Comments on: A Name No Longer Mentioned

By: Flying Cloud

Flying Cloud — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:22:59 +0000

Many professional athletes, like certain politicians, seem to lack an exit strategy. This is a shame, it’s probably something teams should be more concerned about. I miss Kolzig (I miss Bondra, Callie and Hunter too) and I hope the fans give him a sincere welcome when he comes onto our ice in November. Then, of course, I hope we win. It would be nice if he returns here in retirement and remains part of the hockey community. Fans listened to him, he was always a good ambassador for the sport. And Washington’s not a bad place to live, if you like hockey!

By: Harry0

Harry0 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:04:17 +0000

I wonder what our thoughts would be if Kolzig said during the rebuilding phase: “I like the Caps, but I like winning better – I’m outta here.”
Don’t knock the guy or belittle his contributions to the Capitals organization by saying you like winning better – that’s pretty damn shallow.
Kolzig left the Caps because of a disagreement with management and business is business. So let’s focus on his incredible contributions to the Capitals organization, community, and fans and wish him and his family the best of success in the future.

By: Murshawursha

Murshawursha — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:34:07 +0000

I feel like Olie dug his own grave. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great person and I hope someday his number is in the rafters. But the only reason, IMO, that this was such a mess, was that Olie’s ego wouldn’t let him realize he’s simply over the hill and not a no. 1 goalie anymore. His save percentage was THE WORST among starters in the NHL and worse than most backups. With numbers like that, I don’t see how he can argue the deadline move. And given that Boudreau stated he was going to play the hot hand, I fail to see how he can complain about sitting the last seven games. Huet didn’t lose, simple as that. You don’t bench a guy on a streak like that.
All that said, I would’ve liked to have seen Olie start in game 3 of the playoffs. I do think he deserved at least that much.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:09:28 +0000

I think 19 of the 20 comments so far were of the caliber I’d hoped for: thoughtful. Olie certainly was very much a company man, year in and year out. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with reminding that through some of the toughest years (rebuilding), he was particularly well compensated. In other words, the Caps made good by him.

By: Jeff J

Jeff J — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:40:25 +0000

Can you believe it's been five months already? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OCnDrab3dk

By: topshelf_22304

topshelf_22304 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:28:49 +0000

No…no HoF for Olie. He spent too many of his years playing on mediocre teams in a non-hockey market to ever get serious HoF consideration.
On another note, I really feel for Olie. Olie is to the Caps what Ripken was the Orioles, or what Darrell Green was to the Redskins. Imagine the fall-out of running either of those two out of town? He stood by the Caps during the prime of his career and made a commitment to them when he could have moved on and genuinely competed for a Cup. The Caps treatment of him last season was terrible, even if it was obvious that he wasn’t a #1 goalie and had to be let go. The only reason the fanbase is not moaning and groaning about it is because we’re blinded by Ovi-mania and a potential SC contender to really care. He deserved a better send-off.

By: b.orr4

b.orr4 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:20:00 +0000

@Lee-in answer to your question, yes it would be heresy. As someone mentioned earlier, you root for the team first, the player second. And the only way Olie is getting into the HoF is if he buys a ticket.

By: Lee (PTO)

Lee (PTO) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:40:58 +0000

Would it be complete heresy to wish for an Olie shutout on 11/10 when he comes back to our barn for the first time in an enemy jersey? Just one last sip of glory in our building before he rides off into the sunset?
Here’s another interesting question… does he make it into the HoF? : ]

By: Regan Fletcher

Regan Fletcher — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:23:27 +0000

I’ve never been a Caps fan (grew up in Toronto and now live in California) but I’ve always been a fan of Kolzig for all the reasons listed in comments from others. Check that, I was a Caps fan for one spring when they made their run to the finals but I only cheered for them b/c of Kolzig. This type of thing happens to good guys in every sport and those involved always say the same thing “it’s tough but (insert sport here) is a business”. Successful businesses don’t hold on to to employees for too long if they can do better with someone else, it’s just the nature of the bottom line. I sure hope #37 hangs in the rafters one day… I’d fly to DC just to be a part of the love shown for Olie that night.

By: Capitals Kremlin

Capitals Kremlin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:39:36 +0000

Come to think of it the name will be mentioned again.
It will go something like “Backstrom to Ovechkin, he shoots scores! Alex just put that past Olie’s glove hand for a beautiful goal!” – Joey B