The Washington Capitals finally get the chance to relax. They have earned it, but are short time to fully prepare for the long grinding season ahead.
With Todd Reirden under contract, most of the Washington Capitals off-season checklist is complete.
As the Stanley Cup makes the rounds around Europe, this is the short time where the front office can get a little rest and players relax. A period which is too short.
There is business needing closure. Brooks Orpik remains a free agent who could come back for the right price. Tom Wilson wants a shorter deal than the Caps, but he is a restricted free agent going nowhere. When he eventually re-signs, it does most of Brian MacLellan’s hard work this summer.
Only then, after the parades and the photo opportunities showcasing the Cup, will it hit the Caps on what they accomplished. A time and place etched on silver to be remembered as long as we revere hockey.
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Then a cold realization sets in. How do you follow up a championship?
The Draft and early free agency give a brief glimpse. They want those who excelled in the playoffs back. A depleted minor-league system gets a fresh infusion of talent. None of the players drafted will play in the NHL next year, but they will get the chance to polish their skills and fill out smaller frames.
The future is around the corner and Washington did fine with what was on the board.
Now comes a time of respite. A chance to enjoy barbecues and rubber chicken banquets. It is important to recharge the batteries because the long grind of a season is barely a page flip on the calendar away.
Players need to find weight rooms and get time on the ice. The front office must assess what needs to be improved and how best to fill them. Reirden has to avoid the tension from last year and build trust with his new coaching staff before training camp opens.
Oh, because Washington won the Cup, they are weeks behind everyone else. The other 29 National Hockey League teams would trade places with Washington in a heartbeat. It is a nice problem to have.
Next: Reirden hits the big time
For the moment relax and enjoy. But, when the alarm clock rings, reach over and do not hit snooze. Instead, for the Washington Capitals, be dressed and ready to defend. No reason they cannot repeat.