“Aliaksei is a young and talented player, and we are excited to sign him to a long-term contract,” Capitals president of hockey operations and general manager Brian MacLellan said following the announcement of the deal. “He has taken great strides in his professional career, and we expect him to improve and play a pivotal and impactful role on this team for many years to come.”

Picked by the Capitals in the third round of the 2019 draft, Protas has contributed 18 points and three goals this season. He has played a role in lifting his team to a 22-15-6 record, putting them in contention for a playoff berth. Protas is ranked third in his team for assists and sixth in points.

The post Washington Capitals Sign Aliaksei Protas to Five-Year Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expressed his belief that Bear could be a great fit for the organization, adding that the player is now fully fit. Bear was injured last spring while representing Canada at the world championships. This is Carbery’s fourth NFL franchise following Edmonton, Carolina, and Vancouver.

“Honestly felt like they really cared a lot and they want me here instead of needing me,” Bear stated after signing the deal. “I can kind of get my legs under me, get thinking quick again to learn the system, and kind of get to learn everyone’s tendencies instead of just kind of getting tossed into the fire, so I really appreciate that.”

The post Capitals Sign Ethan Bear on Two-Year Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also confirmed the proposed move, saying that the state plans to develop an “industry-leading arena” and invest $2 billion in a new entertainment district that would also feature a practice facility, restaurants, and a shopping complex.

The completion of the project is scheduled for 2028. However, it remains subject to legislative approval by the Virginia General Assembly.

Ted Leonsis, the CEO and owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement that the relocation would allow the company to “uphold our commitment to building an exceptional experience for our fans, employees, and partners.” 

“We are committed to providing world-class fan experiences while continuously evolving our teams, deepening community ties, and solidifying our role as leaders at the forefront of sports and technology,” Leonsis added.

Leonsis also revealed that his company wouldn’t leave Washington, D.C., for good. Monumental Sports & Entertainment also owns WNBA’s Mystics, and the franchise could move into Capital One Arena, the current home of the Wizards and Capitals.

Shortly after the proposal was announced, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser launched a bid in an effort to keep the Wizards and the Capitals. Bowser proposed a $500 million initiative, which has the backing of the D.C. Council, to renovate Capital One Arena. 

The post NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals Set to Move to Virginia appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Wilson previously had one year left on his deal and was set to hit free agency after the 2023-24 NHL season. He is set to earn $5.2 million in base salary this upcoming season.

Wilson played only 33 games last season as he dealt with a knee injury. He finished the campaign with 13 goals and nine assists for a total of 22 points. A year prior, the 29-year-old earned his first All-Star nod after contributing career-high 52 points.

“Throughout his career, Tom has improved every facet of his game through his drive and competitiveness,” said Washington’s general manager Brian MacLellan in a statement. “We feel his work ethic and leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to our organization for years to come.”

Wilson also announced his extension on social media, writing that he is “extremely honored” to be able to continue his career with the Capitals.

“Being a Capital means so much to me, and I can’t wait to continue to compete and leave it all out there with this team. Thanks to the Caps family for the support,” he added.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tom Wilson (@tomwilson)

The post Capitals Lock All-Star Forward Tom Wilson to a 7-Year, $45.5 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“You never thought it was going to happen when you came to the league, that you were going to beat any Gordie Howe record or Wayne Gretzky record,” Ovechkin commented following the win over the Jets.

Following Ovechkin’s second goal, the game was stopped and a congratulatory message was placed on the jumbotron. The message was delivered by Mark Howe, the son of Gordie Howe, whom Ovechkin surpassed in order to jump to second place in the all-time scorers’ charts.

This achievement comes after the 37-year-old player set a new NHL record of 6,209 shots on target over the course of his career.

By scoring twice in the Jets game, Ovechkin brought an end to his four-game goal drought. Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47 million extension in July 2021 to remain with the Capitals until 2026.

The post Ovechkin Becomes Second-Highest NHL Scorer in History appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ovechkin scored twice to help the Capitals seal a 5-1 win over the Rangers and managed to advance on the NHL’s career goals all-time list. The 36-year-old legend now has 732 goals in the NHL, which was enough for him to break a tie with Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne and sit alone at the 5th spot. He now needs only 10 more goals to jump over another Hall of Famer, Brett Hull, who is on fourth with 741 goals.

“I just enjoy my time. Of course, it’s a huge privilege being on that list, but as I say all the time: Game-by-game, day-by-day,” said Ovechkin when asked about his achievement after the game.

Washington’s head coach Peter Laviolette also had a reason for celebration on Wednesday night. The win over the Rangers was Laviolette’s 674th win in the NHL. This is now most by an American-born head coach in the league history.

