Caps Daily Report

| October 6, 2008

The Washington Capitals dropped their pre-season finale, 5-4 in a shootout, to Boston.  Don’t worry, the season is not over before it starts, cut them a break.  Caps finish off the pre-season 5-2.  Now the Caps prepare to move on to the season opener on Friday against The Atlanta Thrashers and still have some roster cuts to go.

With roster reduction coming this week, the moves will focus on two rookies, 2007 draft pick Karl Alzner and Chris Bourque.  The only thing each of these guys has done this pre-season is give HC Bruce Boudreau a reason to keep them on the Capitals roster.  Bourque has come in with a new attitude, new set of skills, bulkier, and is playing more explosively.

Bourque finished the pre-season with 3 goals, 3 assists (6 points) and a +3 rating.  What more could you have asked for?  Alzner meanwhile played outstanding defense and shows a clam exterior.  he ended pre-season with 2 assists and a +3 rating.  It’s a great place for Boudreau to be in when sending either back to Hershey would be a painful decision, it shows alot of the young players the Capitals invested in for the future are coming due now, and eventually, some of the current veterans are going to find themselves in deep roster trouble.  With Fedorov practicing on the blue line, the Capitals could be looking at keeping an additional forward on the roster, that could very well be Bourque.  Those decision will come this week.   The state of the roster is …

As of last night, 16 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders remained in training camp. The roster maximum is 23, but given the team’s tight salary cap situation, it’s possible McPhee will opt to keep only 21 or 22 in an effort to build cap space for future use. If McPhee intends to waive a player, the move must be made by Tuesday.

Alzner decision may a bit easier of the Caps.  He can be demoted without clearing waivers and his demotion to Hershey would be more salary cap friendly.  Alzner and the Capitals have a wonderful future together, but it may need to wait temporarily.  But, Bourque is different.  The way Bourque has played, both offensively with scoring and his physical aspect, even though he stands at just 5′7″, can add a presence in this roster.  We here at DCPSR call on Bruce Boudreau to make a spot for this young man, he deserves it and he can help this team.

Good article from the Wash Times on Jose Theodore.  Read it, nice piece.  You know, you read alot of previews that have the Capitals in the Top Three, if not the Top Five for this season, but all mention the Caps weakness, goal tending.  I dunno.  There is something in me that says Theodore is going to put together an impressive season and Brent Johnson will play just as good as he did last season.  Take it to the bank, and if it doesn’t happen, well, call me out on it.

In case anyone is wondering whether Josh Godfrey, the 2007 second round pick, is ready for the AHL, read this.

A final cut wave looms before Hershey begins the regular season on Wednesday at WBS. And rookie Godfrey, among the players on the roster bubble, made a statement with his high-mph hat trick.

“Obviously, there’s only so many spots to go around,” Godfrey said. “I was just going to go out and play my style, play my game. Whatever happens out there, I’ll always do my best. If it’s good enough to get a spot here then I’m happy.”

A hat trick form the defenseman.  Enough said?

Hershey is in the midst of roster reductions and more will come today.  Here are a few …

announced today that defensemen Viktor Dovgan and Sasha Pokulok and forwards Tom Maxwell and Travis Morin have been assigned to the team from Hershey.

Here is my thoughts.  If Victor Dovgan, a prized Russian defensive prospect and Travis Morin, who led South Carolina in scoring last year, did not make the Bears roster, my bet is, the Bears are just that damn loaded.  Pokuklok does not surprise me.  He is a huge defenseman with tons of potential, but right now, he is just not play aggressive, physical hockey.  The Dovgan delegation to South Carolina was the big surprise for me.

Hershey season gets underway on Wednesday, Caps on Friday.  In other words . . .  HOCKEY IS BACK!!!

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