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Biggest roster uncertainties during 2024 Washington Capitals training camp

It's the most wonderful time of the year

By Michael Marzzacco |
Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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The Washington Capitals are back on the ice for Training Camp 2024. Players hit the ice and met the media for the first time at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. We know the roster and we know the status of T.J. Oshie. What about other questions about the roster?

Can Charlie Lindgren seize the number one opportunity?

The short answer is yes but Charlie Lindgren will still have some healthy competition in Logan Thompson. But Chuck enters camp as the undisputed number one for good reason as many belived including us that he helped get this team to the playoffs last season.

Lindgren went 25-16-7 and his .911 save percentage was tied for eighth best in the NHL thanks to 50 starts. The Caps would then trade Kuemper for Pierre-Luc Dubois and we''ll have more on him later.

Let's switch gears to Logan Thompson who the Caps acquired during draft weekend. He was an all star in 2023 and will be looking to regain his optimum performance. Last season he went 25=14=5 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. He literally went from signing autographs as a member of the Golden Knights to greeting Caps fans once the trade was made and just like that we've got the goalies.

Pierre-Luc Dubois, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Pierre-Luc Dubois, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Can PLD take a leap of faith?

All eyes will be on the new center in town the team gave up Darcy Kuemper for. What can Pierre-Luc Dubois bring to the table who has seven years left on his contract.

The 26 year old is getting a fresh start after things didn't go as planned with the Los Angles Kings who acquired his rights in a sign and trade with the Winnipeg Jets just a year ago.

But as some fans point out maybe it's destiny. After all he WAS on the ice for Alex Ovechkin's 802nd goal. Wink.

Alas this will be his fourth team in four years and the hope around town as that Spencer Carbery can tap into his potential. and find consisntency to his game.

Duobis does have two 60 point seasons on his resume and now it's just about putting it all together on the ice. He can be a top line center but the question is will he. Dylan Strome may have something to say about that but that's what the fun of training camp is, isn't it?

It's all about who can make the team and who can't. Or in this case where in center will the guards be.

Jakob Chychrun, Washington Capitals
Jakob Chychrun, Washington Capitals / Richard T Gagnon/GettyImages

Will the roster overhaul work?

The Caps had quite the offseason where they overhauled a third of their roster to retool on the fly and return to be playoff contenders in a competitive Metropolitan Division. This will keep them from making the playoffs last minute and getting in earlier which is what you always want for the good seed.

First the Caps acquired PLD and that brings in a new look. Then over draft weekend the Caps brought in Andrew Mangiapane to further bolster the depth chart.

Now with T.J. Oshie on LTIR the team bringing in Andrew Mangiapane makes total sense to bolster their roster. Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh were also home run signings to round out the forwards. BUT Jakub Vrana may have something to say about that.

Vrana got inked to a professional tryout agreement and the former Stanley Cup champion has something to prove as he could be a viable option for the bottom six. And the less time upstairs in the press box the better.

There will be back to backs and toughness in the upcoming schedule. This division won't be an easy one to win. That's why everyone has to all pull on the same rope.

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