head coach: Ron Wilson

roster: C - Adam Oates, Michael Pivonka, Andrei Nikolishin, Dale Hunter, Mike Eagles. LW- Steve Konowalchuk, Joe Juneau, Yogi Svejkovsky, Kevin Kaminski, Chris Simon, Richard Zednik. RW - Peter Bondra, Kelly Miller, Todd Krygier, Craig Berube, Pat Peake. D - Mark Tinordi, Phil Housley, Calle Johansson, Sergei Gonchar*, Sylvain Cote, Joe Reekie, Brendan Witt. G - Bill Ranford, Olaf Kolzig.
*-Unsigned free agent.

injuries: None.

transactions: XX/XX - Signed free agent centers Kevin Kaminski and Andrei Nikolishin. 08/15 - Named Bryan Trottier head coach at Portland of the American Hockey League. 08/21 - Signed center Adam Oates. 09/03 - Traded defenseman Eric Charron to the Calgary Flames for future considerations.

standings:

1996-97 FINAL RESULTS
RECORD:     
 OVERALL      33-40-9
 HOME         19-17-5
 ROAD         14-23-4       
POINTS:             75 (18th)
GOALS SCORED:      214 (25th)   
GOALS AGAINST:     231 (10th)
POWER PLAY:      15.8% (12th)
PENALTY KILLING: 84.7%  (8th) 

game results:

PRE-SEASON RESULTS
9/14 New Jersey         L 4-1 @Albany

team news:

by Michael Dell, editor-in-chief

CAPITAL CHANGES COULD MEAN CUP CONTENTION

The Washington Capitals missed the playoffs last season for the first time in 14 years. The team was usually a first-round casualty, but missing the post-season party altogether was a bit too much for owner Abe Pollin to swallow. He made some changes.

Gone were GM David Poile and head coach Jim Schoenfeld. Ironically, Poile's dismissal came only weeks after he finally made the deal to acquire Adam Oates, the big-name center the franchise has been lacking since its inception in 1974. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late. Taking over for Poile is George McPhee. The rookie GM got his career off on the right foot by hiring former Anaheim Mighty Ducks coach Ron Wilson to be the new Capitals bench boss. With this new duo leading the charge, the underachieving Capitals could finally reach their full potential.

OFFENSE: Oates + Bondra = Goals o' Plenty

The Washington Capitals have always had problems scoring goals. Well, that concern could be a thing of the past now that Adam Oates (22-60-82) is in the fold. Oates, who signed a new three- year deal with the club this summer, is the game's premier setup man. He first gained fame setting the table for Brett Hull in St. Louis, then moved to Boston to work some magic with Cam Neely. Now he's got another superstar sniper to finish his passes in Peter Bondra (46-31-77).

Bondra could be the most lethal goal-scorer in the NHL. Over the past three seasons, the Slovakian speedster has racked up 132 goals in 191 games, good for a .69 goals-per-game average. That's second to only Jaromir Jagr's 141 goals and .73 average. Meanwhile, Oates has had similar success in the assist department. Only Ron Francis (1.00), Peter Forsberg (.92), and Wayne Gretzky (.90) have averaged more assists per game than Oates (.85) the past three seasons.

Combining Oates and Bondra on the same line will be a sure cure for any offensive woes. This duo will absolutely terrorize the NHL this season. With Oates distributing the puck, it wouldn't be out of the question to see Bondra break the 70-goal barrier. That's just how good they are. Not only will the twosome dominate at even-strength and on the power play, but they'll probably also be the Caps' top penalty-killers, as well. One thing's for sure, Oates will definitely be the club's top faceoff man. He's the best in the business when it comes to taking draws.

Chris Simon would be the obvious choice to play the left side with Bondra and Oates. The monster left winger was acquired last season from Colorado and went on a tear in his first few weeks as a Cap, even earning a feature story in Sports Illustrated. But it was all downhill from there. Simon's chronic bad back started to act up and the scoring dried up. The big guy ended the season with a mere nine goals and 22 points in 42 games.

A lot of people around the league think he's just a fighter, but Simon can do much more than just knock people unconscious. For such a big man (6'3", 220), Simon skates fairly well and has good hands around the net. If he could just stay healthy, Simon could be a major force. His brawn would be a perfect compliment to Bondra's speed and Oates' smarts. No doubt about it, that trio has the potential to be the best line in hockey.

And the top line is going to have to produce, because there really isn't a whole lot of scoring from two to four. Bondra (46), Oates (22), and Rick Tocchet (21) were the team's only 20- goal scorers last season, and most of Oates' and Tocchet's goals came with Boston. The picture will be even more bleak this season now that Tocchet has left via free agency to Phoenix. There just isn't another 30-goal scorer to take his place. Andrei Nikolishin (9-19-28) has talent, but he pretty much sucked last season. He has a lot to prove. Michal Pivonka (7-16-23) used to be Bondra's personal center and a reliable point producer, that is he was until he had an embarrassing 23-point campaign last season. Coach Wilson plans to change Pivonka's role and use him mainly as a checking center to go up against the opposition's best line. That leaves Joe Juneau (15-27-42) as the only other skilled guy up front. Juneau is a remarkable skater and passer, but he's never quite made the jump from being just another skilled player to being a star. He just doesn't seem tough enough to make such a move. But maybe having Oates around will make Juneau remember the glory days of his rookie season in Boston when he posted 102 points.

