Jared DeMichiel practicing with Capitals, David Steckel leaves practice

Do people think steckel leaving practice means he's gone?

yeah sounds like steckel is gone

Doesn't mention injury related with Stecks....Could be gone, wonder who would want him. FLA?

Also, I hope they don't trade Varly.

I would be shocked. If memory serves, he leads the league in faceoff %. If he is gone, Richards better be coming here. I'm not holding my breath by the way.

Because I know some of you also share my curiosity as to when the last time a Caps player fought twice in a game was, here's what I know thus far:

12-20-08: Brashear v. Cote...2x (Phi)
3-3-08: Brashear v. Chara/Thornton (Bos)
12-30-06: Brashear v. Orr/Shanahan (NYR)
3-5-04: Verot v. Barnaby/Murray (NYR)
2-13-04: Verot v. Tootoo...2x (Nash)
10-8-01: Peat v. Nazarov/Stock (Bos)
11-1-98: Berube v. Brashear/Huscroft (Van)
2-28-98: Berube v. DeBrusk/Huscroft (TB)
1-25-96: Berube v. Stevens/Daneyko (NJ)
11-25-95: Berube v. Janssens/Chase (Hart)
3-4-95: Berube v. Brashear (2x) (Mon)
4-9-94: Berube v. Vial...2x (Ott)
11-30-93: Berube v. Vukota...2x (NYI)

Man, wasn't it great when the Chief was riding shotgun here? There could be others who deserve to be on the list, so if anyone has a good memory

That's a baker's dozen games in 17+ YEARS...how's that for individual passion, intensity, and meanness?

@vermontcaps

...Those were the days of the Caps. Not much pure skill, but lots of heart and could bang in the corners with the best of 'em.

(I posted this yesterday on our Caps blog - maybe something is happening here, or maybe not)
Bob McKenzie (TSN):

VAN is using its 2nd round pick as bait for depth forward who makes less than $2M per year.

VAN is scouring league for the right fit. Could be big and tough, maybe a PK specialist or FO artist. More experience the better.

Stecks or BGordon meet those criteria...each

Anyone other then Samba see that Semin had left ice also? I can't find anyone saying it. Or Samba where did you see it?

vermontcaps: Why do you always try to make things personal? Everything about your post was absolutely fine except the 1st sentence.

Posted by: fanohock1 | February 28, 2011 10:43 AM | Report abuse

I think this is an example of what tominsocal would say is "the pot calling the kettle black." I merely responded to your post that insinuated I, and a few others, "pee on this blog." That was unwarranted and uncalled for. I don't take, or try to make, anything here personal. Are you just upset that I one-upped you......again?

somehow missing from my last post.....

Stecks or BGordon meet those criteria...each

Any chance we would acquire 2 centers?

ok, I'll try on emore time (WP, you're ping me off here)

Stecks or BGordon meet those criteria...each makes less than 2mil and faceoff and Pkill specialists...not big (ok Stecks IS tall) or tough, but just maybe.

Steve Hindle is reporting that both Stecks and Semin left practice early...

Katie Carrera
Team spokesman said the reason Steckel left the ice was he 'tweaked something' and is being looked at by team trainers. #caps

Would anyone have given up a 2 for Brad Boyes. I probably would have.

Steckel is not going anywhere. Just tweaked something.

@vermontcaps

great - and how often did those teams played for the Stanley Cup?

@fosseweber
"Could be big and tough, maybe a PK specialist or FO artist. More experience the better.
Stecks or BGordon meet those criteria...each" -- hmm, I think not everybody on this board will agree with you

@digster, the issue is that we don't have a 2nd right now

I've got a snowy day, no work, the house empty, and the computer all to myself. I could rival tominsocal/tmac's writing marathon of the other day!! I'm purposefully leaving the NHL channels off, it's too much fun scanning the threads and reading comments.

The clock is ticking........

lets hope the Steckel move doesn't indicate the Caps have selected Gordo over Steckel in the lineup.

From twitter:

CapsNewsNetwork No, he practiced in full RT @pgreissing: @StevenHindle not sure Semin left practice early. #Caps

from preivous post:

ESPN has a great blog right now . Melrose and Lebrun and the other crew are on answering questions. . Anyone it was great last year. Make sure you behave yourselves if you go on there.

Posted by: pkme | February 28, 2011 11:33 AM

I am on there now. Great chat. There are real hockey experts there. You should check it out. There is no "peeing" on that blog.

