Today is the first step every team must take to win a Stanley Cup. In some respects today is the most important day of the entire season. It will decide what kind of team the Capitals will be this season. This is training camp.
If you have never gone to a NHL camp before, it's different for every team but the same. Coaches will run players through a complex set of drills mostly to weed out the out of shape and to analyzed the most improved. Usually first day of camp is just about confusing for the fans who want to see their favorite players in their practice garb running down orange cones on the ice than it is for the rookies who are fresh from rookie camp.
Just know that through that craziness, that veteran players will always look like they know what they are doing (even though they might not), and rookies will always look like deer in the headlights. Many of the players that attended rookie camp will stay and train with the team until they get shipped to Hershey for the start of their camp, or if they make it all the way through (unlikely for most). Karl Alzner and Oskar Osala are the two to watch through out camp and are probably the favorites to make the team. Don't count out Francois Bouchard and Mathieu Perreault who both had strong rookie camps.
If you are wondering what to watch for, rather than snapping a picture of your favorite player, is how players respond to coaches commands. Usually it's the first sign if a player is doing well is if he is focused and honed in on what the coaches want. It's not always if you can do the drill perfectly, although Bruce Boudreau does harp on the guys level of perfection at the NHL level, but if the player can understand what the drill is teaching them and how well they take direction. Believe it or not, but some of the veterans will be scratching their heads with some of the drills the coaches will come up with.
Loosely based on the my earlier poll on this site, most Caps fans are interested in seeing Jose Theodore in this year's camp. With Olaf Kolzig gone and Cristobal Huet of to greener pastures, Theodore has some big pads to fill and a lot of fans have their doubts. As they should. In a way, the Caps are like the Green Bay Packers, their are with out their Kolzig (Brett Farve) that they have enjoyed for years for now some one new (but not entirely new because Jose's been around the block a time or two).
It will also be interesting to see who Alex Ovechkin lines up with though camp. Nick Backstrom? Micheal Nylander? And there will be a battle for the third and fourth line forwards, I guarentee.
So enjoy the festivities, and get a chance to see your heroes up close. Hockey is back in Washington. Finally!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Rookie Game: Flyers RIP
In an almost packed house (there were a few open seats) at Kettler, the Capitals' prospects routed the Philadelphia Flyers' prospects 7 to nothing. If the game sounded one sided by the score, it was. The Caps kept the Flyers to their own end for a majority of the game. Since this is a late post, thanks in part due to a cold, I am going to leave the story line to others like the Post, Times and OFB boys.
Here is what stood out for me in this game.
If I had the size Oskar Osala had, I would have used it much like he did today at Kettler against the Flyers. While there were bigger defensemen on the Philly side, he purely out worked them and out manuvered them time and time again. While the Flyers were using their size to plain out just hit everything in site, Osala reserved his hitting for the right moment. He got his defender off kilter and then used his speed and strength to open holes.
Mathieu Perreault is magic with the puck. He picked up a couple of assists (mostly on the power play) but his vision made him a great set up guy. He was lined up with Francois Bouchard and Steve Pinizzotto and the three were hard to stop all afternoon long. That line gave the Flyers the fits, and also accounted for drawing the most penalties from their opponents just by using their speed and quickness. Pinizzotto often found himself being the enforcer for most of the game as the Flyers got more and more chippy.
While the Caps didn't have the size, they sure had the heart. Stefan Della Rovere, who stands at 5'11" on a good day, may have been the smallest Capital out there besides Perreault. But he was the fiestiest. You could tell each time he took the ice he did his best to be a pest and make the Flyers look twice before fighting for a puck in the corner with him. In fact all the Caps seemed to have no problems fighting pucks off the boards and winning the little battles for possession. Jay Beagle (who missed on a penalty shot) even killed at least a minute of a Flyer power play by his board work.
On defense, Karl Alzner is a smooth defender. Nothing rattled this guy. Even when an errant pass was picked off, he was right there in position to deal with it. John Carlson is a stand up guy too. More than once did he come to the rescue of his goaltender. In fact when any Flyer crashed the net and so much touched the goaltenders, the Caps defense sent a message. They did a nice job standing up for one another as well.
Goaltenders, Simeon Varlamov didn't see much action in the first half of the first period, maybe a shot or two. But by the end of the period the Flyers mounted their best attack. It turned out to be the only sustained pressure the Flyers were able to put on all game. Varlamov made two outstanding saves late in the first to complete a third of the shut out. Micheal Nuevirth and Braden Holtby also had to be sharp to complete the shut out.
All and all, the Caps prospects look pretty good. George McPhee has got some talent in the pipeline for years to come. Although, personally I am not sure if he will be able to hold on to all of them as they make their way up the ranks. But for now be content in knowing the Caps' talent runs deep.
