End of an Era

There is a much different tempo to the off-season for those of us in the hockey business. During the season, you’re in a constant “go, go” mode because there are always practices, games, planes, buses, press conferences, scrums and dozens of other things demanding your immediate and/or constant attention.

The pace of the off-season is slower, more consistent. It has its own rhythm; there are the World Championships, there is the combine, there is the draft, there are qualifying offers, there is free agency, there is rookie camp. These events provide brief spurts of frenetic activity, but nothing like the constant and controlled (yet beautiful) chaos which characterizes the seasons themselves.

Shortly after the rookie camp has ended, there is training camp, when all is new and hopeful again and the frenetic 82-game NHL campaign — and, if you’re fortunate, the Stanley Cup playoffs that follow — looms directly ahead.

Every so often, a different day dawns, a day that does not belong in the context of the rest of the off-season, a day where that pace unexpectedly picks up again. Maybe it’s a trade, maybe a big announcement or a press conference of some sort. For a day or two, the pace picks up again. There is a flurry of activity and interest before our off-season hibernation resumes.

There was a Friday morning in May six years ago when one phone call turned a tranquil off-season Friday into a “red ball,” to coin a phrase from my years of watching “Homicide” and “The Wire.” Word came down that Ron Wilson would be relieved of his duties as Caps head coach; that was six years ago tomorrow.

Today is one of those days.

Tarik El-Bashir’s story in today’s Washington Post has Caps goaltender Olie Kolzig saying that he believes he has played his last game as a Capital. As is almost always the case when an athlete decides to move on from a city where he has played all or most of his career, there are reasons and circumstances for the movement, and those layers and circumstances hold their own layers and degrees that run as deep or deeper than the athlete’s roots in that city. Those layers and degrees can’t always be adequately untangled in the space of a newspaper article, or even several newspaper articles. 

And more often than not, time is the most necessary element in making sense of it all.

At the conclusion of Washington’s season, much was made of Olie Kolzig’s “unwillingness” to talk to the media and his decision to take his nameplate down from above his locker at Verizon Center. I didn’t address either of those issues in depth. I actually believed it was good for Olie to take as much time as he believed he needed to take before talking to any of us. And he did that before sitting down with Tarik yesterday. 

As for the nameplate thing, it was nothing as far as I was concerned. Olie is not the first nor will he be the last player to remove his nameplate. When a guy has spent as much time with one organization as Olie has with the Capitals, it would be more of a story if he didn’t take his nameplate, or some other small memento of his time with the organization.

Today brings more of a sense of finality; of the end of an era. And for me, it’s personal, too. 

Kolzig is the last remaining player from the 1995-96 team, my first year as a day-in and day-out regular on the beat. He was a single guy, a backup goaltender with two NHL wins to his credit back then. Now he has a family, 301 regular season NHL wins and legions of fans everywhere who adore him and wish him the best.

Years ago, my kids did a photo shoot with Kolzig for a “Reading is Cool” community event. Those pictures of Olie and my kids are still on the mantle here in our palatial estate in Baltimore. Hell, Olie played in Baltimore before he went on to establish himself as an excellent NHL goaltender. He’s always been a first-class guy from my standpoint, and that point was driven home again today when he agreed to meet with me later on the middle of today’s maelstrom of activity. I’ll have more on caps.com later, after I get back from our meeting.

There is certainly a sense of sadness and a sense of getting older that accompanies today’s news, at least for me. But there is also a sense of appreciation and good fortune. Kolzig’s rise was not that probable. It was a story of perseverance and belief. And to me, that’s why we are where we are today. Kolzig believes he can still play in the NHL, and he is now setting out to prove that.

Like many others, I wish him the best and I won’t be betting against him.

Ovie at the Worlds

Extreme thanks to our friends Dmitri Chesnokov and Pavel Lysenkov for passing along this lengthy Sovetsky Sport interview with Alex Ovechkin.

