Ask FS! 10/29/07

Welcome back loyal readers! It's time once again for the only online column to win the triple crown . . . in horse racing. It's "Ask FS!" Today's question comes from Suzie in Wheaton. Suzie asks

Why doesn't Nylander get moved to the [Ovechkin] line?

Great question Suzie! Hanlon loves mixing up his lines, based on performance, injury, and the moon's position, but as of yet, we haven't seen a lot of Ovechkin and Nylander together. When Nylander was acquired, everyone assumed it would be to play with Ovechkin, but everyone had the wrong Alex. Now that the Caps have no right wings (Alexander Semin and Chris Clark are both hurt), it is possible that we will see Nylander moved up to the top line, but not necessarily. In the one game that Ovechkin and Nylander saw considerable time together, we saw Ovechkin and Nylander put a -2 together up on the boards, and that seems to be the real reason that Hanlon is keeping them apart. Another reason could be that Hanlon wants to develop two scoring lines, and putting his two most healthy forwards on the same line is no way to do that. Until the team gets healthy, we really have no idea what the plans are for the future with regards to the Caps' top 6 forwards.

Thanks for the question Suzie! If you have a question you'd like to see show up in a future edition of "Ask FS!" just drop it in the comments section below, or send an email to the link provided in the profile. Until next time, "Let's Go Caps!"

Season Preview: Alexander Semin

Alexander Semin is a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a, well you get the point. Does he speak English? I've heard him speak it pretty darn well. But then he needs an interpreter for an interview with the Post's Tarik El-Bashir. He's got an attitude problem, but then again, I didn't see any problems coming forth from the locker room last year, when Semin put up 38 goals and 73 points, both totals being good enough for second on the team to that other Alex. So what will Semin do this year? Well, hopefully having better linemates will get him even more productive. I don't think there's anyone in America that believes that Nylander and Backstrom aren't a step up from Pettinger and the rotation of Laich, Klepis, and Beech (no offense to Princess). Between the improved linemates and the (hopefully) improved power play, it'll be nice to see Semin's goals go up. Or at least his assists.


And maybe he won't make people mad enough to smash their iPod.

Those kids are fast as lightning . . .

Well, it's been reported in several different places, but the Washington Post confirmed that there was a fight at Caps' practice today! Between none other than Bryan Muir and Alexander Semin! Now, I don't know much about what actually went on, but my money is on Muir, since he has actually had a couple of fights this year, as opposed to Semin, who is about as physical as a Dandelion. In other hilarious news, Donald Brashear actually broke up the fight.

I think Bryan Muir was teaching Semin how to get injured in time to make sure that your +/- ranking would remain among the team's leaders.

Ask FS! 3/10/07

Welcome back loyal readers! It's time once again for the only online column that knows all the lyrics to every Kris Kross song, it's "Ask FS!" Today's question comes from the Peerless who wonders,

With the addition of Alexandre Giroux, do the Caps now lead the planet in Alexes?

Great question Peerless! But to answer your question, no they don't. They greatest collection of Alexes has to belong to Alexander the Great of Macedonia. During his many conquests, Alexander left a trail of cities in his wake, all named after him. Cities named "Alexandria" popped up in modern-day Egypt, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India and Syria.

Thanks for the question Peerless. If you have a question you'd like to see in a future edition of "Ask FS!" just drop it in the comments section below or send it to me via email in the link provided in my profile. Until next time, "Let's Go Caps!"