For the Love of the Game or Money

Semyon Varlamov (February 11, 2011 - Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America)

Well it has been awhile and I apologize for that…there has been a lot going on in my life and I have not been taking the time for this. 

Since the free agency starts tomorrow I have been thinking about why the hell a guy would leave the league or not sign a contract because he thinks he deserves a lot of money and isn’t getting what he wants…for example, Marty Biron made the choice to play for money a few summers ago and ended up scrambling to sign for a team towards the end of the summer.  This was because he thought he was worth more then he really was worth and held out for a better deal…he ended up as the third goalie for the Islanders.  The next summer (2010) he was the first guy to sign a contract on July 1^st.  He signed for less money than he ever has, but secured a spot in the NHL for two more years with the Rangers….he’s playing for the love of the game.

Now let’s look at Semyon Varlamov.  This guy is young, he still has a lot to prove, and is leaning towards signing in the KHL because he thinks he deserves more money (see fellow netminder Michal Neuvirth's contract for the next two years, a similar amount Varlamov might be worth, but he wants more) and playing time.  Wanting more playing time is understandable, but your 23 years old and competing with two guys around your age for playing time and they may have beat you out.  This is beside my point. If your goal is to play in the NHL and you have shown you can play in the league at a young age, why in the hell would you go overseas and play in Europe or Russia for more money?  The odds aren’t in your favor to come back and play in the show, not to mention with the combination of a possible attitude problem…there are just too many good kids coming up.  So if you end up in the KHL Semyon, enjoy your money...the Cap's don't really need you anyway.

It makes me go crazy when guys in the NHL are leaving because they are not making “enough money.”  There are so many guys in the minors and at the lower levels that would give a lot to play just one minute in the NHL…so it is really a bummer when guys complain or do not sign a contract because of money.  Remember why you started playing the game boys.



King Henrik

Henrik Lundqvist (March 21, 2011 - Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

Henrik Lundqvist is going to have a lot of pressure to get the Rangers past the Caps in the first round.  He has been a pretty solid goalie so far in his career, he’s had six straight 30 plus win seasons and received Vezina nominations his first three years in the NHL, but he has yet to prove himself in the postseason.  As much as I hate the Rangers, I have a lot of respect for Lundqvist and his abilities as a great goalie, but he has only helped the Rangers make it to the second round of the playoffs twice in four trips to the postseason and has failed to make it any further.  Also, he has only been able to win 3 games in the second round…

King Henrik is a franchise goalie and has the ability to get the Rangers past the Capitals.  I can see this first round series going 7 games as it did in 2009 against the Caps.  Lundqvist can make the series outcome different this year.  Henrik has 2 shutouts and has stopped 85 of 89 shots this season against the Capitals.  If Lundqvist plays his game and receives help from his teammates, as much as it pains me to write this, I can see them beating the Caps in the first round.    It will have to be a long series though.  I give the Rangers the advantage because of Lundqvist and since they won the season series 3-1 and outscored the Caps 18 to 5.   If they beat Washington, I can see the Rangers making a run for the Cup.

Caps

Semyon Varlamov (February 11, 2011 - Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America)

I came across this article on NHL.com and I think it’s a good follow up on my post about Braden Holtby and the Capitals.  I agree that Washington is pretty secure in net with any of their three goalies (Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth, and Semyon Varlamov) playing in the playoffs.  It is actually the first time that Washington has had 3 goalies with 10 wins each, Neuvirth has the most with 24.  And I think the Caps are going to go with him to start the playoffs since he’s had a solid year and has won back to back Calder Cups in the AHL.  As I said in the Holtby post I think Varlamov will be the next one to go in if Neuvy can’t handle the playoffs.  As you’ll read in the article the players on the Caps aren’t worried who’s in net for them; each goalie gives the Caps a chance to win.

Michal Neuvirth ( March 2, 2011 - Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America)

Braden Holtby ( November 21, 2010 - Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

The next few days are going to have short posts due to the fact that I am tied down with a ton of work this week….

Hershey to DC

Braden Holtby (November 21, 2010 - Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Braden Holtby is making some noise for the Caps over the past two weeks.  His second time up in the NHL is going much better than his first stint when the Devils, who couldn't steal a win, scored 5 on Holtby in a 5-0 loss for him.  Maybe it’s his intense pregame routine

or his stick handling ability that has turned his game around....

All I know is this guy is good. Do to some unfortunate injuries to Varly and Neuvy he "Capitalized" on this opportunity...terrible joke I know...  Holtby was the NHL's first star of the week last week, earning his first shutout and going 4-0-0 with a 1.05 GAA, and will be forcing George McPhee to make a move sometime soon. There's 3 valuable assets in goal in Washington...and Mr. Boudreau is going to have a tough decision to make come playoff time on which goalie to start....I think he should keep with the hot hand in Holtby and let him play.  He has earned the starting job for now.  If he keeps it up start him in the playoffs...otherwise if Semyon Varlamov is healthy enough to play he's ended up being the go to guy in the playoffs for the caps so I'd go with him...and Michal Neuvirth is not even a bad option either....

I'd like to see Braden Holtby with the Caps full time next year.  He has a lot to offer and a long career ahead of him.  One thing I definitely know is there is no way the Caps 3 goalies will not be in the NHL next season.