Sammi’s Daily: Strome, Brown Join Capitals, Fedotov, Slafkovsky News

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals saw two new faces at informal skates on Wednesday, as new additions Dylan Strome and Connor Brown hit the ice to join their new teammates for the first time.

Both appeared to be in high spirits as Strome and Brown took in their new home for the upcoming campaign while also reuniting. Strome and Brown previously played together for the OHL’s Erie Otters, where Brown was the captain and a role model for an on-the-rise Strome.

“He’s a very big competitor. He likes to win,” Strome said of Brown. “…I think he’s a great leader. He was the captain of our team then and he’s a great hockey player. He was fun to watch that year. We had a very, very, very good first line [in Erie] that I got to watch a lot. They scored a lot of points and a lot of goals. I’m looking forward to being back on his team… It’s been a long time since we’ve been on the same team, but we’re excited.”

Meanwhile, Washington prospect Hendrix Lapierre gave a little more insight into his summer training, and Juraj Slafkovsky opened up about his experience as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft and said his life has changed quite a bit since the Montreal Canadiens called his name. Both spent quite a bit of time together at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, where Shane Wright and other big names took the ice as well in D.C.

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

Washington Capitals Links

• Dylan Strome and Connor Brown are the two newest faces at the Capitals informal skates. (WHN)
• Hendrix Lapierre said that while trying to add muscle, he was putting in so much work to the point where he was told to calm down. (WHN)
• Alex Ovechkin has left Russia and is en route to Washington, per his agent. (WHN)

NHL Links

• Juraj Slafkovsky opens up about handling fame and pressure in Montreal, expectations for himself and much more. (WHN)
• Speaking of Slafkovsky, the odds apparently point to Shane Wright being the favorite for the Calder. Montreal Canadiens (MHN)
• A fun story, as Pavel Datsyuk reminisces about that one time he fought Corey Perry. Detroit Red Wings (DHN)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Tim Stützle had the best response to his eight-year contract extension with the Senators. Siad that the money from Ottawa will help him make sure that his parents don’t have to work anymore. A humble young family man right there, and that deal is going to pay off big time for the Senators, who honestly, I see as a fringe playoff team in 2022-23.
• Per multiple reports, Ivan Fedotov has signed a three-year deal with the KHL’s CSKA Moscow. The deal comes after his detainment and deployment to an Arctic naval base this offseason, as well as an ongoing trial after being charged with allegedly trying to dodge military service in Russia.
• Evan Rodrigues is also reportedly getting a “lot of interest” as free agency continues, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Speaking of free agents, P.K. Subban still doesn’t have a home for this season. Neither does former Capitals winger Daniel Sprong.