Caps: Preseason

[tywright]

Preseason camp just started for the Caps this past weekend. Clark and Nylander appear to be back to 100% health. Backstrom sprained his ankle last week and has been limited. OV played in the rookie scrimmage last week and made quite an impression on them. Not much news on Theodore, which is probably a good thing. Hopefully he is as good as Huet, if not better. Fehr and Fleischmann have looked impressive and might be pushing for some more ice time.

As for some potential rookies, Karl Alzner should be starting in the top 2 D pairs. He could be a stud on the blueline. Also Ray Bourque's son, Chris, scored a goal in today's scrimmage and could be a contributor this year. Francois Bouchard and Mathieu Perrault are 2 other fwd prospects who could be lighting the lamp this year.And Simeon Varlamov, the Russian goaltender prospect, has finally come over to the States and should play in the AHL this year unless he pushes for time in Washington. He's going to be a good one.

The top 3 lines are looking like this:

OV - Backstrom - Kozlov
Laich - Fedorov - Semin
Fleschmann - Nylander - Clark


Capital Insider (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/) is a good spot for up to date info on the team. It's basically comparable to Roch's O's blog.

[GeorgeD]

I, too, am excited about the Capitals. I think you can be sure Alzner will be in the top four on defense. I go to several Hershey Bears games a year. Fehr and Fleischman are never going to be dynamic offensive players, but could be solid contributors. Fleischman has already demonstrated that. Chris Bourque's role in the NHL will be mostly as a checker/penalty killer IMHO.

[allstar1579]

I'm so ready. Anyone going to the game on Thursday? I think I am but I haven't decided yet. (Have full season tix).

Those 3 lines look amazing, I'm really hoping that Fehr comes through and contributes like he can, he can be an elite power forward when he is healthy (50+ goals in Hershey) and he's huge. Been a long time since we had to worry about squeezing talent OUT of spots up here. I am really looking forward to Varmalov and Neuvirth too, both of them look like amazing prospects and are in the top 5 goalie prospects in the game.

Alzner excites me too, I'd love to see him in the second pairing, splitting he and Mike Green up, so that people have to worry twice as often, but he has some work to do offensively.

Thanks, you guys just got me all geared up for the season!!!

[GeorgeD]

I'm so ready. Anyone going to the game on Thursday? I think I am but I haven't decided yet. (Have full season tix).

Those 3 lines look amazing, I'm really hoping that Fehr comes through and contributes like he can, he can be an elite power forward when he is healthy (50+ goals in Hershey) and he's huge. Been a long time since we had to worry about squeezing talent OUT of spots up here. I am really looking forward to Varmalov and Neuvirth too, both of them look like amazing prospects and are in the top 5 goalie prospects in the game.

Alzner excites me too, I'd love to see him in the second pairing, splitting he and Mike Green up, so that people have to worry twice as often, but he has some work to do offensively.

Thanks, you guys just got me all geared up for the season!!!


I hope you are right, but I don't think he'll be an elite player. I see 25 goals or so which is solid, but not elite.

[Danielos38]

I'm really pumped for this season also. It'll be interesting to see how Clark and Nylander can coem back from their injuries. Hopefully we can cruise into the playoffs instead of having to make a miracle comeback.

I'm feeling a conference champoinship berth this year! Lets go Caps!

[allstar1579]

I hope you are right, but I don't think he'll be an elite player. I see 25 goals or so which is solid, but not elite.

Yeah, I'm hoping for the best, but I know he is a scorer, and he uses the body. On the right line he scores 35+. Getting close to elite at that point. He's still very young. I'd love to see Fehr on a line with Ovie and Backstrom. A big body to put in front of Ovie's shot? and letting Nick get him the puck on the wing? Could be great if he is healthy. Remember he missed 1/2 the year last year with a back injury, so we didn't see anything of his potential.

[GeorgeD]

Yeah, I'm hoping for the best, but I know he is a scorer, and he uses the body. On the right line he scores 35+. Getting close to elite at that point. He's still very young. I'd love to see Fehr on a line with Ovie and Backstrom. A big body to put in front of Ovie's shot? and letting Nick get him the puck on the wing? Could be great if he is healthy. Remember he missed 1/2 the year last year with a back injury, so we didn't see anything of his potential.

True, I'm going by what I've seen with the Bears. He scored some clutch goals for the Bears so maybe he will surprise me. I saw Mike Green play for the Bears several times and he was better with the Caps than I expected him to be so maybe Fehr will also exceed my expectations.

[Bird_Man]

Some other guys to watch are Oskar Osala, Dmitri Krugyshev, John Carlson among others.

Hershey should be very good this year. I'll have to be sure to catch a few of their games this year in addition to the Caps.

