Jim Balsillie is nothing if not persistent. Failing at winning the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, Rick Westhead of the Toronto Star muses on the possibility of the Thrashers being the next object of his desire.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
"Hot-lanta" to become "Hot-amilton?"
Jim Balsillie is nothing if not persistent. Failing at winning the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, Rick Westhead of the Toronto Star muses on the possibility of the Thrashers being the next object of his desire.
You're on your own, big guy...
"It's no secret that we thought John (Ferguson) could use some help..."
So said Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, when speaking to the Canadian Press on Friday.
Well, they didn't get him any help, so it's pretty clear...if the Leafs find themselves on the outside, looking in at the playoffs this year, so Ferguson will find himself on the outside, looking for a job.
No pressure, eh?
Keep on jumping
As the dawn of day two of Training Camp comes upon us, The Peerless feels compelled to bring you what others are doing to get ready for the season. This morning, we bring you training....Sedin-style:
...keep on jumping!
...keep on jumping!
Friday, September 14, 2007
A New Stats Format
If this is an indication, the NHL has modified its game statistics displays for the coming year. And here are the super stats, faceoffs, and new roster features (including scratches).
Training Camp...Day One
I’m sure many of our readers remember the movie, “Major League,” and the scene in the locker room on the first day of spring training...
In some of the pre-session hijinks, Olaf Kolzig wonders where to begin in offering advice to DC-101's answer to puckstopping. "I got nuthin'"
Alex Ovechkin scores his first shootout goal since....well, let's not go there.
Kolzig and Ovechkin show fans what they do to goalies who don't stop any shots.
See?...I told ya...red, burgundy and orange...it doesn't work, guys.
But gee, they look so purdy in their colored outfits.
Glen Hanlon, hoping and praying that Ovechkin did not have the double-chili cheese dogs for dinner last evening.
Olaf Kolzig, sporting his new mask and pads...
...and Brent Johnson his.
Jake Taylor: Shit, the way I played today, I wouldn't be surprised if they red-tagged me already.
Willie Mays Hayes: What do ya mean?
Well, today was the first day of training camp for the Caps, and chances are, no one got cut. But today’s on-ice activity was not without its moments, either….
-- Viktor Kozlov centering Alexander Ovechkin and Francois Bouchard in the scrimmage…hmm.
-- Michael Nylander centering Tomas Fleischmann and Alexander Semin....uh, ok.
-- Shaone Morrisonn planting Alexander Semin face-first into the end boards…Semin was down for a moment as he rearranged his helmet (perhaps ensuring it still contained his cranium)…Morrisonn giving Semin a tap on the backside with his stick as the two skated back.
-- Kozlov later taking a puck just underneath the edge of his helmet as Frederic Cassivi was trying to clear the puck up the center of the ice. Kozlov skated off immediately, but did so in a manner that did not suggest urgency (although he was holding a towel to his face).
-- Uh, here’s a tip from your Uncle Peerless….orange, red, AND burgundy jerseys on the ice at the same time doesn’t work very well.
-- Alexander Semin looks to have added some size.
-- The Peerless made a tactical error in foregoing the second half of the scrimmage to take in the drills on the Public Rink. Seems the second half had much more action, scoring-wise.
There was a nice crowd for a weekday start to camp, ringing both rinks. One can only imagine what The Plex will be like for the weekend. Welcome back Cappies and Cappie-fans.
And now, some images…
In some of the pre-session hijinks, Olaf Kolzig wonders where to begin in offering advice to DC-101's answer to puckstopping. "I got nuthin'"
Alex Ovechkin scores his first shootout goal since....well, let's not go there.
Kolzig and Ovechkin show fans what they do to goalies who don't stop any shots.
See?...I told ya...red, burgundy and orange...it doesn't work, guys.
But gee, they look so purdy in their colored outfits.
Glen Hanlon, hoping and praying that Ovechkin did not have the double-chili cheese dogs for dinner last evening.
Olaf Kolzig, sporting his new mask and pads...
...and Brent Johnson his.
Hey, George...betcha can't hit Clarkie with a loogie from here.
Teppo...we have bad news, and bad news
The bad news is, you need surgery...
...and the bad news is, you're going to be suspended.
