Olympics Baby! Caps Reps Light Up Milan While Chychrun Waits – Time for Canada to Swap and Shock
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have hockey fans buzzing, especially with NHL players back on the ice after a long absence. Japers' Rink, a dedicated Washington Capitals blog, captured that excitement in their recent "Rink Roundtable: Olympics, Baby!" discussion (published February 10, 2026). The team's contributors—Becca, Luke, Rob, and Alex—dove into roster debates, personal Olympic highlights, and favorite non-hockey events, all while spotlighting Caps talent and broader Winter Games vibes.
Roster Shake-Ups: Who Gets the Boot for a Capital?
The panel got ruthless on hypothetical swaps, focusing on snubs and why certain Washington players deserve spots:
Jakob Chychrun emerged as the biggest overlooked Capital. Multiple contributors argued he should replace Canadian defensemen like Drew Doughty (called a "zombie husk" by one), Shea Theodore (questioned for his offensive output post-Cup), Travis Sanheim, or even Colton Parayko. Chychrun's strong season (including 21 goals) and two-way play made him a popular pick for Team Canada.
Ryan Leonard got a nod from one panelist as a high-energy replacement for JT Miller on Team USA, praising Leonard's relentless 110% effort over perceived "bad vibes" elsewhere.
It's clear Caps fans see untapped Olympic potential in their roster beyond the official participants.
Caps Olympians in Action
The men's tournament kicked off with Martin Fehervary (Team Slovakia, even wearing an "A" as alternate captain) facing Finland first. Tom Wilson (Canada) and Logan Thompson (likely Team USA or Canada—context points to North American squads) are also repping the Caps on the global stage. The timing aligns perfectly with women's hockey already underway and the full NHL return adding star power.
Memorable Olympic Moments
Personal stories highlighted what makes the Games special:
Nostalgia for women's hockey milestones: The 1998 U.S. gold (sparking pro leagues like the PWHL) and the thrilling 2018 shootout win in PyeongChang.
Iconic hockey plays: TJ Oshie's legendary shootout for Team USA, Peter Forsberg's clutch moment for Sweden, and speed skater Dan Jansen's emotional gold.
Pure joy: One contributor recalled screaming "U-S-A!" alone in their apartment during that 2018 women's final, plus figure skating magic from Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir's Moulin Rouge routine.
These anecdotes mix national pride, historic breakthroughs, and individual brilliance.
Beyond Hockey: Favorite Winter Events
The roundtable showed love for the full Olympic spectrum:
Figure skating topped lists for several, with shoutouts to U.S. stars like Ilia Malinin (the "Quad God" from Virginia, rocking Ovechkin's yellow skate laces) and pairs like Chock/Bates. The team event gold this year got extra hype.
Curling won fans for its relatable pace—strategic pauses leading to big payoffs—and accessibility (one writer even plans to try it locally).
Other mentions included half-pipe snowboarding, speed skating, sliding sports (luge/skeleton—though head-first skeleton terrifies some), and avoiding cross-country skiing's messier side.
Overall, the discussion radiates pure enthusiasm: pride in Caps reps, frustration over perceived snubs (especially Chychrun), and joy in both hockey's return and the quirky charm of other events. As the men's games heat up in Milan, it's a reminder of why the Olympics feel extra special when the NHL's best are involved. What about you—which roster swap would you make, or what's your must-watch Olympic event?
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