Washington Capitals development camp is a learning experience for new Hershey Bears head coach Mike Haviland

ARLINGTON, Va. ? The Washington Capitals' annual summer development camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex is a learning experience for draft picks and prospects.

It's also been a learning experience for new Hershey Bears head coach Mike Haviland, who is getting acclimated to a new organization and new faces.

Haviland and new Bears assistant coach Ryan Mougenel are assisting at the camp. Players reported Sunday and the first on-ice sessions were held Monday.

?It's been two good days so far and nice to get on the ice today and do a little of that,? Haviland said.

?I think everybody was a little nervous, the guys, nervous energy. I think we'll see more as the week goes and the games go.?

Haviland was heartened by Monday's four free agent signings.

The Caps and Bears announced NHL-AHL deals for goalie David Leggio, defenseman Tyson Strachan and forward Matt Watkins for 2013-14. The Bears also announced the AHL signing of forward Derek Whitmore.

?I think they've really put together some good players,? Haviland said. ?Talking to the people here in Washington, they feel really good about our goalies and our D. They like the way the forwards are going now. I'm excited about it. I really am.

?You added skill. But you added some of that in-your-face-type team that everybody wanted.?

The 6-2, 215-pound Strachan has size, a right shot and 120 games of NHL experience. The 28-year-old played 38 games for the Florida Panthers last season (0-4-4) and 24 games for the San Antonio Rampage (1-8-9).

?Talking to some people, he's a big guy, has a really big stick, big range,? Haviland said. ?Plays with an edge. Anytime you can add a big body back there to your back end, I think you're making the right decision there.

?He can help some of the younger guys along. He's been around. I like the big presence. I think he's going to be a guy that's tough to play against.?

Watkins, 26, served as captain of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers last season and produced 11-19-30 in 68 games. The 5-10, 190-pounder is a non-vet.

?We've added some guys that can put up some numbers, which I obviously like,? Haviland said. ?You have some options there up front. We've added some older guys who have been captains other places. I think that's a key, too. You lose guys like Boyd Kane, they're tough to replace.?

NOTEBOOK

Dmitry Orlov played 60 games for the Caps in 2011-12 but just five in 2012-13. Caps GM George McPhee still has high NHL hopes for the defenseman, who produced 3-14-17 in 31 games for Hershey last season. ?We think Orlov is capable of being a very good player here,? McPhee said. ?He had the injuries last year. And by the time he got going and back and in shape and feeling good, we were starting to roll here and it wasn't the time to put him in the lineup. But we'd like him to be here this year.?

McPhee on Hershey expectations for 2013-14: ?Win as many games as you can. It's a terrific franchise, and we do our best every year to put good teams in there. They've been a playoff team every year that we've been there. They've won Cups. We want to keep going in that direction with that club.?

With two full pro seasons under his belt, Michael Latta doesn't fit the typical profile of a development camp attendee. But the forward, acquired in a late-season 2012-13 trade from the Nashville Predators organization, was invited to participate for one day to help him get acquainted with the organization. ?I'm meeting everyone, doing training tests,? Latta said. ?Just give them a better understanding of where I'm at in the summer and just see what they want me to work on, so I can give myself the best chance coming into [training] camp.?

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Source: http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/washington_capitals_developmen.html

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