Capitals Thread: Caps and Bears on torrid streaks

ThomasTomasz · #1 09-05-2006, 03:56 PM

I will be starting a Washington Capitals thread for the season. In much the same way I am running the Washington Redskins thread in the NFL forum, I will be posting news updates every day (unless the power or internet is out) as well as providing my opinion on the daily news.

However, I do not know much about the history of the Capitals, so I won't be much help there. I do know a good deal about the current team, and some of the prospects, so feel free to ask about anything if you have a question.

For the first news article, Ovechkin refuses the Captaincy for this year......

ThomasTomasz · #2 09-05-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

TORONTO (CP) - Alexander Ovechkin has told Washington he's not ready to captain the Capitals.

Both the Washington Post and Washington Times speculated in July that head coach Glen Hanlon was considering handing the captaincy to Ovechkin, chosen last season's top rookie in the NHL. Fellow phenom Sidney Crosby is reportedly a candidate for captain in Pittsburgh.

Ovechkin says it won't happen for him this season.

"This year I'm not ready because my English isn't good enough," the Russian superstar told The Canadian Press in an interview Tuesday.

He was quick to add that he's more than ready to be a leader, but feels a captain has to be able to communicate his feelings with teammates.

"If I need to say something to the team . . . it's hard," said Ovechkin. "The captain is very important, you must be a leader all the time."

Jeff Halpern was the Caps captain. He's now with Dallas.

Ovechkin, who turns 21 on Sept. 17, continues to improve his English at a remarkable rate since arriving in North America for his rookie NHL season last year. But it's still not quite at a level where he feels fully comfortable.

His ever-present smile often makes up for his struggles with the language. He has a tremendous sense of humour but can't always deliver his punch lines.

"Sometimes I want to joke but my English isn't perfect. Sometimes people are wondering what I'm talking about," he said with a laugh.

He was cracking jokes again Tuesday while at the Hockey Hall of Fame for a news conference to announce that he, along with Alexander Steen of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Andrew Ference of the Calgary Flames, were joining Right To Play, an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that reaches out to underprivileged children around the world.

Ovechkin, a hot commodity as one of the game's rising stars, could have had his pick of any charity but chose Right To Play. It's all part of the maturing process as the Moscow native realizes just much he'll be wanted as a pitch man in years to come.

"I you have a chance to help people, you have to help. Because I know I'm lucky," he said of his decision to pick Right To Play.

He cites some of the poor children in his own native country who need help.

"They need clothes, equipment, they need everything," he said. "I want to help children in Russia, first of all, because Russia is my country and my home. I know lots of small children who don't have anything in Russia and I help them, give them my old skates, my old clothes."

Ovechkin will also help in Washington this season, donating eight tickets per game for underprivileged children to attend all 41 home dates.

"I love children," said Ovechkin.

Once his charitable work was out of the way, the conversation with reporters quickly shifted to Evgeni Malkin, who officially signed with Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Malkin and Ovechkin aren't considered close friends although they obviously know each other from being teammates at the Turin Olympics and past world junior championships.

"He was my roommate at the Olympics, he's a good guy and a good teammate. But if I meet him in the corner ...," Ovechkin smiled, hinting that he won't think twice knocking the Penguins rookie on his back.

Malkin's arrival, barring any legal blocking from his Russian club, means the already fired-up rivalry with Pittsburgh will be further spiced up. Ovechkin realizes that but hopes people realize there are other players on the ice.

"Last year was very hard. The games against Pittsburgh were always about Ovechkin against Crosby and who would win (the rookie of the year). Last year is gone now," said Ovechkin. "I hope Malkin has a good season but when we play against Pittsburgh, it's not Ovechkin against Crosby and Malkin, it's Washington against Pittsburgh."

Ovechkin has been in Toronto since Aug. 9 to step up his workouts. He also had his wisdom teeth pulled out, which he didn't like much.

"But I liked it when they put me out, that felt good," he said with a laugh.

"I spent a great summer in Moscow and also went to France, Cyprus and Turkey," he added excitedly. "It was an unbelievable summer. But right now I must work hard because this year will be very hard. I want to make the playoffs."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slu...v=cp&type=lgns

Great read on Ovechkin, and demonstrates the maturity that he already has at age 21. Last season, Ovechkin did not want to room with Danius Zubrus, who spoke Russian, instead choosing to room with a white player (I forget the name, it could have been Brandon Witt) so he could learn his English better.

