Weekend Wrap: Capitals Updates Before Camp, Jumbo Joe In San Jose

The next couple of weeks are going to be busy for the Washington Capitals, as official on-ice sessions will get underway at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. All the while, though, the team continues to hold informal skates, and they’re seeing quite a bit of progress to boot.

Washington will kick off rookie camp on Thursday, and it will go until next Monday. Then, on Sept. 21, the veterans will undergo physicals and off-ice testing before on-ice sessions start on Sept. 22.

Other teams are following suit, with some players starting to get work in prior to camp too. Meanwhile, other NHL clubs are still getting business done in NHL free agency.

Here is everything to know from a busy weekend in D.C. and across the NHL:

Washington Capitals Links

• Martin Fehervary had an injury scare over in Slovakia, chipping his front teeth and bleeding quite a bit in his final training session before heading back to D.C. (WHN)
• A closer look at the Capitals informal skates and what they consist of, as well as who’s standing out so far. (WHN)
• Former Washington center Mathieu Perreault hung up the skates after 13 NHL seasons. (WHN)
• Alex Ovechkin brought his family over from Russia as he returns for the upcoming Capitals season. (WHN)
• Ex-Washington goaltender Ilya Samsonov has officially landed in Toronto and is working out with the Toronto Maple Leafs — and he has a brand-new look to boot. (WHN)

NHL Links

• The Penguins youngsters are going to face some pressure going into rookie camp as the team looks to remain a playoff team. Pittsburgh Penguins (PHN)
• Jumbo Joe Thornton is back in San Jose — is he bound to reunite with the Sharks? San Jose Sharks (SJHN)
• We caught up with No. 1 pick Juraj Slavkovsky to discuss how he’s handling fame in Montreal, facing pressure with the Canadiens and more. (WHN)
• Speaking of Montreal, they have quite a few top prospects in the pipeline beyond Slafkovsky. Montreal Canadiens (MHN)
• The investigation into the allegations around the 2003 World Juniors team is progressing. (Sportsnet)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Taking the time to remember and pay tribute to all of the victims, first responders and brave people impacted by September 11, 2001. And back in 2001, Mark Messier had one of the most powerful tributes, wearing FDNY fire chief Raymond Downey’s helmet as the New York Rangers returned to the ice on Oct. 7 days after the attacks. Downey died trying to save lives at the World Trade Center.

“Mark Messier wearing Chief Downey’s helmet prior to the Rangers first home game following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Note the special “New York” jersey worn only for that game.

“For me, personally, it was very emotional for a lot of reasons,” said Messier” #BravestHockey pic.twitter.com/AusXhOXQxE

— FDNY HOCKEY TEAM (@FDNYhockeyteam) June 27, 2021

• Former Capitals forward Cody Eakin is headed to the Calgary Flames on a professional tryout.
• In personal news: congrats to my sister, Alex, on getting engaged to the amazing Matt Hurd, a great D.C. area hockey coach and player.
• In more personal news: collected my first win as a hockey coach this past weekend. Great weekend in Philly.
• We’ll have more coming on what the implications will be if Carl Hagelin does indeed return. Regardless, his teammates want him back.