SB Nation DC - With The Season Rapidly Approaching, Capitals Host Media Dayhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2010-10-05T14:51:44-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14963202010-10-05T14:51:44-04:002010-10-05T14:51:44-04:00Capitals Media Day: George McPhee Has High Praise For Marcus Johansson
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<p>One of the most interesting pieces for the 2010-11 Washington Capitals is highly-touted center Marcus Johansson. Our Brian Murphy <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2010/10/5/1731818/2010-washington-capitals-preview-nhl-six-players-to-watch">named him </a>as one of six young guns to watch today. </p>
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Johansson has speed, he's smart and he's defensive minded, which could earn him solid minutes on the penalty kill. A lot of 19-year-olds get their first glimpse of NHL action and wilt under the pressure, but Johansson has continued to play well and look the part so far this preseason.<br><br>Even if he's not a mainstay on the roster this season, by all accounts he's going to be around for a while once he does earn his way into the rotation. Backstrom is the top-line center for good reason, but there appears to be an opportunity for a youngster like Johansson to lock down the second- or third-line center role. </p>
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<p>Today at Capitals Media Day, general manager George McPhee went one step further, comparing Johansson positively to fellow Sweedish player Nicklas Backstrom. <a href="http://www.tbd.com/blogs/chamberlain/2010/10/capitals-notes-media-day-and-more-roster-moves-2692.html">Via Samuel Chamberlain of TBD.</a></p>
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"He's ahead of where Nicky Backstrom was," McPhee said. "We were more careful with Nicky when he came up." </p>
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<p>McPhee is saying Johansson is ahead of where Backstrom was at 19, not that he's better than Backstrom now. Regardless, that's high praise for Johansson and a sign that he may be one of the young guns that pushes the Capitals over the top. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2010/10/5/1732489/capitals-media-day-george-mcphee-marcus-johansson-nicklas-backstromMike Prada2010-10-05T13:51:11-04:002010-10-05T13:51:11-04:00With The Season Rapidly Approaching, Capitals Host Media Day
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<p>Today is the day the Capitals will take turns giving a few quotes to the assembled reporters at the Verizon Center, and pose for awkwardly staged photographs. That's right it's Media Day, the last day of the year that still appears in the off season section of the calender.</p>
<p>Expect a lot of questions about how the team plans to rebound from their playoff exit last year. And Alexander Ovechkin always has the potential to be the star of these types of days, so he'll probably do something to wedge his way in here one way or another.</p>
<p>We'll be updating this StoryStream with all the good soundbites and pretty, pretty pictures that emerge from Capitals Media Day today.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2010/10/5/2322112/with-the-season-rapidly-approaching-capitals-host-media-dayJordan Ruby