Ovechkin develops under Capitals’ Oates

Head scratcher: Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was named to both the NHL's first- and second-team all-star teams Wednesday. (CP/Paul Chiasson)

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OVECHKIN DEVELOPS UNDER CAPITALS’ OATES

CSNWashington.com spoke exclusively with Capitals coach Adam Oates on a variety of topics, including Hart-nominated captain Alex Ovechkin.

On what he learned about Ovechkin in his first season with him: “I learned that he’s a very coachable guy. We worked on a lot of things. Kind of like what I thought going in. I had to earn his trust and when I got it we were in a really good place. I think he’s got room to grow as a player and I think he’s a fantastic, fantastic player and he’s incredibly skilled.”

On if Ovechkin knew something had to change for him to get better: “Yeah, I mean, I think I showed him other parts of his game that he had and he still has lots more. He’s got lots more to his game in him.”

On if Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green, veterans in their mid-20s, need to get better if the Caps are to make that next step in the playoffs: “Agreed. Agreed. That’s not saying they’re not great players. It’s not. It’s just saying, Is there more in there? Of course. Michael Jordan had to play better. I mean, he was already an MVP but he had to play better for them to win a title, right? That’s what we’re saying. They’re great. We want them greater.”

TO TWEET, OR NOT TO TWEET…

UTICA POSITIVE MOVE FOR CANUCKS’ FARM TEAM

The Vancouver Sun describes how the Canucks are moving their American Hockey League farm team to Utica in upstate New York.

It’s vital, from a hockey standpoint, that all the Canucks prospects will remain together on one team. Had the orphaned AHL franchise not found a new home, general manager Mike Gillis would have been required to scatter his farmhands around the AHL, hardly an ideal situation for development.

“It’s just going to be beneficial for the growth of the young players,” noted said Scott Arniel, who is under contract for two more years to coach the Canucks’ minor-league affiliate. “By having their own team, the Canucks will be able to dictate what players go there. They will be able to put all their prospects there and even add some free agents, or whatever. It’s having the full say about who plays, who goes, everything.

“You don’t want to be scattering your prospects all over the country,” added Arniel. “Now the Canucks have an idea for the next couple of years what they’re doing and they have the opportunity to have their own team and get it started.”

DUPUIS, LETANG UP NEXT FOR PENGUINS

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes Penguins GM Ray Shero is expected to open negotiations with Pascal Dupuis’ agent, Allan Walsh, next week. Shero at least would like to know if Dupuis is set on testing the free-agent market when it opens July 5.

Dupuis seeks a four-year deal because this contract could prove to be his last. The Penguins would prefer a three-year term, but adding a year might score them cap relief.

The labor contract allows impending free agents to speak with other clubs before July 5. The Penguins would like to prevent Dupuis from choosing that option, but mostly they want to know by July 4 where they stand in his plans.

Kris Letang, like Evgeni Malkin did Wednesday, can agree to an extension this summer. Unlike Malkin, Letang has not indicated he will take less than market value.

A first-time finalist for the Norris Trophy, Letang has the clout to ask for at least double his current salary ($3.5 million), in addition to a max-length deal (eight years) with a no-movement clause.

The Tribune-Review lists three reasons why Letang’s tenure with the Penguins likely is nearing an end; the third of which is Letang wants a full no-movement clause, and Shero will not give that to any player other than Crosby and Malkin. To do so would be to court roster-building limitations.

VANCOUVER POLICE: NO WAY TO COMPLETELY PREVENT RIOTS

The Vancouver Province reflects on the fact that two years have passed since the infamous Stanley Cup riot, but the head of the policeman’s union says it could happen again.

Vancouver Police Union president Tom Stamatakis said Thursday “we’re still going to have those kinds of things happen. They are very difficult to predict. There’s no way to completely prevent riots.”

Recommendations from four official reports called for equipment upgrades like a new $800,000 command vehicle unveiled Thursday. Police said the “high-tech office” could help prevent future riots from getting out of control. The sleek black truck sports seven computers and a camera with a sightline of five kilometres.

“If the crowd is moving we can see them throwing Molotov cocktails,” said Police Supt. Daryl Wiebe. “It’ll inform my deployment.”

There have been 14 major sports-related riots in the past 78 years in Canadian cities.

OHLUND, SALO ENDORSE LIGHTNING’S BOWNESS

The Tampa Bay Times recalls the Lightning’s new associate coach taught Sami Salo for six seasons and Mattias Ohlund for three when he held the same position with the Canucks.

Salo said Rick Bowness is masterful at breaking down video and explaining player tendencies. Ohlund said his communication skills will be especially appreciated by younger players.

“He’s one of these guys you can tell he likes what he’s doing,” Ohlund said. “You can tell he enjoys going to work.”

Salo offered this: “He’s like an old-school coach. He’s a fired-up guy. You’ll see a lot of things happening behind the bench. You need to be positive and find the line where you need to push guys, and he has done that. “He’s going to be very good for our team.”

RED WINGS COUNTING ON GRIFFINS’ DEVELOPMENT

Michigan Live points out the future of the Detroit Red Wings is on display in the Calder Cup Finals with the Grand Rapid Griffins, and the brass likes what it sees.

“Success breeds confidence and that’s what we’re seeing,” said Ken Holland, the Red Wings general manager who has high hopes.

“We look at the age of this team and we’re hoping half of them end up in the National Hockey League, and lots of them are going to be in Detroit,” he said.

Seven current members of the Griffins played with the Red Wings this season, and five of them – forwards Gustav Nyquist, Joakim Andersson and Tomas Tatar, and defensemen Brian Lashoff and Danny DeKeyser – are strong candidates to stick with the parent club next season.

Two others who got their first, brief taste of the NHL, goalie Petr Mrazek and center Riley Sheahan, are prospects for the future. Tomas Jurco is also in the next wave.

WHAT THEY’RE TWEETING ABOUT

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