Wacky and Weird Search Terms

Everyones favorite post is back! After a hiatus for more “quality” posting it’s back with the fluff we all know and love!

“Ovechkin and Semin speedo party”

I heard they’re just urban legend’s like the loch ness  monster, big foot, or Winston Churchill… Wait… you’re telling me Winston Churchill was-… OR like Paul Bunyan. However if they are real you can count on us to investigate!

“Jose Theodore Chicago Blackhawks”

(via betterlivingthrubradley.blogspot.com)

Qu’est-ce que? Is that possible, because it would be quite the situation. Chicago; the team for Cap’s former goaltenders? Could they dethrone Tampa Bay as the land of Caps forgot?

“Sergei Fedorov shirtless”

I have no such thing on my computer so it is at hand at such times as-

Damn you.

“Adam Burish girlfriend badgers”

Adam Burish girlfriend badgers? Oh dear I think dating badgers is illegal in most states. Oh perhaps you mean this Urban Dictionary meaning of “badgers”;

So you’re wondering if he gets his girlfriends by going to garage sales extra early? Interesting strategy, sir.

“Nicklas Backstrom smile”

It’s like a cherub smiling upon your soul.

“Hockey Chronicles NPR”

 

No, the Hockey Chronicles is NOT affiliated with NPR. However perhaps you mean the Hockey Diaries by the delightful Media Chameleon from last year? Well I’m happy to report from their official Twitter feed there seems to be new ones this year from Knuble and Sloan.

Better Know a Prospect: Evgeny Kuznetsov

“Better Know a Prospect” will be a series of posts profiling both the better known and lesser known Caps prospects in the various levels of the Capitals system

(Picture via Russian Machine Never Breaks)

Name: Evgeny Kuznetsov

Born: May, 19th 1992 (Chelyabinsk, Russia)

Height/Weight: 6 foot/172 lbs

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Current Team: Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)

Drafted: 2010, 26th overall by the Capitals

• Helped Russia win silver in 2009 U18 tournament
• Evgeny was captain of the Russian U18 in 2010
• Check out those sweet Crocs
• “McPhee said he was so eager to select Kuznetsov, he attempted to trade a prospect in order to move up as many as 10 spots. As it turned out, that wasn’t necessary.” – Tarik El-Bashir
• Stats (via Wikipedia)

• “We think he’s a very, very dynamic player. He can skate, he thinks the game well, he moves the puck, he really attacks the net.” – George McPhee
• Likes to model his play after Evgeni Malkin and Pavel Datsyuk
• Both Kuznetsov and fellow Russian Capitals’ prospect Dimitry Orlov expressed interest in playing in North America for the upcoming season. So far it would seem they will be staying in the KHL

 

Kuznetsov is described as fast and skilled by most who have watched him and after seeing him first hand at Capitals Development Camp the Chronicles agrees. The NHL director of European Scouting described him as;

He is fast, skillful and talented. He is also a leader on the ice, he was captain of the Russian Under-18 team and he had an excellent tournament. He is very skilled.

One scouting report from early last year praised his skill but said it seemed his intangibles were lacking, nothing unusual for a player of his young age. However it would seems that in between then and now he has matured considerably. At Development Camp he was not only looking thrilled to be on the ice, so much so as to get a Brooks Laich comparison from the Chronicles bloggers, but was often the loudest and most willing to communicate with the other players for his group (even despite the language barrier.)

Kuznetsov certainly garnered a lot of attention from the coaches, fans and media (both “new” and “old”) at the development camp. We here at the Chronicles each like to choose any where from one to three prospects from each years development camp we think will do the best and/or get signed by the Capitals organization in the upcoming year and we both had Kuznetsov on our lists.

He may need to have some time to adjust to North American style of play but in skill and personality the exuberant Kuznetsov is certainly set up for a stint in the NHL in the next few years.

(After this incident both players talked to Caps Snaps about it.)

Summer Time and the Living Means We’ve Been Lazy

Sorry for the silence recently. We at the Chronicles have been very busy the past weeks but we’re back, we’ve got nothing but free time on our hands and nothing but loving attention to lavish upon the blog. So here is what we’ve missed:

The Hershey Bears are in the Calder Cup finals against the Texas Stars. I, Meghan, was at Game 1. It was fun though they lost and it took me five hours to drive there though it is only a three-hour drive.

