The buzz around Arlington, Virginia, is unmistakable as the Washington Capitals ramp up preparations for the 2025-26 NHL season. On Monday, September 8, the informal skate at the team’s practice facility swelled with returning veterans, fresh faces, and an unmistakable sense that something special is brewing in D.C. Tom Wilson was back in town, skating with a group that included the likes of Anthony Beauvillier—who inked a two-year contract extension this summer—Brandon Duhaime, Hendrix Lapierre, Ethen Frank, Declan Chisholm, and more. Notably, Wilson was seen building chemistry with Ryan Leonard, an emerging prospect, as the group buzzed through drills alongside Dylan Strome, Dylan McIlrath, Nic Dowd, John Carlson, Martin Fehervary, and Trevor van Riemsdyk.
While Alex Ovechkin, the franchise’s legendary captain, didn’t take the ice that day—having just returned to the U.S. the day before—he’s expected to join his teammates soon. The anticipation for Ovechkin’s return is palpable, and for good reason: the Great 8 is coming off a historic campaign where he shattered Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal-scoring record. Ovechkin’s chase was a galvanizing force for the Capitals last season, and although the record is now his, questions linger about how the team will channel that energy in what could be his final NHL campaign.
Last season, the Capitals weren’t just about Ovechkin. Under the steady hand of head coach Spencer Carbery—fresh off winning the NHL’s Coach of the Year honors—the Caps soared to a division title with 111 points, comfortably outpacing Carolina’s 99. Their +56 goal differential was the second-best in the Eastern Conference, and they dispatched the Montreal Canadiens in five games during the first playoff round. However, their run ended at the hands of the Hurricanes in round two, leaving a sense of unfinished business for this veteran-laden squad.
Much of Washington’s success came from a balanced, high-octane offense. The Capitals finished as the league’s No. 2 scoring team, boasting an incredible seven 20-goal scorers and seven 50-point producers—a feat unmatched by any other team. Aliaksei Protas emerged as a bona fide top-liner, racking up 30 goals despite limited power-play opportunities. Pierre-Luc Dubois, acquired in an aggressive 2024 offseason, seized his chance with a career-best 66 points. Connor McMichael, another rising star, broke out with a 26-goal, 57-point campaign and is now being eyed for a pivotal third-line center role. The coaching staff hopes he can anchor a depth line, but if not, the Caps may dip into their $4 million in cap space to add another center before the trade deadline.
It wasn’t just the forwards lighting up the scoresheet. For the first time in franchise history, six Capitals defensemen topped the 20-point mark. John Carlson, often overshadowed by bigger names, proved once again why he’s the team’s defensive linchpin, delivering yet another 50-plus point season. His health remains critical; the only time Washington missed the playoffs in the last decade was when Carlson was sidelined for half a season. Rasmus Sandin, Jakob Chychrun, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Matt Roy round out a formidable blue line, with Chychrun re-signing ahead of free agency to ensure stability at the back. The addition of Declan Chisholm from Minnesota provides extra depth, while Martin Fehervary—who missed the playoffs after tearing his meniscus—is reportedly progressing well in his recovery.
Between the pipes, the Capitals finally found their answer last season. Logan Thompson, picked up from Vegas, posted a sparkling 31-6-6 record with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Charlie Lindgren, though coming off a softer year, remains a trusted backup and could be called upon if needed. There’s already chatter about how the new playoff salary cap rules might affect roster decisions—could Lindgren’s $3 million cap hit see him scratched for a cheaper option to maximize flexibility? It’s a subplot worth watching as the season unfolds.
Special teams were a mixed bag last year. The Capitals’ power play, while dangerous, tied for 13th overall—Ovechkin led the way with 14 man-advantage tallies, but the unit sometimes struggled with puck retrievals and over-reliance on the captain’s one-timer. On the penalty kill, though, Washington shone, tying for fourth in the league. Fehervary and Dowd anchored the shorthanded unit, with Protas and Wilson proving adept at creating havoc and even generating scoring chances while down a man.
Roster turnover has been minimal this summer, a stark contrast to the previous year’s flurry of moves. The only notable additions were 23-year-old Justin Sourdif, acquired for a second-round pick despite limited NHL experience, and depth defender Chisholm. The Caps bid farewell to Andrew Mangiapane, Lars Eller, Taylor Raddish, and Alexander Alexeyev, but none of those departures caused much consternation in the front office. Instead, the focus has been on continuity and internal growth. Anthony Beauvillier, re-signed after impressing on multiple lines, and Chychrun, locked up for the long term, exemplify this approach. The next wave of prospects—Ryan Leonard, Ivan Miroshnichenko, and Andrew Cristall—aren’t far from making an impact, with Leonard already turning heads in informal skates.
As the Capitals look ahead, the big questions loom. What does life after Ovechkin look like? The team has quietly transitioned from the Ovechkin/Backstrom/Oshie era into a new phase, building around talents like Strome, Protas, and Chychrun. Yet, with Ovechkin and John Carlson entering the final year of their contracts and Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie officially moving on, the Cup-winning core is dwindling. Can the remaining veterans summon one last deep playoff run? Or will the team’s focus shift to integrating the next generation?
Predictions from The Hockey News peg the Capitals to finish third in the Metropolitan Division this season—a testament to both their staying power and the competitiveness of the division. There’s optimism that, if last year’s offensive surge continues and the goaltending holds steady, Washington could once again challenge for a division crown. But there’s also caution: regression is always a risk, especially with so many players coming off career years and the team’s 5-on-5 shooting percentage leading the league last season.
For now, though, the mood is upbeat. The informal skates are growing, the veterans are back, and the city is ready for one more spin with its living legend. Whether it’s a swan song or the start of a new chapter, the Capitals are poised to make headlines—on and off the ice—as the 2025-26 season dawns.
