Four Capitals Who Could Potentially Hit Career-Highs in 2024-25

The Washington Capitals’ roster was remodeled this offseason after the New York Rangers eliminated the team in the 2024 playoffs. Former general manager Brian MacLellan added forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Pierre-Luc Dubois through trades to potentially add more goals. He also addressed the defensive units by acquiring Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators and signing free agent Matt Roy. If everything goes according to plan, the Capitals should have more goals than last season. They finished the 2023-24 campaign dead last in the Eastern Conference with 220 goals. Factoring in the remaining teams from the Western Conference, Washington had the fifth worst in the league. With a possible goals increase, there comes the potential for career-highs among players. At least four Capitals could hit career-highs in some capacity during this upcoming season.

Dylan Strome – Career-High in Goals

Center Dylan Strome led the entire Capitals roster in points last season. He has been in D.C. for two seasons now, and both saw him hit career highs in goals, assists, and points. Before he came to Washington, Strome’s career-high in goals was 22 with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22. In his first season with the Capitals, Strome topped his career-high in goals with 23. He then proceeded to top himself again last season with 27 goals. That, mixed with 40 assists, had him lead Washington’s roster with 67 points.

I do not see Strome slowing down from his last two campaigns. There is a real possibility that he could hit 30 goals this season. He will potentially play with Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson as his wingers. He fell short of netting 30 in 2023-24, but if his offense continues to get better, he should be able to get 30 and maybe a few more than that. I think Strome might post another career-high in goals and officially become a 30-goal scorer in the NHL.

Matt Roy – Career-High in Points

Defenseman Matt Roy signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals in free agency. He previously played his entire career for the Los Angeles Kings. In 369 games, he scored 24 goals and registered 82 assists for 106 points. His career-high in points so far occurred in 2022-23. Roy had nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 82 games.

Defenseman Matt Roy as a member of the Los Angeles Kings (Wikipedia)

I suspect that Roy will be on the second defense pairing along with Rasmus Sandin. The forwards who could be on the ice with those two could potentially be a line of Andrew Mangiapane, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Connor McMichael. Those five talents could rack up their share of points in 2024-25. If they do, Roy could hit a new career-high in points. Even if they don’t light the world on fire on the ice, he could still beat his career-high in points of 26.

If I was to project what Roy’s points could look like this season, I think we see 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points. The change of scenery could boost his offensive production. If he can help assist on goals for the forwards mentioned, I don’t see how he can’t reach 30 assists. He and Sandin could be a nice complementary duo for Washington after a potential first pairing of John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun.

Jakob Chychrun – Career-High in Assists

The Capitals added Jakob Chychrun through a trade with Ottawa. Former GM Brian MacLellan sent the Senators blueliner Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick in exchange for the 26-year-old from Boca Raton, Florida. As things stand right now, Chychrun’s career-high in assists is 27. He hit that mark with the Senators last season. His previous best in assists was in 2020-21 with the Arizona Coyotes (23 assists).

Chychrun will potentially be on the first defensive unit along with John Carlson. Between Carlson and a first line that contains Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Tom Wilson; I do not think it will be hard for Chychrun to get a new career-high in assists. He should be able to get like 30 assists, and could possibly go above that. The Capitals’ blue line did not get a lot of offensive production last season, other than Carlson. Chychrun, along with Matt Roy, should help give the backend more of an offensive threat.

Pierre-Luc Dubois – Career-High in Goals

Some in the hockey world are down on forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. They see someone who wanted out of both Columbus and Winnipeg, and someone who could not make things work in L.A. However, Dubois’ talent should not be denied. He is a very good player, and I think everything can be explained with his past. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets did not want to get rid of Dubois; Dubois was the one who wanted to leave both places. He was almost a 30-goal scorer for both clubs. I think, in the case with the Kings, there was not a fit. Dubois was looked upon by the Kings organization to be a future piece for years to come on the offense. It just did not work how both sides planned, and he was dealt to Washington. The change of scenery could be beneficial for his offensive production.

Dubois’ current career-high in goals is 28. He scored that many while with the Jets during the 2021-22 campaign. He also netted 27 goals both during the 2018-19 and 2022-23 seasons. If he clicks with his new teammates in D.C., Dubois could possibly be a 30-goal scorer in this league. On top of that, if both Strome and Dubois reach 30 goals each, that is the perfect scenario down the middle. It will not be long before the lines are set up for the regular season. I think Dubois plays left wing or center on a line with McMichael and Mangiapane. This line could potentially have some nice chemistry. If it does, between that chemistry and Dubois’ skills, he should be able to reach 30 goals. He has fallen short a few times, but that milestone is within grasp if things work out with the Capitals.