Capitals Kremlin

Fast Start For Caps: Caps Win 4-1

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:58:42 +0000

Can't ask for a better start. Here's to holding on to that momentum and carrying it to Saturday.

Questions and Storylines for the 2009-2010 Washington Capitals

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:49:50 +0000

Professional sports teams enter each season with dozens of questions surrounding their season.

With the 2009-2010 season just hours away, here are some of the questions and storylines we'll be following all year at Capitals Kremlin.

Is This The Year?

The obvious story. After a disappointing Game Seven loss to the Penguins, the Caps are back and, if their practice t-shirt is to be believed, have hockey's version of the "Mandate from Heaven" to claim the Stanley Cup. High-five for using ninth grade history in a blog post.

Standing in the Shadows of Ovie

Nicklas Backstrom is one of the league's most talented youngsters, but if NHL marketing were to be believed, he's just average. This might be the first year that the young Swede hits the 100-point mark, and he'll likely do it under-the-radar. Is this the year that "Backie" emerges from behind the Great 8 as an NHL star?

Sizing Up the Competition

The Capitals are a big team. With only one player under 6'0'' (Brendan Morrison) and lightest of the bunch at 185 (Morrison again), you'd expect the Caps to be a group of bruisers. Sadly that's not the case. But without an enforcer this season, will the Caps answer the call to be physical on their own?

Krashin Knuble

HI BILLY MAYS HERE WITH KRASHIN KNUBLE, THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW WAY TO SCORE GOALS. THE SECRET IS IN THE SCREENING. KNUBLE STANDS IN FRONT OF THE NET AND PUCKS DEFLECT IN. WOW!

Sorry I had to. So simply put, how much production will the Capitals get out of their newest free-agent toy, Mike Knuble?

Net Presence

Jose Theodore's the veteran with a slew of critics claiming his glory days are long over. Semyon Varlamov is the rookie who hasn't seen a full year's worth of NHL action but is heralded as the next great Russian goalie. Think it's a battle between those two? Not so fast: Enter Michal Neuvirth who dominated in the AHL and has every right to claim a spot in Washington. If you thought the goalie battle was over, you thought wrong.

The Nylander Saga

Michael Nylander is one of the highest paid Caps. He's also sitting in the press box to open the season. How soon will the Capitals be able to find a suitable trading partner, or can the aging Swede find a suitable spot in the lineup?

Put 'Em In Pothier

Returning from the concussion injury that nearly ended his NHL career, Brian Pothier looks to bring his puck-moving style to the Caps for 82 games. Will Pothier bring another spark to the offense this season, or is injury still a concern for the veteran?

Suddenly Southeast

All five teams in the Southeast Division took a step forward this season, and it's possible that three teams could qualify for the NHL playoffs from what is considered a doormat division. Can Ilya Kovalchuk taste the postseason again? Will Carolina steal the Caps crown? Will Steven Stamkos emerge as the star he was marketed as after a year in Tampa Bay?

The Nylander Saga Claims One

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:32:19 +0000

Perhaps no scene from a movie better explains the Michael Nylander situation than this not-so-memorable-but-yet-I-know-it quote from the movie "Sgt. Bilko."

Private: "I think the guys don't like me."

Bilko: "Why would you think that?"

Private: "They wrote me a note. 'Rodney, we don't like you.' "

At the beginning of training camp, Bruce Boudreau hoped the rumors swirling around Michael Nylander wouldn't become a distraction for his club.

It's official, he is a distraction. And it's affecting players who outright deserved a spot on the roster. By now you've probably heard the news: Chris Bourque was claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bourque, who was a key part of the Hershey Bears' Calder Cup runs, secured a roster spot after a nail-biting training camp that featured an injury and roster-clinching goal in the final preseason game. Of course it helped that Tomas Fleischmann and Eric Fehr were hurt but, still, Bourque earned his spot.

Now his "Welcome to the NHL" dinner date with Bruce and his father, NHL legend Ray Bourque, is cancelled.

