Home / News / Chandler Stephenson was not on the ice for practice due to a pending ‘transaction’ (Updated)

Chandler Stephenson was not on the ice for practice due to a pending ‘transaction’ (Updated)

By Donya Abramo

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December 2, 2019 2:55 pm

On Monday, Capitals senior writer Mike Vogel reported Chandler Stephenson was not on the ice for practice. With the Capitals due to take on the San Jose Sharks in the first game of their West Coast road trip on Tuesday, Vogel added that a roster move involving Stephenson will likely happen before then.

Stephenson signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract over the summer, ahead of an August 1st arbitration hearing. With the Capitals tight against the salary cap, and forwards Carl Hagelin — who is eligible to return from long term injured reserve as of December 2nd — and Nicklas Backstrom both attending practice wearing regular jerseys, a move appears necessary to allow Backstrom and Hagelin to play on Tuesday. Even with Hagelin off LTIR, the Capitals would still have only 22 players towards the 23-man roster limit.

It is not yet clear whether the transaction would place any potential players on waivers with the purpose of loaning them to the Capitals’ AHL affiliate Hershey Bears, or involve a trade.

In 24 games with the Capitals thus far in the 2019-20 season, Stephenson has tallied three goals and one assist.

6:50 PM Update: It is being reported by multiple sources that the Capitals are trading Chandler Stephenson. The trade could happen as soon as tonight.

Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong