Capitals winger Joel Ward figured he had a good idea about his role after signing with the club on July 1: Third line, right wing. But while that is likely to be his home for much of the 2011-12 season, Ward probably shouldn’t get too comfortable. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Bruce Boudreau likes to switch things up a little bit.
“I had no clue about that. I’m just excited to be on the ice,” said Ward, who was on the top line at practice on Thursday with Alex Ovechkin. “I like to just try to create some energy for my team, work hard, kill some penalties and if I can fit in playing power play that’s a bonus too. Wherever I’m slotted in, I know it’s a cliché, but whatever it takes to win games, that’s kind of the truth with me.”
Boudreau has said all along he will do some experimenting during camp. Don’t recall Nicklas Backstrom skating up top with Ovechkin yet and we’re two preseason games into this thing and a whole bunch of practices. Boudreau has said this week that Backstrom skating early in the year with Alex Semin on the second line might be a good way to get Semin going early. If he needs to rotate Ward, Mike Knuble and Troy Brouwer on that top line he’s obviously not afraid to do that, either.
“I just try to bring a little bit of energy and forechecking and little net presence,” Ward said. “Obviously they’re good puck handlers so if I can distribute the puck to them as quick as I can and get to the net and try to get to the net that will hopefully help create plays.”
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