Washington Capitals players continue to return to Northern Virginia to participate in informal skates at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Monday morning saw the first appearances of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Anthony Mantha.
With camp set to begin in about 3 weeks, the #Caps informal skates are picking up. Today, Carlson, Kuznetsov, Oshie, Mantha, Orlov, Hagelin, Jensen and Hathaway are out here w/ Snively, Alexeyev and Anas. pic.twitter.com/Vtjby8c4nj
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) August 29, 2022
Last week we saw the informal skates begin to pick up steam with the first batch of Capitals players and prospects hitting the ice at MedStar.
Among those on the ice for today’s informal skate at MCI: Carlson, Eller, Hagelin, Hathaway, Lapierre, Snively, Anas, Alexeyev and, interestingly, former Cap Brett Connolly, who is currently a free agent. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) August 19, 2022
Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin is anticipated to arrive at anytime, telling Russian media two weeks ago he is likely to return at the end of August or beginning of September. Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary told Slovakian media he plans to return the second week of September. Sources tell NoVa Caps Aliaksei Protas will return this week.
Capitals training camp is anticipated to begin around the start of the third week of September, with the team holding a “Rookie Camp” prior to the start of the team’s training camp.
The Capitals open their 2022-23 campaign in 44 days when they host the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena on October 12.
By Jon Sorensen
I don’t expect Ovi to return until after Labor Day.