Minnesota Wild draft selection, Riley Emmerson, would return to the club after being appointed player-coach for the 2015–16 season. On the announcement of his return, Emmerson stated that his goal for the club was to "[change] the culture of the Edinburgh Capitals and I want to bring guys in who want to better the club, better themselves as players and to better themselves as people, while they wear a Capitals jersey." Emmerson's first offseason as coach saw a clear out of the previous season's roster, with defenceman Kyle Flemington being the only other import to return for the 2015–16 season. After three seasons at the club, goalie Tomáš Hiadlovský would leave to join Basingstoke Bison of the English Premier Ice Hockey League. The club's top point-scorer from the previous season, René Jarolín, would also move to the EPIHL, signing for Milton Keynes Lightning. Although initially agreeing to re-sign for the Capitals, defenceman Loren Barron announced that he would be retiring to pursue a career outside of ice hockey. Other retirees from the 2014–15 season included forwards Dennis Rix, Jade Portwood, Greg Collins and Daniel Naslund. Emmerson's recruitment during the summer brought about a change in on-ice philosophy, with the club signing players familiar with the more high-tempo and physical North American style of play. Forwards Everett Sheen and David Rutherford, alongside defenceman, Kyle Bigos, would join the Capitals from the ECHLs Ontario Reign; whilst defenceman Jacob Johnston and forward Ryan Hayes would sign from former league rivals, Utah Grizzlies. First year pros Taylor Dickin, Nate Fleming, and Craig McCallum would join the club from the universities of Manitoba, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, respectively. Other key recruits included forwards Trevor Gerling from the Elmira Jackals, Paul Zanette (on a two-year contract) from Italian club HC Bolzano; and goalie Carsen Chubak, who would sign from fellow Elite League club, Belfast Giants. It was announced on 14 October 2015 that newly named club captain, Everett Sheen, would be leaving the club with immediate effect. Alternate captain, Paul Zanette, was later chosen as the new captain of the Capitals. On 10 November 2015, Canadian forward Brandon Coccimiglio – a former teammate of Rutherford – joined the club as the replacement player for Sheen. The Capitals had to deal with the departures of Ryan Hayes and David Rutherford, while Nate Fleming would also leave for personal reasons. Ned Lukacevic, Ņikita Koļesņikovs, Brandon Thompson, Garrett Milan