Caps Re-Sign Laich

A team source reports today that the Washington Capitals have signed Brooks Laich to a six year $27 million dollar extension. This deal came not a minute too soon. In just three day Laich was set to test the free agency pool. The official announcement is set for sometime today.

The Capitals acquired Laich in 2004 in a deal with the Ottawa Senators. In seven seasons with the Capitals Laich has raked up 237 total points. Last season he tallied 16 goals with 32 assists. Laich has proven reliable as he has played in at least 73 games in each of the last six seasons.

Caps Could Lose Goaltender

CSNWashington.com reported today that Washington Capitals goaltender Semyon Varlamov is unlikely to return to the team next season.

The Capitals have issued a qualifying contract which retains his rights but also gives the club the ability to match any contract offer made by another NHL team. Varlamov has also talked about going back to play in the KHL in Russia. If the goaltender does go to Russia, the Capitals will receive no compensation.

Should Varlamov leave, the Capitals have two proven goalies that could step in. Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth are two excellent players between the pipes. Hotlby went 10-2-2 last season with a GAA of 1.79. Neuvirth was just as effective going 27-12-4 with a GAA of 2.45. Neuvirth, however, struggled in the postseason going 4-5 with a 2.34 GAA.

This comes as a surprise from Semyon Varlamov as just earlier this month the 23 year old Varlamov expressed interest in staying in Washington D.C. next season.

NHL Entry Level Draft Review

This past Friday and Saturday the Washington Capitals acquired five new players. One via a trade and four by selection in the draft.

On Friday night the Capitals traded away their first round pick to Chicago for RW Troy Brouwer. On Saturday, the Caps would use all their picks.

The Caps next pick did not come until the fourth round. With the 117th pick in the draft the team selected a goaltender: Stephen Soberg. Soberg, from Norway, was named one of Norways top 3 players at the U-18 Championships. He posted a 3.90 GAA and a .931 save percentage in six games. In 27 games in Norways premier hockey league, Soberg had a 4.17 GAA with an .884 save percentage.

In the fifth round the Capitals selected D Patrick Koudys. Koudys has just recently finished his freshman season at Rensselaer in the Eastern College Athletic Conference of the NCAA. He played 32 games and had 1 goal, two assists, and 14 penalty minutes.

With their sixth round pick the Caps chose C Travis Boyd. With the US National Development team he recorded 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) in 24 games. Boyd will attend the University of Minnesota this fall.

In the seventh round the Captials picked D Garret Haar. In 51 games in the US Hockey League Haar had 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists).

What's next for the Capitals new players? On July 10-16 the 4 draftees will attend the Capitals Prospect Development Camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Capitals Acquire Right Wing

In a trade last night at the NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals acquired right wing Troy Brouwer from the Chicago Blackhawks. In return for Brouwer, the Blackhawks got the 26th overall pick in the draft.

Last season Brouwer had 17 goals with 19 assists to score 36 points in 79 regular season games. The right wing was fifth in the NHL with 262 hits. Brouwer also had 5 game winning goals.

“I’m very excited to join the Washington Capitals organization,” said Brouwer. “They are consistently one of the top teams in the NHL and I look forward to helping them reach the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”


 
Quote from Washington Capitals website.

Johnson In as Nats Manager

MLB.com confirmed the story, originally broken by ESPN.com, that Davey Johnson is the new manager for the Washington Nationals.

Johnson originally started his MLB career with the Balitmore Orioles. As the starting second baseman, he helped the club win 4 American League pennants and 2 World Series titles between 1965 and 1972. Johnson also played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs.

Johnson began his major league managerial career with the New York Mets from 1984 to 1990. In each of his first five seasons with the franchise he won 90 games or more. In '86 he led the Mets to a World Series championship. He next managed the Cinncinatti Reds from 1993 to 1995. Again, he turned the franchise into a winner. In 1995 he guided the club to its first NL Central title. He then went on to manage the Orioles (1996-1997) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2000). Johnson led the Orioles to the playoffs in '97 and also the American League East title. With the Dodgers, however, Johnson finished his first season 8 games below .500. The next season the Dodgers came back to finish second in the division but it was still not enough to keep Johnson around as their manager.

It's been eleven years since Johnson last managed an MLB team. He inherits a very young roster that has promising talent already on it. Johnson will also acquire one of the best farm systems in the MLB. With the likes of Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper in his back pocket for next season. The team has a great rhythm currently to its season. Hopefully the transition between managers will swift and painless for a franchise that is on a roll.

Wang to Class A Hagerstown

MLB.com reports that Nationals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang will have a rehab start with Class A Hagerstown on Monday. The start will be the first of any kind for pitcher since joining the D.C. franchise in 2009. Wang has been troubled by a shoulder injury that has been with him since joining the team.

NBA Draft Review

Tonight the Wizards were able to draft smart and filled some glaring holes in their roster.

With the sixth pick in the draft the Wizards selected Jan Vesely. Vesely (pictured above) is a monstrous small forward standing tall at 6 feet 11 inches and weighing in at 240 pounds. Vesely is also from the Czech Republic. While his numbers may not show much, Vesely is a very athletic forward that can defend well and can cut to the paint on offense effectively.

With the 18th pick in the draft the Wizards selected Chris Singleton. Singleton played small forward for the Florida State Seminoles. Singleton is a very athletic small forward. Once he takes it to the paint he is likely to get either get sent to the free throw line or make an off-balance shot. Great wingspan also allows him to be effective defensively by blocking shots.

With the 34th pick in the draft the Wizards selected Shelvin Mack. Mack played point guard for the Butler Bulldogs. I got a chance to see Mack in person during the NCAA Tournament this past March. I liked what I saw. Mack was able to take over the game against Pittsburgh. He simply put the team on his shoulders and never looked back. Mack is able to jack up threes from all around the arch and most likely he will make them all. He is a clutch shooter. Great athleticism and skill also makes him tough on the defensive end, too. While he won't start over John Wall, Shelvin Mack has the qualities to make an impact for the Wizards.

Two small forwards and a point guard. The Wizards were able to help themselves out on the perimeter while also adding depth. This season the Wizards will be one of the youngest teams in the league. The owner and coaches are building this team the right way: through the draft and trading for young and promising talent. Look for the Washington Wizards to be tough in years to come.