SEEN AND HEARD AT VERIZON CENTER
Bruce Boudreau coached his 1,171st professional regular-season game Tuesday, including his 126th with the Washington Capitals. But Wednesday will be only his second NHL trade deadline day in the league not as a player.
Boudreau has taken an observer role during the team’s trade deliberations. The trade deadline is Wednesday at 3 p.m.
“You become good listeners,” Boudreau said before the Capitals faced Carolina. “If they have a question and I might be of some assistance, they will ask. Other than that, I listen and observe. … A) I’m excited to see what goes on [Wednesday] as a hockey fan; and B) you’re anxious, you’re nervous and you want to see what direction your team is going in. It’s an exciting day in the hockey world.”
The Capitals aren’t expected to make any monster moves because they lead by 11 points in the Southeast Division and don’t want to give up any of their young stars for short-term rentals. Boudreau said his lack of familiarity with some of the teams makes him into a spectator during the talks.
“I’ve been in the league for just over a year - I don’t know some of these guys nearly as well as the scouts for sure,” he said. “If I do know them, I’ll give my opinion. But I don’t want to give false opinions, so I won’t say too much.”
As an AHL coach for seven-plus years, Boudreau was more involved.
“The AHL trade deadline was always three days after the NHL’s,” he said. “We would be in the same thing and have our little war room and talking about who we liked and who we didn’t. We would have a little more starring role in it, but everything would still have to go through the NHL parent club.”
- Ryan O’Halloran
DEALING DAY
Trades (and players involved) on the last five deadline days:
2008: 24 trades/44 players
2007: 25 trades/44 players
2006: 25 trades/40 players
2004: 7 trades/12 players
2003: 24 trades/46 players
* No season in 2005 and doesn’t include draft picks or future considerations
THREE STARS
Matt Cullen, Carolina
Two of his three points (goal, assist) came short-handed
Patrick Eaves, Carolina
Posted his first two-goal game of the season
Cam Ward, Carolina
Stopped Capitals’ first 26 shots and finished with 39 saves
Next three:
Thursday vs. Toronto, 7 p.m., CSN
Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, 3 p.m., CSN
Tuesday at Nashville, 8 p.m., CSN
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