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Sammi’s Daily: Capitals Updates, Tkachuk Won’t Re-Sign, Top UFAs Left

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Capitals links: Matthew Tkachuk

Wednesday was a news-filled day for the Washington Capitals and the NHL, as general manager Brian MacLellan spoke with the media while the rest of the league saw some more free agency and trade headlines unfold.

MacLellan took the time to share updates on different Capitals players while explaining the team’s moves in free agency. All the while, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving now finds himself in quite a situation, as Matthew Tkachuk informed the club that he won’t re-sign as the team elected to take him to arbitration.

And on a broader scale, there are still top free agent names on the market, including Nazem Kadri, who is still making his decision, and Phil Kessel.

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

Capitals Links

  • Tom Wilson is “on schedule” for Washington in terms of his recovery following ACL surgery. (WHN)
  • The Capitals made yet another free agent signing on Thursday, bringing blueliner Gabriel Carlsson on board. (WHN)
  • Speaking of free agency, amid all the new additions and forward depth, why did Washington re-sign Marcus Johansson? (WHN)
  • There’s currently “no concern” with regard to Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov being able to return to North America from Russia for the 2022-23 campaign. (WHN)
  • Da Beauty League is back, and Capitals Nic Dowd and Nick Jensen have already made their mark. (WHN)

NHL Links

  • The time may be now for a Calgary Flames rebuild as Tkachuk plans to depart, joining fellow 100-point scorer Johnny Gaudreau. (CHN)
  • And, after falling flat in the Gaudreau sweepstakes, could the New York Islanders bring in Matthew Tkachuk — and potential send another Mat the other way? (NYIHN)
  • Former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Phil Kessel, along with many others, are still looking for a new job heading into the season. (PHN)
  • So is Kadri, who has quite a few potential landing spots. (Bleacher Report)
  • Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella may have had another reason for joining the Broad Street Bullies: cheesesteaks. (PHN)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

  • The Carlsson signing is a safe bet for Washington, and he still has a lot of upside and plenty to bring to the table. The 6-5 blueliner brings a lot of size and still has room to improve as he looks to prove his worth as full-time NHL defenseman.
  • MacLellan said Wednesday that the team is interviewing and narrowing down its search for a new assistant coach. Scott Arniel left for the WInnipeg Jets in the offseason.
  • It’ll also be interesting to see where P.K. Subban lands. The 33-year-old still has a lot left in the tank (although his star power has dropped since joining the New Jersey Devils), and he also brings a lot of positivity and leadership to an NHL locker room.
  • Jensen’s Da Beauty League scoring is fun to watch, and he can really move the puck. It’s always exciting to see him bring those dekes and tricks to the NHL stage, and I believe he’s going to build off his career year.
  • The closer Washingotn gets to the opening night, the more I begin to question what exactly Lars Eller’s role will be amid the center surplus. MacLellan said he liked McMichael more at the center position and believes he has more room to grow and develop there.