Sammi’s Weekend Wrap: Capitals Impress At Rookie Camp, Eichel Reportedly Buffalo-Bound

The Washington Capitals are back in action, and Medstar Capitals Iceplex has filled with fans once again as the team’s prospects hit the ice for rookie camp. Meanwhile, official training camp and the start of the NHL preseason is right around the corner.

Here are the latest headlines to catch up on from this weekend.

Capitals Links

• Washington is back on the ice for rookie camp, and a number of players are standing out. Here are our observations from the first two days of action. (Washington Hockey Now)
• Speaking of standouts, Dru Krebs is making his presence known. The 18-year-old opened up about growing up in a hockey family, his impressive skating ability and his Capitals journey so far. (WHN)
• Meanwhile, Connor McMichael spent his summer training with top NHLers, including Connor McDavid and Mat Barzal. Andrew Gillis details the prospect’s offseason and his goal to put on more weight and improve his strength. (NBC Sports Washington)

NHL Links

• Zdeno Chara is staying in the NHL, and he’s going back to where it all began. Christian Arnold has more on the former Washington blueliner’s one-year deal with the New York Islanders. (NYI Hockey Now)
• With Zach Hyman and Duncan Keith joining the mix and Ethan Bear in Carolina, how will Connor McDavid’s Oilers fare this season? James O’Brien previews how this year may play out for Edmonton. (Pro Hockey Talk)
• Per a source, Jack Eichel will report for his pre-camp physical with Buffalo. John Wawrow shares the latest on the Sabres’ captain’s situation. (AP)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Among those taking in rookie camp at Medstar Capitals Iceplex: Brooks Orpik. Batya, who works in player development with the team, was watching the team’s prospects closely on Day 2 of camp.
• Hendrix Lapierre is going to make quite the impact at the NHL level. He’s feeling more confident in his game, and you can see that playing out on the ice. Lapierre was traded to the QMJHL’s Acadia-Bathurst, and he’ll look to pick up where he left off from last season with Chicoutimi, where he would have been on pace for 100 points (1.48 PPG) in a normal 68-game season.
• Best of luck to Big Zee on the Island. He made quite the impression on the Capitals locker room and was first class, while also bringing a lot of leadership that earned him an “A” quickly in D.C.