Goaltenders are like wine. When they're young, there isn't really anything special about them. They're drafted on promise and moldability and, in some cases, athleticism. It takes time and careful handling to mold them into NHL puck stopping machines; refining their mechanics and exposing them to better and better competition. Eventually, if you're lucky, you get to pop the cork on a special netminding talent that backstops your team for an entire generation.

The Washington Capitals currently have three bottles of grape juice young goaltenders manning the crease for them this season. One could assume all three are too young to take a team to the promised land, but just how accurate is that statement? How much experience does a goaltender need before they're ready to take over the reins and be a successful NHL starter? Let's take a look.

More, after we stop some pucks.

About a month ago, we brought you the story of Tommy Frew, an incredible man embarking on an incredible journey to become the oldest rookie in the NHL.  While many people have rallied behind Tommy after reading the articles published on his story [Bourne's Blog, Welland Tribune], he recently put together a video showcasing his skills (below) – and the responses of those who’ve seen it have been nothing short of rave.  We had an opportunity to talk to Tommy about his comeback, his expectations, MLX skates, and even Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau.

Read the Interview!

On Monday, Capitals fan favorite Matt Bradley announced his support for a great local cause, Save the Arlington Planetarium.  Bradley said, “It’s important that we all do our part to save Arlington’s Planetarium. The Planetarium provides programming for thousands of students of all ages each year. Show kids how important science is, help the Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium by donating today.” 

Just 3 minutes from the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Friends of Arlington's Planetarium will be hosting a "Kids' Night at the Planetarium" after the Caps game on Sunday. It will be an evening full of astronomy and fun! Check out space shows, take part in hands-on science activities, and observe the sun and moon through telescopes. Learn more and Get Directions.

In early 2010, Arlington Public Schools announced that it planned to close Arlington's Planetarium after more than 40 years of providing educational experiences to hundreds of thousands of children and community members. In response to the proposed closure, a group of local citizens started a grassroots effort to save the planetarium. In April 2010, the group formed Friends of Arlington's Planetarium, and soon was asked to raise $402,800 by June 30, 2011, for upgrades to the facility.  The organization launched a social media campaign and began hosting community events at the planetarium, including benefit concerts and "Night at the Planetarium" events. To date, over 2,000 people, local businesses, corporations, and Matt Bradley have donated their time or money to keep the planetarium open, but it still has to raise over $112,000 and needs your help.

When the Washington Capitals wore their throwback uniforms in the Winter Classic on New Years’ Day, we were reminded of just how good they looked. The Caps wore that uniform from 1974 to 1995, with some small modifications along the way. We have to say, it looks just as good now as it did back then. We’re even wondering if the Caps should make it a part of their regular jersey ensemble.

Read More About the Caps' Uniforms!

After having a relatively stable roster for two years, the Caps have been moving pieces in and out since the summer of 2009.  In Jason Arnott, the Caps seem to have finally nailed down their replacement for Sergei Fedorov and have settled on 4 centers heading into the playoffs.  To get a sense of what an accomplishment that is, let's take a look at the centermen who followed Fedorov into Capital exile.

Read on!

[Ed. Note - Re-posted from 2/25]

These are tense times in our Nation's Capital. Looming just one week over the horizon, Congress is threatening to furlough Federal Government workers until a new budget can be ironed out. For many, the idea of missed paychecks and forced, unpaid vacations is a scary prospect, especially considering there is no timeline for resolution of the issues. This is no laughing matter.

So, for those Caps Fans that are also workers in the Federal Government, the idea of an unplanned week (or more) of vacation has opened up some otherwise unavailable options for great hockey activities.

• Go to Kettler. Every day. Until they think you work there. Then find Perreault and tell him McPhee wants to see him.
• Get a head start on a playoff beard without having to go through that annoying 'boss wonders openly why you forgot to shave' stage.
• Take a trip to Florida for the week and catch two Caps games in the Sunshine State. Marvel at how many Rochester Americans are now skating for the Panthers.
• Take a trip to New England and catch a couple Hershey Bears games. Or simply head to Hershey for a weekend doubleheader, drink a lot of Lagers and don't worry about being hungover tired on Monday.
• Take the kids skating during the day. Oh wait... they kids have school. Haha! Now they'll know how you feel when they're on summer vacation.
• If you actually play, drop in at a 6am pick-up hockey session. All the 'regulars' will definitely not look at you funny, not talk behind your back and will definitely pass you the puck.
• Marvel at how the Metro heading down for games is nearly empty.
• Then realize you can now head down at 2pm, avoid rush hour fares and 'Peak of the Peak' pricing and down a few at your pub of choice before heading over for the game.
• Peruse the Scarlet Caps website looking for spelling errors.
• Watch all the late games on NHL Center Ice, go to bed at 3am, then rewatch a game on the NHL Network when you get up at 1pm.
• Enjoy unmonitored parking at metered spots by the Verizon Center?

