"Defenseman John Erskine is still a few weeks away from being cleared for contact, but Coach Bruce Boudreau said the Capitals are prepared to start the season with the six healthy defensemen they do have in the lineup.

Whether considering a blue-chip prospect like Dmitry Orlov, who was assigned to the Bears today, or more seasoned AHLers like Sean Collins or Patrick McNeill, Boudreau said the Capitals want players to get the ice time that wouldn't be available if they were the extra blueliner in Washington.

"Right now we have six and they're healthy," Boudreau said. "If they're not going to play because these six are going to play, we'd rather have them playing in Hershey than sitting and watching games here.""