Tarik El-Bashir
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 5, 2007
12:00 PM
Washington Post staff writer Tarik El-Bashir was online Friday, Oct. 5 at noon ET to examine the team and the rest of the National Hockey League.
A transcript follows.
Post Coverage:
____________________
Tarik El-Bashir: Has it really been six months? It sure doesn't feel like it's been that long since our last chat. But I guess it has. Anyway, welcome back. Let's get started.
_______________________
Caps schedule: Hey Tarik, any thoughts about the Caps' schedule this year? It looks like they don't have any really brutal road trips. Usually they have one in October that gets blamed for their slow start, and then another one in March. Honestly, I see nothing to complain about roadtrip-wise, although I could say plenty about the unbalanced schedule.
Oh, I'm sure they'll HATE the week they spend in Florida in mid-February. Poor guys.
Tarik El-Bashir: It's a pretty favorable schedule this year, in my opinion. No really long road trips, except for the six game swing in March. And that's broken into two parts.
Only three games are out of the Eastern time zone.
So there really are no excuses in terms of having a tough schedule.
_______________________
Boston: What's Ovechkin like in the locker room? I thought he was a huge punk when the U.S. played Russia back in the World Juniors but I imagine he's one of those guys you hate to play against but love to have on your team. Also, dumbest GM move -- giving Jurcina to the Caps by the Bruins GM Chiarelli?
Tarik El-Bashir: Ovechkin, from what I can tell, is a pretty down to Earth guy and a great teammate. He dishes it out and takes it, too.
He's definitely matured from his world junior days.
And yeah, you don't think Chiarelli loses sleep over that deal? That was pretty bad. I wouldn't rank it up there with the worst in history, but it was bad.
_______________________
Rockville, Md.: Why does this year's schedule seem more compressed than last year's? There's no Olympic break, either.
Tarik El-Bashir: Besides a pretty busy November (15 games), it doesn't seem any more compressed than other non-Olympic years.
_______________________
Woodbridge, Va.: Please rate the top five NHL goalies. Where would you rate Kolzig?
Tarik El-Bashir:1) Luongo
2) Brodeur
3) Kiprusoff
4) Lundqvist
5) Backstrom
_______________________
4capitals: Tarik, were you surprised by Johnson starting in goal tonight, I have to confess that I was shocked. I would not have guessed that in a hundred years.
Tarik El-Bashir: A little bit, since tonight is, after all, the season opener. But at the same time, I'm guessing Hanlon wanted to keep Kolzig fresh for tomorrow night's home opener. He is 37, you know.
_______________________
Baltimore: Great article about Semin in today's Post. When you sat down with him, what was he like as a person?
Tarik El-Bashir: Thanks. I've got a new respect for Semin now. He's not the aloof weirdo some people have made him out to be. Misunderstood, sure.
To me, he seemed like a quiet, thoughtful guy who can't speak English. And that fact affects everything about him.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Thank you for the nice article on the Caps enigma that is Semin. A couple of questions re. Semin: Which non-Russian player(s)(if any) is Semin closest to? Did you interview Semin's parents for the article? And, given the fact that Semin is not too terribly comfortable playing in North America and there is a contingent of Russians on the team, do you think that this gives the Caps some leverage when negotiating his next contract?
Tarik El-Bashir: A lot of copy got left on the cutting room floor.
One thing he said was that he wants to remain in Washington, in part because of Ovechkin.
_______________________
Union Station, D.C.: Who do you think had the strongest training camp and who do you see having a big break out year? I'm tempted to say Eminger, but maybe not if the mysterious "injury" leads to him getting dumped from the team.
Tarik El-Bashir: I was really impressed with defenseman Mike Green.
Toward the end of last season, he was clearly in over his head. I was starting to wonder if he would be able to recover from a confidence standpoint.
Training camp, though, provided an answer to that question. He's the real deal and he's going to make an impact this season.
_______________________
Kolzig: I think Kolzig is in the 20-30th best goalie range.
Tarik El-Bashir: That's not true. Kolzig had a .910 save percentage while playing behind one of the weakest teams in the league last year. That's not too shabby.
_______________________
Go CAPS!!!: Tarik,
Kolzig didn't look good in preseason games. In fact he looked terrible. Do you know if CAPS management has plan B if he doesn't improve in regular season?
Thanks!
