Articles in Washington Capitals

Kuznetsov Appears To Be Headed To Carolina

03/08/2024 at 10:37am EST

Joel Edmundson Traded To Toronto

03/07/2024 at 11:42am EST

via the Toronto Maple Leafs,

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has acquired defenceman Joel Edmundson from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft (previously owned by the New York Islanders) and a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft (previously owned by the Chicago Blackhawks). The Capitals are retaining 50% of Edmundson’s salary.

Edmundson, 30, has collected 110 points (29 goals, 81 assists) in 521 career regular season games with Washington, Montreal, Carolina and St. Louis. The Brandon, Manitoba native has also registered 21 points in 75 career playoff contests.

A Five-Year Extension For Rasmus Sandin In Washington

03/06/2024 at 9:51am EST

Anthony Mantha Headed To Vegas

03/05/2024 at 6:13pm EST

added 6:51pm,

Evgeny Kuznetsov Cleared To Resume Practice

03/02/2024 at 10:05am EST

NEW YORK/TORONTO (March 2, 2024) – The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced today that Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has been cleared to resume practicing with the team and has entered the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Kuznetsov has not yet been cleared to return to game action.

Kuznetsov’s care continues to be administered pursuant to the player assistance program.

The Washington Capitals Move To Virginia Hits A Potential Snag

02/12/2024 at 8:17pm EST

from Laura Vozzella and Meagan Flynn of The Washington Post,

A plan by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and the owner of the Wizards and Capitals to move the teams to Northern Virginia faced heat on both sides of the Potomac on Monday: A powerful Virginia Democrat said she considers the proposal dead, while D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) doubled down on insisting that she would enforce the teams’ lease to try to prevent their early exit.

The dual pushback led executives with Monumental Sports & Entertainment — billionaire Ted Leonsis’s company that owns the teams — to hastily convene a briefing with reporters Monday afternoon to assert that the plan to move to a new megacomplex in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard was fully on track. Still, the tension emanating from both sides underscored how the foundation for the teams’ move is far from solid, with support in the Virginia legislature uncertain. Meanwhile, Bowser alluded to the possibility of legal action in D.C. to enforce the teams’ existing lease at Capital One Arena downtown.

continued

Evgeny Kuznetsov Receiving Care Under The Player Assistance Program

02/05/2024 at 4:34pm EST

NEW YORK/TORONTO (Feb. 5, 2024) – The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced today that forward Evgeny Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals will be unavailable to his Club for an indefinite period while he receives care from the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.

Under the terms of the joint program, he will return to the Club when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.

Afternoon Line -Travis Yost On Alex Ovechkin's Chase To Catch Wayne Gretzky

01/18/2024 at 1:14pm EST
The slippage this year compared to extraordinarily steady goal-scoring rates across the prior 16 seasons has been breathtaking. For most players, this is the sort of age decay we would expect, but for perhaps the best goal scorer in the history of the sport, it’s stunning. And as it pertains to Ovechkin’s chase for true greatness, he remains 64 goals behind Gretzky for the all-time lead – a gap that Ovechkin could have once covered in a single regular season, but a gap that now may require him to play for longer than anticipated.

-Travis Yost of TSN where you can read more on this topic.

The Washington Capitals Have Plans To Move To Virginia

12/13/2023 at 10:11am EST

via Fox5 Washington,

Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis, Virginia Gov. Youngkin, and other local leaders announced Wednesday an ambitious plan for a public-private partnership that aims to relocate the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards to a newly proposed entertainment district in Alexandria's Potomac Yard.

This groundbreaking move, set for 2028, hinges on the proposal being finalized.

The project would span 70 acres and would include a new global headquarters for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, a state-of-the-art arena for the Capitals and Wizards, an expansive Monumental Sports Network media studio, practice facilities, a performing arts venue, and an enhanced Esports facility.

Leonsis emphasized the project's significance in a statement, saying, "Our commitment to evolving our teams and deepening community ties is unwavering. This expansion into Virginia offers an unparalleled opportunity to foster creativity and lead in sports and technology."

Nicklas Backstrom Stepping Away From The Team

11/01/2023 at 10:38am EDT

via the Washington Capitals,

Washington Capitals alternate captain Nicklas Backstrom and president and general manager Brian MacLellan have released the following statements on Backstrom’s injury:

“Given my ongoing injury situation, I decided to take some time and step away from the game. This is a difficult decision, but one that I feel is right for my health at this time. I want to thank my teammates, the organization, and fans for their unwavering support throughout this process. I ask for privacy at this time as I determine my next steps and viable options moving forward.”

