Bourque claimed off waivers by Penguins
The roster decisions are over for now, the preseason already a distant memory. It’s time to play hockey games that actually count — a moment the Capitals have been waiting for since last spring’s heartbreaking end in the second round of the NHL playoffs.
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Washington opens a season of high expectations on Thursday night in Boston against the Bruins. There are familiar young stars (two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin, defenseman Mike Green, center Nicklas Backstrom), a pair of new additions (center Brendan Morrison and right wing Mike Knuble) and a holdover whom the team tried desperately to drop, but in the end couldn’t find a new home for (forward Michael Nylander).
will miss Caps opener
Versus (the home of the NHL) and DirecTV are locked in a battle over coverage issues. The problem with the battle is that Caps fans who have DirecTV likely will not see the team‚s opener Thursday night against Boston at 7 p.m. DirecTV wants to place Versus in a separate sports package that would cost subscribers extra money. Versus president Jamie Davis said, “That is unacceptable; we are the home of the NHL and deserve the same treatment ESPN, TBS, TNT and all the other cable sports broadcasters receive.” Due to conflicts with the Nationals, the first two Caps games‚ radio broadcasts will be heard on 106.7 FM “The Fan.” The team then will be back on their radio home, WFED-AM 1500.— Jim Williams
Will it be enough in what looks to be a top-heavy Eastern Conference with four legitimate contenders in the Caps, Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins? There are no guarantees. Caps players are just ready to get started.
“Preseason games are never the same. You don’t ever have you’re whole lineup,” said Caps defenseman Milan Jurcina. “It’s going to be something special. Everyone in this dressing room has been waiting. But we’ve got to get ready to play a full season. It’s not going to be easy.”
Last year, Washington posted the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and set a franchise record with 108 points. Boston finished on top with 116 points. But the Bruins made one major deletion in recent days. Forward Phil Kessel — a 21-year-old rising star — couldn’t come to a contract agreement this summer as a restricted free agent. So the Bruins traded him to Toronto for draft picks.
One player who won’t be making the trip to Boston is forward Chris Bourque. The 23-year-old learned he made the team on Monday. But a day later he was placed on waivers because the Caps were over the NHL salary cap. Minutes after the noon deadline passed Wednesday, Bourque learned he had been claimed by Pittsburgh. Within minutes he packed his gear and jumped into his car. The Penguins open the season Friday night at home.
“The last 48 hours have been the most highs and lows I’ve ever had in my life,” said Bourque, who won two Calder Cups in Hershey and scored his first NHL goal with the Caps. “It’s crazy. I honestly don’t even know what to say. I thought I was going back home to Boston and seeing my family. Now I’m going to Pittsburgh.”
