When the Washington Capitals finally hoisted the Stanley Cup back in 2018, it felt like the culmination of a decade of "almosts." But honestly, the years that followed were kind of a slog. The roster got older, the systems felt stagnant, and the "Great Eight" was chasing records while the team was barely chasing playoff spots. Then Spencer Carbery walked back into the building.
If you've been watching the 2025-26 season, you know the vibe is just different now. It isn't just about Alex Ovechkin’s hunt for 894 anymore; it's about a high-octane, modern system that has revitalized a franchise many experts thought was headed for a basement-dwelling rebuild. At the heart of this turnaround is the Washington Capitals coaching staff, a group that manages to mix old-school grit with the kind of analytical, player-first approach that today’s NHL demands.
The Jack Adams Standard: Spencer Carbery
Spencer Carbery isn't just some guy behind the bench. Last season, he took home the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach, and for good reason. He led the Caps to a 111-point season, clinching the Metropolitan Division and proving that his success in the AHL with the Hershey Bears wasn't a fluke.
Carbery is actually the first coach ever to win "Coach of the Year" honors in the ECHL, AHL, and the NHL. That’s a wild stat. It shows he knows how to talk to guys making $500 a week and superstars making $10 million. He’s obsessed with details, but he isn’t a robot. You’ll see him at the practice facility in Arlington, laptop open, grinding through film, but the second he leaves, he’s a dad and a guy who likes to talk NFL football. That balance keeps him from burning out, which is a real risk in a high-pressure market like D.C.
He’s currently in his third year of his tenure, and the team’s identity is clearly his: fast, aggressive, and incredibly annoying to play against.
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A Mid-Season Shakeup: The 2025-26 Washington Capitals Coaching Staff
Running an NHL bench is never as simple as picking a lineup and shouting "go." It’s about specialized roles. However, this season hasn't been without its drama. Earlier in the 2025-26 campaign, the team faced a major distraction when assistant coach Mitch Love was placed on leave and eventually dismissed following an NHL investigation. It was a huge blow because Love was a rising star in the coaching world.
To fill that gap, the Caps went back to their roots. On November 12, 2025, General Manager Chris Patrick announced the hiring of Patrick Wellar as an assistant coach. Wellar is a familiar face around the DMV. He was a third-round pick for the Caps back in 2002 and spent seven seasons coaching the defensemen in Hershey.
He’s the guy who developed Martin Fehérváry and Dylan McIlrath. Bringing him up to D.C. was basically a "plug-and-play" move. He already knows the system, he knows the players, and he’s won Calder Cups. It’s that kind of organizational depth that keeps the Capitals in the hunt when things get messy.
Breaking Down the Assistants
The rest of the staff is a blend of veteran experience and specialized skill-building.
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- Scott Allen: This guy is a lifer. He’s in his 30th season of pro coaching. Allen is the architect of the penalty kill, which was top-five in the league last year. He’s got that classic hockey coach aura—stern but fair.
- Kirk Muller: "Captain Kirk" handles the power play and the forwards. Since he joined, the Caps' power play jumped from a mediocre 20.6% to over 23%. When you have Ovechkin in his office, you just need a guy who can make sure the other four players are doing something useful to create space. Muller is that guy.
- Kenny McCudden: Officially the Assistant/Skills Coach. If you've wondered why Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas suddenly look like elite playmakers, it’s likely McCudden’s influence. He spent years in Columbus and is known for his work on the "micro-skills" that actually win games in 2026.
- Scott Murray: The Goaltending Coach who has survived multiple head-coaching changes. He’s been here for nine seasons. Think about the goalies he’s worked with: Braden Holtby, Vitek Vanecek, Ilya Samsonov, and now the duo of Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson. The fact that the Caps consistently get league-average or better goaltending despite changing personnel is a testament to Murray.
The Video Room: The Unsung Heroes
You can't talk about the Washington Capitals coaching staff without mentioning the people in the back with the headsets. Emily Engel-Natzke and Brett Leonhardt (who is also an assistant coach) are essentially the team's tactical navigators.
In today's NHL, a coach's challenge for offside or goalie interference can swing a playoff series. Engel-Natzke was the first woman to hold a full-time coaching position on an NHL staff, and she’s widely regarded as one of the best video coordinators in the business. They provide the real-time data that Carbery uses to make those gut-check decisions in the third period.
Why This Mix Actually Works
Most teams try to hire "names." The Caps under Chris Patrick and Spencer Carbery seem to be hiring "fits." There's a clear pipeline from the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) to the Hershey Bears (AHL) to the Capitals.
Carbery, Allen, and Wellar all have deep ties to the minor league system. This creates a "shared language" across the whole organization. When a kid gets called up from Hershey on a Tuesday night because of an injury, he doesn't need a week to learn the system. He’s been playing the "Carbery Way" for three years.
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Honestly, the biggest misconception about the Capitals is that they’re just an old team hanging on for one last ride. If you look at the coaching staff, they’re actually one of the most forward-thinking groups in the league. They use heavy analytics but don't let it override the "eye test." They value player development just as much as tactical schemes.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
Watching the Caps this season is different because the coaching "fingerprints" are everywhere. If you want to see what this staff is actually doing, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Defensive Rotation: Watch how Patrick Wellar uses his defensemen. He tends to favor a very active "gap control," meaning the D-men aren't backing up into their own zone; they're challenging the puck carrier at the blue line.
- Special Teams Adjustments: Kirk Muller is known for changing the power-play entry mid-game. If the drop-pass isn't working, look for them to switch to a rim-and-chase strategy almost immediately.
- The "Third Period Squeeze": Carbery is a master of the short-shift strategy when protecting a lead. Notice how the ice time for the fourth line actually stays consistent late in games to keep the stars fresh for a potential empty-net situation.
The Capitals are no longer just a one-man show. They are a meticulously coached machine that has figured out how to bridge the gap between the Ovechkin era and whatever comes next.
If you're following the team this year, the best way to stay updated is to watch the post-game pressers. Carbery is famously transparent about his tactical choices. You can also follow the official Capitals website or the Monumental Sports Network for behind-the-scenes looks at practice drills, which often feature Kenny McCudden working one-on-one with the younger prospects. Keeping tabs on the Hershey Bears' coaching moves is also a smart play, as that’s usually where the next Capitals assistant is currently cutting their teeth.
Strategic Next Steps for Fans:
- Track the Penalty Kill: Follow Scott Allen's PK stats monthly; if the percentage stays above 82%, the Caps are almost guaranteed a playoff spot.
- Monitor the Prospect Pipeline: Keep an eye on the defensive pairings in Hershey to see who Patrick Wellar might be eyeing for a future call-up.
- Attend a Practice: If you're in the D.C. area, public practices at MedStar Capitals Iceplex offer a rare look at how McCudden and Muller run their specific skill stations.