Photo: Washington Capitals
Well those long, long “dog days of August” are upon us, and Caps news has dwindled to a meandering trickle. So we decided we’d spend a little time checking the pulse of Caps Nation by circulating a number of reader polls.
August is a time for beginning to set sights on the new season ahead. With the World Cup of Hockey taking place this September, the NHL hockey schedule has essentially been moved up an entire month. As a result, we thought we’d start to take stock on the moves and events that have taken place since the end of last season, and reach out to Caps Nation to get a sense of how everyone is feeling.
First and foremost, how we doin?
Overall, how have the Caps done with roster management this off-season? Caps Nation is pretty well split on this one. Some confident the Caps have filled the last need or two, others a bit more reserved, probably feeling they’ve seen this movie before.
How important is the re-signing of Dmitry Orlov? The lingering final contract has left much debate in its wake, including whether or not the Caps need Orlov to make the run:
Will Barry Trotz feel the heat if the Caps don’t advance past the second round of the playoffs? Caps fans seem to be a little more open and willing to give Barry more time than just this season.
Who will the Capitals top-line center be on opening night in Pittsburgh? If you’ll recall, the season ended with Evgeny Kuznetsov centering the top-line, however Caps Nation sees it differently.
Which Capitals prospect is most likely to be on the roster opening night? There are probably a half-dozen or more potential prospects that could crack the opening night lineup.
Are you a fan of the NHL’s World Cup of Hockey?
Thanks for sharing your opinions. That’s what it’s all about. Enjoy the remainder of your summer, as puck-drop is right around the corner.
By Jon Sorensen
Trotz should be on hot seat if a second-round failure occurs once again.