#washington-capitals

#washington-capitals

The Caps hit national broadcasts 18 times, Leonard leads an impressive crop of prospects and more in today's Caps Clips. Your savory breakfast links: The NHL's national TV schedule is out, with the Caps getting a league-most 18 slots - including six of their last seven regular-season games. Gee, wonder why... Alex Ovechkin is one of a handful of NHL veterans heading into this season on an expiring contract.

"I could probably write a book about last year's season," he told TSN Radio 690 Montreal on August 21. "I could probably write a book about just [Alex Ovechkin] last year, and then I could write a second book about the season, about everything."

The NHLPA Rookie Showcase will take place at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, next month. The event is being held at the Washington Capitals' practice facility for the fourth straight year and fifth time overall. Ryan Leonard will be the Capitals' representative at the event, joining 30 other prospects and rookies from around the NHL. Leonard, 20, is headed into his first full season as a pro after playing 17 combined regular-season and playoff games for the Caps during the 2024-25 campaign.

PLD supports hockey in rural Quebec, Strome and TvR return to town and more in today's Caps Clips. Your savory breakfast links: Good guy Pierre-Luc Dubois is teaming up with the NHLPA to donate $40,000 in hockey gear to support youth hockey in rural Quebec. [NHLPA] The ice at Medstar continues to fill up, with Trevor van Riemsdyk and Dylan Strome returning to town to join the informal skates. [THN, RMNB]

It was as a fun series to play. Montreal, they were really good at the end of the regular season, first, so they came in with a lot of confidence. We knew what we were all about, too. I think we all knew that we were a good team, even though a lot of guys on the outside did not think we were that good.

Strome, 28, is coming off a second straight season where he led the Capitals in scoring, recording a career-best 82 points (29g, 53a) in 82 games. With the 80-point year, Strome became just the fourth Caps player other than Alex Ovechkin to record an 80-point season in the Ovi era. The Ontario native finished within the top 20 in overall NHL scoring and was also the Caps' top scorer in the postseason, posting 11 points (2g, 9a) in 10 games.

Rasmus Sandin: Lots. First off, every season, I kinda ask Ovi for some things to always bring home, so I can keep myself. Everything from a puck that we both played with or was like an assist or something. Now, he wants to keep a lot of it himself. Stick from that game, gloves, signed jersey... So yeah, bunch of things. Elliotte Friedman: Wait a second. He gave you a stick from that game? Rasmus Sandin: No, not from that game, but from that day.

Backstrom is easily the best playmaker the team has ever had, played a huge role in Ovechkin's record-breaking goal total, and was an underrated defensive player.

You come in here at 19 and you don't really know what to expect in pro hockey. I've learned a lot of life lessons here from finding my own apartment, having to get my own groceries and just really growing up.

Ilya Protas, supported by his older brother Aliaksei, aims to impress the Washington Capitals' staff ahead of the upcoming season.

"I'm very excited about the team in Carolina. They've been a tough team to play against in the past. I like all the young players that are there."

"It's special, obviously, just from my time here as a player, from all that we went through that year, obviously winning at the end of the year. I haven't been back since."