Washington Caps news...

[the mugs]

Jagr criticizes Capitals
By Associated Press, 2/2/2002 20:24
LOS ANGELES (AP) Jaromir Jagr didn't seem to have any fun at the All-Star game. And he definitely isn't having any fun with the Washington Capitals.

''Am I happy that we are out of playoffs now? No,'' he said Saturday. ''It is a disaster for me and a disaster for the team. I want it to change.''

The seven-time All-Star, in his first season with Washington, has 15 goals and 25 assists. The Capitals are 12th in the Eastern Conference, seven points out of the eighth and final playoff spot.

Jagr's World team fell behind early in Saturday's NHL All-Star game. He told ABC's Darren Pang it was nothing new.

''I'm getting used to it from Washington. Every time we step on the ice in Washington, (we) have minus right away. But we're going to come back,'' he said.

The World team came back to win 8-5, but Jagr didn't back off his statements and appeared completely baffled that anyone would take it other than stated fact.

''I just said that this is nothing new to me,'' Jagr said. ''In Washington, most games, every time I start out it's a minus. I am used to it.''

Jagr, who won the last four NHL scoring titles, is third on his team behind Peter Bondra and Adam Oates.

Jagr complained of fatigue Friday and when asked if he enjoyed himself after Saturday's game, he said, ''I would rather stay home and get healthy. That's what's important now.''

 

[Sports Junkie]

This story implies that he is unhappy because he is playing for Washington, when if you actually read what he says it seems clear to me that he is unhappy that the team is struggling and always seems to be behind early, and wants it to get better.

I am not trying to be an apologist for Jagr, but for this AP writer to term his tongue in cheek comments on Saturday a criticism of the Capitals and to say that "he definitely isn't having any fun with the Washington Capitals" is not very responsible reporting IMO, especially in light of how Jagr clarified his comments later. It completely misrepresents how the whole thing went down. In fact, when he did clarify it the writer spins it a different way by saying "...Jagr didn't back off his statements and appeared completely baffled that anyone would take it other than stated fact...."

 

[ND2002HORNS]

I have stated it on this forum several times and I will say it again, Ron Wilson will be fired before the end of the year. If you have Jagr, Bondra & Oates in your line-up there is no excuse that you should be 7 points out of the playoffs with 30 games to go in the season. Just a thought.

HORNS

 

[Sports Junkie]

You may be right. However, Wilson and Leonsis had a long meeting the other day after the STL loss, and based on what the press reported about that meeting I don't see it happening. I don't think Scotty Bowman could have this team in the 7th or 8th spot with the injuries they have. Also remember that Carolina started strong and Montreal has gained a lot of ground recently. I don't think this is coaching or the system. The injuries are just too much for them to win.

Johannson and Kono have been gone all year, now Halpern is done. Witt was injured and then gone for a while due to a family death. Jagr has been out about 15 games but has over a point per game played. When that line of Oates/Jagr/Dalhen was red hot they lost Dalhen for 2 weeks. Kono, Dalhen and Halpern were one of the best checking lines in the league last year and have not played together since the first week. They have some good offensive talent but the loss of Johannson and good defensive forwards really hurts them. Now they have a bunch of rookies and waiver claims playing on the 2nd and 3rd lines. It also does not help that Kolzig has not been very good.

At least we have one owner in town that is not reactionary. Maybe Wilson should change to a more offensive system, I don't know, but I don't think he gets fired. I think Leonsis realizes that the injuries are almost insurmountable at this point, and could not be coached around.

 

[Sports Junkie]

For Jagr, Geez, It's a Joke

Capitals Notebook
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer

A media-driven controversy swirled around winger Jaromir Jagr during Saturday's All-Star Game when remarks he made about his own bad luck and level of play were taken as being critical of the team. Coaches and teammates were quick to defend Jagr after yesterday's practice. "It was construed differently by people who want to look at things and try to look for controversy," Wilson said. "There was no harm intended there. That's not even an issue."

Said Jagr: "I was making fun of myself and if you watch the All-Star Game you know what happened. After the first shift there was [television] coverage from the bench and he asked me, 'Well, first shift and you're minus-1.' And I said, 'I am getting used to this, in Washington most of the time we have bad starts and most of the time I am starting'. I didn't mean anything bad. I know George [McPhee] understands what I mean and [majority owner Ted Leonsis] and hopefully my teammates and the fans of Washington, and that's all I really care about."