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Thursday Caps Clips: Green Good to Go

J.P. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:44:58 -0000

via the shoebox next to my desk

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Mike Green skated yesterday, looked "none the worse for wear," and expects to play tomorrow, but the debate as to whether or not the Caps need an enforcer rages on. [Washington Post]
A couple more takes on David Koci's hit from Puck Daddy, Peerless and Hockey Or Die!
Craig MacTavish thinks that Bruce Boudreau was mean-spirited when he belittled Koci's skill-set. Seriously. [TSN]
"For their rookie dinner in October 2006, David Steckel and Jeff Schultz dressed up as the two main characters from 'Blades of Glory,' Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy." Pretty sure that's my new favorite story ever. [In The Room]
Alex Ovechkin: Caveman. Villain. Whatever. [Denver Post]
Karl Alzner has come home. [Washington Times]
Brendan Morrison, too (in more ways than one). [Kelowna.com]
James Duthie has Green being on the outside looking in on Team Canada (btw, on December 17, 2008, Green had eight goals - two more than he has right now - not twenty). [CTV (at 2:10, 2:54)]
"Being Alex Ovechkin" is not nearly as entertaining as "Being John Malkovich," which is ironic, as being Alex Ovechkin is almost certainly more fun than being John Malkovich. [The Hockey News]
The Caps' Russian trio hung out with a fellow Russian - and a top-10 women's tennis player, at that - last week. [Sony Ericsson WTA Tour]
Caps' radio voice Steve Kolbe "enjoys fishing and archery." If that means he shoots fish with a compound bow, he's my new hero. [PressBox]
Cody Eakin and Stefan Della Rovere will have to wait a little longer to play a game as teammates - the former was cut from Team Canada's WJC squad yesterday. [CBC]
More on Delly. [SLAM!]
John Carlson gets ready to represent the red, white and blue. [London Free Press]
Happy 44th birthday to Craig Berube and happy 51st to Dave Poulin.
Finally, we've obviously disagreed with some of Jim Kelley's recent musings, but we wish him nothing but the very best of luck in his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sunday Caps Clips: Hockey Night Let Down

J.P. — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:34:53 -0000

More photos » by Frank Gunn - AP

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Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's stinker from Corey (blog, article), Tarik (blog, article), Vogs, Joe B., Peerless, Ed Frankovic and Fight for Old DC.
If you didn't read Corey's blog entry from that first bullet, go back and do so now. [In The Room]
I'm not sure anyone asked, but that's never prevented Ron Wilson from offering up an opinion. [Peerless]
Ask Russians who their greatest NHLer of all-time is, and nearly one-third of them will tell you it's Alex Ovechkin (and more than half of them voted for a member of the 2008-09 Caps). [@dchesnokov]
Could Stefan Della Rovere be left off Canada's WJC team? I tend to doubt it. [SchoolYourPool]
Finally, happy 24th birthday to Andrew Gordon, happy 34th to Bates Battaglia, happy 76th to Doug Mohns... and happy 40th to the great Sergei Fedorov.

Friday Caps Clips: Freed Alex... Semin, That Is

J.P. — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:43:22 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

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Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's cakewalk from Corey (blog, article), Tarik (blog, article), Vogs, Joe B., Ed Frankovic, Peerless, Examiner, Fight For Old DC, TTT Hockey and Caps In Pictures (photos) and Litter Box Cats (show 'em some love, peeps).
Quote of the night: Mike Duco: "I thought [Alexandre Giroux] was going to get back at me after last year, we had a couple battles." Giroux: "I don't know who he is." Maybe Duco mistook Giroux for Greg Amadio or Kyle Wilson. [@abramfox]
Moron, err, more on Duco. [OFB]
Thanks to everyone who rocked the "Free Alex" signs (including some of the guys who literally make this all possible). Very cool. Some screen grabs (pulled from the open thread) and pics after the jump.
Jim Kelley is in the Hockey Hall of Fame for his writing, so you wouldn't expect an inaccurate, irresponsible and outright malicious piece of garbage from him. And yet, here's one on Alex Ovechkin. [SI.com]
On the flip side, George McPhee presents a measured defense of his superstar. [D.C. Sports Bog]
Given the comparisons made in the Kelley hit-piece, "Chris Pronger" doesn't sound all that bad. [NHL.com]
But let's hear from the man himself: "They call me caveman because I don't care what others think of me. I couldn't care less about anyone or anything." So. Very. Awesome. [Uh... here. But you might have missed it in the overnight]
Word of advice: if you want to be taken seriously when writing about a legitimate question (specifically whether or not the Caps should trade Alexander Semin), lose the phrase "[e]ver-improving Tomas Fleischmann." [The Hockey News]
Some love for Eric Fehr over at my old stomping grounds. [FanHouse]
Speaking of FanHouse, thanks to Bruce Ciskie for having me on his podcast earlier in the week. Check it out if you want to here me say pretty much what I've already typed here in the past. [FanHouse]
Sticking with self-promotion, our very own Becca is one odd woman, and is finally being recognized as such. Or something. [Cycle Like the Sedins]
John Carlson talks World Juniors. [Patriot-News]
So does Stefan Della Rovere. [Barrie Examiner]
The AHL has named Graham Mink and Nolan Baumgartner captains for its All-Star teams. Interestingly, both men played their first NHL game for the Caps. [AHL]

