Caps notes: Sutherby and Beech injured

By pbadmin
Brian Sutherby had abdominal surgery and will be out of action until after the WHL’s winter break. He will also miss this month’s World junior tournament in Russia. Brian was expected to be a key role player for team canada.

Nolan Yonkman was given a boarding major and game misconduct for his hit from behind on fellow Caps prospect Kris Beech. There was no suspension as the league felt Beech turned his back at the last second. This is the second time since being drafted that Yonkman has had a run-in with a fellow prospect. Last season he fought Ross Lupaschuk after Lupaschuk came in to defend a teammate that had been boarded by Yonkman. Both players claim they are friends now and they joke about that fight.

One of the Caps weaknesses last season was toughness. Richard Zednik and Sergei Gonchar were injured late in the season from cheapshots. In the offseason, the Caps acquired Craig Berube, Remi Royer, and Stephen Peat in seperate deals. Royer has played well lately, earning alot of ice time and doing very well in his fights. Peat has won both of his fights last week, before reinjuring his groin. He may play this weekend. In the games I’ve seen he’s made the transition to forward much faster than I expected. He and Royer could be called up this season if they can stay healthy and continue to play well.

Trading Tampa’s third round pick to Toronto for Dmitri Khristich suprised me. I expected the Caps to try to stockpile picks in the coming draft. In essence, the Caps traded Yogi Svejkovsky for Khristich. I think it’s a risk worth taking. The Caps desperately need a right shot. Khristich will help alot on the powerplay and is a very underrated penalty killer. Hopefully, the increased ice time will get him going. The Caps will still be able to acquire more draft choices. They have a surplus of young players and will likely move some before this coming draft.