Andrew Cristall is entering his first professional season in the Washington Capitals organization, and he\u2019s already earned a lot of respect from his teammates.<\/p>\n
Not only has Cristall been a key contributor on the ice \u2014 he\u2019s scored four goals in his seven career preseason games with the Caps<\/a> \u2014 but he also appears to be beloved off of it.<\/p>\n The evidence? Well, ahead of Tuesday\u2019s preseason tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a Capitals social media video<\/a> revealed that Cristall had been bestowed his very own creative nickname.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not simple like Drew. Nor is it Stally. It\u2019s Loaf.<\/p>\n \u201cLOAF!!\u201d Tom Wilson yelled as his noticeably shorter teammate entered the tunnel for the Capitals\u2019 pregame hijinks. Cristall flashed a bashful smile as more of his teammates joined in to say hi.<\/p>\n If there was any doubt that Wilson was referring to Cristall with the nickname, the Capitals wrote on X when the forward prospect scored on a second-period power play: \u201cGood loaf.\u201d<\/p>\n Upon further research, the nickname appears to have been first hatched by Wilson in 2024 ahead of an October 5 preseason game against the Boston Bruins.<\/p>\n As Cristall walked by Wilson, the Capitals\u2019 alternate captain had a request for the 2023 second-round pick.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, let\u2019s see it. Take it off for a sec,\u201d Wilson said, referring to Cristall\u2019s helmet.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now?\u201d Cristall asked. \u201cMy hair\u2019s dust right now. I haven\u2019t wet it or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Cristall ultimately obliged, removing his bucket to reveal his massive leafy lettuce.<\/p>\n \u201cWOOOOOOO!\u201d Wilson yelled in delight. \u201cHoly shmoley. That\u2019s a loaf.\u201d<\/p>\n So there you have it. Andrew Cristall is Loaf \u2014 a nickname that ranks up there with Ch<\/a> (Charlie Lindgren), Doggy<\/a> (Brandon Duhaime), Jordan<\/a> (Dylan Strome), Judy<\/a>, and McJesus<\/a> (Connor McMichael).<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t