Comments for Dump and Chase http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com forechecking, backchecking, cycling ... and other (Washington) Capital ideas Wed, 14 May 2008 14:25:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on More From Ovie at the Worlds by Tom in FL http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/more-from-ovie-at-the-worlds/#comment-16837 Tom in FL Wed, 14 May 2008 05:59:04 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/more-from-ovie-at-the-worlds/#comment-16837 I really like these translations from Russian papers. It gives a side to Ovechkin and Russian players in general that we don't get in interviews w/N. American journalists. I still say in reading this that I find Ovechkin to be an absolutely amazing person. I'm 50 and he's 22, yet I stand in awe of the magnificent persona he exudes. I look forward to Federov coming back. I believe there's a clause in the NHL agreement that says players over 36 only count $1.5M max toward the cap. I was thinking about this while on vacation in SF and Napa Valley. Then I got back to the airport in San Jose to come home and I saw where Ron Wilson had been let go. He's had three good runs (Ducks, Caps, Sharks) and made damned good money - what more could he want? He can retire to his California home and drink wine and watch the game on cable. Best of luck to Ron Wilson, he was a good coach for the Caps. I really like these translations from Russian papers. It gives a side to Ovechkin and Russian players in general that we don’t get in interviews w/N. American journalists. I still say in reading this that I find Ovechkin to be an absolutely amazing person. I’m 50 and he’s 22, yet I stand in awe of the magnificent persona he exudes.

I look forward to Federov coming back. I believe there’s a clause in the NHL agreement that says players over 36 only count $1.5M max toward the cap. I was thinking about this while on vacation in SF and Napa Valley. Then I got back to the airport in San Jose to come home and I saw where Ron Wilson had been let go. He’s had three good runs (Ducks, Caps, Sharks) and made damned good money - what more could he want? He can retire to his California home and drink wine and watch the game on cable. Best of luck to Ron Wilson, he was a good coach for the Caps.

]]> Comment on End of an Era by Sharon http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16827 Sharon Tue, 13 May 2008 21:44:54 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16827 My Son tucker loves olie every game we go to he allways wonts olie to play. Tucker plays goalie on ice and on the street Kolzig is tuckers insperation and if he retiers who knows what will he do.Tucker made a poster that said 37is a leganed he brought to a game that we where sure that olie was going to play but he didnt so he cried on the metro all the way home.Thanks Olie for all you did in this town you changed the world. My Son tucker loves olie every game we go to he allways wonts olie to play. Tucker plays goalie on ice and on the street Kolzig is tuckers insperation and if he retiers who knows what will he do.Tucker made a poster that said 37is a leganed he brought to a game that we where sure that olie was going to play but he didnt so he cried on the metro all the way home.Thanks Olie for all you did in this town you changed the world.

]]> Comment on End of an Era by Rob http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16826 Rob Tue, 13 May 2008 20:11:47 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16826 Well, this reminds me of the way Rod Langway's run with Washington ended. I am not close to the inner workings of this team, but I am its biggest fan. It is my NHL team ... I first saw as a 12 year old in their first year, 1974. Now 34 years later, I follow them as close as I can from TX through DirecTV and online. Rod Langway brought class, guts, respect, consistency, leadership, and results to the frachise. Olie took it to the next level. Rod was let go before he wanted to go, with management claiming or appearing to claim, he was too slow, the game had changed. Frustrated and bitter, he wandered off to explore other options. It seems Rod has bounced back some, but it took 10+ years. Not sure he is over it yet, IMHO. Olie has similarities and I am not sure what the next chapter of his book will read. I wonder how this could have played out differently. I know the current leadership had a vision and it seemed to have lost a bit of trust that Olie had what it would take to get this team in a position to win the Cup. I think this was purely based on results, short term results. I wonder if Huet can reproduce his string of wins and if the team can roll the way they did. This ownership team sold off/traded every one except Olie during the rebuild. They effectively built this team back up around him. The actions at the end of the season weren't consistent with Olie's experience/views, ... that is what he is strugglng with in my opinion. I wish him the VERY best. He deserves it. Well, this reminds me of the way Rod Langway’s run with Washington ended.

I am not close to the inner workings of this team, but I am its biggest fan. It is my NHL team … I first saw as a 12 year old in their first year, 1974. Now 34 years later, I follow them as close as I can from TX through DirecTV and online.

Rod Langway brought class, guts, respect, consistency, leadership, and results to the frachise. Olie took it to the next level. Rod was let go before he wanted to go, with management claiming or appearing to claim, he was too slow, the game had changed. Frustrated and bitter, he wandered off to explore other options. It seems Rod has bounced back some, but it took 10+ years. Not sure he is over it yet, IMHO.

