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2016-17 Washington Capitals training camp preview: Forwards

Staff writer
September 23, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. EDT
(Toni L. Sandys/ The Washington Post)

Here we are, the start of Washington Capitals training camp, nearing the beginning of another season. The team conducted its off-ice testing – weightlifting, flexibility and such – on Thursday, will hold its first on-ice practice Friday and host its preseason opener Monday against Carolina. For now, a look at the 38 forwards listed on the training camp roster and storylines to follow.

RETURNING PLAYERS (14)

Nicklas Backstrom, Jay Beagle, Andre Burakovsky, Paul Carey, Stanislav Galiev, Marcus Johansson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie, Alex Ovechkin, Zach Sill, Chandler Stephenson, Justin Williams, Tom Wilson, Daniel Winnik.

OFFSEASON NHL ADDITIONS (4)

Brett Connolly (Boston Bruins, free agent), Lars Eller (Montreal Canadiens, trade), Brad Malone (Carolina Hurricanes, free agency), Christian Thomas (Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes/St. John’s and Springfield in AHL)

After lengthy contract negotiations, Dmitry Orlov ‘excited’ to re-sign with Capitals

OFFSEASON NHL DEPARTURES (3)

Jason Chimera (New York Islanders), Michael Latta (Los Angeles Kings), Mike Richards (unsigned).

ROOKIE TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS (13)

Riley Barber, Travis Boyd, Dan DeSalvo, Nolan LaPorte, Beck Malenstyn, Dylan Margonari, Tim McGauley, Steven McPartland, John Parker, Garrett Pilon, Josh Pitt, Zach Sanford, Jakub Vrana.

REMAINING INVITEES (7)

Chris Bourque, Ryan Bourque, Dustin Gazley, Garrett Mitchell, Domenic Monardo, Liam O’Brien, Nathan Walker.

Playing in the NHL runs in the family for Lucas Johansen

STORYLINES

Fitting in the new additions: After winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season, Washington made very few changes, devoting the offseason to re-signing its restricted free agents. But after its postseason again ended short of the conference finals, the Capitals addressed a lack of depth scoring with two offseason additions by trading for center Lars Eller and signing free agent winger Brett Connolly. Eller’s role is set, as Washington acquired him to be the team’s third-line center after that slot was a revolving door last season.

But who will play on a third line with Eller? Coach Barry Trotz has said that Stanislav Galiev will have an opportunity for regular playing time after he spent most of last season as the scratched extra forward. General Manager Brian MacLellan has also spoken of a greater offensive role for Tom Wilson, especially after he re-signed for a two-year, $4 million deal this summer. How do you manage giving both of them larger roles while also fitting in Connolly?

Competition for 14th forward: MacLellan has said that the team will use a 14th forward spot as one that will rotate between prospects deserving of NHL experience. All of the Capitals’ top prospects are still expected to spend the majority of their season in the American Hockey League, as playing more minutes there is better for development than having a limited NHL role or being Washington’s scratched extra forward. Which prospect emerges as the first to crack the NHL lineup during the regular season will be the most intriguing competition at training camp. Zach Sanford and Travis Boyd made the best impressions at the Capitals’ rookie tournament in South Florida, but Jakub Vrana arguably has the highest upside.

Who will be the first-line center? For years, the Capitals were searching for a player to fill their second-line center vacancy. After Evgeny Kuznetsov’s breakout season, in which he led Washington in scoring with 20 goals and 57 assists, the Capitals now have two centers capable of playing on the first line. When Nicklas Backstrom was injured to start the season last year, Kuznetsov shined while playing with Ovechkin and Oshie, and Trotz moved Kuznetsov up to the first line in Washington’s second-round series against Pittsburgh. This season, will it be Kuznetsov who plays the majority of the season with Ovechkin, or Backstrom?