Lacroix, Pokulok Reassigned To Hershey

Forward Maxime Lacroix and defenseman Sasha Pokulok have been reassigned by the Caps from ECHL South Carolina to AHL Hershey. The move is a precursor, no doubt, to a forthcoming call-up or two from Hershey to D.C. as the Caps try to deal with an onslaught of injuries while staying under the salary cap.

Bruce Boudreau: Hall of Famer

Per the Bears:

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced the four people selected for induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2009.

Honored by the AHL Hall of Fame Selection Committee as the fourth group of enshrinees are Jimmy Anderson, Bruce Boudreau, Les Cunningham and Louis Pieri.

...

BRUCE ALLAN BOUDREAU

An award-winning coach in the National Hockey League, Bruce Boudreau was a dynamic scorer during his playing days in the AHL and a championship-winning coach behind an American Hockey League bench.

A Toronto native, Boudreau was drafted by his hometown Maple Leafs in 1975 and made his AHL debut with the Leafs' affiliate in Moncton, New Brunswick, during the 1978-79 season. A year later, his team-high 36 goals and 90 points helped the Hawks to a berth in the Calder Cup Finals.

With the St. Catharines Saints in 1982-83, Boudreau engaged in one of the most heated scoring races in league history. He finished second to Ross Yates but still bettered the previous AHL scoring record with 122 points, and he hit the 50-goal plateau with a hat trick on the final day of the season.

Boudreau joined the Baltimore Skipjacks in 1984-85 and made a return trip to the Finals, then spent two seasons in Halifax with the Nova Scotia Oilers. In 1987-88, Boudreau went to Springfield and had another record-setting season, leading the AHL in scoring with 116 points and becoming the second player ever with three 100-point campaigns.

Boudreau's playing career ended during the 1992 postseason with a stint for the Adirondack Red Wings, who were on their way to a Calder Cup championship. He immediately joined the coaching ranks and returned to the AHL with the Los Angeles Kings organization, spending two seasons with the Lowell Lock Monsters (1999-2001) and four with the Manchester Monarchs (2001-05) and qualifying for the postseason each year.

Boudreau was hired by the Washington Capitals in 2005 and coached the Hershey Bears to a Calder Cup championship in his first season in Chocolatetown. That was followed by the winningest regular season in the Bears' long and proud history and a return to the Finals in 2006-07.

In November 2007, with 340 career AHL coaching victories under his belt, Boudreau was promoted to Washington and penned another chapter to his remarkable story, leading the Capitals to a division title and earning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year.

Boudreau's 483 career assists and 799 career points both rank 11th in AHL history, while his 316 goals are good for 14th place. Of the 72 players in AHL history with at least 500 career points, Boudreau ranks second with an average of 1.26 points per game.

Bears Win, Future Continues To Look Blindingly Bright

Here are John Walton's three stars from tonight's 7-3 Bears win over Philly:

1. Oskar Osala (First American Hockey League hat trick)
2. Francois Bouchard (Three assists, including a terrific play to set up Osala in the third)
3. Sami Lepisto (Goal and two assists)

Tuesday Roundup/Gamenight: Preds @ Caps

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

So Mr. O is taking a few days off to be with his ailing grandparent far away - and I thought that was last week's news.

While the Caps haven't won a single game without Alex Ovechkin in the lineup since March 30, 2004 (they lost the only game he has missed in his NHL career so far), one could easily view the current melancholy situation as one that presents somewhat muted silver linings for both the player and his team.

For the Caps, the opportunities abound for every player on the team to step up where they might have thus far been over-relying on the League's best player, consciously or otherwise. It's an opportunity for Nicklas Backstrom to re-assert himself as an offensive threat and register his first goal... or even strength point... or primary assist of the season. It's an opportunity for Chris Clark to get into the goal column. It's an opportunity for Tomas Fleischmann to continue his development as a scorer and for Alex Semin to prove that he can be every bit as good as he has been when he's the primary focus of an opposing defense. It's an opportunity for the defense and goaltending to tighten up a bit and win a game in which the offense doesn't provide four or more goals of support. It's an opportunity for every single player to raise his game a notch or two - it's in situations like these that players' mettle is tested. We'll see who responds.

