Washington Capitals 2026-27 Roster Projection 1.0: New Wingers Creating Lineup Chaos – The Hockey Writers – Washington Capitals

It’s already been a busy offseason for Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick, who has overhauled the top end of the forward group while adding some insurance to the defense. Ultimately, it will be head coach Spencer Carbery’s job to properly slot players into the lineup to get the most out of his group this season.  As we approach the end of July, here’s a look at how the Capitals could line up this fall. 

Figuring Out the Forward Mix in Washington

It’s hard not to put the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, on the top line, but in reality, the 40-year-old Russian winger will likely rotate throughout the lineup as needed while Carbery figures out which players develop the best chemistry.

Last season, Ovechkin mostly had Dylan Strome as his primary center, so we’ll keep that pairing intact for our 1.0 roster projection. Washington paid a premium to acquire (and extend) Alex Tuch this offseason, so he will likely get the first opportunity at top-line minutes on the Capitals. 

Pierre-Luc Dubois will be looking for a healthy campaign after missing 47 games in 2025-26 due to abdominal and adductor injuries that required surgery early in the campaign. He returned to the lineup in early February and recorded 19 points in 29 games before breaking his hand in the second-to-last game of the season. Dubois, the third overall pick in 2016, will likely be flanked by two players with different styles: the beefy 6-foot-6 Aliaksei Protas on the left and the speedy 6-foot-1 Jordan Kyrou on the right.

Another newcomer will fill the pivot position on the third line. Boone Jenner, the former Columbus Blue Jackets captain, might not stick at center all season, but there is an argument to start him at the position given his 52.6% win rate on nearly 400 faceoffs in his final season in Ohio. While the overall number of draws he’s taken in recent seasons has dipped, Jenner wins more faceoffs than he loses, so watch for him to be deployed in defensive situations. 

Tom Wilson is relegated to third-line duties after the high-priced acquisitions of Tuch and Kyrou. That change could benefit the 13-year NHL veteran, allowing him to play his hard-hitting style alongside a smart center (like Jenner) to collect the puck from the space he creates. Currently, Ryan Leonard slots into the third line spot on his off-wing, as the 21-year-old forward doesn’t seem ready for top-six minutes among this group.

Rounding out the forward unit is a collection of youngsters led by Aliaksei’s brother, the hulking 6-foot-6 center Ilya Protas. The 2025-26 AHL Rookie of the Year performed well in his first NHL callup at the end of last season, scoring four points in his first four games. Protas will be joined by another talented young player, Andrew Cristall.

Cristall, a 21-year-old winger, scored 20 goals for the Hershey Bears (the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate) last season and could be ready to make a push for a roster spot after a full pro season in the minors. Justin Sourdif, the elder statesman of the fourth line at 24 years old, should provide much-needed experience on the checking line.

With this lineup, Carbery will have some talented reserves in the press box in Anthony Beauvillier and/or Ethen Frank. If Washington decides that Cristall needs additional time in the minors, either of these two forwards could draw into the lineup and provide value in a bottom-six role. 

Capitals’ Defense & Goaltending Tandem

Despite trading away star defenseman John Carlson at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, the Capitals seem to be bringing back most of the same defenders this fall. Jakob Chychrun led the league in goals by a defenseman last season with 26, a three-goal lead over 2026 Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer.  Chychrun was stapled to Matt Roy last season, and given their stellar results, there is little reason to disrupt that pairing to start 2026-27.

Martin Fehervary is joined on the second pairing by yet another new addition, Vincent Desharnais. The 6-foot-7 defender joined Washington on a four-year deal after spending parts of two seasons with the San Jose Sharks. Desharnais totaled seven points in 53 games with the Sharks last season. 

Cole Hutson could soar up the defensive depth chart, but he will likely start the campaign on the third pairing alongside an NHL veteran for what is expected to be his first full season in the NHL. The 20-year-old defender provided a jolt of late-season energy by scoring three goals and 10 points in the first 14 games of his NHL career last season, as the Capitals lost their bid for the final playoff spot to the Philadelphia Flyers.  If Hutson can continue to impress, he likely won’t be bound to Tim Liljegren on the third pairing for very long. 

Rasmus Sandin will start the season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery in April to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. The 26-year-old right-handed defender is expected to miss the beginning of the campaign, but he could be back by December or January if his rehab and recovery follow the estimated six-to-nine-month timeline. Sandin will be a big boost to the right side when he returns. 

Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are the Capitals’ goaltending duo. Thompson took over starting duties last season and never looked back. The 29-year-old posted a 31-21-6 record, a 2.44 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage.

The Capitals need a bounce-back season from Lindgren following a down campaign with a 9-8-3 record,  a 3.52 GAA, and a .879% save percentage. A return to a sub-3.00 GAA and a save percentage above 90% would likely put Washington back among the best teams in the Metropolitan Division next spring. 

Washington opens the regular season against the defending Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on the road on Oct. 2. They host the Pittsburgh Penguins for their home opener on Oct. 7.