Tarik El-Bashir: Olie definitely had a couple of rough performances. But I wouldn't get too concerned over a preseason game. Remember, that wasn't the Caps' opening night lineup he was playing behind.
If it continues, then it's time to panic.
_______________________
Baltimore, Md.: I have to say that I love the new uniforms -- I hope they're here to stay.
Tarik El-Bashir: I know you're not really asking a question, but I'll weigh in anyway.
Personally, I like the white ones. And I've heard nothing but good things from people around the league about the new look.
I'm wondering what the alternate is going to look like? Blue with the eagle logo? I have no inside scoop on that, but that would look pretty good.
_______________________
D.C.: What are your thoughts on Sutherby? A lot has been said about him being one of the odd men out (scratched often) this season, but in the team photo he is an Alternate Captain. Is that common?
Thanks again for all of the great coverage this offseason, it's almost been bearable.
Tarik El-Bashir: I would couldn't call Sutherby the odd man out just yet. Although the Caps aren't saying anything about his health, I think he's nursing an injury.
Because they've got so many players who fill basically the same role -- Steckel, Laich and Bradley -- I think it's going to come down to who's playing well. The ones who are, they'll be in the lineup. The ones who aren't, they'll be pressbox eating popcorn like me.
_______________________
Melbourne, Fla.: Welcome back Tarik, and thanks for keeping the notes coming on your Blog!
What have you heard on the AO and AS contract negotiations? Both contracts end after this season, right?
Tarik El-Bashir: I know there have been some discussions with both players, but nothing is close.
The negotiations are going to be tricky. If the Caps max out Ovechkin, that means less for Semin, Morrisonn and everyone else who needs a contract.
_______________________
New York, N.Y.: Tarik, did you ever find out about the opening of the NHL Store in Manhattan?
Tarik El-Bashir: You're really dying to know, aren't you? I'm going to see Gary Bettman later, I'll ask him.
_______________________
Flin Flon, Canada: Tarik -- How much experimenting do you expect Glen Hanlon to do with the lines and pairings, both short- and long-term?
Tarik El-Bashir: You know how much Glen likes to tinker with the lines and parings. But I have the sense from talking to him this preseason that he's going to try to keep guys together a little more, forge some consistency from night to night.
_______________________
Brooklyn, N.Y.: If you had to give a sincere prediction on the number of games that Flash will play on the top line, what do you put it at?
I'd put the line at 16.5. And I'd take the Over.
Tarik El-Bashir: I'm not completely sold on him as a top line winger, either. But we'll know soon enough. Let's talk midway through game No. 16, cool?
_______________________
Typing this while in Math Class: I have read that Kozlov is better played as a winger then a center. From what you've seen so far how do you feel about his performance as a center?
Tarik El-Bashir: Kozlov has looked fine at center. I've got the feeling that he's keeping the spot warm for young Nicklas, though. When he's ready, Backstrom moves to center and Kozlov goes to the wing.
_______________________
Troy, Ohio: Have the Caps done anything to improve their shootout skills? Seems like we lost a lot of games that way last year.
Tarik El-Bashir: Yep. They signed Nylander and Kozlov. Both were 5 for 13 for their respective clubs last season. And just in case you were wondering, that's twice as many as the Caps scored in 12 shootouts a year ago.
_______________________
Moose Jaw, Sask.: Kevin Lowe is again making noise about the Nylander fiasco, saying it's "the lowest thing I've ever seen in hockey." Bad pun aside, is this just more posturing? The threatened legal action against Nylander and his agent (of the moment) went nowhere because they don't have a case.
Tarik El-Bashir: I saw that. I'm not sure what he's trying to accomplish. He's got no case.
What Nylander and Gillis did wasn't cool. No one will argue that. But it wasn't against the rules.
Lowe needs to move on.
_______________________
Chesapeake Beach, Md.: Chris Clark had a great year last year. Do you think that Chris Clark can put up the numbers he did last year?
Tarik El-Bashir: I think you will see a reduction in his offensive output because he's going play on the checking line.
I just don't see him scoring 30 goals again in that role. But what the past two years did prove about Clark is this: when the puck is on his stick, he knows what to do with it.
If I had to guess, I would say he'll be around 20 goals this season.
_______________________
La Plata, Md.: Welcome back. Been missing these chats.
Two things, what do you think of the increased Caps coverage of late? Is it all because of the playoffs potentially being in range?
