Goaltending Prospects Have Capitals Excited

They've done the shootout drill many times this week. Ten pucks on the blueline; first team to put them all behind the goaltender is spared the suicide skates. But this time at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, the drill was less about the shooters than it was the opposing goalies.

Simeon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth -- prized prospects who should compete for the Washington Capitals' starting job in the coming seasons -- stood at opposite ends of the ice, turning away shot after shot. The 20-year-olds have been touted as two of the best goaltenders in their age group since Washington selected them 11 picks apart in 2006 -- Varlamov going first at 23rd overall and Neuvirth at 34th -- and team officials hope they will make significant gains by the time recently acquired netminder José Theodore's two-year contract expires.

While they are traveling the same path, the goaltenders' styles and strengths are on opposite ends of the spectrum. The baby-faced Neuvirth is efficient with his movement in the crease, never overreacting, and waits patiently for the shooter to make his move. Varlamov has larger reactions to plays and often uses an explosive lateral stride that helps him snare shots other goalies might be unable to reach.

"When we drafted them I thought that Michal looked a little more mature with how he played and that Simeon had the tremendous athletic ability," Capitals goaltending coach Dave Prior said. "But this year Michal's made some gains with his physical maturity so he's stronger in net, and Simeon's made some gains in the structure of his game. They're kind of closing in on the same peak from different directions."

Prior might not be able to communicate as thoroughly with Varlamov, who doesn't speak English, but he instantly noticed the Russian's overflowing confidence. Varlamov amassed a 2.45 goals against average and three shutouts as the top netminder for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl last season and came within one game of a championship with five shutouts and a 1.62 GAA in 16 postseason games.

Varlamov said through an interpreter this week that he didn't mind competing with Neuvirth, adding that although he'd like to play in the NHL as soon as possible, he will need time to adjust to the North American game.

Interpreter Dmitry Chesnokov paraphrased Varlamov's remarks: "He's been studying NHL film and knows what he needs to improve, first being stickhandling and playing with the stick. . . . [He] also needs to adjust to the smaller rinks, because pucks rebounding off the boards are different and players shoot more. He needs to adjust to that style."

The language barrier remains an obstacle for Varlamov as well, limiting his ability to communicate with coaches and teammates if there isn't another Russian player nearby to translate.

Conversely, Neuvirth, a Czech, taught himself English during his two years in the Ontario Hockey League and after winning the OHL championship in 2006-07 (26-8-4) is searching to regain his comfort in net.

In 2007-08, he posted a 17-7-8 record and .911 goals against average but was traded twice and suffered several fluke injuries, including a knee injury that required surgery three months ago. This week's development camp was the first time Neuvirth, whom Prior compares to Cristobal Huet, skated and took shots since the injury, and Prior wants to make sure his young pupil doesn't put too much pressure on himself trying to regain his form.

"I think he really wants to get back and enjoy the same success that he had before," Prior said. "When you have the talent, you're never in over your head even at the NHL level. If you threw either of those guys out they wouldn't get beat because they're not quick enough or skilled enough; they'll be beat because they're not experienced enough and that time is really what they need."

Notes: Forward Boyd Gordon yesterday accepted a one-year, one-way contract worth $725,000, leaving defenseman Shaone Morrisonn, who is expected to go to arbitration on July 24, as the only unsigned Capital.