And for those of you keeping score, that means none of the Sabres' captains from last year will be on the ice on opening night. Daniel Briere and Chris Drury having signed with other teams. This will leave coach Lindy Ruff pondering his options. The Peerless, being a helping sort, has some suggestions:
Captain Merrill Stubing. Master of the Love Boat; if he was given the "C," HSBC Arena might be renamed, "The Love Shack."
Captain Barney Miller. Leader of the ol' one-two, he at least has the experience of trying to interpret some sort of rule book.
Captain Frank Furillo. Perhaps not the best choice. He spent too much time canoodling with Joyce Davenport, and everyone knows that Sgt. Phil Esterhaus ran the Hill Street precinct, anyway.
Captain Wallace B. Binghamton. "Ol' Leadbottom"...he has the experience of screaming at his nemesis, Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale, which might come in handy dealing with the Ron Koharski's and Kerry Fraser's of the world.
...and the bad news is, you're going to be suspended.
And for those of you keeping score, that means none of the Sabres' captains from last year will be on the ice on opening night. Daniel Briere and Chris Drury having signed with other teams. This will leave coach Lindy Ruff pondering his options. The Peerless, being a helping sort, has some suggestions:
Captain Merrill Stubing. Master of the Love Boat; if he was given the "C," HSBC Arena might be renamed, "The Love Shack."
Captain Barney Miller. Leader of the ol' one-two, he at least has the experience of trying to interpret some sort of rule book.
Captain Frank Furillo. Perhaps not the best choice. He spent too much time canoodling with Joyce Davenport, and everyone knows that Sgt. Phil Esterhaus ran the Hill Street precinct, anyway.
Captain Wallace B. Binghamton. "Ol' Leadbottom"...he has the experience of screaming at his nemesis, Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale, which might come in handy dealing with the Ron Koharski's and Kerry Fraser's of the world.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Real NHL...
“I think the real NHL is the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.”
George McPhee said this on The John Thompson Show on Sportstalk 980 this afternoon* in response to a question from Al Koken on whether the "real" NHL was the fast-paced, room-for-the-little-guy version, or if it was that reflected in the style of the Ducks. His point was that the Ducks were talented, and they were tough.
The question now becomes, “are the Caps talented and tough enough to make a run at the playoffs?” George, citing Donald Brashear, Brian Sutherby, and others, clearly seems to think the Caps are at least headed in that direction.
The nice thing about sports is that it reveals the truth of such claims. So we’re going to see whether the Caps are tough enough, talented enough, to make that run for the playoffs.
Thanks to CapsDC on The Official for the reminder.
The Peerless Brings You...Hockey Today, In Captions
Gosh, Maybe I'll be doing this in April this season.(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Rob: Hey, is that Kevin Lowe?Randy: Yeah, I do believe it is.
Brian: Good, I had a really bad fish taco I'm going to hurl.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Thanks for the autograph, Mr. Crosby.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
The Peerless' Preview, Part I
Previews tend to have a regular format. You get a run down of the new faces, the departed ones, the “players to watch,” the players who are “on the bubble,” and then some discussion (usually optimistic, if the preview is written by one who follows or works for the home club). That’s not a bad way to go, and some folks do it really, really well.
The Peerless chooses to go a different route in looking at the Caps as we move through training camp. As we embark on the new season, we’re doing Shakespeare . . .
“I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'”
Well, maybe Glen, George, and Ted (and Caps fans)...
"A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!"
--King Richard III (V, iv, 7)
That horse, of course, is Alex Ovechkin. It is a measure of the esteem in which the youngster is held that a 46-46-92 season can be characterized in some quarters as “disappointing.” Maybe Ovechkin shares that view. Tarik El-Bashir quotes Ovechkin in today’s Post that he is “hungry for hockey.” Further, Ovechkin sees himself as in better condition this year than last, a product of skating, training, and practice with his former Moscow Dynamo team. This is not a good sign for the rest of the league. The Peerless has an observation about he with whom Ovechkin is always compared. Sidney Crosby lost in the Calder Trophy voting by a landslide in 2006. He came back the next year with a vengeance, establishing himself as the best player in the NHL. Signs point to this being a similar year for Ovechkin. With the tools provided him by George McPhee – Michael Nylander, Viktor Kozlov, and Tom Poti (who should provide some needed assistance on the power play), Ovechkin might have the room to rumble. And as Caps fans have seen, a dedicated and focused Ovechkin is a force of nature. He is the horse the Caps’ will ride.
"Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look,
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous."
--Julius Caesar (I, ii, 194)
Although the quote reflects Caesar’s mistrust of Cassius, the meaning here applies to Olaf Kolzig. The veteran goaltender is the leader of this team, and he’s been displaying that trait in the unofficial practices he and some of the other Caps have held in advance of the start of training camp. It is a sign...Kolzig, who has been through the good and the bad, sees this season as an opportunity not to be lost. The Caps have playoff potential, and it will take hard work – to affect a lean and hungry look – to bring that possibility to fruition. Kolzig has played a lot of minutes in the NHL, and has noted that the offseason conditioning is harder and harder to attend to as time passes. But if Kolzig is paying the price, it is a sign to the rest of this club to follow. And such men can be dangerous.
"We are such stuff
As dreams are made on..."
--The Tempest (IV, i, 156-157)
There are young Caps who have a very real chance to make the club out of camp. None would b e a bigger story than Francois Bouchard. Bouchard, a second round pick in 2006 (35th overall) and brother of Pierre-Marc Bouchard of the Wild, has one of those opportunities born of misfortune. Eric Fehr seems not to be ready to test his injury (back, hip, pituitary gland – the club isn’t very forthcoming on such things), and this opens up the race for a spot on the right side. Viktor Kozlov and Chris Clark might now be the odds-on choices to man the right side on the first and second line, but there is the potential for a newcomer to force the club to write his name into the lineup in one of those two spots. Bouchard seems likely not to make the club out of camp, but his progress through juniors has been steady and significant:
2004-05: 54 games, 11-13-24
2005-06: 69 games, 33-69-102
2006-07: 68 games, 45-80-125
Down the road, he could be the scoring right wing the Capitals need. He could be that by the end of the month. Such is the stuff dreams are made on.
"I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament."
--Julius Caesar (III, i, 60 – 62)
“Constant as the northern star” is an apt description for Chris Clark. He could play on the right side on any of the top three lines. But Clark brings a singular devotion to the task, whatever responsibility he is asked to assume. It goes without saying – although it needs to be said over and over – that Clark was and is an excellent choice as captain, a worthy successor to the tradition of captains such as Rod Langway and Dale Hunter. Where Clark plays could be a function of how others fare in training camp. If Nicklas Backstrom isn’t ready to center the second line and is moved to the right side, Viktor Kozlov might be a center option, and Clark could be on either of the top two lines on the right side. If a youngster such as Bouchard or even a Tomas Fleischmann or Eric Fehr (if he is healthy) breaks through, Clark could man the right side on the third line. Wherever he plays, and he might be asked to move around, Clark’s effort will be as constant as the northern star.
"Is this a dagger which I see before me..."
--Macbeth (II, i, 33)
Alexander Semin scored 38 goals last year. Everyone ahead of him is older (ok, Thomas Vanek is six weeks older). That qualified as a breakthrough season for Semin and establishes him as a sniper of the first order...or does it? It is one thing to do it once, it is another to do it again. That is the task for Semin this year. He might start the year centered by Nicklas Backstrom, and how the rookie progresses in that role could go a long way in determining what numbers Semin is able to put up. There is also the matter of Semin’s own play. While supremely talented as a shooter and a puck handler, there were times last season when his maturity might have been called into question. That side of his game needs to progress more. But the pieces are there for him to be a feared offensive player on a level with Alex Ovechkin. What we don’t know is whether he can maintain or improve upon last year’s performance on the ice, whether this is a dagger we see before us...
"Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind."
--A Midsummer Night's Dream (I, i, 234)
The word “fan” is slang for “fanatic.” A little – and sometimes a lot of – craziness goes with the territory. There is sometimes a tendency to overrate one’s own players, and Caps fans (this one included) is not immune from the disease. That is prelude to this observation....the Caps might not be a “good” team to start the year. They are bringing in a lot of new pieces, some from different organizations – Nylander, Kozlov, Poti -- and possibly some rookies such as Bouchard, Fehr, Fleischmann, Alzner, and others. Sometimes a dish tastes better as the flavors are allowed to meld. This will almost certainly be a better team – in fact, a much better team – in February than it will be in October. Caps fans might keep that in mind as the year begins. Stanley Cups are not won in October, and the playoff teams aren’t identified before Christmas.
