Washington Capitals News

Ovechkin is dealing with a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for most of training camp, but it is not expected to be a long-term issue. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer played 82 games in the 2025-26 season and scored 64 points (32G / 32A). The Capitals added notable offensive depth in the offseason, so Ovechkin, coming off a career-low 17:27 time on ice, could see his playing time dip even more in 2026-27.

Ovechkin is dealing with a lower-body injury, which has sidelined him during training camp, but it is not expected to be a long-term issue. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer played 82 games in the 2025-26 season and scored 64 points (32G / 32A). The Capitals added notable offensive depth in the offseason, so Ovechkin, coming off a career-low 17:27 time on ice, could see his playing time dip even more in 2026-27.

After two incredibly impressive seasons with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), Jacob MacDonald has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old joins his fourth NHL organization after appearing in 135 career NHL games, picking up 10 goals and 27 points. The defensemen will be expected to be a key part Hershey (AHL) after scoring 31 goals just two seasons ago with the Eagles.

When the 2025-26 season ended, so did Alex Ovechkin's contract, and there was some uncertainty surrounding his future. That said, the 40-year-old goal scorer will continue his NHL career for at least one more season, signing a one-year contract with the only team he has ever known, the Washington Capitals, who drafted him 1st overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Ovechkin remained productive last season, scoring 64 points (32G / 32A) in 82 games. The Capitals have had a busy offseason, bolstering their offence, which could allow them to be more situational and less reliant on Ovechkin in 2026-27.

Dunne played a career-high 34 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres, scoring four points (1G / 3A). That said, the undrafted 27-year-old forward has primarily been an AHL player in his career and will likely serve as a depth option for the Washington Capitals organization.

Booner Jenner was drafted 37th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has spent his entire career with the team, but will join the Washington Capitals after signing a four-year contract worth $23 million ($5.75M AAV). The 33-year-old forward has battled injuries in recent seasons but has had a solid 2025-26 campaign, scoring 38 points (13G / 25A) in 67 games with Columbus.

Desharnais, a towering 6'7 defenseman, had an impressive 2025-26 season with the San Jose Sharks, earning himself a sizeable four-year contract with the Washington Capitals worth $16.8 million ($4.2M AAV). The 30-year-old defenseman averaged 18:11 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A) and 103 hits in 53 games.

Holl spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, playing 41 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), but played nine games with the St. Louis Blues after being acquired at the trade deadline. The 34-year-old will provide some extra depth for an already deep Washington Capitals blueline.

Brodzinski has been a career journeyman, bouncing between the NHL and AHL, but he earned himself significant playing time the past three seasons with the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old forward scored 16 points (6G / 10A) last season in 55 games.

St. Ivany has split time between the AHL and NHL the past few seasons. He was on track to get a larger look with Pittsburgh in the NHL in 2025-26, but his season was derailed by injuries, playing just 20 games and recording seven assists. The 26-year-old defenseman will likely be vying for a position on Winnipeg's opening-night roster in the 2026-27 season.