NHL Short Notes

FLEISCHMANN SIDELINED UNTIL OCTOBER 

The Washington Capitals received some bad news this weekend concerning forward Tomas Fleischmann. This 25 year-old who is coming off a career season of 19 goals and 37 points will miss training camp and approximately the first two weeks of the season due to a blood clot in the leg. Capitals management are convinced that this 2002 second round Detroit Red Wings pick occurred during his long flight back home to the Czech Republic last spring.

 PITKANEN HAS KNEE INJURY 

The Carolina Hurricanes will open up the season without one of their most dependable defenceman in veteran Joni Pitkanen. This five- year veteran who made quite the impression by scoring 33 points and a +11 in his first year as a Hurricane will be undergoing surgery this week for a torn cartilage. Apparently Pitkanen who has also played for the Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers in his career hurt the knee while doing some leg presses in Finland over the off-season. The team doesn’t believe it will be a long terms injury and as Pitkanen will be sidelined for between 2-4 weeks. 

OVECHKIN HAS HIGH HOPES FOR HIS CAPITALS 

Prior to hitting the ice to begin training camp Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin wasn’t shy in predicting where his team will finish this year. This former 2004 first overall Capitals draft pick who is coming off a 110 point season is convinced that next spring the Stanley Cup will be in Washington. “It’s time for us, I think,” said Ovechkin. “The organization, the guys understand that if we make the playoffs, it’s not (enough). Now we have to move forward.” In the off-season management brought in crasher Mike Knuble and veteran forward Brendan Morrison.