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Leafs’ Matthew Knies calls Auston Matthews ‘best overall player’ in the NHL, says Spencer Carbery is ‘deserving’ of Capitals job

ARLINGTON, VA– This year may be Matthew Knies’ rookie campaign, but the Toronto Maple Leafs forward has already had a taste of NHL hockey.

After reaching the NCAA Championship in his sophomore year with the University of Minnesota, Knies joined the Leafs for the tail end of the regular season, suiting up in three games. He would record four points (1g, 3a) in seven playoff appearances — including an assist on John Tavares’ series-winning OT goal — before a collision with Florida’s Sam Bennett prematurely ended his season.

During his brief tenure with the Leafs, Knies got to know both then-assistant coach Spencer Carbery — now head coach of the Capitals — and superstar Auston Matthews.

Knies spoke on coach and player alike on Tuesday at the NHLPA/Upper Deck Rookie Showcase.

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By Katie Adler 2 weeks ago

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The absolutely tragic reason why Vincent Iorio didn’t end up having a Calder Cup day

ARLINGTON, VA — Vincent Iorio had a remarkable first pro season. The 2021 second-round pick made his NHL debut and recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on an Alex Ovechkin goal. His biggest impact was saved for the AHL, where he spent the bulk of his time as a standout on the Hershey Bears’ backline. Iorio had five point (1g, 4a) in 16 playoff games as he helped push the franchise to its twelfth Calder Cup in team history.

Although Iorio is plenty skilled on the ice and has talents that could make him an NHL player for many years to come, his adulting could use some work – especially the filling-out-paperwork part.

In fact, this personal failing kept Iorio from having his own day with the Calder Cup over the summer.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Why Connor Bedard thinks the Capitals should be excited for Alexander Suzdalev and Andrew Cristall

ARLINGTON, VA– 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard spent Tuesday at the Capitals’ practice facility as a participant in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase. Though he’ll be playing nearly 600 miles away in Chicago, Bedard has ties to DC through friends Alexander Suzdalev and Andrew Cristall.

Suzdalev shared a line with Bedard for much of the 2022-23 season with the Regina Pats, while Cristall and Bedard met as children while playing in Vancouver and now play in a roller-hockey league together.

Both players earned a shout-out during Bedard’s press conference Tuesday, where the Blackhawk-to-be highlighted the skills he’s gotten to see up close.

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By Katie Adler 2 weeks ago

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Vincent Iorio gives up his number 6 out of respect to new teammate Joel Edmundson

ARLINGTON, VA — When Vincent Iorio plays his next game for the Washington Capitals, he’ll do so with a new number and perhaps with even more respect from his teammates.

Iorio changed his number from 6 to 2 over the summer. The Coquitlam, British Columbia native made the change after the Capitals acquired rugged defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens for two draft picks.

Edmundson wore number 44 with the Habs, but preferred his old number 6 that he wore during previous stops with the St. Louis Blues (2015-2019) and Carolina Hurricanes (2019-2020). So Iorio, who made his NHL debut while wearing 6, showed respect to the veteran player and gave it up to be a good teammate.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Connor Bedard thinks Alex Ovechkin will break NHL goals record in two years, has studied Ovi’s one-timer

ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals’ practice facility, MedStar Capitals Iceplex, played host to the 2023 NHLPA Rookie Showcase on Tuesday.

The event brought many of the league’s best prospects and rookies to the DC area so that Upper Deck could take photographs of the players for their first NHL trading cards. 2023 Connor Bedard, the first overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft, headlined the event.

During his session with the press, Bedard, who idolizes Sidney Crosby, took several questions on the Penguins captain’s longtime rival, Alex Ovechkin. Bedard believes Ovi will eventually pass Wayne Gretzky and capture the NHL’s goals record.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Alex Ovechkin officially returns, joins Capitals informal skates ahead of training camp

The gang is almost entirely back together.

With Labor Day weekend over, the Washington Capitals took to the ice on Tuesday morning and held their biggest informal skate to date as Training Camp quickly approaches on September 21.

The session was highlighted by the return of Alex Ovechkin, who jumped onto the ice after flying back to DC over the weekend from Russia.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Alex Ovechkin has grown to be a huge fan of American football. Not so much baseball.

With his return to DC this weekend, Alex Ovechkin is back in Washington just in time for the start of another sport’s season: American football. He spoke on his growing love of the game in a recent interview with Artem Batrak and Alexei Shevchenko of the Russian outlet It’s Hockey, Bro!, explaining how he developed into a fan.

In the interview, later transcribed by Sports.ru, Ovechkin explains how he wasn’t familiar with either football or baseball until starting his NHL career in Washington. He’s become a big fan of the Washington Commanders, but admitted he still doesn’t care much for American’s National Pastime.

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By Katie Adler 3 weeks ago

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Capitals fan on same early morning flight as Alex Ovechkin back to DC: ‘I honestly thought I was dreaming’

What would you do if Alex Ovechkin was on the same flight as you?

For longtime Capitals fan Kevin Steidler, the answer was to freak out inside and keep a respectful distance as to not bother the future Hockey Hall of Famer.

Steidler was on the same connecting flight as Ovechkin, which took the two from Instanbul, Turkey, to Washington DC late Saturday/Sunday morning. Ovechkin, as he revealed in Russia, is officially back in the area ahead of the 2023-24 season.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Alex Ovechkin meets first mascot in KHL history: Krut, a bigfoot

Alex Ovechkin made a new friend before he flew across the Atlantic on Saturday.

While doing a promotional appearance at FonFest, Ovechkin was introduced to Krut, the first mascot in Kontinental Hockey League history.

Krut is a bigfoot with lots of white hair; a large, toothy smile; and no light behind either of his eyes.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Alex Ovechkin’s the only player to score 40 goals and have 150 hits more than once during the last 15 years. He’s done it 10 times.

Alex Ovechkin is a different breed of hockey player. Not only does he seem destined to go down as the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history, Ovechkin is also the unprecedented star that successfully combines high-octane offense with consistent physicality.

Rarely thought of as a power forward, Ovechkin might be the definition of what a successful power forward looks like in his era. And he’s done so while rarely missing time due to injury.

According to Big Head Hockey, Ovechkin is the only NHL player to score 40 goals and have 150 hits more than once during the last 15 years.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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