The Capitals’ offseason work kept rolling this week, with Tom Wilson and Justin Sourdif both back on the ice while Cole Hutson and Andrew Cristall took part in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago.
Wilson has been training at home in Ontario with Matt Nichol and Paragenix Systems, mixing on-ice and off-ice work. On Tuesday, he was back skating and spent time with coach Alex Kot on puck protection and other drills.
The 34-year-old also stayed active away from the rink. He attended NHLPA Executive Board meetings in Toronto last week and made a stop at the Rookie Showcase in Chicago this week, where he spoke with top prospects.
Sourdif, coming off his rookie NHL season, has also resumed skating, working in Alberta with Travis Konecny and others under coach Brody Sutter and Sutter Skills Development. His session included touches and play behind the net.
More Capitals are expected back in D.C. in the coming weeks for captain’s skates before training camp opens in September.
Wednesday brought a different kind of ice time for Cristall and Hutson, who were part of the NHLPA Rookie Showcase. Both wore full Washington gear, posed for trading card photos and handled media duties.
Hutson said he is looking forward to the upcoming season and added that he will finish his degree next summer. Cristall, for his part, said he believes Hutson could win the Calder.
Upper Deck also introduced the NHLPA x Upper Deck Rookie Showcase class of 2026 on social media.
In Other News...
Cole Hutson Is Suddenly Getting Serious Calder Buzz
Cole Hutson is starting to draw real attention in places that matter, and it is not hard to see why. At the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, several prospects were asked for their Calder Trophy picks, and Hutsons name came up as a serious candidate, a notable bit of recognition for a Capitals defenseman who already flashed enough skill last season to get people talking.
Hutson signed his entry-level deal and got into 14 NHL games, producing 10 points in a brief but eye-catching sample. Washington now appears ready to give him a larger role in the coming season, with more responsibility likely on the blue line and continued power-play work under new coach Ray Bennett, which makes the early Calder buzz feel less like hype and more like the start of a bigger test. [Read more 🡒]