Locked On Capitals - Daily Podcast On The Washington Capitals

Vincent Iorio continues to develop into a reliable two-way defenseman within the Washington Capitals organization. After a solid year with the Hershey Bears in the AHL, where he logged 20 points in 67 games, Iorio finds himself in a prime spot on the depth chart following offseason departures on the right side. Despite not showcasing offensive fireworks, his skating, poise, and smart puck-moving abilities make him a dependable option for a future bottom-four NHL role. His size and vision complement his game, and as he enters the final year of his entry-level contract, he could be called upon more frequently depending on injuries or roster moves.

Meanwhile, Aliaksei Protas took a massive leap in the 2024–25 season with the Capitals, posting a career-best 66 points and a stellar +40 rating. Thanks to improved skating and hockey IQ, Protas became a force on both ends of the ice, emerging as a dangerous scorer and penalty killer. His development into a complete player shows the organization’s investment in long-term talent is paying off. Additionally, longtime Capitals legend Nicklas Backstrom is eyeing a comeback in Sweden with Brynäs IF, possibly aiming for one last Olympic run. The Capitals’ prospect pool and veteran stories offer fans plenty to watch heading into 2025–26.

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Logan Thompson, despite finishing top four in Vezina Trophy voting and backstopping the Capitals to first place in the Eastern Conference, was left off Hockey Canada’s 42-man Olympic orientation camp roster. The snub has raised eyebrows, especially given Thompson outperformed invitees like Montembeault and Binnington statistically and head-to-head. Elliotte Friedman reports that non-invitees can still make Team Canada, but they must enter the Olympic drug testing protocol early — a deadline that may already be slipping away for Thompson.

Meanwhile, the Hershey Bears named Derek King as their new head coach following Todd Nelson’s departure. King brings years of experience from the AHL and NHL, and is expected to be a strong developmental leader. The episode wraps with an in-depth look back at Braden Holtby’s iconic run with the Capitals, his post-playing career as a guest goalie coach, and his legacy as one of the greatest netminders in franchise history.

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The Washington Capitals have officially signed 2022 second-round pick Ryan Chesley to a three-year entry-level contract beginning in 2025–26. Chesley, a former standout at the University of Minnesota, served as captain in his final NCAA season, posting a career-high 20 points and leading his team in blocked shots. After his collegiate season, he joined the AHL's Hershey Bears and tallied three points in four games, showcasing his NHL readiness. Known for his two-way reliability, strong skating, and defensive instincts, Chesley appears poised to make the jump to the NHL in the near future.

Meanwhile, veteran winger Tom Wilson was invited to Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp, putting him one step closer to representing his country in Milan. Wilson is coming off a career-best 65-point season and remains one of the league’s most physical and versatile forwards. On the flip side, goaltender Logan Thompson—who posted stellar numbers and finished fourth in Vezina voting—was shockingly left off the invite list, potentially due to past tensions with Team Canada’s coaching staff. Despite his snub, Thompson remains a top-tier talent in net and could force his way into Olympic discussions with another elite season.

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Terik Parascak remains one of the Capitals' most intriguing prospects after a rollercoaster season. Drafted 17th overall in 2024 despite concerns about his skating, Parascak impressed with a 105-point WHL campaign in his draft year but took a step back statistically this season without linemate Zac Funk. While his production dipped to 82 points, he showed flashes of elite hockey IQ and playmaking ability, especially in the playoffs, and even made his AHL debut in Hershey at just 18 years old. He’ll represent Canada at the 2025 World Junior Showcase, offering another key chance to prove his upside.

Meanwhile, Capitals veterans Logan Thompson and Matt Roy have already returned to DC for informal summer skates at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, signaling strong early leadership. Thompson, fresh off a stellar season and new contract extension, is embracing his role as a franchise cornerstone, while Roy brings stability to the blue line. Finally, Nicklas Bäckström has officially closed the book on his NHL career, returning to Sweden to play for Brynäs. After 19 years and over 1,000 NHL points—all with Washington—Backström leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, elite playmaking, and Stanley Cup glory.

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The Washington Capitals are seeing a surge in their prospect pipeline with a mix of high-end skill and redemption stories. Right wing Graeme Clarke brings proven AHL scoring and leadership to Hershey, while playmaking center Patrick Thomas enters the pro ranks after leading the OHL in assists with 104 points. Both players are expected to play key roles with the Bears this fall.