It looks as though Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Jose Theodore, will not be coming back next season. I’m torn on this because though Jose Theodore was beyond amazing this season well Contract Year Jose and Non-Contract Year Jose maybe two different species as we’ve seen before.

Eric Fehr and Eric Belanger are in negotiations with the Capitals however Walker and Corvo will not be invited back. Can we call backsies on the Corvo trade?

Reebok Zigtech – Ovechkin from soundscape music + sounddesign on Vimeo.

While I’m still not sure why hockey players are promoting tennis shoes here is Ovie’s Zigtech commercial. He plays hockey against some bears so obviously it’s rather dry, straight forward and boring.

A translated video from a Russian parody program during the Olympics. Ovie sounds like Ringo Star.

Friend of the Blog Russian Machine Never Break continues their “Gordo’s Take” series with Hershey Bear’s Andrew Gordon.

Ted’s buying the Wizards was approved. He now owns the Verizon Center and has started a new company called Monumental Sports and Entertainment. Things are looking good in Caps Land.

Every. Single. Summer. Why Ovie? WHY?

Versteeg raps. I pretend I’m not dying a lot inside.

JR shows what is amazing about hockey players (remembering a kid who was crying in 1992 after you let him down? Heartbreaking) Milbury reminds me why I want nothing more than to punch him in the jeans.

Alexandre Giroux may sign in the KHL next year. Why maybe not a big blow the the Caps, the Bears (AND MY HEART) would suffer a good blow from it.

That seems to be all we missed… though I feel like I’m forgetting something…

Oh yeah! Congrats to the 2010 Blackhawks for winning the Stanley Cup! We like them and anyone but Philly am I right?

SO CONGRATS AGAIN NOW WATCH DRUNK PARADE PATRICK KANE SHAKE HIS ASS AT YOU. DO IT! http://kanerdance.ytmnd.com/

The Midnight Madness of Slovensko VS Czech: What You Missed!

(Credit to: http://deke.me/lS)

No matter what I was going to be excited for the Slovakia v. Czech game last night. As a fouth generation Slavo-Hungarian American hockey fan the fact I was seeing one of the most medal eligable rosters for Slovakia in my short Olympic hockey life had me pratically bouncing out of my seat all day in anticipation of watching them on ice for the first time is a bit of an understatment. I was also not only going to see some favorite NHL-ers like Kopecky of the Blackhawks and Milan Jurcina, on the same team, but also some former favorite NHL-ers now playing in Europe like Richard Zednik. (And, of course I was hoping that if anyone from Czech had to dominate it would at least be Flash.)

So those the other hardy souls and I who stayed up to the start time of midnight were not disapointed wether Slovensko, Czech fan or neurtal saw was arguably the best game of the Olympics yet. It was competitive, it was evenly matched and there was an air of rivilary in between the parts of the former country Czechoslovakia.

There was also a surprising amount of fans for both teams in the stands and they were arguably louder than the fans at any of the other matches thus far. The fans whistling from the stands was a constant through out.

So while I know games like Russia v. Latvia yesterday managed to draw more than usual midnight crowd those who couldn’t say up to see the game last night you definatly missed out on some great hockey.

And, even though Slovensko lost 3-1 they played very hard. They had a LOT of good chances though they just couldn’t get the puck in the net. And, too many stupid penalties that even Slovensko’s great PK couldn’t fight off even against Czech’s faltering PP. I am encouraged by what I saw but they have to get that straightened out because Russia has addressed their PP concerns on their off day and it’s going to be a uphill fight tomorow.

For my Caps (and Blue Jackets) buddies here’s what I know you’re most interested for; Flash was surprisingly quiet. He was pretty nonexistent. I was hoping for more from him in such a big rivalry game. Jurcina seemed to have a good game and did really well on the PK.

