Capitals Notebook: Chychrun Returns, Intensity Ramps Up As Several Players Stand Out At Informal Skates
The Capitals are closer to the start of training camp, which kicks off Thursday.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Everyone’s now marked as present for the Washington Capitals, as Jakob Chychrun arrived on Monday to join the full group for informal skates ahead of training camp this week.
Chychrun joined another full group at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, which also featured Dylan Strome, Anthony Beauvillier, Tom Wilson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Aliaksei Protas, Connor McMichael, Sonny Milano, Justin Sourdif, Brandon Duhaime, Nic Dowd, Ethen Frank, Hendrix Lapierre, Ivan Miroshnichenko, John Carlson, Martin Fehervary, Rasmus Sandin, Matt Roy, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson.
Alex Ovechkin and Logan Thompson, who have also been back and skating with the group, took the day off. Ryan Leonard and Andrew Cristall, who had been taking part in informal skates, were both at rookie camp in Annapolis.
The intensity continues to ramp up for Washington before opening its camp on Thursday, with players getting in skills work with Kenny McCudden before taking part in an intense 5-on-5 scrimmage between Team Red and Team White, where several players made a statement.
Beauvillier was among the top performers of the day for Team Red, burying a couple of goals and making his presence known on offense. Frank also continues to up the ante, using his speed and stickhandling to his advantage to generate high-danger chances. The same goes for Milano, who’s looking well on his way to returning to the NHL lineup this fall.
Also, credit goes to goaltender Lindgren, who came up with a handful of major stops and appears to be in top form going into his fourth year in D.C.
On the other team, Hendrix Lapierre has been getting reps in at wing and looking strong doing it. His skating’s come a long way, as has his shot, and both will be instrumental in him trying to stick around longer this season.
Ivan Miroshnichenko also shined, deking and moving fluidly into the open space to eventually score the game-winner for Team White — with an epic celebration to boot.
Washington is expected to get at least one more informal skate in ahead of media day.