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.