The Capitals' nightmare scenario in 2025 NHL free agency could unfold if they fail to plan for a future after the best goal-scorer ever.

Mitch Marner is probably the most popular name in the NHL right now. He’s the talk of the town because in less than a month, on July 1, the forward will be testing the free agent market.

Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals has won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year. The league announced the honor Saturday after members of Carbery’s family surprised him with the trophy earlier in the week. Carbery is the first person to be named coach of the year in the NHL, American Hockey League and ECHL.

Carbery led the Caps to the Eastern Conference's highest points total while navigating Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of the all-time goals record.

After being the top team in the Eastern Conference this past season, we look at the dream sceanario for the Capitals in 2025 NHL free agency.