Sammi’s Daily: Capitals Open Up About Offseason, Prospect, Free Agency News

The Washington Capitals will see a new-look team take the ice for the 2022-23 campaign, and the changes did take some players by surprise. And, along with their new acquisitions, the Capitals also want to see their prospects step up as they inject youth into the lineup.

In other news across the league, free agency is still well underway, and some teams are still putting finishing touches on their rosters.

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

Washington Capitals Links

• Dmitry Orlov opened up about Washington’s goaltending overhaul and also spoke on Ilya Samsonov and his potential to be the Toronto Maple Leafs new starter. (WHN)
• After seeing himself low on some top 100 NHL player rankings over the summer, Alex Ovechkin is back on top as NHL Network’s top winger heading into 2022-23. (WHN)
• Could the Capitals consider P.K. Subban on a Zdeno Chara-esque deal to bolster their RHD depth? (WHN)
• Anthony Mantha wants to see fellow Quebec native Hendrix Lapierre earn a permanent stay up in Washington this year. (WHN)
• Speaking of Lapierre, he will attend the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, along with Juraj Slafkovsky, Shane Wright and other top NHL prospects, on Sept. 6 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. (WHN)

NHL Links

• Are the Penguins getting ready to bring in a veteran on a tryout? Pittsburgh Penguins (PHN)
• The Canadiens have made several upgrades this offseason, but with LTIR space, Montreal could be ready to do much more. Montreal Canadiens (MHN)
• The Metropolitan Division is looking stacked heading into the campaign; here’s why you shouldn’t sleep on the Flyers. Philadelphia Flyers (PHN)
• Here are updated COVID-19 protocols for the 2022-23 NHL season. (The Hockey News)
• The NHL 23 reveal is coming on Aug. 25 as gamers get ready for the next release in the franchise. (Sports Gamers Online)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Carl Hagelin turns 34 today. He has been on the ice for Capitals informal skates, which could be a good sign as he works his way back from a ruptured choroid that permanently took away part of his vision and also hindered his depth perception.
• Former Washington blueliner Dennis Cholowski has signed with the New York Islanders, who are making some re-signings and smaller transactions after missing out on Nazem Kadri.
• The Athletic has ranked Washington No. 24 in its NHL Pipeline Rankings.
• If the Capitals don’t make another move to bolster their RHD depth, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Vincent Iorio get a call-up and NHL ice time this season.
• The WHN Mailbag is now open. Send your questions my way @sammisilber on Twitter or @wshhockeynow.

Alright readers and hockey friends, time for one more WHN Mailbag to close out August.

Send all those burning Capitals, NHL, life questions my way! And… go. pic.twitter.com/8A67OEQEkw

— Sammi Silber (@sammisilber) August 22, 2022