Tag Archives: nhl

News, The Daily Feed
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Three Caps on Russian Olympic Squad

Photo courtesy of
‘Semin Reaches’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

This kinda slipped under my hockey radar (sorry, been focused on the Winter Classic in two days), but better late than never, right? Three prominent Capitals players were announced to the Russian 2010 Olympic hockey squad on Christmas Day: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Semyon Varlamov.

I know, not a huge surprise, these guys. They’ll be joined by several other NHL and KHL stars, including former Caps players Sergei Fedorov (now with Metallurg Magnitogorsk) and Viktor Kozlov (with Salavat Ufa).

It’s an interesting roster, with 9 players on the 23-man squad coming from Russia’s own Kontinental Hockey League. One wonders if the Russians are playing a bit of sports politics by trying to puff up the KHL, rather than build the best team possible. (Keep in mind, however, that the final-final roster won’t be announced until February 15.)

Still, it’s a team with massive firepower and will be highly entertaining to watch. Just like Caps hockey…

News, The Daily Feed
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Caps Welcome Chimera, Say Goodbye to Clark, Jurcina

Photo courtesy of
‘Miller Robs Clark’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

Welcome Jason Chimera to Caps country. The Columbus Blue Jackets left winger was traded to the team for Capitals captain Chris Clark and defenseman Milan Jurcina yesterday afternoon.

Chimera, who has 8 goals and 17 points on the season, comes at a time when the Capitals are flying high as the top club in the Eastern Conference. With a glut of right wingers and defensemen, team GM George McPhee felt the time for a trade was right.

Columbus has to agree. With one of the worst records in the league this season, they’ve needed some serious help in team leadership and on the blue line; this trade seems to have addressed both issues for them.

While one of Columbus’ most popular players in the locker room and one of the team’s fastest skaters, Chimera hasn’t lived up to expectations in Ohio. He debuted in the 2005-06 season with 17 goals and 30 points and knocked out 15 goals in 36 points in 2007-08. But last year, injuries limited Chimera to only 49 games, with a production of 8 goals and 22 points overall. He does bring energy and edge to the ice, and the Capitals hope he can blossom in their more aggressive style of play.

Both Coach Bruce Boudreau and McPhee said the Capitals won’t select a new team captain immediately.

The Daily Feed
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Ovechkin Who?

Photo courtesy of
‘00065085’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Suffice to say, “Ovechkin who?”

The Caps pulled out a thriller last night over the Islanders without their top winger, taking the game to 11 rounds of shootout madness before Chris Clark tagged the twine and the win. The goal capped a massive comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

Semin, Fleischmann and Fehr all knocked in goals on the night (Semin had two) and Semyon Varlamov carried the team through after Jose Theodore let in three goals on five shots in the first period. Semin’s first goal actually tied the team record (set by Gaetan Duchesne in 1987) for the fastest goal at the start of a game, only 8 seconds in.

The Caps have won three games in a row now without Ovechkin; Boudreau has indicated that the Great Eight’s recovery is going better than expected and the team could possibly see Ovie back as early as this weekend. The Caps play the Minnesota Wild here at home on Friday and are off to New Jersey on Saturday.

People, The Daily Feed
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Our Ovie, Full of Grace…

Photo courtesy of
‘sky’
courtesy of ‘volcanojw’

So Washington Capitals owner and bazillionaire Ted Leonsis spills the beans that he had Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (cue TMBG!) bless himself and the Great Eight last night at a private event at Vice President Joe Biden’s home.

Now, I know there’s some concern that the Caps may well falter without their primary offensive force…so I guess why not employ some Holy Back-up, just in case? Especially since the Devils (out of New Jersey) showed the Caps last night just how much they need Ovechkin.

So does this mean Ovie’s up for sainthood if the Caps win the Cup?

The Daily Feed
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Ovechkin “Week-to-Week”

Photo courtesy of
‘Alex Ovechkin’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

It was inevitable and deep down, we all knew it.

Caps star winger Alex Ovechkin is now considered “week to week” with an undisclosed upper-body injury, possibly sustained during a scrum with either Jason Chimera or a tangle-up with Raffi Torres during Sunday’s loss to Columbus. Although Coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters yesterday that Ovie hadn’t had an MRI, the team did reverse that statement in an article today on ESPN.com.

