Brooks Laich, shown here in his first season with the team, came to the Capitals in a trade for team icon Peter Bondra, one of Laich's favorite players when he was growing up. Now Laich is the longest tenured athlete on Washington's teams in the big four of major professional sports (photo courtesy of Washington Capitals Photography).
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, left, and center Nicklas Backstrom do sprints during a Capitals hockey practice, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin looks from the bench during a Capitols hockey practice, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)