32 Thoughts

Friedman: Capitals free-agent acquisition Max Pacioretty has started skating in rehab process

The Washington Capitals signed veteran winger Max Pacioretty to a performance-bonus laden deal in free agency this past summer, fully knowing that Patches would not be ready for the start of the 2023-24 campaign. The 34-year-old forward is still recovering from his second torn Achilles tendon in less than a year but there may be light at the end of the rehab process tunnel.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided an update on Pacioretty in his latest 32 Thoughts column.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 weeks ago

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Mitch Love could be a hot head coaching commodity in 2024

The Washington Capitals hired Mitch Love as the first member of new head coach Spencer Carbery’s staff in late June. Love, the reigning two-time AHL coach of the year, departed the Calgary Flames organization and has made his way east to DC.

But, his stay in the nation’s capital could be a short one. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is already bringing up Love’s name for potential head coaching vacancies come 2024.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Tom Wilson trade rumors believed to drive Capitals ‘absolutely bananas’

Brian MacLellan is about as upfront and honest as a general manager in sports can be, but he recently found that his candor was no match for the rumor mill when Tom Wilson’s name landed on it.

Before Wilson re-signed longterm with the Capitals on August 4, several different reports emerged that Wilson was available in trades as he entered the final season under contract. This came despite MacLellan saying multiple times, unequivocally, that the Capitals were not dealing the forward.

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By Ian Oland 3 months ago

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32 Thoughts Podcast: Could the Capitals be a fit for Erik Karlsson and/or Bo Horvat?

The Washington Capitals, post-2018 Stanley Cup victory, are a team with their roster constantly in flux as the front office staff fights to keep them competitive while dealing with an aging core. That has not changed for the 2022-23 campaign and has been exacerbated by an inundation of unfortunate, long-term injuries to key players.

The Caps are also scheduled to have thirteen current roster members become unrestricted free agents this summer. Another three will be restricted free agents. So, the current injury issues on top of not having a ton of salary committed toward the future mean the Caps will be an intriguing follow for the next year in terms of roster construction.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 year ago

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Capitals could reportedly have interest in Hurricanes defenseman Ethan Bear

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Ethan Bear is on his way out of Raliegh after not dressing in any of Carolina’s six games to begin the season.

One of the teams that could have interest in the 25-year-old blueliner is the Washington Capitals.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 year ago

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Capitals reportedly gave Sonny Milano a $750k one-way contract to scare off teams from claiming him

After losing two young players to waivers, the Washington Capitals made their first move to try and get some of that organizational depth back by signing former Anaheim Ducks forward Sonny Milano. Milano officially signed his contract on Sunday morning and immediately went on waivers. The Capitals hope they can sneak him down to AHL Hershey.

Milano, 26, has played seven seasons in the NHL and had a career year for the Ducks in 2021-22, posting 14 goals and 34 points in 66 games. He made up one of the most exciting lines in hockey with Trevor Zegras and Rickard Rakell.

Milano, though, could not earn a contract over the offseason. He was given a PTO by the Calgary Flames during training camp, but was ultimately not signed.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the man who broke Milano’s signing on Saturday night, spoke more about the deal in his 32 Thoughts Podcast published on Monday and revealed several new details.

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By Ian Oland 1 year ago

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Report: Capitals tried to extend Conor Sheary earlier in the offseason

The Washington Capitals are entering an important time period that could reshape the franchise during the final years of the Alex Ovechkin Era in DC. The NHL Draft, where the team could make a trade, is on July 7 and 8, and free agency opens on July 13.

The Capitals, who have not won a playoff series since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2018, will have approximately $25 million to play with after second-line center Nicklas Backstrom had a second hip surgery last month that few athletes have returned from.

Now, Elliotte Friedman is reporting one of the Capitals’ first major moves of the offseason.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan tried to re-up 30-year-old, third-line winger, Conor Sheary, who will be an unrestricted free agent next year.

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By Ian Oland 1 year ago

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Report: Nicklas Backstrom could be facing a surgery that is a ‘big challenge’ to come back from

Nicklas Backstrom could be facing an uncertain future if he opts to get another surgery on his hip, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, one of the NHL’s top insiders, said on his podcast 32 Thoughts, Monday.

Friedman, who co-hosts the pod with Jeff Marek, played a snippet of Backstrom’s remarks from Breakdown Day.

“We’ll see what happens,” Backstrom said of rehabbing his hip over the summer. “We have some decisions to make. Those decisions aren’t final yet so we’ll take it day by day.”

Those comments “surprised a lot of people,” said Friedman.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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