Monday Caps Clips: Rookie Camp Opens

by J.P. on Sep 7, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in Caps Clips

Your savory Labor Day breakfast links:

Rookie Camp begins today with the kids on the ice at 10:30 out at Kettler. Rosters and schedules (for rookie and training camps) here.
You may have noticed on that roster that Joe Finley is listed as a forward. He's taking the shift in stride, and will "continue working at it and doing whatever what is asked of [him]." [Capitals Insider]
John Carlson may be an "impact rookie," and Karl Alzner and Eric Fehr sleepers for 2009-10. [NHL.com]
Speaking of which, the Caps' blueline is young. Maybe too young. We couldn't agree more. [Capitals]
One of the top prospects who won't be at camp this week is Dmitri Orlov, but here's a quick interview with him to get a sense of what he's up to. [Russian Prospects h/t TJ]
Mixed in with plenty of, um, non-hockey content (did we need to know that he has a couple of issues of Playboy in his bathroom?) is the potentially significant news that Mike Green "did experience some hip tightness and a slight groin pull" at Canada's Olympic camp. Gulp. [Capitals Insider]
Five things to know about the Caps, including "Getting Ovechkin first overall in the 2004 draft was like hitting the lottery for the Capitals." Feel free to skip this link. [CBSSports.com]
Brandon Sugden will be at camp and is still chasing the dream. [Toronto Sun]
Did you know that Alex Ovechkin "had the most assists among non-centers in the NHL in 2008-09?" Of course you did, but it's still nice to see it shared with the rest of the world. [The Hockey News]
In other AO news, he's been awarded the title of "Honored Master of Sports" in Russia, which is the most prestigious honor the country hands out to athletes. [Alex Ovetjkin]
Rob Blake ducks the "Sid or AO?" question. [The Beckett Blog]
Perhaps the most creative take on Ovechkin's tramp stamp yet. [Twitpic via @pensblog]
More "AO over Malkin" advice for you fantasy (and reality) pucksters. [NHL.com]
Peerless is doing what he does best - prognosticating. So far, he's previewed Karl Alzner, John Erskine, Mike Green, Milan Jurcina and Shaone Morrisonn. Must-reads. [Peerless]
Steve Pinizzotto is a "former RIT great," and the school's still plenty proud of him (and rightly so). [R.I.T. Athletics]
The Caps chose not to sign 2007 draftee Justin Taylor, but the Canucks are giving the London Knights veteran a look. [London Free Press]
Steve Eminger signed a two-year deal worth $2.25 million (and $1.5m in the second year) because he "brings a physical presence" and is very capable offensively." Okay... [TSN.ca]
Ugly stuff from former Cap Richard Zednik's divorce proceedings, which, at a higher level, raise some interesting questions about what is and isn't blog-worthy. [Litter Box Cats]
Speaking of off-ice woes for former Caps, Sergei Fedorov's financial drama is far from over. [Detroit Free Press]
Good on the Penguins for making a charitable pit-stop when they're in town later this week. [NHL.com]
Finally, happy 24th birthday to Fehr and happy 31st to Matt Cooke.

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Comments

I don’t think Orlov have to worry about making the WJC squad he’s coach already trusting him enough to give him an A in this weekends friendly U-20 tournament. I don’t know how
friendly it was though.

by Malin A on Sep 7, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

Is NOT blog-worthy. Agreed.

by Uncle C on Sep 7, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

Great initiative to give Bruce a weekly column, the man sure can talk so he won’t run out of things to talk about.

by Malin A on Sep 7, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

Fehr’s a sleeper. Perhaps he’ll awake this season

01-20-13...the end of an error

by hotdog88gt on Sep 7, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

I hope so. My crystal 8-ball has either Fehr or Flash—not both, alas— breaking out this season. The other will go on to win an Eminger Award (for longevity in the role of ‘interesting prospect’).

by redlineblue on Sep 7, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

In the words of the immortal bag-handler for Southwest Airlines, “It’s On” and hopefully we’ve got ten months to talk about actual hockey.

by b.orr4 on Sep 7, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

Finley is hurt already. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/finley-injured.html#comments

www.wiseadvertising.com

Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.

by Sombrero Guy on Sep 7, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

green does not look like he spent the summer conditioning

by sincitycapsfan on Sep 7, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

You didn’t get to see him in shorts and a T-shirt earlier. He’s probably dropped a good 15-20 pounds and he is CUT. He looks really good. Keep in mind that they’re all skating a little lazy – nobody wants to get hurt right now and this is just a good-natured informal scrimmage.

