The Washington Capitals’ dressing room at Kettler Capitals Iceplex didn’t immediately look any different from last year, with various padding still neatly tucked away into every wooden stall. But before the first preseason game Monday, there was one subtle difference: The “Green” nameplate with the No. 52 on it was missing from the space it had occupied since the facility opened.
With the departure of Mike Green during free agency, the Capitals lost not only their most veteran defenseman, but also 45 points and a mainstay on the power play. No Washington defenseman will replace all of that this season, but in a system that allows blue-liners freedom to generate offense, the responsibility will be shared.