So Mike Green was a First Team All NHL All-Star along side Zdeno Chara. He was second in the Norris Trophy voting. He had a historic season scoring more consecutive goals than any D man in NHL history. His plus/minus rating was in the 50′s. He scored more than 30 goals and he missed more than a dozen games with injury. He played hurt and he didn’t complain.
He is all about team. He is considered one of the young stars in our league. He and Alex BOTH made First Team All Stars in the entire NHL this season. He made the World Cup All Star team too. He is 24 years old.
Yet some folks who are our fans disrespect him. Check out this thread on our message boards. A friend sent me this link with a note and said “Tough Room!” I have to agree. This headline and thread made some people take notice.
Ted -
it’s a message board. people complain. you don’t need to bring it to everybody’s attention.
it just makes you look petty. worry about the front office and bringing a championship to DC and let the fans act like they do FOR EVERY SPORTS TEAM.
Green is a GREAT player, but his shortcomings get put in the limelight when he played so poorly in the playoffs and seems disinterested on defense at points throughout the season. he is still young, and will get better, but until then, fans will speak their minds.
don’t freak out about it. it’s not that big of a deal.
From Troy’s post (#17 supra):
‘That said there is no other defenseman with the sort of gamebreaking ability that would be so invaluable on the big international ice.’
—
…except they won’t be playing on the big international ice this time – for the first time ever, Olympic hockey will be played in an NHL-sized rink (the Vancouver Canucks’ home ice at GM Place).
Hey Luke, do you consider Montreal and Boston knowledgeable hockey markets? Why don’t you check out some of their fan’s comments. I think you’ll find they are many times more harsh than what you read on the referenced thread by Caps fans.
By the way, I think many of the “new” fans your talking about are people coming back to the team now that its an exciting product (after 10+ years of misery).
Luke – cause all the fans they have added in the last year are “knowledgeable” The boards lost most of those “knowledgeable” fans, notice the hits lately ??
Its not tough to watch what wins the cup every year, and figure out what the CAPS are missing….
I like Green – but if he’s going to “win us a cup”, he needs Stevens next to him….reg season does not equal playoffs…..
He was absolutely brutal in the playoffs (worse when he wasn’t hurt in the first series oddly). That said there is no other defenseman with the sort of gamebreaking ability that would be so invaluable on the big international ice. Even at his worst in the playoffs he was still one of our better defenders. I think Russia beats them without green.
I am the poster of this thread, and It was solely about Mr. Yzerman’s criteria:
* safe
* responsible
* two-way
* a smattering of versatility
Ted, let me start by saying I love Greenie. He is a great part of this team, a team player, and underrated on defense. My main point for this thread was to highlight what I perceive to be Team Canada’s preferred flavor for this Olympic cycle: gritty, rock-solid on D, and providing the occasional offense. Green is not that player. He is a high-risk/high-reward kind of defender. Exciting to watch, great on the PP, but not what I think of when someone says the preceeding attributes. Sorry that you disagree, but I stand by my impression. Feel free to call me out if I’m wrong.
rightshot_leftwing
The Caps have many many more fans now as evidenced by the sold out status of season tickets. Unfortunately they have a long way to go to before they become knowledgeable fans.
Ted – yes it’s a pretty “interesting” thread with lots of stupid statements.
I especially like the one that had theis thought “I know this has been done before, but here is the roster he has to beat out: …”
The list looked like a lot of the same guys Mike Green beat out to become a Norris finalist last season didn’t it?
+/- +25 is a pretty good bottom line, especially when you take away the 18 power play tallies from his 31 goals and consider that when he didn’t score himeself he was still +12 at even strength, usually against the best competition the opposition had available that night and for the second two thirds of the season with as big a target on his back as OV skates around with.
You can win a game two ways, over powering with offensive guns and hope to win in a high scoring match (where Greenie would be a huge offensive minded defenseman). Or, you can win with strong D, low scoring game where 1 goal may be the deciding winner. (Greenie would not do good in this game).
Umm, fans are critical sometimes. How do you not know that by now?
The fans see a defenseman who they believe needs to work on his defensive game, and make their opinion known. There is nothing wrong with that. No need to make your own team’s fans think twice about posting an opinion (one that is held widely among the fanbase by the way).
I think Green’s lack of production in the playoffs left a bad taste. That is really what it is all about.
Wait a minute here. Mike Green’s +/- was 24, that isn’t in the 50′s. His defensive skills are suspect, which is why he wasn’t out against top lines or on the PK much. His defensive play has gotten much better, but he still isn’t a player I’d put on the ice to defend a 1-goal lead. He is a joy to watch and as exciting as d-men come, and I’m sure he could do well in the Olympics with the right pairing because of the international ice, but I wouldn’t have voted for him to get the Norris.
Agreed!!! It seems society in general has gotten so quick to point out and repeat ad nauseum people’s faults without looking at the big picture. ANY other team would dream of having #52! Go Green!
Ted, I think you’re overreacting a bit… Unless I missed something, none of the posts seemed out of line. Everyone has areas to improve upon, and I think Mike would admit his defensive play could use some work. He’s not terrible defensively, but his +/- rating has more to do with his incredible offensive capabilities than defensive play. There were some times in the playoffs where he seemed a bit lost in his own zone (specifically right around the net), so I think some of the concerns voiced were valid. I wouldn’t trade Green for anyone, but depending on what team Canada is looking for I would understand if they passed on him.
Ted,
I believe a Canadian print media person suggested Mike Green had played his way “off the Canadian Olympic team” when he watched the series between the Caps & Pens, due to his lackluster defense during the play-offs.
If Mike was truly injured and comes back in the same condition/performance as last season, there’s no way he’s not on the Canadian Olympic team, but I must admit, I love the fact that Steve Yzerman is helping pick the roster.
The ultimate captain – a lot more emphasis will go towards character vs. flash. Maybe Mike will grow up a bit more this fall and if he makes the Olympic team, a true leader and potential captain??
We all know he has the talent, but does he have the guts?
Who cares what he does in the regular season? He has been terrible the last two years in the playoffs. If he was hurt he shouldn’t have played because he was a huge liability. Besides, according to reports he re-injured his shoulder the 1st game of round 2. What was his excuse in the 1st round? Management needs to take off their blinders when it comes to the Caps defense. It’s really getting annoying.
It’s because the Caps boards banned all the people who could intelligently talk about hockey.
Yes, it’s amazing the number of fans that seem to disrespect both Green and Semin even though really upped their game even despite missing significant time due to injuries.
Some people just aren’t happy unless they are complaining. Green is an amazing player and deserves all the appreciation, love, and respect the fans (and league) can throw at him.
Are you really that surprised?
If he doesn’t want to be disrespected, he should score more than 1 goal in 14 playoff games. Oh, and he also shouldn’t be a -5 as well. Also, when Sidney Crosby is standing next to the net, actually make an effort to defend him, and not let him score several slam dunk goals.