Adam Epstein attended the Joseph E. Robert Jr. Charitable Trust Fight for Children event on Thursday (May 4) and caught up with some notable athletes on the red carpet, including Capitals players TJ Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom as well as former Washington football players Gary Clark and Vernon Davis.
His main question to the players regarded which DC sports team would make it back to the postseason first.
"I think it depends on the seasons," Caps right winger Oshie said. "I think everyone's going to make a pretty good jump this year. We hate that we're not in it, we got pretty comfortable up there playing for a Stanley Cup every year, but I think this is a super good break for a lot of our older guys that have been battling some things for years. [...] I'm super excited for next season, and if no one else is gonna do it I have faith that we'll be in the playoffs next year."
Oshie, center Nicklas Backstrom and the Capitals finished sixth in their division, well behind the second-wild-card Panthers.
"Hopefully, that'll be us," Backstrom said. "We've only missed the playoffs twice in the last 10-15 years, so hopefully we can bounce back next year."
Over on the football side, former Washington receiver Gary Clark was confident in the team's chances in 2023-24 under new ownership.
"We'll be in the playoffs this season," Clark said. "We were close last year -- win any of those four games, we're in the playoffs. [...] But Howell is the truth, and I don't say that about a lot of guys that I don't know personally, because he's not scared of that position.
"If he throws an interception, he forgets about it immediately, comes back and tries to throw a touchdown the next play -- and his swagger ... he's a Brady."
Former Washington tight end Vernon Davis had similar sentiments.
"I think the first DC sports team to get back in the postseason will probably be the Washington Commanders," he said. "New ownership, new faces, fresh energy, new vibe and I feel like there's a lot to play for, there's a lot going on when it comes to this organization.
"Everyone loves change. [...] The city, it's very welcoming, so I feel like it's going to be the year for the Commanders."
Listen to the full segment below.