Off Wing Opinion

Toronto's Bryan McCabe, union rep for the Maple Leafs, told Canada's TSN that if NHL owners want a salary cap, the players are ready to sit out "for the rest of our lives." McCabe is 29, and according to current morbidity rates, can expect to live another 46 years.

Looks like I won't be renewing my NHL Center Ice subscription next season. On the bright side, by the end of the lockout, everybody will have inexpensive HDTV sets.

Jason Doig, who gave Eric Lindros a concussion on a clean hit earlier this week, was suspended for two games for a knee-to-knee hit he delivered to Kevyn Adams of the Carolina Hurricanes last night in Raleigh.

Speaking of concussions, the league announced that they are anticipating a drop in the number of concussions this season. That doesn't help the Devils' Scott Stevens, who still doesn't know when he'll be able to return to the ice following the concussion he suffered a few weeks ago.

And finally, Tyler Wright of the Columbus Blue Jackets says Jordin Tootoo of the Predators bit him during an on-ice scuffle last night:

"He's from way up north - that's how they eat up there, I guess," Wright told the Tennessean after the game. "That's why I was snapping. What am I supposed to do when a guy is biting me? That's ridiculous. I've never been associated with anything like that in my life."

Tootoo didn't deny biting Wright, but he didn't admit to anything either.

"There was a scrum and he was giving me a face-wash," Tootoo said. "It all happened so fast. I'm pretty positive I didn't, but what am I supposed to do when he has a hand in my face?"

Well, I'm afraid the Mike Tyson method isn't acceptable. Tootoo should expect to get a beating the next time he plays against Columbus.

Out in Phoenix, the Senators downed the Coyotes 4-1, and took over first place in the Eastern Conference. Martin Prusek had 20 saves for Ottawa. Western Conference leading Colorado stayed on top, settling for a 3-3 tie in Los Angeles after Derek Armstrong scored late in the third for the Kings.

Ever since Caps owner Ted Leonsis has been suspended by the league, the team has been unstoppable. Last night in Carolina, Peter Bondra scored twice to lead them to a 5-3 win over the Hurricanes. Olie Kolzig had 32 saves for Washington. Off the ice, the Washington Post reports that Leonsis apologized to his partner, Wizards owner Abe Pollin over Sunday's incident:

"I talked to Ted at length and he apologized to me," Pollin said. "I said, 'Hey, I'm your partner' and he said, 'I made a major mistake. I'm sorry and I'll never do it again.' I've been in this business for 40 years and I've been through a lot of frustrating years myself but you've got to learn to take it.

"If you can't take it, then you might as well get out of the business because you're going to have a lot of downers. If you can't handle it, you're in trouble, and he understands. He's a good guy and he's very passionate. He just lost it for a minute."

Further North in the standings in the Southeast Division, Tampa Bay made quick work of Pittsburgh, beating them 5-1. The loss was the eighth straight for Pittsburgh. Over his last eight games, Martin St. Louis has nine goals and seven assists. Tampa Bay now has a 59 points, and a seven point lead in the division over Atlanta. Off the ice, Pittsburgh sent Marc-Andre Fleury back to his junior team. Bob McKenzie has some thoughts.

In Boston, Glen Murray scored an overtime goal to give the Bruins a 2-1 win over the Islanders. In Detroit, the Red Wings polished off the Devils, 5-2, as Steve Yzerman passed Mario Lemieux with his 1,702nd career point.

Off in St. Louis, Magnus Arvedson continued his hot play of late, scoring another two goals in a 4-2 win over the slumping Blues. Only a few weeks ago, the Blues were challenging for the lead in the Western Conference. Now, they're fighting to stay in the playoff race, with only two points between them in fifth and ninth place Los Angeles. In Columbus, the Predators beat the Blue Jackets 6-4. Videotape of the game has been sent to the league's competition committee.

In Minnesota, the Canadiens rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Wild, 3-2. And finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers beat the Blackhawks 5-2. Few in Chicago or Edmonton will remember it fondly.

Eric Lindros is off to Montreal for tests with neurologist Karen Johnston after suffering the eighth concussion of his career.

UPDATE: All Things Canadian is cutting back on political commentary to concentrate on the NHL. Bravo! Unfortunately, this might mean fewer glamor (er, glamour) shots of Belinda Stronach.

As always, please give my best to all the folks in scenic Kanata.

OT UPDATE: Congratulations to the Washington Capitals, whose Web site scored highest in a survey sponsored by Sports Business Journal.

More on Miracle:

Today, Mark Herrmann of Newsday talked to the American players on the New York Islanders and asked them how they felt about the 1980 team. Ken Morrow, a defenseman for Team USA in 1980, is now director of pro scouting for the Islanders:

"It's nice to hear that from a new generation, and it has been a whole generation. For 10 or 15 years after it happened, I'd go to schools and get the same reaction. But after that, it was different. I realized that they didn't even know the Russians were ever our enemies."

If nothing else, he said, it's great to see another hockey movie come out. "Although," Morrow added, "I don't think it's just hockey people who are interested in this."

Off Wing's official pal at ESPN (since John Buccigross doesn't answer my email anymore), Reemer, got to see a sneak preview, and has posted a mildly positive review. Then again, Reemer reminds his readers that he's Canadian, and it can't have the same impact on him as others.

Chuck Finder at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wonders what Herb Brooks would have thought about the film:

He would've enjoyed how Russell captured him putting together a team of players, rather than a pack of all-stars. How Russell invoked Herbie-isms like "the legs feed the wolf" and "'ere we go." How Russell got the Minnesota and Herbie accent just right, down to the "goaled mettle."

He might have hid his face and elbowed Patrick at the postgame practice session in a darkened rink, the one where he skated the players until they hurled. He might have cringed at the Hollywood literary license, as when the team walked en masse to paparazzi down the tunnel to the U.S.S.R medal-round game or the embellished celebrations of the goals. He might have snickered at the Disney renditions of "candy ass" and "Commie bastards."

Looks like we'll be getting a sanitized Brooks, which is a shame. The movie has a special "sneak preview" on Saturday night, before opening across North America on February 6, in time for NHL All-Star Weekend in St. Paul, Brooks' hometown.

Former Conn Smythe winner Bill Ranford worked as the stunt double for Eddie Cahill, the actor who plays Team USA goalie Jim Craig in the film. He talked to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about his experience.

In Manhattan, Rangers head coach Glen Sather took another step closer to extinction when the Jagr-less Caps edged the Rangers 2-1. Even worse, Eric Lindros, who is in the midst of his best season in years, has been lost indefinitely after he suffered a concussion on a clean check from journeyman defenseman Jason Doig. Said Doig afterward:

"He came through with his head down," Doig said. "I've got to make that hit. Guys around the league know I step up and make that play. I have all the respect in the world for Eric. I told him, 'I'm not trying to hurt you."

On his next shift, Lindros and Doig dropped the gloves, with the former MVP pinning Doig to the ice. Both received fighting majors, but Lindros never returned to the game. The concussion was the eighth of his career.

This news can't be much worse. The NHL is a better league with Lindros playing well. At the same time, how many hits are too many? I pray that Lindros never has to find out, and once he finally retires, part of me will feel some relief.

Only a few blocks away, the league announced that it had fined Caps owner Ted Leonsis $100,000 and suspended him for getting into an altercation with a fan after a Caps home game on Sunday. I blogged about it last night.

Down in Atlanta, Dany Heatley returned to the ice to a raucous ovation, as the Blues and Thrashers tied 1-1. He looked solid in his return, and here's hoping his recovery, body and soul, will eventually be complete. Steve Ovadia likes the way the Thrashers played in the wake of Heatley's return.

In lovely Sunrise, Kristen Huselius scored a third period goal to give Florida a 3-3 tie with the Flyers. But once again, it was Roberto Luongo, who had 44 saves for las Panteras, who saved the day. If Luongo had some decent defensemen in front of him, the Panthers would be awfully dangerous. Valeri Bure had three assists for Florida, while Joni Pitkanen, native of Oulu, Finland, scored twice. For all your Finnish sports blogging needs, check out Avokatsomo, based in Saku Koivu's hometown of Turku. Even with the tie, the Flyers moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with 66 points.

