July 23, 2025
CAPS BUILT SMART: How the Capitals Got Their Rebuild Right While the Metro Collapsed
Locked On Capitals - Daily Podcast On The Washington CapitalsAbout this episode
The Washington Capitals have quietly executed one of the smartest retools in the NHL. Instead of tearing it all down, they blended their aging core—Ovechkin, Wilson, Carlson—with emerging talent like Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, and Ryan Leonard. Add in savvy trades for Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy, and Pierre-Luc Dubois, plus breakout goaltending from Charlie Lindgren, and you’ve got a team that is younger, deeper, and more competitive than most expected. It’s a retool that worked—and fast. But they’re not a finished product. Despite making the playoffs, the Caps were exposed against top-tier teams like the Panthers. They still lack scoring depth, consistent physicality outside of Tom Wilson, and the kind of high-end talent that can shift a playoff series. Meanwhile, the rest of the Metropolitan Division has stumbled—between failed rebuilds (Devils, Rangers) and front offices clinging too long to aging rosters (Penguins, Islanders). The question heading into 2025–26: Can Washington finish what they started—and finally end the Metro’s 7-year Stanley Cup drought? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins! FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.