Locked On Capitals - Daily Podcast On The Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery made franchise history by winning the Jack Adams Award, becoming the first in NHL history to claim Coach of the Year honors in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL—all while rising through Washington’s own system. Players praised Carbery for his communication and trust, helping lead the Caps to 51 wins and their first playoff series victory since 2018.Meanwhile, th...

In today's episode of Locked On Capitals, we dive into whether veteran forwards Chris Kreider or Jonathan Marchessault could be smart trade targets for Washington this offseason. Kreider, still under contract for two more years at $6.5 million AAV, brings grit, speed, and a net-front presence — the kind of physical winger who could thrive alongside Dylan Strome or Pierre-Luc Dubois. But with a 15-...

On today’s edition of Locked on Capitals , Dan is joined by Hockey Troll from the Caps Chirp Podcast to break down some major storylines for the Washington Capitals. First, they discuss the incredible impact Nicklas Bäckström has had on Alex Ovechkin’s career. While Ovechkin is known for his goal-scoring, Bäckström’s playmaking and vision were a huge part of that success. The chemistry between the...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings) and David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) are here to talk about the Stanley Cup Final beginning and where Mitch Marner is going to go in free agency, as well as some other key free agents!   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Mon...

In today’s episode of Locked On Capitals, we break down three big offseason storylines surrounding the Washington Capitals. First, we examine whether Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi—who’s reportedly on the trade block after rejecting a long-term extension—fits into Washington’s plans. While Rossi’s age, two-way skill, and offensive upside match what the Capitals are seeking, his addition would c...

As the Washington Capitals prepare for the 2025–26 NHL season, they return with a remarkably stable roster — all 20 NHL spots are already under contract heading into training camp. While this continuity speaks to management’s confidence, it also leaves limited room for surprises. The forward lines are mostly set, with Alex Ovechkin chasing historic milestones and Pierre-Luc Dubois poised for a ful...

In Part One of this special two-part crossover episode of Locked On Capitals, I’m joined by Hockey Troll from The Official Caps Chirp Podcast to relive one of the most historic moments in NHL history — Alexander Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, finishing the season with 897. We reflect on what this milestone means for the franchise, Ovi’s legacy in Washington and the league...

Alex Ovechkin's wife, Nastya, may have just confirmed what Capitals fans have speculated for years—Ovechkin could be playing his final NHL season in 2025-26 before returning to Russia. In an exclusive interview, she revealed the family plans to move back to Moscow following the last year of Ovi’s contract, aligning with his long-rumored desire to finish his career with Dynamo Moscow. While the Cap...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings) and Zach Martin (Locked On Hurricanes) are here to talk about what really matters in the playoffs: goaltending. Also, we discuss how to improve the regular season AND the playoff format, before swinging back to the playoffs to talk about the importance of physical players like Sam Bennet...

Is 2025/2026 season going to be the last for Capitals star Alex Ovechkin? The Washington Capitals head into the 2024–25 season with a crowded center depth chart and a major question at third-line center. Hendrix Lapierre is looking to rebound after a disappointing stint in the NHL last year, while Pierre-Luc Dubois is coming off a resurgent season that solidified him as Washington’s No. 1 center....

In this episode of Locked on Capitals, we dive into how the Washington Capitals might approach free agency in the summer of 2025, starting with a bold look at veteran winger Brad Marchand. Currently making waves with the Florida Panthers during their deep playoff run, Marchand's grit, leadership, and playoff pedigree could bring a massive spark to the Capitals' aging core—if Washington could make...

In this Mailbag Monday episode of Locked On Capitals, host Dan Holmi fields fan questions about the team’s offseason strategy. He discusses where the Capitals might upgrade their roster after re-signing Nic Dowd, including targeting a scoring winger to balance the middle six. Goaltending with Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson is stable for now, but not untouchable. The segment also highlights po...

