NoVa Caps photographer Joe Noyes was on hand to capture images from the Capitals annual media luncheon. With training camp over, the Capitals will open the season on Thursday night in Ottawa.
Barry Trotz told the media that it’s possible that somebody that gets sent down today could still play in one of the first couple games. He also said that Tom Wilson’s hit may have been worse than it actually was.
Trotz is entering the final year of his contract. Like the Capitals since 1998, Barry Trotz hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs so he’s embarking on a “prove me” type of season.
T.J. Oshie signed an eight-year extension over the summer worth $46 million. It was a steep price but re-signing Oshie was a big priority.
Oshie is coming off a season where he scored a career-high 33 goals. With his leadership with a relatively young team, Oshie can help the Capitals return to the playoffs and maybe surprise some people.
Brian MacLellan said that he’s working with PTO Alex Chiasson and his agents and that his initial roster may not be the one the Capitals have five games in.
For more on MacLellan, check out this article from our site: Capitals GM Brian MacLellan Shares His Thoughts on Start of 2017-18 Season
Nicklas Backstrom is coming off a season where he scored 23 goals, the second-highest total of his career.
Entering his 11th season, Backstrom will anchor a top line with Oshie and rising star Andre Burakovsky.
Tom Wilson will begin the 2017-18 season with a four game suspension for his hit in the Capitals preseason finale against the Blues. He will make his season debut on Friday the 13th at the Devils.
Wilson is entering the final year of his two-year contract and looks to have a big season to earn that big paycheck with the Capitals next summer.
After winning the Vezina Trophy for his 48 saves in the 2015-16 season, Holtby had a strong regular season but a trying playoff performance. The Maple Leafs were scoring ugly goals in the first round and the Penguins more times than once rolled on all cylinders.
With a defense of mostly young guns, Holtby faces a challenging season ahead.
Alex Ovechkin looks like a man on a mission. He arrived to DC in late-August which is a lot earlier than when he used to arrive. In years past, he typically arrived the weekend before training camp began.
Ovechkin looks to have a bounce back season after scoring 33 goals last year. For anyone else, 33 is impressive but for a superstar that averaged at least 40 for most of his career, it is a down year. He has looked faster on the ice during the preliminary workouts and training camp and has slimmed down.
Welcome to October, Caps fans.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
