Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Bure I really appreciate the effort you put into this dynasty. I'm a big stat guy as well I log every game so it helps that you can track point streaks and whose hot and whose cold. It also helps that you can go back and see if a certain player is hot against a certain team. Like Kessel who owns my Senators currently in my dynasty.

Keep it up.

I agree with what you're saying SENS...it is nice to keep track of streaks and what not. I need to figure out a way to do it though. I was thinking maybe an excel spread sheet for each player? If you guys have any suggestions that would be awesome and appreciated. I think it would help in my write-ups if I had those kind of stats to use. I just need to use the data more affectively.

Thanks for all the encourgagement guys! It really keeps me going

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

I log all my games in excel. When I was a University student and had more time to geek out I logged my dynasty stats in Access then I could run queries and such for player statistics. I'd also have reports premade so after I ran a query they would already be set to post. It takes time to setup but once you got that out the way it's a pretty powerful tool.

[onlybygrace]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

I log all my games in excel. When I was a University student and had more time to geek out I logged my dynasty stats in Access then I could run queries and such for player statistics. I'd also have reports premade so after I ran a query they would already be set to post. It takes time to setup but once you got that out the way it's a pretty powerful tool.

Sweet...

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Sweet...

LOL...I was thinking the same thing! Sens is way sweet with the computer. I will probably look into messing around with Excel then since I have no experience in Access. Thanks for the input Sens!

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Hey fellow puck heads! We’re 20 games into the regular season and your resident blogger has a few thoughts he’d like to share on the season thus far. A couple of the topics I’d like to share with you fellow Capitals fans are:

- Rating General Manager George McPhee’s performance
- Rating Coach Bruce Boudreau’s performance
- Which Caps stocks are rising
- Which Caps stocks are on the decline
- The Enigma that is Alexandre Semin
- Alexandre Ovechkin, not leading the team in goals, crazy!
- Is there a goaltender controversy brewing?
>>
The GM’s Office…>>
>>
Overall I think GM McPhee is doing a fine job. He said at the beginning of the season that his goal was to cut down the salary cap while not disrupting the strength of the organization. By following the player movements that he has made so far you can clearly see that he has been able to do just that:
>>
Departed:

Goalie: Jose Theodore
Defensemen: Brian Pothier, Milan Jurcina, Josh Godfrey
& Patrick McNeill
Forwards: Michael Nylander, Chris Clark, Eric Fehr
& Quintin Laing
Draft Picks: 3^rd Round(Washington)
>>
Arriving:

