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Capitals’ New Players Making Immediate Impact

Originally posted on Washington Hockey Now
By Nathan Moser | Last updated 10/17/24

The Washington Capitals added some new players in the offseason through trades and free agency. Sometimes, it can take some time for those newer talents to adjust to their new team. They need to build chemistry and gel with their new teammates. That said, the newer players for the Capitals have fit in well so far. They have not looked out of place since the season began. Of course, it is a two-game sample size, but there have already been a few of the newer players who have registered their first points with the franchise.

Jakob Chychrun

Blueliner Jakob Chychrun provides help for Washington on both the offense and defense. He has been paired with John Carlson and has made his presence felt through the season’s first two games. During the second period of the game against the Vegas Golden Knights, he scored his first goal of the season. Chychrun followed up on a Nic Dowd shot and buried the puck to give the Capitals a 4-1 lead. He alone will increase the goal numbers from defensemen on the team. He scored 14 goals last season for the Ottawa Senators, and his career-high at this point in time is 18, which he tallied during the 2020-21 campaign with the Arizona Coyotes.

I think Chychrun can score 14-18 goals for the Capitals during the 2024-25 season. He has not looked out of place with Carlson as his defensive partner, and I think they both will be a force on the backend for Washington throughout this campaign.

Andrew Mangiapane

Like Chychrun, Andrew Mangiapane also got his first point with Washington during the Golden Knights game on Tuesday night. He was on a line along with Jakub Vrana and Hendrix Lapierre. Mangiapane passed the puck to Vrana, who opened the scoring in his first game back with the organization. It was a great shot from Vrana, but Mangiapane’s setup pass to get him the puck was well done, too.

Mangiapane’s career-high in points is 55, which he notched during the 2021-22 season with the Calgary Flames (35 goals and 20 assists). I think he could be one of the top point-scorers for Washington this season. He has gotten 30+ goals before, and the new change of scenery could lead to another similar offensive spark in his game. He will be interesting to watch to see how many points he accrues during this season with the Capitals.

Pierre-Luc Dubois

The Capitals acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade over the offseason. He has been the second-line center, with Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson as his wingers. Dubois earned his first point during the home opener against the New Jersey Devils, assisting on a goal by John Carlson.

Dubois previously had a tough season for the Kings in 2023-24. He had signed an eight-year contract worth $68 million prior to debuting for the club. In 82 games during the first season of that contract, he scored 16 goals and registered 24 assists for 40 points for L.A. The Kings decided to move on, and they dealt him to Washington for goalie Darcy Kuemper.

Dubois’ line has been impressive through the first two games of the season for Washington. Wilson already has two goals so far for the team. The Capitals can potentially be the right fit for Dubois’ career, and he can be a dangerous offensive weapon for the club for many seasons to come. He is already off to a good start.

Logan Thompson

Replacing the spot that Darcy Kuemper held last season for Washington is Logan Thompson. Former Capitals GM Brian MacLellan acquired the 27-year-old goalie on the second day of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft for a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick. He and Charlie Lindgren have rotated back and forth so far this season, with head coach Spencer Carbery announcing that Lindgren will start against the Dallas Stars.

So far, in the one game he has played in, Thompson has looked pretty good between the pipes. He debuted in net for Washington against his old team, the Vegas Golden Knights, on Tuesday. He stopped 24 of 26 shots in the victory.

Thompson provides solid depth at the goaltending position for the Capitals. Lindgren will not have to be relied on to carry the team in net, and neither will Thompson. Both goalies should be able to carry the load equally as the netminders for the Capitals.

With all of these new players mentioned, it is a small sample size so far. Opinions on any of these talents could change as the campaign goes on. However, these players have seemingly fit in with the others on the squad. They have been able to compete well against two great opponents in the Devils and the Golden Knights. Time will tell how these talents do for Washington the rest of the season.

This article first appeared on Washington Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

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