Sammi’s Daily: Capitals Prospects, Free Agency Updates, WHN Adds To Roster

The 2021-22 campaign is officially over, and as the NHL turns the page to next year, preseason schedules are starting to come out while the Washington Capitals and other teams are turning their attention to offseason preparations.

Meanwhile, in our world here at Washington Hockey Now, we’ve dipped into the journalism free agent market on our end as well.

Here are the latest news and notes from the District and across the NHL:

Capitals Links

• WHN has a new writer, as Mackane Vogel is going to start covering the Capitals after a lifelong journey following and growing up with the team. (WHN)
• Here’s how Washington goaltending prospect Clay Stevenson stacked up last season. (NoVa Caps)
• And, a look back at Tom Wilson’s numbers from 2021-22. (Japers’ Rink)

NHL Links

• Here’s everything to know about the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2022. (WHN)
• Speaking of the HHOF, here’s the amazing journey of identical twin brothers Henrik and Daniel Sedin and their unforgettable legacy with the Vancouver Canucks. (VHN)
• After the Colorado Avalanche‘s impressive Stanley Cup victory, the Philadelphia Flyers can learn a lot from them. (PHN)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Along with several Avalanche players, one other free agent to watch who is expecting a pay raise: left winger Ondrej Palat. The clutch forward has been absolutely clutch, and what’s even more impressive: he was a 2011 seventh-round pick. One team had the No. 207 pick before him and passed on the forward, who was taken at No. 208 by the Tampa Bay Lightning to take him. The team that passed: the Capitals, who selected Garrett Haar.
• On the topic of Washington prospects, 2019 fifth-rounder Martin Has saw his QMJHL Memorial Cup run come to an end when the Cataractes fell to the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. He still strung together a great series with two goals, four assists and a plus-3 rating through 16 games playing on the top pairing.
• LTIR and upcoming re-signings aside, the Capitals are projected to have $8 million to work with this offseason.