Defensemen: Ed Jovanovski, Kyle Quincey
Forwards: Jason Chimera, Evander Kane, Robert Lang, Toby Petersen, Andrew Peters(Claimed off waivers by San Jose) & Konstantin Pushkarev
Draft Picks: 2^nd Round(New Jersey)
>>
Starting the season with approximately 1-1.5 million in cap space. GM McPhee has managed in my humble estimation, to be well around 5-6 million in cap space currently, which should be enough room to resign both center Nicklas Backstrom and winger Alexandre Semin. He has also managed to upgrade the Capitals defense significantly and was able to replace the 3^rd round pick he gave up with a 2^nd round pick from New Jersey. Getting rid of a lot of big contracts was one thing but he also worked a deal with Atlanta to get Evander Kane. That move may not matter this season but it will potentially next year. Kane is projected as a top six forward.
>>
Coach’s Corner…>>
>>
Coach Bruce Boudreau has had a lot to work with this year so far as well. With all the roster moves that GM McPhee has made it has but quite a bit of stress on Coach Boudreau. He has juggled the lines quite a few times this year and has been working to find just the right chemistry. I will admit the handling of winger Alexandre Semin was puzzling earlier in the season. He does slump at times but he is worthy of first or second line duty. Boudreau had him on the third line for quite sometime and Semin did not seem to respond well to it. When he was finally moved to the second line his goal scoring came to life. Semin has still been streaky but his production has been moving in the right direction. Other than the normal everyday injuries and call ups, all four forward lines and three defensive pairings seem to be rounding out well. For now I feel that Coach Boudreau has done well at adapting to the circumstances and despite the shuffling the team sits in first place in the Eastern Conference. I think we will get a better feel for this team in the next twenty games or so.
>>
Now the goaltending situation is a bit different. Is there a controversy in net? Semyon Varlamov went into the season as the number one goalie for Boudreau. But recently the play of Michal Neuvirth has got me thinking, is he really the number one? Neuvirth has put up identical numbers but has only lost one game, Varlamov has lost five. Has Coach Boudreau made the right decision in net? I’m not sure at this point. Neuvirth has shown up to this point that he’s just as capable as Varlamov. Has Boudreau noticed this as well?
>>
Stock Going Up!>>
>>
Here are some of the Caps stocks that I feel are on the rise:
>>
- P.J. Tait, RW, has to be first and foremost because no one expected this production out of him, not even Coach Boudreau. I’m not even sure the kid expected it out of himself. Can he keep it up is the only question now?
- Brooks Laich, C/LW, found himself looking to find his niche with this team. Has settled in at second line center taking over for the slumping Brendan Morrison. Seems to have built some chemistry with wingers Pavel Bure & Alexander Semin. Speaking of Semin…
- Alexander Semin, LW/RW, after a rough start to the season he finds himself on the second line and is second on the team in scoring with nine goals. More on him later…
- Jeff Schultz, D, started the year demoted to the AHL after the preseason than worked hard on his game and got called back up to the NHL. He has been dynamite ever since. Him and his defensive partner Shoane Morrisonn have become the shut down duo the Caps were looking for. On top of that he’s added four points in ten games. Glad the fire was lit under his butt!
>>
Stock Going Down?>>
>>
Here are some of the Caps that I feel have dropped and need to pick it up:
>>
- Brendan Morrison, C, one of the big free agent signings in the offseason. Started the season on the second line but lack of production and chemistry with Pavel Bure had him move to the third line.
- Mike Knuble, RW, the second of big free agent signings in the offseason finds himself in same boat as Brendan Morrison…on the third line. He was also a healthy scratch in five games. May be finally fitting in and has shown some chemistry with Morrison and newly acquire left wing Jason Chimera.
- Semyon Varlamov, G, I know this may surprise some. His numbers look good in the goals against and save percentage categories but his win loss record is 8 – 5. Has he solidified himself as the number one goalie? Michal Neuvirth is 5 – 1 with comparable numbers…
>>
As far as the rest of the roster, I feel that they are doing exactly what is being asked of them and what we come to expect from them.
>>
Odds & Ends…
>>
- Alexandre Ovechkin is third on the team in goals! Maybe he was serious when he said he didn’t care about stats and just wants to win this year. Or is he just off to a slow start?
- The enigma that is Alexandre Semin, you’ve heard my comparisons of him to Sergei Fedorov. I still stand by it and he’s proving my theory correct so far this season. He scores only four goals in his first thirteen games. Then he scores five goals in his last four games. The definition of inconsistency! Thank you Mr. Semin!
- I’ve been hearing rumors that the Capitals are looking to move some prospects. They seem to be targeting someone that might be able to step in next year if they have trouble signing some of their own players. Teams I’m hearing are Toronto, Columbus, Vancouver and others not named. These rumors could be true considering GM McPhee has already sent a highly touted prospect in defensemen Josh Godfrey for another one in center Evander Kane.
- I’m also hearing the McPhee is also already sending out the scouts to look at players that might be available at the trade deadline. Scouts were said to be spotted at Detroit, Edmonton, Florida, Carolina and Philadelphia.

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Nice update.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

Defenses Stay at Home…

>>
Washington Capitals (13-6-1-0) vs. New York Rangers (10-7-2-0)
>>
After the first period of the Washington Capitals versus the New York Rangers you would have thought the game would end in a 0 – 0 tie. “I know I wasn’t expecting that coming out of the locker room,” Capitals defensemen Mike Green said, “then all the sudden pucks are going into the net on both sides. It was crazy!” Green had a goal and an assist in the second period en route to a four point night, his best game of the season thus far. “Greenie was on fire tonight. When he’s making passes like that it makes all of us better,” captain Alexandre Ovechkin stated. Washington added one more goal totaling three for the period but it wasn’t enough. New York poured on four goals totaling seven for both teams in the second period. Both goalies were shell shocked to say the least. But that wasn’t enough scoring, both teams came out in the third and scored another five goals total. The Capitals faired better though, four of those five belonged to them. “Our offense was terrific tonight. I wish we could get that from the guys every night. They are definitely capable of it,” an excited Coach Bruce Boudreau exclaimed, “I just wish the defense would have been better. Letting in a goal after you score on an empty net is unacceptable. But we got the win tonight so maybe I’ll over look that mistake.”
>>
1^st Period>>
>>
None
>>
2^nd Period>>
>>
NYR – Prospal (Lisin, Avery)
NYR – Gilroy (Del Zotto, Dubinsky)
Was. – (7) Backstrom (Quincey, Green)
Was. – (10) Semin (Bure, Jovanovski) (PP)
Was. – (4) Green (Unassisted)
NYR – Redden (Higgins) (PP)
NYR – Avery (Rozsival, Kotalik) (PP)
>>
3^rd Period>>
>>
Was. – (9) Ovechkin (Tait, Gordon)
Was. – (11) Semin (Green)
Was. – (13) Tait (Green, Ovechkin)
Was. – (2) Knuble (Jovanovski, Chimera) (EN)
NYR – Callahan (Dubinsky, Brashear)
>>
Final – Washington – 7 New York R. - 5
>>
Three Stars

