Olaf Kolzig faces the Capitals
It is going to be an interesting evening Monday when the Lightning faces the Capitals at the Verizon Center and Olaf Kolzig faces his former teammates. Kolzig has never been shy about saying how emotional was his breakup with Washington, with which he played 16 seasons. But Kolzig, classy as always, said all the right things about his former employer.
"I still wish it hadn't ended the way it did," Kolzig said, but added that "there's no bitterness. Obviously, going out there tomorrow, I want to beat them as bad as anybody, but there's no malicious feelings or anything like that."
Kolzig said he just wishes there had been some better communication after Washington traded for goaltender Cristobal Huet and pushed Kolzig to a backup role. Kolzig's relationship with Capitals general manager George McPhee was a strong one, Kolzig said. But he said he and McPhee did not speak after Huet was acquired. Kolzig said the lack of communication from the team was part of the reason he decided to leave after the season and contemplated retirement.
"I understand the trade fell in his lap, but there was really no communication for the eight weeks after the trade deadline," Kolzig said. "George did try to reach out to me the next day after Game 7 (of the East quarterfinal), when we had our meetings. But I thought at that point I had already made my mind up and there was no point for me to talk. I thought there was plenty of time in those eight weeks before the season ended to talk and it never happened, so I just kind of moved on."
Kolzig, 38, said as he got more removed from the season he determined he still had something left to give to the game and signed with the Lightning. While he wishes he was playing more -- he is 1-1-1 with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage -- he gets the Mike Smith phenomenon.
"Obviously, I'd love to play more, but I understand he's a 26-year-old, and the organization is trying to establish him as a No. 1," Kolzig said. " He's taken the ball and run with it. ... he's played fantastic. And, true to my word, I'm going to be there to support him It's his time."
As for how he thinks he will be received by Caps fans, Kolzig said, "I don't know. I really don't. I expect to be received pretty well, but they always say expect the unexpected."
We'll have more on Kolzig in Monday's paper.
Follow the Lightning through the season with beat writer Damian Cristodero and the Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
Sorry Arash (hope you find a good cream for that! j/k), the term 'scumbags in Washington' referred to neither the team nor the hockey fans...no, Washington DC is very, very well known the world over for some OTHER really slimy scumbags...and not just the murderers...the white-collar kind
Posted by: | November 11, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Dave, why don't you wait until AFTER the game...see ya then...
Posted by: Boltflasher | November 10, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Olie will get a standing O in DC. Greatest goalie the Caps have ever had and I was emotinal when he actually left. As far as TB goes...your team really is no good but you might finish in front the Thrashers haha. Don't worry Lighting fans we'll represent the division well in the playoffs hahaha...Caps 4-2 tonight.
Posted by: Dave | November 10, 2008 at 02:37 PM
beat the caps
Posted by: | November 10, 2008 at 12:20 PM
for what it is worth, OK - the REAL OK hockey - Olie Kolzig - is about as class of an act anyone will find in pro sports.
He will get, and it is well deserved - a standing O from the Caps fans, who are not scum bags, but much better than other team's fans I have witnessed.
Posted by: shock therapy | November 10, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Morning Fellow Posters,
I just got back from chopping a shedful of wood and I gotta tell you I am just gettin' my day goin'.
I may go take a jump into the cement pond and cool myself down before I have to rebuild the transmission on my truck.
I know them Bolts are doing better than you bunch of billies thought. I know more you than all yall since I said they were gonna win! That is what I am talking about.
Go out there and play hard all game. MSL go over the drills I helped you with, its all coming together! No Pressure lol.
Oh and Olie go out there and show them how it is done. Lets get another w and keep the MO rolling. Stay focused, just like we talked about.
Can't wait to welcome the fellas home on Thursday in our house. I got some tea and Pabst Blue Ribbon for them!
My game. My Team. My Trailor. My Town!!!!
Go Bolts!!
Posted by: hockey chic | November 10, 2008 at 10:29 AM
I will wear my Kolzig jersey to the game tonight and wear a smile out of the game if he wins. If we win a close tight hard fought game, I will also be happy. It will however break my heart if he is distracted by all the hoopla and gets lit up for a bunch of goals. O-lie, O-lie, O-lie!
Posted by: Bob | November 10, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Scumbags? Dude, we were sad to see him go. As phenomenal as Huet was for us at the end of last season, it was sad to see Olie go out the way he did. Say what you want about the jersey change, but Olie the Goalie is and always will be a Capital at heart. He may not be on the best terms with our GM, but the fans love him and I'm sure he returns the feelings. He will definitely get a standing O tonight...wish I could be at the game. Scumbags? Trash talk the team dude, not the fans.
Posted by: Arash | November 10, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Big game tonight!
~Kolzig faces his old team
~Lightning and Capitals play for the first time this season
~Many people are going to be watching this game(Versus, RDS, & TSN)
~Lecavalier may seek revenge although
Cooke plays for the Penguins
~Lightning could get into top 8 in East & tie Capitals in points
~In my opinion the top two teams in the southeast
~Emingers, Halperns, Pettingers, and of course Kolzigs old team.