It sucks. On one hand, you have a kid who's given his heart-and-soul in camp and in the AHL to make the NHL roster, and on the other, a veteran who just doesn't get the message.

The team couldn't be any clearer about Nylander's role with the team.

He doesn't have one. Yet he remains and enforces his no-movement clause.

But can you really blame Nylander?

Why shouldn't he wait until the best opportunity arises? Why should he accept a trade to any team when he's nearing the end of his career and would want to go to a team that a) appreciates what he can bring to the team and b) actually wants to play him for more than 10 minutes a game.

Nylander produced 33 points in 72 games last year, a far-cry from his usual production, but George McPhee can't seem to find a trade that an opposing team would accept or that Nylander would accept.

Some might argue that Nylander selfishly caused Bourque's exit from the team. But considering that Bourque made the team by the pure fact that Fehr and Fleischmann were injured, most are just mad that of all teams, the very last team on the waiver wire, the hated Penguins, picked the young Bostonian up.

A day away from the puck drop, Caps fans can either continue to moan about the Nylander saga or accept the truth.

The Nylander situation is no longer "Where can we trade him?" but "How can we use him?"

Making Nylander the highest-paid person in the Verizon Center press box is not an ideal solution.

Ode to Olie...

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:46:11 +0000

For a few months now, I've been contemplating retiring my Olie Kolzig sweater in favor of a member of the current roster.

For some reason I feel like I'm missing out when I don No. 37 instead of No. 8, No. 28 or No. 19. There's a rush of excitement when the jersey you're wearing scores, saves or makes the game-changing play. There's a kinship with other fans who choose to wear the same jersey as you and, in some ways, you feel like a sixth man just because of who you are supporting.

For two seasons I felt more like a shrine than a fan.

Olie's number was the first time I'd gotten a "named jersey." My previous philosophy was "x player will leave one day and I'll be stuck with it." Still, Olie was my favorite Capital and isn't that what fans should do? Cheer for their favorite player?

But what do you do when that favorite player leaves the team? It's a situation I've been thinking about for quite some time, until the news of Olie's retirement broke today.

Olie Kolzig's retirement shouldn't come as a shock to Caps fans. The day has been long coming and it was evident that Olie was entering the twilight of his career in his appearance as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning in November.

Alex Ovechkin and company lit Olie and his Swiss cheese defenders up like a Christmas tree. It was painful. Painful because, on one hand, you want to see the Caps win but, on the other hand, I wanted a classic Olie shutout.

Most will remember Olie for his Vezina Trophy and leading the Capitals to their Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Some will think about the manner in which he left the Capitals -- a messy situation that left a hole in a locker stall and on the Caps roster. Don't forget about his charity work and loyalty to the D.C. area.

I'll think about the grueling stretch of hockey he played after the lockout.

Olie could have left for a Cup contender. He could have said "Screw it, I don't want to ruin my stats" and played behind veteran defenders. But he didn't. He stayed and endured stat-killing loss after loss.

Olie's three seasons after the lockout earned him a 3.53 GAA in 2006, 3.00 GAA in 2007 and 2.91 GAA in 2008. Not exactly the numbers you'd expect out of Godzilla, but still, considering what he was working with, admirable.

In some ways, it was sad to see Olie on a team that blossomed too late for him to enjoy.

When the Capitals began to realize their potential, Huet stole the spotlight. His brief time in Tampa was even worse: another young inexperienced team, inexperienced owners and Barry Melrose.

Right now, Tampa Bay might just be the place where veterans go to die.

Watching a player you love fail to reach the pinnacle of his sport is depressing.

I watched as Dan Marino failed to capture a Super Bowl and, like Kolzig, fall apart in a soul-crushing fashion that clearly signals to the sporting world "I'm done." It's sad because for years you cheer for this one player and then when the gloves are hung up, you're constantly left wondering "what if?"

What if Dan Marino had a competent running game during his prime? What if Olie Kolzig had his Vezina year with the current roster?

If the Capitals ever raise the Stanley Cup with the current squad of young stars who played in front of Olie during their hockey infancy, perhaps a special raise should be sent to the No. 37.

