#washington-capitals

#washington-capitals

Panarin, 34, is expected to be traded off as part of New York's upcoming "retool," which was announced by GM Chris Drury last week. As part of that process, Drury reportedly informed Panarin that the team would not be seeking extension talks with him and instead would work with him to try to find a trade partner. The Russian winger holds a full no-movement clause in his contract, so he will have complete control over where he ends up ahead of the deadline.

Lakovic had started the 2025-26 season scoring nearly a goal per game with 18 markers in 22 outings before being forced out of Moose Jaw's lineup. With his final junior season cut short, he will now turn his focus to getting healthy ahead of what will be his first preseason as a professional, and Capitals general manager Chris Patrick expects Lakovic to be ready to work in the fall.

The road trip kicks off on a losing note, how do you solve a problem like no PLD and more in today's Caps Clips.

For two periods this afternoon, the Capitals actually hung with the league-leading Avalanche - largely thanks to a stand-up performance by Charlie Lindgren. That was the case really until Artturi Lehkonen's goal late in the third, when it became clear that the Caps just didn't have the firepower to match Colorado punch for punch. Plus: They won a goalie interference challenge for the first time since color TV was invented.

📸: Alan Dobbins/RMNB The Washington Capitals are ready to sign Cole Hutson if he decides this season is his last in the NCAA with Boston University. Hutson is currently in the middle of his sophomore year with the Terriers, posting 21 points (7g, 14a) through his first 21 games. Caps general manager Chris Patrick updated where the team stands with their top unsigned prospect when he met with the media on Friday.

I mean, for a young guy in this league, there's going to be some nights that are better than others. So you just want to make sure you're putting these guys in a position to have success initially, especially if it's their first time playing in the NHL.

Miroshnichenko arrives back in DC after playing two games for the Capitals in December before being returned to the Bears, firing three shots on goal and averaging 9:38 of ice time. The 2022 first-round draft pick has seven points (2g, 5a) in eight AHL games since then, including a two-point (1g, 1a) effort against the Cleveland Monsters last weekend. The 21-year-old Russian signed a two-year contract extension with the Capitals on Halloween.

With as many teams in the mix right now playoff-wise as there are, I think teams are very much trying to figure out their timing and what they need to do and when they want to do it, and then how aggressive they get or do they stand pat. For us, we view our biggest need as a higher-end skilled winger, and those aren't always available at the deadline. We're gonna keep trying to pursue those guys if they're out there.

The Caps host the Sharks, there's potentially good news on the injury front, the PWHL tour brings some hometown connections and more in today's Caps Clips. Your savory breakfast links: Previews of tonight's visit from the Sharks from Vogs, AP, and FLM, and be sure to swing by our pals over at Fear the Fin for the view from behind enemy lines. Checking in with the team after yesterday's practice, where it looks like at least two of the sick/injured guys may be ready to return.

Plus: Down Wilson, Sourdif and Chychrun, the Capitals were able to dig deep and give one of their most spirited efforts of the season in the third to pull off a game that looked D.O.A from the outset.

Josh Dowd: Are we ready, boys? Are we f***ing ready? All right. This is Nashville, guys. This one's close to home, as you know, so this is f***ing personal. All right. We're going to bring the heat. More importantly, we're going to do what? Have some f***ing fun. Okay? Here we go. Beau! Are you ready? Good, because you're going. Dowder! Are you ready? You're f***ing going. Franks! Are you ready? You're going. Sandy! Are you ready? You know you're f***ing going. Carlson! Always ready. I know you're ready. This guy's ready. And the gunslinger. Are you ready? You're going! Where's my beer? There's my beer! There's my beer! Let's go!

Yeah, I feel like I was cursed for a while, Thompson said. I've been feeling pretty good about my game, but couldn't find a way to get a point or two points. Really happy. The guys in front of me were tremendous tonight made my life easy. Just happy to get the two points. I didn't care how many goals I let in today; I just wanted to win.

"He's a significant challenge," Capitals Coach Spencer Carbery said. "He's having a phenomenal season. ... He changes his shot angle as good as anybody in the world. When he gets in tight spaces and you think you've got him stick on puck, he's able to just move it six inches more to get a real clean look off when he gets into that dangerous scoring area. And frankly, that's a little bit larger for him than it is for most players."