The post Alex Ovechkin Climbs to No. 5 on NHL Career Goals All-Time List appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news was confirmed by the team’s head coach Peter Laviolette, who said that Ovechkin, center Evgeny Kuznetsov, goalie Ilya Samsonov, and defenseman Dmitry Orlov were placed on the league’s unavailable list as part of the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols.

Reportedly, Samsonov recently tested positive for COVID-19, and this led to a contact-tracing investigation. It turned out that Samsonov, Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, and Orlovand hung out in a hotel room together without wearing masks or respecting the social distancing rules.

The Capitals were sanctioned $100,000 as a result, and all four players won’t be able to make it to the ice for at least one week. The earliest they could return is at a home game against the Boston Bruins on January 31st.

“We totally understand why the rules are in place, and there’s no arguing with that,” Laviolette told reporters on Thursday. “We knew the rules. We’re not sitting here saying that we were uninformed or we weren’t aware. We need to do a better job.”

After opening the 2020-21 NHL season with two wins, the Capitals now find themselves on a two-game losing streak. Both of those losses came in overtime.

The post Capitals Lose Alex Ovechkin and 3 Other Players to COVID-19 Protocols appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The future Hall of Famer has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals worth $1.5 million.

Lundqvist’s time with the Rangers ended in September when the team bought out the final year of his contract, deciding to move on from the veteran and look towards the future with a younger crop of goaltenders. The Rangers have goaltenders Alexandar Georgiev and Igor Shesterkin, both 24-years-old, on their roster.

One of the best goaltenders of his generation, Lundqvist’s resume has everything but a Stanley Cup championship.

Signing with the Capitals makes sense for Lundqvist. The team is always a contender and he gets to stay in the same division and most importantly, on the east coast with his family.

The Capitals recently released their veteran goalie Braden Holtby and are going to rely on 23-year-old Ilya Samsonov going forward.

However, since the next season could once again become complicated because of the coronavirus, the schedule will probably be condensed and feature plenty of back-to-back games, which could give Lundqvist a chance to get plenty of starts so that Samsonov can remain fresh.

The post Former Rangers Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“I would expect him to go to free agency,” said MacLellan on Tuesday. “The goalie market is probably a little unusually deep this year. I talked to his agent last week briefly about where he’s at and the kind of opportunities he’s looking for.”

The decision to let Holtby talk with other teams is probably influenced by Capitals’ salary cap limitations, which means that they can’t compete with offers that the 30-year-old goalie will probably attract on the free market. Another factor is a good play from rookie goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov, who showed great promise as Holtby’s backup this season.

Still, according to MacLellan, Washington will continue monitoring Holtby’s situation and hope for a positive outcome.

“I would assume he goes to free agency and we’ll keep in contact with him throughout the free agency period to see if he’s getting what he wants,” he added.

Since making his NHL debut during the 2010/11 season, Braden Holtby has been a commanding presence for the Capitals. He played 468 games in total for the franchise and boosts 2.53 goal against average alongside a .916 save percentage.

Holtby has five consecutive All-Star appearances since 2016 and helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018.

The post Washington’s All-Star Goalie Braden Holtby Headed to Free Agency appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Capitals were without a coach since August, firing Reirden after a second-consecutive first-round playoff exit. The franchise considered several names for the position but ended up going with an experienced candidate in Laviolette, who already has a Stanley Cup win on his resume.

“We feel he is a great communicator who will motivate our players to play with passion, structure, and discipline while helping our young players reach their potential,” said Capitals’ general manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “In addition, he is a high-character individual who is highly respected for his coaching pedigree, all of which make him the ideal person to lead our team to compete for the Stanley Cup.”

Peter Laviolette comes to Washington with an illustrious career that includes 18 years of head coaching in the NHL. Laviolette left the biggest mark with Carolina Hurricanes, leading the franchise to a memorable Stanley Cup win in 2006. He also coached New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Nashville Predators and has Stanley Cup Finals appearances with the latter two teams.

With the Capitals, Laviolette is expected to make the best out of a talented but underperforming team that is just two years removed from the Stanley Cup title. He’s set to face some major challenges along the way, considering Washington’s salary cap concerns and the impending free agency of All-Star Alex Ovechkin.

“I’m thankful and excited for the opportunity to lead this hockey club,” said Laviolette. “This is a winning organization with high expectations. I look forward to coaching this tremendous group of players and bringing my experience and vision to the team.”

