Overview
- Insider reporting indicates about five choices remain unresolved: two forwards, two defensemen, and one goalie.
- Goaltending is down to four candidates for three spots: Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson, Darcy Kuemper, and MacKenzie Blackwood.
- Among forwards who were not at last year’s 4 Nations, Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson are viewed as closest to locks, with Bo Horvat and Nick Suzuki still in the mix.
- The battle for an eighth defenseman has focused on rookie Matthew Schaefer versus Evan Bouchard, with Thomas Harley, Colton Parayko, and Travis Sanheim identified as vulnerable incumbents.
- Multiple Capitals players have boosted their cases this season, with Wilson up front, Thompson in goal, and Jakob Chychrun drawing fresh attention on defense.