The Washington Capitals arguably had the best offseason of any NHL team after meekly missing the playoffs last season.
The team added top-six forwards Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, former Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, and physical defensman Vincent Desharnais. The Capitals also inked Josh Dunne, Justin Holl, Jonny Brodzinski, and Jacob MacDonald to free-agent deals to help with their depth.
Not only were the moves enough to bring back Alex Ovechkin for another year, but they also made Tuch, who came to the team after signing an eight-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, really excited about the future.
When asked on Thursday about the Capitals’ free agency signings in general on 106.7 The Fan’s Grant & Danny, Tuch responded simply: “I love it.”
“A lot of really good improvements to the roster,” he continued. “I feel that much more confident in my decision to come to a team that wants to contend and wants to win.”
Tuch went on to discuss almost every acquisition of his new team in other radio hits, having high praise for all the players and expressing his excitement for the team next season.
Jordan Kyrou
Kyrou came to the Capitals in a June 23 trade with the St. Louis Blues that saw Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin, and a first-round pick go back the other way. According to Tuch, the Capitals’ acquisition of Kyrou was finalized and announced right as he was working on his own deal out of Buffalo.
“I was almost a little surprised at first, but I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a great addition,'” Tuch told The Sports Junkies.
Tuch, formerly a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, is well familiar with Kyrou through their games against each other in the Western Conference from 2018 through 2021.
“Playing against him, I think he brings a lot of speed and talent upfront,” Tuch said. “He’s a player that’s going to give us a lot of firepower.”
Boone Jenner
Tuch had similar praise for Jenner, a physical center, who signed with Washington as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
“Playing against a guy like Jenner, it’s never easy,” Tuch said. “If I ever have to go in the faceoff dot against him, I don’t think I’ve ever won a faceoff against him.
“Really excited to pick his brain, and I think he’s gonna give us that depth up the middle. Just, he’s so heavy and hard to play against defensively, and he comes in and produces too.”
Josh Dunne
Tuch also talked about Dunne, who was his teammate in Buffalo the past two seasons before he signed with the Capitals as an unrestricted free agent.
“[He’s] one of my favorite teammates of all time, he’s an unbelievable guy, super unselfish, will do anything for the team,” Tuch said. “[I] sat next to him for most of the year this year, [I] texted him right away. He’s the best.”
Justin Holl
Tuch praised Holl’s character, saying he had heard great things about him despite never having crossed paths with him.
“He brings a lot of depth and some experience, and I’ve heard nothing but unbelievable things about him in the locker room,” Tuch said. “We had the same agent, so I’ve heard from my agents that he’s an unbelievable guy.
“I’ve heard from guys that he’s one of the best teammates they’ve ever had, so I’m really excited to get to meet him,” he continued.
Vincent Desharnais
Tuch discussed the physicality of the other big defenseman the Capitals signed during free agency, Vincent Desharnais, who comes in at a towering 6-foot-7.
“Huge defenseman, loves shutting it down,” Tuch said. “He’s got the heaviest cross-checks in the whole league. I remember last year he cross-checked me.
“It took me a couple shifts to feel back to normal,” he added, mentioning that he’s happy he won’t be on the receiving end during games, and expecting Desharnais to bring that physicality to their opponents.
“[I was] getting excited watching the Capitals make some big moves (Wednesday),” Tuch concluded, while speaking on Elliot in the Morning. “I don’t think any team is gonna push us around next year, that’s for sure.”