Olie has similarities and I am not sure what the next chapter of his book will read. I wonder how this could have played out differently. I know the current leadership had a vision and it seemed to have lost a bit of trust that Olie had what it would take to get this team in a position to win the Cup. I think this was purely based on results, short term results. I wonder if Huet can reproduce his string of wins and if the team can roll the way they did. This ownership team sold off/traded every one except Olie during the rebuild. They effectively built this team back up around him. The actions at the end of the season weren’t consistent with Olie’s experience/views, … that is what he is strugglng with in my opinion.

I wish him the VERY best. He deserves it.

]]> Comment on Olie Outtakes by usiel http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/olie-outtakes/#comment-16804 usiel Tue, 13 May 2008 04:06:19 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=486#comment-16804 Thx vogs for posting the outtakes. IMO Kolzig is getting some flak for not going gracefully into the night, so to speak, but it speaks a lot for his competitive nature. I'd love to see him get involved in the coach/gm side of the game after his playing days are over. I know he isn't thinking about but I can see him ending up there. Thx vogs for posting the outtakes. IMO Kolzig is getting some flak for not going gracefully into the night, so to speak, but it speaks a lot for his competitive nature. I’d love to see him get involved in the coach/gm side of the game after his playing days are over. I know he isn’t thinking about but I can see him ending up there.

]]> Comment on End of an Era by bears...bears...bears...wooooooo http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16798 bears...bears...bears...wooooooo Tue, 13 May 2008 02:04:16 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16798 Only one word comes to mind to describe Olie. CLASS. Who gives two poops if he took his nameplate I probably would have to, who knows. What he gave to this organization was a name when we didn't have many left. One constant was Olie in the pipes. I can remember when he played for Portland and they would come to Hershey we all thought "who's this guy in net". Well we all found out soon enough. Tenacity, grit, poise and determination I guess are some other words that you can use, but those words are left for the defencemen or Hunter type forwards not goalies. I have been a caps fan all my life but it will be hard not seeing #37, raise a glass lads for a truly great player and person as well. Only one word comes to mind to describe Olie. CLASS. Who gives two poops if he took his nameplate I probably would have to, who knows. What he gave to this organization was a name when we didn’t have many left. One constant was Olie in the pipes. I can remember when he played for Portland and they would come to Hershey we all thought “who’s this guy in net”. Well we all found out soon enough. Tenacity, grit, poise and determination I guess are some other words that you can use, but those words are left for the defencemen or Hunter type forwards not goalies. I have been a caps fan all my life but it will be hard not seeing #37, raise a glass lads for a truly great player and person as well.

]]> Comment on End of an Era by Miranda http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/end-of-an-era/#comment-16751 Miranda Sun, 11 May 2008 23:56:12 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=485#comment-16751 Back in the 90's, when I was about 14, I went to a Pens/Caps game in Pittsburgh. Being a Caps fan was hard in that town, but I was decked out in Washington gear head to toe. We had good seats, right near where the Caps came out on the ice, and about 5 rows up. I got to watch Olie front and center in the net. He was my all time FAVORITE Cap. He didn't have such a great game, and it was hard listening to the fans yell things like "holey olie", he even got pulled from the game. BUT they didn't have room for him on the bench, so he had to sit in the walk way out to the ice. I was a scared, 14 year old girl, and my hockey hero was sitting about 20 feet away. I couldn't miss this opportunity. EVEN IN HIS MISERY....this man SIGNED MY PROGRAM after being pulled from the game. I asked "Olie, will you sign my program" and he replies "sure, what else do I have to do". HAHA.......I've never forgotten that night. He is truly a staple to the Capitals organization. And I can only hope they hang his jersey where it belongs, for no one else can live up to the #37. Back in the 90’s, when I was about 14, I went to a Pens/Caps game in Pittsburgh. Being a Caps fan was hard in that town, but I was decked out in Washington gear head to toe. We had good seats, right near where the Caps came out on the ice, and about 5 rows up. I got to watch Olie front and center in the net. He was my all time FAVORITE Cap. He didn’t have such a great game, and it was hard listening to the fans yell things like “holey olie”, he even got pulled from the game. BUT they didn’t have room for him on the bench, so he had to sit in the walk way out to the ice. I was a scared, 14 year old girl, and my hockey hero was sitting about 20 feet away. I couldn’t miss this opportunity. EVEN IN HIS MISERY….this man SIGNED MY PROGRAM after being pulled from the game. I asked “Olie, will you sign my program” and he replies “sure, what else do I have to do”. HAHA…….I’ve never forgotten that night.

He is truly a staple to the Capitals organization. And I can only hope they hang his jersey where it belongs, for no one else can live up to the #37.