That’s all for now....we’ll return to this over the next few days and weeks as we get ready for the season opener, and The Peerless settles on his season prognostications.
Happy Training Camp!
The Peerless chooses to go a different route in looking at the Caps as we move through training camp. As we embark on the new season, we’re doing Shakespeare . . .
“I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'”
Well, maybe Glen, George, and Ted (and Caps fans)...
"A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!"
--King Richard III (V, iv, 7)
That horse, of course, is Alex Ovechkin. It is a measure of the esteem in which the youngster is held that a 46-46-92 season can be characterized in some quarters as “disappointing.” Maybe Ovechkin shares that view. Tarik El-Bashir quotes Ovechkin in today’s Post that he is “hungry for hockey.” Further, Ovechkin sees himself as in better condition this year than last, a product of skating, training, and practice with his former Moscow Dynamo team. This is not a good sign for the rest of the league. The Peerless has an observation about he with whom Ovechkin is always compared. Sidney Crosby lost in the Calder Trophy voting by a landslide in 2006. He came back the next year with a vengeance, establishing himself as the best player in the NHL. Signs point to this being a similar year for Ovechkin. With the tools provided him by George McPhee – Michael Nylander, Viktor Kozlov, and Tom Poti (who should provide some needed assistance on the power play), Ovechkin might have the room to rumble. And as Caps fans have seen, a dedicated and focused Ovechkin is a force of nature. He is the horse the Caps’ will ride.
"Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look,
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous."
--Julius Caesar (I, ii, 194)
Although the quote reflects Caesar’s mistrust of Cassius, the meaning here applies to Olaf Kolzig. The veteran goaltender is the leader of this team, and he’s been displaying that trait in the unofficial practices he and some of the other Caps have held in advance of the start of training camp. It is a sign...Kolzig, who has been through the good and the bad, sees this season as an opportunity not to be lost. The Caps have playoff potential, and it will take hard work – to affect a lean and hungry look – to bring that possibility to fruition. Kolzig has played a lot of minutes in the NHL, and has noted that the offseason conditioning is harder and harder to attend to as time passes. But if Kolzig is paying the price, it is a sign to the rest of this club to follow. And such men can be dangerous.
"We are such stuff
As dreams are made on..."
--The Tempest (IV, i, 156-157)
There are young Caps who have a very real chance to make the club out of camp. None would b e a bigger story than Francois Bouchard. Bouchard, a second round pick in 2006 (35th overall) and brother of Pierre-Marc Bouchard of the Wild, has one of those opportunities born of misfortune. Eric Fehr seems not to be ready to test his injury (back, hip, pituitary gland – the club isn’t very forthcoming on such things), and this opens up the race for a spot on the right side. Viktor Kozlov and Chris Clark might now be the odds-on choices to man the right side on the first and second line, but there is the potential for a newcomer to force the club to write his name into the lineup in one of those two spots. Bouchard seems likely not to make the club out of camp, but his progress through juniors has been steady and significant:
2004-05: 54 games, 11-13-24
2005-06: 69 games, 33-69-102
2006-07: 68 games, 45-80-125
Down the road, he could be the scoring right wing the Capitals need. He could be that by the end of the month. Such is the stuff dreams are made on.
"I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament."
--Julius Caesar (III, i, 60 – 62)
“Constant as the northern star” is an apt description for Chris Clark. He could play on the right side on any of the top three lines. But Clark brings a singular devotion to the task, whatever responsibility he is asked to assume. It goes without saying – although it needs to be said over and over – that Clark was and is an excellent choice as captain, a worthy successor to the tradition of captains such as Rod Langway and Dale Hunter. Where Clark plays could be a function of how others fare in training camp. If Nicklas Backstrom isn’t ready to center the second line and is moved to the right side, Viktor Kozlov might be a center option, and Clark could be on either of the top two lines on the right side. If a youngster such as Bouchard or even a Tomas Fleischmann or Eric Fehr (if he is healthy) breaks through, Clark could man the right side on the third line. Wherever he plays, and he might be asked to move around, Clark’s effort will be as constant as the northern star.