Now, as I sit in my office working against deadlines and hoping to leave at a decent hour to attend the preseason game with the Blackhawks, my decision on retiring Olie's jersey is final.

I understand now why you see the occasional Langway, Hunter or Bondra jersey floating around the Verizon Center.

Add one more Kolzig to that mass.

I Could Get Used To This...

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:43:17 +0000

Caps win in OT 4-3 on Brian Pothier's PPG, but more importantly...

Glad to see Knuble getting on the scoresheet for what he's known for; tipping in shots, creating havoc in the crease and clutch goals.

Not a bad way to open up the preseason, but then again, it's the preseason. Lets try and not get too excited about it.

One Down, One to Go: Is Ovie Due for a Cover Curse?

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:29:59 +0000

In case you're not clued in, it's a common belief that those who are featured on the cover of the Madden NFL video game have their cover season cursed.

So when Steelers defender Troy Polamalu went down with an ankle injury in last night's 13-10 victory against the Titans, it wasn't long before Internet fan boys turned their eyes to the co-cover boy, Larry Fitzgerald, to complete the curse this year.

But what about our franchise player? The man who's broken English inspired a marketing slogan for NHL 2k10? (Hint: "Is party now"). Here's a list of the 2K cover athletes and their fates.

The 2K series debuted in 2000 on the Dreamcast with then Detroit Red Wing Brendan Shanahan on the cover. In that year, Shanny had 81 points with 31 goals and 45 assists.

Then Colorado Avalanche player Chris Drury took the cover for NHL 2K2 and ended up with 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists.)

Jeremy Roenick took the cover for NHL 2K3 and finished that season with 19 goals, 28 assists for 47 points.

Tampa Bay Lightning midget Martin St. Louis was featured on the cover for NHL 2K5 during the NHL's lockout. For 2K6, Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco was on the cover and had 41 wins, 19 losses and a 2.55 GAA.

2K7 featured San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton, who had the most productive season of his career. He finished with 22 goals and 92 assists for 114 points.

The next cover boys took over when EA Sports' NHL game became the premier game. Senators forward Jason Spezza was featured on 2K8 and had 34 goals, 58 assists and 92 points. Rick Nash followed in the 2K9 edition and led his team to its first playoff appearance in team history with 40 goals, 39 assists for 79 points.

So now it's Ovie's turn. The last time he was on a cover was NHL 07 and that was considered a down year for the Great Eight. Ovie finished the 2006-2007 campaign with his only sub-100-point season in the NHL with 46 goals and 46 assists.

Rest easy kids. I think Ovie's cover season is going to be okay.

Minor Hiatus

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:16:35 +0000

For those wondering, no, Capitals Kremlin has not fallen off the face off the earth. We'll be back with more coverage soon enough, I've just been very busy with some work-related writing and at the moment I want to focus on that before I return to the blog. It won't be that much longer, so sit tight and we'll be back soon with our usual content.

Reed "CK"

A Look At The Schedule: January

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:52:11 +0000

Hey look! New content! All right, my small hiatus is over and it's time to get back in the swing of daily content.

We've been taking a look at the schedule month-by-month as of late and so far it's been quite a doozy. The Caps can't seem to catch an easy month, but in professional sports is there such a thing? Time to focus on January, where by this time of year the playoff picture begins to take shape and cold-and-hot steaks begin to set in.

Game we're most excited for: Capitals @ Penguins (Jan. 21)
Should be pretty self-explanatory. The rivalry is back in full force after a brief scare early last season that suggested the Capitals only really hated the Flyers. Puhhhleease. It's going to be an all-out war in Pittsburgh's brand-new Consol Energy Arena and any self-respecting Caps fan won't miss it for the world.

Game we couldn't care less about: Capitals @ Lightning (Jan. 12)
Eh, it's another one of those pesky "division" games and by this time I think we're all getting a little sick of Tampa Bay. The novelties of Hedman and Stamkos will likely have worn out and at best you might want to watch in case Ovie tries another hot-stick celebration.

