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Morning Skate: Capitals shouldn’t care about winning the Presidents’ Trophy
What does it even mean?
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
The Washington Capitals are a perfect example of how meaningless the Presidents’ Trophy is.
If I asked you which NHL team is most past-due for a Stanley Cup win, you’d toss out the Capitals within seconds. Washington’s window has been open for about a decade, and their recent influx of young talent only propped it open wider.
And there’s nothing to show for it. So even though the Capitals won the Presidents’ Trophy for the second consecutive year last night, good luck finding a Caps player or fan who cares.
Impressive? Sure. But everything gets reset come playoff time. The only reason anyone will remember the Capitals won that trophy twice is if they don’t capitalize (heh) on it with a Stanley Cup win.
This is out of nowhere and terrifying. Kyle Okposo is in intensive care in the Neuro Surgical ward at Buffalo General Hospital. That ward deals with neurological injuries like strokes, concussions, tumors, or trauma.
Okposo hasn’t played since March 28, and his coach said he was “very concerned” about his condition on Wednesday. Hopefully we learn more today, but more importantly we hope Okposo is okay.
KEVIN SHATTENKIRK: KHL PLAYER?
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The Russian hockey program is calling for Russian NHL players to return to the KHL next season so they can play in the Olympics.
It might not just be Russian players leaving. We lined out how a mass KHL exodus of NHL free agents from any country could happen this summer.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The Frozen Four gets underway today! Here’s your obligatory watching guide.
POOR KRIS LETANG
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
At this point even Penguins haters have to feel bad for the guy. Kris Letang will miss the rest of the season with a herniated disc, keeping him off the ice for at least four months. Three concussions, broken bones, a stroke (!), and now this in the last five years.
- Man, the quotes from the Sabres about their season are really angry.
- PPP takes a look at institutional discrimination in sports.
- Hey, here’s an idea: GIVE EVERY NHL TEAM AN OUTDOOR GAME.
- There’s a new book out that serves as a worthy tribute to Joe Louis Arena.
- So you don’t (or can’t) grow a playoff beard. Here’s some ideas.
- How do the Ducks rebound if Cam Fowler is out for awhile?
- Flames fans are suddenly nervous about the team relocating.
- The NHL playoffs may suffer because of the World Cup of Hockey.
- St. Louis is getting a KHL vet back.
- Finally, the Stars’ young talent is ready to shine.
- John Tavares is a big reason the NHL is avoiding the Olympics.
- Boston’s new coach deserves a ton of credit for the Bruins making the playoffs.
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