Sammi’s Daily: Capitals To Watch, Team Updates, Why Tkachuk Left Flames

The Washington Capitals’ informal skates continue, but this week, they’ll see formal action get underway with rookie camp. Hendrix Lapierre, Vincent Iorio, Bear Hughes and Clay Stevenson headline the rookie camp, but the full roster has yet to be released.’

Still, informal skates have gotten quite busy and intense, and now, captain Alex Ovechkin is back following an offseason overseas in Russia. The Great 8 officially joined the club on Friday, joining teammates John Carlson, T.J. Oshie and several more names.

Around the NHL, players are still signing PTOs and free agency is wrapping up with camp right round the corner. Other teams are also discovering more about why certain names left and what new names bring to the table.

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

Washington Capitals Links

• Alex Ovechkin is officially back in town and joined in Washington’s informal skates on Friday. (WHN)
• What exactly goes into the Capitals informal skates? We give you an inside look, from the layout to standouts and updates on Carl Hagelin, Dylan Strome & more. (WHN)
• Here’s why Alexander Suzdalev could be among the top Washington prospects to watch this season. (WHN)

NHL Links

• Why did Matthew Tkachuk want out of Calgary and ultimately pull off a sign-and-trade to Florida? Well, it could come down to who was ultimately going to wear the “C.” Calgary Flames (CHN)
• Zach Aston-Reese has a new home as he signs a PTO with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pittsburgh Penguins (PHN)
• Former Capitals forward Matthieu Perreault has hung up the skates and announced his retirement from NHL hockey, but while leaving, he let the Canadiens know who he wants to be the captain. Montreal Canadiens (MHN)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Stick taps to Nazem Kadri for donating to build the first surgical center of its kind in London, Ontario. He’s establishing himself as a leader around the league, and that should carry over to his new club to boot.

The Nazem Kadri Surgical Centre is the first of its kind in Ontario and a leader in surgical innovation, which is changing patient care on a global scale.@43_Kadri @KadriFoundation @LHSCCanada pic.twitter.com/DqGvizRCUw

— LHSF Canada (@LHSFCanada) September 8, 2022

• The Metro Division — and the entire East — is going to be extremely difficult to play in. The Capitals certainly got better with revamped goaltending and the forward depth. However, it’s going to be a tough playoff race.
• Carl Hagelin’s skating again, but he’s also looked good and very much in shape. Good sign for No. 62.