The post Peter Laviolette Takes Over as New Washington Capitals Head Coach appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“Aliaksei is a young and talented player, and we are excited to sign him to a long-term contract,” Capitals president of hockey operations and general manager Brian MacLellan said following the announcement of the deal. “He has taken great strides in his professional career, and we expect him to improve and play a pivotal and impactful role on this team for many years to come.”

Picked by the Capitals in the third round of the 2019 draft, Protas has contributed 18 points and three goals this season. He has played a role in lifting his team to a 22-15-6 record, putting them in contention for a playoff berth. Protas is ranked third in his team for assists and sixth in points.

The post Washington Capitals Sign Aliaksei Protas to Five-Year Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expressed his belief that Bear could be a great fit for the organization, adding that the player is now fully fit. Bear was injured last spring while representing Canada at the world championships. This is Carbery’s fourth NFL franchise following Edmonton, Carolina, and Vancouver.

“Honestly felt like they really cared a lot and they want me here instead of needing me,” Bear stated after signing the deal. “I can kind of get my legs under me, get thinking quick again to learn the system, and kind of get to learn everyone’s tendencies instead of just kind of getting tossed into the fire, so I really appreciate that.”

The post Capitals Sign Ethan Bear on Two-Year Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also confirmed the proposed move, saying that the state plans to develop an “industry-leading arena” and invest $2 billion in a new entertainment district that would also feature a practice facility, restaurants, and a shopping complex.

The completion of the project is scheduled for 2028. However, it remains subject to legislative approval by the Virginia General Assembly.

Ted Leonsis, the CEO and owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement that the relocation would allow the company to “uphold our commitment to building an exceptional experience for our fans, employees, and partners.” 

“We are committed to providing world-class fan experiences while continuously evolving our teams, deepening community ties, and solidifying our role as leaders at the forefront of sports and technology,” Leonsis added.

Leonsis also revealed that his company wouldn’t leave Washington, D.C., for good. Monumental Sports & Entertainment also owns WNBA’s Mystics, and the franchise could move into Capital One Arena, the current home of the Wizards and Capitals.

Shortly after the proposal was announced, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser launched a bid in an effort to keep the Wizards and the Capitals. Bowser proposed a $500 million initiative, which has the backing of the D.C. Council, to renovate Capital One Arena. 

The post NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals Set to Move to Virginia appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Wilson previously had one year left on his deal and was set to hit free agency after the 2023-24 NHL season. He is set to earn $5.2 million in base salary this upcoming season.

Wilson played only 33 games last season as he dealt with a knee injury. He finished the campaign with 13 goals and nine assists for a total of 22 points. A year prior, the 29-year-old earned his first All-Star nod after contributing career-high 52 points.

“Throughout his career, Tom has improved every facet of his game through his drive and competitiveness,” said Washington’s general manager Brian MacLellan in a statement. “We feel his work ethic and leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to our organization for years to come.”

Wilson also announced his extension on social media, writing that he is “extremely honored” to be able to continue his career with the Capitals.

“Being a Capital means so much to me, and I can’t wait to continue to compete and leave it all out there with this team. Thanks to the Caps family for the support,” he added.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tom Wilson (@tomwilson)

The post Capitals Lock All-Star Forward Tom Wilson to a 7-Year, $45.5 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“You never thought it was going to happen when you came to the league, that you were going to beat any Gordie Howe record or Wayne Gretzky record,” Ovechkin commented following the win over the Jets.

Following Ovechkin’s second goal, the game was stopped and a congratulatory message was placed on the jumbotron. The message was delivered by Mark Howe, the son of Gordie Howe, whom Ovechkin surpassed in order to jump to second place in the all-time scorers’ charts.

This achievement comes after the 37-year-old player set a new NHL record of 6,209 shots on target over the course of his career.

By scoring twice in the Jets game, Ovechkin brought an end to his four-game goal drought. Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47 million extension in July 2021 to remain with the Capitals until 2026.

The post Ovechkin Becomes Second-Highest NHL Scorer in History appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ovechkin scored twice to help the Capitals seal a 5-1 win over the Rangers and managed to advance on the NHL’s career goals all-time list. The 36-year-old legend now has 732 goals in the NHL, which was enough for him to break a tie with Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne and sit alone at the 5th spot. He now needs only 10 more goals to jump over another Hall of Famer, Brett Hull, who is on fourth with 741 goals.

“I just enjoy my time. Of course, it’s a huge privilege being on that list, but as I say all the time: Game-by-game, day-by-day,” said Ovechkin when asked about his achievement after the game.

Washington’s head coach Peter Laviolette also had a reason for celebration on Wednesday night. The win over the Rangers was Laviolette’s 674th win in the NHL. This is now most by an American-born head coach in the league history.

