2025-26 NHL All Star Teams
The NHL All-Stars were announced this week and only Capitals goalie Logan Thompson made the list Thompson had his best season in 2025-26, playing in 58 games and finishing with 31 wins, a 2.44 goals against average, a .912 save percentage and 4 shutouts, finishing in 4th place for the Vezina Trophy. Thompson was arguably the Capitals best player last season although, some might argue that distinction should go to Jakob Chychrun, who was left off the All-Star list.
I admit I have been beating the drum for Chychrun for a couple of months now, but as the post season awards and accolades are announced, it’s more than curious that there is a total lack of recognition of the season Chychrun had for the Caps. Like I wrote a couple of weeks ago, Chychrun’s statics more than match up with the top players in the Norris trophy voting. He led all defensemen in goals, powerplay goals, and game-winning goals. Chychrun received one (1) third place vote for NHL All Star. One. I must be missing something.
There are a lot of great blueliners in the NHL last season and Chychrun was one of them last. I don’t think he was the best NHL defenseman last season, but with his stats and those eight game winning goals, he should have been given more consideration. Chalk it up to the strange blips that happen during award season.
2025-26 NHL All Rookie Team
3 Capitals received votes for the NHL All Rookie Team: Ryan Leonard (19 votes), Justin Sourdif (7), and Cole Hutson (1) received votes. Hutson only played in 14 games in March and April but still managed to put up 10 points. It will depend on how he looks in training camp this fall, but Hutson looked like he was ready for the NHL.
Leonard is not a surprise. Despite some up and downs, Leonard finished the 2025-26 season strong and played well at the World Championships in Switzerland last month. Leonard adjusted well to the NHL game and figures to be ready to take his game up a notch come October.
Sourdif played really well last season and continues to be recognized for it. His to play the pivot on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines along with his defensive prowess and scoring touch made him almost like a secret weapon for the Caps last season. I guess the secret is out.
Today in Capitals History – June 16, 1998
The Capitals lost the Game 4 of the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals 4-1in Washington, DC as the Detroit Red Wings swept the Caps to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup. The Capitals would not make it past the second round of the playoffs for another twenty years.
