Your savory breakfast links:
- Taking a closer look at a trio of Caps’ youngsters, each of whom brings a unique skillset to the table. [Rink]
- All-Star goodies:
- The third All-Star Fantasy Draft is in the books, and after more than a few laughs, more than a few drinks and an awesomely hilarious trade, it’s official: #TeamFoligno! [CBJ, BlueJackets Xtra, Puck Daddy, AP]
- And while the stage was filled with stars, it was our own star who stole the show in his (ultimately fruitless) quest for a flashy new car. [NHL.com, For the Win, SB Nation, Puck Daddy, WaPo, CSNW, PHT, RMNB]
- Prior to the draft day festivities, Alex Ovechkin met with the assembled media and answered a billion and one questions about Barry Trotz. Probably. [Monumental video]
- The Ovechkin who arrived in Columbus is perhaps a more well-rounded player than in the past, one who is balancing fun with an obligation to the fans this weekend. [WaPo (and again), The Score]
- It’s been a long road to this game for Ovechkin and fellow sniper Steven Stamkos, both of whom are coming off of rough years last season. [NHL.com]
- Turns out most players who make the All-Star Game were once taken in the early rounds of the NHL Entry Draft. Go figure. [CBS Sports]
- In other shocking revelations, not everyone is a fan of the All-Star Game and this one in particular is a farce…because no Sidney Crosby and stuff. [Pensburgh, THW]
- More support for the “how the hell is Nicklas Backstrom not an All Star” movement. [SCoC]
- Follow along all weekend with the good people over at The Cannon as their city plays host to the rest of the League. [Cannon]
- And look back at a time when the All-Star Game descended on the District. [Rink]
- With Ovechkin in Columbus, what are his teammates up to? Chimmer and Wardo fill us in on their plans for the break. [CSNW (video)]
- Braden Holtby has been red hot over the last few months, but the process of returning to form is one he started a year ago. [Dump ‘n Chase, WaPo].
- He’s just one of many Caps coming up on a new contract who has expressed interest in sticking around in DC for the foreseeable future… [CSNW]
- …but how much will it cost to keep some of them? [CSNW]
- Congrats to Philipp Grubauer, who becomes the third Hershey Bear to be named to the AHL All-Star Classic roster (and the second to do so as an injury replacement). [Patriot-News]
- Finally, happy 66th birthday to Guy Charron, happy 42nd to Chris and Peter Ferraro, happy 45th to Jim Mathieson, and happy 29th to Jack Hillen.