REPORTS: Revealing Details Suggests The Capitals Could Have One Big Advantage Next Season

In sports, the search for any potential advantage is constant. Whether it’s a small edge for oneself or a way to disrupt an opponent, every possibility is explored to improve the odds of winning. While it’s still early in the offseason, it seems like the Washington Capitals may have already secured a few advantages for the 2024-25 NHL season.

Undoubtedly, the Caps have had a highly productive offseason. The addition of notable names and talent is expected to significantly strengthen the team for the upcoming season. Judging by the current composition of the team, it appears they are unquestionably a playoff contender. This represents a marked improvement from last season, in which they barely secured a playoff berth during a challenging period in the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division.

The bolstering of talent is one aspect, but equally significant is the potential attitude that these skilled players might bring. This attitude could serve as a major catalyst or advantage for the Capitals in the upcoming season.

Chip on the shoulder

Carrying a sense of determination can be highly influential in sports, particularly in a game like hockey. Recall the 2017-18 Vegas team – a memorable squad that rings a bell for everyone, especially Capitals fans. This team boasted considerable talent, but what stood out even more was the palpable sense that nearly all its members harbored a chip on their shoulders. And for good reason – they were a roster comprised of players who had been willingly let go for nothing by their previous teams.

As skilled as that team was, it wasn’t just their talent that drove them during their remarkable season in Vegas; it was their tenacity, their relentless effort, and the collective chip on their shoulders. Do the Capitals currently have as many players looking to prove something? Perhaps not, but they have acquired some individuals who likely do have something to prove.

Consider the biggest acquisition the Capitals made this year – Pierre-Luc Dubois. The impact of this move on Washington’s prospects remains uncertain. It could potentially be one of the most astute moves a team has made in recent years, or it could backfire. Dubois has demonstrated his prowess in the past; now, in addition to his skills, he likely carries a certain mindset – a chip of his own on his shoulder.

He’s undoubtedly building a reputation, if he hasn’t already. Having essentially forced his way out of Columbus, then out of Winnipeg, and subsequently being traded from Los Angeles after signing a significant deal and entering the “City of Angels,” he must be feeling a tinge of embarrassment. Such experiences usually fuel an athlete’s competitive spirit. How will Dubois respond? We’ll have to wait and see, but if the Capitals get a determined, driven competitor of that caliber, combined with his skill and talent, they could be in for something special.

Dubois isn’t the only one. Shortly after, the Capitals traded for Andrew Mangiapane, who notched 35 goals for the Calgary Flames a few seasons ago. Even if he isn’t consistently hitting 30+ goals per year, adding a player capable of scoring between 17-25 goals annually is nothing to scoff at. And they acquired him for just a second-round pick in 2025?

After a disappointing season in which he scored only 14 goals due to various reasons, it appears that he is ready to bounce back and work tirelessly. Did the Capitals bring in someone with a point to prove? It certainly seems so. He claims to be a hardworking, physical player who can score goals, and he is eager to show it. For a second-round pick, this could indeed be a major coup for GM Brian MacLellan.

And there’s more. How about the major deal where the Capitals traded for Jakob Chychrun?

Chychrun was previously traded from the Arizona Coyotes to the Ottawa Senators in the middle of the 22-23 season. It was anticipated to be a significant move for the Senators, a final step towards reclaiming their position as a playoff contender and a pathway to championship contention. It didn’t quite pan out as expected. Is it his fault? Probably not entirely. Though his stats were respectable – tallying 14 goals and 41 points – his plus/minus rating of -30 over 82 games cannot be overlooked. Extreme plus/minus figures warrant attention and discussion, regardless of one’s stance on the statistic.

Does he have something to prove? Can he demonstrate that he can excel as a top-tier defenseman on a competitive team with high expectations? Will being surrounded by talented individuals with verifiable NHL accomplishments, such as John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, and Tom Wilson, serve as a motivating factor for Chychrun, unlike his time in Ottawa, which housed a younger team without much NHL success and veteran leaders from other clubs?

It seems as though there were numerous reasons why things didn’t quite align for Chychrun in Ottawa. Now, finding himself on his third NHL team without much collective success, he might be emboldened to prove – both to others and to himself – that he can be a pivotal player on a highly successful team.

Once again, the acquisition didn’t demand much. It cost a 2026 third-round pick and Nick Jensen. Jensen, at 33 years old, is a solid player, but most hockey insiders would likely affirm that Chychrun, at 26, is the superior player. With such a seemingly advantageous deal, the Capitals not only obtained a “better” and younger player, but one with an apparent point to prove.

Do the other new additions also carry something to prove? Does Logan Thompson, a potential starter, feel a sense of determination after nearly becoming the primary goaltender for Vegas only to be traded away? Does Matt Roy possess an added drive after not receiving a contract renewal from the Kings?

And what about the Capitals’ existing young prospects, such as McMichael, Lapierre, and Miroshnichenko, along with other budding talents who contributed to the Hershey Bears’ consecutive Calder Cup victories? Have they developed a chip on their shoulders? “I deserve an opportunity and I’m going to seize it, even if the new arrivals have seemingly replaced me.”

Personally, I’m not entirely fond of the Capitals adding “obstacles” to their lineup, impeding the prospects of deserving young players. However, competition undeniably carries weight. “You want a spot? Earn it!” The young players who have substantiated their worth to vie for NHL positions should feel a degree of indignation. Harnessing this determination could enhance their performance and contribute to the team’s success.

In essence, it seems that the Capitals are set to field a roster of players this season who are poised to prove themselves. When skillful players carry that extra edge, remarkable outcomes can materialize. We’ll need to wait and watch if extraordinary things unfold in D.C. this upcoming season.