the lowdown on the newbies

So although we didn't get a big fat angry defenseman, we did get a center, two wingers, and three defensemen. I guess it's okay though because the Ducks wanted one of Washington's young goaltenders, defenseman John Carlson, a regular from the lineup, and "something else" to get Pronger in Washington for a year.

No thanks.

We want Varly and Neuvy right where they are.

Let's get to know the picks a bit before training camp, shall we?

We'll start with the first round pick, Marcus Johansson.



*Nice hand-eye coordination there, brotha*

He's an eighteen year old Swedish center who had 10 points in 45 games for Färjestads BK in the Swedish Elite League. From hockeysfuture.com,

"Johansson has impressive hockey sense, good technical skills and soft hands. He reads the play very well and is a skilled playmaker. Is also a speedy skated that does not shy away from the rough stuff, although he is not really a big time physical player. A team player with some leadership qualities. Has a shot he should use more often."

Almost sounds like a more physical version of Nicky Backstrom. I bet they will become BFFs. Plus they're both Swedish. PERFECT!

Caps' second round pick is Russian defenseman Dmitri Orlov.

Orlov is 6-feet, 197 pounds and plays for Novokuznetsk in the KHL. He had one goal in 16 games last season. Orlov was all smiles and is really excited to be going to Washington. From Tarik El-Bashir, "They have Ovechkin, Semin, Varlamov," Orlov said. "They are very popular players in Russia and the Capitals are a very popular team in Russia."And from The Hockey Writers,

"He is first and foremost an offensive defenseman and though solid back in the own zone, but must work on his overall awareness. He’s a very good skater with good first step and balance. Despite his size, he can play with an edge and is not scared of physical play. He has good offensive instincts and hockey intelligence. He moves the puck well, trying to make simple, but effective, plays. He possesses a nice point shot. He has been captain of the national team numerous times, displaying his leadership abilities."

Like Mike Lambogreenie Green, it sounds like this guy is still learning when to jump into the play and when to stay back and play D. Maybe Greenie can give him a few tips?

Third pick is center Cody Eakin from the WHL Swift Current Broncos.

HE HAS THE SAME BIRTHDAY AS ME.

JUST SAYING.

Anyways, he is 5-11 and 176 pounds. And hockeysfuture.com had some great things to say about him.

"Eakin isn’t a big guy so he relies on his terrific speed and agility as his two greatest assets for success. He’s a solid two-way player that is very useful as a penalty killer, but he’s far from limited to playing a defensive role. He’s an aggressive forechecker and will play the body although he’s not known as a punishing hitter. He’s creative and will attack defenders one-on-one but likes to use his teammates as well. Eakin doesn’t panic with the puck and rarely forces passes when under pressure.

He’s a center but with Hockey Canada he has shown the ability to adapt and play on the wing as well.

He combines tremendous speed and skill with outstanding competitiveness. He’s a good play maker and hard working, making him a fan favorite."

Hard worker? Speed? Fan favourite? PKer? Punishing hitter? Fan favourite? Oh wait I already said that. Well by the sounds of this, he's got a bright future ahead of him and I'm very excited to watch him at training camp. He'll be easy to spot. Hehehe...

In the fourth round, the Caps picked another defenseman. One Patrick Wey of the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League and BORN IN PITTSBURGH? Oh hell no.



Just kidding, Pat.

Sort of.

Well he had seven goals and 27 assists last year. Beautiful +22 in the plus/minus collumn. "The 6 foot 2, 200-pound Pittsburgh native has committed to Boston College. He has also been invited to the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp."
Have fun at BC. Just don't tell Tom Poti you are going there. He's from BU.
Rawr. Rivalry.

Fourth round.



Brett Flemming. Guess what position.

Defenseman?

Final answer?

YOU'RE CORRECT.

He's from Mississauga (OHL), had 28 points and 89 PIMs last season. He's 6 feet and 172 pounds. And had a lot of family in Montreal, apparently. I'm getting lazy and that's all I'm going to look up on this dude.

Sixth round...Garrett Mitchell.

A 17 year old center from Regina.



Energy player, third-line checking forward. Had 15 points in 71 games, part of Team Canada, and HAD THE TEAM HIGH OF 140 PIMS.
Maybe they were good penalties.

Seventh round pick is Benjamin Casavant, a left wing from P.E.I. Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.



Aw he's adorable. And led his team with 80 points (39 goals, 41 assists). Apparently he had a large crowd with him at the draft. hockeysfuture.com has great things to say about him

"A rangy forward with good size and a nose for the net, Casavant has the drive and determination to park in front of the opposition's net and feed off rebounds and deflections. At 6'1 and 210 pounds, he is a hard player to move once he has settled in. When he is not making the lives of goaltenders miserable, Casavant can inflict punishment along the boards, throwing his weight around and fighting through checks to dig pucks free for his teammates. However, that size comes at a cost and the Quebec native sometimes appears sluggish on his feet, especially later on in games."

Well forget about his sliggishness the Caps trainers can whip him into shape. But I like the sound of this kid...nose for the net. DETERMINATION TO PARK IN FRONT OF THE OPPOSITION'S NET AND FEED OFF REBOUNDS AND DEFLECTIONS definitely my favourite part. We need as many Brooks Laichs as we can get to have some more traffic in front. We had too many pretty goals last season. "cute" goals as Ovie likes to call them.

My other favourite part was he can inflict punishment along the boards. He sounds like a Brooksy/Clarkie player, which is definitely needed in Washington.

Well development camp is July 13-18 and we're really excited to see these kids there. And our Hershey guys especially. And to go up the crazy eight or so levels of spiral ramp to get to the top level of the Kettler parking garage.


P.S. Good luck in Phoenix, Sami Lepisto. GMGM, Bruce, and the gang traded him for a pick in the 2010 Draft. Which hopefully they will be able to find a talented big fat angry defenseman that we can keep forever and ever.

P.P.S. We still miss you, Feds.