RED ALERT: Giroux's last shot? Paging Mike Green!

The final roster spot battle continues and takes another step tonight in the Washington Capitals 4th preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks. 

One of those guys fighting hard, in what could possibly be his last opportunity to make the Capitals roster is AHL record setter Alexandre Giroux.

With Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann ailing, the Capitals have given
Giroux every opportunity to seize a spot on the opening-night roster.
But after uneven efforts in the first three preseason games — he’s one
of only two players to appear in each of them — questions about
Giroux’s ability to translate minor-league success to the NHL persist.

“He’s still in the mix,” Boudreau said. “We didn’t expect him to
score like he did at the American League level. He’s playing a lot,
there’s a spot or two to be had, and he’s going to get another chance
and then evaluate more. But it’s going to go down to the end.”

One thing I disagree with, because I have heard it several times, particularly amongst the Hershey bears media and blogosphere, is that all Giroux needs is a chance.  I disagree.  Alexandre Giroux has been given more chances by the franchise than perhaps he would have gotten elsewhere.  The problem is, he has not seized those opportunities.  He has not shown an ability to score in the NHL or the skill to play at the face paced NHL speed. 

The best example —- there are just some baseball players that climb the minor league ladder, but stall out at AAA and never become major league baseball players.  They just lack that final skill, that final ability, that final ‘thing’ to make the leap.  Such is for Giroux in hockey.  Hundreds of hockey players never get passed the AHL to the NHL. 

Giroux is different.  He has dominated the AHL.  Dominated.  Always among league leaders in scoring, the new scoring record holder, but given all those skills and abilities, they simply don’t trasnfer to the NHL level.  Again, at least in the first three preseason games, Giroux is just being out played by guys like Chris Bourque, Keith Aucoin, and others. 

He just simply hasn’t brought it. 

Period. 

On Mike Green . . . Mike Green seems to be enjoying his new status as an NHL star and celebrity.  let’s hope that translates to better play on the ice than he has put forth int he playoffs and the preseason.

Now? He’s in the second year of a four-year, $21 million contract. Last
season he scored the most goals by an NHL defenseman since 1993. Green
also set a league record for defensemen when he notched a goal in eight
consecutive games last winter and he ended up as a Norris Trophy
finalist.
 
But with those accomplishments comes pressure. And Green struggled to
balance that during the Caps’ two postseason series. He seemed
lethargic at times, incapable of taking over games as he had during the
regular season. Injuries and illness were a big reason why.

Wellm, he seems lethargic in preseason to.  I can brag to many about
Green’s power play prowess, scoring, and points, but can you really
ever brag about Green’s defensive skills. I don’t think so.  Even
though he led the NHL in scoring among defensemen, Green was passed up
for the Norris Trophy.  Why?  Because of defense.  If Greenie wants to
take it to the next level, he can do so by becoming a better
blueliner.  So far, given the preseason, I don’t see that happening. Now, it was only one game.  Alex Ovechkin didn’t look great either. 

I have just never been one impressed with Mike Green behind the blue
line.  He makes mistakes, looks lethargic and uncomfortable, and lacks
a mean streak.  Maybe it’s just a ‘going through the motions’ thing two
nights ago for Green, but given his rather lazy, struggling play in the
playoffs, Green can’t afford it.  He has to prove he is more than a
defensive scorer, but a complete blueliner.  He hasn’t done that yet.
   

Semin is ok . . . Alexander Semin went down awkwardly,
but it OK.  Relief eh?  Does Semin not seem to start every season
hobbled?  Is this a new Caps ritual?  Look, it’s Semin, Get him!

“I don’t think it’s serious,” Boudreau said. “I don’t think this is an injury; it’s a little tweak.”

Ok Coach, we are trusting you.  

The newbies . . . Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison, the big offseason acquisitions, are settling into their new digs in DC.  These
gusy have me excited.  Knuble is a hard nosed, in front of the net,
blue collar players, something that will go well with Alexander
Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.  And for those wondering whether
Morrison was a good signing, lest we forget the type of player Morrison
can be when healthy?  Going to be a fun year folks.  I am one of those
of the thought process that Knuble and Morrisonn are upgrades over
Victor Kozlov and Sergei Fedorov. 

Caps fans, GO VOTE  . . . at the ESPN which players will win awards poll.  

Game preview . . .  Courtesy of WashingtonCaps.com.  Semyon Varlamov with the glove and stick tonight.  

Former Cap . . .  Goalie Brent Johnson was injured last night in a Pittsburgh Penguin preseaosn game.  

Off Interstate 83 . . .  PennLive, or Harrisburg Patriot News, gives us a summary of Hershey Bears day two in camp. D Dylan Yeo is trying to win a blue line job.