Here is what stood out for me in this game.
If I had the size Oskar Osala had, I would have used it much like he did today at Kettler against the Flyers. While there were bigger defensemen on the Philly side, he purely out worked them and out manuvered them time and time again. While the Flyers were using their size to plain out just hit everything in site, Osala reserved his hitting for the right moment. He got his defender off kilter and then used his speed and strength to open holes.
Mathieu Perreault is magic with the puck. He picked up a couple of assists (mostly on the power play) but his vision made him a great set up guy. He was lined up with Francois Bouchard and Steve Pinizzotto and the three were hard to stop all afternoon long. That line gave the Flyers the fits, and also accounted for drawing the most penalties from their opponents just by using their speed and quickness. Pinizzotto often found himself being the enforcer for most of the game as the Flyers got more and more chippy.
While the Caps didn't have the size, they sure had the heart. Stefan Della Rovere, who stands at 5'11" on a good day, may have been the smallest Capital out there besides Perreault. But he was the fiestiest. You could tell each time he took the ice he did his best to be a pest and make the Flyers look twice before fighting for a puck in the corner with him. In fact all the Caps seemed to have no problems fighting pucks off the boards and winning the little battles for possession. Jay Beagle (who missed on a penalty shot) even killed at least a minute of a Flyer power play by his board work.
On defense, Karl Alzner is a smooth defender. Nothing rattled this guy. Even when an errant pass was picked off, he was right there in position to deal with it. John Carlson is a stand up guy too. More than once did he come to the rescue of his goaltender. In fact when any Flyer crashed the net and so much touched the goaltenders, the Caps defense sent a message. They did a nice job standing up for one another as well.
Goaltenders, Simeon Varlamov didn't see much action in the first half of the first period, maybe a shot or two. But by the end of the period the Flyers mounted their best attack. It turned out to be the only sustained pressure the Flyers were able to put on all game. Varlamov made two outstanding saves late in the first to complete a third of the shut out. Micheal Nuevirth and Braden Holtby also had to be sharp to complete the shut out.
All and all, the Caps prospects look pretty good. George McPhee has got some talent in the pipeline for years to come. Although, personally I am not sure if he will be able to hold on to all of them as they make their way up the ranks. But for now be content in knowing the Caps' talent runs deep.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Crowd Pours In At Kettler
Doors opened a little early and already there is quite a crowd. Looking at the stands, I say it's about half full. So far I have seen one Flyers jersey. I guess they do know how to use the internet.
I can't update during the game. It will drain my cell phone. But if something amazing happens, I might.
UPDATE: Okay maybe a quarter full now that I am on the other side of the rink.
UPDATE: As of 2:20 pm the stands now look half full. Exciting I know.
UPDATE: Caps and Flyers are warming up. Both are dressed in game uniforms, Caps their home red, Flyers in their away whites. Nuevirth is not dressed. Slapshot is here per usual. He has already alienated what looks to be the only Flyer fan here.
UPDATE: End of the first. Caps 2, Flyers 0. Bouchard and Morin are the goalscorers, both on the power play. Varlamov made an incredable glove save right at the end. Storyline so far is the Caps speed and talent vs. the Flyers size and physicality. The hitting is pretty intense and is leading to a plethora of penalities. Start of the second, Holtby is in net.
Update: End of second, Caps 4, Flyers 0. The power play continues to payoff. Morin scores his second power play goal, Pinizzotto scored as well on the PP. As a result, the Flyers are getting chippy. We had our first fight, Dovgan took on Flyer Josh Beaulieu. It was a good bout, the crowd loved it. The crowd is pretty into the game. A few "Flyers Suck" chants, and standing and cheering at every Caps score. Start of Third, Nuevirth is in net.
Update: Caps win 7 - 0. Bouchard scores on a beauty deke. Lacroix scored at even strength. I will do a complete wrap when I get to a Computer and take some meds.
I can't update during the game. It will drain my cell phone. But if something amazing happens, I might.
UPDATE: Okay maybe a quarter full now that I am on the other side of the rink.
UPDATE: As of 2:20 pm the stands now look half full. Exciting I know.
UPDATE: Caps and Flyers are warming up. Both are dressed in game uniforms, Caps their home red, Flyers in their away whites. Nuevirth is not dressed. Slapshot is here per usual. He has already alienated what looks to be the only Flyer fan here.
UPDATE: End of the first. Caps 2, Flyers 0. Bouchard and Morin are the goalscorers, both on the power play. Varlamov made an incredable glove save right at the end. Storyline so far is the Caps speed and talent vs. the Flyers size and physicality. The hitting is pretty intense and is leading to a plethora of penalities. Start of the second, Holtby is in net.
