CHANGE MY LOCATION
Los Angeles Examiners
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Examiner
Most Recent Post
No place for Moseley in Angels’ playoff rotation (thank God); Scioscia still must drop a starter
Caps on a star search
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - It is as tangible a sign of progress as any for the Capitals. When the 2008 NHL Entry Draft commences in Ottawa on Friday, Washington will finally have a lengthy wait before making its first pick.
That hasn’t been the case in recent years when bad season after bad season led directly to high draft picks Alex Ovechkin (first overall, 2004), named NHL MVP last week, center Nicklas Backstrom (sixth, 2006), rookie-of-the-year runner-up, and promising defenseman Karl Alzner (fifth, 2007).
Friday, the Caps have the No. 23 pick thanks to a 43-31-8 record and their first playoff appearance in five years. It’s the club’s highest pick since 2001.
“The difference between picking top four or five and picking 23 is you’ve got a lot more players to focus on,” said Caps general manager George McPhee. “When you’re picking four or five you know who you think the top players are. You’re not sure what you’re going to get at 23.”
Washington has had 12 first-round draft picks since 2002. Discounting Alzner, who was still playing junior hockey last season, eight of the other 11 were key components of the team’s Southeast Division title run.
The Caps are stocked with nine picks in what McPhee calls a “better than pretty good draft.” They also have three second-round selections — No. 54, 57 and 58 — that could be packaged to acquire an established NHL player.
Comments from Examiner Readers
3:39 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 19, 2008 re: "Caps on a star search"
Report as inappropriate
8:01 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008
re: "Caps weather the storm"
Report as inappropriate
6:15 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 17, 2008
re: "Capitals still believe"
Report as inappropriate
7:52 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 11, 2008
re: "Caps need a quick rebound"
Report as inappropriate
9:02 PM MST on Wed., Feb. 13, 2008
re: "Decision time nears for Caps"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
Backstom was the 4th overall pick not the 6th.
3 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
The Caps are coming!!! beware said:
They will win their last two games, count on it.
8 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Yes, the Caps did play a heck of a game, and they DID win in OT picking up 2 huge points. After such a horrible start it is truly amazing how they have rebounded to be in this position under Coach Boudreau. Let's Go Caps!!
5 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Photo Caption said:
Since when did Alex Ovechkin change his number to #15 and drop his visor?!?! That's Boyd Gordon in that photo, numbnuts.
9 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Heck of a game, shame they didn't win in overtime. A point is a point though. Chris
68 agree | 83 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree