Silbsy’s Corner: Day 1 Capitals Camp Notes, Updates, Standouts & Line Combos
Here's everything to know from the first day of Washington Capitals training camp.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The first day of training camp’s never easy — just ask the Washington Capitals.
The Caps’ 2025-26 season officially kicked off on Thursday at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, with players taking the ice for the start of training camp. Players were divided into three different groups, with Groups A & B being a good mix of NHL talent, roster hopefuls and fringe players on two-way deals and Group C consisting mainly of AHL signees.
Things kicked off with the infamous skate test — something many players are excited to see is coming to an end with the next collective bargaining agreement.
“Oh my gosh, yeah, (I’m happy it’s over),” Nic Dowd said with a luagh. “That was tough. As I get older, it gets harder and the I’m skating with like, some of the fastest guys on the ice, so that makes you feel slow for sure... that’s a perfect time for it to end for me.”
For other players, though, the skate test is an opportunity to showcase the work and conditioning that they’ve put in over the summer, and several players stood out in their skate testing.
Cam Allen was strides ahead of his group, while Hendrix Lapierre, Henrik Rybinski, Ethen Frank, Ryan Leonard and Brandon Duhaime also stood out. Two more impressive skaters: 2025 first-rounder Lynden Lakovic, who led the entire time and didn’t skip a beat, and David Gucciardi, a seventh-round pick from 2023 who signed his entry-level deal at the end of last year.
After that, the groups took the ice for practice. Alex Ovechkin did not join the group for precautionary reasons, as he’s dealing with a mild lower-body injury to open camp. It’s “nothing significant” per coach Spencer Carbery, and he’s listed as day-to-day.
Martin Fehervary and Justin Sourdif were also non-contact; Fehervary’s reps are being managed as he continues to work his way back into the mix after knee surgery in April, and Sourdif is dealing with an illness. Meanwhile, Sonny Milano, who missed all but three games last season with injury, was full-go and cleared for contact.
In Groups A & B, Spencer Carbery put together his first line combinations, as Ryan Leonard got a look in a top-6 role skating with Aliaksei Protas and Pierre-Luc Dubois while Ivan MIroshnichenko got time with Tom Wilson and Connor McMichael.
“I’m telling you, the kids are good,” Wilson quipped. “If I don’t keep improving, I’m not going to have a job pretty soon. These young guys are big, they can skate, they got skill. It’s fun.”
Standing out in Group A, Hendrix Lapierre showed that he’s been putting in the work this summer; he looks stronger and more confident and mature in his game.
Sheldon Rempal, Henrik Rybinski and Bogdan Trineyev all made early statements, too. Rempal was showcasing his speed and shot, Rybinski his skating and vision and Trineyev his shot and hockey smarts.
Though Justin Sourdif took what was likely Trineyev’s job on the fourth line right wing, he’s still doing whatever he can to stand out and try to force the coaching staff’s hand.
In Group B, Miroshnichenko was one of the better performers of the day; he was aggressive on the forecheck, involved in the play, moving well and getting chances. Meanwhile, Ilya Protas, who is vying to make the pro jump this season, also used his 6-foot-6 frame (he grew an inch this summer) to his advantage and made some great plays with the puck.
Here were the full combinations from those first two groups:
Group A
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Justin Sourdif
Sonny Milano-Hendrix Lapierre-Ethen Frank
Sheldon Rempal-Henrik Rybinski-Bogdan Trineyev/Patrick Thomas
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Declan Chisholm-Dylan McIlrath
Calle Rosen-Ryan Chesley
Cam Allen-Aaron Ness
Charlie Lindgren
Garin Bjorklund
Group B
Terik Parascak (placeholder for Alex Ovechkin)-Dylan Strome-Anthony Beauvillier
Ivan Miroshnichenko-Connor McMichael-Tom Wilson
Eriks Mateiko-Spencer Smallman-Lynden Lakovic
Andrew Cristall-Ilya Protas-Graeme Clarke
Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy
David Gucciardi-Vincent Iorio
Leon Muggli-Louie Belpedio
Logan Thompson
Clay Stevenson
As training camp continues, here’s more of what I heard and saw today:
On Mitch Love: GM Chris Patrick addressed it and said that the allegations are “personal’’ in nature and not hockey-related. Wouldn’t comment further and said they hope for a resolution soon that will determine the team’s next steps.
The camp hijinks have apparently already started — according to Tom WIlson, Brandon Duhaime’s “already all over me.”
Logan Thompson is rocking two sets of pads this season: a mainly red kit, and then his white set from the end of last season.
Allen looks really good. As he works toward proving himself to the organization after getting into off-ice trouble last season, he has been among the top young skaters so far.
‘A Better Person & Better Hockey Player’: Capitals’ Cam Allen Reinventing Himself On, Off The Ice
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals prospect Cam Allen stares out at the ice rink, taking a deep breath and smiling. He’s doing better mentally after an emotional season in London, but admits he’s still putting the pieces back together.
There’s no holding back so far; it’s been physical and intense to open things up at camp.
Miroslav Satan Jr. is the tallest player on the roster at 6-foot-8; he also grew an inch this summer.
Ryan Leonard is still living with Pierre-Luc Dubois, who said that he’s doing his fair share around the house in the form of chores, including taking the trash out. He did get a warning, though, because he left dirty dishes in the sink.
I could see Rempal making more and more noise over the course of this camp…