On the left coast, the Sharks won for the sixth time in seven games, beating Calgary, 4-1. Patrick Marleau, who is growing into the role of team captain quite nicely in San Jose, scored twice. With the win, the Sharks have moved within two points of Detroit for second place in the Western Conference. As always, check out Sharkspage when you get a chance.

And speaking of Detroit, there's talk Dominik Hasek could return to the lineup as soon as next week. Somebody tell Curtis Joseph's therapist.

How do you explain the Dallas Stars? Down 3-1 to Ottawa after two periods, the Stars scored four times in the third period for a 5-3 win. The win moved Dallas past Nashville and into seventh place in the West. And not far from Disneyland, the Kings held off a third period rally by the Ducks to win 4-3 in OT. Joe Corvo had the game winner for the Kings.

That's the word from NHL HQ in New York:

In issuing the penalties to Leonsis and the Caps, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said, "I have been briefed by NHL Security on the incident and understand that Ted Leonsis and Jason Hammer have amicably put this matter behind them.

"Nevertheless, as in other instances involving players, coaches or managers, we hold all members of the NHL family to a higher standard than the general public. Even in those cases when there were instances of alleged provocation, we have made it clear that NHL personnel need to do everything possible to avoid a confrontation with fans and the failure to do so is not acceptable."

Leonsis can have no contact with the team, including attending any games or other team functions, for a week.

More on the story later. . .

UPDATE: ESPN.com's Jim Kelley says the penalty wasn't anywhere near severe enough:

In a matter of seconds, Leonsis created an image that both he and hockey may never fully erase. He did damage that cannot be undone.

Viewed in that context it really doesn't matter how good a man Ted Leonsis has so often shown himself to be. Viewed in that context, a week and $100,000 doesn't seem like nearly enough.

The Capitals have posted statements from Leonsis and Jason Hammer, the fan that taunted Leonsis into retaliating. Said Leonsis:

"I apologize to the Washington Capitals' community for the incident that occurred following our game Sunday against Philadelphia. It never should have happened. I remain committed to being an accessible owner. Jason and I have had a discussion and will continue to speak because we both are passionate about the Capitals. Additionally, I accept the league's findings and understand that regardless of the circumstances, I must be held to a higher standard than the general public."

On the bright side, the Capitals defeated the Rangers, 2-1, in the first meeting between the two teams since the trade that sent Jaromir Jagr to New York.

OT UPDATE: Jagr weighed in after tonight's game:

"I wasn't there [for the incident]; I can not comment on that," Jagr said, "but sometimes things happen and Ted is such a nice guy. I think he did a lot for hockey in Washington. [Acquiring me] didn't work the way he wanted, and it's frustrating for him and frustrating for the fans, but nobody should be mad at Ted Leonsis in Washington."

Jagr might not have been worth what Leonsis paid for him while he was in Washington, but he's never been more right.

Thanks to Rob Visconti for putting into words my own feelings about the upcoming, Miracle, the feature length film that tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team:

And not only do I have to see it, I really want to like it. I want to walk out of the theater, tell everyone how great it is, buy the DVD and put it in high rotation alongside Hoosiers, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Rudy, Slapshot and Remember the Titans. I

Eastern Conference-leading Toronto dropped by Raleigh long enough to get shutout 2-0 by the Hurricanes. Kevin Weekes, another goalie whose work should qualify him for combat pay, got the win for Carolina. Without Weekes, Carolina would be knocking around with Pittsburgh and Washington at the bottom of the conference. Even with the loss, Toronto remains atop the East with 65 points.

Unfortunately, that lead is shrinking, as New Jersey crept closer after a 4-3 win over Western cellar dweller Columbus. The Devils have 63 points, and are now only two points behind the Maple Leafs. In Pittsburgh*, Pavel Kubina and Cory Stillman scored twice each, leading Tampa Bay to a 6-2 rout of Pittsburgh. The Lightning lead Atlanta in the Southeast by eight points.

