Sunday, September 28, 2008

Pre-season thoughts

In the world of pro-hockey, it is amazing the difference a year makes. The
level of excitement and expectation surrounding the Caps heading into the
2008-09 season is all around us. Fans are flocking in droves to practices
and scrimmages, rooting for the team that defied the odds last season and
took the Southeast division title. The same fans are happy to see a
relatively intact core of talented hockey players from last year, along with
a mix of great talent from the various farm teams all willing to work hard
and be noticed by Bruce and his staff. Media interest has been elevated.
Washington is being heralded as a Hockeytown - quite a feat for a city whose
hockey roots do not run too deeply when compared to the likes of Montreal,
Detroit and Boston. Bloggers like OFB have in depth insights from within the
Caps organization posted on a daily basis, and have a huge legion of readers
and contributors. The town is a buzz with hungry fans who are counting down
the days, hours and minutes to the start of the season. Clearly, after such
a dismal start last season, the Capitals have turned it around. Call it
good coaching; call it a refinement of team chemistry and mutual desire to
be winners - the bottom line is that this organization have their sights set
very clearly to not only dominate and win the division this season, but to
proceed much further into the playoffs and shoot for the cup. From Hershey
to DC, Bruce Boudreau has proven to be an effective general, leading his
armies into battle. He has a fantastic rapport with all of his players, his
assistant coaches and the media. The Jack Adams trophy was a just reward for
this gentleman, and it will be very interesting to see what this coaching
staff can do with the fine crop of talent they have on the bench this year.

Pre-season never really excites me. The results are meaningless, and
nothing matters until that first official game. At least that was what I
thought. Watching a scrimmage last week, I was amazed just how pumped up
and ready these players are to "bring their game". To see the guys from
Hershey, South Carolina, and afar all playing with a level of intensity more
associated with the home stretch towards the playoffs. Several prospects
have remained at Caps camp after the initial cuts, and all are for the right
reasons. Chris Bourque has demonstrated that he is ready for the transition
to the NHL. Mathieu Perrault has a burst of speed and agility that will
leave many defenseman wondering if a tornado just hit the rink. Karl Alzner
is a natural defenseman, with unbelieveable instincts and awareness of where
he should be. And it goes without saying that Simeon Varlamov is a standout
amongst all goaltenders in the organization, with his lightning reflexes and
ability to react to both a Sergei Federov slap shot, and the crashing of the
net when the puck rebounds off his pads. Sami Lepisto can bring his
experience from Hershey and also compete for a roster spot on the Caps D. He
has proven to be consistent and has a great shot from the point in a PP
situation. All of these talented prospects have youth on their side, and
have already shown me that they are both ready to play, and hungry to
compete.

And here we are. 3 preseason games already played, and 3 victories to show
for it. And once again, while the results have little meaning or impact on
the season, for players like Bourque, Perrault and Lepisto, this is their
chance to shine and leave that lasting impression as players primed and
ready when the Caps come calling to fill roster spots. Injuries are
inevitable, and it feels good for this Caps fan to know that the guys in the
wings are ready and raring to go, and possess a high degree of talent and
intensity to stamp their claims upon the NHL. Can't wait for the puck to
drop at the Verizon Center, and can't wait for the puck to drop at the Giant
Center. This season is going to be a blast!!!!!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Preseason Thoughts

Kudos to Chris Bourque for getting the first star in the Caps' preseason game against the Panthers last night... as much as I'd like to see him back in Hershey this year, I have a suspicion that we might be seeing him more at the Verizon Center.

On the Josef Boumedienne watch (note to Caps: you shouldn't have let him go!), he earned an assist in the Leafs' loss to Pittsburgh. We have this game on the DVR and only saw bits and pieces; we'll definitely check the rest of the game out.

I'm still not completely sold on Jose Theodore. Martin, who attended a day of training camp on Tuesday, says the two younger goalies look tremendously sharp. About Theodore, I'm just concerned that he'll be the Theodore of old and not so much the Theodore who carried the Avs last year.