Oldtimer Again

Just got word that my twice-a-week oldtimers league starts up Sept. 24th, looking forward to lacing them up again with the boys.

Went out for a skate at the local arena today, first time on ice since-mid-March, lots of rust.

Hey Rookie!

Hope springs eternal as the Capitals open up their rookie camp, there's even talk that Cody Eakin could surprise... I would much prefer that he go back to the Western Hockey League and tear it up then win gold with Team Canada's Juniors before starting his pro career in the spring with the Bears.

I can't believe people are hyping up a 19-year old like him.

Can Do?

Hey all you Caps doubters out there, just because you haven't done it yet doesn't mean you can do it (i.e win the Stanley Cup).

Ovechkin disses KHL

So Ovie is quoted on russian radio as saying the KHL does not compare
to the NHL. Well, duh! Ain't news at all.. Slow hockey month this
is.

--
Luc

'Amor vincit omnia' Virgile

Willie Mitchell?

He could certainly help but is he worth the financial commitment that On Frozen Blog refers to here?

Brian Burke's Take on Hockey's Future

Check it out here.

Why Do Composite Sticks Snap?

Check out this educational video to find the 'bubble' in the system... h/t to On Frozen Blog.

Hockey Heaven?

Check out the awesome post here.

Would Bélanger help?

I'm not sure a defensive ace like Éric Bélanger can help fill the Caps' second-line centre slot.  Don't get me wrong, he's a warrior and a bargain if we sign him for only one year, but we already have Gordo and Stecks.

The Hockey Desert

August is the worst month of the year: barely any NHL news, no garage-league hockey and my google reader hockey blog feed never overwhelms me.

Can't wait for September to roll around.

Would they survive another early playoff exit?

I'm thinking the Caps will undergo a lot of turnover next summer
unless they get to at least the Stanley Cup finals.

Management's legendary patience could run out.

Lots of pressure on the boys next April.

Not Playing

For the first time in over 12 years, I haven't been playing summer hockey.  A late march knee injury had me on the shelf and in withdrawal, and I can't wait for the Oldtimer's league to start up again in late September.  Have started running in the hope of not making a fool of myself when I begin again after such a long break.

Caps love

Them Caps are tweaking rather than overhauling this summer, & I agree.

Back in the Saddle?

Hi again,

After a child-related hiatus, I'm considering posting again, let's see how it goes.

Hockey Art ///L'art et le hockey

Here's a fascinating couple of clips from Kuklas Korner.

///Voici deux extraits au sujet de l'art et du hockey, grâce à Kuklas Korner.

May of the Penguins ///Vers les pingouins

The Caps pulled off an impressive comeback, Simeon VarlAmov blew me away.

///Mes caps ont fait une remontée improbable, grâce au calme impressionnant du jeune Simeon VarlAmov.

Twitter now

Hi,

You can now follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HockeyAmor

Here's the tinyurl for my blog.

First Caps Action Since The Spring / Premier match depuis le printemps

Thanks to the Internet, just saw the Caps Flyers exhibition game won 2-1 by Philly.

A few thoughts:
-Alzner is more steady than Lepisto, but both should become Hershey's no 1 pair and gain more experience
-Chris 'buzzsaw' Bourque was a factor yet needs more seasoning
-Fedorov is an old smoothie

///Grâce à l'Internet, j'ai vu un match préparatoire des Caps, qui ont perdu 2 à 1 contre les Flyers.

Quelques réactions:
-Alzner est plus solide que Lepisto, mais les deux devraient devenir le premier duo défensif à Hershey et prendre plus d'expérience
-Chris Bourque a été un facteur mais il a besoin d'une autre année à Hershey
-Fedorov est très en forme pour un joueur plus âgé

My Defensive Pairings / Mes duos défensifs

As a follow-up to yesterday's offensive lines, here's my take on D:

1st pair: Schultz - Green

Schultz? Yes, he's dependable, but also:

2nd pair: Morrisson-Poti

Having Morrisson here will free up Poti to play more offensively

3rd pair: Lepisto-Jurcina

Sami can make it full-time this year

Spare: Erskine. 'Nuff said.

Alzner, no matter what camp he has, should play a full year in Hershey. Look at what it did to Green.

///Comme suite à mes trios offensifs d'hier, voici mes duos défensifs:

1er groupe: Schultz - Green

Schultz? Oui, il est fiable, et en plus :

2e groupe: Morrisson-Poti

Morrisson permettra à Poti d'être plus offensif

3e groupe: Lepisto-Jurcina

Sami peut jouer à temps plein cette année

7e défenseur: Erskine. Pas plus.

Alzner, peu importe son camp d'entraînement, devrait jouer une pleine saison à Hershey. Rappelez vous de ce que cela a fait à Green.

My Lines / Mes Trios

After watching the Russia-Canada World Championship final game again, I'm convinced that the Caps should keep Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin together.

If I was Bruce Boudreau my lines would be:

Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin

Awesome power with a great defensive center.

Laich-Backstrom-Clark

Sweetness with grindability and leadership.

Gordon-Nylander-Kozlov

A stronger than usual offensive third line, thanks to Nyls.

Brashear-Steckel-Bradley

An energy fourth line with penalty killing and faceoff strength.

Spares:

Fleischman, Fehr for the inevitable injuries. This year is Flash's last chance.

///Après avoir regardé à nouveau le match final Russie-Canada des championnats mondiaux, je suis convaincu que les Capitals devraient garder le trio Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin intact.

Si j'étais Bruce Boudreau mes trios seraient :

Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin

Une puissance offensive incontournable et un grand centre défensif.

Laich-Backstrom-Clark

Du talent et du caractère.

Gordon-Nylander-Kozlov

Un troisième trio plus offensif qu'à l'habitude, grâce à Nylander.

Brashear-Steckel-Bradley

Un trio 'énergie' avec deux excellents joueurs en désavantage numérique.

Extras : Fleischman et Fehr pour combler le vide lors de blessures. Pour Flash, il s'agit de la dernière chance.