3 Washington Capitals Not Expected Back Next Season

The Washington Capitals finished the 2025-26 NHL season with a record of 43-30-9, missing out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While they didn't necessarily go all in at the trade deadline, the Capitals were expecting to make the postseason and push for a Stanley Cup.

Heading into the offseason, there's a ton of uncertainty surrounding the Caps, and exactly what their direction will be on the trade market, and throughout free agency. There's some big looming questions hanging over the team, and we'll get into it - here's three Capitals who aren't expected back next season.

Alex Ovechkin

Ovechkin is contemplating retirement and he never wanted a big farewell tour like some greats receive. So, riding out into the sunset on a non-playoff team could be exactly how Ovechkin decides to put a giant bow on his career. Over the last couple of regular season games, specifically against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin asked for his game-used jerseys and had OV sign some sticks, so it's obvious, we're not the only ones who think this is it for the NHL's greatest goal scorer.

David Kampf

Kampf was a late-season addition for the Capitals after starting the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and eventually winding up in Washington via a trade with the Vancouver Canucks. The defensive-minded fourth-line center dressed in just two games for the Caps, averaged less than 10 minutes of ice time per game, and don't be surprised to see Kampf sign elsewhere on July 1.

Timothy Liljegren

Speaking of trade acquisitions, Liljegren was acquired from the San Jose Sharks once John Carlson was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks. The 26-year-old Liljegren is hitting the unrestricted free-agent market for the first time and is expected to prize himself out of the Capitals' plans. Liljegren appeared in just four games for the Caps and was held off the scoresheet.

Photo credit: Bob Lee, Imagn Images