10/30 Update: The video’s no longer available. At least we have a screenshot.

We give ESPN a hard time for its chronically bad hockey coverage, so we’ve gotta give them a pat on the butt when they do it right. That’s how you curb bad behavior, right? Michal Neuvirth’s stone-cold robbery of Eric Staal from last night’s Caps/ Canes game is SportsCenter’s top play of the day. And no names were flubbed. Laudable.

Who needs ESPN? The signing of right wing Eric Fehr to a two-year contract, reported to be worth $2.2 million per year, was brought to us the old-fashioned way: via Twitter, from Uno Seis himself while he summers at his cabin in Winkler, Manitoba. Take that Greenwich!

We know what you’re thinking: Do a joint “Two More Years” celebratory party at Front Page on July 31st! We would, but sadly Fehr intends to spend the rest of the summer in Manitoba before returning to D.C.

Speaking of D.C., Fehr made the most of his breakout 2009-10 campaign with the big club, scoring 2.71 points per 60 minutes on the ice at even strength. That was a better clip than Malkin, Marleau and Stamkos, albeit it against much weaker competition. With a GVT of 8.9 for the year, the 24-year-old goal scorer appears to be a solid 3rd-line player with 2nd-line upside. And that is going to be the question going into next season: Does Fehr log some time on the second line, where he should face some stiffer competition, or be a fixture on the third line paired with Chimera and possibly Perreault?

While starting 53.6% of his shifts in the offensive zone on a team known for its prolific offense is a definite advantage, that was about average for Washington’s forwards.  Improvement is needed in directing pucks to the net, as his CORSI of -5.5 relative to his teammates was on the low side.  However, Fehr reported on his press call that this is his first healthy offseason since his time in juniors, so he’s “expecting some big things next year.”

Some similarities can be seen in the career path of Alexei Ponikarovsky, who consistently scores 20 goals year in and year out and at age 30 had a similar cap hit, making Fehr a reasonably priced option for the next two years with some significant upside.

If you ever needed another reason to hate ESPN (beyond Barry Melrose’s Hair, Holding Gary Thorne hostage, or introducing us to Steven A. Smith), earlier today they came out with their new NHL Power Rankings. Where did Washington rank? First. Second.

Yes, ESPN ignored a ten game winning streak, where the Capitals plowed through the Flyers, Red Wings and Penguins like they were soft snow. Hell, ESPN even ignored their video-game-on-easy goal totals where the Capitals finished the month with 70 goals in 15 January games – 13 of those games were victories, 4 of the Free Wings Variety. Washington Post Columnist Tracee Hamilton even wrote about the team in this morning’s paper!

[The Capitals] scored 70 goals in January, exactly twice as many as their opponents. That’s an average of 4.67 goals a game, well above their season average of 3.82, which leads the league. During the 10-game streak, they’ve outscored their opponents 48 goals to 21. They’re on pace to score 313 goals this season, which would be the most an NHL team has racked up since the Detroit Red Wings scored 325 in the 1995-96 season.

Awesome analysis, Tracee. But let’s get back to the power rankings. If you read the comment they attribute towards the Capitals, it makes it seem like nobody in Bristol is even paying attention to the team. This article came out on February 1st, which was – welp – yesterday and, it’s been clear for a few days now that Canada’s Best Defenseman is uninjured and ready to play once he returns from suspension. But apparently ESPN still wants to milk that cow for all it’s worth:

The loss of Mike Green to suspension (three games for elbowing Michael Frolik) and potentially an injured knee (bruise) could be a big blow in coming days.

Sigh.

So let’s summarize, despite the blistering January, Alex Ovechkin being named the NHL’s first star of the month and Nicklas Backstrom being awarded the NHL’s Third Star of the Week, the Caps are not as good as San Jose right now. What does it freakin’ take?! Okay, fine. Whatever. I must refocus.

At least they’re 8 spots ahead of the Penguins.

I feel better already.