Sammi’s Daily: Explaining Capitals Moves, Team Canada, Kaprizov Updates

The Washington Capitals made quite a few changes but didn’t go for a blockbuster pickup in NHL Free Agency, which continues to roll on during the dog days of summer.

Top UFAs remain on the market, with Nazem Kadri, John Klingberg and more still waiting for new gigs. Meanwhile, some RFAs have figured things out, and others awaiting arbitration. Then, of course, there’s the trade market, where names like J.T. Miller remain on the block.

Here are all the latest news and notes from the Washington Capitals world and the rest of the NHL:

Capitals Links

• The Capitals didn’t go for a big name like Kadri in NHL Free Agency; here’s why they passed on star power and why it’s the right call. (WHN)
• Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov are taking the ice in Russia for a Paralympic sledge hockey match. They will also compete in another charity game on Saturday. (WHN)
• Here’s a closer look at what Darcy Kuemper brings to Washington on and off the ice, and why Scott Allen can envision him raising the Cup “again in the red, white and blue.” (WHN)

NHL Links

• The Vancouver Canucks see Jim Rutherford and Miller still far apart with regard to a new deal and his future with the club. (VHN)
• Here are all the takeaways from the Hockey Canada hearings from Parliament so far, as the 2018 and 2003 WJC teams face sexual assault allegations. (TSN)
• The Pittsburgh Penguins still have a lot of work left to do after re-signing Danton Heinen. (PHN)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• The Kaapo Kakko saga has ended in New York, with the Rangers signing the RFA to a two-year extension with an AAV of $2.1 million. There had been questions surrounding his future in the Big Apple following his questionable scratch in an elimination Game 6 (which NYR lost), but it looks like things are fine and he will stay.
• Maybe it’s just optimism or a gut feeling, but I’m expecting Strome to follow up with a career season in D.C. I think that a change of scenery will benefit the 25-year-old and that if he can bring his playmaking to the table, he could earn an extension to boot.
• Per The Athletic’s Michael Russo, Bill Guerin is confident that Kirill Kaprizov will be back for the start of the 2022-23 season with the Minnesota Wild. “He should be OK, and we should be OK,” Guerin said, per Russo.