You’ll recall that John Buccigross expressed concern about the Caps offensive capabilities if Ovechkin is hurt. Through Sunday, Ovie led the NHL in goals (14) and points (23) but could lose at least three games this week and possibly more, which will drastically tamp down Washington’s offense. The next closest goal scorer on the team is Alexander Semin, with 7 tallies; Nicklas Backstrom has 18 points but only 4 goals. In order to keep their momentum going, they’re going to have to step up. Fortunately, Tomas Fleischman’s back in the lineup to help.

Ovechkin’s a hard-charging and highly energetic player, having only missed two games to injury prior to this season. Better for the Caps to face their schedule without their top forward now, rather than deep in the season. Hopefully, the team is up to the test.

Adventures, Fun & Games, Sports Fix, The Features
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Newcomer’s Guide to Capitals Hockey

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_4085’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

After attending the Predators – Capitals game on Saturday with a friend new to hockey, I came to a sudden realization. The Capitals are pretty much the only local pro team that is resisting the giant sewer of suckitude. With their winning ways, it’s an easy bandwagon to jump on, something I pointed out first last spring.

To that end, we’ve got some new fans showing up at the Verizon Center (I still refuse to stoop to calling it “the Phone Booth”) to cheer on the Capitals. So why not lay out some ground rules and info for you newcomers to the great game of hockey? Besides, it’s a good refresher course for out out-of-town visitors and rabid fans in general.

I give you the “Unofficial Guide to the Washington Capitals Fan Code of Conduct.”

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Essential DC, Interviews, Life in the Capital, Sports Fix, The Features
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Sports Extra: Capitals Hockey 2009-10 Season Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘Net Lit In Red’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

Ok DC, ready for a real sport, now that the Redskins have imploded, the United tanked and the Nats…well, they’re the Nats. Anyway, are you ready for some hockey?

The Washington Capitals open up their season tomorrow night in Boston against the Bruins, the first step in their 2009-10 quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Last season saw the Caps suffer the most ignominious of falls, crashing in a critical Game 7 against the eventual Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Even more galling to Caps fans was the fact that the Caps led that series 2-0 before running out of gas.

Will this year be any better?

It depends.

While I’m sure a few of you actually care what I think about the Caps this year, most people I’ve talked with casually about hockey are skeptical of my Capitals analysis, considering I’m a Penguins fan at heart. Never mind the fact that last year, I was only two wins off predicting their season record and correctly predicted their playoff exit. So rather than take flak again this year, I turned to ESPN’s John Buccigross for his invaluable insight. (And for the record, Bucci picked the Flyers to win the Cup this year. That’s right, Philly. But we won’t hold that against him.)

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Ovechkin in 2014

Photo courtesy of
‘Alexander Ovechkin’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver aren’t even here and already we may have a battle coming for the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia. But it’s shaping up to be not country vs. country, but Ovechkin vs. NHL.

Ovie told ESPN.com during an interview today that he will risk suspension and play for his country regardless of whether the NHL is formally involved or not.

“Nobody can say to me you can’t play for your country in the Olympic Games,” Ovechkin said.

The NHL has no commitment to take part in the Olympic games after next year’s celebration, which has some players questioning what to do. “I’ll go play in the Olympic Games for my country. If somebody says to me you can’t play, see ya.”

Even if it meant suspension by the Caps? Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Only Ovechkin…

Photo courtesy of
‘090127 Alex Ovechkin-1’
courtesy of ‘Dan4th’

Gonna be in New York City next week?

To help ring in the new NHL season, Caps winger Alex Ovechkin will be personally ringing up a limited number of fans who pre-order NHL 2K10 (of which he’s the cover child) at the NHL Powered by Reebok Store on Sixth Ave in downtown NYC from 4-6 pm. He’ll also be playing against contest winners on the Wii version of the game.

Best part? Ovie will arrive at the store riding a Zamboni down Sixth Ave with a police escort. No, really.

The Daily Feed
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Caps Selling Out

Photo courtesy of
‘Caps/Pens: Game 1 (2009 NHL Playoffs) – 3’
courtesy of ‘Garyisajoke’

Less than 150 tickets remain for the first-ever Washington Capitals Convention on Sept 26.

Several former Caps players will be present, along with the entire 2009-2010 roster and coaches, owner Tedy Leonsis and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Among the Caps alumni will be Al Iafrate, Rod Langway, Kelly Miller and Dennis Maruk.

So far, five discussion panels have been confirmed, including a Kids Press Conference, the Young Guns (focused on Alex Ovechkin, Mike Greene, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin), “Ted’s Take,” one on the current team and another on deal-making in the NHL with GM George McPhee.

