Your savory breakfast links:
- In case you missed it in the overnight, Tuvan published a translation of interviews with Alex Ovechkin and Semyon Varlamov following the Rangers game.
- On the injury/other front, Jose Theodore might not be available this weekend (which would likely get Michal Neuvirth a start), Alexander Semin is also questionable for the two games and Quintin Laing is out up to six weeks with a broken jaw. Milan Jurcina is getting better, Boyd Gordon is not, and Shaone Morrisonn is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. I think that’s everyone. [Washington Post, others]
- The Bears have recalled Michael Dubuc from South Carolina and another forward from Kalamazoo of the ECHL. A sign of a recall (or two) from Hershey to D.C. for the weekend? [Patriot-News, @timleone)]
- As mentioned above, Laing will be out up to six weeks with a broken jaw (but at least he got Fark’d for his efforts). Here’s a look at part of what the next few weeks will look like for Q. [Peerless]
- AO misses two weeks, still has nearly the most clutch goals in hockey this season. [The Hockey News]
- As far as undersized pivots who have been pleasant surprises for the Caps this fall, Brendan Morrison has to be in the top two. [Washington Times]
- Matt Bradley is probably the toughest environmentalist around… [National Geographic]
- … and his legend grows. [Washington Times]
- Is Brooks Laich the most underrated player in the League? [Bangin Panger]
- Pierre LeBrun offers some (solicited) praise for Nicklas Backstrom. [ESPN]
- Celebrating Bruce Boudreau‘s 100th win. [Rock The Red.net]
- Speaking of Gabby, how do you name the League’s top-nine coaches on the season so far and not have him on that list? [ESPN]
- Apropos of nothing, Varly‘s win on Tuesday night pushed him into sole possession of 22nd in franchise history in wins, breaking a tie with Cristobal Huet and Craig Billington. He could be in the top-14 by New Year’s and would need 22 more to be in the top-10 by season’s end.
- Since you’ve no doubt been wondering, Sergei Fedorov is currently fourth on his KHL team in scoring with four goals and nine assists in 23 games (and a team-best plus-ten rating) and Viktor Kozlov is tied for fifth on his team with five goals and ten assists in 25 games. And I hear it’s really, really great over there and everyone’s nice and it rains gumdrops (just in case Michael Nylander‘s reading).
- There have gotta be scores of Canadian kids growing up and patterning their game after Alex Ovechkin (recall that kids like to rebel against their parents), but probably not as many Russian kids emulating Mike Green. Here’s one. [NHL.com]
- The Sabres have named former Cap Grant Ledyard Director of Youth Hockey Development. [Sabres]
- Not directly Caps-related (though we all know the link), a nice story about a kid and one of his hockey coaches. [Autism Speaks via @CapsInPictures]
- Finally, happy birthday to a couple of former Caps and Sabres – Ledyard turns 48 and Dean Melanson turns 36.