February 27, 2008
Wednesday's Blogging Roundup
Brooks Laich certainly knows how to celebrate. Hours after the passing of the trade deadline, Laich had a hand in all 4 of the Caps goals, with 2 goals and 2 assists, as they beat Minnesota 4-1.
Kolzig certainly isn't giving up an inch with Huet coming in as he stopped 34 of 35 for the win. Johnson was supposed to get the start Friday against New Jersey, but now Boudreau isn't so sure. From Tarik;
Boudreau said he's talked to Olie Kolzig and Johnson about how three goalie situation is going to work, but there's still no resolution.
"I don't think it's quite, exactly resolved at this point," Boudreau said. "But in a couple of days, when Cristobal gets here and starts practicing we'll get into a routine."
Three goalies is tough to do, whether it be getting them time between the pipes in a game or practices. With only 18 games left and no real time to make a statement, I imagine Johnson ends up being the odd man out, whether it's a bus ride to Hershey or a spot in the press box in Washington.
Apparently it was a good move getting rid of Pettinger; he got a little chirpy with the Canadien news, saying he was butting heads this season with Boudreau. From Corey;
"
I disagree with that. I didn't butt heads. I wanted nothing more than Matt to succeed, and I think we gave him every chance. If he is using that, then I think it is a little bit of a copout. He and I never butted heads. At one point I called him in and said, 'This is what we think as a coaching staff. You have to go to the net more and do this a little bit more, but we think you're capable of scoring and you've proven it.' I think it just got to a point where he needed a change of scenery. His confidence was probably at an all-time low and maybe that was his perception that he wasn't one of 'the coach's guys' but I've told our coaches in here that wasn't case. If was scoring, he would have been playing more."
Even averaging 12 minutes or so a game you'd expect more than 7 points in 56 games out of a guy that averaged 18 goals the last 2 seasons. The decrease in ice time would have hurt his numbers, but not to the point they are at now. If he didn't like being here, then then I say good luck and godspeed.
Japers' Rink leaves the thread open today, but has a great picture of Bradley throwing down on Aaron Voros. An interesting point brought up in the comments was what will the lines look like? I've said it before, I hope Laing stays in the lineup. The guy is a terrific defensive forward, and is someone I want out there, even if it's in limited time.
Caps Nut made an amusing comment concerning Eminger's role in the lineup.
I was glad to see John "Coach's Pet" Erskine Bowles walking on the street outside the Phone Booth at 5:50 pm wearing a coat and tie. Though I think it's a little too late to try to showcase Steve Eminger for a trade.
I was surprised that out of all the moves the Caps made Eminger didn't go. He publicly stated that he wanted a trade, but remains for the rest of the season. Come the off-season when the Caps straighten everything up for a new year I'd imagine Eminger would be on the blocks again.
The Peerless has so much praise going around it's impossible to fit it all here. But I will throw in a part that speaks to what the team has been trying to do the past few years by building a contender from within.
And while we’re spreading the kudos, let’s hear it for the Hershey Alumni Association…Eric Fehr, David Steckel, Tomas Fleischmann, Quintin Laing, Chris Bourque, Jeff Schultz. All of these guys spent at least half of the season last year with the Bears, with Laing, Fehr, and Bourque being in-season call-ups this year. Add the “call-up” pacing behind the bench, and one might say that the returns from Hershey have been rather substantial this year.
And lastly, OFB's pucksandbooks was on a tear today, scribbling down whatever popped into his head. The biggest thing I took from it was the upbeat mood everyone in the Caps organization was in last night. What I would have given to been in the building. Oh well...18 more games and we'll see just how upbeat everyone remains.
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05:04 PM