McPhee Short Circuts Oilers On Nylander

GMGM may have literally stole Michael Nylander from under the noses of the Oilers. At least that is what the Edmonton management claims. TSN.ca reports.

If that is true, what changed Nylander's mind. Was McPhee that convincing? Whatever the reason Kevin Lowe is not a happy camper. They complained to the NHL about the Caps signing Nylander after apparently sending Nylander the paperwork. But they never got the papers back signed.

If you want a more detailed look at it, Colbycosh.com goes into details on the Oilers end. Tarik also covered it in the Wash Post.

The whole thing is turning out to be quite the drama, at least in Edmonton. While here in DC the 4th of July and recent bombings overseas seems to be more on the minds of Washingtonians than a signing of a Swede to play hockey at the phone booth.

Why the Oilers are making some noise about this, I have no explaination other than they did everything they could except sign Nylander. There has to be a specific reason why Nylander would get the papers from the Oiler organization and set it down and sign with Washington.

In other free agent moves, Dainius Zubrus is now a NJ Devil. The Capitals did not resign the forward after his trade to Buffalo. Also Jiri Novotny was signed by Columbus after his option was not picked up by the Capitals after the Zubrus trade with the Sabres.

Zubrus New Role Suits Him

Dainius Zubrus added size for the Buffalo Sabres, and he hasn't been afraid to use it. Late in the second period in game two of the Sabres/Rangers series, Zubrus didn't shy away from a hit on Jaromir Jagr. Jagr saw the blur that was Zubrus looking to collide at center ice, and just barley side step the full brunt of the hit. But contact sent the Ranger forward flipping over as he left his feet to try and avoid the hit. Zubrus didn't score a goal, or have an assist, but was granted the second star of the game for that hit.

It's clear that Zubrus is thriving off of being a role player. He doesn't need to be a scorer or a set up guy, two aspects he felt pressured to produce in Washington playing with superstar Alex Ovechkin. He just needs to use his size, his puck handling skills are just bonus for the Sabres. Dainius registered 9 hits in the second game. Consider that Ranger tough guy Sean Avery only managing three hits.

With the 800 pound gorilla that is to produce goals and assists off of Zubrus' back, the former Capital has found success on using his size. At 6'4", 224 lbs., Dainius also has the hands of a goal scorer, which was evident against the Rangers again. His ability to keep the puck deep in the zone and maintain possession gave New York fits, and led to goals and scoring opportunities.

Even though there is talk of the Capitals resigning him this summer as he will be a unrestricted free agent, Zubrus is well on his way to not returning to Washington. He may be too valuable to give up. Being a role player is a part Zubrus is playing well.

Sabres Rounds Out The Season

Remember Saturday, December 2nd? The Washington Capitals seemed they were facing a mountain of a team that came from the chilly north. That team was fast, explosive and NHL's new power house that was running high on confidence. It was a game that was a predicted a blow out by the visiting Buffalo Sabres, but instead the Caps had a different plan.

The Capitals routed the Sabres (7-4) and they did it without Dainius Zubrus (out with a leg injury), and without Jamie Heward (out with that freak facial laceration he recieved from Mike Modano's skate the game before), and Richard Zednik left late in the second period.

The season ends for the Caps in familiar surroundings at the Verizon Center, facing the Sabres one last time this season. The Caps again will be without Dainius Zubrus, Richard Zednik, and Jamie Heward.

--NHL Notes--

• The Atlanta Thrashers clinched the Southeast Division for the first time in their clubs history. The Caps tried to help out the Lightning by giving them a chance to make a grab at the title, but in the end Carolina looked like they wanted the season to just be over and Florida plays spoiler to the Lightning's hopes. What a crazy division.


• The New York Islanders were hoping Montreal and Toronto losses would help their playoff cause. Unfortunately for them the Canadiens and Maple Leafs play each other to finish their season. So either the Canadiens or the Maple Leafs will get two points, pulling their way closer to clinching a playoff spot. Islanders have to win their last two against Philly and New Jersey, two teams playing well of late.


• The only matchup set in stone in the east is the Penguins versus the Senators. But who gets home ice is still in the air as the two are tied in points right now with a 103 a piece. The Pens face the Rangers and the Sens face the Bruins. With the Rangers winning and Boston playing so-so, it looks like the Pens will have to pack their road whites.


