Players

From Young Guns to Stun Guns

They may not be so young anymore, but the Washington Capitals’ 2015-16 roster is going to be jam packed with experience and fire power.  With two impressive recent acquisitions, forwards T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams, the Caps are hoping that one of them will be a good match to play on the first line along side Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom—the two remaining not-so-young guns.

Williams is 33, Ovi is 29, Oshie is 28 and, the baby of that group, Backstrom, is 27.  Will the vote of confidence for age and experience pay off for the Caps?  My thoughts turn to last season’s acquisition of Brooks Orpik, now 34.  Orpik made a major difference in the Caps’ defensive game and immediately became a leader in the locker room.   He is a stay-at-home defender that actually knows how to “stay at home” and play his position well.  His years of experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins paid off for the Caps.  Let’s hope the same philosophy holds true this year with Oshie and Williams.

Williams knows what it’s like to win.  Prior to coming to Washington, his lengthy resume includes 4 years with the Philadelphia Flyers, 5 years with the Carolina Hurricanes, and 7 years with the LA Kings. He is a 3-time Stanley Cup Champion (2006 Hurricanes, 2012 & 2014 Kings) He was voted the most valuable player in the 2014 Stanley Cup Championship with the Kings.

(Timothy Leif) Oshie comes to Washington by way of the St. Louis Blues.  Acquired in a trade involving our beloved Troy Brouwer (collective sob), Oshie brings experience and excitement to the team.  His NHL stats have been quite impressive throughout his 7 years with the Blues.  And who could forget the day he became America’s hero with his awesome shoot out goal to beat the Russians in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi.

Williams and Oshie—now, that’s a lot of talent.  Add that to Ovechkin, Backstrom, Orpik and the rest of the crew and it seems that Coach Barry Trotz and GM Brian MacClellan are out to build a dynasty.   And, with Ovechkin and Backstrom still at the top of their respective games, why not?  The goal, after all, is the Stanley Cup.

Let’s Go Caps!

Barbara Banks

Barbara Ann Banks is a freelance writer out of Rockville, MD.

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