(Those two via renstar)

(via Fight For Old DC)

(via kman8924)

Thursday Caps Clips: Panthers @ Caps Game Day

J.P. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:35:58 -0000

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

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Previews of tonight's Southeast Division match-up between the Caps and Keith "Sunrise Swinger" Ballard and the Kitties from NHL.com and Peerless and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner (and one of the hardest working blogs in blogbiz) Litter Box Cats for coverage from the other side of tonight's match up.
If you're going to the game tonight, might I suggest a "Free Alex" sign?
Whomever's in goal for the Caps tonight... beware. [FanHouse]
"NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell didn't find it difficult to suspend [Alex] Ovechkin" ~~with the Caps facing his son's team next~~ ~~with the Caps not scheduled to be on national television any time soon~~. [NHL.com]
But A.O. ain't changin'. And he's mad. You wouldn't like him when he's mad. Unless you're a Caps fan, in which case you'll probably love him when he's mad. [Capitals Insider]
More thoughts on the suspension and the way he plays the game from The Washington Times, Dan Daly, Ed Frankovic, The Examiner, Elliotte Friedman, the Pittsburgh Penguins (as if you care what they think), the late Johnny Cash (wait, what?), and Ted Leonsis.
Great stuff on Eric Fehr, including the secret to his offensive surge: switching to A.O.'s sticks (we're still awaiting confirmation as to whether Tomas Fleischmann has been using John Erskine's twigs). [D.C. Sports Bog]
James van Riemsdyk's four goals and nine points in 12 games earned him Rookie of the Month honors for November, because apparently that's more impressive than Semyon Varlamov's 5-1-2/1.85/.936 month... [NHL.com]
... even though Varly was the most clutch goalie in the League - rookie or veteran - in November. [USA Today]
Caps prospect Dmitri Kugryshev is currently in the top 10 in the QMJHL in assists, and his favorite player is... Alexander Semin. [FanShot]
"Washington Capitals prospects Stefan Della Rovere and Cody Eakin have been invited to attend the 2010 Canadian National Junior Team Selection Camp, Hockey Canada announced today, while a third Capitals prospect, John Carlson, has been named to the preliminary roster for the 2010 U.S. Junior National Team, USA Hockey announced today." Go get 'em, boys. [Press Release]
Junior Seau talks pucks. Sorta. [Puck Daddy]
Sticking with football, the Caps have a fan in Philly. [D.C. Sports Bog]
Part of me thinks this is a little bit awesome. That part isn't allowed to blog. [eBay via First Cuts]
The Washington Times is "reducing staff by at least 40%. Sports likely to be gone, though nothing official." This is simply terrible news for Caps fans. Not sure what else to say. [@TimLemkeTWT]

November Prospects Update: Forwards

David M. Getz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:05:03 -0000

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Yesterday we took a look at the Capitals' goaltending and defense prospects, and today we turn our eyes to the organization's young forwards, a group whose strength is based more in the quantity than quality. That's not to say the Caps don't have some pretty skilled youngsters in the forward ranks, because they do. But while the blue line has guys like Karl Alzner and John Carlson and the future in goal looks to be either Semyon Varlamov or Michal Neuvirth, the forward corps lacks guys with high ceilings at the NHL level and doesn't have any blue-chips. Despite the uncertainty, there's not necessarily reason to be worried because while it's doubtful all of the Capitals forwards prospects (even the good ones) will become successful NHL players, it's also unlikely that at least a couple won't.

