League clears Caps on trading, signing Orpik after buyout Youthful Rangers focused on getting better after changes
Arlington, Va. — The NHL questioned the Washington Capitals about re-signing Brooks Orpik after trading him to Colorado and cleared the Stanley Cup champions of any wrongdoing.
General manager Brian MacLellan said the league questioned the Capitals for trading the veteran defenseman and then bringing him back at a cheaper salary after the Avalanche bought him out. MacLellan said the Capitals were above board in everything they did and would face no consequences.
“They put us through a thorough questioning,” MacLellan said Friday. “We did everything above board, and we answered the questions honestly. There was no repercussions, so I think we’re good.”
Greenburgh, N.Y. — Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers have put last season’s struggles behind and are just focusing on trying to get better.
“Show up and compete every single day,” Kreider said Friday as players skated in groups for on-ice testing. “We want to win games. It’s not a developmental league. Right now everyone is 0-0-0 across the board. It’s a clean slate for players, clean slate for teams.”
The Rangers are in a rebuilding mode after dealing several stars in a youth movement at the trade deadline last winter and then finishing 20 points out of a playoff spot while missing the postseason for the first time in eight years.
There’s also a new coaching staff with David Quinn making the jump from Boston University to the NHL as the head coach to lead a younger team with some veterans.
“You lose teammates every year, there’s always turnover,” Kreider said. “At the same time I think there’s a good buzz around the group right now. I think everyone’s excited about the group that we have, about the coaching staff, about the players.”
Mika Zibanejad returned from his home in Sweden feeling energized after helping his country win the world championships in May. He credited that experience for fueling his summer workouts.
“Got to finish off the season in a better way, personally,” Zibanejad said. “Got that win and I felt more motivated in the training. Now, I’m just coming back here and get excited again.”
Both Kreider and Zibanejad had positive things to say about their new coach. Kreider, who played at Boston College, said he nearly went to Boston University, and “a big part of that was Coach Quinn.” Zibanejad was appreciative that Quinn traveled to Sweden during the summer to meet with him, goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Jesper Fast.
When Quinn met with reporters on Thursday, he stressed patience, as well as the importance of practicing hard.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time,” he said. “Once we get on the ice I’ll have a clearer picture of what everybody is capable of doing, their strengths and weaknesses . ... We want to be a fast, physical, relentless hockey team. You can’t play that way unless you practice that way.”
That will begin today when the team breaks into three groups for daily practices.
Between the pipes
The 36-year-old Lundqvist is back for his 14th season after going 26-26-7 with a 2.98 goals-against average — the highest of his career. It was also just the second time he finished with fewer than 30 wins; the other was the lockout-shortened 2012-13, when he was 24-16-3.
“I think he’s in a great mindset,” Quinn said. “He wants to be part of the next wave and win a Stanley Cup here. He’s in incredible shape, he’s an incredible competitor and he’s one of the best in the business.”
Alexandar Georgiev went 4-41 with a 3.15 GAA in 10 games down the stretch, and Marek Mazanec was signed after compiling a 8-13-4 mark with a 2.98 GAA in 31 career games for the Nashville Predators.