2026 Season Preview: Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are coming up on a decade since their first and only Stanley Cup championship. After failing to make the postseason last year, they’re going have their sights set on getting back into the playoffs and making a push as Alex Ovechkin enters what could become his final year in the National Hockey League. 

2025-26 Outcome

Regular Season Results: 43-30-9

The Capitals were one of several teams in the Eastern Conference battling for one of the remaining playoff spots. Finishing the 2025-26 campaign with 95 points, they were four points out of either a wild card spot or taking the last spot in the Metropolitan Division from the Philadelphia Flyers. While it comes as a slight step back compared to the 2024-25 season, the Capitals showed they’re capable of remaining a playoff team and keeping a contention window open.      

Who’s In and Who’s Out

It’s definitely fair to say the Capitals improved this summer. The additions of Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch are huge for them, as they already had a solid group of forwards capable of driving offense. With two new names capable of scoring 20, 30, perhaps even 40 goals, their offensive ceiling as a team absolutely rises. Kyrou has been a name in trade rumors for years who desperately needed a change of scenery. If he can get back to the top of his game in Washington, he's going to be such an important piece for them in these post-Ovechkin years.

Losing Connor McMichael, however, is not nothing. It definitely wasn't a lopsided trade where either team came out of it clear winners, but based on all their other offseason business, Washington should be fine without him moving forward. They added some interesting depth players in Joshua Dunne, Vincent Desharnais, and former friend Jonny Brodzinski. But Boone Jenner really is the silent killer here. In a sheltered role where he doesn't need to be "the guy," I can really see him playing an important role on what is expected to be a playoff team moving forward.