*Alexander Semin has been placed on injured reserve, General Manager George McPhee confirmed after the game. But since the move is retroactive to when he injured his right ankle against the Flyers last week, he is eligible to come off IR against the 'Canes. McPhee said that he thinks Semin will be able to play, but whether he does will be a coaching decision.

That's a nice sentiment, GMGM, but since he's now officially on IR (rather than the "day-to-day" status reported to NHL on Oct. 2nd which won't get updated until Monday at the earliest) isn't it up to the club's medical staff as to whether or not Semin can play and not up to Hanlon?

Hanlon said before last night's game he "hoped" Semin would be able to play. He'll pass this hot potato to the doctors, who, if questioned, will toss it right back at McPhee. Here we go, 'round and 'round...... 

Funny that fans knew he was on IR, but that the TV and radio guys never mentioned it at all on the air- trying to keep bad news away from the team's potential opening night crowd?

What was the sense in putting this guy on IR in the first place if it was only for one game/ one night, and an away game at that? I expect Hanlon to say words tonight to the effect that Semin hasn't been cleared by the doctors. If Semin doesn't play tonight, I expect him back no earlier than game 6 on the 18th.

I'm beginning to think this is a much more serious injury than the team is letting on. Didn't go to the pregame skate this morning at Kettler, so I don't know if Semin skated at all today. You would think if there was a chance for him to play tonight, Hanlon would have had to make his evaluation this morning.

You're certainly right about Semin. Hope he's back soon, though. But...

From nhl.com's recap:

"The additions of Nylander, who had 26 goals for the Rangers, and Kozlov, who had 25 goals for the Islanders, gives Washington five players who had 25 goals last season - tied with Carolina and Colorado for the most in the league."

How cool is that? We can play a few games without one of them, methinks. And we can win them.

That's cool, but one of them hasn't played, and at least one and maybe two of them might not get to 25 this season.

That said, this word out of Capsland (someone on official):

Vogel just reported on PreCap that Semin will be in the lineup for tonight.

Now, should I accept that at face value, or go to the caps.com site and realize that Vogel's PreCap hasn't been posted yet for today (last one shown is for Oct. 5, Atlanta). Maybe they don't put it up on weekends......but I'll believe this guy is on the ice when I see him on the ice.

Please don't get me wrong- even though I no longer go to the games, I'm for the Caps all the way, and I truly wish them nothing but success. I'd like to see them become the dynasty that everyone says is impossible in these times of lockouts and salary caps.

It's just that I've heard it all from Leonsis and GMGM and Hanlon before, and won't believe a word out of their mouths until I see it this time.

Actions speak much louder than words, and my actions were to take my money out of their collective pocket until they can suck me back in with a decent and consistent team on the ice for a prolonged period of time (one game just won't do it any more).

edit: and now that I said it wasn't posted yet, they've made a liar out of me - it's up on the site. Gonna take a while for me to download it, but I'll give a listen and judge if Vogel says Semin WILL be in the lineup or whether he says Semin MAY be in the lineup.

PreCap link:

http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=PodcastPlayer&pid=31&iid=1085

He says: Alexander Semin has been taken off Injured Reserve, and IS EXPECTED to be in the lineup.....

again, is this just shill for the house, trying to get fans to think they may see Semin skating for tonight's game?