On Long Island, a third period goal by P.J. Axelson gave Boston a 2-2 tie with the Islanders. Rookie Trent Hunter scored twice for New York, who remain in eighth place in the East with 54 points. Boston is in sixth with 59 points. The only team in the league with a better home record than the Islanders is Detroit. In Buffalo, the Sabres took down seventh place Montreal, 4-1.

Peter Forsberg scored twice in Colorado's 3-1 win over Edmonton. Colorado now leads Detroit for the Western Conference lead by three points with 68. As for Edmonton, lets just say that it looks like the highlight of their season will be losing in the Heritage Classic.

Heading out West, a third period goal on a penalty shot by Shean Donovan gave Calgary a 2-1 win over Phoenix. It was a great effort on the goal by Donovan, who held onto the puck long enough to tuck it past Phoenix's Brian Boucher with a backhand. With the win, Calgary has now caught limping St. Louis for fifth in the West at 57 points.

And finally, in Vancouver, Magnus Arvedson, a player Ottawa could afford to get rid of, scored twice for the Canucks in a 3-2 win over Chicago. Vancouver is fourth in the West with 65 points, just three behind Colorado.

Nike Canada has released two more commercials starring Marcus Naslund and Ilya Kovalchuk. Check out the two new 15-second ads at Nikehockey.ca. Be sure to skip the Flash intro to get to the streaming video.

UPDATE: Daryl Sydor is back in the playoff hunt, as Columbus shipped him to Tampa Bay in exchange for Alexander Svitov. Look for Svitov to be playing on a line with Rick Nash for about the next 10 years or so.

An arbitrator has been chosen to determine whether or not Blue Jackets forward Nikolai Zherdev will get to stay in the U.S. Thumbnail sketch: Zherdev's team benches him, he heads for U.S. to play for Columbus. Once he jumps town, Russian government claims he has yet to serve his military obligation, something that wasn't an issue until it was clear his coach, son of Soviet ice hockey tyrant Victor Tikonov, was determined to bench him. BTW -- while Zherdev is Ukranian, the Russians still claim he has a military obligation to fulfill because he's played for their national junior squad.

To say the least, Captain Off Wing's blood is boiling over this story. If other countries want to pass laws treating their citizens as state property, that's all well and good. But what I would like to know is why the NHL insists on dealing with the gangsters who run Russian hockey as if they were a church group.

The best outcome here would be for Zherdev to stay. That would send a message to Russian hockey that they can't hold their young players like hostages. In a way, you might say that players like Alexander Mogilny, who had to defect in order to play in the NHL, had a better deal. It's time to tell the Russians -- and any other country that wants to use athletes as hard currency (like the People's Republic of China) that they can pound sand.

CORRECTION: *Thanks to reader Costa Tsiokos for pointing out last night's Lightning-Pens game was played in Pittsburgh, not Florida.

Despite the fact that Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has apologized to the fan he tried to throttle after Sunday night's home game with the Flyers, it looks like the league office isn't satisfied. The Washington Post is reporting that the league is investigating the incident, holding out the possibility that Leonsis may be fined or suspended because of the incident.

On ESPN's Pardon The Interruption, both Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon called on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to do just that, with Wilbon saying Leonsis should be suspended from attending any Caps home games for an entire month (of course, with the way Abe Pollin schedules events at MCI Center, that could mean missing 15 Caps games, or none at all). Elsewhere in the Post, Caps beat writer Jason La Canfora has teamed with his Wizards counterpart Steve Wyche to take a look at how the two teams are handling their disastrous seasons.

The paper's Tom Boswell thinks we all need to kiss and make up:

Jason Hammer and his family are the kind of fans any sports owner should fight to keep. Not lay hands upon.

For the last three seasons, the Hammers have paid $85 per ticket for four seats to all 41 Washington Capitals home games. That's $13,940 a year in tickets before you add concessions, souvenirs and parking.

