NHL Rumors: Scouting, and the Washington Capitals
Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals

Scouting the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks …

  • Adrian Dater: Scouts listed for the Avs-Sharks: Candiens (2), Maple Leafs (2), Blackhawks (2), Red Wings (2), Kings (2), Panthers, Canucks, Stars and Coyotes.
  • L.A. Lariviere: Listed to attend for the Canadiens – Director of pro scouting Vaughn Karpan and amateur scout Scott Masters.

Scouting the Washington Capitals – Montreal Canadiens …

  • Chuck Gormley: Scouts listed for Caps-Habs: Blackhawks (2), Blue Jackets (2), Penguins (2), Flyers, Sharks and Lightning.

Scouting the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins …

  • Shawn Hutcheon: Scouts listed for Bruins-Penguins: Islanders, Devils, Stars, Flames, Blues, Canadiens, Senators and Hurricanes.

Scouting the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres …

  • Josh Cooper: Blues GM Doug Armstrong is on the scouting list.

On the Washington Capitals …

  • Chuck Gormley of CSN Mid Atlantic: Capital coach Barry Trotz said they would be pro-active in trying to acquire a “specialist” that would help put them over the top.

    “We’re going to try to do something if we can,” Trotz said Tuesday. “There are a couple areas we’d like to shore up. For the most part, if you ask our team I don’t think they want a whole lot of change. We’re ahead of the curve getting a guy like Richie (Mike Richards), and getting Brooks (Orpik) back is like getting another acquisition.

    “We’ll see what the salary cap will allow us to do. We don’t have a lot of flexibility there, but Mac (Brian MacLellan) might get creative here. I don’t think there will be anything drastic. I think we like what we have and trust that we have a pretty good team.”

    Trotz noted a specialist could be a penalty killer or a faceoff guy.

    Options could be Andrew Ladd or Scott Gomez, who has 22 points in 15 games with Hershey. Trotz watched Gomez over the weekend.

    “Our coaches down there talk about him all the time,” Trotz said. “He’s on the radar. That’s all I’m saying.”

    For the Capitals to bring in Ladd, they would likely have to move out some salary. Along with the Capitals, the Panthers, Penguins, Ducks and Blackhawks are thought to be interested in Ladd.