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Re: Washington Capitals
Man Back, Big Night, Winning Streak Ends
Washington Post:
15/12/2010: Only missing one game, a testiment to an excellent rehab program, Fehr will dress for tonights home game against the Ducks.
"Eric has made excellent progress and we believe his sprained wrist has healed enough that with a wrist brace he can play reasonable minutes." Explained Head Athletic Trainer Greg Smith.
But eventhough this would sound like postive information for the 3rd line winger it only means one thing, he`s back on the block. The injury scared potential sutors but with him back to his healthy self its back to open game.
It has been confirmed that a player scout from the Sharks has arrived in the Capital, I wonder why?
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16/12/2010: Last nights game against the Ducks was a big game for two Caps players as they both hit 300, one for points the other for goals.
"I just wanted to say congratulations to both players, what excellent accomplishments and to do it in the same game is just awesome." Reargaurd Shultz was quoted.
Who are those players, well none other then elite playmaking center Nicklas Backstrom and perennial goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin.
Backstrom, drafted 4th overal in 2006, has really matured over the last 4 years into a fantasy playmaker who compliments his wingers like jam and toast. His playmaking acum, patient for the puck, and being in the right place at the right time has allowed this player to accumulate points at a rate of 1.08/game. Netting two assists in last nights affair, notched him the 300 point mark in 277 games.
Backstrom had this to say. "I contribute my success to my team and my coach. Without them I would be nowhere. And Go Caps Go!"
A man that does not need introduction, Alex the Great is well Alex the Great. Leading the league this year in goals and points, also hit a milestone in last nights game knotting his 300th goal of his career.
"I`m only 25, lets keep it coming. And like Backy said Go Caps Go." Ovi told reporters.
Of other significancy Ovechkin is only 12 points away from hitting the 600 plateau which would move him into 3rd place in the Caps all-time scoring list.
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18/12/2010: All good things must come to an end as the Caps 8 game winning streak, the best so far this season, is snapped by a 3 to 2 loss against the Bruins (Bruins are 2nd in the East but trail the Caps by 11 points).
"I`m very proud of my guys. If they keep this up another Presidents Trophy will be in our grasps." Quoted GM Thompson.
The Presidents Trophy race will not be an easy one for the Caps as Western Canadian Juggernaught Flames are only 2 points behind and have also been red hot with thier own 6 game winning streak.
"I would be kidding myself if I wasn`t impressed at how well the Flames have been playing. Lead by journeymen Iginla, Jokinen, and Tanguay this team is to be reekend with. Hell the last time we meet them they beat us badly. So yes, I am watching them closely." Quoted Head Coach Boudreau
With the 8 game winning streak coming to an end another streak was also broken, Neuvirth`s winning streak. Backstopping all 8 victories, 22 year old Michal Neuvirth has been incredible posting a 2.00 GAA and playing in 478 minutes in that span. He is 17-3, has a 2.30 GAA, and has played a career high 20 games this year. With both him and Varlamov up for contract renewal at the end of the year, he is certainly making a great case for himself.
"Its been like a dream come true playing for this team. You get drafted hoping to make the team as a backup or something, but this - this is just perfect." Quoted Neuvirth.
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Re: Washington Capitals
Very good job with this...
Ovie is tearing it up. 135 point pace!!!Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
A Warning, Eric Gone?
Washington Post:
26/12/2010: It was a matter of time before the Caps and Boudreau`s aggressive - possible even reckless checking - got scolled by the league as three players so far have been charged majors and a few players minors for checking from behind. The big culprits being Knuble, Green (An Oiler now) and Ovechkin.
"I guess the league has to do what is fair. But if a player turns his back at the wrong moment, I don`t think we should be penalized just because I insit on aggressive foreching and following through in our zone." Boudreau was quoted after the Leagues press conference.
A team of representatives created to review questionable hits in the NHL has passed down a judgement against the Caps with a $100,000 fine insiting that the team has been extremely reckless with hitting from behind and should know better. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also tagged this along with the press conference.
"Going forward if any Caps player is found infraction with the hitting from behind charge, either it be major or minor, that player will serve a one game suspension. For the second infraction 2 games, and for a 3rd that player will be suspended for the remainder of the year. No exceptions."
Vocal Ovechkin had this to say. "This is f*** ridicules". He was fined $10,000 for the comment, but it shows rectifies how the Caps players feel about bing centered out. I guess in the end the league is God, so all must obey.
