Capitals 2008 Training Camp

Saranis · Post by **Saranis** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:53 am

I was able to attend today and noticed a few things

Hanlon has Semin and Nylander paired together along with Clark and Backstrom. What this tells me is that he is trying to mix the projected first and second lines up right now to build chemestry in case there is need to switch midseason.

Kolzig let in a couple very easy goals and didn't seam to have arrived at camp in very good condition, he also has a new Red White and Blue mask though from the distance I saw it at I couldnt tell if it was Godzilla or not.

Semin left the scrimmage early when he tripped face first into the boards, he skated off with the help of the trainer leaving a blood trail.

Alzner looks to be ready to play in the NHL but would not feature on the top two lines. Most likely he will be in Hershey where he can get top line minutes.

Mike Green, Chris Bourque, and John Erskine both looked to be out there fighting for a roster spot this season and from what I saw they may well make it.

Backstrom and Nylander were often matched and it seamed that Backstrom got the better of Nylander in faceoffs. Backstrom was making very nice crisp passes and hussling to get back on Defense. Whether this is a result of having been in the rookie camp and Nylander just arriving I cannot say.

Cassivi was Brilliant in goal stopping all shots he faced and won his match up against Kolzig.

I'll upload Photos Tomorrow.

Post by **batdad** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:15 am

Alzner looks to be ready to play in the NHL but would not feature on the top two lines. Most likely he will be in Hershey where he can get top line minutes.

I believe if Alzner does not make the team, because he is 19 he would have to pass thru waivers to play for Hershey. 10 games in Washington max, and they have to make up their mind to send back to Calgary in junior with the Hitmen. That I believe is the only place other than Washington alzner can play, due to the NHL-CHL agreement on draft/transfer rules.

I bet if Backstrom plays in the show he plays with Clark. Always play the young studs with the veteran leader. He will at least room with him.
To my knowledge any "projection" of lines in the NHL is rubbish. Coaches toy with em all the time...even the ones who like to keep guys together mix em up every 15 games or so for a bit to keep the guys fresh. So we can project all we want, but even Gretzky-Kurri and Trottier-Bossy got split up. Jeez even Daniel and Henrik get split up. So not likely to worry about injuries, need to switch..just seeing who plays well with who..no predetermination in lines to follow a "projection" at all.

If a coach put guys together without seeing them play together...and stuck with it no matter what..he would not be a coach for long.

As for Backstrom outhustling Nylander...not a surprise at all...Nylander is:

1. a veteran who knows he is on the team, and could care less about camp.
2. A veteran who is lazy, a non-hustler, and half the time during the season could care less about the games or practices. He is in many ways like basketballer Alan Iverson ("Practice? Practice? It's just a stinking practice..."

And yeah, same goes for Kolzig...cept for the lazy part..he has always cared, except about camp.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:41 pm

Im not surprised by Backstrom playing his hardest, this guy wants to be on the first line with AO, but is he that good? that remains to be seen. However, he wants to make up for lost time, he was so disapointed that players selected lower than him like kessel played and he didnt.

As for Alzner, i really cant see him making the team this year, the guy is a future star without doubt, and should have been the highest taken D-man (huge mistkae by the kings), but i think he will play with the Hitmen for just another year, where he will get to play with his friend and future NHL D-man, Alex Plante. It will help his development if he plays there rather than on low lines with the Caps, i think that JJ struggled last year because he was overshadowed by his idol Rob Blake, can't wait to see him in the NHL though.

Post by **batdad** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:49 pm

i think that JJ struggled last year because he was overshadowed by his idol Rob Blake, can't wait to see him in the NHL though.

JJ did not struggle dude...the guy was awesome for a kid who came out of college at the end of the year. He played really well in his own end, and the offense was beginning to come. I think the Canucks played him 2 or 3 times, and in all the games I saw him play...he looked like he fit in quite well.

I hope he is not getting Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey build up anywhere..cause he is not. HE is Scott Stevens, and maybe Rob Blake at best...not a superstar..but a hell of a great player...not going to score 100 pts though.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:08 pm

I'm sorry, i didnt mean he played exceptionally bad, but their was a huge difference between him as a rookie and the rest of the league, did you see his debut, he got smacked the rubbish out of, the hit was huge,

Bulis WHACKS Johnson

and he was outwitted by Matt Cooke of all people (sorry batdad),

Jack recieves "Cold Shoulder"

Maybe im expecting to much from him, i wouldve liked to have see more offense, and a guy that scores 69 points in 72 games in college should be scoring points, and -5 says he wasnt the best on defense, but maybe that was because the kings had a bad year, but maybe im too picky

Post by **batdad** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:16 pm

Ha..the bulis hit..of course I saw that. But the rest of that game he played pretty well for a debut. No Pavel Bure debut for sure...but whose is?

He is not going to be a super-offensive defenseman. He is going to pop 40-50 pts at best most of his seasons, and maybe has 1 or 2 Adrian Aucoin years where he pops 20 plus goals. Not going to be that kind of player.

He will be good, but not great.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:36 pm

Haha, well as a Ducks fan, I make it so i see as little of Kings games as possible, so ill to take your word on the rest of the game

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:43 pm

batdad wrote:I believe if Alzner does not make the team, because he is 19 he would have to pass thru waivers to play for Hershey.

Erhm, no. He cannot be sent down at all.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:36 pm

Im not sure i understand that rule, why does he have to be sent down? Hes a rookie, he has accrued no seasons, so why should he need to clear waivers?

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:51 pm

Speaking of Backstrom, he scored a snap shot from near the faceoff circle in the Caps opening friendly, but only averaged 35 seconds per shift, im likin him already, the next forsberg hes been touted, lets hope not

Post by **batdad** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:40 am

The reason they cannot go to the minors with junior eligibility is the deal the NHL has with the CHL to let guys out at 18 years at all. The underage draft is what dictated this agreement. The waiver thing is in EHM, as well...and I am pretty sure it is there in real life somewhere...

But there is no way in hell...anyone would ever waive a junior player to get him to play in the AHL instead of canadian juniors. So the rule...no sending to minors when junior rights are there, until age 20 holds true...

So...in essence Systemfel is right...

Saranis · Post by **Saranis** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:00 pm

As promised, a few photos.
Nylander and Backstrom
Board Battle
No Comment

Got a few more but havent pulled em off the digital yet.

Post by **Shadd666** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:48 pm

Thanks for the pics Saranis