Former Vernon Viper Volpatti Bumped To Capitals Top Line:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Aaron Volpatti joins Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin on the Capitals top line when Washington faces off against the Boston Bruins today.  The Vancouver Canucks signed Volpatti as a free agent on March 22, 2010.  Volpatti played parts of the last two and a half seasons with the Vancouver Canucks before being claimed off waivers by the Washington Capitals back in February.  Volpatti played three seasons in Vernon (2003-2006) In 137 regular season games with the Vipers Volpatti collected (13-24-37).

Aaron Volpatti's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=76574

This was in yesterdays Washington Post Newspaper:

Aaron Volpatti to take turn as top-line left wing

Posted by Katie Carrera on March 15, 2013

After taking a few shifts alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in Thursday’s win over Carolina, Aaron Volpatti is set to start Saturday’s contest on the top line with the Captials’ franchise pillars.

“For me I don’t think it can really change too much,” Volpatti said. “Obviously I’ve got to be good defensively with those two guys — if I’m the high guy, I’ve got to make sure I stay the high guy. I’m just going to try and be physical and create some room for them.”

The gritty forward is the latest contestant on the ever-changing reality show of who wants to be the Capitals’ top line left wing. Marcus Johansson, Matt Hendricks, Jason Chimera and Wojtek Wolski have all seen time on the wing opposite Alex Ovechkin this year.

Coach Adam Oates has said multiple times that, ideally, top-line left wing is where Brooks Laich will fit into the lineup whenever he’s able to return from a nagging groin injury. But in the meantime Oates continues to rotate through his various options.

Volpatti skated 11:58 in Thursday’s game, his most ice time as a Capital and the second highest total he’s had this season. He was defensively responsible, made a physical impact with four hits and added a smooth centering pass for the primary assist on Joey Crabb’s goal.

Expect him to serve a similar role to the one Hendricks had when stationed on the top line – driving the cycle and crashing the net. Volpatti automatically adds toughness as well and he might be able to help keep the Bruins’ pests in check against Washington’s top forwards.

“I have no problems doing that if it gets a little bit out of hand sending a message or keeping the other team accountable,” Volpatti said. “It’s not an issue.”