The Washington Capitals open coaching camp Thursday with a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender between the pipes and a slew of returning veterans in tow. Washington will look to lean on this skilled core and its new netminder to interrupt its disappointing streak of 4 straight opening-round postseason exits.
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Analysis | Capitals open training camp with a new goalie and the same expectations
Washington will open its six-game preseason slate Sunday afternoon at Capital One Area towards the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres. The Capitals’ season opener, at house towards the Boston Bruins, is Oct. 12.
Listed here are 5 issues to look at as coaching camp unfolds:
How does Darcy Kuemper look in Washington?
Darcy Kuemper, a wage cap casualty of the Colorado Avalanche’s success final season, arrives as Washington seeks to shore up its most irritating and inconsistent place the previous two years. Recent off signing a five-year, $26.25 million deal in free company, Kuemper will look to solidify himself as a top-tier NHL goaltender and attempt to shake the notion that he merely benefited from a job on a juggernaut Avalanche squad.
Kuemper’s backup in internet shall be Charlie Lindgren, who was signed this offseason as a free agent after spending final yr on a two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues.
What’s the standing of Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson?
Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson, two mainstays of Washington’s lineup, will begin the yr on long-term injured reserve. Backstrom is recovering from offseason hip surgical procedure, and there’s no timetable for his return. There may be nonetheless an opportunity Backstrom doesn’t play in any respect this season, however he seems decided to offer it one other go as an alternative of choosing early retirement.
Wilson continues to get better from ACL surgical procedure on his left knee in Could. He was injured in final yr’s postseason collection towards the Florida Panthers. Wilson’s restoration timeline is on monitor, with the group forecasting a possible common season debut as early as late November.
Will Carl Hagelin be cleared to play?
Carl Hagelin’s eye harm in early March led to 2 surgical procedures and left his NHL future unsure. His progress has been promising, however it’s unclear whether or not he’ll swimsuit up for Washington this season.
The 34-year-old winger spent the summer season collaborating in casual skates and has been carrying a full-contact jersey throughout group classes. Hagelin, nonetheless listed as injured on the official coaching camp roster, stays below the care of Washington’s medical workers and has had appointments and consultations with outdoors docs.
How will Dylan Strome and Connor Brown combine in with the ahead group?
With Wilson and Backstrom out, Dylan Strome and Connor Brown may have distinguished roles as the one two newcomers up entrance.
Strome, a 25-year-old middle, was a strong addition by Washington on the primary day of free company, signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal. He’s anticipated to be the group’s second-line middle, however the Capitals in all probability will strive him at middle and left wing all through the preseason.
Brown, 28, is a proper winger and will match wherever within the lineup, most notably on the highest line alongside Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington has a number of choices for its top-line proper winger, with Brown, T.J. Oshie and Conor Sheary the almost certainly candidates. Brown can be a penalty-killing specialist and can see prolonged time on that unit.
The place does Connor McMichael match (once more)?
A lot of the speak surrounding Washington’s lineup final season revolved across the play of Connor McMichael. In his rookie season, the previous first-round choose contrasted moments of potential with underwhelming stretches. McMichael, 21, performed in 68 video games, a wholesome load for a flexible participant nonetheless discovering his manner.
McMichael stuffed in as accidents struck Washington at a staggering tempo and confirmed the teaching workers he generally is a pure match at middle when a few of the veteran gamers begin to lose their edge.
This yr, nonetheless, there is no such thing as a clear-cut spot for McMichael within the Capitals’ lineup. Washington has 4 different facilities at its disposal: Kuznetsov, Strome, Lars Eller and Nic Dowd. If Strome will get moved to the wing, McMichael might shift to middle. If Eller doesn’t meet expectations in coaching camp, he might fall out of favor and get replaced by the teen. With Backstrom out for a chronic time frame, Washington has loads of choices to bolster its lineup down the center, however choosing the proper mixture might take some trial and error.