The Washington Capitals have a couple of new faces up front following their blockbuster offseason, with Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou joining the mix and looking to bolster the top-6.
And, according to The Hockey News' Yearbook and Fantasy Guide, both are expected to have an immediate impact up front, especially Tuch.
Tuch is projected to have a career year with his new team, with THN predicting he'll score 35 goals and 35 assists for 70 points in an average of 80 games. It'd be his highest-scoring season since 2022-23 with the Buffalo Sabres, where he had 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points in 74 games.
The 30-year-old inked an eight-year contract with the Capitals in a sign-and-trade earlier this season, and has had two consecutive 30-goal campaigns and at least 66 points in three of the last four seasons.
Not only is he a top contributor up front, but Tuch is also a versatile leader who can log heavy minutes, play on special teams, including the power play and penalty kill and perform well on either side of the puck.
In addition to Tuch, Kyrou, who was traded to D.C. in a deal for Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gästrin and the 16th overall pick in this year's draft, is also expected to bring plenty to the table in his first year with his new team.
THN's Yearbook has Kyrou on pace for 30 goals and 32 assists for 62 points in an 81-game pace, the same projection for Aliaksei Protas going into the campaign.
It'd be a bounce-back season for the 28-year-old, who had 18 goals and 28 assists for 46 points in 72 games with the Blues last year. However, before that, he had three consecutive 30-goal seasons, and his speed and scoring ability gives Washington another reliable wing option.
The Hockey News' Yearbook and Fantasy Guide is available for purchase here.