• The season is coming to an end and still no sign of what the new Reebok jerseys are going to look like for next year. I am sure they are waiting for the summer months to create a buzz, or they could create a buzz in the playoffs. Either way I am sure it will keep us bloggers busy typing away indoors wasting those nice summer days away.

That's all I got.

Jiri Novotny Better Be Worth It

Capitals 2, Sabres 5
Scoresheet - Wash Post

Two things hurt the Capitals this season, their penalty kill and injuries. Those two issues seemed predominant plagues in this game. The Sabres took advantage of their extra man opportunities and the Caps missed the speedy Matt Pettinger.

Donald Brashear had himself quite a night with a goal and a fight, a knock out with Andrew Peters. The Caps seem to depend on him more for scoring than enforcing. If a team can put their minds to it, it has been easy to shutdown both Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin who were both held pointless. Brian Potheir scored the Caps other goal.

Dainius Zubrus didn't waste much time to stick it to his old team, getting a pair of assists. While it was hard to see Jiri Novotny anywhere on the ice (who the Capitals traded the former for the later). Daniel Briere also took advantage of an inexperienced team scoring two including a cute wrap around that slipped past Olie Kolzig (who looked a little slow to recover on more than one occasion).

The Caps seem to turn over the puck an inordinate amount of times, possession is key against a team like Buffalo. Bad passes, blind passes, and just being weak with the puck all lead to the demise of the Capitals. Most of that you can tack to in experience (the phrase of the year), but it wasn't just the young players turning it over.

Capitals have to find their offense again against Carolina (another reoccurring phrase on the season for the Capitals.) With the Hurricanes stuck in a tie for eighth place, the Caps must be at their best, because Carolina will be at theirs.

Caps Drop A Couple Z's

Dainius Zubrus is a Sabre and the Capitals send a defense prospect for rookie forward Jiri Novotny and a first round pick. One of the more quiet trades on trade day the Caps move a few large payrolls off their roster. GMGM just didn’t want to sign Zubie to a five year deal. Novotny is still recovering from a sprained ankle.

Caps also moved Timo Helbling for a frist round pick from the Sabres. Helbling only played two games for the Caps this year. He is considered a top defensive prospect and the Capitals get a first round draft pick in the up coming draft.

Jamie Heward was also moved today to Los Angeles for a fifth round pick. Capitals lose an experienced defenseman for a deep pick. I would have thought the Caps could get more for Heward.

I thought Zubie was going west, but here is a chance for the forward to do very well with a fast and fluid team. For Zubrus this is a good trade, for the Capitals, eh. Novotny is a very good rookie, considered a playmaker, but will not fill the void left by Zubrus.

What the Capitals really wanted was the first round draft pick, and they let Zubie and a defenseman go for it. Novotny was just icing. With a lot of big names being moved today, this one just sort of was a side note. Zubrus should add some consistency to the Sabres’ lineup. Caps also dealt Richard Zednik to the Islanders for a second round pick.

Other Resources:
Capitals Press Release
NHL.com
Japers Rink
Capitals Insider - Wash Post

Pack Up And Get Out!

And when you get there call me.

Caps lose Richard Zednik to the Islanders for a second round draft pick. We could have weaseled a first rounder somewhere, but George McPhee settled for a second round pick. No player in return either. The Zed-heads never came back when the Caps reacquired the speedy winger, just as well.

Also lost Lawrence Nycholat to Ottawa for Andy Hedlund and a sixth round pick. Hedlund was promptly sent to assigned to Hershey. Nycholat fetched a player and a pick for the Caps, nice work. Although, I would have like to see Nycholat start for the Caps. With Hedlund you get a 6'2”, 216-pound native of Osseo, Minn., the Capitals exchange speed for size and a draft pick.

I waited as long as I could for a Dainius Zubrus, but looks like that won’t happen until tomorrow if it ever does. McPhee and Zubie are at odds on the length of contract although both sides talked last night. Wash Post has more on that.

Caps Squeeze By Kings

Capitals 4, Kings 3 OT
Scoresheet – Wash Post – LA Times

The Capitals squeezed by the Kings, and I mean squeezed by. Mathieu Garon looked shaky in net and the Caps took advantage of some goaltending missed plays. Garon cost the Kings this game, the Caps were just beneficiaries.

