All articles tagged with #washington capitals
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer won the NHL Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year with 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 82 games, becoming the youngest Calder winner and leading all rookies in goals; Capitals rookies Ryan Leonard (45 points in 75 games) and Justin Sourdif (35 points in 78 games) also earned votes, finishing eighth and 12th in the voting respectively.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, moving from No. 5 to No. 1, while the San Jose Sharks jumped to No. 2 and the Vancouver Canucks dropped to No. 3. Washington Capitals remained at 16th, with their second first‑round pick from Anaheim potentially landing as high as 18th or as low as 29th depending on the Ducks–Golden Knights playoff outcome. The draft order for the first 16 picks is set for Buffalo on June 26‑27, with top prospects Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg leading the class; Leafs GM John Chayka called the result an elated, meaningful opportunity. The event marks another decentralized draft, with teams selecting from their home bases.
Evgeni Malkin told reporters he’s prepared to play for another NHL team if Pittsburgh doesn’t re-sign him this summer, with July 1 marking his free-agent status. He stressed it’s a business decision and expressed a desire to play one more season in the NHL, ideally with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Capitals have been floated as a potential destination due to his friendship with Alex Ovechkin, but nothing is decided. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has significant projected cap space but many players to re-sign and no goaltenders under contract. }
Tyler Kennedy says Evgeni Malkin could sign with the Washington Capitals if Pittsburgh doesn’t re-sign him, citing Malkin’s close relationship with Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals’ cap space; Malkin has repeatedly expressed a desire to stay with the Penguins, but a rebuild and his age may push him toward a potential finish alongside Ovechkin in Washington after a 61-point season in 56 games.
TJ Oshie says his private Columbus chat with Alex Ovechkin suggests the Capitals captain intends to return for one final season, likely on a one-year deal, driven by love for the city and his two hockey-loving sons. Ovechkin has not confirmed plans with GM Chris Patrick, and Washington will weigh the decision ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft while managing cap space for potential roster additions.
Capitals forward Connor McMichael, a restricted free agent, said contract-extension talks with Washington have begun after a down year following a breakout 2024-25 season; long-term options around $6.4M over four years or a shorter $4.7M over two years are on the table, with a July 1 deadline possible if no deal is reached, though both sides expect to finalize something. He plans to train in Toronto this summer before returning to D.C. for the next season.
Alex Ovechkin, 40, says retirement isn’t decided after his 21st season, hoping it isn’t his last game and weighing another year in Washington or a return to Russia, after finishing with 32 goals and 64 points as the Capitals narrowly missed the wild-card; he remains the NHL’s all-time goals leader with 929.
During Breakdown Day, 40-year-old Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said he isn't ready to rule out a return and will decide based on whether Washington can make the playoffs and contend for the Stanley Cup, along with family and health considerations. The Capitals missed the playoffs after selling assets at the trade deadline; Ovechkin, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, plans to speak with GM Chris Patrick after the season and draft about staying, with roughly $40 million in cap space to add pieces for a title run. He praised the young players who stepped up and noted health and training factors will influence his decision.
Alex Ovechkin signaled that his retirement decision remains undecided after the Capitals’ 2-1 season finale win over Columbus, hinting he could be done or may have more hockey left. Washington would like a decision by the June draft to aid roster and cap-space planning, as he weighs an NHL return against possible other options, including a KHL stint.
Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is expected to attend Nationwide Arena for what could be Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a visit that underscores their long relationship after Leonsis signed Ovechkin to a historic 2008 contract and after Ovechkin broke the league’s all-time goals record in 2025; Leonsis has said he supports Ovechkin taking time to decide whether to continue playing.
As retirement may be near, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin marks what could be his final home game by leading a pregame 'sewer ball' circle with teammates, a ritual that captures the farewell aura around his storied career.
The Washington Capitals kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, anchored by Logan Thompson’s fourth shutout of the season and a three-point night from Connor McMichael (2 goals, 1 assist). Ovechkin played 16:10 in what could be his final home game, and Washington’s victory pushed them to 42 wins as they briefly led the playoff race over Pittsburgh and Philadelphia heading into the season finale.
Alex Ovechkin received a standing ovation from Penguins fans in what could be his final visit to Pittsburgh, was named the 1st Star after scoring his 929th goal in a 6-3 Capitals win, and left the crowd with a moment of mutual respect amid the Capitals-Penguins rivalry as he contemplates his future with two games left this season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Washington Capitals in the last home game of the regular season at PPG Paints Arena, with puck drop at 3:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM) and a Fan Appreciation Night featuring promotions like Shirts Off Our Backs jersey giveaways, scratch cards with autographed prizes, penguin ambassadors from the National Aviary, and a 20% PensGear discount. The game will be on ABC and radio 105.9 The X; Pittsburgh has clinched a playoff berth and looks to build on home success against Washington, while Crosby and Malkin chase milestones and the club recently signed defenseman Jake Livanavage to a two-year contract.
Capitals GM Chris Patrick says Washington will center this offseason around the trade market, stockpiling assets to try to land a top-six forward while weighing Alex Ovechkin’s future and navigating roughly $34 million in cap space amid a weak free-agent class.