The International Ice Hockey Federation issued a four-year suspension to the 27-year-old Russian center after he tested positive for the drug.

Hey guys, can you feel that underwhelming sense of skeptical excitement in the air? Yes, that’s right: the NHL lock-out is (almost certainly) over.

According to Forbes magazine, the Washington Capitals are the third most worthless team in the National Hockey League. This is a big step up from last year, when they were number one! Of course, being businessmen and not hockey fans, the boys at Forbes have failed to take into account the kinds of younger, developing players that the Caps hold, ready to carry them to success either this year or in the immediate future. If…

The cool, crisp autumn air blows through pumpkin fields. The calendar reads “October”, and the days are getting shorter. Lucky baseball fans are afflicted by the phenomenon known as Pennant Fever. Or, if you’re like us (and fans of about 5 other teams), you’ve got Managerial Vacancy Fever. The only prescription? More rumors! Independent of non-news, there are some area sports teams playing actual games this weekend. Caps Open Season With Low Expectations, Booze…

Last night’s all-night negotiation session appears to have resurrected hockey. The National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association confirmed today that a new agreement has been reached, effectively ending the lockout that annihilated the 2004-2005 season. The new deal, details of which have not formally been announced, must be ratified by both the league and union before we can breathe a sigh of relief and pull our Caps jerseys out of the mothballs. But, this…

In the week since the NFL concluded its season with the Pro Bowl festivities in Honolulu, football fans have become reacquainted with their spouses and dependents, gotten out of their homes a bit more, and have been uncomfortably reminded of the National Hockey League’s non-existence. But even as the roar of the crowd and memories of another Patriots championship slowly fade, the front office of your Washington Redskins has been buzzing with activity. Tomorrow is…