Meanwhile, defenseman Cam Allen’s comeback season has turned heads as he prepares for his AHL debut following a personal and professional turnaround. And perhaps most exciting of all, 19-year-old right wing Ilya Protas lit up the OHL with 124 points, earning comparisons to his older brother Aliaksei while carving out his own NHL path. The future in D.C. is looking increasingly bright.

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In today's episode of the Locked On Capitals podcast, we open with the emotional news that longtime Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is officially heading back to Sweden to play for Brynäs IF. After a storied NHL career spent entirely with Washington, including a Stanley Cup in 2018 and over a thousand games, Backstrom’s decision marks the end of an era. We reflect on his legacy, from his incredible chemistry with Ovechkin to the leadership he brought on and off the ice.

Then we pivot to Ovi himself. Will this really be his final NHL season? Despite the speculation, Dylan Strome isn't convinced, and neither are we. We break down what’s at stake as the Great 8 skates into 2025–26 with 897 career goals and eyes still set on pushing that record even further. Finally, we round things out with Tom Wilson’s Olympic aspirations and his potential role with Team Canada in 2026. Big emotions, big names, and big questions for the Washington Capitals.

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The Washington Capitals' first line in 2024–25 was a powerhouse trio featuring Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Tom Wilson. Ovechkin, at age 39, shattered Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record with 897 and still delivered 44 goals in just 66 games, defying age and injury. Strome broke out as the team’s leading scorer with 82 points and proved invaluable on the power play. Meanwhile, Wilson posted career highs with 33 goals and 65 points, becoming a force in both regular-season and playoff action.

Despite mixed expected-goals stats (xGF% and xGF%Rel), the line produced elite results on the scoreboard. Strome and Ovi’s on-ice analytics raised questions, but their production silenced doubts. Wilson’s physical edge and offensive resurgence were pivotal, positioning him as the likely heir to the captaincy. Together, this trio drove the Capitals to a 111-point season and a second-round playoff berth.

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The Washington Capitals have quietly executed one of the smartest retools in the NHL. Instead of tearing it all down, they blended their aging core—Ovechkin, Wilson, Carlson—with emerging talent like Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, and Ryan Leonard. Add in savvy trades for Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy, and Pierre-Luc Dubois, plus breakout goaltending from Charlie Lindgren, and you’ve got a team that is younger, deeper, and more competitive than most expected. It’s a retool that worked—and fast.

But they’re not a finished product. Despite making the playoffs, the Caps were exposed against top-tier teams like the Panthers. They still lack scoring depth, consistent physicality outside of Tom Wilson, and the kind of high-end talent that can shift a playoff series. Meanwhile, the rest of the Metropolitan Division has stumbled—between failed rebuilds (Devils, Rangers) and front offices clinging too long to aging rosters (Penguins, Islanders). The question heading into 2025–26: Can Washington finish what they started—and finally end the Metro’s 7-year Stanley Cup drought?

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The NHL offseason has cooled, but insiders believe a second wave of trades and signings is coming—and the Washington Capitals could be central to it. Linked to forward Jack Roslovic, who remains unsigned after a 39-point season in Carolina, the Caps still have over $4 million in cap space and are seeking a skilled forward to round out their top nine. With only 10 of their 12 playoff forwards returning, GM Chris Patrick could still make a meaningful move before camp opens.

Meanwhile, Washington’s prospects are making headlines. First-round pick Lynden Lakovic joined the World Junior Summer Showcase alongside Cole Hutson and Nicholas Kempf. Andrew Cristall is training with Connor Bedard in British Columbia after a dominant WHL season and looks to earn an NHL job this fall. Ethen Frank, who had a solid NHL stint last season, will battle for a permanent spot as the Capitals aim to inject more youth into their lineup.

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The Washington Capitals remain focused on adding offensive firepower after missing out on Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency. Two potential trade options have emerged: Columbus winger Yegor Chinakhov, who has officially requested a trade after clashing with his coach, and St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou, a proven 70-point scorer reportedly available due to the Blues' depth and financial considerations. Chinakhov’s affordable cap hit and prior connections to the Capitals’ coaching staff make him a realistic target, while Kyrou would require significant salary maneuvering but could deliver top-line production.

Meanwhile, former Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov is eyeing an NHL return after a year in the KHL. Despite reported interest from Montreal and others, Kuznetsov remains unsigned but motivated. His agent continues conversations with teams, emphasizing that Kuznetsov is looking for the right fit over money or immediate contention. A reunion with Washington seems unlikely but can't be fully ruled out, especially given his summer presence in the DC area.

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