Sovetsky Sport continues the tradition of “on the road” Q&A sessions with players at major hockey tournaments. Sunday night, right after the game against the Czech Republic, NHL’s highest scorer and simply a great guy Alex Ovechkin answered questions left for him by our readers at our website www.sovsport.ru.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Concord Hotel in Quebec where the Russian National team is housed. Pavel Lysenkov and Vitaly Slavin of SovSport brought a few magazines with them with Ovechkin on the covers.

“Wow!” Ovechkin said. “What am I doing on the cover?”

Do you remember who you gave these interviews to?

“No. I am trying to figure it out using the photos. Let’s see.” Ovechkin is flipping pages. “Oh, this one was taken during the first season with the Capitals. I even have the front tooth in place. All right, I will read it in my spare time.”

Well then let’s get to fans’ questions. User Hedgehog is asking: this was the first year you played in the NHL playoffs. Are these really such special incomparable to anything else games?

“Actually, yes. During the Stanley Cup playoffs every game is treated as if it’s the final battle. How can I explain it? Do you remember the Olympics in 2006 in Turin when we had a great game against Team Canada in the quarterfinals [2:0 - Ovechkin scored the game winner]? So with Washington I played seven such games against Philadelphia! When we needed either to win, or to die.”

Is it true that an NHL player is only paid during the regular season?

“Yes, we do not get paid for the playoffs. Not even bonuses.”

So why would you “die?”

“Everyone want to win the Stanley Cup. Believe me, these are not just empty words.”

User Fight: The game against Team Italy you played wearing CCCP jerseys. I, as an old fan, became so nostalgic. Do you remember who, during the Superseries-72, wore a Soviet jersey with number 8 on the back? Four options: Mikhailov, Maltsev, Starshinov, Tretiak.

“Let’s see. Tretiak is eliminated right away – he wore number 20. Maltsev [Ovechkin’s childhood idol] wore 10. Mikhailov … definitely not number 8. Starshinov? I think so.”

Absolutely! User Anabolic: how did you become so physically fit this season?

“And this comes from Anabolic? No, steroids had nothing to do with it.” Ovechkin is joking. “One of my best finds is that Kostya (my manager who also lives in Washington) introduced me to Dmitry Kapitonov: a former marathon runner who became a fitness trainer. He is a Professional with a capital “P.” He helped me a lot to improve my physical conditions that I felt great throughout the season.”

User Alwa: did the whole insurance [for the World Championship] ordeal affect your readiness for the Worlds? You couldn’t even practice on the ice.

“Yes, I missed six days. But I didn’t become rusty at all. Once again my preseason workout helped. I felt the puck right away, as if I never stopped training.

Uncomfortable question. Do you thingk when it comes to playing for the National Team that you’re in a slump that started last year in Moscow? Only one goal in two games.

“No one would have said this if I had scored six goals in two games. I had my chances, but it would hit the post or miss altogether. I am not worried about this. Let’s say I score 20 goals and we do not win a medal. Would anyone be happy?”

Have you spoken to Alexander Eremenko, who got injured in the game against the Czechs? [Russians lost two of their three goalies, until the Sharks crashed out of the NHL playoffs, and Nabokov agreed to come to Canada and play for the National Team.]

“Yes, he’s got something with his knee. Doctors can’t say anything certain at this point. He needs to do some x-rays.”

At the press conference Bykov [Russian coach] said that Michalek intentionally tried to injure our goalkeeper.

“I only say what happened on a replay. I won’t blame anyone. But the Czechs have always been known for being dirty. Although at war, all methods are good.”

Did the team understand that the game against the Czechs was a “concealed” quarterfinal? If we [Russia] get the first place in our group after the second round, then in the playoffs, most likely, we will play Switzerland or Belarus. It is much easier than playing the Czechs or the Swedes.

“We were motivated to play the Czechs regardless. They are some Italians, and certainly not the Chinese or the Japanese. The Czechs have won the Olympics, the Worlds a few times. The motivation was beyond serious.”

