The Washington Capitals are heading into the 2025 NHL Draft with a flexible mindset. Assistant GM Ross Mahoney reaffirmed the team’s philosophy of selecting the best player available, citing strong character and maturity among this year’s draft class. Still, Mahoney acknowledged the possibility of trading the 27th overall pick if it means acquiring an immediate asset to push the Caps closer to contention.

Beyond the draft, the Capitals face key RFA decisions on Hendrix Lapierre and Alexander Alexeyev. Lapierre is expected to earn a modest one-year raise after a solid AHL showing, while Alexeyev’s minimal usage raises questions about his future with the team. Meanwhile, UFAs like Anthony Beauvillier and Taylor Raddysh showed enough to possibly return, but players like Andrew Mangiapane and Ethan Bear could be on the way out unless they take steep discounts.

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The Washington Capitals head into the 2025 NHL Draft with the 27th overall pick and several strategic options on the table. After being eliminated in the second round by the Hurricanes, the team could either use their pick to address organizational needs or package it in a trade for NHL-ready help. A puck-moving, right-shot defenseman is a prime target, with London Knights’ Henry Brzustewicz fitting that mold. If they go this route, he’d offer future blue-line support alongside prospects like Cole Hutson.

In Round 2, the Capitals may reach slightly for goaltender Alexei Medvedev to bolster a thin goalie pipeline, and they could roll the dice on a high-upside third-round talent like Ivan Ryabkin or Swedish two-way center Milton Gästrin. Ryabkin’s offensive ceiling is high despite an erratic development path, while Gästrin offers safe, NHL-translatable tools. Whether the Capitals draft at 27 or swing a trade, this draft could shape their next competitive window.

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Despite finishing first in the Eastern Conference with 50 wins in the 2024–25 season, the Washington Capitals are getting little respect from sportsbooks heading into the 2026 Stanley Cup race. Both BetMGM and FanDuel list the Caps with +2800 odds—12th-best overall—and behind teams they outperformed last season, like the Maple Leafs, Lightning, and Devils. BetMGM favors Edmonton (+650) while FanDuel gives the edge to Carolina (+700). The Capitals are also pegged as only the third-most likely to win the Metropolitan Division, despite finishing well ahead of their division rivals.

Meanwhile, Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson departs after three dominant AHL seasons—including two Calder Cups—to join the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant. His exit leaves a coaching vacancy in Hershey and a legacy of strong development for Caps prospects. Additionally, defenseman Ethan Bear, who led Hershey defensemen in points but never cracked the Capitals’ 2024–25 lineup, has been given permission to speak with other teams ahead of free agency, potentially signaling a fresh start elsewhere.

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The Florida Panthers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup championships highlighted the blueprint for playoff success: depth, consistency, and bold in-season moves. The Washington Capitals, despite finishing atop the East in the regular season, fell short in the second round. Watching Florida dominate underscores what the Caps must improve—third-line stability, blue-line depth, and perhaps a more aggressive trade deadline approach. Consistency in identity and execution, as exemplified by Florida, could be the key for D.C. to reach the next level.

On the individual front, Connor McMichael broke out with a career-best 57 points, showing elite net-driving and offensive potential, but still has room to grow defensively. Meanwhile, Brandon Duhaime quietly emerged as a fan-favorite glue guy, anchoring the fourth line with defensive reliability, playoff poise, and unmatched locker room energy. While McMichael may soon be a 30-goal scorer, Duhaime's future hinges on whether his vibes and shutdown ability outweigh his limited offensive output.

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Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild), David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Zach Martin (Locked On Hurricanes) are here to talk about why the playoffs are lasting so long, how to fix that, whether the NHL will finally close the LTIR loophole some teams have been using, and what to make of the early Olympics roster announcements!

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The Washington Capitals are aiming to retool their roster this offseason by balancing a youth movement with immediate competitive needs. One cost-effective free agent target is Jack Roslovic, a versatile forward who posted 22 goals and 39 points last season for Carolina. He could serve as a third-line center or winger depending on how Connor McMichael is deployed. With under $10 million in cap space, Roslovic offers an affordable short-term solution as the Capitals wait for prospects like Ryan Leonard, Hendrix Lapierre, and Andrew Cristall to take on larger roles.

Meanwhile, Andrew Mangiapane will not return, leaving a major hole on the third line. With Lars Eller and Taylor Raddysh also unlikely to come back, Washington must rebuild nearly the entire third line. GM Chris Patrick has expressed interest in adding both a skilled forward and another dependable middle-six piece. Whether through free agency, trades, or promoting youth, the team is navigating how to remain competitive while preparing for life after Alex Ovechkin, who enters the final year of his contract.

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The Washington Capitals have emerged as a model franchise after finishing first in the Eastern Conference for the 2024–25 season. Rather than rebuilding following a disappointing 2022–23 campaign, the team retooled with NHL-ready talent and now finds themselves ahead of rivals like the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are entering a major transitional phase. With a new coach, Dan Muse, and key veterans potentially on the move, the Penguins are poised to embrace a full rebuild.

Pittsburgh is reportedly shopping nearly all players except Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, with Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell drawing the most interest. General Manager Kyle Dubas may be positioning the team to target phenom Gavin McKenna in the 2026 draft, leveraging their cap space to acquire picks. Meanwhile, Malkin is expected to play his final season with the team in 2025–26, closing out an era while the franchise eyes its next chapter.

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The Washington Capitals saw strong production from their centers during the 2024–25 season, led by Dylan Strome’s breakout year. Strome posted a career-high 82 points (29 goals, 53 assists), proving to be a reliable and consistent top-line pivot. His playoff performance was equally impactful, notching 11 points in 10 games and leading the team in scoring during their first-round win over Montreal. Head coach Spencer Carbery praised his importance alongside stars like Ovechkin and Wilson, reinforcing Strome’s value since his acquisition in 2022.

Pierre-Luc Dubois contributed a career-best 66 points while anchoring the second line and taking on tougher defensive assignments to support Strome. However, playoff struggles and high penalty totals raised concerns. Meanwhile, Nic Dowd excelled in a fourth-line shutdown role, setting career highs in goals and points while being a key penalty killer and faceoff specialist. Despite increased penalty minutes, Dowd’s leadership and defensive presence earned him a two-year contract extension, solidifying the Capitals’ center depth heading into next season.

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