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28/12/2010: The day is finally here, Eric Fehr the $36,666 a point player, is no longer a Cap. But it wasn`t the Sharks that snagged him.
"The Sharks were a leading contender, but a juicier bid came in and I jumped on it. Alot of people might think we had the short end of the stick but I see it differently. I`m trying to stick with the notion of 'rebuilding through the draft' and my various moves so far this season have been spot on."
You ask what the heck GM Thompson is talking about, well he is talking about the fact that the Caps didn`t recieve a player(s) in return but draft pics.
The Dallas Stars (At 4th last in the league), looking for a power forward to play on the 2nd line, offered a 5th rounder in 2011 and a 5th rounder in 2012 in exchange for winger Eric Fehr (6 points and 24 pims in 36 games with the Caps with a $2.2 million price tag) and a 7th round pick in 2011.
"I knew I was going to be traded and the Stars are a great team in rebuild mode. I look forward to playing with them."
The Caps, like Thompson said, are definately looking to the draft to better themselves. Which seems impossible since right now they lead the league with 54 points but even still building within is a great strategy. Currently if the season ended now the Caps would have the following picks due to trading:
1. Oilers 1st round pick (2011, 2012) - Oilers are 3rd last so a possible lottery 1st rounder could be in the cards.
2. Blackhawks 3rd round pick - Caps not having a 2nd rounder, but two 3rds could mean a trade to move up the ladder.
3. Thrashers 4th round pick - Same as above, the Caps now have two 4ths to play with as well.
4. Stars 5th round pick (2011, 2012) - Not to sound like I`m repeating myself but like point 2 and 3 the Caps also have two 5ths. So a massive pick bundle could return a 1st rounder or a 2nd rounder, either way this years draft is going to be exciting.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
Great December
Washington Post:
2010-11 Season
Status: 11.31.2010; 30-9-0, 15-7-0 Home, 15-2-0 Away
Positions: NHL: 1st, East: 1st, Div: 1st
Win%: 76.9
PP: 34.9 (1st)
PK: 79.9 (23rd)
GFPG: 4.13 (1st)
GAPG: 2.49 (1st)
Top +/-: J. Carlson (27)
Top PIMS: D. King (65)
Injures: None
Team Salary: $44.425M
Trade/Free Agent Signings:
28/12/2010: Eric Fehr and a 7th round pick to Dallas for two 5th round picks (2011, 2012)
29/12/2010: Signed FA Winger Evgeny Artyukhin to a 1 year deal - assigned to Hershey for a two game conditioning assignment
Lines
Ovechkin - Backstrom - Knuble
Laich - Fleischmann - Semin
Chimera - Johansson - Artyukhin
King - Steckel - Hendricks
Carlson - Schultz
Alzner - Sloan
Godfrey - Erskin
Neuvirth (19-3, 2.18, 1SO)
Varlamov (11-6, 2.72, 2SO)
Previous Months Games
AT Blues: 3-1 Win
AT Stars: 5-2 Win
VS Thrashers: 4-1 Win
VS Leafs: 5-3 Win
VS Panthers: 5-2 Win
VS Avalanche: 5-2 Win
AT Rangers: 3-1 Win
VS Ducks: 5-4 OT Win
AT Bruins: 3-2 Loss, 8 game winning streak comes to an end
AT Senators: 4-2 Win
VS Devils: 3-2 OT Win
VS Penguins: 6-3 Loss, Ovi and Crosby duked it out
AT Hurricanes: 2-1 Win
VS Canadians: 6-1 Win
January Games
AT Penguins
VS Bolts
VS Panthers
AT Panthers
AT Bolts
VS Canucks
VS Senators
AT Flyers
AT Islanders
AT Leafs
VS Rangers
AT Thrashers
Top 5 Caps
1. A. Ovechkin (37-29-66)
2. N. Backstrom (19-28-47)
3. A. Semin (17-21-38)
4. M. Knuble (13-18-31)
5. B. Laich (11-18-29)
Top 5 NHL Points
1. A. Ovechkin, WSH (66)
2. N. Backstrom, WSH (47)
3. R. Nash, CMB (46)
4. D. Legwand, NSH (41)
4. M. Gaborik, NYR (41)
4. P. Kessel, TOR (41)
NHL Transactions
2/12/2010: Stars acquired LW Rob Schremp from the Islanders for RW Adam Burish
2/12/2010: Wings signed FA D-man Mike Kosta to a 1 year deal
9/12/2010: Senators signed FA D-man Victory Bartley to a 1 year deal
Down on the Farm
Status: 12.31.2010; 19-13-2, 8-8-2 Home, 11-5-0 Away
Positions: AHL: 14th, East: 7th, Div: 4th
Win%: 50.00
PP: 13.7 (19th)
PK: 86.9 (10th)
GFPG: 3.00 (7th)
GAPG: 2.50 (9th)
Top Goal Scorer: K. Greentree (12)
Top Assists Man: K. Greentree (25)
Top Point Slinger: K. Greentree (37)
Top +/- Guy: K. Aucoin (16)
Top PIMS Man: G. McNeil (93)
Goalies
D. Sabourin (11-12, 2.40)
B. Holtby (8-3, 2.40)Last edited by bthomp05; 11-24-2010, 10:02 PM.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
New Cap, The Scrappy Soviet?
