NHL.com offers in-depth analysis of each of its 32 teams from August 1 through September. 1. Today, three important issues face the Washington Capitals.
Capitals 32 of 32: Season preview | Top Leads | Fantastic screenings
1. Will the Capitals trade for a top six forward?
Washington entered the offseason hoping to improve its front two forward lines and still hopes to complete a trade to fill that need. other than the front Alex Ovechkinwho finished tied for ninth in the NHL with 42 goals last season, center Dylan Strome (23 goals) was the only other Capitals player to reach 20.
“We had some discussions in the draft that may not continue, but we’re comfortable with where we are,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “We would still like to make a change, but we’ll see where it takes us here after (training) camp.”
washington signed Max Pacioretty to a one-year contract on July 1, but the six-time 30-goal scorer will not be ready for the start of the season as he completes his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.
Video: OTT@WSH: Strome rips the puck to double the lead
2. What impact can first-time NHL coach Spencer Carbery have?
Carbery faces the challenge of trying to get the Capitals back into the Stanley Cup playoffs after failing to qualify last season for the first time since 2014, and at the same time infuse some youngsters into a veteran roster. which includes Ovechkin, who will be 38. September 17; Before TJ Oshie, 36; center Nicklas Backstrom, 35; defender John Carlson, 33; and center Yevgeny Kuznetsov31.
Carbery, who was hired May 30 after Washington parted ways with Peter Laviolette, has experience working with talented players since he was the assistant who oversaw the Toronto Maple Leafs’ power play over the past two seasons. The 41-year-old also knows most of the Capitals’ young players, including the 22-year-old forwards. Connor McMichael And Aliaksei Protasafter coaching their American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey for the previous three seasons.
“It’s obviously a process for younger players and there’s a learning curve for sure,” Carbery said. “But that’s where the coaching staff and our management group will play an important role in getting them up to speed as quickly as possible and helping them settle into the squad as quickly as possible.”
Video: Washington Capitals 2023-24 Season Preview
3. What can Ovechkin do in his 19th NHL season?
While it’s questionable whether Backstrom, who underwent hip resurfacing surgery in June 2022, and Oshie, who underwent minor back surgery late last season, will be able to become top forwards again, the expectations of Ovechkin remain high due to his consistency. He set an NHL record last season by scoring at least 40 goals for the 13th time and passed Gordie Howe (801) for second most in League history with 822.
Ovechkin is behind Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 goals by 72, so he’ll likely have to wait until 2024-25 to break that record, but he can close in on another productive season. He needs 15 points to become the 16th player in the NHL to reach 1,500, and he’s one power-play goal away from becoming the first with 300.
“The one thing about Alex, and I’m going to get to feel it for the first time, is that he’s just a physical freak of nature,” Carbery said. “And his age, and defying that age, is just part of what makes him special.”
Video: WPG@WSH: Ovechkin scores his 801st and 802nd career goals