For Alex Ovechkin, a little time away from the game to focus on what really matters might be just what the doctor ordered (albeit the result of horribly trying circumstances). Only Alex knows how much his grandfather's health has been weighing on him these past days and weeks, but everyone who has been watching him knows how much his own on-ice struggles have impacted his play. Perhaps this trip and a taste of home will reinvigorate the Great Eight, and if he takes the inspiration to re-dedicate himself to the game in his grandfather's honor, well, look out once he returns. And, if as some suspect there's something slightly off with AO physically (left over from when he left practice early a few weeks ago, perhaps), a few days away from the rink won't hurt on that front either.

Fortunately, tonight's opponent - Nashville - is a team that the Caps should be able to beat, with or without Ovechkin. The Preds are the very picture of mediocrity so far - four wins, four losses; they're scoring a lot but allowing a lot of goals too (thanks, in part, to sub-par goaltending); and their special teams have hardly been special at all. Sure does sound familiar, doesn't it? But the Preds are 1-3 on the road and the Caps are 2-0-1 at home - this is definitely a "should win" for D.C.

So expect an entertaining game (too bad you won't be able to see it without buying a ticket), and pay particular attention to who steps up and who disappears in the absence of AO - it'll tell you a lot about those players.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Wade Belak thinks Donald Brashear is tough, and he would know.... Weekly Power Rankings are up at CBC (Caps down two spots to 12), CBS (down two spots to 11), The Hockey News (down five spots to 10), and SportingNews (down two spots to 10).... What's the most impressive record in Caps history? Given the current state of the game, I went with Olie Kolzig's 301 wins.... As promised, KCK's Flickr album from a weekend in Hershey. Very nice.

Uh Oh...

Per Tim Leone, "The Bears adjusted their schedule due to the McCain-Palin campaign stop slated for Tuesday at Giant Center."

Is this really such a good idea, considering the hockey-related devastation the GOP's Vice Presidential nominee has left in her wake recently (or did Blues rookie Ben Bishop help to break "The Curse" on Saturday night)? At least it's not a puck drop...

Bears Keep Scoring, Winning

Karl Alzner's first goal as a pro was one of many highlights in Hershey's 8-3 romp over Rochester this evening. Chris Bourque had a penalty shot goal and three assists, Quintin Laing and Oskar Osala had a pair of goals each, and Alzner added a helper to his goal (and was a team-best plus-four on the night), as the Bears outshot the Amerks 50-16 for the game.

Godfrey, Pinizzotto To South Carolina

Blueliner Josh Godfrey and winger Steve Pinizzotto have been re-assigned from AHL Hershey to South Carolina of the ECHL. Neither had been doing - or, more importantly playing - much, though JGod did have that pre-season hat trick.

For more on the moves, check out Rays the Roof.

Bears Continue To Roll

The Hershey Bears improved to 5-0 (with 29 goals for) tonight after thumping Syracuse 7-1 (and snapping the Crunch's AHL-record 18-game regular season win streak). Alexandre Giroux, Keith Aucoin, Andrew Gordon and Graham Mink each had three points, and Semi Lepisto had a goal, an assist and a plus-four rating (cough sit Erskine cough).

But here's the photo of the night, taken by John C. Whitehead of The Patriot-News and capturing Grant McNeill and Jon "Nasty" Mirasty doing what they do best:

Friday Roundup/Caps 4, Pens 3

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Event Summary - WashingtonCaps.com Recap]

Never a doubt, right?

Yesterday we pointed out a handful of early-season observations, a few of which came a little closer to becoming trends last night: the offense is still clicking (especially at five-on-five, where all four Caps goals were scored); the penalty kill is still sucking (allowing all three of Pittsburgh's goals in six chances); Alex Semin is still scoring; and the goalies are still crappy early (Jose Theodore now has a 7.00 first period GAA).

At some point soon, this team is going to need to address it's slow starts, unquestionably a matter of focus. Luckily, they have players and coaches who should be able to fix that problem. A few notes on the game:

• If Tom Poti is out for any significant period of time with his groin pull, it's a huge loss (though the guys at CSN might not notice it for a while - zing!).
• It bears repeating - the Caps positively dominated that game at even strength, out-shooting the Pens 27-16 and out-scoring them four to zippy. In other words, cut out the penalties (or get better on the kill) and we're on to something.
  
• Tomas Fleischmann? Awesome. [Someone get a screen grab of that - I don't often bring the Flash love, but it was well-deserved on this night, and had he converted on that diving stab at a cross-crease pass, he'd have been a household name by noon today.]
• Sergei Fedorov continues to do it all (including putting up astronomical Corsi's), as he notched another plus-2, mostly from the blueline.
  
• Evgeni Malkin provided the perfect example of how reputation-based and inconsistent the League's officiating is. Awful.
• Boyd Gordon knew it was in. Mellon Arena knew it was in. Why didn't the guys wearing the stripes?
  
• I've been a frequent critic of Donald Brashear's, but his absence was notable, to say the least. Matt Bradley as enforcer = epic fail ("A" for effort, though, and it apparently sparked the team).
  
• Shaone Morrisonn had a horrendous first half of the game - two minors, the third goal off his leg - but got better.
• Y'know that silly in-game "entertainment" at the Verizon Center where two folks out of the stands compete to see who can do a better job calling the play-by-play 20 seconds or so of live action? I'm not sure Al Koken would have a .500 record if he participated on a nightly basis.
• It's a toss-up as to who's having a harder time getting going this year between Nicklas Backstrom and Chris Clark (and at least Clark has an excuse).
• Alex Ovechkin was trying to do too much. Similarly, the power play is way too cute right now. Plant someone in front and bomb away.
  
• Mike Green's hip check on Malkin was tasty.
• Finally, if Sidney Crosby needed a one-stop shop on his way home from the rink...
  

So there's plenty yet to work on, but plenty with which to work. Nice to have a Jack Adams winner at the helm, eh?

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

The Caps dropped nine spots from tenth to 19th in Fox's Power Rankings. Over-react much?... Stack the Pads has plenty on the Caps' AHL goalies.... Braden Holtby's still rollin'.... The Kevin Kaminski era commences in Mississippi.... Finally, catch the rest of my conversation (where we talk goalies, attendance and whatnot... mostly whatnot) with Tapeleg and Tom over at The Rink Podcast.

A Friday Night Bright Spot

There's an old adage that one of the keys to happiness is to never go to bed angry - which is why it's always better to get hammered before going to sleep.

So have a drink or four and note that the Bears keep scoring goals (five this time, and against Karri Ramo) and winning, which is nice. Also note that Simeon Varlamov backed up Daren Machesney tonight and will likely get his first AHL start tomorrow night (unless, of course, he's summoned to D.C. for Saturday's game... just kidding... sorta).

Bears Hang Another Eight On Pens

Remember earlier in the week when we noted John Carlson's proclamation that his London Knights were "going to score as much as [they] want" and thought it might be a theme for many a Caps prospect and throughout the organization?

Well, Opening Night for the Hershey Bears tonight saw them rough up Wilkes-Barre Scranton for eight goals (thanks to a 5-for-7 night on the power play), including three tallies and two assists from Graham Mink, a goal and two helpers each for Chris Bourque and Alexandre Giroux, and a goal and four from Keith Aucoin.

This season has all the makings of something very special on many levels.

Update: For more on the game, check in with Vogs, Peerless and John Walton (also note that official scoring changed a bit over night, so I edited a couple of the stats above).

Snip Snip

Per the team, the Caps have sent the following players to Hershey today: Sami Lepisto, Grant McNeill, Tyler Sloan and Simeon Varlamov.

For those of you keeping score at home, that leaves seven (or is that eight?) defensemen still with the big club.

Snip Snip

Per the team, the following players were sent to Hershey today: Greg Amadio, Dean Arsene, Jay Beagle, Francois Bouchard, Sean Collins, Viktor Dovgan, Michael Dubuc, Alexandre Giroux, Bryan Helmer, Maxime Lacroix, Tommy Maxwell, Patrick McNeill, Graham Mink, Travis Morin, Michal Neuvirth, Oskar Osala, Steve Pinizzotto, Sasha Pokulok, Darren Reid and Kyle Wilson.

Update: Daren Machesney, Andrew Gordon, Andrew Joudrey and Josh Godfrey have been sent to Hershey as well.

Could Simeon Varlamov Be Headed To The KHL?

This evening brings us yet another interesting interview translation over at the Alex Ovetjkin blog, this time with Caps top goaltending prospect Simeon Varlamov... 's father. Money quote:

Q. In your opinion, can we expect Simeon to return back to Russia during this season?

A. First of all he must see how he would be treated [in North America]. If all goes well he certainly won't return. But if the situation in terms of the chances to break in will look hopeless, then we'll talk through his American agent about the possibility that the club could rent him.... After all, one thing is to play in the NHL, and completely different one is to play in the AHL, which is greatly inferior to our Russian league. But it's not in Simeon's plans to flee from the NHL, everything will be done officially through negotiations.

The elder Varlamov goes on to say that if Simeon doesn't make the Caps, he will go to Hershey (where the goaltending situation is anything but settled), but a quote like that has to give the organization at least a little heartburn... or does it simply give them another option?

Russian hockey dads causing a stir in the media... another reminder of our cultural differences?

The Goaltending Situation Down On The Farm

Our friend Derek Meluzio at Stack the Pads has a look at some of what to expect between the pipes down in Hershey this season (natch), as well as Q&As with Daren Machesney and former Bear/Cap Freddy Cassivi.

Here's a (rather large) taste of what Derek's got:

The coming season has the makings of one of the biggest goalie stories we have seen in a long time. For the first time since Marc Denis was a rookie, we will have a true blue chip prospect in the mix. In fact, we might have two! I am certainly not downplaying guys like Budaj, Lawson, Sauve, etc. but the truth of the matter is Semen Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are coming into their first pro North American seasons with high expectations. Perhaps more pressure to perform is on Varlamov but no matter how you look at it both will be coming to play and both will be wanting to make it to the NHL. Will they live up to the hype? We will see, and time will tell. 2008-2009 could be the year of the rookie (Varlamov) or.... it could be a true break out year for another player.

That other player is Daren Machesney. He is a guy who was not quite as highly touted, has been a back-up before, and wasn't really expected to deliver the goods last year... but did. He was kind of looked at as being second fiddle in the depth chart before, but now he is looking at being the #1 goalie in Hershey. Not bad. Assuming the Caps start the season with Theodore and Johnson, Daren will look to be the starting goalie in Hershey and will be the first guy called up when there is an injury in Washington.

Will Washington want Varlamov to learn the North American culture and nurture him in the AHL as the back-up to Machesney first, or will they be looking to throw him into the fire sooner rather than later? Then the real monkeywrench here could be Michal Neuvirth. He has been in North America for a few seasons in juniors already and could very well challenge Varlamov. Seeing who ends up in Hershey and who goes to South Carolina will be interesting. I would not want to be the one making that decision. My personal opinion... I say Machesney starts the season as the #1 guy in Hershey. He will play the majority of the games and will get called up a few times to the NHL during the season when injuries happen. As for the back-up.... I say Varlamov gets the spot and Neuvirth goes to South Carolina. Neuvirth can stand on his own as a pro in the ECHL or AHL and he will be better suited to go to South Carolina. I think they will want Varlamov in Hershey to be brought along under closer eyes. He has the game down, I just think they want him to adapt to the North American culture. I could be wrong. One way or anothe rit will make for an interesting story. Last but not least there is the rumor of trade. Maybe one of the three will get dealt knowing that "three's a crowd" and the Caps could use help in other areas.

Be sure to check out the full post for more, including those Q&As.

Mmmm... Fluff

You know who thinks the Caps prospects are good? The guy who drafted 'em (the Caps are the 26th franchise to have their prospects profiled on NHL.com this summer, so I wouldn't get too excited by the feature).

And you know who thinks the Caps have a handful of AHLers who might be ready for NHL duty? The guy who coached 'em in the AHL (and who now, not coincidentally, wants to make sure everyone earns their spot on his NHL roster, regardless of where he was drafted or how many kudos he's received).

Just about any news is good news these days, and I'm certainly not hating on an impressive stable of young talent, but these self-evaluations are only so useful. Will we see Tyler Sloan patrolling the blueline at the Verizon Center this winter? I have my doubts, but we shall see.

One thing is for sure, however - Hershey should be pretty stacked. And speaking of prospects headed for Chocolate Town, here's a tiny bit more on Oskar Osala, already a cult hero to some in CapsNation.

Meanwhile, Down On The Farm...

If the Caps and Flyers haven't satisfied your bloodlust through two games, take a look at what their AHL affiliates did over the weekend:

Hat tip to The 700 Level for the pointer.

Good News From Chocolatetown

Per Tim Leone, Eric Fehr "competed intensely at practice" this week, and Bears' interim head coach Bob Woods "indicated there's a chance Fehr could be cleared to play within a month. 'We're optimistic that that's going to be the case,' Woods said."

Ironic Article Of The Day

In today's Patriot News, Tim Leone had an article entitled "Bears Welcome Shootout Success" the morning after Hershey's parent club lost its seventh straight shootout and 12th of their last 13. The Caps haven't won a shootout since February 4, 2007.

Klepis On Klepis

Per Jakub Klepis, "I think the plan is I'll be traded, hopefully to some other NHL team. Right now, a trade isn't in progress and I just have to wait and I need to play some games, so I come [to Hershey].... For now, the goal is to get traded and try to play NHL this year."