Capitals Feature Strong Depth at Center

As preparations continue for Season 5, the Washington Capitals are looking at where all the pieces fit in the lineup. One spot where the team should be strong is at center ice. There are no superstars through the middle, but the club showcases strong players through all four lines.

The likely No. 1 pivot is 26-year-old Patrick Marleau from Aneroid, Sasketchewan. The 6-2, 205 pounder didn't enjoy his best season last year with just 43 points, but with blazing speed, excellent skating ability, and a good scoring touch, he should be able to improve this year. Marleau will have strong players on both wings, so if he can improve his passing his point total will surely go up.

Stepping in at No. 2 center is Artem Chubarov. Also 26, Chubarov hails from Gorsky, Russia and checks in at 6-1 and 189 pounds. Much like Marleau, Artem is extremely fast and skates very well. He's also a great puckhandler with a good scoring touch. Last season he scored 16 goals and added 26 assists in 76 games. Chubarov will play with better linemates this season as the club has improved throughout the lineup, and everyone is expecting the Russian to improve on last year's offensive effort.

The current No. 3 center, Dan Snyder, is the best passer in the bunch and another speed merchant on the ice. Hailing from Elmira, Ontario, Snyder isn't the biggest player at 6-0 and 169 pounds, but he's scrappy and plays a very intense game. With a concerted effort to improve his discipline, Snyder, 27, could be a big player for the Capitals this year. Last season he played on the third and fourth lines and scored 11 goals with 10 assists in 69 games.

Due to roster regulations, junior graduate Mike Zigomanis is slated to be the No.4 center, but probably will not see much ice time as the team is expected to run with three centers most nights.

A final intriguing possibility is free agent signing Anson Carter who could move to center if the coaching staff decides it's the best move to make. Currently slated to play on the first or second line at right wing, the 31-year-old power forward is a very good passer with great skating and lots of speed. He's also very good in the offensive end. No decisions have been made yet, but the team will take a long look at moving Carter during the preseason. With four good wingers on the right side, adding a great passer like Carter to the middle of the first or second line could be the best move for the team.

Strength at center ice is just one reason why the Capitals expect to improve on last year's point total. But will they do it? Only time will tell...