But keep in mind this is per the Post so who knows! LOL
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 16, 2002; Page D06
Washington Capitals winger Jaromir Jagr aggravated his minor groin injury 15 minutes into an optional practice yesterday and said he would not play tonight in Montreal and did not know when he will return.
"It's the worst I've felt," was Jagr's only comment.
Jagr was one of several ailing players who skated yesterday. After missing the last six games, defenseman Brendan Witt (sprained thumb) moved closer to a weekend return and winger Steve Konowalchuk participated in non-contact drills for the first time since undergoing major shoulder surgery in October (he is expected to return in March). Winger Ulf Dahlen, who suffered a bruised foot nearly a month ago, will begin practicing with the team today and Coach Ron Wilson said the key forward could return for next Tuesday's game at Atlanta. Rookie winger Matt Pettinger (flu) said he could play tonight.
Jagr has been receiving acupuncture treatments, which have greatly helped him in the past. Jagr has missed 10 of 47 games because of knee and groin injuries this season, posting 40 points in 37 games. He was clearly frustrated with the situation yesterday and declined to elaborate on his condition after clutching his groin and heading to the dressing room.
Coach Ron Wilson said he believed Jagr would be able to return shortly (Washington is 4-6 without Jagr, 15-14-8 with him).
"The last few games I've expected him to play," Wilson said. "I don't know."
Jagr, winner of the last four NHL scoring titles, has yet to play in Wilson's recently tweaked defensive system, which uses three defensemen and two forwards at even strength rather than the three forward/two defenseman alignment employed by virtually every hockey club in the modern era of the sport. Wilson made the unusual switch last week when unexpected injuries left him short on forwards and with a wealth of defensemen; Washington has notched consecutive 1-0 shutouts and is 2-0-1 under the system.
The Capitals, who held the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot entering play last night, have not allowed a goal in 139 minutes 33 seconds and have yielded just two even strength goals in three games with defensemen Ken Klee and Sergei Gonchar filling the role in the middle of the ice formerly held by Washington's centers.
Washington has neutralized Toronto and Boston, two of the deepest offensive teams in the NHL, and shut out Florida on the road -- where Washington has a 6-14-3 record -- in the second of back-to-back games, no small feat for an aging team. The Capitals have had the league's second-worst goals against average for most of the season and the players are raving about the new alterations.
"I don't think we [change this system], at least until it falters," said center Adam Oates, who on Monday became the eighth player in league history to amass 1,000 assists. "We took five out of six [possible standings] points against two very good teams -- Toronto and Boston -- and we won 1-0 in Florida when we were very tired without a lot of bodies. It's been great."
Wilson said he will utilize the system tonight and believes it will be most effective on the road, where the Capitals have faltered, allowing nearly four goals per game. Wilson spotted aggressive winger Dainius Zubrus into the "rovers" role that Klee and Gonchar fill for a few shifts Monday night and said he may continue to do that to relieve some of their burden.
The Capitals have also improved the mobility, puck movement and agility of their defense since recalling rookies Jean-Francois Fortin, Todd Rohloff and Nolan Yonkman from the minors in the last week. Wilson said all three figure prominently in his plans and none is expected to be returned to the minors when Witt and Dahlen come off the injured reserve list, which would force a roster move of a forward and a defenseman. Veteran defensemen Joe Reekie and Rob Zettler and forwards Dmitri Khristich and Joe Sacco are candidates to be waived or bought out should the situation arise.
"For some people the pressure is on to get the job done in the next few games," Wilson said. "Because it wouldn't probably be any of the young defensemen we've got playing [going back to the minors]. They are earning a job, it's as simple as that."
Capitals Notes: Wilson said the club will take every precaution with Konowalchuk's return, and he will not play until after the Olympic break. "We can't put him in there early," Wilson said. "We can't risk his career or anything like that." . . . Oates, Gonchar and defenseman Sylvain Cote were excused from the optional practice.