Scoring for the Caps were Dainius Zubrus (the game winner), Boyd Gordon (short-handed slapper that handcuffed Garon), Chris Clark (a trickler), and Ben Clymer (an actual goal, nice one too). Brian Sutherby had an awesome chance to score as well, but couldn’t get the puck up over a diving Garon. Sutherby continues to struggle this year and that is a large disappointment from his play a year ago. Alex Ovechkin got an assist to end his point dought (was also a +3).

The Caps looked okay in this one, not a real force to be reckoned with though. As happy they must be to get the win, the Caps have to worry about their shots on net and their inability to score on the power play. Special teams, while they looked good earlier in the season, have struggled as of late. The Caps basically set up the same two plays, point to wing, back to point to Ovechkin for the one-timer or let Alex Semin snap if from anywhere he wants to.

What the Capitals can do is to use this win as a stepping off point to gain confidence and start making some points for a campaign for the playoffs. The Caps, however, need to start winning some of these in regulation. The Rangers come to town and that won’t be an easy game for the Caps to win. They will need to play better defense, and find their scoring sticks (rather than the hooking ones) to get another two.

Stopping The Skid

Capitals 2, Lightning 1

A spectacular ending and a pretty tic-tak score helps the Caps from losing 4 straight. And against the Stanley Cup Champions who played a phenomenal game against the Flyers yesterday.

The Caps seem to have the magic bullet against the Lightning winning 3 out of the five games they have played so far. Although a majority of those games have been at home, the final three games at Tampa Bay.

Jeff Halpern and Dainius Zubrus were the goal scorers for the Caps. Zubrus’ goal came with 2:20 left to play in the third. The Caps were able to hold off a scramble late including a shot that hit the inside of the post with nano-seconds left in the game.

Olie Kolzig played solid and it helped to have Jamie Heward back in the line up. Heward gave the blue line men some strength and speed. When the Lightning forwards looked to gobble up rebounds or bad clearings, Heward’s speed was able to negate those chances.

Alex Ovechkin settles for an assist, but a pretty one on a tic-tak play. After a turn over in the neutral zone, Ovechkin was able to gain the blue line but drew two Lightning defenders to him. After an attempted poke check, Ovie passed the puck towards the slot finding Chris Clark who wisely passed it to an open Zubrus in front of the net. There was little John Grahame could do to save the quick passing play.

Overall Grade: B

The Caps were able to come back from 3 straight losses to play well against Tampa Bay. They were physical and fast against the Lights. Kolzig had 34 saves and played one of his better games.

Wash Post will have some deeper coverage on this as well. Caps will play the Islanders Tuesday, during the State of the Union Speech which takes up every channel here in D.C. Capitals must bring their work ethic and strong physical play and continue to play well.

Preseason Damned, Bring On the Season!

Preseason is just that, preseason. The Caps finish with a disappointing 2-6. However, there is no way to judge a team that is tinkering with lines and developing players to make anything from wins or losses. But now that the games count, it’s time for the Capitals to show some sign of growth and potential to it’s sluggish hockey market.

Some concerns for the Caps this season is defiantly the defensive core. It is the same concern that plagued the team in the ’03-‘04 season. Mike Green, a 19 year-old defenseman, did not make the team after having a solid preseason. A disappointment in this fan's opinion. Meanwhile, Green’s mentor, Brendan Witt, may be a liability rather than reliable on the blue line. Witt has asked for a trade, and whether he plays just to get traded or plays to force a trade is remained to be seen. The two are very different, on the one hand will Witt just go through the motions, or will he play better and adapt to the changing landscape to impress other teams? I guess we will see.

Head coach Glen Hanlon will have to use the Caps youth and speed in some way to win games. The Capitals do have some proven scoring in Jeff Friesen, and solid offensive play in Jeff Halpern, Andrew Cassels, and Dainius Zubrus. With the new rules, the Caps should be able to use their speed and offense to keep teams off kilter.

The Capitals will be going through a growing period for sure, but they also have to learn their roles as the season moves along. It will be a true signature of growth for this young team if the players begin to click together.