Despite finishing first in the Eastern Conference with 50 wins in the 2024–25 season, the Washington Capitals are getting little respect from sportsbooks heading into the 2026 Stanley Cup race. Both BetMGM and FanDuel list the Caps with +2800 odds—12th-best overall—and behind teams they outperformed last season, like the Maple Leafs, Lightning, and Devils. BetMGM favors Edmonton (+650) while FanDuel gives the edge to Carolina (+700). The Capitals are also pegged as only the third-most likely to win the Metropolitan Division, despite finishing well ahead of their division rivals.

Meanwhile, Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson departs after three dominant AHL seasons—including two Calder Cups—to join the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant. His exit leaves a coaching vacancy in Hershey and a legacy of strong development for Caps prospects. Additionally, defenseman Ethan Bear, who led Hershey defensemen in points but never cracked the Capitals’ 2024–25 lineup, has been given permission to speak with other teams ahead of free agency, potentially signaling a fresh start elsewhere.

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