We hardly knew ye. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Washington Capitals goaltending prospect Sergey Kostenko has left the organization and will return to Russia to compete for a spot with his home team, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, the team’s head coach Alexander Kitov told Novokuznetsk Sports Portal. Last year, off-season shoulder surgery, several injuries, and an organizational goalie logjam limited Kostenko to just six games with the ECHL’s Reading Royals. Later in the season, Kostenko was loaned to the Ontario Reign where he made three more starts.

Kitov also commented on the future of two other Novokuznetsk-natives: Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov and Winnipeg Jets forward Ivan Telegin.

From Novokuznetsk Sports Portal:

Kostenko returns to Novokuznetsk. He’ll come here tomorrow or day after [Kitov said a few days ago]. As far as I know, he has ended his relationship with his North American partners. If Sergei doesn’t ask for a trade, he’ll attend Metallurg camp. He can prove he can be competitive here. We’re not throwing away players like that especially since we know him well. I think he’s experienced for his level. He’ll get his chance to prove himself.

In regards to Telegin – we had talks with his agent. But Ivan has one more year on his contract with the Jets and he’ll try to crack the NHL roster. Otherwise we’d be pleased to invite him.

Orlov’s situation is a little different. I’d say Dima doesn’t really want [to come back] at this point. But we’re working and we stay in touch with everyone.

The Capitals will still control Kostenko’s rights if he ever chooses to return in the future.

Thanks to Caser for finding the story.

Photo credit: Tom Wilson

Digging up embarrassing photos and videos of new hires and signings is a thing we like to do here at RMNB. Recall last summer, when George McPhee hired Adam Oates as the team’s new head coach we shared video of Oates guest-starring in an episode of Nickelodeon’s GUTS. With 19-year-old Tom Wilson joining the Capitals and potentially making his debut in game five on Friday night, here’s a photo of Wilson fishing as a kid.

Please observe that multi-colored bead necklace Wilson is wearing. I’m going to go out on the limb and say he made it with his own nimble fingers. How else would one build up the hand-eye coordination to punch someone in the face once one grows up? And the kid is ripped. As a kid I was taller than most of my classmates, but I never looked like Rambo.

Congratulations to Tom. Best of luck –whenever you actually play.

Kuzya skates with the national team. (Photo credit: Champtionat.com)

Evgeny Kuznetsov has been engulfed in rumors of trades to the KHL’s Dynamo Moscow and getting lured out of his current deal by Capitals officials. But speaking with Mikhail Zislis of Sport-Express, Kuznetsov cleared the air on both sides of the Atlantic. Kuznetsov squashed the rumors and restated that he’ll make the jump to the NHL next year.

From Sport-Express:

Is there anything behind the information that Washington has a representative flying over to Helsinki looking to get you over there sooner?

No, it’s a conspiracy. Don’t believe it [smiles]. I keep up with the people from the Capitals, talk to them friendly over the phone. Nothing new has happened in regards to that. They invited me to visit and talk. They know my plans well. I have decided for myself to spend the next year in Russia and then go to the NHL. Why should I rush?

Are the talks about getting traded to Dynamo worrying you?

Not at all. I’m planning to spend the next 365 days with Traktor. Don’t belive anything else. There are people who like to talk about everything, but they can write whatever.

You’re so confident as if there were no Nichushkin trade to Dynamo.

That was a whole different story.

Kuznetsov’s re-commitment to Washington is noteworthy, but his ability to speak authoritatively about his team’s asset-management decisions is a bit less certain.

Photo credit: Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s Kyle Mace

Washington Capitals 2012 first-round pick Tom Wilson has played just two games for the Hershey Bears, but he’s already made a huge impact. After scoring 9 goals (including a hat trick) and 17 points in 12 playoff games with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers, Wilson scored his first professional goal on Sunday for the Hershey Bears. And it happened because he got under the skin of 2011-12 AHL leading scorer Chris Bourque.

View video of the play here. (GIF by welshhockeyfan)

Early in the second period, Wilson — skating on Hershey’s fourth line — decked the former Capitals draft pick along the boards. Bourque responded by tripping Wilson to the ice, which drew a power play for Hershey.