– Nicklas Backstrom


Video- Afternoon Line -Spencer Carbery

10/20/2023 at 3:45pm EDT

The Caps are 1-2-0.

Morning Line -Anthony Mantha

09/23/2023 at 11:43am EDT

Eye Injury Forces Carl Hagelin To Retire

08/30/2023 at 6:09pm EDT

from Tom Gulitti of the NHL/s website,

Carl Hagelin announced his retirement Wednesday after 11 NHL seasons.

Hagelin, who won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, hasn't played since sustaining a left eye injury when he was struck with a stick blade during practice with the Washington Capitals on March 1, 2022.

The 35-year-old forward also twice underwent surgery on his left hip while spending all of last season on long-term injured reserve with Washington.

"It's been an amazing ride but it ends here," Hagelin posted on Instagram. "Unfortunately, my eye injury is too severe to keep playing the game I love. I'm extremely grateful for all the memories hockey has given me and I've loved every single day of it."

continued

Washington Capitals Promote Brian MacLellan To President Of Hockey Operations

08/28/2023 at 10:12am EDT

via the Washington Capitals,

The Washington Capitals have promoted Brian MacLellan to president of hockey operations & general manager and Chris Patrick to associate general manager. In addition, the Capitals have appointed Dick Patrick to the position of chairman of the Capitals.

All Spencer Carbery

08/22/2023 at 9:42am EDT

from Tom Gulitti of the NHL's website,

Spencer Carbery has almost another month to wait before opening his first training camp as an NHL coach on Sept. 20, but he is eager to get to work with the Washington Capitals.

"We're champing at the bit here," Carbery said last week. "When things first happened, there's a lot of obligations and you're trying to just get settled in … Now that that stuff has all been taken care of, now it sort of gets to, 'Let's get this thing rolling.'"...

In general terms, what will these structural adjustments be?

"We're going to make a few alterations to our neutral-zone play, a couple things in the defensive zone, and then also some of our O-zone tactics and forecheck, we'll make a few subtle adjustments there which aren't going to be massive changes but little tweaks that are going to be important to highlight and make sure everybody is on the same page in the details of it."

Evgeny Kuznetsov showed the kind of positive impact he can have two seasons ago when he had 78 points (24 goals, 54 assists), but he wasn't as consistent last season when he had 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists). What can you do to help him get back to the level he was at two seasons ago?

"I think he's a very, very important player for our team. What he's capable of when he's on his game is world class and that's my challenge to help identify parts of his game, things I can help him with, put him in positions to have success. I have a real appreciation for the game that he plays and the style of play. I think understanding and appreciating the impact that he can have on a nightly basis when he's on his game, there's not a lot of players that can do what he can do. I'm going to do everything I can to help him get back to that level."

more Q & A

Video- Do You Consider The Washington Capitals A Playoff Contender?

08/15/2023 at 12:05pm EDT

Tom Wilson Signs A Seven-Year Extension With The Washington Capitals

08/04/2023 at 10:31am EDT

via the Washington Capitals,

The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Tom Wilson to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Wilson's extension will begin with the 2024-25 season and will carry an average annual value of $6.5 million. Wilson is under contract with Washington through the 2030-31 season.

"Tom possesses all the intangibles needed to win in this League and we are extremely pleased to sign him to a long-term contract, giving him the opportunity to finish his career in a Capitals' uniform," said MacLellan. "Throughout his career, Tom has improved every facet of his game through his drive and competitiveness. We feel his work ethic and leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to our organization for years to come."

Max Pacioretty To The Washington Capitals

07/01/2023 at 1:33pm EDT

Joel Edmundson Headed To Washington

07/01/2023 at 12:02pm EDT

Questions Remain On Nicklas Backstrom's Health

06/02/2023 at 7:51am EDT

The New Head Coach For The Washington Capitals Is Spencer Carbery

05/30/2023 at 12:11pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Washington Capitals have named Spencer Carbery the team's head coach, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

"We are extremely pleased to name Spencer as our new head coach," said MacLellan. "Spencer is one of the best young coaches in the game who's had success at every level at which he has coached. We feel his leadership, communication skills, ability to develop players and familiarity with our organization will be a tremendous asset as he makes this next step in his coaching career."

Anthony Mantha Pops Up In Trade Conversations

05/22/2023 at 1:27pm EDT

Daily Faceoff’s insider Frank Seravalli gave us another edition of Ice Breakers as the playoffs wind down and the offseason approaches, including another name popping up as trade bait from the Washington Capitals.

