With the 2009-2010 season just hours away, here are some of the questions and storylines we'll be following all year at Capitals Kremlin.

Is This The Year?

The obvious story. After a disappointing Game Seven loss to the Penguins, the Caps are back and, if their practice t-shirt is to be believed, have hockey's version of the "Mandate from Heaven" to claim the Stanley Cup. High-five for using ninth grade history in a blog post.

Standing in the Shadows of Ovie

Nicklas Backstrom is one of the league's most talented youngsters, but if NHL marketing were to be believed, he's just average. This might be the first year that the young Swede hits the 100-point mark, and he'll likely do it under-the-radar. Is this the year that "Backie" emerges from behind the Great 8 as an NHL star?

Sizing Up the Competition

The Capitals are a big team. With only one player under 6'0'' (Brendan Morrison) and lightest of the bunch at 185 (Morrison again), you'd expect the Caps to be a group of bruisers. Sadly that's not the case. But without an enforcer this season, will the Caps answer the call to be physical on their own?

Krashin Knuble

HI BILLY MAYS HERE WITH KRASHIN KNUBLE, THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW WAY TO SCORE GOALS. THE SECRET IS IN THE SCREENING. KNUBLE STANDS IN FRONT OF THE NET AND PUCKS DEFLECT IN. WOW!

Sorry I had to. So simply put, how much production will the Capitals get out of their newest free-agent toy, Mike Knuble?

Net Presence

Jose Theodore's the veteran with a slew of critics claiming his glory days are long over. Semyon Varlamov is the rookie who hasn't seen a full year's worth of NHL action but is heralded as the next great Russian goalie. Think it's a battle between those two? Not so fast: Enter Michal Neuvirth who dominated in the AHL and has every right to claim a spot in Washington. If you thought the goalie battle was over, you thought wrong.

The Nylander Saga

Michael Nylander is one of the highest paid Caps. He's also sitting in the press box to open the season. How soon will the Capitals be able to find a suitable trading partner, or can the aging Swede find a suitable spot in the lineup?

Put 'Em In Pothier

Returning from the concussion injury that nearly ended his NHL career, Brian Pothier looks to bring his puck-moving style to the Caps for 82 games. Will Pothier bring another spark to the offense this season, or is injury still a concern for the veteran?

Suddenly Southeast

All five teams in the Southeast Division took a step forward this season, and it's possible that three teams could qualify for the NHL playoffs from what is considered a doormat division. Can Ilya Kovalchuk taste the postseason again? Will Carolina steal the Caps crown? Will Steven Stamkos emerge as the star he was marketed as after a year in Tampa Bay?

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