Ovechkin Reveals His True Thoughts on New Capitals and Former Leafs Coach, Spencer Carbery

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Tom Banks
August 14, 2023 (9:47)

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The Washington Capitals fell short of their playoff goals in 2022-23, and this summer they've made plenty of changes, with several additions to their coaching staff, the biggest of which was a former Maple Leafs coach.

A solid pickup for Washington

Along with picking up Mitch Love from the Calgary Flames, the Capitals named a new Head Coach in Spencer Carbery, who was formerly with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Capitals are full of veteran talent, but none more important than Alex Ovechkin, and now, the man sitting No. 2 on the NHL's all-time goal scoring list has broken his silence on the hire.

A former Leafs assistant

After spending years in the Capitals organization, Carbery joined the Maple Leafs as an assistant coach for several years, and according to Ovi, the previous stint in Washington meant he has a great relationship with many players on this team.

We already knew him, we have a great relationship. I was happy with this hiring because he knows me, and he knows many of the guys on our team who had previously played in Hershey. I don't think we should expect any problems. The coaching staff has changed by 90 percent. Our power play will be different, perhaps the penalty kill and the system as a whole, too. The first month of training camp will be very important in that regard.

It may suck for Leafs fans that Carbery left, as many felt he could be a future Head Coach in Toronto, but given the experience and the talent in Washington, it was an opportunity too good to pass up for a very talented coach.

As Read on Maple Leafs Daily -
Alex Ovechkin reveals how he feels about the Capitals hiring ex-Leafs coach Spencer Carbery