After injuries to goalkeepers will our team [Russia] play close to our own net?

“Not at all. We have a lot of experienced guys who know that being too nervous will lead to defeat.”

What if Biryukov [the only goalie Russia had left until Nabokov arrived] gets injured? Would you be willing to take his place if Bykov orders?

“Yes, of course. What else could I do?”

We look at you and can’t stop to wonder. You looked Italian in the NHL playoffs with long hair and a beard. But when you came to Quebec you got a haircut and a clean shave.

“Washington didn’t make it to the quarterfinals. And I didn’t want to carry with me to the Worlds the load of the past. And, just like in ancient times, I decided to cut my hair.”

User SSSR: are you ready to shave your head and sell your hair at an auction for the gold medal in Quebec?

“I think no one would buy my hair.” Ovechkin is smiling. “Actually, I have already been bold before. Back in 1996, when I was 11. And no, I won’t tell you why I did it. But I don’t want to do this experiment again.”

How many millions of your contract are you willing to give up for the gold at the Worlds?

“I don’t have them yet, those millions. The $124 million contract doesn’t kick in until next season.”

You don’t want to answer?

“I think that buying trophies and victories is bad. And boring. It is so much more interesting to earn it through hard work.”

User Ildars: I heard that Team Russia is now playing under pressure, and you will peak during the second week [of the Tournament]. It is interesting, is weightlifting included in the gym workouts?

“We train on the bike, working on accelerations. Some people work with weights. I don’t need it. I hurt my tailbone in the Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s why I can’t even sit down with a weight.”

User Anabolic also wants you to name three best NHL goaltenders, in you opinion.

“Luongo from Vancouver, Nabokov from San Jose, and Brodeur from New Jersey.”

So, who of the three will win the Vezina Trophy?

“I think that Nabokov will win. I see him play and can’t stop being amazed. And his stats are unbelievable. If Nabokov doesn’t win the Vezina Trophy, who should? By the way, when we are done talking, I am going back to my room to watch Dallas play San Jose. Actually, I watch all playoff games.”

And what’s your prediction?

“I am sure that Pittsburgh will win the Stanley Cup. They have to do it. Malkin is having an unbelievable season. Hossa has found chemistry with Crosby. They have a great goaltender in Fleury. Their defense is pretty even. Pittsburgh is that good, they don’t have challengers.”

I remember your fitness trainer Kapitonov telling me that all hockey players are bears [sleep a lot]. And that Ovechkin is the most typical example and can stay in bed an entire day.

“Dima lied a little bit. Entire day? That’s too much! But during the regular season I do sleep a lot. I wake up at 10 in the morning, go to practice. Then I have my mandatory sleep. And when I have a day off I can sleep until lunchtime.”

That’s where you get your energy… User Lyubanya: this summer will you and other Russian NHL players train in St. Petersburg again?

“I haven’t made such plans yet.”

Why do you come specifically to St. Petersburg?

“Because Kapitonov lives there. But if he lived in Vorkuta, for example, I doubt we’d fly there.”

User Max-vereya: the game against the Czechs was so stressful that my heart almost jumped out. Don’t make us so nervous! By the way, you owe us a hat-trick in the game against Denmark! Promise?

“During games like that one you shouldn’t take heart pills, but drink beer!” Ovechkin is laughing. “It would get you better. About the hat-trick, I will try of course. Within the boundaries of team play.”

User Kedrush: sometimes I have a feeling that you are too tense on the ice, as if you’re nervous. And then – an emotional explosion, like the one you had at the end of the regular season in the NHL. How do you explain it?

“I can’t! Sometimes you score absolutely crazy goals that if you try to purposely do it again, it will never happen. And then you have an emotional uplift. But sometimes you go one on one against a goalie. A great chance that you just waste and ask yourself: ‘Goodness, what has just happened?’”

I saw your game against Montreal in Washington. Your nose got broken, and it seemed that you got so mad that you started crushing the opponent, flying in the offensive zone. That’s the explosion.

