Here is everything to know going into the Capitals' training camp, including storylines to watch, dark horses, updates and more.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are officially back, as the team prepares to take the ice for 2023 training camp with the first on-ice sessions kicking off Thursday.
Washington is hosting 63 skaters to open camp, including 36 forwards, 20 defensemen and seven goaltenders. All attendees will be divided into three groups, which will be cut down as the team makes its final decisions and lands on its 23-man roster for Oct. 13.
Here is The Hockey News' first-ever Capitals training camp primer, which features names to watch, storylines, a schedule breakdown and much more.
Capitals Training Camp Roster & Groups
Washington will split their 63 skaters into three groups to open camp, where they will each participate in the annual skate test and practice on Thursday. Groups A and B are a good mix of NHL and AHL talent, along with some top prospects. Group C has a mix of AHL and junior players.
Here is the breakdown of each group:
Group A
Forwards: Nicklas Backstrom, Nic Dowd, Ryan Hofer, Alex Limoges, Beck Malenstyn, Anthony Mantha, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Alex Ovechkin, Matthew Phillips, Aliaksei Protas, Henrik Rybinski, Michael Sgarbossa, Alexander Suzdalev
Defensemen: Alex Alexeyev, John Carlson, Logan Day, Hardy Haman Aktell, Dylan McIlrath, Aaron Ness, Chase Priskie, Rasmus Sandin
Goalies: Garin Bjorklund, Darcy Kuemper, Clay Stevenson
Group B
Forwards: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Andrew Cristall, Ethen Frank, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Hendrix Lapierre, Connor McMichael, Sonny Milano, T.J. Oshie, Joe Snively, Dylan Strome, Riley Sutter, Bogdan Trineyev, Tom Wilson
Defensemen: Joel Edmundson, Martin Fehervary, Vincent Iorio, Nick Jensen, Lucas Johansen, Benton Maass, Jake Massie, Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goalies: Charlie Lindgren, Hunter Shepard
Group C
Forwards: Pierrick Dube, Jimmy Huntington, Brett Hyland, Jake Karabela, Julian Napravnik, Garrett Roe, Matthew Strome, Patrick Thomas, Mike Vecchione
Defensemen: Michael Kim, Nick Leivermann, Jon McDonald, Colin Swoyer
Goalies: Mitchell Gibson, Antoine Keller
Top Roster Storylines To Watch
- Alex Ovechkin is entering his 19th season with the Capitals. He sits 73 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history and must average at least 24 over the next three seasons in order to break the record within the five-year contract he signed back in 2021.
- Nicklas Backstrom is in for the biggest training camp of his storied career. He will have to show general manager Brian MacLellan and the coaching staff that he can still be a full-time NHL center and top contributor following hip resurfacing surgery last summer, which raised several questions regarding his future after a so-so return. He said that a full offseason would work wonders, and he is confident that will translate to improved skating and an extended career.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha were two of the top names on the trade block this offseason following disappointing seasons. However, despite the Capitals' aggressive push for a trade this summer, both remain with the team and no big moves were made. Now, it's up to them to bounce back, and Washington will be watching to see how they respond to new head coach Spencer Carbery, too.
- Mantha said in an interview this summer that he dropped a lot of weight this offseason and hit reset. Now, he wants to be more present for the Capitals. His goal is a 60-point season as he looks to prove his worth in a contract year.
- Connor McMichael, who made last year's roster but saw limited ice time and healthy scratches that led to his eventual return to Hershey, is looking to make the full-time jump this season and get more of a chance to show what he can do. MacLellan said this offseason that he, along with Beck Malenstyn and Aliaksei Protas, are pencilled in for roster spots this year.
- Joe Snively is also looking for a permanent stay after earning a spot as an extra last season and being a call-up who impressed when put into the lineup.
- John Carlson is excited to start back up after he sat out the majority of last year after being struck in the head with a slapshot, which resulted in a fractured skull and severed temporal artery. Ovechkin said Carlson's injury was one of the major turning points of the team's lost season, so having him healthy from the start should make a big difference for the club.
- Joel Edmundson, who was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens this summer, is looking to play the role of a veteran leader on the blue line while taking on some minutes.
