The 2026 IIHF World Championship begins next month in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
With the Washington Capitals not qualifying for the NHL’s postseason, many of the team’s players’ focus could turn to representing their nations at the tournament. While some have indicated they would jump at the opportunity to don their national team colors, others relayed at Breakdown Day on Thursday that they are prioritizing rest and recuperation this summer.
Ryan Leonard was the first of the Capitals to announce that he has already committed to playing, joining Team USA’s eventual roster. Leonard, who posted 45 points (20g, 25a) in 75 games during his rookie season with the Caps, played in six games for the Americans at the 2024 World Championship before he turned pro.
“I’m going to men’s worlds,” Leonard said Thursday. “It was kind of like in the talks the past couple weeks. Obviously, I didn’t want to really worry about that too much and kind of just wanted to do everything we could to get into the playoffs. I figured most of the stuff out yesterday.
“I don’t have a plan yet, so it’s kind of weird with the tournament not being for another month. So, yeah, I’ll be here for a little bit, then go over there, hopefully win a gold medal, probably take some time off, probably go home again, live with my brother, and see my parents a whole lot.”
The lone other Capitals player to express interest in playing overseas next month was 19-year-old defenseman Cole Hutson. The rookie rearguard, set to become roommates with Leonard in DC next year, was on Team USA’s roster at last year’s tournament but only saw action in tune-up exhibition games.
Hutson and Leonard have been teammates on a major international stage before at the World Junior Championship, winning gold together in 2025.
“Yeah, I haven’t gotten asked yet, so we’ll see,” Hutson said. “But if Ryan’s going, I’d definitely be open to it.”
While the two young Americans seem raring to go, a few of the Capitals’ Canadian veterans are either leaning toward declining an invitation or have already decided not to go.
“I’m not sure yet,” Dylan Strome said. “I haven’t got asked yet. My agent talked to me a little bit last night about potentially getting a call today, so we’ll see. I’ve been one time, so I’m not sure. I think you start on May 15th, and you don’t end until May 31st. And then you probably have a couple days off, so you’re really not starting your summer until early June.
“That’s kind of what happened last summer, where we played until May or mid-May or late May, I guess. I feel like I’m probably leaning towards not going. I think it’s just something that I’ve done already. I think it’s a good chance to rest your body and get kind of healthy and 100% healthy for next year.”
Strome played at the 2019 tournament, recording five points (1g, 4a) in 10 games for the silver medalist Canadians. He was teammates with Pierre-Luc Dubois at that tournament, who won’t be able to play again this year, even if he wanted to, after fracturing his hand at the end of the regular season.
The Capitals’ two Canadian Olympians from this past February, Tom Wilson and Logan Thompson, are also thinking of prioritizing rest over donning the Maple Leaf crest again.
“I’m not going to go this year, I think,” Thompson said. “Having a conversation with them, I’ve played a lot of hockey. I wouldn’t mind just a little time off. I like to really disconnect in the offseason and take some time off. I think that’s healthy. And for me, I think I’m going to take a couple months off here and just reset the mind and come back again next year.”
“I don’t know, I haven’t made a decision yet,” Wilson said. “I’m pretty exhausted. My family has been there throughout the whole long season, a lot of nights alone when we’re on the road. Like I said, traveling 10, 12 hours over to Italy for two, three weeks. I know my toddler’s not exhausted. He’s full of energy. He would probably love going to Switzerland. I don’t know if we have it in us, so I’ll make that decision.”
Other Capitals who didn’t comment on their potential availability but could garner invites from their nations likely include Jakob Chychrun (Canada), Connor McMichael (Canada), Matt Roy (USA), Timothy Liljegren (Sweden), Martin Fehervary (Slovakia), and Charlie Lindgren (USA).
The 16-team tournament begins with preliminary-round play on May 15, with the final on May 31. Team USA is the defending champion after beating Switzerland in last year’s gold medal game.
