All Eyes Will Be on the Capitals in 2025-26

All eyes being on the Washington Capitals is nothing new. With Alex Ovechkin’s “Gr8 Chase” taking place last season, the Capitals were a hot topic across the league. The upcoming 2025-26 season will be no different, as Ovechkin and the Capitals crew will have peak media exposure in what could be the captain’s final NHL season. Rookie star Ryan Leonard will also be taking the ice full-time, and hockey fans as a whole are interested to see if his college success translates at the professional level.

Nationally Televised Games

The NHL released their 2025-26 National Broadcast schedule, and the Washington Capitals top the charts with a record-high 18 nationally televised games. The Capitals begin their season playing for the nation, as their season opener against the Boston Bruins will be broadcast on TNT. The team is also highlighted in the annual “Frozen Frenzy”, a night when all 32 teams in the league will take the ice. The Capitals visit the Dallas Stars on that evening, and coverage will be provided on ESPN. Eight Capitals games will air on TNT, four will air on ESPN, three will air on ABC, and three will air on ESPN+ and Hulu. It is likely that, similar to last season, these national games will also be broadcast on Monumental Sports Network and called by long-time Capitals broadcasters Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin.

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Ryan Leonard Joins Rookie Showcase

Many eyes will be on Ryan Leonard as he enters his first full rookie season. The forward played just a handful of games last year after finishing his college career, and looked ready to go at the professional level. Leonard had 49 points in 37 games with Boston College last season and scored his first NHL goal with the Capitals. He was selected to join the NHL Players’ Association rookie showcase, which will take place next month on his home ice at MedStar Capitals IcePlex, the team’s practice arena. While this event is closed to the public, players will be creating social media content, posing for photos, and showing off their skills in a light scrimmage. Players will also work with hockey card manufacturer Upper Deck to collect autographs and event-worn gear for future sale. Leonard joins other notable prospects and rookies such as first overall pick Matthew Schaefer (NYI) and former teammate Gabe Perrault (NYR).

Full Participant List

Frederic Brunet (BOS)
Zeev Buium (MIN)
Berkly Catton (SEA)
Trevor Connelly (VGK)
Ben Danford (TOR)
Sam Dickinson (SJ)
Karsen Dorwart (PHI)
Jordan Dumais (CBJ)
Jack Finley (TB)
Marc Gatcomb (NYI)
Konsta Helenius (BUF)
Quinn Hutson (EDM)
Tij Iginla (UTA)
Joakim Kemell (NSH)
Ryan Leonard (WSH)
Oliver Moore (CHI)
Alexander Nikishin (CAR)
Jani Nyman (SEA)
Zayne Parekh (CGY)
Gabe Perreault (NYR)
Francesco Pinelli (LA)
David Reinbacher (MTL)
Axel Sandin-Pellikka (DET)
Gracyn Sawchyn (FLA)
Matthew Schaefer (NYI)
Beckett Sennecke (ANA)
Jimmy Snuggerud (STL)
Cam Squires (NJ)
Matthew Wood (NSH)
Brayden Yager (WPG)
Carter Yakemchuk (OTT)

It will be interesting to see if the Capitals can pull off another monumental season under the coaching of Spencer Carbery. Will players like Dylan Strome and Jakob Chychrun produce career-high performances yet again? Will Sonny Milano be healthy and back to his old self? Who will be the team’s best goaltender–Lindgren or Thompson? The story will unfold across 82 games beginning on October 8th.