Capitals Hopefuls & Dark Horses
- After making a full recovery from Hodgkin's Lymphoma and having a stellar season in the KHL and MHL with Avangard Omsk, Ivan Miroshnichenko is officially in North America after terminating his KHL deal and signing his entry-level deal with the team. While a roster spot will be difficult, Miroshnichenko has his sights set on making the NHL roster and has impressed in development and rookie camp with his lethal shot and skating ability. In the end, he'll be playing some kind of pro hockey in North America, whether it be in D.C. or Hershey, and the team is looking forward to seeing him in game action.
- Hendrix Lapierre is feeling confident and in the best possible shape following a Calder Cup run and a short, action-packed summer of training. After getting six games with the big club after making the cut in 2021, Lapierre is looking to earn a permanent spot on the NHL roster after an insightful rookie campaign in the AHL. However, he knows it won't come easy.
- The plan is for Alexander Suzdalev, who is listed as 10 pounds heavier than he was a year ago, to make the pro jump and start with Hershey following a standout rookie campaign with the WHL's Regina Pats. There are high hopes for the 19-year-old, who has impressed with his off-ice training and skating, shot and more.
- Vincent Iorio has continued to impress management, and after making his NHL debut last season, he's expected to get another look this year and potentially make the full-time jump next year.
- Keep an eye on Riley Sutter. The fourth-liner earned high praise from management this summer, and he will likely look to prove to the team that he can be a key member of the organization.
- Offseason free agent signings Alex Limoges (a Virginia native) and Matthew Phillips are both looking to prove they can make the jump from the AHL, where they've thrived in the last season. Watch out for how they rise to the challenge of an NHL camp.
- Mitchell Gibson will make the pro jump following his time in Harvard and will likely compete with Garin Bjorklund for the starting job down in South Carolina this season. Meanwhile, Clay Stevenson is expected to replace Zach Fucale as Hunter Shepard's No. 2 in Hershey.
Capitals Injury Updates
- Max Pacioretty remains out as he recovers from his second Achilles tear in a span of five months. However, his recovery is going well, he is in D.C. and the plan is for him to be ready not too long after the season starts.
- Nic Dowd, who underwent core surgery this offseason, has been back skating with the team as usual going into camp. He has been a full participant in informal skates and looks like he's 100 percent ready for the season.
- Rasmus Sandin's knee injury suffered at Worlds in May is not serious. He has been a full participant in informal skates and appears to be good to go.
- T.J. Oshie, who had a double ablation in April to address back pain, has been skating as usual and said after the procedure that he feels "light years better."
Capitals Training Camp Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 21
9 a.m. Group A skate test (Capitals Rink)
9:45 a.m. Group A practice
11:45 a.m. Group B skate test (Capitals Rink)
12:30 p.m. Group B practice
2:30 p.m. Group C skate test (Capitals Rink)
3:15 p.m. Group C practice
Friday, Sept. 22
9 a.m. Group A practice (Arlington Rink)
9:35 a.m. Group A practice (Capitals Rink)
10:30 a.m. Group A off-ice workouts (Gym)
11:45 p.m. Group B practice (Arlington Rink)
12:20 p.m. Group B practice (Capitals Rink)
1:10 p.m. Group B off-ice workouts (Gym)
1:45 p.m. Group C practice (Arlington Rink)
2:20 p.m. Group C practice (Capitals Rink)
Saturday, Sept. 23
9 a.m. Group A practice (Arlington Rink)
9:35 a.m. Group A practice (Capitals Rink)
10:30 a.m. Group A off-ice workouts (Gym)
11:45 p.m. Group B practice (Arlington Rink)
12:20 p.m. Group B practice (Capitals Rink)
1:10 p.m. Group B off-ice workouts (Gym)
1:45 p.m. Group C practice (Arlington Rink)
2:20 p.m. Group C practice (Capitals Rink)
Sunday, Sept. 24
9 a.m. Non-game group practice (Both rinks)
10 a.m. Non-game group scrimmage (Capitals Rink)
2 p.m. Washington vs. Buffalo (Capital One Arena)