Offseason starts

[RavenCp]

   Ya Datsyuk in the 6th, Zetterberg in the 7th. Two of the best draft picks in recent NHL history. The Caps better late round picks were guys like Khristich and Bondra. Pretty good players but not the equivalent.

Yes, Datsyuk and Zetterberg became best of the best, really superstar level. May be one of the reasons, they never played in America before, therefore were pretty much unknown. Also RW was a top team with no luxury of first round picks. Kudos to to them for finding and developing these gems. 

[PUCKNRUSH]

My god, DC Derangement has begun . . . 😖

Hey Everybody!! It’s Rush here!
Family and I just got home about an hour ago from 10 day vacay in Vegas and southwest US. I’ve kept up with the site, regularly,  every couple days or so, checking in as a guest, ever since checking out last December.
 Just felt right to get back on again, as Caps hockey starts all over again in just a few weeks.
 Glad to see the site growing, and we’ve obviously added  some new folks, with some great hockey info and IQ.  Always a good thing.
My general opinion on the offseason happenings is quite high this year, although I’m  making a strong, concerted, effort to not mix EXPECTATIONS, with my opinion on how things have been handled this summer.  I have been critical of GMBM in the past, And will continue when I disagree,  but I give him a lot of praise, on balance,  for some great summer signings, Not to mention his work at the deadline last season prior to us winning the cup!! Signing Kempny, hindsight now shows, was an EXCELLENT move.  You all are more than familiar with my low opinion of Carlson, as a DEFENSEMAN, Even with his personally stellar offensive year! Kempny, with his sure puck handling, among other talents, fits and FILLS the gaps, so specifically well, that are ever-present shortcomings, in John Carlson’s defensive game. One of many MAJOR factors that contributed to our STANLEY!!!
 Another stroke of genius, on the part of GMBM, was with the circular path used in the return of Brooks Orpik to the Caps,  while simultaneously giving Grubauer the chance he deserves, and having Colorado pay the tab for the heavy Orpik contract.
Anyway, nuff said for now. Looking forward to the season, and posting from time to time.
To DC, AJ, Alta, Mick, Oldhat, Maaco, Lady, Lil, 4Caps, Newto, etc, and anyone else I forgot to mention here, I’m still riding out our well deserved, Stanley Cup JOY, 44 years in repression, as it remains one of the top highlights of my 59 year existence!!! TTYL FOLKS!!!!
RUSH

[DC_1908]

Hey Everybody!! It’s Rush here!
Family and I just got home about an hour ago from 10 day vacay in Vegas and southwest US. I’ve kept up with the site, regularly,  every couple days or so, checking in as a guest, ever since checking out last December.
 Just felt right to get back on again, as Caps hockey starts all over again in just a few weeks.
 Glad to see the site growing, and we’ve obviously added  some new folks, with some great hockey info and IQ.  Always a good thing.
My general opinion on the offseason happenings is quite high this year, although I’m  making a strong, concerted, effort to not mix EXPECTATIONS, with my opinion on how things have been handled this summer.  I have been critical of GMBM in the past, And will continue when I disagree,  but I give him a lot of praise, on balance,  for some great summer signings, Not to mention his work at the deadline last season prior to us winning the cup!! Signing Kempny, hindsight now shows, was an EXCELLENT move.  You all are more than familiar with my low opinion of Carlson, as a DEFENSEMAN, Even with his personally stellar offensive year! Kempny, with his sure puck handling, among other talents, fits and FILLS the gaps, so specifically well, that are ever-present shortcomings, in John Carlson’s defensive game. One of many MAJOR factors that contributed to our STANLEY!!!
 Another stroke of genius, on the part of GMBM, was with the circular path used in the return of Brooks Orpik to the Caps,  while simultaneously giving Grubauer the chance he deserves, and having Colorado pay the tab for the heavy Orpik contract.
Anyway, nuff said for now. Looking forward to the season, and posting from time to time.
To DC, AJ, Alta, Mick, Oldhat, Maaco, Lady, Lil, 4Caps, Newto, etc, and anyone else I forgot to mention here, I’m still riding out our well deserved, Stanley Cup JOY, 44 years in repression, as it remains one of the top highlights of my 59 year existence!!! TTYL FOLKS!!!!
RUSH

whoo hoo! Rush is back!!!


Welcome back bro!

