None other than Nicklas Backstrom was first on the ice this morning during the opening session of Day 1 of Capitals’ training camp. He skated for about 30 minutes before the Caps pulled him off, for precautionary purposes.
A very helpful file for those of you planning on a visit to Kettler during camp: Rebecca from A View from the Cheap Seats took roll during all three sessions and has posted the players by group on her site. The Caps utilized both Kettler sheets in order to skate the three groups between 10:00 and 1:00. You can find the full schedule for training camp here.
Another terrific asset for following the preseason: Caps in Pictures, a blog devoted exclusively to Capitals’ photojournalism.
More must patronizing: Tarik’s file on the Caps’ cap-ologist Don Fishman.
Imbedded among Day One media (heavy numbers), I wondered what if any difference it would make for the Caps to have a full training camp under the direction of Bruce Boudreau. I got some interesting feedback. Most reporters, understandably, didn’t think it’d make much of a difference, as the team’s returning players had nearly 70 games with him last season.
“You saw the way they played for him the final 20 games,” one of them observed.
One reporter suggested that there would be a reasonably significant difference in atmosphere, alluding esepcially to last Sunday’s end-of-session conditioning skate (which Gabby pledged to replicate during the full camp). It’s certainly true that as a spectator you notice a marked difference in the tempo of the sessions relative to Glen Hanlon’s, Bruce Cassidy’s, or Ron Wilson’s — they are fast-paced and hectic, with meticulous drills, most definitely not for the out of shape.
On a sumptuous early autumn Saturday the hundreds and hundreds who turned out early (before 9:30 a.m.) and remained late (past 1:30), and who packed the stands and both rinks three and four deep around the glass, sure seemed emblematic of the fanbase of a hockey town.
All present and accounted for out on the ice, except of course Brian Pothier. The injured from late last season — Chris Clark, Eric Fehr, Michael Nylander, Shaone Morrisonn, and Boyd Gordon were all looking fit and fast.
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7 Comments
Where was Green? He walked past me on his way to the locker rooms, but I didn’t see him on either sheet
On the ice with the third group.
Since you guys are somewhat obsessed by the Spirit Squad, what was going on on the upper level of the public rink behind the goal? When I walked over for the Group B practice, there were a group of women at the far end behind the goal. As more fans came over, two men came and set up a black curtain to block off that area. This was just strange and made me think of the Wizard of Oz. It made me curious as to what was going on behind the curtain. I could see a little behind the curtain, and it appeared that make-up was being applied by a make-up artist to first one woman and later a second woman. Then I noticed that one of the conference rooms had the windows blacked out. Women went from the blocked off area into the blacked out conference room. I was thinking what in the world is this? Then I thought, is it the Spirit Squad getting photos taken? But why are they doing this on opening day of training camp and why are they blocking off this area during the one time the Caps were using the public rink today? If the Spirit Squad was at Kettler, why weren’t they greeting the fans on opening day of training camp?
Cathy, I definitely don’t agree with your characterization; we have fewer files on Spirit Squads than we do on Pennsylvania microbrews, and no one’s yet suggested we’re obsessed with those.
What I was obsessed with today at Kettler was the hockey. That’s what I followed.
Thanks for the linkage! It was great to meet you!
Thank you for the update on Backstrom. Glad to hear that he skated for half an hour.
Do you think he looked well enough on his ankle to play at 100% for the pre-season game next week? To start the season?
ephperson – if there’s any doubt at all about Backis, I’d rather he didn’t skate. They can’t and shouldn’t take chances with him.
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