The Elephant in the Room

It's only a matter of time before this one blows up in everbody's face.

The rift between Michael Nylander and Caps management grows deeper by the day. After watching his ice time dwindle over the season Nylander became practically invisible over the final and into the playoffs - finally having to suffer the indignity of watching Hershey ranch hand Jay Beagle get the call when injuries depleted the ranks during the playoffs.

Word is that matters went from frosty to frigid last Spring when Nyls refused to waive his no movement clause when there was a deal to send him to Phoenix. Now the Caps seem determined to humiliate him into retirement. Nylander seems equally determined to ride out the abuse and collect his $5M for being on the practice squad.

There's no way that having a dead man walking in the locker room doesn't affect morale. Management needs to resolve this problem sooner rather than later and recover as much salary cap space as they can. Before the elephant in the room becomes a stinking carcass.