Washington Capitals

CAPITALS_004

Zach Miskovic (68) of the Washington Capitals and Taylor Beck (56) of the Nashville Predators crash into the wall in the second period of the Washington Capitals loss to the Nashville Predators, 2-0, in a preseason exhibition game at the 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD, Tuesday, September 20, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

CAPITALS_003

Goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) of the Washington Capitals chases after a loose puck in the second period of the Washington Capitals loss to the Nashville Predators, 2-0, in a preseason exhibition game at the 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD, Tuesday, September 20, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

CAPITALS_001

Chris Bourque (56) of the Washington Capitals fights for the puck with Craig Smith (15) of the Nashville Predators in the first period of the Washington Capitals loss to the Nashville Predators, 2-0, in a preseason exhibition game at the 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD, Tuesday, September 20, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

ICE.jpg

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, left, of Russia, battles for the puck against Nashville Predators' Teemu Laakso, center, of Finland, and Chris Mueller, right, during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

sjogren.jpg

Does Mattias Sjogren have a chance to make the Washington Capitals' opening-day roster? Right now, he seems to be the leading candidate. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

071111-209 dmitri orlov.JPG

Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov was impressive in every facet of the rookie exhibition against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday afternoon. Coach Bruce Boudreau called him Washington's "most dominant defenseman." (Washington Capitals)

071611-025 mattias sjogren.JPG

Washington Capitals' Mattias Sjogren impressed coach Bruce Boudreau on Thursday afternoon in the Caps' rookie exhibition with the Flyers. (Washington Capitals)

CAPITALS_0720_09121.jpg

Danick Paquette (left) is defended by Brett Flemming (center) and Samuel Carrier (right) during the Washington Capitals' 2011 Rookie Camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

ovechkin0906.jpg

**FILE ** Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)

20110714-161335-pic-234366061.jpg

The Washington Capitals signed 19-year-old Stan Galiev to a three-year, entry -level contract Wednesday. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

20080621-003708-pic-654807050.jpg

The Washington Capitals placed Anton Gustafsson, the 21st pick in the 2008 NHL draft, on waivers Wednesday. (Associated Press).

CAPS_1724_07111613.jpg

Huntingdon Beach, Calif. native Garrett Haar was a Washington Capitals seventh-round pick in the 2011 NHL draft, and is among many NHL prospects being produced from nontraditional markets. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

20110712-172120-pic-310231031.jpeg

Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee called Garrett Haar, the team's seventh-round pick from this past June, the "surprise" of development camp. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

20090305-002700-pic-786528842.jpg

The Washington Capitals inked Karl Alzner to a two-year, $2.57 million contract Thursday (Associated Press)

20090917-003018-pic-918988394.jpg

**FILE** Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (The Washington Times)

20110322-205701-pic-492435955.jpg

Ted Leonsis, majority owner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics and Verizon Center, spoke at the National Press Club on Wednesday. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

Washington Capitals leaders.JPG

The Washington Capitals are counting on Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom, Brooks Laich and Alex Ovechkin to become leaders this season. Do they have what it takes? (Green: Joseph Silverman/The Washington Times), (Backstrom: AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek), (Laich: Associated Press Photographs), (Ovechkin: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)