Chris Gordon

About Chris Gordon (@bychrisgordon)

Colorado Avalanche place Brooks Orpik on waivers for the purposes of buying out his contract

DALLAS — That did not take long. Less than 24 hours after the Washington Capitals dumped Brooks Orpik‘s $5.5 million salary cap hit for next season on the Colorado Avalanche in the Phillip Grubauer trade, the Avs have placed Orpik on waivers for the purposes of buying out his contract.

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic made it clear the team wanted no part of Orpik. They took him as part of Friday’s trade so they wouldn’t have to give up a higher draft pick. Grubauer was worth a first-round selection, but the trade netted the Caps the 47th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

5 Comments

With backup goalie Philipp Grubauer gone, the Capitals will turn to two inexperienced netminders

DALLAS — Former Washington Capitals backup goalie Philipp Grubauer wanted to be a starter. He got his wish Friday night when the Capitals dealt him and Brooks Orpik to the Colorado Avalanche for a second-round pick (47th overall) in the 2018 NHL draft here.

Grubauer has proven himself capable of handling a starting role over the past couple of years with the Caps. For much of the spring, he was the number one netminder over former Vezina Trophy-winner Braden Holtby.

“We really feel you need two really good goaltenders, and we like where Grubauer is, he’s just coming into his prime,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said. Grubauer will play alongside former Capitals starting goalie Semyon Varlamov, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career.

Switching back to the Caps, unless they make a trade, their backup spot will be filled by less experienced hands in 2018-19. According to Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan, Pheonix Copley, a North Pole, Alaska native who has played just two NHL games will start the season as Holtby’s understudy.

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

0 Comment

Brian MacLellan would be interested in bringing back Brooks Orpik if the Avalanche buy him out

DALLAS — Friday night, Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan met with the media after the first round of the NHL Draft concluded.

MacLellan addressed the trade that saw the Caps send Philipp Grubauer and Brooks Orpik to the Colorado Avalanche for a second-round pick and would allow John Carlson’s imminent massive payday.

“Tough trading Brooks Orpik for what he’s done for the organization,” MacLellan said. “He’s been a big part of our culture change and a big part of the room and how we go about things. It’s hard to do, but we had to create some room to sign some players.”

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

1 Comment

Brian MacLellan says the Capitals are ‘really close’ to re-signing John Carlson

DALLAS — After a marathon day of picks during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan spoke to the media on the nearly deserted draft floor late Friday night.

The big takeaway: the Capitals are closing in on a deal with star defenseman John Carlson.

“We’re really close,” MacLellan said. “Hopefully, we can close the deal over the next 24 hours.”

There is a good reason for MacLellan’s urgency. Carlson would be able to speak to other teams starting noon Sunday.

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

2 Comments

Islanders draft pick Oliver Wahlstrom says Alex Ovechkin was his ‘childhood hero,’ had two Fatheads of him

DALLAS — The New York Islanders have a new general manager, a new coach, and now a new high-scoring right winger. The team selected Oliver Wahlstrom, a 6′ 1″ American power forward with the 11th overall pick in 2018 NHL Draft here.

Wahlstrom has committed to play college hockey at Boston College. He put up impressive numbers playing for the junior hockey United States National Development Program, pacing his team with 94 points, including 48 goals. He fired 288 shots on goal in 62 games. And he’s got a hell of a one-timer. Sound like any player you know?

Wahlstrom says he tries to model his game on Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, though he bristled when I compared his style to Ovi’s.

“I don’t think I can compare anything to that guy,” Wahlstrom said with a laugh. “He’s a different breed. He was my childhood hero.”

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

0 Comment

New York Islanders officially name Barry Trotz head coach

Just four days after resigning as head coach of the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, Barry Trotz has found a gig with the New York Islanders. Thursday afternoon the team announced that Trotz, who ranks fifth all-time in NHL coaching wins, would be their new bench boss. Earlier in the day, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the sides were closing in on a five-year contract worth at least $4 million per year.

“Barry brings to the New York Islanders franchise a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience, and success,” Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “He is and has been one of the top coaches in the National Hockey League. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him.”

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

4 Comments

Brian MacLellan on his offseason suggestion for Alex Ovechkin: ‘I don’t know, tell him to work on his keg stand?’

The Washington Capitals held their annual breakdown day Wednesday when the players speak to the media, clear out their lockers, and head into the offseason. The past few years, it’s been a brutal experience to interview devastated players and disappointed brass. But the Capitals just won the Stanley Cup. This breakdown day was full of laughs, more laughs, and smiles.

Last summer, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan challenged captain Alex Ovechkin to get leaner. He did. And then he won the Rocket Richard Trophy, awarded to the player who scores the most regular-season goals. And he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. And, of course, he led the Capitals to their first Cup victory. His name will be etched on the trophy for another 65 years.

So, Mac, what does Ovi need to improve on this summer?

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

0 Comment

Barry Trotz wants to return as Capitals head coach, but ‘issues’ with his coaching staff and more may stand in the way

Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final was scheduled for Wednesday night. Instead, the Washington Capitals have been wildly celebrating their first Cup win in the franchise’s 44-year history for almost a week.

Caps head coach Barry Trotz, who ranks fifth all-time in NHL wins, guided them to that championship. But despite the Stanley Cup victory, Trotz’s first, his future with the Capitals is unknown. His contract expires in July. Trotz is currently engaged in discussions with Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan.

“We’re talking about it,” Trotz told reporters Wednesday at the team’s final media availability of the season. “I do want to be back. There’s some things that we have to work out. I’ve talked to Mac. If we can get them worked out, then there’s no question. I love the group of guys. I love the situation I’m in with the team, the location for my son and my wife and all that. So all that’s in place. There’s some issues that we’ve got to just work through, and we will and we’ll go from there. We’ll just work through it.”

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

5 Comments

Relive the Capitals Stanley Cup parade and team picture (Photos)

Whether you were packed on the National Mall, along Constitution Avenue, or you are your couch, the glorious Capitals Stanley Cup parade delivered a smile — and a chugged Bud Light — a minute. Earlier in the day, I also captured the team’s official photo with the Cup. If you don’t mind, let’s get lit all over again and relive the sublime day through my photos.
(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

2 Comments

Capitals party at Georgetown Waterfront, Alex Ovechkin does a keg stand with Stanley Cup and jumps in fountain shirtless

The Washington Capitals continued to accomplish the impossible on Saturday afternoon. After winning the Stanley Cup Thursday night, the Caps have partied in a hotel lobby, a Las Vegas nightclub, a charter flight, a Clarendon bar, Nationals Park, and now the Georgetown Waterfront. They even jumped in the freaking fountain.

This party has been going on for nearly 48 hours and shows no sign of the slowing down. This is not a desert mirage.

(more…)

By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

24 Comments

12 3 4 5 Next ›Last »

Page 1 of 72

Posts by Chris Gordon

About Chris Gordon (@bychrisgordon)