"Is this a dagger which I see before me..."
--Macbeth (II, i, 33)
Alexander Semin scored 38 goals last year. Everyone ahead of him is older (ok, Thomas Vanek is six weeks older). That qualified as a breakthrough season for Semin and establishes him as a sniper of the first order...or does it? It is one thing to do it once, it is another to do it again. That is the task for Semin this year. He might start the year centered by Nicklas Backstrom, and how the rookie progresses in that role could go a long way in determining what numbers Semin is able to put up. There is also the matter of Semin’s own play. While supremely talented as a shooter and a puck handler, there were times last season when his maturity might have been called into question. That side of his game needs to progress more. But the pieces are there for him to be a feared offensive player on a level with Alex Ovechkin. What we don’t know is whether he can maintain or improve upon last year’s performance on the ice, whether this is a dagger we see before us...
"Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind."
--A Midsummer Night's Dream (I, i, 234)
The word “fan” is slang for “fanatic.” A little – and sometimes a lot of – craziness goes with the territory. There is sometimes a tendency to overrate one’s own players, and Caps fans (this one included) is not immune from the disease. That is prelude to this observation....the Caps might not be a “good” team to start the year. They are bringing in a lot of new pieces, some from different organizations – Nylander, Kozlov, Poti -- and possibly some rookies such as Bouchard, Fehr, Fleischmann, Alzner, and others. Sometimes a dish tastes better as the flavors are allowed to meld. This will almost certainly be a better team – in fact, a much better team – in February than it will be in October. Caps fans might keep that in mind as the year begins. Stanley Cups are not won in October, and the playoff teams aren’t identified before Christmas.
That’s all for now....we’ll return to this over the next few days and weeks as we get ready for the season opener, and The Peerless settles on his season prognostications.
Happy Training Camp!
Coverage Swarm
James Mirtle, who has a blog himself, has a piece in this week's edition of The Hockey News that features the relationship between Caps Chairman and majority owner, Ted Leonsis, and the blogging community that has sprouted up around the club.
Well, a good portion of that community swarmed Voorhies, NJ, to observe the contest between the Caps' rookie contingent and that of the Philadelphia Flyers. Not having had the opportunity to attend, myself, The Peerless will leave it to you to peruse the observations of those who did...
A View from the Cheap Seats
Capital Insider
Dump and Chase
The Kevin Hatcher Fan Club
Puckhead's Thoughts
And this doesn't even include the other heavyweights such as On Frozen Blog, Off Wing Opinion, Japers' Rink, DC Sports Chick, Capital Fanatic (it's early -- The Peerless doesn't know at this hour if they were in attendance) . . . shoot, just look over there in the right margin and click for yourself. There are a lot of folks who have their eyes, ears, and keyboards tuned to the Caps. In fact, JP of Japers' Rink does your aggregating for you at Washington Hockey Daily.
If this -- a rookie game in early September -- is an indication of what is to come, the Caps' community will not lack for things to read and see via narrative, picture, audio, and video this season.
Just as the club might have reached a tipping point in its rebuild, ready to make the leap from league also-ran to playoff contender, so does the Caps' blogging community stand at what might be a tipping point...an "alternative stream media" (ASM) that adds a richer, Caps-centric brand of coverage to the club with game highlights, observations, and things you just won't read (or see or hear) anywhere else.
The Caps' Coverage Swarm. It's coming to you...now.
Well, a good portion of that community swarmed Voorhies, NJ, to observe the contest between the Caps' rookie contingent and that of the Philadelphia Flyers. Not having had the opportunity to attend, myself, The Peerless will leave it to you to peruse the observations of those who did...
A View from the Cheap Seats
Capital Insider
Dump and Chase
The Kevin Hatcher Fan Club
Puckhead's Thoughts
And this doesn't even include the other heavyweights such as On Frozen Blog, Off Wing Opinion, Japers' Rink, DC Sports Chick, Capital Fanatic (it's early -- The Peerless doesn't know at this hour if they were in attendance) . . . shoot, just look over there in the right margin and click for yourself. There are a lot of folks who have their eyes, ears, and keyboards tuned to the Caps. In fact, JP of Japers' Rink does your aggregating for you at Washington Hockey Daily.
