Photo: @Capitals
The Capitals took the ice on Wednesday morning at Kettler to gear up for another season. The full squad is here, as are the prospects. Today’s preliminary skate was split into two groups with the veterans on the ice first followed by the prospects. With the rookie tournament being cancelled due to Hurricane Irma, the prospects had a Plan B of being evaluated by the coaches at the rink.
NEW PRACTICE JERSEYS ALERT!
The #Caps are sporting their new practice jerseys. Wasn’t here yesterday so this is my first time seeing them. pic.twitter.com/2CyVZG3zAf
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) September 12, 2017
And here’s what the navy blue ones look like #Caps pic.twitter.com/47pvA9SzaK
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) September 12, 2017
VETERAN GROUP
First up were the veterans, which included all of the familiar faces plus Christian Djoos, Aaron Ness, Anthony Peluso, and Devante Smith-Pelly. Practice today consisted of small drills in front of the net, a spirited scrimmage, and a shootout contest.
Braden Holtby is in mid season form. You can also hear “yeah Holts!” in the background pic.twitter.com/5F5ze5F3l4
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
Braden Holtby looked unstoppable and in mid-season form this morning. Towards the end you could hear his teammates shouting “yeah Holts!”
Brett Connolly wrists one past Holtby pic.twitter.com/S6aoQ7QsIs
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
Brett Connolly figured Holtby out as he wristed one past him.
Jyrki Jokipakka is skating with the guys pic.twitter.com/d8dBD72DjX
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
Jyrki Jokipakka was skating as well, as he recently joined the Caps on a PTO.
A goal scored by the new guy: Devante Smith-Pelly pic.twitter.com/105yJjohGI
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
A goal by DSP.
When you lose in the shootout, you have to run sprints (or skate) pic.twitter.com/yG9VeT8GUT
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
Oh yes, I couldn’t forget about the shootout contest. Team Blue defeated Team Red. The losing team had to do ice sprints.
PROSPECTS
The veteran group has left the ice. Now it’s the prospects’ turn to practice pic.twitter.com/8r6URmkoWd
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
Nathan Walker, Chandler Stephenson, Madison Bowey, Lucas Johansen, Tyler Graovac, Travis Boyd, Riley Barber and Jakub Vrana were present.
Jakub Vrana is participating in the prospect skate pic.twitter.com/hqwWlF1MDK
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
While Vrana is expected to make the Capitals roster, perhaps the team was trying to send him a message that he must earn it and not expect it to be handed to him.
Great strip of the puck by Lucas Johansen pic.twitter.com/RQPJLf8IZW
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
Johansen stripped the puck on this play.
TEAM STORE ITEM OF THE DAY
New Jay Beagle shirts at the @KettlerIceplex team store. pic.twitter.com/iqBFqnJJtS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) September 12, 2017
This is sure to be a popular sell. Jay Beagle is a man of the people, and he is expected to lead the new generation of Capitals players this season.
DAILY LINKS
Storylines For Each Metropolitan Division Team Heading In to 2017 Training Camp
Capitals Announce Changes to Medical Staff
The Noon Countdown: Swede Season (Japers’ Rink)
The 25 Most Important Players for the Caps: No. 4 T.J. Oshie (J.J. Regan/CSN)
PHOTOSHOOTS
Say 🧀 @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/yvE6fY7cl5
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 12, 2017
MEANWHILE IN DC…
There’s a chill in the air at @CapitalOneArena. Anybody else just get chills? ❄️ pic.twitter.com/gL26gl2GA3
— Slapshot (@Caps_Slapshot) September 12, 2017
SMITTY RETIRED
The Capitals announced that longtime head athletic trainer Greg Smith has retired after working with the Capitals for 18 seasons. His replacement is Jason Serbus. Read more here.
A LOOK AHEAD
The Capitals will release the training camp schedule and roster on Wednesday. On Thursday the Capitals veterans will conduct physicals and off-ice testing. Friday morning marks the first day of training camp with three practice sessions. Group White will go at 9:30 a.m., Group Red at 11 a.m., and Group Blue at 12:30 p.m. On Monday September 18, the Capitals will open up the preseason against the New Jersey Devils in Newark where they’ll get a first glimpse of the 2017 first overall pick Nico Hischier.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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Trotz and the coaches sent Vrana a message that he has to earn it
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