BTW, Stretch made a 3-on-0 save earlier and it looks as though he’s changed sticks. Keeping his equipment NHL-legal, maybe?

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 2:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I doubt he dropped 15 pounds, unless he was carrying more baby-fat than I thought, but 5 pounds and adding some muscle wouldn’t surprise me based on how he looked in that gray shirt.

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 7, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw the difference through the trunk and in the face – I’d be surprised if it was less than 10.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw him from a few feet away earlier. He looks good.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 7, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Just curious

We’re wishing happy bd to prick Penguins who played like 20 games as a Cap? I hope his birthday is rotten, personally. :-)

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Sep 7, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Team made the playoffs on the last day possible. Are you so sure that magical playoff run would have happened without Cookie?

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Sep 7, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I am of the opinion that the car ramp up to Kettler would make a magnificent slip’n’slide.

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 7, 2009 2:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

If it weren’t for the concrete walls, yes.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 2:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Well, clearly you’d need bumpers. But how awesome would that be?

Were you the one in the middle stands with the netbook?

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 7, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope, I was in an Alzner T-shirt and a track jacket down by the near-end hash-marks.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Two things stood out to my admittedly untrained eye – How much better Carlson was than everyone he played against and how quick Cody Eakin is. That kid can really accelerate.

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 7, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed. I think Carlson makes a serious bid for a red sweater in training camp. I also noticed that Cody Eakin fared pretty well in the herbies session, too.

I was amused that Bruess, Jasinsky, and Mitchell were paired together.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Man, Jasinsky was hurting reaaaaalllly badly by the end of those herbies.

I don’t know enough to get why that grouping is funny though, care to elaborate?

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 7, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

They’re all known in their respective junior leagues as enforcers.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, those were the two things that stood out to me, too. carlson is pretty much a beast.

by kellobellow on Sep 7, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I was impressed with Flemming’s skating. Dude’s got wheels.

But yeah, Carlson is much better than everyone out there.

And I’d add Kugryshev to the list of guys nearly heaving after the suicides.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 7, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Photographic evidence (via Peerless) of Kugryshev’s post-Herbie struggles:

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 7, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

From this angle, looks like someone was credentialed.

by Cluster on Sep 7, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, that angle is still in the public area, but Peerless could get credentialed rather easily.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 7, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup. Kugryshev was hurting, BAD. So was Jasinsky. Not too many guys were okay after those, though Carlson and Eakin didn’t seem to be too horribly badly off.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Gustafsson actually held up better than I’d expected, too.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 7, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. A few of us noted that while we were watching. Jasinsky it was to be expected. I expected more from Kugryshev after last year. Dubuc was hurting, too.

Eakin, Carlson, and Flemming caught my eye during the herbies on the positive side, along with Gustafsson.

Interesting choice that they are having the 2 goalies alternate this week.

by sk84fun_dc on Sep 7, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, he does put out workout videos :)

But agreed, he did. I didn’t spot Flemming – I think he was on the far side of the ice where I couldn’t see who was who.

I agree with whoever said that Cody Eakin is FAST. His passing could be more accurate but WOW can he skate.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 7, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

He did, although after the Herbies he took his helmet off and just laid his head on the ice. I laughed, it must have felt good after being in a helmet for such a skate.

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 7, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

At least we were spared the Mathieu Perreault moment from last year when he had to be helped off the ice and Coach Woods was asked afterward if he thought Perreault was going to live (to which he rolled his eyes and replied, “I dunno”)

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Sep 8, 2009 6:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Watched the afternoon skate with the veterans. Man, is it weird seeing Knuble wearing Caps gear. He looks like a beast out there, and B-Mo is one slick passer. Both known quantities I know, but actually seeing them drilling and scrimmaging with the team is the first time it has sunk in. Two great additions.

by Cluster on Sep 7, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

For sure. Did you see the goalie (was it Stretch or Neuvirth?) post up along the near boards and Laich skate backwards into him? That was pretty freaking funny to watch, I’m sure Brads is going to reminding him about that one for a while.

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 7, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Neuvirth was at the Eagle’s Nest end during the scrimmage. I missed that though.

by Cluster on Sep 7, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Right in front of me. Too funny.

by CapitalCentre on Sep 7, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you see the moment where I think it was Greenie flicked a puck at an unsuspecting Neuvirth and then pointed at Schultz?

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Sep 8, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Hahahha! No, I missed that, but I can totally see it.

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 8, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Too all Caps fans who were out at Kettler be thankful. I was at Jobing.com for Yotes rookie camp. You got the better end of the deal by a long shot.

by Carl Putnam on Sep 8, 2009 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

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