The prospects and their early season numbers, after the jump.

Jay Beagle (Center/Right Wing) - Much like last season, Beagle's plugging along and contributing in a checking role for the Bears. Beagle's NHL potential probably tops out at about a 13th or 14th forward, and the Caps won't be rushing him to the NHL any time soon, but he could get in a couple games if injuries necessitate a recall.

Jay Beagle	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Hershey	AHL	24	12	1	3	4	-4	6	0	0	-	18	5.6

Francois Bouchard (Left Wing/Right Wing) - After a solid first professional season in 2008-09 (35 points; 15 goals in 64 games with the Bears), Bouchard's running at a point-per-game pace so far this season thanks to a late-October surge. Even more impressive is the fact that only one of Bouchard's point (an assist) has come with the man advantage. On the flip side, a large part of his production is due to his 27.8% shooting percentage - don't expect that to last.

Francois Bouchard	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Hershey	AHL	21	11	5	6	11	4	4	0	0	-	18	27.8

Trevor Bruess (Left Wing) - He's getting playing time in Hershey, but aside of a fight with Binghamton's Paul Baier he hasn't done a whole lot.

Trevor Bruess	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Hershey	AHL	23	8	0	0	0	1	11	-	-	-	8	0.0

Joel Broda (Center) - Obviously you can only discern so much about a guy who's still playing in juniors, but it's hard not to be encouraged by Broda's numbers. In 2008 the Capitals picked him in the fifth round, after a season where he recorded 31 goals and 53 points in 73 games with the Tri-City Americans and Moose Jaw Warriors; in the 2008-09 season Broda recorded 53 goals and 87 points in 67 games while splitting time between Moose Jaw and the Calgary Hitmen. While he's not scoring at the prodigious pace he was last season, Broda's again producing at better than a point-per-game.

Joel Broda	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Calgary	WHL	19	16	8	9	17	2	23	5	0	-	-	-

Greg Burke (Left Wing) - Having his 2008-09 season cut short by a shoulder injury and playing in just eight games for the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, doesn't seem to have slowed Burke down too much: he's played in all seven of the University of New Hampshire's games this season.

Greg Burke	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
University of New Hampshire	HE	19	7	0	2	2	-2	2	0	0	0	9	0.0

Stefan Della Rovere (Left Wing) - Everybody's favorite NHL-pest-to-be is picking up right where he left off last season, dropping the gloves, adding some offense, and captaining one of the OHL's best teams - and that's all good news for a Capitals team that needs some more sandpaper in the lineup. Della Rovere's also been named to the OHL's Subway Super Series team, Canada's most prestigious sandwich-themed junior hockey tournament.

Stefan Della Rovere	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Barrie	OHL	19	16	5	7	12	5	31	2	0	-	-	-

Phil DeSimone (Center) - An offensive force when he was drafted out of the USHL, DeSimone is still looking to fulfill his potential at the collegiate level, although he did increase his point total from 13 to 18 and his goal total from three to seven from his freshman to sophomore year.

Phil DeSimone	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
University of New Hampshire	HE	22	7	0	2	2	-6	10	0	0	0	8	0.0

Cody Eakin (Center) - Eakin's not a big guy (though he's a pretty tough one), but he is a terrific skater with good offensive instincts who also receives accolades for his two way play. Eakin's progressed nicely for the Swift Current Broncos in his WHL career, going from 17 points in 2007-08, to 48 points in 2008-09, to 23 through his team's first nineteen games of this season. Those might not sound like world-beating numbers, but consider this: 18 of Eakin's 2009-10 points are goals, a total that has him tied for the WHL lead. It's also telling that the Capitals have already inked Eakin to a professional contract, and there's a good chance he'll get a game or two in Hershey at the end of this season.

Cody Eakin	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Swift Current	WHL	18	19	18	5	23	-1	27	9	3	-	-	-

Joe Finley (Left Wing/Defense) - He's been playing defense in South Carolina (who list him as a defenseman), but the Capitals still list him as a forward, so we will too. At 22, Finley's a bit old for someone with NHL hopes to be plying his trade in the East Coast League, especially given that the experiment with moving him to wing appears to be on the back burner.

