The Washington Capitals aren't parting ways with their head coach, Spencer Carbery. Despite the disappointing season and one year left on his 2023 contract, the Capitals had good news.

David Pagnotta was the first reporter on the. "The Washington Capitals and head coach Spencer Carbery are in agreement on a multi-year contract extension," The Fourth Period reporter wrote on X

For now, we can tell that Washington wants to be committed to Carbery in the long term. They still have the vision, despite the team falling short in the playoffs this past season.

Carbery first started his coaching career with the South Carolina Stingrays in 2010. He then spent six seasons there in different roles. He worked as an assistant, head coach, and even the director of hockey operations.

He then went on to guide the Hershey Bears, Washington's AHL affiliate, for almost three seasons. He later joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant in 2021. Just two years later, the Capitals hired him to replace Peter Laviolette after missing the postseason in 2022-23.

Carbery had previously won Coach of the Year honors at the ECHL, AHL, and NHL levels. He then claimed the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year in 2025, and is now the seventh-longest tenured head coach.

While all the details of the new deal have not been announced, it is speculated that Carbery is signed through at least the 2028-29 season.

Over the last three seasons, the 44-year-old has held a 134-83-29 record with a .604 winning percentage.

The Capitals have had decent playoffs in two of those three seasons and won their first-round against the Montreal Canadiens in 2025. But they immediately fell short to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Why This Season Was Still a Disappointment

Washington's 2025-26 campaign ended without making it through the playoffs. They ended up closing their campaign in fourth place with a 43-30-9 record and 95 points.

The Capitals were just four points away this season and finished with the same total points as the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas eventually qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the season.

The Golden Knights also became the Western Conference final champions, sweeping the favorites, the Colorado Avalanche.

This postseason was frustrating and disappointing for the fans because Washington had scored 111 points just the previous season. The team also led the NHL with a 10.64% shooting percentage in 2024-25.

Last season was also the first time the Capitals failed to make the playoffs since 2023. However, Washington's disappointing season did not disrupt the team’s belief in Carbery.

They still believe that he is the right coach to lead the Capitals into their next season. 

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi