Wednesday Roundup: Denouement EditionPanthers 6, Caps 5 (SO)

[SeSo Open Thread]

Playing without their captain and just hours after one of the alternates (and a trio of other roster players) was shipped out of town, the Caps shook off an awful start and rode their superstar all the way to a shootout loss to Florida. Feel free to comment on the game, but I know all you want to read about is more fall-out from deadline day, so here we go:

• Tarik has some quotes from Dainius Zubrus, GMGM and Coach Hanlon, including the coach saying that Zubie "helped [Alexander] Ovechkin more than you'll ever know, he's helped [Alexander] Semin more than you'll ever know." Weep.
• Steinberg feels bad for Jamie Heward's wife [must... resist... cheap shot], which in turn makes me feel like a jerk for yesterday's caveman post... OK, I'm over it. Thank god that passed.
• The Maven "was in Washington on Sunday and the Caps insiders assured [him] that Zubrus would return next year after his rental period ends. The key: Zubrus and Al Ovechkin are buddies. If The Big O wants Dainius back, he’ll get him."
• Masisak with this on newly-acquired Jiri Novotny: "He is a great guy, and I can't wait to see him," said Caps forward Tomas Fleischmann, who played with Novotny on the Czech Republic under-20 team at the World Junior Championships in 2003. "You can expect a lot of skill from this guy."
• TSN.ca: "Considering Zubrus is headed for unrestricted free agency, the Capitals get good value for the future with a couple of assets to put towards the rebuilding process. However, the only way that the Caps are going to get out of the rebuilding process is by adding more skilled players, not trading them away for prospects and draft picks."
• USAToday: "The Sabres, overrun by injuries up front, get a gifted center. Zubrus is 6-4, and he's been a 20 goal scorer. Even on this talented Sabres team, Zubrus can play on the second line. There is a possibility that Novotny could be as good, or maybe better, than Zubrus is today. He's big and skillful."

Finally, a lot is being made of this quote from GMGM (from Tarik's article):

"He's a big strong kid who's ready to play in the NHL now," McPhee said of the 2001 first-round draft pick. "He's good defensively and he's got some offensive upside. So we think he can fill that third-line hole for us, but he could be better."

While I know everyone's knee-jerk reaction is "Don't the Caps already have 47 third-line centers?" the fact is that Brian Sutherby, Brooks Laich and Kris Beech (as well as Novotny, for that matter) are not signed past this year and I think that this quote is an indication that the team will go out and get a first-line center, expect Nick Backstrom to center the second line and Boyd Gordon the fourth. Therefore, Novotny will battle for ice-time on the third-line. Or, put another way, would you rather have had GMGM say, "We think he can be our first-line center"?! It's called managing expectations. Relax, people.

I'll post more as I stumble upon it, and you can read reaction from around the Capogosphere at Washington Hockey Daily.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Martin Brodeur (31-save shutout win at Pittsburgh)
• Ross: Jason Blake, Alex Ovechkin (4 points each)
• Norris: Derek Morris (2A, +1)
• Vezina: Martin Brodeur (see above)
• Richard: Jason Blake, Olli Jokinen (3G each)
• Calder: Clarke MacArthur (G, 2A, +3, 2 hits, 2 SOG, 2 takeaways, 1 giveaway)
• Aiken: Brent Johnson (4 goals allowed on 15 shots against in just 20 minutes of work)

Caps Trade Heward To The Kings

The Caps have sent Jamie Heward to the L.A. Kings for a conditional fifth round pick in 2007 2008.

The Rink has obtained this exclusive video of Heward at National Airport, headed for his flight out of town:

H/t to Snktimoniuz on the vid.

Headline Of The Day

"Wideman for Boyes"

Sounds like a boastful personal ad in a pederast periodical, doesn't it?

Too off-color for The Rink?

Trade Deadline Open Thread

...And down the strech they come!

I thought it would be a good idea to put up an open thread to discuss anything and everything trade-related - rumors, breaking news, whatever. It's your thread - have at it.

Caps Trade Tracker

• Richard Zednik to NYI for a 2007 second round pick
• "A good pick and pretty decent return for an underachieving player, who could walk in the summer for nothing. " - The Score
• Lawrence Nycholat to OTT for defenseman Andy Hedlund and a 2007 sixth round pick
• "Hedlund is a career minor leaguer who will shore up Hershey's blueline in the AHL. The sixth-round pick is also decent." - The Score
• Dainius Zubrus and Timo Helbling to BUF for Jiri Novotny and a 2007 first round pick
• "Novotny's potential, the inclusion of a first rounder and the uncertainty surrounding Zubrus beyond this season make this move a slam-dunk victory for the Capitals down the road." - The Score
• "Add Buffalo to the list of teams overpaying for proven talent. They can afford to, but Novotny is an NHL player and the Sabres were built on draft picks. Good for Washington, but Buffalo is going for the Cup." - Sportsnet
• Jamie Heward to LAK for a conditional 2007 2008 fifth round pick

Caps 2007 Draft Pick Tracker (by round)

1. WSH, BUF
2. WSH, NYI
3. None
4. WSH, NYR
5. WSH
6. OTT
7. WSH, CGY

Caps Trade Zubrus, Helbling To The Sabres

The Caps have traded Dainius Zubrus and Timo Helbling to Buffalo for Jiri Novotny and a first round pick.

More on Novotny - an RFA at year's end - here and here.

KB relates this paraphasing of TSN's Pierre McGuire: "I want the bandit mask that George McPhee is wearing."

Caps Youth Movement Continues

Thanks to Nate Ewell, Caps Director of Media Relations, for passing along this picture of Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin with a group of five- to seven-year-olds at The Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Md., Monday evening (seems particularly fitting today, doesn't it?).

Click to enlarge

Caps Trade Nycholat To The Senators

In a minor move, the Caps have sent Lawrence Nycholat to Ottawa for defenseman Andy Hedlund and a sixth round pick.

According to TSN.ca, "Hedlund, 28, has spent the 2006-07 season with the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL). He has seen action in 56 games, tallying five goals, 21 assists and 84 penalty minutes. The 6'2”, 216-pound native of Osseo, Minn., was acquired by Ottawa as a free agent on June 19, 2006."

As Tyler put it - "OMG we just traded Nycholat for himself!"

Caps Trade Zednik To The Islanders

Thanks to everyone who emailed this to me (I sit at my desk all day wearing out my left mouse button refreshing various web pages, then I go to the dentist and the Caps make a trade... figures). Anyway, the Caps have sent Richard Zednik packing to the New York Islanders in return for a second round pick (and if Z forgets anything on his way out of town, he can pick it up Saturday when the Isles visit the V.C.).

Considering what the Blue Jackets got for Anson Carter (and what we expected in return for Zednik), the second round pick has to be considered a good return. And hey, now we've all got another team to root against!

One down... how many to go?

Monday Roundup/Devils 3, Caps 2

[NHL.com Recap - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame Coverage]

Is there a goalie controversy looming in New Jersey? No?

The Caps split the weekend home-and-home with the Devils, improbably beating Martin Brodeur in New Jersey, and perhaps predictably losing at home to his backup, Scott Clemmensen. Some thoughts on the weekend set:

• Muffins Gordon had a strong weekend, with a pair of assists on Saturday and a great job shutting down the Patrik Elias/Scott Gomez line both days. He'd have had himself a goal on Sunday, too, if he could have lifted the puck about eight inches.
  
• Brent Johnson was also sharp in both games, for the most part.
• John Erskine was not.
• Alex Semin did not play in the second-half of the third period Sunday. Injury? Benching? My guess is the latter, based on Glen Hanlon's postgame presser. Kid needs to distribute the puck some more and play with more passion.
  
• The VC public address crew needs to announce home goals quicker. It's hard to get excited and cheer for a tying-goal announcement when the opposition has just regained the lead before the announcement is made.
• That said, it was nice to see Alex Ovechkin score that game-tying goal on a very "AO" goal. Hopefully the floodgates will now open and he can get back in the Richard Trophy race.
• Though it's only been two games, Tomas Fleischmann looks more confident than he has in previous call-ups. I'm sure getting second-line (rather than fourth-line) duty has something to do with it.
• Reese Witherspoon is very attractive.

Next up is Florida tomorrow night, but the real question on everyone's mind is "who won't be around for that game?" Dainius Zubrus? Richard Zednik? Jamie Heward? Ben Clymer? The usher at the top of the stairs between sections 110 and 111? CapsNation sits anxiously at its metaphoric collective computer hammering the "refresh" button at TSN.ca.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Andy MacDonald (2G, A, +2, 7 SOG)
  
• Ross: Brad Richards (4 points)
  
• Norris: Scott Niedermayer (GWG, 2A, +2, 5 SOG, 3 hits, 3 takeaways, 0 giveaways)
  
• Vezina: Marty Turco (W, 1 goal allowed on 18 shots against in OT win)
  
• Richard: Andy MacDonald (2G)
  
• Calder: Travis Zajac (G, A, +2)
  
• Aiken: Eric Brewer (-4, 0 points, 0 hits, 0 takeaways)

Market Price Update: Jamie Heward?

The Thrashers bolstered their blueline last night, acquiring Alexei Zhitnik from the Flyers in exchange for 2003 #8 overall pick Braydon Coburn. Zhitnik - who has two years remaining on his current contract at $3.5 million per year and will be 35 in October - will help the Thrasher power-play in the short-term (and I guess for the next two years), but at the price of the player taken with the pick before Dion Phaneuf?

And while Caps' d-man Jamie Heward is not Alexei Zhitnik, let's take a quick look at the numbers:

• Heward ($675,000 salary in 2006-07, UFA after this season): 51 games played, 4 goals, 11 assists, +3, 27 PIMs, 47 SOG in 16:21 of ice time per game.

• Zhitnik ($2,136,000 salary in 2006-07, $3,500,000 salary in 2007-08 and 2008-09): 61 games played, 5 goals, 19 assists, -3, 78 PIMs, 110 SOG in 23:35 of ice time per game.

Point being, Atlanta overpaid for Zhitnik and will likely wish they hadn't come next year and the year after. Zhitnik isn't terribly good and there were (and are) other, cheaper options out there that come at a lower risk and offer a similar reward.

It continues to be a seller's market - at least if the buyer on the other side is Don Waddell.

Market Price Update: Dainius Zubrus

The St. Louis Blues have traded Keith Tkachuk to Atlanta for Glen Metropolit, 1st and 3rd round picks in 2007 and a 2nd round pick in 2008.

Tkachuk, a natural wing who plays quite a bit of center (evidence by the 678 faceoffs he's taken this year), is on pace for 27 goals and 31 assists this season.

Dainius Zubrus, a natural wing who plays quite a bit more center (evidence by the 1085 faceoffs he's taken this year), is on pace for 27 goals and 44 assists.

The haul that St. Louis got for Tkachuk (and Metro is worthless, I know) should be encouraging for Caps fans hoping to maximize the return on Zubie, no?

Clymer? I Don't Even Know 'er!

According to Bruce Garrioch, "[t]here's talk the Caps might ship D Ben Clymer to the Pens."

Considering that a) it's Garrioch and b) he lists Clymer as a defenseman, I don't put much faith in this rumor. But it would address one of Pittsburgh's needs (a bit more toughness) and it would give another explanation as to why Clymer's been sitting lately (other than he stinks), so I wouldn't dismiss it completely.

Sunday Roundup/Caps 4, Devils 2Gameday: Devils @ Caps

[NHL.com Recap - NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Second verse, same as the first - could be better, could be worse.

I'll have my thoughts on the home-and-home later today or tomorrow, but for now, consider these stats from yesterday's win:

The Capitals beat Martin Brodeur and the Devils 4-2 in New Jersey. It was the first time that Washington has scored more than three goals in a game against Brodeur since Oct. 6, 2001, when the Caps knocked Brodeur out of the game by scoring five times in the first two periods of the season opener for both clubs.

Saturday's game ended Brodeur's 11-game unbeaten streak against the Capitals (10-0-1) and it was the future Hall of Famer's first loss to Washington at the Meadowlands since Dec. 9, 2000. Brodeur had won seven games in a row versus the Capitals in New Jersey since then.

Oh, and there's more fallout from New York regarding Jaromir Jagr's "leadership," for those of you interested in that sorta thing. This article asks the following:

Now that Jaromir Jagr appears to be one bad haircut away from a Britney Spears moment, we have to ask: What do the Rangers do now?

They miss the playoffs. That's what they do.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Jarome Iginla (2G, including the game-winner, 2A, +2, 4 SOG, 2 hits)
  
• Ross: Jarome Iginla (4 points)
  
• Norris: Bryan McCabe (3 assists, +2, 2 SOG, 2 hits)
  
• Vezina: John Grahame (W, 28 saves on 29 shots against)
  
• Richard: Tomas Holmstrom (3G)
  
• Calder: Frans Nielsen (1st NHL goal is the game-winner, 1st NHL assist, +1, for the Dane in 3-2 Isles win)
  
• Aiken: Evgeni Nabokov (L, 6 goals allowed on 22 shots against)

Weather Forecast: Flurries Possible In Hell

From NHL.com's front page:

H/t to ryoung for the pointer.

