So Michael Nylander was sent to Grand Rapids of the AHL rather than Hershey purportedly to allow for more playing time for Caps prospects in Hershey.  Is that really consistent with the Caps philosophy?

Without getting too deeply into the machinations of what could happen if you bring a first line player into Hershey, the Caps organizational philosophy clearly is to field a sufficient number of veterans in Hershey who are good-to-very good AHL players but who have nary a chance to be NHL regulars to compete every year for a Calder Cup (which to me, isn't terribly consistent with "send Nylander to Grand Rapids so our prospects can play").  Other organizations have a different philosophy -- allow their best prospects, or at least prospects who have a chance, to play more significant minutes in the AHL and really not care how the team performs at the end of the day.  In other words, for organizations like the Caps, it's sign guys like Giroux, Aucoin, Pinzotto, etc, compete for a chance at the Calder Cup, and give their true prospects a chance at an extended run in a playoff atmosphere (and no playoff atmosphere in the AHL can compete with Hershey).  For other teams, its give the younger guys a shot in the most pressure packed situations and see how they compete.  Personally, I like the way the Caps have approached it but I'd be very interested in the superlative wisdom of the Japers' crowd on this issue. 

From Hendrick's Hockey via hockey30.com (and ESPN's hockey Rumors)

According to Hockey30.com, they report that their Sweden correspondent has spoken to Forsberg and he wants to play for the Caps. And the interest is mutual from the Capitals according to the correspondent. Forsberg is currently playing over in Sweden working on an attempt for a comeback in the NHL. If this does happen, the Capitals will have to figure out what do with Michael Nylander. If they can free up the cap space that is Nylander's contract, they could land Peter Forsberg. Time will tell. Could this be the signing, if Forsberg remain helathy, to get the Caps to the Cup. Stay tuned...

http://www.hendrickshockey.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=602:peter-forsberg-to-the-caps&catid=40:the-rumors&Itemid=90