Mathieu Perreault, the Caps' sixth-round pick in the 2006 draft, has signed a three-year entry-level contract. Perreault has shredded the Quebuc Major Junior Hockey League the past two seasons. Last year he finished with 41 goals and 119 points in 67 games and was named the league's MVP. This season he added his first 'Q' scoring title, racking up 34 goals and 114 points in 65 games.

He clearly has loads of skill, but the reason he was a sixth-round pick and the caveat with Perreault is he is, well, small. Listed generously at 5-foot-9 and 166 pounds, he will have to overcome his size or lack thereof. When he was in camp this summer, the thing that stuck out the most about him was his tenacity on the forecheck. He was always buzzing around, getting his stick on outlet passes and picking opposing players' pockets. There have been other diminutive dynamos in Canadian junior hockey, especially in the free-flowing 'Q', that have never panned out at the NHL level, but Perreault certainly has a chance.

His team, Acadie-Bathurst, is currently playing in the first round of the league playoffs and the best-of-seven series is tied at two. When his season is done, I would expect Perreault to join the Hershey Bears, but I'm going to ask to talk to GM George McPhee to confirm that. Perreault is one of a few Caps properties who are set to graduate from juniors, and several of them could be reinforcements for the Bears and their playoff push. Others include defensemen Josh Godfrey (already signed) and Karl Alzner and forwards Francois Bouchard and Luke Lynes. The Caps can sign these guys right now, and they can join Hershey or South Carolina for the rest of their seasons, or they could wait until this summer to make a decision. Another player to watch on the professional contract front is North Dakota defenseman Joe Finley. He is a junior, but could consider skipping his senior season to sign with the Caps.

- Corey Masisak

UPDATE (12:21)

McPhee is not here, so I probably won't be getting an update from him. Also I forgot goaltender Michal Neuvirth when talking about guys who could sign contracts and turn pro soon. He might not be done with his season anytime soon though. Neuvirth was awesome for Oshawa in their first-round sweep of Ottawa in the OHL playoffs. He turned aside 142 of 148 shots in the four games, including a 46-save shutou in Game 3. With all of the firepower in front of him, including '07 second-rounder Brett MacLean (who led the OHL with 61 goals), probable '08 first-round defenseman Michael Del Zotto and of course the next Next One in John Tavares, this team will be disappointed if it doesn't make it to the Memorial Cup.

Also, Brampton has been eliminated from the OHL playoffs, so Luke Lynes can sign and join either Hershey or South Carolina at any point. As for other player updates, Godfrey's Sault Ste. Marie club swept its way into the second round as well. Bouchard and Baie-Comeau are down 3-1 to Rimouski in the 'Q.' Alzner's Calgary Hitmen are up 3-1 in their first-round matchup.

They just turned the bright lights on here at BankAtlantic Center, but we're not sure if or how many guys are going to skate today. There is going to be a team meeting here in a few minutes, and the practice afterwards is optional.