Video via welshhockeyfan

Bourque and Wilson met again late in the third period. Wilson once again knocked Bourque over after the diminutive forward passed away the puck. Both players got matching minors, Wilson for interference and Bourque for unsportsmanlike conduct (diving).

I nominate this for goal call of the year by the way. It begins at the 4:03 mark. (Video via The Hershey Bears)

When the two penalties expired, the Bears controlled the puck in Providence’s offensive zone. Wilson sprinted towards the net as Julien Brouillette unleashed a shot from the point. Wilson beat the speedy Bourque to the rebound, giving Hershey the lead for the first time and nearly giving Scott Stuccio, the voice of the Bears, an aneurysm.

The goal would have stood up as the game-winner, but the Bears wilted during the stretch, losing to the number one-seeded Providence 5-4 and forcing a fifth and decisive game on Wednesday.

Regardless of the outcome, Hershey Bears Head Coach Mark French was excited about the expanded role Wilson earned in his first two professional games over the weekend.

“I thought Wilson was really good,” French said after the game. “[Saturday] night, his first pro game, we monitored his minutes a little bit. He played about 10. And [Sunday] I thought he looked good again. We elevated him in our line combinations and he responded to that.”

When I asked French about how Wilson, a prospect known for his size, won a foot-race with one of the quickest players on Providence for his goal, French gushed. “I think that’s the reason why people are so high on him,” he said. “He’s obviously got the size and for a big guy he uses it. But as you mentioned, he’s got some underrated speed and puck skills. I think that’s the combination that everybody’s excited about.”

As the game went along, Wilson could also be seen getting into the game another way. Standing on the Hershey bench, Wilson constantly yapped at Providence Bruins players as they came back. He also got in a verbal sparring match with Chris Bourque while in the penalty box. French appreciated the sandpaper Wilson brought to the game.

“He gets involved!,” French exclaimed. “You know, it’s funny because when we had him in Development Camp, there was a part of his game where he liked to get involved in the discussion. I didn’t see it much [Saturday] night, but I assume with him being a little bit more comfortable, he got involved.”

Yes, yes he did. After seeing Wilson’s big night tonight, I would not be surprised if he makes the Capitals out of training camp next season. Despite only being 19-years-old, Wilson is a fiery competitor who skates really well and has good hands. His physical game can be game-changing.

Additional Photos

Photo credit: Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s Kyle Mace

Evgeny Kuznetsov denied on a breakaway by Dynamo’s Alexander Yeremenko during the Gagarin Cup Finals (Photo credit: R-Sport)

Sport-Express is reporting a potential trade between Dynamo Moscow and Traktor Chelyabinsk involving Evgeny Kuznetsov, one of the KHL’s brightest stars and a prominent Caps prospect. According to one of  Russia’s most popular sports publications, Kuznetsov may follow two other young forwards, Valery Nichushkin and Maxim Karpov, who have already been traded from Chelyabinsk to Moscow.

From Sports-Express:

After Valery Nichushkin and Maxim Karpov, another Traktor player may move to Dynamo: Evgeny Kuznetsov. According to [Sport-Express'] information, blue-and-whites [Dynamo] have started talks with Traktor about buying the rights and contract of the 2012 World Champion and 2011 World Junior Champion. Kuznetsov is currently with the Russian national team at the World Championships, but hasn’t been placed on the finalized roster yet.

If this rumor is true, Traktor is in a state of upheaval, and it’s possible Evgeny Kuznetsov may be headed to Washington sooner than planned– or not at all.

This would be a curious twist in Kuznetsov’s career. As a hometown favorite in Chelyabinsk, it seemed unlikely that Traktor would trade him away. But after selling Nichushkin and Karpov and not retaining the services of Deron Quint, it’s apparent that Traktor is shaking things up. It’s not quite a fire sale yet, but it may be one soon. As Sports.ru blogger Igor Eronko put it, Dynamo Moscow is in talks to acquire basically all of Traktor Chelyabinsk.

If Kuznetsov does get traded, his contract with Traktor (with one year remaining) will become inactive, and Kuznetsov will be obligated to sign with Dynamo on the same terms. If he does not sign, his rights in the KHL/VHL/MHL system will be held by Dynamo organization, and he’ll be considered a “conflict” player (KHL Legal Regulations, chapter 5, article 35, paragraph 5 and chapter 3, article 11, paragraph 1).

That means Kuznetsov might be able to sign with the Capitals this year. Situations like this have happened before. Last year, Metallurg Magnitogorsk traded Juhamatti Aaltonen to Traktor. Aaltonen then refused to sign with his new club and was assigned “conflict” status. He played the season in the Swedish Elitserien with Rogle BK. On the other hand, the KHL-NHL’s “Memorandum of Understanding” is not entirely clear on how this situation might resolve.

As you might remember, Dynamo advisor Alex Ovechkin (who moonlights as a hockey player) has publicly said that Kuznetsov made the wrong decision in staying in Russia for two more years.

Evgeny Kuznetsov in Team Russia practice facility. (Photo credit: Sovetsky Sport)

4PM UPDATE: A few days ago Team Russia head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov announced three goalies and 25 skaters, including Kuznetsov, who “would be travelling to Helsinki and Stockholm for the Worlds Championship tournament.” Not all of the players named by the coach will be on the Team Russia’s final roster. IIHF rules allow for the minimum of 15 skaters and 2 goalies to be named no later than today; players can be added to the roster at any time during the tournament, up to the maximum of 22 skaters and 3 goalies. While some teams have filed their full rosters, Team Russia is taking an incremental approach. They announced today the first group of players – 3 goalies, 5 defensemen, and 11 forwards. Evgeny Kuznetsov does not appear on the list. Kuzya may make the team later, especially if some of the Russian players currently involved in the Stanley Cup playoffs do not make a quick 1st round exit.

ORIGINAL STORY: Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov has been named to Team Russia for the 2013 IIHF World Championships, which begin Friday in Sweden and Finland.

Kuznetsov won gold in last year’s World Champs while playing in a limited role. Kuzya has been less than impressive in the last few months, earning Joey Crabb treatment by national team coach Zinetula “Bill” Bilyaletdinov, playing on the fourth line at the EuroHockeyTour tournament in Czech Republic. To his credit, Kuznetsov looked impressive in his limited ice time, which probably secured him a spot on the national team. After the tournament, Kuznetsov, who has been encouraged to tweak his game to a less flashy, more steady team style by Traktor coach Valery Belousov, complained about the “black cat on his shoulder” that’s been bringing him bad luck for the last half of the season. He told reporters that he has set a conditioning program for the off-season to come back in a better shape for the beginning of next season.

Traktor will sure need it. Despite retaining star goalie Michael Garnett, top line forwards Jan Bulis and Stanislav Chistov and second-line center Petri Kontiola, there are still a lot of question marks surrounding future of the Traktor squad. Despite being far from the richest team in the league, the club from hockey-obsessed Chelyabinsk has had two long playoff runs in the last couple years. Now they’ve lost their top all-situation defenseman Deron Quint, veteran forward Maxim Yakutsenya as well as few of the youngest members of the squad: defenseman Nikita Nesterov and forwards Maxim Karpov and Valery Nichushkin.

In slightly less important Kuzya news, Hockey’s Future has named him their Prospect of the Year. If you’re the world’s prospect even in your ‘down’ year, that’s quite impressive.

Photo credit: Mike Hensen

After a thrilling third period comeback against the London Knights, the Plymouth Whalers wilted in overtime to Dale Hunter’s crew, 5-4. The game five loss in the OHL’s Western Conference Finals ended Plymouth’s season. The good news for Caps fans is that because of the Whalers early exit, 2012 first-round pick Tom Wilson will be able to make his debut in the Capitals organization imminently.

Way back on March 29th when Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee addressed the media in a 40-minute long fireside chat, he was asked bluntly if he’d like Wilson join the Bears after his season ended in Plymouth. McPhee reponded,”Mm-hmm. Yeah.”