3. Alexandre Ovechkin ( 1 – 1 – 2, +3)
2. P.J. Tait ( 1 – 1 – 2, +3)
1. Mike Green ( 1 – 3 – 4, +3)
>>
Washington

40 Shots
18 Hits
24 Faceoffs
8:37 Time on Attack
17:00 PIM
1/6 PP
>>
New York R.

30 Shots
31 Hits
26 Faceoffs
6:49 Time on Attack
21:00 PIM
2/5 PP
>>
Points Leaders

13 – 14 – 27 Tait
4 – 19 – 23 Green
9 – 13 – 22 Ovechkin
7 – 12 – 19 Backstrom
4 – 12 – 16 Bure
>>
Game Notes:>>
>>
- Coach Boudreau made the following changes to the line up:
- 1^st Line: LW Alexandre Ovechkin
- 2^nd Line: LW Alexandre Semin
- Washington called up defensemen John Erskine, sent down center Evander Kane

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

Power Play Saves The Day…

>>
Montreal Canadians (9-10-1-1) vs. Washington Capitals (14-6-1-0)
>>
After losing their last game at home the Washington Capitals did not want a repeat with the visiting Montreal Canadians. Starting off the Capitals on the night was defensemen Ed Jovanovski with a screamer from the point. “Up to this point I just wasn’t finding my mark,” Jovanovski explained, “but tonight I was on target all night. I was glad to help the team,” and help the team he did with two goals on the night.
>>
Things were looking pretty grim for Washington going into the third period. They were trailing by one goal when the struggling power play came to life. Jovanovski started the period off with his second of the night and shortly after right wing Pavel Bure found the back of the net with the man advantage. “I think I’ve been trying to hard,” Bure admitted, “maybe gripping the stick too tight? I’ve been shooting like crazy but goals have been hard to come by. Still trying to shake the rust off I guess, glad I could get us the win tonight.”
>>
1^st Period>>
>>
Was. – (1) Jovanovski (Ovechkin, Poti)
Mtl. – Gomez (Unassisted) (SH)
Mtl. – Gionta (Cammalleri, A. Kostitsyn)
>>
2^nd Period>>
>>
None
>>
3^rd Period>>
>>
Was. – (2) Jovanovski (Ovechkin, Poti) (PP)
Was. – (5) Bure (Laich) (PP)
>>
Final – Montreal – 2 Washington - 3
>>
Three Stars

3. Tom Poti ( 0 – 2 – 2, +1)
2. Alexandre Ovechkin ( 0 – 2 – 2, +1)
1. Ed Jovanovski ( 2 – 0 – 2, +1)
>>
Montreal

24 Shots
29 Hits
20 Faceoffs
6:06 Time on Attack
18:00 PIM
0/2 PP
>>
Washington

38 Shots
17 Hits
21 Faceoffs
9:18 Time on Attack
16:00 PIM
2/4 PP
>>
Points Leaders

13 – 14 – 27 Tait
9 – 15 – 24 Ovechkin
4 – 19 – 23 Green
7 – 12 – 19 Backstrom
5 – 12 – 17 Bure
>>
Game Notes:>>
>>
- Coach Boudreau made no changes to the line up.

[bthomp05]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Back to Back wins for you, good for you. That was a monster of a game against New York, 13 goals, wow..

