Photo: IIHF Team Sweden downed Team USA, 5-2 on the first day of the 2024 IIHF World Championships on Friday in Ostrava, Czechia. Friday’s Sweden-USA tilt was also the first World Championship game for Washington Capitals first round draft pick Ryan Leonard, who began the game at right wing on the third line. Lines for USA vs. Sweden. Of note, Ryan Leonard and Will Smith have been split up. #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/lBPxNsQ6B8 — Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) May 10, 2024 1ST PERIOD Sweden wasted little time in opening the scoring. EIght minutes and 20 seconds into the game Wild center Joel ..read more

Photo: CHL Bulldogs We continue our 2024 annual prospect review and forecast series with Patrick Thomas, center for the Brandford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). (You can access all of our Capitals Prospect Reports and player analysis on our “Prospects” page or right here.) VITALS The Washington Capitals selected Thomas from the OHL’s Brandford Bulldogs in the 4th round (104th overall pick) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Thomas, who turned 19 in August, is listed at 6’0″ and 172 pounds. He remains unsigned by the Capitals. CAREER SUMMARY Thomas has ..read more

Next up in our annual prospect review and forecast series is Chase Clark, goaltender for Sacred Heart University, and now American International College. (You can access all of our Capitals Prospect Reports and player analysis on our “Prospects” page in the top menu or here.) VITALS Clark, 22, is a 6’-6” right-handed goaltender from Williamsville, New York.  The Capitals drafted him in the sixth round (#183 overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He committed to Quinnipiac beginning with the 2022-23 season, transferred to Sacred Heart for 2023-24  and transferred to Amer ..read more

With the focus shifting towards improving the roster and taking another step forward in the 2024-25 campaign, NoVa Caps contributors discuss what the Washington Capitals should do in the offseason after getting swept in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Harrison After seeing Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen, Ethan Bear, and Trevor Van Riemsdyk all miss time due to injury or the NHLPA Players’ Assistance Progam in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Washington must prioritize addressing their defensive depth over the summer. The team likely needs at least one lefty and one righty to add to the ..read more

Next up in our 2024 Washington Capitals annual prospect review and forecast series is Andrew Cristall, a 19-year-old left-winger for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL). (You can access all of our Capitals Prospect Reports and player analysis on our “Prospects” page or right here.) VITALS The Washington Capitals selected Cristall from the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets in the 2nd round (40th overall pick) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Cristall, who turned 19 in February, is listed at 5’10″ and 174 pounds. He signed an entry-level contract with the Capitals, wh ..read more

Next up in our 2024 annual prospect review and forecast series is Jake Karabela, forward for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). (You can access all of our Capitals Prospect Reports and player analysis on our “Prospects” page or right here.) VITALS The Washington Capitals selected Karabela from the OHL’s Guelph Storm in the 5th round (149th overall pick) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Karabela, who turned 20 in March, is listed at 5’11″ and 179 pounds. He remains unsigned by the Capitals. CAREER SUMMARY Karabela was a star on the U16 AAA Guelph Jr ..read more

Photo: Boston College The San Jose Sharks won the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday and will pick first overall at the Las Vegas Sphere on Friday, June 28. The Chicago Blackhawks will select second overall. The consensus first overall pick is center Macklin Celebrini, who recorded 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games for NCAA’s Boston College. For NHL Central Scouting’s full rankings, click here. Here are the full results of the lottery: 1. San Jose 2. Chicago 3. Anaheim Ducks 4. Columbus Blue Jackets 5. Montreal Canadiens 6. NHL Utah 7. Ottawa Senators 8. Seattle Kraken 9. Calgary Flames 10. Ne ..read more

AP Photo/David Zalubowski Now that the 2023-24 NHL season has come to an end for the Washington Capitals, all eyes are now on General Manager Brian MacLellan’s strategy and execution of improving the roster in the twilight of the Alex Ovechkin era. A large point of emphasis for improving the forward group will be based on adding goal scoring and play-making abilities to the top six. In this post, we’ll take a look at the top five free agent forward targets for the Capitals that fit the mold of player that the Capitals need to add, while also being under 30 years of age. We want to make sure th ..read more

With the focus in the nation’s capital on taking another step forward in the 2024-25 season, the Washington Capitals will need to improve in a couple of areas. While they are trying to integrate more young talent into the NHL roster, the team will need to go outside of the organization for some help after seeing three defensemen miss time in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and is still in search of at least another top-six forward. NoVa Caps does their semi-annual Capitals’ trade tiers: ** NOTE: Any player who played an NHL game this past season is included Untouchable LW Alex Ovechkin (two ye ..read more

Photo: Boston College Athletics We continue our Washington Capitals annual prospect review and forecast series for the 2023-24 season with Ryan Leonard, forward for the Boston College Eagles. (You can access all of our Capitals Prospect Reports and player analysis on our “Prospects” page right here.) VITALS Leonard, 19, was drafted by the Capitals in the first round (8th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Leonard, who hails from Amherst, MS, plays forward for Boston College and remains unsigned by the Capitals. CAREER SUMMARY While Leonard is listed as a center ..read more