While NHL general managers are always striving to outmaneuver each other, there`s undoubtedly a strong sense of camaraderie among those in such demanding, high-pressure roles.
Yet, it begs the question whether, during GM gatherings in warm, southern locations, they might jokingly raise a glass to Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick, saying, `Thanks for setting an impossible standard, buddy.`
Over the past ten months, the Capitals have established an incredibly high benchmark for a rapid re-tooling. Should they secure the Stanley Cup in the coming months, Washington could be remembered for achieving one of the most remarkable single-season transformations in league history.
The Capitals, having clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, are set to conclude their regular season schedule on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. For years, the Capitals and Penguins shared an intense rivalry, with Sidney Crosby`s team typically holding the advantage. This dynamic shifted in 2018 when Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals defeated Pittsburgh on their path to the franchise`s inaugural championship.
In the seasons immediately following that victory, both teams seemed to be on similar trajectories, gradually declining without seriously considering a full rebuild.
However, with an unexpected surge this season, the Capitals have distinguished themselves not only from the Penguins but also from numerous other teams hesitant to commit to a complete teardown, yet still aspire to regain contender status.
The Penguins have struggled to improve without enduring a period of significant losses—will teams like the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, or others in the precarious middle ground fare any better?
Matching Washington`s achievement will be a formidable challenge, without a doubt.
How have the Capitals managed this turnaround? It begins with a fundamental aspect of deep-rooted continuity within the organization.
Patrick is only the fourth GM for the Capitals since 1982, succeeding David Poile (1982-1997), George McPhee (1997-2014), and Brian MacLellan, who transitioned to a senior role after a decade as GM, paving the way for Patrick last summer. MacLellan has been with Washington for 25 years in various capacities, while Patrick boasts a 15-year tenure.
This extensive internal knowledge and collaboration have resulted in a roster filled with diverse and inspiring success stories.
The Capitals` primary centers are revitalization success stories. Dylan Strome initially signed a one-year `prove-it` contract in 2022 and then achieved a career-high of 65 points. He is now on a five-year contract and has just concluded a point-per-game season with a $5 million cap hit.
Pierre-Luc Dubois was widely considered a risky acquisition when Washington traded for him last year, following a disappointing first season in Los Angeles, which was also the first year of an eight-year, $8.5 million contract. He seemed virtually untradeable—or so it was thought.
By offloading goalie Darcy Kuemper’s salary—a free-agent signing that didn`t pan out from 2022—Washington was able to acquire Dubois and simply instructed him to play his game. He responded by equaling his career-best with 65 points.
Strome, at 28, is a former third-overall pick playing for his third team; Dubois, 26, was picked fourth overall and is on his fourth team.
Washington also brought in two players who were each a season away from unrestricted free agency. Logan Thompson was inexpensively acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights and recorded the fourth-best goals saved above expected per 60 minutes in the NHL. Jakob Chychrun was obtained from Ottawa for a third-round pick and Nick Jensen, a dependable defenseman. Chychrun has scored 20 goals this season, surpassing every NHL defenseman except Cale Makar (30) and Zach Werenski (22).
Thompson, 28, signed a six-year extension in January. Chychrun, 27, committed to an eight-year contract in March.
Acquire them, develop them, and secure them long-term.
Complementing these strategic acquisitions are internal success stories. Winger Connor McMichael, 24, reached 25 goals this season; 24-year-old Aliaksei Protas—a third-round pick in the 2019 draft where McMichael was selected 25th overall—is a towering 6-foot-6, 30-goal scorer. And veteran Tom Wilson, a 16th-overall pick, has achieved elite status in the league and is completing his best season with 33 goals.
The draft successes continue as well. Ryan Leonard has played eight games with the team since leaving Boston College, and despite being an eighth-overall pick from 2023, he shows immense top-six potential even if his impact this spring is minimal. Protas’s younger brother, Ilya, a 2024 third-rounder, was second in OHL scoring with 124 points as a major junior rookie and has remarkably added 24 points in eight playoff games.
And who isn`t impressed by a Hutson these days? Lane Hutson is a strong contender for the Calder Trophy after his rookie season in Montreal; Quinn Hutson recently debuted with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent, and Cole Hutson—a Capitals second-rounder last June—led the 2025 World Junior Championship in scoring as a gold-medal-winning defenseman for Team USA. Cole is expected to replicate Lane`s impact at the NHL level soon.