If this -- a rookie game in early September -- is an indication of what is to come, the Caps' community will not lack for things to read and see via narrative, picture, audio, and video this season.
Just as the club might have reached a tipping point in its rebuild, ready to make the leap from league also-ran to playoff contender, so does the Caps' blogging community stand at what might be a tipping point...an "alternative stream media" (ASM) that adds a richer, Caps-centric brand of coverage to the club with game highlights, observations, and things you just won't read (or see or hear) anywhere else.
The Caps' Coverage Swarm. It's coming to you...now.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sittin' at the end of the bar...
Back in 1965, medical staff and coaches at the University of Florida got together to figure out why football players were wilting in the Florida heat. Identifying the reason as a loss of fluids and electrolytes, and depletion of carbohydrates, the group put together a formula to replace those fluids and nutrients lost from exercise....Gatorade was born.
Well, now Sportsnet.ca reports a new breakthrough in re-hydration science and its relation to physical performance...
Pedialyte. Yes, Pedialyte.
Toronto Maple Leafs bruiser Wade Belak reports that the formula for rehydrating toddlers suffering with diarrhea is a fine remedy for high-end athletes, too:
"You get all your electrolytes and it's designed specifically for kids and babies so you know it's good."
But Mr. Belak lets the cat out of the bag that this is hardly a new-found remedy for dehydration....
"You really want to know the truth, why I started drinking Pedialyte? I used to drink it for hangovers."
Now there, dear reader, is a hockey player.
Doug Gilmour has this coaching thing down...Describing the difference between life as a player and that of a coach (well, a "civilian"), the newly minted part time coach for the Leafs' organization observed that:
"When you're playing, you get up in the morning, get dressed, go to the rink, get undressed, get dressed into your equipment, get undressed after practice, then get dressed to go home. Then you get undressed to take an afternoon nap, wake up, get dressed to go back to the rink for the game, get undressed and get dressed in your equipment. After the game, you get undressed, get dressed to go home and then get undressed later to go to bed.
"When you're not playing, you get dressed in the morning and then get undressed at night to go to bed. That's it."
Coaches, consider your secret revealed.**********
Oh, and here is your Day 97 of a Sport Held Hostage moment, courtesy of The Battle of California.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Niedermayer Watch -- Day 96 of a Sport Held Hostage...
The Burkempire Strikes Back
When your lonely heart has learned its lesson
You'd be his if only he'd call
In the wee small hours of the morning
That's the time you miss him most of all
When your lonely heart has learned its lesson
You'd be his if only he'd call
In the wee small hours of the morning
That's the time you miss him most of all
"Yes, he was suspended today. I spoke with Scott to tell him he was being suspended, which Scotty expected."
When your lonely heart has learned its lesson
You'd be his if only he'd call
In the wee small hours of the morning
That's the time you miss him most of all
When your lonely heart has learned its lesson
You'd be his if only he'd call
In the wee small hours of the morning
That's the time you miss him most of all
A Tale of Two . . . Well, Two What, Exactly?
The Peerless takes time out from his hiatus to bring you two quotes. See if you can answer correctly who the authors are...
"We have just created and introduced a great, low cost ticket package against our biggest rivals. I am hopeful we can fill the house against these teams with our own hometown Caps fans. The reason we created a package of tickets is to ensure that our own fans buy them and come to all of these games. I doubt that a fan of just one of these teams will buy all of the tickets in the package. For $99, a fan can come to our Opener and five of our best games against our biggest rivals. Please consider purchasing a plan; come to these games; and be loud and proud."
"I need another 2,500 season-ticket seats. What that would do is tip it, it would give us scarcity of tickets and allow us finally to raise prices. Our ticket prices, for the most part are exactly the same as they were in 1999."
If you answered: a) Ted Leonsis (on September 8), and b) Ted Leonsis (today), you win a prize. The Peerless will make sure to give you a deal on it so you can pay more later.
"We have just created and introduced a great, low cost ticket package against our biggest rivals. I am hopeful we can fill the house against these teams with our own hometown Caps fans. The reason we created a package of tickets is to ensure that our own fans buy them and come to all of these games. I doubt that a fan of just one of these teams will buy all of the tickets in the package. For $99, a fan can come to our Opener and five of our best games against our biggest rivals. Please consider purchasing a plan; come to these games; and be loud and proud."
