Your savory breakfast links:
- All defensemen, all the time in this week’s Japers’ Rink Mailbag. Keep those questions coming – you ask, we answer! [Rink]
- News and notes from yesterday’s practice out at Kettler:
- In general. [Monumental video (Oates, Rinkside Update/Brouwer)]
- Checking in with Brooks Laich, his “concerning” groin injury, and the poor acupuncturist who almost got his head kicked off. [Monumental video (Laich), WaPo (and again), CSNW]
- Another spin on the wheel o’ defensemen sends Tyson Strachan down to Hershey, with Patrick Wey getting the call to Washington. [Monumental video (Wey), Caps, Dump ‘n Chase, CSNW, Patriot-News]
- Wey joins rookie defensemen Nate Schmidt and other young blueliners who are getting some unexpected playing time due to injuries. [WaPo, CSNW]
- Talking about fighting back isn’t as effective as actually doing it, so sayeth the coach. [CSNW]
- Your Capitals Minute for today. [Capitals Voice]
- Alex Ovechkin is doing his part (and then some) so far this season – so where’s his team? [THW]
- Looking ahead to next summer and the potential UFAs who could be sticking with their current teams. [Spectors Hockey]
- One of those names is settling in quite nicely with the Caps and, so far, has been better than advertised. [THW]
- It’s been a busy time between the pipes for the Caps and their minor league affiliates. [Patriot-News]
- Living and dying on the power play – especially doing the latter – isn’t going to help you move up in power rankings. [SB Nation]
- And in power rankings of a different sort, reflecting on a fairly eventful week for Caps’ GM George McPhee. [Puck Daddy]
- Radio hits a-plenty:
- Even a battered groin and a corrupt mayor wouldn’t keep Laich from his weekly radio stop with The Junkies… [106.7 the Fan]
- …while Troy Brouwer checked in with Holden and Danny… [106.7 the Fan]
- …and Karl Alzner did a spot with Lavar and Dukes. [106.7 the Fan]
- Most players take naps between morning skate and the game; Steve Oleksy is not most players. [WaPo]
- Finally, happy 52nd birthday to Chris Valentine.