#washington-capitals

#washington-capitals

Get a look at the kids at the Naval Academy and some space to talk amongst yourselves. Probably (hopefully?) our last open thread for a bit, as the Caps hit the ice for training camp in less than a week...but for now, please just enjoy Ryan Leonard vs. Cam Allen yesterday on the Naval Academy obstacle course (and don't worry, we all hate the ropes, Leno):

The 'commemorative paper tickets' are for this season only and exclusive to Club Red 365 members. The example designs feature Alex Ovechkin on every ticket, along with some of his star teammates. Notably, the April 12 ticket for the Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins game features both Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby in what could be their final regular-season game against each other.

That guy's the heart and soul of this team,

"If it's not working or if we feel like the team is in a spot where we need to add a veteran guy, then we'll go out and be aggressive to do that," Patrick told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "But I think we need to see what we have with some of these guys and then make our decisions based off that. I feel pretty confident in the team around them."

The logo is symbolic of Coupang's services that offer international customers a selection of millions of items sold by U.S. companies including fresh groceries, consumer electronics, and home goods-99% of which are delivered within a day. Customers in some overseas markets can also order goods by midnight and have it delivered early the next morning. All of this is made possible by Coupang's investments in advanced fulfillment and logistics technologies and services.

The Caps hit national broadcasts 18 times, Leonard leads an impressive crop of prospects and more in today's Caps Clips. Your savory breakfast links: The NHL's national TV schedule is out, with the Caps getting a league-most 18 slots - including six of their last seven regular-season games. Gee, wonder why... Alex Ovechkin is one of a handful of NHL veterans heading into this season on an expiring contract.

"I could probably write a book about last year's season," he told TSN Radio 690 Montreal on August 21. "I could probably write a book about just [Alex Ovechkin] last year, and then I could write a second book about the season, about everything."

The NHLPA Rookie Showcase will take place at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, next month. The event is being held at the Washington Capitals' practice facility for the fourth straight year and fifth time overall. Ryan Leonard will be the Capitals' representative at the event, joining 30 other prospects and rookies from around the NHL. Leonard, 20, is headed into his first full season as a pro after playing 17 combined regular-season and playoff games for the Caps during the 2024-25 campaign.

PLD supports hockey in rural Quebec, Strome and TvR return to town and more in today's Caps Clips. Your savory breakfast links: Good guy Pierre-Luc Dubois is teaming up with the NHLPA to donate $40,000 in hockey gear to support youth hockey in rural Quebec. [NHLPA] The ice at Medstar continues to fill up, with Trevor van Riemsdyk and Dylan Strome returning to town to join the informal skates. [THN, RMNB]

It was as a fun series to play. Montreal, they were really good at the end of the regular season, first, so they came in with a lot of confidence. We knew what we were all about, too. I think we all knew that we were a good team, even though a lot of guys on the outside did not think we were that good.

Strome, 28, is coming off a second straight season where he led the Capitals in scoring, recording a career-best 82 points (29g, 53a) in 82 games. With the 80-point year, Strome became just the fourth Caps player other than Alex Ovechkin to record an 80-point season in the Ovi era. The Ontario native finished within the top 20 in overall NHL scoring and was also the Caps' top scorer in the postseason, posting 11 points (2g, 9a) in 10 games.

Rasmus Sandin: Lots. First off, every season, I kinda ask Ovi for some things to always bring home, so I can keep myself. Everything from a puck that we both played with or was like an assist or something. Now, he wants to keep a lot of it himself. Stick from that game, gloves, signed jersey... So yeah, bunch of things. Elliotte Friedman: Wait a second. He gave you a stick from that game? Rasmus Sandin: No, not from that game, but from that day.

Backstrom is easily the best playmaker the team has ever had, played a huge role in Ovechkin's record-breaking goal total, and was an underrated defensive player.

You come in here at 19 and you don't really know what to expect in pro hockey. I've learned a lot of life lessons here from finding my own apartment, having to get my own groceries and just really growing up.