]]> Comment on Olie Outtakes by Turk in Alaska http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/olie-outtakes/#comment-16745 Turk in Alaska Sun, 11 May 2008 19:55:13 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=486#comment-16745 What can I say that Vog's hasn't already? Good luck Godzilla, ~Turk What can I say that Vog’s hasn’t already?

Good luck Godzilla,
~Turk

]]> Comment on Olie Outtakes by K http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/olie-outtakes/#comment-16741 K Sun, 11 May 2008 18:36:15 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=486#comment-16741 I really love Olie but I think he jumped the gun a bit here. Huet is a great player but has had a history of injuries etc. so I think it would have been very viable that the Caps (McPhee) would have done something else with Johnson and kept Huet and Kolzig and I think that they would have shared goaltending duties. He should have at least talked to management. He's not a young stud anymore and doesn't need to be. He could have stayed here and retired as a Cap but he's letting his ego get in the way. I don't think he's going to find what he's looking for in another team b/c his numbers weren't good at all. I just wish that he would have waited to talk to McPhee before doing this. I'm going to miss him. I mean I know how hard it was for him to sit back and watch the run we had at the end but we HAD to win those games and he was inconsistent...it wasn't personal...but we all know that we are going to be contenders for the Cup here for awhile and he may be missing out on his chance by being stubborn and prideful....gosh I could just shake him!!!! I really love Olie but I think he jumped the gun a bit here. Huet is a great player but has had a history of injuries etc. so I think it would have been very viable that the Caps (McPhee) would have done something else with Johnson and kept Huet and Kolzig and I think that they would have shared goaltending duties. He should have at least talked to management. He’s not a young stud anymore and doesn’t need to be. He could have stayed here and retired as a Cap but he’s letting his ego get in the way. I don’t think he’s going to find what he’s looking for in another team b/c his numbers weren’t good at all. I just wish that he would have waited to talk to McPhee before doing this. I’m going to miss him. I mean I know how hard it was for him to sit back and watch the run we had at the end but we HAD to win those games and he was inconsistent…it wasn’t personal…but we all know that we are going to be contenders for the Cup here for awhile and he may be missing out on his chance by being stubborn and prideful….gosh I could just shake him!!!!

]]> Comment on Olie Outtakes by Jason http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/olie-outtakes/#comment-16740 Jason Sun, 11 May 2008 17:54:05 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=486#comment-16740 translation Olie: I'm too old for the regular routine, and to keep up and an inconsistent level...i mean come on people he was not good enough to take us to the playoffs last year, we would have been the 12th place team most likely Olie: They brought in someone better and now i want to leave to be a starter for a playoff team...good luck with that, maybe he can go to ottawa fact is the man has been past his prime and should realize that and retire with class, not remove his nameplate, skip the meetings, then finally announce that he is not even considering coming back. he could back up huet, he doesnt need the money of a starter, and he could play 40 or so games. his best situation was here, and he wont play again for a contender. sorry olie that being said i worshiped my whole life, and wish him the best translation

Olie: I’m too old for the regular routine, and to keep up and an inconsistent level…i mean come on people he was not good enough to take us to the playoffs last year, we would have been the 12th place team most likely

Olie: They brought in someone better and now i want to leave to be a starter for a playoff team…good luck with that, maybe he can go to ottawa

fact is the man has been past his prime and should realize that and retire with class, not remove his nameplate, skip the meetings, then finally announce that he is not even considering coming back. he could back up huet, he doesnt need the money of a starter, and he could play 40 or so games. his best situation was here, and he wont play again for a contender. sorry olie

that being said i worshiped my whole life, and wish him the best

]]> Comment on Olie Outtakes by doug http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/olie-outtakes/#comment-16736 doug Sun, 11 May 2008 14:33:25 +0000 http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/?p=486#comment-16736 Mke, as others have stated above, you have demonstrated some superb writing skill sets in both of your pieces. The bottom line for me is that this is such a super charged emotional event, it's tough to sort the facts from emotion. I think if you do sit back and truly analyze, you have to come away with these facts: 1. Every coach needs to go with the players which will give him the best opportunity to win, period. 2. The NHL is a business. Sometimes the reality of that hurts players. AND fans. 3. Winning games and not pleasing players is always the bottom line. Mke, as others have stated above, you have demonstrated some superb writing skill sets in both of your pieces. The bottom line for me is that this is such a super charged emotional event, it’s tough to sort the facts from emotion. I think if you do sit back and truly analyze, you have to come away with these facts:
1. Every coach needs to go with the players which will give him the best opportunity to win, period.
2. The NHL is a business. Sometimes the reality of that hurts players. AND fans.
3. Winning games and not pleasing players is always the bottom line.

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