Your savory breakfast links:
- Congratulations are in order for Real American Hero John Carlson, who will exchange his red-white-and-blue Capitals sweater for the red-white-and-blue colors of Team USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics. [Rink, USA Hockey, Dump ‘n Chase, CapsToday, WaPo, WashTimes, CSNW, NBC4, Frankovic, DSP, RMNB]
- In true Washingtonian fashion, Carlson held a White House press conference. [Monumental, RMNB]
- Behind the scenes of the Team USA selection process. [ESPN, USA Today]
- Previews of tonight’s Hurricane hootenanny from Vogs, NHL.com and Peerless, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partners over at Canes Country for the other side of tonight’s matchup.
- Oh hai there John-Michael Liles, and farewell Tim Gleason. The Canes and the Leafs made themselves a trade during the Winter Classic. [Canes Country, Puck Daddy]
- The Canes will also be without the services of Cam Ward and Riley Nash. They will be replaced by Anton Khudobin and a forward to be named later. [WRAL]
- Your Capitals Minute for today. [Capitals Voice]
- When a team is struggling offensively, it’s usually time for some line changes. Which may be why Alex Ovechkin found a gray second-line sweater hanging in his stall on Wednesday morning. Happy New Year, Cap’n. [WaPo, WashTimes, CSNW]
- Speaking of struggling, all these trade requests might be a bit concerning. [WaPo, Too Many Men]
- There’s more international action for the Caps prospects in Malmo:
- Finally, happy 45th birthday to Rick Tabaracci.