[Maacoshark]

Hey Everybody!! It’s Rush here!
Family and I just got home about an hour ago from 10 day vacay in Vegas and southwest US. I’ve kept up with the site, regularly,  every couple days or so, checking in as a guest, ever since checking out last December.
 Just felt right to get back on again, as Caps hockey starts all over again in just a few weeks.
 Glad to see the site growing, and we’ve obviously added  some new folks, with some great hockey info and IQ.  Always a good thing.
My general opinion on the offseason happenings is quite high this year, although I’m  making a strong, concerted, effort to not mix EXPECTATIONS, with my opinion on how things have been handled this summer.  I have been critical of GMBM in the past, And will continue when I disagree,  but I give him a lot of praise, on balance,  for some great summer signings, Not to mention his work at the deadline last season prior to us winning the cup!! Signing Kempny, hindsight now shows, was an EXCELLENT move.  You all are more than familiar with my low opinion of Carlson, as a DEFENSEMAN, Even with his personally stellar offensive year! Kempny, with his sure puck handling, among other talents, fits and FILLS the gaps, so specifically well, that are ever-present shortcomings, in John Carlson’s defensive game. One of many MAJOR factors that contributed to our STANLEY!!!
 Another stroke of genius, on the part of GMBM, was with the circular path used in the return of Brooks Orpik to the Caps,  while simultaneously giving Grubauer the chance he deserves, and having Colorado pay the tab for the heavy Orpik contract.
Anyway, nuff said for now. Looking forward to the season, and posting from time to time.
To DC, AJ, Alta, Mick, Oldhat, Maaco, Lady, Lil, 4Caps, Newto, etc, and anyone else I forgot to mention here, I’m still riding out our well deserved, Stanley Cup JOY, 44 years in repression, as it remains one of the top highlights of my 59 year existence!!! TTYL FOLKS!!!!
RUSH

   Good to see you back Rush

[4 Caps]

Welcome back Rush, looking forward to reading your insightfull posts.  Training camp is a month away, can’t wait.

[Beaglefan2]

Rush - you disappeared shortly after I met you - though it was something I said! Ha! Glad to have you back - and I agree with your post.

[alta]

Hey Everybody!! It’s Rush here!
Family and I just got home about an hour ago from 10 day vacay in Vegas and southwest US. I’ve kept up with the site, regularly,  every couple days or so, checking in as a guest, ever since checking out last December.
 Just felt right to get back on again, as Caps hockey starts all over again in just a few weeks.
 Glad to see the site growing, and we’ve obviously added  some new folks, with some great hockey info and IQ.  Always a good thing.
My general opinion on the offseason happenings is quite high this year, although I’m  making a strong, concerted, effort to not mix EXPECTATIONS, with my opinion on how things have been handled this summer.  I have been critical of GMBM in the past, And will continue when I disagree,  but I give him a lot of praise, on balance,  for some great summer signings, Not to mention his work at the deadline last season prior to us winning the cup!! Signing Kempny, hindsight now shows, was an EXCELLENT move.  You all are more than familiar with my low opinion of Carlson, as a DEFENSEMAN, Even with his personally stellar offensive year! Kempny, with his sure puck handling, among other talents, fits and FILLS the gaps, so specifically well, that are ever-present shortcomings, in John Carlson’s defensive game. One of many MAJOR factors that contributed to our STANLEY!!!
 Another stroke of genius, on the part of GMBM, was with the circular path used in the return of Brooks Orpik to the Caps,  while simultaneously giving Grubauer the chance he deserves, and having Colorado pay the tab for the heavy Orpik contract.
Anyway, nuff said for now. Looking forward to the season, and posting from time to time.
To DC, AJ, Alta, Mick, Oldhat, Maaco, Lady, Lil, 4Caps, Newto, etc, and anyone else I forgot to mention here, I’m still riding out our well deserved, Stanley Cup JOY, 44 years in repression, as it remains one of the top highlights of my 59 year existence!!! TTYL FOLKS!!!!
RUSH

Welcome back , hope you had a few on Fremont St like I did , it's very easy to lose track of night and day while in Vegas

[PUCKNRUSH]

