Capitals Insider

Tim Hunter unlikely to return as Caps assistant coach

Katie Carrera — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:01:02 GMT

In addition any roster changes they make this summer, the Capitals are expected to tweak their coaching staff as well. Washington has granted Tim Hunter permission to interview elsewhere, and it is unlikely that he will return to the Capitals … Continue reading →

Hershey Bears name Mike Haviland coach

Katie Carrera — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:31:28 GMT

The American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears named Mike Haviland the 24th coach in franchise history Tuesday. Haviland, 45, was among the finalists for the Capitals’ coaching job last summer that ultimately went to Adam Oates. The New Jersey native has 14 … Continue reading →

2013 Stanley Cup Final: Bruins shut out Blackhawks, take 2-1 series lead

Katie Carrera — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:33:46 GMT

For the first time in this Stanley Cup Final series, a contest was decided without overtime. And, in the case of Game 3, it sure seemed over before the horn at the end of the third period. With goals from Daniel … Continue reading →

2013 Stanley Cup Final: Bruins, Blackhawks tied up heading into Game 3 in Boston

Katie Carrera — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:42:39 GMT

With the Bruins and Blackhawks tied at a game apiece, the Stanley Cup Final shifts to Boston for a pivotal Game 3 Monday night at 8 p.m. Chicago has yet to win a Game 3 in this postseason and is … Continue reading →

Alex Ovechkin says fractured foot is healing well

Katie Carrera — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:11:04 GMT

Fresh off winning his third Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player, Alex Ovechkin said his fractured left foot is healing well. “Foot is okay. Right now, I’m walking fine. I’m going to start playing tennis soon so … Continue reading →

Alex Ovechkin wins third Hart Memorial Trophy

Katie Carrera — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:39:33 GMT

It wasn’t the easiest season for Alex Ovechkin, as he changed positions and worked to reinvent himself under the guidance of Washington Capitals rookie Coach Adam Oates. But Saturday night his effort and the successful revitalization of his game were … Continue reading →

Alex Ovechkin has ‘tons of room to improve,’ Adam Oates says

Katie Carrera — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:04:02 GMT

Adam Oates made a point at the end of every exit meeting to tell players that while the season might be over, he’s still available to them. Whether they want to talk about their individual goals, hockey in general or … Continue reading →

2013 Stanley Cup Final roundup: Andrew Shaw gives Chicago triple-overtime win in Game 1

Katie Carrera — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:12:58 GMT

If the rest of this Stanley Cup final is anything like Game 1, we’re in for a tremendous series. Wednesday night was a superb display of end-to-end action and physical play by both teams as they traded goals and waves … Continue reading →

2013 Stanley Cup Final: Blackhawks, Bruins set for Game 1

Katie Carrera — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:53:11 GMT

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final kicks off Wednesday night in Chicago between the Blackhawks and Bruins, marking the first postseason meeting between the two teams since 1978. Both clubs are riding waves of playoff dominance heading into the … Continue reading →

A month after Capitals’ playoff elimination, Adam Oates looking forward to next season

Katie Carrera — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:09:50 GMT

Thursday marks a month since the Capitals were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs by the New York Rangers, and there’s been plenty of time for Adam Oates to analyze the decisions that led up to the Game 7 loss … Continue reading →

Agent: ‘No progress at all’ between Matt Hendricks and Capitals

Katie Carrera — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:59:16 GMT

Updated 1:51 p.m.: NHL free agency is set to open in a little less than a month, but the Capitals are no closer to reaching an agreement with gritty forward Matt Hendricks. Negotiations on a new contract for the versatile … Continue reading →

Joey Crabb won’t return to Washington

Katie Carrera — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:39:40 GMT

Impending unrestricted free agent Joey Crabb will not return to Washington next season, according to the forward’s agent. “He has no intentions to sign back with the Capitals,” Crabb’s agent, Kevin Epp, wrote in an e-mail to the Post. “I … Continue reading →

NHL closer to making visors mandatory

Katie Carrera — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:00:28 GMT

The NHL’s competition committee agreed Tuesday to recommend making visors mandatory for all players entering the league. Players with 26 or more games of NHL experience will still have the option whether to wear the extra equipment, but all others … Continue reading →

Jeff Schultz asks Capitals to trade him

Katie Carrera — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:14:57 GMT

After seeing his role and ice time diminished for a second straight season under another new coaching staff, defenseman Jeff Schultz has asked the Capitals to trade him so he can earn a consistent spot in the NHL elsewhere. Discouraged … Continue reading →

Capitals season review: Defensemen

Katie Carrera — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:06:03 GMT

From the earliest days of training camp, Coach Adam Oates made it clear that his system was designed for the protection and involvement of the defensemen. Ideally, blueliners will have the extra time to make the proper play to get … Continue reading →

Capitals season review: Forwards, Part II

Katie Carrera — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:12:11 GMT

Our season review continues with a look at the forwards who finished the season on the third or fourth line, and the questions they face heading into next season. If you’ve missed any of the previous breakdowns, check them out … Continue reading →

Capitals season review: Forwards, Part I

Katie Carrera — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:02:56 GMT

It was far from a seamless process for the Capitals as they transitioned to a third coach and third system in just more than a year. As players grew into their roles under Coach Adam Oates, the team pulled itself … Continue reading →

Capitals season review: Goaltending

Katie Carrera — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:45:15 GMT

This season, shortened though it was, marked the first time in recent memory that there was no question to who was the top choice in net for the Capitals. Braden Holtby not only earned the vast majority of starts, but … Continue reading →

Breaking down the Capitals’ restricted free agents

Katie Carrera — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:05:33 GMT

Of the players who saw regular time on the Capitals’ roster this season, three are set to become restricted free agents and the team obtains negotiating rights simply by submitting a qualifying offer. Washington has the right to match any … Continue reading →

Breaking down the Capitals’ unrestricted free agents

Katie Carrera — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:45:58 GMT

Last week when asked how much change the roster needed heading into next season, General Manager George McPhee replied “not a whole lot” and reiterated his confidence in the Capitals’ style of play. There will always be some tinkering in any … Continue reading →

Should the Capitals re-sign Mike Ribeiro?

Katie Carrera — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:26:42 GMT

For three seasons from 2009-10 through 2011-12, the Washington Capitals auditioned all types for the role of second-line center, with mixed and largely insufficient results. It wasn’t until this lockout-shortened year that they finally found a solution to the persistent … Continue reading →

Losers? No. Chokers? Perhaps.

Neil Greenberg — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:42 GMT

The Washington Capitals, contrary to what some may say, do not have a culture of losing. This organization has made the playoffs six straight seasons despite having four different coaches over that span, including three in the past two seasons. … Continue reading →

Should the Capitals re-sign Matt Hendricks?

Katie Carrera — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:10:34 GMT

Many might look at Matt Hendricks, a fourth-line grinder with just 17 points in the past two seasons combined, and think that the Capitals could simply replace him if they can’t come to terms with the impending unrestricted free agent. … Continue reading →

Wojtek Wolski signs with KHL team

Katie Carrera — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:48:24 GMT

One of the Capitals’ impending unrestricted free agents won’t be returning to Washington next season. Seldom-used winger Wojtek Wolski signed with Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League, the team announced Monday morning. Wolski’s agent, Joe Resnick, confirmed that … Continue reading →

Tom Wilson eager to make an impact for Caps

Katie Carrera — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:05:43 GMT

Highly-touted prospect Tom Wilson made his NHL debut in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but it remains to be determined whether the young winger will be on the Capitals’ opening-night roster next fall. As encouraged as the Capitals were by Wilson’s … Continue reading →