Game we'd most want to travel for: Capitals @ Kings (Jan. 2)
A trip to L.A. to escape the unpredicatable weather in Washington during Bowl Week? I'm in, and not just for hockey.

Single player I'd pay to see that isn't a Capital: Henrik Zetterburg
The Caps host Detroit at home again this January, so why miss out on a chance to see Zetterburg when it's possible the Caps might only face him once and on the road next year?

Team Alex Ovechkin will terrorize: Phoenix Coyotes
It'd be too easy to select another Southeast Division team, so why not select the next best thing, a team that's become an utter three-ring circus for the NHL's failures. Happy hunting, Ovie.

Fan giveaway the Capitals should coordinate: Alex Ovechkin Superskills Shootout bobblehead.

By the numbers

Home and away: Six away, nine at home.
Western Conference foes: Four -- Ducks, Kings, Coyotes, Redwings.
Playoff caliber: Five teams appeared in the 2008-2009 NHL playoffs
Back-to-back: One pair, Jan. 12 (Lightning) and Jan. 13 (Panthers)

Finally the Capitals get what should be a cake-walk month. Of the 15 games to be played, only five of the teams were in the playoffs and many of the remaining are either divisional opponents or rebuilding franchises.

So naturally this means the Capitals will go .500 and give everyone heart attacks because, as everyone knows, the Capitals have a nasty habit of playing down to their competition.

If the Capitals play like an elite team, they'll come out of January with a hefty amount of points, securing themselves a nice foothold in the Southeast as the Olympic break arrives in February.

NHL 2010 Soundtrack Revealed

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:51:27 +0000

With each year comes a new batch of music featured on the EA Sports video games, a collection of hard-rock and alt. rock that will be played nonstop while you lose yourself in a franchise in the Madden, NHL or FIFA games.

It's also a foretelling of what music you will hear at your stadium at almost every game, as the rights to these songs are not only shipped to the video game companies but also the NHL for its promotional videos and your local arena's pump-up soundtrack.

So to better prepare you for this season's musical selection, here's the NHL 2010 soundtrack. Get ready for a season of goals, hits and incredible saves shown to the smooth sounds of...

Alexisonfire – Young Cardinals
Cancer Bats – Deathsmarch
CKY – Hellions on Parade
Disco Ensemble – Golden Years
Drangonforce – Heroes of Our Time
Earl Greyhound – Oye Vaya
Green Day – Know Your Enemy
Metalkpretty – Wake Up! Wake Up!
Ministry & Co-Conspirators – Keys to the City (Blackhawks Theme)
MxPx – Kids in America
Nickelback – Burn It to the Ground
Papa Roach – Into the Light
Priestess – Raccoon Eyes
Rancid – The Bravest Kids
Scorpions – Rock You Like a Hurricane
Thousand Foot Krutch – Fire It Up

You can get a preview of all the songs from EA at this link.

Sorry Ovie, no Russian disco-club music this year.

The good news is you can import your own custom soundtracks so you don't have to hear Nickelback or CKY, but the bad is, well, gamers are lazy.

Nickelback? CKY? Papa Roach? Dragonforce? Green Day (editor's note: 90's Green Day was amazing, none of this modern crap) Sure is sellout city on that soundtrack.

Anyway, like or not, that's the soundtrack.

Motivators: Christmas Ornaments

capitalskremlin@gmail.com (Reed Albers) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:33:13 +0000

Welcome to a new, short series of things we like to call "motivators." They're the sort of things that should rile up a fan, player or just anyone who loves the Capitals in general.

Just seeing these images, items or videos should have your heart pumping for hockey or arms raised in a fit of rage. These items should be sent to or seen by the Capitals players to remind them of why a Stanley Cup is necessary now -- not later. Some of the items might even call for mass burnings outside Verizon Center.

So your inaugural "motivator" for the 2009-10 season...

The Sidney Crosby Christmas ornament. He's cool enough to hang with Tony Romo on your Christmas tree! Match made in heaven, am I right?

Mass burnings will commence Oct. 3 outside Verizon Center, followed by the smell of burnt plastic reeking throughout the city for a week.