“Is that what it looked like from the stand? It’s an illusion. I played like I normally do. I took up good position and I shot.”

Yes, right, and it was absolutely coincidental that you scored four goals … OK, let’s talk about tactics. Do you feel comfortable that in your power play unit Kovalchuk plays at the point and not you?

“That means that the team needs it that way. I have a different goal, like sometimes I do in Washington, I stay above the crease screening the goaltender.”

Did Bykov and Zakharkin [Bykov’s assistant] change from the last Worlds?

“What do you mean?”

We are talking about the approach they take with their players.

“It’s all the same. No changes.

Can you imagine that you will be in the same situation as Kovalev is now [Bykov does not like Kovalev for some reason, and refuses to ask him to join the National Team]? Let’s say you’re 35, you just had an amazing season. But the National Team coach says: “Sorry, Ovechkin, we are trying to make the squad younger. You’re not going to the Worlds.”

“Of course I can imagine this. Life is such a funny thing. By the way, if you see Kovalev, please say hello from Sasha Ovechkin.”

Funny! Just a day earlier one of us went to Montreal, and Kovalev asked to tell you the same thing.

“See how we think alike,” Ovechkin smiled.

And a minute later Ovechkin was writing a message to SovSport’s readers: “All Russian Fans! Good luck and much success! We are the best!” He left his autograph with a number 8 and a heart drawn on top of it.

Hooray For the Rays

Congratulations to coach Jared Bednar and the South Carolina Stingrays are in order this morning. The Rays blanked the Columbia Inferno 2-0 last night in Game 5 of the best-of-five South Division finals at North Charleston Coliseum. They’ll now move on to face the Cincinnati Cyclones in the American Conference finals. The Cyclones won Game 7 of their series with the Reading Royals last night by a 6-1 score.

Game 1 is in Cincinnati on Friday, and Game 2 is in the same location. The next three games would be in South Carolina, and Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) would be back in Cincy. 

After missing the playoffs for the first time in their history last season, the Stingrays are now headed to the conference finals for the first time since 2001, when they won their second Kelly Cup title. 

As was the case with Bruce Boudreau and the Capitals’ run to a playoff berth, superstition has played a part in South Carolina’s springtime run.

The Daily Planet

The 2008 IIHF World Championship gets underway today in Quebec City and Halifax. Sixteen teams will be competing for the gold medal, and Canada will attempt to defend the gold it won in Moscow last spring. Among the participants in this year’s tournament are 11 players from the Washington Capitals’ organization. Those 11 players will represent seven different nations:

Canada: Defenseman Mike Green
Czech Republic: Left wing Tomas Fleischmann and center Jakub Klepis
Finland: Defenseman Sami Lepisto
France: Goaltender Cristobal Huet
Russia: Center Sergei Fedorov, left wing Alex Ovechkin, left wing Alexander Semin and goaltender Simeon Varlamov
Sweden: Center Nicklas Backstrom
Switzerland: Right wing Peter Guggisberg

We’ll do what we can to keep you informed of the games, the progress of the tournament and the exploits of the Washington players involved as the tournament wears on. Earlier today, I posted a tournament preview on washingtoncaps.com.

Some news of the “not so good” variety filtered in today, courtesy of our friend Dmitry Chesnokov. He informs us that goaltender Varlamov — Washington’s first-round choice (23rd overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft — injured his foot in one of Team Russia’s last practices prior to the start of the tournament.

As a result, Varlamov has been left off Russia’s preliminary round roster for the tournament. Russia will have a chance to add Varlamov back to its roster before the start of the qualifying round next week, if his foot improves sufficiently in the interim.

There are some great storylines to be followed with Washington’s players. Green figures to be a key performer on Canada’s backline. Fleischmann and Klepis might be top six forwards on the Czech team; it will be interesting to see how they handle that. Both players are at a stage in their careers where they need to step up to the next level, and players have used good performances at the Worlds as career springboards in the past.

