Hockey is finally back, you guys. The Washington Capitals are facing the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena tonight to kick off the 2019 preseason.
The Capitals have several players that are dealing with injuries and are out day-to-day.
Hey, here’s some good news. The NHLPA has announced that it will not re-open the current CBA after the 2019-20 season ends.
The players’ union had until today, September 16 (the first business day after September 15), to let the NHL know its decision. The CBA will now last until the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
Hi, I’m here to notify you that you now have plans for Friday night. And anything else you thought you were doing is now canceled.
I am, in the words of Alan May, coming out of mom’s basement to compete in a Bar Battle with, in the words of May again, the most tan, the most handsome, and the most captivating analyst in hockey media, Alan May.
When we’re not chirping or threatening bodily harm at each other, we are going to make you drinks at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern to help raise money for The Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund. I am told I will be “making” $6 Great 8 cocktails and Alan will be pouring $6 Optimal Wit pints from 8 – 9:30pm. Whoever gets more of their signature drink ordered and served, wins not only the night but full bragging rights for the rest of time. RSVP here.
And I promise, if I win, I will never forget.
Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov spoke to reporters on Saturday for the first time since testing positive for cocaine. Hours removed from his first career NHL suspension— a three-game ban — Kuznetsov, wearing a long grey sweatshirt, opened up about the most challenging time of his career.
“It was a pretty hard summer for me,” Kuznetsov admitted.
“I want to move forward, and the one thing I can do best is play hockey,” he added. “I feel bad for my friends, for my teammates, for the organization, for the fans that they have to deal with this news. But I will pay back more than people give me right now.”
By Ian Oland and Cara Bahniuk 3 days ago
The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reports that Evgeny Kuznetsov will be suspended by the NHL later today after failing an IIHF drug test earlier this year. The suspension will be no longer than three games, according to Khurshudyan. The IIHF has already suspended Kuznetsov from international play for four years, which will keep him out of the World Championships and Olympics until he’s 31.
Monday, Kuznetsov met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Kuznetsov has not spoken publicly about the failed drug test beyond in a press release issued by the Capitals.
Update, 10:30 AM: The NHL announces that Kuznetsov will be suspended for three games. Kuznetsov will not appeal the decision.
By Ian Oland 3 days ago
Colorado Avalanche forward Andre Burakovsky might have himself a year if head coach Jared Bednar keeps the lines the same at the start of the regular season. It all just depends on Mikko Rantanen.
On Friday, Burakovsky was part of a trio that included superstar Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs’ captain, Gabe Landeskog.
NateMac and Burkie had some instant chemistry.
The biggest RFA drama of the summer is finally over.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Mitch Marner has signed a six-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
By Ian Oland and Donya Abramo 3 days ago
After another hard summer training, Alex Ovechkin arrived at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday for the team’s first day of on-ice drills. It looks like he had a ball.
Ovechkin blew kisses, made a few jokes, and even came over to greet his loving fans. He also appears to have brought some gifts to his Capitals teammates.
Over the last year or so, Evgeny Kuznetsov has experienced the best and worst parts of being an NHL superstar. The Russian center helped lead the Capitals to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in June 2018 and later brought the NHL’s championship trophy to his hometown of Chelyabinsk. Fast forward to this summer, the Kuznetsovs had their second child, a baby boy they named Fedor, in June. But it was around then that things went south. A Russian Twitter user uploaded a video of Kuznetsov by lines of a white powdery substance. Kuznetsov denied using drugs, but in late August, he was suspended four years by the IIHF for testing positive for cocaine. Kuznetsov, who recently met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, deleted all of his photos and videos off Instagram. He hasn’t spoken to the reporters. He’s been the subject of relentless taunts by “Capitals fans” on social media.
But quietly, Kuznetsov has gone about his business at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Kuzy spent most of the summer in the United States, training with whichever Capitals players were around and working with strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish.
“I look at him and he’s in great shape,” Alex Ovechkin recently said. “He’s going to be good this year.”
Friday, Kuznetsov had his first chance to show off his progress to his coaches. He dominated his skate test along with Jakub Vrana as a member of Team White – the Caps’ first training camp group of the morning.
TJ Oshie filmed a commercial for SAP Sports with golf legend Ernie Els in early August.
“Such an awesome experience working with @ernieelsgolf today on the set for @sapsports new commercial,” Oshie wrote on Instagram. “Definitely out of my comfort zone but Producer #RickyMabe and everyone behind the scenes made it a lot easier. Thanks @sapsports and @nhlpa for the opportunity!”
The Capitals forward might have felt uneasy in his first major acting gig, but the finished product shows Oshie is a star both on and off the ice.
The commercial, entitled Being Captain With The Big Easy, shows Els mentoring three golfers struggling with confidence and focus. There’s subtle promotion for SAP’s offerings as a management company, but a majority of the clip is showing what true leadership is through humor.