Joe Finley	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
South Carolina	ECHL	22	7	1	1	2	3	20	0	0	-	7	14.3

Andrew Gordon (Right Wing) - just two years ago the Capitals, unhappy with Gordon's performance in the AHL, briefly demoted him to South Carolina. Last year Gordon became an important piece of Hershey's Calder Cup team and got in a game in with the big club. This year Gordon's ascent has continued: he's averaging over a point a game, sports a plus-5 rating, and has only taken one penalty: a fight against Brian Lee. Gordon's probably never going to be a top six forward at the NHL level, but we'd sure like to see what he could do on a Caps energy line - the sooner, the better.

Andrew Gordon	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Hershey	AHL	23	12	7	9	16	5	5	5	0	-	36	19.4

Anton Gustafsson (Center) - The Capitals couldn't find room for him to get playing time in Hershey and it didn't look like he'd be getting playing time in Sweden's highest league either, and a a result, the Caps wound up lending Gustafsson to Borås HC, a team in Sweden's second division. Gus is getting playing time there, and has picked up four assists and nine shots in four games, although is winning only 47% of his faceoffs.

Anton Gustafsson	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Borås HC	Allsvenskan	19	4	0	4	4	0	2	0	0	0	9	0.0

Jake Hauswirth (Center/Right Wing) - one of the biggest surprises of 2008's prospects camp earned himself a contract this past summer. His transition to the pro game is going well and, although a call-up to the Capitals is in no way in the near future, Hauswirth could work his way up the ladder to Hershey later this season or in 2010-11.

Jake Hauswirth	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
South Carolina	ECHL	21	7	1	3	4	2	0	0	0	-	6	16.7

Dmitri Kugryshev (Left Wing ) - In large part thanks to a shooting percentage that's only half of what it was last year, Kugryshev isn't scoring at the same rate he did in 2008-09, when he was Qubec's leading rookie scorer, and a 34 goal, 74 points campaign earned him the QMJHL Rookie of the Year award. That doesn't mean he's not putting up points, though, and the goals should come in time.

Dmitri Kugryshev	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Quebec	QMJHL	19	18	4	13	17	5	18	0	0	1	52	7.7

Marcus Johansson (Center/Left Wing) - this past summer's first round draft pick is playing for Farjestads, currently one of Sweden's best teams. Even better, he's leading the team in goals and scoring (which isn't too much of a surprise considering some of the moves he has), though a lot of that has to do with an undoubtedly temporarily high shooting percentage. He's playing center right now, but there's been talk that Johansson might move the wing when he comes to North American, something his -1 rating and 40% faceoff win rate are advocating.

Marcus Johansson	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Farjestads	SEL	19	10	6	4	10	-1	10	2	0	1	20	30.0

Oskar Osala (Left Wing)- It took him until the seventh game of the season to record his first point, but since then Osala's come on strong, with five points in his last six games. You can never have too many big bodies up front (Osala goes 6'4'', 220) who can contribute on the score sheet, so here's hoping Osala keeps piling up the points and earns himself another trip to D.C..

Oskar Osala	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Hershey	AHL	21	12	3	2	5	-3	15	0	0	-	39	7.7

Mathieu Perreault (Center) - Like Osala, he started off slow (no point in his first five games for Hershey), before coming on strong. Unlike Osala, Perreault's size (allegedly 5'10'', 174) will always be a concern. But if he plays with smarts, skill, and determination he did on Wednesday, something tells me the Caps will be able to live with it.

Mathieu Perreault	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Hershey	AHL	21	12	1	3	4	-4	6	0	0	-	18	5.6
Washington	NHL	21	1	0	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	2	0.0

Kyle Wilson (Center) - after two solid offensive seasons in Hershey (a total of 58 goals and 61 assists), but no chance to come up and show what he can do in the NHL we're starting to wonder if and when he's going to get that opportunity.