Sorry, Tom, but even paying nearly $14,000 per year for Caps tickets doesn't give you the right to be a jerk, something Knight-Riddder's Drew Sharp picked up on. And here's a detail that Boswell omits from his column, one that should mitigate any sort of punishment the NHL metes out to Leonsis:

But team sources said Leonsis is likely to give a differing version of what occurred when questioned by the league. They said that [Jason] Hammer approached Leonsis as the owner was having his picture taken with other fans in the corridor outside his box and thrust his sign in Leonsis's face before Leonsis pushed him aside.

Yes, you have the right to boo and jeer -- even at close range. But the type of behavior described above was designed deliberately to provoke. Sounds to me like young Mr. Hammer could have used a couple more shots to the head from Ted.

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere, Black, Red and Gold says Leonsis should sell the Caps, and go back to just being a fan. Unfortunately, Leonsis never wanted to buy the Caps in the first place. Initially, Leonsis approached then Caps and Wizards owner Pollin about buying the Wizards.

It was only after Pollin proposed selling him the Caps with the future option of buying the Wizards (a deal where it should be clear now Pollin has absolutely screwed Leonsis), that Leonsis decided on the Caps. If he were to sell now, he'd lose the right of first refusal to purchase the Wizards when Pollin decides to sell.

Canucks Corner thinks Leonsis needs to lower his profile, arguing that it would give him some welcome additional flexibility when it comes to decision making. Across town at Vancouver Canucks Op Ed just wonders how in the world this all happened with nobody getting sued.

UPDATE: Some interesting notes from the Washington Times coverage: apparently two years ago, Leonsis received a veiled threat by email from a disgruntled fan that his children would be kidnapped.

Somehow, former Sabres head coach Ted Nolan managed to get himself quoted in Thom Loverro's column on the Leonsis incident -- almost as if the ex-coach who's been blackballed by most of the NHL figured it was a good time to send up a signal flare and try to get hired again.

In the past week, coverage in the Times has quoted McPhee as saying the Caps should use either Nashville or San Jose as models on how to re-build the team and bounce back from adversity. The irony here: Nashville was constructed by David Poile, the man McPhee replaced as Caps General Manager. In turn, San Jose is coached by Ron Wilson, who McPhee fired after the 2001-02 season. Both teams are on pace to make the playoffs this year.

One last thing: the Caps face Jaromir Jagr and the Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden. What a way to wrap up a three-day news cycle.

The Washington Capitals' season of frustration took an ugly turn on Sunday night:

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis was involved in a physical altercation with a season ticket holder at MCI Center on Sunday night after being taunted and jeered by fans during the team's loss to Philadelphia, the Capitals' first home game since Leonsis traded all-star winger Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers.

The fan, Jason Hammer, 20, a resident of the District, said Leonsis grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground after he had led a mocking chant of Leonsis during the game and hoisted a sign chiding him. Some witnesses explained the confrontation differently, offering varying accounts of the severity of the clash.

To say this incident is out of character would be an understatement. Since Leonsis purchased the Caps from Abe Pollin before the 1999-2000 season, he's been known as a passionate advocate of the team's fans, never hesitating to engage them either in person or through his AOl email address -- washingtoncaps@aol.com.

Hammer sits across the ice from Leonsis's box at MCI Center and Sunday night carried a sign to the arena saying, "Caps Hockey; AOL Stock -- See a Pattern?" to the game. Leonsis is vice chairman of America Online, whose stock value has dropped precipitously since Leonsis bought the Capitals in 1999.

Hammer was also among those in his section chanting at Leonsis through the game, cheering, "Thank you, Ted, Thank you, Ted, You Suck," to voice their displeasure over the Jagr trade.

"I will admit we were jeering him," Hammer said in a telephone interview. "But it wasn't just me, I'll put it to you like that."

Jason Hammer, real man of genius.

Both sides are saying all the right things this morning, as Leonsis called Hammer by phone to apologize and has invited him to watch a future game in the owner's box.

