from Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post,
Before the Washington Capitals hired Barry Trotz as coach this May, the outside noise surrounding Mike Green had reached him in Nashville. A disappointing 2013-14 season created questions that blared like sirens across the league:
Should Washington trade its highest-paid defenseman, with one year left on his contract? How about exercising a compliance buyout? Would he even be around long enough — or play well enough — to negotiate an extension?
“You shouldn’t assume things,” Trotz said after practice Friday morning. “What you hear and what you think are you hear are two different things.”
During Washington’s recent trip to western Canada, Green quietly ignited a scorching start. His seven even-strength points lead all NHL defensemen, despite missing the season-opener. His even-strength shot differential — Corsi-for percentage, it’s called — ranks sixth. He regained the confidence and form some worried had been lost.
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