Saturday Roundup/Gameday: Caps @ Diablos

[NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Having trouble scoring goals? Missing your top two rightwings? Back-to-back games against Martin Brodeur and the red-hot Devils should cure what ails you.

Some numbers:

• The Caps are 0-7 in their last seven trips to The Meadowlands (which, by the way, is a phenomenal Wrens album that I've pimped here before), and 3-13-1 in their last 17 games against the Devs.
• Jersey is 14-2 in their last 16 games as a favorite of -201 or more (in other words, they know how to take care of business against teams they should beat).
• At 22-6-4, the Devils have the best home record in the Eastern Conference. At 9-16-5, the Caps have the fewest road points in the Conference.
• The Number 23 is apparently horrible. 300, on the other hand, looks totally sweet.

All that said, these are winnable games for the Caps because they'll be low-scoring games and the Devils don't blow teams out - they've only won two games by more than two goals since the New Year (both against Montreal). The Caps will have their chances. The question is, can they take advantage of those opportunities and surprise a Conference giant?

Daily Awards

• Hart: Brad Boyes (2G, including the game-winner, +1, 5 SOG)
  
• Ross: Brad Boyes, Brandon Bochenski (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom (2A, 3 hits, 2 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Mike Smith (W, 24 saves on 25 shots against)
  
• Richard: Brad Boyes (2G)
  
• Calder: Mike Smith (see above)
  
• Aiken: Marc Denis (2 goals allowed on 7 shots against in just 9:41 of work)

Clark Out, Fehr Questionable, Flash Up

Per Tarik, Chris Clark is out 7-10 days and Eric Fehr is day-to-day with a groin injury. With the injuries, the team has recalled Tomas Flesichmann.

The obvious move would be to put Flash and Ben Clymer into the lineup for Clark and Fehr and shuffle around the wings a little bit.

The less obvious move would be to play Flash or Richard Zednik on the top line, the other on the second line, give Steve Eminger a sweater and semi-double-shift Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin. This would get the Alexes more ice-time (which they've needed lately) and would allow the d-corps to be fresher for the back-to-back games against the Devils. Oh yeah, and it would get Steve Eminger in the lineup. If Emmy can't crack the lineup now, I may be more inclined to believe the rumors that he may be on his way out the door.

Greasing The Wheels #3: Zubrus For Seabrook

According to the Chicago Daily Herald, the Blackhawks "have been asking clubs what they might be able to offer for defenseman Brent Seabrook in hopes of snaring a No. 2 center." Did somebody say No. 2 center?! The Caps have one that could be on the move. How does Dainius Zubrus for Seabrook sound?

What Chicago needs: Everything other than a No. 1 rightwing. But apparently they're willing to start with a No. 2 center.

What Chicago gets: A No. 2 center.

What Washington gets: Seabrook, a former #14 overall pick, "[o]wns a nice combination of size and skating ability," "[h]as plenty of offensive upside and could emerge as a power-play quarterback down the road." As an added bonus, the Caps just drafted his little brother last June.

Recent trade history: In November of 2002 the Caps sent Andrei Nikolishin and Chris Simon to the Windy City for Michael Nylander (hopefully the Hawks aren't still bitter about that one). Earlier that year, the Caps had sent Joe Reekie to Chicago for a pick.

The Bottom Line: The 'Hawks are likely looking for someone who's already signed through at least next year, but if they're convinced that they can sign Zubrus to a long-term deal (or if a sign-and-trade can be pulled off over the weekend) and they're ready to move Seabrook for a No. 2 center, this deal would seem to fit the bill.

So Which Is It?

Three interesting (and somewhat conflicting) quotes from Tarik in his latest WaPo online chat regarding the lines of communication between head coach Glen Hanlon and his players:

Tarik El-Bashir: Hanlon meets with his players on a one-on-one basis a lot. There's plenty of communication going on there. And the conversations aren't stictly Xs and Os.

Tarik El-Bashir: The mental state of the team is extremely fragile... Eminger and Clymer are wondering why they are being scratched every night.

Tarik El-Bashir: I spoke to Eminger today and he's as confused as everyone else about what's going on.

So which is it? Is the coach a great communicator or not? If not, why state that he is? If so, why insinuate that players don't know where they stand? My guess (and Tarik's too, I'm sure) is that Eminger and Clymer know exactly why they're being scratched. We may not know, but I'm sure that the principles do.

Market Price Update: Richard Zednik

According to TSN.ca, the Carolina Hurricanes have acquired Anson Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth round draft pick in 2008.

Carter has 10 goals and 17 assists on the season in 54 games (and is on a contract that pays him $2,500,000 in 2006-07).

Richard Zednik has 6 goals and 11 assists in 30 games (and is on a contract that pays him $1,976,000 in 2006-07).

In other words, anything above a 3rd round pick in return for Zednik would have to be considered an absolute steal, no?

Friday Roundup/Ersk-win?

Apparently it's not just Steve Eminger that plays better with John Erskine in the lineup. KB points out that the Caps are a different team when the big man plays, and he uses numbers to back up his assertion (a novel concept). Now, I'm not one to confuse correlation and causation (hey, I read "Freakonomics"), but the numbers are certainly worth noting:

• Caps record with Erskine in the linuep: 9-7-5
• Caps record without Erskine in the lineup: 14-21-5

• Caps goals against average with Erskine in the lineup: 3.29
• Caps goals against average without Erskine in the lineup: 3.63

As for the theory that the GAA with Erskine in the lineup is helped by him having played a larger percentage of his games during the "trap" era, consider that the team's goals-per-game average when Erskine plays is 3.05. Without Big John Stud? 2.95.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Another gem about our buddy in Rangerland - per Larry Brooks:

It is unfathomable. In what, by definition, was the most important game of the Rangers' season, because each succeeding match becomes the most important for the unsuccessful 11th-place Blueshirts, Jaromir Jagr did not participate in a shootout that went four rounds against Martin Brodeur.

The Rangers captain did not shoot for the sixth consecutive time after two initial misses because he previously told Tom Renney he does not feel confident enough to participate in the one-on-one showdown in which the great ones generally thrive.

It is unimaginable that Jagr, battered and bruised though both his left shoulder and psyche must be, would not demand to go. It is beyond belief that he would not demand the opportunity to have the game on his stick, if for no other reason than to prove himself unafraid of failure to his teammates.