In this episode of Locked On Capitals, we explore three high-profile NHL free agents — Sam Bennett, Brock Boeser, and Aaron Ekblad — and evaluate how each could fit into the Washington Capitals' evolving roster. Sam Bennett brings grit, versatility, and playoff intensity to a potential third-line center role, which could complement Connor McMichael’s skillset and balance the team’s depth down the...

The Washington Capitals are entering a pivotal offseason marked by key decisions surrounding veteran defenseman John Carlson, who has one year left on his contract. While he remains a vital part of the team’s core, general manager Chris Patrick indicated that no extension is imminent, citing the franchise’s shift toward a younger roster and the desire to evaluate how things evolve next season. Car...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings), Haley Taylor Simon (Locked On Blues), Ann Kimmel (Locked On Preds) and Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild) are here to check in on the start of the conference finals, talk through each team’s changes, make some predictions on the Stanley Cup Final, dissect the latest playoff disappointment fro...

The 2024–25 season marked a pivotal moment for the Washington Capitals, highlighted by Connor McMichael's breakout year. After finally earning a top-six role under head coach Spencer Carbery, McMichael posted career highs with 26 goals and 57 points while dramatically improving his defensive play. Rasmus Sandin also elevated his game, shifting into a more defensive identity following the addition...

In this episode of Locked On Capitals, we dive into several key storylines shaping the Washington Capitals' offseason. First, we discuss the alarming arrest of defenseman Alex Alexeyev for public intoxication following an altercation in Arlington. This incident raises concerns about his future with the team, especially given his status as a former first-round pick. The Capitals are looking to buil...

After a second-round playoff exit, Washington Capitals management made it clear: this offseason will be about smart refinements, not a major rebuild. President of Hockey Ops Brian MacLellan and new GM Chris Patrick emphasized their satisfaction with the current core, citing the growth of young talent like Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre. Rather than repeating last year’s roster overhaul, the...

The Washington Capitals’ season came to a crushing end as they were eliminated in Game 5 by the Carolina Hurricanes, losing 3–1 at home. The Hurricanes, a more complete and consistent team, controlled the series with superior special teams and possession play. Despite a late push from the Caps and a heroic effort by Alex Ovechkin, it wasn’t enough. Head coach Spencer Carbery didn’t sugarcoat it, c...

The Washington Capitals’ season came to a crushing end Thursday night with a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series. In what was arguably Washington’s strongest performance of the series, the game remained deadlocked for nearly 58 minutes until Andrei Svechnikov netted the game-winning goal with just under two minutes left. Despite a relentless push and...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Tom Callahan (Locked on Mammoth), Kyle Kjer (Locked On Ducks) and Shukri Wrights (Locked On NHL Game Night) are here to check in on the second round of the playoffs, before talking about some of the newly hired coaches, including Joel Quenneville and Rick Tocchet!   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money...

The Washington Capitals are staring down elimination, and Spencer Carbery is finally pulling every lever he can in a do-or-die Game 5. Moving Connor McMichael back to center, shuffling Anthony Beauvillier onto the top line, and even overhauling the power play shows that Carbery knows the current formula isn’t working. It’s not just about execution anymore—it’s about identity. This team needs speed...

The Washington Capitals are on the verge of elimination after a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4. Despite showing flashes of energy early, the team couldn’t sustain momentum and collapsed under Carolina’s relentless pressure. A critical four-minute power play in the first period turned into a missed opportunity, highlighting how the Hurricanes’ elite penalty kill has neu...

Despite bold declarations of confidence between Games 3 and 4, the Washington Capitals came out flat once again and were outclassed by the Carolina Hurricanes, falling 5-2 and dropping to a 3-1 series deficit. The team started with intensity, but that momentum vanished after one disastrous shift early in the first period, which marked the beginning of Carolina’s domination. The Hurricanes controll...

The Washington Capitals dropped Game 3 in brutal fashion, falling 4-0 to the Hurricanes after their strongest opening period of the series. Despite dominating early — highlighted by Ovechkin’s five shots in 29 seconds and relentless pressure — the Caps couldn’t solve Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen. Momentum flipped hard in the second period: defensive breakdowns, particularly from John Carl...