Capitals Weekly Update

Here is your weekly update on the news coming out of the District with the NHL's Washington Capitals.

A New Captain

Alexander Ovechkin was given the 'C' as team captain this week. The previous captain, Chris Clark, was traded to Columbus so a new captain was needed. Ovi was the logical choice as he is the face of the franchise at this time.

A New Center

After spending all of his professional career at wing Tomas Fleischmann was moved to center this week. Bruce Boudreau was reportedly trying to find some consistency and balance as you move down through the lines in Washington. After stellar performances in his first 2 games at center (80% and 66.7%) he struggled a bit in the 3rd game (31.6%). With the success and ability he has shown I would imagine he will remain at center for the time being.

Alzner back in Hershey

The speculation after the Nylander move and the trade of Jurcina was that Hershey had seen the last of Karl Alzner. Well that changed quickly as the young blueliner is back in Hershey. The reasoning...8 healthy defensemen in Washington meant little playing time for Alzner. But that might have changed as John Erskine is not practicing although Tyler Sloan is still in Washington and they may go with him instead of recalling Alzner.

Neuvirth shines

The Caps are running into the same problem as the Bears are having with Braden Holtby. Michal Neuvirth has been stellar allowing 2 or fewer goals in 6 of his last 7 starts including Saturday night against Atlanta when he made a 38 save, one goal allowed performance. When Varlamov comes back it will give them 3 goalies playing very well. One will surely be headed for Hershey which would give the Bears 3 goalies that are playing very well.

Trade Rumors

• The latest trade rumors have a few Bears or Bears prospects on the trading block. One potential trade would bring defenseman Sheldon Souray to Washington in exchange for Jose Theodore, Eric Fehr, Stefan Della Rovere, and draft picks. That would mean Neuvy would stay in Washington, a winger would probably get recalled (although a center might work too), and Hershey would lose prospects too.
• Another trade being discussed would be for Ilya Kovalchuk. Although expectations are that would cost the Caps Karl Alzner. I couldn't imagine the Caps giving up on Alzner to rent a forward for the season.
• Thomas Kaberle has also been mentioned in connection with the Caps although there is no mention of what the cost would be for him.