Third-line center consistency, first-pair defensive pairing, and John Carlson's workload management will largely determine the Capitals' 2025-26 success.
Reacquiring Jonas Siegenthaler would strengthen a weakened left defense pairing; Chandler Stephenson could fill a third-line center role if signed to a reasonable contract.
The issue with the Caps last season was their lack of depth scoring, particularly from the bottom six, as they only managed one five-on-five goal in ten playoff games.