Excellent Capitals Blog write up as well. Very impressive.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Back to Back wins for you, good for you. That was a monster of a game against New York, 13 goals, wow..

Excellent Capitals Blog write up as well. Very impressive.

Thanks bthomp appreciate it! But to be honest I've been spending so much time reading about your franchise and all the other amazing ones that I neglect to update mine or play any games!

I will be posting a game after this post. But I did want to mention that I've noticed on other franchise that there is a lot of participation from the community which I think is extremely cool. Sooooo...I just wanted to let everyone know that mine is not just for me to post and you to read. If you want to participate than that's totally cool with me! If you have questions, comments, anything, feel free to post and I'll do my best to answer or discuss whatever.

To start I have a few questions for those that are past the trade deadline. This is my first franchise and I've never simulated one through. So here are the questions:

One, in the NHL, after the trade deadline, teams are allowed to keep over the 23 man roster...IF...BIG IF...they remain under the salary cap. Does NHL 10 follow this or are you stuck with 23 man rosters through out the playoffs? I know the Captials have either 25 or 26 guys on their roster right now after the trade deadline so I'm hoping it might be possible.

Second, has anyone bought out a contract in the off-season after season one? How does that work? Does it count towards your salary cap? Is it at a reduced rate?

Any help on those two questions would be awesome and appreciated big time. It will help my franchise going forward for sure!

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Bure I don't know about the roster size but I know you can buyout contracts right after the NHL Draft. I'm not exactly sure about the hit you take on the Salary Cap.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

Jovanoski Stay’s Hot…

>>
Washington Capitals (15-6-1-0) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (12-5-2-1)
>>
The Washington Capitals traveled to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs in what looked to be a match up of two solid contenders in the Eastern Conference and spectators were not disappointed. The Capitals scored the lone goal in first period from defensemen Tom Poti, his second of the year. In the second period it looked to be all Maple Leafs with goals by Matt Stajan and Jamal Mayers at even strength to put the game at 2 – 1 in Toronto’s favor. But Alex Ovechkin would have none of it, he scored his tenth of the season to pull even before the end of the second.
>>
The third period was set to be quite the finale after Washington and Toronto played some spectacular hockey in the first two periods. When both teams came out of the locker rooms it was the Capitals who showed why they currently sit atop the East. Ed Jovanovski scored his third goal of the year which has scored all three in the last two games. “I was getting a little concerned,” Jovanovski admitted, “pucks weren’t going in so far all season and I was expecting more of myself. I’m glad to have contributed the last two games.” After Jovo’s goal the Caps were up by one when Alex Ovechkin scored to seal the deal. It was his second of the game and added to his points for a total of three on the night.
>>
Overshadowed by all Washington’s scoring was the stellar play of rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth. He only allowed two goals all night and won his sixth game of the season. Michal has only lost one game all season. I asked Neuvirth his thoughts on his role with the team and if he should be receiving more playing time. “I just go out there and perform when the coaches ask me too. I’m the back up goalie and that’s my role. I don’t think there is any controversy. Seymon(Varlamov) is the number one goalie on this team. The media is making more of it than there needs to be. I’m fine with my role,” Neuvirth answered. Perhaps we, the media, are looking to far into it but Michal’s numbers are pretty convincing. He’s a solid goaltender. Back up or not.
>>
1^st Period>>
>>
Was. – (2) Poti (Fleischmann, Semin)
>>
2^nd Period>>
>>
Tor. – Stajan (Unassisted)
Tor. – Mayers (Grabovski, Beauchemin)
Was. – (10) Ovechkin (Tait, Backstrom)
>>
3^rd Period>>
>>
Was. – (3) Jovanovski (Tait, Ovechkin)
Was. – (11) Ovechkin (Quincey, Green)
>>
Final – Washington – 4 Toronto - 2
>>
Three Stars

