Comments on: Reflecting On The Capitals Early First Round Exit In The Playoffs http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/ A cheerfully demented Washington Capitals site with a healthy fixation on Alex Ovechkin and his Russian bros. CRASH THE NET! Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Colorado Avalanche Team Report | World Cup 2010 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2508 Colorado Avalanche Team Report | World Cup 2010 Sat, 08 May 2010 14:57:17 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2508 [...] Reflecting On The Capitals Early First Round Exit In The Playoffs [...]

]]> By: The Mike Green Media Tour Hits Elliott In The Morning. RMNB Transcribes the Entire 16 Minute Interview. http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2459 The Mike Green Media Tour Hits Elliott In The Morning. RMNB Transcribes the Entire 16 Minute Interview. Wed, 05 May 2010 04:40:45 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2459 [...] this point, we all know how the story goes. First, the Capitals lose Game 7 and Mike Green – the man who had two miscues that led to two goals that night – avoids [...]

]]> By: CapsFan1975 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2439 CapsFan1975 Tue, 04 May 2010 01:25:36 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2439 I’m sure I’m in a minority but I’m a person who’s a fan of both Fehr and Semin (along with a fan of Ovi). I would like to see Fehr get more minutes than he does.

I do think they both have unique talents that can help the Caps now and in the future. And they have different skill sets that are needed for the team. Fehr is more of a net crasher. Semin is more of a sniper.

As disappointed as I’ve been, I take heart by the fact that the great Edmunton team of the early 80′s had as difficult of a time reaching the SC finals as our team, with early playoff exits, including a 1st round exit to a lower ranked team.

The last 2.5 months seem like they’ve been a nightmare for both Ovi and Semin, as in nothing would go right for either of them. The Olympic loss, Ovi’s suspension, Ovi’s late season slump, Semin’s playoff slump, and the 1st round playoff exit.

]]> By: BobbyG http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2438 BobbyG Mon, 03 May 2010 23:43:54 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2438 “I wonder: if the Olympics hadn’t happened… what would have happened?”
This is the 64 million dollar question. I believe in my heart of hearts that the Olympics interruption is at least partly responsible for the Caps loss, inasmuch as I also believe it changed Ovie and the way he played. The huge disappointment over Team Russia’s failure, combined with the Campbell hit and resulting suspension, seemed to affect him in subtle but still noticeable ways. I believe he was so concerned about vindicating himself and restoring his reputation, he started to play more cautiously and tentatively. I think the team as a whole then fed off these negative vibes, their confidence wasn’t there to put the Habs away, and the rest is history.

Also, as disappointed and frustrated as I stil feel, I’m not prepared or knowledgeable enough to name specific names as to who should go or who to keep. The Olympics created an aberration in the force, and the Caps were swept up in this vortex. So I don’t want to make any knee-jerk comments or opinions about the long-term future of specific people with the Caps. Certain people made bonehead mistakes, but I won’t go so far as to call them out for a hatchet job.

]]> By: capsrus http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2427 capsrus Mon, 03 May 2010 18:42:49 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2427 Nice summary. I’m still disappointed, but confident in the team moving forward. I side with those who say that some changes have to be made, but we need to keep the core intact. If we could address the center or more seniority issue with a Semin trade, I’m all for it. While life is full of woulda, shoulda, couldas, let’s not forget that we were one questionably overturned goal from changing the momentum of game 7, and if Chimera puts one in the net instead of over it at then end, we might be playing Philly right now. In a bizarre way, I’m almost glad it happened the way it did. Over the course of the series, we were outplayed, outhustled and outcoached by Montreal. I think the team is going to learn more from this experience.

]]> By: Caps Fan in VA http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2426 Caps Fan in VA Mon, 03 May 2010 17:33:52 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2426 The analysis from Larry Brooks of the NY Post is perfect! Take a look , a good hard look at all those teams and you could even argue Edmonton into the mix. McPhee and Uncle Ted both know what they are doing, and we as fans need to trust our leadership and front office; knowing they will do what is best for the team. But make no mistake about it moves will be made, we may not like them, some might not work and some will but no one in this organization; fans, ownership, front office, and players want to lose…..

Without defeat you cannot enjoy victory!

]]> By: wanggo http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2425 wanggo Mon, 03 May 2010 17:07:29 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2425 I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing but i wouldn’t be surprised if the Caps win the President’s Trophy again next season. They may not get 121 points again but ending the regular season as the best team wouldn’t be far fetched.

]]> By: Eric http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2424 Eric Mon, 03 May 2010 17:06:45 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2424 The ONLY reason you trade Semin is because of his contract situation in 2011.

Surround the exceptional talent with role players. Find a 2nd line center. Get Varly through another full off and pre season workout routine with Irbe. Try again next year.

]]> By: Gozling http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2423 Gozling Mon, 03 May 2010 16:39:10 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2423 Even before this last playoff series I was firmly in the trade Semin camp. He has always been lazy and unwilling to go that extra little bit to improve. However beyond all that is the fact that we can not afford to keep him in the salary cap era. Otherwise you end up exactly like Tampa Bay of a couple years ago when they had Vinny, Brad Richards?, and St. Louis signed to big contracts…and they had no money left for anyone else. That was before the salary cap too I believe. Besides if you trade him now you get more for him then at the deadline next year. At some point you have to restock the system or you will have a finite window to win the Cup. Yes there are a lot of guys in the system, but those guys need to step into Semin’s spot and get something that we really don’t have in the system that is ready to go; a gritty defensemen (is it Orlov that I’ve heard has a mean streak?). I think that Fehr could be a second line winger (he’s done quite a bit with the little time that he has been given) with Brooks and I would go so far as to say Perreault could step in at some point to center. Of course all this is moot if they can’t sign Backstrom, which would be unimagineable at this point.

]]> By: Hittman http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/05/02/reflecting-on-the-capitals-early-first-round-exit-in-the-playoffs/#comment-2422 Hittman Mon, 03 May 2010 16:12:46 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=4016#comment-2422 @sonja:

Semin just played his best season. He will never play more than 65 games in a year, as that seems to be about his ceiling. 40 goals is similar to the 38 he put up two years ago. If he plays for the Caps again next year, then look for a 60-70 game effort with 30-40 goals and a comparable amount of assists. This whole maturing thing is BS. He’s been mature for several years already and if anything he is growing older, more brittle, and disinterested.

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