The Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators got in a final trade ahead of the NHL’s trade deadline on Friday.
The Capitals acquired Wyatt Bongiovanni, sending Graeme Clarke in the other direction. The Caps signed Clarke to a one-year, two-way contract this past July. He has 24 points (15g, 9a) in 50 games for the Hershey Bears this season.
Clarke, who has struggled with consistency throughout the season, was recently healthy-scratched by Bears head coach Derek King. The 24-year-old winger has been unable to find the same offensive success in Hershey that he had earlier in his AHL career with the Utica Comets, where he had 58 points (25g, 33a) in 68 games during the 2022-23 campaign.
Bongiovanni, 26, has been with the Senators since the 2023-24 season, recording 25 points (12g, 13a) in 54 games this season. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
The Michigan native had a career-best season last year with Belleville, posting 33 points (22g, 11a) in 54 games. He led the team in game-winning goals (5), tied for the team lead in goals, and his eight power-play markers ranked second on the team.
Bongiovanni is also an ace in the shootout, converting on 42.9 percent of his career attempts.
Here’s the press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Acquire Wyatt Bongiovanni from the Ottawa Senators
26-year-old forward has recorded 101 points in 215 career AHL games
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Wyatt Bongiovanni from the Ottawa Senators for forward Graeme Clarke, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. Bongiovanni will report to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Bongiovanni, 26, has recorded 25 points (12g, 13a) in 54 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season. The 6’0”, 193-pound forward ranked tied for second on Belleville in power-play goals (2), fifth in goals and tied for seventh in points.
During the 2024-25 season, Bongiovanni established AHL single-season career highs in goals (22) and points (33) in 54 games with Belleville. The Birmingham, Michigan native led the Senators in game-winning goals (5) and ranked tied for first in goals, second in power-play goals (8) and fifth in points.
Bongiovanni signed with the Winnipeg Jets on April 17, 2022 after completing his collegiate career at Quinnipiac University. In four seasons with the Bobcats, Bongiovanni recorded 90 points (50g, 40a) in 123 career games and served as team captain during his senior season in 2021-22.
In 215 career AHL games with Belleville and Manitoba, Bongiovanni has recorded 101 points (63g, 38a). In addition, Bongiovanni has registered seven points (3g, 4a) in 12 career Calder Cup playoff games.
Clarke, 24, has recorded 24 points (15g, 9a) in 50 games with Hershey this season. The Waconia, Minnesota native has registered 210 points (99g, 111a) in 332 career AHL games with Hershey, Iowa, Utica and Binghamton.