   Good to see you back Rush

Thanks Maaco.
 Don’t have a heart attack, but I will take this time to give props to your boy, #74.  His offensive production was through the roof with his career year!! Hell,  i’ll  even concede that he ramped his defense up a little bit,  especially when it mattered,  in the final three rounds of the playoffs!!
I knew that caps management was going to pay him market value in order to keep him,  which I personally wish they would not have done. Signing Kempny helps me to be able to stomach the deal a little better.  I’ll just have to let the “good chemistry fit”, between the two of them, trump my negative singular focus on Carlson’s style of D.  As I’ve mentioned to you before, I’m not in the camp that wishes 74 to fail.  This would be counterproductive to the team.  It’s just that at his size, 6‘3“ at about 215,  I expect more grit and physicality out of him, especially in the crease!!  We did get a rare glimpse of him getting somewhat physical in the matches with both Tampa and Vegas.  Seems he has to get pretty pissed off though, before he’ll bring it out!!  Nonetheless, we’ll see how his big juicy contract affects his efforts.  We can only hope, buddy!!
Rush

[PUCKNRUSH]

Welcome back Rush, looking forward to reading your insightfull posts.  Training camp is a month away, can’t wait.

Thanks 4Caps for the kind words.
I look forward, as well, to reading your unique perspective from Kettler, although  I remember hearing somewhere they’ve changed the name of the place.
I’m glad to have most everyone back this year. I saw your post recently, about Vrana and Bura.  My hope, of course, is the same as yours, in that they will both grow.  I am, however, more optimistic about Vrana being able to mature. Bura, while having all the theoretical single talent, individually,  Will need to show a longer-term ability to play teamwork-type hockey,  avoiding putting pressure on himself to do it alone, demonstrating that he understands that when he contributes to the success of his line, his personal success will naturally come. He started showing brighter signs of this in the playoffs. We have to hope that he stays away from injury, and that maybe his numerous “resets” have begun to stick!! If so, he could be stellar, but I’m not holding my breath!
More importantly, like you said, training camp is just a moth away!!!! LETS GO BOYS!!
Rush

[PUCKNRUSH]

whoo hoo! Rush is back!!!


Welcome back bro!

Hey DC!!! WAZZUP BRO!

I love the fact that I’ve got the “newbie” title again, LOL! I have to insist that it means when I get up your way again, (preferably sooner than later), that I get another shot of that famous JD century!!!  On a more serious note, let’s talk getting together in September, after my AC season slows down!! Looking forward to it!

Rush

[PUCKNRUSH]

Rush - you disappeared shortly after I met you - though it was something I said! Ha! Glad to have you back - and I agree with your post.

Hey Beags!!  Thanks, and great to hear from you buddy!!!
It wasn’t anything you said, it was just your daughters #74 jersey, LOL !!😂😂😂
Of course just kidding!  Enjoyed meeting up with you that time, And look forward to seeing you again, only one thing has changed. I’m no longer in section 408. I’m still at the “attack twice” end, but now in section 105. Email me or PM when the season starts and we can meet up!! First beer is on me, my friend!
FYI, I was crushed to lose Beagle, and certainly would’ve liked to see some of that Carlson contract money go towards his return, but I am glad for beagle that he’s getting paid!!
Rush

[PUCKNRUSH]

Welcome back , hope you had a few on Fremont St like I did , it's very easy to lose track of night and day while in Vegas

ALTA, my friend, how the hell are ya!!
Yeah man, definitely lived it up in Vegas. Maaco was mentioning the summer heat. For the ten days we were there, the lowest HIGH temp for the day was 109°F. Two of the days were 116 and 114.  Although very dry, and it was nothing like here.  No stickiness of any kind.  I described it to a friend of mine as, when the breeze would blow, It felt similar to taking your shirt off, turning on your hair blow dryer, Setting the temp switch to HOT, holding it 12 inches away from your chest, And letting it blow directly on you.
 Was also able to mark the Grand Canyon off my bucket list!! No description, no matter how creative, can do justice to it.  It’s simply must be seen to behold!!
A not-well-remembered number of tequila shots, and some fairly warm blackjack tables, really helped to round out the trip, LOL!
Hope to see you this season again.  Let me know when you go to one of the games!
Rush

[alta]

