The Capitals captain is optimistic with new head coach Spencer Carbery at the helm.
The Washington Capitals are less than two months away from the start of a new season, and Alex Ovechkin is optimistic that things will be different in D.C. this season.
The Capitals captain sat down with Sport-Express to discuss new head coach Spencer Carbery and the state of the team going into the 2023-24 season, sharing his excitement with the hiring and Washington's new direction.
"We already knew [Carbery]; we have a great relationship," Ovechkin said. "I was happy about this appointment because he knows me [and] many guys on the club who'd previously played in Hershey. I don't think we should expect any problems."
Carbery had worked in the organization for years and was the head coach of the Hershey Bears from 2018 to 2021 before leaving to serve as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over the last two seasons in Toronto, he turned the power play into one of the most dominant units in the NHL while helping the Maple Leafs pass the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 19 years.
Ovechkin said he is confident that Carbery, as well as his new staff of Mitch Love and more, will bring about positive change but added that there will be an adjustment period with the transition.
"The coaching staff has changed by 90 percent. The majority will become different, maybe the minority and the whole system of the game, too. The first month in training camp will be very important in this sense," Ovechkin added.
The 37-year-old also gave an update on his offseason training and health. Everything is going according to plan for Ovechkin, who missed nine games last season due to injury, as he's preparing to come to training camp at about "60 percent" before being fully conditioned and ready by the Oct. 13 season opener.
"The preparation is going the way it should go... I always start training camp not 100 percent, but about 60, so that I can then get in shape in the training camp and during the season," he explained.
Washington is looking to get back in the playoff picture after missing out on the postseason for the first time in nine years following a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.
And with a new coach and plenty of time to get healthy, Ovechkin is confident that the Capitals can return to form.
"Last season, we were undermined by injuries. Both Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson returned only in the middle of the season. It was a little hard after their return; it took time to adapt," Ovechkin said. "But now I think everything will be fine. We will approach the season in optimal shape. The main thing is that everyone is healthy."