[GeorgeD]

It would be nice if the Bears are good. It's always fun to go anyway. It will be interesting to see how their roster shakes out. They have a bunch of decent AHL players on the roster which should make for a good mix with the Caps' young prospects.

[tywright]

4-1 win in Raleigh tonight. Varlamov started and impressed in the 1st with 20 saves. Flash scored 2 goals and Perreault (prospect) and Bradley picked up the other 2 goals. Alzner and Carlson (prospects) looked good on D.

[GeorgeD]

Sounds promising. Does Carlson have a good shot of making the team? I figured Alzner was a lock, but now I'm wondering about Carlson.

[allstar1579]

Sounds promising. Does Carlson have a good shot of making the team? I figured Alzner was a lock, but now I'm wondering about Carlson.

I wouldn't plan on it. Just giving him an extended look to decide where he is going to play this season. He was just drafted this past year, and Alzner was a much higher touted prospect and they let him season for a year. That and there is becoming a log jam for top 6 minutes, so I don't think they would waste his development by sticking him as the 6th defenseman or healthy scratch.

You can bank on Green/Morrisson, Shultz/Alzner, Poti/Pothier with Jurcina stepping in if Pothier isn't as healthy as he seems so far. I wouldn't be too surprised to see a trade either. But with Ovechkin/Backstrom/Kozlov, Semin/Federov/Laich, Nylander/Fleichmann/Clark, Bradley/Steckel/Gordon and Brashear waiting...what do you deal for? Draft picks? Young wingers? FA replacements? Varmalov, Neuvirth and Machensey look to have G taken care of for a while. This could be an exciting team for a long time.

[Dracula]

I was at the Caps v. Canes preseason game last night. I don't claim to be a hockey expert, but this is what I got:

Varlamov looked pretty good from what I could tell, he really saved the defense on a few plays, they had a lot of shots against him in that first period and he shut them out with a few great saves.

Alzner looked fine, made a few mistakes, but looks like he belongs. Carlson assisted on 1 goal I believe.

Kozlov and Nylander dominated anytime they were out on the ice. You could tell they were some of the few seasoned vets playing in the game.

The Caps actually looked bad in the 1st period and they led 2-0. They pretty much dominated the rest of the game. The only goal against was on a 5v3.

Players of the game were Kozlov and Varlamov.

I'm excited for this season. This team has a chance to challenge for the eastern crown. Should cruise to a division title.

[GeorgeD]

Thanks for the info.

[tywright]

There's plenty of rumors of Nylander getting traded. Chicago has expressed interest, but they're hurting with their lack of cap room. They may be dangling Cam Barker, a young Dman and a former #3 overall pick in 2004.

[tywright]

2-2 tonight so far in the 2nd. Nylander with a PP goal and OV with a penalty shot goal. It was 2-0 Canes after 1

[allstar1579]

There's plenty of rumors of Nylander getting traded. Chicago has expressed interest, but they're hurting with their lack of cap room. They may be dangling Cam Barker, a young Dman and a former #3 overall pick in 2004.

Maybe we can trade him to Edmonton, I heard they wanted him ;)

[tywright]

Maybe we can trade him to Edmonton, I heard they wanted him ;)

ha yeah...I'm not so sure Kevin Lowe would want to deal with GMGM or vice versa.

[allstar1579]

ha yeah...I'm not so sure Kevin Lowe would want to deal with GMGM or vice versa.

I'm sure he would want a face to face negotiation so he could try to punch him in it. :)

[hammer310]

2-0 so far. Fleischmann had a nice first game, and Nylander and Ovechkin had pretty good games in the home opener.

I am really excited to see that Alzner can bring to the table. He is a highly regarded defensemen.

Im so physced for the upcoming season. I love hockey.

[allstar1579]

I just couldn't make it to the game, by the time I got home from work it was already 7 and I just didn't have it in me to bust butt to get to DC. I'm glad they are looking good. I'm really looking forward to the home opener. I was there thick and thin last season, hopefully there won't be so many fairweather fans this season :(

[Bird_Man]

I'm not sure what the thought process is in wanting to trade Nylander.

If Federov were 10 years younger, I could understand. They have Becks, Federov, and Nylander at Center. With Federov's age, I'd think they need all 3.

If they need some cap relief, there has to be someone else they can move, like Kozlov.

[allstar1579]

I'm not sure what the thought process is in wanting to trade Nylander.

If Federov were 10 years younger, I could understand. They have Becks, Federov, and Nylander at Center. With Federov's age, I'd think they need all 3.

If they need some cap relief, there has to be someone else they can move, like Kozlov.

