Lights, Camera, Caps!

Lights, camera, Caps photo shoot.
The Stanley Cup champions suited up in full gear at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex Thursday, posing and skating and shooting for the latest promotional media.

Players bounced around from an array of different filming sets, positioned around MedStar Capitals Iceplex, with the veterans and premier names hitting a few more stations, with the majority of the stations utilizing the latest in special effects to make a slew of cool videos for the team.
While the glamour and pageantry of the NHL isn't what typically motivates players, they appreciate the production crew's job and enjoy seeing the finished arena displays.
The objective is to "keep that blue steel as long as you can and letting them do their work," said forward Tom Wilson. "It's a fun day, lots of cameras and they do a nice job putting it together."

"It's … long," goalie Braden Holtby said of the festivities. "Not that fun but the finished product always looks good. It's worth it. Makes the fan experience that much better."
One major plus of the event is having everyone back in the facility. The annual photoshoot may linger a bit, but the day means training camp has arrived. Which means the Caps will take the ice as a team Friday for the first time this season.
"You're excited, you're nervous, you want to make sure you've done the right thing to prepare," forward T.J. Oshie said. "It's exciting to see what everyone's going to bring to the table, how everyone looks, how you're going to feel. I go into every year with an open and positive mind that it will be better than the last."
Instagram from @capitals: @kuzy092 ready for his close up 📸 #CapsMediaDay
That task has never been more difficult - a good problem, to be sure. But the Stanley Cup hasn't made the Capitals complacent. The motivation is the same, players said, even if it isn't derived from heartbreak this time. Some even suggested the victory will ease the shift into the regular routine.
For one, the Caps have had less time apart than any other team in their conference. And finishing a 24-game postseason run on top bodes well for momentum and a strong mental recovery.
"Just because you win last year doesn't mean you don't care about this year. It's the exact same feeling," Holtby said. "We want to get the best out of our team this year, and that starts in training camp."

While the Capitals retained nearly their entire roster - an unusual accomplishment for a championship team - changes are inevitable. For the Caps the most obvious difference will be their head coach, a familiar presence yet in a new role.
Players are excited not only to unite again as a team, but also to commence the Todd Reirden era in Washington and to find some rhythm early.
"We're such a close group, a close family. Reirds is a part of that family," Oshie said.
"It's going to be fun for us, for him and for everyone to feel each other out," he said. "I'm excited for what he has planned for us. I've always liked his ideas, his insights, the way he connects with the players. It's going to be a fun start here."