The rest of the Washington offense is made up of some gritty role players. Leading the way is captain Dale Hunter (14-32-46), who briefly considered retirement before deciding to come back for an 18th NHL season. Steve Konowalchuk (17-25-42) is a good checking winger with plenty of speed and tenacity, but should score more than he does. Kelly Miller (10-14-24), Todd Krygier (5-11-16), and Mike Eagles (1-7-8) round out the group of veteran grinders. The feisty Kevin Kaminski (1-2-3, 130 pim) is still around to cause trouble and big bad Craig Berube (4-3-7, 218 pim) will help Simon bust heads.

There could be some offensive help on the way in the form of three youngsters. Andrew Brunette (4-7-11) is a 24-year-old left winger that has the hands to be a legitimate playmaker. The only thing holding him back is his skating, which is still minor- league. One guy who doesn't have any problems getting around the ice is Richard Zednik (2-1-3). The 21-year-old Slovak can really motor. He needs to get a little stronger, but could create excitement if given the chance. Rounding out the trio is 21- year-old Czech winger Jaroslav "Yogi" Svejkovsky (7-3-10). Of the three, Yogi is the one that will probably get the best chance to make an impact this season. He opened up a lot of eyes by torching the Buffalo Sabres for four goals in a game late last season. He's a brilliant stickhandler that could really make his presence known on the scoresheet. If Zednik and Svejkovsky make the club, the Washington offense will be fun to watch.

DEFENSE: Same As It Ever Was

Now that the New Jersey defense has taken some hits, the Capitals send out the best group of blueliners in the league. Washington's defense has a little bit of everything. Mark Tinordi (2-6-8) and Joe Reekie (1-8-9) are two of the best defensive defensemen in the game. The biggest problem they've had is staying healthy. The two combined for only 121 games last season. Tinordi's always had difficulty staying in the lineup. He's never played a full season during his 10-year career and has only played more than 69 games once, that being in 1995-96 when he suited up for 71 contests. The Caps need Tinordi in the lineup to play their best. He's a devastating hitter that always keeps the opposition honest. There's a noticeable drop off in intensity when he isn't around.

At the other end of the spectrum from Tinordi and Reekie is the offensive-minded Phil Housley (11-29-40). The 33-year-old vet can still put up the points, but he's pretty much a one- dimensional player. After a rather uneventful first season in Washington, the jury remains out on whether or not he's tough enough to compete in the Atlantic Division. The good news is that Wilson, unlike Schoenfeld, will be more inclined to turn Housley loose and let him do his thing. So that could mean a jump in production.

Between the extremes of Housley and Reekie, the Caps also boast three quality all-around defenders in Sylvain Cote (6-18-24), Calle Johansson (6-11-17), and Sergei Gonchar (13-17-30). All three move the puck extremely well and can join the play late. Gonchar has some big-time potential. With his heavy wrist shot and ability to read plays, a 20-goal season wouldn't be out of the question. He just has to assert himself more in the offensive zone. He also has to sign a contract. At the time of this writing, Gonchar is the Caps' only unsigned free agent.

When everyone is healthy he doesn't get much playing time, but 22-year-old Brendan Witt (3-2-5) is a fiery competitor that likes to stir things up. He had 10 fighting majors in his 44 games last season. Ken Klee (3-8-11) also adds to the blue line depth, filling in wherever needed and being versatile enough to take a few shifts as a forward when called upon. Eric Charron was traded this off-season to Calgary for future considerations. His departure could mean an opening for either Patrick Boileau or Nolan Baumgartner. But barring a trade or an injury, neither one will likely crack the top six.

GOALTENDING: Ranford to the Rescue

LCS said all along that Jim Carey wasn't the real deal. In the past, we've also been quick to sing the praises of Bill Ranford. So we'd look pretty stupid if Ranford comes in and sucks it up as bad as Carey. Luckily for us, that won't happen.

Ranford is the man. The guy's a winner. He's still the only goaltender in the history of the planet to win a Stanley Cup, a Canada Cup, and a World Championship. He hasn't looked like his old self lately, but that's due mostly to the shell shock of playing behind the ridiculous defenses in Boston and Edmonton the last five or six years. Spending a full season behind the Capitals will seem like paradise. He does give up the occasion soft goal, but there isn't a goaltender in the NHL that makes more big saves than Ranford. He's at his best when the game's on the line. He's also exceptional come playoff time, which is a welcome change of pace for Washington netminders.

Backing up Ranford will be Olaf Kolzig (8-15-4, 2.59, .906). At 6'3", 225 pounds, Kolzig's size is the perfect compliment to Ranford's raw athleticism and reflexes. The ideal goaltending situation is to have guys with two distinct styles. That way if you have to make a switch midstream, it forces the opposition to make some adjustments. The Caps should have that workin' with Ranford and Kolzig.

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* Adam Oates and Peter Bondra will be the league's best scoring duo.

* Defense is deep and talented.

* Ron Wilson is a great coach.

TROUBLE

* Still lack scoring depth.

* Injury curse may not be over.

1997-98 OUTLOOK: The Capitals have always had a hard- working, gritty team. The only thing that kept Washington from being a major force the past two seasons has been injuries. That bad luck can't last forever. Expect to see the improved health translate into wins.

There's also the Ron Wilson factor. The guy could be the best coach in hockey. What he did the past two seasons in Anaheim with a roster that would make most IHL fans cringe is truly amazing. He'll also be a breath of fresh air coming in after Jim Schoenfeld. Schoeny's a great guy and all, but he isn't exactly a player's best friend. Usually when a new coach comes in and inherits an underachieving, injury-riddled squad, the inevitable turnaround garners serious coach-of-the-year talk. So start polishing up the trophy for Wilson.

Prediction: The Caps could easily win the Eastern Conference, but a second place finish in the Atlantic is probably the safer bet. Either way, they'll be back in the playoffs and causing plenty of trouble.

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