Nylander Returns to Caps, Ready to Be a Leader
Veteran Center Will Assist Ovechkin, Semin

By Tarik El-Bashir
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 15, 2007

Most of the players made a beeline for the locker room after yesterday's scrimmage. A few of them, though, remained on the ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex for some extra practice.

Among the loiterers was Michael Nylander, the best center to play in Washington since, well, the last time he played here.

For about 15 minutes, he lightly tapped a puck back and forth, forehand to backhand. The 34-year-old Swede grunted and grimaced, rarely looking up from his stick, which, by the way, had 18 pucks taped near the blade.

If there was any question about Nylander's commitment to remaining one of the league's elite players after signing a four-year, $19.5 million contract with the Capitals in July, he provided an answer on the first day of training camp without saying a word.

"I try to be ready for every game, play good and work hard in games and practice," said Nylander, whose first stint in Washington stretched from November 2002 to March 2004. "I want to get this team together and get the belief in the group that we have a good team and can play good."

Whether that happens could depend on Nylander's ability to mesh with the Capitals' top scorers, Alex Ovechkin or Alexander Semin, and jump-start the 24th-ranked power play (16.4 percent effectiveness). Last season, Nylander set career highs for goals and points -- 26 and 83, respectively -- while centering Jaromir Jagr's line in New York.

"I'm happy," Ovechkin said. "He's a great center."

Although it's assumed Nylander will play with Ovechkin, yesterday he centered a line with Semin and prospect Francois Bouchard. Asked if he knew which line Nylander would play on, Capitals Coach Glen Hanlon smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I do," he said, declining to elaborate. "There's not going to be a lot of fun for the armchair quarterbacks and second-guessers the first few days of training camp. Whatever you see in lines aren't what you are going to see in the regular season."

Regardless of which of the Russian left wings he plays with, Nylander quickly showed what he's capable of doing for Washington. Not only was he the fastest and most agile player, he scored a goal in the scrimmage, wowed fans with his deft passes and maintained control of the puck for as long he wanted.

Nylander was similarly impressed with what he saw on the ice.

"They started out building a team with a lot of young guys, and now they are adding a few pieces to the puzzle," Nylander said. "Small things can make a big difference. In this league, everything is so tight. A few points here and there, you can be either in and out of the playoffs."

Nylander said his family's familiarity with the area and the youthful Capitals' potential were major factors for him when chose Washington over Edmonton.

"My family has to be a big part of the decision," he said. "I have [six] kids to take care of. My wife likes the Bethesda area, where she spent a little bit of time. That was a big part of it. And you look at the team and what the future can bring, and this team has a great future."

Nylander declined to discuss the controversy that surrounded his signing, which Edmonton General Manager Kevin Lowe protested, alleging it came after the player and his agent had agreed to sign with the Oilers.

"It was a situation that happened," he said. "But it's behind me now, and I'm looking forward to the season."

Capitals Note: Forward Viktor Kozlov was struck on the cheek by an errant clearing pass. He did not return, but the injury was not thought to be serious.