He is driven with everything he does. Learning English, charity work, hockey, it amazes me at how great a person he is. In the future, he will certainly become a great captain for the Capitals, and us Caps fans are hopeful he will lead us to the playoffs in two years.

As for the subject of captain, I believe it will be Danius Zubrus. He has the longest tenure as a Capital, save for Olie Kolzig, and is a pretty good player in his own right. Chris Clark might be another guy, a gritty two-way player who really got along well with his teammates. Either of these two would be fine with me for the "C" or "A", along with Ovechkin.

Seoulkid · #3 09-07-2006, 08:20 PM

As much as I like these two guys Crosby and Ovechkin.....I dont think a lot of players are ready for captancy at such a young age. I know Stevey Y's name is going to come up here, but after that there aren't many....well at least for me to think of.

give them another year or 2 before giving them the C....its a huge responsibility.

ThomasTomasz · #4 09-08-2006, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seoulkid

As much as I like these two guys Crosby and Ovechkin.....I dont think a lot of players are ready for captancy at such a young age. I know Stevey Y's name is going to come up here, but after that there aren't many....well at least for me to think of.

give them another year or 2 before giving them the C....its a huge responsibility.

I agree with you there. You've got to be around for a little bit and have the experience to wear the "C." While I do not doubt that Ovechkin has the respect of the organization, from each player, coach, and front office guy, he only has one year of experience playing in the NHL. He's a two way player as well, but right now, you have to give the "C" to Danius Zubris or Chris Clark, the players with the most experience on the roster (except for Kolzig.) Next year, I don't think I'll have a problem with Ovechkin taking the captaincy however.

Seoulkid · #5 09-08-2006, 09:00 AM

Danius Zubris? No way....Clark is the better choice if I had to pick.......

ThomasTomasz · #6 09-08-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seoulkid

Danius Zubris? No way....Clark is the better choice if I had to pick.......

Clark is a good choice. As I said, a gritty two way forward who also has a scoring touch. The thing going for Zubrus is that he has the longest tenure on the Caps, save for Olie Kolzig. I think that gives him a leg up on Clark, but I think the choice will be interesting when made.

ThomasTomasz · #7 09-08-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Although training camp doesn't open until Sept. 15, several Washington Capitals -- and an old friend -- have been skating together at the Ashburn Ice House. Yesterday, the group included forwards Chris Clark and Dainius Zubrus , defensemen Brian Pothier and Shaone Morrisonn , goalies Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson , and surprise participant Peter Bondra .

Afterward, Bondra, who played for the Capitals from 1990 to 2004 and remains one of the franchise's most popular players, squashed any speculation of a second stint in Washington.

"We were waiting to hear from the Caps, and last week I got an answer" from General Manager George McPhee , said Bondra, who still has a home in Annapolis. "He said he wasn't interested. So now I have to look at some other options.

"The Caps were my first option," he added. "But unfortunately that isn't going to work out."

Bondra was in negotiations to return to the Capitals last summer but wound up signing a one-year contract with Atlanta, where he tallied 21 goals and 18 assists in 60 games.

The 38-year-old said he's healthy and in good shape and is confident he'll sign a contract somewhere before the season begins next month. He's two goals shy of 500 for his career.

"There's been some general talk with some teams," said Bondra, who declined to specify which ones. "We haven't talked about any numbers. I just have to take my time right now and don't be rushed. The season starts October 6. Even if I miss camp, I can maintain myself in a good shape. Right now, I'm just enjoying skating with Olie again."

Alex Ovechkin , meantime, has been working out in Toronto and will arrive in Washington next week.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...090601638.html

ThomasTomasz · #8 09-08-2006, 06:33 PM

I thought we would be interested in Bondra. For one, it would be instant veteran leadership for this team, with Olie Kolzig, and would settle the situation of Captain for this team (which me and Seoulkid were talking about above.) He would also be a sound linemate for Ovechkin to feed off of, and with Danius Zubrus moving back to center, would make one hell of a first line.

The message I am getting from McPhee is that he is dedicated to getting our young players time this year, and that he doesn't want to give up a roster spot to Bondra when it can go to someone younger who figures into our future plans. I am not saying I agree fully with the decision, but at least we know that management is determined to stick out this rebuiding course.

tiki21 · #9 09-10-2006, 06:57 PM

i think the organization owes it to bondra to resign him, 14 seasons? let him play the year and min salary, and then retire.. but they just got zednik..

also i think brian sutherby would be a good choice for captain, i remeber when he was coming up they talked about him as a future captain..

zubrus 5 seasons, sutherby 4 seasons..

