Miss the media? “Not really,” says Ovechkin. (Photo credit: @SWhyno)

This morning, a bunch of Washington Capitals players jumped back on the ice for an informal practice. Those who skated include Alex Ovechkin, Braden Holtby, Mike Green, Mike Ribeiro, John Carlson, Michal Neuvirth, Matt Hendricks, Jason Chimera, Jay Beagle, Jack Hillen, and John Erskine.

At 11am, Caps general manager George McPhee then spoke to the press for the first time since dinosaurs roamed the earth. GMGM revealed that injured defenseman Dmitry Orlov is “improving” but questionable for opening night (but you already knew that), and side-stepped questions on Nicklas Backstrom’s health, acknowledging that the team can’t examine him until a new CBA is ratified. Hershey Bears defense prospect Cameron Schilling will also be given a shot to make the team out of training camp. McPhee’s full comments are below.

A little bit later, Caps head coach Adam Oates ran the gauntlet of DC reporters as well.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the question What, I am the most beautiful one here again? in Russian (available for only 500 rubles here), also spoke to the press, after initial reports he wouldn’t. Ovi talked about his engagement to Maria Kirilenko, saying he no longer has that “feeling anymore where you can do whatever you want. You have a girl with a tennis racket and she can hit you.” Well played. He also reiterated that if the new CBA would have cut into his salary, he would have been much more inclined to stay at home and play in Russia.

Braden Holtby talked about what it’s like to finally be back at Kettler after spending the last few months with the Hershey Bears.

Finally, here’s video from practice today.