A Good Debut

The Caps beat the Canes in the first preseason game for both teams 4-1 last night. They are looking solid enough where I feel comfortable doing some online sports betting.

Potential Bears were all over the roster including in goal.

And from what I hear, Varlamov looked great. Which is really good cause he is all but definitely going to be in Hershey.

The article in yesterday's paper made an interesting observation that I hadn't considered as far as the goaltending situation.

I have always supported one player going to the ECHL to keep them all close. But that is not going to happen. So then I thought that Cheese and one of the two, probably Varlamov, should come to Hershey with Neuvirth getting loaned out.

But Tim Leone made a good point when he said that due to Machesney's experience as a pro will make it easier for him to handle being loaned out. He has been around for a little over a season and has a pretty good feel of what to expect.

Neuvirth could probably handle it but why send him out and risk hurting his confidence or development. Varlamov doesn't speak English so you don't want to send him too far away because he needs to be helped and with Dovgan more than likely being in Hershey that will give him someone to translate for.

But I like the thinking here. Send Cheese out on loan for a player and then have the rookies platoon in Hershey.

So far they both appear to be handling the pressures of the job.


Another thing I saw mentions that Jurcina and Erskine are not locked in up with the Caps. Which could open the door to Lepisto making the Caps out of camp. And maybe Cutta as well. That would put Jurcina and Erskine in Hershey if they clear waivers, which I doubt both would do.

The reason Lepisto may be the odd man out and end up in Hershey is because he is an entry-level player and can go up and down without worrying about waivers. So I would think he will be in Hershey when the season starts. But the possibility is there that he will be in Washington.