Seoulkid · #10 09-11-2006, 07:57 AM

As much as that is wishful thinking Tiki....hockey is a business. you aren't going to fork over any money to anyone unless they have a certain contribution to the team. Unless its like a 1 day contract.....lol

ThomasTomasz · #11 09-11-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiki21

i think the organization owes it to bondra to resign him, 14 seasons? let him play the year and min salary, and then retire.. but they just got zednik..

also i think brian sutherby would be a good choice for captain, i remeber when he was coming up they talked about him as a future captain..

zubrus 5 seasons, sutherby 4 seasons..

Thats the thing, I do not think that Bondra wants the veteran's minimum, but about $1,000,000. The Caps just do not want him I guess. We certainly have the cap space, but I guess that management would rather give the roster spot to a young guy to get experience. But on the same token, why trade a third round draft choice for 30 year old Richard Zednik? He would certainly help for veteran leadership (I want him back for a season) but its all based on getting young guys experience.

Sutherby could be a choice for captain, thats an interesting thought. Although if we pick him, why not Clark, who has more NHL experience?

Seoulkid · #12 09-11-2006, 01:02 PM

I think Clark has more playoff experience and knows more of the punches in the NHL than Sutherby. Clark went to a Stanley Cup Final and knows what it takes to become a good team. Thats why I would choose Clark over Sutherby.

ThomasTomasz · #13 09-13-2006, 04:35 PM

Clark Named 13th Capitals Captain

Quote:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Right wing Chris Clark will serve as the Washington Capitals’ new team captain, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today at Ashburn Ice House in Ashburn, Va. Clark, 30, becomes the 13th captain in franchise history.

“Leadership is not a sometime thing or a come and go thing,” said McPhee. “It is an all-the-time thing. Chris Clark has all-the-time leadership qualities. He is a leader in the mold of one of our all-time favorites, Dale Hunter; a quiet man off the ice, a cantankerous, ultra-competitive player on the ice.”

Clark, a South Windsor, Conn., native, is entering his seventh season in the NHL, his second with the Capitals. Clark established career highs in goals (20) and points (39) in his first season in Washington, leading the team with a career-best +9 rating and 110 penalty minutes. His goal total was tied for third on the team and doubled his previous career high. He posted his 100th career point on March 12 and recorded his first career hat trick on March 18.

Rest of Article: http://www.washingtoncaps.com/news/n...?story_id=4156

This is one of the players I predicted for captain, and its a solid choice. To sum up, Clark is a great two way forward, very gritty, with great leadership ability. He's been all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. He's also a great community presence, and Clark will be a great mentor for Ovechkin, grooming him as the future captain.

Clymer Moving Back To Blueline

Quote:

Update: Although Clymer played right wing last season, he confirmed that coach Glen Hanlon has asked him to play defense for the upcoming a season, a position he played when he broke into the league, the Washington Post reports.

Recommendation: The Caps were thin on the blue line last year, and Clymer can help bring a veteran presence to a young defense corps. There's chance that, as a former forward, he could be a marginally better fantasy option than your average defenseman, Clymer probably doesn't warrant a spot on your roster except in the deepest of leagues until his role is better known.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slu...e&type=fantasy

Not a very surprising move. Clymer and Pothier are the only players on the blue line with good NHL experience. Clymer is a great defensive presence, and since he has also played forward, will provide a solid, puck moving defenceman for the blue line.

tiki21 · #14 09-13-2006, 08:54 PM

yeah i agree with clark becoming captain.. i was just throwing sutherby out there cause ive heard his name before..

why not give bondra a 1 day contract? and its not like he would be hurting the team, they arent going anywhere, and he would draw more fans then whoever gets that roster spot..

ThomasTomasz · #15 09-14-2006, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiki21

yeah i agree with clark becoming captain.. i was just throwing sutherby out there cause ive heard his name before..

why not give bondra a 1 day contract? and its not like he would be hurting the team, they arent going anywhere, and he would draw more fans then whoever gets that roster spot..

He's not looking to retire. He is looking to play another season.

