Sammi’s Daily Mix: Ovechkin, Capitals Returning to Ice, Crosby Out After Surgery

It’s starting to feel a lot like hockey season. The Washington Capitals are starting to crowd the ice for informal skates at Medstar Capitals Iceplex, and the official start of camp is just weeks away. Meanwhile, Washington’s rival Penguins will be without captain Sidney Crosby to begin the 2021-22 campaign.

Here are all the latest news and notes from across the league to catch up on heading into the weekend.

Capitals Links

• Alex Ovechkin made his return to Medstar Capitals Iceplex as he and his teammates take part in informal skates prior to the official start of training camp. Ian Oland has more on the Great 8 as he begins his new five-year extension in D.C. (Russian Machine Never Breaks)
• Evgeny Kuznetsov is also among those taking the ice in Arlington, V.A. before camp. We break down the latest trade speculation across the NHL and how it’s impacting No. 92, as well as what the next steps should be for both him and the Capitals. (Washington Hockey Now)
• From Lucas Johansen to Beck Malenstyn to Connor McMichael, Washington has a lot of impressive prospects in the system. Luke Adomanis ranks his top 25 Capitals under 25. (Japers’ Rink)

NHL Links

• The Penguins will now be without Crosby to start the season, and Evgeni Malkin will also be on the shelf as he continues to recover from knee surgery. Dan Kingerski takes a look at how Pittsburgh will go about filling the void and what this may mean for the team’s future in regards to the Pens’ current core. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
• David Backes is hanging up the skates, and he’s doing so with the team he kicked off his career with. Sean Leahy shares more on Backes’ one-day contract to retire with the St. Louis Blues. (Pro Hockey Talk)
• Where do the Vegas Golden Knights stand in net without Marc-Andre Fleury? Steve Carp, who’s officially taking over Vegas Hockey Now, examines the Knights’ situation between the pipes and the future for the team without No. 29. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Capitals single-game tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster or through the NHL Ticket Exchange and can be found here. Washington opens its 2021-22 campaign against the New York Rangers on Oct. 13.
• Philipp Grubauer gave a glimpse of his new setup for this upcoming season, which features True pads and a sick Kraken-themed lid. I truly think that Seattle is going to be the next big step forward and help him continue to maintain his Vezina form.

Philipp Grubauer shared a glimpse of his setup for the Seattle Kraken this year on Instagram.

Rocking True pads and a new Kraken-themed lid. 🏒 🥅

(📸: philippgrubauer31/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/vOGfcewMfT

— Sammi Silber (@thekidsammi) September 9, 2021

• Thank you to my readers, supporters, family and friends for bearing with me this past week. I was day-to-day with pancreatitis, which truly is among the worst pains a person can be in. But we’re back now and feeling good and cleared to return.