The Washington Capitals are one of many extra shocking groups within the NHL this season. Nonetheless, the Capitals retooled their roster rapidly. Simply have a look at the strikes over the summer time, bringing in Logan Thompson (who now has a brand new extension), Andrew Mangiapane, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy, Brandon Duhaime, and Taylor Raddysh.
To not point out, they’d already introduced in Rasmus Sandin a season and a half in the past. All of the whereas, gamers like Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie are not on the workforce resulting from accidents. The Capitals discovered a option to stay aggressive after simply squeaking into the playoffs final 12 months earlier than getting swept by the Rangers.
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Along with the gamers who had been added, new coach Spencer Carbery has introduced a brand new edge to this workforce. Even when the workforce wins and performs poorly, he lets his gamers comprehend it. And the gamers are shopping for into the system as properly. There’s a motive he shall be up for the Jack Adams Trophy for Coach of the 12 months.
Bear in mind, this was purported to be nearly Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky‘s file. He did that as a result of the workforce was successful they usually had been having enjoyable. There was a particular bond in that room, which is why they didn’t make many strikes on the commerce deadline. GM Chris Patrick and President of Hockey Ops Brian MacLellan knew the combo was proper.
What everybody appears to neglect is that the Capitals know the best way to win within the Metro Division. Washington had successful information in opposition to all their rivals. That’s the reason they might compete for a deep playoff run this season. No one, together with this author, thought first place within the Metro and virtually a President’s Trophy. However right here they’re.
As Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Interval defined on TSN Radio in Montreal earlier within the week, all the things that would go proper went proper for the Washington Capitals this season.
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NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Dave Pagnotta: “The whole lot that wanted to go proper and has wanted to go proper for this membership has gone proper. The acquisitions that they made, the modifications that they made between (Brian) MacLellan and (Chris) Patrick, that form of ran the development of this group. Logan Thompson labored out tremendously. (Jakob) Chychrun has had an amazing season, labored out tremendously. Pierre-Luc Dubois has completed a complete 180 on his efficiency and has labored out for this membership.
(Connor) McMichael has been incredible. (Aliaksei) Protas has been nice. To have him rating 30, and Wilson rating 30, and clearly Ovi doing what he’s doing. Everybody has contributed. You’ve obtained a man like (Andrew) Mangiapane on the fourth line. You get to name in somewhat further reinforcements, with Ryan Leonard coming into the combo final week. I imply, all the things that has wanted to go properly for the Capitals has gone properly to date.
There was somewhat stoop lately. However possibly that’s only a reminder that we’re getting near the playoffs, and also you don’t wish to take your foot off the fuel. Once more, now that the main focus is just not essentially on the file anymore, though for the following few days that’ll be—I imply, all week, that’ll be the subject. However they get to recalibrate somewhat bit after which shift their focus again in the direction of competing for a championship with a number of days off right here.
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So it is a group, and I agree with you. I didn’t anticipate them being anyplace close to this good this season. When the season began, I assumed, Okay, properly, possibly they battled for third within the division. In all probability extra probably a wild card workforce. Effectively, no, everyone on this membership has confirmed all of us fallacious, and let’s see how rather more they’ll go.”
That stated, the Capitals nonetheless have to complete the deal. With Alex Ovechkin’s chase over, they’ll get again to taking part in hockey. They want Thompson to return again as he’s out with an damage. It’s clear Charlie Lindgren, who additionally obtained a brand new extension, is getting fatigued.
Nonetheless, with how rapidly Washington was capable of flip issues round, extra groups will observe this mannequin of retooling on the commerce deadline and into free company by way of commerce as a substitute of signing gamers. The Capitals obtained forward of it, whereas others began too late and could have a number of seasons of laborious occasions.
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