Kevin Weekes

GR8TNESS: Watch the epic ESPN trailer previewing its special on Alex Ovechkin and his chase of Wayne Gretzky’s goals record

After botching the telecast of Alex Ovechkin’s historic 800th career goal game, ESPN is making things right by creating a highly-produced, hour-long special on the Capitals captain. Entitled GR8TNESS, the special will air on network television, ABC, right before the NHL All-Star Game on February 4 at 2 pm (EST).

Former NHL goaltender and ESPN contributor Kevin Weekes posted the trailer on his Twitter account Friday.

“As the Great 8 tries to catch the Great One, @Ovi8 sits down with yours truly as part of an exclusive 1-hour @NHL on @ESPN documentary #GR8TNESS,” Weekes wrote. “Check out this fire trailer!”

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By Ian Oland 8 months ago

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No, Kevin Weekes never reported that the Capitals were one of Patrick Kane’s preferred trade destinations

Patrick Kane is one of the more intriguing trade targets this season as he has just one year left on his contract and the Chicago Blackhawks are effectively tanking.

On Saturday, the Twitter account @OilerAnalytics transcribed some quotes from a radio appearance by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes.

Weekes named the Capitals as one of the top three teams he’d like to be traded to.

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By Ian Oland 12 months ago

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Henrik Lundqvist on why he needed open-heart surgery, how being a hockey player prepared him for the fight of his life

Henrik Lundqvist sat down with former New York Rangers’ teammate Kevin Weekes for a powerful three-part interview, which is airing on NHL Network Tuesday through Thursday. In part one of the chat, Lundqvist spoke for 12 minutes about being bought out by the New York Rangers, signing with the Washington Capitals, and learning that he’d need open-heart surgery.

Lundqvist said that he first learned that he needed the procedure done as he was about to pack to leave for Washington DC ahead of the 2020-21 season.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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These NHL players have spoken out about racism and the death of George Floyd

George Floyd died on May 25, after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. His death has sparked sorrow and protests across the country, demanding meaningful change. While many high-profile athletes have shared their opinions on the event, including LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick, the NHL has been relatively quiet.

Two Black players, JT Brown and Evander Kane, were the first to speak up. In an interview with ESPN’s First Take, Kane called on other high profile athletes “like Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby” to do something.

“We need so many more athletes–that don’t look like me–speaking out about this,” he said, “having the same amount of outrage that I have inside, and using that to voice their opinion, to voice their frustration, because that’s the only way it’s going to change.”

Since that time, more NHL players–both white and Black–have added their voices to the call for change. Here’s who they are and what they had to say.

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By Brennin Weiswerda 3 years ago

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No, Ryan Miller and the Capitals Wouldn’t Be a “Fit”

Photo: Kevin Hoffman

When the Washington Capitals traded Filip Forsberg for Martin Erat and Michael Latta last year, an upset and cranky me commented on my own website,”Horrible trade. I’m embarrassed to be a Caps fan today.” To the two people who downvoted me, I will accept your apologies via email, tweet, and/or public groveling.

I didn’t hate the trade because the Caps were trading Forsberg (though I have the utmost confidence he will be a productive player in the NHL). I hated the trade because of the timing and philosophy behind it. The Capitals, worried about losing Mike Ribeiro to free agency, acquired another aging and expensive player. They loaded up for a playoff push despite being pretty dang far away from Stanley Cup contention– and in the process they gave away seven years of a talented young player who just a month ago was named MVP of the World Junior Championships.

A year later, we’re back at the crossroads. General Manager George McPhee — as well as Ted Leonsis and the rest of the organization — have some tough decisions to make about the team’s philosophy moving forward. The Caps are the sixth worst team in the league in the standings, three of their players have publicly requested trades, their defense is holey, and their offense lacks chemistry. But they also have a bevy of talented, young players knocking on the door for roster spots or waiting for bigger roles: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson, Michael Latta, Riley Barber, and Philipp Grubauer.

So are the Caps rebuilding, retooling, or loading up?

Whatever they decide, these next few weeks will be pivotal for the Capitals. They must make trades ahead of the March 5th deadline. But here’s one deal they better not make: trading for Buffalo’s Ryan Miller.

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By Ian Oland 10 years ago

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