What I'm Seeing At Capitals Informal Skates: Sourdif First Impressions, Lapierre, Miroshnichenko & Standouts

Here are some of the key points and takeaways from Washington Capitals informal skates with training camp less than a week away.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — As the Washington Capitals get closer and closer to the start of training camp, their informal skates are picking up big time.

Rasmus Sandin was the latest to join the group, and Justin Sourdif and Ivan Miroshnichenko also joined the mix this week.

Dylan Strome, Charlie Lindgren, Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Anthony Beauvillier, Hendrix Lapierre, Nic Dowd, Brandon Duhiame, Matt Roy, Martin Fehervary, John Carlson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas, Sonny Milano, Ethen Frank, Dylan McIlrath, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Declan Chisholm, Logan Thompson, Charlie Lindgren and Clay Stevenson are all also back at the rink.

With almost the entire team back in town and in attendance, the Capitals are ramping things up going into camp with some high-intensity and high-spirited practices, which consist of skills work, scrimmages and skate tests.

There’s been quite a bit to unpack and take away from the skates, so here’s what I’m seeing/hearing so far and what to keep an eye on.

• First impressions of Justin Sourdif: fans are going to love him. He’s able to get to the open space and put himself in the right spots, and it pays off as it allows him high-danger scoring chances or the opportunity to help out on the backcheck. While he continues to fine-tune his skating, Sourdif’s positioning, smarts and shots are all major assets as he establishes himself in D.C.

• Over his three years in D.C., Dylan Strome has established a new career high each season, and it looks like he’s in a good spot to continue that trajectory this year. He has looked incredibly strong on his skates, and his playmaking, vision and passing ability remain second-to-none.

• Tom Wilson’s speed has also taken a significant step forward. The 6-foot-4 winger is flying out there and moving very well as he looks to build on what was his first 30-goal campaign last season.

• The roster competition this season is going to be the hardest it’s been in recent years, and informal skates are where several players are doing what they can to establish themselves.

• Andrew Cristall and Ryan Leonard were skating with the main group ahead of rookie camp this week, with both knowing that nothing’s guaranteed.

• Sonny Milano continues to look strong, showcasing his speed, stickhandling and offensive prowess. He’s certainly looking like someone who can not just win a roster spot, but be an effective player to have in the lineup.