Nylander wants out?; Plus other Capitals notes.

After being scratched from the Capitals line-up for last nights game, Michael Nylander vented to Capitals Insider Tarik El-Bashir about the situation.

"I feel good on the ice, but it doesn't matter. We'll have to see what we can do, what happens."

When I asked him if his struggles were the result of his playing style not meshing with Boudreau's, Nylander said: "I don't know. I am not the coach. What can I say? This is the way he wants to do it. I just have to figure a way around it."

"I know how the system works," he added. "I don't have a problem with the system. The system is quite easily played."

His comments may hint at the fact he wants to be traded to a team that uses him more effectively and give him more ice time.

Nylander is in the second year of a 4 year term, and his $4,875,000 contract could prove difficult to unload at the trade deadline.

Also of note, Bryan Helmer, Karl Alzner and Daren Machesney were all returned to Hershey today. It is likely that Alzner could return to the Capitals line-up after the All-Star festivities have ended.

Also, Nicklas Backstrom will fore go the All-Star Young Stars game citing that he "felt like it made more sense to give someone else that opportunity and use this time to rest and prepare for the second half of the season with the Capitals."

He assured the press that his decision is not injury related.

Finally, Capitals prospects Michael Neuvirth and Travis Morin took their part in the ECHL All-Star game tonight in Reading, PA. The American All-Stars (Morin, Neuvirth and co.) topped the National Roster 11-5.

Morin finished the game with 2 assists while Neuvirth stopped 19 of 20 shots in the third period of the contest.

Quick Hits - Weekly Edition No. 2

The following is a list of news and notes for the Washington Capitals organization from October 4 to October 12.

Stefan Della Rovere for the OHL's Barrie Colts was named the OHL Player of the Week. Della Rovere earned the award after scoring four goals and three assists (4G, 3A) in his last two games. He was selected by the Capitals in the 7th round of the 2008 Entry Draft.

Also in prospect news, Brett Leffler has returned to the Regina Pats line-up after suffering a concussion last week. In his first game back he notched two goals and one assist (2G, 1A) in a 5-4 win over the Kootenay Ice.

"One player whose effort wasn't lacking was right-winger Brett Leffler, who scored two goals and added one assist in his first game back after missing three due to a concussion. However, Leffler also contributed to a near implosion in the second period ."
"I'm very happy with (Leffler's) effort in terms of putting the puck in the net and making some plays and hits, but you have to be more disciplined than that," said Derkatch."

You can read the article HERE.

Russian goaltender Simeon Varlamov won his first professional hockey game last night, as the Hershey Bears beat the Norfolk Admirals in a shootout. Varlamov will be splitting time with starting tender Daren Machesney this season.

I hope that all Capitals fans get a chance to read the October 21, 2008 edition of The Hockey News magazine, where they recognize the Capitals as the most exciting team in the NHL.

Godfrey notches hat trick as Bears beat Pens.

Rookie defenseman Josh Godfrey scored his first professional hat trick last night as the Hershey Bears steam rolled the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins 8-2 at the GIANT Center. Godfrey, a 2nd round draft pick of Washington in 2007, had just recently been reassigned to the Bears earlier last week after a successful Rookie Camp, as well as a few preseason games in D.C. Godfrey is coming off a 51 point season for the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, where coach Craig Hartsburg (now coaching the Ottawa Senators) stressed the importance of playing a well rounded defensive game to compliment his offensive side. Godfrey will log heavy minutes this year in Hershey where he will try to develop his game at the pro level. He was named first star of last nights game.

Also contributing on the score sheet last night were off-season acquisition Keith Aucoin who tallied 3 assists, and Alexandre Giroux who had 2 goals and 2 assists. Aucoin was named third star while Giroux was named second. Daren Machesney stopped 35 of 37 shots in the victor.

The Bears will open up their regular season against these same Pens on the road this coming Wednesday.