The Washington Capitals enter the 2025-26 NHL season with three critical questions that could define their championship hopes.
First, will this be Alex Ovechkin’s final season? The Capitals captain turns 40 in September and is in the final year of his contract with 897 career goals. Despite missing 16 games last season, Ovechkin still tied for third in the NHL with 44 goals and continues chasing the 900-goal milestone.
Second, can Connor McMichael solve the third-line center problem? After setting career highs with 26 goals and 57 points playing wing, McMichael is moving to center to help balance the Capitals’ top three lines and create more offensive depth.
Third, do the Capitals have enough wing depth? With departures of Andrew Mangiapane and Taylor Raddysh, Washington is counting on young prospects like Ryan Leonard, Ivan Miroshnichenko, and Andrew Cristall to step up alongside veteran Anthony Beauvillier.
We break down each question with expert analysis, player projections, and what it means for the Capitals’ Stanley Cup aspirations. Can Washington maintain their Eastern Conference-leading form from last season while navigating these roster challenges?
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