Kyle Wilson	Lge	Age	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Hershey	AHL	24	12	2	5	7	-1	2	1	0	-	30	6.7

Wednesday Caps Clips: Five W's in a Row

J.P. — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:44:14 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

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Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's win from Corey (blog, article), Tarik (blog, article), Vogs, Joe B., Peerless, OFB, Ed Frankovic, Puck Daddy, Cap Centre (and here), The Two-Line Pass and Hockey Mom from the Caps' side, and Broad Street Hockey (go read it), Tim Panaccio, Chuck Gormley, and the Philly Inquirer.
More pictures from the game. [Tic Tac Toe Hockey (great Mike Richards and Ray Emery shots), Caps In Pictures]
The Caps are up to second overall in this week's SBN power rankings. [SBN]
Steve Kolbe "Takes 5" with 55. [Capitals (audio)]
"Slapshots" with Brooks Laich. [CSN Washington]
Tomas Fleischmann is working his way back to D.C. [John Walton Hockey]
Braden Holtby gets some serious love. [NHL.com]
Speaking of goalies, an interview with Stretch. [Rock The Red.net]
Stefan Della Rovere will protect Ontario from the Russians. [Barrie Examiner]
The NHL is now on Facebook. Friend it or do whatever it is you kids do in such situations. [Facebook]
An update on Matt Pettinger's comeback efforts. [Winnipeg Sun]
Finally, happy 43rd birthday to Cap-for-nine-games Benoit Hogue.

Wednesday Caps Clips: Goalies Galore

J.P. — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:42:19 -0000

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Today's must-read looks at the past, present and future of homegrown Caps goalies. Only four netminders drafted by the team (Peter Sidorkiewicz, Olie Kolzig, Byron Dafoe and Jim Carey) would go on to play 100 NHL games, and, as we've noted before, Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are 9th and 11th, respectively, in regular season NHL appearances by a Caps-drafted goalies. Oy. [Capitals.com]
At the other end of the spectrum from "must-read" is Allan Muir on his 11th-ranked Caps (spoiler alert: no crease-clearing D = oh noes!!1!1!). [SI.com]
Whereas Muir has the Caps at 5th in the Eastern Conference, they're either first or second at THN. [The Hockey News]
I guess it's fair to leave Mike Knuble off the list of top players over 35-years-old (though he did tie for the lead in goals among these "old-timers" last season), but leaving Ray Whitney and Daniel Alfredsson out of your top eight forwards is indefensible. Oh, and Michael Nylander didn't make the list either. [NHL.com]
Dmitri Orlov blows up Alexander Svitov. [Smotri.com via Caps Message Board]
Stefan Della Rovere's looking to follow up a "spine-tingling" 2008-09 with a bit more consistency over the full season in Barrie. [Barrie Advance]
Craig Laughlin's (undrafted) son Kyle, has signed with the Reading Royals, where his name will apparently be pronounced "LOFF lin." [RoyalsHockey.com]
It's red-on-red, and it's a mystery (though I'll suggest "1992 All-Star Game Superskills" as a likely partial answer). [Strange But True]
Lurker or active commentor, there's something for everyone in this link. [Pension Plan Puppets]
On this date back in 1998, the Caps traded center Jeff Nelson (who's still at it, btw) to Nashville for future considerations, thus providing us with an image for today's post.
Finally, Happy 44th Birthday to David A. Jensen, whom the Caps acquired from Hartford in exchange for Sidorkiewicz (two Peter Sidorkiewicz references in one post?!) and... Dean Evason. Not a good trade.

