Down on the Farm

[PokerPacker]

The farm thread from last season has disappeared, so I figured I'd start a new one.

Michal Neuvirth still has not played in a game for Hershey since suffering from a hip-flexor in preseason, however that's given the Capitals other OTHER prospect goalie a shot to show what he's made of.
2008 4th round draft pick Braden Holtby started the first three games of the season for Hershey. In the first game, he stopped 23/24, nearly recording a shutout. In the second game, he picked up that shutout he missed out on in the previous game by stopping 38 shots. And in game three, he was penetrated for two goals. Through those three games, he stopped 87/90 shots (.967), and a GAA of 1.00. However, after that strong start, Holtby has been sent down to South Carolina to play with the ECHL Sting Rays because Neuvirth has been cleared to return in net. They figured that as good as he's been, it would be a shame to waste his first professional season sitting on the bench for 70 percent of the season. And if anyone remembers what happened last year, it was Michal Neuvirth who was sent down to start for the ECHL Sting Rays because they wanted to get him playing time while Varlamov was expected to get all the starts. Neuvirth went on to backstop the Bears to win the Calder Cup and earned the Butterfield trophy as MVP of the playoffs. Who knows, we may experience a little deja vu this season.

[HEavyJumbo85]

Also, Andrew Gordon is a god...that is all.

[PokerPacker]

[QUOTE=HEavyJumbo85;6888500]Also, Andrew Gordon is a god...that is all.[/QUOTE]

oh yeah, forgot to mention that. He had a Hat-trick in game 1.

edit: also, in case anyone wasn't counting, the Hershey Bears have shut out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins in each of their last three meetings, all of which came from a rookie goaltender (games 6 & 7 of the calder cup playoffs by Michal Neuvirth and then this season by Holtby).

[Gary Clark Fan]

Who is Gordon? Did we draft him? Man we are loaded at goalie. We are going to have to make a trade at some point.

[pjfootballer]

I watched Neuvirth when the Stingrays came to Charlotte. Charlotte won in OT 3-2. Great game. I was at ice level in my seat.

[HEavyJumbo85]

[QUOTE=Gary Clark Fan;6888837]Who is Gordon? Did we draft him? Man we are loaded at goalie. We are going to have to make a trade at some point.[/QUOTE]

Yeah Gordon was our 7th round pick in 2004. He played his college hockey at St. Cloud State. He got into a few games with the Caps last year. He's a Right Winger; started this year off with a Hat Trick in the opener, a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the next game and he was leading the AHL in points at one time, not sure if that's still the case. He'll be an NHLer sooner rather than later. Gritty game; he'll probably never be more than a 3rd liner at best, but he'll be in the league a long time.

[PokerPacker]

Apparently Defenseman Sean Collins decided to retire. He was one of the last defensemen cut roster before finalizing the roster. Kinda surprised me considering that he's only 25.

edit: stupid NHL.com. Its a DIFFERENT Sean Collins who retired from the minor leagues, but the guy they linked to was ours. damn you NHL.com!

[PokerPacker]

Kieth Aucoin just scored a hatty in the AHL after being sent down. Also scoring were Patrick McNeill and Oskar Osala in a 5-2 victory

[herrmag]

[QUOTE=PokerPacker;6978575]Kieth Aucoin just scored a hatty in the AHL after being sent down. Also scoring were Patrick McNeill and Oskar Osala in a 5-2 victory[/QUOTE]

I really liked what I saw from Perrault last night. I think he may have leapfrogged Aucoin on the depth chart, and with only one NHL game under his belt, he'll surely be the first go-to when a forward is needed. I don't see Aucoin getting much of a chance this season on the Caps' roster, save for a rash of injuries. I don't think they'll risk him having to clear waivers. Maybe next year he can crack the roster permanently, though with our depth, I doubt it.

[PokerPacker]

[QUOTE=herrmag;6979694]I really liked what I saw from Perrault last night. I think he may have leapfrogged Aucoin on the depth chart, and with only one NHL game under his belt, he'll surely be the first go-to when a forward is needed. I don't see Aucoin getting much of a chance this season on the Caps' roster, save for a rash of injuries. I don't think they'll risk him having to clear waivers. Maybe next year he can crack the roster permanently, though with our depth, I doubt it.[/QUOTE]

Aucoin will probably always be a call-up player. With how Perreault played last night, on the 4th line no less, I think he has a great shot of cracking the roster next season. That back-handed saucer pass that landed flat on Sloan's stick was just great, and I think he's shown why Boudreau was so impressed with him during training camp.

[ntotoro]

I have to ask... is he any relation to Gilbert Perreault?

[PokerPacker]

[QUOTE=ntotoro;6980557]I have to ask... is he any relation to Gilbert Perreault?[/QUOTE]

I haven't been able to dig up any connection.

[ntotoro]

Neither have I, now that I actually looked...

Apparently he does have two sons, neither being Mathieu. Perreault must be the "Smith" of French-Canadian names...

[HEavyJumbo85]

[QUOTE=ntotoro;6980840]Neither have I, now that I actually looked...

Apparently he does have two sons, neither being Mathieu. Perreault must be the "Smith" of French-Canadian names... [/QUOTE]

It is an extremely common name up there.

[HEavyJumbo85]

John Carlson has been recalled per washingtoncaps.com. Sounds like Morrisonn is not in good shape, and Carlson is being recalled over Alzner, presumably because he makes half as much money.