The top two defensive pairings and five of the Washington Capitals’ top six forward spots already appear filled entering training camp, according to Coach Barry Trotz, leaving the heated battles for further down the lineup. It’s not a terrible problem to have this early, pitting motivated skaters against each other with NHL roles at stake. “They’ll just make you stronger,” Trotz said Friday. “The more good players you can get, the more competition you can have.”
For General Manager Brian MacLellan, the third-line center position foremost came to mind. Andre Burakovsky, Brooks Laich, Jay Beagle, Michael Latta and Derek Roy are expected to receive looks there during training camp, though Nicklas Backstrom’s surgically repaired hip – which increasingly appears will sideline him beyond the regular-season opener – might create a trickle-down effect.