The convention will be at the Gaylord National Convention Center and Resort in Oxon Hill from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Season-ticket holders can get in at 9 a.m.) Tickets are available at WashingtonCaps.com; $40 for adults and $25 for 14 and under.

The Daily Feed
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Caps Help Beautify DCPS

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington Capitals Hat’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Can’t say the Capitals aren’t using their summer downtime wisely.

This past Saturday, Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau and D-man Brian Pothier participated in the annual DC Public Schools Beautification Day. Several members from the Caps’ front office also assisted in projects at Emery Education Campus in NE and King Elementary School in SE. At King, the volunteers were joined by DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee for a short time.

The Caps and several fan volunteers planted flowers, landscaped, painted, cleaned out old books and put together goody-bags for the incoming students.

The Daily Feed
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Condolences to Jose Theodore and Family

Photo courtesy of
‘Theodore, Presented by Slapshot’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

Our sincerest condolences to Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore and his family; we got word this morning that Jose and Stephanie’s two-month-old son has died.

There are no other details at this time, not that we need them. Everyone here at WeLoveDC sends the Theodore family our sympathies and condolences during this difficult time.

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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New Goaltending Coach for Caps

Photo courtesy of
‘arturs irbe playing for dynamo riga’
courtesy of ‘Uncleweed’

The Washington Capitals have announced they’ve hired Arturs Irbe as the team’s new goaltending coach. Dave Prior, the former coach, resigned recently after 12 years in that position in order to spend more time with his family.

Irbe is a 13-year veteran of the NHL, serving time with San Jose, Dallas, Vancouver and Carolina, as well as the goalie for the Latvian national team in the 2002 and 2006 Olympics. His last season in the NHL was 2003-04; he finished his career with a 2.83 GAA and a .899 save percentage.

Is this the piece the team needs to stabilize their goalie situation? Possibly. Though I’m fairly certain the team needs more stability IN the net, not necessarily in supervising it.

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Flyers Beat Caps AGAIN

Photo courtesy of
‘Tied Up’ courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

Yes, yes, I know. There’s no actual hockey going on. But, there is.

News came down today that the NHL and NBC have announced the teams and location for the 2009-10 Winter Classic. As expected, it’s in Boston at Fenway Park. Yep, the Boston Bruins hosting. And following prior year NHL logic, the other team will also be a rising powerhouse with a top-notch superstar, right? Like, as expected, the Washington Capitals with Russian powerhouse Alex Ovechkin?

Wrong.

Nope, the League, in its continued head-scratching pathetic screwball logic, has named the hated Philadelphia Flyers as the other team. That’s right, those despicable FLYERS. Supposedly, the decision was made because Philadelphia has a bigger hockey television market than Washington.

Say what? Guess the NHL and NBC forgot about the tremendous buzz the Caps/Pens series put on. Or the continual highlight-reel goals by Ovie, or his mounting hardware from numerous awards, or the fact that the Caps are one of the top five most exciting teams to watch…

Yeah, I know. I don’t get it either. Stupid ****ing Flyers.

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Morrison Coming to Capitals

Photo courtesy of
‘Brendan Morrison’ courtesy of ‘RobertCiavarro’

Injury-bedeviled Brendan Morrison – once considered the NHL’s “iron man” – signed a one-year contract with the Caps on Friday, worth around $1.5 million.

Rumor has it he’ll be centering the second line, helping fill the space Fedorov left when the Russian headed off to the KHL.

Morrison’s played with three teams over the last year and a half and has been plagued with injuries since 2007. After knocking out 8 solid seasons with the Dallas Stars Vancouver Canucks – racking in 542 consecutive games from 2000-07 – he’s suffered from four heavy surgeries: wrist, hip, hernia and torn ACL. He spent less than half of the 07-08 season with the Canucks, then moved to the Anaheim Ducks and then on to the Dallas Stars last season, finishing with 16 goals and 15 assists in 81 games.

The Caps believe Morrison’s back to full health, as does the 34 year-old center, and the team continues to piece together another worthy contender for the upcoming season.

The Daily Feed
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Knuble Flying to Caps

Photo courtesy of
‘Timonen and Knuble’ courtesy of ‘neat1325’

And in the annual NHL free-agency crazy day frenzy today, ESPN’s reporting that Flyers’ winger Mike Knuble has signed a two-year deal with the Capitals. The deal will hit the annual salary cap at $2.8 million a year. Looks like the Caps are getting some more much-needed grit on the offense.

