Just a quick note to direct people to the transcript of today's live chat with the Post's beat writer, Tarik El-Bashir. I pick on him from time to time, but he knows his hockey and is the best beat writer we've had in these parts for a very long while...
A few things that jumped out at me:
- Someone brought up the mention of Alex's desire to play in Montreal and Toronto and wondered whether he wouldn't hightail it out of here at the first chance. Good news, the Caps basically own his negotiating rights until he turns 27 - that's a long time for him to win over the fickle Washingtonians and get some butts in the seats...
- All the talk about how close the boys are isn't just rumor - Tarik says this is the closest team he's covered in years, which I just love hearing.
- Semin's lack of effort and inconsistency on the ice is starting to get noticed by his teammates. Tarik recommends patience as he continues to adjust in his first full season. I just hope that Zubie and Ovie along with the coaching staff can help Sasha develop a better work ethic as he adjusts to North American hockey. We need his offensive production, but I'm not willing to gamble the chemistry in the room on it.
- Leadership is readily available in the locker room - Tarik names Clark (obviously), Olie (obviously), Sutherby, Zubrus and Brashear as being the guys who, when they talk, people listen. I would love to see Sutherby as a captain of this team in the future. I know people are holding out hope that Ovie will eventually take the "C", but Sutsy really has stepped up his leadership this year and just gets what it takes to lead. He'd be great...just my humble opinion.
Read the rest, it's pretty interesting!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Tarik Talks
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8 comments:
Sutherby has to be on of those replacable parts that eventually gets traded, released, or unsigned. He just doesn't have the offensive potential to stick with this team as it matures. So to imagine him as a captain seems short sighted, just imagining him on this team in a season or two is a stretch.
I stand by my opinion on this one. Not everyone can be a goal-scorer (although I think Suts is going to snap out of this funk and start putting up some goals) and sometimes the most important shift of a game is where the energy or checking line just wears out the other team with offensive zone dominance.
While offensive production is important, so is character, grit, and leadership. After all, when the Caps are clicking they have no shortage of guys who can score.
I'd like to see him stick around for a while, but who knows...if he's traded, he's traded - wherever Brian ends up, though, I think he'll make a great captain.
I know this is totally off topic and waaaaaaaaay late, but damn, your look is nice!
My vacation has thrown me for a loop, don't get me wrong, I love holidays but I miss my RSS feed!
Thanks, hg! I'm pretty proud of it (although I'll probably get bored in another week and start messing with it).
Welcome back :)
I'm not fully back yet. Soon... Soon...
When, when? :(
I will back in TO on the 13th, just in time for the Flames game! Haha, I know how to time it. It's also Hockey Day in Canada, with 13 hours of hockey and hockey related bits and I will be on a plane flying over said country.
Oh, I miss Hockey Day in Canada! I used to watch it at school and the past two years I've gone to my parents house to watch at least some of it. Unfortunately I'll be travelling next weekend :(
Have a safe trip back!
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