The Caps Could Use "A Guy Like Arnott"

What seems like eons ago (but was actually only one spring ago) the Caps picked up winger Marco Sturm off of waivers and traded for defenseman Dennis Wideman. Also that season, the Caps acquired center Jason Arnott at the trade deadline via a trade with the New Jersey Devils. Sturm is now in Florida after a brief stay in Vancouver, Wideman now plays for the Flames, and Arnott is an unrestricted free agent who was on the Blues last season.

Of all the players that the Capitals “leased” at the end of 2011, Arnott is the one that if he had stuck around, could have had a chance to make an impact for the Caps in 2012-13. Arnott is still a solid center who can play on any line interchangeably. The center exhibits veteran leadership and is a strong presence in the locker room, intangibles that are going to be needed with the departure of Mike Knuble.

With no "grizzled" veterans on the team (Roman Hamrlik? Well he is grizzled) and a team chock full of players who haven't made it far in the Playoffs, a guy likeArnott could provide a veteran presence that could benefit the younger players. Unlike most players on the current Capitals roster, Arnott has won a Stanley Cup. That day came back in 2000 with the New Jersey Devils. His career accolades include a go with the Rookie All Star team back in 1994 and two All-Star games in 1997 and 2008.

The former Caps center is a solid, skilled player who made an impact on the team during his brief time in 2011. The Caps acquired center Mike Ribeiro in the offseason but a player like Arnott would expand the depth at the position. Plus he could provide some guidance to young players like Mattias Sjogren and Mathieu Perreault. Arnott is currently a free agent and is being looked at by the Vancouver Canucks. He would be a cheap sign with some solid benefits.

Now after the signing of Mike Ribeiro the team may not need to add another center. But as Caps new head coach Adam Oates said, the number one priority is winning the Cup, and a "guy like Arnott" anywhere on the roster would bring the Capitals some experience that could help get to that goal.

Written By Camilla A., Updated From Her Blog Capital Connection

New Coach, Same Team

In their fist game under new head coach Dale Hunter the Washington Capitals lost to the St. Louis Blues in Chinatown on Tuesday night by a score of 2-1. The Caps continue to head the wrong way to .500 and are now 12-11. The Blues won their 4th straight and pulled in their 8th win under their new head coach out of only 11 contests. Can the Caps look forward to similar success under Hunter?

The Caps started the game off with a Nicky B goal off of a great pass by Alex Ovechkin pumping up Caps fans about the Hutner era. However a few minutes later the Blues tied the game up and Caps fans realized it may just be the same old team.

The Blues finished off the Caps in the 2nd period. After being down 5 men to 3, including one of those being a 4 minute double minor, the Caps killed the penalty (with a little help from a Blues penalty in between) just to see the Blues score less than 30 seconds later. Ovi showed flashes of his old self throughout the game, but also was frustrated 4-5 times after mishandling the puck or falling down.

For those keeping track of the Caps offense, that is 5 games with only 1 goal out of the last 8 games...On the injury front Marjo was hit in the hand with the puck but came back at the end.

5 more games, every other night after tonight, so let's see where Hunter has the team on their 3 day break 2 Saturdays from now...

Notes & Questions:

• What is the difference between shots on goal and scoring chances?
• Four Voko got an assist, but really Alex Ovechkin should have gotten 2 assists.
• Why is Wideman shooting from the blue line better than Backstrom shooting closer to net?
• Locker said that the Blues power play was so bad they were going to decline the penalty. I believed him for about 10 seconds...NOOB
• The guy fighting Hendrix got in 2 good shots then fell down...that's my exact fighting strategy...
• Dale Hunter reminds me of Brian Doyle Murray...we'll see how he looks next game cuz he may have a new nickname.

She Only Want Me For My Pimp Juice

On Tuesday Night, the Caps will play their first game under new coach Dale Hunter at Verizon Center against the St. Louis Blues. The Caps are looking to break out of a 6 loss in 8 game slump while the Blues are looking for their 4th straight victory.

Vokoun will be in the goal for the Caps while the offense gets to avoid another hot goalie the 10-1 Brian Elliott. Instead they will face the 3-9 Jaroslav Halak. Seriously, the Caps seem to always draw the best/worst goalies.



It will be interesting to see how the Caps come out tonight with their new head coach. The win isn't as important this early in the season as the team adapting to the new gameplay is.

St. Louis is great for 2 reasons; Nelly & Anheuser-Busch. That is why tonight I plan to drink several fine Anheuser-Busch products while watching the game with Country Grammar on the stereo. It will be my special thanks to the STL for the Caps victory tonight. I may even wear my hockey mask like the guy in Nelly's entourage. I have no doubt the Blues are goin down down baby, yo' street in a Range Rover, Street sweeper baby, cocked ready to let it go...Shimmy shimmy cocoa what? Listen to it pound, Light it up and take a puff, pass it to me now...(don't do drugs)