Because Nylander and Federov are almost the same age, and Nylander has more trade value. With Laich looking like he could easily handle being a 3rd C, it creates a position of luxury. If Bourque has a good preseason, I could see him going to the wing, Laich going to C and Nylander traded IF they got a good offer for him. Federov will play one, MAYBE 2 more years and be done, so they will be looking for someone to replace him soon, but it won't be a 37-38 year old like Nylander will be.

You are right that a lot of this could be centered around relieving some salary to get ready to pay the next wave of RFA (Semin will be UFA), but Kozlov is 34 this season (compared to 36 and 39) and can play both C and wing, and he gives a physical role that the other 2 can't. Fehr will be the eventual heir to this spot, but he might need another year to break out (he's my sleeper for 20 goals this season).

They don't really NEED to trade him, but if they want to keep getting younger and saving salary, they might look at dealing him, Pothier, Poti, or Johnson if the opportunities present themselves.

For the record, I called the Caps dealing for Huet during the season opener last year, so here is hoping I know what I'm talking about :)

[tywright]

Caps won 3-2 last night against NJ to take their preseason record to 4-0 (also won the rookie game so technically they are 5-0). OV, Green, and Gordon scored last night. Nylander was very good again last night and was credited with the primary assists on Green and Gordon's goals. Semin was on the PK again last night...and I'm still wondering why. Maybe his speed will generate more shorthanded opportunities, which were lacking last year.

Backstrom was back and skated with OV and Semin (what a line!).

Injury new: Kozlov has a groin strain, but is not believed to be serious. Fehr had a knee-on-knee hit, which he felt was a blatant clip, but he appeared fine afterwards.

Theodore gave up both goals in the 3rd, but neither were his fault. Johnson stopped all his shots in the 1st and 2nd periods. He's been solid in both outings this preseason.

Brashear got into a good fight and left the other guy with a nice bloody wound on his forehead.

[allstar1579]

Caps won 3-2 last night against NJ to take their preseason record to 4-0 (also won the rookie game so technically they are 5-0). OV, Green, and Gordon scored last night. Nylander was very good again last night and was credited with the primary assists on Green and Gordon's goals. Semin was on the PK again last night...and I'm still wondering why. Maybe his speed will generate more shorthanded opportunities, which were lacking last year.

Backstrom was back and skated with OV and Semin (what a line!).

Injury new: Kozlov has a groin strain, but is not believed to be serious. Fehr had a knee-on-knee hit, which he felt was a blatant clip, but he appeared fine afterwards.

Theodore gave up both goals in the 3rd, but neither were his fault. Johnson stopped all his shots in the 1st and 2nd periods. He's been solid in both outings this preseason.

Brashear got into a good fight and left the other guy with a nice bloody wound on his forehead.

He's just trying to get Semin some more ice time, so he's using him on the PK. That and he's fast enough that he could generate some offense from there. The problem is, he was so horrible on D last season, especially in the first half, that it could be a major liability and not last long. Hopefully it will just motivate him to play better D.

[MoeknowsO's]

Brashear didnt bloody Leblond, Leblond cut his head off the glass when to slammed into it. It was a good fight, between to big guys. You can watch it on www.hockeyfights.com

Enjoy

[allstar1579]

Brashear didnt bloody Leblond, Leblond cut his head off the glass when to slammed into it. It was a good fight, between to big guys. You can watch it on www.hockeyfights.com

Enjoy

I think the one with Riley and Mcneil tonight was worse than that one. Riley pounded this poor kid so bad his eye was swollen shut in the locker room.

[orioles119]

I'm excited that the Caps could actually have 3 scoring lines.

[allstar1579]

Going to the game tonight, I just have to see this Federov on D experiment for myself.

[allstar1579]

They look GOOD this year. Real good.

[GeorgeD]

Alzner, Bourque to Hershey

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100602776.html

Sounds like the salary cap played a role in this, according to the article. Hope to get to see Alzner play for the Bears, but I don't think he'll be there for long.

[tywright]

OV left the ice early at practice today with some leg issues. It should be nothing serious as Boudreau has said that OV will play on Friday, but still it's concerning that he isn't 100%.

[hammer310]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/newsindex.htm?location=/features/preview

It would be a huge letdown if we only got 83 points this year.

I dont know how they come up with the prediction. We had 94 points last year, so what makes them think we wont get more with a healthy Clark, Nylander, and Semin. Theodore is better than Kolzig who we had for most of the year and he isnt far behind Huet.

Pitt is overated IMO, and so is Philly.

[DuffMan]

OV left the ice early at practice today with some leg issues. It should be nothing serious as Boudreau has said that OV will play on Friday, but still it's concerning that he isn't 100%.

Yeah this does worry me. They are saying it's just a bit of a nagging injury, but if it was nagging why not nip it at the bud at the beginning of preseason? Hopefully it's nothing too serious.