~And of course the NHLs most over rated player: Alexander Ovechkin
Posted by: slapshot | November 10, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Gotcha Mike P, thx.
Posted by: PD | November 10, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Yay Hockey Chic got it right...OLIE the GOALIE, not OLLIE the GOLLY.
We know Washington is full of scumbags and and lowlifes of the most invidious sort, but if Olie gets anything less than a standing O tonight, that'll be the biggest crime in the capital since [insert snarky plitticle remark here]. The guy is the best goalie who ever played for that team. He should have played against NYR and WSH both. Big Props to Smith though for coming back off two fairly mediocre performances vs. NJ and NYR to stone Filthadelphia
Change we can really believe in: having two NHL-quality netminders for once, with a third waiting in the wings. These guys are the lion's share of the reason the team has sprouted a winning record so far.
As far as the "cowboys" getting ready to trade Vinny, I wouldn't count on it. OK clearly understands marketing above all, and VL is the kind of iconic big draw that is essentially one of a kind, esp. in this market
Posted by: | November 10, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Don't look now folks,but if we win tonight and the season ended, we'd be in the playoffs. We're doing OK. Like many of us said, give it time! Anyone know the "prognosis" for Arty? I got to meet Kolzig at the Icefest. He and Smith-great guys. Classy statement Ollie. Smitty should gain from your mentoring.
Posted by: coach bill | November 10, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Morning Fellow Posters,
Well I gotta tell you I went out and checked our position in the division and the conference and we are 3rd in our division and 10th in our conference.
I know it is a long season, but to those who said they would and could not do anything with this team of forwards as I recall, not bad for a bunch of misfits eh.
I love it. Like I said from worst to first that is what I am talking about.
Now lets go out there and hand it to the crapitals. MSL looking for a goal or two from you as well. No Pressure lol. Oh and Olie go out there and show them how it is done. Lets get another w and keep the MO rolling.
Can't wait to welcome the fellas home on Thursday in our house.
My game. My Team. My Town!!!!
Go Bolts!!
Posted by: Hockey Chic | November 10, 2008 at 06:10 AM
Yes, you are wrong PD...that's the salary for that year, not cap hit. I use nhlnumbers.com too. Look on the right side under ext (extension). The number there (7.727) will be vinny's cap hit once his extension salary kicks in next season. 7.727 - 6.875 (his current cap hit) = 0.852 which is exactly what I said.
Posted by: mike p | November 09, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Mike I see Vinny jumping to 10 mill in 09/10 fwd and its included in the cap hit math
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=TBL&season=0809
am I wrong?
Posted by: PD | November 09, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Let me clarify, his contract only goes up 850,000 in CAP HIT from what it was the last 4 years.
Posted by: mike p | November 09, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Kincaid, Vinny's contract only goes up about 850,000, from what it was the last 4 years. His contract signing was a smart one because, had they have signed him to a shorter deal, his cap hit would have been far greater giving the team less wiggle room. And should Vinny lose his usefulness, if the team were to buy out, say the last two years of his contract, it would only be a cap hit of under a million dollars for 2 years.
Posted by: mike p | November 09, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Leafs also have exactly 2 more points than Bolts...yet with Sundin they're East conference contenders? They've given up 20 more goals than the Lightning...their D is not good enough...yet, maybe, if they add Bouwmeester...
Posted by: Boltflasher | November 09, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Good to see Ollie get his kudo's from the Caps fans. I wonder will they feel the same after he shuts them down?
It would be nice to win the next two then we meet my wishing goal from the road trip.
I would like to than the Thrashers for the beating they put on the Hurricanes today.
Have a great day folks see you all thursday at the Wings funeral.....
Well we can hope right?
Posted by: bingo | November 09, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Kozilla will be cheered, he is a hell of a goalie and real good person. Vinny is worth every penny!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: rbc | November 09, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Dont worry at 10 mill a year, on a Lifetime contract Vinny will still be here after 19 years.
The cap may be down to 32 but what the hey, celebrate the king.
Posted by: Kincaid | November 09, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Kolzig throughout his career has always been a class act. Even when he stoned us as a Cap goalie, which he always seemed to do, he was always someone to respect. My bet is he gets a warm welcome from the Caps fans, just as Luc and Boyler got in Tampa recently.
Posted by: keith | November 09, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Anthony, the way the "cowboys" run things, that time might be sooner than later. I agree with you though he would be given a standing O.
Posted by: | November 09, 2008 at 06:43 PM
I am sure if Lecavalier left after that long, lets hope he never does, everyone here would give him a king's welcome.
Posted by: Anthony | November 09, 2008 at 06:30 PM
It was with sadness that the Caps fans watched Kolzig depart an organization for which he played for 19 years.
It is expected that Kolzig will be well-received tomorrow at Verizon Center.
Posted by: Aneesa | November 09, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Just because you're not #1, don't think we don't love you the same!
Posted by: MaxHunter | November 09, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Shut em' out Ollie!!
Posted by: Wade | November 09, 2008 at 03:43 PM