From down the road in Piney Orchard, the WaPo has a stirring article on how career third- and fourth-liners Ben Clymer, Chris Clark and Matt Bradley jumped at the chance to sign with the Caps because it would present them with "increases in ice-time and responsibility." Translation: in D.C. even a plumber can find himself on a scoring line. Interesting note at the tail-end of the article that defenseman Ivan Majesky failed his team physical, a blow to an already terrible defense.

The WaPo also has a throw away Kornheiser article (can you call three real paragraphs an article?) expressing the obvious sentiments regarding Brendan Witt's trade request, only it took Tony over a month to take the four minutes to write the blurb.

The WTimes has a profile of perennial Caps blueline prospect Nolan Yonkman who is finally healthy, though we know (and sort of hope) it won't last long. After all, this is a guy who is not only a danger to himself, but to others as well, as he broke Michael Nylander's leg in training camp two years ago.

Others news and notes from around the League:

• Thrashers camp opened yesterday with Peter Bondra (and without Ilya Kovalchuk) in attendance.
  
• Former Bruins defenseman Don Sweeney is retiring, ending a 1,000+ game career. Bon voyage.

Updates:

• The Oilers have re-signed winger Ryan Smyth to a two-year deal.
• Ron Francis has retired as the NHL's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,798 points. With Mark Messier, Scott Stevens and Al MacInnis all retiring in the past week, that's going to be one heck of a Hall of Fame class in three years. With Stevens around, though, Ronny Franchise had best keep his head up when he's on the podium.