Your savory breakfast links:
- Today’s camp schedule: Morning skate at 10 for the away team, then Groups Pivonka and Maruk will begin their practices at 11. [Caps Today]
- The first training camp cuts came as undrafted free-agent invites forward Trevor Cox (Medicine Hat), forward Tim McGauley (Brandon) and defenseman Keoni Texiera (Portland) were returned to their junior teams. Connor Hobbs is sticking around for a day or three. [Updated Roster]
- It is time for Evgeny Kuznetsov to shine. And with Nicklas Backstrom on the shelf, Kuzya will need to shine even brighter on the top line. [NHL.com]
- Dmitry Orlov is putting a season on the sidelines firmly behind him. [WaPo, WashTimes]
- Crystal ballin’ the birthday boy’s 2015-16. [Peerless]
- On the eve of his third pro season, Tom Wilson is expected to shoulder more responsibility… [WaPo]
- … oh hai there Milan Lucic comparison. [Over the Boards]
- Yay for backup goalie battles. [WaPo]
- Coach Trotz provided updates on the four Caps currently rehabbing injuries: [WaPo]
- NB99 – “I think he’s got it in his mind that he’s going to be ready for opening night. We’ll see. I don’t doubt him. He’s the only one who knows his body, and I know he’s doing extra stuff, all those things. I don’t doubt anything Nick Backstrom ever says.”
- Brooks Orpik – “I talked to him today, making headway. I expect him to be shooting pucks very shortly here, starting to pass them. Everything’s tracking good. … He’s made great progression.”
- Marcus Johansson is working through a “wrenched back” and is being sat out because hey, it’s the preseason.
- Michael Latta will most likely be on the ice today, or soon.
- The Caps’ preseason 3-on-3 overtime report card – Needs Improvement. [WaPo]
- “I think the ride and the lead-up and the hard work it takes to attain it makes it all worthwhile. The war you go through with all your friends and teammates and the guys you care about, and reaching the pinnacle of everybody’s hockey career together is just a special feeling and that’s what makes it so special as well.” Three-time Stanley Cup champion Justin Williams tries to manage expectations, but yeah, winning a Cup is pretty damn cool. Pretty much the best, even. [CSNMA]
- A Flyerz rundown of the Metro Division. Then they put the bus in reverse and run it down once more. [Broad Street Hockey]
- You guys, Boston totally wouldn’t of been shut out three times and missed the playoffs last season if they would of had Justin Hickman beating up Tyler Lewington that one time. [Boston Herald, NESN]
- Oh hey, there’s another former Waddlebird defenseman in the Caps’ organ-i-zation. [Live 5 News]
- Jeff Halpern sighting! He’s been hired by Tampa to be a player development coach for the Syracuse Crunch. [syracuse.com]
- Finally, happy 27th birthday to Number 27.