Capitals Look To Knuble For Leadership

from Gary Graves of USA TODAY, As Knuble’s role takes shape with the defending Southeast Division champions — he was projected to play on the top line with Ovechkin when he signed July 1, but his first two games were with the second unit — he has made inroads. The club named him an alternate captain, the first time the 6-3, 223-pound Toronto native recalls starting a season with that title. “That’s part of the deal of coming in, being an older player and (the team looking to) a more veteran guy,” he said. “It’s still a young core group, but there are leaders all over and guys lead by experience by their play on the ice. It’s an honor, though.” Of his Philadelphia homecoming, he added, “It’s going to be weird.” His true value might be defined in the playoffs, when the Capitals hope Knuble influences their younger players the same way since-departed Sergei Fedorov did last season. Knuble is coming off a 27-goal season, so there’s no doubt his stick carries as much weight as his voice. more When Mike was a rookie with the Wings, we happened to live in the same city and would run into each other on occasion.  I remember Mike had that “deer in the headlights” stare with him at the time and it is nice to see the progress Mike has made in the NHL.