“To bring the kid straight to the NHL — maybe he’s ready for the NHL — but I’d rather him start in Hershey and see how it goes,” McPhee explained. “If he’s good enough to play here, you can make a change. It helps everyone to spend a little time in the minors.”

A few minutes after Plymouth’s loss Friday, the voice of the Bears, Scott Stuccio, confirmed what McPhee said, expecting Wilson to join Hershey in their playoff series against the Providence Bruins.

Would expect Tom Wilson to join @thehersheybears at some point in this series… #noroomonthebusthough

— Scott Stuccio (@ScottStuccio) April 27, 2013

Now that we know where Wilson will play for the rest of this season, the question then becomes, where will Wilson play next year? And that answer is slightly more complicated.

The first thing we know is that Wilson won’t be eligible to start the season in Hershey, even though he will join them in the playoffs this year. It’s because of something called the CHL-AHL agreement. Players under 20-years-old are only eligible to play in the AHL after their season in the CHL is over each year.

Per Prospect Annex:

Specifically, the rule says that if a player played in junior before they were drafted by the NHL, then they have to either be 20 years old by Dec. 31 OR have played four years of junior in order to play in the minors. That second condition rarely comes into effect. It would only apply to players who began in the CHL at age 15.

Since Wilson will turn 20 in March of 2014, he only has two options next season: he can make the Washington Capitals out of training camp, or he will be returned back for one final season in the OHL.

When McPhee was asked in March if he thought Wilson could impress him enough in camp to play in the NHL next year, he stated that it was a possibility. After pointing out several Capitals players who made the jump to the NHL only a year after they got drafted like Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson, Alex Ovechkin, and John Carlson, McPhee said that for him, the player’s ability –not his age — is what forces his hand.

“As I’ve often said, they make the decision for us,” McPhee said. “If somebody’s ready, we’ll play them. It never hurts them to play a little bit longer at the amateur level. It can hurt them if you play them too early at [the NHL] level.”

If Wilson does begin the season in Washington, he’s allowed to play nine games with the team that year (including the playoffs) before a year of his entry-level contract is burned off.

Regardless of where Wilson ends up, McPhee is excited about him, especially after Wilson score nine goals and 17 points in 12 playoff games.

“He’s going to be a fun player to watch,” the excitable GM in his own right said. “He’s a real competitive kid. Real physical. He’s really improved. He’s done a lot of penalty killing this year. He’s on the power play. And what’s going to make him a real good player is the way he works. He really works hard all night long.”

What another amazing season in the books with such a great group of guys. The past 3 years with @pwhalers family has just flown by!

— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) April 27, 2013

Additional reporting by Fedor Fedin.

Photo credit: OHL

After netting a hat trick against the London Knights in game 2 of the OHL Western Conference Finals, Tom Wilson has continued to bolster his status as an elite playoff performer.

Wilson, whose tremendous play in last year’s postseason secured him a spot in the draft’s first round, scored three more goals in the next two games. Both times Wilson’s goals helped to build Plymouth’s comeback efforts, but the Knights took the lead back and won. In both games, the final score was 6-4 London.

Wilson’s consecutive goals begin at 1:00 mark. Carrick’s tremendous backhand cross-ice assist is at 1:45.

In game 3, Wilson’s goals helped the Whalers to pull off a miraculous come back. The Whalers started third period down 3-0 (two of the Knights goals by potential first-rounder Bo Horvat). Wilson scored two consecutive goals in less than four minutes, allowing his team to get back in the game. Five minutes later, a big goal by Ducks’ prospect Rickard Rakell tied the game. Fast-forward one minute and Mitchell Heard gave the Whalers the lead off of amazing cross-ice feed by Carrick.

Then the Whalers’ emotion started working against them. Connor Carrick picked up a minor for cross-checking, and London’s Max Domi tied the game on the ensuing powerplay. 50 seconds later, Seth Griffith gave the Knights the lead. A frustrated Heard shoved one of the Knights in the back of the head, picking up a major for check to the head, burying his team’s hopes of tying the game. Wilson and Vince Trocheck later picked up misconducts for “Persisting” – trying to start a fight despite the linesmen keep the players apart. The Knights kept their cool and coasted to victory as Domi scored an empty-netter.

