ODENTON, Md. (AP) - Alexander Ovechkin, the top pick in the 2004 draft, won't travel with the Washington Capitals for their first two exhibition games, instead making his pre-season NHL debut at home next week.
Ovechkin's place on the team is secure, and coach Glen Hanlon said Thursday he wants to use games at Carolina on Friday and at Buffalo on Saturday to get extended looks at players fighting for roster spots.
''We have some tough decisions to make,'' Hanlon said.
The plan is for Ovechkin to play Wednesday, when the Capitals host the Sabres.
Washington, meanwhile, sent two players back to junior hockey Thursday: defenceman Clayton Barthel and goalie Daren Machesney.
This message has been edited by marc_mehdi on Sep 15, 2005 6:52 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 18, 2005 – The Washington Capitals today assigned 20 players – goaltenders Frederic Cassivi and Kirk Daubenspeck; defensemen Dean Arsene, Jean-Francois Fortin, Martin Wilde, Mark Wotton and Dwayne Zinger; and forwards Tomas Fleischmann, Owen Fussey, Robin Gomez, Jonas Johansson, Boyd Kane, Brooks Laich, Eric Labelle, Jeff Legue, Jason Lehoux, Cam McCaffrey, Graham Mink, Louis Robitaille and David Spina – to the Hershey Bears of the AHL, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced.
The moves bring Washington’s training camp roster to 35 players: three goaltenders, 12 defensemen and 20 forwards.
The Capitals continue their 2005 training camp at Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, Md., Monday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. The preseason home opener is set for Wednesday, Sept. 21, against Buffalo at 7 p.m. That game – and all preseason games – will be broadcast live on WashingtonCaps.com.
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