Washington enters the 2026-27 season with a noticeably different bench, a crowded forward group and a blue line that will have to absorb a long-term absence. The Capitals open the regular season Sept. 29 after finishing 43-30-9 last year, fourth in the Metropolitan Division and outside the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Spencer Carbery begins his fourth season behind the Washington bench with a roster built to push back into the postseason picture. The job now is getting several major arrivals settled quickly during a shortened camp and preseason.
Washington reshaped its roster
- Washington added winger Alex Tuch in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres after he signed an eight-year, $84 million contract.
- Jordan Kyrou arrived from the St. Louis Blues, giving the Capitals another established scoring winger.
- Center Boone Jenner signed for four years and $23 million, adding experience and a harder edge to the bottom half of the forward group.
- Defenseman Vincent Desharnais joined on a four-year, $16.8 million deal.
- The club also brought back Timothy Liljegren on a two-year contract worth $6.5 million.
There is precedent for Washington making a large number of newcomers work. Two seasons ago, the Capitals folded seven additions into the lineup and finished first in the Eastern Conference. This version has less time to find its rhythm, but considerably more depth up front than the group that missed the playoffs.
Scoring depth has to return
The Capitals slipped from second in the NHL at 3.49 goals per game in 2024-25 to 15th at 3.18 last season. Tuch and Kyrou are meant to raise that ceiling. Both have reached 30 goals three times in their NHL careers, and their arrival gives Carbery more options beyond the familiar top-end names.
Kyrou may be the most interesting project in the room. The 28-year-old saw his Blues role shrink last season, with his average ice time falling from 17:29 to 15:44. His production followed, dropping from 70 points, including 36 goals, in 82 games in 2024-25 to 46 points on 18 goals and 28 assists over 72 games last season.
Washington is betting that Kyrou’s pace will translate at five-on-five and on the power play. Pierre-Luc Dubois offered a recent example of a player finding better footing after arriving in the capital, and Kyrou will get the same opportunity to recover his offensive touch.
Blue line faces an early test
Rasmus Sandin remains the central injury concern. He underwent surgery April 21 to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, with a recovery estimate of six to nine months. Washington will need to cover those minutes in front of goaltender Logan Thompson, particularly at the beginning of the schedule.
The defense has also lost two familiar pieces. John Carlson was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks on March 5 and later signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2. Trevor van Riemsdyk left in free agency, signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Desharnais, Liljegren and rookie Cole Hutson are expected to help stabilize the group. Hutson, selected No. 43 in the 2024 NHL Draft, made a quick impression after leaving Boston University following his sophomore season. The 20-year-old posted three goals and seven assists in 14 NHL games late last season, including six power-play points.
His path echoes that of older brother Lane Hutson, the Montreal Canadiens defenseman who reached the NHL after his second season at Boston University and won the Calder Trophy in 2024-25. Washington will not need Cole Hutson to duplicate that award-winning debut, but it does need him ready for regular minutes and power-play duty.
Prospect depth could matter
Lynden Lakovic becomes eligible for the Hershey Bears when he turns 20 on Dec. 12. The 27th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft could be an injury call-up option if Washington needs help on the wing.
Lakovic looked comfortable during his first NHL camp last season before returning to Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League. He scored 18 goals and 29 points in 22 games there, but a shoulder injury ended his year and required surgery.
Strome remains a key connector
Dylan Strome’s production dipped to 19 goals and 58 points in 80 games last season, his lowest output in four Capitals campaigns. Still, his track record points to a rebound possibility in a stronger top nine. He has scored at least 20 goals in four of the past five seasons and cleared 65 points in three of the past four.
His 2024-25 season showed his offensive range: 29 goals, 53 assists and 82 points in 82 games, all career highs, along with 34 power-play points. His underlying workload was also strong, ranking in the 99th percentile among NHL forwards in offensive-zone start share at 49.0 percent and the 92nd percentile in total skating distance at 237.33 miles. He also recorded two long-range goals, placing in the 93rd percentile, and 13 high-danger goals, in the 83rd percentile.
With his established chemistry alongside Alex Ovechkin and new finishers such as Tuch and Kyrou around him, Strome could be one of the players most helped by Washington’s offseason overhaul.
Projected Capitals lineup
| Position | Projected unit |
|---|---|
| First line | Alex Tuch — Pierre-Luc Dubois — Tom Wilson |
| Second line | Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Ryan Leonard |
| Third line | Aliaksei Protas — Ilya Protas — Jordan Kyrou |
| Fourth line | Boone Jenner — Justin Sourdif — Anthony Beauvillier |
| Defense pair | Jakob Chychrun — Matt Roy |
| Defense pair | Cole Hutson — Vincent Desharnais |
| Defense pair | Martin Fehervary — Timothy Liljegren |
| Goaltenders | Logan Thompson; Charlie Lindgren |
| Injured | Rasmus Sandin, ACL surgery |
The Capitals have enough new pieces to change their look, but the opening weeks will be about fit: whether the scoring additions click, whether Hutson can handle a regular NHL role, and whether the rebuilt defense can keep the crease manageable until Sandin is ready to return.