Monday Caps Clips: ... And Then There Was Summer

J.P. — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:44:25 -0000

photo via Caps In Pictures

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Development Camp has come and gone, and there are plenty of wrap-ups from Corey, CapsChick, and The Capital Letter, and a few "awards" (feel free to add your own in the comments), including:
- Tarik's Three Stars of Camp: Michael Dubuc, Mathieu Perreault, John Carlson
- Peerless's Three Stars fo the Week: John Carlson, Michael Dubuc, Braden Holtby
- Corey's All-Camp Teams - First Team: F-Mathieu Perreault, F-Michael Dubuc, F-Cody Eakin, D-John Carlson, D-Dmitri Orlov, G-Braden Holtby; Second Team: F-Trevor Bruess, F-Stefan Della Rovere, F-Garrett Mitchell, D-Zach Miskovic, D-Joe Finley, G-Garrett Zemlak
Recaps of the final scrimmage from Vogs, Peerless, OFB and Puckhead's Thoughts, and pictures from Caps In Pictures.
Bruess on what type of player he models his game after: "I like guys who are complete players, someone who can be a top-five goal scorer and is willing to fight for his team and do anything to win. That's what I'd like to be." [Capitals Kremlin]
"Jay Beagle was once a nonroster guy. Now he has played seven games for the Caps - including four in the postseason. Miskovic and [Jake] Hauswirth were here last summer, and now they're back with contracts in hand." Who's this year's Cinderella story? [Washington Times]
Bruce Boudreau on Anton Gustafsson: "He's an unknown right now. We'll wait until September and watch him in camp. He's a signed first-round guy who everyone says is a good player so we'll go with that." Uh huh. [Capitals Kremlin]
The Caps have played the third-most games (regular season and playoffs) in the Eastern Conference since the start of the 2007-08 season, which is interesting, but here's a killer stat: "the Penguins have played 13 Stanley Cup finals games in the past two seasons, that’s as many as Washington, Philadelphia and Boston have combined to play in the past 22 seasons (their combined record: 1-12)." [PensBurgh]
"Everyone outside of Vancouver may have forgotten, but [Brendan] Morrison can flat out play.... At $1.5 million for one year, Morrison could wind up with one of the NHL’s top PPD – points per dollar." [The Hockey News]
John Tortorella speaks out on his new tough guy, Donald Brashear. My guess is Scotty Hockey's still not buying it. [NY Post]
Tom Poti's bachelor party - what happens at Foxwoods stays at Foxwoods? [Boston.com]
"Spanking-new and controversial." Yep: Hot Stick. [Jacksonville Observer]
Keith Aucoin: born winner. [New England Hockey Journal]
For more on the Keith Seabrook trade, check out the Calgary Sun and Calgary Herald.
Sergei and Fedor Fedorov will wear mirror numbers - 18 and 81, respectively - for Magnitogorsk. Awww. [Russia Today]
Four years ago today, "Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals' No. 1 overall draft pick last year, ended weeks of speculation about his immediate future ... when he chose the Capitals over his Russian hockey club." The world would never be the same again.
Finally, Happy 59th Birthday to former Cap player and, more notably, head coach Terry Murray.

The Game-Night Ritual of Pulling Over the Jersey

Stephen Pepper — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:08:13 -0000

photo credit: "Marge" via alexovetjkin.blogspot.com

Each early evening of a game night, a game for which I'm fortunate to have a ticket, I relish that magical, transformative moment as a fan when I pull over a jersey just prior to leaving my home (or hotel room) and making my way to the arena. A fan may get a tingling, prideful feeling when buttoning up his favorite wide-collared shirt, clasping on those sweet cufflinks (you know, the vintage ones with the wheel of cards; or these), sporting that perfectly tailored suit. Or when slipping on and zipping up her favorite dress. Slammin'. Ah, but putting on that jersey, feeling that synthetic weave over your head, fight strap tickling your back, brings emotion of a different quality altogether.

Long before I ever laced 'em up to play hockey on ice, I was a fan. And in those early days as a young teenager, with no other connection to hockey, I treated my first couple of Capitals jerseys with a care befitting the Shroud of Turin. (Ok, not quite.) Washing a jersey was out of the question. A stain sent me into a panic. But, slowly, I emerged from that ignorance to realize that jerseys were made to be washed, even played in. Still, whether it's as a spectator or a player, putting on the jersey is always a uniquely special occasion.

I attended the Caps' road game at MSG on February 11. A healthy number of Caps fans were there with me that night but, of course, we were all smack in the heart of Rangerville. I boarded a crowded E train on my way to the Garden, filled with commuters and a sizable contingent of Ranger fans. My home red Boyd Gordon gamer stood out about as much as one could stand out in a Gotham subway car. An older gent sat across from me reading the NY Post sports page, and his eye caught my jersey. He looked up at me and muttered "Should be a great game tonight. You got a good team there." Heh. I have a good team. And it was a wonderful feeling to saunter through the catacombs of New York's Penn Station on my way to the arena, wearing the bold colors of a renegade tribe. Well worth the price of that jersey.

It's always a well-contemplated decision of what jersey to wear on a given game night. Some nights call for the Alex Semin replica. Others call for Gordo. During the 2006-07 season, unable to wait for the return to the original colors, I wore this fictitious Caps sweater. (I know, a jersey foul, some might say.) And all manner of superstitions may dictate the wardrobe result, though I've tried to distance myself from those.

Research studies abound concluding that the style and color of uniforms affect performance, can bring forth powerful emotions, and even fundamentally alter our behavior. For what it's worth, the Capitals' dominant color of red "is a sexually selected, testosterone-dependent signal of male quality" and can alone lead to greater athletic success.