@vermontcaps

great - and how often did those teams played for the Stanley Cup?

========

yeah lets just stick with what we have. Because our track record is so good.

Some of you need to peruse Stanley Cup rosters just over the past 15 yrs. You'll be shocked at what you see. You don't see any Gordos or Chimeras or Schultzes or Potis. A lot of those rosters don't even have any Semin types on there.

1) If Steckel is gone, get Konopka for faceoffs and added toughness!
2) Trade Semin now!!!! This is the ONLY move today that would signal to me that this team has a shot to get past the first round(regardless of opponent)

Don't rosters expand tomorrow?

So, if King unclaimed, he can be put back on Caps roster? Or would he need recall waivers?

vermont: See, juvenile mind. Peeing on something is a well-know phrase among adults used when "bullies" are declaring ownership of something. If you notice your screen name wasn't even used. Licking up pee is a disgusting phrase making something personal. You didn't "one up me" because I read the rest of your entry with open eyes and an open mind.

This board may implode if GMGM doesn't make a move.

If Varly has a knee injury, I doubt that one of the goalies will be traded. I can see GMGM getting a vet and assigning Varly or Neuvy to Hershey.

Caps trade 3rd in 2011 and Jake Hauswirth to FLA for defenseman Dennis Wideman.

Caps acquired Dennis Wideman from Fla

We got Wideman from FLA for 3rd in 2011 & Jake Hauswirth.

Very nice mover here.

Panthers have sent wideman to the Caps.

Dennis Wideman to the Caps accorting to LeBrun...

So even with Poti hurt we have 7 D now, any chance this means we are trading a D?

The first shoe drops..

Well our first move is...Wideman to the Caps, according to LeBrun

I really thought we were going to get Gonchar. This was a big one that I was hoping for. I guess with Wideman, Gonchar is no longer on the radar.

D is fine now, time to address 2C.

Good pickup, but I really wish he was an LH shot.

ESPN just said we traded with Fla for Wideman. Anyone else hear that?

@poker, No way I wanted Gonchar's contract.

Mike Green might be out for a while just an FYI. Right hand shot in Wideman.

Caps just got Dennis Wideman from Florida for Jake Hauswirth and a 3rd Round Pick.

VogsCaps#Caps trade 3rd in 2011 and Jake Hauswirth to FLA for defenseman Dennis Wideman.

So Wideman here for a 3rd and Jake Hauswirth, per Mike Vogel!

So even with Poti hurt we have 7 D now, any chance this means we are trading a D?

Posted by: icehammer97

I'm starting to wonder about Green's health.

nhl network..not to hip with this move..

@pokerface1208

... Congrats to GMGM ... (?)

Caps just acquired Dennis Wideman.

Just heard CAPS traded for Dennis Widemann, don't know who they gave up yet.

denis wideman to caps for 3rd round pick and jake hauswirth

Caps acquire D Dennis Wideman from FL for F Jake Hauswirth and 3rd round pick.

1st move today

Denis Wideman a cap for 3rd rounder

The thing is Wideman is more of an offensive Dman, moving the puck well and plays on PP.

I'm really hoping this doesn't mean that Green is out long term.

From nhl.com:

The Capitals have picked up defenseman Dennis Wideman from the Panthers in exchange for a prospect and draft pick. Wideman is an offensive defenseman with 9 goals and 24 assists in 61 games. He's a minus-26, however. The Caps haven't been scoring like they have in the past, and defenseman Mike Green left the Caps' last game after taking a hit to the head from the Rangers' Derek Stepan. Wideman carries a $3.875 million cap hit and is signed through next season.

Gave up Jack Hauswirth and a 3rd in 2011

Just heard CAPS traded for Dennis Widemann for Jake Hauswirth and 3rd round pick.

Caps got Wideman?

i like that move. Wideman is a good player. What did we give up? Anyone know?

But with Wideman signed for another year at $3.975 cap hit.....something else is up....other shoe has to drop

nhl network is not to hip on this move..but gave up nothing to get him..3rd and low level prospect..

Thoughts on the Wideman pick up?

This means Green is shelved.

@Pat we have had two right handed shots on the PP all year, it may just be that the price for Liles was too high and there were no other left hand D out there worth getting.

wideman for hauswirth and a 3rd aint too shabby

First of many moves?