It is inconceivable that he would not try to keep the Rangers alive when trailing 2-1 in the shootout in a game they once led 2-0 but would lose 3-2.

"I'm not good anymore," Jagr told The Post when asked why he wasn't on Renney's list. "That's the reason."

Is it safe to say that the honeymoon is over?

Daily Awards

• Hart: Martin St. Louis (Game-winning OT goal, 2A, +2, 3 SOG)
• Ross: Seven players tied with 3 points each
• Norris: Alexandre Picard (G, A, +1, 2 hits, 4 blocked shots in OT loss)
• Vezina: Dwayne Roloson (28-save shutout win)
• Richard: Dany Heatley, Trent Hunter, Shawn Horcoff, Tomas Vanek (2G each)
• Calder: Alexandre Picard (see above)
• Aiken: Ray Emery (L, 3 goals allowed on 12 shots against in just 25:09 of work before racking up 22 PIMs and getting kicked out)

He Looks Familiar, But I Can't Quite Place Him...

This is weird - I went shopping this afternoon and found this in the dairy section of my Giant:

Greasing The Wheels #2: Zubrus And Nycholat For Prucha

For our second installment of Rink Deadline Matchmaker, I thought I'd tackle the big name - Dainius Zubrus. As we know, Zubrus believes that he'll find some team to pay him more than he's worth. There's one team out there with a history of doing just that, so why not make a match - Zubrus and Lawrence Nycholat to the Rangers for Petr Prucha.

What New York needs: a versatile forward who can center or play wing on a scoring line and depth on the blueline. The Rangers are in danger of missing the playoffs, and with Brendan Shanahan's availability uncertain for the near future, they have to do something soon.

What New York gets: one of the top point-producing forwards on the market who can center the #1 line (and allow Martin Straka to continue to play his more natural wing) or play the wing on the second line in Shanny's absence (or center the second line and allow Michael Nylander to center the first), as well as a depth defenseman with offensive skills that spent significant time in the Rangers system and whom they openly covet.

What Washington gets: Prucha, a 24-year-old right wing, had a surprisingly good 30-goal rookie season in 2005-06, but has seen his ice-time and responsibility drop precipitously in 2006-07 (to the point where guys like Blair Betts are getting more minutes). Prucha, who "owns a sweet pair of hands, and plenty of shiftiness to go along with it," and "plays a feisty game and never backs down from opponents" was rumored to be headed to Pittsburgh in exchange for Ryan Malone earlier in the season, but that never materialized. A restricted free agent at year's end, the Rangers may not want to risk having to pay for Prucha's 30-goal rookie year rather than his 14-goal sophomore follow-up. And, as noted before, at this point in the Caps' rebuild, the focus has to shift from acquiring picks to acquiring players.

Recent trade history: The Caps and Rangers made a trade back in January of 2004, but I can't recall the particulars thereof.

The Bottom Line: The Rangers need to do something or they're going to miss the playoffs. Much of the change must come from within, but some of it, especially in light of Shanahan's injury, probably needs to come from outside the organization. The team likely won't move blue-chippers Marc Staal or Al Montoya, but with the recent emergence of Marcel Hossa and the acquisition of Pascal Dupuis, Prucha may be expendable for a veteran forward who's both more versatile and cheaper than the big names on the market. And who knows - maybe the Rangers will give Zubrus the 5-year/$22.5 million contract he thinks he deserves.

As for the Caps, as I've said before, if they can't re-sign Zubrus, they absolutely must trade him. They cannot risk losing him for nothing, and a talented, young right-wing is a lot more than nothing.

Schadenfreude Du Jour

Need a pick-me-up, CapsNation? I saw this quote this morning and had to share it:

[T]he Rangers' biggest problem is the mediocrity of captain Jaromir Jagr, reduced to on-ice tantrums and only a goal and an assist in four meetings at the Meadowlands.

Tantrums. Heh.

Thursday Roundup/Sharks 3, Caps 2 (SO)

[NHL.com Recap]

Due to an early meeting and a dentist appointment, the recap of last night's game might have to wait until never. Feel free to use this as an open thread to discuss the disappointing loss to San Jose, who the NHL's most underrated (Henrik Zetterberg) and overrated (Joe Thornton) players are, and any trade rumors or other NHL news. Enjoy.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Henrik Zetterberg (2G, including the game-winner, +3, 3 SOG, 3 hits)
• Ross: Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Duncan Keith, Bryan Smolinski (2 points each)
  
• Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom (A, +4, 5 SOG in 4-2 win)
  
• Vezina: Dominik Hasek (W, 2 goals allowed on 28 shots against)
  
• Richard: Henrik Zetterberg (2G)
  
• Calder: Brent Seabrook (A, 3 hits)
  
• Aiken: Tuomo Ruuto (-4, 0 points, 0 SOG in 4-2 loss)

NHL Misses An Opportunity To Right A Wrong

According to CBC.ca, "[t]he NHL will not change to a three-point system for wins during the 2007-08 season after the league's general managers universally gave the idea the thumbs down at their annual meetings in Naples, Fla."

Brilliant. I ranted on this last year, so I'll spare you that now, but the simplest of questions remains unanswered: why are some games worth three points in the standings while others are worth only two?

Name Those Caps

Based on their stats since January 29, can you identify the Caps forwards below (hint: all three have played in all ten Caps games since then)?

Player 1: 1 goal, 1 assist, even
Player 2: 3 goals, 1 assist, minus-5
Player 3: 1 goal, 1 assist, plus-3

Give up? Here they are: Player 1, Player 2 and Player 3.

Greasing The Wheels #1: Heward And Zednik For Edler

To help things along as we approach the trade deadline, The Rink will be playing matchmaker where it sees a match to be made. First up, Jamie Heward and Richard Zednik to Vancouver for Alex Edler (add in a pick either way, if necessary, to even things out).

What Vancouver needs: added depth on the blueline and up front. The Canucks don't have to go for a "homerun," but some tweaking is desperately needed as the team tries to hold on to the division lead and, with it, home-ice for the first round of the playoffs.

What Vancouver gets: a solid, versatile depth defenseman and a former 30-goal-scoring forward with more than a few goals still left in his stick.

Heward has more goals and points than all but three Canuck blueliners, and has shown that he can play in any situation, as he's one of only two regular Caps defensemen averaging more than a minute of ice time per game on both the power-play and the penalty kill.

Zednik, despite being buried on the fourth-line for the entire season, is averaging .59 points per game, which is better than all but four Canuck forwards (the Sedins, Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison). Could he be a good fit on the Sedins' wing?

What Washington gets: Alex Edler, 20, is a former third-round pick, with a "wealth of offensive potential and a very projectable frame," who "could develop into an all-around defender." As an added bonus, Edler is Swedish. With Zednik and Heward out the door at the end of the year, it is a low-risk/potentially-high-reward move and at this point in the team's rebuild the focus has to shift from acquiring picks to acquiring players.

Recent trade history: Back in November of 2001, the Caps traded Trevor Linden and a 2nd round selection (previously acquired - Denis Grot) in 2002 to Vancouver for a 1st round selection (Boyd "Muffins" Gordon) in 2002 and a 3rd round selection in 2003 (Stephen Werner). In December of 2005, the Caps sent Maxime Ouellet to the Canucks for a 5th round selection in 2006 (Maxime Lacroix).

The Bottom Line: When you have Roberto Luongo in net, you have a chance every night, especially (one would think) come playoff time. Adding a little more depth is just what the doctor ordered for Vancouver, and the organization is deep with two-way defensemen, making the cost of Edler bearable.

Of Trojans And Bare Buttocks

Hat tip to Rink Reader DK for the following gem:

A University of Southern California hockey goalie put on a show, but it had nothing to do with stopping shots.

Mickey Meyer rode his stick like a horse, dropped his bulky pants, mooned the crowd and slapped his buttocks during a game against Brigham Young University, police said.

Fear not, America - the future is in good hands.

Wenesday Roundup/Habs 5, Caps 3Gamenight: Sharks @ Caps

[NHL.com Recap - NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

If you take away the special teams goals and the empty-netter, the Caps outscored the Habs 2-0 last night. The problem, of course, is that all those goals count - all five of 'em. So the hole that the Caps dug themselves by committing six first period penalties (including some that would certainly qualify as "dumb") and allowing three first period powerplay goals against proved too much to overcome and the Caps fell 5-3 in Montreal.

On a positive note, Jamie Heward (a goal and 2 assists) and Richard Zednik (assist, +2) helped increase their trade value with strong games and Brian Sutherby scored his first goal since 1988 on a redirection of a Heward blast. In fact, the fourth line was a combined +6 and The Donald has now gone 18-straight games without being a minus player (has he been the team's best player over that span?). Also worth noting is that not once but twice the referees missed a Montreal high-stick (or elbow) that bloodied a Cap face (Shaone Morrisonn's and Matt Bradley's), but got the call right (or close enough to right) after talking to the linesmen. Kudos, Zebras.

On a negative note, Alex Ovechkin continues to struggle and offered this quote postgame:

"Maybe it's my fault. Because sometimes I have speed and I have puck and I go to the zone and I don't know what to do."

Maybe it is your fault, Alex. Then again, maybe it's the soul-crushing, excitement-stifling trap the team insists on playing that doesn't allow your teammates to join you on the rush. Is losing 3-2 rather than 5-4 really worth it?

Anyway, on to tonight and San Jose. I'll have more on tonight's game later, so check back throughout the day.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Tim Thomas (44-save shutout win)
• Ross: Michael Ryder, Paul Stastny, Daniel Briere, Saku Koivu, Mike Richards (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Jamie Heward (G, 2A, 3 SOG, 2 hits)
  
• Vezina: Tim Thomas (see above)
  
• Richard: Michael Ryder, Paul Stastny, Chris Higgins, Simon Gagne,Nathan Horton, Petr Sykora (2G each)
  
• Calder: Paul Stastny (2G, A, +1, 6 SOG)
  
• Aiken: Robert Esche (L, 4 goals allowed on 14 shots against in 22:25 of work)

What Is Fair?

I'm now fairly convinced that Dainius Zubrus (who apparently does not represent himself, contrary to previous belief) will not be a Washington Capital at the outset of the 2007-08 season. You will recall that I made the argument in this space that the team should trade and re-sign their Lithuanian pivot, but even that seems like perhaps a long-shot now, with Zubie's agent uttering the following:

"As long as the Caps are fair to Dainius, he would like to remain in Washington for the rest of his career. He has a lot more value than just what he does on the ice."

This quote tells me two things. First, that Zubrus wants to get paid. When agents say "fair," they mean "overly generous." After all, like Latrell Sprewell, Zubie no doubt has a family to feed. You want fair? See how Zubrus produces centering the third line, then come with your contract demands.

The second thing the quote tells me is that Zubrus recognizes that his numbers alone aren't enough to justify receiving what he's going to demand (hence the "a lot more value than just what he does on the ice.") While it should be noted that I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, it will be the major point of contention in any contract talks with Zubrus. Further, there's only one team in the NHL that has a real clue about this "off-ice value" that Dainius adds, and that's the Caps (do you expect, say, Columbus to pay a premium for the mentoring skills Zubie has shown the team's young Russian stars?). So the Zubrus camp is, in essence, selling a product with a component that really has only one buyer, and they're going to try to hold that buyer hostage as a result. Is that fair?

The bottom line is that you have a player who wants big bucks but knows he's not worth them, so he inflates his overall value via intangibles that few buyers even care about. The problem is that these unquantifiables are where negotiations fall apart and where feelings get hurt.

With just days before the trade deadline, the team needs to take stock of its assets and make some tough calls, and there is none tougher than Zubrus. Hopefully Zubrus's agent is just posturing and the team and it's top center can agree to a truly "fair" deal that helps the team build for the future and the player secure his financial well-being as well. But I am sure that the team will not overpay (much) for a guy they regard as a second- or third-line center, and from the looks of it, Zubie will be seeking first-line money, bolstered by this amorphous "lot more value." I'm obviously not privy to contract negotiations, but it would seem to me that the team would perhaps be wise to ship him out and see what they can get for his decent numbers and all that "off-ice value" he's pushing so hard. If Zubrus is worth what he and his agent seem to think, it should be quite a windfall for the Caps.

UPDATE: According to Tarik:

Zubrus is looking for a long term deal, four to five years. Money-wise, somwhere between 3.5-4. So it's going to come down to his will to compromise.

Obviously those numbers are too high, and if Zubrus doesn't bend significantly, it's unlikely he'll be a Cap come February 28 and probably even less likely he'll be one in 2007-08.

Tuesday Roundup/Gamenight: Caps @ Habs

[NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview - Official Gameday Thread]

When the Caps and Habs faced off at the V.C. on December 27, Montreal was threatening to catch Buffalo atop the Northeast Division (though it was clear even then that superior special teams play was masking a mediocre hockey team's deficiencies). Since then, they've gone 8-16-1 and are in very serious danger of missing the playoffs - apparently the Caps aren't the only team that has gone in the crapper since Christmas. And like the Caps, Montreal's problems have been many, including a lack of scoring and a number of key injuries. Unlike the Caps, however, the Habs are caught in hockey's equivalent of no-man's land - not good enough to be contend, not bad enough to blow the whole thing up and rebuild (Should they trade Sheldon Souray now? Probably. Will they? No.) In short, the Habs are destined to be mediocre for the foreseeable future, and with a payroll of over $42 million, that shouldn't be acceptable for "the New York Yankees of hockey."

But enough schadenfreude - let's talk about the game.

As I mentioned earlier, the Habs are dealing with their share of injuries, including biggies to winger Alexei Kovalev and goalie Cristobal Huet. Spelling Huet, the latest saviour-in-net for Montreal is Slovak Jaroslav Halak, who was absolutely tearing up the AHL until his recall this past week. He looked very sharp against Columbus on Sunday in his NHL debut and likely earned another start against the Caps on Tuesday. If Halak doesn't get the nod for the Habs, the Caps will face David Aebischer.

Up front, the Canadiens don't scare anyone (especially with Kovalev on the shelf), as the Habs don't have a single forward with 18 goals (the Caps have four) or 50 points (the Caps have three). Their blueline, however, is a different story, as Souray's shot alone is as scary as a bald Britney Spears (and speaking of Souray, allow me to use this opportunity to remind you of some of his greatest hits and my promotional idea for Habs games). Couple Souray with Andrei Markov (who Alex Ovechkin has called the toughest defenseman in the League to play against) and throw in Mike Komisarek and Craig Rivet and you have the makings of a very solid D-corps.

The Habs, then, are a team with very good defensemen, a mediocre group of forwards, excellent special teams and a hot-shot rookie goalie. How will the Caps match-up? Tune in and find out. Oh, and bet the under.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Mark Recchi (2G, 3A, -1, 3 SOG, 2 hits)
• Ross: Mark Recchi (5 points)
  
• Norris: Marc-Andre Bergeron (2A, +2, 2 SOG)
  
• Vezina: Tomas Vokoun (W, 22 saves on 23 shots against, A)
  
• Richard: Ryan Malone (3G)
  
• Calder: Phil Kessel (2A, +2, 2 SOG)
  
• Aiken: Marc-Andre Fleury (L, 6 goals allowed on 30 shots against)

Sunday Roundup/Gameday: Caps @ Pens

[NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

In case you haven't heard, the Caps and Pens will be facing off this afternoon on national television. The Pens enter the game with a 15-game point streak (13-0-2), while the Caps... well... not so much (though they have gotten at least one point out of four of their last five games). Washington's Alexes have gone cold, as Alex Ovechkin has only one goal in his last six games and Alex Semin has only one goal in his last eight outings, and the team is getting absolutely no offensive help from the blueline. Consider:

• Caps defensemen have combined for just 16 goals on the season in more than 377 man-games (Ben Clymer played several games on defense, but did not score a goal), four fewer than Habs' rearguard Sheldon Souray has in 59 games.
• Jamie Heward's two power-play goals and Brian Pothier's one tally with the extra man are the only special teams goals scored by the Caps defensemen so far this year. Thirty-eight NHL defensemen have three or more special teams goals individually.
• The Caps' entire d-corps has 28 power-play points. So does Sergei Zubov. Sheldon Souray, Sergei Gonchar and Dan Boyle all have more.
• Pothier leads the blueline in assists with 18, 41st among NHL defensemen, despite playing with two of the League's top-11 goal scorers.
  

Yes, the Caps tend to use four forwards on the power-play, thereby limiting opportunities for defensemen to get points thereon, and there are several slumping forwards who aren't helping the D much either (paging Brian Sutherby). But any way you cut it, those stats are pretty bleak, and until the team starts getting better production from the blueline - better breakout passes, more shots at the net for rebounds, etc. - the team will likely continue to struggle to score.

As always, get all your previews from around the Cap-o-sphere over at Washington Hockey Daily. Enjoy the game, and Let's Go Caps!

Daily Awards

• Hart: Henrik Zetterberg (3G, including game-winner, A, 6 SOG)
• Ross: Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk (4 points each)
  
• Norris: Dion Phaneuf (G, 3 SOG, 5 hits)
  
• Vezina: Martin Brodeur (26-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Henrik Zetterberg (3G)
  
• Calder: Daniel Girardi (2A, +1)
  
• Aiken: Steve Valiquette (L, 2 goals allowed on 8 shots against in 19:24 of relief work)

Friday Roundup/'Ning 3, Caps 2 (SO)

[SeSo Open Thread]

When you have the powerplay and a 2-1 manpower advantage in your own defensive zone on that powerplay, you simply can't lose the battle for the puck. Dainius Zubrus and Brian Pothier did and Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier made the Caps pay for it. Yes, the Caps had a good road first period and a gutsy all-out effort in the third to finally tie the game with just seconds left. But that play left an awful taste in my mouth.

Other thoughts on the game:

• Brent Johnson was strong in net, though his delay of game penalty for playing the puck outside the trapezoid was a brain cramp that may have caused him to lose focus and surrender a goal on what should have been a relatively-routine save on the ensuing powerplay.
• Boyd Gordon had a team-high (tied with Alex Ovechkin) six shots on goal last night. Six! That's more than 8% of his shot total for the year in one game. If AO took that percentage of his season's shots in one game, it would be 24 shots on goal (and I wouldn't put that past him, would you?).
  
• Matt Bradley and Eric Fehr had great games. I especially like how tenacious and sneaky Fehr seems to be on the forecheck.
• Despite yielding the shorty referenced above, the powerplay actually showed some signs of life. Maybe the umbrella is the answer (though I'm not sure Jamie Heward at the top of it is a good idea).
  
• If the team is trying to trade Richard Zednik, they've got to get him more than 12 minutes of ice time and the second-fewest shifts of any skater to showcase him.
  
• When Marc Denis is flashing leather that would make Ozzie Smith proud, why not try to open him up in the shootout with a deke (and if you do deke and have the goalie down and out, you've got to LIFT THE PUCK)?
• The Lightning really do ride those top two lines, don't they? Last night they had five forwards with under ten minutes of ice time, a strategy that's obviously paying off for them right now, but one wonders if it can succeed come playoff time.
  
• For my degenerate, gambling readers, while I don't usually endorse betting the over/under on hockey games, the Caps are a pretty good "under" bet these days because a) they've gone to a trapping defense and Vegas hasn't caught on and b) with Olie Kolzig out and BJ in, the assumption is that the floodgates will open. The under has now paid out in four of the Caps' last six games and looks to be a good bet for now, especially with Brian Pothier and John Erskine back in the lineup.

Now it's off to Pittsburgh for a nationally-televised game against Sid and the Pens on Sunday. Hopefully, for Brent Johnson's sake, the under pays out there as well.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

• Hockey's Future has a Q&A with Caps prospect (and Chevy Chase,MD native) Stephen Werner.
  
• What does everyone think of the Ryan Parent trade? That's an awful lot to give up for a guy to center your third-line, no? Then again, the deal should help the powerplay and the Preds were able to hold onto Alex Radulov, their real blue-chipper.
  
• Finally, I'm headed into surgery later this morning to have two wisdom teeth extracted and some other work done, so I'll be out of pocket for the rest of the day and when I return, I'll be half as wise as before (which really puts me in the hole). I'll look to Chris Clark for inspiration, but am hopeful that no dead people will need to be called into action today. Feel free to use this as an open thread to talk about anything that happens in the Caps/hockey world so that I can just check in here when I get back. Cheers.
  

Daily Awards

• Hart: Joe Sakic (2G, including the 600th of his career, 3A, +1, 3 SOG)
• Ross: Joe Sakic (5 points)
  
• Norris: Chris Pronger (2G, 2 SOG, 2 hits)
  
• Vezina: Ryan Miller (W, 27 saves on 28 shots against in 2-1 OT win)
  
• Richard: Milan Hejduk (3G)
  
• Calder: Dustin Penner (G)
  
• Aiken: Michael Leighton (L, 3 saves on 12 shots against in just 14:10 of work)

Erskine Activated; Nycholat, Um... Injured! Yeah, That's The Ticket

Per Tarik, "[d]efenseman John Erskine has been activated from injured reserve and will suit up for tonight's game. To make room for him, Lawrence Nycholat has been put on injured reserve for an undisclosed reason. I'm guessing there really isn't a reason, unless you count not wanting to send him through waivers as a reason."

Will the League let this fly? I guess we'll see.

As an aside, though I often nit-pick Tarik's work (fairly and otherwise), I must say that his blogging through today's roster shuffling has been fantastic - both timely and informative. We've had questions, he's gotten answers. Bravo, sir, bravo.

Caps Demote Green

Per WashingtonCaps.com, the Caps have assigned Mike Green to Hershey.

Wow. I did not see that coming.

UPDATE: Here's the press release from Da Bears (please, no horrible Ray Nagin-esque jokes about the headline).

UPDATE: As Tyler noted, Tarik is on the case and promises more answers.

UPDATE: And here's Vogs' take:

But why Green? To put it simply (and perhaps cruelly), because they could. Of the 10 Washington defensemen, Green and Jeff Schultz are the only two who can be sent to Hershey without first having to clear waivers. Schultz has played so well of late that it would be even more cruel to send him out at the moment. When [John] Erskine and/or [Bryan] Muir returns, the Caps may have to send Schultz to Hershey anyway.

Yet another UPDATE: Tarik's earning his keep today, giving us quotes from Green and Coach Hanlon. First, Green:

That's their decision. They obviously have a plan. Obviously, [the NHL] is the best league in the world and I'm playing against some of the best players in the world. It made me realize the magnitude and the effort and the focus you have to put in every night to be good in [the NHL]. It's been a great experience and I'll be back there soon.

Then Hanlon:

For us, with all these defensemen here, it's the easy decision because he can down. From a hockey standpoint, I want to see him play some games down there and get back to playing up in the neutral zone. I want him to carry the puck and create some offense. We want more offense from him. It's an opportunity for him to go down and do those things.

There's no guarantees in this business, but there's a pretty good chance he'll be back sooner than later.

Caps Looking For A New Jacket?

Yesterday's Columbus Post Dispatch reported that "the Washington Capitals have sent two and three scouts to recent [Blue Jackets] games." As the Caps don't play the Jax again until the clubs face off in 2024 in Bahrain (I may be wrong about those specifics), the question is who have the Caps been scouting?

Guys like Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Gilbert Brule are presumably untouchable.

Columbus will likely trade unrestricted-free-agents-to-be Anson Carter and Bryan Berard before the February 27 trade deadline, but I doubt the Caps would have any interest in renting either (besides, if "fool me once" is shame on you and "fool me twice" is shame on me, what would it be if the Caps took Carter a third time - shame on the fans?).

Despite occasionally-strong play from Fredrik Norrena, I doubt the Jax are looking to move goaltender Pascal Leclaire (though if they were, I'd think it would be a great move for the Caps to go after him).

So that leaves the obvious. Nik Zherdev has been a problem child for Ken Hitchcock, but he has far too much talent for the team to give up on him at this point (and already signed at $2.5m next year and $3.25m in 08-09, Zherdev is a bargain for the offensive talent he brings to the table). And despite the "he's Russian, the Alexes are Russian, therefore he'd be a perfect fit in Washington" line of thinking, I'm not sure that taking on someone else's prima donna headache is really what the Caps are looking to do right now. Still, sniffing around Zherdev is just about the only thing that I can think of that would get two or three scouts out to Columbus, Ohio in the middle of February. Then again, I'm not in scouting so what do I know? What do you know?

Thursday Roundup/Gamenight: Caps @ 'Ning

[SeSo Open Thread]

And so begins the [Brent] Johnson Administration, on the road in Tampa against the surging Bolts. Quick trivia: who is the winningest goalie in the NHL since January 7? Martin Brodeur? Bzzt. Marc-Andre Fleury? Good guess, but no. It's Tampa 'tender Johan Holmqvist with 11 wins, precisely 11 more wins than you and I... and Brent Johnson. Some numbers to chew on:

• The Caps are 0-4 in their last four games as underdogs. The Bolts are 4-0 in their last four as favorites. Guess who's favored in this one.
• The line of Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Vaclav Prospal has 14 points in Tampa's last two games.
• Brian Sutherby is pointless in his last 14 games.

But there is good news that has nothing to do with saving money on auto insurance - both Brian Pothier and John Erskine have been cleared to play, so expect at least Potsy back in the lineup against the Bolts. Hopefully his return can help get the atrocious-of-late power-play back on track.

Sorry for the abbreviated preview, but the weather has conspired to give me limited (and intermittent) internet access. Head on over to SeSo for more analysis throughout the day, and, as always, check out Washington Hockey Daily to see what everyone else has to say about the Caps.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

• Thanks to Dan Steinberg for getting on the case of AO's artwork. He's like the love-child of Nancy Drew and Tarik El-Bashir, that Steinberg.
• Shane Doan, who is on pace for fewer than 30 goals and 55 points, signed a five-year deal to remain in Phoenix on Wednesday. I'm sure Dainius Zubrus smiled when he heard that Doan's deal is worth more than $4.5 million per year, and that collective "Are you kidding me?" you heard was from owners and GMs, League-wide.
  
• Wanna waste a lot of money on crap you don't really need? Go here.
• I usually stick to hockey around here, but I've gotta ask - am I really to believe that a salad dressing cures homesickness? And if so, why didn't the Caps just hook Petr Sykora up with some Hidden Valley Ranch?
  

Daily Awards

• Hart: Henrik Zetterberg (GWG, 2A, +3, 4 SOG in 3-2 win)
• Ross: Patrik Elias, Henrik Zetterberg (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Brian Rafalski (2G, including game-winner, 6 SOG, 2 hits, 1 takeaway, 0 giveaways)
  
• Vezina: Martin Gerber (28-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: David Backes (2G)
  
• Calder: David Backes (2G, including game-winner, +2, 2 SOG, 2 hits)
  
• Aiken: Vesa Toskala (L, 2 goals allowed on 5 shots against in just 10:02 of work)
  

So That's Where He Gets It From...

Check out this footage of what is believed to be Sidney Crosby's mother at a recent city council proceeding:

Ode To AO

Larry Wigge gets in the Valentine's Day spirit with this article on NHL.com praising the Caps' big gun, complete with quotes from current and former players. Apparently Alex Ovechkin is "Pavel Bure in Mark Messier's body," "the face of the future" (whatever that means), "a combination of Mike Bossy's scoring ability and Mark Messier's power, with a bit of Kenny Linseman's speed thrown in," and "like the shark in Jaws," all at once.

But you knew all that already, didn't you?

Happy (Chris) Valentine's Day From The Rink

Who Sits?: Blueline Edition

Two weeks ago we looked at which forwards would sit when the team's corps of centers and wingers finally got healthy. The consensus was that Kris Beech should pack his bags and that Matt Bradley and Ben Clymer would likely split time between the third or fourth line and the press box. Well, Beech hasn't suited up since then and Brads and Clymer have taken turns playing - my readers are smart.

Now Brian Pothier, Bryan Muir and John Erskine are close to game-ready and in their collective absence the team has called up Jeff Schultz and acquired Milan Jurcina, both of whom have played surprisingly well (though in too few games to make any overly-broad proclamations as to their respective abilities). The question, then, as it was with the forwards, is who gets a sweater and who doesn't?

• Steve Eminger, Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Green and Pothier are locks.
• Like Eric Fehr, Schultz has made a case for himself to stay, at least for now (though, also like Fehr his contract situation makes him the best possibility for a demotion to Hershey).
• Jurcina is on a 25-game tryout, so he certainly stays for the time being.
• Erskine adds a physical presence that is missing on the blueline, and Eminger, when paired with Big John, played his best hockey as a pro. Erskine stays.
  

That's seven right there - Emmy, Mo, Green, Potsy, Jerky and Erskine, with Schultz as the seventh. On the outside looking in? Muir, Lawrence Nycholat and Jamie Heward.

I think it's safe to say that the honeymoon is over for Nycholat, who hasn't played since Jurcina was acquired. But would he pass through waivers if the team tries to send him down? If not, would the team care? What about Muir - the team's leader in plus-minus - and Heward?

Personally, I think it's likely that Schultz will be sent down for the stretch run and playoff experience in Hershey. With that move, the team would be left with nine defensemen and fourteen forwards on the active roster, which is the maximum (until after the trade deadline, when there is no limit), and I would expect Heward and Muir to get occassional games (perhaps giving Green a needed rest) and Nycholat to get used to wearing a suit. Thoughts?

Great New NHL Ad

Take a gander:

Mr. Churchill Says

"If you're going through hell, keep going." ~ Winston Churchill

Churchill was unquestionably a badass. In addition to that pearl of wisdom, among the countless other inspirational quotes he dropped on the world was this one: "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." I'm not sure the Caps are quite going through hell (yet?), but things have certainly gone from bad to worse for them lately. And while I'm no optimist, one doesn't have to look far to see that opportunities abound, both for the team and for individual players.

Can the team win games (or at leat remain competitive) without their leader? Can the power-play regain its effectiveness? Can Glen Hanlon keep the team's morale up? Can Alex Ovechkin step up and carry the team the way another super soph is carrying his squad? Can Brent Johnson justify the extension he recently signed? Can Jeff Schultz and Eric Fehr continue to play at an NHL level and make the decision to send them back to Hershey all the more difficult? Can fee-agents-to-be Brian Sutherby, Brooks Laich, Milan Jurcina and Steve Eminger prove to the team that they are worth re-signing?

There are as many questions facing this team and its players as ever before, but many of them will be answered over the course of the next two months on the ice by the team itself. After all, it's just as Churchill said: "Difficulties mastered are opportunities won."

UPDATE: It looks like Caps Nut and I are on pretty much the same page.

Ovechkin The Artist

Thanks to KB for the pointer to NavyGF's picture of some of the Caps' sticks (for a larger version, click here). Note Alex Ovechkin's art work on his twigs and the notches on Dainius Zubrus's (goals scored with that stick, perhaps). I also wonder whose sticks are marked with the #12 (someone said those are Brent Johnson's, but why would he mark his sticks with that number?). Maybe Brooks Laich is dyslexic.

O.K. Not O.K.

Per Tarik's blog:

"Goaltender Olie Kolzig went down with what appeared to be a groin injury during today's practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. The extent of the injury was not immediately known. But I can safely say that it didn't look good.

"The veteran screamed as he slid from side to side while trying to stop a 2 on 1 early in the session. He stayed down for about a minute as teammates and training staff came to his side. He eventually skated off on his own, but was clearly hurt."

UPDATE: Preliminary reports have Olie out for at least three weeks with a knee injury. Perfect.

Caps Extend Brashear

The Caps today extended Donald Brashear's contract for the 2007-08 season for what is believed to be $1.1 million. Those third- and fourth-line spots are filling up quickly, aren't they?

From The Department Of Freudian Typos

Many of you, no doubt, saw Saturday night's fight between Pittsburgh's Robert Petrovicky and Toronto's Kris Newbury (in case you didn't, the video is below). The good news is that Newbury "has a headache [likely the understatement of the season] and is listed day-to-day at this point." The bad news?

Many NHLers similarly suffer from "no skill," but to point it out while the kid's in the hospital is just cruel. Oh, and here's that video I promised you:

[H/t to Dunzy on the pointer]