Second, How many points can we expect from Backstrom (asking for an update from you after seeing him for a bit now). 15-20 goals, 35-40 assists?
Tarik El-Bashir: I've said all along, when a team commits itself to winning, readers care more. And we're in the business of giving readers what they want.
As far as Backstrom goes, I think your prediction is pretty good. It's hard to say, but I just don't see him going over 70 points as a rookie. Next year, though ...
_______________________
Ottawa: With one year of hindsight what is the general view in Washington on signing Pothier? A good signing, a bargain or a mistake?
Tarik El-Bashir: I like Brian as a second pairing defenseman. He's a good player when he's not being asked to play 25 minutes. He's just not built to do that.
I think Pothier is going to have a good season now that he'll be slotted where he belongs.
_______________________
To be or not to be...: a Caps fan this year? Is this year's Capitals team worth following b/c I've lost track of the Caps after their multiple losing seasons. I want to follow them, but don't want to get my heart broken by another Washington team.
Tarik El-Bashir: Yes. If you've been away for a bit, this is the year to get back on the bandwagon.
They are going to be better. The question, though, is how much better?
They are also going to be fun to watch again. With all the new talent, they aren't going to have to trap.
_______________________
Reston, Va.: With so many additions/changes from last season, don't you think it will take awhile for the Caps to gel and begin playing to their potential. (i.e. another slow start?)
Tarik El-Bashir: Yes, it will take them a while to gel, especially on special teams, where chemistry is just huge.
Chemistry is a funny thing. Sometimes it happens right away, sometimes it takes a few weeks, sometimes it never happens at all. There's really no way of saying right now.
_______________________
LA, CA:50 wins?
Tarik El-Bashir:50 might be asking too much. But they are going to need 43 or so just to get into the playoffs.
_______________________
Philadelphia: Clymer to Hershey? Really? What are the chances that he clears waivers? Did he underperform and lose his spot or did others simply play better?
Tarik El-Bashir: Clymer did clear waivers. He's in Hershey right now. He had no choice. Once he cleared waivers, if he wanted to get paid, he had to report.
_______________________
Chevy Chase: Tarik, any knowledge of why the Caps wore white at home during the preseason? Thought the league decided to stick with the dark home jerseys again this year, and it looks like the rest of the league is going that way. Are the Caps just trying to "save" the debut of the red jersey for Saturday night?
Tarik El-Bashir: I was told because they were saving the red jerseys for the home opener. Can't blame them for that.
_______________________
Centreville, Va.: Tarik, hockey fans in this area have had to deal with inept media making statements like, "and nobody noticed when two teams played in England last week" and "nobody likes hockey."
What exactly does the NHL need to do to silence these reporters. Last time I checked, it's nearly impossible to rent ice time at local rinks because they are full with youth teams and adult leagues. If nobody liked hockey, would they have really built Kettler, Laurel or Ashburn?
You do an awesome job covering the Caps, but with the lack of coverage The Post is allowing, it's an insult to a professional sports franchise that's been here for 30-plus years and frankly a slap in your face.
Tarik El-Bashir: For some reason, folks in my business love to kick hockey around. They do the same thing with soccer and NASCAR.
It's easier to kick something that to try and understand it, I guess.
_______________________
DC: What happened to weekend day games for young families? I see almost none on the schedule.
Tarik El-Bashir: Weekend games put butts in seats. Have you ever been to an Ottawa-Caps game at Verizon Center on a Tuesday night?
Didn't think so. It's something only a few people have experienced.
_______________________
Vienna, Va.: Great
Tarik El-Bashir: I would say Shaone Morrisonn (I always have to think twice when spelling his name) is right on target in terms of his development. But at the same time, the coaching staff still feels like there's more there.
They feel he's got some offensive upside that hasn't been tapped.
_______________________
Fairfax, Va.: Tarik, if you are chatting with Gary Bettman can you find out if there is going to be any realignment next season with the introduction of the new scheduling format? And if there is any possibility of Washington getting out of the Southeast Division.
Tarik El-Bashir: I will ask and report back.
Getting back into a division with Philly and Pittsburgh would be huge for the Caps and their attendance problems.
_______________________
Tarik El-Bashir: Thanks for joining me today. As always, lots of great questions. I'm sorry I couldn't get to them all. See you next week.
_______________________
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
View all comments that have been posted about this article.