tonight in Hershey's game against Norfolk and registered an assist.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
Bruce Boudreau celebrated his 53rd birthday with a win. It was a lucky bounce that was the game winner and the best gift Boudreau could ask for. The Caps slip past the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 to start their 5 game home-stand with an important win.
Dave Steckel was just looking to put a pass to the front to Quintin Laing on a semi 2 on 1. But a back checking Avalanche defender ended up tipping the pass past Jose Theodore. It's Steckel's fourth goal of the season and turned out to be a game winner in a very defensive game. Donald Brashear broke the scoring open for the Caps tipping a Brooks Laich shot past Theodore early in the third period.
The Caps just outworked the Avalanche who played Detroit the night before and it showed as the game wore on. Olaf Kolzig was a big part of adding to Colorado's offensive woes. While Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green didn't score, the Capitals were able to find scoring when there seemed to be none. Theodore played solid for the Lanche and it took a lucky bounce to help the Caps. It takes me back to when all those little bounces used to go against the Caps, it's nice to see some hockey karma.
Shaone Morrisonn also played well early getting 3 or 4 good scoring chances early when the Caps were swarming. Even though he didn't find the scoresheet and was a -1, Morrisonn is quickly becoming a presence defensively on the ice. Morrisonn, late in his shift and heading off for a change, quickly had to back check on a broken play that sent an Avalanche player in alone on Kolzig. Morrisonn busted his butt and was able to knock away the puck with out taking a penalty.
Steve Eminger got his second straight start of the season with Brian Potheir and Tom Poti out of the lineup. He is looking better so it seems the rust is starting to fade. Still, his speed looks a little off, probably due to his leg injuries. But Emmy did get a few good hits off, and played solid defensively.
More important than just the win, the Capitals have jumped to 13th in the Eastern Conference with the two points they earned tonight. Leap frogging Toronto, the Caps pull even with Florida at 41 points and are poised to make that jump again. It puts the Caps just 4 points behind 8th place Islanders and a coveted playoff spot. But more work needs to be done. The teams don't get any easier, Philly comes to town next, then Ottawa and Edmonton. The Caps must continue to work hard and pick up those standing points every night.
In some side news, Glen Hanlon isn't begging for work anymore. The Capitals have hired Hanlon as a scout based out of DC. It wasn't going to take long for Hanlon to get a job again in the league and it was nice to keep Hanlon in the fold in some way. He is probably sleeping better at night now. Also in Hershey, it's good news for Eric Fehr fans as not only is he back skating, but was in uniform tonight in Hershey's game against Norfolk and registered an assist.
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