When Yahoo! Sports' Dmitry Chesnokov reported that Capitals prospect Dmitri Orlov could be coming to the AHL Hershey Bears soon, we decided to see what that might mean for him and for the Bears.

The Washington Capitals selected the 6', 197-lb defenseman 55th overall in the 2009 draft, a steal considering his career potential.  A 17-year old Orlov showed off his flashy passing skills at Capitals Development Camp in July 2009 before returning to Russia.  Orlov returned to Caps Development Camp last July a year older and wiser after a season in the Kontinental Hockey League, and in much better condition.  This season in the KHL, the 19-year old Orlov has improved in many categories, 12 points in 45 games over 7 points in 41 last year, but his Metallurg Novokuznetsk squad is out of the playoff race.  With hockey season ending in Russia and his eagerness to ply his trade in North America, Orlov is considering making the jump to the AHL for the rest of the season.

Make the jump, too!

Earlier this month, former Capital Craig Laughlin joined the likes of current Capitals Karl Alzner, John Carlson, John Erskine, Eric Fehr, and Mike Green on twitter.  I, for one, was extremely excited, as this blog is huge fan of Locker - so much so that he's inspired a tee shirt and even a drinking game. But it got us thinking: Since we love twitter as much as the next guy, the brilliant minds behind RtR tried to imagine what it would be like if some of our favorite Capitals of years' past had the ability to tweet while in their prime.  The answer, after the jump.

After last season's abbreviated playoff run, Washington Capitals fans, tired of Game Sevens and early post season exits, wondered aloud if the Caps' run-and-gun system actually worked when it counted.

Sure, the Caps pumped plenty of shots at Jaroslav Halak over the last three games of the series. But in the end, they managed only a goal apiece in those games. Clearly, the offense was unable to produce goals and a hot goaltender was able to shut them down. Fans called for a change; a tweak to the system that would allow the Caps to succeed in the playoffs, hot goalies be damned. So what did the Caps' coaching staff do? They instituted a trap defense. And yes, it's working. But how is a trap going to help in the playoffs if the team suddenly couldn't score three goals if Slapshot's life depended on it?

Sadly, the answer is 'it's not'.

In a season full of perceived flaws (horribly average powerplay; young defense and goaltending; no true 2C), it seems as if the Caps' players, coaching staff and front office have one true flaw this season. That flaw?

Listening to us.

Caps fans scream for changes to the system and the system changes. Caps fans scream for a veteran defenseman and 'POOF!', Scott Hannan. Caps fans scream 'shoot it!' during the powerplay and the Caps rip off a low percentage, sharp angle shot when one more pass would mean a tap in. We're an educated a fan base and we all have opinions on what's ailing the Caps. But sometimes our collective calls for change lead to something unexpected: actual change. Clearly, we Caps fans are far too influential for our own good.

We've become the fan equivalent of the overbearing hockey parent who tells our kid's coach what he should do and yells from the stands at kids who just want to have fun. Sooner or later, the coach and the kids can't help but take notice. It stops being fun. I don't know about you, but I hate that parent. So whether you like it or not, I'm issuing a statement on behalf of all Caps fans:

Please don't listen to us.

Play whatever system you want. Shoot the puck whenever you want. Play whichever players you want. Just stop listening to us. We've proven we can withstand a rebuild and shown that we trust the powers that be to get it right. Sure, we each want our idea on how to fix things to be the one that takes the team to the next level. We're just not always right. We all want to be coaches and GMs.

Sometimes it's best to just be fans.

I have a favorite stick. It's a lightweight composite stick that has a fairly whippy flex. It is not babied. It takes low-80's slapshots. It poke checks. It gets slashed and stepped on and slammed into the boards. The most important and impressive fact about this stick is its age: I've been using it for 5 years. I figure I've put well over 1000 hours of ice time and several thousand shots on this stick and it still responds the same way it always has. Sure, the stick has plenty of dents and dings but it hasn't broken yet. So, if the technology exists to create a stick that is incredibly durable and remains lightweight and responsive, then I have a question:

Why can't CCM make a stick that lasts Alex Ovechkin more than one shift?

More, after we pick up little bits of carbon fiber.