POSTSCRIPT: For the hardcore fan reaction, follow the story over at the team's message board.

UPDATE: Looks like the Caps fans have been discussing this for a couple of days now. More than a few fans are saying that Leonsis needs to step back, curtail his interaction with the fans, and take a lower profile with the organization.

I hope that doesn't happen. All the things Leonsis said about the Internet revolutionizing the way teams communicate with their fans are absolutely true. And at a time when athletes like Curt Schilling are using the Web to bypass traditional media, you can't expect to be able to turn back the clock.

Certainly, when you're the owner of a team caught in a downward spiral, the heat is going to be at maximum. As for me, I think Leonsis is going to find a way to turn things around. It may take a few seasons, and perhaps a new general manager and brand new set of talent evaluators, but it can happen.

OT UPDATE: Again, courtesy of the Caps message board, comes some proposed new nicknames for Leonsis. If they aren't funny enough, try this list of signs some fans think should be posted at the next game.

In news that's sure to further enrage Washington Capitals fans, Jaromir Jagr had a goal and two assists in his home ice debut for the New York Rangers, leading them to a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers. The win lifted the Rangers to within 4 points of the eighth place Islanders and the final playoff spot in the East.

In Dallas, Detroit's middling West Coast road trip came to an end with a 2-2 tie with the Stars. The Stars tied the game on a Teppo Numminen goal with a little over six minutes remaining. The Stars, who looked to have stopped the bleeding, are 4-1-1 in their last six games. In Los Angeles, the Kings and Wild also tied at 2. Luc Robataille got the game-tying goal on a second period power play. After the game, Dallas held on to the eighth spot in the West with 55 points, while the Kings were in ninth just a point behind.

Off the ice, the Canucks announced that defenseman Ed Jovanovski will miss at least two weeks after suffering a sprained shoulder on Sunday night. Jovanovski has seven goals and 14 assists on the season, playing an integral part in the Canucks's success this season. Back on the East Coast, the Devils got some good news now that winger Jamie Langenbrunner will be returning to practice for the first time since having knee surgery in November. Before the injury, Langenbrunner was the team's most consistent scoring threat early in the season.

UPDATE: Thanks to reader Jason for passing along the news that Dany Heatley of the Atlanta Thrashers may return to the ice as soon as tomorrow night against St. Louis. Here's hoping Heatley's return is a successful one, and that fans all over North America forgive him the same way Dan Snyder's family has for his role in the car crash that killed his teammate last year.

Back in New York, it seems head coach Glen Sather has a problem with Bobby Holik's outspoken manner -- including his comments after last Friday's 9-1 shellacking at the hands of the Ottawa Senators. That's when Holik called the Rangers, "fundamentally ... the worst team in the National Hockey League."

"The truth hurts. I'm sometimes embarrassed by the way I perform, especially fundamentally. Everybody has a different personality. This is not the Red Army team."

Teammate Eric Lindros sided with his coach on the matter, saying those types of comments were best kept behind "sealed doors".

Excuse me, Eric, but the last time I checked, Mr. Holik had exactly two more Stanley Cup rings than you do. I say Holik gets to say anything he wants.

In Philly, the injured list continues to grow, as Tony Amonte joins the list. He'll miss the next two weeks or so with an MCL tear he suffered Sunday night in Washington.

In Florida, Rick Dudley says he wants a top tier defenseman, and he's willing to deal young and cheap talent in order to get it. On Long Island, Mike Milbury looks resigned to the fact that he'll probably lose Roman Hamrlik once he become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Might we see another New York-Florida deal?

Was there any better example of what's wrong with the New York Rangers than Ottawa's 9-1 thrashing of the Broadway Blueshirts on Saturday night?

Here's Larry Brooks on the mess that is the Rangers:

Glen Sather should either lead or get out of the way. It's that simple. Thus far, he has not done what's necessary to win as a coach in this NHL. He isn't working hard enough at it, either; not at all. He isn't working his team hard enough, either; not at all. Practices are a lark, even if yesterday morning's emergency skate wasn't. Game-day skates are a joke. Meetings are haphazard. The organization is mocked around the league.