The post Alex Ovechkin Climbs to No. 5 on NHL Career Goals All-Time List appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news was confirmed by the team’s head coach Peter Laviolette, who said that Ovechkin, center Evgeny Kuznetsov, goalie Ilya Samsonov, and defenseman Dmitry Orlov were placed on the league’s unavailable list as part of the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols.

Reportedly, Samsonov recently tested positive for COVID-19, and this led to a contact-tracing investigation. It turned out that Samsonov, Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, and Orlovand hung out in a hotel room together without wearing masks or respecting the social distancing rules.

The Capitals were sanctioned $100,000 as a result, and all four players won’t be able to make it to the ice for at least one week. The earliest they could return is at a home game against the Boston Bruins on January 31st.

“We totally understand why the rules are in place, and there’s no arguing with that,” Laviolette told reporters on Thursday. “We knew the rules. We’re not sitting here saying that we were uninformed or we weren’t aware. We need to do a better job.”

After opening the 2020-21 NHL season with two wins, the Capitals now find themselves on a two-game losing streak. Both of those losses came in overtime.

The post Capitals Lose Alex Ovechkin and 3 Other Players to COVID-19 Protocols appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The future Hall of Famer has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals worth $1.5 million.

Lundqvist’s time with the Rangers ended in September when the team bought out the final year of his contract, deciding to move on from the veteran and look towards the future with a younger crop of goaltenders. The Rangers have goaltenders Alexandar Georgiev and Igor Shesterkin, both 24-years-old, on their roster.

One of the best goaltenders of his generation, Lundqvist’s resume has everything but a Stanley Cup championship.

Signing with the Capitals makes sense for Lundqvist. The team is always a contender and he gets to stay in the same division and most importantly, on the east coast with his family.

The Capitals recently released their veteran goalie Braden Holtby and are going to rely on 23-year-old Ilya Samsonov going forward.

However, since the next season could once again become complicated because of the coronavirus, the schedule will probably be condensed and feature plenty of back-to-back games, which could give Lundqvist a chance to get plenty of starts so that Samsonov can remain fresh.

The post Former Rangers Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“I would expect him to go to free agency,” said MacLellan on Tuesday. “The goalie market is probably a little unusually deep this year. I talked to his agent last week briefly about where he’s at and the kind of opportunities he’s looking for.”

The decision to let Holtby talk with other teams is probably influenced by Capitals’ salary cap limitations, which means that they can’t compete with offers that the 30-year-old goalie will probably attract on the free market. Another factor is a good play from rookie goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov, who showed great promise as Holtby’s backup this season.

Still, according to MacLellan, Washington will continue monitoring Holtby’s situation and hope for a positive outcome.

“I would assume he goes to free agency and we’ll keep in contact with him throughout the free agency period to see if he’s getting what he wants,” he added.

Since making his NHL debut during the 2010/11 season, Braden Holtby has been a commanding presence for the Capitals. He played 468 games in total for the franchise and boosts 2.53 goal against average alongside a .916 save percentage.

Holtby has five consecutive All-Star appearances since 2016 and helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018.

The post Washington’s All-Star Goalie Braden Holtby Headed to Free Agency appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Capitals were without a coach since August, firing Reirden after a second-consecutive first-round playoff exit. The franchise considered several names for the position but ended up going with an experienced candidate in Laviolette, who already has a Stanley Cup win on his resume.

“We feel he is a great communicator who will motivate our players to play with passion, structure, and discipline while helping our young players reach their potential,” said Capitals’ general manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “In addition, he is a high-character individual who is highly respected for his coaching pedigree, all of which make him the ideal person to lead our team to compete for the Stanley Cup.”

Peter Laviolette comes to Washington with an illustrious career that includes 18 years of head coaching in the NHL. Laviolette left the biggest mark with Carolina Hurricanes, leading the franchise to a memorable Stanley Cup win in 2006. He also coached New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Nashville Predators and has Stanley Cup Finals appearances with the latter two teams.

With the Capitals, Laviolette is expected to make the best out of a talented but underperforming team that is just two years removed from the Stanley Cup title. He’s set to face some major challenges along the way, considering Washington’s salary cap concerns and the impending free agency of All-Star Alex Ovechkin.

“I’m thankful and excited for the opportunity to lead this hockey club,” said Laviolette. “This is a winning organization with high expectations. I look forward to coaching this tremendous group of players and bringing my experience and vision to the team.”

The post Peter Laviolette Takes Over as New Washington Capitals Head Coach appeared first on yoursportspot.com.