3. P.J. Tait ( 0 – 2 – 2, +2)
2. Michal Neuvirth (28 Saves)
1. Alexandre Ovechkin ( 2 – 1 – 3, +2)
>>
Washinton

39 Shots
25 Hits
34 Faceoffs
6:44 Time on Attack
27:00 PIM
0/4 PP
>>
Toronto

30 Shots
21 Hits
13 Faceoffs
7:01 Time on Attack
14:00 PIM
0/7 PP
>>
Points Leaders

13 – 16 – 29 Tait
11 – 16 – 27 Ovechkin
4 – 20 – 24 Green
7 – 13 – 20 Backstrom
5 – 12 – 17 Bure
>>
Game Notes:>>
>>
- Coach Boudreau made the following changes:
- Pavel Bure was a healthy scratch just to rest his knee.
- 2^nd Line: RW Tomas Fleischmann
- Center Brooks Laich recived a five minute major and game misconduct for injuring another player. He also received an additional game from Colin Campbell to be served on the next game.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

by Owen Ridley

Exchange of Prospects…

>>
The Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee continued to dabble with his roster today but in a different direction. Instead of affecting his current roster the trade looks to have future implications. The Washington Capitals sent center Jay Beagle, right wing Joe Finley, right wing Andrew Gordon to the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Derick Brassard, defensemen Anton Stralman and a 4^th round pick. All three players sent packing had spent the entire season in Hershey of the AHL. Finley and Gordon were more than likely not going to make it up to the NHL his year. Finley was converted from defensemen to a power forward. He was struggling to crack the line up in Hershey and only played in a handful of games contributing no points. But at 6’7’ and 229 pounds Joe has a ton of potential. Gordon was in the same boat as Finley but managed to play on the 4^th line and was used regularly on the penalty kill. He is an up and coming scoring forward and hopefully will find more time on the top lines in Syracuse, Columbus’s AHL affiliate. Jay Beagle was the biggest surprise involved in this trade for the Capitals. Beagle was time with the big club last year and in the playoffs. He was expected to be called up throughout the season if anyone had been injured on Washington’s 4^th line. But with the trade for left wing Jason Chimera earlier in the year from Columbus it appears that Beagle became expendable.
>>
In exchange the Capitals received center Derick Brassard who is a former 1^st round pick. He was expected to center the top line for the Blue Jackets after a tremendous rookie season. Last year Brassard scored 25 points in 31 games before his injury cost him the rest of the season. Derick got off to a rough start this year and seemed to find himself in Coach Ken Hitchcock’s dog house because of it. He was demoted to the third line and never seemed to recover. Currently his stat line is 2 goals, 8 assists for 10 points in 22 games. “Derick is a highly skilled play making center that we really coveted,” GM George McPhee said in an interview, “He has the talent right now to be in the NHL but we’re going to let him mature a bit more in Hershey. Washington also received offensive defensemen Anton Stralman. Stralman is known around the league as a power play specialist. He started 14 games with Syracuse scoring 1 goal, 6 assists for 7 points and his only goal was on the power play. Anton was never called up to Columbus and he is expected to continue playing in the AHL with Hershey. The Blue Jackets also threw in a 4^th round pick to complete the deal.
>>
All players involved were in the final year of their entry level, two way contracts expect for Finley who has three years left. Post trade analysis by hockey experts is indicating that this was a “change of scenery” trade. All players were prospects that were underperforming for their respective clubs. Members of the Washington media somewhat disagree. Some feel that Brassard is insurance in case Nicklas Backstrom or Brooks Laich get injured. While others feel that if contract negotiations with Backstrom do not go as planned, Brassard could be in line for 1^st or 2^nd line duties next year. The problem with that theory is Derick is also on the last year of his contract. But he could possibly be easier to sign than Backstrom. No one really knows but I’m sure GM McPhee has a plan and I’m sure with time we will see it unfold. Rumor has it that Brassard might actually get called up in place of the suspended Laich. Maybe that plan is not too far in front of us.

[Bure10Beezer34]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Bure I don't know about the roster size but I know you can buyout contracts right after the NHL Draft. I'm not exactly sure about the hit you take on the Salary Cap.

Thanks Sens...any info is good info!

Hey while I'm thinking about it...what's everyones injury slider set at? I think mines at 5 but none of my players are getting injured. I've had one or two guys miss a game or two but that's it. I've had zero injuries in the AHL which is really weird. Maybe the slider is opposite and I should lower it?

[Axeshun]

Re: Rockin' The Red! - A Washington Capitals Franchise (NHL 10)

Thanks Sens...any info is good info!

Hey while I'm thinking about it...what's everyones injury slider set at? I think mines at 5 but none of my players are getting injured. I've had one or two guys miss a game or two but that's it. I've had zero injuries in the AHL which is really weird. Maybe the slider is opposite and I should lower it?

Trust me, you don't want injuries! Haha. I've been ravaged by them before and it's not fun.