The Washington Capitals made their *final* training camp cut Tuesday afternoon, sending down defenseman Madison Bowey to the Hershey Bears. The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan was the first to report the news.
But the roster you’re looking at now, may not actually be the team that arrives in Ottawa Thursday.
Like that weird relationship you had in high school, it’s complicated.
#Caps had to submit roster to NHL by 5 p.m. today, but could change by their opener on Thursday. Bears must submit opening roster Thursday.
— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) October 3, 2017
The Bowey transaction appears to be a paper move so that the Capitals can have another day to make their actual final, final cuts. Due to his age, Bowey is not waiver eligible and can be sent down to the AHL at anytime. Meanwhile, several of the other Capitals prospects on the bubble — Nathan Walker, Chandler Stephenson, and Christian Djoos — do not have that same luxury and would have to pass through waivers. The same could be said for veterans Aaron Ness and Taylor Chorney.
The one-day delay seems frivolous, but it may safeguard one of those players from being claimed because the rest of the NHL will have their final rosters set.
Meanwhile, general manager Brian MacLellan announced that he was negotiating with Alex Chiasson’s representation to sign the forward to the team’s regular-season roster.
MacLellan said the Capitals are working with Chiasson and his agents.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 3, 2017
Chiasson appears likely to take Tom Wilson’s spot in the lineup on Thursday.
So what should you make of today’s roster? Not much.
MacLellan: Initial roster may not be the one that the Caps have five games in.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 3, 2017
Possible that someone who gets sent down today will still play in one of the first couple games? Trotz says yes.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 3, 2017
Full roster
