Spencer Carbery plans to begin training camp with Connor McMichael as Capitals' third-line center: 'I look at it as trying to balance out those top three lines'

"You probably look at it and go, 'Well, he's the third-line center. Doesn't he deserve a little bit more opportunity than that?' I look at it as trying to balance out those top three lines," Carbery told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "Last year we felt like our top six was [locked] in and we were always trying to find a combination on that third line to give us some good, reliable minutes and also be productive."

"McMichael's path back to center was freed up this summer when Lars Eller departed the team as an unrestricted free agent. Instead of replacing him, the Capitals' offseason moves were more focused on acquiring depth on the backend and on the wings. Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois are expected to retain their spots as the centers on the club's top two lines. Both players had career-best years playing in the roles last season."

Spencer Carbery plans to begin training camp with Connor McMichael positioned as the Capitals' third-line center to help balance the top three lines. McMichael recorded a career-high 57 points while primarily playing as a top-six winger last season and has expressed a desire to return to his natural center position. The vacancy at center emerged after Lars Eller left in free agency, and the team prioritized depth on defense and wings rather than replacing Eller directly. Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois are expected to remain the top two centers. The lineup could change during camp due to injuries or top-six needs.

Read at RMNB