Your savory breakfast links:
- At last, an article about Barry Trotz and Alex Ovechkin that doesn’t resort to lazy narratives about the Caps’ Russian superstar. It’s like the hockey-writing equivalent of a unicorn! [NHL.com]
- After a surprise standout performance, camp invitee Liam O’Brien has earned himself a three-year deal with the Caps. [Caps, Dump ‘n Chase, WaPo, CSNW, La Presse, La Frontiere, Patriot-News, MetroNews]
- Meanwhile the blueline picture gets a little bit clearer, with Steve Oleksy placed on waivers en route to (hopefully) Hershey. [Patriot-News, WaPo, CSNW]
- Continuing our fantasy look at a world in which the Caps had both Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. [Rink]
- There’s still work to be done, but Trotz is seeing his team make early strides… [CSNW]
- …but file those lazy stick penalties under the “still work to be done” category. [WaPo]
- Another rule change is headed to an NHL rink near you, as the League has decided to implement a change in the spacing of faceoff hashmarks after successful preseason tests. Spicy. [SBN]
- Also spicy? Calling for a suspension on a “brutal” elbow from Sunday’s Caps-‘Canes game. No, oddly enough it’s not referring to this one… [THN]
- Previews, get your previews:
- The 2014-15 Caps broken down by the potential risk factors facing them. [PHT]
- Previewing the Metropolitan Division. [XN Sports]
- A look at Justin Peters‘ potential for 2014-15. [Peerless]
- Celebrate good times – and the start of the Caps’ season – with some preview shows and a special on Barry Trotz this week on Comcast. [CSNW]
- Evgeny Kuznetsov is a Player to Watch in the 2014-15 season. [Reuters]
- If you liked the line combinations from Sunday’s win over the Hurricanes, you’re in luck – that should be pretty close to what you’ll see Thursday night. [WaPo]
- And if you wanted a closer look at those lines, check out some nice photos from behind the bench of the Caps-Canes game. [RMNB]
- Some final impressions and thoughts on the Caps after eight preseason games. [THW]
- Poor undervalued, overlooked Dmitry Orlov. [THW]
- Two days from now, the Caps will open their regular season with an eye toward returning to the playoffs. [Pressbox DC]
- The Caps and Hershey Bears are looking to revitalize their affiliation in 2014-15 – and it starts with the coaches. [Patriot-News]
- Do preseason NHL rankings have the same amount of weight as preseason games? [THW]
- Okay, yes, it’s October… but if you’re looking forward to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus, get yourself ready with this handy guide from our SBN pals at The Cannon. [Cannon]
- Congrats to Caps’ prospect Madison Bowey, who was named the WHL Player of the Week. [WHL, Kelowna Now, Jr Hockey News,
- Need some happy? Settle in and read about Alex Ovechkin’s surprise date with a very special young lady. [Caps Today, Monumental (video, pictures), WaPo, CSNW, Sporting News, FTW, The Score, CBC]
- And for extra cute, more on Eric Fehr‘s children’s book, The Bulliest Dozer. [CSNW, FTW]
- This poor, poor man has been subjected to over 12 hours of gut-wrenching, heartbreaking DC playoff losses. And he’s never invited to another game ever. [WaPo]
- Finally, happy 65th birthday to Jim Hrycuik and happy 26th to Cameron Schilling.