A dated picture from the Ketter IcePlex. (The logo is obviously differnet.)
So yesterday I got my first taste of the wonderment that is Capitals Development Camp, a camp that true to its name is filled with Capitals prospects. I have to tell you that I enjoyed it quite a lot, even if something just didn’t seem right.
No it wasn’t the level of play that surprised me (these guys actually hit!) or the sight of guys playing hockey in the middle of July that threw me off. Rather it was where the Capitals official training rink was located.
For those that don’t know, there is no relation to any scene out of “Slapshot,” when you go to the Capitals practice rink. For one, you won’t find a steel factory within 50 miles of the place and you certainly won’t find a dimly lit arena with the smell of cheap booze and a cast of characters that will fight you at the drop of a dime.
Rather the Capitals home practice rink, Kettler IcePlex can be found in the same building as that you can purchase flourescent candles at the Crate & Barrel as the rink is on the 8th floor of the Ballston Common Mall. Therefore it was not surprising yesterday to find an interesting mix of teenyboppers and hockey addicts watching practice. But you know what? The more the merrier and there was almost a full crowd on a Thursday afternoon to watch a bunch of Capitals prospects who might not even make the team, scrimmage. It really was quite impressive.
As for the play, I have a couple of things to note.
First of all, and I say this with some trepidation having only gone to one day of practice, but no one on the current roster looks like they should make the Caps. Some like Jon Finley are big, but don’t yet skate at an NHL level. Others like Mathieu Perreault are very talented, but simply not big enough.
And speaking of Perreault, he was indeed the player I left being most impressed with. Perreault from my vantage point looked to be a step faster than everyone on the ice.
During the scrimmage between prospects yesterday, Perreault finished the game with two goals, one of which came on a play in which he simply beat two guys down the ice.
And at least yesterday, Perreault looked to have better moves, speed, acceleartion and a more refined offensive game than any other prospect in the camp. However at 5’9 and 165 pounds, I just don’t think the Hershey forward is big enough yet to yet make the team.
The most physical game in my opinion belonged to Francois Bouchard who at 6 feet and 180 points, knocked over the much bigger, 240 pound defenseman Joe Finley as they both approached the puck near the boards in the first period.
Bouchard, who is the younger brother of Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard, played in Hershey last year and had a very successful campaign recording 35 points in 64 games. He showed some of that scoring prowess on Wednesday, knocking a loose puck directly into the net to help cement a lead for his team in the third period.
But outside of Perrault and even more impressive that Bouchard, was the play of Michael Dubac who was not even initially listed in the media guide for the Developmental Camp roster.
Dubac who last year played in the Capitals system for the ECHL South Carolina Stingrays, impressed me before the game during the drill session of the day with his ability to finish plays near the net. He displayed those same skills during the inter-squad scrimmage, as he took a nice pass from across the crease by Joel Broda (who also had an excellent game) and deposited it in the back of the net to start the scoring for his team.
Dubac also ended the scoring for his white team, finishing a 2-on-1 after receiving a nice pass from Stefan Della Rovere to make the score 8-3 white. This would be Dubac’s 5th goal in two scrimmages, and for someone that wasn’t on most people’s radar, this guy is really making a name for himself.
In other news, the defense I saw on Thursday was less than impressive. Hershey backliner John Carlson, who many believe to have the strongest chance of making the Capitals among players in the development camp, was less than steady. Rarely in the game did he stand out, and for someone who is rated Washington’s number three prospect, Carlson on a number of plays was caught to far up on offense, leading to a number of 2-on-1’s back. Again though, I have only seen one game from him. It would be more than foolish of me to say he isn't ready.
North Dakota standout defensemen Joe Finley, who the Capitals picked in the first round of the 2005 draft, was also less than impressive. That isn’t to say he wasn’t noticeable though, as the 6’7, 240 pound defender simply towered over much of his competition. However, the stay-at-home defenseman from my view seems to not yet be the most fluent skater in the world, and at times his speed very much looked questionable. This is something Finley will have to work on.
Caps notes: Capitals 08 draft pick, Anton Gustafsson had to leave the ice yesterday after being pushed hard face-first into the boards behind the net. Gustafsson had to be helped off the ice and there is no update yet as to the severity of his injury.
For more info: Yes that's right, you can follow me on Twitter and listen to my rambling thoughts about hockey and beyond. Click here to follow me. Also the Caps sign Shoane Morrison and Eric Fehr.
Comments
No offense but I think almost every single reporter and blogger who has attended the Caps Development Camp would disagree with you. Should probably read around to see what the other guys are seeing out there. Carlson has been beastly as well as Dubac and Finley. Finley has been a monster on the ice and Bruess is great as well.
No offense taken at all. I was only able to attend the camp for one day, and on the one day I was there I did not think Carlson looked great. Still it's only one day. Karl Alzner played horrible in his first game on the Caps and we all saw how competently he handled things from that point forward.
I agree with you Bruess looked great, didn't get a chance to mention him.
Thanks for the comment!
Correction: It's Michael Dubuc, not Dubac ;)
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