Category Archives: Alexander Semin

Hitting the Reset Button

I commend to your attention the most recent fit of gutsy thoughtfulness from my blogger buddy Ed Frankovic, who with commendable clarity of consideration arrives at this sobering recommendation as it relates to the handling of the Capitals roster here … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Ed Frankovic, Free agency, Front Office, George McPhee, Jeff Schultz, Marcus Johansson, Mike Ribeiro, Morning cup-a-joe, New media, Seth Jones, Washington Capitals | 8 Comments

TSN, Sending Up Semin

We in Washington have, understandably, a conflicted view of Alexander Semin. To be sure, we’re aware of his numerous and infuriating faults: so often, he seemed invisible; so often, he seemed capable of so much more. Yet we’ve also had … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Semin, Free agency, Media, National Hockey League, TSN, TV | 14 Comments

Pride, Regret, and Questions

If we are of mixed emotions about the end of this hockey season — proud and uplifted by a Capitals team of unlikely cohesion and stunning sacrifice, but also exasperated by the frustration of banishment earlier than forecast, again — … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Braden Holtby, Dale Hunter, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Front Office, George McPhee, Hockey hearts, Joel Ward, Morning cup-a-joe, New York Rangers, NHL playoffs, Washington the cursed hockey town | 26 Comments

An Evolution, and Event, To Savor

Of the NHL’s 30 member clubs merely five remain alive in the quest for Stanley, and one of them is ours. That’s a remarkable and wonderful thing, relative to the Capitals’ standing of just two months ago, but better still … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Dale Hunter, Mike Green, Morning cup-a-joe, New York Rangers, NHL playoffs, Nicklas Backstrom, Washington the hockey town | 9 Comments

Paroled by Playoff Puck

For me, Saturday afternoon and evening finally delivered long elusive fun at being a hockey fan in Washington, at the very end of the regular season. For me, fun with hockey is when the present and near future offer promise. … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Semin, Boston Bruins, Braden Holtby, Dale Hunter, Florida Panthers, George McPhee, Michal Neuvirth, Morning cup-a-joe, Much-needed realignment, playoff hockey, Semyon Varlamov, Southeast Division, Washington Capitals | 6 Comments

Washington Capitals in the Wayback Machine?

Watching tonight’s Washington Capitals game, as well as their recent victory over Boston, felt eerily familiar. The Caps’ roster was relatively devoid of superstars, they fought hard, beat a better team (vs. Boston) and lost a close one to a divisional rival tonight.

Without Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green, this Capitals team is surprisingly similar to the Capitals of almost a decade ago… a hard-charging team that delighted and sometimes frustrated its fans.

How so, you ask? Read on… and while these comparisons are far from perfect, consider them food for thought: Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich, Dale Hunter, Olaf Kolzig, Peter Bondra | 10 Comments

A Night to Forget

For the Caps fans who stayed till the end of Tuesday’s 5-1 blowout loss and gave a standing ovation when their team finally scored late in the third, defenseman Karl Alzner noticed. And he appreciated it. “I noticed it right … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Semin, Karl Alzner, Washington Capitals | 13 Comments

A Statement Win?

Remember when third periods late in the Boudreau era were hold-on-for-dear-life and cover-your-eyes stanzas? Suddenly, under Coach Hunter, they are statement frames for the Caps. Production, derived from patience, slow but steady absorption of a radically new system, and increasing … Continue reading

Posted in 2 Points, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Dale Hunter, Karl Alzner, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals | 8 Comments

Caps’ Disjointed Effort Leads to 6-3 Rangers’ Victory

It’s a weird night at the Verizon Center when Alexander Semin finishes with more ice time than Alex Ovechkin. True, it was only by 47 seconds, and since Ovechkin finished with 21 shifts and Semin only 19, it looks more … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Karl Alzner, Washington Capitals | 1 Comment

Questions for a Hockey Club at a Crossroads

Yes, there are important, impact veteran additions to the Capitals roster for 2011-12, and yes the club likely will be backstopped by the finest talent they’ve had in net since Olie Kolzig more than 10 years ago. Yes, the Capitals … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Bruce Boudreau, Dave Steckel, Ice, John Carlson, Morning cup-a-joe, National Hockey League, NHL playoffs, Tomas Vokoun, Verizon Center, Washington Capitals | 3 Comments