The Capitals were busy yesterday, signing forward Theodor Niederbach a one-year two-way contract before signing their 2024 sixth round pick Petr Sikora to a three-year entry level contract. During all that, the team announced that head coach Spencer Carbery and goaltending coach Scott Murray (no relation) were named to Team Canada’s coaching staff for the IIHF World Championships coming up. Not long afterwards, the team released a statement that said Ryan Leonard would be representing the United States at the IIHF World Championships. Who says the offseason is boring in May?
Niederbach was drafted by the Red Wings 51st overall in 2020. He has played for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League the past few seasons. Maybe the young Swede can compete for a spot on the Caps roster, but he most likely will end up in Hershey. Niederbach will have to adjust to the North American game but scored 32 points in 53 games** in the SHL last season which is really tough to do. Maybe he’s a sleeper to watch during training camp.
The Sikora signing is a good sign that the Capitals continue to draft well and develop their young prospects effectively. Sikora was a 6th rounder in 2024 and played the last few years for Trinec Ocelari HC in the Czech Extraliga, where he held his own against grown-a** men. He will also start the season in Hershey, I’m guessing, unless he wows everyone. I don’t see him outplaying the current collection of forwards on the roster and in the system to make the Caps in the Fall.
As for Carberry and Murray, I think it’s great the Caps coaches are getting some recognition. Those two guys have done a good job with the Capitals during their respective tenures. Even though the season didn’t end the way the Capitals had hoped, the team is prepared to load up this summer to give the coaches a better team, hopefully. Carbery and Murray are very good at their jobs and deserve to be on Team Canada’s staff. Congrats to both!
And, finally, it isn’t surprising to see that Ryan Leonard will play. Talk about super competitive. I guess he can’t turn down a chance to keep playing meaningful hockey games after playing a full NHL season for the first time. (Ah, to be twenty again.) The kid loves to play hockey. You can just tell when he’s on the ice. The United States team will be better with his energy, his competitiveness, and that wicked wrister
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