After two incredibly impressive seasons with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), Jacob MacDonald has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old joins his fourth NHL organization after appearing in 135 career NHL games, picking up 10 goals and 27 points. The defensemen will be expected to be a key part Hershey (AHL) after scoring 31 goals just two seasons ago with the Eagles.
When the 2025-26 season ended, so did Alex Ovechkin's contract, and there was some uncertainty surrounding his future. That said, the 40-year-old goal scorer will continue his NHL career for at least one more season, signing a one-year contract with the only team he has ever known, the Washington Capitals, who drafted him 1st overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Ovechkin remained productive last season, scoring 64 points (32G / 32A) in 82 games. The Capitals have had a busy offseason, bolstering their offence, which could allow them to be more situational and less reliant on Ovechkin in 2026-27.
Dunne played a career-high 34 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres, scoring four points (1G / 3A). That said, the undrafted 27-year-old forward has primarily been an AHL player in his career and will likely serve as a depth option for the Washington Capitals organization.
Booner Jenner was drafted 37th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has spent his entire career with the team, but will join the Washington Capitals after signing a four-year contract worth $23 million ($5.75M AAV). The 33-year-old forward has battled injuries in recent seasons but has had a solid 2025-26 campaign, scoring 38 points (13G / 25A) in 67 games with Columbus.
Desharnais, a towering 6'7 defenseman, had an impressive 2025-26 season with the San Jose Sharks, earning himself a sizeable four-year contract with the Washington Capitals worth $16.8 million ($4.2M AAV). The 30-year-old defenseman averaged 18:11 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A) and 103 hits in 53 games.
Holl spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, playing 41 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), but played nine games with the St. Louis Blues after being acquired at the trade deadline. The 34-year-old will provide some extra depth for an already deep Washington Capitals blueline.
Brodzinski has been a career journeyman, bouncing between the NHL and AHL, but he earned himself significant playing time the past three seasons with the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old forward scored 16 points (6G / 10A) last season in 55 games.
After ongoing negotiations with the Buffalo Sabres that extended throughout the regular season and into the offseason, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement, leading to Tuch being part of a sign-and-trade with the Washington Capitals in exchange for a third-round pick. The 30-year-old Tuch had a solid 2025-26 season with the Sabres, scoring 66 points (33G / 33A) in 79 games. He has scored 33 or more goals in four of his last five seasons and will add a significant offensive boost to Washington's top-six.
Liljegren was acquired at the trade deadline from San Jose late for a 2026 4th round pick but only managed to appear in four total games with the Capitals. The defensemen still earned himself a two-year contract extension worth $3.25 million AAV ($6.5M total) to remain in Washington on Wednesday. The 27-year-old closed out his 2025-26 campaign with a lacklustre one goal and 11 points in 47 games played between San Jose and Washington.
Sikora was a sixth-round pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Czech forward has spent the past three seasons playing in Czechia. He scored nine points (3G / 6A) this season in 24 games with Trinec Ocelari HC.
Niederbach was a second-round pick, 51st overall, of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old Swedish forward has spent his career playing in the Swedish Hockey League. He scored 32 points (13G / 19A) this season in 52 games with Frolunda HC.
Tyson Kozak will draw into Buffalo's lineup in Game Three, sending Dunne to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Dunne averaged 15:49 time-on-ice, recording a +1 plus/minus and two hits through the first two games of the series.
Sandin missed the final two games of the 2025-26 regular season, which will extend into the start of the 2026-27 season as he recovers from surgery to address an ACL tear. The 26-year-old Swedish defenseman has become an integral part of Washington's defence core, playing exclusively on one of the top two pairs. He averaged 19:12 time-on-ice and scored 29 points (5G / 24A) in 73 games this season.
Sandin missed the final two games of the 2025-26 regular season, which will extend into the start of the 2026-27 season as he recovers from a leg injury. The 26-year-old Swedish defenseman has become an integral part of Washington's defence core, playing exclusively on one of the top two pairs. He averaged 19:12 time-on-ice and scored 29 points (5G / 24A) in 73 games this season.
Holl will draw in alongside Jack Finley and Jonatan Berggren as the Blues do some line shuffling ahead of their season finale on Thursday. Oskar Sundqvist, Matthew Kessel, and Jonathan Drouin will all draw out of the lineup.
Desharnais has appeared in 53 games for San Jose this season but will be one of four odd men out for Game 82 after it was announced he is a healthy scratch vs. Winnipeg. The 29-year-old closes out his first full season in San Jose, picking up a goal, seven points and 68 PIMs in 53 games played.
Taylor Raddysh will re-enter the Rangers' lineup on Wednesday, sending Brodzinski to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Brodzinski scored 16 points this season (6G / 10A) while playing a career-high 55 games.
Stevenson was excellent for Washington in their final game of the season, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, the 27-year-old goalie will return to the Hershey Bears (AHL) to assist them on their playoff run.
