Goaltending Prospect Varlamov Still Looking Good

Semen Varlamov had a great year with his team, Lokamotiv Yaroslavl. Eurohockey.net rated Varlamov as “undoubtedly” the best rookie goaltender of the 07/07 season. Brought in to back up former national team goaltender Egor Podomatsky, the 19 year old ended up starting 33 games, earning a 2.17 GAA. I am not a big fan of GAA, since it does not really measure a goalie’s ability as much as it measures the defense’s ability to block or reduce shots on goal, but that is all I can find.

On the bad side, goaltending in Russia is notoriously weak, and the larger ice surfaces make for a slightly different game than in North America. Varlamov has an unusual style that will need work. His stance is awkward and inefficient and he has a tendency to get up with the wrong foot, but technique can be acquired, and his speed and skill makes up for his technical flaws.

The good news is that playing in RSL is another step for Varlamov, having played for a lower division team last year. Varlamov dominates at every level he seems to play at, from Junios to World Juniors from Russian farm league to the Super League, he is clearly the best Russian goaltending orospect to come along in quite awhile. Even his flaws are pretty good, as the major knocks I have read regarding Varlamov are related to technique, which means he can greatly improve once he comes to North America.

Apparently, he is still vying for a spot on the World Championship roster, but I can’t seem to find anything on this to confirm other than a mention by Mike Vogel on the Capital’s Report podcast. Haven’t heard yesterday’s podcast but I will email a question on Varlamov next week for sure if I can’t find anything. Don’t expect him to take anything away from Khabibulin, but he may start some of the soft games perhaps.

Things look promising, but even if Kolzig can last 3 more years, I don’t know if Varlamov will be ready to step in to the NHL as a 23 year old netminder. I will write an article on bridging the gap between Kolzig and Varlamov or Neuvirth in another installment. Be patient and be wary, there was that one goaltending prospect in the early 90’s who had the same name (with different spelling) as a very famous comedian/movie star who didn’t turn out so hot after he won a Vezina trophy.

Is "Alexander Semin" Russian for "Ryan Leaf"?

Maybe not a fair analogy since Semin did deliver this season, but give me a break. First Semin throws a puck during a hissy fit during the Tampa Bay game and now he has been kicked off the Russian National team for obstinately refusing to show up to training camp on time. His behavior does not only hurt himself however. There were some fireworks after his temper tantum in the Caps locker room as some of the veterans apprently laid into both Alexanders for their decreased effort as they played out the string. Whatever was said worked for at least one of them though, Ovechkin picked up his play for the remiander of the season at the apparent cost of little more than a smashed iPOD and stick.

Check out this article on the bewildering Semin from the Washington Times. It is a bit older and the writer ponders how Semin will do for Team Russia. Here is a quote from Semin:

"I am hoping to play in the world championships first, and then I am just going to go home and relax. I don't really have any big plans for the summer. The first thing in mind is the world championships though. It is an honor to play for the team, especially since it is in Moscow this year. It is very important."

Uh-huh. I hope Semin continues to mature and is not a Russian Jagr. Time will tell.

Change the Draft and Draft Lottery Date

What is the NHL thinking in terms of dates for the lottery and the draft? The draft lottery is exciting when there is no other hockey to watch or discuss, not a couple of days before the playoffs. Why not hold the lottery after the Stanley Cup Final to generate a little more excitement? Furthermore, why not push the draft back a few weeks as well? Nothing is happening in July besides baseball, the draft could get lot more attention by default if they pushed it back. If league officials can remove the center redline to speed up the game they certainly can change some dates to help marketing.

Lottery Pick and a Prospect for a Veteran?

Japer's Rink (bottom of the page) has a great story gleaned from Spector's. I won't call this a rumor per se, but it is certainly an interesting thought. Eminger and a lottery pick would be very appealing and is a far more cost-effective means of acquiring some talent versus the free agent route, especially with Datsyuk off the market. I have my doubts about giving up so early on Eminger though, but Green or Schultz would be great trade options as well. With Ted Leonsis repeatedly mentioning in the press that the team will be improved over the summer through the trade route along with free agency, it makes sense.

Some Great Marketing by the Caps

The Caps have teamed with a company to create a Caps themed Firefox browser. Apparently this is the first in pro sports. At first I questioned the timing, but it dawned on me that this was perhaps timed with the beginning of a playoff run. I just hope the browser will move to the team's new colors when they are announced later in the summer. Read the press release and find the link to download the browser here:

Caps Ready to Do Some Shopping

http://www.examiner.com/a-662728~Capitals_ready_to_do_some_offseason_shopping.html

Check out the link above.

My favorite quote:

This is the year, owner Ted Leonsis said, "that we'll be playing offense in the off season."

It is definitely time. After evaluating what was in the system, it is time to bring in outside help. The article credits GM George McPhee with the Caps Stanley Cup run, he took over the team that year, he did not build it, he inherited it.

Inaugural Posting

Welcome to the inaugural posting of the Washington Goalpost. It seems apropos to begin this blog the day after a frustrating Caps season that has ended with the prospects of a top 3 or 4 pick and some serious change in store for the Capitals. I have followed the Caps for about a decade and played goaltender as a kid and in high school in Southern California. Aside from being a fan of the game I have two serious interests in hockey:

1. Goaltending
2. Hockey Business (Especially Marketing)