Besides, I don't think that the Capitals are interested in adding Bondra for fans. Their feeling is that Ovechkin and Kolzig will bring in enough fans to sustain the franchise until the young players finally break through, and the Caps are competing.

Seoulkid · #16 09-14-2006, 09:21 AM

Dang....I called it!

First time I got something right....I should be hearing from some NHL hockey GM's anytime soon for my knowledge...:P

ThomasTomasz · #17 09-14-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Capitals have signed free agent defenseman John Erskine, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Erskine, 26, is a seventh-year professional who split last season between the Dallas Stars and New York Islanders, recording one goal and 161 penalty minutes in 60 NHL games. He appeared in 26 games with the Stars before being acquired by the Islanders, where he played 34 games, including each of the season’s last 25 contests. Erskine has played 141 games over four seasons in the NHL, posting three goals, two assists and 336 penalty minutes.

Erskine was originally selected by Dallas in the second round, 39th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’4”, 219-pound native of Kingston, Ontario, was named the Ontario Hockey League’s best defenseman in 1999-00, his third and final season with the London Knights. He was also a first-team OHL all-star that season.

The Capitals open their 2006 training camp today with physicals and media availability at Verizon Center (closed to the public). Their first on-ice session is Friday, Sept. 15, at the Ashburn Ice House beginning at 10 a.m. All on-ice sessions are open to the public and free of charge.

http://www.washingtoncaps.com/news/n...?story_id=4158

Good depth signing, nothing more. I do not think that Erskine makes the roster, although the 6th defenseman could be a possibility. His presence and veteran know-how should definately rub off on some of the younger players in camp, and a solid leadership presence should he find himself in the AHL.

ThomasTomasz · #18 09-18-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

It's just a fraction of an inch. But the difference for Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals' star winger, could be immeasurable.

On Thursday, the NHL approved a rule change that increases the maximum curvature for players' stick blades to three-quarters of an inch, up from the traditional half inch.

Rest of Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...091700554.html

Someone we thought couldn't get better, right? The new sticks should definately make a hard shot even harder. The new sticks, helping out with Ovechkin in his offensive game, combined with some protection for him this year (read, Donald Brashear) and we could very well see Ovechkin in the running for the major awards this season.

In addition, my season preview article is posted in the NHL forum. If you've skipped over it, the link is below:

http://sportsrumormill.com/viewtopic.php?t=46400

Seoulkid · #19 09-20-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasTomasz

Quote:

It's just a fraction of an inch. But the difference for Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals' star winger, could be immeasurable.

On Thursday, the NHL approved a rule change that increases the maximum curvature for players' stick blades to three-quarters of an inch, up from the traditional half inch.

Rest of Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...091700554.html

Someone we thought couldn't get better, right? The new sticks should definately make a hard shot even harder. The new sticks, helping out with Ovechkin in his offensive game, combined with some protection for him this year (read, Donald Brashear) and we could very well see Ovechkin in the running for the major awards this season.

In addition, my season preview article is posted in the NHL forum. If you've skipped over it, the link is below:

http://sportsrumormill.com/viewtopic.php?t=46400

I didn't know that they had approved a stick change. I really feel bad for the Goalies.....I think the need to regulate the game so that its equal for all players...not just the forwards and defence....

ThomasTomasz · #20 09-20-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seoulkid

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasTomasz

Quote:

It's just a fraction of an inch. But the difference for Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals' star winger, could be immeasurable.

On Thursday, the NHL approved a rule change that increases the maximum curvature for players' stick blades to three-quarters of an inch, up from the traditional half inch.

Rest of Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...091700554.html

Someone we thought couldn't get better, right? The new sticks should definately make a hard shot even harder. The new sticks, helping out with Ovechkin in his offensive game, combined with some protection for him this year (read, Donald Brashear) and we could very well see Ovechkin in the running for the major awards this season.

In addition, my season preview article is posted in the NHL forum. If you've skipped over it, the link is below:

http://sportsrumormill.com/viewtopic.php?t=46400

I didn't know that they had approved a stick change. I really feel bad for the Goalies.....I think the need to regulate the game so that its equal for all players...not just the forwards and defence....

I agree with that, but what do you have in mind? I would say you could enlarge the goalies pads a little for this. We've already seen changes with the two-line pass being eradicated, and more puck-movement. Now with a stick size increase, I feel that the NHL could feel good about giving the goalies a similar increase for their pads. Agree, disagree, or would you do something different?