Slovakia vs Russia is at 12:15 am on the east coast. I expect quite a few fans will be on Twitter chatting up the game despite the time slot. (I’ll try not to get in any arguements with the insane amount of Cap turned Russia fans)

And, I am BEYOND glad the Hockey Gods smiled upon my schedule and caused the “snowmagedon” to make the roof of the place I go to every week day at six thirty in the morning to be “structually unsound” giving me the whole week of prelims off so I am able to stay up for the midnight games and sleep in until the afternoon games. Best. Timing. Ever.

If You Thought You Wanted to Scrub Your Eyes Out Before

In honor of Mike Green’s new Geico commercial I thought I might dig out some of the funnier hockey commercials I’ve seen over the years;

First let’s start with my favorite of a series of Bruins commercials that lay out the rules of Bruins fandom; This one is about the rules of dating.

Now if you’ve been reading this blog for a while you will remember the horror I experienced upon seeing the Crosby “Shower Lurker” commercial well I had NO idea there was another commercial in that series with another NHL star

We’ve all seen this commercial and you all love it

Poor Brendan Shanahan! That Sergei is mean!

This is a hockey/weather channel commercial; NONSENSE! You say? Well watch:

This gives me many very bad ideas

Here’s a old Capitals commercial:

So Anna told be to stop being a Pengui-phob and to watch this and I’m so glad I did “chicka-chicka-yeeeea”

Though good someone tell me what Gonchar(?) is saying at the end to Malkin I can’t understand a word he is saying.

Bowling would be better if it was hockey.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfhKZWS8Sys&feature=youtube_gdata

Just a Few Quick Things

Just wanted to give you all a heads up that over the weekend the blog posting maybe a little odd. It will either increase or decrease. You might get like five posts over a two day period or you might get none or maybe it’ll be one a day as usual.

I’m having a very vagually planned but rather busy weekend. Anna whose recent absence from the blog is due to computer troubles may get her computer back or may not so you may or may not be hearing from us over the next three days.

Game coverage on Twitter might be normal on Saturday even if the blog isn’t but my access to the Internet is questionable and Anna’s is also. Anna usually covers Twitter during the games since regular season started any how but I’ve been covering it the past couple games and I hope I haven’t been too boring. (not used to having to restrain some of my thoughts that I’d usually spew out on my perosnal account)

So that’s that!

And, for some reason during the Thrashers game I started to think about how much I miss Richard Zednik. I wish he hadn’t gone to the KHL but then agian if I played for the Florida Panthers I’d just get the hell out of there too! I miss seeing him on the Caps. Kind of like how some Caps fans miss Zubrus except I never liked Zubrus very much. (he was good, and I was surprised when we traded him at the time, but he was also kind of unpleasant personality wise) I mean I know Zednik wasn’t the biggest point producer but I miss him anyhow. But, I could be totally insane. (and missing Zednik makes me think of Feds which STILL makes me extremely sad but Feds had been my favorite player since I was into hockey so that at least makes sense)

Okay that’s it folks! We take on those Islanders saturday. But don’t think it’ll be a cake walk.

Oh and expect and short but sweet rub in the face of all the haters post on Schultz. I believed in him and backed him with his stats before he decided to show everyone else too so HAHA! I win. That’ll be later for now rest easy.

Ps. How freaking sweet was that goal?!

It Being Past Nicklas’ Bedtime Is Still No Excuse

So this is what the first two periods were like last night because it was highway robbery. The Capitals played like a mature, confident, and proven team. The poor little illiterate Leafs (I really have a soft spot for them) couldn’t get the puck in the net and Varl-a-monster had some excellent saves when ever they almost did. I had one stupid grin on my face. Then the third period.

Ah and those boys are back. Yeah the nappy time boys. Sand man squad. Meh.

Upon seeing the Leafs Finnish goalie in action I have a feeling even if ‘the monster’ failed to impress somebody is not going to be the starting goalie for much longer.

Big sparkly gold star to Brooksie. For the obvious reason of kicking offensive butt and how cute is it that in the post game interview his talking about how he watched Mr. Fedorov “like a hawk” because he wants to be just like him. I will begrudgingly admit not a bad person to emulate. It could be worse; he could hero worship Nlys (Oh god the chill down my spin)

We play the Flyers on Tuesday. Bad luck on my non-hockey fan of a sisters part; its her birthday. Not that I don’t ignore her birthday anyways. Don’t judge me.

