In The Crease

Second-year defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, 20, is fast becoming the dominating all-around blueliner most observers expected when the Panthers selected him with the third pick of the 2002 draft. Part of the reason for his development is the presence of 24-year-old Mike Van Ryn, another offensive-minded defenseman who has blossomed this year. The talented Van Ryn, who was obtained from the Blues in a trade last March, has taken some of the load off Bouwmeester....

Don't be surprised if the Capitals, who were 1-6-1-0 through Sunday, fire either G.M. George McPhee or coach Bruce Cassidy shortly. The blame, however, lies with owner Ted Leonsis, who insisted that Washington trade for Jaromir Jagr in 2001 and then signed middling center Robert Lang a year later. Both players have been terrible disappointments and are untradable because of the irresponsible contracts Leonsis gave them ($11 million per year for Jagr; $5 million a season for Lang)....

Defenseman Steve Staios is not a big-name player, but it is important for the Oilers to resign him before he becomes a free agent this summer. The steady Staios leads Edmonton's blueliners in minutes played.