Screen cap: Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals opened their 2021 training camp Thursday morning at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Following their first practice the team held their annual media day sessions with the Capitals press.
Capitals bench boss Peter Laviolette made his first appearance to the media since the team’s first-round playoff loss to the Boston Bruins. He thought the first day on the ice went well.
“The first 15 minutes was just a warm-up for the guys. The skate test has been in place here. Just an actual really good evaluation of where the players are at, skating, just takes a little bit of time to get it done. Thought everything went the way we wanted it to. The guys seemed really good in the skate test. It was a good first day with regards to that.”
Laviolette said the next two days will be more detailed, and get into his system as the team prepares for their first preseason game on Sunday at Capital One Arena.
“Tomorrow and the next day, the 24th and the 25th, we really get into systems, hard charging and pounding and getting ready for the first exhibition game of the year.”
With the ongoing rehabilitation of Nicklas Backstrom, who is currently listed as “week to week”, the lineup could have an opening, at least in the short term. This could mean an opportunity for Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas or Garrett Pilon, to get an extended look. Laviolette says there is opportunity for a number of players.
“It gives an opportunity to a lot of people. I don’t want to say just one name or two names. There’s gonna be a lot of young kids that get opportunities to come in and show what they can do. It’s really wide open. We have some players that play dual positions, you’ll see them at center some nights, at the wing another night. So I think it opens up to everybody”
[Observations From Peter Laviolette’s First Season In Washington]
Laviolette was also asked about the status of Evgeny Kuznetsov and his current relationship with the player. Things seem to be in a good, or better place right now.
“Evgeny and I have had about as honest a conversations as you can have since Ive been here. He’s in a really good spot right now. He looks extremely fit and healthy and ready to play. I think his mind is, based on the conversations that I’ve had with him, his mind is in a really good spot. You know, we’ll be counting on him. He’s really gonna get an opportunity to take hold and show what he can do. He’s proven to be a high-end player, a really impactful player.”
The Capitals first exhibition is this Sunday at 5:00PM at Capital One Arena. The team opens their season 20 days from today on October 13th when they host the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena.
By Jon Sorensen
Related Reading:
Observations From Peter Laviolette’s First Season In Washington: Mixed Results In A Unique Season
Peter Laviolette Says His Home Has Been “More Of A Frat House Than A Family House” This Season
I know some fans don’t like Lavi after last season, but hey, it took Trotz a few years for the Caps to really hit their stride. I think Lavi can make this team and roster a hard-to-play-against team. With a full training camp and getting back to some semblance of normal over last season’s weirdness, I think we’ll see the full influence of Lavi and his system and the effect on the team play. And yeah, I gotta think some youth will have to be given some chances. Caps need to see what they have in the young guys.
And please, please please—Kuzy, be in fine form and focus! No more gliding around and taking lazy stick penalties, please!
I’m with ya, Lavi deserves at least one full year at the helm. There are some tendencies that may wear thin(reluctance to play prospects, prevent defense in third periods, etc.) but last year was an anomaly. He deserves a full season to show what he can do.
exactly—and THEN if he craps the bed, still turtles in the 3rd period with the prevent D, etc, we can bring out the pitchforks and torches. 😁