Back On The Block

A plethora of issues have crept up on Washington Capitals fans, it's too hard to ignore for some one that is on a mini vacation. Some of it is good, some bad. All of it can and will change the face of the Capitals in the future.

First, the reports of Sergei Fedorov signing a two year contract with a team in the KHL for next season. The last time I saw Feds was at Kettler Iceplex's pro shop last week where he was purchasing $1400 worth of Caps' jerseys with his name on them and a few Caps' pucks. They must be cheaper here than in the father land. I asked Feds when he was heading home, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Sometime next week."

Fedorov had made several comments on break down day that he would like to re-up with the Caps for another year. So this signing seems to be out of right field (if it has much merit at all). But he also takes up a huge chunk of the salary cap, and his presence this season was good for only a handful of key plays to help his squad. There have also been reports of Viktor Kozlov returning home to play as well, even though he too has mentioned to reporters that he would like to return.

Second, the Caps signed today some good talent in Jake Hauswirth. We have already done our research on him (ironically the same article included the resigning of Fedorov, weird). Hauswirth played last season at Michigan Tech, a school his father attended. Hauswirth will attend training camp in August.

The Caps also have signed Anton Gustafsson just after Game seven against the Penguins to an entry level contract. Both will be at the Caps training camp in a few short months.

Thirdly, there may be a shuffling of bench bosses as the future of Assistant Coach Jay Leach is still in question. Leach may not return next year to be behind the bench for the Capitals, while his cohort, Dean Evason, resigned for another year with the club. Leach, the defensive coach probably took the loss against the Penguins the hardest as his defensive squad was embarrassed in game 7.

Lastly, one time Capital Peter Zezel was reported as near death at a Toronto hospital as he was taken off life support. At only 44 years old, Zezel is being treated for haemolytic anaemia, a rare disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. Zezel played 20 games with the Capitals in 1990 when they traded Geoff Courtnall with St. Louis. He was traded to Toronto for Al Iafrate.

Good to be back.