‘As long as we can have him, we will’: Capitals make their Spencer Carbery verdict clear after playoff miss

The Washington Capitals missed the playoffs in 2025-26. They still did not blink on Spencer Carbery.Washington announced Thursday that Carbery signed a multiyear contract extension, according to NHL.com.

The move keeps the 44-year-old head coach in place after three seasons, two playoff appearances, and a Jack Adams Award.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Carbery had one year left on the four-year deal he signed when Washington hired him in 2023.

Washington Capitals did not treat Spencer Carbery’s missed playoff season like a warning sign

Carbery’s extension says more than a standard team statement. It shows the Capitals saw enough from him before the 2025-26 playoff miss to avoid turning next season into a lame-duck year.

Washington has gone 134-83-29 with Carbery behind the bench. The Capitals made the playoffs in his first season, then jumped to 51 wins in 2024-25. That team won the Metropolitan Division, led the Eastern Conference with 111 points, and finished third in the NHL.

Carbery won the Jack Adams Award after that season. NHL.com noted that he became the first coach to win coach of the year honors in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. The drop came this season.

Washington went 43-30-9, finished fourth in the division, and missed the Eastern Conference wild-card cut by four points. That kind of slide can make teams cautious. The Capitals went the other way.General manager and senior vice president Chris Patrick had already made his position clear in April during an interview with The Athletic. “Oh no, he’s 100 percent our coach now and in the future,” Patrick said. He did not stop there.

“I just think he’s the total package. He’s come in and showed as a first-time coach in the NHL that he can get the respect of veteran guys and get them to play the system he wants them to play and he’s shown he can develop young players, too.“As long as we can have him, we will.”

Chris Patrick’s public praise puts pressure on the Capitals’ next roster move

Patrick’s statement Thursday focused on Carbery’s player development, communication, and connection with both young players and veterans. “Since joining our organization, Spencer has played an important role in the development of many of our young players while also earning the respect and trust of our veteran leaders,” Patrick said.He added: “His communication skills, strong relationship-building, and ability to connect with players at every stage of their careers have made him a great leader of our club. In addition, he has helped foster a positive and accountable culture within our team, creating an environment where players can grow and succeed. We have been extremely impressed with his commitment, professionalism, and passion for coaching, and we are excited to see him continue building on that success.

”That praise matters because the Capitals are not just backing a coach. They are backing a transition.ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark noted that Washington had the 21st-youngest roster in the NHL this season, according to Elite Prospects, despite still having veterans such as Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. Clark also cited PuckPedia’s projection that the Capitals have $31.35 million to improve the roster.The next part is on the front office. Forwards Hendrix Lapierre and Connor McMichael are restricted free agents.

Ovechkin, Washington’s 40-year-old captain and the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, has not announced his plans for next season.Carbery now has security. The Capitals still need answers around him. Washington gave its coach the clearest possible vote of confidence after a season that did not end well. Now the franchise has to give him a roster that makes the extension look less like patience and more like timing.