He signed an extension understanding the road ahead. For a moment this season — say, before December — that road didn’t seem so bad. Then came injuries, losses and another year far from the playoffs.
Now that road has no end in sight. Yet Olie Kolzig is remaining patient; as much as someone who’s 37 and nearing the end of their career can do so.He wants the organization to add more talent; he knows he has a little time for that to happen.
“I plan on sticking here until I’m 40 years old,” Kolzig said. “After this year I’ve got three more. I figure within the next three years we can put something together here that gives us a chance.
“Alex [Ovechkin] is putting pressure on. You’d like to see some more talent added or depth added to the team. Fans are getting frustrated, too. I would see a lot of changes made this summer as far as adding key players.”
But Kolzig remains one of the reasons Washington has hope for the future. When he was out for four weeks with a knee injury, the Capitals struggled. Though goalie Brent Johnson was fine; the team won once in 15 games.
With Kolzig back, they snapped their nine-game losing streak and won consecutive games for the first time since early January.
“There’s something about reliability that you appreciate,” Caps coach Glen Hanlon said. “Olie is a hard person to replace, from stature and all the things we’ve come to appreciate. I’m sure we’ll forever talk that way.”
But the trick for Kolzig will be to play at a high level when, or if, the Capitals finally become a contender. With Ovechkin and high-scoring wing Alexander Semin, they have other pieces around to build. Kolzig’s ability to play well for a few more years would help even more.
And he looks to goalies such as Detroit’s Dominik Hasek (42) and Florida’s Ed Belfour (42 in April) for inspiration.
With age comes wisdom.
“When I was first in the league, you’re so intense,” he said. “I used to take the game home with me and it would affect me when I came back to the rink. Now, whatever happens here stays here.
“[Physically], I take good care of myself in the summertime. There’s a lot to be said for experience. If you stay healthy, that experience can carry you.”
Goal posts
» Kolzig won his 275th career game Sunday; it was his 21st win of the season. In his last three starts before Wednesday night, Kolzig was 2-0-1 with a 1.62 goals against average.
» Kolzig and the Capitals played in Buffalo last night. They entered the game with 65 points, but with eight games remaining, including five on the road, there’s no guarantee they’ll surpass last season’s total of 70 points.