Update: End of second, Caps 4, Flyers 0. The power play continues to payoff. Morin scores his second power play goal, Pinizzotto scored as well on the PP. As a result, the Flyers are getting chippy. We had our first fight, Dovgan took on Flyer Josh Beaulieu. It was a good bout, the crowd loved it. The crowd is pretty into the game. A few "Flyers Suck" chants, and standing and cheering at every Caps score. Start of Third, Nuevirth is in net.
Update: Caps win 7 - 0. Bouchard scores on a beauty deke. Lacroix scored at even strength. I will do a complete wrap when I get to a Computer and take some meds.
Ready For The Flyers
It just maybe a scrimmage. There is nothing at stake. Teams won't get points, or find out who will decide their division status or conference superiority. The game won't be held at the Verizon Center or the Wachovia Center. It is just one team's prospects versus another team's prospects. But if you think there will be no emotion behind this game, you would be mistaken.
Both teams' players have seen the heated playoff series between the Caps and Flyers last season. And as far as the prospects are concerned, this might as well be an extension of the playoff bad blood since the summer. And while there will be no Daniel Briere or Alex Ovechkin, there will be some passion in this game.
Sure players will want to make an impression on coaches and managers on a individual basis, but I would imagine that winning will be much more important for both teams and that means a lot of "team first" play. While fighting is rare, I wouldn't be surprised to see the mits drop once or twice during this game.
What to watch for:
This will be Simeon Varlamov's first real look at NHL style of play. The smaller rink and faster pace should humble the goaltender, but I expect him to shine. He needs to make a good impression early to solidify a number 3 position on the roster and his future as a Capital.
I will be watching for Oskar Osala's big frame and how he uses it against the Flyers rookies. If he can make space for himself, he will be an invaluable aspect in this game for the Caps. Also it will be interesting to see Stefan Della Rovere, the 18 year old, play in this caliber game.
I am not sure if Anton Gustafsson will be on the ice, but it would be nice to see him just once with other prospect players before he reaches the Training Camp stage. Although, his injury may keep him from the line up.
Both teams' players have seen the heated playoff series between the Caps and Flyers last season. And as far as the prospects are concerned, this might as well be an extension of the playoff bad blood since the summer. And while there will be no Daniel Briere or Alex Ovechkin, there will be some passion in this game.
Sure players will want to make an impression on coaches and managers on a individual basis, but I would imagine that winning will be much more important for both teams and that means a lot of "team first" play. While fighting is rare, I wouldn't be surprised to see the mits drop once or twice during this game.
What to watch for:
This will be Simeon Varlamov's first real look at NHL style of play. The smaller rink and faster pace should humble the goaltender, but I expect him to shine. He needs to make a good impression early to solidify a number 3 position on the roster and his future as a Capital.
I will be watching for Oskar Osala's big frame and how he uses it against the Flyers rookies. If he can make space for himself, he will be an invaluable aspect in this game for the Caps. Also it will be interesting to see Stefan Della Rovere, the 18 year old, play in this caliber game.
I am not sure if Anton Gustafsson will be on the ice, but it would be nice to see him just once with other prospect players before he reaches the Training Camp stage. Although, his injury may keep him from the line up.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Finally Getting A Look
While I am still under the weather, I took in the morning skate at Kettler. Seeing the Rookie practice in a cold rink isn't the best for a cold, but some how I soldiered on.
The practice centered around a lot of passing and break out work. Obviously, the coaches are trying to emphasize puck possession for their last practice before the Flyers rookie game. The drills consisted mostly of quick on the fly passes, breakouts and drop passes. Overall the practice was pretty light considering. The players may have been saving most of their energy for the scrimmage that followed.
The scrimmage was more of a pick up game with referees. Most of the guys looked tired after getting in a practice first. The action in the scrimmage was more about finding that chemistry with line mates and working on the system the coaches wanted them to play in. The scrimmage consisted of two periods, fifteen minutes each. It ended in a one-one tie and went to a shoot out. I didn't get a chance to see the winning goal, but white team won. Then Bruce Boudreau gave a quick pep speech on the bench before concluding the work out.
Just some things that jumped out at me. Karl Alzner is never afraid to slow down the action, more than once he would take that extra second behind the net or on the break to get the pass right. Oskar Osala is using his size much more than at development camp last July, I thought. It might have be just the fact that he was giving a 100% in practice but in the scrimmage Osala seemed a bit behind or lazy.