We wonder if "Professor" Matt Bradley feels just a little bit brainier, authoritative, wearing that white lab coat. And we wonder what you feel when you wear your Capitals jersey.

For fans, donning the colors of a uniform resembling, as closely as possible, those worn by one's favorite team on the ice is a tremendously powerful bonding experience, bringing us together with our fellow fans as well as, at least superficially, with the team on the ice. Wherever they may be. It's perhaps a significant reason for many fans using "we" to reference the team they love.

More fascinating than the thrill of wearing a Caps jersey itself is breaking down the decision-making process of choosing a particular player's sweater to purchase and wear. Often, the players whose surnames we wear on our backs reflect how we perceive ourselves and how we want to express ourselves.

Wearing Bradley's jersey may signify that you're a very determined fellow, quick, full of heart, witty, and perhaps disposed to important environmental causes. Wearing Alex Semin's jersey may underlie a desire to identify with razor-sharp athletic skill, artistic brush strokes of pure genius on ice. (Or, perhaps, you enjoy drumming.) Sporting #8 may mean that you always shoot for the stars, look toward nothing but the ultimate package of grit and glory. Or perhaps a Caps jersey with NNOB is for you. The team and community come first, above any individual player.

Further, do you more enjoy celebrating old glory, or looking to the future? It's quite a different feeling when pulling Kevin Hatcher's home #4, with captain's C, from the early '90's out of my closet, then when I slip off of its hanger Stefan Della Rovere's blue practice jersey from development camp.

So what's your favorite (or only) Caps jersey, and why did you choose that particular player (or no player)? Do you have any pre-game ritual focused on pulling over those threads? How does it make you feel when you go out into the world wearing a Caps jersey?

Tuesday Caps Clips

J.P. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:41:57 -0000

Let's hit the links:

WaPo on secondary scoring (or the lack thereof); WaTimes on how Gabby is dealing with the losing streak.
The Caps are the 10th best franchise in hockey and 41st best in professional sports (one spot ahead of the town's football team, 41 spots ahead of its hoops team, and... Washington has a baseball team?). [Ted's Take]
Canadian Jason Arnott gets it: “I think it’s exciting. He’s on 47 goals this season and it’s still like he’s scoring his first goal in the NHL. I think it’s great for the league because the fans love it and the kids love it. That’s just the way he is.’’ Canadian J.P. Dumont, too: "It’s just his love for the game coming through." [Tennessean]
Alex Ovechkin failed to race back at full speed on one play on Sunday, therefore he's terrible. Quality stuff. [FanHouse]
Power rankings are out with the Caps dropping one spot to fifth at SportingNews.com, down one to eighth and The Hockey News, down one to third at ESPN (where Scott Burnside is freaking people out), and holding at fourth at CBSSports.com.
Brian Pothier "looked very good" and "really comfortable" on Saturday for Hershey (Simeon Varlamov, too). [HBH]
Speaking of Varly, he came off injured reserve to stop 20 of 21 shots on Saturday and then has back in the pipes to allow six goals on 27 shots on Sunday? Really?
Sticking with Hershey, when you're nearly six years out from being drafted, you're being compared to Quintin Laing, and your coach's primary criticism is that you aren't scoring enough... let's just say, don't expect to see Andrew Joudrey in D.C. any time soon. [York Daily Record]
If you've ever wondered what life's like in Alexander Semin's hometown of Krasnoyarsk, it was featured prominently on the last episode of "The Amazing Race" (here's a short clip), and man... it ain't D.C. [CBS (h/t Alice)]
A must-read on Stefan Della Rovere. [Barrie Examiner]
EMac talks Caps on The Rink Podcast (which has nothing to do with this Rink, though they've had me on before).
Welcome Hangar 39 to the blogosphere.
Bruuuuuce. No, not that one. The other one. [AHL.com (h/t Buddy)]
UniWatch shares an Athletic Knitwear catalog from 1974 (making it older than me... sweet) which contains some thoroughly awesome hockey-related products here, here and here (nice pads, dude). [UniWatch]
The Stars resigned Brian Sutherby to a 2-year/$1.6M extension. No regrets here. [CBSSports.com]
Happy birthdays go out to former Caps Stephen Peat (29) and Martin Brochu.
Finally, two pieces from The Rink archives - doom and gloom from a year ago today following the Nicklas Backstrom own-goal and the dissection of an unintentionally funny article out of Toronto three years ago today.