Frank Seravalli: I’m told that Anthony Mantha’s name has popped up in a few different conversations. He has one year remaining on his deal at $5.7 million for the upcoming season.

You think back to that trade, and it’s one that probably neither team is really happy with. The Washington Capitals gave up a first, a second, Jakub Vrana, and Richard Panik to get their hands on Anthony Mantha at the deadline a few years ago, and it just hasn’t panned out. Yes, there’s been some injury issues that have popped up along the way in Washington. But more to the point, even when’s been in the lineup, you see last season, 67 games registering just 11 goals, and it kind of feels like a long time ago now, we’re approaching five years ago, that Anthony Mantha hit 25 goals in a season.

At that price tag of $5.7 million and that type of production of 27 points in 67 games, perhaps you could get someone to take a flyer on him, but if so, they’re not going to get anything in return. And more to the point, I wouldn’t be shocked if, depending on how aggressive they are and really trying to move him, that someone might actually have to pay.

I don’t think they’re backed into the corner on the cap just yet, they’ve got a lot of pieces to fill out their roster. But nonetheless, Evgeny Kuznetsov’s name is out there, we know that they’re open to moving him, but you can add Anthony Mantha to our next Trade Targets Board. We get that out in the next week or two.

Peter Laviolette Will Not Return To The Washington Capitals

04/14/2023 at 6:00pm EDT

via the Washington Capitals,

The Washington Capitals and head coach Peter Laviolette have agreed to mutually part ways, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Laviolette, whose contract expires on June 30, will not return as the Capitals head coach next season.

Laviolette was the 19th head coach in franchise history and led the club to a 115-78-27 record from 2020-23.

"We are grateful for Peter's leadership and dedication to our organization for the last three seasons," said MacLellan. "Peter is a first-class individual who has represented our club with integrity and guided our team through many difficult circumstances in his tenure as our head coach. We wish him all the best moving forward."

The Capitals will conduct their final media availability session of the season on Saturday, April 15 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Players will address the media throughout the morning after 9:15 a.m. In addition, the Capitals will host a media availability with MacLellan at 12 p.m. All media availabilities will take place outside the Capitals locker room. The Capitals Rink at MedStar Capitals Iceplex will be closed to the public during all player and management interviews.

John Carlson On Taking A Puck To The Head

03/18/2023 at 10:20am EDT

from Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic,

One moment, John Carlson was preparing to box out an opposing forward in the slot. The next, the Washington Capitals’ defenseman was face down on the ice with blood gushing down the right side of his face.

The 14-year veteran can’t recall how many close calls he’d had previously; it’s a risk every NHL defenseman takes. But this time was different. The pain was unbearable. And the blood. All the blood.

“I just got struck by lightning,” Carlson said. “That’s the only way to describe it.”...

Less than a minute into third period of the Caps’ 4-1 win over the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 23, Carlson was struck by a 90-mph slap shot off the stick of Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon, Carlson’s former teammate in Washington.

There was no time for Carlson to duck or dodge the puck.

The impact left him with a small skull fracture above his right ear and a severed temporal artery.

“It was bleeding so much,” he said. “The only way I could describe it is, just survival.”

Carlson said he did not lose consciousness and was never diagnosed with a concussion.

“Funny story,” Carlson said, cracking a smile. “He says this didn’t happen, but I know for sure that it did. As I’m skating off the ice, (Erik Gustafsson) comes skating towards me. He sees me and he goes, ‘Holy f—, that’s really bad.’

“It was a funny moment in a bunch of chaos.”

more ($)

Washington Sends Lars Eller To Colorado

03/01/2023 at 1:50pm EST

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Washington Capitals have acquired a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Colorado Avalanche for forward Lars Eller, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. The Capitals will retain 31 percent of Eller's salary as part of the trade.

The Capitals own 22 total picks in the next three drafts. Washington currently has five picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, eight picks in the 2024 NHL Draft and nine picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. Washington owns their first, second, fourth, fifth and seventh-round picks in 2023; their first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh-round picks in 2024, as well as Boston's third-round pick and Minnesota's third-round pick in 2024; and their first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh-round picks in 2025, as well as Colorado's second-round pick and Boston's second-round pick in 2025.

Eller, 33, has recorded 16 points (7g, 9a) in 60 games with the Capitals this season. Eller, who won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018, has registered 364 points (160g, 204a) in 930 career games with Washington, Montreal and St. Louis.

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