Troy Brouwer rips Semin and Boudreau

[Canada 02]

"It was tough to lose his scoring ability, when he wanted to play," Brouwer said. "But all in all I think we've been doing well without him. ... Some nights you didn't even know if he was going to come to the rink. It's tough to play alongside guys like those because you don't know what you're going to get out of 'em."

For good measure, Brouwer also said the Capitals had a "very lackadaisical" culture under former coach Bruce Boudreau.

"It was very lackadaisical, I would say," Brouwer said. "Kind of guys were able to do whatever they pleased. There wasn't a whole lot of accountability. And then when we had a little bit of trouble and there needed to be accountability, it wasn't received exactly with welcome arms, I'll say.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=416829

[sun]

Rips?

[ComixZone]

...Brouwer is a goof.

His team is in 14th place in the Eastern Conference and he wants to talk smack about a player who is on the team in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference? AND an ex head coach who is currently leading the Ducks comfortably into 2nd place in the Western Conference?

Shut up Troy.

[CliffFletcher]

It's sad how whenever an NHL player says anything remotely critical/honest, it's some sort of scandal.

The culture of bland, cliche, everything's-great-folks conformity in the NHL is one of the worst aspects of the league.

[H2SO4(aq)]

He may be 100% dead on, but as comixZone pointed out, this isnt a great time to bring this up.

In fact, because both the people he mentioned left the organization, I have no idea why he feels he needs to speak about them. What is he accomplishing by doing this?

Never liked when ex-teammates or ex-players ripped coaches and such. Generally just makes you look like a jackass.

[YYC in LAX]

Reminds me of when Matt Bradley spoke publicly against Semin...and then Bradley played one year for Florida...and then got cut. These comments are dumb and especially bad timing from Brouwer considering Washington's record so far this year.

[Ark2]

Brouwer thinks they are doing well? They are tied for last place in their conference. Meanwhile, the Ducks can't seem to stop winning under Boudreau. I am all for players stepping outside of the usual cliché sound-bites that we normally get, but he is just making a fool of himself here.

[zamler]

Dem sour grapes.

[moon]

Although the timing seems odd with Anaheim doing so well I didn't see anything in his comments that said Boudreau was a bad coach just that it was lacsidasical. That seems to fit with what most observers said about him as well.

The Semin comments seem to be what everyone says and sees with him as well.

[Vedder]

Not the first time he has said something stupid....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...chal-neuvirth/

[dustyanddaflames]

It's funny because the Caps haven't been able to regain that winning form since Boudreau left town. Say what you want about the Caps under Boudreau - but they were damn exciting to watch, and a consistant threat in the playoffs each year. Sadly, they are a former shade of themselves.

[Huntingwhale]

I don't have an issue with what he said. It's pretty clear that the reporter who questioned him designed his questions to specifically stir the pot.

[cam_wmh]

Troy Brouwer - born: Vancouver BC, Canada

[Erick Estrada]

What's funny is apparently the Staal brothers love Semin in Carolina. Some guys are just bitter and Brouwer obviously has a personal dislike for Semin and while we all know that players don't always get along he certainly comes off poorly here as his team is worse without Semin and Boudreau while they have brought success to their teams.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

What's funny is apparently the Staal brothers love Semin in Carolina. Some guys are just bitter and Brouwer obviously has a personal dislike for Semin and while we all know that players don't always get along he certainly comes off poorly here as his team is worse without Semin and Boudreau while they have brought success to their teams.

Was just about to post something similar.

The Staal brothers are proven winners and I'll take their opinions over a very bitter sounding Brouwer, that is for certain.

I've watched roughly 5 Canes games this year and Semin has been noticeable every game. Not only does he have tremendous skill, he is working very hard out there. His ENG last night a perfect example.

[moon]

Are people actually saying that Brouwer was wrong in saying that Semin took games off?

That was evident in watching him play and from everything said about him from others.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by moon

Are people actually saying that Brouwer was wrong in saying that Semin took games off?

That was evident in watching him play and from everything said about him from others.

How many people are of the opinion Iginla has taken games off? Likely more than half of this message board.

Have I seen Ovechkin take games off? Yes.

Nobody is arguing Semin never took a game off, most are just questioning Brouwer's motives for talking about this stuff now. Semin is not the first player to takes games off and he certainly won't be the last, let it go Brouwer.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Hells Bells

How many people are of the opinion Iginla has taken games off? Likely more than half of this message board.

Have I seen Ovechkin take games off? Yes.

Nobody is arguing Semin never took a game off, most are just questioning Brouwer's motives for talking about this stuff now. Semin is not the first player to takes games off and he certainly won't be the last, let it go Brouwer.

My guess to his motivation is that the reporter asked him.

I am sure every player in every league has taken a game off for various reasons but Semin seemed to take a lot more off than most. To me what Brouwer said outside of maybe the doing well without him wasn't really that controversial and seems to be fairly true from what we can see and from reports.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by moon

My guess to his motivation is that the reporter asked him.

Since when is no comment or taking the high road not an option?

I really don't care if Obama asked him... very poor taste IMO.

[Hells Bells]

I hope the Canes wax the Caps tomorrow night and Semin has a huge night.

I think Brouwer's comments speak more to problems in Washington as opposed to Semin. What kind of organization would allow its players to believe that talking trash about former players or coaches is even remotely acceptable?