John Carlson has a wicked shot but it has to be a quicker release. His goal for the blue team was off a fast release at the top of the slot, but his all of his other shots from the point were predictable and easily rebounded to the side by goaltenders. Speaking of the goaltenders, they looked pretty sharp, especailly Braden Holtby. I thought he looked much more comfortable in the crease then he had in July. While Simeon Varlamov looks much more refined, I thought both Micheal Nuevirth and Hotlby held their own.
It was a disappointment not to get a look at Anton Gustafsson. He missed the development camp in July and may have reaggrevated his injury at rookie camp. I don't think it's likely to see him on the ice again for the rest of camp, although the Caps insist he will stay through rest of training camp and will be on the ice again.
Tomorrow the veterans have an optional skate in the morning, then it is the Caps/Flyers rookie game. It will be interesting to see what the lines will end up being and how the kids fair. Then Friday is the big day. First day of training camp. Although many players have been in town and working out for a couple of weeks, it will be the first time the coaches will be able to get their mits on them.
See you at the rookie game!
The practice centered around a lot of passing and break out work. Obviously, the coaches are trying to emphasize puck possession for their last practice before the Flyers rookie game. The drills consisted mostly of quick on the fly passes, breakouts and drop passes. Overall the practice was pretty light considering. The players may have been saving most of their energy for the scrimmage that followed.
The scrimmage was more of a pick up game with referees. Most of the guys looked tired after getting in a practice first. The action in the scrimmage was more about finding that chemistry with line mates and working on the system the coaches wanted them to play in. The scrimmage consisted of two periods, fifteen minutes each. It ended in a one-one tie and went to a shoot out. I didn't get a chance to see the winning goal, but white team won. Then Bruce Boudreau gave a quick pep speech on the bench before concluding the work out.
Just some things that jumped out at me. Karl Alzner is never afraid to slow down the action, more than once he would take that extra second behind the net or on the break to get the pass right. Oskar Osala is using his size much more than at development camp last July, I thought. It might have be just the fact that he was giving a 100% in practice but in the scrimmage Osala seemed a bit behind or lazy.
John Carlson has a wicked shot but it has to be a quicker release. His goal for the blue team was off a fast release at the top of the slot, but his all of his other shots from the point were predictable and easily rebounded to the side by goaltenders. Speaking of the goaltenders, they looked pretty sharp, especailly Braden Holtby. I thought he looked much more comfortable in the crease then he had in July. While Simeon Varlamov looks much more refined, I thought both Micheal Nuevirth and Hotlby held their own.
It was a disappointment not to get a look at Anton Gustafsson. He missed the development camp in July and may have reaggrevated his injury at rookie camp. I don't think it's likely to see him on the ice again for the rest of camp, although the Caps insist he will stay through rest of training camp and will be on the ice again.
Tomorrow the veterans have an optional skate in the morning, then it is the Caps/Flyers rookie game. It will be interesting to see what the lines will end up being and how the kids fair. Then Friday is the big day. First day of training camp. Although many players have been in town and working out for a couple of weeks, it will be the first time the coaches will be able to get their mits on them.
See you at the rookie game!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Slow Start For Me
Okay, I have been procrastinating going to Kettler to watch the rookie camp. But this week looks to be a very busy week for me. So I encourage you to check out guys like On Frozen Blog and Peerless. And I will try to get out to some practices in the near future.
And if you wanted to know about other teams development camps, the NHL network has been broadcasting (through TSN I think) the rookie tournaments in Traverse City. Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild (there might be more, that is all I saw) have been playing games pitting their rookies up with each other. While it's only rookie and development players and the lighting at the rink is pretty bad, it's still pretty interesting to watch.
Only other news that has hit me was Alex Ovechkin checking out the Washington Mystics. Apparently he got a pretty good response when his face was flashed on the scoreboard.
Also I got a chance to check out the new Nationals stadium Monday night. It was my first time there and let me say, it certianly shows that they put a pretty penny into it. I love how the staduim is not overbearing, much like FedEx Field is. It's a very nice, intimate stadium. Well done.
And if you wanted to know about other teams development camps, the NHL network has been broadcasting (through TSN I think) the rookie tournaments in Traverse City. Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild (there might be more, that is all I saw) have been playing games pitting their rookies up with each other. While it's only rookie and development players and the lighting at the rink is pretty bad, it's still pretty interesting to watch.
Only other news that has hit me was Alex Ovechkin checking out the Washington Mystics. Apparently he got a pretty good response when his face was flashed on the scoreboard.
Also I got a chance to check out the new Nationals stadium Monday night. It was my first time there and let me say, it certianly shows that they put a pretty penny into it. I love how the staduim is not overbearing, much like FedEx Field is. It's a very nice, intimate stadium. Well done.
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