Here in DC we're used to everyone being ignored by the general media - local and otherwise. The number of times the Caps have shown up on NHL.com anyplace other than the Southeast Notebook could probably be counted on one hand. The amount of articles written about this team in the Canadian Press or the Associated Press that aren't related to the outcome of a game, just as infrequent.
Enter Bruce Boudreau.
He's the NHL's latest media darling, a good guy done good who has arguably become the biggest interview in Washington hockey. The focus has suddenly shifted from a superstar Russian phenom to a slightly chubby, talkative, middle-aged man with horrible taste in clothing and a refreshing outlook. He even got DC Sports Bog to write about hockey for a day...
It's not hard to see why exactly Boudreau is now the subject of so much interest. Besides having a quick wit and a conversational style that screams sound byte, the results on the ice simply can't be denied. The Caps have rebounded from a horrific start to the season, a stretch that saw losing streak after losing streak, crippling one goal losses and sub-par effort on a nightly basis, and are now chugging their way back into the thick of the race. Although still in last place, the gap between the Capitals and the coveted eighth spot has shrunk and teams ahead of them are starting to look over their shoulder.
The wins have been hard-fought; the losses often have been as well. Overtime wins against the Flyers and the Rangers, a one-goal thriller over the Devils, a blowout against the Thrashers - and most recently, an effort that saw the Caps go punch for punch with the league's best team, the Red Wings.
When asked about his success Boudreau's first response always seems to be that he just does what he's always done - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But it's clear that his dedication to three key concepts has gotten the team this far.
He preaches discipline. He preaches confidence. He preaches winning.
And after a less than stellar effort, Boudreau is the first one to name names, to single out players who should be playing better. And that means any player. Everyone from Kolzig to Pothier to Fleischmann to Semin has been called on the mat, but it's not in a Tortorella-esque way, where you picture the player in question cowering in a corner being admonished like a child. Instead he's matter-of-fact, respectful in his criticism and always grounding it in the belief that the singled out player can do better.
Therein lies the difference between a good coach and a blowhard...but that's an issue for another day.
Since taking over, Boudreau has managed to get good performances out of most of the team on a consistent basis. More notably, though, he's gotten great performances out of his young players who spent time with him in Hershey. Mike Green obviously stands out as someone who has blossomed this year, his confidence and his ice time increasing with every game.
But what about Jeff Schultz, who suddenly has five goals of his own? Or Brooks Laich, who has stepped up his game despite occasionally being on the fourth line and has developed into a consistently smart player? And let's not forget Quintin Laing, who has stepped in and put together an impressive stretch since being called up, doing all the little things that don't show up on the scoreboard and adding a few points as well.
This team is clicking on almost all cylinders right now. It's important not to get ahead of ourselves, and consistency will be the big test down the line. At the moment, though, this team is doing what they should have been doing all year long - proving people wrong.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Gabby Gets Noticed
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
You Spin Me Right Round
Guess I should talk about the Caps at some point...
So Gordon continues to be day-to-day with back spasms and his status for tomorrow is unknown. Schultz was recalled, meaning Erskine will probably head to the press box. Semin was placed on IR retroactive to the 7th, so he's possible but not probable for tomorrow's game against the Islanders. Sutherby remains in green jersey purgatory. Motzko is getting a crack at the right wing slot.
And the wheel o' players continues.
Anyone else miss having a stagnant roster for more than two games?
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Arrivaderci, Schultzie
- Jeff Schultz, after being told to get a place to live and a car, after surprising all of us by making the roster in the first place, has been sent back to Hershey. How permanent this move is remains to be seen - its certainly not a way of getting him ice time, as the Bears continue to bide their time through a ten day break before finally playing on Saturday in Binghamton.
More likely than not its a sign that Eminger is on the road to recovery, and with the way Erskine is playing right now they're certainly not going to send him down (especially since it would subject him to waivers). Better to put the kid back in Hershey where, eventually, he'll get plenty of ice time, rather than pay him to take up an increasingly rare seat in the press box.
- How can you tell the season is still young? Observe:
Not to say this team isn't capable of it at some point, but I'm not sure this is the year the Caps will have the second best record in the league when all is said and done. It's called cautious optimism - as Caps fans we live and breathe it, and for now we just enjoy the beauty of being somewhere we haven't been in a looooong time.
(Although on the off chance that this is how things end up in April there are a few teams residing below 8th that actually make me giddy. Feel free to guess which ones.)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Future Watch
Other than the big news that Steve Czaban will have to find a new team to pick on, there's not too much going on in NHL world. So let's shift gears a bit and look at some junior hockey with more than a few ties to the Caps...
- We'll start out west with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL, who have had a huge turnout at their annual rookie camp. Roughly 80 youngsters turned out for the opening of the camp yesterday despite the fact that the Hitmen have very few roster spots left. Calgary and the Caps have a relatively rich connection over the past few years, with current Caps Matt Pettinger and Jeff Schultz both putting in some games with the Hitmen and recent draftees Karl Alzner and Keith Seabrook expected to play for them this season.
One name of note among the rookie hopefuls is Ian Schultz, little brother (a relative term at 6'2") to Caps d-man Jeff and draftee of the Hitmen in the 2004 Bantam draft. If he makes the squad he'll be following in his big brother's footsteps just as they planned when Ian was drafted three years ago, a wide eyed kid of 14 who looked up to Jeff as a role model. Apparently Jeff was pretty helpful with the advice at the time:
"He tells me to use more than one move because he always stops me on it," Ian admits.Hey, who knows - if the kid heeds the advice of his elders and if the Caps continue their penchant for drafting WHLers, we may soon see a Schultz brothers reunion here in DC...
- On to another Caps' connection - the London Knights of the OHL, headed up by coach Dale Hunter and GM (and Dale's brother) Mark Hunter. The Knights are also in the midst of preseason preparations, with 60 young talents competing for a spot under Huntsy's watchful eye this season. Most notable among the training camp attendees are this year's number one pick Patrick Kane, buzzworthy Akim Aliu, and Cornell standout Tony Romano.
Anyone taking bets on how long we have to wait before Dale Hunter takes over as bench boss in the NHL? He's making quite a name for himself with those Knights.