Florida dealt defenceman Dennis Wideman to the Washington Capitals for prospect forward Jake Hauswirth and a third-round draft pick

Posted by: fanohock1 | February 28, 2011 11:43 AM | Report abuse

That's awesome!!
------------------------------------------

On the trade front, if Konopka really went to Ana. that's just another acquisition we blew, adding to a growing list of deals that we could've/should've gotten in on:

-missing out on Hunwick when he was dealt
-not claiming Boynton for depth
-missing out on Stuart/Wheeler
-missing out on Neal/Niskanen

@Jordan_Kitts

That's what I feared after I saw the incident ...

Dennis Wideman is now a Cap. 3rd rounder and F Jake Hauswirth

this is a just in case move..meaning just in case green doesnt make it back..

new thread

Caps have picked up an additional $3.85m dollar contract. Someone is on their way out. My guess is Semin or Laich. Semin is making $6million and Laich 2-3 m I think.

Dennis Wideman is a defensive liability. He is a -26 on a team that has defensemen in the + category. Weak move. Probalby indicates Green has a concussion because Wideman is considered a puck moving defenseman. I've seen him for years but has never stuck out. Does anyone really have some insight on whether he plays physical or is just a puck mover. I would really be interested in your assessment cstanton1.

Someone's going on LTIR, right? Aren't we over the cap a wee bit?

Paging Mrtominsocal

to show you how uneventful that trade is..the nhl network has like 15 guys in their studio to talk trades as they come in..they spent a whopping 30 seconds talking about this pick-up and they dont have anything else to talk about..

Hauswirth and a 3rd for Wideman

From TSN

The Washington Capitals have acquired defenceman Dennis Wideman from the Florida Panthers for prospect winger Jake Hauswirth and a third-round draft pick in 2011.

His he a UFA?

I don't read into this that Green is out long term.

At times this year Poti and Green have both been out and adding Wideman protects against the inevitable that one will probably be out of the lineup at some point going forward.

From Rock the Red
Picked up Dennis Wideman D from FL
Gave up Jake Hauswirth and a 3rd

If Stecks is traded, I will be disappointed. I know we need a 2C and probably an Top-4 or Top-2 D-man.

But given the new defensive emphasis of the club, isn't puck possession the best way to limit goals-against?

And isn't winning face-offs crucial to obtaining puck possession?

As for Sasha Minor, I will be sad to see him go, and I maintain my position that his departure could very well bite us in the collective @$$ in many ways.

All I have to say is: if Steckel and Semin are indeed soon to be gone, GMGM damn well better have received immediate value in return (as in someone HUGE)--not just picks and prospects.

Though I want with all my heart for the Caps to win the Cup, I can take it if we don't. I can even take it if we miss the playoffs. But I don't think I can take another Fire Sale.

Dennis Wideman - Joe Corvo 2.0

58,000 over the cap now! Joy! Maybe he can have the impact Jurcina did last year.

Conklin cleared waivers. No one picked him up.

He's only a -32, yea!!!!!

58,000 over the cap now! Joy! Maybe he can have the impact Jurcina did last year.

Posted by: Bricucci1 | February 28, 2011 12:01 PM | Report abuse

Is that after prorating - its only 1/5th of wideman's salary this year?

Next year would be the whole biscuit.

what happened?

Dennis Widman to us from Florida just reportec TSn

Wideman is certainly rather infamous for being one of the worst d-men around in the defensive zone but the Caps may just use him as a 6th/7th where he plays power play point. Evidence points toward his hockey sense and playmaking ability being very poor but his puck skills, skating and shot are quite good. With proper direction/coaching and gameplanning structure he can help a powerplay.

Hopefully Wideman is only a Cap until the team feels that Orlov is ready. Orlov has shown high upside in terms of hockey sense in junior play both defensively and offensively. It helps that he is a very good skater and has shown good competitiveness every time I've seen him play too.

yes, definitely would have traded a 2nd for Brad Boyes. No brainer.

"--David Steckel did leave practice and went off to the Capitals' dressing room. Update: A team spokesman said the reason Steckel left the ice was that he "tweaked something" and is being looked at by team trainers. "

Yeah, he tweaked something alright... his roster spot.

@ Vermontcaps

I responded to your two-fights-in-a-game question the other day. Most recent was Matt Hendricks on Dec. 12, 2010 @ NYR (7-0 blowout). He also got a game misconduct for his 2nd bout, v. Avery.