The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler from AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.
The move comes following the Capitals’ re-assigned defenseman Tyler Lewington back to Hershey Monday morning. Lewington was initially called up to give the cap-strapped Capitals some defensive depth. The Capitals have only six defensemen on the available following a lower-body injury to Michal Kempny — who was spotted on crutches during the Capitals’ White House visit earlier on Monday — that will reportedly leave Kempny out of the lineup indefinitely.
The Capitals were not able to immediately call up Siegenthaler, who played 25 games with the team earlier in the 2018-19 season. With the team so close to the cap, they only had the space to recall Siegenthaler at 5pm ET on Sunday. The Capitals played the Flyers at 12:30 pm ET on Sunday, so Lewington’s move was likely for insurance until such a time that Siegenthaler could return to the roster.
They still have 6 d-men on the roster, but…
at 5pm ET today they'll have enough cap space to recall Ness
at 5pm ET tomorrow they'll have enough cap space to recall Lewington
at 5pm ET on Sunday they'll have enough cap space to recall Siegenthaler or Hobbs… and so on 🙂
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) March 22, 2019
“We’re going through [salary cap issues],” Reirden said of the Capitals’ cap situation. “As those move further along in the season, some more salary cap money becomes available. Then you might be seeing some players. Some different guys. Who fits and who doesn’t fit. Who’s playing well and who not playing well. I know [the Hershey Bears] are playing a game tonight. We’ll continue to evaluate and get our updates from down there and see who’s ready.”
During the Capitals’ bye week, Siegenthaler was told to settle in an apartment in DC. He was later waived in February in order to make space for the return of Christian Djoos. The expectation was that Siegenthaler would rejoin the team after the trade deadline, but with the addition of both Carl Hagelin and Nick Jensen, the Capitals did not have the cap space to do so.
“It’s early to say that, but I’ve been impressed with how he’s played,” general manager Brian MacLellan said of Siegenthaler in January. “He’s handled things. He’s been protected a little bit, but more and more he’s getting exposed to better players, and he’s handling it and playing well. He’s got size, skating, defends well; puck movement’s been good. It’s pretty impressive what he’s done so far.”
In Siegenthaler’s 25 games with the Capitals in the 2018-19 season, he tallied four assists. Since being assigned to Hershey, Siegenthaler has had two goals and four assists in 34 games.
The Capitals next play the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on Tuesday, before heading on a three game road trip. Carrying an extra defenseman will give them more flexibility as the team ramps up to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
More from the Capitals below:
he Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Siegenthaler, 21, made his NHL debut on Nov. 9, 2018 against the Columbus Blue Jackets and has appeared in 25 games for the Capitals this season, registering four points (4a) and 10 penalty minutes. Additionally, Siegenthaler has played in 34 games with Hershey this season and has registered six points (2g, 4a). The 6’3”, 230-pound defenseman played in his first season with the Hershey Bears last year. In 122 career games with the Bears, Siegenthaler has recorded 19 points (8g, 11a) and 101 penalty minutes.
Siegenthaler recorded his first career AHL goal on Oct. 15, 2017 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Zurich, Switzerland, native previously played for the ZSC Lions in the National League in Switzerland. In 115 career games in the National League, Siegenthaler recorded 18 points (4g, 14a) and 85 penalty minutes.
The Capitals selected Siegenthaler in the second round, 57th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
