Did the Capitals get a huge break in 2024-25 schedule?

With the NHL schedule already out and in the wake of the new Washington Capitals general manager news in Chris Patrick's promotion, the team was indeed not done yet as Brian MacLellan said before his own promotion to team president after his success for the Caps in the last decade.

But to recap so far the Caps acquired center Pierre-Luc Dubois, winger Andrew Mangiapane, left handed defenseman Matt Roy, winger Brandon Duhaime, left wing Taylor Raddysh, and goalie Logan Thompson.

While that was some additions the Caps had to make some subtractions. Out were Darcy Kuemper, Nick Jensen, Beck Malenstyn, Max Pacioretty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. In what turned out to be his final press conference as general manager, MacLellan said that there's a possibility that Chychurun could skate alongside John Carlson at the start of training camp.

MacLellan also noted that he believed there's more offense in Matt Roy's game and it's up to the team to make it work. Mac noted that Brandon Duhaime should fit on the right side of the fourth line next to Nic dowd. MacLellan was also high on Taylor Raddysh whom he believed could start the season on the fourth line.

The Caps additionally extended Connor McMichael to a two year, $4.2 million deal which was important. Mac said in a story via Capitals Insider Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network:

"I think Connor sees himself taking strides forward. And where we're at right now, I think a bridge deal makes sense for both sides."

You're telling me there's a chance?

So earlier today we looked at how hard the schedule is. But after further review this schedule might turn out to work out in the Caps advantage. Three home games to start the season off could give the team a jolt and even the road games early on aren't that far via air or car.

That Four Nations Faceoff in February is a bye week in itself except for the folks competing on that international stage. But what will really dictate the direction the Capitals go is that November and December stretch with some stiff competition.

The competition and road trips won't be easy in December either but will help the Caps that month is the amount of day breaks that they'll get in between some games including a four day break after a back to back.

While the end of the season looks intimidating with just three home games in April remember the Caps had to clinch the playoffs on the road and down the stretch a key component of how they even made the playoffs was because of how good they played on the road.