Lack of Nylander Move Causes Caps to Lose Bourque
It was a risky move and, as it turns out, a big mistake.
The Caps have officially lost Chris Bourque to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
I had heard that the Rangers had expressed interest in the diminutive, yet scrappy forward, but as it turns out, Chris Bourque will now be joining former Caps Brent Johnson and Matt Cooke as members of the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
The worst part is that all of this could have been avoided if there had been a solution to the Michael Nylander situation.
Since nothing could be agreed upon between the team and player, George McPhee was forced to pass a strong prospect through the waiver wire.
If anyone thought that Bourque wasn't going to get a look from someone else, they must have been kidding themselves.
It is a real shame that Chris will not get to start in the role that he rightly earned with his strong camp, but hopefully Pittsburgh won't make the same mistake and will give the kid a chance to prove he can earn a spot.
Good luck Chris, hopefully this will be only the beginning of a strong NHL career.
As for the results of this situation, expect Keith Aucoin to join the Capitals in Boston on Thursday, unless for some weird reason Michael Nylander gets the nod or Eric Fehr gets healthy alot faster than people were expecting.
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Update:
Washington recalled left wing Boyd Kane from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) Wednesday and assigned goaltender Michal Neuvirth (NOY-vihrt) to the Bears. Left wing Chris Bourque was claimed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two players – right wing Eric Fehr and left wing Tomas Fleischmann – will open the season on injured reserve.
It appears that Boyd Kane has been called up by the Capitals and will be Chris Bourque's replacement on Thursday night in Boston.(H/T to Aldred for mentioning this before I even got the Press Release from the team)
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I, like many Caps fans, am extremely disappointed in the events that have transpired.
The Nylander situation has been dangling over McPhee's head for quite some time and his lack of a solution has now officially cost the team a top prospect.
Although it is very disheartening to lose Bourque, the responsibility of turning this into a positive situation must come from George McPhee. His actions, or lack thereof, leave this team short a 3rd line winger, one who was a young, but highly touted prospect.
I will be back with more information, and whether or not the Caps claimed anyone for their own.
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Go Caps!!!!!
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