Washington Capitals top breakout candidates for 2025-26 season

The Washington Capitals were the top team in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25. The front office did not make a lot of moves over the summer, as the Capitals were generally quiet in NHL Free Agency. This may not be an issue for their future growth, though. The club saw young players break out in 2024-25 and there are a new set of them ready to do the same this season.

Since 2005-06, the Caps have made the playoffs in 16 of their 20 NHL campaigns. That includes three President’s Trophies and one Stanley Cup in 2018. It is also the entirety of the Alex Ovechkin era in Washington.  The Ovi era could be coming to an end, and a new set of stars is set to lead the franchise into the future.

In 2024-25, a few players had breakout campaigns. This starts with Aliaksei Protas. The Belarusian forward was selected No. 91 overall by the Caps in the 2019 NHL Draft. He would break into the NHL in 2021-22. From 21-22 through 23-24, he played in 169 games, finding the back of the net 13 times while adding 40 assists. Then in 2024-25, the 6-foot-6 forward played in 76 games, lighting the lamp 30 times and adding 36 helpers. That includes three shorthanded goals and six game winners.

Protas was not the only breakout player on the club in 2024-25. Connor McMichael was picked by the franchise in the same draft as Protas, being selected 25th overall. The Canadian played in one game in 2020-21, and over four campaigns, has played 155 games at the NHL level. In that time, he chipped in 27 goals with 24 assists. Then, in 2024-25, he would play in all 82 regular-season contests, shattering his career highs with 26 goals and 31 assists.

While the squad still has established players such as Ovi, Tom Wilson, and Dylan Strome, in addition to two players who just broke out, they also have three guys ready to take the next step in 2025-26.

Is Ivan Miroshnichenko ready for the show? 

Ivan Miroshnichenko could be the next Russian star for the team. Fellow Russian, Ovechkin, continues to hit career milestones and set records. Meanwhile, Miroshnichenko has already put his name in the record books. He holds the record for the longest, non-compound surname on the back of an NHL jersey. The fans who Rock the Red hope that is not the last record the forward breaks.

The Russian was selected 20th overall by the franchise in the 2022 NHL Draft. He broke into the NHL in 2023-24 and has played 39 games at the NHL level between two campaigns. In that time, he has chipped in 10 points. Still, there is hope he can contribute soon. He has an elite shot, which is both powerful and accurate. Ultimately, that will be a major asset to the powerplay, but until he becomes a regular contributor, finding space for the forward to get off his shot will be key.

Beyond his shooting skill, he is a top-level skater who is also physical. He needs to work on his defensive skills and consistency overall. While he is not currently projected to make one of the top four lines to start the season, as soon as the call comes to join the show, he should make a name for himself.

Hendrix Lapierre should take the next step