After work last night I hopped the Metro home like usual, except this time I made an interim stop on my way home to the suburbs when I stopped off at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex to catch the tail end of a scrimmage on the first day of the team's Summer Development Camp and talk to some of the team's prospects.
First off, I had a chance to talk with goalie Simeon Varlamov, who had just signed his first NHL contract with the Caps earlier in the day. Dmitry Chesnokov from Sovetsky Sport was kind enough to do the translating:
Next up, I checked in with defenseman Karl Alzner, the team's top pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and #5 overall. The kid loves the camera, and is already answering questions like a seasoned pro:
Finally, I spoke with left wing Andrew Glass, the team's seventh round pick in the June draft. When I first walked up to him, he was talking with Alzner, and seemed surprised that I wanted to speak with him. He's a really good kid, something that certainly comes through here:
More details later. Don't forget you can view any of my other videos from my archive, here.
UPDATE: Dmitry just shot me a note about Varlamov's contract status:
There seems to be a perception that Varlamov does not have a contract in Russia. In fact, he does. He has a 3 year contract with Locomotiv Yaroslavl. I asked [GM] George [McPhee] about it yesterday, and his reply was "this is not true." Well, it is. Varlamov told me himself that he has a three year agreement with his Russian club. Varlamov also said that there is an agreement with Locomotiv that he can leave for the NHL after next season.Today we contacted Yuri Lukin, Lokomotiv's general manager. This is what he said:
"The club [Locomotiv] and Varlamov signed a long term contract. Next season he will definitely play for Locomotiv. Next year, as we all agreed, Semyon will decide himself where he wants to play. If he decides to leave for the NHL, how will we be able to keep him? He will run away, like Malkin."
According to Varlamov's contract with the Caps, the goalie has the option of going back to Russia if he doesn't make the team. Considering he'd most likely not make the Caps out of camp this season as a 19-year old (both Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson are mortal locks for 2007-08(, that would mean he's heading back to Russia anyway, contract or not.
UPDATE: Another horribly busy day, which is why I didn't have a chance to do much more than post these three videos. What I didn't get to say was how much fun I had getting together afterwards with a knot of Caps bloggers who stuck around for some drinks after the scrimmage. Making appearances were Ken and J.P. from Japers Rink and J.P.'s wife Meg and friend Jason; Gary, John and Todd from OFB; Liz of DC Sports Chick and her husband Frank; and Rebecca from the Cheap Seats and her sister Sara.
Be sure to check them all out, as they all have something to say about camp.
