Photo: Phoenix Coyotes
George McPhee let Mike Ribeiro walk after a one season with the Capitals. Based mostly on his power-play work, Ribeiro signed a lucrative deal with the Coyotes. He was promptly bought out for poor on-ice performance and poorer off-ice behavior.
Now, on a reclamation deal with the Nashville Predators, Ribeiro is doing pretty darn well.
None of that has anything to do with this startlingly antagonistic interview Ribeiro granted to Canadian francophone newspaper La Presse. Speaking with Mathias Brunet, Ribeiro shared some Milbury-esque and McGuirean opinions about his former team.
Ribs on the Caps Defense
I really believe the arrival of the two good defensemen [Orpik and Niskanen] will help this team, but ever since Olaf Kolzig they never found that first-line-of-defense goaltender. Your goalie has to be your best player– doesn’t matter how good your forwards are.
Olie Kolzig’s career save percentage was .906. Holtby’s is .918.
Ribs on Ovi
He’s part of the problem. He’s got a lot of authority in Washington. That can be harmful.
How many coaches did they have the last couple of years? The coach has to be in control and the players are to be satisfied with playing. It will be difficult to keep [Ovechkin] if the team continues like this. Every team that looks for its top scorer has to take a risk looking for one, but I am not convinced that Washington will dare to [get rid of Ovechkin]. He’s the symbol of their franchise, and the team has done alright since he got there.
Ribeiro also says he likes Denzel Washington and Beyonce, so he can’t be all bad.
Big ups to Micha Hofer of @EuroCaps for the translation. Primary assist to your girl Lindsey Novak of Capitals Hill for verification.
