Capitals season preview: Integrating offseason additions could pose biggest challenge

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Washington Capitals.

Last season: 43-30-9, fourth in Metropolitan Division; missed Stanley Cup Playoffs

Coach: Spencer Carbery (fourth season)

Biggest challenge

The Capitals were among the NHL’s most aggressive teams this offseason, adding four significant players in forwards Alex Tuch (trade with the Buffalo Sabres after signing an eight-year, $84 million contract), Jordan Kyrou (trade with St. Louis Blues) and Boone Jenner (signed four-year, $23 million contract), and defenseman Vincent Desharnais (signed four-year, $16.8 million contract). The challenge is finding the best fit for everyone and integrating them quickly after a shortened training camp and preseason. Washington has experience with this, though, from adding seven players seamlessly two seasons ago when it finished first in the Eastern Conference.

How they make playoffs

The Capitals must receive balanced scoring, and their retooled defense needs to get by while Rasmus Sandin is recovering from an April 21 surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. After dropping from second in the NHL in goals per game (3.49) in 2024-25 to 15th (3.18) last season, Washington has more scoring options this season after adding two three-time 30-goal scorers in Tuch and Kyrou. The defense will miss Sandin, whose estimated recovery time is six to nine months, and looks different without fixtures John Carlson (traded to the Anaheim Ducks on March 5; signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins). But the addition of Desharnais (four-year, $16.8 million contract), re-signing of Timothy Liljegren (two-year, $6.5 million contract) and rookie Cole Hutson’s expected emergence should help the defense hold the fort in front of goalie Logan Thompson.

Most intriguing addition

Kyrou could be the latest player to benefit from joining the Capitals after having a down season (see Pierre-Luc Dubois in 2024-25). The 28-year-old’s role and ice time (from 17:29 to 15:44 per game) were reduced with the Blues last season and his production fell from 70 points (36 goals, 34 assists) in 82 games in 2024-25 to 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) in 72 games last season. Kyrou’s speed on the wing will be a valuable asset for Washington at even strength and on the power play, though, and he will get a chance under Carbery to rediscover his scoring touch.

Biggest potential surprise

Lynden Lakovic turns 20 on Dec. 12, making him eligible to play for Hershey of the American Hockey League this season, but the No. 27 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft could be in line for a promotion if the Capitals have injuries at forward. Lakovic didn’t look out of place in his initial NHL training camp last season before going back to Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League and getting 29 points (18 goals, 11 assists) in 22 games before sustaining a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.

Ready to contribute

Hutson, a second-round pick (No. 43) in the 2024 NHL Draft, made an immediate impact after turning pro following his sophomore season at Boston University, recording 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 14 NHL games at the end of last season. The 20-year-old is expected to play a regular role this season, including power-play time, after he had six points (one goal, five assists) on the man-advantage last season. Can he continue to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, who similarly had a brief NHL stint at the end of 2023-24 following his sophomore year at BU and won the Calder Trophy as the League’s top rookie in 2024-25?

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Dylan Strome, F: He has had at least 20 goals in four of his past five seasons and at least 65 points in three of his past four seasons. In 2024-25, Strome had NHL career highs in points (82 in 82 games), goals (29), assists (53) and power-play points (34). Per NHL EDGE stats, Strome ranked among the forward leaders in offensive zone starts percentage (49.0 percent; 99th percentile), total skating distance (237.33 miles; 92nd percentile), long-range goals (two; 93rd percentile) and high-danger goals (13; 83rd percentile) last season. Strome’s 58 points and 19 goals in 80 games last season were his lowest totals in four seasons with the Capitals, but he has bounce back potential with the offseason additions of Tuch and Kyrou. Given Strome’s past chemistry with Alex Ovechkin and Washington’s loaded top-nine forward group, Strome could be one of the biggest teammate beneficiaries of offseason moves and a glaring fantasy steal in late rounds (average draft position: 142.6). -- Chris Meaney

Projected lineup

Alex Tuch -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Tom Wilson

Alex Ovechkin -- Dylan Strome – Ryan Leonard

Aliaksei Protas -- Ilya Protas -- Jordan Kyrou

Boone Jenner -- Justin Sourdif -- Anthony Beauvillier

Jakob Chychrun -- Matt Roy

Cole Hutson -- Vincent Desharnais

Martin Fehervary -- Timothy Liljegren

Logan Thompson

Charlie Lindgren

Injured: Rasmus Sandin (ACL surgery)