"I need another 2,500 season-ticket seats. What that would do is tip it, it would give us scarcity of tickets and allow us finally to raise prices. Our ticket prices, for the most part are exactly the same as they were in 1999."
If you answered: a) Ted Leonsis (on September 8), and b) Ted Leonsis (today), you win a prize. The Peerless will make sure to give you a deal on it so you can pay more later.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Dogs Hate Penguins!....Video Proof!!
OK, The Peerless couldn't let this one go by before he bugs out....
The Peerless...bringing you the hidden truth about Penguins.
The Peerless...bringing you the hidden truth about Penguins.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Rookie Camp Begins
Kinda like the first day of school, but...different.
For the record, Stephen Werner was the first Cap to take the ice this year.
Among the youngsters, getting a feel for who made a mark and who didn't isn't generally possible after Day 1 of skating and drills, but a couple of guys were worth paying attention to from The Peerless' vantage point...
Sasha Pokulok looked more inclined than most to apply his body, which is probably a good sign, given the problems he's had physically over the past couple of years.
Nicklas Backstrom is smooth as buttah -- he had a couple of nice shifts in a forward drill and a couple of nice shots, beating Michal Neuvirth.
Francois Bouchard was this close to having an excellent day. As it was, he looked pretty good.
As far as the visuals go...
Coaches Hanlon and Prior sporting the spiffy new coaches duds. They did have the faint look of haz-mat suits, though.
Coach Evason reminding players that they have to turn right out of the parking garage to find the Rock Bottom Brewery..."but no beer for you underage guys."
Michal Neuvirth about to turn away a shot when he spies the Papa John's sign and thinks..."mmmm...pizza"
Coaches preparing the kids for a drill... "ok, we're going to practice the power play, and these are the New York Islanders.
Coach Prior giving tips to young Mr. Neuvirth on his "break-in-the-action" pose.
It was good to see hockey, hear skates digging into the ice, and know that in four weeks, they'll be doing this for real. For the kids, some might not be invited back to training camp, and even those who get invited to stick around are likely to find themselves back in juniors or in the minors in a few weeks. But every one of them can say they participated in an official National Hockey League camp, and that's not a bad memory to have.
Good luck to all of you guys.
...and with this, The Peerless is going dark for a few days. Have fun over the rest of rookie camp, and we hope to return in time for the start of training camp next weekend.
For the record, Stephen Werner was the first Cap to take the ice this year.
Among the youngsters, getting a feel for who made a mark and who didn't isn't generally possible after Day 1 of skating and drills, but a couple of guys were worth paying attention to from The Peerless' vantage point...
Sasha Pokulok looked more inclined than most to apply his body, which is probably a good sign, given the problems he's had physically over the past couple of years.
Nicklas Backstrom is smooth as buttah -- he had a couple of nice shifts in a forward drill and a couple of nice shots, beating Michal Neuvirth.
Francois Bouchard was this close to having an excellent day. As it was, he looked pretty good.
As far as the visuals go...
Coaches Hanlon and Prior sporting the spiffy new coaches duds. They did have the faint look of haz-mat suits, though.
Coach Evason reminding players that they have to turn right out of the parking garage to find the Rock Bottom Brewery..."but no beer for you underage guys."
Michal Neuvirth about to turn away a shot when he spies the Papa John's sign and thinks..."mmmm...pizza"
Coaches preparing the kids for a drill... "ok, we're going to practice the power play, and these are the New York Islanders.
Coach Prior giving tips to young Mr. Neuvirth on his "break-in-the-action" pose.It was good to see hockey, hear skates digging into the ice, and know that in four weeks, they'll be doing this for real. For the kids, some might not be invited back to training camp, and even those who get invited to stick around are likely to find themselves back in juniors or in the minors in a few weeks. But every one of them can say they participated in an official National Hockey League camp, and that's not a bad memory to have.
Good luck to all of you guys.
...and with this, The Peerless is going dark for a few days. Have fun over the rest of rookie camp, and we hope to return in time for the start of training camp next weekend.
Ready to Go?
Finally, we can get started. So if you're ready to go, here is some arena music from from last year...
...and some hockey kerfuffling to get the juices flowing (with Beantown homers to further annoy the listener)...
