Think it’s a smart move? Well, take a peek at the goalies who have worn “1” in Caps history and their win-loss records in the red, white, blue, black, and gold:
Ron Low (1974-77): 30-94-9
Gary Smith (1977-78): 2-12-3
Jim Bedard (1978-79): 17-40-13
Rollie Boutin (1979-81): 7-10-1
Pat Riggin (1982-85): 67-46-19
Pete Peeters (1985-89): 70-41-15
Mike Liut (1990-92): 27-27-5
Martin Brochu (1998-99): 0-2-0
Craig Billington (1999-02): 11-19-7
Rastislav Stana (2003-04): 1-2-0
Brent Johnson (2005-09): 34-41-12
That comes out to a record of 266-334-84. That would be a 32-40-10 record to put it in 82-game terms. Not the stuff of champions, but some of these goalies played (often heroically) for teams that were bad to the point of being legendary.
Still, as the 12th goalie in Caps history to wear the number “1,” here’s hoping he can do what nine of the previous 11 failed to do – finish his Caps career with an above-.500 record. Oh, and maybe win a Cup or two along the way.
I have heard stories, which of course I can't verify, that Varly is kind of a douche. This seems like a douchey move to me. If the number were honoring someone specific that would be one thing. But I don't think I like this. I also really hope, for the sake of my team, that he isn't jinxing himself.
ReplyDeleteI had gotten so used to him as #40 and personally prefer that he remain as #40. (I'll admit it was the number of a favorite player in a different sport but the guy, while not Russian, was also Slavic, and his last name has been known to occur in Russia.)
ReplyDeleteBut #1 appears to be Varly's old number so it's understandable that it would be a sentimental favorite for him.
I think it may be a little early to judge Varly's character, since he's young, and he still does interviews interviews through an interpreter. Hopefully a season in DC will help his English, and will give him some help on what not to say in an interview. At least he'd get to know Brooks Laich well enough to know that he's not likely to cheap shot anybocy.
ReplyDeleteI like the number 40 and I don't really like it when players wear the number 1 but I'm not going to read much into it. If he likes it and he plays well in it then who cares?
ReplyDelete@Katie--Not sure why you think this is douche move. It's not like he did it while Theodore was still here.
ReplyDeleteGoalies typically wear no. 1. I think Varlamov used to wear it in Russia.
@Katie: why is wanting to change his number from the one he was assigned inherently douchey? I personally like 40 better, but come on, why so judgmental?
ReplyDeleteWell Varly wore #1 in Russia so I assume he wants to wear it again. I have a Lokomotiv Yaroslav jersey from Russia that is Varly with the #1.
ReplyDeletehttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/3797999784_de56d5340f_b_d.jpg
I don't mind this move. I recently changed my number as well. I had gone with my default, third choice number for years and finally was fed up with it and went with something new. Maybe Varly wanted to change his luck a little and go a different route. Not to mention that Brent Johnson, now with my Penguins and signed for the next three years, just had a really great year as a backup to MAF(10-6-1 .906 % 2.76 GAA).
ReplyDeleteYeah, Varly wore number 1 in Russia so it's like he's being mean but I'm assuming he just wanted to change it back seeing as he's had success with wearing #1
ReplyDeleteYeah, Varly wore number 1 in Russia so it's like he's being mean but I'm assuming he just wanted to change it back seeing as he's had success with wearing #1
ReplyDeleteYeah, Varly wore number 1 in Russia so it's like he's being mean but I'm assuming he just wanted to change it back seeing as he's had success with wearing #1
ReplyDeleteRe: Varly being kind of "douchey". Apparently in the summer of '09 he made comments about American women being fat. To which some of them pointed out that it's those same "fat women" who buy jerseys with his name on it.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean that Neuvirth has to petition the league to be assigned the jersey number "1A?"
ReplyDeleteThou shalt not question the awesomeness of Mike Liut!!!
ReplyDelete