Connor McMichael

Dylan Strome centers second line after scoring twice in Capitals preseason debut, Connor McMichael skates on wing of fourth

The Washington Capitals were back on the ice as a full team again on Thursday after traveling to Philadelphia the night before, defeating the Flyers 3-1. As he has done on almost every day of Training Camp, head coach Peter Laviolette mixed around the team’s lineup to get a look at different combinations.

That mixing around saw Dylan Strome stick in the center of the ice after a fantastic game against the Flyers but with a new set of wingers on the second line in Anthony Mantha and TJ Oshie. Connor McMichael also got a look on the fourth line at left wing which is a spot on the team that remains up for grabs.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 days ago

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Connor McMichael skates as thirteenth forward at practice after making preseason debut against Sabres

The Washington Capitals were back on the ice for Training Camp practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Tuesday after having a day off prior. At the practice, head coach Peter Laviolette continued to tinker with his lineup and try out new combos.

That tinkering led to Caps 2019 first-round pick Connor McMichael skating as the thirteenth or extra forward of the group. McMichael made his preseason debut against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 days ago

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Connor McMichael gained five pounds over offseason and felt the positive effects in preseason game against Sabres

The Washington Capitals kicked off their 2022-23 preseason at Capital One Arena with an overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Skating as the second line center in the game was Connor McMichael.

McMichael, in a previous Training Camp interview, was very blunt about his primary goal for this season. He wants to be a center in the NHL.

After Sunday’s defeat, he detailed some of the work he put in this offseason to help him toward that goal.

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By Chris Cerullo 6 days ago

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Connor McMichael on his Training Camp battle with Dylan Strome: ‘I want to be a centerman, that’s my natural position’

Washington Capitals Training Camp just opened and there is already a developing roster battle. Caps head coach Peter Laviolette has two players vying for the team’s second-line center role: Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome.

McMichael took line rushes on Friday as the center on the line with Strome on the wing and then they flipped places on Saturday. After Saturday’s practice, McMichael spoke with Mike Vogel about where he thinks he fits best.

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By Chris Cerullo 7 days ago

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Peter Laviolette to the Capitals’ youth in camp: ‘Make noise and force a situation where you have to be kept’

The Washington Capitals have made it quite clear for some time now that younger players are not guaranteed spots in their lineup. General manager Brian MacLellan said as much in his free agency wrap-up presser in July.

“It’s a competitive situation,” MacLellan said then. “I don’t think we’re coming in guaranteeing young guys spots in the lineup. I think, you know, you have to earn it to a certain degree.”

Head coach Peter Laviolette was asked Thursday on the first day of Training Camp about the involvement of youth in his squad this season and about his message to them for camp and the preseason.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 week ago

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Brian MacLellan says Capitals don’t guarantee young players spots in the lineup

The Washington Capitals were first-rounded for the fourth-straight time in May. The team has not won a playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Big changes seemed inevitable this summer due to injury and some of the sterling performances from the team’s prospects in 2021-22. Brian MacLellan said the team needed a “youth injection.” That made sense.

The Capitals were one of the oldest teams in the NHL last season — a problem which showed itself at times in the team’s speed and durability throughout the year. Several prospects, including rapidly-developing center Connor McMichael, appeared primed for a regular role in the NHL, especially with Nicklas Backstrom out long-term. Joe Snively, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, and Brett Leason also seemed capable of being NHL players next season.

Fast forward a few months, general manager Brian MacLellan’s decisions in free agency seemingly broke with Brian MacLellan’s words in May and early July.

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By Ian Oland 2 months ago

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Connor McMichael: 2021-22 season review

Connor McMichael is a fast, young forward who likes to shoot, and it sure seems like the Capitals hate that.

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By Peter Hassett 4 months ago

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Capitals players gave Connor McMichael the nickname Oilers’ fans gave Connor McDavid: ‘McJesus’

Sometimes I think Washington Capitals players are aware of inside jokes on Caps Twitter. Why? Because it sure seems like they were inspired by one that was started by fans after Connor McMichael was drafted by the team.

Let me explain. Sunday, during Capitals Breakdown Day, Alex Ovechkin spoke about some of the team’s prospects that he was impressed with.

“We can see how young guys step up this year through all the injuries,” Ovechkin said. “It’s good for us, McJesus (Connor McMichael), Ax (Axel Jonsson-Fjallby), they’re growing up and they will help us for next year for sure.”

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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Connor McMichael stays in lineup for Game Four, Tom Wilson set to miss third-straight with lower-body injury

The Washington Capitals will look to extend their first-round series lead over the Florida Panthers on home ice in Game Four.

Tom Wilson did not participate in the Capitals’ morning skate and appears set to miss his third-straight game due to a lower-body injury.

Rookie forward Connor McMichael, who claimed Wilson’s vacated roster spot in Game Three, will remain in the lineup. McMichael got his first taste of NHL playoff action on Saturday, skating 8:35 of ice time on the left wing of the third line.

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By Chris Cerullo 5 months ago

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Some loose thoughts about why Brett Leason may be playing over Connor McMichael and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby

We here at RMNB talk behind the scenes as a team and with our friends on our DISCORD server. 95% of the time it’s to joke around or debate something incredibly stupid. One percent of the time it is me talking up longtime-Bash member, Sheena, and saying that she could beat all of us up. And then the other four percent is to debate lineup decisions.

For instance, this morning, I was super confused about why the Capitals called up Brett Leason and then got even more confused when he was tabbed to be the guy to replace Tom Wilson over Connor McMichael and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby for Game Two. Then I talked to Chris Cerullo and it kinda made sense?

I’m publishing this because I thought it might help some of our readers who are also confused about this decision so I have decided to break the fourth wall, write like a blogger (ignoring all my sports journalism instincts which I barely have already), and basically post the equivalent of a Xanga article.

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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