Grading the 2025-26 Washington Capitals Defensemen

He is also a strong, sizable defenseman. He laid 58 hits on opponents and blocked 114 shots this season, finishing with a plus-20 rating. His presence consistently impacted the Capitals positively, whether or not he found himself on the scoresheet. He signed an eight-year contract with the team last season, so “Chychy” is here to stay.

Martin Fehervary – A

Martin Fehervary is another fine example of a stellar defenseman. He brings both defensive physicality and offensive skill to the lineup each game. While his scoring was not at the elite level of Chychrun, he is still a solid two-way player. He accumulated 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 81 games and was among the team’s top-performing defensemen. If he could improve his scoring abilities, he’d be an even more well-rounded skater and all the more valuable to his team.

Fehervary shines due to his puck control and physicality. This season, he registered a career-high 176 blocked shots as well as an impressive 110 hits. Per NHL Edge, he spent 45.4% of his time in the defensive zone and showed a keen ability to get to the puck, battle along the boards, and use his body to shut down opponents effectively. He is a solid blueliner that the team is grateful to have found.

Cole Hutson – A

The hype around Cole Hutson was palpable as his college season ended and he made his NHL debut. The excitement was warranted — Hutson registered three goals and seven assists in 14 games. Though the sample size was small, he showed promise of a wildly successful future with the Capitals. In fact, his points-per-game rate was higher than that of any defenseman except Chychrun. It will be fun to see his growth next season and into the next era of hockey in Washington.

Timothy Liljegren – F

With Timothy Liljegren being acquired at the NHL trade deadline and then facing visa issues, he played just four games with the team. However, in those games, he did not register a single point despite averaging 16:54 on ice. The team recently signed him to a two-year contract, though, so perhaps we will get a better read on the defender next season.

Dylan McIlrath – F

In a somewhat unpopular move for the team, they opted to waive young, promising defenseman Vincent Iorio in favor of veteran blueliner Dylan McIlrath in October 2025. At the conclusion of this season, it is clear that the decision did not hold up. McIlrath played just 13 games, registered no points, and finished with a minus-1. This is his fourth season in Washington, and he has yet to play more than 17 games in a season. It is time to move on from the aging defenseman and make space for younger, more skilled skaters.

Matt Roy – B-

Matt Roy is a defenseman who primarily keeps his skills contained to the back end. He is a solid defender who makes a difference on the ice, but you may not see his name on the scoresheet often. He had two goals and 17 assists for 19 points in 79 games this season and finished with a plus-18 rating.

Where he stands out is in his physicality. He knows how to use his large stature to shut down the opposition and take control of the puck. He blocked 146 shots and registered 116 hits this season. If Roy could up his offensive game, he could be even more valuable to the Capitals’ lineup.

Rasmus Sandin – A

Rasmus Sandin is another top-performing defenseman in Washington. His 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) sandwiched him between Chychrun and Fehervary for points by blueliners this season. His skills are akin to those of Fehervary — he is gritty, physical, and plays a two-way game. He should continue to work on upping his offensive abilities and scoring to make himself more well-rounded.

In 73 games, he blocked a career-high 127 shots and laid 88 hits on his opponents. Sandin knows how to defend effectively, set up a play, and bring the “boom” whenever he is on the ice. He’s a valued member of the team’s defensive end.

Trevor van Riemsdyk – D

Trevor van Riemsdyk is a long-tenured member of the Capitals, with 2025-26 being his sixth season with the franchise. His performance has remained pretty consistent across his time with the team. While he isn’t getting better, he isn’t getting worse, either. He could be considered a middle-of-the-road defenseman.

This season, he had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 68 games and finished with a plus-6 rating. He is not as physical as other members of the squad, only totaling 12 hits and blocking 97 shots — his lowest in four seasons. He also had his lowest average time on ice in five seasons, spending 16:14 in action per game. Perhaps it is time to give van Riemsdyk a second look and see if another player could take his place more effectively.

As the team gets some much-needed rest this offseason, it will be interesting to see how the roster shapes up after the draft, free agency, and training camp. While players like Chychrun, Hutson, or Fehervary are likely shoo-ins for next season, the fate of other defenders is up in the air. Keep your eye on The Hockey Writers all offseason for news and updates regarding the Capitals and beyond.