Washington Post:
29/1/2010: The Caps just got bigger and stronger bringing in 254lb 6`5" grinder Evgeny Artyukhin into the fold. Solidfying him for 1 year with a $600K price tag ($1.9 million cheaper), the replacement for Eric Fehr is sure to be felt in the offensive zone.
"I know we have Bradley and Henderson to fill the aggressive forechecking mold and King to mop up atrocities against us but we didn't have an all-in-one player. I`m hoping Artyukhin is our man, we still have 41 games to the post season - we need the tenocity." Quoted GM Thompson.
Artyukhin, who shared the 09/10 season between Anaheim and Atlanta, has amassed 49 points and 313 pims in 199 NHL games. He brings tremendous size and speed to the wing and can dominate the boards when needed, also doesn`t shy away from the more 'dirty work' needed. He will spend two games with the Bears (conditioning, he has missed half a season) before taking a role on the 3rd line with Chimera and Johansson/Fleischmann - might get PK minutes as well.
"The Caps are an excellent organization, to watch and play for. With guys like Ovi, Backy, and Semin who wouldn`t want to play for them. I`ve been sitting out to long, this is my chance."
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4/1/2011: Having completed his conditioning assigment with the Bears and being called up to the big club, the 3rd line winger has certainly made a name for himself in two games - his nickname 'The Scrappy Soviet'.
"The name is catchy, I must admit. But I don't think I`m doing anything special. I`m just doing what I was asked and paid to do."
Why the catchy name for the mid season signee, well that would be the 20 mins in penalty time Artyukhin has amassed against Pittsburgh and Tampa. Thats right 20 minutes, but its all been from 4 fighting majors -tangles with Orpik and Martin (Hits on Ovi and Semin had to be rectified) and Smaby and Nate (Hit on Backy and a few to many crease infractions with Neuvirth).
"I like this guy..." Quoted Ovechkin. "Thompson made the right move bring this guy in." Remarked Neuvirth.
There is still half a season left, but at this pace (390 minutes in fighting majors is possible) he would be the most feared man in the NHL. Good move or not, only time will tell.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
I like Artyukhin a lot. He's big and fast (NHL 11 underrated his speed). For that price tag you can't go wrong. Should be a great addition to your bottom 6.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
If he uses his size well on the ice, it will be a good pick-up regardless of any other hockey ability he brings.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
True hockeyplayer. So far I`m loving him on the wing. In 5 games he has 1 assist and 32 pims with atleast 3 hits a game so I`m estatic about his performance.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
Wow, Ovechkin has been on fire so far. Good job with this, bthomp.I'm a finn so don't be surprised if I spell words wrong.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
Bthomp, I was reading on your post about Ovie on the point for your PP. i was doing a caps dynasty just for fun and the powerplay was 3/44 to start the year, i moved ovie to the point and since then the PP is 13/30.Comment
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Re: Washington Capitals
He's been incredible thus far, I hope he can continue. Thanks for following Mikko - good to see you still around.
He's a great weapon to have back there. To be honest, I have been double shifting him alot on the PP because I love his lighting quick -accurate shot. Works best to have him on the left side and have either Knuble or Laich (PWFs) to play left as well and bang in rebounds or redirects.
Thanks for following Jshson...
If any one else out there would like to comment please do, it makes it worth it. :-)Comment
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