Sammi’s Daily: Big Moves For Capitals, Trade Rumors, Shesterkin On Ovechkin

In the span of just two weeks in the summer, the Washington Capitals took some major strides forward as they made quite a few changes, from the goaltenders to the coaching staff.

At the same time, NHL Free Agency rolls on, and it remains a mystery as to how much longer top names like Nazem Kadri, John Klingberg and Phil Kessel will remain without a club for the 2022-23 season. But beyond that, there’s a lot of trade chatter going around too.

And, in fun news, New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin had some fun things to say with regard to the NHL’s all-time scoring record.

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

Capitals Links

• The Capitals goaltending problem got the best possible solution, as Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren provide a major upgrade over Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek, and here’s how general manager Brian MacLellan pulled it off. (WHN)
• Shesterkin discussed his countrymate and Metro Division rival Alex Ovechkin and believes that he can catch Wayne Gretzky — though he doesn’t plan on helping him out. (WHN)
• Washington made another change, bringing in Hershey Bears bench boss Scott Allen as the new assistant coach to replace Scott Arniel. (WHN)

NHL Links

• The New York Islanders are still reeling from missing out on the Johnny Gaudreau sweepstakes; are they now in on Jesse Puljujarvi? (NYIHN)
• Pierre-Luc Dubois accepted the Winnipeg Jets qualifying rumors and is playing down and walking back on all the trade speculation and wanting to play elsewhere, but there appears to still be a desire to suit up for the Montreal Canadiens. (MHN)
• Here’s more on how the Florida Panthers got in on the Matthew Tkachuk sweepstakes and the process behind their decision to ship out Jonathan Huberdeau. (FHN)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• This Capitals offseason feels a lot different. Washington is seeing several changes for the first time in a long time. Dylan Strome’s arrival up front, along with more forwards, a new third pairing and a new-and-improved goalie tandem could be what this team needs to get back to where it wants to be.
• With regard to the Panthers-Flames trade, I’m counting this as a win for Calgary. After seeing Gaudreau leave and Tkachuk also want to depart, the team was at risk of losing two 100-point scorers. Ultimately, the Flames pulled off a deal to bring in another top NHL contributor in Huberdeau, who finished fifth in Hart voting and is capable of bringing a new type of star power to the Pacific Division.
• Amid sexual allegations against Team Canada’s 2018 and 2003 World Juniors teams, Hockey Canada has established a plan to combat toxic culture. There are still ways to go, though.