Lepisto should log decent ice time on a very green Finnish blueline, and he’ll be playing under the watchful eye of Team Finland general manager Jari Kurri, who also happens to be Lepisto’s godfather.

How far can Huet push Team France?

How will Varlamov fare if he gets healthy enough to play? Will the Russian coaching staff give Ovechkin a big enough role? He was essentially a fourth-liner in last year’s tournament. Fedorov will be playing in the Worlds for the first time in 18 years; the front of his jersey read “CCCP” the last time he played in this tournament. And, Fedorov will be playing alongside his brother, Fedor. Semin will be making his fourth appearance at the Worlds, but he was left off the team last spring because he reported a few hours late to camp.

How will Backstrom hold up after playing nearly 100 games this year, nearly twice the amount to which he is accustomed? And how will he do being the go-to forward on the team and attracting the opposition’s top checkers?

Canada will be tough to beat, Russia will be fun to watch, and Team USA is in the midst of an intriguing rebuild. Team captain Jeff Halpern turns 32 tomorrow, and he is the oldest player on the team by five years. The Americans are green, but they’re also very skilled. A medal of any kind for the Americans would position Team USA as a force to be reckoned with as the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver loom on the horizon.

Sure, the Stanley Cup playoffs are ongoing, but the second round series are mostly snoozers. Do yourself a favor and check out some of the World Championships action, especially some of the prime match-ups in the qualifying and medal rounds. You can watch on a paid subscription basis at wcsn.com.

More Hardware Possibilities

June 12 could prove to be a very busy night for the Washington Capitals contingent at the NHL’s 2008 Awards Presentation.

Alex Ovechkin, who has already claimed the 2008 Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies, today was named as one of three finalists for the Lester B. Pearson Award, which is presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA. Ovechkin joins Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin as the three finalists.

Ovechkin, Iginla and Malkin were earlier named as finalists for the Hart Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s most valuable player.

The news of Ovechkin’s nomination came hours after Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau was named as one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, given annually to the coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success. Caps center Nicklas Backstrom is a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded each year to the league’s top rookie.

Ovechkin is the first Capital to win the Ross and Richard Trophies; he would also be the first Washington player to claim the Pearson and the Hart awards. Boudreau is seeking to join Bryan Murray (1984) as the second Caps coach to win the Adams and Backstrom is hoping to follow in Ovechkin’s footsteps as the second Caps player ever to claim the Calder. Ovechkin won the Calder in 2006.

June 12 could mark Washington’s biggest hardware haul in nearly a quarter century. In 1984, the Caps skated off with four of the league’s major awards. Rod Langway won the second of his two consecutive Norris Trophies, Doug Jarvis won the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward, goaltenders Al Jensen and Pat Riggin shared the William Jennings Trophy for fewest team goals against, and Murray won the Adams.

The Caps could win as many as half a dozen trophies in Toronto six weeks from now.

Accolades for Alzner

As we witnessed this season, most of the pieces of the next great Washington Capitals teams are already in place and merely need to ripen alongside each other for the next several seasons. The one notable exception is defenseman Karl Alzner, who spent this past season with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.

Alzner was Washington’s top choice (fifth overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and the second defensemen chosen in last year’s draft. He will celebrate his 20th birthday just days before the opening of the 2008-09 NHL season and has a much better than decent chance of cracking Washington’s opening night roster.

Today, Alzner was named both player of the year and defenseman of the year in the WHL. Additiionally, he is one of three finalists for the 2008 Canadian Hockey League MVP award which will be announced in late May.

Labre is Back in the Coaching Game

Ex-Caps defenseman Yvon Labre, whose No. 7 sweater hangs from the rafters of Verizon Center, is back behind the bench. Labre was named as the coach of the 16-and-under Baltimore Stars for 2008-09.

Congrats to Yvon, and to the lucky kids who will be learning the game from him.

