After losing Karl Alzner and Nate Schmidt during the offseason, the Capitals have two big holes in their blue line. Hershey Bears defensemen Christian Djoos appears to be one of the front-runners for a Capitals roster spot, but there are doubts that the tiny Swedish defenseman has the durability to succeed in the NHL.

Djoos is not a heavyweight, but has still remained a viable prospect because of his strong skating, good puck-moving skills, hockey sense (his father Par played in the NHL), and offensive instincts. But to thrive in the NHL, Djoos needs to put on on more pfounds.

Speaking with the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan on Friday, Djoos revealed that he’s been passionately trying to gain weight over the last year.

Djoos is listed as 161 pounds on the Hershey Bears roster, but told Khurshydyan that he is now up to 168 and has been eating non-stop.

Just chatted with defenseman Christian Djoos, who said he's now 168 pounds. Added that he's been eating all of the time.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 1, 2017

So, Djoos gained roughly 4 lbs since start of last season. Mann joked before that no matter how much you feed him, gaining weight is tough.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 1, 2017

"You've just got to eat everything almost," Djoos said. "Not the bad stuff, but you've got to eat all of the time."

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 1, 2017

In July, general manager Brian MacLellan tipped his hand with Washington Post columnist Barry Svrluga essentially guaranteeing a long look at Djoos and prospect Lucas Johansen.

“I really like Lucas Johansen, and whether it’s now or six months from now or a year from now, I think he’s going to be a factor,” MacLellan said to Svrluga. “Christian Djoos got 58 points at the American League level last year. I guess the knock on him is size (6-feet, 162 pounds), but I don’t think Schmidt (6-1, 194 pounds) is a big guy.”

“It’s a good team, I think,” MacLellan continued. “We have good goaltending. We have skilled players. We’re going to have to see how Djoos plays, how Johansen plays. We might take a little while to get up to speed in that area. I guess there’s a little uncertainty. But I feel good.”

Headline photo: @Capitals