...and some hockey kerfuffling to get the juices flowing (with Beantown homers to further annoy the listener)...
Friday, September 07, 2007
Remember me?
With all the attention being paid to returning Caps, new signings, and prospects generally at the top of the "might make the team" list, "remember me?" might be what Chris Bourque is asking these days...
Corey Masisak of the Washington Times has a feature on the youngster.
Corey Masisak of the Washington Times has a feature on the youngster.
Niedermayer Watch -- Day 92 of a Sport Held Hostage
"I wish I had a decision right now..."
Don't we all.
Where have you gone, Scotty Niedermayer
Ducks nation turns it's lonely eyes to you...woo-woo-woo.
What's that you say, Mr. Brian Burke
Scotty N. has left and gone away...hey-hey-hey...
...hey-hey-hey.
Don't we all.
Where have you gone, Scotty Niedermayer
Ducks nation turns it's lonely eyes to you...woo-woo-woo.
What's that you say, Mr. Brian Burke
Scotty N. has left and gone away...hey-hey-hey...
...hey-hey-hey.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Brilliant!
The Peerless doffs his prognosticap to the Dallas Stars for the debut of what we think is an absolutely brilliant advertising campaign.
The Stars have authored a series of billboards that strike the perfect balance among a tongue-in-cheek look at other sports, a smidge of self-deprecation, and a focus on the product. Snappy, to the point, and memorable.
The skunk at the garden party, though, was Tony Kornheiser, who on PTI opined that Bettman would tell the Stars to pull the ads...no doubt because of this one...
Except Mark Cuban thinks they're hysterical. Give Cuban credit for being a good sport about it (although maybe that's a bit of a thumb in the eye to his nemesis, NBA Commissioner David Stern).
No one does promotions like...
...minor league sports teams, and the Hershey Bears are no exception. They have some intriguing ones this year, too. Makes The Peerless want to hop in the Peerlessmobile and scoot up Route 15 to participate...
"Dutch Wonderland" night? You know that has to be a hoot.
The Peerless would be all over that ugly sweater night, but that's pretty much his whole wardrobe.
Ah...so that's where the old-logo/color jerseys went.
Hey...you do that in DC, folks will bring guns.
Only in the AHL, indeed.
November 17:
- Patriotism/Hometown Heroes Night - The first 3,000 fans will receive an American flag. Come out to show your support to all the men and woman that serve our country locally and over-seas.
- DUTCH WONDERLAND Night - See all your favorite friends from DUTCH WONDERLAND, including Duke the Dragon and Princess Brooke.
- Help the Ronald McDonald House Night - The BEARS Booster Club will be accepting donations to help the Ronald McDonald House.
"Dutch Wonderland" night? You know that has to be a hoot.
December 22:
- Christmas Jersey Night - The BEARS will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game.
- Ugly Holiday Sweater Night - All fans are encouraged to wear their ugly holiday sweaters for the chance to win holiday prizes.
The Peerless would be all over that ugly sweater night, but that's pretty much his whole wardrobe.
January 26:
- Washington Capitals Night - The BEARS will wear special Washington Capitals Jerseys. After the game, each player will autograph their jersey and then auction it off, with proceeds going to charity.
Ah...so that's where the old-logo/color jerseys went.
March 15:Maybe The Peerless will see if he can get anything for Chris Chelios.
- HERSHEY BEARS Booster Club Central PA Food Bank Drive - All fans are encouraged to bring a donation for the Central PA Food Bank.
- Dr. Lori's Antique Appraisal Night - Bring your art, antiques and questions to art historian, certified art and antique appraiser, and TV personality Dr. Lori. One free antique appraisal per person.
March 16:
- Kunzler Ham Shoot Night - All fans have the opportunity to come down on the ice following the game for a chance to win an Easter Ham.
Hey...you do that in DC, folks will bring guns.
April 6:Bonvie has 82 goals in 821 AHL games...and 4,290 penalty minutes. Only in the AHL.
- Dennis Bonvie Retirement/Farewell Celebration - Dennis Bonvie will be hanging up the skates and gloves at the end of the 2007-2008 season. Come out and wish Dennis a fond farewell as we look back at his time with the HERSHEY BEARS.
Only in the AHL, indeed.
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