3 questions facing Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals face key questions heading into the 2026-27 NHL season, most notably how to replace defenseman Rasmus Sandin, who underwent ACL surgery on April 22 and faces a 6-9 month recovery. The team has added defenseman Vincent Desharnais on a four-year, $16.8 million contract and re-signed Timothy Liljegren on a two-year, $6.5 million deal to help fill the void, while 20-year-old rookie Cole Hutson is also expected to play a significant role. Washington also bolstered its forward group by acquiring Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres and Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, both three-time 30-goal scorers.