A Couple Surprises Among Caps First Cuts

The Capitals announced today that Karl Alzner, their 1st round pick (5th overall) in the 2007 draft, has been reassigned back to his junior team, the Calgary Hitmen. While the fact that Alzner did not make the big club this season does not come as a complete shock, the timing of the move does. It was speculated by many throughout the summer that the talented young defenceman would be given every opportunity to secure a spot on the Caps roster.

Perhaps it was nothing more than a numbers crunch situation as the Caps have as many as 10 defenceman with NHL or at least professional experience.

1. Josef Boumedienne
2. Steve Eminger
3. John Erskine
4. Mike Green
5. Milan Jurcina
6. Sami Lepisto
7. Shaone Morrisonn
8. Brian Pothier
9. Tom Poti
10. Jeff Schultz

Still, the prognosis going into camp was that Alzner would at least be one of the last cuts, not one of the first. On the bright side, the move allows him to start the season with the Hitmen on time as they open up at home against the Red Deer Rebels this Friday.

Also reassigned today were a pair of 2nd round picks, defenceman Josh Godfrey from '07 and winger Francois Bouchard from '06. While Godfrey and his hard slap shot was expected to see more time in juniors, Bouchard was another surprise move as their was talk that should he have an impressive camp, he could open up with the big club as well. He led the QMJHL in points last season with 125 and caught the attention of coaches and fans with his play during the summer development camp.

The good news about all these moves is that the Caps finally have the depth on their roster where they don't need to push their prospects before they're ready.