Wilson’s assist is at the beginning of the video. His goal – a deflection off Carrick’s shot – is at the 1:40 mark. Two more of Carrick’s assists are at 0:35 (notice Wilson screening the goalie) and 1:25 marks.

In game 4, the Whalers started off well, twice getting the lead in the first period and outshooting the opposition. The Knights managed to tie the game going into intermission and then took a two-goal lead by the halfway point. Late in the period, the Whalers tied the game (Wilson provided the equalizer), but the Knights scored early in the third.

Tom Wilson, who missed three games with a reported concussion, has 16 points in 11 games, placing him 7th in playoff points per game and tenth overall in points.

Game 5 may end the Whalers’ season. It will be played in London  at 7PM EST. The OHL has streaming available to watch.

Photo credit: Plymouth Whalers

Washington Capitals first-round pick Tom Wilson put up another impressive playoff performance. In game two against regular-season champions the London Knights, Wilson scored three goals and added an assist (unofficially as of right now) as his team won 4-3 in double overtime.

Potential 2013 first-rounder Bo Horvat opened the scoring after winning a puck battle in the corner, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead that they preserved until the end of the first period. Wilson tied the game in the second, holding his stick behind his back to score a wild deflection goal.

Crazy.

The Knights took the lead back thanks to a powerplay snipe by Chris Tierney. Wilson went into beast mode after that, getting more physical as the game wore on. In the second period, he laid this big hit on Horvat.

In the third period, Wilson tied the game, scoring a powerplay goal off a rebound.

Three minutes later, 2013 first-round prospect Max Domi’s powerplay goal put the Knights back on top, but they couldn’t protect that lead. With 44 seconds to go, Wilson again tied the game, goal assisted by another Caps prospect, Connor Carrick.

Early in OT, the Knights had a sizable advantage. The Whalers improved as the first overtime period wore on, getting a few chances late. Whalers goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was tremendous (61 saves in the game). More of the same continued in the second OT. The Whalers killed off four penalties in OT before getting their first man advantage. They took full advantage of it. Gianluca Curcuruto’s shot was stopped, but Wilson stole the rebound again, feeding it to a wide-open Rickard Rakell, who didn’t miss the open net.

The series is now tied at one with the Whalers getting home-ice advantage. Game 3 will be played in Plymouth on Tuesday.

Tom Wilson knocks down Chris Bigras. (Photo credit: Plymouth Whalers)

Washington Capitals first round pick Tom Wilson recently missed three games with what OHL announcers described as a “minor ailment.” Wilson returned Friday night and had a huge impact in Game Five of the Plymouth Whalers’ playoff series against the Owen Sound Attack. In a 5-0 win that gave Wilson’s Whalers a 3-2 series lead, the Ten Train scored a power play goal and picked up six minutes of penalties — two coincidental roughing minors with Gemel Smith and Kurtis Gabriel and an unsportsmanlike conduct minor.

Wilson’s goal is at 1:00 mark. (Video credit: Plymouth Whalers)

Wilson’s tally was second of the game for the Whalers. Wilson redirected a slap pass by another Caps prospect, defenseman Connor Carrick. The Whalers also got two goals each from Senators draft pick Stefan Noesen and Avalanche prospect Mitchell Heard.

In regards to the injury Wilson suffered, Dobber Prospects writer Brendan Ross reported that Tom was recovering from a concussion he suffered in Game One of the series.

Word around the league (unofficially) is that Plymouth Whalers Tom Wilson missed Game 2 with a concussion. #OHLPlayoffs #Caps

— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) April 9, 2013

After his goal Friday, Wilson has nine points (three goals, six assists), which puts him in a tie for 19th place in OHL playoffs scoring. He’s done that despite playing three less games than his competitors. Carrick, who has 11 points in nine games, leads OHL defensemen in playoff points.

Whalers will face the Attack in Game 6 at 4PM on Sunday.