The Washington Capitals have further trimmed their training camp roster.
After making nine initial cuts earlier this week, the Capitals cut eight more players on Saturday morning. The team’s roster at camp has now been reduced to 42 players.
Among the newest series of cuts is 2025 first-round pick Lynden Lakovic, who was one of the early standout players at his first-ever pro camp. Lakovic will go back to the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors, while the other seven players, including the currently injured Zac Funk, will report to the AHL’s Hershey Bears.
Players sent back to junior
- Lynden Lakovic, F (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL)
Players sent to the Hershey Bears
- Zac Funk, F
- Ryan Hofer, F
- Ludwig Persson, F
- Matt Strome, F
- Alexander Suzdalev, F
- Aaron Ness, D
- Mitch Gibson, G
None of the veteran players cut are signed to NHL contracts, so they will not require waivers to head to Hershey. The Capitals placed Spencer Smallman and Calle Rosen on waivers on Friday, and they’ll likely clear on Saturday afternoon.
The Capitals had a scheduled off day on Friday. They are back on the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex for just one day of practice before heading to New Jersey for a preseason game against the Devils on Sunday afternoon.
The club will play four more preseason games, culminating with an October 4 matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
NHL teams must set their 23-man opening-day rosters by 5 pm ET on October 6. The Capitals open their regular season at home against the Boston Bruins on October 8.