Knuble had 47 points across 82 games last season, including 27 goals. He had 2 goals and one assist in the Flyers series against Pittsburgh.

Sports Fix, The Features
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Capital Drafting: 2009 Draft Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_0844 Russia-USA, Whatever it Takes’ courtesy of ‘Ezio Armando’

Thought hockey was over? Think again. For many, the NHL Draft is one of the three most important days in the NHL’s season, next to the trading deadline in Feb/Mar and the July 1st Unrestricted Free Agent date. It’s on this day that the future of franchises can be seen and debated, based on what prospects are selected – and sometimes, what deals can be wheedled from competitors.

The Capitals were pretty silent on the trade front, something altogether expected. The core of the team is pretty solid and there was little speculation that GM George McPhee would deal away anyone to move up in the draft. There was practically no chance the Caps could get their skates on anyone in the Top Ten so unless an offer got dropped on their desk, nothing major was going to happen. The only trade really of note involved the Caps and Coyotes, a deal for a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft for defenseman Sami Lepisto, who only played seven games this season.

Defense is the one area the team looks to shore up. While Karl Alzner is sitting in Hershey ready to move up, the team needs to decide its future with restricted free agents Shaone Morrisonn, Jeff Schultz and Milan Jurcina. With Fedorov and Kozlov departing for Russia, some room on the cap is open and gives the team some breathing room, so expect McPhee to make a play for a more high-profile defenseman at the July 1 UFA deadline. Regardless, the Caps did draft with a more defensive mindset this year, possibly with an eye on the more high-powered multi-pronged offenses being built up in the Eastern Conference, such as Boston, New Jersey, Carolina and Pittsburgh.

The Caps had picks 24, 55, 85, 115, 145, 175 and 205 across the seven-round draft. Overall a solid collection of talent, though most of these players won’t be seen wearing a Caps jersey in the next year or so.

So let’s look over the Caps new and upcoming talent, shall we?

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Fedorov Signs With Metallurg

Photo courtesy of
‘Fedorov’ courtesy of ‘borman818’

Russian news outlets are reporting that Caps forward Sergei Fedorov has signed a two-year contract with the Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Continental Hockey League (KHL). There, he’ll be reunited with his younger brother Fedor.

Fedorov, 39, was reportedly negotiating with several NHL teams besides the Caps but decided in the end to return to his native Russia. His decision ends an 18-year career in the NHL, including three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings.

Fellow Russian Viktor Kozlov left the Caps last month and signed on with this year’s KHL champs Salavat Yulaev Ufa in May. With the two forwards now having moved on and relieving some salary cap space, tomorrow’s NHL Draft and the upcoming July 1 UFA “open season” will prove most interesting for the team. We’ll have a Draft roundup on Monday.

The Daily Feed
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Fedorov Back to Russia?

Photo courtesy of
‘090127 Fedorov’ courtesy of ‘Dan4th’

It’s quite possible the first summer Caps casualty may be Sergei Fedorov. According to the Russian newspaper Sport Express, the 39-year-old center will be signing a two-year contract worth over $7 million with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Continental Hockey League (KHL).

However, Fedorov’s agent has told the Washington Post that nothing is decided yet, other than that the Caps’ veteran center has had multiple offers from KHL teams. It’s possible Fedorov might return to the Caps next year as well, but nothing is set in stone. Any money sunk into a declining forward will surely take away prime salary cap space better used elsewhere.

The Caps have his rights until June 30th, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Fedorov scored 11 goals and 33 points this season but scored only one goal and eight points in this year’s playoffs. His goal was the Game 7 winner against the Rangers that got the Caps to the second round before losing to the Penguins in seven.

Entertainment, Sports Fix, The Features
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Caps Hockey – DC’s Newest Bandwagon

Photo courtesy of
‘090127 Alex Ovechkin’ courtesy of ‘Dan4th’

So Wednesday night saw the end of what could arguably be the best Caps season in recent history. Despite the letdown of Game 7, Caps fans – diehards and bandwagoners alike – can walk away with heads held high.

Should I remind you why?

1. Alexander Ovechkin. Every year, he gets better. From his exuberant celebrations (Don Cherry be damned) to his wide, gap-toothed smile, to his on- and off-ice passion, he is Mr. Caps Hockey. Does he still have more to learn? Honestly, yes. But he’s young, he’s talented, and he’s willing. It’s only going to get better from here, so settle in and enjoy the ride.

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