ALTA, my friend, how the hell are ya!!
Yeah man, definitely lived it up in Vegas. Maaco was mentioning the summer heat. For the ten days we were there, the lowest HIGH temp for the day was 109°F. Two of the days were 116 and 114.  Although very dry, and it was nothing like here.  No stickiness of any kind.  I described it to a friend of mine as, when the breeze would blow, It felt similar to taking your shirt off, turning on your hair blow dryer, Setting the temp switch to HOT, holding it 12 inches away from your chest, And letting it blow directly on you.
 Was also able to mark the Grand Canyon off my bucket list!! No description, no matter how creative, can do justice to it.  It’s simply must be seen to behold!!
A not-well-remembered number of tequila shots, and some fairly warm blackjack tables, really helped to round out the trip, LOL!
Hope to see you this season again.  Let me know when you go to one of the games!
Rush

some years ago a friend brought me back a tshirt from Phoenix, it was a skeleton sticking up outa the sand and it said "but it's a dry heat"

[PUCKNRUSH]

some years ago a friend brought me back a tshirt from Phoenix, it was a skeleton sticking up outa the sand and it said "but it's a dry heat"

👍 Good one!

[DC_1908]

ALTA, my friend, how the hell are ya!!
Yeah man, definitely lived it up in Vegas. Maaco was mentioning the summer heat. For the ten days we were there, the lowest HIGH temp for the day was 109°F. Two of the days were 116 and 114.  Although very dry, and it was nothing like here.  No stickiness of any kind.  I described it to a friend of mine as, when the breeze would blow, It felt similar to taking your shirt off, turning on your hair blow dryer, Setting the temp switch to HOT, holding it 12 inches away from your chest, And letting it blow directly on you.
 Was also able to mark the Grand Canyon off my bucket list!! No description, no matter how creative, can do justice to it.  It’s simply must be seen to behold!!
A not-well-remembered number of tequila shots, and some fairly warm blackjack tables, really helped to round out the trip, LOL!
Hope to see you this season again.  Let me know when you go to one of the games!
Rush

heh wow Vegas and New Orleans in the summer, . . . we sure know how to pick summer trips huh? 🤣🤣

[Beaglefan2]

Hey Beags!!  Thanks, and great to hear from you buddy!!!
It wasn’t anything you said, it was just your daughters #74 jersey, LOL !!😂😂😂
Of course just kidding!  Enjoyed meeting up with you that time, And look forward to seeing you again, only one thing has changed. I’m no longer in section 408. I’m still at the “attack twice” end, but now in section 105. Email me or PM when the season starts and we can meet up!! First beer is on me, my friend!
FYI, I was crushed to lose Beagle, and certainly would’ve liked to see some of that Carlson contract money go towards his return, but I am glad for beagle that he’s getting paid!!
Rush

Puck - yes, my daughters jersey is a problem - guess I keep having to live with that. Unfortunately, I won’t be at the games going forward as I have moved and I gave up the season tickets. I will be watching every game though and stil rooting for Beagle with his new team. I hated to see that happen, but understood it and was glad he got his money - he was underpaid for years.

[PUCKNRUSH]

Puck - yes, my daughters jersey is a problem - guess I keep having to live with that. Unfortunately, I won’t be at the games going forward as I have moved and I gave up the season tickets. I will be watching every game though and stil rooting for Beagle with his new team. I hated to see that happen, but understood it and was glad he got his money - he was underpaid for years.

Hey Beags.
I do now vaguely remember you mentioning your moving from the area. Well then, if you ever do get up this way to make a game or two, let us know.
That is funny about your daughter’s jersey, and of course you know I was joking.  Truth be told, I think it’s great when a dad brings his daughter to a hockey game, especially keeping in view the touching story about your own mother taking you to experience hockey. Was it the Blues games? Anyway, I just remember it was one of my favorite posts and stories! Really one of the things that life is all about, IMHO!
 Here’s looking forward to the new Caps Season!
Rush

[Mickstix]

Hey, welcome back Rush!!

[PUCKNRUSH]

Hey, welcome back Rush!!

Thanks Mick!!
I quoted your post on another thread. Good to see ya
Rush

[4 Caps]

Training camp starts three weeks from today.  Some players are already participating in informal workouts at Kettler oops I mean Medstar.  For those who are unaware, the Caps practice facility has changed its name.  It use to be Kettler Capitals Iceplex but now will be called Medstar Capitals Iceplex.  Medstar is a medical care provider in the DC area.  People will be confused when I tell them I am going to Medstar, they will think I am sick.