To top things off, at a charity event on Sunday at Madison Square Garden, the fans booed the Rangers one more time.

Could there have been any better outcome for jilted and bitter fans in Washington, still confounded that the Jagr, who consistently posted 100 point seasons in Pittsburgh, suddenly transformed into a sullen and disinterested performer, one who arguably helped bring the franchise to lows it hadn't seen since the early years of expansion?

Back with the Capitals, the post-Jagr Era began looking a lot like the Jagr Era: with the Caps losing consistently. Not long after Jagr caught a plane to Ottawa to join his aged and overpaid new teammates with the Rangers, the Caps dropped a 4-1 decision to the Panthers on Friday night. Roberto Luongo, in a performance that must have seemed like a night off, had 28 saves for Florida. He got a little more work the next night in Washington, as he piled up 43 saves in a 2-1 Florida win over Boston. Even with the 4 point weekend, Florida still trails the eighth place Islanders by six points.

Back in Washington on Sunday, the Caps could manage only 13 shots in another 4-1 loss. The next question for the Caps is just which of the their highly-paid core players is going to get shipped out of town next.

It was a good weekend for the Devils, as they downed Montreal 2-0 on Saturday, and then held off the Thrashers 3-2 on Sunday night. They trail Philly and Toronto for first place in the East by four points.

Out West, the Stars picked up four points with back-to-back wins over St. Louis, 2-0 and 3-2. Marty Turco got both wins for Dallas. With the four points, Dallas clawed their way back into eighth place in the East with 54 points.

New York's other team, the Islanders, posted back-to-back wins, dropping Carolina and former head coach Peter Laviolette, 3-2. On Saturday, Atlanta was the victim, with New York winning again, 3-0. Rick DiPietro who was in net both nights for New York, looks to have won the starting job from Garth Snow.

After a little more than two seasons, the Jaromir Jagr era in Washington has ended. Just a little while ago, the Washington Post reported that Jagr has been dealt to New York in exchange for ex-Cap Anson Carter pending league approval.

Escape to New York

Here's what I had to say about Jagr's arrival in Washington from Pittsburgh back on June 12, 2001:

No one player can lead any team to a championship, and for all the noise a trade like this might cause in the short term, over the years it can look far less significant. The real test for Jagr and the rest of the Caps begins in October. From there, the trip to a potential Cup Final in June 2002 will be a long grind -- one that is just as likely to turn on the stick of a Joe Reekie or a Jeff Halpern as that of Jagr.

How I wish I had been wrong that day. For those of you who are wondering what you can expect from Jagr in New York, here's what I wrote on January 18, 2002:

Ask anyone who has attended a Capitals game this season what they think of Jagr's game, and you'll probably get the same sort of answer: disappointing. Sure, Jagr is playing at better than a point a game pace with the Caps this season (15 goals and 25 assists in 37 games), and at times we've seen flashes of the brilliant play that he so often demonstrated during his career with the Penguins.

But flashes are all we've seen. Certainly the groin injury Jagr suffered early in the season at the hands of New York Rangers goon Igor Ulanov has slowed him. But it's his style of play, one that doesn't seem to match up with the lunch bucket ethos of his teammates, that can be especially irksome.

Why? Just watch him on the ice for a few shifts and you'll get the drift of what I'm saying. When the Caps are in their defensive zone, you'll often see Jagr circling just above the Caps blue line, waiting for a breakout pass that almost never comes.

When the Caps do break out of their zone, Jagr will join the rush at a leisurely pace. If the Caps dump the puck in the corner, Jagr won't forecheck. When the Caps turn the puck over, he doesn't backcheck, and seems to take his time getting back to the defensive zone. There, he promptly takes up his circling position above the blue line, again waiting for that breakout pass that never comes.

In addition, the Caps are going to have to pick up about $20 million in salary remaining on Jagr's seven-year, $77 million contract. After the way he's played here, it's clear the Caps are getting off cheap. Good luck Rangers fans, you're going to need it.