good move.  We've got waaaaay too many d-men.

I'm probably the only one in his camp, but I enjoyed Kiwi's play- he worked hard, for little dollars (compared to a lot of guys).

Against the Bruins at the end of the season (o.k., I know it was April Fool's Day, but...), he had 8:00 of SHTOI.

Against the Rangers, back on March 18, he had 8:45 SHTOI.

Against Tampa Bay in Game 6 two years ago, he had the most TOI of any of the Dmen, Witt included, and acquitted himself well for 5 full periods when Johansson couldn't do it any more, against a bludgeoning TB offensive attack.

I like the guy, and wish him well- I hope he doesn't come back at the ripe old age of 33 as a seasoned defenseman in the Caps' own division after the CBA is settled and bite them in the ass for 5 or 6 years. He's going to a team that's improving, and is probably two years ahead of the Caps in development.

People on the official side are proclaiming Mike Green the second coming because he played on a bad team, put in his 25-30 a night, got his PP and SH time, scored, and was responsible at both ends of the ice. Well, Green did it in the WHL for a year.

Kiwi's done it for two full years in the NHL- 12 points, tons of SH time, 30-35 a game, both ends- against some of the best in the world.

He filled that 29 jersey well.

With the Caps' luck, he'll be a Norris Trophy finalist next season.

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"And the #1 draft pick goes to ::coughgagcoughhackhackgag:: the Washing::gaggag::ton Capi::hackgag::tals" G. Bettman 4/6/04

He signed a two-way contract that gives him 500 000 if he plays in NHL.

I have to say that Martin has little more understanding (than Cassidy/McPhee had) in what kind of role Kiwi should be playing in NHL:

While Kwiatkowski had a team-worst minus-28 plus-minus rating with the Capitals, Martin said he was victimized by playing too prominent a role in a bad defense.

"We're not looking at him in that kind of role," Martin said. "That's why we got people like Hill, Karpovtsov, and even the three kids -- (Jay) Bouwmeester, (Mike) Van Ryn and (Branislav) Mezei. When players play in the right spot, that helps their game tremendously."

An eighth-round pick by Dallas in 1996, Kwiatkowski, 27, spent two seasons in the Ottawa system with Martin, mostly at the team's minor-league affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Because of our depth, he was more of a (No.) 6 or 7 defenseman, where he was really in the top four in Washington," Martin said. "He did a pretty good job. He has lots of speed and quickness, a big shot, and competes hard."


Tomppa

Reminds me of a song a few years back...

"I was gonna get a D,but then I got high..ooo...

Hoped he's tough & clear the crease,but then i got high...

So now the defense turned to shit and I know why.. hey hey..

Because I got high,

Because I got high,

Because I got high..la da da da da.."

 

GOOD RIDDANCE..AND TAKE THE FRONT OFFICE WITH YA!!!

7/11/01-1/23/03.
"This is America! And in America, if something sucks, you're supposed to be able to get your money back."-Stan Marsh
"Say what again! Say what again! I dare ya. I double dare ya mutha*****! Say what one more goddamn time!"-from "Pulp Fiction"
I'm the Weeping Willow,and I approve of this post.

LOLOL, Willow!