No Surprise

The NHL announced today that Alex Ovechkin is among the three finalists for the NHL’s Hart Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s most valuable player. Ovechkin has already claimed the 2008 Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies, and is a likely finalist for the Lester Pearson Award as well.

Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin and Calgary’s Jarome Iginla are the other Hart finalists. Ovechkin would be the first member of the Capitals to win the Hart, just as he was the first Cap to claim the Ross and Richard Trophies.

The winner of the Hart Trophy and all the other 2008 NHL award and trophy recipients will be announced Thursday, June 12 at the 2008 NHL Awards Television Special from the Elgin Theatre in Toronto.

Russians Add Firepower for Worlds

Team Russia got a big-time injection of top level forward talent today when a trio of Capitals forwards signed on for the 2008 IIHF World Championships.

Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Sergei Fedorov were added to Team Russia’s roster today, as was Nashville forward Alexander Radulov.

Russia opens preliminary round play with a date against Italy on Friday. The Russian team will leave Moscow with 25 players tomorrow, embarking for Montreal where it will play exhibition games against Canada and Switzerland. The Russians currently have 29 players (three goaltenders, nine defensemen and 17 forwards), including their four additions of Monday. Only 20 of the 26 skaters can be registered for the preliminary round.

When I spoke with Fedorov last week after the Caps were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, he indicated he might sign on for the Worlds.

“It’s still up in the air as far as I know,” said the veteran center last Wednesday. “There will be some communication between myself and the coaching staff. Maybe, maybe not. It sounds like my brother is going to make it, so that is exciting news. We’ll see if they have one more spot for me.”

Fedor Fedorov is more than a decade younger than his older, more famous brother. The younger Fedorov was a sixth round (182nd overall) draft choice of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He did not sign with the Bolts, and was a third round (66th overall) draft choice of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2001 Entry Draft.

Fedor Fedorov has two assists in 18 career NHL games with Vancouver and the Rangers. He spent last season with Moscow Dynamo of the Russian Super League where he racked up a dozen goals, 25 points and 117 PIM in 49 games.

Sergei Fedorov will be skating in the World Championships for the first time in 18 years. He helped lead the Soviet Union to consecutive gold medal finishes in 1989 and 1990. The second gold medal came just months before he defected from the U.S.S.R. to join the Detroit Red Wings.

The Russian Federation was apparently able to overcome the obstacle of insuring Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124-million contract. The Caps star winger mentioned last Wednesday that his participation in the Worlds would hinge upon his team’s ability and willingness to insure his NHL contract.

Ovechkin played in the 2007 World Championships in his native Moscow, but was used as a fourth-line winger and on the team’s second power play unit. He had one goal and three points in his limited role on Team Russia. This marks the sixth consecutive spring in which Ovechkin has represented his country in the World Championships. He was named to the World Championship All-Star Team in 2006.

Semin was invited to the Russian team’s camp last spring, but was left off the team when he reported late. He has previous experience in four World Championships from 2003-06.

The three Washington forwards will be joined on the Russian roster by goaltender Simeon Varlamov, Washington’s first-round (23rd overall) choice in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Rooting Against the Flyers and Sharks

There are plenty of folks out there who don’t need any additional reasons to root against the Philadelphia Flyers in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against Montreal. Here’s another one anyway.

Washington owns Philadelphia’s second round choice in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The sooner the Flyers are out, the higher that pick will be. The Capitals also own San Jose’s second-rounder in this year’s draft.

The four teams that wind up as conference finalists in the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs will draft 27-28-29-30 regardless of their regular season point totals, so it’s better for the Caps if the Flyers and Sharks exit before then.

Just sayin.

The Flyers are down 1-0 in the series after last night’s Game 1. Montreal got a goal that shouldn’t have counted and then benefited from a questionable late penalty on Philly center Mike Richards, taking a 3-2 overtime decision from the Flyers.

Cue John Lennon’s “Instant Karma.”

The Sharks and Stars hook up in Game 1 of their series tonight.