Last week we reported that the Capitals signed unrestricted free agent center Michael Nylander to a four year contract worth $19.5 million (U.S.). One day earlier, an Alberta radio station reported that the Edmonton Oilers signed unrestricted free agent center Michael Nylander to a four year contract worth $22 million (U.S.). Reportedly Nylander’s agent had emailed acceptance to Edmonton, but Nylander’s wife then exercised veto power over the prospect of life in the Canadian prairie….

How unimportant is the Young Stars game? Well, they play it three days after the All-Star game, on a Tuesday. The teams are about half the size of real hockey teams, they skate four on four for the entire game, and the players aren’t allowed to hit each other.

It’s been almost eighteen months since the last time a professional hockey game was played in Washington. Tonight, that streak ends, as the Capitals take to the ice to play their preseason home opener against the Buffalo Sabres. A lot has changed during the labor dispute. The NHL has been busy drafting rule changes aimed at encouraging offensive production. More significant, no doubt, will be the roster changes. Teams throughout the NHL have been…