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Washington Capitals

Sammi’s Daily: Capitals, Free Agency Chatter, Trotz Watch, Zim Tribute

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2 years ago

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Capitals T.J. Oshie and Tom Wilson

There’s less than a month to go before the start of NHL Free Agency, and the Washington Capitals and the rest of the league are gearing up for quite the offseason. While some teams may be all-in for a rebuild, others have certain areas to address, cap space to clear and stars to bring in.

For Washington, this means finding a goaltender and also adding some firepower. Tom Wilson is likely out until at least December (ACL surgery) and Nicklas Backstrom’s future remains up in the air.

Meanwhile, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. It is bound to be interesting, as the Colorado Avalanche look to take a 2-0 lead into next week. Still, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been here before, and Andrei Vasilevskiy is dominant in Games 2-7 and when responding to a loss.

Here are the latest news and notes from D.C. and across the NHL:

Capitals Links:

  • Per reports, Alex Ovechkin made a call to Evander Kane earlier in the season to convince him to sign with the Capitals before he chose Edmonton. (WHN)
  • Looking at the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft, another name the Capitals can consider at No. 20: right wing Jimmy Snuggerud.
  • How are fans feeling after a fourth-consecutive first-round exit? The Athletic’s latest fan survey reveals how Washington fans feel about free agency, Peter Laviolette and more. (The Athletic)

NHL Links:

  • Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are reportedly going all-in on a new bench boss, and Barry Trotz watch is officially live and well in Sunrise. (Florida Hockey Now)
  • Also, Josh Anderson is a name that has been popping up on the rumor mill of late. Here’s what GM Kent Hughes had to say about the Montreal Canadiens potentially trading him. (Montreal Hockey Now)
  • And, in hockey history, let’s take a look at the longest overtime game in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.

Sammi’s Top-Shelf Takes

  • Wilson and T.J. Oshie made a cameo to congratulate former first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, whose number is being retired by the Nationals this weekend. The Capitals and Nationals have always been close, so it’s good to see that relationship still going strong for the “babes.”

  • My players to watch for Game 2: Valeri Nichushkin and Ondrej Palat. Both have been absolutely clutch for their respective teams in this postseason, and Nichushkin is also a name I’d be monitoring if I were Washington (pending UFA).
  • In the end, I don’t think not signing Kane ended up having much of a major impact on the Capitals, to be honest. They ended up picking up two defensively strong forwards at the deadline and relying on youth, and having Kane wouldn’t have changed the contender status too much.
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