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 16, 2002; Page D06
Washington Capitals winger Jaromir Jagr aggravated his minor groin injury 15 minutes into an optional practice yesterday and said he would not play tonight in Montreal and did not know when he will return.
"It's the worst I've felt," was Jagr's only comment.
Jagr was one of several ailing players who skated yesterday. After missing the last six games, defenseman Brendan Witt (sprained thumb) moved closer to a weekend return and winger Steve Konowalchuk participated in non-contact drills for the first time since undergoing major shoulder surgery in October (he is expected to return in March). Winger Ulf Dahlen, who suffered a bruised foot nearly a month ago, will begin practicing with the team today and Coach Ron Wilson said the key forward could return for next Tuesday's game at Atlanta. Rookie winger Matt Pettinger (flu) said he could play tonight.
Jagr has been receiving acupuncture treatments, which have greatly helped him in the past. Jagr has missed 10 of 47 games because of knee and groin injuries this season, posting 40 points in 37 games. He was clearly frustrated with the situation yesterday and declined to elaborate on his condition after clutching his groin and heading to the dressing room.
Coach Ron Wilson said he believed Jagr would be able to return shortly (Washington is 4-6 without Jagr, 15-14-8 with him).
"The last few games I've expected him to play," Wilson said. "I don't know."
Jagr, winner of the last four NHL scoring titles, has yet to play in Wilson's recently tweaked defensive system, which uses three defensemen and two forwards at even strength rather than the three forward/two defenseman alignment employed by virtually every hockey club in the modern era of the sport. Wilson made the unusual switch last week when unexpected injuries left him short on forwards and with a wealth of defensemen; Washington has notched consecutive 1-0 shutouts and is 2-0-1 under the system.
The Capitals, who held the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot entering play last night, have not allowed a goal in 139 minutes 33 seconds and have yielded just two even strength goals in three games with defensemen Ken Klee and Sergei Gonchar filling the role in the middle of the ice formerly held by Washington's centers.
Washington has neutralized Toronto and Boston, two of the deepest offensive teams in the NHL, and shut out Florida on the road -- where Washington has a 6-14-3 record -- in the second of back-to-back games, no small feat for an aging team. The Capitals have had the league's second-worst goals against average for most of the season and the players are raving about the new alterations.
"I don't think we [change this system], at least until it falters," said center Adam Oates, who on Monday became the eighth player in league history to amass 1,000 assists. "We took five out of six [possible standings] points against two very good teams -- Toronto and Boston -- and we won 1-0 in Florida when we were very tired without a lot of bodies. It's been great."
Wilson said he will utilize the system tonight and believes it will be most effective on the road, where the Capitals have faltered, allowing nearly four goals per game. Wilson spotted aggressive winger Dainius Zubrus into the "rovers" role that Klee and Gonchar fill for a few shifts Monday night and said he may continue to do that to relieve some of their burden.
The Capitals have also improved the mobility, puck movement and agility of their defense since recalling rookies Jean-Francois Fortin, Todd Rohloff and Nolan Yonkman from the minors in the last week. Wilson said all three figure prominently in his plans and none is expected to be returned to the minors when Witt and Dahlen come off the injured reserve list, which would force a roster move of a forward and a defenseman. Veteran defensemen Joe Reekie and Rob Zettler and forwards Dmitri Khristich and Joe Sacco are candidates to be waived or bought out should the situation arise.
"For some people the pressure is on to get the job done in the next few games," Wilson said. "Because it wouldn't probably be any of the young defensemen we've got playing [going back to the minors]. They are earning a job, it's as simple as that."
Capitals Notes: Wilson said the club will take every precaution with Konowalchuk's return, and he will not play until after the Olympic break. "We can't put him in there early," Wilson said. "We can't risk his career or anything like that." . . . Oates, Gonchar and defenseman Sylvain Cote were excused from the optional practice.
