The Capitals ended the 2024-25 season with the best record in the Western Conference, largely due to an outstanding season by Thompson. The 28-year-old Thompson split time with Charlie Lindgren throughout last season but was excellent when called upon, posting a 2.49 GAA and .910 SV% in 43 appearances (31-6-6). Thompson will likely be between the pipes for Washington's season-opening matchup on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins, where they are listed as -184 home favorites.

Roy exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday, but has confirmed he is good to go for the Capitals' season opener on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Roy is slated to start the season on Washington's second defensive pair alongside Rasmus Sandin after putting up 24 points (3G / 1A) in 69 games last season.

McIlrath exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to a lower-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday. The extent of his injury is unclear, but he was likely a long shot to make Washington's opening night roster on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. That said, the 33-year-old McIlrath was a solid depth blueliner for the Capitals last season, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in 17 games.

Roy exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday. The 30-year-old Roy was slated to start the season on Washington's second defensive pair alongside Rasmus Sandin, but it's unclear whether his injury will keep him out of their season opener on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Roy had 24 points (3G / 1A) in 69 games last season.

Milano missed 79 games in 2024-25 with an upper-body injury and has already missed Washington's practice on Tuesday as he deals with a new upper-body-related injury. Washington has confirmed that the new ailment is unrelated to last year's injury. The 29-year-old's last full season was with Washington in 2023-24, where he had 15 goals and 23 points in 49 games played. He is currently leading all players in goals (4) in the preseason.

Ovechkin gave the NHL community a scare on Monday after he left the practice ice with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to make a full recovery and return to Washington's lineup after the 40-year-old skated on Tuesday. The 21-year NHL veteran is not expected to appear in Washington's preseason game on Tuesday despite the good news. Ovechkin is coming off a historic, 44-goal, 73-point campaign across 65 games played in 2024-25.

Ovechkin's age-40 season is not starting as he would hope after the veteran had to leave the ice during training camp to be further evaluated for a lower-body injury. Washington has yet to provide an injury update on their captain, who is entering his 21st NHL season. The greatest goal scorer of all time enters 2025-26 after an impressive 44-goal, 73-point campaign in 2024-25.

After one successful season in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Sheldon Rempal has returned to North America and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension wth Washington. The 29-year-old last spent time with Vegas in the 2023-24 season, where he appeared in nine games and recorded two goals and three assists in limited minutes. In 68 games in the KHL in 2024-25, he had 31 goals and 61 points. He is expected to compete for a bottom-six spot on Washington to start the 2025-26 season.

Lapierre began the 2024-25 season with the Capitals but ultimately split his time between the AHL and NHL. During his time with the Capitals, Lapierre had eight assists in 27 games. He should be back with the Capitals as the No.3 centre to start 2025-26.

Lakovic was selected with the No.27 overall pick in this summer's NHL draft and quickly signed his entry-level deal with the Capitals. The 18-year-old left winger spent the 2024-25 season with the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), where he led the team in goals (27) and points (58) despite appearing in just 47 of 68 games.

Gastrin was selected No.37 overall in this summer's NHL draft. The Swedish centre spent most of the 2024-25 season in the Sweden's top junior league, where he was tied for the team-lead with 18 goals and second on MoDo Jr. in points with 42 in 40 games. He's expected to make the full-time jump to the SHL this season.

After being acquired at last year's trade deadline, Anthony Beauvillier will remain a member of the Capitals' organization after signing a two-year contract extension worth $2.75 million AAV ($5.5M total). The 28-year-old had joined five organizations in the last two years, but has found a home in Washington after scoring two goals and five points in 18 games after being acquired. Across the full 2024-25 season, he had 15 goals and 25 points in 81 games between Pittsburgh and Washington.

Washington continued to add to its depth on Wednesday by adding Graeme Clarke on a one-year, two-way contract. The 24-year-old appeared in three games with New Jersey back in 2023-24, but failed to pick up a point. He spent the entire 2024-25 season with Iowa (AHL), where he had 16 goals and 37 points in 64 games played. He is expected to report to Hershey (AHL) for the start of the 2025-26 season.

After three seasons in Philadelphia's minor league system, Louie Belpedio has left to sign a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals. The 29-year-old has appeared in 16 career NHL games but spent the entire 2024-25 season wiith Lehigh Valley (AHL) and had five goals, 28 points and 88 PIMs in 66 games played.

Washington added to its defensive depth on Day 2 of Free Agency by signing six-year NHL veteran Calle Rosen to a one-year, two-way contract. The 31-year-old Swedish defenseman spent 2024-25 with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), where he had 10 goals and 34 points in 62 games played. He is expected to report to Hershey (AHL) for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Fehervary has become a reliable defenseman for the Capitals and has signed a massive seven-year contract worth $6 million AAV to remain with the team. The 25-year-old Slovak defenseman played a career-high 81 games last season, tallying a career-high 25 points (5G / 20A) despite recording a career-low 139 hits.

Washington acquired the rights to Chisholm last week from the Minnesota Wild and promptly signed him to a two-year deal worth $1.6 million AAV. The 25-year-old Chisholm was a fifth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He averaged 17:00 time-on-ice last season with Minnesota, tallying 12 points (2G / 10A) in 66 games.