So now I’m going to go have to watch the Redskins pre game because Fudgeball, Mr. Ambassador, and Senior Bachelor (with Bruce) are at the game. I hate “football” (not to sound like a Euro prick because I’m not European but I just know football as soccer) but I love my boys so I can’t help it. Lets hope their attempts (well Ovie apparently made it twice) at kicking field goals get on You Tube because I missed all but Mike’s. I’ll see Chris Cooley whose always trying to be Ovie’s bromance (too late sir that position is filled).

A Little Music For Your Monday

As you may or may not be aware there was a little what I call “Ovechkin-paloza” for lack of a better term rececntly took place and thanks to the Alex Ovetjkin blog we have pictures of the likes of Ovie of course but also Semin and Mr. Fedorov. But also a video of Mr. Ambassador and Semin DJ-ing. Sure their DJ-ing so it can’t be that bad but naturally I was a little trepidatious after having experienced the musical poweress of their two teammates;

Once your dog stops howling in pain at the shrill guitar you can understand how even though I don’t know how you screw up DJ-ing I was nervous.

Why can’t you all just be like Brian Campbell?

If your parents did not go through a ‘We LOVE Canadian bands phase’ when you grew up then you may not know who the Tragically Hip are but trust me Brian Campbell did a pretty good job. And, if you’d like the determine that for yourself.

Say It’s So SAY IT’S SO!

• Via Dmitry Chesnokov, local DC sports journalist and connection to KHL, reports today that Micheal Nylander, AKA the Most Hated Man in DC Sportsdom, is still in negotiations with the KHL! I don’t care if its even “allowed” or not. Several bloggers think that most likely he’ll come to camp and see how that looks and if Bruce still gives him the cold shoulder or not and then decide from there. SOUNDS GOOD TO ME!
• If the KHL takes Nylander off our hands I’m going to have to take the EVIL part of the KHL category and put wonderful.
• The team isn’t planning on punishing Joe Finley which is no biggie.
• I find several blogs obssession with taking pictures of people with Cap’s themed liscenes plates slightly what might you call it?… Oh yeah creepers.  
• If you don’t know who Gerry Dee is one your American, two your life is about to get a little brighter. Watch him interview Gretzky and accuse him of stealing his nickname.
• Looking at the Nike Training website  to see who they had from the NHL for promotion made me think of this video from two summers ago:

• I like the fact that it appears at least two summer ago he still lived with his parents in his old room which is adorable.

Headlines and Thoughts

• The Cap’s are renewing their contract with the Stingrays to be their affiliate. Yay!
• I offically just don’t like Malkin at all. I don’t know the interview I read on Yahoo! just kind of made it final no more Malkin for me.
• HEY! Fedorov knock it off. I read that interview where you talked about how Semin was all ‘please stay’ and you were all ‘I gots to go’ and then your all like ‘the only way your playing with me agian is in Russia’. Oh no you didn’t! Don’t even put that thought in his head. I will have none of it! You stay away from our Semin! Or I will come to Russia personally and kick your butt.
• Speaking of Fedorov he is sueing a man for money he invested back in 1998. 40 + million at the time. Good job buddy.
• You know I still have not managed to come up with a nickname for Brendan Morrison? I came up with more nicknames for people who already have nicknames but I’ve yet to get one for him? And, pride will no longer allow me to take the suggestions I’ve gotten. It’s a challenge now.
• Nicki’s brother Kristoffer is playing in Germany now instead of Sweden? Come to America Kristoffer puh-lease!
• I think this weeks Snapshots with Joe Finley may have to been poorly timed. 
•  Thank you NHL.com for refering to Mr.Ambassador and Semin and the other Russians on the top ten list as Russian Dolls. I will be calling them that. It sounds like a Russian punk band. For next seasons promo video a cover of Personality Crisis? Drag is optional.

Dear Filatov,

I heard that the KHL is flirting with you. While now you are still under contract I have to ask you to please stay with the Jackets. You really may be their only hope in the next couple years. They really need that Russian skill set to Rick Nash’s play making skills. Plus I found out that until your twenty eight your RFA and in the words of the KHLPA chief ‘belong to their team’.