Thursday Caps Clips

Your savory breakfast links:

• It was gifts all around as the various members of the national teams made their way to Minsk:
  • Alex Ovechkin and Team Russia were the recipients of the traditional Loaf of Victory from the manager and staff of the President Hotel. Korovai! [RMNB]
  • Ovi also was given the good news that his Russian enhaelovski counterparts have chosen to award him the Kharlamov Trophy for a sixth time, and the first time since 2010. (The trophy is nice, but the interview is better.  Do click though.) [Soviet Sport (link in Russian)]
  • Hometown hero Mikhail Grabovski made an appearance at the "Gazprom Neft" gas station to sign autographs and greet his public.  As he prepared to leave, the station staff presented him with the "Разам з намi" ("We Are On The Way!") loyalty card... [belapan.com (link in Russian)]
  • ... and his coach Glen Hanlon gave him a vote of confidence and a spot on Belarus' top line, though the captaincy remains TBD. [belta.by (link in Russian)]
    
  • Joel Ward was interviewed by the Belorussian press as he arrived at Minsk National Airport where he revealed that Grabo had provided his Caps teammates plenty of advice about what to see and do in his nation's capital. [belta.by (link in Russian)]
    
• Closer to home, the searches for GM and HC continue. Which will get hired first? [NBC4]
  • Regardless, scratch Ron Hextall's name off the list - he's Flyerz property now. [CSNW]
  • Take a spin on the Wheel o' Coaching Candidates. [thestar.com]
    
• The year in...
  • John Erskine. [Rink, RMNB]
  • Troy Brouwer. [Peerless]
  • Mikhail Grabovski. [CSNW]
    
• Finally, wishing fair winds and following seas for former Hershey Bear captain, two-time Calder champion, and new dad Dean Arsene, who is hanging 'em up after thirteen years in the AHL and thirteen games in the Show. [SHoE]